mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WORLDWIDE REFUGEE CRISIS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-10-10

I join my colleagues tonight in calling the attention of Congress to the horrific ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya people that is underway in Burma. prgtoken On August 25th of this year, an illegal armed militant group known as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacked police outposts in Rakhine state, Burma, killing twelve people. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. prgtoken Forty-five years ago, Pope Paul VI said ``If you want peace, work for justice.'' Especially in today's world, I do not believe that armed insurgency is the best path to justice, nor to peace. prgtoken But let me be clear: the Burmese government's response to the August 25th attack over the last several weeks has been so disproportionate that one is at a loss to describe it. prgtoken The military has carried out a massive scorched earth campaign in which hundreds of Rohingya villages and tens of thousands of homes have been burned and destroyed. There are many highly credible reports of people, including children, being shot in the back as they ran, and of rapes, torture and ill-treatment. prgtoken As many as half a million Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh and at least another 27,000 are displaced within Burma. prgtoken That is on top of the tens of thousands of Rohingya who fled after a previous armed militant attack a year ago. Most of the Rohingya population of Rakhine has now been forced out of the state. 120,000 of those who remain live in IDP camps. prgtoken Stunningly disproportionate? Unimaginably, brutally, barbarically disproportionate? Flagrantly, in-your-face, try-to-stop-me disproportionate? I am left without words. prgtoken Do I regret the killing of 12 policemen on August 25th? Absolutely. Do more than half a million people deserve to be punished for it? Absolutely not. prgtoken And please do not talk to me about a ``growing terrorist threat'' in Burma. prgtoken The Rohingya in Burma are stateless and subject to the most profound discrimination. They are poverty-stricken, denied access to education and work, and their movements within the country are restricted--and all of this was true before the militant attacks. prgtoken The Burmese government has allowed the conditions for radicalization and extremism to prgtoken fester within their country. The current military campaign is only making things worse. prgtoken What should we be doing? prgtoken First, all available leverage should be brought to bear on the Burmese military to end its violent campaign against the Rohingya people. Its actions to date are entirely removed from any concept of rule of law and make a mockery of the government's obligation to protect its people. prgtoken Second, the government must ensure full and unfettered humanitarian access to Rakhine state. Given the dimensions of the crisis, this means letting in experienced aid organizations in addition to the Red Cross. prgtoken It also means ending the threats, allegations and misinformation
HONORING THE LIFE OF PATRICIA YATES
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise today in memory of Patricia Yates, who passed away on October 2, 2017, after a lifetime of public service to her community. Born in San Francisco on February 18, 1921, Mrs. Yates was raised in a family with a well-regarded history of public service at both the state and local level. This environment helped mold in her a passion for service. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1941 before immediately going to work for the federal government. prgtoken During World War II, Mrs. Yates worked as an economist for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and traveled across the country to inspect stores and track the prices of vital goods. This exposure to people from all walks of life and their diverse lifestyles, contextualized her dedication to public service. prgtoken By 1952, Mrs. Yates moved with her husband to Marin County, where she would reside for the rest of her life. She attained a Masters of Arts in teaching from Dominican University in 1967, and became a teacher at San Domenico High School in San Anselmo. There, she endeavored to instill her passion for civic engagement into her students, eventually becoming the chair of the school's social studies department. After 8 years of teaching, Mrs. Yates retired in order to pursue her growing passion for land and resource conservation in Marin County. prgtoken Following years of volunteer work with Marin Conservation League, Mrs. Yates became one of the first women to be elected to the Board of the Marin Municipal Water District in 1982. She occupied this role for six years over the course of two terms, serving as the Board President for two of those years. Even after retiring from the Board in 1991, she continued to volunteer her time teaching students and the public about ecology and the importance of the natural environment. prgtoken , the depth of Mrs. Yates' service to her community has left a lasting legacy in Marin County, and she will be dearly missed. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to her today and honor her many contributions.
JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY POST OFFICE
Stephen F. Lynch (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise in support of H.R. 2464, legislation that I introduced back in May of this year to officially designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 25 New Chardon Street Lobby in Boston, Massachusetts, as the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Post Office. prgtoken This bill reflects the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy this year, otherwise known as the JFK Centennial. prgtoken I would like to thank our former chairman, Jason Chaffetz of Utah; our current chairman, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Gowdy); the ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings); the chairman of our Subcommittee on Government Operations, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows); our ranking member, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly); and all of the Subcommittee on Government Operations for their efforts to move this legislation forward. prgtoken I would also like to thank the entire Massachusetts House delegation for their effort in sponsoring this measure. prgtoken H.R. 2464 honors the life and enduring legacy of our Nation's 35th President, John F. Kennedy, and his impassioned commitment to public service, equality, peace and diplomacy, and ensuring a better quality of life for every American. Our special remembrance of President Kennedy this year also affords us a distinct opportunity to reflect on and appreciate his vision and wisdom in the context of the many challenges we are facing as a nation today both at home and abroad. prgtoken As we grapple with difficult issues ranging from healthcare to economic reform, let us recall President Kennedy's understanding that: ``For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members.'' prgtoken And in contemplating issues pertaining to equality and civil rights, we would be wise to remember President Kennedy's advancement of the principle that the rights of every person are diminished when the rights of one person are threatened. prgtoken As we continue to address matters of contention with adversarial nations, we must bear in mind President Kennedy's admonition and foresight that ``civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.'' prgtoken In closing, , I would like to also thank my colleague and friend, Congressman Joseph Kennedy from the Fourth District of Massachusetts, for his work on this legislation as well. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 2464.
106TH NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)
Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-10

today marks the 106th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). I would like to wish the people of Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans a very Happy Double Ten Day. Taiwan is an extraordinary friend of the United States and continuing this strong relationship is important. Taiwanese companies employ more than 12,000 workers in the United States with a total worker compensation of almost a billion dollars. Taiwan also serves as a strong example of democracy in Asia, and provides the U.S. with an ally to further promote peace and stability in the region. The state of California has deep and growing ties with Taiwan. More than 800 Taiwanese companies have offices or investments in the state. California exports $7.46 billion worth of goods to Taiwan, serving as its 7th largest export market in the world. The majority of the Taiwanese-American community is concentrated in Los Angeles County, and many have gone on to settle in the San Gabriel Valley providing our local communities with new traditions, employment opportunities and economic growth. With continued commitment to this important relationship, I would like to again wish Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day.
IN RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL PLASMA AWARENESS WEEK
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-10

on October 8 to 14, 2017, across the United States and throughout the world, patients, plasma donors and plasma collection centers will join together to observe International Plasma Awareness Week. There will be events to raise global awareness of the crucial need for plasma to create lifesaving therapies, recognize that plasma donors contribute greatly in saving and improving lives, and increase understanding of the many rare diseases and plasma protein therapies that help to treat them. prgtoken Plasma-derived therapies and recombinant blood clotting factors, collectively known as plasma protein therapies, are unique, biologic medicines that are either infused or injected to treat a variety of rare, life-threatening, chronic, and genetic diseases including bleeding disorders, hereditary angioedema, immune deficiencies, pulmonary disorders, neurological disorders, shock and trauma, liver cirrhosis, and infectious diseases such as tetanus, hepatitis, and rabies. prgtoken Plasma-derived therapies save and improve lives of individuals throughout the world, including in emergency and surgical medicine. Plasma protein therapies have significantly improved the quality of life, markedly improved prgtoken patient outcomes, and extended the life expectancy of individuals with rare, chronic diseases and conditions. prgtoken Healthy, committed donors provide the plasma essential to manufacture these lifesaving therapies; and there are more than 575 plasma collection centers in the U.S. that have demonstrated their commitment to plasma donor and patient safety and quality by earning International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP) certification. prgtoken I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me and rise in commemoration of International Plasma Awareness Week, honoring those committed donors and collection centers who make and collect needed and lifesaving contributions.
TRIBUTE TO JOHN GABRIEL SMITH
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise to pay tribute to Mr. John Gabriel Smith, a constituent in St. Mary's County, Maryland, whose courage broke barriers and advanced the cause of integration and equality in our country. This Saturday, he will be honored at the homecoming game at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, where he made history in 1954 as its first African-American graduate. prgtoken Along with his two sisters, Gabe--as he is known to his family, friends, and neighbors in St. Mary's County--learned hard work and diligence from his parents amid the turbulent times of Jim Crow as he grew up in the 1940's. He found comfort and calm in the teachings of his Catholic faith and in fellowship at St. Peter Claver Church in Ridge, Maryland. There, he served as an altar boy and met the Jesuit priest who would become his mentor, Father Horace McKenna. Under the guidance of Father McKenna, Gabe developed a deep desire to find God and pursue the priesthood. Asking his spiritual guide what he would need to do, he learned that he would first have to study Latin. However, none of the segregated schools in Southern Maryland offered Latin courses. prgtoken From Father McKenna, though, Gabe also learned that Gonzaga College High offered Latin and all the other subjects prerequisite to prepare for the priesthood--and then-Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle had ordered the desegregation of the schools within the Archdiocese of Washington in 1948. Thus, in 1951, Gabe walked into Gonzaga College High as its first African-American student, bravely breaking the color barrier and preparing the way for the more than 1,100 African-American Gonzaga College High students who have followed him. prgtoken At Gonzaga College High, Gabe witnessed less of the abusive conditions of segregation that he had encountered in Southern Maryland, and many of his classmates stood with him in solidarity against bigotry outside the school walls. But as a member of the school's Purple Eagle football team, he had to face opposing teams from still-segregated schools whose players and fans directed their ignorance and hatred in his direction. His coach, Joe Kozik, stood by him throughout and presided over a team that rallied around Gabe. He would never forget the support he found among his peers and from Coach Kozik, who became as much a mentor to him as Father McKenna had been. prgtoken When Gabe became the first African-American student to graduate Gonzaga College High in 1954, the Supreme Court reached its historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education and required the complete integration of America's public schools. Gabe and others who had already been trailblazers inspired other young African-American students around the country to be the first in their communities to desegregate their local schools as our nation struggled to achieve full enforcement of the Brown decision in the years that followed. prgtoken While Gabe never ended up becoming a priest, he nonetheless
RECOGNIZING ROBERT E. DOYLE UPON HIS 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise to recognize Robert E. Doyle for serving 40 years with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), the largest local park agency in the United States. prgtoken Mr. Doyle began his career as a park ranger, serving at various parks within EBRPD. Throughout his tenure he moved to the Planning & Design Department, then working to develop a first of its kind Regional Trails Master Plan. He later became a Chief, then Assistant General Manager for Land and Planning in 1990, where he served for 21 years--leading the greatest expansion of parks and trails in the Park District's 80 year history. He now serves as General Manager. prgtoken In 1971, Mr. Doyle was a founding board member of Save Mount Diablo, a nonprofit land trust and conservation organization that serves to protect, restore, and add acreage to Mount Diablo State Park, one of the ecological treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area. He served on the board for 25 years, including several years as Board president. Mr. Doyle was also a founding board member of the East Bay Conservation Corps and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, and served as a board member of the Bay Area Open Space Council. prgtoken As part of his responsibility to advance the mission and vision of the East Bay Parks, Mr. Doyle works tirelessly to advance urban parks and recreation, garnering support nationally and internationally. He has presented twice regarding the Park District's Healthy Parks Healthy People initiatives at International Union for Conservation of Nature World Parks conferences, as well as at national park and open space conferences on a variety of impactful issues. prgtoken I congratulate Mr. Doyle on this milestone achievement, thank him for all he has done for EBRPD and the community, and wish him best of luck in the future.
YONKERS GUARDIANS ASSOCIATION
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise today to honor the Yonkers Guardians Association, an organization in the Yonkers community dedicated to promoting equal opportunities within the Yonkers Police Department. prgtoken The Yonkers Guardians Association, incorporated in 1988 under the leadership of first president, Lieutenant Lorenzo Paul, is a fraternal organization comprised of African American Police and Detention Officers. Dedicated to promoting equal opportunities of appointment, assignment and promotion for members of the Yonkers Police Department, and to devising and executing plans to assist its members morally, financially, educationally and culturally. The association's mission is to encourage community members to be conscience of the criminal justice system and to enhance the quality of life in the African American community. Moreover, the Organization's goal is to foster an indispensable alliance with the community by creating partnerships, programs and building relationships with community based organizations that share the ideals and common principles of the Guardians Association. prgtoken In addition to working to increase the number of African American Police Officers the Guardians have honored outstanding women in our community through its ``Mother's Day Award Dinner''. Using the motto ``Protecting our Future today'' the Guardians have also made a commitment to programs that help our local youth partnering with the My Brother's Keeper initiative to mentor our local youth. The Guardians had also formed alliances with the National Association of Black Law Enforcement (NABLEO), the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, the Nepperhan Community Center, Compact for Learning in the 21st Century, the Cluster Westchester Mediation Center, the Yonkers Department of Parks and Recreation, the Yonkers Drug Court, the Westchester Coalition Against Bigotry, the Yonkers NAACP, the Yonkers Public Schools, the Municipal Housing Authority and the Salvation Army. Under the leadership of past presidents Lieutenant Lorenzo Paul, Detective Charles Morton, Detective Donald Wilson, Detective Stuart Barksdale, Police Officer Joseph Lecoq, Detective Vincent Tilson and current President Sergeant Charles Walker the Guardians seek to bridge relationships between Law Enforcement and the Minority Community, to be a voice against injustice and work to create opportunities for the members of the community which we are a part of. They have done a tremendous job with that, and I congratulate them on all they've accomplished.
HONORING THE WORK OF REGISTERED NURSES IN AFTERMATH OF NATURAL DISASTERS
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise to honor registered nurses across our nation who have urgently worked on the front lines after the deadly hurricanes this past season. In particular, Dotty Nygard and Rhonda Risner, who are a part of a large network of volunteers that are deployed after natural disasters to help take care of patients. prgtoken Three weeks after Hurricane Harvey hit south Texas, registered nurses were deployed for weeks at a time. There these nurses gave dedicated care to their patients to ensure that the viruses had not spread to anyone and that they received the specific attention they needed. Their work was integral to the safety of victims after natural disasters. Viruses and diseases can spread quickly after natural disasters due to the number of different people in confined places. It is the nurses who spot the signs of these viruses as soon as they can, and it is the nurses who become the first defense against the spreading of flus and other life-threatening viruses. prgtoken While serving the victims of the hurricane, nurses encountered a multitude of chronic issues, including heart attacks, strokes, and hypertensive crises from patients who have either never had access to health care or lost their medications in the floods. It is because of nurses' insight, diligent observation, and quick response that these people are still alive today. prgtoken Nurses across the nation have created a network of 20,000 volunteers who have traveled the world, helping victims of natural disasters. The nurses have gone to the Philippines after a tsunami, Haiti following the earthquake, and worked with the U.S. Navy in Central and South America. Many of the patients they face have no access to their medications after a disaster or their access to medical care is severely limited or non-existent. These nurses are at the front lines saving lives in disasters all over the world, and their work cannot be forgotten. prgtoken , across the nation registered nurses' dedication and benevolence in their care for victims of natural disasters all over the world are integral to patients' safety and well-being and the eventual recovery of any area. We must always remember to honor and thank those first responders in their work around the world, especially those nurses who give up their time in hospitals and health centers to care for victims after a natural disaster.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF THELONIOUS MONK
G. K. Butterfield (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2017-10-10

I rise today to recognize one of the most innovative jazz musicians of all time, the legendary Thelonious Monk. prgtoken This legend, , was born in my congressional district in the State of North Carolina, and would have turned 100 years old today. prgtoken Thelonious Sphere Monk was the second of three children born to Thelonious, Sr and Barbara Monk on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Though Monk and his family left Rocky Mount for New York City when Thelonious was a child, scholars and fellow musicians say Monk's North Carolina roots had an important influence on the man and his music. prgtoken Writer Sam Stephenson credited Thelonious Monk's Carolina roots in the ``Oxford American,'' writing that Rocky Mount's flourishing tobacco culture and rail yard was one of the largest in all of the South the year Monk was born. Stephenson speculated those railways may have inspired Monk's composition ``Little Rootie Tootie,'' which features train whistle sounds. prgtoken , incidentally, the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is divided between two counties, Nash County and Edgecombe County. The railroad in that community is the dividing line. prgtoken Every day, the CSX and Amtrak trains come through that community. They have been doing that for a very long time. Those train tracks were first established in 1855, even before the Civil War. It was established as the Wilmington to Weldon Railroad. It was the longest railroad in the entire world, consisting of more than 160 miles of track. It came through Mr. Monk's hometown. prgtoken Thelonious Monk began studying classical piano at the age of 11 and showed an early aptitude for the instrument. By the time he was 13 years old, he had won the weekly amateur competition at the Apollo Theater so many times that management banned him from reentering the contest there in Harlem. prgtoken In 1941, Monk began working at Minton's Playhouse in Harlem, where he joined the house band and helped develop the school of jazz known as bebop. prgtoken Alongside fellow jazz greats Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Eubie Blake, and Ruble Blakey, Monk honed his fast and often improvised style that would later become synonymous with modern jazz. prgtoken Thelonious Monk's first known recording was made in 1944, when he worked as a member of the Coleman Hawkins Quartet. Monk did not record under his own name, however, until 1947, when he played as the leader of a sextet session for Blue Note. prgtoken In 1947, he married Nellie Smith, his longtime sweetheart. Two children were born to the marriage, whom they named after Monk's parents, Thelonious and Barbara. prgtoken In 1952, Monk signed a contract with Prestige Records, which produced pieces like ``Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'' and ``Bags' Groove,'' which he recorded with Miles Davis in 1954. In 1956, , Monk released his third album, ``Brilliant Corners,'' which is considered by many to be his first true masterpiece. prgtoken