mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DEMOCRATS ARE DELIVERING FOR AMERICA
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , in honor of Women's History Month, I recognize Deputy Chief Betty Holland. prgtoken Deputy Chief Betty Holland is a 34-year veteran of the law enforcement profession. She currently works for the Kissimmee Police Department as deputy chief of the operations bureau. prgtoken Before coming to the Kissimmee Police Department in March 2018, she worked for 30 years for the Polk County Sheriff's Office, where she retired as a captain. prgtoken Deputy Chief Holland has held several prominent supervisory positions in the law enforcement community, including her time as the criminal and strategic investigations lieutenant and overseeing the criminal justice academy as a captain. prgtoken Deputy Chief Holland received her bachelor of science in business and professional leadership from Southeastern University and her master of public administration from Troy University. In addition, she is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute's administrative officers course from the University of Louisville and a graduate of the certified public manager program from Florida State University. prgtoken Deputy Chief Holland's first thoughts of a law enforcement career surfaced at 15. Her best friend's dad was a retired deputy sheriff, which sparked her interest in law enforcement. This interest quickly developed into a passion, and when she graduated from high school, she immediately accepted a position at the Polk County Sheriff's Office. prgtoken Deputy Chief Betty Holland's career goals include becoming chief of police with the Kissimmee Police Department and continuing to build relationships with the community. She is passionate about lowering crime rates with innovative, new deterrent measures; holding public servants to higher standards and expectations; and creating more open lines of communication between officers and civilians. Her actions regarding these objectives remain a consistent measure of her interests in the betterment of the field of law enforcement. prgtoken For this and more, Deputy Chief Betty Holland, we honor you. Honoring Cindy Lewis
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , we are going to talk about hair, but this bill is about discrimination. This bill is about equality. This bill is about individual integrity. That is what this bill is about. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of this bill. I thank my friend from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) for putting it forward. prgtoken This bill, as I just said, is not about hair. It is about hair, of course, but it is about the reaction, the inequality, the discrimination, the ``you are not welcome here if your hair texture is different,'' and you have to or want to fix it in a certain way. prgtoken It is about the ability of every person in our country to have access to education, to economic advancements, and to opportunities to get ahead. prgtoken This is an issue of civil rights. The legislation before us would prohibit discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. prgtoken My hair is different than Barbara Lee's, who is seated next to me. Neither one of us had anything to do with that. I had no way to have the texture of my hair any way other than what prgtoken my genetic makeup was, nor did Barbara Lee. prgtoken Why, therefore, should there be any thought that anybody would be able to discriminate on that basis? Too often, styles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, and Afros are wrongly perceived as unkempt or unprofessional. prgtoken In fact, many of these styles are not only central to one's culture and heritage but also based upon convenience, based upon a way to have an easier time. prgtoken For a long time, and still today, expectations about what hairstyles are considered appropriate or professional, as the previous speaker said, have created immense pressure to conform to a beauty standard of straight hair that requires considerable time, effort, and cost. This burden falls disproportionately on Black Americans, particularly Black women and girls. prgtoken At the same time, enforcing the standard sends a terrible message to young people about their belonging in society and can harm their very self-esteem. prgtoken A survey commissioned by the Dove company found that Black women were 80 percent more likely to change their natural hair to fit into an office setting and 1\1/2\ times more likely to be sent home from the workplace due to their hair than non-Black women. prgtoken For children and teenagers in school, spending time conforming their hair to a different standard takes away from their time spent doing homework or getting enough sleep. prgtoken I hope I never get so old that I don't remember that I really cared about: Did I look like the other kids in school, or did I look different? prgtoken I happened to have been really skinny as a kid. I am not too fat right now, but I was really skinny as a kid, and I was really self- conscious about that. When you are a kid, being self-conscious is r
RECOGNIZING MS. LILLIE MARSHALL
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise to recognize Ms. Lillie Marshall who has dedicated much of her life in service to her Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY community. She was born on April 24, 1943, in Sparta, Georgia, to a family of community leaders in education, law and business. Five years out of Hancock Central High School, she moved to Red Hook, Brooklyn. prgtoken As a proud single mother of four, Ms. Lillie Marshall became known for her no-nonsense approach and commitment to the area children. She advocated for and arranged after-school programs for youth of all ages. When a private school was built in the neighborhood, she served on a committee that successfully secured annual scholarships for qualifying children of Red Hook public housing. She has watched over generations of families for decades. prgtoken Ms. Marshall fervently advocated for tenants in her twenty-year role as the Tenant Association President of Red Hook West. She met with NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) executive and local leadership alike to give tenant perspectives and amplify their voices. Ms. Marshall also served on NYCHA's Citywide Council of Presidents as District Chair of Brooklyn South. prgtoken Ms. Marshall's efforts will long be remembered for her Thanksgiving turkey drives for local families, feeding the homeless, delivering meals and PPE to homebound seniors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She has been a leader at events such as Red Hook Old Timers Day, National Night Out Against Crime and has organized Red Hook Family Day every year. prgtoken For her decades of leadership and volunteerism, Ms. Lillie Marshall will not soon be forgotten by her beloved Red Hook. Her legacy of life- long community service has instilled core values and civic pride in her community.
REMEMBERING SHAR KNUTSON
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today to remember Shar Knutson, former president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, who passed away last month. Shar was a bridge-builder, trailblazer, and mentor. prgtoken Shar was a lifelong advocate for workers in St. Paul and across Minnesota. A trailblazer herself, the first woman to lead the Minnesota AFL-CIO, she mentored women in the labor movement and urged them to run for leadership. prgtoken She was a strong booster for pro-women labor supporters seeking public office. Her early and steadfast support and encouragement was instrumental to me in helping to run for Congress and advance our common values together. prgtoken Hosting Shar as my guest for President 's first official State of the Union address in Washington, D.C was a privilege. prgtoken Madam , I include in the Record a February 22, 2022, article from the Union Advocate newspaper in St. Paul paying tribute to Shar Knutson's life and work. [Feb. 22, 2022] Remembering Shar Knutson: `Her Presence Will Be Missed, but Her Legacy Lives On' (by Union Advocate) Shar Knutson ascended the ranks of Minnesota's labor movement, starting as a member of AFSCME Local 1842 in St. Paul and retiring after six years in the state's highest union office. Remembered by colleagues and friends as a bridge-builder, trailblazer and mentor, Knutson died Feb. 2 at the age of 72. A native of Fridley who made St. Paul her home, Knutson made history in 2009 as the first woman elected president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the federation of over 1,000 affiliate unions representing 300,000 working people statewide. Knutson held the office until 2015, during a tumultuous time for American unions. Efforts to weaken workers' bargaining power and roll back labor standards succeeded in other states, but not in Minnesota. Under Knutson's leadership, Minnesota unions not only kept ``right to work'' and other anti-union measures at bay, but they lobbied to expand collective bargaining rights and pass the first statewide minimum-wage increase in a decade. ``Shar played an active role in the successful campaign to increase labor's voice in national, state and local issues, including raising awareness and promoting community debate about social and economic justice,'' U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum said. ``This shift laid the groundwork for important progress being made today that benefits all Minnesotans.'' Labor leaders who worked with Knutson recalled her attention to detail, quiet resolve and ambition. ``She got her facts, and she moved forward,'' said Ray Waldron, Knutson's predecessor as president of the state AFL- CIO. ``She was very decisive.'' It showed, Waldron remembered, when he approached Knutson in 2009 wi
STANDING TOGETHER FOR PEACE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , as President Zelenskyy said, we are the leaders of peace. The President is the leader of world peace. prgtoken Thank you, President , for recognizing the crisis and the murder and pillage and slaughter of babies in Ukraine. prgtoken Let us continue to stand together, but I am fighting as much to be able to solve the Ukraine crisis as I am for peace. prgtoken Let me also acknowledge this past week the remembering of those who were killed in Atlanta, which exhibited the worst kind of Asian hate. Let us stand together against such hate and stand together for what is right. prgtoken Let me also mention the fighters at the Pleasant Village senior citizen housing. They have been fighting against eviction, against disrespect, and against a complete altering of their living quarters. prgtoken They determined that they should have quality-of-life housing. I am asking the new owner to stand down and to allow this housing project or this housing facility to be for seniors in their later lives so they can have a better quality of life. prgtoken I will continue to fight to ensure that they have a place to live that is safe and best for them.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HIRAM MARISTANY
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Hiram Maristany, an East Harlem Afro-Boricua photographer whose work is an ode to his beloved neighborhood of El Barrio and the Latino community as a whole. prgtoken Hiram was the official photographer and a member of the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group inspired by the Black Panthers, and a lifelong resident of El Barrio. prgtoken Hiram helped found El Museo del Barrio in 1969, curating the institution's visual language in its early years, and later serving as its director from 1974 to 1977. prgtoken Hiram was always giving back to his community in East Harlem, serving as a mentor to young people and as a photographer who understood the importance of self-preservation and the power of images. prgtoken Hiram knew that his photos were political, representing El Barrio from the perspective of our residents: Filled with love and pride. ``Dignidad over fame,'' was his motto. I am thankful our community lived to see his work--and our people--showcased with respect and dignity. prgtoken May his memory and his art live on to inspire all of us.
CONDEMNING HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS
Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings. prgtoken Across our country, the Asian-American community has been under attack because of misinformation and xenophobia that wrongly blamed them for the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken On March 16, 2021, 1 year ago, in Atlanta, eight innocent people, six of whom were women of Asian descent, were senselessly murdered. The victims of this attack included mothers and grandmothers, fathers and sons, teachers, and veterans. These are lives that cannot be restored, leaving pain that cannot be forgotten. prgtoken These attacks in Georgia were a wake-up call for the public to the reality the Asian-American community is facing each and every day. prgtoken Acts of violence like these demonstrate why we must always call out bigotry and hate whenever or wherever we see it. We must all speak out against it. prgtoken I would like to thank CAPAC Chair Judy Chu for her leadership on this issue and encourage my colleagues to continue to speak out as we stand together with the Asian-American community.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken I would point out again, because some of my colleagues seem not to hear it, that this is the law, as they say, but that several circuit courts say it isn't the law, so all this bill is doing is reaffirming what the law is, despite several circuit courts. And we see that the law in those States where the circuit courts have upheld it properly has not resulted in any of the catastrophes we just heard.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Nikema Williams (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today in support of the CROWN Act because all hair is professional hair. prgtoken While serving in the Georgia State Senate, a colleague greeted me with what she thought was a compliment. After spending most of the legislative session in braids, I had my natural hair pressed straight. She told me, Nikema, you should keep your hair that way. It looks better, more professional, more like a State Senator. prgtoken Remarks like this are all too familiar for Black women and girls; unacceptable on their own, but the outright discrimination that flows from them is worse. If I didn't work for the people in Congress, I know that I could be fired simply for wearing my hair in braids. prgtoken Nothing about this is okay, so I make it a point to create an environment where my team feels comfortable wearing their crowns in every texture. prgtoken Everybody deserves this level of safety, no matter where they work. Our hair is an expression of our authentic selves. Braids, locs, coils, or a silk press, all hair is professional hair. prgtoken Discrimination has no place in America; that includes discriminating against Black hair. The CROWN Act would make race-based hair discrimination a thing of the past, once and for all, and that is why we should pass it today.
HONORING CORA FAITH WALKER
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , St. Louis and I rise today in honor of a beloved member of our community. prgtoken Cora Faith Walker was truly a one-of-a-kind leader. She constantly found innovative ways to advocate for those in our communities who had the most need. prgtoken No matter the role she was called to serve in, Cora was unwavering in her commitment to uplifting those around her. Above all else, Cora always stood for what is right; for herself, for her loved ones, for her neighbors, for St. Louis, and for Missouri. prgtoken Cora's warmth and genuine spirit translated seamlessly to her legislative leadership, and she relentlessly advocated for at-risk women, children, and families. prgtoken Cora has left an indelible mark on me and on our district. Though we deeply mourn this painful, untimely loss, St. Louis and I celebrate her beautiful life.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today on the floor of the House of Representatives, the people's House, to declare that Black girls with our braids, locs, Afros, all forms of natural hairstyles and, yes, even our smooth alopecian bald heads, belong everywhere. prgtoken Today, we take an important step toward codifying this fact into law by passing the CROWN Act legislation I am so proud to co-lead in partnership with Representatives Watson Coleman, Moore, Lee, and Omar. prgtoken For too long, Black girls have been discriminated against and criminalized for the hair that grows on our heads and the way we move through and show up in this world. prgtoken In my home State, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, two twin sisters, Deana and Mya, high school students, were disciplined for showing up with braids. They were given numerous detentions, kicked off the track team, banned from prom, solely for their hairstyle. prgtoken In their own words, these scholars and athletes were judged more for their heritage than their homework. prgtoken No more. prgtoken For those sisters and thousands of other students who face discrimination based on their hair, the CROWN Act is for you. prgtoken For recent graduates who fear they must change their hair or cut their locs to secure a job, the CROWN Act is for you. prgtoken For our elders who have faced and fought this racism for generations, the CROWN Act is for you. prgtoken Just yesterday, the Massachusetts State legislature made history by passing similar legislation. By passing the CROWN Act today, we affirm, say it loud, Black is beautiful and so is our hair. prgtoken Whether you are a student in a classroom, an employee in the workplace, or the next Supreme Court Justice, or the pro tem, you deserve to show up as your full self, rocking your crown with your head held high. prgtoken I urge a ``yes'' vote for every person who has been asked to shrink or to apologize simply for the beautiful way with which God made them.
REMEMBERING DEPUTY DOMINIQUE ``DOM'' CALATA
Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today as a member of the Washington State delegation to honor the service and sacrifice of Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Dom Calata. prgtoken He was killed in the line of duty after pursuing a man wanted for second-degree assault. prgtoken I have been told that he had a tireless work ethic and was someone who went above and beyond in his commitment to our community and to our Nation. prgtoken In addition to his role as a deputy, he was also in the National Guard and previously served in the U.S. Army. prgtoken But his and his family's commitment to the community doesn't stop there. He was also an organ donor. It is just prgtoken one more way that he and his family have stepped up to support others in need. prgtoken Dom is nothing short of a hero. His loss is a devastating blow to our community, and I am thinking of and praying for the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and Dom's family, friends, and loved ones. prgtoken I hope all of us in this House will take a moment to remember Deputy Calata and his contributions to our community and to our Nation.
RECOGNIZING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK RODEO
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 90th anniversary of a Houston-area community staple, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. prgtoken Anyone who lives in or around Houston knows about the Houston Rodeo, but outside of their legendary fried Oreos, incredibly tasty brisket, and impressive livestock shows and rodeo, it is a family-friendly place where families and communities across the region learn about agriculture. prgtoken The Houston Rodeo has a special place in my heart, Madam , as it does to many Texans. Growing up on a farm, I still remember my first trip to Houston was to attend the Houston Rodeo. prgtoken Today, it is the world's largest rodeo with attendance surpassing two million people. Money raised at the rodeo goes to scholarships. This year alone, 350 4-year scholarships will be awarded. prgtoken The Houston Rodeo is a Houston gem. It is a Texas gem. prgtoken Madam , I congratulate the Houston Rodeo on its 90-year anniversary, and I look forward to the next 90 years.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , just let me say that, unfortunately, I had never taken psychology during my college preparation, but I do know certain things such as, what avoidance behavior is. prgtoken I tell you, the message discipline on that side is just perfect. You can talk about the southern border and inflation and all of that to avoid the topic of discrimination. prgtoken Sit down. I have the floor, sir. prgtoken You are avoiding the fact, and I know personally, as a person with my hair, that I have had people tell my employer that I was an embarrassment sitting in the front office because of the way my hair looked. prgtoken And so, to avoid a big conversation about discrimination that has an impact, particularly on African Americans, you talk about everything else. It is wrong. You are not engaging and, quite frankly, you are not being honest.