mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF MAURICE EL-AMIN FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise today to recognize Mr. Maurice El- Amin for his outstanding career with the Social Security Administration. Mr. El-Amin has served the SSA with distinction during his career with the agency. prgtoken Mr. El-Amin has compiled an outstanding record of public service during his 33-year career with the SSA. He began his career with the agency as a Claims Representative in Dearborn, Michigan, where he helped residents access the Social Security benefits that they earned. Mr. El-Amin excelled in this position and has served in a variety of key positions in the Midwest, including as Operations Supervisor and District Manager in the SSA's Chicago office. Since 2012, Mr. El-Amin has worked as Area Director for Metro Detroit, where he oversees the operation of 22 offices in Southeast Michigan and in the greater Toledo area. During this time, he has overseen a modernization of many of the SSA's services, including promoting increased use of online filing and eServices to facilitate improved service for Metro Detroit and its residents. prgtoken Mr. El-Amin's work has been key to ensuring that the SSA is able to meet the increased demands of the Midwest region. As Area Director, Mr. El-Amin oversaw the work of over 450 employees whose tireless efforts played a crucial role in the evolution of the SSA. He has also been actively involved in the agency's recruitment efforts and mentorship programs, which have been critical to attracting a new generation of talented public officials. Additionally, Mr. El-Amin has served as the Executive Liaison for the SSA Chicago Region's Black Advisory Affairs Council, which advises the Commissioner of Social Security on issues important to the SSA's African American employees. Mr. El-Amin's experience and perspective will be missed as he retires from the SSA after a long and distinguished career. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Maurice El-Amin for his work on behalf of the Social Security Administration. Mr. El-Amin's public service has played a significant role in helping the SSA effectively serve Americans throughout the country.
TRIBUTE TO MRS. CECILIA LAIDEMITT
Linda T. Sánchez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise today to celebrate Mrs. Cecilia Laidemitt, the Associate Superintendent of Personnel and Administrative Services for the South Whittier School District. After a dedicated and impactful 52 years with the district, Mrs. Laidemitt is retiring at the end of this school year. prgtoken Mrs. Laidemitt is appreciated and admired by many in this community, and has set a high bar for those to follow her. From a young age, Mrs. Laidemitt knew teaching was her dream. She attended Whittier College, and later received her teaching credentials and began her career at Los Altos Elementary School. prgtoken Over the years she has served in a number of roles including teacher, principal, and Director of Curriculum. In each position she has brought her inspiring attitude and passion for learning. Mrs. Laidemitt often stated how she ``loved seeing the light go on for students.'' And it's this passion that has made her successful and cherished. prgtoken Her dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed in the community; she is beloved by all she encounters. A truly admirable public servant, I wish Mrs. Laidemitt a happy and well-deserved retirement. You are an inspiration to us all, and your wisdom and kindness will be greatly missed.
HONORING THEA MEI LEE, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE AFL-CIO ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise today on behalf of myself, and my colleagues Peter A. DeFazio, Debbie Dingell, Marcy Kaptur, Barbara Lee, Sander M. Levin, James P. McGovern, Bill Pascrell Jr Mark Pocan, and Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott. It is our honor to rise today to join the many family, friends, and colleagues in extending our deepest thanks and appreciation to Thea Mei Lee, as she marks her retirement as Deputy Chief of Staff at the AFL-CIO. prgtoken Over the past twenty years, Thea has made an indelible impact on the AFL-CIO, fighting for trade and economic policies for working families that would promote shared prosperity and sustainable growth. Thea began working for the AFL-CIO in March 1997 as the Assistant Director for the Trade Task Force, and was subsequently promoted to the positions of Director of Public Policy, Chief International Economist and Deputy Chief of Staff. prgtoken Thea led the fight against harmful trade agreements and policies negotiated in a manner damaging to working people's interests, including the North American Free Trade agreement, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China, the World Trade Organization; the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-China BIT, and many others. prgtoken Her work was instrumental to the defeat of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, and the Multilateral Investment Agreement--harmful trade agreements that would have advanced profits over people and the planet. prgtoken She has testified on behalf of America's working people before both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. And, she has contributed valued work to the conversation around fair trade, including co-authoring A Field Guide the Global Economy. prgtoken She has often made the case for a fair and inclusive economy-- eloquently and passionately on the PBS News Hour, CNN, Good Morning America, and NPR's All Things Considered among others. In 2013, she was named a ``Top Lobbyist'' by The Hill. prgtoken Thea has fought to ensure that all workers around the globe are treated with dignity and afforded fundamental labor rights as recognized by the International Labor Organization. And, she has mobilized workers, helping turn out thousands of working people to protest unjust WTO polices at ``The Battle in Seattle.'' prgtoken The AFL-CIO sets a national standard in the fight for working Americans, in large part because of Thea's work. She has left her mark on this outstanding organization and a legacy that will continue to inspire others to ensure that fair trade benefits working Americans. Her career should encourage all elected officials to continue to focus on building a better, stronger, more inclusive economy for all the people of the United States. prgtoken We are honored to stand today to extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Thea Lee for her outstanding leadership an
HONORING CARSON SCHUTTER
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-6-2

I proudly pause to recognize Carson Schutter. Carson is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1333, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. prgtoken Carson has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Carson has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Carson has served his troop as the Senior Patrol Leader, become a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, and earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Carson has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Carson removed an old foot bridge and built a new, extended foot bridge in Parkville Nature Sanctuary in Parkville, Missouri. prgtoken , I proudly ask you to join me in commending Carson Schutter for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.
RECOGNIZING FOOD BANK OF THE SOUTHERN TIER
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise today to congratulate Food Bank of the Southern Tier for being named Food Bank of the Year by Feeding America. prgtoken Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and Food Bank of the Year is the highest honor that it confers on a member organization. Food Bank of the Southern Tier is the smallest food bank ever to receive this honor, and also the first in New York. prgtoken Food Bank of the Southern Tier distributes food and grocery products to people in need throughout six counties in upstate New York through a network of more than 160 partner agencies. It also administers several direct service food distribution programs. prgtoken Food Bank of the Southern Tier was established in 1981 and continues to strive toward its mission of working together to build and sustain a hunger-free community, distributing over 11 million pounds of food and grocery items in 2016 alone. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Food Bank of the Southern Tier for being named Food Bank of the Year for its outstanding and dedicated service to the community of the Southern Tier of New York.
SULLIVAN COUNTY VETERANS CEMETERY
John J. Faso (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-6-2

I include in the Record a speech I delivered at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery on May 29, 2017. Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished hosts, our Gold Star Mothers, and all honored guests: Thank you for gathering here with us on this observance of Memorial Day. It is my great privilege and distinct honor to speak to you today. Memorial Day. A day of remembrance to our fallen soldiers. A day when all Americans are reminded of those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms. This is perhaps best honored by the phrase uttered by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. They gave to the cause of liberty, he said, ``their last full measure of devotion.'' Here in the 19th Congressional District, the history of our Sullivan County neighbors has made an everlasting contribution to the priciples of self-sacrifice, patriotism and freedom we commemorate each Memorial Day. Sullivan County is the namesake of Major General John Sullivan, an officer of the Revolutionary War. Sullivan was a lawyer, politician, prisoner of war and military tactician who was selected by George Washington to carry out a difficult campaign against British forces and Loyalists in what was then the borderlands of New York and Pennsylvania. Sullivan was a towering figure who believed in the American experiment and rejected the entreaties of the British to lure him to their side. He had his feet planted firmly in the soil of this continent. During the Civil War, New York provided more men and munitions to the Union cause than any other state. But it was Sullivan County that let the men march. Over 80 percent of all the leather goods used by the Union side where conditioned in the tanning vats of Sullivan County, including Monticello's 143rd Infantry Regiment. It has been said with justification that ``the Civil War was won with boots tanned in Sullivan County.'' Each step of the journey to preserve the Union and destroy the evil of slavery began here. Here at the Veterans Cemetery, we have a visual reminder in the form of Sgt. Kenneth Von Ronn's M60A3 tank. Sgt. Von Ronn was killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was laid to rest in this place, downhill from his tank, fittingly inscribed on the marker as a ``trooper and his mount.'' The vehicle today stands guard for all those here, opposing America's enemies for all eternity. At Arlington National Cemetery, the 3rd US Infantry, the Old Guard, adorns thousands upon thousands of rows of headstones with American flags each Memorial Day. Each austere monument stands in perfect symmetry with the next. This is an act of gratitude to each individual warrior and the nation as a whole. Memorial Day is an enduring reminder of those who gave
IN RECOGNITION OF SAINT LAURENCE PARISH
Patrick Meehan (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise today to congratulate the Saint Laurence Parish in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania as it celebrates its 100th anniversary on June 10, 2017. In 1917, Reverend Maurice C. Cowl became the first pastor of the Saint Laurence Parish. As Delaware County grew, the parish school opened its doors in 1919 and soon served many families. The Saint Laurence School is still an award-winning institution in the community, committed to academic excellence. The parish school seeks to integrate Catholic values of service and respect. With the dedication and devotion of nearly ten pastors in the last hundred years, the Saint Laurence Parish is proud to serve nearly two thousand registered households in the Upper Darby and Havertown areas today we are grateful for the work of the Saint Laurence Parish, its parishioners, and Reverend Sean F. O'Neill and I hope the church will continue to grow and thrive.
IN RECOGNITION OF KRISTIN WEAVER
Barbara Comstock (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise to recognize an extraordinary Veterans Service Officer (VSO) in Northern Virginia, Kristin Weaver, for the incredible impact she has had on individuals, families, and communities in Virginia's 10th District and beyond. prgtoken Ms. Weaver is currently an American Legion Veterans Service Officer, representing the 16th District in Virginia, which includes the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and the counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Rappahannock and Stafford. In this role for the past 5 years, she has assisted 20 to 30 veterans per month on a variety of issues, including helping with disability claims, assisting with health and/or financial issues, and more. prgtoken It is also important to note that in addition to the excellent services Ms. Weaver provides to veterans on a daily basis, she also places an importance on training other VSOs. In fact, over the last five years she has trained approximately 350 VSOs in course work covering all types of veterans' benefits. Additionally in that time, Ms. Weaver has gone above and beyond in her role, often opening her home on Saturdays to help as many veterans as possible. It is important that we recognize and help our service members, military retirees, and their families who have all made sacrifices for our great country, and I am very thankful for Ms. Weaver's hard work. prgtoken Her dedication to improving the lives of veterans in Northern Virginia is evident through her years of service I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Ms. Kristen Weaver for all she has done. I wish her the best as she continues her work helping veterans and with all of her future endeavors.
HONORING THE LIFE OF ALMON WILLIAM MARTIN
James B. Renacci (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-6-2

I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Sergeant Almon William Martin, father of William Martin, Craig Martin, and Leslie Lederer and husband of Audrey June Martin. Sergeant Martin dedicated his life to serving his community and our Nation, serving in World War II as a tech sergeant in Europe and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery upon his passing in 2008. Before serving in the United States Army, Sergeant Martin studied at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio and completed his B.A. in Business Administration shortly after the conclusion of WWII. He then worked for the Gleasner Corporation/Ingersoll Rand in Buffalo, New York where he advanced to the position of vice president and divisional manager for the state of New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Sergeant Martin stayed with the company until his retirement in 1985. Throughout his retirement, Sergeant Martin also served as a mentor to upcoming businessmen through the Small Business Administration Volunteer program and used his business experience to help small businesses in the Fort Myers area start up, organize, and expand. Sergeant Martin was an active member of his community, serving in organizations like Amigos, Central Park Men's Club, Chi Phi Fraternity, Lions Club, Kenmore Rotary Club, and the Buffalo Kiwanis Club. Martin also served in the Construction Industry Association and was the vice president of the University Club of Buffalo, New York. An engaged citizen, Martin was active in politics and encouraged his neighbors to engage in politics at the local level. He coached little league baseball and football and was an active member of the Kenmore United Methodist Church it is my honor to recognize a life so fully lived. Almon Martin instilled the values of service, hard work, integrity, and service into his children, employees, and mentees, values that we should all strive to uphold in our daily lives. I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in paying tribute to a valued soldier and citizen, Sergeant Almon William Martin.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-6-5

I was unavoidably detained for rollcall vote No. 138 on adoption of S. Res. 176. Had I been present, I would have voted yea. prgtoken As a cosponsor of S. Res. 176, I would have joined many of my colleagues in voting for its adoption. Noting this week marks the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War and the reunification of the city of Jerusalem, this resolution recognizes that there has been a continuous Jewish presence in the city of Jerusalem for 3,000 years and that the holy city is home to people of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths. This resolution reaffirms longstanding U.S. positions, including that the permanent status of Jerusalem must be negotiated between the parties through final status negotiations for a two-state solution. This resolution further reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and our shared value of promoting religious freedom.
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-6-5

let me first express the profound sadness that we all felt this past week about the terrorist attacks in London. My heart is with the people of that great city and with the victims of this string of attacks and their families. They are all in our prayers. prgtoken The morning after the attack, I was walking down the street in New York, and I saw a husband and wife--they looked like out-of-towners-- with three beautiful little girls, and the girls were skipping along happily. When they are with their parents when they are little, they get so happy. I thought: God, what if a bomb blew up and killed them. It just got to me. prgtoken So we really feel for these people who were just taken from us much too soon by vicious, almost inexplicable viciousness. prgtoken In this moment of trial for one of our fiercest friends and allies, the United States also stands shoulder to shoulder with the citizens of the UK in our joint fight against terrorists and those who support them. prgtoken We wish a swift recovery to the injured and comfort to the victims and prgtoken their families. We certainly hope the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. Infrastructure prgtoken , on infrastructure--another matter--we know President will spend this week unveiling his infrastructure proposal in several phases. We will have to wait and see what the full details of the plan are before we judge it, but we welcome a discussion on infrastructure. prgtoken We believe the Federal Government ought to invest more, not less, in rebuilding our roads, bridges and highways, our schools, electric grids, and our water and sewer systems. We should be investing in expanding broadband, which is so vital for our rural areas and a number of urban areas that are still underserved. prgtoken So we have several concerns about the President's upcoming proposal, considering the President actually cut infrastructure investment significantly in his budget proposal to Congress. How can you be for infrastructure and then cut all of these proposals in your budget? That is what he did. prgtoken Now, unfortunately based on recent reports, the entire focus of the President's infrastructure proposal this week is on privatization, which sounds like a nice word. But when you scratch beneath the surface, it means much less construction and far fewer jobs, particularly in our rural areas. It also means tolls from one end of America to the other. prgtoken If President wants the private sector to finance the construction of infrastructure, it is going to demand a price. That is how the private sector works. The financiers will look to turn a profit. Let's remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch. If the financiers put in money, they are going to want to take it back. prgtoken How are they going to turn a profit on infrastructure? Tolls, tolls, and more tolls--tolls paid by America
CONFIRMATION OF AMUL R. THAPAR
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-6-5

I could not support Judge Amul Thapar's nomination to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. I was extremely concerned about Judge Thapar's views about how the law applies to the issue of money in politics. According to Judge Thapar, ``there is simply no difference between saying that one supports an organization by using words and saying that one supports an organization by donating money.'' His opinion on the role of money in politics in Winter v. Wolnitzek was so extreme that, even in this post-Citizens United era, it was unanimously overruled by the Sixth Circuit. Judge Thapar's willingness to dismiss ethical rules created to avoid partisanship and to ensure impartiality is troubling and prevented me from supporting his nomination. prgtoken Ever since the Supreme Court rulings in Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, No. 12-536, our political system has been infiltrated by dark money. The untraceable and unlimited amount of money pouring into elections has changed our political system for the worse, and Americans across party lines agree. Eighty-four percent of Americans think that money has too much influence in politics, and over half of Americans think that politicians only promote policies in support of their donors and not their voters. President has nominated a judge who wants to erode what few protections currently exist to limit money in politics and whose views are outside of the mainstream. prgtoken Judge Thapar's views on money in politics may be among the reasons why the conservative Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation included Judge Thapar on the short list of possible Supreme Court nominees that they prepared for President . I find President 's outsourcing of the judicial selection process to third-party organizations alarming. Traditionally, Presidential administrations have consulted with Senators of both parties as they selected judicial nominees. The administration consults with partisan organizations instead. prgtoken The very fact that this vacancy existed is another example of obstructionism and the unnecessary politicization of the judiciary. Former-President nominated Judge Lisabeth Tabor Hughes to fill this vacant seat in March 2016. Much like the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, s refused to hold a hearing or fill the seat. prgtoken The seat should have been filled long ago, but regardless, Judge Thapar is not the right person to fill it now.