mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
UKRAINE
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-3-15

first I want to say that I appreciate my colleagues being on the floor tonight and their really moving statements about the crisis in Ukraine and the atrocities that are being committed there. prgtoken And I think what you did tonight is you added a lot of texture and perspective to the resolution that just passed this body by a unanimous vote. Nobody objected. We are now on record here in this body with a strong statement of support for Ukraine and strong opposition to the atrocities being committed and our commitment to do more. prgtoken So, again, I appreciated being with you in Poland, and I appreciated your coming to the floor tonight. prgtoken I am going to pick up where I had left off and talk a little more about what we can do because that is the real question that faces us here in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken We talked a lot about military assistance tonight, and we, again, I think, had a consensus among us as to what we need to do to help the Ukrainians prgtoken protect themselves, particularly from the aerial assault that they are under. prgtoken I know we also have another colleague who couldn't be here on the floor because of scheduling concerns, as I said earlier, Senator Klobuchar, but she will be making a statement for the record that will go along with our statements tonight. I look forward to seeing that. prgtoken The four of us got in at about midnight last night, and we come back with a heavy heart but also lots of advice for our government as to how we can do more. prgtoken On the humanitarian side, the United States has got a key role to play as well, not just on military assistance but on ensuring that people who are fleeing this conflict and people internally displaced have the help they need. prgtoken We support our European partners who have opened their homes, as I said earlier, and their borders to Ukrainian refugees. In fact, they have provided a 3-year visa, in essence, to Ukrainians in the European Union and permission to work, and this is, I think, a strong signal of the special relationship that the countries of the EU feel toward Ukraine, which I hope someday will be a member of the European Union, as do they. prgtoken Congress just passed some immediate help for Ukraine. It was in legislation called the Omnibus appropriations bill a few days ago. That will help AID here in the United States and other organizations around the world be able to help with these refugees and help those Ukrainians who are trapped in cities under siege. To me this is the No. 1 priority right now. prgtoken Cities like Mariupol--you probably read that people have been without food and water for days--for days. There was a child--a girl, apparently--who died of dehydration recently, and others are going to be finding themselves in an impossible situation, not knowing where their next meal may come from. So we need to help them, particularly in these cities in the east and the south of the count
HONORING I. RAY BYRD
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , I rise in honor of I. Ray Byrd, who passed away on January 30, 2022. Mr. Byrd was a businessman and community leader in Salem, Virginia. prgtoken Mr. Byrd was born on September 1, 1928, in Martinsville, Virginia to Daniel Edward and Virgie Holt Byrd. He attended Randolph Macon College and finished his education at the Medical College of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He later went on to spend two years as a United States Marine and attained the rank of Captain. prgtoken He and his wife, Nina, moved to Salem, Virginia in 1954. This is where he and his dear friend, Ervin Pollard Brooks, founded Brooks-Byrd Pharmacy. Brooks-Byrd Pharmacy became an iconic Salem location and is still open today. Further, the pharmacy's patrons benefited from the kindness of Mr. Byrd. In a throwback to an earlier age, it allowed their regular customers to carry accounts forward. This was very helpful to many struggling families throughout the years--including single-parent households such as mine when I was a kid. The community will be forever indebted to Mr. Byrd and Mr. Brooks for their dedicated, selfless service. prgtoken Throughout his pharmaceutical career, Mr. Byrd also served as a pharmacist at the Bradley Free Clinic, Richfield Pharmacy, and the VA Hospital. He was also a member of the Roanoke Valley Pharmaceutical and the Virginia Pharmaceutical Associations. prgtoken Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Byrd devotedly volunteered and worked to improve his community. He served in the Salem Kiwanis Club, Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem Museum, Salem Sports Foundation, and the Salem Industrial Authority. For five years he served as the chairman of the City of Salem School Board. Mr. Byrd especially valued faith and family. He was an active member and trustee of the Salem Baptist Church. prgtoken Mr. Byrd's survivors include his wife, Nina Byrd; his children, Dr. Carol Byrd and her husband, I. Ray Byrd, Jr. and his wife, Mary Catherine Ruskan, and Laura Byrd Earle and her husband; his grandchildren, Bradley Barr, Dr. Ann Cameron Barr and her husband, Dr. Andrew Barr and his wife, Nicholas Byrd and his prgtoken wife, Alison Byrd Walker and her husband, Caroline Byrd Heflin and her husband, Matthew Ruskan, Catherine Ruskan, Nina Earle, Samuel Earle, and Hank Earle; and great-grandchildren Alicia Byrd, Cecilia Byrd, Smith Barr, Ellis Barr, and Sophia Walker. I offer them my condolences on their loss.
WE MUST SUPPORT UKRAINE
David Rouzer (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , President 's decision to ban the importation of Russian oil is a good step, albeit late and only after mounting bipartisan pressure to do so. There was no good reason for the United States to ever subsidize the Russian economy and President Putin's military by buying oil from Russia, a source of Putin's leverage with the West for years. Now, he wages an unprovoked and violent assault on Ukraine. prgtoken On a separate issue, nor is it a good idea for the U.S. to be sitting alongside Russia negotiating with Iran on a deal that paves Iran's path to a nuclear weapon, another pot of trouble brewing for the world, as evidenced by their missiles launched at Israelis and Americans in Iraq this past weekend. prgtoken Given all the challenges we face in the world today, we must immediately unleash American energy production so that we in the United States and our allies around the world can have access to affordable and reliable energy. prgtoken We should be authorizing new leases and permits for oil and gas projects, expediting the approval of all pipelines, and stopping the self-inflicted regulatory assault on American energy development and financing. In short, President must reverse, with the prgtoken stroke of a pen, every anti-fossil fuel policy he has put in place during the past year. prgtoken If the President wants to lower gas prices at the pump and protect the environment, he is the one person who can do it, who can unleash American energy dominance. The world is going to meet its energy needs with oil and gas one way or the other. It is just a question of from where it comes. We can do it better and cleaner than anyone else, so why not do it here and serve the call of freedom. Honoring Deborah Johnson
IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF RETIRING UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM PRESIDENT TOMMY THOMPSON
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , today I rise in honor of the career and service of retiring University of Wisconsin System President, Tommy Thompson. prgtoken Throughout Mr. Thompson's long and esteemed career, he has been admired by his peers for his incredible dedication to public service. From being born and raised in Elroy, Wisconsin, to enlisting in the United States Army National Guard, to becoming the longest-serving governor in Wisconsin history, Mr. Thompson's commitment to the State of Wisconsin and our Nation never waivered. I commend Mr. Thompson's service and thank him for the enormous contributions that he has made to the State of Wisconsin and to the United States. prgtoken Mr. Thompson's successful tenure as governor was spearheaded by major initiatives like the nation's first school-choice program that Wisconsinites continue to benefit from today. His push for the parental school-choice program created unparalleled educational opportunities for students and witnessed record participation. Governor Thompson led the way on education, healthcare, and welfare reform setting the stage for decades of prosperity in Wisconsin. Given the success of his governorship, Mr. Thompson was appointed by then President to serve as the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary from 2001 to 2005. During his time as HHS Secretary, Mr. Thompson played a key role in projects and initiatives that resulted in greater transparency and efficiency throughout the agency. prgtoken During his almost 60-year career, Mr. Thompson has proven himself to be one of the most successful public servants in Wisconsin history. In 2019, Mr. Thompson yet again answered the call to service as he was named President of the University of Wisconsin System. Under his leadership, the UW System prioritized developing, attracting, and retaining students and educators that will benefit from the world-class education that the UW system has to offer. As President, Mr. Thompson also helped the UW System navigate the incredible challenges of a once- in-a-lifetime pandemic. The State of Wisconsin is grateful for Mr. Thompson's lifetime of service and dedication to our great state. prgtoken As we look back on Mr. Thompson's career, there is no doubt that he has dedicated his life to making the world around him a better place. Mr. Thompson's continued service to both the State of Wisconsin and the United States is worthy of our highest degree of recognition. I urge all of my colleagues in this body to join me in congratulating Mr. Thompson on another successful tenure in public service and on his retirement from the UW System. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF JOHN CHENEY'S 90TH BIRTHDAY
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. John , an outstanding citizen from North Baltimore, Ohio, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on March 20, 2022. John has been a leader in the community through a lifetime of service, and his family and friends are very grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate this significant birthday with him: Reaching this momentous milestone provides the opportunity to recognize John's many accomplishments in life, but especially his service to our country and community. prgtoken John served on active duty as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army after graduation from Bowling Green State University in 1954. He served on active duty until 1957 and continued in the U.S. Army Reserves, completing twenty-eight years of military service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He has remained active in a number of military organizations and is well known for his large collection of military vehicles, which he takes to events throughout Northwest Ohio and the rest of the country. He chaired the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee when it established the county's Armed Forces Day Celebration. Today, Armed Forces Day in Findlay is one of the largest annual military events in Ohio. He is a member of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, and his vehicle collection has helped to preserve and promote our military heritage. John is a charter member of the Ohio Motor Pool and participated in the 2009 Transcontinental Military Convoy. He is also a pilot and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Notably, he built a trophy- winning open cockpit biplane, which he flew for many years. prgtoken John married his wife, Elaine, on July 19, 1952, and they had three children: Caprice, Mark, and John. After completing his active-duty military service, John worked at Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative for 41 years while raising his family, retiring as president and CEO in 1996. He is known throughout the area for his public service and has continued to be active in many organizations in his community and Northwest Ohio. Most notably, he is a founding trustee and served as chairman of Northwestern Water and Sewer District Board of Trustees. He continues to serve on that board. He also served for 13 years as a board member of Buckeye Power, which provides electric energy to 25 member cooperatives in Ohio. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating John 's 90th birthday. John is most worthy of this recognition, and I thank him for a distinguished career serving our country and community. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I wish John a very happy birthday and his family all the best.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-3-15

there is a very distinct possibility that the mask mandates saved no lives. There is a very distinct possibility that the mask mandates did not change the trajectory or incidence of the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, there is a distinct possibility that mask mandates were simply coercive security theater that did not enhance the public safety at all. prgtoken While the efficacy of masks is debatable, the question of whether or not the Federal Government possesses the power to mandate that you wear a mask is not debatable. The 10th Amendment clearly states that powers not specifically enumerated by the Constitution for the Federal Government are retained by the States and the people respectively. prgtoken In United States v. Lopez, the 10th Amendment is affirmed. The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution withholds from Congress the plenary power that would authorize enactment of every type of legislation. The Supreme Court went on to say that allowing the Federal Government a general police power of the sort retained by the States would violate the principle that the Federal Government is one of enumerated and limited powers. prgtoken Furthermore, no statute exists that remotely conveys a power to mandate masks to any Department of the Federal Government. Yet, since March of 2020, unelected bureaucrats from the Centers for Disease Control have incessantly declared that we should ``follow the science'' and submit to their mandates. But those bureaucrats defy science and practice something closer to sorcery. prgtoken For 2 years, they have incanted the magic word ``emergency,'' which they believe conjures up special powers that require each one of us to wear face masks they tell us have talismanic qualities. The only problem with this assertion is that none of it is true. The CDC does not have limitless authority during emergencies, and masks are not effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. prgtoken This, after all, is the same Agency that decided merely by uttering the word ``emergency'' that it empowered itself to tear up every rental contract in America. Fortunately, the Supreme Court put the CDC in its place, saying that it ``imposed a nationwide moratorium on evictions in reliance on a decades-old statute that authorizes it to implement measures like fumigation and pest extermination. It strains credulity to believe that this statute grants the CDC the sweeping authority that it asserts.'' prgtoken But the CDC has yet to learn its lesson. For a third time, the CDC extended the mandate, forcing everyone wishing to exercise their right to travel to wear a mask. The mask, to the CDC, is effectively a passport. Those who work for airlines are compelled to incessantly remind paying customers not only to wear a mask while we board but in between bites and in between sips. ``Sir, please put your mask on in between peanuts. Sir, after each peanut, please put your mask on.'' The absurdity.
UNLOCKING RURAL AMERICA'S POTENTIAL
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-3-15

. I appreciate the opportunity. Mr. Newhouse has done an amazing job leading the Western Caucus and fighting for the things that affect some of us across the country. prgtoken You just heard of one of our colleagues from all the way on the East prgtoken Coast talk about some of the issues. It always amazes me that our issues are so aligned. prgtoken But specifically today I am going to talk a little bit about water. So in communities like the Central Valley, Federal permitting requirements, coupled with the State's strict environmental regulations make it harder for our communities to get the water they so desperately need. prgtoken Increasing water storage capacity is critical to ensuring a reliable water supply for our valley farmers that feed the country. Unfortunately, our broken permitting process prevents many of these critical water infrastructure projects from ever getting off the ground. prgtoken We need to fix complex and contradictory laws, court decisions, and regulations at the State and Federal levels that hinder our water storage infrastructure. prgtoken Layers of unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape in permitting decisions have blocked much of the needed progress on a long list of projects, from water storage, to energy production, to highways. prgtoken The government red tape in permitting is not only affecting water storage, it is also having a devastating effect on our Nation's energy supply. prgtoken There is a backlog of over 4,600 permits to drill pending under the administration, and even though Federal law requires approval of the permits on Federal lands within 30 days, permits often languish at the Department of the Interior for a year or more. prgtoken This government red tape is hurting families in the Central Valley and across the country in the form of higher gas prices. It is time for the government bureaucracy to get out of the way so we can once again become energy independent. prgtoken There is no reason that streamlining the Federal permitting process should be a controversial issue. Rural communities like the one I represent are tired of burdensome government regulations holding them back. Greater efficiency in the Federal permitting process is critical for getting water to those in the Central Valley that need it most. prgtoken And as we saw, from other colleagues that spoke before us, this isn't just a California issue. And I know that the chairman here, Mr. Newhouse and I, our districts are a lot alike. We both grow a lot of different commodities, and we are proud of our districts. But we both need something that makes it all possible, and that is water and energy. prgtoken I thank the gentleman for his leadership on these important issues and thank him for giving me the opportunity.
TRIBUTE TO GENERAL KENNETH FRANKLIN MCKENZIE, JR.
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-3-15

I rise today to honor U.S. Marine Corps General Kenneth Franklin McKenzie, Jr commander of U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL. General McKenzie is one of our Nation's finest military officers, and he will retire from Active military service on April 1, 2022, with nearly 43 years of distinguished service to our great Nation. prgtoken General McKenzie, a native of Birmingham, AL, graduated from The Citadel in 1979 and was commissioned into the Marine Corps as an infantry officer. During his distinguished career, General McKenzie commanded at the platoon, company, battalion, Marine Expeditionary Unit, service component, and combatant command levels. As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded First Battalion, Sixth Marines. As the commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), he led combat deployments to Afghanistan in 2004 and Iraq from 2005 to 2006. From 2006 to 2007, General McKenzie served as the Military Secretary to the 33rd and 34th Commandants of the Marine Corps. prgtoken As a general officer, he served on the Joint Staff as a Deputy Director of Operations within the National Military Command Center. He was also selected by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be the Director of the Chairman's New Administration Transition Team, where he coordinated the efforts of the Joint Staff and the combatant commands during a wartime transition of administrations. General McKenzie later assumed command of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, and most recently took command of U.S. Central Command, a position he has held since 2019. prgtoken General McKenzie is an honors graduate of the Army Armor Officer Advanced Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the School of Advanced Warfighting. In 1999, he was selected as a commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow and served as a senior military fellow within the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University. prgtoken At a time of great uncertainty in the world, particularly in the Middle East, General McKenzie led U.S. Central Command through multiple momentous events while deterring Iran, defeating ISIS, and securing the region. General McKenzie is an exceptional leader, selfless servant, and American patriot who is committed to our Nation and our interests. With profound admiration and deep respect, we pay tribute for all he has done for the defense of our Nation for more than four decades. prgtoken Today, I am honored to recognize General McKenzie's long and decorated career. On behalf of a grateful nation, I commend General McKenzie for his dedicated service to the United States of America. I also wish to recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by General McKenzie's wife, Marilyn, as well as their son, K.R daughter-in-law, Kristin, and two grandsons, Noah and James. We are a nation truly indebted to all of the servicemembers, v