mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MENARD COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Madam , I would like to honor a remarkable organization, the Menard County Farm Bureau. The Menard County Farm Bureau in central Illinois is a vital organization in the area that promotes agricultural prosperity. After many years of success and service, the Menard County Farm Bureau is celebrating their 100th anniversary. prgtoken The Menard County Farm Bureau was chartered on March 19, 1919, to unite farmers in the area and advocate for central Illinois agriculture collectively. Today, the members of the organization work hard to support the community and economy throughout the county. prgtoken The Menard County Farm Bureau provides a voice for farmers, promotes the development of agriculture, and educates and empowers future leaders in the industry. Additionally, Menard County Farm Bureau coordinates with other associations and agencies to promote the wellbeing and interests of its members. prgtoken Illinois has become a major economic force within the agricultural sector because of farm bureaus like Menard County that come together and enhance opportunities for farmers, their families, and the community. I extend my sincere congratulations to Menard County Farm Bureau for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Illinois.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-7-12

. Mr. Chair, I am encouraged that my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year passed the House of Representatives by voice vote on July 11, 2019. This important amendment requires the ``Annual Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China'' to include an assessment of (1) China's expansion of its surveillance state; (2) Any correlation of such expansion with its oppression of its citizens and its threat to United States national security interests around the world; and (3) An overview of the extent to which such surveillance corresponds to the overall respect, or lack thereof, for human rights. prgtoken This matter is one that I have long been attuned to and concerned about, ultimately leading me to draft and introduce the ``Protect American IPR Act'', which is H.R. 902 this session, and seeks to stop Chinese theft of U.S. intellectual property through duties on Chinese merchandise. For this reason, I have been encouraged to see President prioritizing the Chinese stealing of American intellectual property. prgtoken Mass and unabated government surveillance does not only offend individual liberties; in the hands of an authoritarian government, it poses the Orwellian threat of the government always watching, and ultimately using this ability, made possible to an unprecedented extent by modem technology, to spy on, steal from, intimidate and persecute not only those it views as ``political enemies'' and ``threats'', but anyone it deems as expedient. prgtoken This Orwellian threat is becoming a reality, perhaps nowhere more so than in China, where the government vigorously pursues a national video surveillance network. The affinity of the Chinese government to control its population in part by mass monitoring is not a new phenomenon, but advancing technology makes its prospects more frightening every day for those within and outside of the Mainland. prgtoken One internet privacy expert warns, ``What China is doing here is selectively breeding its population to select against the trait of critical, independent thinking''. Since China is a neighbor to many and more importantly an actor on the world stage, that erosion will not simply negatively impact the Chinese, it will spread--it arguably has already. A world with continually less critical, independent thought is a prospect to tremble at. prgtoken It is my strong belief that U.S. policy, including defense policy, should by no measure assist, intentionally or unintentionally, the growth of China's surveillance. Instead, it should discourage the expansion of the Chinese government into the rest of the world, while at the same time encouraging greater human rights for the Chinese people, including expectant mothers and Christians and other religious minorities. prgtoken I have heard from many individuals who warn against China's rapid expansion and influence into the rest of the world, in
RECOGNIZING REVEREND CAROLYN CUBBEDGE
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-7-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Reverend Carolyn Cubbedge on her retirement from the ministry and Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. prgtoken Reverend Cubbedge has made a tremendous impact throughout the First Congressional District of Georgia as Wesley's senior adult pastor. One of her most notable projects includes her work with Morningstar Children & Family Services in Brunswick, which provides therapy to children who have multiple diagnoses of intellectual disabilities. But this project is only the tip of the iceberg. prgtoken Through her work helping the most vulnerable--organizing church events, her dedication to the ministry, and her breadth of knowledge of God's word--she has helped Wesley to increase its congregation and engage those members to make our community a better place to live. prgtoken Reverend Cubbedge retired on June 30, and I am both thankful and proud that we were able to have a woman like her doing God's work in the First Congressional District of Georgia. prgtoken Enjoy your retirement, Reverend Cubbedge
DON'T INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-7-15

the latest proposal offered by my colleagues to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour nationally is going to be devastating to small businesses and especially to jobs. A 107 percent increase is not going to create more jobs. It might sound nice on the surface, but it will be very harmful. prgtoken There is this myth that a large segment of Americans earn at or below the minimum wage, but, in reality, it is only 2.3 percent; and half of them are below the age of 25 who need these entry-level jobs to learn a skill, to learn to show up every day, to be on time, and to grow from there. Increasing it to $15 an hour nationally would cause small companies to pass on higher prices to consumers, likely driving consumers away, and for a small business' little profit margin already, potentially forcing them to close their doors. prgtoken I visited a restaurant in my district that had two locations, and they have already closed one. They are afraid, as California is already on the track at $12 and higher, how much longer they can keep their businesses open because of the huge cost of labor as a percentage of their business. prgtoken So let's get on the right track and do the things that support job growth and the success we have had the last couple of years after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and not go down this path.
SREBRENICA GENOCIDE
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-7-15

24 years ago radical Serb forces committed the worst genocide on European soil since the Holocaust. In and around the hallowed grounds at Srebrenica, over 8,000 Bosnians were murdered out of ethnic and religious hatred. prgtoken Iowa, my State, is now home to many Bosnians who bore witnesses to those atrocities. I pray that they and their families find peace, as well as justice. Ethnic and religious hatred must never be tolerated, and we must not forget the victims of this crime. prgtoken .
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-7-15

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-7-15

today I wish to recognize Vermalene Smith for her outstanding commitment to supporting our military, our veterans, their families, and her community. prgtoken Born in Leachville, AR, Vermalene attended various schools in northeast Arkansas before furthering her education at Memphis State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and minored in business management. She utilized her acquired skills in a successful accounting career, as well as a decorated career in real estate. The combination of knowledge and community involvement she possessed prepared her for the role she took with former U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson as senior coordinator for the State of Arkansas. She also went on to serve Lieutenant Governor Win Rockefeller as his financial director and volunteered for the Craighead County Veterans Service Office before becoming the county's full-time veterans service officer in 2009. prgtoken In this role, Vermalene plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the County Veterans Service office. From preparing claims for veterans to personally counseling them and their dependents, she has maintained her devotion to fighting for those who fought for us at home and abroad. She has been instrumental in conducting the annual military ball, an event that attracts hundreds of participants including veterans, servicemembers, civic leaders, and local JROTC cadets and their guests and has also played an important role in the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event. Vermalene serves as an inspiration and example to us all and has had a positive impact on countless lives through her diligent efforts and advocacy. prgtoken In addition to all of her work for veterans, Vermalene has exemplified what it means to be a good steward of her community. Some of her many roles have included Cub Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and president of the parent teachers association. She also founded the Northeast Arkansas Women and Northeast Arkansas Veterans Action Clergy organizations. Her involvement continues to impress as she served as chairman of the Craighead County Party and 1st congressional District secretary. Her dedication has enhanced her community immensely and earned her many prestigious honors along the way. prgtoken Her numerous awards include Business of Professional Women's Club Woman of the Year, Million Dollar Producer, and the Frank Lady Leadership Award. It comes as no surprise that she also received the Customer Service Award from American Legion Post 53 located in West Memphis, AR, and American Legion District 5, which includes the majority of northeast Arkansas. prgtoken Vermalene has spent her career working to advance the needs of veterans and improve Arkansas. Our State is a better place because of her. I wish Vermalene well as she begins her well-deserved retirement.
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-7-15

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Tuesday, July 16; further, 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, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Phipps nomination. Finally, I ask that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings. I further ask that notwithstanding provisions of rule XXII, the postcloture time on the Phipps nomination expire at 3 p.m. tomorrow; and, finally, that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
TRIBUTE TO ADAM MILLER
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-7-15

today I recognize Adam Miller, an intern in my Rapid City, SD, office, for all of the hard work he has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several weeks. prgtoken Adam is a graduate of Canton High School in Canton, SD. Currently, he is attending Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD, where he is double majoring in political science and history. He is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of his internship experience. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Adam for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.
RECOGNIZING JOHN DICUS' SERVICE TO TOPEKA
Steve Watkins (Republican, KS) \u2014 2019-7-15

. Madam , today I rise to recognize a man that embodies everything it means to be a Kansan, and a Topekan. As the Topeka Capitol-Journal recently highlighted, John Dicus has made himself a fixture in the Topeka community. While some decide to take their talents elsewhere, John decided to use his talents to better his hometown. John has taken it upon himself to lead the charge of revitalizing our downtown area, most notably a $2.5 million dollar investment in the Evergy Plaza. John has taken action on his vision for Topeka and the city is better because of it. I know John shares the same sense of pride for his hometown as I do. Keep up the great work. He is making us all proud.
CLARIFYING THE SMALL BUSINESS RUNWAY EXTENSION ACT
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-7-15

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I would like to reiterate that H.R. 2345 is important not only to help small contractors once they graduate, but it also holds the SBA accountable to the will of the people through an act of Congress. prgtoken Small businesses have told us they need a runway to grow and they need that runway now. We need to ensure that this is done, that the SBA takes swift action. H.R. 2345 gets us there. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and .
PAYING TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN LEGION POST 5 IN DOWNTOWN COLORADO SPRINGS
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-7-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize American Legion Post 5 in downtown Colorado Springs on their 100th Anniversary. Since its founding, Post 5 has been a consistent advocate for our incredible military community in Colorado Springs. Post 5 helped the ``Pikes Peak or Bust'' Rodeo become a huge success. Their group led a campaign to elevate Medal of Honor recipient Floyd K. Lindstrom's memory which led to a VA outpatient clinic being named after him. American Legion Post 5 is a steadfast advocate for veterans and their families. The group hosts memorial services, supports homeless and impoverished veterans by sponsoring food and toy drives, and is a place for the veterans community to join together in fellowship to discuss important issues pertaining to their lives. As we celebrate our veterans' service to our great nation, we must thank this inspiring organization for their tremendously important service to our veterans in Colorado's 5th Congressional District. Please join me in wishing American Legion Post 5 a happy centennial anniversary.
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRENCHVILLE, MAINE
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-7-15

today I wish to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Town of Frenchville, ME. As one who was born and raised in Aroostook County, I am honored to celebrate the generations of industrious and caring people who have made Frenchville such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families. prgtoken The story of Frenchville begins long before its incorporation in 1869. For thousands of years, the St. John River Valley has been the home of the Maliseet Tribe. French explorers, led by Samuel de Champlain, first visited the area in 1604 and established friendly relationships with the Native Americans. In the late 1700s, French- speaking Canadians began settling in the area, and the Maliseets often provided vital assistance during the first difficult winters. These settlements laid the foundation for the vibrant Acadian culture that is so important in Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and as far away as Louisiana. prgtoken The Acadian settlers created a prosperous community. They planted crops, established lumber and grain mills, and built schools, churches, and thriving general stores. Later in the 19th century, the people of Frenchville joined their neighboring towns in connecting their remote region to the world with their own hands. Town by town, they built roads and railroads with pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow. These transportation networks, combined with rich soil. made the region an agricultural center, and the potato industry remains an essential part of the economy. prgtoken The town was incorporated in 1869 as Dickeyville, in honor of Major William Dickey, an early civic and political leader in the region. Two years later, the name was changed to Frenchville to recognize the language and origins of its original settlers. Today, 80 percent of the town's residents speak French, and they continue to uphold the Acadian traditions of great food, music, and dance, and of close-knit families and lasting friendships. (English translation of the statement made in French is as follows:) prgtoken To my Franco-American friends, it is a pleasure to congratulate you on this landmark anniversary. Across the generations, you have worked hard and worked together to create a community that combines your rich heritage with the values that define our State and our Nation. prgtoken While the people of Frenchville cherish their fascinating history, they build for the future. Last year, the Dr. Levesque Elementary School was named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing School, marking the second time this outstanding school received that prestigious recognition. For nearly 50 years, Frenchville and neighboring communities have joined hands to make the Northern Aroostook Regional Airport an invaluable transportation link between the St. John Valley and the world. In addition to the airport's important role in economic development, the volunteer pilots of the Patient Airlift Service provide a c
SAUDI ARABIA HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2019
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-7-15

I also want to thank Representative Malinowski for bringing this forward. prgtoken Again, I have long expressed concern about the cozy relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia across a number of Presidencies, both and . For years, we have turned a blind eye toward their human rights abuses at home, their repression of women, and their export of radical Wahhabism, destabilizing the Middle East, Pakistan, and, now, up into the Balkans. prgtoken It is long past time for the United States to take action, but has taken the U.S. blind eye toward Saudi abuses to a new extreme. He and Pompeo have cozied up to Mohammad bin Salman, who was, according to U.S. intelligence agencies, European intelligence agencies, and, now, a report from the United States, involved in the brutal murder of a U.S. resident, a noted journalist because he had the temerity to write articles critical of His Highness MBS. prgtoken And what does do? He goes to Saudi Arabia. He does the sword dance. He calls them up on the phone and cozies up to them day after day after day. prgtoken This legislation here in the House will help to begin to right the wrongs of the past, right the wrongs of this administration, and to send a strong message to the Saudis that what they are doing in Yemen is not acceptable, what they are doing throughout the Middle East and other parts of the world, exporting radical Wahhabism and destabilizing, murder is not acceptable. None of these things are acceptable. prgtoken The President wants to arm them. We need to disarm this relationship and hold them accountable.
CONDEMNING ATTACKS ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AND SUPPORTING TRANSITION TO A CIVILIAN-LED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN SUDAN
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2019-7-15

we had good reason to be concerned. Just 2 weeks later, in a clear demonstration of how little has changed, the Sudanese police and RSF, under the leadership of the Transitional Military Council's second in command, General Hemeti violently attacked the unarmed protesters, killing, wounding, and raping hundreds. prgtoken In an act of great cowardice and complicity, the Sudanese military chose to withdraw from the scene or stood by and watched the attack, doing nothing to protect the people. The Transitional Military Council then shut down the internet so information about the massacre couldn't come out. Last week, prgtoken they were forced to restore the internet, and the world has now seen hundreds of videos documenting this heinous crime. prgtoken On Saturday, thousands demonstrated to mark the 40 days since the deadly crackdown. Right now, African mediators are attempting to broker the details of a power-sharing agreement between the forces of freedom and change people's alliance in the Transitional Military Council. prgtoken I hope that they are successful in reaching a deal that guarantees a genuine civilian-led transition and democratic governance, but I don't want to see the civilian-led democratic reform movement undermined and forced to accept a bad deal, one where power and the corrupt and brutal structures of the former regime remain under military control. prgtoken , like so many of my colleagues, I have been engaged on the issue of Sudan for nearly 15 years. On April 28, 2006, I led Members of Congress, religious, and NGO leaders in an act of civil disobedience at the Sudanese Embassy to highlight the atrocities taking place in Darfur. It was my first of three such direct actions. prgtoken On May 1 of that year, I joined over 50 of those people on The National Mall to protest the genocide in Darfur. I took my young son and daughter to see how people from all walks of life came together in solidarity with the people of Sudan and demanded action. prgtoken , my children are now grown and in college, so I am not exaggerating when I say that what we are seeing happening today in Sudan is a once-in-a-generation moment for the people of Sudan. We cannot be silent. prgtoken Along with all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I want the people of Sudan to know that we stand with them, that we have always stood with them, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
FACES 4 AUTISM
Jefferson Van Drew (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-7-15

18 years ago, Isabelle Mosca's son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At the time, she was struck by how little information and support was available for families affected by ASD, so Isabelle began a support group for a few parents to meet over coffee and talk. prgtoken Eventually, Isabelle's meeting grew into a nonprofit organization called FACES 4 Autism, which helps over 750 families with five active and expanding support groups throughout South Jersey. prgtoken In addition to these support groups, Isabelle created a program called Massi's Mission, which focuses on water safety and survival for those with ASD. prgtoken Now that her son is close to 21 years old, Isabelle is exploring employment opportunities for him and all of the FACES' participants. They are aging out of their schools. prgtoken She never stops thinking, planning, and creating opportunities to make our community of South Jersey be the best that it can be. prgtoken , Isabelle's community thanks her every day for everything she does. South Jersey thanks her every day for all that she does. She is the best.