mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-2-8

I am very honored to be a Member in this Chamber of the House of Representatives, very proud to have been blessed to be born an American citizen, and very proud to be raised by my immigrant parents in this great country in a community called Pacoima. prgtoken , I rise today in celebration of Black History Month. prgtoken My neighborhood of Pacoima has a long and rich history of wonderful, beautiful, amazing Black Americans, untold stories and uncelebrated heroes who have shaped the San Fernando Valley and my neighborhood of Pacoima, the community I call home, the community in which my immigrant parents raised my 10 brothers and sisters and me. prgtoken This is the community that gave us our first Latino United States Senator to represent the great State of California, Senator Alex Padilla. prgtoken A little-known fact is that the first Congressmember from Pacoima and San Fernando High School is my esteemed colleague, the Honorable Barbara Lee. As a teenager, Congresswoman Barbara Lee began her activism when she refused to accept the segregation of her high school cheerleading squad. prgtoken Rather than accept this injustice, she challenged the White majority school and turned to the local chapter of the prgtoken NAACP to advocate to allow minorities the opportunity to be cheerleaders. prgtoken Congresswoman Lee was victorious and won the right to cheer for her school. She was the first African-American cheerleader in the history of our high school, San Fernando High School. She is now a champion for justice as a United States Congresswoman. prgtoken The history of Black Americans in Pacoima dates back to World War II. Following the war, due to racist redline policies, African-American families were only able to purchase homes in communities such as Compton in South Los Angeles, Sun Village in the high desert, and Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley. prgtoken By 1960, almost all of the 10,000 African Americans in the San Fernando Valley lived in Pacoima. This community became the center of African-American life in the San Fernando Valley. Pacoima was known as California's first Black suburb. prgtoken One of the examples was the development of the Joe Louis Homes. These homes were the only hope and opportunity for African Americans to have home ownership. These homes were named after the former heavyweight boxing champion whose name was used as a ruse to steer Black buyers to Pacoima. Joe Louis had little or nothing to do with these real estate developments. But from this, African Americans living in Pacoima set the foundation of the beautiful community that I call home. prgtoken It is a history filled with heartbreak and tragedy, hope and inspiration. Pacoima's Black history is a thread that keeps our community together. prgtoken I will use this opportunity to spotlight community leaders that are the cornerstone of our history of Pacoima, religious leaders like the Broadous family. prgtoken The Broadous name is embe
TERMINATING CDC REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FOREIGN TRAVELERS
Jared F. Golden (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise to offer an amendment on behalf of Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington to ensure that prgtoken the underlying bill does not risk the public health and safety of the American people in the future. prgtoken Like many of my colleagues across the aisle, I support ending the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international travelers at this time but doing so in the interest of our constituents' safety in mind, first and foremost. prgtoken Today, this COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international travelers is no longer necessary. In fact, it has become an unnecessary barrier for visitors who would boost local economies and who want to visit with friends and family and reunite with loved ones. However, we should remember that at the beginning of the pandemic, this requirement served as an important protection for our constituents. It would be shortsighted to move to hamstring similar future actions, if necessary. prgtoken That is why Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez and I support this amendment, which strikes the prohibition on successor or subsequent requirements for air travelers so that future administrations, whether they be or , have the tools that they need to protect the American people. prgtoken We are not here to subject the health and safety of our constituents to political whims here in Washington. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to work with my colleague on this amendment, and I urge all of our colleagues to support it. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
TERMINATING CDC REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FOREIGN TRAVELERS
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken The reason I am opposed to the amendment is because I don't think it is necessary or is even helpful to the issue at hand. It talks about a report on the number of visitors denied entry under this policy. prgtoken The fact of the matter is that, on the ic side, what we are concerned about is the public health. If the gentlewoman wanted to have an amendment that said there would be a report that provides us with public health data to justify lifting the mandate, I could see something like that because the bottom line here is we are concerned about the science. prgtoken The CDC says that this mandate is necessary to protect Americans, to reduce the COVID cases, to make sure that people don't get sick and that more people are hospitalized and be taxing on our public health system. So I don't see how this amendment that talks about the number of visitors gets to any of that. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment, and .
REMOVING A CERTAIN MEMBER FROM A CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Madam , I rise today in strong opposition to H. Res. 76--Removing a certain Member from a certain standing committee of the House. prgtoken H. Res. 76 is a brazen, hypocritical and offensive effort to oust Rep. Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. prgtoken Once again, McCarthy and House s are putting extreme political stunts over solving the actual problems facing the American people. prgtoken In modern American history, the punishment of stripping Members of Congress of their committee assignments has been reserved for only the most egregious wrongdoers: those convicted or indicted on corruption, bribery, sexual misconduct, encouraging violence, and other grave charges. prgtoken This pure partisan move to strip Ilhan Omar from her committee is not only a political stunt, but also a blow to the integrity of our democratic institutions and a threat to national security. prgtoken We're thankful to Leader Jeffries for taking up this fight--if s want to degrade the integrity of the House and its committees, will always stand up against those efforts. prgtoken These antics are meant to suppress the work of Omar--simply because s in Congress don't like her and her views, all while claiming that they respect and welcome differing opinions. prgtoken Questioning someone's objective decision making is the most illegitimate litmus test for serving on a committee. prgtoken We know this is true because the has admitted in a fundraising appeal that he was ``firing'' her because of her ``antics.'' prgtoken Ultimately, this is just the latest chapter in the 's bargain with extreme MAGA s. prgtoken The could not become without the support of extremist members and removing Omar from the House Foreign Affairs committee is the price he was all-too-eager to pay. prgtoken This is political vengeance for investigating and speaking truth about the twice-impeached former president. prgtoken The ramifications for the American public, our national security, and foreign relations are real. prgtoken Omar is an experienced, knowledgeable legislator, who has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee for the past two terms, committees and has lived experience and expertise in. prgtoken Omar is a child survivor of war who lived in a refugee camp. Omar is the first African-born member to serve as a Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, and brings a wealth of lived experiences to the panel. prgtoken Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Paul Gosar were removed from their committees last session on a bipartisan basis for encouraging violence against their colleagues, even after a deadly insurrection. prgtoken In February 2021, just a month after she was sworn into Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to censure and remove Greene from her committee assignme
CELEBRATING THE 90TH MILESTONE OF MRS. YOLANDA KELLY HENRY
Troy A. Carter (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2023-2-8

today I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding, cherished public servant from my home State of Louisiana who is celebrating her 90th birthday. Mrs. Yolanda Kelly Henry was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 4, 1933. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and later moved to Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Henry eventually returned to New Orleans to make this her home where she and her husband, Clarence ``Chink'' Henry, Jr. raised their 4 children: Rodney E. Henry, Clarence ``Chink'' Henry, III, Sherlyn Henry Lambert, and Marvin A. Henry. prgtoken Mrs. Henry has been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated for more than 40 years. She was initiated into the Zeta Theta Chapter in the mid-1970s, at Southern University New Orleans, where she was a full-time student and mother of 4. She was active in the chapter until graduation. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from SUNO. She immediately enrolled into a master's program at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she received a Master Degree in Counseling. prgtoken She counseled many families throughout the Greater New Orleans area during her career at the Office of Community Services, an office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. At her precious age, Mrs. Henry has remained an active member of the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood Association for the past 65 years. Her love of serving her City, the community and others does not stop there. She is a member of the National Black Social Workers Association, the SUNO Alumni Association, and Bethany United Methodist Church Women's Association. prgtoken I am humbled to pay tribute to such a great culture community leader and fighter for all, who has done so much to improve the lives of countless residents across my district. So many people's lives are enriched because of the love and passion she expresses daily in touching them along the way. I pray that she remains in good health and continue to spread joy and love to her family, friends and our beloved District. Happy 90th birthday to Mrs. Yolanda Kelly Henry, and may she live to see many more.
CELEBRATING THE MARVIN GROUP'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise today to acknowledge a significant anniversary for a company that is important to my District and our great country. On February 10, 2023, the Marvin Engineering Company will celebrate 60 years as one of our Nation's leading manufacturers of armament equipment. prgtoken What started as a small, modest machine shop in Inglewood, California, has grown into one of the most successful defense contracting companies in the world. The Marvin Group supports all branches of our military and major prime contractors, and it sells products in more than 30 countries worldwide. Thanks to the gifted leadership of founder Marvin Gussman, his wife Madeline, their partner Jerry Friedman, current CEO Howard Gussman, and President David Gussman, Marvin Engineering and its parent company, The Marvin Group, are major employers in California's 43rd Congressional District and Southern California in general. prgtoken The Marvin Group's business philosophy, its extensive capabilities, and Jerry Friedman investing a significant amount of time in Washington, DC, allowed The Marvin Group to launch Marvin Land Systems in 1995, Marvin Test Solutions in 1997, and Clean Water Technologies in 2002, all of which have expanded their customer base. In addition to the manufacturing of large aero structures, The Marvin Group produces ejector racks, missile launchers, aircraft pylons and other auxiliary equipment. It has also successfully developed its own proprietary state-of-the-art systems for advanced aircraft. With its expansion into land and sea-based platforms, including the Flyer tactical strike vehicle, The Marvin Group has won competitions and contracts from the defense departments of many of our Nation's allies around the world. I have a decades-long relationship with the management of The Marvin Group and am proud to note that they are a great corporate citizen with extensive community service involvement in Inglewood and Los Angeles. They are particularly supportive of the Hirschberg Foundation's pancreatic cancer research in honor of Marvin Gussman. The future is most definitely bright for this innovative and responsible company. prgtoken As the leadership and more than 1,000 employees of The Marvin Group gather to acknowledge this major milestone, I am proud to bring their accomplishments to the attention of the American people.
CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY HOUSE OF BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, UPON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise today to celebrate The Community House in Birmingham, Michigan, upon its 100th year serving the region. Over the last century, Birmingham has distinguished itself as a destination for families who are seeking a welcoming, tight-knit community. The Community House has been instrumental in cultivating the City's reputation of excellence, and it is an honor to join with friends and neighbors in celebrating 100 years in Birmingham. prgtoken Since 1923, The Community House has evolved to fit the needs of the growing region. This nonprofit organization has brought together tens of thousands of residents, been home to dozens of charities, and hosted hundreds of classes since its formation. The Community House has welcomed folks of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, holding a special place in the hearts of many individuals who have found it to be a second home. prgtoken Despite the rapid changes that have shaped our society over the past century, The Community House's role in the community has remained unchanged as ``the official center of charitable endeavors . . . to promulgate the social, educational, civic and philanthropic life of the village.'' Its mission as ``home to those seeking continuity between personal, professional, philanthropic, and recreational pursuits'' showcases the admirable values that guide the organization and reveals an important vision for its future. Our community is better because of The Community House's work over the past century, and it is an exciting opportunity to extend best wishes as the organization embarks upon its next exciting chapter. prgtoken , the work done by this local nonprofit has shaped the lives of countless individuals, and its efforts certainly extend beyond the bounds of Southeast Michigan and into the larger region and Nation. It is an honor to recognize The Community House of Birmingham upon its 100 years of contributions to the community, and I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of Michigan's 11th Congressional District in celebrating this remarkable organization.
DANGERS OF E-CIGARETTES
Shontel M. Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise today to emphasize the importance of closing the disposable e-cigarette loophole to continue our progress in reducing youth e-cigarette use. prgtoken The danger disposable e-cigarettes pose to our young people cannot be underestimated. Currently, it is estimated that more than 700,000 middle and high school students vape on a daily basis--more than 700,000. prgtoken Use of disposable e-cigarettes by our youth has increased by more than 2,000 percent since 2019. Although disguised with flavors like apple and strawberry, the truth is that a single e-cigarette can have the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. prgtoken A loophole left by the previous administration excludes e-cigarettes and disposable e-cigarette products from the tobacco flavoring guidelines, which are at the heart of this epidemic. prgtoken Closing the -era loophole will ensure the flavor ban applies to disposable e-cigarettes. Keeping America's youth safe and healthy depends on it.
RECORD-BREAKING NUMBER OF NEW JOBS
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-2-8

as we heard last night at the State of the Union Address, President 's first 2 years delivered a record-breaking number of new jobs. In total, 12 million new jobs were created for hardworking Americans. I repeat that: 12 million new jobs. prgtoken That is as many jobs in 2 years as any President has created in a 4- year term. America also has seen the lowest unemployment rate, at 3.4 percent, since 54 years ago. prgtoken The administration fought hard to deliver big results for Medicare and other programs to help seniors and working families. were able to make changes that will help millions of Americans by lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare patients. prgtoken The following improvements have also taken place. prgtoken Insulin has been capped at $35 per month for Medicare patients. Mr that strikes home because we have a lot of diabetes in my own family. prgtoken Medicare can now negotiate the price of high-cost drugs, which further drops prices. We also provide additional free vaccines, including for shingles, pneumonia, and hepatitis, under the Medicare program. prgtoken On top of all this, we expanded the Affordable Care Act, which will lower premiums for 13 million Americans. prgtoken The President's economic agenda is generating investments across the country and revitalizing communities left behind. prgtoken We are giving families more breathing room and standing up for workers by banning noncompete agreements; rewarding work, not wealth; and fighting to ensure that everyone can earn a living wage. prgtoken For the next 2 years, will work together to fight for our hardworking families. The President knows that we must finish the job with affordable childcare, home care, sick leave, paid leave, and the child tax credit. prgtoken , we must put people over politics and solutions over rhetoric.
REMEMBERING PARKLAND TRAGEDY
Jared Moskowitz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise today to remind this body of the 5-year anniversary of the shooting at my high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, in my hometown of Parkland on February 14, and the 17 lives we lost that day. prgtoken I remember that day like it was yesterday. My wife called. I was on the floor of the Florida legislature, and she told me that she had just passed the high school, and she had never seen that many police officers in her life. prgtoken We would soon find out that 17 people didn't make it out of the building, most of them children. I went home. I went to the school. I saw what it looks like when a mass shooting comes to your neighborhood, to your high school. prgtoken I went to the hotel where they were keeping the families of the children that were missing. I knew they weren't missing. Eight hours those families were in a hotel ballroom waiting to hear from the local police department and the FBI what floor their kid died on in the building. prgtoken I didn't hear crying. I heard screaming. It haunts me. prgtoken I brought my colleagues to the school from the Florida legislature, s and . They got to see what it looks like when backpacks are piled up outside, when bullet holes are trying to go through classroom glass, what it looks like when homework is scattered in the hallway and where there is blood outside the front door where someone passed away. prgtoken These parents now have empty rooms in their homes, empty chairs at the dinner table. There is no graduation. There is no college. There is no wedding. There is no tomorrow, no future. prgtoken My 4-year-old went to school right around the corner from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, one traffic light away. He was in a writing class that day because he needed to learn how to write his name. The teacher that put him into a closet when they went into a lockdown procedure during the shooting was Jen Guttenberg, Fred Guttenberg's wife. She was protecting my son when her daughter Jaime was killed at Douglas. prgtoken Five years later, my 4-year-old is now 9, but Jaime and the other kids are forever the age they were. She is forever 14. prgtoken On February 14 of this year, the 5-year anniversary of the shooting at Parkland, parents will do what they have been doing for the last 5 years, visiting their children at a cemetery. prgtoken I remember the parents telling me that the only thing they did wrong that day was send their kid to school. That is not a statement. It is an indictment on us. Government failed those families that day. prgtoken We did respond. We did pass the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act. We did raise the age in Florida to buy any gun to 21. We did institute red flag laws that have been used 9,000 times since we put them there. We did place more school resource officers and prgtoken mental health counselors in all of the high schools. We passed that on a bipartisan basis. We passed it with and s. It was si
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE
Lizzie Fletcher (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Madam , for 1\1/2\ years now, people in Texas who are able to do so have been traveling out of State to obtain abortion care, and now that 15 other States have banned abortion, more people are traveling even farther to get the reproductive healthcare that they need. prgtoken In response to this exercise of the constitutional right to travel, lawmakers and others in Texas--and in States across the country--are threatening to take away that right, too. prgtoken These threats fail not only to reflect the will of the majority of people in this country, these threats fail to recognize the fundamental rights of Americans guaranteed in our Constitution. prgtoken Congress has the authority and the responsibility to protect people from these unconstitutional efforts to prevent, restrict, impede, or otherwise punish a person traveling to another State to obtain a legal abortion and to protect healthcare providers and others who assist that person. prgtoken Last week, I reintroduced the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act which passed this House last year with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and more than 150 original cosponsors. prgtoken Madam , I urge the House to pass this bill, once again, to protect this fundamental right.