mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Unanimous Consent Request (Executive Calendar)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-4-18

I see my colleague from the Midwest is on the floor, and I am sure he has something to say about this. But I would just say to the chairman of the Commerce Committee: You are right. Years and years of discussion about ballast water has been a challenge. prgtoken The question tonight is whether we are going to hold up other legislation just to get that language or to push through a proposal that really doesn't give security for our waters not to be polluted or to be greatly impacted or to threaten the sea life and the opportunities for a vibrant waterway in many parts of the country. prgtoken All I am trying to do, as I have always tried to do, is be constructive in the process--both in the Commerce Committee with this issue and for the very issues that affect the Coast Guard and the Pacific Northwest. prgtoken I know this will not be the last time we hear about the fishing vessel issue. I am sure we will hear about it many times because it has been on the calendar. So we will continue this discussion, but I thank him for at least coming here tonight to discuss these issues. There are other issues that are being held up as hostage in this legislation, and they shouldn't be held hostage. prgtoken .
RECOGNIZING GERARD PLACE AND ITS DEDICATED ADVOCATES DURING NATIOAL VOLUNTEER MONTH
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-18

I rise today as we recognize April as National Volunteer Month to call special and deserved recognition to Gerard Place and its dedicated advocates. prgtoken Gerard Place opened its doors and its heart to a community in need in 2000, under the auspices of twelve Congregations of Women Religious in my hometown of Buffalo, New York. These Women of Faith brought a closed city corner back to life for homeless single parents and children through counseling, education, employment, housing and life skills training. prgtoken With its core values ingrained in the organization's building blocks of compassion, reverence, integrity and collaboration, Gerard Place's programs have been highly successful as more than 90 percent have transitioned to independent housing. prgtoken Statistics are a required reporting tool of course, but Gerard Place's real impact is found in the faces and heard in the stories of second chances given and opportunities seized by women now living productive, purposeful lives. With individualized, intensive support, families are strengthened, careers are pursued and a better future is within reach. prgtoken Understanding the work is never complete, Gerard Place is expanding its offerings with the rehabilitation of the Community Center to bring classroom space, job readiness training and quality childcare to the neighborhood. prgtoken As is the case in so many of our mission driven non-profits, the leadership and staff of Gerard Place will be the first to share that so much of what has been achieved and so much that is left to do is only possible thanks to the tireless dedication of its amazing volunteers. prgtoken It is a belief I share as a true example of how lives are changed by those inspiring people among us who give their time, talent and treasure back to their communities. Without the more than 100 volunteers devoting more than 6,000 hours annually in a multitude of roles including engagement with program participants, staff support, event organization and board membership, the goals of Gerard Place would be unattainable. prgtoken , I am grateful to acknowledge and add my thanks to the outstanding volunteers of Gerard Place for everyday of every month they give hope and help to those they selflessly serve in our community.
TRIBUTE TO ZELL MILLER
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-4-18

given the recent passing of former Georgia Governor and United States Senator Zell Miller, I include in the Record reflections of my dear friend and mentor, former Congressman Jack T. Brinkley of Columbus, Georgia, entitled ``The Influence of Peach Tarts.'' Zell Miller, Jack Brinkley, and Guy Sharpe, distinguished men of great service and accomplishment, were Phi Chi Champion Debaters at Young College. prgtoken Their accomplishments bring to mind what the English poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote: ``The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.'' The Influence of Peach Tarts ``The faintest flutter of a butterfly's wings may result in a hurricane one hundred years hence.''--Unknown Behind our rural home in Bettstown, Georgia, we had a small barn-like structure which we called the corn crib. It had a fine tin top which got blazing hot in the summer time. Daddy stored wagon loads of his corn crop in the crib, and that is where a huge, orange colored rat snake lived and thrived. It looked after the rats nicely and would always frighten us children when we played among the ears of corn. We had a peach tree nearby, and mother used to gather peaches and slice them for drying on top of the corn crib. She would place cloth beneath them and above them, and the preservation process didn't take all that long. After they dried out she kept them in a flour sack in our shed room, and we would often eat some of them out there. Mother was ahead of her time, considering the dried fruit industry of today. Also, equally important in the process, she would make peach tarts, and they had a wonderful, tree ripened, robust taste. To eat one was to crave another one. Our family had little to offer at a Franklin Baptist Church social at Betts' Mill pond one night, and mother decided to make a huge platter of peach tarts. Mr. Frank Betts was the taciturn owner and operator of the grist mill there and a man of few words. That night he smacked his lips and asked, ``Who was it that brought the peach tarts!'' Miss Ollie, his utterly remarkable wife, answered him, ``Pauline, did.'' The Pauline of whom she spoke was my mother Pauline Spearman Brinkley, and with the peach tarts she set in motion an incredible and providential chain of events for me. My daddy left home, and my mother kept the family together, riding the school bus with us and working at the lunchroom. The community was there for us as well, and Frank Betts came to our rescue by loaning us a Milk Cow and calf for our use during those hard times. Mother showed me how to milk the cow, and it was as natural to me as br
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5444, TAXPAYER FIRST ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5445, 21ST CENTURY IRS ACT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-18

according to a recent poll, 67 percent of Americans believe the President should release his tax returns just as all of his predecessors since Richard Nixon have done. prgtoken During the campaign, the President even promised he would do so before falsely claiming that he couldn't release his tax returns because of an audit. There is no such thing. prgtoken Yesterday's editorial board of the Washington Post wrote: ``The President is setting a precedent--that Presidents can promise one thing, do another, and end up dismissing essential prgtoken standards of disclosure. Congress should not accept this erosion of good-government practice.'' prgtoken So, , I couldn't agree more. And, again, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle: Your constituents will reward you for this because this is about transparency, about our democracy, about transparency being the gold standard.
CHANGES TO SNAP IN THE NEW FARM BILL
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-4-18

a major responsibility of the farm bill is intended to address the growing issue of food insecurity in America. As a matter of fact, roughly one out of every six individuals in Dallas County will go to sleep each night not knowing where their next meal will come from. prgtoken Hunger is not just a major issue within any one district, but it is one that affects Americans in virtually every district in every part of the country. It is an important issue. It is one on which Congress needs to focus. prgtoken Sadly, the farm bill introduced last week will hurt far more Americans than it will help. The proposed changes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program within the farm bill are downright draconian. SNAP was intended to help the poor so they can find meaningful work on a full stomach. The new proposed work requirements would starve individuals who are unable to find sustainable employment due to economic, medical, or family-related issues. prgtoken Organizations such as Feeding America and the Food Research & Action Center have come out opposing these changes because they would lead to an increase in hungry Americans and is counterproductive to solving America's hunger problem. It is much harder to climb out of poverty and onto a path of independence when you must devote much of your energy in wondering where your next meal may come from. prgtoken Instead of throwing people off SNAP, Congress should be focused on giving greater access to nutritional meals so that these individuals are able to go on living their lives and trying to find employment that will get them out of poverty and into the middle class. prgtoken SNAP was intended to assist the working poor to ensure they are able to put food on the table for their children. These changes would throw many children off the program and subsequently deny access for them to get food from school breakfast and lunch programs. The cuts in SNAP benefits for these students would force them to face the challenges of hunger in addition to the rigors of school. prgtoken Countless studies show that students retain more information when their focus is on school in front of them and not on the fear that they will go to bed hungry. prgtoken Making certain that the next generation of Americans have every opportunity to grow up with a healthy diet and learn on a full stomach is not just an investment in the fight against hunger; it is also an investment in this country's future. prgtoken , I speak not just for African Americans. The majority of the ones who are utilizing this program are non-African American, and the majority are Anglo Americans. So Congress should be working together to strengthen the program so that it fulfills its original goal: ensuring that all Americans, regardless of ethnic origin or status, have the dignity of a day's work and a day's worth of food. prgtoken , many districts' voices have been muted through the intentional gerrymandering so
RECOGNIZING CEI ON 40 YEARS OF INVESTING IN MAINE
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2018-4-18

I rise today to recognize and thank an organization in my District that is celebrating 40 years of supporting rural communities, economies, and families in Maine and across the nation. prgtoken In the 1970s, social activist and theology student Ron Phillips came to Maine to replicate a community-based economic development model he had seen succeed in places around the world. So began Coastal Enterprises Inc.--or CEI as it has become known--which made its first loan in 1978 to rebuild a waterfront facility that had burned down and was central to the local fishing community. prgtoken Since its humble beginnings, CEI has loaned over $1.3 billion, which in turn has leveraged an additional $2.8 billion in investment. At this point, it is hard to find an area of Maine's rural economy and community infrastructure that CEI has not touched. Adapting to the greatest needs and opportunities of our state over the last four decades, it has helped build more than 2,000 affordable housing units, invested in over 2,700 businesses, supported over 37,000 jobs, and created or preserved more than 5,800 child-care openings. prgtoken But CEI is not only a source of financing for worthy projects. It is trusted partner and leader in moving Maine forward, whether that means helping recent immigrants launch their own businesses, supporting women entrepreneurs, strengthening our state's agricultural and fisheries industries, or providing counseling to help Mainers stay in their homes. prgtoken Despite its growth, the organization has stayed true to the communities it serves and to its founding values. CEI's staff is just as comfortable conversing with CEOs and corporate financiers as they are with fishermen on the dock and farmers in the field. prgtoken I have been proud to work closely with this organization both in Washington and in Maine. I wholeheartedly thank CEI for its work, celebrate its impact on our communities over the last 40 years, and wish it many more years of success.
ALLOWING SENATORS' YOUNG CHILDREN ON THE SENATE FLOOR
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-18

on Monday April 9, 2018, at 7:07 a.m a tiny little message to the Senate arrived: Maile Pearl Bowlsbey became the very first baby born to a Senator, bringing joy to her father Bryan and to her amazing mother, my colleague, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth. prgtoken With this blessed arrival, this Chamber faced the reality of Senate parenthood. And tonight, just moments ago, we made the decision to allow Maile to help us make Senate history. Tonight we changed the standing rules of the Senate so that Senator Duckworth, and any other Senator who has an infant, can bring their child to the floor of the Senate during a vote. prgtoken Senator Duckworth can keep her responsibility under our Constitution and vote as a Senator without giving up her responsibility as a mom at that moment. prgtoken I think it will do us good in the Senate every once in a while to see a pacifier next to the antique ink wells on our desks or a diaper bag next to one of these brass spittoons which sits on the floor--thank goodness, never used. Perhaps, the occasional cry of a baby will shock the Senate at times into speaking up and even crying out on the issues that confront our Nation and the world. prgtoken We certainly revere history in the Senate, but part of our history is recognizing change--the change that brought the first woman to the Senate, the change that brought disabled people to the floor of the Senate, and changes that will come to it in the future. These adaptations have made us a better Senate and more reflective of the people we serve. prgtoken I just can't say enough about my colleague Senator Tammy Duckworth, an amazing woman who served her country, activated in the Illinois National Guard as a helicopter pilot in Iraq. When a grenade was shot into the cockpit and blew up and caused her grievous injuries, many people wondered if she would survive. She not only survived, but she prospered. She is determined and brave. She now is the mother of two little girls--something just short of a miracle--and that motherhood is something that is a source of great joy to all of us who count Tammy as a friend and a colleague and a great leader in the Senate. prgtoken Let me also give special recognition to two of my colleagues who made this resolution possible. Senator Amy Klobuchar worked closely with Tammy prgtoken Duckworth on this issue and is our ranking on the Senate Rules Committee. Amy put in a lot of hours and good humor, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for helping our colleague. And special thanks to Senator Roy Blunt, the chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. Roy Blunt told me from the start: I support this resolution. It will come right out of the Rules Committee to the floor so we can move on it quickly. When Tammy Duckworth returns from maternity leave, we will be able to accommodate her little girl and, if it becomes necessary, to bring her to the floor during the cou
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-4-18

today I am honored to congratulate the dedicated staff at Clear Channel Outdoor, in Las Vegas, NV, for earning the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Director's Community Leadership Award. On April 20, 2018, representatives from Clear Channel Outdoor will join the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC, to formally accept this much- deserved recognition. prgtoken The FBI's special agents in 56 field offices work closely with the community to conduct investigations and to protect the American people from crimes and acts of extremism. In appreciation, special agents in FBI field offices nominate community leaders and organizations that exemplify their values and those who work tirelessly to assist them in their work to keep the community safe. The Director's Community Leadership Award honors these individuals and organizations for their leadership in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. Earning this award is no easy feat. prgtoken This award recognizes Clear Channel Outdoor-Las Vegas for their steadfast efforts to provide digital billboard services that assisted law enforcement in generating thousands of leads and tips, following the tragic and senseless loss of life at the Route 91 Festival on October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. Clear Channel Outdoor-Las Vegas donated billboard space on digital signs around the city of Las Vegas to expand law enforcement's reach, telling the community, ``If you see something, say something.'' prgtoken In Las Vegas, the October 1 tragedy shocked our community but also spurred us to action. During that dark time, Las Vegans came together to drop off food and water at the Family Reunification Center, donate blood, and build beautiful memorials to honor those killed. I am proud of how our community came together, of how law enforcement acted to protect lives and ensure that residents and visitors felt protected following such a tragic incident. I am also proud of the Clear Channel Outdoor-Las Vegas staff, who joined as part of our community effort, answering the call to assist local law enforcement and educate our community at large. Clear Channel Outdoor-Las Vegas's actions helped rebuild and strengthen the bonds that make Las Vegas the beautiful place we call home. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Clear Channel Outdoor- Las Vegas for their generosity, their eagerness, and their empathy in helping their fellow citizens and for their endeavors to help our home heal from this senseless tragedy. I celebrate the FBI's recognition of Clear Channel Outdoor-Las Vegas, and I am proud of their work on behalf of law enforcement and the State of Nevada.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-18

first, I send my heartfelt condolences to the family on the passing of former First Lady Barbara . Simply put, Mrs. was the personification of grace and class as First Lady and as a human being throughout her life. She will be missed by people on both sides of the aisle and by all Americans. Foreign Policy prgtoken , let me begin with the issue of our Nation's foreign policy. prgtoken Over the weekend, the Ambassador to the U.N Nikki Haley, went on national television to announce a new round of sanctions against Russia for enabling the brutal Assad regime to commit chemical weapons attacks against its own people. Only 24 hours later, the White House reversed course, and senior administration officials blamed Nikki Haley for being ``confused.'' prgtoken The word ``confused'' may, in fact, define this administration's foreign policy. Does anyone at the White House talk to each other? Is there a coordinated strategy or is our foreign policy completely subject to the President's fleeting whims, changing as they do, day-to- day and moment-to-moment, often being guided by what some commentator says on television? Unfortunately, that is what it looks like from the outside, and it is going to put America and our interests abroad in danger. prgtoken Predictability and consistency in foreign policy are not boring. They are fundamental assets. It lets our allies know that we will support them, and it lets our adversaries know that they cannot get away with violating national norms. The erratic nature of this administration's foreign policy, exemplified by the abrupt reversal of Nikki Haley's announcement, is something all Americans should be worried about. prgtoken All Americans should be concerned about President 's disturbing decision to pull back from sanctioning Russia for its support of Assad and for its enabling of his use of chemical weapons in the wanton murder of his own people. This extends a sad pattern of inconsistency toward Russia's malign activities, both here in America and across the globe, when what is required of this administration are more aggressive, comprehensive, and consistent policy actions that impose on Putin and his allies sufficient costs to change their behavior. prgtoken A second foreign policy issue is the administration's ongoing efforts to secure a diplomatic deal with North Korea. We all want diplomacy to succeed with North Korea. My primary concern with the President and his efforts with respect to North Korea relate to preparation and to discipline. We are all aware that the President makes decisions about sensitive issues without seeking--or in spite of--expert advice. Indeed, his decision to move forward with the North Korea summit was an example of this type of decision making. Yet, whether or not there is ever a time and place for this sort of prgtoken decision making, it is unquestionably the wrong way
RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING DR. DABNEY N. MONTGOMERY
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-18

I rise today to recognize Dr. Dabney N. Montgomery. prgtoken Dr. Montgomery's selfless service and his courage have made him an institution in Harlem. In the face of segregationist attitudes and racial animus, Dr. Montgomery joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as a member of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen fighting in World War II. He walked in lockstep with Dr. Martin Luther King in the march from Selma to Montgomery during the civil prgtoken rights movement. Dr. Montgomery influenced communities far and wide, but we are so fortunate that in Harlem he worked to make the community a better place for all of us. prgtoken In 2007, Dr. Montgomery's lifetime of service and commitment to civil rights and the principles of equality were honored when he received the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian awards in the United States. prgtoken Now, in 2018, I am so proud that we will soon unveil the Tuskegee Airman Dabney N. Montgomery Place on the northwest corner of West 136th Street to preserve and commemorate his legacy. prgtoken , I am grateful to share this with you and this body. I am hopeful that his memory will continue to live with us.
REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER
Jared Polis (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-4-18

today I rise in memory of my colleague, Louise McIntosh Slaughter. prgtoken For my entire time of service in the House of Representatives, she was my ranking member of the Rules Committee. I sat just a couple of seats down from somebody who truly was inspirational and a fearless advocate for progressive values and a woman who, despite her advancing years, always remained ahead of the curve and future oriented. prgtoken Louise had an internal energy, an internal fire that is rare in this body and, frankly, rare across our country. She long stood for an inclusive vision of America. She embraced LGBTQ families before it was popular. She always stood for women's rights despite opposition on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken I already miss and continue to miss somebody who, to me, was a friend and a mentor in this institution. I express my sincere condolences to the family of Louise McIntosh Slaughter.