mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
2019 MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY APPOINTEES
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-6-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Katie McGillicuddy, Kurt Voll and Owen Voll, Merchant Marine Academy Appointees from Colorado's Fourth Congressional District. I believe America's greatest assets are our brave men and women in uniform. These individuals are making an incredible sacrifice for our country and deserve our utmost support for their service. It is with great pleasure that I give Katie, Kurt and Owen my endorsement to attend this prestigious institution. prgtoken Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude than to those who fight to protect our freedom and liberty. I commend these young people and their families for their commitment. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, it is an honor to recognize Katie McGillicuddy, Kurt Voll and Owen Voll as appointees to the United States Merchant Marine Academy for their commitment to protect and serve our nation.
HONORING USMC SERGEANT GERALD GWALTNEY
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-6-4

I rise to recognize U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Gerald Gwaltney. prgtoken An Alexander County native, Sergeant Gwaltney was sent on four major landings in the Pacific during World War II, including Iwo Jima, where he witnessed the iconic American flag raising there. prgtoken In the line of duty, Sergeant Gwaltney sacrificed himself for his men, costing him the use of his right hand. Even after brushing with death and experiencing the horrors of combat, this selfless patriot said he would do it all over again. prgtoken This year, President signed a law directing the Secretary of Defense to conduct a commemorative program for the 75th anniversary of World War II. It is important to take such opportunities like this week's commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-day to highlight heroes like Sergeant Gwaltney and remember the brave Americans who fought and died for our country in World War II to preserve our freedom.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-4

I am proud to recognize BG Erik H. Torring III, who is retiring after 30 years in the U.S. Army. General Torring has been a leader in not only our soldiers' health, but the health of all the service animals that support our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines on the battlefield. prgtoken General Torring's career culminated in his current post as both Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the Army's Office of the Surgeon General and Chief of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, where he oversees the recruitment, training, and equipment of almost 3,000 veterinary personnel in the U.S. Army. He spearheaded the development of the Army's electronic veterinary records program and maintained standards for food safety across the Armed Forces. prgtoken For his service to the United States of America, I am proud to recognize Brigadier General Torring and welcome him home to Texas.
THE FIVE PILLARS
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-6-4

we really need to talk about Mr. Garamendi's idea of entertainment. prgtoken , look, this is actually a point I wish more of our constituents would actually see. We are actually quite friendly to each other, even those of us who may have, you know, what is pictured as an ideological chasm. Oddly enough, we all see many of the same problems, and we are trying to find a way to get there. prgtoken So tonight I wanted to do just one or two things, because I have picked up a couple of articles in the news over this last week that I actually find greatly optimistic. prgtoken So let's actually sort of start with our five pillars. And I do this over and over, because, one more time, what do many of us, the economists, the staff, the really smart people that are here, and then those of us who are regular Members who were just elected, what is in many ways the greatest threat to our society? prgtoken We have made lots and lots of promises, and we don't have the resources to keep those promises to those who have earned benefits. prgtoken We actually have a demographic curve. As a country, we are getting older very, very fast. In about eight and a half years: two workers, one retiree. In about eight and a half years, 50 percent of the spending in this body will be, less interest, to those 65 and older. prgtoken Are we as a government, are we as a society going to keep our promises? prgtoken Mathematically, this has been a passion of mine for a few years now, trying to find a pro-growth, optimistic way we keep our promises so my little 3-and-a-half-year-old daughter has the same opportunities I have had. prgtoken So the five pillars we have been working on is how do I start with--I am going to start with the very top--technology disruption. prgtoken Tonight I am going to talk about a couple of really optimistic things that are happening in healthcare technology that will keep us healthier and potentially crash the price of healthcare. prgtoken I am going to talk about some things that are happening in environmental technology that are going to lower the costs, make energy available so the economy can keep growing and yet the environment is cleaner and healthier. prgtoken We are going to talk about employment. How do we actually have more of our brothers and sisters out there enter the workforce, stay in the workforce? prgtoken There is this concept of labor force participation. And the economists for years now have said as the baby boomers are moving into retirement, labor force participation is going to crash mathematically. prgtoken We have also had this fragility, this difficulty of millennial males--oddly enough, about 6, 7 months ago, millennial females really started to enter the workforce in droves. We still have a problem with millennial males. prgtoken There is also some really interesting data popping up that the number of Americans, by choice, who are over 70 years old, but they are happy, and they are healthy, are choo
HONORING THE LIFE OF CHIEF COLABE, III
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-4

I rise today to honor the life of Mikko Colabe, III, or Clem Fain Sylestine, as he was also known, the principal chief of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, who passed away on May 21, 2019, at the age of 91 years. prgtoken Chief Colabe, III, was born on November 4, 1927, on the Alabama- Coushatta Indian Reservation and is of the Granddaddy Long Legs Clan. prgtoken He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, in 1952. prgtoken Chief Colabe, III, was a teacher and coach at Southmayd High School, Holland High School, Shepherd High School, Woodville ISD, and Goodrich ISD. Although he retired in 1988, Chief Colabe, III, touched so many lives throughout his time in education. prgtoken In addition to the passion that he had for educating children, Chief Colabe, III, was a distinguished Tribal leader for most of his adult life. He served as an elected Tribal Council member and then served as its chairman for many years. prgtoken He assumed his chieftainship role in 1995 as the second chief and was elected as the principal chief in 2014. In serving as the principal chief, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Bronson Cooper Sylestine, who served as the chief from 1936 to 1969. prgtoken Chief Colabe, III, was a direct descendant of Chief Colabe, who served as the second chief to Principal Chief Antone in the early 1800s. He was also an elder in the Indian Village Presbyterian Church on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation. prgtoken As I join the Tribe in their period of mourning through the end of 2019, I want to recognize the impact that he had on so many east Texas communities. prgtoken The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is an integral part of east Texas. prgtoken , my prayers and condolences are with his family, his friends, and the Tribe of Chief Colabe, III.
AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-6-4

. There is a report that, before the last census, with an average 710,000 in a Member's congressional district, at least six districts in California were comprised, figuratively, of illegal aliens. That means that illegal aliens in California had more representation in the United States Congress than any one of 23 States that have less representation. That is something to keep in mind as this debate moves on. prgtoken , I don't think this bill goes anywhere, but if it does, it could be the destruction of the rule of law and the fracture of the United States of America.
AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-6-4

I have the utmost respect for the majority leader. prgtoken What I see as a problem here, that we see over and over again, is finger pointing. prgtoken Yes, we did have the majority and the Party didn't do anything. But the had the majority back in President 's first 2 years; they did nothing. But fingers get pointed. Nothing gets done. prgtoken I rise today in opposition to this bill, but that is not to say I am against legal immigration. In fact, I don't believe anyone in this Chamber or up in the gallery, even though we can't reference them, is against legal immigration. prgtoken I have repeatedly stated that I want to find a solution for the Dreamers, those kids who, through no fault of their own, were brought to the United States as children, illegally. prgtoken I support providing a method for those who have registered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, to obtain legal status. However, this must only be done in coordination with measures completely fixing our Nation's broken border. prgtoken We have to have border security and the enforcement of current immigration law or we can't go forward, because a vacuum is turned on and more people will come. prgtoken Without enhancing border security and addressing the loopholes in our immigration system, this bill simply encourages more illegal immigration. prgtoken There is a cause-and-effect process that does occur. If borders are open, they are overrun, and immigration laws aren't enforced. Guess what? There is more illegal immigration. prgtoken There is a crisis at our southwest border, and this year we have seen apprehensions of people illegally entering at the border increasing every month. prgtoken For instance, in January of 2019, there were approximately 49,000; in April of 2019, 99,000. The numbers are going to continue to go up because the word is out, as Mr. Collins said, if you get to the U.S. southwest border, you will get amnesty. prgtoken That is unfortunate. The 99,000 in April are only the crossings that we know about. prgtoken Let's look at why this is a crisis. It is because the previous administration created an illegal program called DACA.
Climate Change (Executive Calendar)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-6-4

I rise today to join my colleagues as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the date Congress sent to the States this question: the ratification of a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. prgtoken Our ancestors have long sought the promise of a better life for themselves and their children. Many of our forebearers came to this country seeking religious liberty, economic security, or personal freedom. prgtoken Since 1788, they were drawn to the promise of these words: ``We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.'' prgtoken Today, most in this body and across the country would agree that a woman's full participation in the life of her community and Nation are crucial if the promise laid out in our Constitution's preamble is ever to be fully realized. prgtoken But in 1788 and for many years thereafter, women could not own property, could not open a bank account on their own, or even control the money that they earned through their own work. They could not control their destiny or, indeed, their own bodies. Justice, tranquility, the general welfare, and the blessings of liberty were, for women, what men said they were. prgtoken That all began to change on June 4, 1919, the date when finally, after so many years of struggle and failure, the required number of Senators voted aye for House Joint Resolution 1, ``proposing an amendment to the Constitution extending the right of suffrage to women.'' It was very simple yet intensely powerful, a resolution with just one article that read: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. prgtoken That remarkable moment, we know, did not come easily. For decades, women across America sought the promise of our Nation for themselves and their daughters. They were subjected to insults and ridicule and, sometimes, even imprisonment and violence. prgtoken In 1906, an editorial in the New York Times defined the word ``suffragette'' as a ``demanding screecher'' and ``a woman who ought to have more sense.'' Walking in parades in support of the right to vote, women had insults and worse hurled at them. Suffragists were physically attacked. prgtoken Beginning in June of 1917, it got much worse. Here in Washington, DC, police began arresting women who were picketing the White House in support of suffrage for ``obstructing sidewalk traffic.'' Throughout the summer and into the fall, women who refused to pay the fine were sent to the Women's Workhouse in Lorton, VA, or the dist
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2019-6-4

on May 24, 2019, pursuant to section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, the Secretary of State determined ``that an emergency exists which requires the immediate sale of the following military sales'' to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Arms Export Control Act indicates that, in the Senate, the notification of such a determination shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the Secretary's determination and transmittals submitted to the committee by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency regarding sales under section 36(b). The Secretary's emergency determination and transmittals for sales conducted pursuant to other sections of the Arms Export Control Act were included in the Congressional Record via separate executive communications on June 3, 2019.
ARKANSAS FLOODING
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-6-4

I rise today to discuss the flooding back in my home State of Arkansas and the need for prioritized spending and more Federal investment in waterway infrastructure. prgtoken While national media attention is largely focused elsewhere, the Arkansas River has swollen to historic levels, flooding homes and businesses, breaching levees, and devastating farmland. prgtoken President issued an emergency declaration last week allowing FEMA to provide immediate relief to 16 counties most severely affected. This Federal aid is extremely valuable as communities work tirelessly to save businesses and homes. prgtoken Arkansas is not alone in experiencing flooding. Our neighbors in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Missouri, as well as South Dakota, Iowa, and Kansas have all been affected by flooding this year. prgtoken These disasters beg the question: What can Congress do to prevent future flooding? prgtoken More specifically, how can we improve infrastructure within our States to reduce the risk of dam and levee breaches? prgtoken As ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, I hope to add insight into that very question. prgtoken Waterways tend to be out of sight and out of mind, but widespread flooding has made navigable rivers impossible to ignore. In Arkansas alone we have seen an estimated $23 million in daily economic loss along the Arkansas River. When barges and boats can no longer navigate inland waterways, the entire State and surrounding areas suffer. prgtoken Much of the infrastructure along these rivers was initially installed in the 1960s and 1970s and is now reaching the end of its shelf life. A backlog of maintenance projects compounds the issues, and we can't just keep putting temporary patches on systemic problems. prgtoken For example, I recently cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would unlock billions of dollars in already collected fees to maintain our Nation's Federal ports and harbors. In many cases, we have the money for infrastructure projects, however, red tape and bureaucracy slow down the process and prevent necessary work from occurring. prgtoken The irony of delaying projects on our navigable waterways is that these projects often have tremendous economic returns--as high as 10 to 1 and 16 to 1. It makes economic sense and it is common sense to invest in waterways and infrastructure. prgtoken Unprecedented flooding such as we are observing should serve as a chance for us to reexamine infrastructure to ensure it is updated and capable of protecting life and property. prgtoken No doubt, as flood waters recede in the coming days, Congress' attention will turn elsewhere. But I urge my colleagues in both the House and the Senate to come together, address long-term projects that have been on the back burner for years, and keep WRDA on its 2-year schedule. prgtoken We can't control the weather, but we can and should do better tha
CONGRATULATING CUMBERLAND COUNTY COLLEGE ON NATIONAL BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jefferson Van Drew (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-6-4

last Wednesday, the south Jersey Cumberland County College baseball team beat their rivals 11-7, winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 3 World Series championship. This achievement is the first national championship win in any sport in Cumberland County in south Jersey. prgtoken The team's coach, Keith Gorman, attributed their success to their impressive pitching staff and tough defense. prgtoken He also pointed to the importance of their values. Not only does the Cumberland County baseball team value toughness, but they also focus on selflessness. The diversity of Cumberland County has been represented in their team and has contributed to their success. prgtoken Baseball is incredibly important to the community of Cumberland County, and its college team reflects the values that the south Jersey community holds: selflessness and togetherness. prgtoken I am very proud of the hard work of these young men and wish them luck in the future.
PANDEMIC AND ALL-HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS AND ADVANCING INNOVATION ACT OF 2019
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-4

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken I would just like to make a few comments in closing because I don't have any more speakers and assert my right to close last. prgtoken I think every good word that could be said about this legislation has already been stated, so I want to urge all of my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on this. It is legislation that has been scrutinized and re- scrutinized, and even though it has taken time and gone past its reauthorization date, that makes it all the more important that it be passed because the agencies really cannot do what we have been describing, and this has gone on since last October. prgtoken I think that the bookends on this are national security and public health preparedness for manmade disasters and others, and neither one of these can be addressed by any individual. This has to be done by us on behalf of our country. prgtoken So I want to thank Catherine Knowles for her very fine work in working with Rachel Fybel from my office. We really pay tribute to you because they have worked so hard every single day, not just for weeks, not just for months, but well over a year to get us to this point. prgtoken I urge all colleagues to support this legislation. We are proud to recommend it to them. prgtoken Madam , ,
CONGRATULATING EVERETT WHITCHER ON WINNING THE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD THROUGH THE KEWANEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Cheri Bustos (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-6-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Everett Whitcher for winning the Citizen of the Year Award through the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Whitcher's dedication to organizations in the Kewanee community is admirable. prgtoken Mr. Whitcher is a graduate of Wethersefield High School and went on to pursue his career in the grocery business. Since 1989, Mr. Whitcher has been the owner of the Super Value grocery store, which is now Save- A-Lot in Kewanee, Illinois. In 2015, Mr. Whitcher needed to keep up with the demands of the community so he moved his Kewanee store to a bigger location on South Main Street where he expanded his food and meat inventory. Mr. Whitcher is an active participant in the local community and has contributed a great deal to Kewanee's economy. In addition to running his business, he assists all the food pantries in Kewanee and donates pet food to the Humane Society. Mr. Whitcher has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club since 2007 and serves on the Board of Directors in a continued effort to give back to his neighbors. I admire Mr. Whitcher's service to the community and thank him for his many contributions as he accepts the Citizen of the Year Award. prgtoken It is because of community leaders like Mr. Whitcher that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam , I would like to again formally congratulate Everett Whitcher for winning the Citizen of the Year Award given by the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce.
Introductory Statement on S. 1708
Doug Jones (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2019-6-4

the second bill I have introduced today would create a one-time refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 for homeowners to build or purchase a storm shelter for their home. It would ensure that people won't have to travel dangerous distances to seek shelter in the event of sudden severe weather. prgtoken Alabamians know all too well that extreme weather can strike at any time, especially now as we move from the spring tornado season into the summer hurricane season. That is why I want to use this opportunity today to urge every single one of my colleagues to support these bills and these efforts so that all of our communities can be better prepared when natural disasters strike, and they will. prgtoken In Lee County, I have been discussing with local officials these two bills, which are just a step. They are obvious steps to me. Not everybody can afford to buy a storm shelter, so the tax credit would not be available. So, working with the Lee County M.A. and officials on the ground, we are trying to learn best practices. What can we better do to harden those areas where people live in the rural communities so they will not lose their lives, much less all of their possessions? That is what we are planning to do, and the two bills today are first steps. prgtoken I sincerely hope going forward that helping fellow Americans who have suffered disasters will no longer be the partisan issue that it suddenly became this year and that we can get back to the business of taking care of our citizens and those who have sent us here to represent them.