mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN HONOR OF GREGG ALLMAN
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to recognize an outstanding artist and homegrown legend, the late great Gregg Allman. Sadly, on Saturday, May 27, 2017, Gregg passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia. A private funeral was held in his hometown of Macon, Georgia on Saturday, June 3, 2017 and he was laid to rest at Macon's Rose Hill Cemetery beside his brother and bandmate, Duane Allman, and bandmate, Berry Oakley. prgtoken Born in the ``Music City'' of Nashville, Tennessee, Gregg Allman's connection to music runs deep. Appropriately, it was a concert in Nashville with Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, B.B. King, and Patti LaBelle that jumpstarted Gregg's passion for music. Though he is best known as a keyboardist and singer, he also performed on acoustic guitar, which he learned to play from a neighbor. He worked as a paperboy to buy his first Silverstone guitar, which he and his brother often fought to play. Ultimately, it was Duane who became the paramount guitar player of the family. prgtoken Gregg and Duane Allman formed a series of bands in cities ranging from Los Angeles to Jacksonville to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Eventually, in Daytona Beach, they formed what is considered their first ``real'' band, the Escorts, which later evolved into the Allman Joys. Then in 1969, the Allman Brothers Band officially formed and moved to Macon, Georgia, captivating a generation of music lovers with their distinctive sound. Songs such as ``Whipping Post,'' ``Ramblin' Man,'' and ``Midnight Rider'' helped define what is known as Southern rock and set the stage for other musicians such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band. prgtoken In October 1971, Gregg's brother Duane was killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon. One year later, the band's bassist, Berry Oakley also died in a motorcycle accident just a few blocks from where Duane lost his life. Music was the best release the band members found, so they continued performing and recording over the next four decades. Throughout the years, the band dismantled and reformed several times, allowing Gregg to produce a few solo albums and even one with his former wife, Cher. Eventually, the Allman Brothers Band regrouped for the final time in 1989 and continued performing until 2014. prgtoken As a member of the Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Those who knew Gregg personally spoke fondly of him, describing him as a jokester and a man with a kind heart. prgtoken Gregg Allman is survived by his wife, Shannon, five children, and three grandchildren. Not surprisingly, several of his children have played music professionally. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in recognizing Gregg Allman f
THANK YOU, MR. JONES
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-6-6

there are people in a person's life that have a lasting influence, educators who help shape the person that you become. Ron Jones of Port Angeles, Washington, was one of those people for me and for hundreds of others. prgtoken For the last 42 years, Mr. Jones has been an outstanding music teacher who, for generations of students, was a difference maker in a way that would make Mr. Holland and his opus jealous. On multiple occasions he brought musicians to perform in Carnegie Hall and other places all around, and in doing so, he didn't just enhance a student's musical skills, he broadened the horizons of young people. I know he did that for me. He made you want to be better. He made you want to try harder. He made you want to perform well enough to get that genuine Ron Jones smile. prgtoken , as Mr. Jones prepares for his retirement, it is my honor to recognize him here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, to wish him well, and, on behalf of many grateful students, to simply say: Thank you, Mr. Jones.
ZHOUYI WANG
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to recognize and applaud Zhouyi Wang for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Zhouyi Wang is a student at Drake Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Zhouyi Wang is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Zhouyi Wang for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-6-6

this June marks the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. I am honored to have supported S. Res. 176, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. prgtoken This resolution reaffirms the Holy City of Jerusalem's central role for the Jewish people dating back many millennia. Since 1967, all people of all religious faiths are able to visit and worship at the holy sites of Jerusalem. I will always stand with Israel as it ensures that all individuals enjoy opportunities to visit and worship at Jerusalem's holy sites. prgtoken The United States has stood with Israel for the past 50 years and will continue to do so. The intervening 50 years have included momentous changes in Israel and throughout the region, including peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan that stand to this day. These events give me hope for a future in which Israel and all of its neighbors together benefit from a comprehensive, warm peace.
HONORING DR. GAIL CARBERRY
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Gail Carberry of Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Massachusetts, who will be retiring after a decade of tireless service to the QCC family and over 40 years of inspiring students across the Commonwealth. prgtoken From early on, Dr. Carberry recognized the impact one committed teacher can make in a young person's life. She understands at her core that community colleges present a transformative opportunity for students to be recognized for their talents and encouraged toward their goals. prgtoken Dr. Carberry is a passionate advocate for expanding access to the opportunities that community colleges can provide. Because of Dr. Carberry's conviction that every student can achieve, QCC implemented a high school dropout prevention program, and Dr. Carberry personally endowed over $200,000 in scholarships for local community college students. She diversified the students, faculty, and staff populations to better reflect the community and implemented award-winning STEM programs to prepare students for the rapidly changing 21st century workplace. prgtoken In keeping with her desire to equip her students with the skills they need to compete in the modern workforce, Dr. Carberry successfully opened a 72,000-square-foot campus in downtown Worcester dedicated to the college's healthcare program, which not only addressed the needs of QCC students, but reinvigorated a large portion of downtown Worcester. prgtoken As a result of Dr. Carberry's leadership, QCC has become a leading institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. This year, QCC graduated almost double the number of students it did only 10 years ago. Dr. Carberry has exceeded fundraising goals and has increased enrollment by nearly 40 percent. prgtoken , on behalf of the city of Worcester, on behalf of the people of Massachusetts, and most importantly of all, on behalf of the students she has helped to achieve their dreams, I want to say thank you to Dr. Gail Carberry. We all owe her a heartfelt debt of gratitude and wish her great satisfaction in her endeavors to come.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-6-6

I come to the floor today to speak about the administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. prgtoken In 1992, under President George H.W the Senate unanimously approved a treaty to allow the United States to join the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since then, we have been engaged in a global conversation with nations around the world to tackle the challenges of climate change and ensure that we leave future generations a planet that is not plagued by catastrophic drought, famine, floods, wildfire, and a rising sea level. prgtoken After years of intense negotiation, the world finally reached an international agreement that resulted in a global commitment, and 195 countries from around the world, except for 2, came together. Nicaragua abstained; they wanted a stronger agreement. Syria was another country that stepped aside and didn't take part, for obvious reasons. Representing more than 90 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, these 195 countries committed to reducing their carbon emissions to prevent the average global temperature from rising by more than 2 degrees. prgtoken I cannot fathom why any President of either political party would want to isolate the United States from the rest of the world, from our allies and trading partners, by leaving this agreement. prgtoken President justified this decision with concern for American jobs and American business. Yet, since the election, American business leaders have called him on the phone, sent a barrage of public letters, and paid for full-page ads in newspapers, trying to get the message through to him in any way possible that American business strongly supports the Paris Agreement, which President has walked away from. prgtoken Tech companies and retailers, insurance companies, and even energy companies, such as ExxonMobil and BP, support global engagement on climate. In fact, the World Economic Forum estimated that the Paris Agreement represents a $23 trillion investment potential due to the growing demand in every corner of the world for clean energy. Between consumers who want prgtoken clean energy and local regulations that require it, the demand for clean energy will continue to grow here in the United States and around the world. prgtoken While pulling out of the Paris Agreement might seem like a way to protect jobs, for example, in the coal industry, the truth is that when these jobs do go away, it is mostly due to other things: market forces and automation. prgtoken I have been down in the coal mines of Southern Illinois, Central Illinois. I have seen the way they mine coal today. For those who have not been there and paid close attention, it may come as a surprise. It is largely automated. Massive machinery, known as continuous miners, literally chew away at the walls of coal, transporting it back up to the surface for transport. prgtoken Back in the day, hundreds
CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-6-6

had I been present for the vote on H. Res. 354, a resolution ``Condemning the violence against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence on May 16, 2017, and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future'' (Rollcall Vote No. 286), I would have voted ``aye.'' prgtoken I would have also voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 355, a resolution ``Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Manchester, United Kingdom, on May 22, 2017, expressing heartfelt condolences, and reaffirming unwaivering support for the special relationship between our peoples and nations in the wake of these attacks'' (Rollcall Vote No. 287).
HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-6-6

another matter: healthcare. According to reports, Senators were planning to use the State work period last week to rewrite their healthcare bill. Well, now we are back in session, and unfortunately my friends on the other side of the aisle don't seem to be any closer to having a bill. If they do have one, they are hiding it and going down the same path as House s-- drafting a bill that will impact tens of millions in secret, no transparency, no committee hearings, no debate. prgtoken Even with all this secrecy, more and more s seem increasingly pessimistic about finding a -only bill that can get 50 votes in the Senate. Over the weekend, the senior Senator from North Carolina, Mr. Burr, said: ``I don't see a comprehensive health-care plan this year.'' prgtoken Just yesterday, Senator Thune, a member of the leadership, said the s may rush a healthcare bill to the floor before they know if it has the support of their caucus. prgtoken Well, my friends on the other side of the aisle are learning how difficult it is to refigure our healthcare system under a process with only votes from one party--the so-called reconciliation process--and do it in a way that actually improves our healthcare, not devastate it, as the House bill would. prgtoken I hope my friends will realize the only way we will get votes necessary to pass a healthcare bill is to drop repeal and work with to improve our healthcare system, not to sabotage it. We stand ready and willing to work with our colleagues to further stabilize the insurance markets, build on the progress we have made in healthcare. In fact, we are running out of time before the 2018 rates are locked in. prgtoken Most insurance companies are saying they are raising rates because of the uncertainty s continue to inject into the market. The President has not come out permanently for cost-sharing, which would reduce premiums and keep people in the market. They just sort of do it one at a time, and that is going to make the markets worse. prgtoken The public already unfortunately will blame those in charge--our friends and the President--for the mess, as much as they would like to look past--as much of our colleagues on the another side of the aisle want to point fingers. People want something done now. They don't want fingers of blame pointed back at what happened 5 years ago or 8 years ago. prgtoken We don't want to tear everything down and start over again. Let's keep all the progress--the 20 million more Americans insured, the kids who can stay on their parents' plan, the protections for folks with preexisting conditions--and find ways to make even more progress on bringing down costs for consumers and improving the quality of care. prgtoken .
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-6-6

today the Senate will vote on the nomination of Courtney Elwood to be CIA general counsel. This is an important job that got even more important in the past week. As I will explain, this position may play a crucial role in determining whether history is erased or preserved for generations of Americans to come. prgtoken As Senators know, last week the current chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee demanded that several key government agencies get rid of their copies of the torture report prepared by Senator Feinstein and her colleagues. I am going to take a few minutes to describe what this has to do with Courtney Elwood. prgtoken In short, it starts with the CIA's history of torture, which was carefully documented and sourced by the Intelligence Committee under Senator Feinstein's leadership. This is the issue that is being debated--the CIA's history of torture. That is why it is critically important that the CIA get back its copy of the report. If Courtney Elwood is confirmed, the decision on whether to do so may be up to her. Here is why: The CIA Director, Mr. Pompeo, who said at his confirmation hearing that he would read the report, has gotten rid of the CIA's copy. He did so despite the fact that the current chair of the Intelligence Committee had no authority to demand that of him. Mr. Pompeo got rid of the report despite a personal promise to read it, and he did this even though it may have violated the law. It certainly violated a fundamental principle important to the American people that in this country, we don't erase history. prgtoken Now, this can be fixed. The CIA can get the report back. It can do what Senator Feinstein told the government to do back in 2014, which is to distribute this report, read it, and learn from it. Will Director Pompeo get the report back on his own? There is no reason to think so. But if there is one thing Director Pompeo said again and again in his remarks during the confirmation process, it is that he told the Senate Intelligence Committee repeatedly that he is going to rely on the advice of his lawyers. prgtoken That is exactly where Courtney Elwood comes in. What will her advice be to Director Pompeo? What will she advise him about whether to allow this attempt to erase history to stand or whether it is going to get fixed and the report is going to be brought back? The Senate doesn't have any idea this morning. We do know that Ms. Elwood's responses to questions on the torture issue were troubling and that we need to look at those responses in a whole new light based on what happened last week. prgtoken Ms. Elwood said that she read the unclassified executive summary of the torture report, but based on her responses to questions, the 500- page executive summary was not adequate for her. It was not sufficient for her to conclude whether the CIA's interrogation techniques violated the law. Clearly, she needed to read the classified report. Ms. Elwoo
HONORING MR. VERNE ALLISON AND THE DELLS
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the R&B music group, the Dells. Mr. Verne Allison, the last surviving member of the Dells, was visiting Washington, D.C. over the last few days so I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the group and their outstanding music. prgtoken Originally from Chicago, Illinois, the Dells formed out of a group of young men still in high school: Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale and Mickey and Lucius McGill. They originally called themselves the El-Rays, but changed their name to The Dells once they signed with Vee Jay Records in 1955. It was at this record company where they released their hit recording, ``Oh What a Night,'' which, at one point, finished right behind Elvis' ``Don't Be Cruel'' on the music charts. By the early 1960s, with their reach growing, the Dells were able to tour with big artists like Dinah Washington and Ray Charles, opening for them and exposing themselves to much bigger audiences. prgtoken A soundtrack to the 1960s would not be complete without soulful melodies from groups like the Dells. At a time of constant political and social upheaval, a Washingtonian could turn on the radio and be serenaded with songs like the Dells' ``Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation'' and ``Stay in My Corner,'' a 1965 top 30 R&B hit. Decades passed and the Dells' music largely adapted. Members of the band remained largely stable. Their final work was the ``The Heart is a House for Love,'' part of a soundtrack for a movie in 1991. The Dells were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Today, Verne Allison, one of the original members of the Dells, is the band's only surviving member. prgtoken While Mr. Allison was in my district, he worked closely with DC Legendary Musicians. This organization works to protect the legacy of D.C. area musicians, past and present, and promote the music of artists from Washington around the globe. Although Mr. Allison and the Dells are from Chicago, DC Legendary Musicians recognizes the impact that music from artists like the Dells--who have performed locally at the Howard Theater, Constitution Hall and the Kennedy Center--have had on D.C. and its own music scene and history. Their work is crucial to ensuring this essential part of D.C. culture stays intact. I thank DC Legendary Musicians for their contributions to the District. prgtoken I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Mr. Verne Allison and the Dells. We celebrate their harmonious and soulful music that is part of the rich American tapestry that is Rhythm and Blues. I am very pleased we can still listen to it today.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2017-6-6

. There is a lot of misinformation about this bill. I will tell you what this bill does not do. It does not trample on workers' rights. This bill maintains bargaining rights of union workers at the VA. One of the problems we had with the House-passed bill was it did away with the ability of members to use the bargaining process. This does not. It maintains it. It does not gut due process protections. It keeps all the existing due process protections under current law. Unlike the House bill, it doesn't shorten or eliminate the appeals process for employees who are fired. Moreover, we provide a judicial review to employees who are directed to repay a bonus and other protection. Finally, this bill does not allow VA supervisors to get away with firing anyone who just challenges them. Evidence is still required in order to take action, and that evidence must go through general counsel for review before an action is proposed. prgtoken This is all critically important, as we go forth, to give accountability and yet be able to protect the rights of the workers who are doing the job. I think we found the sweet spot there. prgtoken More important than anything else in this bill--and it does a lot of things--it is really about a culture of accountability at the VA. prgtoken Can the Senator tell us here in the Senate what else this bill does for veterans?