mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS AND SUCCESSES OF WNY HEROES
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-7

. Madam , today I am pleased to honor an organization, WNY Heroes, whose programs continue to be a lifeline for our local military veterans. Founded in 2007, its mission of preventing homelessness quickly expanded to a wholesale outreach organization that has aided countless veterans. They continue to work tirelessly in support of veterans, and this week we celebrate the grand opening of their new location in downtown Buffalo. prgtoken At the outset, WNY Heroes was designed to assist Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, but the need grew as veterans of all eras came in search of help. They soon broadened their reach to all that served our nation. WNY Heroes has become an instrumental voice in our community. and their effort toward veterans and their families by providing immediate financial assistance is nothing short of remarkable. More than ever, the demand for their services is growing. prgtoken Their program, ``Heroes' Bridge,'' offers veterans with financial assistance. Through medical referral, ``Pawsitive for Heroes'' has paid for over 140 veterans to be paired with a trained service dog. ``Operation Backpack'' raises money every year to buy new school supplies for the children of veterans. 1,200 veterans from four local counties are sufficiently fed because of their program, ``Feed a Veteran.'' They connect veterans with appropriate resources and services through the Veterans Health Administration every day. prgtoken WNY Heroes fills a void in the treatment of our veterans--one that should not exist. Sacrifice abroad is often met with hardship at home. Founder, Chris Kreiger, and the WNY Heroes team knows this firsthand, so they act to fix it. This organization's success serves as a much- needed inspiration, and each of the aforementioned programs is critical in the lives of our local heroes. Their new location in Buffalo should help them to reach more veterans in a more effective manner. On behalf of everyone in the Western New York community, I would like to thank and congratulate WNY Heroes for the services they have provided to our bravest men and women.
BEATRICE STIEBER'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-12-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 100th Birthday of Beatrice Stieber. prgtoken Beatrice (Kramer) Stieber was born on December 14, 1922 in the Bronx, New York. She married Robert Stieber on February 7, 1943. After 52 years together he passed away on April 4, 1995. They had two children, Jay and Dean. prgtoken Bea loves to spend time with her grandchildren, Tami, David, Brennan and Haley and her great grandchildren Grace, Jordan, Hadley and Scarlett. prgtoken Her happiness comes from her family, and she brings joy to all who know her. She is an outstanding cook and is passionate about food. At this milestone birthday, Bea continues to live a full and rewarding life.
CONGRESS MUST SAFEGUARD SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-7

this summer the Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision, a direct assault on the right to safe and legal abortion. prgtoken In a disturbing concurrence to an already dangerous decision, Justice Clarence Thomas attacked Obergefell v. Hodges, which underpins the right to marriage equality. prgtoken With the right to marry potentially at risk, House put people over politics and took action to protect marriage equality for all Americans. prgtoken The Respect for Marriage Act prevents right-wing extremists from overturning legal precedent and ensures statutory protections for same- sex and interracial marriages across the country. prgtoken While extremist s continue their path to destroy American freedom and challenge the legitimacy of LGBTQ families, are protecting American people's right to marry who they love. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this crucial bill to safeguard same-sex and interracial marriages, and I look forward to seeing President sign this bill into law to protect and respect the right to marriage equality across our country.
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-12-7

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, and that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Hopkins nomination postcloture; further, that at 11:30 a.m the Senate vote on the Hopkins nomination and cloture on the Montgomery-Reeves nomination; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 1:45 p.m the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Douglas nomination; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
Remembering O'Dell Owens (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-12-7

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. O'Dell Owens, a champion of public health and public education in Cincinnati whom we lost last month. He was a longtime friend, longtime activist, longtime Ohioan, a public servant, and a trailblazer. prgtoken Dr. Owens' story and his unwavering dedication to the public good serves as an example for all us in Southwest Ohio, throughout Ohio, throughout the Midwest, and throughout the country. So much of his work was aimed at empowering young people of color and encouraging them to recognize their potential by staying in school and attending college. prgtoken He often shared a memory from his year as a ninth grader. A college counselor said he was ``too poor and too dumb to go to college.'' Imagine a counselor saying that. Dr. Owens proved that counselor and everyone who didn't believe in him--he proved them wrong. He graduated from college; he got a masters and a medical degree from Yale University. He completed his fellowship at Harvard Medical School. prgtoken After gathering degrees and credentials that provided him with opportunities anywhere in the world, Dr. Owens returned to his home in Cincinnati where he spent his career serving his community. He was a pioneering fertility specialist at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He became the first African American to hold office in Hamilton County when he was elected the county coroner. prgtoken He served as president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. That is where I worked with him the most closely. He served as the Hamilton County interim health commissioner and as president of the nonprofit Interact for Health. prgtoken His work always came back to his community and extended far outside of medicine. He sat on the boards of various organizations and foundations, including the University of Cincinnati, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center--the only one of its kind in America. It is an extraordinary place. Anyone anywhere in the vicinity of my part of the Midwest should visit it--and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Cincinnati Business Advisory Council. prgtoken He was chairman of the Cincinnati Preschool Promise. He volunteered as chair of the annual children's Cincinnati Educational Television Action Auction in support of Cincinnati's public television programming. prgtoken Dr. Owens empowered each of us to make the world a better place, and he so succeeded. He reached out to me and my office to make sure we were paying close attention to issues impacting people in Cincinnati. prgtoken He was a very talented speaker known for his passionate delivery-- always, always standing up for what he believed in. He was well- respected. He was dearly loved throughout our State for his courage and--what I would like most to think about--his moral clarity. prgtoken He took care of Cincinnati. I join our entire community in expressing gratitude for his lifetime of serv
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-12-7

I rise today to introduce a bill, the Coral Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2022. This no-cost bill allows the head of any Federal Agency with a representative serving on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to award competitive prizes for the purpose of stimulating innovation to advance the ability of the United States to understand, research, or monitor coral reef ecosystems or to develop management or adaptation options to preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems. prgtoken Federal Agencies with a representative serving on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force include the Department of Commerce, DOC; the Department of the Interior, DOI; the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA; the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID; the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA; the Department of Defense, DOD; the U.S. Coast Guard, USCG; the U.S. Department of Justice, DOJ; the U.S. Department of State, DOS; the U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA; the National Aeronautic Space Administration, NASA; and the National Science Foundation, NSF. In addition to Federal Agencies, other members of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force include the States of Hawaii and Florida, the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Federated prgtoken States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. prgtoken Corals serve myriad ecosystem functions, which include serving as a source of food, a place for recreation and tourism, a source for coastal protection, and an important part of local cultural practices, to name a few. A number of studies have been conducted to place a monetary value on the importance of coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii. A U.S. Geological Survey, USGS, study published in 2019 estimated the flood protection value of coral reefs in Hawaii alone at $836 million annually. When accounting for all U.S. coral reefs, so those in the waters of Hawaii, Florida, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the same study estimated the flood protection value to increase to $1.8 billion. Another study published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, in 2011 estimated the total economic value of Hawaii coral reefs to the American people to be $33.57 billion. There is no doubt the importance of corals to our Nation. prgtoken Unfortunately, there are currently a number of variables that are threatening the health of our Nation's coral reefs. These variables include climate change-driven warming of ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, unsustainable fishing, and pollution. As a result of global bleaching events and disease outbreaks corals are projected to decline significantly over the coming decades. prgtoken In an effort to mitiga
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
Colin Z. Allred (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-12-8

first, I want to say that we received amazing news this morning. Brittney Griner is coming home. prgtoken This is a huge relief for her, her wife, Cherelle, and her family after months of uncertainty in Russia's sham justice system. I thank President , Secretary Blinken, and all at the State Department who made this happen. prgtoken Today, in a strong symbol of the stark differences in the freedoms between our two Nations, the U.S. Congress will vote in a bipartisan way to pass the Respect for Marriage Act enshrining marriage equality into Federal law and protecting marriages just like Brittney's. prgtoken I am proud to vote today to say that love is love no matter who you are or where you live and no matter what any future extreme or out-of- touch Supreme Court may say. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' and standing up for freedom.
NONCITIZEN VETERANS DESERVE PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-12-8

I rise to celebrate the passage of the Veteran Service Recognition Act. prgtoken Shockingly, many noncitizen veterans have been unjustly deported after honorable service. This is wrong. It is cruel, and it must stop. prgtoken Veterans risk their lives to protect our Nation, and now it is up to us to honor their service regardless of their immigration status. prgtoken The historic passage of the Veteran Service Recognition Act honors noncitizen veterans and servicemembers by giving them a fair shot at a pathway to citizenship. prgtoken It puts veterans over politics. It honors service over politics. It is fair, and it is the American way. That is why I was so proud to strongly support this bill that passed on Tuesday. prgtoken It is now up to the Senate to show noncitizen veterans and servicemembers the respect and dignity they deserve by passing the Veteran Service Recognition Act.
Democratic Caucus (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-8

now, earlier this morning, the Senate ic caucus held elections to determine party leadership for the 118th Congress. With gratitude and humility, I am happy to say I have been unanimously elected, once again, as the ic leader. prgtoken I want to thank every Member of my caucus for entrusting me with this awesome responsibility. My admiration and affection for every Member of my caucus is really limitless. They are my friends, my compadres, my companions. We work together. We are an amazing unit. With only 50 votes ranging, of course, from Joe Manchin to Bernie Sanders, we have compiled one of the greatest legislative sessions in this century and even the last one in what we have done. And next year we will continue to try to do great things for our country in the next 2 years. prgtoken I also wish to congratulate and thank my colleagues who form our caucus's leadership, especially Senator Schatz for becoming its newest member. I also want to thank Senator Murray for her incredible work as assistant ic leader in the 117th Congress and congratulate her on becoming President pro tem-designate, succeeding Senator Leahy, who will soon retire. prgtoken I also wish to thank my staff. They are the greatest. They are just the greatest. They have advised me and guided me over the last 2 years and helped me prepare for the Congress to come. prgtoken I would not want to go through a 50-50 Senate with anyone but them. They are remarkable, hard-working, brilliant, and just fine human beings, as well, who really care. It has been such a privilege, honor, and joy to work with them. We must now look to the future. Our focus in the Congress to come shall be no different from our focus in the Congress that concludes: getting things done for the American people. prgtoken We want to keep this Chamber active, alive, and busy, as much as possible. I make a clarion call to my colleagues: reject MAGA and work with us in the years to come. We have made huge strides this Congress, and I hope we can build on that because the problems of our country are many and run deep. When Americans saw us working on real issues this year, they responded positively and trusted this majority with 2 more years at the helm. prgtoken Now, it is clear that many on the other side of the aisle, our friends, are unhappy with the way their party has been doing business. Some of the s want to pull the party even more in a MAGA direction. That is a recipe for disaster, for their party and the country. But there are many others who know driving down the MAGA road is like following Thelma and Louise off the cliff. prgtoken We very much want to work with that group that understands that we have got to get things done in a bipartisan way and just railing and shrieking and decrying with no solutions and pure anger ain't the way to go, and it is not the way the American people want us to go. prgtoken
Tribute to Rob Portman (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-12-8

I also rise today to pay tribute to someone who is literally a friend across the aisle and across State lines. prgtoken Now, you might not think that the senior Senator from Michigan, a , and the junior Senator from Ohio, a , would be friends. After all, our States share a long and passionate rivalry, particularly on the football field. prgtoken This rivalry is especially intense on game day, like recently, when the Michigan Wolverines defeated Ohio State Buckeyes 45 to 23. I am just saying. prgtoken I particularly, Senator Portman, wanted to say this out loud to make sure Senator Brown heard it also. prgtoken Of course, my friend Rob Portman may have been cheering. And he may never really say this, but, you know, I am often wondering if, behind the scenes, he is sort of cheering both sides on that because he has never advertised it and he has never said it up to this point, but let me say today that he is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Now that he is retiring, maybe he can say it out loud. So we are glad to have him there. prgtoken Senator Portman has been a wonderful partner on issues important to both of our States, both Great Lakes and trade. prgtoken We have served as cochairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force since 2017, and we have gone to bat together on behalf of our beloved lakes time and time again. prgtoken We have introduced and passed legislation to stop invasive species from reaching and destroying our Great Lakes. When the administration tried to slash nearly all the funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we fought back together and we won. And since then, we have passed legislation to reauthorize the program and celebrated when we secured $1 billion through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the single largest investment ever for the Great Lakes. And it would not have happened without Senator Portman. prgtoken I have always said that the Great Lakes shouldn't be a partisan issue, and thanks to Rob, they have not been. prgtoken We found ways to work together on the issue of trade as well. We fought for American workers when we served together in the House and then continued a strong working relationship when Senator Portman left to become the U.S. Trade Representative under President . prgtoken In the Senate, we have partnered to ensure that American workers have a level playing field. That included a great congressional delegation trip to Vietnam and South Korea, where we met with trade officials, Senator Portman and I, and I got to see how much he is respected by these world leaders. prgtoken From strengthening our supply chains to securing funding to revitalized communities to promoting recycling to planting trees to funding our community health centers to keeping plastic pollution out of the Great Lakes--there is no end to the number of issues we have worked on together. prgtoken Rob, I am going
Tribute to Rob Portman (Executive Calendar)
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-12-8

thanks for letting me speak here. I am not even on the list. prgtoken I just wanted to say a few comments about my friend and colleague Rob Portman. I am not actually one to come and give a lot of speeches on the floor so this is a big deal. A lot of people stood up today to talk about Rob's accomplishments, of which they are numerous, but I want to talk about the Rob who is my friend. prgtoken Rob and I worked together for 6 months straight on the infrastructure package last year, which, as Rob mentioned in his comments, we built from the center out, which I am inordinately proud of. It is the model for how the legislative process should work in this country. I couldn't be more proud of him. I think, over the course of those 6 months, though, I shared more meals and more glasses of wine with Rob than with anyone in my personal life--ever. So, for that, I say to his wife and his children, I am sorry because Rob and I spent more time together, poring over spreadsheets in the basement of this U.S. Capitol, than I have ever spent with anyone, and I couldn't be more grateful for every one of those minutes. prgtoken Rob, in addition to being incredibly smart, incredibly focused, and incredibly committed to outcomes is also a delightful human being, and I consider him one of my closest friends in the world. prgtoken Rob, I am going to miss you so much, and I can't wait to go on ride bikes together. I don't want to go to the support group--I have no interest in that--but what I do have an interest in is spending time with you for many years to come. You are an incredible friend. You have got an incredible team that you have assembled, and I couldn't be more honored and privileged to consider you a lifelong friend. Thanks. prgtoken .
Tribute to Rob Portman (Executive Calendar)
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-12-8

I rise to also offer to my thoughts on the career and service, the personality and the values of Senator Rob Portman, one of a number of retiring colleagues whom I will dearly miss. prgtoken I was somewhat surprised by the timing of Senator Blunt's farewell address and missed the opportunity to also speak to his departure. They have in common an important shared characteristic: a passion for getting things done, for being a Senator who serves their State and Nation, who works across the aisle and delivers real solutions. prgtoken Stop taxing death and disability--that is the first bill that Rob and I got to the President's desk and signed into law. Under the previous administration, it had a very catchy name, and it was a simple solution to a pRoblem most of us had never heard of, which was that if someone who had taken out student loans died and thus was unlikely to repay them and those student loans were discharged as a result of their permanent disability or death, that benefit was taxed, and the tax attached, in the case of one of my constituents, to their parents, to the estate of the deceased child. prgtoken When I first talked to Rob about this on the floor, he said: That is a terrible thing; we should stop it. From that simple germ grew a dozen different legislative initiatives. prgtoken Before this Congress ends, we will get the reauthorization of the End Wildlife Trafficking Act and the reauthorization of Rob's landmark work in tropical rainforest and coral reef preservation to the President's desk. prgtoken We had the chance to travel the world together. We had a remarkable trip, as did Senator Klobuchar, to Ukraine--although I think our trip was just a little bit more comfortable on the train than yours. But it was a memorable opportunity to visit the Ukrainian refugees with their own incredible Embassy staff and to present the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center to President Zelenskyy. prgtoken I am also, I must say, grateful for your leadership on the Respect for Marriage Act, which is today going to the President's desk. prgtoken It was in August, as we traveled to five countries in Africa, together with our spouses and a great bipartisan group you helped pull together, to look at how human development can be the key to wildlife conservation in countries across the continent where too often there is instability that leads to the loss of biodiversity and to an increase in lawlessness and terrorism, and we found a way to craft together a potential legislative solution that I look forward to carrying in the years ahead. prgtoken To Jed, to Will, and to Sally, you have a remarkable dad. To Jane, thank you for being such a delightful, engaging, and supportive partner. My wife Annie and I will deeply miss you and Rob as colleagues here in the Senate, as a legislative partner, and as a personal friend. prgtoken God bless you on the next chapter of your life, and we look forw