mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2019
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-12

I rise in strong support of the Protecting America's Wilderness Act. prgtoken This bill includes a number of worthy initiatives to expand and protect our national heritage, and I am very pleased and grateful that the legislation includes the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, a bill I have been working on for nearly 20 years. prgtoken The Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act would expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the lands known as the Rim of the Valley. This includes Simi Hills, Santa Susana Mountains, Verdugo Mountains, part of Santa Clarita, San Gabriel Mountain foothills, the Los Angeles River, and Griffith Park, all important green spaces in the greater Los Angeles region, one of the park-poorest regions in the country. prgtoken By expanding the national recreation area, the National Park Service will have the authority to make capital improvements, like repairing hiking trails and maintaining facilities for public enjoyment, studying wildlife and its habitats, and participating in cooperative conservation with local landowners. It will help ensure wildlife corridors that allow Los Angelinos to experience lions, bears, and other precious wildlife in their own backyard. prgtoken Protecting and embracing our national spaces is very important to me personally. I come from a hiking family. My wife, Eve, and I love to go on hiking trips with our friends or when we can steal away during the summer, evening hikes through Griffith Park. From time to time, I like to run alone in the Verdugos, with a little extra pace at certain points, knowing that one of P-22's mountain lion friends might be watching me from the tall grass. prgtoken Last week, I asked my constituents to send some reflections about what the Rim of the Valley means to them, along with their favorite pictures of the natural beauty of our region, and you can see just a sampling of the beautiful vistas that they sent behind me. prgtoken I want to say, I think my constituent Donald from Sunland put it best when he said: ``I appreciate how the calm beauty of undeveloped nature replenishes my spirits. Everyone, including future generations, should be able to access unspoiled nature.'' prgtoken We owe it to ourselves and our children and grandchildren to safeguard these treasures. The Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act plays an important role in this effort. prgtoken I want to thank Chairman Grijalva and his staff for their work on this legislation. I want to thank my colleague, Diana DeGette. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2546.
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2019
Kim Schrier (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-2-12

. Mr. Chair, as much time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, first, I would like to applaud the work of my colleagues, Representative Kilmer and Representative DeGette, for all the hard work they have done on this underlying, very important bill. It is a great bill for Washington, and I will be supporting it. Protecting wilderness areas is so important to maintain Washington's beautiful environment for future generations. prgtoken My amendment to the bill is very simple. It requires the Government Accountability Office to study how preserving wilderness lands can help reduce flood risks in residential areas. prgtoken The area in this photo is practically in my backyard. Over the past week, Washington State has experienced severe winter storms. The Governor of Washington State recently issued an emergency proclamation for 25 counties due to flooding and winter weather. Three of those counties, Kittitas, King, and Pierce, are located in the Eighth Congressional District, my congressional district. prgtoken In my district, these storms largely took the form of excessive rain and flooding. They caused landslides on a highway that cut off access to the Greenwater community and Crystal Mountain, Washington's largest ski area, which was closed for 4 days in a very busy, typical weekend period. prgtoken In Issaquah, here, down the road from one of my district offices, the Eastside Fire Department evacuated apartment buildings that were in proximity to a creek that had breached its banks and had water rushing through the parking lot and under the building. prgtoken In Fall City, a town that has two roads in and out, there is a slow- moving landslide underneath one of those roads, and the road has started to separate. Residents have been encouraged to evacuate so they are not at risk of being isolated in this town. prgtoken As we continue to confront climate change, we need to holistically consider our approaches to wilderness and public lands. Preservation of our public lands is just one tool at our disposal to help mitigate the impacts of flooding. We need to let nature do what nature does best: soak up water and prevent land from moving and turning into a landslide or mudslide during a flooding event. prgtoken Climate change science shows that our region will experience heavier, more intense rainfall and increased rain-on-snow events that will increase the risk of flooding. prgtoken Comprehensive watershed level planning, from the headwaters in wild and public lands all the way down to our towns and cities, is critical if we are going to address the myriad challenges facing so many of our communities, from flooding to salmon habitat restoration, to expanding recreation and outdoor access. prgtoken As we think on a watershed scale, wilderness areas in the Eighth Congressional District and across the State help protect the headwaters of our watersheds. prgtoken A little further downhill, we have collaborative gr
RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAKU POGROMS
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-2-12

. Madam , I rise in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Baku Pogroms against Christian Armenians that took place from 1988 to 1990. In February 1988, the Armenian population in Soviet-controlled Azerbaijan became the victim of racially motived, violent pogroms that started after peaceful protests took place against Moscow's arbitrary separation of Armenia and decades of repression and discrimination. The violence began with the Sumgait pogroms in February of 1988, and continued in Kirovabad (November 1988), and Baku (January 1990). Following this, the Armenian community suffered through a failed war of aggression by Baku to subjugate the people of Artsakh. prgtoken During this time, hundreds of Armenian civilians were killed, raped, beaten, maimed, and expelled from their homes for no reason other than their ethnicity. These hateful acts were fueled by anti-Armenian rhetoric from Azerbaijani officials and citizens. These pogroms were part of a systemic effort to ethnically cleanse Azerbaijan of Armenians and to send a message to Armenians to stop challenging Soviet Azerbaijani authorities. prgtoken For over 30 years, Azerbaijan has attempted to cover up these crimes against humanity and has propped up the perpetrators of the Baku and Sumgait Pogroms as national heroes. It is critical that the United States government recognize and denounce this ethnically motivated violence and attacks on innocent children, women, and men in Armenian communities. prgtoken We must all be aware of the history of violence targeting the Armenian people. I am grateful that the State of Illinois emphasizes Armenian genocide education and I will work with my colleagues to promote legislation to help facilitate more states doing the same. We must ensure that the victims of the Sumgait and Baku pogroms are never forgotten and that such hateful acts of violence never happen again. We must remain committed to achieving a lasting peace in the Caucasus, and ensure that the people of Artsakh are able to live free from Azerbaijani abuse and aggression.
TRIBUTE TO JIM BYRUM
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-12

I rise today to recognize Mr. Jim Byrum's term of service as president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, as well as his contributions to Michigan's agriculture industry as a whole. prgtoken Jim was born and raised in Onondaga, MI, the fourth generation of his family to live on the family farm. He maintained his passion for agriculture by spending his career advocating for individuals in the industry and the industry itself, first as the executive director of the Michigan Bean Commission, then as the State executive director of the Michigan Farm Service Agency, and finally as the president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. prgtoken Founded in 1903, the Michigan Agri-Business Association supports Michigan agriculture through State and national education, promotion, and advocacy. During his 24 years as president, Mr. Byrum has guided the association and its members through expansive changes in environmental awareness, agricultural genetics, and economic factors. With his past experience and in prgtoken his role as head of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Mr. Byrum solidified his reputation as a well-respected leader in agricultural policy and, through the association, represented and championed the needs of the over 500 member organizations from every agricultural sector in Michigan. He expertly communicated with lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure that Michigan remained a leader in agriculture, the State's second largest industry. prgtoken It is my honor to congratulate my friend Jim Byrum for his decades of service to Michiganders, especially in his outgoing role as president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. As the association reflects on the end of Mr. Byrum's term as President, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him for his tireless dedication to Michigan's hard-working agricultural workers and all of us who depend on the goods and services they provide.
TRUMP'S VISION FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE IS BLEAK
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-2-12

on Monday, the administration released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2021. It was titled ``A Budget for America's Future,'' but its vision for that future is bleak. prgtoken Its vision of the future is the true American carnage that President described in his inaugural address. It envisions an America that is less than it can or should be. prgtoken It envisions an America where working families are left to struggle while the wealthy continue to prosper. Rather than expanding economic opportunity to all, it would force families to choose between food and other essentials by cutting nutrition assistance by $182 billion so more children and more people would go hungry in America, the richest nation on the face of the Earth. prgtoken It would completely eliminate the Community Development Block Grant, which helps local communities keep millions out of poverty. prgtoken Rather than ensuring healthcare is accessible to all, this budget cuts Medicaid by $900 billion and slashes Medicare by half a trillion dollars, even though the President promised he would never touch the program's funding from that podium just a few days ago. prgtoken It would also cut research into lifesaving cures at the National Institutes of Health by $3.3 billion--penny-wise, pound-foolish. It cuts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by more than half a billion dollars, at a moment when we need to protect our people against the coronavirus and other public health threats. prgtoken , a true budget for America's future wouldn't increase the cost of attending college, as this budget does, by cutting student loan programs by $170 billion. The education of our young people is our greatest investment in a successful future. prgtoken This budget discourages those who want to serve their communities by eliminating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. It would slash the Department of Education's budget by $5.6 billion this year alone, while eliminating after-school programs for kids. Kids would be less safe, less educated. prgtoken Ignoring another of his pledges, this time on infrastructure, President 's budget proposes cutting the Department of Transportation by 13 percent this year and reducing funding for the Army Corps of Engineers by 22 percent, both agencies that deal with infrastructure. prgtoken It proposes a future devoid of innovation, as well, eliminating several programs that fund and promote research and innovation to support advanced manufacturing, new energy technologies, and entrepreneurship. On all of those, the President's budget sounds the trumpet of retreat. prgtoken This budget promotes a future that is less secure by reducing funding for public diplomacy and foreign aid. For 3 years now, and in our fourth year, our public diplomacy has been put at risk. prgtoken Moreover, this budget extends the 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy, while once again asserting the debunked and discredited theory that
VALENTINES FOR VETERANS
Joseph D. Morelle (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-12

it can be easy to feel disheartened in Washington amid the partisan strife and bitter political division. I want to take a moment to change that narrative and thank my district for their profound display of community. prgtoken My office is leading a Valentines for Veterans drive this week, which encourages members of our community to make valentines for those who have bravely served our Nation. The number of heartfelt cards we have seen thanking our servicemembers for their commitment to this country has been truly heartening. prgtoken I would like to especially give a shout-out to the students in my district whose classes have dropped off a number of incredibly creative cards: Ms. Walsh's fourth grade class at Northside School in Fairport; the Klem North Elementary School in Webster; TLC Adventure in Child Care daycare; the Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy in Rochester; the Mary Cariola Center; and my granddaughter Harper's class at Paddy Hill Elementary School in Greece. prgtoken I am so proud of our Nation's veterans and of our community for coming together in such a touching display of support for them.
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2019
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-2-12

the balance of my time to close. prgtoken , wilderness is not owned by me, it is not owned by any Member on the other side of the aisle, and it is not owned by any Members of Congress. It is owned by the people. It is owned by the people of this country and future generations of this country. That is why we are the stewards of this wilderness. prgtoken These are Federal lands, and I have heard some of my colleagues on the other side in this debate say: Well, some county commissioner doesn't support it; some Member doesn't support it. prgtoken It doesn't matter. These Federal lands belong to the public. In fact, last October in Colorado there was a poll done of the areas that are impacted in my portion of the wilderness bill. This poll found that 71 percent of the people in the affected areas--the citizens, the people who use this land for economic development and recreation--believe that these wilderness study areas should be made permanent and that they should be made into wilderness. That is whom I believe. prgtoken I want to tell you one more story, , and that is the story about in August when I went down to Cortez, Colorado, near three of the wilderness areas in my bill. One of the county commissioners, Mr. Ertel, testified in Congress that he represents that area. prgtoken Do you know something? prgtoken In Cortez, Colorado, the city council and the mayor support the bill. At a townhall meeting I had, there were 75 people. Sixty-five of them raised their hands when I asked if they supported the bill. That is who supports this bill, that is who this is for, and that is whom we need to think about and listen to as we pass this legislation. prgtoken The areas in this bill all have strong wilderness characteristics, and we owe it to our children, to our grandchildren, and to our great- grandchildren to take bold action right now and preserve them. prgtoken I just want to take a minute and thank everybody who has been involved with this bill: obviously, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Grijalva, his staff, Chris Rackens, Brandon Bragato, Henry Wykowski, Cameron Walkup, and Lily Wang; and my staff who have worked on this bill for over 20 years now, Lisa Cohen, my Chief of Staff; Kaila Hood, Matt Allen, Tom Woodburn, and Marc Rehmann, all of whom have worked their guts out for this, as well as many other staffers past and present. prgtoken Finally, I want to thank the citizens who brought this bill to me to begin with and who continue to work their hearts out every day to preserve our wild places; in particular, John Stansfield of Wild Connections who can't be with us today, and Mark Pearson of San Juan Wilderness--who the last time I saw him, he was sitting on a cliff high up in one of my wilderness areas and is now sitting in the gallery watching us pass this historic legislation. prgtoken It truly is a labor of love, and I look forward to telling my grandchil
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2020-2-12

our Presiding Officer, if I am not mistaken, is a veteran himself--I want to say Army. Navy salutes Army. Different uniform, same team. prgtoken I want to express my thanks to Senator Whitehouse for his comments relating to the Vietnam war. I stand before you as the last Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Senate, with the death of John McCain. prgtoken I had the privilege of leading a bipartisan congressional delegation--three , three s--back to Southeast Asia to try to find out what happened to our MIAs in 1991--Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. One of the people with me in that delegation--amazing meetings we had with the brandnew leader of Vietnam, a Gorbachev-like character with whom we met during that visit. We carried with us to Southeast Asia on that trip a roadmap to normalize relations between the United States and Vietnam. Vietnam by that time was not North Vietnam, South Vietnam. Out of our meetings, we started something that went really well and led to normalizing relations. John McCain worked it here and John Kerry worked it here in the Senate. A bipartisan codel worked it in the House. prgtoken One of the members in the codel was a former POW--was Air Force, shot down over Vietnam, POW for 5 or 6 years--named Pete Peterson. He was a longtime friend and still is my friend. He became the first U.S. Ambassador to a united Vietnam all those years ago. prgtoken I know every time I run down to the Lincoln Memorial and I run back to the Capitol, I run past the Vietnam prgtoken Memorial with the names of 58,000 brothers and sisters with whom I served all those years ago. prgtoken So I want to express my thanks to Senator Whitehouse for raising up our colleagues, my brothers and sisters, as he just did. Clean Economy Act of 2020 prgtoken , I rise today with a message to our colleagues and to this world we inhabit: Climate change has become the greatest threat to our planet. There are others, but this is the greatest. prgtoken This image right next to me was designed by climate scientist Ed Hawkins. From left to right, these are called warming stripes. In fact, this work of art is called ``Warming Stripes.'' It visualizes our planet's annual average temperature from 1850 over here to 2018 over there, going from deep blue to a brilliant orange and red. prgtoken What this design fails to capture is just how menacing these rising temperatures have been and will continue to be for our planet and what this means for all of us who inhabit this planet today and will in the years to come. prgtoken Our rising seas are already at the highest levels ever recorded. Our Nation's leading scientists have warned us that if we fail to start seriously reducing carbon emissions now, by the end of this century, we may well witness sea levels rise another 6 feet. I am 6 feet tall. Another 6 feet of sea level rise puts a large part of the United States and, frankly, othe
War Powers Resolution (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-2-12

last week the Senate concluded the impeachment proceeding. I heard one of my colleagues say it is the most serious thing that the U.S. Senate has the constitutional authority to do. That argument can be made, but I would disagree. prgtoken I think the most serious thing we are assigned under the Constitution is the declaration of war because, you see, it isn't just a matter of the political fate of any individual; it is the matter of the lives of many good people in America who serve in our Armed Forces, who may be in danger if we decide to go to war. Even under the best circumstances, a quick and effective war can lead to the deaths of brave and innocent Americans who are simply serving their country. That is why the comments made by the majority leader this morning need to be responded to. prgtoken His suggestion that Senator Kaine's War Powers Resolution is a mistake, I think, really ignores the obvious. It has been 18 years-- almost 18 years--since Congress and the Senate had an active debate about the United States engaging in war. I remember that debate in 2002 very well because it was a debate that consumed the attention of the Senate, the House, and the Nation over whether we would invade Iraq and whether we would invade Afghanistan. prgtoken Most of us remember the argument made by the administration for the invasion of Iraq. We were told there were weapons of mass destruction in that country that could threaten the prgtoken neighbors of Iraq, our allies, and even the United States. Over and over again we heard that phrase, ``weapons of mass destruction,'' ``weapons of mass destruction.'' prgtoken I was serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee at that time. I remember the classified testimony behind closed doors. I had serious doubts in my mind as to whether they had established that weapons of mass destruction actually existed and whether authorizing a war meant we would just use that as a device to force Iraq into better conduct or we would actually invade their country. prgtoken As a consequence, I joined 22 other Senators in voting against the invasion of Iraq, which we voted on the floor of the Senate in 2002. Twenty-two and one all voted against that invasion of Iraq. Obviously, we did not prevail. A majority gave that authority to President , and the invasion was underway. I can still remember it. prgtoken I can remember the unfolding events as our troops arrived, made their impact on that nation, and eventually took control of Iraq. prgtoken Then the search was on for the weapons of mass destruction, which led to our invasion of Iraq. The search continued for days and weeks and months without any evidence of weapons of mass destruction. It was a farce. It was a fraud on the American public. Almost 5,000 Americans lost their lives because of our invasion of Iraq, but the premise, the pretense that led to that invasion was misleading infor
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-2-12

. Madam , in 1970 in this very Chamber the first African American woman elected to Congress, Shirley Chisholm, said: prgtoken There is an unspoken assumption that women are different. Artificial distinctions between persons must be wiped out of the law. prgtoken Congresswoman Chisholm was calling for the passage of the equal rights amendment. Fifty years later and a century after securing the right to vote, I stand before you, Madam , with the same call to action. prgtoken I stand before you as a Member of the 116th Congress with the greatest proportion of women Members in our history and a female , but yet as a woman, my rights remain unprotected in the Constitution. prgtoken The majority of Americans are women, but yet our Constitution does not fully and explicitly include our mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, and neighbors. prgtoken Our Constitution is not just a founding document. It is a foundational document to equality under the law. It is time to reflect the truths that have become self-evident, that all people are created equal. It is time to pass the equal rights amendment.