mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HURRICANE HARVEY
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-5

I just returned from Texas, where, as the world knows, Hurricane Harvey has devastated the gulf coast and now ranks among the costliest natural disasters in American history. Today I want to share with you what my State has experienced in the wake of this storm that has battered so many homes and broken so many hearts. The storm calamitously resulted in the loss of at least 60 lives, with probably more to come as the water recedes and as people's bodies are discovered. Of course, we mourn with those families who have lost loved ones. prgtoken You have seen the pictures, but let me describe what my fellow Texans have experienced firsthand. It started when Harvey ran into a patch of warm water in the Gulf of Mexico the week before last. As Harvey rumbled toward Texas, the ocean churned and the storm grew in size and strength. By the time it made landfall in the Coastal Bend region south of Houston, the hurricane was a Goliath--Category 4. The rain fell, the wind howled, and the water rose in towns like Rockport, Port Lavaca, and Aransas Pass. Streets became swamps, and homes filled up like bathtubs. prgtoken First were those smaller coastal communities that I just mentioned, but then one of the largest cities in the Nation, Houston, and nearby areas were hit. Third, let's not forget places like Port Arthur, Beaumont--where I was yesterday with Majority Leader McCarthy from the House of Representatives and my other colleagues--as well as other parts of Jefferson and surrounding counties that were hit when the storm barreled east and then finally abated. prgtoken Five days and 50 inches of rainfall--every known record was shattered. The National Hurricane Center was awed by the storm that it called ``relentless.'' The Washington Post appropriately called it ``merciless'' because it was. Sunday, August 27, was the wettest day ever in Houston, where nearly a third of the yearly rainfall came in 24 hours. A third of our annual expected rainfall in Houston came in 24 hours. Not only that, we now know Harvey was the most extreme rain event in the history of the continental United States, a catastrophe so unheard of that it comes perhaps only once in 1,000 years. Let that sink in for a moment--a 1,000-year rain event. prgtoken The storm's intensity easily could have overwhelmed first responders. Medical, law enforcement, and rescue personnel easily could have said: You know, I am exhausted. I haven't slept for days. I haven't been able to change my clothes. I can't do this anymore. prgtoken They could have easily said all of those things, but instead they kept wading into the water--the County sheriff's water rescue team, the Texas National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, people like Sergeant Steve Perez, a 34-year veteran of the Houston Police Department who drowned in his patrol car during the storm. His wife told him not to go to work on that day, but Sergeant Perez's response was ``We've got wo
RECOGNIZING 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHITNEY POINT LAKE AND DAM
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-9-5

I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of Whitney Point Lake and dam in Broome County, New York. prgtoken A popular tourist destination, Whitney Point Lake welcomes more than 115,000 people annually. The 4,578-acre lake offers fishing, swimming, trails, playgrounds, and more than 100 picnic sites. prgtoken As an important fixture in our communities, Whitney Point Lake and dam brings more than $3 million annually to our local economy and plays a pivotal role in limiting flooding. prgtoken Unfortunately, as we have seen this year, our region is also subject to devastating floods. While it is impossible prgtoken to prevent all floods, we can see some mitigation from the effects of flooding due to Whitney Point Lake and dam this year. prgtoken Since Whitney Point Lake was completed in 1942, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' project has prevented more than $717 million in potential flood damage. prgtoken For its continued benefits both to the local and downstream communities, as well as the hundreds of thousands that enjoy its recreational opportunities, it is an honor today to recognize the 75th anniversary of Whitney Point Lake and dam.
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CARIBOU COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-9-5

30 years ago, Caribou, ME, served as the proving ground upon which America has built a nationwide system of community-based outpatient clinics that delivers much improved access to medical services for America's rural veterans. The anniversary celebration on September 7 recognizes the determined commitment of Cary Medical Center, the Department of Veterans Affairs, local veterans, and an entire community that transformed healthcare for the men and women who defend our Nation and our freedom. prgtoken Our Nation's first CBOC held its formal opening in Caribou, my hometown, on June 13, 1987. The impact was immediate--no longer would the veterans of Aroostook County have to endure an up-to 10-hour round trip to the nearest VA hospital for medical exams or to meet with a VA physician. Today the Caribou CBOC treats a veteran population of 3,500 men and women who served our country, with more than 9,000 care visits annually. The pioneering work done in Caribou led to benefits for America's 3.5 million rural veterans who now receive care closer to home at more than 950 CBOCs throughout the country. prgtoken The story of the great advancement in healthcare began 8 years before that formal opening, when seven Aroostook County veterans devoted themselves to the mission of improving access to critical healthcare services in this region. The original members of Aroostook County Veterans Medical Facility Research and Development, Inc.--Percy Thibeault, Meo Bosse, John Rowe, Ray Guerrette, Wesley Adams, Walter Corey, and Leonard Woods, Jr.--faced many obstacles along the way and overcame them all. These patriots exemplified a special quality of the American veteran: they continued to contribute long after their service in uniform was done. prgtoken That great mission would not have been accomplished without the dedication and expertise of Cary Medical Center and the involvement of Bill Flagg. As the American Hospital Association noted in its Award of Honor presentation in 2011, Cary Medical Center has made exemplary contributions in the critical area of veterans' healthcare and has established a national model. In addition to playing a vital role in establishing the VA's first CBOC in Caribou, Cary Medical Center was one of five pilot sites for the highly successful Access Received Closer to Home, or ARCH, program. Maine's program, led by Kris Doody and a tremendous team of professionals, has been called a standard bearer for how to provide prgtoken rural veterans access to the care they need in their communities. Before he became VA Secretary, I had the opportunity to join Dr. David Shulkin on a visit to both the Caribou CBOC and Cary Medical Center, where he praised the innovative work being done being done to provide veterans with top quality healthcare close to where they live. Veterans in Aroostook County and throughout America are grateful for Cary's leadership. prgtoken Our State has long history as
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING SERVICEMEMBERS LOST ON THE USS ``JOHN S. McCAIN''
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-9-5

on August 21, the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker near prgtoken Singapore, taking the lives of 10 of our sailors: prgtoken Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kenneth Aaron Smith of Cherry Hill, New Jersey; prgtoken Electronics Technician 1st Class Charles Nathan Findley, St. Joseph, Missouri; prgtoken Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Abraham Lopez, El Paso, Texas; prgtoken Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kevin Sayer ell, Gaithersburg, Maryland; prgtoken Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jacob Daniel Drake, Cable Township, Ohio; prgtoken Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Timothy Thomas Eckels, Jr Manchester, Maryland; prgtoken Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Corey George Ingram, Poughkeepsie, New York; prgtoken Electronics Technician 2nd Class Dustin Louis Doyon, Suffield, Connecticut; prgtoken Electronics Technician 3rd Class John Henry Hoagland III of Killeen, Texas; prgtoken My constituent from Decatur, Illinois, Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Logan Stephen Palmer. prgtoken Although I never had the chance to meet Officer Palmer, his parents and his friends remember him as a committed sailor, a loving son, and a brother. prgtoken The service and sacrifice of these brave men is not lost on this House and will always be remembered by the country they dedicated their lives to serve and protect. This accident is a grave reminder of the risks our servicemembers and their families take on for our country and all of us each and every day. prgtoken , I ask the House to join me in a moment of silence to honor these sons, brothers, fathers, and patriots for their service to our Nation and to pray for their family and friends during this difficult time.
HONORING SHERIFF THOMAS MILLS ON HIS RETIREMENT
John J. Faso (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-9-5

today I rise to honor and congratulate Delaware County Sheriff Thomas Mills of Meredith, New York, on the occasion of his retirement from a 54-year career of service to his Nation and local community. prgtoken A lifelong resident of Delaware County, Sheriff Mills enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps for 3 years after graduating from Franklin High School, and he was also deployed to Santo Domingo during the Dominican Civil War in 1965. prgtoken Sheriff Mills attained the rank of corporal before returning to upstate New York, where he dedicated himself to protecting his local community through law enforcement at the State and local levels. prgtoken Sheriff Mills retired on August 28, 2017, after more than 18 years of service as sheriff of Delaware County, during which time he built the new public safety building and jail as well as implemented the countywide 9/11 system. prgtoken Sheriff Mills is a pillar of our Delaware County community, and I thank him and salute him and his family for their service, sacrifice, and never-ending desire to give back to their neighbors.
BOB DOLE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-9-5

I rise today to honor Kansas' favorite son, a hero and mentor of mine, and the former occupant of the congressional office I now hold, Robert J. Dole. Senator Bob Dole never forgot where he is from, Russell, Kansas. Perhaps that is what made him so effective and so beloved by his constituents. prgtoken Now at 94 years young, Senator Dole continues to work every day for the causes he supports. He continues as a shining example of international leadership, whether it is in the causes he still champions or the work he did in Congress to help feed millions of people around the world. All this work, he does with humility and wit that endeared him to the Nation and that has been engrained in him as a Kansan. prgtoken Many weekends, he can still be seen greeting our Nation's veterans at the World War II Memorial, which he helped build, and he works today on promoting the national memorial to President Eisenhower, his hero and another great Kansan. prgtoken I cannot think of one living American more deserving of Congress' highest civilian award, which is why I am thrilled that tonight, this very night, the House will join the Senate in passing the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act. prgtoken I encourage the President to quickly sign this. I look forward to this vote as much as any I have taken. I am honored to call him friend. I am honored to participate in this vote.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-9-5

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Wednesday, September 6; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each until 12:30 p.m.; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE BOWDEN CENTER DEDICATION
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-5

I rise today to recognize the dedication of the Bowden Center in Keller, Texas on Sunday, August 20, 2017. This space was generously donated by Don Bowden and the late Linda Bowden, and now is operated by the Greater Keller Women's Club Foundation. The Bowden Center is an event space that will allow local charities and schools to hold functions, as well as host weddings and other social gatherings. All profits from the Bowden Center will go to the Greater Keller Women's Club Foundation, which will direct the funds back into the community through charities the club supports. Through the generosity of the Bowdens, the Greater Keller Women's Club Foundation will have sustained opportunities to enrich the Keller community. This building and its dedication pay tribute to Linda Bowden, a very special leader in our Keller community, who passed away in May 2017. This building honors her legacy, and furthers her life work of giving back to others. From her years at the PTA to this year, she never stopped seeking out ways to help others. The dedication of this space is a fitting tribute to thank Linda Bowden for her generosity, not just with the new Bowden Center, but all she did for the people in Keller, Texas. We are grateful to Don and Linda Bowden, and look forward to using this space to honor their spirit of generosity and further support the good work achieved by the Greater Keller Women's Club Foundation.
BOB DOLE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-9-5

I rise today to honor a true American hero and one of Kansas' most treasured sons. prgtoken I am pleased the House is acting today to award Bob Dole with our Nation's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. Bob's life and legacy stands strong, constant reminders of the fundamental values that are at the very core of Kansas and our Nation: honor, hard work, sacrifice, and a constant yearning to preserve our liberty and many blessings for future generations. prgtoken When Bob was wounded by enemy fire in the mountains of Italy while trying to save a fellow soldier, his brothers in arms didn't know if he was going to make it. prgtoken Bob, of course, wouldn't give up. He spent years recovering in hospitals and continued putting his life in service to others. He did so with distinction right here in this House and in the United States Senate. He also served in the Kansas House of Representatives and as chair of the National Committee. prgtoken Through it all, Bob Dole, a true servant leader, has stood as an example of how things are when our politics are at our best, when mutual respect is never lost, and when joy and good humor always have a seat at the table. prgtoken Today, as s and , we come together to honor Bob, not because we always agree, but because, like Bob, we agree that there are greater causes than ourselves. prgtoken Addressing the National Convention as Presidential candidate in 1996, Bob closed his remarks by saying: ``My life is proof that America is a land without limits. And with my feet on the ground and my heart filled with hope, I put my faith in you and in the God who loves us all. For I am convinced that America's best days are yet to come.'' prgtoken Thank you, Bob, for your faith, for your most honored service to Kansas and to our country, and for all you sacrificed to bring America closer to her best days. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to support this.
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Dana Rohrabacher (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-9-5

before I get into a rather elongated discussion about one fundamental issue that we are having to decide in the next few days, I would like to just mention that we have just heard severe criticism of our President. prgtoken Let me just note about President and his rhetoric supposedly making things worse in Korea. The rhetoric of our President has not made the situation worse in Korea. prgtoken What made the situation in Korea a major threat to our country and to our people and to the world was that, during the Clinton administration, President Clinton pushed through this Congress a package of aid for North Korea. Yes, we gave billions of dollars of aid in the form of energy and other types of issues and things that they needed. We gave them billions of dollars of aid under the agreement that North Korea would not be developing their nuclear weapons. prgtoken At that time, Chris Cox, a Member of the House of Representatives at the time, and myself fought aggressively against that deal. The North Koreans ended up being the recipient of billions of dollars of aid, even though they were the most antidemocratic institution, the greatest threat, and the greatest tyrants in that part of the world. prgtoken Yes, they knew that they didn't have to worry about the United States of America. That is when they, again, slowly but surely, after receiving billions of dollars from us, pushed through by President Clinton, that is how they have gotten to this point now where they are exploding weapons and launching rockets. prgtoken They are blaming that on our President, who just recently became President, and they are blaming it on his rhetoric rather than his policy? It is ridiculous. prgtoken The other thing we have heard about our President again is how heartless he is because he is not permitting young people who have been designated as DREAMers to stay here in the United States, even though they are in this country illegally, and they were brought here illegally. prgtoken Now, what is the impact? What will be the impact to those young people, who are probably wonderful young people? Most of them, I am sure, are wonderful young people. But the bottom line is, our interests and our moral obligation must be to the well-being of American young people. That includes American young people who are of every race and every religion and every ethnic group. prgtoken Approving the people who have come here illegally will hurt American young people, especially American-Hispanic young people. The DREAMers will be competing with their jobs and, yes, bidding down the wages of our own young people and our other people who are trying to struggle right now to get by. No, what the President has done is watch out for the right young people: Americans. prgtoken Yes, we have had millions of people--in fact, for the last few years, over a million people--legally immigrate into our country. We have nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to apolog
FINANCIAL STABILITY OVERSIGHT COUNCIL INSURANCE MEMBER CONTINUITY ACT
Randy Hultgren (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-9-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 3110, the Financial Stability Oversight Council Insurance Member Continuity Act. I am proud to sponsor this legislation, which is a technical, but extremely important, correction to the Dodd-Frank Act. prgtoken I am very grateful for the support of my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee for helping advance this bill. I especially want to thank Ranking Member Waters, the lead cosponsor. In fact, we were able to unanimously report this bill out of committee 60 votes to zero when it was marked up in July. prgtoken The bill amends the Dodd-Frank Act to allow the Financial Stability Oversight Council's independent member with insurance expertise to remain a voting member of the council beyond his or her term until a successor is appointed. The extended term would conclude at the earlier of either 18 months or until Senate confirmation of a successor. prgtoken The Financial Stability Oversight Council, or FSOC, was created as part of the Dodd-Frank Act. The general purpose of this regulatory body is to provide a forum for discussion of our financial markets and coordination of financial regulations when appropriate. prgtoken Under existing law, the 10 voting members of the FSOC include an independent member with insurance expertise who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The independent member is the only member appointed by the President to specifically serve on the council and is the only voting member which is expected to have insurance expertise. prgtoken Dodd-Frank established a 6-year term for the independent member whose term expires on September 30, 2017. Absent the appointment and confirmation of a successor, the expiration of the independent member's term would leave the council without a voting member who has insurance expertise because Dodd-Frank did not make clear if the position can be filled by an acting official. prgtoken My legislation is about ensuring that the FSOC is able to benefit from the perspective of a voting member with insurance expertise without any unnecessary lapses, or to quote a letter that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners sent to the ranking member and me: ``It is important that the council have members that have a deep understanding of the unique aspects of the insurance industry and our State-based insurance regulatory system.'' prgtoken I couldn't agree more. In the case of Illinois, we have a very robust insurance market because of the carefully crafted regulatory system we have developed. This allows great companies to thrive and protects the interests of their policyholders. This might not be the case if the FSOC lacks sufficient understanding of our insurance markets and regulatory system. prgtoken What was not intended by Dodd-Frank is for the position to be vacant while the President and Senate work to confirm a new appointee. Other voti