mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HEAD START
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-5-11

today I rise to recognize the work of the Head Start providers and programs across the United States as the National Head Start Association gathers in Phoenix, AZ, for its 50th annual conference. prgtoken Since 1965, more than 37 million Americans have relied on Head Start to provide high-quality early childhood education programming to families in need. Head Start programs operate in all 50 States through a variety of models, serving families from before birth to age 5 in Early Head Start and Head Start. But it is not just children who reap the benefits of a Head Start program. Parents and families are an integral part of Head Start, whether by prgtoken volunteering in a classroom, participating in educational programming, or even embarking on a career in early childhood education through Head Start, which is happening in Arizona. prgtoken Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to meet with an Arizona Head Start parent in my office, along with staff and administrators from our State. Being a new grandfather made it even more meaningful to me to hear the appreciation in the voice of the parent as she described the economic and educational opportunities Head Start was creating for her family. It also made it harder to hear that challenges in finding and retaining teachers and staff mean that classrooms are closing and hundreds of thousands of children are stuck on waiting lists. prgtoken That is why I am committed to growing Senate support for Head Start. I am proud that the most recent appropriations bill included nearly $12 billion for Head Start, representing a $960 million increase from the prior year. With this funding, Head Start staff can get paid closer to what they deserve, and more families can gain access to the early childhood education that we know makes a long-term difference. But there is certainly more to do, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help more children and families succeed. prgtoken To the Head Start providers, staff, and families throughout this country: We are with you. Thank you for the work you do every day.
PROTECTING TAXPAYERS AND VICTIMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD ACT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-5-11

such time as I may consume. prgtoken strongly agree that those who took advantage of the COVID crisis to commit fraud must be held accountable. Indeed, put $2 billion in the American Rescue Plan Act to fight fraud, and every House voted against these investments to prevent fraud and hold criminals accountable. prgtoken These ic anti-fraud dollars helped the Department of Labor create an important cross-checking system to catch fraudsters who apply for unemployment in one State while receiving income in another, a practice for which a House Member reportedly was indicted earlier this week. prgtoken s are playing a dangerous game by cutting ongoing successful work by the Federal Government to fight fraud and leaving States to pick up the pieces. prgtoken The Department of Labor expressed deep concern about how H.R. 1163 will ``throttle essential, ongoing efforts to strengthen and protect the UI program.'' prgtoken Instead of punishing organized crime, the H.R. 1163 guts Federal funding to fight fraud, weakens State unemployment systems, privatizes American public service jobs, and sends cruel surprise bills to innocent workers who were unemployed during the pandemic. prgtoken We enacted bipartisan pandemic unemployment benefits that kept an estimated 5 million people a year from falling into poverty. prgtoken This assistance meant revenue and customers for businesses and helps spur our economic recovery. Unfortunately, when disaster struck, State unemployment systems were not prepared. Mistakes were made and thousands of workers were overpaid. prgtoken Again, we worked in bipartisan fashion to encourage States to waive overpayments to protect unemployed workers. Now, s want to force States to claw back accidental overpayments from workers up to 10 years later. prgtoken When my GOP colleagues incorrectly assert that the bill limits the claw back of overpayments to fraud, they are only referring to a very narrow limit on the ability of States to keep portions of recovered fraud payments. prgtoken My ic colleagues and I offered many amendments to invest in antifraud efforts, protect workers, and strengthen State unemployment systems. The s rejected every amendment. prgtoken Instead, the GOP careens ahead with H.R. 1163 that the CBO estimates is a net cut in Federal investment in fighting unemployment fraud and strengthening unemployment systems. prgtoken That is why so many organizations oppose H.R. 1163, including the AFL-CIO; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; the Communications Workers of America; the National Employment Law Project; and the Service Employees International Union. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to oppose this dangerous bill, and .
RECOGNIZING ROBERT C. FREEMAN, ESQ.
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-11

it is my pleasure to recognize and congratulate Robert Freeman on receiving the 30 Under 30 award presented by Forbes to individuals who have impactful careers and accomplishments in their industry. prgtoken Mr. Freeman started his education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, and continued his education there earning a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo's School of Law. During his time at the University at Buffalo, Mr. Freeman was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, and a recipient of the Milton Plesur History Honor Award. prgtoken Mr. Freeman is a partner at Nesper, Ferber, DiGiacomo, Johnson & Grimm, LLP, where he has been since Oct. 2019. There, he focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate law. Some of his previous work experience includes internships with the New York State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, and the Erie County District Attorney's Office. prgtoken Outside of work, Mr. Freeman is actively involved with Saints Peter and Paul's Chapter of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is an on- ice volunteer with the SABAH program. Also, he is a member of the UB Law Alumni Association and sits on the Town of Amherst's Employee Suggestion Merit Award Board. He is a proud recipient of the Father Nelson Baker Service Award and is an Eagle Scout. prgtoken Today, I ask that we recognize and give thanks to leaders in the Western New York Community, such as Robert Freeman for his continued dedication and selfless service to his community.
SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-11

I rise in opposition to H.R. 2, which should be known as the child deportation act. prgtoken Last year, my family marked 100 years since my grandmother, Victoria Castro, came to the United States as a young orphan in the wake of the Mexican Revolution. On her paperwork, the San Antonio relatives who took her in wrote that she was coming ``to live,'' to live in the United States. prgtoken From the discussions on the floor today, it seems that many of my colleagues have forgotten about the lives of the asylum seekers who will be affected by their legislation. prgtoken Under this bill, for example, if a Uyghur Muslim family escapes from one of China's concentration camps in Xinjiang and seeks asylum in the United States by way of Mexico, they will be turned away. prgtoken If a group of Cuban dissidents sail to Florida and land outside of a port of entry, they will be turned away. prgtoken Ukrainian families fleeing from Putin's state-sponsored kidnapping, Catholics fleeing religious persecution in Nicaragua, and Christians in Iran would all be required to remain in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador at the mercy of cartels and violent gangs. prgtoken Under the -era remain-in-Mexico policy, human rights observers recorded thousands of violent attacks against migrants, including kidnapping, rape, and other brutal crimes. prgtoken That policy, as cruel as it was, included exemptions for unaccompanied minors and people who don't speak Spanish. This bill includes neither of those exemptions. prgtoken H.R. 2 would also end humanitarian parole for tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees who fought side by side with our troops for over 20 years of war. These heroes and their families barely escaped from the Taliban last summer, and less than 1 year later, s are trying to send our Afghan allies back to die. prgtoken Many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns about how the current immigration system will be able to handle a rising tide of immigrants post title 42. I agree that we need to build a more resilient, more effective, and more efficient system, but this bill is not the way to do that. prgtoken Time and again, we have seen that cruel, restrictive policies like those in this bill do not stop desperate people from fleeing persecution, oppression, and violence. prgtoken This bill would send the world's most vulnerable people to places where many Americans won't even drink the water. It would force asylum seekers to take dangerous, irregular paths to the United States, which is the exact kind of journey that led to the deaths of 53 people in the back of a sweltering tractor-trailer in my hometown of San Antonio last summer. prgtoken There are meaningful bipartisan solutions to address the causes of forced migration to the United States. I have been proud to work across the aisle to introduce several bills that would do that, but this is not the answer.
RECOGNIZING THE YPSILANTI COMMUNITY CHOIR'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-5-11

I rise today to recognize the Ypsilanti Community Choir on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of their founding. The contributions they have made to the culture of the city of Ypsilanti is worthy of commendation. prgtoken The Ypsilanti Community Choir was founded in 1983 by Denise Rae Zellner, who originally needed a small choral group for her acting group, the Ypsilanti Players. The Choir quickly outgrew that supporting roll, and by March of 1984 nearly 60 musicians stood on the stage at Holy Trinity Chapel for their first official performance. prgtoken For the last 40 years, the Ypsilanti Community Choir has participated in special events in and around the city, like the Harvest Festival and sidewalk caroling during the holiday season. Residents of the local Senior Living Communities have been blessed with countless performances, drastically improving their quality of life. The Choir also sings the national anthem at basketball games for Eastern Michigan University, as well as Memorial Day ceremonies at the local Washtenaw Vietnam Veterans Memorial. prgtoken All of these events, large and small, help foster a sense of community in the city of Ypsilanti. Dozens of different voices, working together for a singular purpose, and the end result being more beautiful than any one of them could accomplish alone. The Choir is an excellent example of what we need to do on the local, state, and national level, and what we can accomplish if we work together with a common goal. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the founding of the Ypsilanti Community Choir. For 40 years, they have been making the city of Ypsilanti a more vibrant and welcoming place for all residents. We thank them for their contributions to this great city, and I cannot wait till the next time I get to hear those voices ring.
Public Service Recognition Week (Executive Calendar)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-5-11

this week is Public Service Recognition Week--a week we have set aside each year since 1985 to recognize and honor public servants. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep, heartfelt gratitude to America's 20 million Federal, State, county, and local public servants. From astronauts to astrophysicists, caseworkers to court clerks, detectives to doctors, soldiers to superintendents, teachers to transit workers, America's public servants comprise one of our Nation's most critical and often maligned assets. prgtoken Men and women serve in harm's way to defend our Nation. Other public servants support them. Public servants teach our children, deliver the mail, administer our elections, keep our streets and communities safe and clean, guide air traffic, protect our natural resources and food and drug supplies, respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, conduct pioneering basic research, provide healthcare, interpret and enforce our laws, ensure that seniors and veterans receive the benefits they have earned, and represent our Nation's interests in foreign posts. I could go on and on. The work that public servants perform affects each and every one of us on a daily basis, making our lives so much better. prgtoken The public sector workforce--particularly at the Federal level--tends to be older, better educated, and more experienced than the private sector workforce. So many public servants could earn higher salaries in private sector jobs, but their motivation is more than pecuniary gain; it is a sense of duty and a love of their community and country that compel them. prgtoken President issued a proclamation this week that says: At a time when public servants are facing threats and hostility simply for doing their jobs, their continued willingness to serve is even more meaningful and important. We have an obligation to support them and to recognize and value their commitment and sacrifice. Our Nation's future depends on ensuring our public servants have good jobs with competitive pay and benefits, along with the resources they need to accomplish their work. It also depends on the next generation of smart, dedicated people answering the call of public service and joining their ranks, helping deliver the promise of America to more of our citizens. prgtoken I couldn't agree with the President more. prgtoken Just 7 percent of America's Federal workers are under the age of 30. I join President in urging young Americans to consider careers in public service. We need your talents, your energy, your ideas, and your idealism to ensure that America remains prosperous, secure, and a beacon of liberty for all humanity. prgtoken Each year, in conjunction with Public Service Recognition Week, the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service announces the finalists for the prestigious Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Me
TRIBUTE TO EMILY CARWELL
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-5-11

I thank our leader for all of his wonderful work, all the time. prgtoken I rise today to pay tribute to a phenomenal member of my staff, a leader who has played a key role in so many things I have been able to accomplish here in the Senate. prgtoken Emily Carwell is leaving the upper Chamber for a new leadership change across the Rotunda--dare I say, the lower Chamber--after more than 8 years in my office. And, honestly, it feels like Emily has been with me forever. To speak in Senate terms, Emily has been my legislative director for 2,383 votes. prgtoken It is actually quite fitting that she is returning to the House, though, because it is where she started, sort of. When I first interviewed her, I loved her right away: her Midwestern sensibilities, her enthusiasm, her eagerness to work for the people of Michigan. Anyone who has met Emily knows exactly what I mean. As somewhat of an afterthought, I asked her: You were in the House, right? You have House experience, right? prgtoken She said yes. prgtoken It turns out that her House experience was an unpaid fellowship. But--do you know what?--it didn't even matter. She joined my office as a legislative assistant. She hit the ground running, and she simply has not stopped. prgtoken She organized the first-ever bipartisan delegation to tour all of our Michigan military installations, which was very significant for us to do. prgtoken And, as legislative director, Emily has played a key role in so many areas that I couldn't even list them all. But I have to say, at the top of the list is our work on mental health. prgtoken Her passion and tenacity are a major reason why we were able to get certified community behavioral health clinics signed into law, the largest Medicaid expansion since the Affordable Care Act. And it was a wonderful bipartisan effort. And you can bet I will keep her number on speed dial as these clinics are expanded across the country. prgtoken Emily has also served as policy director of our ic Policy and Communications Committee, a job she has excelled at. And, , as vice chair of the DPCC, I know you know that well. prgtoken She has led amazing efforts to modernize the committee, including launching the ``DPCC FloorWatch'' app to bring us into the 21st century, which features everything from floor alerts to amendments, to floor and committee hearing videos. prgtoken If you had to describe Emily in one word--although there are so many words, but if you had to describe her in one word--``relentless'' would be a good choice. During vote-aramas, when everyone else was collapsed at their desks in the middle of the night, Emily was still typing away on amendments to make sure our caucus members had the information they needed. And she was tireless during the earliest days of the pandemic, when we had to figure out how to run a Senate office remotely while helping the people of Michigan in every way we could. prgtoken She h
BACK THE BLUE
Bill Johnson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-5-15

. Madam , for yielding to me. prgtoken Service is something that is in my blood, and I can tell you that, as I rise today in support of the men and women who wear the blue as we recognize National Police Week, I don't think we can say enough about their sacrifices. prgtoken All across America, police officers have an increasingly difficult and thankless job today. They see, literally, the worst of humanity, day in and day out, putting their lives on the line while serving to protect all of us for very modest pay. prgtoken They head toward the danger. They run into it rather than away from it. They are constantly put in unpredictable, chaotic, and threatening positions in order to keep our communities safe. prgtoken Very few professions demand the willingness to sacrifice one's own life in order to protect the safety and security of others, but that is exactly what our men and women in blue willingly sign up to do. prgtoken Just last year, 224 police officers were killed in the line of duty. Never, as I was growing up in this great country, did I think I would see a number like that. They have been shot, stabbed, and run over by the lawless. prgtoken Their murders don't receive nearly the media coverage that they should. The whole Nation should be outraged by what we see. prgtoken To the men and women who wear the blue, on behalf of those I represent, I thank them. I thank them for choosing to serve and to protect. Importantly, I thank their families who sacrifice so much and can never be sure if that pre-shift hug and kiss might very well be their last. prgtoken God bless each and every man and woman in blue for what they do. I thank them so much on behalf of a grateful Nation.
National Police Week (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-5-15

this week, thousands of law enforcement officers have gathered in Washington to honor their fallen brothers and sisters in blue. prgtoken Every year since 1962, Peace Officers Memorial Day has called our Nation to pay special tribute to heroic men and women in our communities who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. Throughout Police Week, peace officers and families from around the country mourn loved ones and find shared strength. Today, we remind the families and comrades of these fallen heroes that a grateful Nation has their backs. prgtoken As always, I am honored to welcome the Kentuckians who traveled to Washington for this week's events. My staff continue to work closely with Kentucky law enforcement and to listen to their concerns. Like many in my home State, I am thinking especially of the Kentuckians we lost in the line of duty this past year: Officer Logan Medlock of the London Police Department, who was fatally struck by a drunk driver while patrolling on duty; Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jody Cash of the Calloway County Sheriff's Department, who was shot and killed while interviewing a suspect; Captain Ralph Frasure and Officer Jacob Chaffins of the Prestonsburg Police Department and Deputy William Petry of the Floyd County Sheriff's Department, who were shot and killed in an ambush while attempting to serve a warrant; and the seven other Kentuckians whose names are being enshrined today on the National Law Enforcement Memorial: James Critchelow, Travis Hurley, Oliver Little, Gregory Means, Mark Pike, David Ragle, and Dixon Allen Sasser. prgtoken I also want to pay special tribute to Officer Nickolas Wilt who was shot in the head while responding to last month's bank shooting in downtown Louisville. Officer Wilt was just 11 days out of the Academy, but he never shied away from his duty, even in the face of imminent danger. prgtoken Today, Officer Wilt has continued to show signs of improvement and the city of Louisville stands behind him on his road to recovery. prgtoken As we honor officers in Kentucky and across the country who have been injured or killed in the line of duty, I know my colleagues join me in thanking the peace officers who continue to run toward danger to keep us safe. prgtoken , Police Week is an important and solemn occasion every year. America's peace officers deserve our respect and recognition every single day. But in recent years, Peace Officers Memorial Day has taken on an especially urgent situation. In 2021, President 's first year in office, the number of law enforcement officials feloniously killed in the line of duty reached its highest level in 20 years. prgtoken Just last year, 331 officers were shot on the job; 62 of them were killed. That is a 32-percent increase from just 2 years earlier. Brave men and women in blue swear to uphold law and order, to run toward danger, even to give their lives to protect their communitie