mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING SHERIFF K.C. HAMP
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise today to honor an extraordinary community leader, Sheriff K.C. Hamp of Tunica County, Mississippi. prgtoken Tunica County Sheriff Calvin ``K.C.'' Hamp, known since childhood with the reversed initials K.C is a native of Tunica County, Mississippi. K.C. is an active member of Union Street Church of Christ, where his brother, Sylvester Thomas Jr is Pastor. He is married to Patonya Price-Hamp and has four children, two daughters, two sons and one grandson. prgtoken Sheriff Hamp was elected to his fourth term as Sheriff in November of 2015. Sheriff Hamp is a graduate of Rosa Fort High School and holds an Associates of Arts degree from Coahoma Community College. He attended the University of Mississippi to obtain his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice; moreover his training and education is ongoing. prgtoken K.C. began working with the Tunica County Sheriffs Office in 1994 and started his career in law enforcement as a Deputy Jailer. During his 20 year tenure with the Tunica County Sheriffs Office his assignments have included Patrol Supervisor, Auto Theft Investigator, D.A.R.E. Officer and Internal Affairs Investigator. prgtoken Sheriff Hamp is an organizer of the Tunica County T.R.I.A.D. and is a member of the National Sheriffs' Association, Mississippi Sheriffs' Association, MS D.A.R.E. Association, Tunica County Literacy Council and Tunica County 10-Point Coalition. prgtoken Sheriff Hamp was appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to the following state boards: Mississippi Crime Stoppers, Advisory Council, Byrne-JAG Drug Task Force Committee and Mississippi Trauma Advisory Committee, in which his appointment with the Mississippi Trauma Advisory Committee has continued under Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. He also serves on the D.U.I. Advisory Task Force Committee, Mississippi Department of Corrections Oversight Task Force, Asset Forfeiture Task Force and Mississippi Child Death Review Panel. prgtoken K.C. is elected to serve as President of the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association beginning June of 2016. He has served as Vice President, 2nd Vice President and 3rd Vice President. prgtoken K.C. has been a volunteer funeral director with Henderson Funeral Home in Tunica, Desoto and Panola Counties for over 25 years. He feels this is an opportunity to serve and interact with people in a time when they need a friend the most. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sheriff K.C. Hamp for his dedication in being a respected community leader.
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-1-19

before coming to Washington today, I went to Annapolis. The Maryland General Assembly is in session. I had a chance to meet with several of our regional delegations in the Maryland General Assembly, our senators and members of the house, and obviously the question that was asked the most is, What is happening in regard to the Federal Government? What is happening in regard to the fiscal year 2018 budget? Will the government be funded past midnight tonight? prgtoken I must tell you, I was talking to both ic and members of the Maryland General Assembly, and there was a common concern. You see, the Maryland General Assembly will shortly be receiving from Governor Hogan the fiscal year 2019 budget. A good part of any State's budget is the Federal funding programs. Neither the State of Maryland nor any of our local jurisdictions had the fiscal year 2018 budget, let alone a blueprint for likely action by Congress for the fiscal year 2019 budget. prgtoken The budget should have been passed by October 1 of last year. That is the beginning of the fiscal year. We have been operating under continuing resolutions during the entire part of this year. In fact, we have been operating under continuing resolutions for years, and it is causing significant damage to this country. prgtoken The s control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and they can't pass a budget for our country. So when the leadership asked us in September of last year for a continuing resolution to have more time to negotiate a budget for fiscal year 2018, we had no choice but to go along with the continuing resolution to give more time. But then on three additional occasions the leadership has come forward saying: We need additional time. prgtoken I remember the debate we had in December before the holidays. The leadership was very clear that this would be the last continuing resolution that was going to be needed. They were close to working out deals, et cetera, only to find out today that we are still no closer to getting it resolved. prgtoken Here is the tragedy: Our agencies cannot exist on continuing resolutions. They hit a point where they are no longer able to carry out their mission in the best interests of the American people. We heard that last night on the floor of the Senate when the representative of the Department of Defense indicated that our Nation's preparedness, readiness, cannot be maintained by a continuing resolution with last year's budget. prgtoken You see, a continuing resolution does not reflect our current priorities. It is where we were the last time we passed the budget, which was over a year ago. Those are the spending priorities an agency must comply with. prgtoken For the Department of Defense, a lot has happened during that period of time. Look at what is happening in North Korea. Look at what is happening with Russia. Look at what is happening around t
PRESSING ISSUES FACING THE NATION
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-1-19

. Madam , enough is enough. Congress has a huge list of urgent, overdue bipartisan priorities for the American people, and we can't keep kicking the can down the road. prgtoken The short-term funding bill congressional s passed yesterday ignores the pressing issues facing our Nation: funding the Children's Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers; delivering needed resources to fight the deadly opioid epidemic; protecting our DREAMers from deportation; and providing disaster relief for Americans ravaged by hurricanes, mudslides, and wildfires. prgtoken These issues aren't going away. We must work together to address them immediately. Yet House s have passed a fourth short-term funding measure in 4 months. prgtoken This month-by-month approach is reckless and dangerous for the entire Nation. It hinders our military, medical research, and infrastructure investments. It hurts seniors who depend on Social Security and Medicare and veterans getting care at the VA. prgtoken We need to stop the gimmicks and the cycle of delay. This is no way to run the government. prgtoken Madam , let's stop putting off for tomorrow the things we need to do today. Let's get to work.
HONORING ED SCHULZE
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise today to recognize Ed Schulze of Novato, California, for his exceptional commitment to public service and civic engagement. For nearly 45 years, Mr. Schulze has dedicated himself to effecting positive change in his community, serving in numerous leadership positions and volunteering countless hours. prgtoken Novato commemorates their city's founding with a celebration that, among other things, honors one resident as the city's Citizen of the Year. This honoree is nominated by members of the community, and is selected by a citizen committee who look for individuals that have made significant contributions to the City of Novato. Ed Schulze has been selected this year, on the 58th anniversary of the city's founding, in recognition of nearly a half-century of civic engagement on behalf of his community. prgtoken Ed Schulze moved to Novato with his wife Marilyn in 1973. First getting involved with his homeowner's association, Mr. Schulze would end up working on a wide array of local issues surrounding public safety, the environment, education, and the integrity of the city's leadership pipeline. prgtoken Never seeking public office himself, Mr. Schulze would instead serve on numerous boards and commissions including the county's Parole Board, Major Crimes Task Force Oversite Committee, Operational Area Disaster and Citizen Corps Council, and the Marin County Grand Jury. Through these roles, Mr. Schulze was able to improve the public's relationship with local government agencies and fight for issues such as pesticide reduction in western Marin County. prgtoken Ed Schulze's impact on the City of Novato can be measured not only through the issues he has worked on, or meetings he has attended, but also through the people whose lives he has touched over the years. As a dedicated family man and consummate public advocate, he has inspired generations of community leaders since moving to Novato nearly a half- century ago. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Ed Schulze for his many years of selfless volunteerism and leadership across the City of Novato and the County of Marin.
VETERANS VIEWS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-1-19

it is with sincere gratitude that I take this time to recognize prgtoken the Veterans Views radio program, broadcasting out of Hammond, Indiana. For nearly a decade, the program's hosts, past and present, have been tireless advocates for veterans residing in Indiana's First Congressional District, across the nation, and abroad. As Veterans Views approaches its 10th anniversary, I commend those involved for not only bringing veterans' issues to the forefront, but for giving those who served a voice. prgtoken From its humble beginnings on a cable access channel, before shifting to its current radio format, several local veterans who once made personal sacrifices to defend our country assembled to serve their veteran brothers and sisters in another way. Selflessly, these individuals provided an avenue by which veterans could share their collective experiences, and in doing so, forged a path of public service that has improved the lives of many veterans. Local veterans Ernie Dillon, Bill Emerson, Patrick O'Donnell, Dennis Shults, and Donald Shults combined their experiences and knowledge to create a platform where veterans in the community might seek support or assistance or discuss pertinent issues. prgtoken Currently, Veterans Views, hosted by Ernie Dillon, Patrick O'Donnell, Bill Emerson, and David Hinshaw, airs weekly on WJOB 1230 AM and also shares its message via livestream, allowing veterans throughout the country and around the world to participate. The focus of the show remains to help fellow veterans understand issues ranging from benefits and health care to finances and employment. The dedicated hosts are keenly aware of developments within the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, while keeping up-to-date on matters that may potentially affect their audience. prgtoken Veterans Views is to be commended for its efforts to safeguard the well-being of those to whom we are indebted for the courage and sacrifice exhibited during their service. In recognition of these efforts, the program has received numerous accolades over the years, including the Excellence in Communication award, presented by the American Legion Department of Indiana in 2011, in addition to being honored by the Indiana General Assembly. prgtoken , I ask that you join me in recognizing Veterans Views and thanking all of those associated with this integral program for their service on behalf of veterans everywhere, and in particular, to those living within Indiana's First Congressional District. For their unwavering dedication to the brave men and women who have defended our nation, the hosts, producers, and sponsors of Veterans Views are worthy of the highest commendation.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-1-19

. Madam , I thank the ranking member for his extraordinary leadership and for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4712. prgtoken In the past year, the usual stream of anti-woman, anti- choice policies has turned into a flood. prgtoken Today's vile bill is based on myths and lies and is designed to intimidate doctors from providing abortions. prgtoken I would like to remind my colleagues that for 45 years, the Supreme Court has upheld a woman's constitutional right to access a legal abortion, and that current law already protects infants, as well it should. prgtoken But s would rather play politics with women's lives than rely on science and the law. prgtoken This bill seeks to criminalize legal medical services and put extreme, anti-choice ideology between a woman and her doctor.
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017--Continued
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-1-19

very sadly, we are on the precipice of a government shutdown. The majority leader only just allowed us to vote on a continuing resolution that he knew lacked the votes long before this hour. It is not just who oppose this CR; several s did as well. prgtoken All of today, we have endeavored to reach an agreement with President and the s that would have not only spared a government shutdown but cemented an agreement on spending caps, including those for our military, the healthcare issues, disaster relief, and immigration issues. prgtoken President reached out to me this morning to invite me to the White House to talk over all of these issues, and I accepted. We had a lengthy and substantive discussion. During the meeting, in exchange for strong DACA protections, I reluctantly put the border wall on the table for discussion. Even that was not enough to entice the President to finish the deal. Many don't want to go that far on prgtoken the border. Many s don't either. But we were willing to compromise with the President to get an agreement. In the room, it sounded like the President was open to accept it. This afternoon, in my heart, I thought we might have a deal tonight. That was how far we had come. That is how positive our discussion felt. We had a good meeting, but what has transpired since that meeting in the Oval Office is indicative of the entire tumultuous and chaotic process s have engaged in in the negotiations thus far. prgtoken Even though President seemed to like an outline of a deal in the room, he did not press his party in Congress to accept it. Ryan and Leader McConnell, without the commitment of the President, would not agree to accept anything either. prgtoken What happened to the President who asked us to come up with a deal and promised that he would take heat for it? What happened to that President? He backed off at the first sign of pressure. prgtoken We had the outline of a deal on caps. We had the outline of a deal on healthcare. We had the outline of a deal on immigration, the toughest issue. It was real, and it was an honest-to-goodness breakthrough. We could have passed a short-term extension of funding so that we could cross the t's, dot the i's, and be done with it all, but the dynamic of the past few weeks during which the congressional s looked to the President for guidance and the President provided none prevailed again today, unfortunately. The same chaos, the same disarray, the same division and discord on the side that has been in the background of these negotiations for months unfortunately appears endemic, and it is standing in the way of bipartisan solutions to all of the issues now before us. prgtoken Every American knows the Party controls the White House, the Senate, and the House. It is their job to keep the government open. It is their job
IMPEACHMENT
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise today to thank the many people around the country who have supported the cause of impeachment. prgtoken I rise to thank the many Members of the House. Today, 66 voted to advance the cause of impeachment. Previously, 58 voted to advance the cause. prgtoken I rise to thank all who have been supportive and who are advancing the cause to protect democracy, to protect the Republic, and to make sure that what we have is never eliminated from the face of the Earth, and that is the greatest country on the face of the Earth.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-1-19

. Madam , I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. With this bill, the Majority has declared war on the health and wellbeing of millions of women, rolling back women's health care. The bill's inflammatory language is an insult to women and the doctors who provide them with care. prgtoken This legislation is redundant, and would criminalize the work that doctors do legally today. This would unnecessarily intimidate healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood, who serve 2.4 million Americans every year with lifesaving services like pap tests, breast exams, and screenings for sexually transmitted infections. For many low-income families, Planned Parenthood is their only option. prgtoken Family planning is a critical component of women's economic security. Being able to determine when and how to have children has a direct effect on a working woman's ability to chart their course in terms of schooling, careers, and family. These decisions should be left to women, their loved ones, and doctors. prgtoken This bill is spiteful, mean-spirited, and dangerous. It limits women's healthcare choices and interferes with the patient doctor relationship--in fact, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists call this legislation, and I quote ``a gross interference in the practice of medicine.'' prgtoken The Congress should not stop women from accessing care, and we certainly should not be hindering a woman's ability to make her own healthcare decisions. We ought to be protecting the rights of every woman to make her own family planning decisions, and to have access to a full range of healthcare services. I urge my colleagues to reject this partisan, cruel bill.
TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF MARY AUDREY GALLAGHER
Joseph Crowley (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-1-19

I rise today to pay tribute to the life and service of Mary Audrey Gallagher. An educator, advocate, and proud mother, Audrey passed away peacefully on January 4, 2018, after enjoying time with her loved ones during the holidays. Audrey's life truly embodied the spirit of a hard-working, loving Irish American, as she nurtured strong bonds in her communities while fighting for the rights of the disenfranchised. Born on September 6, 1932, Audrey's honesty and integrity were formally recognized when she graduated from The Mary Louis Academy in Queens, New York, with the Character, Loyalty, and Spirit of Study Award, one of the academy's highest honors. prgtoken Upon graduating high school, Audrey attended and graduated from St. John's University, where she was captain of the school's Cheerleading Squad. After leaving a lasting mark on her campus community as a promising prospective instructor, she became a public school teacher. Some years later, Audrey married Warren Dromm. Her son, my dear friend and now-New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, was born soon after. She was also mother to Lori, Marybeth, John, and Joseph. Her exemplary record of service continued, and after opening a nursery school, Audrey went on to become the director of multiple day care centers in New York City. She was instrumental in unionizing workers and she helped secure much-needed pay raises for paraprofessionals. Her courage and dedication changed lives . Audrey's support of her son, an openly-gay man, greatly advanced the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community through his advocacy and by founding the Queens chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), of which Audrey was an active participant. prgtoken Audrey, along with Daniel and PFLAG-founder Jeanne Manford, worked to use their voices to fight the good fight against bigotry and intolerance in Queens and throughout New York City. But her support did not stop there--Audrey became a venerable presence in the Queens LGBT community, attending parades, advising the parents of LGBT youth, and wholeheartedly supporting her son in his own endeavors to improve Queens. Having served as PFLAG's Queens Hospitality Chairperson, Audrey believed in the special role that parents of LGBT children play. It is evident that her love for her son helped make prgtoken him the strong advocate he is today for the people of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. prgtoken Mary Audrey Gallagher's energy and light is forever memorialized in the LGBT parents and children that can find support in her community today, and in children of her own. She is survived by Daniel, Marybeth, John, and Joseph. Audrey served as a remarkable example that love can, and should, triumph, and that there are few undertakings more rewarding than devotion to family and civic service. A Queens heroine, equal- rights crusader, and loving Irish-American mom, Audrey will be miss
FEDERAL REGISTER PRINTING SAVINGS ACT OF 2017
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-1-19

. and colleagues, Chairman Hatch was on the prgtoken floor a bit ago talking about the Children's Health Insurance Program. Because his remarks were greatly misleading, I thought it was important--having heard my good friend, my longtime friend, earlier, I thought it was important to come to the floor this afternoon and set the record straight about the Children's Health Insurance Program. prgtoken The fact is, the chairman and I did negotiate an important Children's Health Insurance Program extension back in September--bipartisan--and I put in a lot of time, both inside this Congress and outside the Halls of Congress, in order to line up bipartisan support for that effort. And we did, in fact, in the Finance Committee, have near unanimous bipartisan support. That was months and months ago. prgtoken The fact is, at that point, the Children's Health Insurance Program could have passed the Congress within days, but unfortunately the s in the other body had some other ideas. From the moment the Senate Finance Committee passed the bill in a bipartisan way, the kids became hostage to the political agenda. prgtoken First, the House s tried to force ideological cuts in important health programs, including Medicare, in order to allow this deal to go forward. Then they conditioned helping the vulnerable kids on kicking Americans off their private health insurance. When that didn't work, they took yet another hostage: vaccines and preventive health. For some reason, the other body, the House, wanted to cut off programs that make Americans healthier by preventing disease in the first place. For obvious reasons, weren't willing to sacrifice that hostage, either. prgtoken Now, months after there was a bipartisan deal to finally give peace of mind to these parents and children, the House s have taken yet another hostage. This time, we are talking about the proper functioning of the Federal Government. prgtoken The s have been stumbling from one continuing resolution to another continuing resolution since they took power, sacrificing the readiness of the military, impeding the Federal response to natural disasters, and handicapping rural hospitals that don't know when they are going to get paid for the care they provide. We are not going to sacrifice this hostage, either. prgtoken The minority leader, Senator Schumer, has made a good-faith offer to give the Senate a week to actually come to an agreement to keep the government functioning. I think this makes sense because the cycle of destructive, nakedly political, bad-faith governing can't continue. prgtoken What we have is a display of the worst of American politics. The fact is, s control the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. That means that you get to set the agenda, and you get to set the schedule. But leaders watched and did nothing as the deadline for CHI