mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IMPROVING FOSTER CARE OUTCOMES
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2024-6-3

. Madam , it is with great honor that I rise today to co-anchor the CBC Special Order hour along with my distinguished colleagues, Representatives Jonathan Jackson and Gwen Moore. prgtoken For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have the opportunity to discuss the importance of foster care and outcomes among Black families and children involved with child welfare, an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents we represent, and all Americans. prgtoken Madam , from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING OFFICER JAMAL MITCHELL
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-6-3

I rise today to honor the life of a 38-year- old Minneapolis police officer, Jamal Mitchell, who was killed in the line of duty in Minneapolis on Thursday, May 30, 2024. prgtoken Officer Jamal Mitchell joined the Minneapolis Police Department in 2022. Those who knew Officer Mitchell saw him as a community leader, a changemaker, and a peacemaker. prgtoken Officer Mitchell showed up to work every day to help keep our communities safe. His courageous efforts were apparent early on when he saved an elderly couple from a burning home. prgtoken Officer Mitchell will be remembered for his compassion, bravery, and love of people. He was known to have a big heart and chose to use his love of people to help strengthen our communities and support young people. prgtoken Even as a police officer, Officer Mitchell found time to give back to the community by helping coach first and second grade boys' basketball teams. prgtoken Officer Mitchell died as a hero and will be dearly missed by those who knew him and loved him. He is survived by his partner, mother, stepfather, siblings, and children. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in a moment of silence.
RECOGNIZING ROBERT M. IAMELLO, AIA
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-6-3

I rise today to congratulate Mr. Robert (Bob) M. Iamello whose dedication to the Amerigo Vespucci Society and his Italian heritage will be recognized by the organization with its ``Man of the Year'' award on June 8, 2024. prgtoken Robert Iamello maintains his Italian heritage through his family and his involvement with the Amergio Vespucci Society (AVS). Raised in West Long Branch, New Jersey, Mr. Iamello grew up in a household that embraced its Calabrian lineage. His parents and grandparents often conversed with each other in Italian, introducing Mr. Iamello to the language. In college, he studied abroad in Venice, and has visited Italy many times since. Together with Diane, his wife of nearly 45 years, he has two children and three grandchildren. He takes great pride in his family and heritage, sharing his experiences with other members of the AVS. prgtoken Mr. Iamello received his Associate Degree in Engineering for Architectural Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology and his Bachelor in Architecture from the University of Kentucky. Throughout his 47-year career, he was employed by architectural firms in New York and New Jersey before opening Ocean Township-based Iamello Architectural Studio LLC with his daughter in 2014. Mr. Iamello is a member of several architectural organizations and has been recognized for his work. prgtoken , please join me in congratulating Mr. Robert Iamello as the recipient of the Amerigo Vespucci Society ``Man of the Year'' award. This honor is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and service to family and community.
DR. WILLIAM I. "BILL" KOTT POST OFFICE BUILDING
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-6-3

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7192 to designate Anaheim's post office as the Dr. Bill Kott Post Office. prgtoken You often hear that actions speak louder than words. Dr. Kott is a perfect example. He was a son of Prussian immigrants, and Dr. Kott chose to enlist in the military, the U.S. Army, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. prgtoken He showed bravery and guts as he walked across three countries--three countries to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Then, he was one of the first responders to liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp. prgtoken After fighting World War II, he returned home to Orange County, where he married his wife, Eleanor. He decided to build a life with his wife in Anaheim, California. prgtoken Through the GI Bill, he received an associate's degree and bachelor's degree and was later accepted to the University of Southern California, where he earned his dental degree. Then, at the University of the Pacific College of Physicians, he earned his dental degree and master's of science degree. prgtoken I am not done yet. At the age of 60, Dr. Kott returned to school, where he earned his medical degree at the UCI School of Medicine. He went on to provide dental services to our community until the age of 89. prgtoken Dr. Kott, when not working or studying, was very active politically in Orange County. He served as chairman of the California Assembly of Orange County. As a member of the Anaheim City Council, he also served as mayor pro tempore. prgtoken Dr. Kott's service to Anaheim, Orange County, and his country will be recognized, remembered, and celebrated for many decades to come. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to support me in voting ``aye'' on H.R. 7192.
U.S. Supreme Court (Executive Session)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2024-6-3

as the presiding officer knows, I have come regularly to the floor to discuss multiple aspects of the scheme run by a bunch of rightwing billionaires to capture and control the Supreme Court and how that has come to affect so many Americans' lives. prgtoken Well, in case there were not enough ethics problems already at the Supreme Court after the billionaire gift program for certain Justices gave them luxurious, free, undisclosed travel gifts around the world, paid for homes for parents, education for dependents, and even an expensive motor coach that appears never to have had the principal repaid. prgtoken Now we know that MAGA battle flags were flown over the Alito residences. We don't know all the facts of what happened. We do know that Alito's version of events differs from corroborated statements of other witnesses to prgtoken those events, and for sure we know that people need to be able to trust that judges maintain the highest standards of impartiality, which includes avoiding even the appearance of bias. prgtoken And say what you will about the excuses and the reasons for flying MAGA battle flags over the house of a Supreme Court Justice, you cannot say that those flags did not appear. You cannot say that they did not create an appearance that, to a reasonable person, would raise serious questions about whether that Justice flying MAGA battle flags over his home had a bias, particularly with respect to cases arising out of the January 6 MAGA insurrection. prgtoken Whatever those fact differences are, they are important to try to get to the bottom of. And the problem is: It is hard to get those fact differences resolved because alone in the entire Federal Government-- alone--Supreme Court Justices are subject to no factfinding process. If the presiding officer or me or the minority leader or the majority leader were subject to ethics complaints here in the Senate, our Ethics Committee has the ability to investigate and to do factfinding, and even to take statements. It is true over in the House as well. Even the powerful of the House can be subject to sanction, can be subject to investigation, and to have to make statements. Heck, President sat for an official interview about the documents in his garage. But the Justices--and only the nine Justices--are protected even from any factfinding, the most rudimentary foundation of legal process. prgtoken And it is ironic because, in theory, the Supreme Court is supposed to defend the integrity of legal process in this country, and what they do is they exempt themselves from its most rudimentary pillar. prgtoken Obviously, this is all part of a long string of problematic behavior that has come to the public's attention, none of which has received adequate factfinding over at the Court. prgtoken So, for sure, these far-right Justices have demonstrated they need to be subject to an enforceable ethics code. You remember the routine they hav
RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION ACT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-6-3

now on reproductive care, this month, America marks a dark and somber anniversary--2 years since a radical MAGA majority on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The decision to overturn Roe will go down as one of the worst Supreme Court cases in modern times. It will be remembered as one of the most draconian reversals of individual liberty in American history. prgtoken There should be no question who brought our country to this crisis. It was and hard-right s, who have made clear that they will not rest until freedom of choice is eliminated across the country. prgtoken will not stand for s' relentless attacks on reproductive freedoms. This week, the Senate will begin our defense of freedom of choice with a vote to protect access to contraceptives. prgtoken Before the Memorial Day holiday, I began the process for the Senate to consider the Right to Contraception Act, led by Senators Markey and Hirono. Today, I just filed cloture on the motion to proceed to that bill. Members should expect a vote moving forward on the Right to Contraception Act on Wednesday. prgtoken Federal protections for contraceptives are a critical piece of protecting American women's reproductive freedoms, and this legislation would codify the right to contraception into Federal law. prgtoken For those who think that Federal protections for birth control are unnecessary, just look at what is happening at the State level. Governors in Virginia and Nevada have already vetoed bills to protect birth control, and the Arizona Legislature has blocked similar bills too. The Federal Government should absolutely have a say in ensuring every American has access to birth control if they need it. prgtoken There will be more action to come after that. Over the coming weeks, Senate will put reproductive freedoms front and center before this Chamber so that the American people can see for themselves who will stand up to defend their fundamental liberties. prgtoken The erosion of freedom of choice is perhaps the defining worry for tens of millions of Americans since the MAGA Court eliminated Roe. prgtoken Today, at least 20 States have near total bans or severe restrictions on abortion. Tens of millions of women lack access to reproductive care. Even services like IVF, which millions of Americans have relied on to have children, to start families, can no longer be assumed as totally safe. prgtoken None of this happened in a vacuum. This is all a direct result of and MAGA s who made the repeal of Roe their North Star for decades, and s aren't even hiding it in fact, said he was ``proudly the person responsible'' for the disastrous Roe reversal. prgtoken Does anyone seriously think that if and s get into power again that they won't try to restrict abortion and reproductive care even more? Of course they will.
U.S. Supreme Court (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-6-3

when I went to college here in Washington, at Georgetown, I used to come into this Capitol Building and sit up there where the visitors are now sitting and watch what was going on on the Senate floor. prgtoken I can remember so many things, particularly the day that Bobby Kennedy gave a speech about Vietnam that was highly anticipated. He came walking through that door with his brother, Ted Kennedy--both of them Senators, one from New York, one from Massachusetts. prgtoken It was a historic moment, it was a magical moment. For a college student, it was just overwhelming to be a witness to that history and to realize what this Chamber has meant to this Nation, what this building has meant to this Nation throughout our history. prgtoken That is why I will never forget what happened in this Chamber on January 6, 2021. Violent extremists stormed the Capitol to prevent certification of the 2020 Presidential election. was engaged in the Big Lie. prgtoken For the first time really in the history of the United States, he questioned the legal outcome of an election. prgtoken , you and I both know that is fundamental to democracy--the belief that we can have the peaceful transition of the decisionmakers guided by the people of this country without political interference. prgtoken As insurrectionists ransacked this building, many carried flags and banners to show their support for former President in his effort to overturn the election--the Big Lie. Two of the more prominent symbols of the so-called ``Stop the Steal'' campaign on behalf of President were on display that day. One was an American flag flown upside down and the other a so-called ``Appeal to Heaven'' flag. prgtoken While the events of January 6 were hard to imagine, reports that the same battle flags flew outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's home were nearly as shocking. In January of 2021, less than 2 weeks after the insurrection at the Capitol, an upside-down American flag flew over Justice Alito's front lawn in suburban Virginia. In the summer of 2023, the ``Appeal to Heaven'' flag flew on the flagpole of the Alitos' beach home in New Jersey. While these flags may have once held other meanings, in the year 2021, they were closely associated with election deniers and extreme rightwing politicians. They are, in fact, the battle flags of 's MAGA movement. prgtoken The Supreme Court's authority ultimately rests on its reputation and public confidence. The Supreme Court doesn't own the Army. It doesn't have a vast Treasury. It depends on people trusting the Justices to make honest, professional decisions. This reputation and public confidence is the strength of the Supreme Court. That is why the Supreme Court's recently adopted code of conduct requires Justices to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities. Both the code of conduct and Federal law require Justices to
IMPROVING FOSTER CARE OUTCOMES
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-6-3

. Madam , first, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman from the great State of Florida, the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, for yielding. prgtoken Madam , today I rise because June is National Reunification Month, and we owe it to Black families not to be silent about what the child welfare system has done to them in both tragic and traumatic ways. prgtoken I say to you today, Madam , the effects have been devastating and long-lasting on our children. The fact that we even have to have a National Reunification Month says it all. prgtoken How can it even be possible that a system that purports to help Black families has been so chiefly responsible for the separation of the very families it supposedly exists to serve? prgtoken This kind of morose contradiction cannot be allowed to persist and linger because whether some people in this country are willing to admit it or not, families come in all shapes and sizes. Families come in all colors and configurations. They even come in various economic conditions and levels of education. prgtoken All of them are still families, and all of them deserve our commitment. All of them are dependent on the work we do in this Chamber, and the Members of this body cannot just care about the families that remind them of their own. prgtoken No matter the race or configuration of a particular family, we are here to serve every family in this country. Either we care about all American families or, in truth, is it that we only care about some, most, or none? prgtoken Black families deserve all the rights and opportunities extended to every other family in this country. In fact, considering the historical assault on this country's institutions and policies against Black families, one might even suggest that Black families deserve to have more than most. We have been through a lot. prgtoken I am honored to be a Member of this congressional body and to represent prgtoken the First Congressional District of the State of Illinois. When I think of the life of a young child who was kidnapped from West Africa by the name of Phillis Wheatley in 1753, who was manumitted from slavery in 1773, our Nation has come a long way, but let us never forget that a child had been kidnapped who was 8 years of age. They approximated her age because of the size of her teeth. She had to go up and talk to John Hancock and others and had to recite poetry that we later came to find out were anagrams. She was an absolutely brilliant child, and she was the first person of African ancestry from 1619 to 1753 to have been manumitted from slavery. prgtoken I want us to know that Black families are more valuable simply because they have been through so much. Black families don't have their value just because they have been through so much. It is because of the compassion they have had to grow. Not one family is more valuable than the others. We all have different experiences, and sometimes they have had a long-lasting
RECOGNIZING A BRAVE AND COMPASSIONATE NEIGHBOR: ERIK ARCHAMBEAULT
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-6-3

. Mr , I rise today to commemorate a brave and compassionate resident of my district; Erik Archambeault. On April 9, 2024, shortly before noon, Erik was quietly celebrating his 47th birthday. He was interrupted by the sound of gunfire which appeared to be coming from the nearby Red Line CTA train station. Erik ran towards the gunfire to assist a resident who had been walking their dog. It turned out that a shooter jumped out of a car, opened fire, killing one--James Craig Smith, Jr.--and injuring the neighbor that Erik Archambeault was rushing to assist. prgtoken Without hesitation, Erik guided the injured man into his business, Rogers Park Social, and tended to his wound until he was safely in the hands of the paramedics. Mr. Archambeault demonstrated tremendous bravery and compassion for a neighbor in need. This is not the first time that Erik has risen to the occasion in a tense situation. Several years ago, Erik faced another tragically similar situation and rushed to aid and comfort another shooting victim in his neighborhood. In that case, the neighbor sadly did not survive. prgtoken Mr Archambeault is the owner of Rogers Park Social and Rogers Part Provisions, two local businesses whose mission states: ``Founded and operated by neighborhood residents, we strive to mindfully infuse the spirit of community, diversity, and service in all that we offer.'' prgtoken No truer words were ever spoken. Erik Archambeault personifies what it means to be a resident who gives back and plays an integral role in the broader community. On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Erik for being our neighbor. We are so grateful for the impact that he has had on our neighborhood.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL SAMUEL E. EBBESEN POST OFFICE
Stacey E. Plaskett (Democrat, VI) \u2014 2024-6-3

. Madam , I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 5034, a bill to designate the United States Post Office located at 2119 Market Square in Christiansted, St. Croix, as the Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen Post Office. prgtoken Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen, a native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, has led a distinguished career in military, business, community, and public service. Throughout his tenure, General Ebbesen held numerous key command and staff positions, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication. From his role as operations officer at the 7th Infantry Division in California to commanding the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and the 6th Infantry Division, his impact has been profound. prgtoken Notably, he led the Department of Defense Joint Task Force during the rescue and recovery operations following Hurricane Andrew in south Florida, showcasing his unwavering commitment to service. His illustrious military career culminated in his retirement as a three- star general in January of 1997. prgtoken As a young man at City College, Lieutenant General Ebbesen became great friends with former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who became his professional mentor. As two Caribbean men in New York, they became fast friends and supported each other's military careers. General Ebbesen had the honor of being one of few people who spoke at the funeral services of Secretary Powell. prgtoken By passing this bill, we recognize the significant contributions of a remarkable Virgin Islander whose life and career exemplified the very best of what it means to serve both in uniform and in civilian life. We also acknowledge the sacrifices and achievements of Lieutenant General Ebbesen and affirm our commitment to honoring those who have served with distinction. prgtoken Virgin Islanders have served this country in military service since its inception, even before we were a part of the United States, in every conflict from Alexander Hamilton as aide-de-camp to General George Washington to scores of young men who volunteered in World War II and then served in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and today. Virgin Islanders have gladly answered the call in greater numbers per capita than elsewhere on the mainland. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5034 and ensure that the legacy of Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen as an example of the service of men and women is forever preserved through the naming of the Market Square post office in St. Croix in the town of Christiansted where he grew up as the Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen Post Office.
CALLING ON ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS TO JOIN IN EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE JEWISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-6-3

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , during Jewish American Heritage Month, we celebrated the rich history and many contributions of Jewish Americans. We also recognize that anti-Semitism continues to be a scourge in our society that we must continue to combat in all its forms. prgtoken I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) for bringing forward this important resolution. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support it, and .