mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGAL SERVICES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS ACT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-25

. Madam , I thank the chairman and ranking member. I appreciate this opportunity to talk about something that both of these gentlemen have discussed and support. I appreciate that, so I thank the gentlemen very much. prgtoken Madam , today, I rise in support as well of H.R. 3749, the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act. prgtoken This is a bill that directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to organizations that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness. prgtoken The grant funds will be used to provide legal services related to housing, such as legal services related to family law; legal services related to income support; legal services related to criminal defense, including defense in matters symptomatic of homelessness; and legal services related to requests to upgrade discharge characterizations. prgtoken The legislation also authorizes appropriations of at least $20 million for additional aid to women veterans experiencing housing instability and homelessness. As you heard from the chairman, women are the fastest growing group not just of homeless veterans but in the military and in our veterans' communities. And, as you heard, they are more likely to be single parents. prgtoken While serving as a local prosecutor, before my time here in Congress, in Monterey County, and working as a board member for the Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County, an organization which offers veterans not just transitional housing but, of course, case management programs to get them up on their feet and back into the communities where they can continue to serve, I worked firsthand with many veterans who had certain legal issues that brought them to the brink or pushed them right into, unfortunately, homelessness. prgtoken It is essential that Congress now ensure that our veterans are properly supported, have access to legal aid, and, yes, get the benefits that they have earned. We can then keep a roof over their heads. prgtoken For veterans in my district and across this country, this bill will provide them aid that really can help them during such events as Veterans Stand Down, a biennial event that we have in our district that provides much-needed legal assistance and helps our community's veterans get back on solid ground, be accepted into housing, drive legally, and make sure that they can find a job. prgtoken Madam , as a former veteran, I do urge my colleagues to support my bill to provide veterans the resources necessary to help them resolve legal issues and get back on their feet so that they can get back to being an integral part of our community and, of course, our country. prgtoken Finally, Madam , I thank the members of the For Country Caucus for endorsing this legislation. As a co-chair and founder of this caucus, the membership and I have worked to provide a platform for military veteran members to work across the aisle, to improve governance,
IN CELEBRATION OF THE NAMI WASHTENAW COUNTY'S THE ADVOCATE GALA: TAKING OFF THE MASK
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-25

. Madam , I rise today to recognize NAMI Washtenaw County and celebrate its 2020 Advocate Gala: Taking Off the Mask. NAMI's lasting commitment to supporting mental health in our community is worthy of commendation. prgtoken NAMI Washtenaw County is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those living with mental health conditions. Established by a group of concerned parents of children with mental health conditions, NAMI Washtenaw County was created in 1984 to address our community's mental health needs. Since its humble beginnings, NAMI Washtenaw County has grown significantly and continues to provide critical mental health educational programs, support groups, and advocacy work that address mental health concerns and work to correct the stigmas that are so often attached. Today, NAMI Washtenaw County ensures thousands of individuals, families, and educators connect with the support and information they need. prgtoken The Taking Off the Mask Gala exemplifies NAMI Washtenaw County's continued commitment to addressing mental condition concerns. Although mental conditions impact the lives of many, people remain afraid, unwilling, or embarrassed to talk about mental health in fear of the stigma that is attached. Thanks to NAMI Washtenaw County's dedication, tonight's gala will help lift these damaging stigmas and uncover the stories of people living with mental health conditions that are often hidden behind masks. The gala will explore everyday hopes and struggles that come with caring for someone living with a mental health condition and encourage attendees to create an open future without stigma, judgement, or embarrassment. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring NAMI Washtenaw County as it hosts its Taking Off the Mask Gala. NAMI Washtenaw County continues to be critical resource to many, and its unrelenting commitment to improving the lives of those living with mental conditions makes a real and lasting difference in our community. We are grateful for NAMI Washtenaw County's meaningful impact and wish it continued success in the years ahead.
RECOGNIZING DOROTHY STEIN
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-25

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of a dear friend and mentor, Dorothy Stein, who will celebrate her 102nd birthday this year. Dorothy was born in 1918 in Owosso, Michigan to Justena (Byrnes) and Matthew Shea. While she was still young, the family moved to Flint, Michigan, and Dorothy stayed there until she was married. She was eventually hired by the Flint Journal covering 'society news' and cherished the time she spent reporting there. She met her husband, Donald (Don) J. Stein, through friends. They married during the war but before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. The war ended just as he completed his training. The couple moved to Detroit and had four children, then eleven grandchildren, then twenty great grandchildren. She was involved with several charities, including Christ Child Society. She and Don were also very involved in the Academy of the Sacred Heart where their three daughters attended school. They joined Otsego Ski Club and enjoyed spending time there for many years. Dorothy played bridge several days a week and became extremely skilled. She has been a member of the Village Club for decades which was the site of much of her bridge playing. She still plays occasionally to this day. She drove until she was 98 years old, and she continues to bless all with her warm heart and beautiful wardrobe. Our community is a better place because of Dorothy Stein.
TRIBUTE TO ROBERT J. JACKSON, JR.
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-2-25

I rise to express my appreciation for the work of Securities and Exchange Commission: Robert J. Jackson, Jr. Commissioner Jackson stepped down earlier this month from the SEC, having served with distinction since December 2017. He returns to teaching, having made many valuable contributions to policy debates at the SEC and beyond. prgtoken Mr. Jackson is no stranger to public service. Prior to his work at the SEC, he served in the Treasury Department as the Nation emerged from the financial crisis. Mr. Jackson has led by example, working diligently to ensure the SEC fulfills its three-part mission, particularly the protection of investors in an increasingly complex marketplace. As an outspoken voice on behalf of investors, Mr. Jackson stressed the importance of clear and sensible rules that put investors first, combined with a pragmatic understanding of how markets work. prgtoken Mr. Jackson brought a law professor's analytical approach to his responsibilities as a Commissioner. His careful and thoughtful work digging through data, developing original research, and presenting it in a clear and insightful manner provided the SEC and other policymakers with critical information and a valuable perspective with which to consider some of the most difficult questions in securities laws. prgtoken Over the years, Commissioner Jackson has been a leader on the issue of corporate political spending disclosure. He has helped to focus the conversation on how to think about reasonable and material disclosure as our political system has become awash in dark money. Similarly, Mr. Jackson's study of trends in stock buybacks and the potential for abuse by corporate executives raised many issues that merit additional consideration by regulators and lawmakers. prgtoken I would like to lead my colleagues in wishing Mr. Jackson the best of luck as he returns to academia. I expect that he will continue his insightful research and scholarship to benefit investors and make markets more efficient. The SEC benefited from Commissioner Jackson's tenure, and we know his students will benefit, too.
Election Security (Executive Calendar)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-2-25

I rise today to once again call upon the Senate to take immediate and urgent action to prevent Russia or any other foreign power from interfering in our 2020 elections. Since the last time I came to the Senate floor to talk about this issue, it has become only more urgent. The clock is ticking, and each day that goes by without the Senate taking action, this body becomes more complicit in the hijacking of our democracy by Vladimir Putin or other foreign powers that try to interfere in our elections. prgtoken Just in the last week, we have seen significant new developments. We know that the intelligence community briefed the House Intelligence Committee about ongoing Russian interference in our current elections. prgtoken We also know that upon learning about that briefing, upon hearing that the intelligence community was doing its job in keeping Congress informed about election interference, President erupted upon hearing the news. He did not want the House of Representatives to know what the Russians were up to. prgtoken We know that soon after that briefing, President unceremoniously fired his Acting Director of National Security, Joseph Maguire, who is a military veteran and a career public servant of great integrity. All of that, we know. And we know that President replaced Mr. Maguire with an Acting Director who has no prior experience in the intelligence community and whose only qualification appears to be to tell President what President wants to hear when it comes to intelligence information or other matters. prgtoken None of us should be surprised to learn that the Russians are interfering again in our elections. They did it in 2016. That was the unanimous verdict of all our U.S. intelligence agencies. In fact, that was the verdict by the head of agencies who had been appointed by President . That was also the bipartisan finding of the Senate Intelligence Committee. They found that there was some level of Russian interference in the 2016 elections in every State in the country, all 50 States. It was also the well-documented conclusion in the Muller report that brought a number of indictments against Russian operatives of the GRU. prgtoken Just last November, the leaders of the intelligence agencies--again, leaders appointed by the current President--all warned the Congress and the American people that the Russians and other foreign powers would seek to interfere in our elections in 2020. Those agencies included the heads of the NSA, the CRA, the FBI, the DNI, and others. Last November, all of them warned us about expected Russian interference in our elections. So it really should be no surprise that we learned last week of a briefing in the House where the intelligence community said: We told you so. prgtoken We have determined that the Russians are interfering right now in the ongoing 2020 elections. That shouldn't be surprising. What is surprising
REMEMBERING JEFFREY HAMMOND LONG
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-2-25

I rise today to pay tribute to Jeffrey ``Jeff'' Hammond Long, an outstanding public servant and friend to many. Sadly, Jeff passed away on July 8, 2018. He was critically injured by a truck while riding his bike in Washington the previous day. Today, in honor of what would have been his 38th birthday, I wish to recognize Jeff's legacy of positivity. prgtoken Born in New York City, Jeff enrolled at Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT. Throughout his many years there, Jeff set an example for his fellow students. Not only did he mentor younger members of the community and cocaptain the lacrosse team, but he also served as president of the student body. Even after graduation, Jeff continued to serve the school as a result of the foundational experience he had at Brunswick. prgtoken Jeff studied at Hamilton College, where he was vice president of the student body and an Arthur Levitt Scholar. During his time at Hamilton, Jeff began his remarkable dedication to public service by interning for former President Clinton at the Clinton Foundation's New York office, as well as for Secretary Kerry's Presidential campaign and his U.S. Senate office. prgtoken I had the pleasure of first meeting Jeff in 2010. He worked in my Senate office for many years, serving as a legislative assistant on the energy, environment, and transportation portfolio. Jeff routinely demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to helping the people of Connecticut and the Nation. A diligent and bright member of my team, he always put the needs of others before his own, focusing on serving the people of Connecticut with tireless care and patience. prgtoken His incredible wife, Kaylie--another Connecticut native and devoted public servant--continues to honor his memory by doing acts of kindness on Jeff's birthday. She and their friends are guided by his motto: ``It's cool to be nice.'' prgtoken Jeff's natural inclination to support others and bring smiles to people's faces touched countless lives from Connecticut to DC, and everywhere in between. He helped everyone around him find a positive side to any situation or take a moment to appreciate even the smallest parts of life. prgtoken I am grateful for the considerate and warm outlook Jeff brought wherever he went, and I know his memory will forever serve as a model of selflessness and unfailing devotion. My wife Cynthia and I extend our warmest thoughts to Kaylie, as well as to Jeff's parents, Nancy and David, and I hope my colleagues will join me in acknowledging Jeff's incredible impact.
HONORING ROSA NACCARATO
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-25

I have spoken in this Chamber before about my father's American success story as an Italian immigrant. Today, I rise to tell the story of another Italian immigrant success story, the story of my constituent's mother, Rosa Naccarato. prgtoken Rosa died unexpectedly this past Christmas, only 2 weeks shy of her 95th birthday. prgtoken In 1955, Rosa left Italy with her husband and six children, leaving behind her friends and family, all in pursuit of the American Dream. Think of the tears that were shed as family and a way of life were left behind and as they faced the unknown. prgtoken The Naccaratos arrived in America with only $200 in their pocket. They worked hard and experienced tremendous hardships and personal affronts because they didn't speak English. But they refused to believe that they were second-class citizens. prgtoken They persevered, and their children all achieved tremendous success. Their son, Anthony Naccarato, my constituent, was recently installed as the New York State president of the Sons and Daughters of Italy. prgtoken Anthony asked me to speak up on behalf of his mother and all immigrants who make the leap of faith to leave everything behind and come to America to try and live the American Dream. Hopefully, Rosa Naccarato's story will inspire others to persevere through the hardships, the discrimination, and the outright disrespect. prgtoken , today, we honor Rosa Naccarato. God bless her, and God bless the United States of America.
HONORING DR. GUSTAVO BALDERAS OF EUGENE, NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-2-25

. Madam , I am proud to announce my constituent, Dr. Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Eugene School District 4J, was named Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators. Dr. Balderas now makes three Oregon superintendents that have won the prestigious award, two of which hail from Oregon's Fourth Congressional District. prgtoken Education has long been a passion for Dr. Balderas. He is the proud son of migrant parents from Piedras Negras, Cohauila Mexico--who, like many migrants, sought a better life for their family in the United States. His parents saw getting an education as a path forward for their son and pushed him to follow this track. prgtoken Dr. Balderas is an Oregonian through and through--beginning his education in the Nyssa School District and Treasure Valley Community College in Eastern Oregon, earning a bachelor's degree from Western Oregon University and then a master's degree from Portland State University, and, finally, receiving his doctorate from the University of Oregon. He has spent nearly all his 30-year career in Oregon. prgtoken I am not surprised the American Association of School Administrators bestowed their distinguished award to Dr. Balderas. He is well-known and well-respected throughout the state for his leadership in education equity. Dr. Balderas is committed to mentoring and providing counsel and direction to the future leaders of our state's school districts. prgtoken He has made great strides in increasing the diversity of Eugene 4J's educator workforce. Under his leadership, 30 percent of all district administrators, including 39 percent of school principals, are people of color, more accurately reflecting the district's 31 percent enrollment among students of color. prgtoken He has also partnered with community organizations to combat youth and family homelessness in our district. prgtoken In accepting his award, Dr. Balderas said: ``This is a `we' award, not a `me' award''--accepting the award on behalf of his community rather than himself. I am thrilled that Eugene 4J has such a dedicated, yet modest, leader who recognizes the important work educators contribute towards making our public schools exceptional. In fact, it was the educators in his life that inspired him to follow this path. They made him a better student and the role model he is today. prgtoken Dr. Balderas' talents were cultivated in Oregon's public schools, and today our community is reaping the rewards from his capacity, capability, and commitment. I am honored to have an educator of Dr. Balderas' caliber serve our community, and I thank him for the outstanding work he has done and will continue to do on behalf of the students of Eugene 4J and all of public education.
CONGRATULATING ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY DIRECTOR PAUL K. KEARNS ON BEING NAMED THE 2020 DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR BY THE FEDERAL LABORATORY CONSORTIUM
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Argonne National Laboratory's Paul K. Kearns on being named the 2020 Director of the Year by the Federal Laboratory Consortium. The Federal Laboratory Consortium Awards are prestigious honors awarded by a panel of experts from laboratories, industry, government, and academia. prgtoken Since becoming Argonne's lab director in November of 2017, Paul Kearns has maintained the laboratory's core values. Among the many accomplishments made during his tenure, the nickel-manganese-cobalt cathode has seen extraordinary success and is now used in many of today's electric vehicles. Argonne has also increased its partnerships with the entrepreneurial community and is aggressively expanding its collaboration initiatives. Throughout his tenure, Paul's passion for community outreach and building the next generation of STEM professionals has been clear. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Paul Kearns for his outstanding contributions to the science and technology industry and inspire the future generation of STEM professionals.
EMMETT TILL ANTILYNCHING ACT
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I want to leave with a 1930 editorial in the Raleigh News and Observer that noted the elation of the audience witnessing a lynching as follows: ``Men joked loudly at the sight of the bleeding body. . . . Girls giggled as the flies fed on the blood that dripped from the Negro's nose.'' prgtoken Lynchings were brutal, violent, and savage public spectacles. As I said, they were advertised in newspapers, and postcards were sold. Souvenirs were made from victims' remains.
HONORING KERRY THOMAS
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Mr. Kerry Thomas, Chief of Police for the city of Chamblee. A self-described ``forward thinker,'' Chief Thomas has served as Chief of Police now for a little over three months. This weekend, citizens in Chamblee will honor Chief Thomas for his service as the city's first African American police chief. prgtoken Chief Thomas joined the Chamblee Police Department last November after over 30 years of service to the Savannah Police Department. During his career in Savannah, his work experience spanned from a Patrol Officer, Forensic Examiner, Captain, and Assistant Chief of Police. His appointment as Chief was recommended by Chamblee City Manager Jon Walker and confirmed by Mayor Eric Clarkson and the Chamblee City Council. He was selected out of an application pool of 48 candidates from across Georgia and beyond. According to Mr. Walker, Chief Thomas ``expressed a great depth of knowledge and offered a methodical and results oriented approach to policing.'' prgtoken Prior to his service in the police force, Chief Thomas proudly served in the United States Army as an Armor Crewman Specialist from 1984 until 1987. During his time in the Army, Chief Thomas deployed to Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, he transitioned into the Georgia Army National Guard, where he served another three years. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize Chief Thomas for his service, his sacrifice, and his dedication to keeping the city of Chamblee safe. As we approach the end of Black History Month, may we be reminded of the enormous contributions that black men and women make to the United States every day. On behalf of myself, the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to join the city of Chamblee in honoring Chief Kerry Thomas.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Susan Wild (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , as we mark Public Schools Week, I want to recognize the extraordinary educators across my community and our country. prgtoken In spite of deep, systemic inequities we face in funding for our public schools and this administration's proposed further cuts, there are efforts in every school district to teach and support our young people in every aspect of their lives: prgtoken Programs like the Allentown School District's partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College, which allows students to earn an associate's degree before leaving high school. prgtoken Initiatives like the efforts in Bethlehem School District to provide universal screening for students' mental health challenges and to increase community involvement. prgtoken Robust arts education programs like those featured in the Freddy Awards, hosted each year by the State Theatre in Easton, recognizing exceptional high school theater departments across the region. prgtoken Vital services like the food pantry in East Stroudsburg School District to support food insecure students, and business education projects like a coffee shop run by students in the same district, providing those students an invaluable experience. prgtoken When we invest in public education, we invest in our common future as a country. Let us commit to making those investments full and equitable.