mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE WICHITA BREWING COMPANY'S 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2021-8-6

. Madam , I rise today to honor the 10th anniversary of the Wichita Brewing Company (WBC). Over the past decade, owners Jeremy Horn and Greg Gifford have built the brewery up from one location to prgtoken a community icon serving over 17 different flavors of handcrafted beer at multiple locations here in Wichita. prgtoken From humble beginnings, Jeremy and Greg have built WBC into a Kansas brand with two brew-pub locations, a wholesale production facility, and a 9,000 square-foot event venue. These locations provide Kansans of all walks of life a place to sit down and enjoy a pizza and a beer alongside their family, friends, and neighbors. Beyond its local reach, WBC has been recognized by The Brewers Association as one of the country's 50 fastest growing breweries, with deliveries to bars and liquor stores in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wyoming. WBC also took home a silver medal for one of its beers at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival, considered to be the Academy Awards of the craft beer industry, the most significant, most competitive, and most respected contest. prgtoken More importantly, Jeremy, Greg, and the entire Wichita Brewing Family continue to give back to their community through the charitable events and fundraisers that they sponsor and host. For the past 5 years, WBC has organized a marathon through Wichita that has raised thousands of dollars for the Kansas Food Bank. Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic, WBC has made and provided no-cost hand sanitizer to first responders, law enforcement, and the Wichita Public Schools. prgtoken Madam , I hope you will join me in honoring WBC on their 10th anniversary an wishing them further success.
RECOGNIZING EDWARD ZIPPERER'S 90TH BIRTHDAY
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-8-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize my friend, Edward Zipperer, of Savannah, Georgia for his 90th birthday on August 8. prgtoken Ed has dedicated his life to improving the great state of Georgia. prgtoken Born in Savannah, Georgia in 1931, Ed was raised on a farm south of US 17. He went on to play football at Savannah high school and earned a degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Georgia. prgtoken Ed served in the Georgia State Senate from 1967 to 1975 and was on 13 separate committees during his tenure. He also served as the president of Chatham County Farm Bureau for 40 years. Some of his accomplishments include bringing new state parks and recreational areas to our Coastal Georgia community. prgtoken Throughout his career, Ed remained committed to conserving and protecting the beautiful lands of South Georgia. prgtoken I am proud to rise today to honor Ed for his decades of leadership, and commitment to our country.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROBERT WARD
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-8-6

. Madam , today, I rise to recognize and celebrate the life of Dr. Robert ``Bob'' Ward. Born on July 4, 1933 to Al and Lovera Ward in Huntington, California, Bob was one of six children. He would later graduate from Burbank High School, a school where he would develop his athleticism and deep faith, two traits that would become among his greatest attributes. prgtoken Bob would go on to Whitworth University, earning All-Conference honors in both football and track and field while furthering his academic pursuits. Bob would later serve his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps, during which time he was on active duty at Quantico and Camp Pendleton. prgtoken While in the service, Bob would many Joyce Ross, his lifelong partner. Following his time in the military, Bob would earn his master's degree at the University of Washington and would begin his impressive teaching and coaching career at both the high school and collegiate levels. Under his leadership, the Fullerton College track team would earn five conference titles and a state championship, leading to Ward's induction into the College's Coaching Hall of Fame. prgtoken Always the learner, Bob would seek out new and innovative techniques to push his athletes to the next level. His constant quest for knowledge would lead him to Indiana University, where he earned his Doctorate in Biomechanics. This drive would soon be noticed by the Dallas Cowboys, where over the next 14 years he would become one of the most respected and celebrated strength coaches in the NFL during the notable Landry years. prgtoken Continuing his lifelong love of athletic competition, Dr. Ward competed in various Masters Track and Field competitions well into his 80s, earning world records in the 70-74 age group in weightlifting and various pentathlon weight events in track. Bob would co-author several books on sports training and a book on his life journey, Building the Perfect Star. prgtoken While Bob's professional achievements include an awe-inspiring list of accolades, his greatest achievement was his family. Bob was blessed with two daughters, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, as well as a lifetime of partnership with his wife, Joyce. prgtoken Now as we recognize Dr. Bob Ward, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring his rich life and legacy.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2021-8-7

I want to take a moment to thank all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in this great deliberative body, for showing the United States and the entire world that the United States Senate is not broken. Actually, we are doing fine. We can work together and do much better. We can also come together and do big things, and we did with this investment in American infrastructure. prgtoken America has not seen this type of infrastructure investment in the last 30 years--talked about it a lot and haven't seen anything. The polls have shown that the American people are overwhelmingly supportive of this infrastructure deal. Americans of both political parties know it is long past time to make this investment. And once the roads are repaired so the children are safe on the buses, they want better internet service so they can connect and compete in the 21st century. prgtoken It is just unbelievable what we can do. This is about clean water and upgraded sewer systems. You would think in the 21st century this all would be a void anywhere in America, but it is--it really is. prgtoken This is the largest long-term jobs bill in decades. It will create good-paying, long-term jobs over the next 8 to 10 years. So if you want to basically make sure we don't hit the highs and the lows as far as the job opportunities, job markets, and the economy, this bill does that. prgtoken It is the largest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in the history of our country--in the history of our country. It is the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate Highway System. prgtoken It is the largest investment in energy transition in history, and puts our money where our mouth is on technologies that are critical for the future. And it is the largest Federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. prgtoken And our bipartisan infrastructure package does not raise taxes on everyday Americans. It does not. A large prgtoken piece of this bipartisan infrastructure bill came out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which I am privileged and honored to chair. We reported the Energy Infrastructure Act out of our committee with a bipartisan vote after--after--holding a legislative hearing and a robust amendment process. That is called regular order. It is something we have heard about for many years--we just haven't seen it for a long time--and it is working. prgtoken The Energy Infrastructure Act will create good-paying jobs and demonstrate the energy technologies needed to reduce emissions while maintaining affordable, reliable, and dependable energy and our Nation's position as a global energy leader. prgtoken I have said all along that the United States of America is now energy independent. We must fight to maintain that position. We should not be held captive by any foreign entity or any foreign country where we are depending on any type of supp
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-8-7

I just would like to add a word and thank the Senator from Maryland for his leadership, and the Senator from New York for supporting this, and to reflect for a moment on the comments of the objector, the Senator from Kentucky. prgtoken His exact words were: We have got to learn to live with this. prgtoken Unfortunately, people are not living with this; they are getting infected and dying. And to accept the status quo and somehow make it a partisan issue--that it is the ic Governors who are responsible for what is going on here--is a sad oversimplification. In fact, it is tragic. prgtoken We know what is happening. We have a new variant of this COVID-19 virus that has emerged because it is still on the loose and it is changing by the day. We think the Delta variant is dangerous, maybe dramatically more contagious than the original virus. prgtoken We know that even people who have been vaccinated can unknowingly transmit this disease, the new Delta variant, and we know that it has taken a deadly toll on 90 percent of the patients who were not vaccinated and were subjected to the illness that came about. prgtoken I just want to say, in general, I couldn't agree more with Senator Schumer and Senator Cardin that restaurants in our cities are really the lifeblood. Whether it is my hometown of Springfield, IL, or Chicago, which I am honored to represent, I will tell you that these restaurants are still struggling, and as they struggle, our cities struggle. prgtoken And people that I know really measure where we are, as an American nation, recovering by the vibrancy of these restaurant businesses, the ones that are our favorites and bring us together. prgtoken They have done their part. We should do our part to give them a helping hand. Let's get through this pandemic together. We are certainly not going to do it by saying that we have to accept the Delta variant and that whatever else follows is just the natural course of things. prgtoken We have it within our power to change that. More vaccinations and more careful use of masks and social distancing will make a difference--can make a real difference in this country. Until we come to grips with that reality, we are going to continue to face these devastating disappointments. prgtoken Again, from Maryland for bringing this before us. I hope he will continue to offer it. prgtoken .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-8-7

I regret the decision of my colleague from Kentucky. prgtoken I just really want to point out, we have had hearings in our committee--Small Business Committee--in which the Restaurant Revitalization Act was very much brought up during the hearing. prgtoken We have been receiving timely information about this program and how it has been implemented and the need for additional funds. So our committee has had ample opportunity to question how the program was being administered and the need for different funds. prgtoken I also regret that my colleague is holding the restaurants pretty much hostage and saying it is all right for us to give money to some but not others, when the administration of this was compromised because of a court case, and certain restaurants are now desperate as a result of not having adequate funds. prgtoken I am encouraged by the comments of the majority leader, Senator Schumer, that we will continue to focus on this issue. I can tell you, it is urgent. We really need to deal with this immediately, and we will be looking for every available opportunity to treat our restaurants equitably and fairly and provide the money that is needed to implement the Restaurant Revitalization Program. prgtoken I regret that we are not able to act today because of the Senator's objection. prgtoken .
ZAMBIA
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-8-7

I rise to discuss Zambia's upcoming elections and the erosion of democracy under President Edgar Lungu. On August 12, the people of Zambia will go to the polls to elect their President and members of the National Assembly. They will do so under the cloud of growing authoritarianism, with troops in the streets, protesters in prison, and dissenting voices muzzled by censorship. Indeed, many Zambians have good reason to be dissatisfied with their present government and, in a free and fair vote, might very well reject President Lungu's bid for reelection. But I fear they may not have that opportunity. prgtoken For nearly 30 years, Zambians have enjoyed a relatively free and open political environment. In 1991, Zambia's founding father Kenneth Kaunda lost the country's first multiparty election in decades and gracefully stepped aside after 27 years in power. President Kaunda died in June of this year, at the age of 97, with a complicated legacy; he was a liberator, but also held an iron grip on power for nearly three decades. However, his final act of public service paved the way for democracy to take root in his country in the years that followed. Sadly, President Lungu is erasing that monumental contribution to the Zambian people. prgtoken Since President Lungu's rise to power in 2014, he has used the organs of the state to intimidate his political opponents and consolidate power for his Patriotic Front--PF--party. Freedom House rates Zambia as only ``partly free,'' citing laws and government actions which have had the effect of restricting the activities of opposition parties, limiting civil society participation, and curbing free expression. Similarly, the U.S. Department of State, in its 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, noted ``significant human rights issues'' in Zambia, particularly in the area of elections and political participation. In March, the Zambian political analyst Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa published an essay in which he warned that ``Zambia may burn after the August elections.'' He wrote that the public's distrust of Zambia's institutions and the ruthless competition between its political elites had contributed to a climate of fear and anger that could plunge the country into chaos. The subversion of the independence of the courts and other public institutions has led to a lack of confidence. Credible allegations of corruption and impunity have been made against leaders. A collapsing economy, mismanaged by President Lungu to the point of defaulting on its foreign loans, has resulted in mass youth unemployment and rising inequality. Dr. Sishuwa also noted Western countries' declining assistance to Zambia and their silence on its democratic backsliding. He painted a vivid image of a once-peaceful and prosperous country on the brink of calamity. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Zambian police began investigating Dr. Sishuwa for sedition shortly aft
ORDERS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2021
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-8-7

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Sunday, August 8; 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; and that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 3684.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-8-7

in a minute, I am going to ask to vote on confirmation for Eunice Lee to be a U.S. circuit judge on the Second Circuit. She is an amazing person. I interviewed her and recommended her to the President. She will be the only public defender on the Second Circuit. We have had very, very few public defenders on that circuit and largely on our Federal bench. They tend to be prosecutors, partners in big law firms. We are changing all of that and getting people who have different walks of life--like public defenders, like people from the ACLU, like people from different organizations--so we have a new perspective on the bench. She is a phenomenal person. I am so proud that she will now get on the bench. prgtoken I ask that the Senate now vote on confirmation of the Lee nomination to be a U.S. circuit judge.
INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-8-7

I applaud what the majority leader just said. We are here. A lot of Senators, both s and , have rearranged schedules to be here. Let's go forth and do the country's business. If people have amendments they want, bring them up. Vote them up or vote them down. But let's just get on and do our work. prgtoken My Appropriations Committee staff worked very, very hard with both the and ic side on the parts of this piece of legislation that required work from the Appropriations Committee. They have worked weekends, evenings--long, long days--drafting and redrafting and redrafting to make sure that people on both sides approved of what they wanted. Now, the American people expect us to vote. We are here. Let's vote. prgtoken I am happy to see amendments or ic amendments come up. But it is one thing to talk about them on the news shows or on social media or trying to talk to the press in the halls and make sound bites; it is another thing to actually vote. Let's vote. Let's let people know where we stand. That is how the people in our State know where we stand. prgtoken Frankly, those who are afraid they may cast a vote that creates problems--but we are not here to cast only popular votes. I have cast more votes than all but one person in the history of this country. I have cast well over 16,000, almost 17,000 votes. I am sure I can go back over those votes and find some and say: Hmm, in retrospect, I might have voted the other way. But I voted. prgtoken What we are doing in not bringing this up and getting this done, we are trying to vote ``maybe.'' I don't know anybody in my State, or , who elected Senators to say: We want you to vote ``maybe.'' No. We want you to vote. prgtoken It doesn't mean the people of my State will agree on every vote. I hope that they will agree on a lot of them. But I will represent my State. I will represent my conscience. But I will represent the Senate, and I will represent my oath of office. My oath of office is not to just sit here and do nothing but talk to the press and others; my oath of office is, I respect the Constitution, and I will vote. So let's hope they vote. prgtoken .
INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-8-7

today, the Senate will decide whether to move the bipartisan infrastructure bill closer toward a final vote. prgtoken Like I said before, I am quite confident that, out of 100 U.S. Senators, there are 100 of us who believe the bill is imperfect. This isn't exactly the bill I would have written on my own in my office, and 99 of my colleagues would say the very same thing. This is a compromise product crafted by colleagues with big, principled differences in a Senate with the narrowest possible split. prgtoken But in my view, what our early statesmen called ``internal improvement'' is a core government responsibility. The American people need roads, bridges, ports, and airports to build their businesses, build their families, and build their lives. s and have radically different visions these days, but both those visions include physical infrastructure that works for all of our citizens. prgtoken As the Kentucky Farm Bureau wrote to me recently, the investments this bill will make are not just necessary; in many cases they are overdue. Our country has real needs in this area. prgtoken There are many outstanding amendments that are important, that would improve this legislation, and that deserve votes before the Senate is asked to vote on the final passage of this bill. The full Senate deserves its full chance to shape this important legislation. I hope Senators can work together in a bipartisan way to get more amendments up and continue improving this important bill. Our colleagues on both sides deserve to be heard.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2021-8-7

this week, the Senate has been considering historic infrastructure legislation. prgtoken We have seen a lot of positives in this process. Twenty-two amendments have been processed, and 12 of those amendments have been adopted. Many of those are bipartisan amendments that our fellow Senators have worked on together. prgtoken On Thursday, we saw the process hit a snag. We have colleagues who sincerely want to debate their remaining amendments, but we had objections that prevented our votes from moving forward. In my view, that is unfortunate. I want everybody's voice to be heard because a number of the amendments awaiting action would actually improve this legislation, and, again, we have consensus on both sides on that. I hope we can reach agreement on a package of amendments that can receive votes before we pass this bill in final. prgtoken In particular, I support an amendment that Senator Cornyn from Texas would like to offer to allow States to use previously appropriated COVID funding to finance infrastructure projects. prgtoken When I began negotiating with the White House in April and May, this was one of the things that I put on the table with the President, and I know the G-20 has also had this on the table with the President. So it has been a topic of great discussion both here in the Senate but also with the White House as well. The Cornyn-Padilla amendment would unlock tens of billions of dollars--more for highway, transit, and housing infrastructure--without adding to the cost of this legislation. prgtoken I plan to vote for cloture at 12 noon because this infrastructure legislation makes important investments in our Nation's future. I am a West Virginian, and all West Virginians and all Americans will benefit from the roads, bridges, water infrastructure, broadband, and other modes of core infrastructure that would be financed through this bill, but I believe something more foundational than infrastructure is at stake here. prgtoken We need to demonstrate to the American people that we can work together in this Congress to pass major legislation that benefits our country and, I might add, legislation that we have passed more than a few times in the past. Infrastructure is that perfect place to do that. prgtoken Senator Carper and I led the Environment and Public Works Committee with the surface transportation reauthorization bill, and the Presiding Officer is on that committee. We passed that out of our committee with unanimous support, and we also passed a drinking water bill that passed out of our committee with unanimous support but also out of this body with 89 votes. Both of those bills are included in this package in their entirety. Bipartisan bills reported by Commerce and the Energy Committees are also included. prgtoken I certainly appreciated Chairman Carper's leadership and partnership throughout the entire process. I appreciate the efforts of our colleagues in the G-22 who h