mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
OPPOSITION TO H.R. 4447
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-9-24

. Madam , I rise today disappointed in the Majority for pushing forward H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. Despite the bill's stated objectives, this legislation would hurt our economy and hamper technological progress. prgtoken This legislation authorizes over $135 billion in new taxpayer spending, and creates new mandates and prohibitions, all of which would only hurt Americans' finances and consumer choice. The Majority failed to include the most important policies that would enable the rapid investment and development of new energy technologies: regulatory and permitting reforms. prgtoken While I was pleased that five of my amendments were considered and that three passed, I cannot in good faith support this partisan legislation that will hurt our Nation's economic recovery and reduce the speed of innovation in the marketplace. prgtoken Due to the partisan nature of H.R. 4447, I would have not only voted no, but strongly encouraged my fellow members to do so.
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-9-24

during National Small Business Week, I join with my fellow Americans in honoring workers, entrepreneurs, and the small business community. prgtoken From farms and factories to shops and cafes, small businesses employ hardworking Americans and provide important goods and services to their neighbors. In Pennsylvania and around the country, small businesses are not only the backbone of our economy, they are the heart our communities. prgtoken This year, they have faced extraordinary challenges. During the coronavirus crisis, many small businesses, following Federal, State, and local mandates, have been forced to radically change the way they do business or even temporarily close their doors. prgtoken As jobs were put into jeopardy, Congress quickly acted to provide targeted relief to American families, workers, and small businesses. Under the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program was enacted in record time. This unprecedented program served as a vital lifeline to millions of small businesses. Already, the Paycheck Protection Program has saved more than 50 million jobs across our country. For those workers and their families, this policy is personal. prgtoken Just last weekend, I stopped by Boyer Orchards in Bedford County. As I was waiting to buy their famous apples, I had the opportunity to speak to my fellow Penn Staters Matt and Ellen Boyer and their sons and all who work for them tirelessly to keep this family business running. prgtoken Like many farms and orchards, they had tough choices when they lost business during the coronavirus shutdown, through no fault of their own; but, thankfully, they had the support to make ends meet and, most importantly, to keep their hardworking team on the payroll. prgtoken The Boyer family attributes the Paycheck Protection Program with helping them weather the storm, and they even called this program a godsend. prgtoken Today, I am happy to report that the orchard is open and business is booming and the apples are plentiful. I can confirm that they were well worth the wait. prgtoken As we celebrate the success of the Boyer family, I also recognize that prgtoken there are small businesses that are still struggling under the burdensome State and local mandates. prgtoken The deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program support has, unfortunately, passed, and yet too many businesses remain closed or restricted. Some small business leaders are wondering how long they can survive. And, frankly, if we do not act, we risk losing them permanently. prgtoken Most of our small businesses have been built by hardworking families over generations. Will Congress let this be their end? Will we allow families on Main Street to be used as bargaining chips in Washington? prgtoken , we cannot permit small businesses to be wiped out by a virus. This is a time for choosing, and we in Congress must put politics aside and extend a lifeline to the American small businesses. prgtoken Congressman
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-9-24

small businesses are a very important part of the U.S. economy, so we want to recognize this week, marking the 57th anniversary of what we call National Small Business Week-- proper recognition for a big part of the economy. prgtoken According to the most up-to-date government statistics, Iowa had 270,484 small businesses and 651,635 employees. They account for 99-3/ 10th percent of businesses and 48-1/10th percent of the private workforce. Small businesses create jobs and export products around the world. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and I know this pandemic has really hit small businesses very, very hard. prgtoken I honor these hard-working Iowa entrepreneurs and, of course, their employees in celebrating the week of September 20th as National Small Business Week. prgtoken . prgtoken .
IN RECOGNITION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS (DAV)
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-9-24

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of the Centennial of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) on September 25, 2020. I want to celebrate and commend DAV for reaching a momentous milestone: 100 years of virtuous and important work. prgtoken The honorable undertakings of DAV do not go unrecognized. DAV Founder Robert Marx saw a gaping hole in society that veterans continued to fall through: underfunded medical care and services. This led him to create the non-profit, empowering veterans to live with respect, dignity, and with access to the support they deserve. prgtoken Now, with over 1,000 chapters, DAV continues to make strides for veterans and their families. DAV has supported numerous veterans from giving them rides to medical appointments to assisting with benefit claims to prgtoken connecting veterans with meaningful employment by hosting job fairs. On behalf of myself and the veterans in our region, I thank you for your continued support and efforts to ensure our veterans get to experience the American dream they fought to protect. prgtoken Therefore, Madam , I ask you to join me in recognizing the centennial of Disabled American Veterans. I thank DAV, for an outstanding first 100 years, and let us look forward to another prosperous 100 years.
RECOGNIZING USDA FOREST SERVICE OFFICIAL CHARLES MORTON
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-9-24

it is with deep regret that I rise today to recognize the lost life of USDA Forest Service official Charles Morton who died while fighting the El Dorado fire in the San Bernardino National Forest last Thursday in southern California. prgtoken Charlie began his career as a corpsman with the California Conservation Corps at the Butte Fire Center in Magalia, California, up in my area, where the Camp fire was known to have raged through there in 2018. No doubt some of the work that he and his colleagues did in the area of Magalia then saved a portion of Magalia in what they did. prgtoken During the 2006 fire season, he worked with Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression in Chico, California. His 14-year forest service culminated as a Big Bear, California, Interagency Hot Shot Squad Boss in San Bernardino National Forest. prgtoken Charlie's untimely passing is a risk that is, unfortunately, part of what our valiant firefighters and forest service workers deal with on the front lines every day. I pray that his family will find peace. prgtoken I also pray for the firefighters across the West right now risking it all to save our public lands, property, families, and wildlife from wildfire season.
HONORING SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today to recognize Sweet Briar College for being named one of the most innovative schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report. This is the second time in 3 years that Sweet Briar has earned this distinction in recognition of its academic and institutional innovations. prgtoken Located in Amherst County, Virginia, the college is committed to instilling in its students the knowledge and skills necessary to address the challenges facing our communities. prgtoken Sweet Briar utilizes its sprawling 2,800-acre campus, including its lakes, vineyards, apiary, and 26,000-square-foot greenhouse, as a natural canvas and laboratory to offer students an experience unlike any other in the country. prgtoken Further, not only is Sweet Briar home to one of our country's oldest award-winning riding programs, but it is also one of two women's colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering program. Thus, it came as no surprise to hear that they were once again honored for their innovation. prgtoken President Meredith Woo and the school faculty have created a truly shining example of the incredible academic opportunities the Sixth District offers students from across the Nation.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-9-24

. First, , I would like to express my deep appreciation, admiration, and respect to both Senator Enzi and Senator Carper for introducing this legislation to honor Bob Brown. There he is. This is actually a picture of us. I am next to him. prgtoken When you look at that smile, that is a smile that is as beautiful as the sunrise, as welcoming as a rainbow. What a wonderful man. prgtoken He was known by many in Thermopolis as Bob Brown, the nicest guy in town. It was his hometown, and it stayed with him from high school-- 1943. prgtoken This Greatest Generation, Mike and Tom, as veterans--having worn the uniform, borne the battle--know that we are losing the Greatest Generation so rapidly. What a generation--World War II, the European theater, the Pacific theater, returning home, working in the post office. prgtoken As Senator Enzi said, he was a postal clerk. There was a young lady, Jeralyn, who worked at the local bank, and she would come every day to pick up the mail. She caught his eye, he caught her eye, and they lived and married and were together for 70 years--70 years. They had two wonderful children--Mike Brown and my wife, Bobbi--and a granddaughter, who really was the apple of their eye, Hadley. prgtoken But this group--World War II and Korea, as the Senators both mentioned--in the Korean war, Bob was part of the 300th, the Cowboy Cannoneers, an incredible unit--Unit Bravery Citation. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He never talked about it. He was very humble. prgtoken He returned to Thermopolis, just took care of people in the community, to the point of serving as postmaster for many of his 44 years at the post office. People knew him, loved him, and admired him. prgtoken I know that Mike had a chance to talk to the postmaster in Thermopolis yesterday about what we were going to do. She had actually known Bob, as anyone in town had, and was very grateful for having known him. prgtoken Last year Bob and Jerry celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. We lost Jerry this spring, and on 9/11 we lost Bob. He passed away at the age of 94. He was surrounded by his loving family. And his daughter Bobbi truly is, as Senator Enzi said, the caregiver. I say she is a saint. People who know her know that to be true. prgtoken As we talk about this Greatest Generation, of which Bob was a very significant part, we can think back to the history of this country. prgtoken , in the Chair, you are a marine, and you know this. It reminds me of the speech that Abraham Lincoln gave during his first year as President in the White House. On the Fourth of July, there was a flag-raising ceremony, and he gave a very short speech. The speech that Lincoln gave that day was: It is my job to raise the flag. And then to everyone else there, he said: And it is your job to keep it up. prgtoken Like you, ; you, Senator Enzi; you, Senator Carper--Bob Brown was one to keep it up. prgtoken Since we have bipartis
RECOGNIZING DR. CHRISTAL ALBRECHT
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today with sadness and joy; sadness because our leader at Alvin Community College, ACC, Dr. Christal Albrecht, announced she will retire as our incredible president on August 31 of next year; joyful because of the 7 amazing years she gave us as our president. prgtoken She arrived as our sixth president in May of 2014. She came aboard with a great school; she leaves an even greater school. prgtoken She was able to corral groups like faculty, students, donors, who sometimes have a break with the herd mentality. She put through a 5- year strategic plan with these groups. All those goals will be finished when she leaves. prgtoken Her trademark is listening; asking students, What do you want to do with your life, or asking industry, What do you need from your employees? Christal met every challenge head-on. prgtoken And I will close with one final challenge. Alvin's mascot is a dolphin named Blue. Our challenge, on behalf of the students, faculty, and lovers of ACC, is Christal, wear this uniform, this mascot's uniform, for a game or a day on campus before you leave. Thank you. God bless you.
HONORING MY WIFE, SHANNON, AND THE GREAT AMERICAN MEDICAL SYSTEM
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-9-24

I rise today to honor my wife, Shannon, because this is the 21st anniversary of her last chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed and treated for colon cancer in 1999. prgtoken This is a day that we will all remember. It is the day of success, much different from the day of her diagnosis just a little over 6 months before that. prgtoken We were a young couple with a 2-year-old daughter and didn't know what the future held. But because of the great American medical system and the research that was done out here at places like the NIH for years before my wife was diagnosed, she was able to get the surgery and the treatment she needed to now celebrate this anniversary. prgtoken On that last day, when that poisonous chemotherapy stopped having to enter her veins, little did we know we would be blessed with two more children, twin boys, just a short time later. They were born less than a year from then. prgtoken While our daughter is now 23 and our sons are 20, this is an opportunity to talk about the greatness of America's healthcare system and the greatness of the ingenuity within our healthcare system in this country. prgtoken What is frustrating to me, , is that sometimes I hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about how we on this side of the aisle want to get rid of preexisting conditions coverage. Every time I hear that, it hurts because I have seen what my wife went through. I live, she lives, and our family lives with her preexisting coverage every day. prgtoken Let's stop playing politics with healthcare. Let's celebrate what America is all about and how we help heal the world. Let's do it today, the day that I get to honor the love of my life, my wife, Shannon. prgtoken Shannon, I can't thank you enough for who you are. I can't thank you enough for your courage. And I am so blessed to be able to call you my wife.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-9-24

I come to the floor today to be introduce a bill to honor the late Robert L. Brown of Thermopolis, WY. prgtoken Robert Brown was a lifelong resident of Thermopolis, WY, and he exemplified Wyoming's values and a commitment to public service. prgtoken After graduating from Thermopolis High School, Bob was inducted into the Army in 1944, and he served in both the Europe and Pacific theaters. Later, in 1950, when he was part of the National Guard, Bob deployed to Korea, where he was a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. prgtoken He served in World War II, in both theaters, and then in Korea. The United States was poorly prepared for Korea, downsizing the military after the Second World War. The National Guard responded with little or no training or equipment. prgtoken Bob Brown went to another war. He earned a Unit Citation. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart. prgtoken Upon returning to Thermopolis, Bob began a career with the U.S. Postal Service. That career spanned 44 years, including many years as postmaster. I hope John will tell more of the postal love affair and how Bob Brown met and courted the person who picked up the mail. That lady later became my first Sunday school teacher. prgtoken Bob passed away earlier this month. At 94 years of age, he did have some health issues, but he had a devoted daughter, Bobbi Brown Barrasso, wife of Senator Barrasso, who had been Senator Thomas' State director. She was her dad's caregiver. She took care of him in Casper as well as Thermopolis. She drove him back and forth wherever he wanted or needed to go, which meant especially back and forth to needed clinics with doctors in Thermopolis and in Casper. When COVID happened, she stayed with him and protected him. prgtoken Bob Brown will be sorely missed in his community, and I can think of no prgtoken better way to honor someone with such a long and storied career with the U.S. Postal Service, as well as with the people of Thermopolis, than to introduce this bill to name the Thermopolis post office after him. prgtoken That historic building holds the memories of a veteran who came home to work and spent his entire career in that building, winding up as postmaster. prgtoken The lead ic cosponsor of this bipartisan bill is Senator Tom Carper, who is the strongest advocate I know of for the U.S. Postal Service.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2020-9-24

. Madam , from California for his remarks. prgtoken Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken I want to go back to the issue underlying this, which is wildfires and smoke. When I chaired the Energy and Commerce Committee, I held hearings each year, which have been continued under Chairman Pallone, looking at the health impacts of wildfire smoke on our citizens in America as relates to the Clean Air Act. prgtoken I remember we had a gentleman from southern Oregon who had sent me a photo of his CPAP, his air-breathing filter, that had turned dark within a day or two. We had county commissioners tell me that when they opened their windows at night, the smoke alarm went off in their house. It was that bad. prgtoken We continue to have that, and it has been going on for a very long time. It is sad we had to get to this point for many to recognize who don't have to live with that as we all have to. prgtoken There is so much more we can and should do, and I appreciate Pelosi's comments about fixing the fire borrowing problem. We did that jointly and in a bipartisan, bicameral way. It was long overdue. prgtoken But I am just going to close by saying you still have 60, 70 million acres of lands out there that we have responsibility for. They are the public's lands that are completely out of balance. Nature tells us that. Scientists reinforce that. And we need to do something about that. prgtoken Hopefully--I am leaving Congress at the end of this year--future Congresses will figure a way through this thicket because if we don't act, you won't have forests left, and a whole generation will never know what we have had the great joy to see, big healthy tree stands and habitat, freshwater and fish, and all of that that is the Northwest. It is going away in large measure every summer, and it will be a generation before you can drive over the Cascade Mountains on these routes and see what we got to see for our generation as it burns up and goes away. prgtoken We need to take out the burned, dead material while it has value. We need to plant green, new trees. We need to fully understand the impacts of smoke and then do everything in our power to minimize these fires and their devastating, tragic, and deadly effects. prgtoken Madam , .
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Frank D. Lucas (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-9-24

. Madam , my amendment contained within this en bloc emphasizes a critical priority for House s. It expresses the sense of Congress that the United States must prioritize investment in domestic energy sources and supply chains, as well as in research and development of exportable next-generation energy technologies. prgtoken This is absolutely necessary if we are going to maintain U.S. competitiveness in science and technology while reducing emissions. These priorities should play a key role in any realistic and responsible global clean energy strategy. prgtoken With the current public health crisis, the need for sustainable domestic energy chains has never been more important. Whether it is medical supplies or energy sources, we need to be able to depend on our own resources if foreign supply is voluntarily or involuntarily cut off. That requires us to invest in basic research, which drives breakthrough technologies. prgtoken For example, due in part to Federal investment in R&D that has led to new prgtoken horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology, the American shale revolution has led the U.S. to be a net exporter of natural gas since 2018. This is how basic research results in energy independence, an achievement our Nation must prioritize for long-term success. prgtoken Basic research is also instrumental in the fight against climate change. For emissions reduction technologies like carbon capture, storage, and utilization to be effective, they must be used globally. prgtoken Over the past 20 years, Asia has accounted for 90 percent of all coal-fired capacity built worldwide, and these plants have potentially long operational lifetimes ahead of them. We can't force them to change their energy profile and amount of emissions, but we can make cleaner energy technology appealing by making it efficient, inexpensive, and commercially marketable. prgtoken If fundamental clean energy research is conducted here in the United States and developed into deployable technology, we can export the resulting knowledge, tools, and energy itself, as I mentioned with natural gas. By investing in this way, we can grow U.S. industry, reduce our reliance on foreign countries for innovation, and, most importantly, make a significant impact on mitigating the effects of global climate change. prgtoken If we want to innovate, and we want to export our technologies, we have to focus on breakthrough science, not on propping up mature energy technologies and slowing the development of new ones. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this position, my amendment, and this en bloc.