mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROMOTING A RESOLUTION TO THE TIBET-CHINA DISPUTE ACT
Young Kim (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 533, Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act. prgtoken This year marks the 65th anniversary of the exile of the Dalai Lama. prgtoken The Tibetan people have suffered 70 years of Chinese Communist Party oppression and control. From forced labor, forced sterilization, arbitrary detention, the banning of Tibetan education, religious practices, and language, the CCP will not stop until it has erased Tibetan culture. prgtoken Last year, the CCP released a white paper on its policies in Tibet. In that document, the party doubles down on its oppression and crackdown on the religious and economic freedom of Tibetans. prgtoken That is why I am a proud cosponsor of this bipartisan bill, introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee (Mr. McCaul). prgtoken The CCP has refused to speak with the Tibetan Central Authorities since 2010, essentially putting the future of Tibet, and the safety of millions of Tibetans, at suspended risk. prgtoken This bill helps Tibetans in two main ways: prgtoken First, it pushes back against CCP propaganda about the history of Tibet. It is simply not true that Tibet has been, as the CCP claims, a ``part of China since ancient times.'' U.S. policy has never accepted that false claim. prgtoken For that reason, this legislation clarifies U.S. policy, highlights the unique language, religion, and culture of the Tibetan people, and directs U.S. diplomats to push back against CCP propaganda. prgtoken Second, this bill ensures that Tibetans have a say in their own future. It stresses the need for a direct dialogue between the CCP and the democratically elected leaders of Tibet, and that any resolution must be peaceful and include the voice of the Tibetan people. prgtoken Tibetans are democracy-loving people who wish to freely practice their religion and have their distinct identity acknowledged and respected. prgtoken Madam , I am proud to play a small part in supporting this dream for the Tibetan people. I urge all my colleagues to help push back against the Chinese Communist Party's crackdown against the Tibetan people by voting in favor of this bill. prgtoken Madam , I strongly support H.R. 533, and .
RECOGNIZING MS. KAREN KING
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today to recognize Ms. Karen King for her dedicated service to the California public transit industry and to congratulate her on her well-earned retirement from the Golden Empire Transit District. Ms. King's career in public transit began in 1976 at the Utah Transit Authority. Ten years later, Ms. King joined Long Beach Transit as a Grants Administrator. She quickly moved up the leadership ranks, and in 1995 was named Executive Director of Transportation. In 1998, Ms. King worked for the North San Diego County Transit Development as the Director of Development and Communications Services and was selected as the agency's Executive Director in 2001. In 2008, Ms. King moved to Bakersfield where she became the Chief Executive Officer of the Golden Empire Transit District. During her tenure as CEO, Ms. King has been steadfast in her commitment to meeting the transportation needs of all Bakersfield residents. She helped develop and implement the On-Demand Microtransit service program, which was first piloted in southwest Bakersfield and has since expanded across the city. The program increases transportation access for all residents by offering low-cost transportation to residents traveling to popular destinations in the city. Ms. King has directed other initiatives including a partnership with Kern Health Systems to provide rides to appointments for the more than 300,000 members of Kern Family Health Care. Ms. King is also coordinating the Long Range Operational Service Analysis, which aims to improve local transportation and return ridership to pre-pandemic levels. Ms. King has been recognized at the local, state, and national levels for her leadership in the public transit industry. She is the Vice Chair of the California Transit Association (CTA) and in 2021, was selected for a two-year term as Chair. prgtoken Ms. King has also served as Chair of the CTA's COVID-19 Relief Task Force, where she has helped California's public transit industry recover from the pandemic. In 2018, Ms. King received a Distinguished Service Award from the CTA, to celebrate her distinguished career and outstanding contributions. This year, Ms. King is receiving the CTA's award for Innovation and Resiliency, to celebrate her commitment to the innovation of the industry and well-being of all Bakersfield commuters. Ms. King's many accomplishments are a true testament to her character and leadership. I'm confident that her service to the Golden Empire Transit District and her passion for improving public transit for all residents of our community will have a lasting impact for generations to come. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in thanking Ms. King for her more than 40 years of dedicated service to the public transit industry and wishing her a happy and well-deserved retirement.
IGO ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding, and I thank my good friend from South Carolina. prgtoken Madam , I stand in full support of Joe Wilson's good bill to counter the butcher, Assad. The gentleman from South Carolina and I spent a great deal in 2023 traveling the Middle Eastern region talking to our partners in the Arab world, warning them of the consequences of readmitting Assad back into the Arab League. prgtoken While official U.S. policy does not support normalization with Assad, we have U.S. Government officials, like Brett McGurk and Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf, watering down that position of U.S. policy, encouraging Arab countries to ``get what you can for normalization.'' prgtoken What did we get? prgtoken Madam , we got more war. The Arab countries said: Let's cut out Captagon trade and drugs. Let's return refugees from Jordan and Turkiye and Lebanon back to Syria. Let's eliminate Iranian influence in Syria. prgtoken Madam , did we get those things? prgtoken No. prgtoken That is why this bill to counter normalization is so important, because Syria, for the American people, is a giant aircraft carrier for terrorism--Israel being attacked from Syria, Iraq being attacked from Syria, Americans killed because of attacks from Syria. prgtoken Madam , I support Mr. Wilson's bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
HONORING DEPUTY GREG McCOWAN
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise to honor a true American hero who gave his life while keeping my community safe. prgtoken On Thursday, February 8, a violent criminal opened fire during a traffic stop. He put Blount County Deputy Shelby Eggers in the hospital and killed Deputy Greg McCowan who was 43 years old. prgtoken McCowan was known for being a loving man and a brave officer. His family was the light of his life, , and he loved them dearly. prgtoken His fellow deputies knew they could count on McCowan when he was serving alongside them. One of his colleagues described him as one of those guys you always wanted on your side. In 2021, he received the Sheriff's Office Lifesaving Award for rescuing a man from a burning vehicle. prgtoken I give my sincere condolences and prayers of healing to Greg's parents, Dallas, Elizabeth, and Jeff; his fiancee, Leah; his children, Cayley and Cayden; Leah's children, Caven and Jacob; his sister, Charity; and everyone else who knew and loved him. prgtoken I also thank a very good friend of mine, Blount County Sheriff James ``Jimbo'' Berrong for his leadership through this tragedy. prgtoken He is a good friend of mine, and I know he has been working so hard to prgtoken take care of his department and deal with this incredible loss. prgtoken Earlier today, they caught the murderer, and it was due to east Tennessee law enforcement's tireless work to bring him to justice. prgtoken We can never forget exactly how much our law enforcement sacrifices to keep us safe every day, . My prayer is that this never happens to any of your communities.
HONORING HEB ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today to honor the following students who received HEB ISD Education Foundation's Award of Excellence in their respective fields of study: Aiden Aguirre, Isaiah Arellano, Matthew Boyd, Andrew Brooks, Dayton Crenshaw, Alexia Del Vecchio, Julie Eisermann, Anastasia Fike, Charles Fultz, Lauren Galkantas, Rafael Garcia, Orinda Dreshaj, Chloe Harmon, Ethan Hildebrand, Giselle Hill, Emma Hiros, Jacquelyn Holisinger, Mia Jax, Jayla King, Sagar Lamichhane, Ali Landreth, Jude Langsdorf, Mary McColm, Kylia Murphy, Dorine Ngara, Maddox Olatunde, Claire Payne, Valerie Reyes, Jerry Rivera, Julissa Rodriguez, Avery Vignali, Kassidy Zastrow, and Zecharias Zewdie. I'm inspired by these students' hard work, and I wish them the best of luck in the future.
EFFORTS TOWARD A VIBRANT FUTURE
Donald G. Davis (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-2-13

eastern North Carolina's resilience and potential have drawn national leaders' attention. prgtoken Recently, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. We are grateful for her presence and the announcement of $1.4 million for the Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk renovation. prgtoken This investment reflects our collective efforts toward a vibrant future for eastern North Carolina. Let's continue working together to ensure the voices and needs of Tyrrell County and the East are heard and addressed nationally.
IGO ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-2-13

. We know that on TikTok, which is supported by the Chinese Government, the CCP is continuing to spread disinformation. Disinformation is also coming out from many of these organizations. We must stand up against it. prgtoken This legislation does nothing to violate the First Amendment. In fact, the importance of being able to stand strong with the First Amendment is what allows legislation like this to make it to the floor in Congress. Leadership from Mr. Lawler and others and the excellent work here of Ms. Manning is the kind of leadership that is critical. prgtoken So, Madam , I, once again, urge my colleagues to vote for and help pass the Anti-Boycott Act. We must stand strong up against Hamas.
IGO ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , this piece of legislation is a bad idea. prgtoken The right to participate in a boycott is an expression of free speech and free association that has been enshrined in American law since our Nation's founding. This bill would allow the President, any President, to compel the speech of Americans. That is unconstitutional and dangerous. prgtoken Let me lay out a few scenarios that this bill would enable: An international organization calls for a boycott of goods made through forced Uyghur labor in China. An American citizen, concerned about the ongoing Uyghur genocide vocally expresses support for this boycott and participates in it. prgtoken Under this bill, a President could decide that China is a ``friend to the United States'' and penalize one of our own fellow citizens with a $1 million fine and 20 years in prison. prgtoken Under this bill, an American citizen who participates in a European Union boycott of goods made in Russian-occupied Ukraine could be jailed for 20 years under an American President who was friendly to the invasion. prgtoken There are no safeguards under this law. The President has the complete power to decide when a country is covered by this law. That, I cannot support. prgtoken If an American chooses to participate in such a boycott, it should be their decision and theirs alone, not the United States Government's. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.
PROMOTING A RESOLUTION TO THE TIBET-CHINA DISPUTE ACT
Kathy E. Manning (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. prgtoken The people of Tibet have persevered through decades of repression. The PRC subjugates the Tibetan people, even though all they are asking for is the opportunity to live freely and safely. They simply want to be given the autonomy they have been promised. They want to teach their children their language, their customs, and their traditions. They want to preserve their culture, their religious identity, and their dignity as a distinct people. prgtoken I urge the House to pass H.R. 533 so that we may honor the Tibetan people and make clear that Beijing's repression and unwillingness to engage in dialogue cannot stand. prgtoken Madam , .
ENCOURAGING NEWS IN CONNECTICUT
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , I rise before the House today as the Member from eastern Connecticut having the honor to represent the Second Congressional District to report on some encouraging news on probably one of the most gut-wrenching, disheartening problems that our Nation faces, which is the epidemic of opioid overdoses. prgtoken In the State of Connecticut, like other parts of the country, the rise of opioid deaths from 2012 up until 2021, 2022, has been 300 percent. prgtoken People are more likely to die from opioid overdoses than they are from motor vehicle accidents, and eastern Connecticut was no exception. prgtoken Again, in 2021, the number of opioid deaths in New London County, which takes up the largest portion of eastern Connecticut by population, peaked at 134 deaths. prgtoken Starting at that point, people decided it was time to get serious about trying to come up with ways to create more prevention and also remediation and recovery for people suffering from addiction. prgtoken In 2022, that number dropped from 134 to 125. A couple days ago, the 2023 numbers were reported, and it dropped to 71 deaths. prgtoken This did not happen by itself. It was in collaboration with the community of New London, the New London Overdose Action Team, which was led by prgtoken Margaret Lancaster from the Ledge Light Health District created in collaboration with the New London Police, the New London EMS, and social services agencies to get more Narcan kits out into the community and to educate people in terms of what to do in these situations, these crisis situations, and it is showing real results. prgtoken In Norwich, which is also one of the larger communities that was hard hit, the Norwich Opioid Task Force was created, led by Kate Milde, who is the director of Norwich Human Services, again, in collaboration with the Norwich Police Department, EMS, the youth prevention team, and the Recovery Coach Program, which is led by Michael Doyle from Reliance Health. prgtoken The Reliance Recovery Coach Program is a model with trained, street- smart staff that are out in the community street by street, tracking where overdoses have occurred and distributing Narcan kits--500 in 2023, and the number of deaths dropped from 34 to 17 in that community. prgtoken Again, I salute Michael and his team who are amazing people doing hard work, saving lives, and getting this country better positioned to deal with this crisis. prgtoken Again, I said it was encouraging news. We cannot end our efforts. We cannot stop there. We have more work to do in terms of making sure, through budgets in Washington and in State governments, that these incredible individuals are able to continue to do their work in collaboration with law enforcement and in collaboration with hospitals and EMT professionals to make sure that we save lives, get people into recovery, change lives, and get them up on their feet and contributing to our community. prgtoken Madam , I end by saluting
RECOGNIZING OSCAR ROBERTSON, NBA ALL-STAR LEGEND AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2024-2-13

today I rise in honor of Oscar Robertson, who will be honored in Indianapolis for the 2024 National Basketball Association All-Star Game. prgtoken Basketball legend Oscar Robertson, affectionately known as the ``Big O,'' is well-known for his unparalleled athletic skills, versatility, and impressive career. He is equally respected as a trailblazer who helped pave the way for Americans facing racism, unfair institutions, and mistreatment in a segregated world, as he boldly revolutionized the sport of basketball. prgtoken Born in Tennessee but nurtured in Indianapolis, the achievements of his high school career at Crispus Attucks marked the beginning of a successful athletic journey. His NBA career spanned 14 years as a point guard. He was the first to win National College Player of the Year three times and was an Olympian at the 1960 Summer Olympics as co- captain of the U.S. Gold Medal team. He also received the NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player award three times, was an All-Star Player for 12 consecutive years, and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1980. During his career, he was the first to average a triple double for an entire season. prgtoken Mr. Robertson's leadership had a lasting impact on and off the court, making his way in the world as an advocate and a humanitarian. An antitrust settlement while he was President of the NBA Players Association helped reform the free agency of NBA athletes through the Oscar Robertson Rule. He continues to be a force for change in policies that positively affect minorities and all Americans. If basketball is synonymous with Indiana, then Mr. Robertson has an undeniable place in our state's history. Mr. Robertson is recognized as a gentleman of his day, one who achieved great things with strategic actions and diplomacy. prgtoken Today, as we celebrate Black History Month, and as Hoosiers celebrate the NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Oscar Robertson for his athleticism and advocacy. His legacy endures in the NBA and Indianapolis, both forever changed because of his contributions, and his enduring fight for civil rights for all.
HONORING SENATOR JEAN CARNAHAN
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today, along with the people of St. Louis, to honor the life and legacy of former First Lady of Missouri and United States Senator Jean Carnahan. Jean Carnahan was an exemplary public servant, wife, and mother who dedicated her life to the people of Missouri. prgtoken She was appointed as Missouri's first female senator in the face of great personal tragedy after the loss of her son, Roger, and husband, Governor Mel Carnahan. Jean Carnahan was a trailblazer who showed courage and fortitude by choosing to step up and serve her community. She worked to hold corporate greed accountable, and as a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, she introduced and won passage of a law requiring corporations to make swift, electronic reporting of insider trading. prgtoken As First Lady of Missouri, she was an activist and advocate fighting for on-site daycare centers for working families, promoting childhood immunization, funding domestic abuse centers, and of course, the arts. She was passionate about making government accessible to the people of Missouri, starting with raising prgtoken funds to restore the Governor's mansion, so that everyone could visit and enjoy the beautiful grounds. prgtoken Senator Jean Carnahan was an accomplished author of seven published books and co-wrote many of her husband's speeches. She provided guidance and inspiration to so many people throughout Missouri to serve others and be a vehicle for change. I offer my deepest condolences on behalf of Missouri's First District to the entire family and all those who loved her. May her Memory forever be a blessing.
PROMOTING A RESOLUTION TO THE TIBET-CHINA DISPUTE ACT
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina, the gentlewoman from California, and the gentleman from New Jersey, who just spoke, not just for their support for this bill but for their leadership on human rights in general. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 533, the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act. prgtoken I thank my co-lead, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul, and Ranking Member Meeks for their work to bring this bill to the floor today. This is important. prgtoken It has been more than 60 years since the People's Republic of China forced His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama into exile and took control of Tibet against the will of its people. prgtoken The dispute between the Chinese and the Tibetans over Tibet's status and governance has persisted ever since, in spite of the willingness of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people to resolve Tibet's status and governance through dialogue. prgtoken With dialogue blocked, the PRC has continued its unceasing efforts to erode Tibetan history, Tibetan language, Tibetan culture, and Tibetan religion. prgtoken A few years ago, I was on a delegation with Pelosi. We went to Tibet and saw firsthand the PRC's repression against the people of Tibet, essentially trying to erase the Tibetans as a people. prgtoken This bill that we are discussing here today seeks to end that by explicitly recognizing that the Tibetan people are a people with a distinct religious, cultural, and historical identity; by reminding all concerned that peoples, and not least the Tibetan people, have a right to self-determination under international human rights law; and by requiring the U.S. Government to actively counter the PRC's propaganda about Tibet, like the false claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times, a position that the United States has never accepted. There is no basis for such a claim. prgtoken Through these measures, we hope to kick-start dialogue between Tibet and China, in keeping with longstanding U.S. policy. prgtoken Madam , any one of us reading the news these days knows that the prgtoken world is awash in conflict. At the heart of most, if not all of those conflicts, lies the systematic denial or violation of a people's human rights. prgtoken The decades-old dispute between Tibet and China started as an armed conflict of invasion, resistance, and insurgency. In the long run, the only guarantee against the resumption of large-scale violence is for the PRC to fully respect the human rights and dignity of the Tibetan people. prgtoken A vote for this bill is a vote to recognize the rights of the Tibetan people and a vote to insist on resolving the dispute between Tibet and the People's Republic of China peacefully, in accordance with international law, through dialogue, and without preconditions. prgtoken There is still an opportunity to do this, but time is running out. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this bill be