mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE 2021 GRADUATES OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT HIGH SCHOOL FIREFIGHTER PROGRAM
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 2021 graduating class of the Fairfax County High School Firefighter program. In 2016, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools created its High School Firefighter Program to provide training to students who are considering a career as a firefighter. prgtoken Students who participate in this program attend courses taught by qualified instructors at the Fairfax County Fire Academy. In fact, they receive the same training as new professional and volunteer firefighters. The course is grueling but upon successful completion, the students are eligible to receive six college credits. Should these students decide to apply to the Fairfax County Fire Academy, this program will make them competitive candidates and will have prepared them for recruit school. prgtoken Fourteen seniors are graduating in the Class of 2021 of the High School Firefighter Program. It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the following graduates: prgtoken Seth Ballard, William Beavers, Nicholas Carpio, Peyton Czikra, Moeed Ghazi, Matthew Hargrave, Mai Mohamed, Sarah Moummi, Michael Muldoon, Spencer Neyland, Robert Rupp, Joshua Scurlock, Isaac Spar, Jalen Wray. prgtoken Madam , the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is one of the best fire departments in the country and in the world. I commend the Department as well as the public school system for partnering in the creation of this program. I also applaud these young people for their desire to learn more about the Department and for their interest in protecting our community. Northern Virginia is fortunate to have such dedicated young citizens. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these students on the successful completion of this program and in wishing them success in their future endeavors.
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2021
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act. prgtoken These PFAS chemicals, synthetic, manmade chemicals, have now, according to the science, evolved into a very significant public health threat, and it is time that Congress act to protect our neighbors back home, families, communities all across America with the passage of this bill. prgtoken This is a bipartisan bill, and I want to thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Dingell and Congressman Upton, for leading the charge here, because what they propose and what we will vote on today will protect our communities by instituting some new oversight and regulations of these forever chemicals in PFAS, help us clean up these chemicals from our drinking water, and protect the public health. prgtoken These PFAS chemicals are not regulated in any way right now. They are often used in firefighting foam, in nonstick surfaces, stain-resistant surfaces, and food packaging. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has determined that PFAS exposure is associated with low birth weight babies, an increased rate of cancer, lower fertility rates, and developmental issues in young children and infants. prgtoken A new study out of the Yale School of Public Health recently found that exposure increases the risk of miscarriage by 80 to 120 percent in pregnant women. The CDC also issued a disclosure regarding a potential intersection between PFAS and COVID-19. prgtoken These chemicals now have been detected in communities all across the country. This bill will help us rely on the science, provide some safeguards, make sure we are gathering the scientific data we need to keep our communities safe back home. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act.
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-7-21

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10:30 a.m Thursday, July 22; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; further, that at 1:30 p.m the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Executive Calendar No. 162, Jill Hruby, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security at the Department of Energy, and the Senate immediately vote on confirmation of the nomination; that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
Helsinki Commission (Executive Calendar)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-7-21

let me again thank Senator Wicker. Thank you for your leadership on so many issues. prgtoken But on this congressional delegation, for those who are not familiar, it is not easy to put together the type of opportunities to advance American values. And Senator Wicker took the responsibility as the leader of our delegation to make sure that we had the opportunities to advance American values. I thank him for all the effort he put into it. It was certainly extremely successful. prgtoken I just want to emphasize a few things before closing. prgtoken One, in Vienna, we did have an opportunity to meet with Rafael Grossi, who is the Director General of the IAEA. That is the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has the responsibility of monitoring the nuclear programs throughout the world. Obviously, it has played a bigger role in regard to the program in Iran, and it was monitoring exactly what was happening in Iran under the JCPOA. They now don't have the same access, and we had a chance to talk with the Director General as to the challenges with the Iranian program. And I think it was helpful for all of us to understand exactly the role that the IAEA can play in regard to getting us information about what is happening on the ground in Iran. prgtoken Senator Wicker talked about our visit to Estonia, a strong ally partner, NATO partner. We showed our support by going to Narva, which is on the Russian border. It is a town that has a majority of Russian- speaking Estonians. It is an interesting community. But we could see across the river, very clearly, the Russian patrol boats. We know and heard firsthand of the concern of the Estonians. They saw what happened in Ukraine and they worry that same thing could happen in Estonia with Russian aggression. prgtoken I must tell you, our presence to reinforce the NATO commitment, I think, was an extremely important message that we gave to the Estonian people.
Introductory Statement on S. 2425
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-7-21

unfortunately, rates of suicide have risen to epidemic levels in the United States, with suicide now the tenth leading cause of death in the country. On average, there are 129 suicides every day, roughly one every eleven minutes, a staggering statistic. That is why I am pleased to be introducing the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act with Senator Moran to help turn the tide on this increasingly dire situation. prgtoken This legislation would provide $568 million in new funding over five years for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, delivering an infusion of new funds to help improve call capacity, make improvements to the Lifeline, and make the switch to a new, easy-to-remember, three- digit number, 9-8-8. The Lifeline has long been underfunded, but we have worked on a bipartisan basis to more than double the funding over the last three years. However, much more is needed, and this new legislation will help build on these efforts to ensure that the Lifeline is able to answer the calls of those seeking help. prgtoken In 2019, 47,500 Americans lost their lives to suicide. That same year, there were 1.4 million suicide attempts. We must renew our efforts on suicide prevention. In 2004, working with my colleague, former Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, we authored the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. This law authorized new youth suicide prevention programs in honor of Senator's Smith son, who tragically died by suicide just a couple of weeks short of his 22nd birthday. For over a decade, these programs have funded college campus, state, and tribal efforts to prevent suicide among our youth and young adult populations, who are particularly at risk of suicide. During this time, youth suicide rates have decreased significantly in my home state of Rhode Island. However, nationwide, suicide rates have skyrocketed. prgtoken That is why we must renew our attention and focus on suicide prevention, including by increasing funding for, and improving access to, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This effort is critical to ensuring that when people in crisis call looking for help, someone will be there on the prgtoken other end of the line to offer hope and counseling. Last Congress, I was able to work with my former colleague Senator Gardner, and Senators Baldwin and Moran on legislation to designate the Lifeline as an easy to remember, three-digit number, 988. This common-sense law will make it easier for people across the country to access the Lifeline when they really need it. I am glad that the bill was signed into law last year, paving the way for every state to implement the switch to 9-8-8 by July 2022. This upcoming deadline, however, makes it all the more important that we provide more funding for the Lifeline. prgtoken I am pleased to once again have the opportunity to partner with Senator Moran on suicide prevention efforts. I look forward to working together with our colleague
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2021
Kathleen M. Rice (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I can't believe I am about to say this, but I think what I am hearing prgtoken from the majority of my friends on the other side of the aisle, with the exception of my good friend Mr. Upton, is that they just want a little more toxic chemicals in your water. prgtoken That simply cannot be true. prgtoken In my district on Long Island, we have long struggled with PFAS water contamination, and many communities have already incurred substantial remediation costs. prgtoken That is why I am pleased that the PFAS Action Act includes my provision to reimburse these local communities for their past expenses. Communities that could not wait for Federal action and redirected their resources to address this health threat should not be punished for doing the right thing. prgtoken This is a situation that the Federal Government has failed to address for decades. We have the opportunity to do it now. prgtoken I want to thank my good friends, Representatives Dingell and Upton, and the chairman of the committee for bringing this commonsense bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to support it.
GREEN NEW DEAL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus for bringing us together today to highlight the importance of the Green New Deal. prgtoken Madam , climate change is one of the single most pressing threats facing this country and the global community, and our most vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of the consequences. That is why today, as chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, I held a hearing on President 's Justice40 Initiative. prgtoken During this hearing, we heard from experts about the need to swiftly and effectively implement this initiative to ensure that the communities hardest hit by pollution, poverty, and public health risks receive a fair share of our Nation's climate and infrastructure investments. prgtoken As chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, I am committed to ensuring that the administration and all Federal agencies have the tools they need to implement the Justice40 Initiative. This is crucial to ensuring that our climate investments advance racial and economic justice. prgtoken Beyond the Justice40 Initiative, we need to prioritize policy solutions here in Congress that really focus on climate justice. For New York City, that means investing in a green future for public housing and for our public schools. prgtoken This past Earth Day, I reintroduced the Public Housing Solar Equity Act, which would guarantee that any solar energy generated on public housing land benefits the residents of those developments first. prgtoken Looking beyond solar energy, all public housing repairs and modernization projects should be green, which is exactly what the Green New Deal for Public Housing does. This bill will provide funding to electrify all buildings, add solar panels, and secure renewable energy sources for all public housing energy needs. In short, it will make Federal housing cleaner, safer, and greener. prgtoken Housing is a human right that no New Yorker, no American, should go without. As we work to make sure everyone has access to the clean affordable housing they need and deserve, let's expand our goals to make these communities green, too. prgtoken For the health of our residents and for our environment, we cannot afford to do anything less. prgtoken For the health of our students, we need a Green New Deal for Public Schools, a transformative and unprecedented investment that will not only make our schools greener but also expand services for our students. My colleague, Jamaal Bowman, is a former educator and has authored this important bill, of which I am a cosponsor. prgtoken We are in a state of emergency. The West is burning; cities are flooding; and extreme weather events are becoming all too common. We need to act now, and we need to act boldly. prgtoken For the health and safety of all Americans, for environmental and social justice, let's make a Green New Deal. We can't afford to d
REIMBURSE NATIONAL GUARD IMMEDIATELY FOR CAPITOL RESPONSE MISSION
Kaiali’i Kahele (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , ``Always Ready, Always There.'' That is the motto of our National Guard, our citizen soldiers, who, since 1636, have been prepared at all times as the first line of defense for our country. prgtoken When a natural disaster strikes--hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions--who do we call? We call the National Guard. prgtoken When a human-made disaster strikes--chemical spills, large-scale electrical power outages--who do we call? We call the National Guard. prgtoken When States and local governments get overwhelmed because of situations beyond their control, who do those Governors, mayors, and State legislatures call? They call the National Guard. prgtoken When a global health pandemic cripples the country, who do we call? We call the National Guard. prgtoken And when an assault on our Nation's Capitol, a deadly insurrection, happens, who do we call to protect this hallowed beacon of democracy, to ensure a safe, peaceful transfer of power can occur? We called the National Guard. prgtoken Every single time--``Always Ready, Always There''--the National Guard has answered the call. Our National Guard keeps us safe and has done so since the inception of our democracy. prgtoken Following the deadly January 6 insurrection and leading up to the inauguration of our President and Vice President on January 20, Congress called upon the National Guard, and an unprecedented 26,700 guardsmen from across the country were deployed to secure our Nation's Capitol and protect the very lawmakers and staff that work in this Capitol. prgtoken The Guard then continued to serve and support civil authorities in Washington, D.C for the next 137 days. They left their families. Many took unexpected leave from their civilian jobs during a health pandemic to report to our Nation's Capitol. They stood watch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, many times in the frigid cold in the dark of night. prgtoken Many of us got to know them personally. We brought them food, coffee. We met them on the ramp at Andrews Air Force Base. We took pictures on the Capitol steps. We shook their hands and thanked them and their families for their service. prgtoken Our National Guard fulfilled their duty bravely and completed their mission. Now, it is Congress' turn to not only pay our respects but pay the bill that is due. What bill? What am I talking about? Well, it cost $521 million to protect our Nation's Capitol for those 137 days. prgtoken National Guard leadership, adjutant generals, and State Governors sent their guardsmen to our Nation's Capitol with the promise that those funds would be repaid in a timely manner. As a result, the Army and Air National Guard paid for the Capitol Response mission and fronted the money from their own fiscal year 2021 funding. Time is of the essence, and we must pay them the money that we owe immediately and before August 1. prgtoken The reality is, if we fail to issue reimbursements by August 1, there
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2021
John P. Sarbanes (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act. prgtoken , Representative Fitzpatrick, for joining in this bipartisan proposal. PFAS chemicals, as we have been hearing today, are harmful, manmade forever chemicals that are persistent, bio- accumulative, and toxic. prgtoken These chemicals, which threaten more than 100 million Americans, pose serious risks to human health, including cancer, immune disorders, and reproductive system maladies. prgtoken The PFAS Action Act will take critical steps to protect all Americans from PFAS chemicals by helping clean up contaminated sites under the Superfund program, limiting the exposure of PFAS chemicals, and establishing a health-protective drinking water standard that limits the amount of PFAS in our water systems. prgtoken My amendment would strengthen the PFAS Action Act by expanding EPA's ability to use the best-available science to address PFAS risks by requiring manufacturers to provide reference standards for all PFAS chemicals. This effort will help reduce PFAS pollution and keep our families safe. prgtoken My amendment will provide the EPA with critical data about PFAS chemicals and help the agency better identify these toxic substances in our communities. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and the underlying bill and vote in favor of this important legislation.
CLOTURE MOTION
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-7-21

I join in the wonderful words of my colleague from California, a true leader. He is someone who has served as an election official and the secretary of state for the biggest State in our Nation. He knows how important it is to count the votes and to make sure we allow everyone to vote. prgtoken I come to the floor today to join him and to join Senator Leahy and other of our colleagues to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and to continue his fight to make sure that every American can make their voice heard at the ballot box. prgtoken As my colleagues have mentioned, it has been just over a year since John Lewis passed. I have always been in awe of him. This past week, I had the opportunity to reflect on his monumental contributions to our Nation when the Senate Rules Committee held a field hearing on voting rights in his home State of Georgia at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, a place that commemorates the civil rights movement. prgtoken Today, as we celebrate his legacy, I am reminded of his persistence, his resilience, and his faith that this country could be better if only we put in the work. It was his faith in our country that led him to Selma, AL, where he helped lead 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on that dark day that became known as Bloody Sunday. Several times, several years, including the last year that he came to that bridge before he died, I was able to stand with him on the bridge in awe of everything he had done. prgtoken The horrific events of that day shocked the Nation, with marchers attacked with clubs and tear gas. Congressman Lewis's skull was fractured. He bore the scars until the very end of his life. prgtoken Soon after, President Lyndon Johnson came to the Capitol, and, as he said, ``with the outrage of Selma still fresh,'' urged Congress to guarantee the freedom to vote. Months later, with the help of former Minnesota Senator and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. prgtoken One of the times I visited was, in fact, the 48th year anniversary of that march. That weekend, after 48 years, the police chief of Montgomery handed his badge to Congressman Lewis and apologized for not protecting him and the other freedom marchers. Forty-eight years is a long time, and it only happened because Congressman Lewis never quit fighting for progress, for civil rights, for economic justice, and to defend the voting rights of every American. prgtoken But now, more than five decades since that day in Selma and since the Voting Rights Act became the law of the land, so much of the progress that Americans have fought and even died for is at stake. Throughout our country's 245-year history, we have had to course-correct and take action to ensure that our democracy--for the people, by the people-- actually lives up to its ideals. prgtoken We all had that moment, that night after the insurrection when this Chamber, which we
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , last year, in my hometown of Buffalo, New York, we experienced a 90 percent increase in gun violence; 355 people were involved in this. prgtoken As of July of this year, 46 people have lost their lives to gun violence. This morning, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force heard from experts in community violence interventions. These experts affirmed what we know; that gun violence in our country is tearing families and neighborhoods apart. Their testimony adds support for our efforts to provide $5 million in the American Rescue Plan Act funding to groups in Buffalo to prevent and reduce violence before it occurs. prgtoken This funding will support trusted messengers, good messengers, credible messengers; a coalition of peacekeeping organizations who will work on our streets to stop violence before it occurs. prgtoken Congress passed the American Rescue Plan to deliver relief to communities ravaged by the pandemic. Now our communities are facing a spike in violence that began during the pandemic. prgtoken Madam , they need help, and they need help now.