mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CLIMATE CHANGE
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-9-21

now on another matter, the administration announced yesterday that it is seeking new recruits in its war on affordable and reliable American energy to fill the ranks of a new program called American Climate Corps. prgtoken While the administration works overtime to freeze sensible development like energy pipelines, its latest initiative would, essentially, set up a taxpayer-funded pipeline for turning climate activists into climate bureaucrats. prgtoken Now, President 's nostalgia for FDR's New Deal is already well- documented. So setting aside the absurdity of Washington ' fixation with the Green New Deal, it would be hard to imagine an economic moment less well-suited to a new Depression-era work program. prgtoken This isn't the early 1930s, when the American people were up against high unemployment and low inflation. In fact, what the ' runaway spending has dumped on working families today is just the opposite. For 2 years now, we have historic inflation and a record labor shortage. prgtoken This is such a profoundly tone-deaf idea it couldn't even earn the support of the President's own party here in the Senate during votes on ' so-called Inflation Reduction Act last year. Not a single one of our colleagues joined Senator Sanders in voting for his amendment to create a climate work project on the taxpayers' dime. prgtoken Apparently, that hasn't deterred President or the leftwing activists behind the wheel of his administration's energy policies. prgtoken As working families struggle to afford gas, electricity, and groceries, the advice from wealthy blue State liberals is, apparently, to shell out for an expensive electric car and foot the bill for the so-called Climate Corps. prgtoken There is no Hoover Dam or Lincoln Tunnel on the other side of this nonsense spending, just Potemkin jobs and a new make-work program when there is plenty of work to go around. prgtoken Activists are calling it climate justice. But it doesn't sound like justice to the working families trying to get by President 's watch.
RECOGNIZING ARKANSAS' LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-9-21

many people are familiar with the passage of scripture found in First Corinthians Chapter 13, verse 4, ``Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.'' However, fewer may remember verse 5 which states that love ``always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.'' When the apostle Paul was inspired to write these words so many years ago, I believe he had persevering and loving couples like Cleovis and Arwilda Whiteside in mind. Since 2019, the Whitesides have been recognized as Arkansas' ``Longest Married Couple.'' This Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, they are being recognized for their 84th year of marriage. prgtoken On what I am sure was a hot and humid Monday, July 24, 1939, 17-year- old Cleovis and 13-year-old Arwilda made a lifetime commitment to God and each other that has endured the test of time. The next year, Mrs. Whiteside delivered the first of their 12 children. In an interview last year, Mr. Whiteside, who was 100 at the time, stated, ``We've been together all this long time and I still love my wife. She still loves me, and we still get along just as good.'' Mrs. Whiteside added, ``I ran to him since I was nine years old and I've run first to God, then him ever since.'' We find within these 2 statements the foundation of a strong, Christ-centered marriage that inspires me and countless people, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, and the entire state of Arkansas. prgtoken At the end of the 13th chapter of Corinthians, Paul tells us that when all is complete, 3 things remain: ``faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.'' I offer my most sincere congratulations to Mr. Cleovis and Mrs. Arwilda Whiteside on their 84 years of marriage. I thank them for exemplifying the greatest gift of persevering love.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-9-21

today I honor the life of a truly extraordinary Tennessean. prgtoken If you ask the people of Athens, TN, to describe the life and legacy of Burkett Witt, most of them will immediately point to his more than three decades of public service to the town where he was born and raised. But I like to go back even further to the true beginning of his public service. Beginning in 1949, he began connecting to his community through food at the helm of Bo and Pete's Southern Soda Shop at Tennessee Wesleyan College. Those who knew him--and in some cases, worked for him--remember his strong work ethic and credit his mentorship as inspiration for their own personal and professional growth. The value of that influence, of course, did not go unnoticed. In 1971, Witt became the town's first African-American elected as a member of the city council. It is worth noting that at the same time Witt made history, the people of Athens did, too, and ousted three incumbents from the council. It was time for change. prgtoken In 1983, Witt made history again when he became the first African- American mayor of Athens--and indeed, one of the first African-American mayors in Tennessee. After 4 years in the top post, Witt stepped back into his role on the council, where he served with dignity for 33 years. When Tennessee Wesleyan granted Witt an honorary doctorate of public service in the spring of 2014, Witt's longtime friend Paul Watkins described him as ``a one of a kind in our world,'' and I could not agree more. prgtoken On behalf of all Tennesseans, I want to recognize Burkett Witt's stunning contributions to the Volunteer State and offer my prayers and continued support to the generations of young Tennesseans who will benefit from the lessons his legacy will teach them.
Border Security (Executive Calendar)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-9-21

on Sunday, our Border Patrol reported more than 7,500 migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border--7,500 migrants crossed the border on Sunday. Then on Monday, there were more than 8,000 arrests along the southern border as a new surge of migrants tried crossing on that day. prgtoken These numbers still haven't provoked any significant, meaningful response from the administration, even though they are just shy of that single-day record for the year that was recorded in May after the end of title 42. prgtoken Every day, I think that there is going to be a response, a reply, a significant effort. It isn't necessarily a partisan issue. ic Mayor Eric Adams stated last week that New York City is being destroyed, and it will cost $12 billion after an influx of 110,000 migrants from the southern border have landed in the city. And while 110,000 migrants clearly are a massive number for any city to absorb, it is only a tiny fraction--a very tiny fraction--of the 2.76--2.76 million migrants who crossed the border in fiscal year 2022. prgtoken The unending catastrophic situation on the border has continued for so long that it seems like the administration has grown numb to what, in any circumstance, would be considered a crisis--a crisis for the people who are crossing, a crisis for the people in the United States, a crisis for the people in New York City. prgtoken Gone are the days when the migrants showing up at our borders were from our neighboring country to the south. Now migrants are flooding in on trains from El Salvador, Haiti, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and most significant to me, China. prgtoken We have a gaping hole in our national security that stretches from California to Texas and, I assume, our other borders as well, and our adversaries are already using that circumstance to their advantage. prgtoken I visited the border with a bipartisan group of Senators earlier this year and witnessed Chinese nationals being apprehended--apprehended--by our border agents. prgtoken This week, it was reported that approximately 18,000 Chinese nationals had been encountered at the southern border. This is compared to 2,000 in 2022 and only 450--still a big number--in 2021. It was also reported that some of these individuals potentially had ties to the Chinese Communist Party and that not one of them was detained for any length of time. prgtoken This failure to respond to the arrival of the Chinese succeeded the FBI report that I had read, with great concern, about migrants with ties to ISIS who had been permitted to enter the country. The Customs and Border Patrol, which is overworked and understaffed, released an individual on the terrorist watch list into the country. The American people deserve answers from Secretary Mayorkas and from the administration. prgtoken I have been on this floor previously, numerous times, like many of my colleagues, to make the case that the crisis at t
HONORING PRESIDENT DEVON ADES
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-9-21

I rise today to honor Devon Ades for her leadership as President of the California Trucking Association and thank her for more than 30 years of dedication to California's trucking industry. prgtoken President Ades was first introduced to the trucking industry as a child by her father, Denny Wyatt, who served as the President of the California Trucking Association (CTA) in 2010. It was during her upbringing in the industry that President Ades realized her passion for trucking and the skill, hard work, and dedication required to succeed in the industry. President Ades began her career, much like her father's, at Apex Logistics, LLC, before moving to Inland Kenworth, a truck dealership where she spent time working in the company's sales, finance, and insurance departments. In 2005, she returned to Apex Logistics, where her knowledge of the industry and skillful abilities led her to become the company's Vice President in 2022. prgtoken As Vice President, Devon has consistently demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing the industry. This past year, CTA's Board of Directors selected Devon to be the association's newest president. In this role, Devon oversees a vital component of California's economy and our nation's supply chain. Truckers transport highly demanded goods from ports and suppliers to our store shelves and homes. In the United States, truck drivers move about 71 percent of the economy's products throughout the country. As president, she continually displays incredible leadership in the California motor carrier industry and advocates at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure sound transportation policy for her membership. prgtoken As the 68th president of the CTA, she is only the third woman to hold the position. In her over 3 decades of involvement in the industry, President Ades has seen enormous progress in her industry. As she leads the organization, I know she will continue to grow CTA's membership and successfully guide CTA's ``transition to the future.'' prgtoken , I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in thanking President Devon Ades for her commitment to the California Trucking Association. Her tireless service will have a lasting impact on the Central Valley and the Nation for generations to come.
SHEDDING LIGHT ON SUICIDE PREVENTION
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-9-21

. Madam , today, I rise to shed light on a critical issue that affects countless lives: suicide. prgtoken National Suicide Prevention Month is not just a time of remembrance. It is a call to action. Mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness and seeking help should not be stigmatized. prgtoken We must come together to support individuals in crisis, especially our servicemembers, who have sacrificed so much for our Nation. prgtoken Let us remember that each life is precious and that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. prgtoken Reach out to your loved ones, check on your friends, and be the beacon of support that someone might desperately need. Together, we can speak out about mental health and degrade the barriers to treatment. prgtoken This National Suicide Prevention Month, let us work hand in hand to ensure that everyone knows they are not alone and that help is always within reach. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.
RECOGNIZING SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JERRY LEE LORTON, USA, RETIRED, WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-9-21

I am honored to present retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jerry Lee Lorton, of Cameron, Texas, with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. His servant's life reflects the hard work and dedication that exemplifies the best of our Central Texas values. prgtoken Jerry Lorton entered active duty at Atlanta, Georgia in May of 1977-- a young 20-year-old about to embark on a distinguished Army career that would span the next two decades of his life. prgtoken Retired Sergeant Lorton's Army career would take him on 5 overseas tours, including to the Persian Gulf War and 2 tours in Korea. His dedication was rewarded many times. Recognized for expert marksmanship with rifle, pistol, and grenade, he earned an Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Master Aircraft Crewman Badge, and an Air Assault Badge. prgtoken Since retiring in 1997, Jerry Lorton has been a dedicated servant leader in his community. For more than a quarter century he has helped protect his neighbors and community as a volunteer firefighter with the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department. He serves as a Deacon in his faith community, Cameron's Grace Church, where he continues to protect his neighbors as one of a four-person church security team. He works as a school bus driver for the Cameron Independent School District. A patriot and a leader, he currently serves as the Commander of Cameron's VFW Post 2010, having long been the kind of member that, in the words of the Texas District 28 Commander, ``exemplifies everything the VFW wants in its leaders.'' prgtoken I proudly commend Sergeant First Class Jerry Lee Lorton, USA, (Ret,) to his friends, family, and colleagues, and salute his service to the Army and Texas by awarding him a Congressional Veteran Commendation from the 17th Congressional District of Texas.
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL GLEN W. MOORHEAD III
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-9-21

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate Lt. Gen. Glen W. Moorhead III on earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Air Force Association. prgtoken Wally, as he is known to his close friends and colleagues, is a native of Arkansas. He has an outstanding record in service to our Nation's air superiority. He entered the Air Force upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1969, after which he deployed to Asia and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in the Vietnam war. prgtoken As leadership noticed his ability to push his aircraft to the limit in combat, they brought him back home to apply those lessons learned in his A-37 to the Air Force's new platform, the A-10. The A-10 was effective in military operations and was loved by those on the ground. Moorhead played a leading role in the validation of the A-10 and development of the training program, so much so that he led the inaugural weapons school course on the platform. Moorhead was further entrusted with leadership of the Air Warfare Center, which in addition to serving as one of the major testing and evaluation operations of the U.S. Air Force, is also the home of the revered Thunderbirds. He ultimately was assigned to serve as deputy commander of U.S. European Command. prgtoken Moorhead's long-lasting impact on the military space community is evident. While commander of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, he was dual-hatted as commander of the Space Warfare Center, which conducted tactics, techniques, and procedures development for space operations and has evolved into a significant part of the Space Force's Space Training and Readiness Command. Not only did he leave a notable imprint upon those under his command, but his enduring legacy will continue for generations of Guardians to come. prgtoken Perhaps Moorhead's most consequential role, however, has been as key adviser in the development and standup of the Space Force. No one could overstate the value of his mentorship to the leaders of the Space Force as they assess its current and future needs in pursuit of the vital mission to secure our national interests in, from, and to space. prgtoken The sustained record of excellence of Glen Wallace Moorhead has made our country better and safer, and he is to be commended for his lifetime of leadership to our Space Force and Air Force. prgtoken As the ranking member of the Senate appropriations subcommittee responsible for ensuring our Armed Forces and their families have the infrastructure and facilities to support their needs, it is an honor to recognize Lieutenant General Moorhead on his outstanding impact within our military. prgtoken Arkansas can be proud of his advocacy and leadership that integrally contributed to the United States' ability to maintain our military superiority. prgtoken On behalf of the U.S. Senate and a grateful nation, I extend my deepest appreciation
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2721 (Executive Calendar)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-9-21

I appreciate my colleague's concern about some of these other issues. I think we ought to have a discussion about those and see if we can get something done. But right now, the Disaster Relief Fund is going to be down to the $550 million by the end of this month. There is a community in every State--and this fund only covers where it fits within the parameters where FEMA says that the Federal Government is responsible for a portion of it. But this would help a community in every State in the country. So I hope, at some point, we can get this passed. There is a community in every State in this country that is getting impacted by this.
HONORING THE LIFE OF WICHITA STATE EMERITUS PROFESSOR MELVIN KAHN
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-9-21

I rise today to honor the life of Wichita State Emeritus Professor Melvin Kahn, who sadly passed away this month at the age of 92. prgtoken For over 5 decades, Professor Kahn served as one of Wichita State's most highly acclaimed political science professors. Along with authoring 2 books on complex case studies in political science, Professor Kahn received many accolades and honors throughout his academic career. He received the Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, the WSU Mortar Board Teaching Recognition Award in 2012, the WSU Academy of Excellence Teaching Award in 2007, Carnegie Foundation Kansas Professor of the Year in 1989, and the Regents' Award for Excellence in Teaching, WSU, in 1982. Further, Professor Kahn and his wife Joan also founded the Joan & Melvin Kahn Native American Indian Scholarship, which is given to a Native American student who exhibits a successful high school performance, college potential, leadership qualities, and financial need. prgtoken Beyond the awards and recognition he received, Professor Kahn's legacy is also the hundreds of students he inspired to pursue careers in public service. Through the Robert J. Dole Internship Program, Professor Kahn assisted students in finding meaningful internships and enhancing their education by serving their community at the federal, state, and local levels. I am proud to have had the privilege of employing several of these bright young Kansans in my office. prgtoken Professor Kahn firmly believed that, in the words of Aristotle, ``the mind is a fire to be lit and not a vessel to be filled,'' and the true measure of a teacher is challenging students' minds and encouraging them to go out and see the world on their own. He will be missed by all who knew him, and his memory will go on in those he inspired.
HONORING GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Aaron Bean (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-9-21

the title of a Gold Star Family is an honor that no family wants. You see, , this title is reserved for families of military members who have died in the line of duty, and it honors the service member's ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family's loss, grief, and continued healing. prgtoken Today, I rise to salute the 14 Gold Star Families that were honored in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday, August 24, 2023. prgtoken The phrase ``Gold Star Family,'' dates back to World War I, when military families displayed service flags featuring a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the Armed Forces. The star's color would be changed to gold if the family lost a loved one in the war. prgtoken Today, and every day, we hold dear those who have answered the dreaded knock at the door, accepted Old Glory folded with crisp edges, and tearfully spoken their final farewell. Members of a Gold Star Family bear the absence of their fallen hero proudly. They deserve our respect and support for their determination to preserve the memories of those brave American warriors who sacrificed their lives in service to this great Nation. prgtoken Gold Star Families find the courage and conviction to press on, transforming their heartbreak into hope, service, and outreach to veteran groups and other military families coping with the same unimaginable loss. It is their ability to endure, overcome, and in turn enrich the lives of others that exemplifies the true American Spirit. prgtoken When service members serve, they don't do it alone. Their spouses, children, parents, siblings, and loved ones are a vital part of our country's military community and history. prgtoken On this solemn day, we recognize and honor the Gold Star Families of heroes who never made it back home. prgtoken We will remember them when we say our prayers, support them in our deeds, and today, we join them in honoring their hero's ultimate sacrifice.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4365, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1130, UNLOCKING OUR DOMESTIC LNG POTENTIAL ACT OF 2023; AND PROVIDING...
Mark Alford (Republican, MO) \u2014 2023-9-21

I want to get one thing straight for our Members on the other side of the aisle. The only shutdown that we are in favor of is a shutdown of the woke indoctrination in our military, the shutdown of the infection of socialism propagated by the other side, and a shutdown of the bloated government spending and the overreach of regulation in America. prgtoken Now, on to my main point. prgtoken , I rise today to condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the blatant attacks on the Second Amendment from the Governor of New Mexico. prgtoken We saw with COVID unprecedented government overreach that infringed on the rights of millions of Americans. prgtoken Let me be crystal clear, : There is no such thing as a state public health emergency exception in the U.S. Constitution. prgtoken The Second Amendment is a God-given right to the American people. We will not sit idly by as the people of New Mexico have their rights trampled by an unhinged lunatic. prgtoken Throughout history, countless populations have been rendered vulnerable due to their inability to defend themselves from both external and internal threats. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers, with great foresight and understanding of history's lessons, enshrined the right to bear arms not only as a protection from foreign invaders but also as a safeguard against potential domestic tyranny. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 684 and push back against the attacks on we the people's God-given rights.