mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO CARL ADRIAN
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-1-16

I rise today to pay tribute to a close friend, ally, and devoted public servant, Mr. Carl Adrian, as he retires from a 16-year career supporting our national security, environmental cleanup, economic growth, job creation, and furthering the ever-expanding missions of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PNNL, as well as advancements in innovation and more tied to each of these in my home State of Washington. prgtoken Mr. Adrian, retiring president and CEO of Tri-Cities Development Council--TRIDEC--began his service to the Pasco, Richland, West Richland, and Kennewick cities, also known as the TriCities, on September 1, 2003. Mr. Adrian arrived in the Tri-Cities as a transplant, being born and raised in Omaha, NE, where he graduated from Westside High School. Mr. Adrian then obtained his bachelor of arts in political science, geography, and later a masters of administration in urban and economic geography from the University of Iowa. prgtoken Prior to Mr. Adrian's tenure with TRIDEC, he spent significant time supporting economic development throughout the central region of the United States through his work with multiple organizations. He served communities in Casper, WY, the Quad-City area of both Iowa and Illinois, and Cedar Valley located in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA, before embarking upon his last enterprise in the Tri-Cities. prgtoken Mr. Adrian has devoted his life to supporting commerce and new innovation in the region. In his role at TRIDEC, Mr. Adrian has been one of the Tri-Cities most effective advocates to Congress, frequently working to ensure members of Washington State's congressional delegation were abreast of the concerns and needs of the community while also helping to strengthen federal support for Central Washington priorities, including working to successfully expand Washington State's wine industry, signing vital MOUs with Hong Kong to bolster the local economy, and more. Mr. Adrian's dedication to inclusive collaboration ensures important stakeholders are never left uninformed on the needs of the Tri-Cities area, and through his robust advocacy, the region has seen significant population and economic growth as well as industry expansion, offering many Tri-Citians a new path to the American Dream. prgtoken As TRIDEC's longest-serving president, Mr. Adrian has successfully led efforts to help expand the Tri-Cities airport and offer nonstop daily flights to key regional airports; create the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in 2015; promote services to attract, retain, and improve commerce and economic development throughout the region, which led to significant job growth, population growth, and the development of several new business ventures in the TriCities. prgtoken It is clear to me that Washington State has benefited greatly from Mr. Adrian's vision and passion for promoting what the Tri-Cities community, its workforce, the
VETERAN TREATMENT COURT COORDINATION ACT OF 2019
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2020-1-16

today, the Senate considers the ``new NAFTA'', a bill now reviewed by seven Senate committees on which more than 85 Senators serve. Surely the vote count is clear: This implementing legislation will be adopted today and sent to the President. In Vermont, that will mean important wins for our State's economy and, in particular, our dairy farmers. I will support this bill. prgtoken Vermont is a border State, and the commercial and cultural exchanges with Canada are woven into the fabric of the State. Vermont's largest export destination is Canada. In 2018, Vermont exported $1.3 billion-- billion--in goods to Canada. That is 43 percent of Vermont's exports. Trade with our neighbors to the north is essential to Vermont, just as trade throughout North America is important to our national economy. prgtoken This agreement is far from perfect, but reflects a compromise that results when parties come together with a desire to make progress. It makes important updates to the more than 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement to reflect the advances in digital trade and intellectual property. The agreement will protect our ability domestically to increase the availability of affordable drugs. Importantly, to Vermont and the struggling dairy industry across the country, the agreement will increase U.S. access to markets in Canada and Mexico for our high-quality dairy products. prgtoken The new NAFTA also includes funding to promote clean water infrastructure on the U.S.-Mexico border, and to improve environmental infrastructure on both sides of the southern border. It also includes funding to support reforms to the labor justice system in Mexico, to reduce the use of child labor and forced labor, to reduce human trafficking, and for international labor activities. These are important aspects of the deal that we should all strongly support. prgtoken This agreement is a compromise. For all its gains, it lacks important accountability measures to address the escalating threat of climate change. No one surprised that an administration that announced from the start its intention to remove the United States from the landmark Paris agreement would not agree to binding limits on pollution. It should not surprise us that the administration would not agree to any system to enforce environmental regulations. It is the greatest flaw of this agreement and a startling missed opportunity. We can no longer deny that climate change is real. The United States has a real opportunity to be a world leader in developing the green jobs and green economies that must drive our future. So while I am grateful that House were able to secure some concessions from the administration that will ensure that at least consider environmental impacts in terms of trade, the new NAFTA, unfortunately, misses that chance. prgtoken I have heard from Vermont businesses concerned about our trade future, particularly with our n
TRIBUTE TO KARTHIK AND RAHUL CHALUMURI
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2020-1-16

I am proud to recognize Karthik and Rahul Chalumuri of Keene as January 2020's Granite Staters of the Month for their efforts to organize donation drives at their school to support patients at a local cancer center. prgtoken Karthik and Rahul, fraternal twins attending Keene High School, have been involved in their local community from a young age. When they were 5 years old, their parents brought them to volunteer at their local soup kitchen, and helped instill in them the importance of giving back to their community. prgtoken As they headed into their senior year at Keene High School, these two young men decided that they wanted to give back in a big way before they headed off to college. They founded a club at their school, Students for Hope, to organize donation drives with the intent prgtoken of sending care packages to Cheshire Medical Center's Norris Cotton Cancer Center-Kingsbury Pavilion, which would distribute the care packages to their patients. Rahul, who plans to study computer science in college, designed the group's website from scratch to provide resources on how to donate. prgtoken The group began their first donation drive in August. The brothers had low expectations for turnout and were shocked when local businesses and individuals in their community came together to donate a substantial amount of items for these care packages. prgtoken Since then, they have organized two more donation drives around both Thanksgiving and Christmas and plan to hold another one in February around Valentine's Day. Although Rahul and Karthik are heading to college in the fall, they have tapped younger students to lead the organization next year. prgtoken I want to commend Rahul and Karthik for their dedication to improving the lives of people who are less fortunate and recruiting others to do the same. I know I join the rest of the Keene community and all Granite Staters in thanking Rahul and Karthik for exemplifying the all-hands- on-deck spirit of New Hampshire.
MARKING ROE V. WADE 47TH ANNIVERSARY
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-16

in honor of the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 22, I rise for the 1-in-4 women in America who have had an abortion, and the 1-in-3 women living in a State where abortion would be banned if Roe was overturned. prgtoken On March 4, the Supreme Court will hear June Medical Services v. Gee. The Louisiana law requiring admitting privileges would leave just one clinic open and one physician to provide all the abortions in Louisiana. prgtoken Although Roe is the law of the land, 27 States impose waiting periods, 12 ban private insurance coverage, 18 mandate counseling, and 43 have abortion-ban laws ready to go. prgtoken , to those waging war on the rights of women, next week is the anniversary of the Women's March. We have seen the power women wield when they march to the ballot box. Get ready for 2020 because we are not going back.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY''
Andy Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-1-16

I rise in strong support of this joint resolution, and I congratulate the gentlewoman from Nevada for her leadership on this issue. prgtoken Secretary DeVos and this administration have proven that they will go to the ends of the Earth to defend predatory for-profit colleges at the expense of our students and taxpayers. prgtoken This holds true for the DeVos borrower defense rule, which creates unnecessary obstacles for students seeking debt relief from predatory for-profit colleges. It even punishes students with approved claims by allowing these colleges to deny students their transcripts and refuse to verify their earned credits. prgtoken Passing this joint resolution is a crucial step, and I urge my colleagues to support it. But we also must build on this work by bringing our Higher Education Act reauthorization to the floor. Next up, we have to pass the College Affordability Act with even stronger protections for American students. prgtoken , I want to add a personal note. From 2007 to 2011, I ran the workforce system of the State of Michigan. In those years, fraudulent, for-profit higher education programs emerged as a major problem in Michigan and in our Nation. As a former State program director, I can tell you that our States do not have the resources or the authority to remedy this problem. The Federal Government must act. prgtoken , again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
TIME TO HELP OUR FELLOW AMERICANS IN PUERTO RICO
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-1-16

it was over 2 years ago that Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico, and our fellow Americans sustained one of the worst natural disasters, with the highest death toll in modern history. Now we have, again, earthquakes hitting the island since December 28 to this date. prgtoken I got to go this week and saw firsthand schools crumbling. I saw folks sitting out in tents who need emergency housing and mental health services. Yet we still have less than half the money that we allocated for Hurricane Maria actually down on the island. prgtoken It is time for the administration to bring that money down. prgtoken In addition, it is time to declare a major disaster declaration. We cannot let this tragedy happen again. America is watching. History is watching. It is time to help our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico.
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-1-16

I send to the desk a resolution authorizing representation by the Senate Legal Counsel and ask for its immediate consideration. prgtoken , this resolution concerns a pro se lawsuit recently filed in Federal court in the District of Columbia against Senators Cruz, Graham, McConnell, and Paul. In this lawsuit, plaintiff seeks to obtain judicial supervision over the upcoming impeachment trial of the President under the Ninth Amendment. Plaintiffs suit is subject to dismissal on jurisdictional grounds as the Constitution grants the Senate the sole power to try impeachments, and the Judicial Branch has no power to oversee the actions and participation of Senators in an impeachment trial. This resolution would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to represent the named defendant Senators in order to seek dismissal of the claims against them.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT--Continued
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-1-16

first, I want to make sure that we can enter into the Record a thanks that is deserved to the bipartisan team here in the Senate that has made this day possible. prgtoken Second, on one substantive point, because I associate myself with the remarks of Chairman Grassley, I think we need to understand that what the Toomey procedural issue is all about is really that of a Trojan horse for rolling back an aggressive effort to enforce the rights that workers care about and that we all care about with respect to our land, air, and water. I know the Senator from Pennsylvania disagrees with it, but I just wanted to make that point. prgtoken The chairman is right with respect to the procedure. I just want people to understand what the substantive issue is. This is just a policy disagreement, and that is what the Senate is all about. prgtoken .
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY''
David J. Trone (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-1-16

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I rise today in support of hundreds of thousands of students across the Nation who are victims of predatory for-profit colleges. Over 4,000 borrowers in Maryland and 227,000 nationally are paying the price because the department, led by Betsy DeVos, appears to have intentionally decided not to process the claims. prgtoken Before coming to Congress, I led a business of over 7,000 employees. At the end of the day, the buck stopped with me to make sure we had the staff that we needed to serve our customers. Not only did Secretary DeVos not have the staff she needed to follow the law, but through the new rule, this administration is proposing she is making it harder for students to get the relief they deserve. prgtoken This is not how we should treat America's students who are looking to make a better future for themselves. I urge my colleagues to stand with the students and reverse this administration rule.
REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-1-16

on January 20, we celebrate the 91st anniversary of the birth of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the short 39 years that he spent on Earth, Dr. King inspired more change, touched more lives, and lifted up more voices than most of us could hope to in many lifetimes. With his message of compassion, he shepherded a civil rights movement defined by love and peacefulness, despite the violence and hatred raging all around. He bravely preached the equal value of every human soul, and he was killed for it. That day, we lost a champion for justice who can never be replaced. prgtoken Nearly 52 years after Dr. King's murder, it is important to pause and reflect on the profound impact that his dream of peace and equality has had on our Nation's character. Dr. King's legacy includes expanded voting rights, more inclusive housing policies, and the legal prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race. Not only that, but his advocacy for economic justice illuminated the ways that race and class intersect in America, inspiring future generations to demand freedom from all vectors of oppression. prgtoken But today is also an opportunity to reflect on what is still needed to make Dr. King's dream a reality. Our criminal justice system still operates as a tool with which to surveil and subjugate minority communities. prgtoken People of color, especially African Americans, are still disenfranchised at substantially higher rates and have to navigate sophisticated voter deception and intimidation practices in order to exercise their right to vote. And White supremacists are still marching in the streets while the occupant of our country's highest office proclaims that there are ``good people on both sides.'' prgtoken It turns out that the forces of injustice that Dr. King fought to eradicate are strong and adaptable. Often, when we think we have defeated them, they have in fact taken a new, unfamiliar form, or simply hidden below the surface, waiting for an opportunity to emerge. Sadly, there are too many in power right now who offer platforms and shelter to these forces. They threaten to drag our country back to a darker time. prgtoken We can't let that happen. I appreciate how daunting that imperative is--goodness knows that I ask myself all the time how I, just one man, can possibly effect the change that I hope to see in the world. But it helps to remember that Martin Luther King was also just one man, one ordinary man called to an extraordinary mission. prgtoken So all we need to do is model ourselves in Dr. King's image. Easy, right? Maybe not. But a good way to start is to recall his lesson that ``life's most persistent question is: what are you doing for others?'' Dr. King taught us that justice doesn't have to be sweeping and grand-- it can be quiet; it can take root in small moments. The world that he envisioned can be planted with good deeds between neighbors, helping hands offered to friend
RECOGNIZING COUNCILMAN GERARD JIMENEZ
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-1-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Councilman Gerard Jimenez. prgtoken Mr. Jimenez was a dedicated public servant who served Floresville, Texas as a Councilman for almost two decades. He retired from Kelly Air Force Base and later went on to study Business Administration at Texas Tech University. prgtoken Born and raised in Floresville, Councilman Jimenez had a great sense of humor and captured the essence of being an enlightened public servant for Floresville, who pushed for the advancement of the city. He was a beloved and loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and community leader. His life was dedicated to the best interests of his community and family. He shared in the vision of economic advances and took strides to help maintain the growth of the city. prgtoken Mr. Jimenez passed away on January 6, 2020. He is survived by his wife Sylvia Leal Jimenez, and four children; Gerard Scott Jimenez and wife Serena, Christopher Michael Jimenez and wife Ashley, Jade Jimenez, and Jewel Jimenez; and his siblings Samuel, Alice, Ruby, and Gloria Jimenez. He is preceded in death by his late parents, Samuel and Mary Ann Jimenez. prgtoken Gerard will be remembered as a dedicated citizen of his community, an admirable public servant, and a close friend. The city of Floresville will declare November 8th as Gerard Jimenez Day, forever cementing his memory and service into the community he dedicated his life to serving. prgtoken Madam , I thank Councilman Gerard Jimenez for the many contributions to the City of Floresville, and express my deep appreciation for his dedication to the progress of the city.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE GRAND RE-OPENING OF THE MICHIGAN UNION
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-1-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the grand re- opening of the Michigan Union. prgtoken The Michigan Union is a cornerstone of the University of Michigan. Opened in 1919, the Michigan Union is one of the oldest college unions in the country. For nearly a century, the Michigan Union has given students, faculty, and members of the Ann Arbor community a space to gather, study, and socialize. Throughout the years, the Michigan Union has undergone a great deal of transformation and witnessed some of our nation's greatest historical moments. On the morning of October 14, 1960, ic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy gave an impromptu speech that laid the groundwork for the Peace Corps. Later, during a visit to the University of Michigan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined students in the Michigan Union to discuss his thoughts on discrimination and the future of integration in America. To carry on this impactful legacy and adapt to meet the needs of 21st century students, the Michigan Union closed in May 2018 to undergo an $85.2 million renovation. prgtoken Today, we celebrate the Michigan Union as it opens its doors once again. While maintaining the architectural integrity of the 1919 original structure, Michigan Union has vastly remodeled internal features. Aside from technology upgrades and infrastructure renewals, the Michigan Union now includes expanded lounge and study rooms, a revolutionary idea hub, an enclosed courtyard, collaborative spaces, and a host of different food vendors. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the grand re-opening of the Michigan Union. Through the historical renovation, the Michigan Union will continue to be an iconic symbol of the University of Michigan for generations to come.
HONORING RAYMOND LERMA
TJ Cox (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-16

I rise today in honor of Raymond Lerma, a beloved husband, father, and leader in the community of Corcoran, California. Ray passed away on January 11. prgtoken Among his many honored roles in life, Ray served 25 years as mayor and councilman in Corcoran, California. He was a pillar of the community. prgtoken Ray was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Corcoran in a large and loving family that proudly farmed the crops of the Central Valley. Encouraged by his parents to reach for higher education, Mr. Lerma graduated from UC Berkeley. He was a proud Cal Bear. prgtoken After college, Ray returned to the community that raised him to build his own family with his beloved wife, Lola. He touched countless lives in his 38 years as an educator at Corcoran High. prgtoken After retirement, he kept changing lives, teaching English as a second language to adult learners. Ray also served as a longtime board member of the King's Community Action Organization, which helps to bring resources to the Central Valley. prgtoken Ray once said he wanted to be remembered as someone who made a difference in his community. I stand before you today to say he will always be remembered for his dedication and contributions to his community. We will miss his leadership. prgtoken Ray leaves behind his wife, Lola; their three children, Eva, Ramon, and Pablo; as well as his grandchildren. prgtoken May he rest in peace.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY''
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-1-16

today, I rise in support of this resolution and thank the gentlewoman from Nevada for her leadership. prgtoken , this resolution conveys the congressional disapproval of the Department of Education's refusal to protect students and taxpayers from predatory institutions. Those students are victims of widespread, proven fraud about graduation rates, job placement rates, and transferability of credits. prgtoken Fortunately, the law provides relief, but instead of maintaining the -era borrower defense rule, which provides a fair and streamlined process to provide debt relief to defrauded students, the Department of Education has finalized a new borrower defense rule that prevents an overwhelming majority of defrauded students from getting relief. prgtoken We should reject this new rule and provide meaningful relief to defrauded students. Making defrauded students whole is the right thing to do, but it is not the only thing we should do. prgtoken We must ensure that students and taxpayers are not defrauded in the first place. That is why we should pass the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive overhaul of our higher education system that cracks down on low-quality, predatory schools. The College Affordability Act holds schools accountable for students' success and cuts the cost of college for students and families across the country. prgtoken , to address the present problem, those students need relief today. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution of congressional disapproval.