mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
THANK YOU AND FAREWELL
Tom Price (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-2-9

it is expected that the United States Senate will vote on my nomination to serve our nation as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shortly after midnight tonight. Due to the schedule, if I am confirmed, this is the last opportunity for me to address the House. prgtoken The opportunity to serve as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life. Respectfully, allow me to take this opportunity to reflect on my time in Congress over the past 12 years. prgtoken , first and foremost, I wish to thank my wife of 33 years, Betty. Her love, support, encouragement, and advice means more than I could ever say. In addition, as all here know, these jobs are family affairs--and our son, Robert, allowed his dad to be absent more than either of us desired. We're so very proud of the adult he has become. prgtoken Furthermore, this job and my passion for serving would not have been possible without the support and friendship of my colleagues, community, family, constituents, and staff throughout the years. It has been a blessing to work with such talented and bright minds to advance positive solutions to some of our nation's toughest issues and challenges. prgtoken As Members of Congress, our first priority is to be accessible and accountable to those we serve, and to help support those living and working in our communities. That is why I am proud to say that since 2005, 164 of Georgia 6th's most bright and dedicated young people received an appointment to one of our nation's military academies. prgtoken In addition, we have responded to nearly 600,000 letters, calls, and emails. Our caseworkers and team have had the privilege of helping over 11,000 constituents with federal agencies. Throughout the years, as just one part of our outreach efforts, we've made contact with over a million constituents via telephone town halls. prgtoken To all the hardworking, decent citizens of Georgia's 6th District who have given me the privilege of representing them in Congress--I will be forever grateful. prgtoken , as you know, constituents are the reason that we're given this honor to serve and I know that my Georgia colleagues understand and appreciate this immense responsibility. prgtoken Over the years, my Georgia colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives and Georgia's Senators, including Senators Isakson, Perdue, and Chambliss, and I have worked together to secure wins for our great state. prgtoken We've worked in a bipartisan fashion to help advance the necessary expansion of the Savannah Harbor, key to promoting our state's commerce and a critical component to helping grow our economy and create jobs. prgtoken We've also worked together to preserve and safeguard Georgia and the Atlanta area's access to a reliable water source, so that our local communities and state can continue to grow and prosper. prgtoken More recently, we succeeded in enacting a law to r
The President and Working Together in the Senate (Executive Session)
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2017-2-9

I rise today to say thank you. s and have been talking for a long time this week, and perhaps that is productive. But without any question, from what we have seen, I think both sides would agree that the support cast has made this possible. I think it is important for us to pause for just a moment and say thank you. prgtoken We have pages who are juniors in high school here with us around the clock, and we want to say thank you to the pages. I think about the fact that we have law enforcement guarding this place so we can be here safely, all night long. We have Parliamentarians and clerks who have been at their places on and off over the last 4 days, nearly around the clock. I want to say on behalf of our side and the , I believe we all are very thankful and appreciative for your long hours and the time you have served us. Thank you for helping us represent the American people. prgtoken I would also like to point out a few people by name because these folks have been here for up to 57 hours straight--57 consecutive hours of doing their jobs. Captioning services: Sandra Schumm, Brenda Jameson, Doreen Chendorian, Jennifer Smolka, and Laurie . prgtoken Official Reporters of Debates, 57 consecutive hours of work: Patrick Renzi, Susie Nguyen, Julia Jones, Mary Carpenter, Patrice Boyd, Octavio Colominas, Alice Haddow, Andrea Huston, Carole Darche, Desirae Jura, Megan McKenzie, Wendy Caswell, Diane Dorhamer, Mark Stuart, and Julie Bryan. prgtoken On behalf of a thankful Senate, we appreciate your time and your dedication to the American people, allowing us to do what we have been doing. prgtoken God bless.
HONORING MAYOR MICHAEL ``MICKEY'' STRAUB
Peter J. Roskam (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-2-9

I rise today to recognize a dedicated public servant from the Sixth Congressional District of Illinois, Mayor Michael ``Mickey'' Straub of Burr Ridge. Almost five years ago, Mayor Straub embarked on a historic and patriotic pilgrimage in honor prgtoken of Lincoln and our veterans when he visited 50 capitols in 50 days. In 2012, between September 4 and October 17, Mayor Straub drove nearly 15,000 miles to 48 state capitols and flew to two others--Hawaii and Alaska. His momentous journey began in Pennsylvania, and after a small ceremony in Gettysburg outside the home where Lincoln finished writing the Address, he traveled to the state capitol in burg. Forty-three days later, he concluded his capitol journey in Springfield, Illinois in front of the Lincoln Tomb. The historic and record breaking trip was no easy task. The trip cost over $20,000 and added a great many miles to his Lincoln Town Car, homage to the 16th President. Nevertheless, Mayor Straub remained steadfast in his belief that the journey was a great success due to God and the American people saying, ``I launched the trip on behalf of God and country, but it was actually God and country that pulled me through. It started more about principles and patriotism, but it was the people who kept me going.'' Mayor Straub has represented his community well and has been a strong voice for the Village of Burr Ridge throughout his time in office. His service to the people of Burr Ridge and to Illinois is truly commendable. It is our hope that the public will continue to benefit from his involvement as a valued member of the community and Mayor of Burr Ridge please join me in congratulating Mayor Mickey Straub on his historic journey across the United States, and also taking his lead in remembering the spirit of the Gettysburg Address and President Lincoln.
RECOGNIZING THE EXPANSION OF CYPRESS BAPTIST CHURCH
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-2-9

it is an honor for me to rise and recognize the Cypress Baptist Church of Benton, Louisiana. For over thirty years, Cypress Baptist has blessed the lives of many in our region. Most recently, God has blessed Cypress Baptist Church with the means to expand their sanctuary to grow their ministry. prgtoken Their mission, ``to help people come to know Christ and to grow in Christ,'' has been modeled by the church's faithful congregation and their commitment to the Lord is unwavering. Because of their continued stewardship, more and more people are answering the call of God by being baptized and carrying out critical mission work. prgtoken Over the past two years the communities of Benton and Bossier City and surrounding areas have come together to help Cypress Baptist in its mission. This church has touched the lives of so many, and is growing exponentially, and it is only fitting that God rewards them with the blessing of more space to carry out their service. prgtoken , on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Cypress Baptist Church and congratulate this pillar of our community on its continued dedication to the Kingdom. Their new sanctuary will be a true blessing to the people of our community. My wife, Kelly and I pray that the Spirit of the Lord continue to bless the congregation of Cypress Baptist Church.
Tribute to AlexAnna Salmon (Executive Session)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-2-10

I rise in opposition to the nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury. prgtoken No Cabinet official can have such a profound impact on our economy, on family budgets, on taxes, and on consumer protection as the Secretary of the Treasury. It is a job of immense reach that requires a steady hand, a commitment to fairness, and a deep prgtoken knowledge of our Nation's financial markets and the rules that protect the savings and investments of middle-class Americans. In light of this reality, I do not think Mr. Mnuchin meets these requirements. prgtoken I know that for many of my fellow Rhode Islanders and for many Americans, the economy is not producing the jobs and wages they want and they need. I share that sentiment and have pushed for job and wage policies like the minimum wage, paid leave, and health care that help struggling families cope. I have pushed for job creation by putting people to work by rebuilding our Nation's roads, bridges, transit systems, schools, and new housing. But I think it is important that everyone in this Chamber take a step back and understand where our economy was, where it is today, and what is at stake. prgtoken In 2007, the housing market began to collapse. One measure of the housing market is the seriously delinquent rate, which is the percentage of loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure. Here are just a few examples of the hardest hit States: 13.2 percent in Arizona in December 2009, 9.63 percent in Ohio in December 2009, and 20.61 percent in Florida in March 2010. prgtoken By the end of President 's term in office, here are the seriously delinquent rates for those same States: 1.35 percent in Arizona in September of 2016, 3.59 percent in Ohio in September of 2016, and 4.14 percent in Florida in September of 2016. Just to remind on this, Florida went from a seriously delinquent rate of over 20 percent in 2010 to just over 4 percent in 2016 because of the policy, the programs that were initiated by the President and supported by this Congress. prgtoken In 2007, the unemployment rate began to skyrocket. Again, here is what that meant in a few States at their highest unemployment rates: 11.2 percent in Arizona in November of 2009, 13.6 percent in Nevada in December 2010, 11 percent in Ohio in January 2010, 11.2 percent in Florida in January 2010, and in my home State, double digit unemployment rates also. prgtoken By the end of President 's term in office, here are the preliminary rates for those states as of December 2016: 4.8 percent in Arizona, 5.1 percent in Nevada, 4.9 percent in Ohio, and 4.9 percent in Florida. We have seen improvement across the Nation. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to take all of this into account when they consider Mr. Mnuchin. prgtoken These are sobering numbers, and behind each of these numbers is an individual or a family, our constituents, who suffered real and serious harm.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-2-10

the Senate is now debating the nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be the Secretary of the Treasury, and this is yet another nomination on which the majority has walked away, unfortunately, from a 20-year bipartisan approach when it comes to the vetting process. prgtoken In 2009, when Tim Geithner was President 's first Treasury nominee, a vetting issue came up and both sides of the Finance Committee carried the investigation out to its conclusion, but the situation has turned out quite differently this time. prgtoken There were several properties in the United States and abroad worth $100 million missing from Mr. Mnuchin's disclosure. He failed to disclose several positions in various firms. He misled the public. He misled the committee about his bank foreclosure tactics, and he appears to have hidden key data requested by Members of this body. Frankly, I don't believe these investigations would have been uncovered at all if not for the work of the minority's investigation team. The majority, however, looked the other way, and the vetting process was ended prematurely. So the vote on this nomination is imminent. That is the first concern held by Members on this side, and I am going to speak more about that today and as this debate continues. prgtoken This morning, though, I want to focus on the substance of our concerns. prgtoken The single biggest challenge is what to do to reconnect working Americans with this country's economic engine. There are communities across the land, including many in my home State of Oregon where folks are just waiting for economic recovery to show up. They see their homes foreclosed, storefronts boarded up, factories shuttered. They prgtoken just feel stuck. Aside from the President himself, nobody in America has greater influence over this Nation's economic future than the U.S. Treasury Secretary. That is the case whether it is through tax reform that fights unfairness, rules that rein in Wall Street abuses, or smart infrastructure and trade policies that create good-paying jobs here at home. We call them red, white, and blue jobs. prgtoken The person who becomes Treasury Secretary has to be somebody who is ready to work on behalf of all Americans, including those Americans from the corners of our Nation where optimism has dimmed. If Steven Mnuchin's record is any indication, he simply doesn't fit that mold, not even close. prgtoken There is a lot to debate as the Senate considers Mr. Mnuchin's nomination. Particularly significant, in my judgment as the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, is the issue of how our Tax Code punishes wage-earning Americans. I am going to cover that this morning. In my view, though, the debate begins with the story of OneWest, Mr. Mnuchin's bank. It begins with a lot of gory details of how OneWest industrialized the process of kicking people out of their homes and onto the streets, and it begins with the details of how Mr.
Tribute to AlexAnna Salmon (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-2-10

these past few weeks, I have had the prgtoken opportunity to come to the floor to recognize truly exceptional Alaskans--those who dedicate their time, energy, and talent to strengthening our communities and making Alaska a truly extraordinary place to call home. prgtoken My colleagues here, those in the Gallery, those watching on TV, might know Alaska for its natural wonders. We certainly have those in spades. We want you all to come visit. It will be a life-changing experience, I promise. prgtoken For those of us who live there, community is everything. Living in one of the most magnificent places on Earth also has challenges. We depend on each other, our traditional knowledge, our ingenuity, our determination to overcome those challenges, particularly as a community. prgtoken Today I would like to transport you to the village of Igiugig in Southwest Alaska, and introduce you to an amazing young woman who is truly making a difference in her community. AlexAnna Salmon is our Alaskan of the Week. prgtoken First, a little bit about where she lives. Rich in Alaskan Native traditions, her village is home to around 70 residents year-round, growing to more than 200 in the summer months. The name Igiugig comes from a Yupik word meaning ``like a throat that swallows water.'' It is referring to the location of the village which sits where the Kvichak River meets Lake Iliamna. prgtoken Western Alaska has been home to thriving, sustainable communities for a millennia, but rising energy costs and overregulations have put the future of these communities at risk. In fact, many of these communities, particularly in rural Alaska, face some of the highest energy costs in the country, which is a bit of a cruel irony given how resource-rich Alaska is, but in typical Alaska fashion, this village, facing these energy challenges, comes together as a community to embrace new technologies and new ways to address these challenges. prgtoken At the forefront of this rural revolution and sustainable community is our Alaskan of the Week, AlexAnna Salmon. Raised in Igiugig, AlexAnna has emerged as a leader in her community, now serving as the village council president. prgtoken She has had that position since just after graduating cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2008, with a double major in Native American studies and anthropology. prgtoken While at Dartmouth, she won a prestigious writing award for her senior thesis on life in her village. When she was done with college, she, along with her sister, came back to her community, to her village, to raise her family. In her words, she stated, ``I felt that I had the greatest childhood here in Igiugig. This is where kids need to be raised.'' She wants their childhood experiences to be as great or even better and meaningful as hers. prgtoken To keep her community thriving, particularly with these energy challenges--and to make it even a better place for the next generation--she
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-2-10

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Monday, February 13; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Mnuchin nomination as under the previous order.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Stacey E. Plaskett (Democrat, VI) \u2014 2017-2-13

I thank Mrs. Lawrence so much for that discussion and inspiration she has given us. We are not going to go back. prgtoken We have heard from so many of our colleagues about the achievements of African Americans. But not just the achievements--the struggles, and the issues that we are facing today. prgtoken , we heard from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who outlined not just the past struggles of African Americans and their achievements, but also about the rising concerns throughout the African diaspora when she talked about what is happening in Somalia and other places, and the fact that African Americans have a duty to support other diasporas and the work that they are doing and the struggles they have. prgtoken We heard about the Affordable Care Act from our assistant leader, Mr. Clyburn, the civil rights movement, the work that was done, and the assault that is occurring now on some of those issues. prgtoken So we, as the Congressional Black Caucus, have a duty to present those issues here before you all, our colleagues, here in Congress, Mr to put those issues on the Record so that we can expound on them. prgtoken , I yield to Mr. Veasey if there is anything else that he wanted to discuss or that he reflected on in hearing some of the words that our colleagues spoke about today.
TRIBUTE TO FRAN KAPLAN
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2017-2-13

I rise today to recognize Fran Kaplan who has served as a mentor, educator, community leader, social worker, translator, writer, administrator and self-described ``social justice activist'' for nearly five decades. Fran Kaplan turned 70 on February 9, 2017 and in her retirement has volunteered hundreds of hours a year serving as coordinator of America's Black Holocaust Museum's (ABHM) online presence at www.abhmuseum.org. She helps curate the 2900+ exhibits covering 400 years of African American history, and co- facilitates ABHM's film/dialogue series, helping Americans understand the past in order to heal the present. prgtoken Fran was born in Lafayette, Indiana and at an early age came to believe that racial/ethnic hatred and power struggles were the principal cause of suffering in the U.S. and around the world. She had experienced the ways that racism distorts the psyches and lives of both victim and victimizer while growing up Jewish in a small Indiana town. prgtoken Dr. Kaplan was able to participate in a field work placement as a graduate student at the University of Michigan with New Detroit, a black led organization that arose to revive the city after the uprisings in 1971. Fran is a fluent Spanish-speaker and is Jewish and was tasked to conduct anti-racism training and organizing for whites and other non-blacks. prgtoken Since that internship, she continued to find many opportunities to apply what she learned there. The focus of her life's work has been the rights of women, children, minorities and the poor, and ensuring access to community resources for marginalized groups. Dr. Kaplan has founded and administered a number of community organizations, among them a women's health center, a farm worker self-help organization, and a training center for Spanish-speaking early childhood educators. Fran is also a published writer and the producer of award-winning short and feature films. Her co-authored screenplay, Fruit of the Tree, about the life of lynching survivor James Cameron, founder of the ABHM, has won awards in national and regional competitions. The international trainer-consultant for a global parenting education program, Fran authored and co-produced its Spanish-language videos, books, and games. With Dr. Robert Smith, Dr. Kaplan curated and edited Lynching: An American Folkway, a digital transmedia anthology distributed by Biblioboard, Inc. to libraries across the country. prgtoken Fran has been recognized by various organizations in Milwaukee and Wisconsin for promoting racial justice and providing leadership prgtoken in children's and human rights, but perhaps her finest achievement is being able to do all that while taking part in the growth and development of several wonderful young people as a mother, foster parent, and ``bubbe'' (grandma). prgtoken , I am proud to recognize Dr. Fran Kaplan on her 70th birthday. She has left a legacy of advocacy and compassion. She is a true trailblaz