mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF LEE WILSON
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-1-28

. Madam , Lee Roy Wilson, 90, a longtime resident of Rule, TX, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021. A funeral service was held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the First Baptist Church, Rule with Rev. Scott Hensley officiating. prgtoken Lee Roy Wilson was born October 5, 1930 in Rule, TX to Okla (Nabors) and Roy Wilson; he was the last surviving child of 10. He married Frances (Wade) Wilson on November 14, 1953 in Pinkerton, TX and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage. Lee Roy served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his discharge he worked in the oil field for 34 year as a production supervisor for Sojourner. He also farmed and worked as a hunting guide for many years. He loved hunting, gardening, and sharing his vegetables he raised with his friends and family. Lee Roy's greatest loves were God, his family, and the many friends he had. He loved being able to attend annual Wilson and Wade reunions so he could spend precious time with his family. prgtoken He is survived by his children, Melinda Casey, Roy Wilson (Becky), Fran McCown (Jerry); grandchildren, Sandy Anderson (Jody), Blayne Casey, Jeff Casey, Stefanie Bonds (Kelly), Lesli McCarroll (Ryan), Lee Taylor Wilson, Zach Tinnin (Sarah), Joey Wilson (Dusty), Cole McCown; great grandchildren, Callie Ervin (Matt), Tanner Anderson, Will Anderson, Addison Bonds, Kadynce Bonds, Knoxlee Bonds, Braxton Wharry, Jaxon Wharry, Stephen McCarroll, Brendan Tinnin, Connor Tinnin, Gavin Tinnin, Shelby Wilson, Riley Wilson, Quaid Wilson; great-great grandchildren, Ace, Wade, and June Ervin; brothers-in-law, Don Wade (Sue), Sonny Wade; numerous nieces, nephews and their families. prgtoken He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances; son, Johnny; granddaughter, Chelsea Tinnin; 2 brothers; and 7 sisters.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2021-1-28

it is nice to see you in the Chair, . I haven't seen that for a while. Congratulations to you. prgtoken I feel like yesterday I was in the movie ``Back to the Future.'' I rise today to voice my deep concern with the lengthy Executive order that President issued yesterday pertaining to climate, and my larger concerns about where the administration is moving with regard to their energy and environment agenda. prgtoken President , very passionately, as we sat out on the steps, called for unity in his January 20 inauguration speech. But as his first actions, President managed to kill thousands of jobs and paralyze America's industry--the energy industry. prgtoken His order yesterday put a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on Federal lands. This is an economic, energy, and national security disaster, in my view. This order moves America from energy independence back to relying on foreign sources for fuel--and a lot of times these are the countries that have much more lax environmental policies than we have right here in the United States. prgtoken The order also usurps our States' rights--the States' rights which are to manage their own energy industries. prgtoken As you know, I come from an energy-producing State. We have a proud heritage of that. So what about the States that rely on tax revenues from the energy industry to fund education? We see what has happened with education now under the pandemic. More headwinds into how do we deliver a great education product is a question we are going to be answering over the next several months and years. So any ideas? prgtoken I wonder if President actually talked to any of the Governors of these States to see what the impact of what he was doing might have. prgtoken But what we saw yesterday in the press conference was President and Gina McCarthy and John Kerry's ultimate goal, which is to ban fossil fuels. They were pretty upfront about that. prgtoken So my skepticism, when I hear that the administration is going to give industry time to transition and give workers a clean energy job-- that is where I found myself thinking: I am in ``Back to the Future.'' I have heard this before because I vividly remember the empty promises of the past. prgtoken This is a deeply personal issue for me because I have lived through this. I have seen this playbook before. So we are back to the future. prgtoken The administration said the very same things to West Virginians. In fact, I remember the same people saying the same things, and I remember the utterly unachievable regulatory requirements that Gina McCarthy created in her position as head of the EPA that decimated my State. prgtoken I remember the thousands of jobs lost--and still lost--and the hopelessness and then the succeeding opioid epidemic that followed. prgtoken I remember begging the EPA to come to West Virginia to see how the regulations, with no time to tr
IN RECOGNITION OF BOB FRANKLIN
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-1-28

. Madam I rise today to honor the centennial birthday of Bob Franklin. He was born on January 25, 1921, in Dallas County, Missouri to John and Iva Franklin. prgtoken Bob graduated from Halfway High School in Polk County and served his country in World War II with the U.S. Army, which took him to the Middle East and Asia. From 1953 through 1957 he served as the sheriff of Dallas County. prgtoken Bob was also an auctioneer and owner of the Buffalo Sale Barn. He is the proud father of state Senator Sandy Crawford, Dr. Tama Franklin, and his son Randy who preceded him in death. Throughout his life, Bob has dedicated himself to his family and helping his community. prgtoken Madam , please join me in wishing Bob Franklin and his family a happy birthday as they celebrate a century of life and service to the Dallas County community.
PROTESTS
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-2-1

on another matter to bring to our leaders, you know, I first came to this Capitol when I was a teenager with my parents. We came down from Vermont. I remember looking around and walking through it, thinking what a privilege it was just to walk here. And then, during my years at Georgetown Law School, I would come here often just to see it, just to watch it, and to walk up the Mall and look at the Capitol and say: That is democracy. prgtoken I never thought I would work here, but I have now for a number of years. prgtoken I found the assault on and the defilement of the U.S. Capitol mere weeks ago was an attack on the bedrock of our democratic institutions right here in the citadel of our democracy. prgtoken The toll that this insurrection has taken and will take on our great Nation will be felt for so long. In addition to the physical damage done, there is a human toll that this attack has taken on the lives lost and the injuries suffered by so many brave officers of the Capitol Police. prgtoken I was both in this Chamber and in the House Chamber during the time this attack unfolded. The next morning, I recorded some of the lingering physical damage to this building in several photographs that I made. prgtoken But the attack also is about things you can't photograph, the unseen scars in the Capitol community--the staff members and the Capitol employees who work every day to help make our Capitol Building function as it needs to function. Most Members of Congress were also roiled by this attack. It has shaken all of us. prgtoken Chad Pergram of FOX News has written an essay that captures this heavy toll on the people who work in the Capitol. I was so moved when I read his essay. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the essay by Chad Pergram written on January 31, 2021
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-1

I rise today to reintroduce a bill to facilitate improved access to the Indian Health Service's Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center in Hemet, California. My colleague Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) is joining me as an original cosponsor of the bill. prgtoken The Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center is the only currently operating center in the State of California that provides culturally-sensitive substance use disorder treatment to indigenous youth. prgtoken The Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center, located in Hemet, is run by the Indian Health Service. The facility not only provides healthcare, but also academic support, family therapy, and treatment plans to support the healing and long-term recovery of youth enrolled at the Center. prgtoken Currently, the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center is only accessible by a dirt road. This limits access to the Center during California's extreme wet and dry seasons. The dirt road frequently cracks or floods during these times and creates significant challenges to those depending on the Center's important work. prgtoken The Indian Health Service does not currently have the authority to buy land from willing private landowners who are supportive of selling their land to provide for a paved access road. It is necessary that we provide for safe and dignified access to the center, and I am pleased to reintroduce this legislation to do so. prgtoken This commonsense bill would authorize the Director of the Indian Health Service to purchase land from willing sellers and construct a paved road to improve access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center. After the road's construction, Riverside County would maintain it. prgtoken This bill has the support of local stakeholders, including Riverside County. An identical, bipartisan bill is being introduced by Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), and Pete Aguilar (D-CA) in the House of Representatives. prgtoken This bill passed the Senate unanimously last year, and I look forward to working with my colleagues this Congress to enact this bill into law. prgtoken Thank you, . .
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOE TERRONEZ
Cheri Bustos (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-2-1

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Joe Terronez the first Mexican-American Mayor in the State of Illinois and long-time Silvis City Council Member. prgtoken Joe was born February 15, 1929 in a boxcar in the Silvis yards, the son of Benito and Felisa Anguiano Terronez. He married Rebecca Herrera on November 6, 1948, and together they had 8 children. As a devout Catholic and lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Joe was always a strong member of the community. Joe attended Silvis public schools and proudly graduated from United Township High School in 1947. He was employed by International Harvester Company in East Moline as a repairman and retired in 1984 after 33 years. Throughout his lifetime he was a member of several religious, labor, political, and civic organizations and was most proud to work with veterans. He was an Honorary member of the Mexican American Veterans Association (MAVA) and Hero Street Memorial Committee. He was also a proud union member and loyal to the ic Party. His love of family, faith, and community were most important through his life. He served the City of Silvis and his community for 30 years--26 years as First Ward Alderman and four years as Mayor. Joe was honored to be the first elected Hispanic Mayor in the State of Illinois. He worked tirelessly in the renaming of 2nd Street in Silvis, Illinois to ``Hero Street, USA'' and establishing ``Hero Street Memorial Park'', a living memorial to the eight Mexican Americans from Hero Street and all the heroes from Silvis. I thank him for his life of service to his community and honor his legacy. prgtoken It is because of leaders such as Joe Terronez that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam , I would like to again formally recognize and honor the life of former Silvis Mayor, Joe Terronez.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD HOME RULE ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-2-1

. Madam , today, I introduce the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, which would give the mayor of the District of Columbia control over the D.C. National Guard. I am very pleased that Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, which has primary jurisdiction over this bill, is an original cosponsor, as is Congressman Anthony Brown, a member of the Committee on Armed Services, which also has jurisdiction over this bill. The mayor of the District should have the same authority over the D.C. National Guard that governors of the states and territories have over their National Guards. Each governor--including the governors of the three U.S. territories with National Guards--has the authority to deploy their National Guard to protect his or her state or territory, just as local militia did historically. The events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and the events at Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020, are prime examples of why this bill is so important. prgtoken The National Guards in the states and territories operate under dual federal and local jurisdiction. Yet the D.C. National Guard operates under the sole jurisdiction of the president. Today, by far the most likely need for the D.C. National Guard here would be for natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, and to restore order in the wake of civil disturbances. The mayor, who knows the city better than any federal official and who works closely with federal security officials, should be able to call out the D.C. National Guard for local natural disasters and civil disturbances. The president should be focused on national matters, including homeland security, not local D.C. matters. If it makes sense that governors have control over their National Guards, it makes equal sense for the mayor of the District, with a population the size of a small state, to have the same authority. prgtoken My bill is another important step toward completing the transfer of full self-government powers to the District that Congress began with the passage of the Home Rule Act of 1973, when it delegated most of its authority over District matters to an elected mayor and Council. The bill follows that model. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
RECOGNIZING THE UTAH NATIONAL GUARD
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-2-1

I rise today to honor and thank the men and women of the Utah National Guard for their dedication and selfless service in protecting the U.S. Capitol. Each and every one of these guardsmen played an important role in our Nation's Capital these last weeks. I truly respect and admire their commitment to serve not just the people of Utah but wherever they are stationed. 2LT Hyrum Ahlman, CPL Halley Anderson, CPL Joseph Arvig, SGT Ismael Baires, SPC Andrew Bass, PFC Marc Brandt, SSG Trevor Brasfield, SFC Joshua Brewer, SSG David Brizzi, SFC Michael Broadhead, SPC Jose Cabero, SFC Cole Carpenter, SGT Sebastian Castillo, SPC Gregory Caton, MSG Steven Cave, SPC Anthony Cox, SPC Casey Cox, SGT Milo Cox, SPC Joshua Curtis, SGT Douglas Davis, SPC Palesala Faleseu, SGT Marc Flores, SPC Nathanial Forbush, SGT Jose Garita, SSG Jason Gerfen, SPC Austin Hafen, SGT Jesse Hall, 1LT Jordan Hatch, PFC Jaxson Hess, SGT Kasey Hope, SGT James Huntsman, SPC Lance Irons, SPC Matthew Jackson, SSG Jose Jimenez, SGT Tyler Julander, SGT Jacob Kauffman, MAJ Taylor Knight, SPC Ruben Loya, PFC Bryton Lunceford, 1LT Austin Maddox, SPC James Mangrum, PFC Tyler Marshall, CPT Markus Martin, SPC Chance McPhie, SPC Logan Mecham, SPC Craig Meservy, PFC Omar Morales, SPC Caleb Mulder, SGT Tyson Nelson, SPC Kipp Nielson, SSG Brett Nigbur, 2LT Matthew Ouderkirk, SPC Joseph Overson, 1LT Stewart Oviedo, 1LT Henry Palma, SPC Kevin Pareja, SPC Angel Penagamez, SPC Jaden Peterson, 2LT Misty Peterson, lSG Shawn Peterson, SPC Levi Phippen, SPC Andres Pintor, SPC Moses Purcell, SFC Jim Rasmussen, CPT Kyle Rawlinson, SGT Kolby Rohwer, SGT Eric Saunders, SGT Shane Scrivner, SPC Tyler Smith, CPT Leah Son, SGT Miguel Sosa, SPC Skyler Staheli, SSG Dustin Steed, SPC Toriano Taulogo, SPC Toren Terry, SPC Christian Trevino, SPC Brady Tullis, SPC Ethan Walker, SGT Bo Welcker, SPC Thomas Wells, SPC Ashton Wenkel, SPC Brandon Willden, WO1 Scott Wilson, LTC Cody Workman, SGT Jorge Zavala, SSG Stephen Zitting, PFC Chaz Alba, SGT Ben Alder, PFC Taylor Alger, PFC Skyler Allred, SSG R Amidan, SFC Clinton Andersen, SGT Ethan Andersen. SPC Anthony Anderson, LTC Clayton Anderson, SPC McClain Anderson, SGM Rawlin Anderson, PFC Joey Angell, SPC Tyler Ashman, CPT Cory Ashworth, SPC Maxwell Ayeliya, SGT Andrew Baird, SGT Wesley Baker, SSG Matthew Barnes, SGT Trevor Barney, SSG Michael Barrett, SFC Jay Bartholomew, SPC Justin Barton, SPC Jayden Batt, PFC Zakary Baumgartner, CPT Jeffrey Belnap, 2LT Dalan Bennett, SPC Alexander Beraja, SPC Justin Best, SPC Megyn Bettridge, SGT Braxton Bird, SGT Andrew Bissell, SGT Byron Bizardi, SPC Matthew Blair, CPT Benjamin Bowler, SGT Brady Bradford, SSG Michael Bradford, SPC David Bravo, SPC Benjamin Brinkerho
VETERAN OF THE MONTH--TERRY HILL
Kevin Hern (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-2-1

. Madam , I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's January Veteran of the Month, Terry Hill. prgtoken A Medical Evacuation Pilot in the United States Army, Terry Hill honorably served our nation for thirteen years. Upon returning home from service, Terry started Rapid Application Group, an Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Company centered around Additive Manufacturing Technology. prgtoken During his service in the United States Army, Hill was involved with several life saving missions and led his fellow soldiers diligently. He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, Order of Saint Michael, and he is a recipient of the General McArthur Award for Leadership Representative. In addition, his company is a two-time recipient of the AAAA Aviation Maintenance Company of the Year award. Through his service, he demonstrated the highest levels of integrity, moral character, and servant leadership. prgtoken In addition to starting Rapid Application Groupd, Hill founded the RAG Friday Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers veterans support and job training to help the transition into civilian life. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Terry Hill as the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma's January Veteran of the Month.
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-1

President built his campaign for the Presidency around a theme of unity, the promise that he would work to heal the deep divisions that exist in our country and restore respect and bipartisan communication. He has consistently pointed to his decades in the U.S. Senate as proof of his understanding and his ability to achieve results--and for good reason. Senator had a record of working across the aisle and brokering bipartisan deals, but so far, at least, the actions of President have run counter to his image as a pragmatic dealmaker. prgtoken Let's look at the first big test, which is coronavirus relief. This, of course, has been the main focus of the Senate for nearly a year now. We passed several bipartisan bills, ranging from far-reaching, multitrillion-dollar packages to smaller, more targeted bills, and every single one received overwhelming bipartisan support. Make no mistake, the path to getting those bills signed into law was not easy. The -controlled Senate and the ic-controlled House had very different ideas about the size and shape of those bills, but we managed to overcome those differences and provide trillions of dollars in relief to support our response on both the healthcare and economic fronts. prgtoken President has made COVID relief a top priority and laid out a framework for a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which includes everything from bipartisan priorities, like funding for vaccines, to partisan ones, like slush funds for blue States. prgtoken I don't support the President's proposal in its current form, but I do believe that it is a good place to start to kick off bipartisan negotiations. I also believe that before we rush out and throw trillions of dollars--I should say more dollars--at this problem, we need to see how what we have done is already working. In fact, it was only a month ago when we passed our last COVID-19 relief bill with big bipartisan votes, and that money is not even out the door yet. prgtoken As we look to the future, I had high hopes that we could continue this trend of working together. After all, that is the idea the President ran on--bipartisanship, deal making, and reaching across the aisle to build consensus. prgtoken President knows the rough and tumble of the legislative process very well. He helped broker many compromises during his career and promised to use that experience to restore bipartisanship in Washington. But that is not what the early days of this administration have looked like, not even close. prgtoken Our ic colleagues kicked off the year with threats to eliminate the filibuster. We know the filibuster is the single biggest safeguard of the minority in the Senate, whether it be or , because it requires--indeed, it forces--bipartisan compromise in order to advance legislation prgtoken For the past 6 years, as the minority party, our ic
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. JAMES WINERY
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-2-1

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate the Hofherr family on the 50th anniversary of St. James Winery. Since James and Patricia Hofherr first opened their business in 1970, St. James Winery has rejuvenated the local Italian wine culture in the St. James area. The Hofherr's chose this area because of its deep heritage of grape growing and winemaking. This tradition dates to 1898 when local Italian immigrants established the first vineyards in the region. With such productive Missouri soil and favorable weather patterns for grape growing, this Mid-Missouri location was nothing shy of an excellent choice to begin St. James Winery. prgtoken In the first year, the winery produced 3,000 cases of wine, and 50 years later, it produces nearly 250,000 cases each year. St. James Winery now has five vineyards, totaling 185 acres, and the winery sees almost 125,000 visitors annually. Located along Old Route 66, St. James Winery brings tourists from all over the world to Mid-Missouri. The winery is also one of the most awarded wineries in the entire United States. prgtoken Today, St. James Winery is being operated by the second generation of the Hofherr family and will see the third generation joining in the summer of 2021. For 50 years of excellent service to people across this nation, as well as across the world, it is my honor to congratulate St. James Winery.