mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE LIFE OF LEOPOLDO TREVINO-GUERRA
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-4

. Madam , I rise to celebrate the life of Leopoldo Trevino-Guerra, who passed away on March 25, 2021. As a champion of farmworkers and the Latino community, Leopoldo devoted his life to giving voice to the voiceless and fighting for what is right. His story is an inspiration to us all, and his impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come. prgtoken Leopoldo's advocacy first began when his family settled in the Coachella Valley in the 1970s. There, he became a member of the United Farm Workers (UFW) and helped negotiate the first collective employment contract with the lemon agribusiness. As the chief representative of UFW in this landmark negotiation, Leopoldo was instrumental in securing workers' rights, including eight-hour workdays, rest periods, and higher wages. prgtoken His tireless will and unmatched strength have made the Coachella Valley a better place for everyone who lives there. As a principal founder of the Housing Rent Control Movement, he secured better conditions for farmworker housing--improving the quality of life for hundreds of families in our communities. prgtoken Leopoldo was a true trailblazer. In 1988, he co-founded the first entirely Spanish-language newspaper in the Coachella Valley, El Informador del Valle. To this day, El Informador del Valle delivers news to the Latino community in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. Leopoldo's unrelenting pursuit of justice led him to establish his second Spanish-language newspaper seven years later. El Independiente actively covered social justice work in the Latino community until 2008. With his excellent leadership and vision at both newspapers, Leopoldo successfully uplifted Latino voices throughout the region. prgtoken Leopoldo faced numerous hardships in his life, but he overcame the obstacles that stood in his way to create a better future for his family. His 19 children, 44 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren are a testament to his outstanding legacy. Leopoldo's story is an example of the excellence, dedication, and service to our Nation that all should seek to emulate.
RETIREMENT OF ESTHER L. BUSH
Michael F. Doyle (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-6-4

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to Esther L who will be retiring after 27 years as President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Urban League--one of the top-rated Urban League affiliates in the country. prgtoken A Pittsburgh native, Ms. is a member of the class of 1969 from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from Morgan State University and a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Johns Hopkins University before beginning her career as a high school teacher and later a college administrator and corporate consultant. prgtoken Ms. spent a total of 41 years working for the Urban League. Beginning in 1980, she worked for various Urban League branches in New York City and was President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Hartford before returning to her hometown of Pittsburgh in 1994. prgtoken As a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, she prided herself on her contributions to education and once stated that the formation of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School in 1998 was one of her greatest accomplishments as the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh's President and CEO. Her excellent work in education resulted in national recognition. In 2013, Ms. was 1 of 10 Americans recognized at the White House as a Champion of Change in the Educational Excellence for African Americans program. prgtoken She also hosted the National Urban League Conference in 2013. Under her watch, the Pittsburgh Urban League Chapter also received the distinction of receiving a 5-out-of-5 top rating in its assessment from the national chapter. prgtoken On behalf of Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, I want to commend Esther for her contributions to Pittsburgh and the African American community. Her actions are reflected in every life that she touched. Esther should serve as an inspiration for us all. I am pleased to recognize her service to our community and wish her a happy and enjoyable retirement.
HONORING BOUNTHIENG EGKHOUNMOUNG AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2021-6-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Master Sergeant Bounthieng Egkhounmoung, a recently retired veteran, as Iowan of the Week. Bounthieng, or BJ as he's known, retired last week from the 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard after over a total of 38 years in service to the country and the state of Iowa. prgtoken From the Marine Corps, Air National Guard, and the State of Iowa, BJ served his country through nearly four decades. He retires as a Master Sergeant from the 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard. The 132nd Wing, founded in 1941, has deployed in numerous conflicts throughout the world and played a critical role in our state's flood recovery over the last few decades. Their values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do was exemplified by BJ throughout his service. prgtoken As Asian Pacific American Heritage Month comes to an end, may we celebrate the diversity in our country and reflect on the challenges many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities still experience. BJ's exemplary service to our country and lived the military values of duty, honor, and country. To quote General MacArthur who was reflecting on his own 30 years of military service said ``Those three hallowed words (duty, honor, country) reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.'' Master Sergeant BJ embodied these values in his 38 years of service. prgtoken Our country is safe and our communities are secure thanks to the service of the over 20 million veterans and active service members that protect our nation, including BJ's service. As I rise today in honor of BJ, I encourage everyone to reach out to veterans and military families in your life, hear their stories, and give your thanks. I will continue to work across the aisle in Congress, such as my recently passed Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans' Mental Health Act, to ensure our veterans get the care they need and deserve. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize BJ for his nearly four decades of outstanding service to our country. I thank BJ for his service, and I hope he has an enjoyable retirement.
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2021-6-4

. Madam , I am proud to introduce legislation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Protective Service (FPS) in recognition of their service to our Nation. After passing the Capitol security bill in this chamber earlier this week, it is only natural that we highlight the work of our protection agencies and their commitment to the Federal workforce. As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the pivotal role of security today more than ever. Following the U.S. Capitol attacks on January 6, we witnessed firsthand how important it is to have law enforcement agencies like FPS to protect our federal facilities and workforce. prgtoken For half a century, FPS has served and protected the American people and government business with honor, integrity, and commitment. Since its inception in 1971, FPS has contributed to the protection of people and property in the Federal Government by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities through risk assessments, law enforcement, intelligence analysis, and security measures. Two major acts of terror against the United States have shaped FPS to anticipate emerging threats more effectively: the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995, and the terror attacks on September 11. Today, FPS provides the Department of Homeland Security Secretary with a highly trained, nationwide force that can support needs in countering emerging or existing threats and terrorism, within the boundaries of our Nation and territories. It is also responsible for protecting over 9,000 facilities and more than 1.4 million people who work, visit, or conduct business at these facilities each day. prgtoken FPS has shown that it is a leader within the law enforcement and protection community. It is their work and dedication that brings us closer to the vision of a Federal workforce and workplace that is safe, secure, and resilient moving forward. prgtoken Madam , I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing one of our nation's most critical federal agencies.
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF COLONEL GERALD ``JERRY'' LUKOWSKI JR
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-6-4

. Madam , I rise today to commend the esteemed career in public service of Colonel Gerald ``Jerry'' Lukowski, Junior. Colonel Lukowski retires on June 5, 2021, from the apex of his service as Chief of Staff to the Joint Staff for the Connecticut Army National Guard. Having dedicated a 36-year long career toward securing the common defense through a distinguished vocation in the military, Jerry will move on and continue to benefit the State of Connecticut with his skill and expertise within the Connecticut Department of Transportation. prgtoken Jerry's sense of duty catalyzed his service to the public through a military-oriented career. This was exemplified from the earliest days of his education, when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the University of Connecticut's ROTC program in 1989, before graduating from the University of New Haven in 1991. Armed with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering, Second Lieutenant Lukowski set his sights on a path to leadership within the State's civil defense unit, the Connecticut Army National Guard. He put himself forward on this path, engaging with various career-related roles whilst simultaneously advancing a civilian and military education, obtaining his Master's in Environmental Engineering from his alma mater in 1997, completing countless military instruction courses and acquiring numerous licenses within the State's engineering apparatus as recent as 2019. prgtoken Colonel Lukowski applied his affinity for knowledge throughout the ranks of his distinguished profession. His education prepared him for 17 years of service at several stations of duty with the Combat Engineers and most prominently catalyzed his ability to excel in the latter half of his career as the Construction and Facility Management Officer (CFMO) for 13 years, and then Chief of Staff to the Joint Staff since 2016. As Chief of Staff, Colonel Lukowski greatly enhanced the operations of the Connecticut Army National Guard, pushing the troops to work with their respective units on their pre-deployment and redeployment requirements. During his tenure as CFMO, Colonel Lukowski's leadership and expertise in facilities management, fiscal policy and federal contracting enabled the state to obtain nearly $975 million in Military Construction Project and Sustainment Restoration and Modernization funding, resulting in the planning and implementation of 17 total projects. His tenacity as an advocate for boosting Connecticut's emergency response infrastructure has well positioned our state's readiness capabilities for generations to come and has truly kept the safety of our public at heart. prgtoken Madam , Colonel Lukowski has spent his life developing Connecticut's emergency response infrastructure. His example of selfless service now extends throughout his family--his wife Mary Beth and children John, Sarah, Megan and Emily--the last of whom has gone on to attend the US Air Force Academy after r
MENSTRUAL EQUITY FOR ALL ACT OF 2021
Grace Meng (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-4

. Madam , I rise today to announce that on May 28th, Menstrual Hygiene Day, I introduced my Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021. No one should be inhibited from participating fully in daily life due to lack of access to menstrual products. Safe, affordable access to period products is a basic need for over half the population, moreover, it is a human right. prgtoken Madam , period poverty permeates and cuts across a swath of issues--from educational equity to criminal justice reform; from economic and housing justice to immigration. The tragic reality for too many individuals in our nation, is that the cost of menstrual products is a barrier to managing monthly menstruation in a safe and dignified manner. prgtoken In the United States, 25 million women live at or below the poverty line. A 2019 study found that among low-income women in a major U.S. city, nearly half had to choose between buying food and spending money on menstrual products. One in five teens have struggled to afford period products, or were not able to purchase them at all. As a result, over 80 percent of teens say they missed school or know someone else who has. A recent study revealed that 1 in 10 college students was unable to afford menstrual products, and those who experienced period poverty on a monthly basis, were more likely to experience moderate to severe depression. prgtoken Madam , menstruators from all walks of life, across our country are having to choose between their period or their dignity. In fact, a lawsuit filed against DHS's monstrous treatment of migrant children in its custody found that girls with periods were left to bleed through their clothes and denied showers for days on end. This is unconscionable. We must break the silence, raise awareness, and fight for menstrual equity for all--each and every day. prgtoken My Menstrual Equity for All Act, is the first of its kind to comprehensively address the challenges of those experiencing period poverty. My bill would provide students from elementary school through postsecondary education free menstrual products, ensure that incarcerated individuals and detainees in federal, state, and local facilities have access to free menstrual products, allow homeless assistance provides to provide these products with federal grant funds, require Medicaid to cover the cost of menstrual products, direct large employers to provide free menstrual products in the workplace, and ensure that all public federal buildings provide free menstrual products in restrooms. prgtoken Madam , we cannot address educational equity, economic justice, or infrastructure reform without addressing the barriers that prevent our social infrastructure from caring for the basic health care rights of our population. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me in upholding this human right. We must work to end period poverty once and for all.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-6-7

the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, AAPD, last month named Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr of Jackson, MS, as its 2021 Pediatric Dentist of the Year. I commend him for his decades of service and for the significant contributions he has made to the dental profession. His lifetime commitment to the specialty of pediatric dentistry has helped advance children's health in Mississippi and around the country. Dr. Simmons' many years of clinical practice, his dedication to improving academic dentistry, and his passion for public policy make him a deserving recipient of the Pediatric Dentist of the Year honor. prgtoken Dr. Simmons received his dental degree from the University of Tennessee and completed his pediatric dentistry training there after serving our Nation for 3 years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. Following his training and military service, Dr. Simmons practiced for 57 years in Jackson before retiring recently from active practice. His passion and dedication have made him a national leader in dentistry, proven by his past presidencies of the AAPD, the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the Mississippi Dental Association. Furthermore, he received the AAPD Distinguished Service Award in 1994 and the Ann Page Griffin Humanitarian Award in 2011. For many years, he served on the Board of Trustees of the American Dental Association, ADA, serving as a spokesperson for the ADA from 1981 to 2019. In this role, he was featured on nationally televised programs such as ``60 Minutes'' and ``Good Morning, America.'' prgtoken Dr. Simmons currently serves as a special consultant to the AAPD Board of Trustees after serving as the academy's congressional liaison since 1997. As AAPD Congressional Liaison, he helped educate Members of Congress and their staffs concerning oral health issues for children, testified before Congress, and served in a key leadership role in AAPD advocacy efforts. This includes helping to allocate more than $158 million for pediatric dentistry to the title VII program at the Health Resources and Services Administration. For this work, Heber was awarded an AAPD Presidential Citation in 2001, and more recently, his alma mater, the College of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, recreated an endowed professorship in his name. Last year, at the AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference, Dr. Simmons was the keynote speaker and received another Presidential citation in recognition of and appreciation for his tireless and dedicated national advocacy for his profession and the oral health of America's children. prgtoken I commend Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr for his many accomplishments and well-deserved recognition of his advocacy, dedication, and leadership. My State is fortunate to have him as a leader focused on the health and wellness of all Mississippians. I congratulate him on being recognized for his
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-6-7

I am here on the floor of the Senate this evening to commemorate the 77th anniversary of D-day. This was a huge turning point in World War II, of course. The invasion of Normandy occurred 77 years ago yesterday. prgtoken Historian Douglas Brinkley wrote that D-day was the single most important moment in the 20th century and one of the most tragic, too, in terms of loss of life. I think he was right. There were 160,000 soldiers who crossed the Channel that day to begin the campaign to recapture Europe from Hitler's rule. On their backs were rucksacks with 80 pounds of gear, but so too was the fate of all of us--our allies in Europe and, really, the fate of the free world. prgtoken Many of our best and brightest young Americans did fall that day. We lost more than 10,000 men in 1 day. The Nazis had spent 2 years fortifying the coast to prepare for this moment. It was Hitler's so- called Atlantic Wall. The beautiful coastline of Northern France was covered in barbed wire, land mines, and bunkers, but at the end of the largest amphibious invasion in history, we stood victorious, battered but not broken. On we marched through France, through Belgium, and, finally, into Germany itself. prgtoken But even today, amid the flowers and fields of Normandy--I have been there, and many of you have been there who are listening tonight--you can feel, even today, the lingering presence of those who died that day in the service of liberating Europe, and you can see it in the stark, orderly U.S. military cemeteries, where row after row of white crosses and Stars of David commemorate those brave souls who were lost-- representing lives lost in a noble cause. Though much has happened in the following 77 years, we can never lose sight of the valor and the sacrifice by our Armed Forces on that 1 day. prgtoken On Memorial Day, about a week ago, I spoke at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, OH. It was a hopeful day for me not just to have so many people together as we emerged from COVID-19-- really the first big public event they have had--but also to see the generations of veterans and family members there to honor the fallen: World War II veterans, Gulf war veterans, Korean war veterans, Vietnam veterans, and veterans, of course, from Afghanistan and Iraq. They represented the living embodiment of the stories we ought to be remembering from a war that recedes further into the past with every passing year. prgtoken They are the stories of valor like that displayed by Jim ``Pee Wee'' Martin from Dayton, OH. On that day, he and the rest of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment parachuted behind German lines in the dark of pre-dawn. Jim was wounded but fought bravely, earning both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his efforts. prgtoken They are the stories of sacrifice like that of the Napier brothers of Warren County in southwest Ohio, the county my mom is from. All five of the brothers served
Inflation (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-6-7

it appears the White House had good reason to wait until the Friday before Memorial Day to release their budget proposal. They couldn't afford a full week's news cycle any more than the American people can afford to fulfill the wish list items President is asking them to pay for. It is a very long list. prgtoken I think it is safe to say my ic colleagues are trying to make the most of the next year and a half. They know that time is not on their side nor are the American people. There really is something for every faction of the left. Here are a few of the items that are contained in this boondoggle of a budget. prgtoken The environmental lobby did a great job these past few months. They are more than taken care of with more electric car subsidies and a $936 million payout toward environmental justice initiatives. prgtoken We also have more funding to expand the Department of Education. If you think that more government is what your child's educational experience has been missing, well, this is the budget for you. Yet, if you are fed up with the way teachers unions have treated children in the classroom, if you are fed up with schools that have been in lockdown, you will want to pay close attention to what I am talking about today. prgtoken Apparently, the good people over at the Department of Health and Human Services have time on their hands. Bear in mind, it is your money that is paying them to do the job at which they have time on their hands. Now, they will be switching gears from pandemic response to a new focus on environmental extremism, reparations, and gutting the Second Amendment. prgtoken What is in this budget? Bigger government, a higher deficit, and runaway inflation. prgtoken What is out? According to this budget, national defense is no longer a priority for the administration or for the Department of Defense. Border security is also on the back burner along with the family-friendly tax policies we implemented under President . prgtoken President and the are doubling down on every mistake they have made so far. Instead of doing their jobs, they are paying lip service to struggling businesses, to struggling stores on Main Street in your hometown, to crumbling bridges--like in Memphis, TN--and roadways, and to future generations of Americans who will come into this world owning their own, personal chunk of our skyrocketing national debt. That is right. If you have a child or a grandchild born this year, their share of the national debt is going to be about $80,000. Think about that. prgtoken Think about what has happened to this debt. From President Washington to President , it was about $10.6 trillion. During the - years, that debt doubled. Then it was added to through the pandemic. Now one would be led to believe that this administration had decided it was going to take the credit cards and swipe them so many tim