mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO NATHAN BERGERBEST
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-12-19

I rise today to honor a long-time Senate staffer who recently retired, Nathan Bergerbest. prgtoken Many Members and staff who have worked on judiciary, military and veterans, homeland security, public safety, foreign relations, intelligence, or Native American issues and national and international disasters likely had the opportunity to work with Nathan during the 16 years he served the people of Alaska and the Nation. I am sure that many can share stories of the help Nathan offered, ideas he pushed to fruition, and wise counsel he provided. My statement today will offer just a slice of the many contributions this accomplished man has made in the lives of so many. prgtoken Nathan began his interest in good public policy and politics at a young age growing up in New York City. I believe he once said that he got involved in his first political campaign in elementary school because he was searching for the candidate who could improve his neighborhood. His quest for what was right, what was fair, and what was useful public policy has never subsided. prgtoken An attorney, Nathan has been a litigator, represented an Alaska Native regional corporation, and worked at FEMA. He started in my office in 2003 as legislative assistant and retired as senior counsel and deputy chief of staff. Throughout his service here in the Senate, Nathan was the quintessential Senate staffer--working late, knowing his subject cold, understanding the ways of the Senate and navigating them brilliantly. prgtoken His portfolio was huge, complex, and important. Yet he never shirked from pitching in where he could be useful. Nathan served not only as a mentor to young staffers in my office but as the conscience of Federal agency employees, military personnel, and elected leaders--constantly challenging us to do better, to be better versions of ourselves. prgtoken While a tribute from a former employer is always gratifying, Nathan made a lasting impression on so many who have worked here in the Senate over the years. I would like to share some of their stories. Several of the military fellows who have served in my office and worked closely with Nathan shared these words: Nathan was part of the original group that came to be known as the Fairbanks Tiger Team, leading the red-shirted charge with the Fairbanks community against the Air Force's proposed plan to remove the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base. He rallied community leaders, helped leverage the effort on the Defense Appropriations Committee, and ultimately helped the Alaska delegation save Eielson. Then, only a year later, he worked to support the Alaska delegation's strong push to bring the F-35 to Eielson. In just over a year, the delegation was able to take Eielson from a near-shuttered installation, to one that will soon have the most capable fighter aircraft in the world, with sign
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today because this is a good day. I don't want to discuss yesterday. I don't want to discuss issues that divide us in this Chamber. prgtoken I want to discuss, today, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement because that has brought us together. When we come together, who wins in that situation? Not us as Members of the House of Representatives, not us here in Washington, D.C but the American people. prgtoken I was reminded recently, this morning, that, about 2 years ago, we delivered on tax cuts, and I stood exactly prgtoken right here, and I knew that was going to unleash the American economy. We have an economy now at an all-time high, with 50-year lows for unemployment and 1.4 million new jobs in America. prgtoken Today, we have come together for the American worker, the American farmer. We have united as and s to do something good for our fellow citizens, and that is this updated United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement. prgtoken As I stood here 2 years ago and had a discussion with my good friend from New York, Mr. Crowley, who is no longer here, I declared in one voice saying, hell, yes, I am going to vote for those tax cuts, and, hell, yes, I am going to vote for this Mexico-Canada trade agreement, because what we are doing here is, again, unleashing the power of America. Standing together, it is amazing what we can accomplish. prgtoken Madam , I applaud Chairman Neal. I applaud the ic Trade Working Group. I applaud the other side of the aisle for standing with us today for the American workers and American farmers. prgtoken I also applaud President for having the vision and the leadership to take on this issue when everyone told him it cannot be done. prgtoken Madam , I also applaud Kevin Brady, Vern Buchanan, and Devin Nunes, and members of the Committee on Ways and Means who stood forward and said: You know what we are going to do? We are going to make sure we stand for a principle we believe in. That is the American opportunity of a job in an economy that is growing and playing on a field across the world where we have a fair and level playing field of trade. Because, when we have fair, free trade, the American worker wins each and every day. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.
CONGRATULATING DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL ON WINNING THE FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate the Dublin High School Fighting Irish on winning the Georgia High School Association 2A Football State Championship. prgtoken These young men have worked hard all season, and this weekend's big win is a result of all their work. While at halftime the Fighting Irish were down, they quickly came back in the second half to ultimately defeat Brooks County 42 to 32--demonstrating the true meaning of perseverance. prgtoken This was a unique win, as not one pass was attempted during the game. But the team won after rushing 437 yards, bringing Dublin its first state title since 2006. prgtoken I have no doubt this program will continue to be successful in the years to come, and I look forward to seeing all these young men will accomplish, both on and off the field. prgtoken Congratulations to Coach Roger Holmes, the team, and the entire Fighting Irish community.
COMMEMORATING THE 100TH SEASON OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Bob Gibbs (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I rise today along with my fellow Representatives Troy Balderson (OH-12), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Danny Davis (IL-07), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Brian Higgins (NY-26), David P. Joyce (OH-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Greg (IN-06), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Steve Stivers (OH-15), and Michael R. Turner (OH-10) to commemorate the 100th season of the National Football League. Our Congressional Districts include the 13 ``Original Towns'' from which came the 14 charter teams that formed the American Professional Football Association, which would become the NFL. prgtoken During its inaugural 1920 season, the founding teams that competed in the new league included: the Akron Pros; Buffalo All-Americans; Canton Bulldogs; Decatur Staleys; Racine Cardinals; Chicago Tigers; Cleveland Tigers; Columbus Panhandles; Dayton Triangles; Hammond Pros; the Heralds (Detroit); Muncie Flyers; Rock Island Independents; and the Jeffersons (Rochester,.N.Y.). Two years later, the new league was renamed the National Football League. prgtoken From its humble beginnings, the National Football League is now a preeminent sports league, comprised of 32 teams from 22 states across the country. In the span of a century, the league has become intricately woven into the fabric of American life and the foremost steward of what is now known as ``America's Game.'' The league's annual ``Super Bowl'' Championship is the single most-watched annual television event in the United States, bringing together individuals of all ages, races, and backgrounds through a common enthusiasm for and appreciation of the game of football. prgtoken The two pillars of the NFL are football and community, which are demonstrated through the volunteerism and philanthropic efforts of players, owners, coaches and staff, including through programs and initiatives ranging from honoring our nation's veterans and servicemembers to promoting cancer awareness to encouraging youth to maintain active and healthy lifestyles. These efforts, both on and off the field, reflect the character, commitment, fortitude and teamwork that make our communities resilient and strong. prgtoken We, therefore, recognize the National Football League as a great sports league ofthe United States and congratulate the NFL for 100 seasons of uniting communities across the country, and look forward to another century of NFL football.
TRIBUTE TO GARY HARTZ
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2019-12-19

I rise to recognize Mr. Gary Hartz, who is retiring from his position at the Indian Health Service with 48 years of distinguished Federal service to the Nation. prgtoken Mr. Hartz is especially deserving of this Chamber's recognition because he has spent his entire career on a single and absolutely critical goal-improving access to quality health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. In his current position, Mr. Hartz serves as the Director of the Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, overseeing the construction, maintenance, and operations of Tribal health facilities, sanitation, and environmental health programs, a position that he has performed for more than two decades after working his way up through ranks of the office. An engineer by trade, Mr. Hartz also served as a member of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps--retiring with the rank of rear admiral--and served briefly as the agency's Deputy Director. He began his career in the field, working as an engineer on projects in New Mexico and Alaska. prgtoken I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Hartz in my roles as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the ranking member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. He has worked closely with me and my staff and testified before my committees, and I can say from firsthand experience that he is one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated, and pragmatic public servants at the Indian Health Service, and his wisdom and experience will be deeply missed. prgtoken Finally, I want to thank him for all that he has done for my home State of New Mexico. Mr. Hartz has been instrumental in working to improve and replace Tribal health facilities, including working most recently on plans to replace the Service's Albuquerque, Alamo, Pueblo Pintado, and Gallup facilities. While we have more to do, I am tremendously grateful for the work that he has done to improve access to quality health care in Native communities across the State. prgtoken On behalf of the Nation, thank you for a job well done, Mr. Hartz. I wish you all the best as you begin your next chapter.
IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I rise in support of two articles of impeachment--one regarding abuse of power and one regarding obstruction of Congress--against President . prgtoken I decided to support the President's impeachment after a judicious consideration of the facts established by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and the House Committee on the Judiciary, as well as reflecting upon my constitutional responsibilities as a Member of Congress. prgtoken I would note that the constitutional remedy for high crimes and misdemeanors--such as abuse of power--is impeachment. Regrettably, the President's severe misconduct with respect to Ukraine showed a complete disregard for our Constitution, our democratic system of government, and the security of our nation and our allies. The President left the House with little choice but to faithfully discharge its duty. prgtoken As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I believe that it is unconscionable that an American leader would use nearly $400 million in military aid appropriated by Congress--and signed into law by the President himself--as leverage for personal gain. prgtoken There are fundamental reasons why U.S. law provided these desperately needed funds to Ukraine. I would emphasize that, in 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine and illegally annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea while Russian-backed separatist forces seized control of key cities in eastern Ukraine. The fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to this day and has killed more than 13,000 Ukrainians while forcibly displacing more than two million individuals. prgtoken Additionally, the impeachment reports issued by the HPSCI and the House Committee on the Judiciary present an irrefutable case that the President's behavior constituted an ongoing threat to a free and fair Presidential election in 2020. prgtoken Further, I believe that the President's refusal to comply with the impeachment inquiry is representative of his broader contempt for Congress and its constitutional role as a separate and coequal branch of government. Congress must continue to work diligently to protect and fully exert its complete range of constitutional prerogatives and maintain the balance of power that has existed for 231 years. prgtoken Finally, I would highlight that the administration's complete repudiation of constitutionally-prescribed legislative authorities stands in stark contrast to the courage and patriotism demonstrated by the whistleblower who filed a formal complaint with the Intelligence Community's Inspector General, as well as the public servants who testified before the House. These individuals deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. prgtoken As the Senate moves forward with a trial to determine whether to convict the President of impeachable offenses, be assured that I will continue to work hard to address the pressing needs of our nation's citizens, from creating more opp
COMBATING GLOBAL CORRUPTION ACT OF 2019
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-12-19

we need to pass the Combating Global Corruption Act. Today, I join with my colleague Senator Young to reaffirm bipartisan support for this important legislation. prgtoken Corruption threatens international stability and security and poses a serious threat to democracy and democratic values. Ten days ago, December 9, was International AntiCorruption Day. This day provides an annual reminder of the dire need to prioritize combatting corruption here in the United States and around the world. prgtoken Corruption undermines democratic institutions, it compromises the rule of law, and it erodes human rights protections. It damages America's global competitiveness and hampers economic growth in global markets. It fosters the conditions for violent extremism and weakens institutions associated with governance and accountability. These are direct threats to our national and international security. prgtoken Earlier this year, Transparency International published its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018. It underscored that the failure to curb corruption is contributing to a worldwide crisis of democracy. Not surprisingly then, Freedom House similarly reported that 2018 was marked by global declines in political rights and civil liberties for the 13th consecutive year. Sixty-eight countries suffered net declines in political rights and civil liberties during 2018, with only 50 nations registering gains. prgtoken We have all seen the headlines in recent years--from scandals in Liberia, Hungary, and Guatemala, to the doping by Russian athletes and their subsequent ban from the 2016 Summer Olympics and using aid to influence other nations' behavior. prgtoken It is clear that where there are high levels of corruption, we find fragile states, authoritarian states, or states suffering from internal or external conflict--in places such as Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan. prgtoken Different domestic issues may have sparked the wave of massive protests we are observing today--whether they be increases in gas prices or metro fares--but many of these uprisings have been sustained by public desire to weed out leaders' corruption. Corruption is no longer being tolerated or excused. prgtoken Corruption operates via extensive and entrenched networks in both the public and private sectors. It is ubiquitous and pervasive, but we must address it. The costs of not addressing it or rooting it out are just too great. prgtoken , we must be clear-eyed--any fight against corruption will be long-term and difficult. It is a fight against powerful people, powerful companies, and powerful interests. It is about changing a mindset and a culture as much as it is about establishing and enforcing laws. prgtoken While previous anti-corruption legislation has been crucial, the Combatting Global Corruption Act takes our commitment to this value further by bringing a whole-of-government a
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of this trade deal. I was honored that Pelosi asked me to join the ic Trade Working Group. prgtoken We, the Gang of 8, along with you, , worked tirelessly for 6 months, negotiating with Bob Lighthizer, the U.S. Ambassador on trade. We took what was a very weak and unenforceable trade deal and made it into a renegotiated trade agreement that will protect American workers and businesses. prgtoken This bill we vote on today is a renegotiated USMCA. I am particularly proud that the working group won two major concessions on enforcement. First, we closed the panel-blocking loophole and created a strong state-to-state mechanism for enforcement. Second, we created a first- of-its-kind rapid response mechanism to improve labor enforcement in Mexico. prgtoken This deal is a win for the Steelworkers and Teamsters in my Alabama district. It is a win for the automobile manufacturers and steel industry in the State of Alabama. It is a win for Alabama farmers and agriculture producers. prgtoken This renegotiated trade agreement is a much-improved North American Free Trade Agreement, and it is because of that that I ask my fellow colleagues to support it. prgtoken Madam , I, again, thank Chairman Neal, of the House Nancy Pelosi, my fellow Gang of 8 working group members, as well as Bob Lighthizer, and our especially hardworking staff. I thank, especially, Katherine Tai and my own staffer, Rob Nuttall, for all of their hard work on getting us there. prgtoken I do believe that this is a win for everyone, and I urge my colleagues to support this new, renegotiated USMCA.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , the economic future of Buffalo and western New York is tied strategically to southern Ontario, which is one-third of the entire population of the country of Canada. prgtoken I am pleased that this agreement strengthens the U.S.-Canadian economic and life quality relations. I am concerned, however, that the U.S.-Mexican economic relationship is more challenging. prgtoken The United States has lost 6 million manufacturing jobs in the past 20 years, and 53,000 manufacturing businesses have closed. NAFTA's promise of wage convergence, bringing Mexican wages to Canadian and U.S. standards, has failed. The Mexican wage is $5.10 a day, less than $0.64 an hour. prgtoken We have good reason to be skeptical of Mexico's commitment to do better. The USMCA, however, because of Chairman Richard Neal's leadership and emphasis on rigorous enforcement, does have the potential for improved Mexican compliance on wages, the environment, and labor standards.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. prgtoken I rise in opposition to NAFTA 2, which has been rebranded the USMCA. prgtoken First of all, it is being rushed through at the last moments of this session without the majority of Members even able to read it or participate in hearings on it. prgtoken Number two, it will not stem the continental outsourcing of U.S. jobs, and, sadly, and most importantly, it will not achieve the real enforcement by the Governments of Mexico or the United States. prgtoken For over 10 years, I have been trying to get the Government of Mexico to arrest and prosecute the brutal murderers of Santiago Cruz, a Mexican national fighting against the huge continental labor trafficking of his countrymen. He was educating his fellow farmworkers that they did not have to pay a bounty of $8,000 to come to this country to work in our fields as they became indentured workers. prgtoken Despite my over 10 years of efforts to bring justice to his brutal killers, Mexico behaves as if this crime never occurred. Why should I believe Mexico will enforce anything? prgtoken Furthermore, about a month ago, we saw the President of Mexico not able to keep control of his own streets, and he released the son of El Chapo, the drug lord. What makes you think this administration or the one in Mexico will do anything to enforce the laws that USMCA purports to support? prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no.''
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I rise today in support of USMCA. prgtoken That is right. The chairman is absolutely correct. I represent the central coast of California, and I fondly call it the ``Salad Bowl of the World.'' prgtoken With agriculture being our number one industry, trade with Canada and Mexico and, thus, the USMCA is very, very important. This deal will provide our farmers and ranchers with continued, yet improved, access to those important markets. prgtoken It will also strengthen those sanitary and phytosanitary standards and make sure that sound science is used when it comes to our food safety, and it helps California wine get into those Canadian markets. prgtoken When this administration first presented USMCA to Congress, I have to say, it was unacceptable. However, thanks to Pelosi, Chairman Neal, the Trade Working Group and, you bet, Ambassador Lighthizer, we were able to come up with one of the strongest, most progressive deals in the United States' history. prgtoken The USMCA now has some of the most stringent labor standards, some of the most robust funding for enforceability, and some of the strongest requirements for the environment ever. prgtoken The USMCA frames a new floor for future trade agreements. It creates new confidence in our most important trading partners, and it provides protection for the future of our fresh produce on our farms, for the dignity of our workers, for the sanctity of our environment, and, yes, for the success of our economy and our hemisphere.