mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING FORMER REPRESENTATIVE DAWSON MATHIS
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2017-4-25

it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding public servant and friend of longstanding, the Honorable Dawson Mathis. Sadly, former Congressman Mathis passed away on Monday, April 17, 2017. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 2 p.m. in Nashville, Georgia. prgtoken A Georgia man through and through, Dawson Mathis was born on November 30, 1940, in Berrien County, to Marvin Wilbur Mathis and Nell Dawson Abell. He attended South Georgia College, now South Georgia State College, in Douglas. Before seeking public office, Dawson made a name for himself as the anchor and news director at WALB-TV in Albany, Georgia, from 1964 until 1970. prgtoken That year, the young 29-year-old Dawson was elected to represent Georgia's Second Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He served on the House Agriculture Committee where he was a staunch advocate for the farmers, ranchers, and producers of the district and the Nation. He was known for working with lawmakers across the aisle to find common ground that would best serve the interests of Americans across the country. prgtoken In 1980, Congressman Mathis ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate. After being defeated in 1982 to regain his House seat, Congressman Mathis became a lobbyist in Washington, D.C advocating on behalf of groups including Georgia peanut farmers. prgtoken George Washington Carver once said: ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' Indeed, Congressman Dawson Mathis devoted many years of dedicated service to the people of Georgia through his meaningful contribution of energy, skill, and genuine passion, and for it, he will be remembered for years to come. prgtoken On a personal note, Congressman Mathis was one of my predecessors in serving the Second Congressional District of Georgia, and I was blessed with his friendship, counsel, and mentorship over the years. Congressman Mathis was a great Representative for southwest Georgia and rural America, and I looked up to him as an example of how a public servant should serve his constituents. prgtoken , my wife, Vivian, and I, along with the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District, salute Congressman Dawson Mathis for his outstanding prgtoken public service and his everlasting commitment to improving the quality of life for our citizens. I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest condolences to Congressman Mathis' family and friends during this difficult time. prgtoken We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the holy spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead. prgtoken , I ask at this time for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the late Cong
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX DERBY
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-4-25

I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding, and I thank the chairman for bringing this resolution to the floor. prgtoken , as I was sitting here listening to Congressman Johnson, I got so inspired that I just want to go out and jump in a soapbox or jump on a soapbox to give my talk. prgtoken I have been at this for a very long period of time. The soapbox derby has been going on for 76 years; 36 of those years, I had the great privilege of serving in this body. I rise each year to sponsor the resolution allowing the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to hold its annual race on the Capitol Grounds. It is appropriate, I think, that it is here at the Capitol. The inspiration of the Capitol, the inspiration of the dome, the inspiration and excitement of which Congressman Johnson just spoke, I think, captures the sense of what ``soapbox derby'' means. prgtoken This year marks, as I said, the 76th year of the derby, , at which young people from around the region, from age 8 all the way to age 17, compete in three divisions. Those divisions are stock, super stock, and masters. So you are talking about these sophisticated soapboxes. They are not your father's soapbox, that is for sure. prgtoken It is not only a fun and exciting event, it is also educational and brings children together, young people together, young adults together with their parents, grandparents, siblings, and neighbors to plan and build their soapbox racers. prgtoken You know, one of the things we need in America is more engineers. I am a lawyer. I don't know that we need more lawyers. And we need doctors, of course, but people tell me, if we are going to make things in America, we need more engineers, people who work with their hands, people who create, people who design, and that is what this soapbox derby is about. prgtoken Doing so, participating in this contest helps connect these young people with hands-on engineering and manufacturing lessons which promote greater interest in the STEM fields which we all talk about: science, technology, engineering, and math. This has been the case, Mr since the first soapbox derby in 1938, and this long tradition now continues in the 21st century. prgtoken The winner in each division will then qualify to race against the regional champions from across the Nation later this year, at Derby Downs, at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. prgtoken This year, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will be held on June 17, . The derby has been called ``the greatest amateur racing event in the world.'' I don't know whether it is the greatest, but it is certainly one of the great contests in the world and teaches participating youth about fortitude, about leadership, about engineering, sportsmanship, and pride of achievement. prgtoken In addition to bringing families together, the Soap Box Derby brings communities closer together, . Many of the races are sponsored and cheered by th
REMEMBERING RUBY ARNOLD
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2017-4-25

while it is widely known that Horace Peterson of Kansas City was the visionary and sole founder of the Black Archives of Mid-America, it is little known who saved the institution from vanishing years later. prgtoken During the spring of 1998, Ruby Arnold, a diehard board member, began a personal crusade to secure a new home for the organization she held dear. One Monday morning, during a heavy rainstorm, Ruby Arnold appeared at the front desk of the 29th floor of city hall. prgtoken The security guard asked her if she had an appointment with anyone in particular. ``I don't have an appointment,'' she said, ``but I have come to see Mayor Emanuel Cleaver.'' prgtoken The assistant to the mayor replied: I'm sorry, but the mayor is not in. prgtoken A week later, Ruby came by again to see the mayor and waited two hours for an appointment that she did not have to discuss a home for the Black Archives. prgtoken And then, at a public event the next week, she asked again: Mayor, have you found a place for the Black Archives? prgtoken Ruby Arnold died before the opening of the new archives in the summer of 2010, but former mayor, Emanuel Cleaver, now the U.S. Representative from the Fifth District, said this location for the Black Archives was not secured by wishing or hoping but by the merciful harassment I received from one determined Ruby Arnold. May God bless her remarkable spirit.
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION COORDINATION AND PLANNING AREA REFORM REPEAL ACT
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2017-4-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of S. 496, a straightforward bill to repeal changes made to the transportation planning process in the waning days of the administration. prgtoken On June 27, 2016, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration jointly published a proposed rule to make significant changes to surface transportation planning regulations in an attempt to promote more effective regional planning by States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations, MPOs. The proposed rule was well- intentioned, aiming to strengthen coordination among planning partners and neighboring communities. prgtoken However, the rule was haphazardly put together on an expedited timeline, with very little input from States and local planning organizations. It is not surprising, therefore, that the result was overwhelming opposition to the specific requirements of the rule. prgtoken This rule was not mandated by Congress. In fact, Congress made very few changes to the planning process in the most recent surface transportation reauthorization, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, also known as the FAST Act. prgtoken Among other changes, the administration sought to require that, in any urbanized area represented by more than one MPO, the MPOs would be required to either merge or realign their boundaries or develop unified planning documents. This requirement for joint planning documents would apply in urbanized areas that cross State lines. This provision, in particular, caused substantial concern in the planning community. prgtoken The FHWA and the FTA received 299 comments in opposition to the proposed rule, of which 249 requested that the rulemaking be withdrawn. Only 16 commenters expressed support for the proposed rule. The agencies received 156 comments in support of the intent of the rule, but not the specific requirements and procedures proposed. prgtoken The final rule, published in December of 2016, made a few modifications, including the addition of a waiver process, subject to approval by the Secretary, from some of the joint planning requirements if an area can demonstrate suitable coordination. Despite the changes made by the agencies in the final rule, strong opposition to the rule continues. prgtoken Earlier this month, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed testified before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on implementation of the FAST Act. His written testimony, submitted on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, states: ``The outgoing administration proposed a new rule on MPO designations that created unreasonable burdens for a number of regions, and we thank you, , and this committee for acting on legislation to remedy this.'' prgtoken Repeal of this rule is supported also by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and the National Ass
Days of Remembrance Ceremony (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-4-25

I will yield the floor if the ic leader arrives, but until his arrival, I would like to do two things-- first, join in the comments made by the majority leader, Senator McConnell, relative to the Holocaust remembrance. prgtoken This is the day on which we gather in the Rotunda each year to remember the atrocities of World War II, which includes remembering the Holocaust victims, so many who were Jewish people as well as Polish people--the list goes on and on--as well as those who were gay and gypsies. This was an ethnic cleansing--the worst ever seen in the history of this world. We remember it on this day, as we should. prgtoken , on a separate issue, before us now is the nomination of Rod Rosenstein to be the Deputy Attorney General of the United States. prgtoken The Deputy Attorney General oversees the day-to-day operations of the Department of Justice. In any circumstance, this is an important position that requires a nominee with experience, independence, management skills, and good judgment, which is especially true today. prgtoken Many of us questioned whether Attorney General Sessions was the right person to be the chief law enforcement officer of the United States of America at this moment in history. Unfortunately, many of the actions of the new Attorney General, since he was confirmed, have not erased these concerns. The Attorney General has already begun making dramatic changes at the Justice Department, including on critical issues like criminal justice, civil rights, immigration, and funding for crime prevention. prgtoken Just last week, Attorney General Sessions disparaged a Federal judge from Hawaii who issued an order blocking the administration's Muslim travel ban. prgtoken Attorney General Sessions said: ``I really am amazed that a judge sitting on an island in the Pacific can issue an order that stops the President of the United States from what appears to be clearly his statutory and constitutional power.'' prgtoken Senator Mazie Hirono, my colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the junior Senator from Hawaii, pointed out that Hawaii was granted statehood in 1959 and called the Attorney General's comments ``insulting and prejudiced.'' prgtoken Also, last week, Attorney General Sessions called into question the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, also known as DACA. When asked about DACA, Attorney General Sessions said: ``We can't promise people who are here unlawfully that they're not going to be deported.'' prgtoken That is exactly what DACA is. It is a commitment to young people who were brought to the United States as children and grew up in our country that they will be protected from deportation on a temporary renewable basis. Attorney General Sessions' statement is contrary to his own administration's policy as established by President and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, who have primary responsibil
Introductory Statement on S. 927
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-4-25

tomorrow, April 26, is World Intellectual Property Day, an opportunity for people around the world to appreciate and learn about the role of intellectual property rights in promoting innovation. Our Founders believed that the right to enjoy the benefit of one's own inventions was so important to the progress of science that they included it in the Constitution. More than 200 years later, limited exclusive rights for inventors continue to incentivize the research and development and make the United States the global leader in innovation. prgtoken In the spirit of this year's theme, ``Innovation--Improving Lives,'' I am proud to partner with Senator Grassley to reintroduce the Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act. Patents for Humanity is a perfect example of how intellectual property rights encourage inventors to develop creative solutions to some of the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. prgtoken Since 2012, the Patents for Humanity Program of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, PTO, has honored patent holders whose inventions apply cutting-edge technology to meet global challenges in medicine, nutrition, sanitation, energy, and living standards. The winning inventors receive a certificate to accelerate future PTO processes, such as a reexamination or additional patent applications. The Patents for Humanity Program provides an important incentive for talented innovators to use their expertise and intellect to enhance the public good. prgtoken The winners of the Patents for Humanity Program have addressed some of the toughest challenges in the developing world. One lab developed a vaccine cooler that has been used in the fight against the Ebola virus. A nonprofit organization created a strand of rice enriched with vitamin A to prevent a nutritional deficiency that is the leading killer of children globally. A social enterprise made a low-cost solar light that can replace dangerous kerosene lamps in areas without electricity. These life saving inventions are exactly the kind of innovations that our intellectual property system should incentivize. prgtoken In 2012, the Director of the PTO testified before the Judiciary Committee that Patents for Humanity would attract even more innovators if the winners could transfer their acceleration certificates to a third party. Frequently, successful small businesses and individual inventors are unable to continue their projects or are prevented from taking advantage of the accelerated process because of acquisitions and reorganizations. Transferability of the award certificates would increase the incentive for these small businesses and individuals to develop innovative technologies that would benefit the public and international development. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation would allow Patents for Humanity winners to transfer their acceleration certificates. This straightforward, common sense reform to the Patents for Humanity Pr
WE MUST AVOID A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-4-25

I rise to urge my colleagues to do everything in our power to avoid a government shutdown. Federal workers protect our public health and environment, they deliver our mail, they help our businesses and home buyers, and they keep us safe. Shutting down the government would suspend their paychecks, damage their morale, and shut off the essential services they provide. prgtoken My friend, Mr. Wittman, and I have drafted legislation to protect the pay of Federal employees in case Congress and the White House fail to reach an agreement. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to cosponsor the prgtoken Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act. prgtoken This bill is unusual. Usually you do everything you can when you introduce a bill to get it passed. You work hard to get it written into law. But this bill, I will do everything I can to prevent it from being considered because, if it becomes law, it means that Congress has failed and we have shut down our government. prgtoken s hold the White House and both Chambers of the Congress, so what happens next is up to them. I hope my friends here will have nothing to do with the White House plan to hold hostage the budget agreement and payments to stabilize health insurance rates. I urge my colleagues to act swiftly and responsibly to work out a bipartisan funding bill and avoid a government shutdown.
HONORING TWENTY-TWO TEACHERS OF THE GREATER BOCA RATON AREA
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-4-25

I rise today in honor of the twenty two outstanding teachers in South Florida who have been awarded the Teacher of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. prgtoken For the past 31 years, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise has offered this annual distinction to one teacher at each of the twenty- two schools in the greater Boca Raton area. Each awardee is selected by the school's principal. These teachers have dedicated their time to inspiring, empowering, and bettering the next generation of youth in our community. Their passion in this effort is truly worthy of our recognition. prgtoken These twenty-two exemplary teachers have made a profound impact on their students through their caring, commitment, and professionalism. They are a cohort defined by integrity, excellence, and the highest marks in all they do. The City of Boca Raton is fortunate to have such outstanding faculty. prgtoken Congratulations to Maria Laing, Brad Chappell, Kelly Green, CarolAnn Da Rocha, Meghan Forbush, Mariel Stark, Shari Farenga, Eileen O'Brien, Denise Rudy, Courtney Elkin, Emlyn McAna, Nora Buck, Robin Koota, Sarah Gregory, Jacqueline Grandison, Shelly Devino, Mary Fish, Anna Lillie- Young, Karen Gibson, Amanda Fraga, Lance Blank, and Sharon Gotschall on being nominated for this year's Teacher of the Year Award. I am pleased to honor them, and I thank them, for their continued service.
Congratulating Senator Kennedy (Executive Calendar)
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-4-25

in less than an hour, we will consider the nomination of Rod Rosenstein to be Deputy Attorney General of the United States. prgtoken We consider his nomination under highly unusual, if not unique, circumstances. Only today, there were revelations from the House Oversight Committee at a bipartisan conference indicating that General Flynn, formerly the National Security Advisor, may have broken criminal laws by his concealing payments from Russia--specifically, from Russia Today--in connection with his speaking fees and travel expenses in 2015. He concealed these payments in security clearance forms submitted in 2016, SF86 forms. False statements on such forms are a violation of our criminal laws. His potential criminal liability is a serious and important allegation that needs to be investigated further. prgtoken What we know for sure is that the investigation of this allegation and others--this very colorful violation of Federal criminal law--can be done reliably, impartially, and credibly only by a special prosecutor. That is why I have asked Mr. Rosenstein to commit that he will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate this allegation as well as others involving the President's staff, campaign associates, and staff in connection with Russia's interference with our election. prgtoken There is no question that the Russians sought to interfere and that they did so. That is the conclusion of the investigation that was already done by our intelligence community, and it is a conclusion that is virtually universally accepted. The only question now is this: What was the involvement and potential collusion and aiding and abetting of Americans in that Russian cyber attack on this country? In my view, it was an act of war. We can debate that question. prgtoken What is undebatable is the need for a thorough, impartial, vigorous, and aggressive investigation that will give that information to the American people. It must be an investigation that can pursue criminal wrongdoing, if it is proved, and that can prosecute it and ultimately make that investigation transparent to the American people so they know what actually happened. prgtoken I have asked Rod Rosenstein to follow the precedent that was established by Elliot Richardson under circumstances that were not unlike the ones we encountered here. prgtoken The saying is that history almost never repeats, but it rhymes. What we have here is a situation that rhymes with the one that Elliot Richardson encountered when he was Attorney General-designee. He was requested to appoint a special prosecutor as a condition of his confirmation. He agreed to do so in 1973. He appointed Archibald Cox. That, in turn, led to the Watergate investigation and, ultimately, it vindicated the judgment on the part of our Senate Judiciary Committee that an independent special prosecutor was necessary under those circumstances. prgtoken My colleague who is presiding, as a former