mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-11-2

I rise today to express my strong support for the nomination of ADM Lisa Franchetti to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations. prgtoken As some of my colleagues know, I was 17 years old when I raised my right hand to take the oath to defend our country and Constitution, Navy ROTC midshipman at Ohio State at the height of the Vietnam war. We had no women in our Navy ROTC unit at Ohio State or at any other Big Ten college, no women in the ROTC units. In the service academies, no women served in those roles, training roles. How things have changed. How things have changed. We are here today to actually put a really strong marker on that change and to applaud it. prgtoken I spent, all in, 23 years in Active and Reserve duty, and I am the son of a Navy chief petty officer, the nephew of a Navy chief petty officer, and the nephew of a deceased 19-year-old Navy veteran who was killed in a kamikaze attack in World War II on a carrier in the Pacific. My grandmother is a Gold Star mother. In my family, we bleed Navy blue. prgtoken I can tell you firsthand, folks, that we have before us a terrific, terrific nominee to serve as Chief of Naval Operations. She spent practically her whole life in the Navy, serving our country around the world in places including Italy, South Korea, as well as a number of posts here closer to home. prgtoken Admiral Franchetti's career has spanned nearly every theater of engagement, every level of service--commanding ships, squadrons, strike groups, and fleet levels. She has been a commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and Acting Chief of Naval Operations, just to name a few. What a career. What a career. For her tremendous work, she has received almost two dozen prestigious awards and recognitions. She has even received some of the awards multiple times. What an impressive servant. prgtoken Admiral Franchetti has been making our country proud for not just a couple of years but for decades, from the day she signed up for the Navy ROTC Program at Northwestern University to this day. prgtoken The Senate stands poised to confirm her as Chief of Naval Operations, where, again, she will become the first woman to serve in that role and the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I know she will continue her outstanding work as she breaks barriers for the Navy and for women everywhere. prgtoken So, today, I am here to urge my colleagues to join me and others to confirm ADM Lisa Franchetti to serve as the U.S. Navy's Chief of Naval Operations. prgtoken I would just say to the admiral, to her husband Jim, and to their daughter Isabelle: We have two words in the Navy that we use when we want to applaud service, and they are ``Bravo Zulu.'' I can think of no woman more deserving of those two words. prgtoken As a human being--for my colleagues who had an oppor
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-11-2

to remind my dear friend from Arkansas that this bill, for the first time, would condition aid to Israel, which is something we have never done before. prgtoken Thank you Ranking Member DeLauro. prgtoken , the United States faces two immense national security crises at one time. prgtoken Russia's illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine, and Israel's military response to the barbaric Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7th. prgtoken I commend President for swiftly sending a comprehensive emergency appropriations request that addresses attacks on both democracies and addresses the crisis in Israel and Gaza. prgtoken I fully believe Israel deserves support for its security after children and families were hunted down and attacked in their own homes by Hamas terrorists. At the same time our country cannot ignore the suffering of children and their families in Gaza who are in immediate danger and desperately need humanitarian assistance and a safe place to be. prgtoken That is why it is so disappointing that a fringe, extreme minority in the Majority has insisted on bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken On numerous votes, more than 300 House members on both sides of the aisle are on record supporting Ukraine's fight for freedom, along with the Senate and the President. prgtoken The bill ignores the urgent need to sustain support for our NATO allies and Ukraine, effectively abandoning their democracy and their ability to protect their people against Russian aggression. Putin himself claims ``if the aid stops tomorrow. [Ukraine] will live for only a week [until] they run out of ammo.'' prgtoken This bill fails to include urgently needed humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza who are in immediate harm's way. prgtoken The situation there currently for families and children is rapidly deteriorating because countless Palestinians lack access to food, safe shelter, medical supplies, and even potable water. prgtoken Humanitarian assistance must flow faster. prgtoken All hostages must be released. prgtoken And we must work with the United Nations and regional partners on a ceasefire that every involved party is held to. prgtoken We must work together to bring the conflict to an end before it escalates further. prgtoken Until then, declared safe areas must be truly safe for innocent civilians in Gaza fleeing violence. prgtoken For the security of both Israeli and Palestinian families--the violence must stop. prgtoken Finally, this bill ignores the longstanding bipartisan precedent of providing emergency appropriations without an offset. prgtoken This so-called pay-for cuts funds from IRS tax enforcement that will only enable more tax evasion by rich tax cheats costing taxpayers money. prgtoken President has alread said he will veto this ill-conceived bill. prgtoken We are wasting precious time on a bill that's dead on arrival. prgtoken Therefore, I stand in strong opposition and urge my co
CONDEMNING RUSSIA'S UNJUST AND ARBITRARY DETENTION OF RUSSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA WHO HAS STOOD UP IN DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY, THE RULE OF LAW, AND FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN RUSSIA
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-11-2

. I further ask that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the concurrent resolution be withdrawn; that the Cardin substitute amendment at the desk to the concurrent resolution be agreed to; that the concurrent resolution, as amended, be agreed to; that the committee-reported substitute amendment to the preamble be withdrawn; that the Cardin substitute amendment at the desk to the preamble be agreed to; that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or to debate.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-11-2

I rise to introduce the Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act to permanently increase the pay caps of some of the United States' most hard-working employees, who risk their lives to keep our communities safe and manage the land from severe wildfire. prgtoken In every State, we rely on Federal firefighters who spend weeks to months away from their families in dangerous conditions. As fire season turns into a year-round issue, firefighters must be compensated for their overtime work that grows each year. prgtoken The Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act would increase the overtime pay caps Federal wildland firefighters and adjust for the new proposed pay scale. prgtoken This overtime pay cap increase boost the Federal Agencies' ability to recruit Federal wildland firefighters and avoid firefighters walking off the line midincident or leaving for other opportunities. prgtoken As it stands, current United States Code limits wildland firefighters' premium pay and hurts Federal Agencies' ability to recruit and retain firefighters. prgtoken Building off the bipartisan infrastructure law, a bipartisan group of Senators and the White House are working to ensure that our wildland firefighters are compensated appropriately for their intense line of work. The ``Wlldfand Firefighter Fair Pay Act'' complements these efforts by ensuring that any pay bump would not be limited by a pay cap. prgtoken I would like to thank Senators Steve Daines, Martin Heinrich, Ben Ray Lujan, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, and Jon Tester for joining me in introducing this bill, as well as Representative Zoe Lofgren for championing this bill in the House. prgtoken Lastly, we owe these efforts to California's Late Senator Dianne Feinstein, who had written the original bill. We must continue Senator Feinstein's legacy of supporting our firefighters and investing in wildfire mitigation efforts across the country by permanently increasing the premium pay cap. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this necessary legislation to improve pay for Federal firefighters.
Nomination of Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti (Executive Session)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-11-2

I rise to express my support for three military leaders whom we will soon be voting on: ADM Lisa Franchetti, Gen. David Allvin, and Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney. These are some of the finest leaders our Nation has to offer, and America is stronger because of their service and their sacrifice. prgtoken I am particularly proud to support the nomination of ADM Lisa Franchetti to be the next Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral Franchetti brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position. She has served in leadership roles at every level throughout the Navy, both ashore and at sea, and with postings around the globe. She has served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea; commander of Carrier Strike Group 9; commander of Carrier Strike Group 15; commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet; commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and director for strategy, plans, and policy on the Joint Staff, among many other operational roles. She has worked her way up the ranks in the U.S. Navy. She has commanded at sea. She has accepted and has excelled at every challenge that is presented to her. She is superbly prepared to be the Chief of Naval Operations. prgtoken As the current Vice Chief and now as the Acting Chief of Naval Operations, she brings an important perspective on the key challenges for the Navy. Her understanding of the Joint Force and the Navy's ever- expanding role within it will be critical. prgtoken I want to acknowledge the historic nature of Admiral Franchetti's nomination. If confirmed, she will be the first woman to serve as CNO and the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I am glad we have reached this moment. prgtoken At every step of her career, Admiral Franchetti has been a trailblazer and a team builder who focuses on the mission, leads by example, and gets the job done. She is an inspiration to many and someone who will always put the security of our Nation and all who defend it first--first before herself, first before anything else. Those are the qualities that make an outstanding officer and an outstanding leader. prgtoken Indeed, the Navy faces a dangerous and evolving global security environment. Threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea, and violent extremist groups remain persistent, and the Navy has an important role to play in addressing them. But the clear, pacing challenge for our naval forces is China. In the Indo-Pacific and in seas and ports around the world, the U.S. Navy will continue to be the first line of deterrence and defense against China's expanding global ambitions. prgtoken I am confident that Admiral Franchetti has the skills and experience to meet this challenge and provide the Nation's sailors, their families, and Navy civilian employees with the leadership they deserve. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote for Admiral Franchetti's nomination.
Military Nominations (Executive Session)
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-11-2

I am pleased to follow my colleague from Rhode Island and join him in urging confirmation of these highly qualified and experienced men and women to positions of great trust and responsibility in our military, but they are just a fraction of the total whom we have an obligation to confirm. prgtoken Rather than looking at the transcript of my remarks today, I urge my colleagues to view or read the record of last night. There were 3 to 4 hours of eloquence and intransigence--eloquence on the part of a number of our colleagues, including Senator Graham, Senator Young, Senator Ernst, and Senator Sullivan, seeking to persuade one Member of the U.S. Senate whose intransigence is preventing the Nation from having the benefit of military leadership that it needs and deserves. prgtoken Again and again and again, Senator Tuberville objected to confirmation of individual nominees for the highest and most responsible position in our U.S. military. Make no mistake, he said repeatedly that he would permit those nominees to go forward as long as they were considered individually, and our colleagues gave him the opportunity to allow them to go forward. But he has continued to change the goalposts, to alter the conditions of approving their confirmation, simply because of a personal preference on policy that those nominees had nothing to do with. Our colleagues made that point repeatedly, as well as the damage to our national security that is resulting from his intransigence. Our military readiness is undermined. Morale is reduced. Recruitment is severely damaged. The health and well-being of military families, including, most prominently, the Commandant of the Marine Corps--our prayers are with him. Our hearts are with his family. We hope for General Smith's speedy recovery. prgtoken But, right now, our military is lacking the leadership that it needs in key positions around the world, and it is impacting not only their professional abilities but also their personal lives: kids going to school, selling homes. We are making life more difficult for men and women who serve and sacrifice to keep us safe. prgtoken As one of our colleagues said last night--and I am quoting--I think I am done with this. I hope this body will be done with the intransigence of the Senator from Alabama and move forward with a resolution. I am proud to say I participated in drafting it. It is narrowly tailored to fit this situation, applying only to this session, for key positions in our military that are essential to confirm, seeking to surmount the obstructionism that has gridlocked and paralyzed this body in moving forward. prgtoken It is time to reform the rule. That time is, in fact, overdue. The regrettable illness of our Commandant, the threats around the world, in Israel and Ukraine, make it no longer a matter of choice. We must move forward with this draft resolution, and I hope my colleagues will recognize the importance of d
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-11-2

I rise today to pay tribute to a dear constituent, Benson ``Buzz'' Roberts, in recognition of his imminent retirement as president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders--NAAHL--and his 45 years of dedicated service in the affordable housing and community development field. prgtoken Throughout his career, Buzz has been an influential voice on housing and community development policy and practices. He has been among the most important leaders in helping to advance key legislation to support the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the New Markets Tax Credit, and more recently my Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit. As the lead Senate sponsor on legislation to expand New Markets Tax Credits and legislation to create Neighborhood Homes credits, I have personally been witness to Buzz's thoughtful leadership and relentless advocacy in support of these critical initiatives. Buzz has also been a key champion of many other key housing and community development initiatives over the years, including HOME Investment Partnerships grants, the Capital Magnet Fund, Treasury Department funding for Federal Housing Administration multifamily risk-sharing loans, and regulatory changes to the Community Reinvestment Act. prgtoken Buzz began his career as a community development organizer. He later served at a national association of nonprofit neighborhood development groups before serving for over 20 years as the senior vice president for policy and program development at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation--LISC--a leading nonprofit investor in affordable housing and community revitalization. Buzz then went on to serve as the first Director of the Office of Small Business, Community Development and Housing Policy at the U.S. Treasury Department. prgtoken In 2015, Buzz joined NAAHL as its president and CEO. NAAHL is a national association that brings together banks, Community Development Financial Institutions, and other capital providers. During his time at NAAHL, Buzz has helped further the mission of the organization, which is to expand economic opportunity through responsible private financing for affordable prgtoken housing and inclusive neighborhood revitalization. This includes ensuring that policies continue to be in place to support the critical work of NAAHL members and the millions of people in the Nation who need affordable and sustainable housing. Buzz also serves as a board member of several national and local nonprofit organizations and coalitions and has written extensively about affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. prgtoken Buzz has spent his life advocating for affordable housing, community revitalization, and lifting families out of poverty. What a wonderful vocation for a truly special person. I know that NAAHL members, current and former colleagues, and industry friends will miss him. I ask that my fellow colleagues here in the U.S. Senat
CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2023-11-2

I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of a trailblazing engineer for the City of Chicago, my best friend's father, Mr. William Griffin, who passed away on his 100th birthday, on October 24, 2023. prgtoken Mr. Griffin was born on October 24, 1923, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Willie Griffin and Alma Daigre. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois, growing up in the Washington Park community. Mr. Griffin attended DuSable High School, where he excelled in classical literature and mathematics while making a name for himself as a tight end on the Black Panthers football team. Upon graduating in 1943, he continued his education at Wilson Junior College to pursue engineering. prgtoken Mr. Griffin was drafted into the United States Army as an Army Private in 1943, working his way up the ranks as a Basic Instructor, Airplane Handler, and Rifleman, until he found his niche as a Heavy Machine Gunner. Serving in the 365th Infantry, 92nd Division, Mr. Griffin operated heavy weaponry and supported infantry units to break through enemy defenses. He was honorably discharged as a well-decorated officer on February 15, 1946. His military awards and recognitions include the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, and a World War II Victory Medal. prgtoken Mr. Griffin met his life partner, Esther Murphy, a beautiful southern belle, who moved to Chicago from Sheffield, Alabama, when she rented a room in his mother's boarding house. The couple wed on March 31, 1959, and from their union had three children. prgtoken Following his Army discharge, Mr. Griffin resumed his education at the Illinois Institute of Technology, earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1951. He became a licensed Civil Engineer by 1957 and would go on to obtain his Structural Engineer license in 1964. Mr. Griffin began his trailblazing career in engineering for the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Mr. Griffin held numerous lead civil engineering and supervisory roles in the Bureau of Engineering, Bureau of Construction Services, and Operations Division, ultimately becoming the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Works for the City of Chicago in the Harold Washington Mayoral Administration. prgtoken The engineering legacy of Mr. Griffin lives on in the infrastructure of Chicago. The inner workings of the engineering systems throughout the city have felt the impact of Mr. Griffin's creativity and dedication to his craft, which traces back to him riding the L train as a child. prgtoken From his childhood he developed a deep appreciation and curiosity for urban systems and architecture. His love for the City of Chicago is felt in every gear, beam, and buttress of the bridges and left an undeniable mark on the engineering system of one of the most visited cities in the United States. prgtoken Mr. Griffin was a community leader in the Jeffery-Yates Neighbo
HONORING MS. EVELYN RICE-PEEBLES
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2023-11-3

St. Louis and I rise to celebrate and honor Ms. Evelyn Rice-Peebles for her career in public service to Missouri's First District over the last 30 years. Throughout her career, she has been an inspiration to many. Evelyn was the first Black woman appointed as a Commissioner in the City of St. Louis. She has served under several Mayors, most recently as the Commissioner of Recreation for the City of St. Louis, ensuring that all St. Louisans have an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities such as swimming, aerobics, basketball and more. prgtoken Her charitable contributions have ranged from providing science and conservation education at the Saint Louis Science Center and Missouri Department of Conservation, to promoting learning opportunities with the National Society of Black Engineers. She has further dedicated her time with BJC HealthCare's School Outreach and Youth Development, St. Louis Transitional Hope House, and the Women's Society of Washington University. prgtoken She is a proud mother who is passionate about her faith and is committed to making St. Louis a better place for all, especially our youth. Ms. Evelyn Rice-Peebles has received multiple awards including the Harambee Institute Youth Service Award, the Jodie Bailey and Friends Recreational and Sports Social Inc. Role Model Award, the Hope House Creative Support Award, and the Young Women Christian Association's 2016 Leader of Distinction Award. She is also an inductee of the St. Louis Boxing Hall of Fame and a recipient of a Resolution for Excellence in Office and Service by the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen. prgtoken On behalf of Missouri's First District and the St. Louis community, we thank Ms. Evelyn Rice-Peebles for everything she has done for our region. I personally wish her a joyous retirement filled with family, creative writing, spoken word, and the final publication of her collection of short stories.