mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 601, REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT ACT
Blake Farenthold (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-8

I thank Chairman Sessions for yielding. prgtoken , as I was walking up to the Capitol from the Metro station just a few minutes ago, I remembered just a couple weeks ago I was boarding up my house and preparing for Hurricane Harvey. Those intervening weeks have just altered my life immeasurably, seeing the devastation that has been wrought on south Texas. prgtoken The district I represent, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Refugio, those southern coastal areas were damaged severely by wind. But then you move up the Texas coast into towns like Victoria, Wharton, Houston, and then there was just unimaginable damage by water. prgtoken I was touched by how the entire Nation reached out to help, sending food, water, help, and volunteers. And as I was walking up today, it is a beautiful, crisp beginning to be a fall day here in Washington, D.C but I am imagining what those folks in Florida are going through, very similar to what I was going through, searching for the elusive D cell battery for a flashlight, trying to find a gasoline station that is open, and preparing for possibly the worst. prgtoken We are here today to tell those folks in Florida, those folks in Texas, and those who face disasters all over this country that this Congress has your back. prgtoken President and Vice President both visited the district I represent and areas north in Houston, showing that the Federal Government is there; but it is this Congress' constitutional responsibility to control the purse strings of the country, and we have got to make sure that there is money for these essential disaster relief services. prgtoken There is only so much our volunteers can do, there is only so much our State and local governments can do, because this is just so massive, it is beyond the ability of individuals to comprehend. The amount of debris, the amount of damage, the potential for disease all make it a Federal problem. It is a problem for our country. prgtoken The storm shut down some of the refineries along Texas, and I think we have all seen the higher gasoline prices that have resulted from that. prgtoken Florida is threatened, their impact on our national economy. We are one national economy. What hurts one of us hurts us all. prgtoken So I am here to say thank you to the American people, who opened their hearts with their donations and their volunteering, but I am also here to thank the American people, who are going to allocate a few of their tax dollars to help those in need in Texas and, I am afraid, those who are going to be in need very soon in Florida. prgtoken I am encouraging my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this. Set the politics aside. Unfortunately, this has turned a little political, and it doesn't need to be. This is about people helping people, Americans helping Americans. prgtoken There is a T-shirt going around that says, ``Houston Strong.'' There are T-shirts going around that are saying, ``
TRIBUTE TO BRAD PIERCE
Mike Coffman (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise today to express my appreciation to Brad Pierce, Aurora City Council Member At Large, for his many years of extraordinary work and dedication to the City of Aurora. Council Member Pierce's dedication to the City of Aurora and his leadership and vision has, amongst other accomplishments, contributed to the city's designation as the Safest Large City in America. prgtoken As an Aurora City Council Member, Brad Pierce has consistently and effectively guided city policy towards increased quality of life and growth. He continually provided the City of Aurora with guidance and leadership in his roles as the Chair of the Management and Finance Policy Committee and as the Vice-Chair of the Water Policy Committee. prgtoken Council Member Pierce has dedicated his time in elected office to making our community and the State of Colorado a better place for its residents. He serves as the President of the National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment (N.O.I.S.E) and represents the State of Colorado and the City of Aurora as a member of National League of Cities Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Steering Committee. prgtoken In addition to making the City of Aurora a better place to live, I would also like to recognize Brad Pierce's work as the Former President and current Board Member for the Community College of Aurora Foundation. Without a doubt, Councilmember Pierce has enhanced the quality of life for every citizen in the City of Aurora throughout his tenure as an Aurora City Council Member and resident of our great city. prgtoken , Brad Pierce represents the very best the State of Colorado and our nation has to offer. I offer my sincere appreciation for his unyielding dedication to public service and I wish him the very best of luck as he leaves the Aurora City Council and moves on to future endeavors.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Markwayne Mullin (Republican, OK) \u2014 2017-9-8

. Madam Chair, this amendment would prohibit funds from enforcing the administration's EPA methane rule. prgtoken This rule is currently facing litigation and uncertainty, and Congress must act to block this job-killing regulation estimated to cost the U.S. economy $530 million annually. prgtoken Methane emissions from oil and natural gas have significantly declined in recent decades without multiple, overlapping Federal regulations, and this is no exception. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and .
HONOR FLIGHT OF EASTERN OREGON
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise to recognize the ten World War II veterans from Oregon who visited their memorial on the National Mall on Friday, September 8, 2017 through Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon. Every time I have the chance to meet one of these heroes from the ``Greatest Generation,'' I am reminded of the poignant words of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. In a message to Allied troops just before D-Day, he said, ``The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you.'' prgtoken He was right then, of course, . But over seventy years later, liberty loving people everywhere continue to owe these heroes for their extraordinary service and their incredible stories of sacrifice and bravery on behalf of our country. That's why it is my privilege to enter their names into the Congressional Record today. prgtoken The veterans on this Honor Flight from Oregon are as follows: Kenneth Brandt, Army; George Droz, Army; Charles Robertson, Army; George Schoppert, Army; William Evarts, Army Air Force; Alfred Kruckman, Army Air Force; August Evert, Navy; Ben Lemire, Navy; Otto Schaffer, Navy; Billy Baucum, U.S. Coast Guard. prgtoken Some of these brave men served on land in France, Germany, Austria, England, Normandy and throughout the European and Pacific Theatres. Some served at sea in the South Pacific and the Philippines, on patrol frigates and Navy vessels. Some served as air crewman and infantrymen. While each of their roles was different, their dedication to their country was the same. prgtoken These ten heroes join the over 150,000 veterans who have been honored through the Honor Flight Network of volunteers nationwide since 2005. prgtoken I would also like to recognize the four guardians traveling on this trip who have served our country: Terrie Evarts, Jerry Rozelle, Harley Keiley, and Candy Kelley. prgtoken I also want to thank and recognize the group leaders on this night, as well as the dedicated Board Members of Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon and the Bend Heroes Foundation, who worked so hard to make this trip happen. prgtoken , at the height of the Civil War in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln wrote, ``Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause.'' Each of us in this chamber and in this nation should be humbled by the courage of these brave veterans who put themselves in harm's way for our country and way of life. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we have today. prgtoken My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon for their exemplary dedication and service to this great country.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-9-8

. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the gentleman's amendment. prgtoken Suing the government and settling has been a lucrative business which is supported by taxpayer dollars. The Endangered Species Act, for example, has become wrapped around the axle of the judicial system by excessive litigation. prgtoken Until then, I keep pushing on behalf of the States and the taxpayers. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge an ``aye'' vote on the amendment.
CONGRATULATING ALLI RAGAN
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise today to congratulate Alli Ragan, a native of Carbondale, Illinois, on winning a silver medal at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships in Paris last month. prgtoken Alli, the Pan American champion, won silver for the second straight year, and her strong performance helped propel the U.S. team to a second place finish in the tournament. prgtoken Alli, southern Illinois is extremely proud of you, and we look forward to cheering you on for many years to come.
REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT ACT
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-9-8

pursuant to House Resolution 509, I call up the bill (H.R. 601) to enhance the transparency and accelerate the impact of assistance provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to promote quality basic education in developing countries, to better enable such countries to achieve universal access to quality basic education and improved learning outcomes, to eliminate duplication and waste, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 601, REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT ACT
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-8

I represent District 14, which, arguably, is ground zero for flooding. It is the first three coastal counties that start at Louisiana and come down the Texas coast: Jefferson County, Galveston County, and then the southern half of Brazoria County. prgtoken As I reflected, , about Harvey, I thought I would put some thoughts down on paper. It is staggering and incredible, when you think about it, and, unfortunately, our friends in Florida may be facing exactly the same thing. Of course, Hurricane Irma came up through the Caribbean wreaking havoc. Our prayers and thoughts go out to those families. prgtoken Over 60 deaths here alone. prgtoken FEMA applications, 650,000-plus already. prgtoken Shelters, there were 49,000 people staying in shelters in the three counties that I have just discussed. Secretary Price said in a briefing this morning they are down to around, I think it is, 13,000, 14,000, so that number has diminished. prgtoken Money spent by FEMA so far, last estimate, $200 million. prgtoken Untold thousands, hundreds of thousands of cases of water have been sent. prgtoken Hundreds of cities, communities, towns, neighborhoods affected. prgtoken , the annual average rainfall in that area on a yearly basis, of course, is 50 inches. Folks, we got 53 inches in 3 days. prgtoken Population on the southeast part of Texas, you could say, is about 6 to 7 million people that have been affected by this. In Louisiana, I am not sure: half a million people affected by the rain, over 100,000 houses flooded. prgtoken Fuel production down from the Gulf Coast energy capital of Texas is down by 20 percent. prgtoken Jobs that have gone on hold or either just gone. prgtoken Cars flooded, tens of thousands of cars flooded. People have no transportation. prgtoken Overall cost, you have seen the projections, over $150 billion--with a B, dollars. prgtoken Ports are shut down. The port of Houston was closed. Channels are sholed in. Sabine-Neches Waterway, Port of Freeport, all of them affected by this. I am told that when ports are shut down, economic trade stops--to the cost of over $1 billion a day. prgtoken HHS Secretary Dr. Tom Price said, on the Weather Channel, that four hospitals are closed; it had been 30. Thirteen dialysis centers closed, 26 nursing homes closed. He said that HHS had encountered some 5,000 patients during the storm, not all related to the storm. prgtoken I want to add that I watched some of our great doctors in Jefferson County--Dr. Garrett Peel, Dr. Ray Callas--go to work, Baptist Hospital, Christus Hospital, get in gear, and 500 tetanus vaccines were delivered because of the threat of disease. prgtoken Dr. Price went on to say that the CDC was making plans for mosquito control due to the Zika virus. They have extended pharmaceutical waivers for drug prescriptions to be allowed for longer than 30 days. prgtoken Dr. Price did note this morning that there were some 5,400 patients with electricity requirements for trea
HONORING J. MICHAEL ANDERSON UPON RECEIPT OF THE 2017 ZUNIC AWARD
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise today to recognize J. Michael Anderson, the 2017 recipient of the Zunic Award as presented by the Syracuse Football Club. The Syracuse Football Club is a group of former Syracuse Orange football players focused on making a difference in the Central New York community. The Zunic Award was created to honor Mike and Judy Zunic, who died tragically in a United Airlines plane crash in Sioux City, Iowa on July 18, 1989. The pilot, anticipating landing difficulties, requested volunteers to give up their seats and sit at the exit doors to assist passengers in the event of an emergency. Mike and Judy gave up their seats in first class to sit at one of the doors. They both died in the crash and those in the Zunics' original seats survived. The Zunic Award honors those, like Mike and Judy, who have acted selflessly for the good of others. This year's Zunic Award recipient, J. Michael Anderson, is a former Orange offensive lineman, and has tragically lost two of his three sons--Jimmy and Eric--to the opioid epidemic devastating our community and our nation. Despite this extraordinary loss, Mike prgtoken has channeled his own tragedy into advocacy and volunteerism. He and his wife, Flo, have focused on making a difference in the Central New York community and assisting others who have experienced similar tragedy. Anderson served as a youth basketball coach for more than two decades at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Liverpool, and coached baseball in the Salt City Little League for 10 years. In addition, the Andersons are frequent holiday volunteers at the Syracuse Rescue Mission, serving meals to those less fortunate, and are active participants in the Liverpool Central School District ``Dollars for Scholars'' program where they have established a scholarship in their son Jimmy's name. Anderson spends part of each day visiting online grief sites offering assistance to those who are struggling with tragedy. For his tremendous efforts to make a difference in ending this scourge and to make our community a better place, I am proud to join the Syracuse Football Club in honoring J. Michael Anderson.
CONGRATULATING BERRY GLOBAL ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise today to recognize and honor an important milestone for a Hoosier manufacturer. prgtoken Berry Global, located in Evansville, Indiana, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. What started as an operation of three employees has grown to an international powerhouse of 2,400 employees and 23,000 employees throughout the world. prgtoken As the Evansville Courier and Press wrote recently, ``Berry Global is an undeniable Evansville success story.'' prgtoken Berry Global has been a pillar of our community and helped support our economy in southern Indiana. prgtoken This success is an undeniable testament to the hardworking men and women who go to work at Berry Global every day. Congratulations to everyone at Berry Global on a tremendous 50 years. Here is to the next 50.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LUCIANO `LUCKY' VARELA
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise today to commemorate the life and legacy of a true public servant and a dear friend from my home state of New Mexico. I have been fortunate in my life to have had the example, the mentorship and the friendship of some truly extraordinary individuals. I was deeply saddened to learn that one of those extraordinary individuals, former State Representative Luciano `Lucky' Varela, is no longer with us. Lucky was a political giant in New Mexico, a true public servant who was loved and respected by all who knew him. Representative Varela was seen by many as the conscience of the New Mexico Legislature--caring, knowledgeable, and always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. During his 30 years of dedicated service, he became one of New Mexico's most profound political leaders, and one of our state's best representatives for working families. Lucky represented a Santa Fe-area House seat in the Roundhouse from 1987 through 2016, where he served as chairman of the influential Finance Committee, among other important committee posts. When it came to state finances and fiscal matters, Lucky's command of the subject was encyclopedic. One of his colleagues once said that Lucky had probably forgotten more about state finances than the experts that appeared before his committee ever knew. Truer words were never spoken. Over the course of his long and memorable career, Varela was a champion for fair wages and reasonable pay increase for state employees, and protecting those who served our state by working in state government. When Lucky saw a problem, he acted to correct it. His leadership and compassion shined throughout his life. He inspired those who got to know him and many who never met him. His life and his service have left an indelible imprint on the thousands of New Mexicans he helped while in office, but even more importantly, Lucky Varela's legacy will live on through the many people he mentored and relationships he fostered. Before I close, I want to share some of the remembrances from those who knew him and worked with him. Senator Tom Udall said Lucky ``represented the people of Santa Fe with honor, integrity and heart. He will be remembered for his honesty about the need to address our challenges in order to move our state forward, and especially for his deep knowledge of the state budget and its impact on everyone in New Mexico. ``Lucky truly made New Mexico a better place. He understood the numbers; just as importantly, he understood the people behind those numbers--their struggles, hopes and dreams. He gave selflessly to the people of Santa Fe and the entire state of New Mexico, and we are better for his leadership. We will miss him dearly.'' Former Governor Bill Richardson called Lucky ``a master legislator whose expertise on the budget and finances was unparalleled. He was also a gentle soul who cared deeply about his Santa Fe constituents and his wonderful family.'
LET'S HAVE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE ON THE DREAM ACT
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-8

this week, the President of the United States turned his back on our Nation's immigrant heritage. With the repeal of DACA, he is creating havoc in the lives of 800,000 young Americans. prgtoken Yes, , these are Americans. The average DREAMer came here at age 6. Some of them were so young when they arrived that they do not remember the journey. Many of them only speak English. And now you are going to deport them? That is how you make America great again? prgtoken The President of the United States told DREAMers that they ``did not have reason to worry'' because he has a ``big heart.'' prgtoken This decision belies that claim. It shows the heartless, small- minded, and fear-driven politics driving this administration's policies. prgtoken Where the President has failed to show leadership, Members of Congress, from both parties, must step up bring to the floor today legislation to codify DACA. Let's have an up-or-down vote on the Dream Act and protect these young people. They are the face of America.
REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT ACT
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-9-8

I rise in support of the hundreds of thousands of victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston and County and all along the Texas Gulf Coast, and urge Congress to immediately pass the $15.25 billion dollar emergency aid bill before us today. prgtoken For six days, the Texas Gulf Coast was hammered by Hurricane Harvey, bringing destruction beyond anything witnessed in living memory in our state. prgtoken The storm dropped four feet of rain on Greater Houston. Over 100,000 homes and residences were flooded in County alone. Authorities believe at least 70 Texans were killed due to Harvey, and that number will continue to rise. prgtoken Houstonians and Texans are a proud and independent people. We take pride in our can-do attitude, as witnessed by our brave first responders and countless volunteers who rescued neighbors during the worst of the flooding. prgtoken Full recovery from this unprecedented disaster will take years, but right now we need Congress to pass this emergency relief bill that will help the people of Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast sustain current relief efforts and onto the road to recovery. prgtoken God bless America and God bless Texas.