mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING OLGA PEDROZA
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-7-30

I wish to pay tribute to the late Las Cruces City councilor Olga Pedroza, a champion for justice. Ms. Pedroza passed away February 9, 2018, in Las Cruces, NM. prgtoken Ms. Pedroza was born in a small town in Mexico, San Luis Ayucan, on September 28, 1942. Her parents Celia and Jesus came to Chicago in the 1940s, where she attended Catholic school for elementary through high school. She graduated from Mundelein College in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and minors in elementary education and theology. prgtoken Ms. Pedroza then set off and worked on behalf of her community the rest of her life. She worked as a teacher for many years and, in 1980, moved to New Mexico with her then-husband and three children. By then, she had earned a master's in education. Ms. Pedroza decided she wanted to use the law to promote her social justice goals. She entered the University of New Mexico Law School and graduated in 1985, in her early 40s. prgtoken Ms. Pedroza began working for Centro Legal Campesino, the legal aid farmer worker unit, in Las Cruces in 1990. She was there over 15 years, primarily as the managing attorney. During that time, she filed over 50 Federal lawsuits representing farmworkers in their fight for fair wages and other rights. prgtoken Ms. Pedroza began her third career in 2009 when she was elected to the Las Cruces City Council District 3 seat, which covers central and southeast Las Cruces. Ms. Pedroza believed in change and often said, ``City Council could be a place to start.'' She served two terms before retiring. During her tenure, she fought for a living-wage ordinance and always prioritized the needs of those overlooked by society. Among other community needs, she advocated for community gardens and improved tennis facilities. Ms. Pedroza was a great tennis enthusiast and even competed in the Senior Olympics. prgtoken She was active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Women's Intercultural Center in Anthony, as cochair of the local women's bar association, and on the board of the court appointed special advocates. prgtoken Ms. Pedroza worked throughout her life to change the world for the better. Her compassion, warmth, and sense of humor will be missed by her children, grandchildren, and community. I honor her work and unflagging commitment to social justice.
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH POLE TRANSIT BY USS ``NAUTILUS''
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-7-30

I wish to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the historic ship USS Nautilus, SSN-571, and her historic submerged transit of the North Pole on August 3, 1958. prgtoken The USS Nautilus was the first commissioned nuclear-powered ship in the U.S. Navy. President Harry S. Truman laid the keel for the future ship on June 14, 1952, at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, CT. Two years later, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower launched the history-making nuclear submarine when she broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow of the USS Nautilus. prgtoken On the morning of January 17, 1955, at 11:00 a.m. EST, the Nautilus's first Commanding Officer, Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson, ordered all lines cast off and signaled the memorable message, ``Underway On Nuclear Power.'' prgtoken During its shakedown on May 10, 1956, the USS Nautilus cruised from Groton, CT, to San Juan, PR, in fewer than 90 hours, fully submerged for the entire journey. The underwater distance--1,381 miles--was ten times farther than any submerged submarine had previously sailed. Following this journey, the Nautilus would shatter all submerged speed and distance records over the remainder of the decade. prgtoken In response to the nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile threat posed by the Soviet Union following the launch of the first satellite Sputnik, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the U.S. Navy to attempt a submarine transit to the North Pole to gain credibility for the soon-to-come submarine-launched ballistic missile weapons system still in research and development. prgtoken On July 23, 1958, the USS Nautilus departed Pearl Harbor, Hi, under top secret orders to conduct Operation Sunshine, the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship. prgtoken Eleven days later, Commander William R. Anderson announced to the 116 men aboard, ``For the world, our country, and the Navy: THE NORTH POLE.'' Thus, on August 3, 1958, the USS Nautilus became the first watercraft to reach the geographic North Pole, 90 degrees north, known also as the geographic ``top of the world.'' prgtoken Following this momentous voyage, the USS Nautilus and her crew earned the Presidential Unit Citation, the first ever awarded in peacetime. prgtoken After Operation Sunshine, the USS Nautilus enjoyed many more successes in her long and illustrious career of duty in the U.S. Navy, such as in October 1962, when she participated in the naval quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. prgtoken Over the years, the USS Nautilus played an integral part in numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization--NATO--exercises and a variety of developmental test programs. On September 14, 1966, the USS Nautilus celebrated 300,000 nautical miles of ocean faring. prgtoken Having pioneered the use of nuclear power at sea, the USS Nautilus continued to serve alongside many of the more modern nuclear-powered submarines. In April 1975, the USS Nautilus participated in Exe
NOMINATION OF BRITT GRANT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-7-30

on Britt Grant, the new nominee for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals--Britt Grant, throughout her career, has expressed views far outside the mainstream. When you read this list, you will say: How did they come up with someone so on the fringe? She is not someone who is a mainstream conservative, but way out there. prgtoken As solicitor general, she defended a law that made it illegal for doctors to perform an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and assisted on an amicus brief arguing that defining marriage as between a man and a woman does not violate the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. prgtoken She worked on a brief for the Supreme Court that defended a Georgia prosecutor's decision to strike Black jurors based on their race. She led Georgia's challenge to DACA, even though 85, 90 percent of all Americans are for DACA. prgtoken Before becoming Georgia's solicitor general, she argued against the Affordable Care Act, assisted on an amicus brief defending Indiana's defunding of Planned Parenthood, urged the Supreme Court to gut the Voting Rights prgtoken Act, and argued to strike down the Affordable Care Act's contraception coverage mandate. prgtoken So from reproductive rights to civil rights to gun safety, name a partisan legal case from the past 5 years, and there is a good chance that Britt Grant has been involved, taking up a fringe legal argument-- way out of the American mainstream--to weaken well-established rights and overturn precedent in pursuit of an ideological objective. prgtoken I would also like to bring to my colleagues' attention that in speeches and in handwritten notes--even with this extreme record--Judge Brett Kavanaugh has repeatedly praised Britt Grant's record. In fact, Kavanaugh called Britt Grant ``a superb solicitor general of Georgia.'' That is someone with these extreme views. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh's ringing endorsement of Britt Grant's record may serve as a window into his own judicial philosophy. It makes you wonder: What, exactly, does Judge Kavanaugh agree with her on so that he would call her so many laudatory things? prgtoken Does he agree with Britt Grant that a woman's constitutional, guaranteed freedom to make her own reproductive choices should be curtailed, even though an overwhelming majority of Americans support Roe? Does he believe, like Britt Grant, that States should be able to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, even though the Supreme Court has declared things the other way? Does he believe, like Britt Grant, that insurers shouldn't have to provide contraceptive coverage? prgtoken Britt Grant is the kind of lawyer Judge Kavanaugh, in his own words, considers ``superb.'' Maybe that is why they both ended up on the same short list of 25 potential out-of-the-mainstream court nominees--out of the mainstream because they were vetted by the Heritage Foundation, which believes that the government should not be involved in
Medicaid (Executive Session)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-7-30

I rise this afternoon to talk about an important anniversary. Today marks 53 years since the Medicare and Medicaid Programs have been created. I will speak specifically today about Medicaid. Many Americans are familiar with all of the benefits that Medicaid provides to so many Americans, but I don't know if people have a sense of the scope of it. prgtoken First of all, Medicaid helps 70 million individuals and families in every stage of life. Medicaid covers nearly half of every birth in the United States of America. Medicaid covers 40 percent of all children across the country. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is also true that roughly 40 percent of all of the children have their healthcare covered through Medicaid. Roughly 50 percent of the people with disabilities in our State are covered by Medicaid, and about 60 percent of those who need skilled care, so-called nursing home care-- about 2 million Pennsylvanians--are covered by Medicaid. prgtoken Medicaid is currently considered the ``gold standard'' for children's healthcare, which includes the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment benefits, known as EPSDT. It doesn't get a lot of attention, but a lot of the professionals who understand pediatrics and children's healthcare will stress the importance of early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment. prgtoken Medicaid helps to prevent moms and dads from being forced into deciding whether to put food on their tables or take a child to see a doctor. Through Medicaid, 15 million people with disabilities receive assistance with their healthcare or with durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or assistive speaking devices, long-term supports for daily living, such as personal care attendants, and so many other benefits. prgtoken If you just focus on the category of Americans with disabilities who are children, 60 percent of children in America with disabilities are covered by Medicaid. Medicaid helps Americans afford their Medicare premiums. That is the interplay between both the Medicaid Program and the Medicare Program. Medicaid pays for nursing home care for older relatives who otherwise would incur $75,000 per year of expenses, which would force countless middle-class families out of their homes and deprive them of their hard-earned savings. prgtoken How about our schools? Forty-eight percent of school districts use Medicaid funds to provide medical and therapy services in schools for children who receive special education. prgtoken Medicaid also funds transportation for eligible individuals to receive medical services. prgtoken Finally, on this long list, Medicaid is the primary payer for the treatment and services of opioid addiction, as well as for substance use disorder services. prgtoken All of those issues are critically important to the American people and especially, of course, to the American family. That is why last year--and continuing into 2018-
TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF RALPH ARNOLD KUIPER
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-7-31

I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary American, a true patriot, and a highly respected member of my congressional district, Ralph Arnold Kuiper. prgtoken Ralph Kuiper was born on March 29, 1939, in New Jersey, and grew up in a small town in Southern California. He graduated from Corona High School where he excelled in art, academics and sports, and went on to Stanford University where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Master's degree and a Ph.D. from Stanford. prgtoken Ralph worked at Lockheed's New Products division where he served in management positions including Director of Research at Lockheed Technology Center. During his long career he mentored emerging engineers and high school students. After retirement, Ralph became a full time volunteer in the community, serving as a coach for children's sports, supporting the World Affairs Young Ambassadors Program and the Los Alto Youth Theatre. He was Chair of the Peninsula Chapter of the World Affairs Council for 13 years, and served 14 years on the Board of the Los Altos Stage Company. He and his wife travelled extensively and supported everything Stanford, especially the Freeman Spogli Institute, football and basketball. prgtoken , I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in extending our sincerest condolences to Ralph Kuiper's wife, Carol, and to their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and in doing so honor a great, good and gentle man who loved his country and served it with distinction. Ralph made our world better, and our country and our community stronger. How privileged I am to have known Ralph and represented him.
TRIBUTE TO DELORES HADDEN SMITH
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-7-31

I rise today to recognize the life of service led by the late Delores Hadden Smith. Delores, fondly known as ``Dee'' was a resident of Gowanus Houses and always looking for a way to give back to the community she cherished. prgtoken For 44 years, Delores served as an educator in the New York City public school system. Her passion for teaching was contagious, as she was adored by her students and recognized for the ``Who's Who Among American Teachers'' national honor. prgtoken Delores was also active in public service outside the classroom. By engaging with Parent Teacher Association boards, South Brooklyn Colony House board, Community Board 6, Gowanus Old Times Day Committee and many others, she coordinated local events, much to the delight of her fellow community members. In 2010, she was honored with an Honorary PhD in Humanities from Cathedral Theological Seminary. prgtoken Described by those who loved her as someone who brightened every room she filled, Delores' memory will be cherished forever. A faithful member of the Bethel Baptist, she taught Sunday School, Youth Choir and more. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Delores Hadden Smith and her family for her lifetime of hard work, joy and service.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-7-31

I join my colleagues on the floor, and I salute both Senator Nelson and Senator Blumenthal, who represent prgtoken States whose citizens have felt the scourge of gun violence--in Newtown, in Parkland, and in the Pulse nightclub. I don't know how many more Parklands we need, but I certainly know that my colleague from Utah, who only read a part about what alarms him--that it shall not be possible to publish what? To publish the information to create a gun--a gun that is undetectable and untraceable. prgtoken Why are we spending billions to secure ourselves as we go through the airports of our country? We saw it after September 11. Now we are going to undermine all of those billions and all of that security by allowing anyone here or in the world to get access to the IP address. You download it, and all of a sudden, you can create a three-dimensional plastic gun that is as deadly as any other gun. prgtoken What draws us to the floor to ask the unusual effort of unanimous consent to ultimately bring this legislation to the floor is the failure of the administration to not allow this to happen in the first place. We won't need legislation if the President turns back the decisions of his Secretary of State and others in his administration and says: Wait. This is not in our national security interests. It is not in the national interests of the United States to allow our citizens to be exposed to an undetectable, untraceable gun that is as deadly as any other. It is not in the national interests and security interests of the United States to have our soldiers halfway around the world face terrorists who have access to a new design that will be cheaper for them and at the end of the day will allow them to attack our soldiers. prgtoken It is unconscionable. But since the administration, if anything, has acted the opposite way, we come to the floor. If the government has any specific role that rises above all others, it is to protect its citizens. That is what we are trying to do here. It should be a bipartisan request. prgtoken What is so difficult about the legislation? Nothing much. One of the two pieces of legislation simply says that you cannot permit an IP address to be published on the internet because, globally, anybody can get that, download it, and create a gun. That is the simple part of it. The other one is that any gun has to be traceable and identifiable and therefore has to have a number on it. prgtoken Even when our colleagues who are the most ardent advocates of the Second Amendment say they want to keep guns out of the hands of criminals--well, how do you keep a gun out of the hands of criminals when it isn't detectable and isn't traceable? It is pretty amazing. I have been in the Congress 26 years between the House and the Senate, and it is one of the most amazing moments for me. prgtoken Look, this country has a gun violence problem. It has a mass-shooting problem. But a do-it-yourself
HONORING EUGENE EARLEY
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2018-7-31

today I wish to honor the life and legacy of a brave American, Eugene Joseph Earley. prgtoken Eugene's story begins in 1884 in Watertown, MN, where he was born to Bernard and Cordelia Earley. He was one of 16 children. He grew up on his parents' farm, learning independence, grit, and an ability to fend for himself. prgtoken From his parents' farm, he left to homestead and log the nearby forests in the Black River Country of Northern Koochiching County, MN. There, his determination was tested by the hot summers and long, brutal winters. Through the many challenges he faced, Eugene persevered. prgtoken After the United States entered World War I, Eugene enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division. It wasn't long before he was deployed to France as a part of the American Expeditionary Forces led by General John Pershing. prgtoken Under Pershing's command, Eugene prepared for battle. On September 12, 1918, in Saint-Mihiel, France, Eugene and his comrades contributed to a major turning point. The American offensive caught the Germans unaware and in the process of retreating. The courage and determination of the American forces solidified the stature of U.S. military might in the eyes of our European allies and enemies. prgtoken During the second day of fighting, Eugene endured a shrapnel wound that would prove fatal. He died on the field of combat in northeast France, less than 2 months before the end of the war. Eugene was just 24 years old. He is buried in the Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France, alongside 4,153 of his fellow fallen comrades. prgtoken Back in Minnesota, Eugene's family honored his memory and mourned his death for the rest of their lives. In the years after his death, Eugene's mother established a local American Legion Post in his name. Watertown American Legion Post 121 still honors the memory and the name of Eugene Earley today. prgtoken Earlier this year, Eugene's grand-nephew Jim Bruggeman and his daughters Megan and Molly traveled to France to visit his grave. Through their hard work, Eugene was awarded with the Purple Heart Medal in the centennial year of his death. His life and brave service will live on through this honor and the memory that his loved ones hold dear. prgtoken To Eugene Joseph Earley, on behalf of myself, Montana, and a grateful nation, I extend our deepest thanks for Eugene's service, sacrifice, and valor.
HONORING FRANK E. MARRA
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-7-31

I rise to celebrate one of my constituents who is larger than life itself, Mr. Frank E. Marra. I want to wish you the happiest of birthdays as you turn 100, just the latest amazing milestone in an amazing life. prgtoken The son of Italian immigrants, Frank, was the first of Arthur (Arturo) and Mary's (Carmelina) three sons born in New York City, just before the Armistice which ended World War I. Frank attended PS 57 Theodore Roosevelt High in the Bronx before answering the call to service. Frank would join the National Guard for a short period of time before enlisting in the U.S. Military in 1941. prgtoken As a member of the U.S. Army's 258th Field Artillery, Frank trained for several months in the United Kingdom before his deployment in Europe. Frank fought the Axis powers in Normandy, through Northern France, Belgium in Ardennes, at the Battle of the Bulge, in Lichtenstein, Austria, and Germany. It has been said that Frank was the first soldier to fire an artillery shell into Nazi Germany, as our forces pushed forward to victory. prgtoken Following WWII, Frank returned home, and married Cecilia Genovese, who had sent him care packages during his time in Europe. The two honeymooned across the country and settled in San Bruno, California. In late 1947, Frank and Cecilia returned to New York, and had their two sons, Albert, and Eugene. Frank and Cecilia had a remarkable romance, and were married an incredible 70 years, until Cecilia's passing 2 years ago at the age of 97. prgtoken , Frank Marra has lived quite a life. He saw the stock market crash of 1929, the resulting Great Depression, and served during World War II. He saw the Yankees greats such as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle play baseball, and witnessed the first men walk on the moon. He held down two jobs, which allowed him to send both his children to college and grad school, and he volunteered for many years at St. Bart's Church and the Jewish Home for the Blind. He danced with his wife at the weddings of two of his grandchildren and he has held in his arms three young great-grandchildren: Margaret, Cecilia, and Dominick. Frank Marra has experienced and achieved the American Dream, and his distinguished life deserves our honor and recognition. Happy birthday Frank, I wish you many more happy and healthy years to come.