mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING ELIZABETH M. GONZALEZ
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-1-17

I rise today to commemorate the exceptional career of Elizabeth M. Gonzalez, Chief of Congressional Affairs at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and a dear friend with whom I have had the privilege of working with for many years. prgtoken Elizabeth was born in Hialeah, Florida to her loving Cuban American parents, German and Celia Gonzalez. Having been forced out of Cuba by Fidel Castro's regime in 1960, her parents instilled in her from a young age a deep appreciation for the sacrifices they made, the value of freedom from communist oppression, and an unshakeable pride in her Cuban heritage. prgtoken Known for her drive and pursuit of academic excellence, Elizabeth graduated from Hialeah Senior High as the Valedictorian of her class, later graduating with honors from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a Master of Education in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy. Propelled then by her tenacity and heart for service, Elizabeth stepped into what would be a remarkable career in service to our great Nation. prgtoken Elizabeth began working in 2002 at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters as a Presidential Management Intern (PMI), where she developed and managed a distance learning science program for bilingual children that aired internationally on over 30 television stations. She quickly rose in the ranks at NASA. working as a Legislative Specialist and finishing her tenure in the Office of the NASA Administrator as prgtoken a Policy Analyst focused on NASA's space exploration mission. prgtoken Upon returning to South Florida in 2005, Elizabeth served as the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs at SOUTHCOM, directly advising the Commander on legislative matters. While in this position, she would hone her policy-making skills that she would later demonstrate throughout the rest of her career. In 2009, Elizabeth then pursued an opportunity to serve as Advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. European Commander at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Headquarters in Belgium. After serving two years in this role, Elizabeth returned to Miami to serve as the Chief of Congressional Affairs at SOUTHCOM, a role she has since executed with such excellence as to merit two awards. Elizabeth was hailed by her own colleagues as the ``driving force behind Southern Command's outsized success and stellar reputation on our Nation's Capitol Hill,'' and has been venerated for her ''visionary leadership, [and] exceptional strategic guidance''. prgtoken Among her many hard-earned achievements, accolades, and awards, Elizabeth remains especially proud of her role as a loving mother to her son, Jake. She looks forward now to spending more time with her son and family enjoying white corn dinners after her many years of dedicated public service. prgtoken , I am honored to commend Elizabeth Gonzalez fo
CHOOSING LIFE
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-1-17

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I am going to start with what it means when we talk about being pro- life. prgtoken , let this sink in: 65,464,760 precious babies have been killed in abortions since Roe v. Wade in 1973. prgtoken , I have three children, eight grandchildren, and even a great-granddaughter. prgtoken As a Christian and as a father of those three children and a grandfather of those eight, the issue of abortion is extremely personal to me. Every single unborn child is a human life wonderfully made and worth protecting. prgtoken I can tell you from experience, , that the joy that children bring into the world is unparalleled. They are a gift from God that He gives to all of us. We need to look no further than Jeremiah 1:5 to know God's love for each child: ``Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart.'' prgtoken In Deuteronomy 30:19, we are called to choose life. Moses is laying out for the Israelites the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. prgtoken He says in Deuteronomy 30:19 that we are called to choose life. ``I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: Therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live.'' prgtoken , when we are choosing the death of an unborn child by abortion, then our unborn seed is not living. prgtoken Our great Nation has carried this belief in and respect for life from the very moment of our founding. Our forefathers noted that we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are granted to each of us, assuming we have the chance to begin living that life, yet, our society seems to struggle with that simple proposition. prgtoken Life allows for liberty and liberty allows for the pursuit of happiness. Without the fundamental right to life, our society begins to look vastly different. Without the fundamental right to life, we have neither liberty nor happiness. prgtoken Then on June 24, 2022, after almost 50 years of living--many of us would say dying--under the tragically unconstitutional Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. What a victory. The voiceless, once again, finally have a voice. prgtoken As thousands prepare to stand for life in our Nation's Capital, my colleagues and I continue our fight for life by voting for the Pregnant Students' Rights Act and the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. prgtoken I will always, always, , stand up and protect life. prgtoken , the gentleman is exactly correct. In Texas, the border is important to us. prgtoken , it is absolutely no secret that the administration has purposefully and willfully destroyed over 100 years of immigration policy, resulting in 8-million-plus illegal crossings since took office. prgtoken , I have been visiting the Texas border since my time in the Texas State House back in 2009. I was vice
TRIBUTE TO NILS BURINGRUD
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2024-1-17

I want to honor a very special North Dakota resident who turned 100 years old on January 11. Nils Martin Buringrud celebrated this landmark birthday in Fargo at a party with a small group of friends and later a dinner with his family. prgtoken Nils was born January 11, 1924, to Nils and Marthe Buringrud in Thief River Falls, MN. His father was a farmer, and the family moved near the Red River Valley community of Kelso, ND, in 1930. They moved 3 years later to a place a few miles away southwest of the community of Hillsboro. In 1943, they moved to a new home southeast of Hillsboro, where Nils lived until he graduated from high school in 1942. prgtoken That fall he moved to Spokane, WA, and then to McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento, CA, where he worked in shipping airplane engines overseas to military bases in the Pacific. Nils returned home and helped farm for awhile before enlisting in the Marines in 1944 at the age of 22. During World War II, he served aboard an aircraft carrier that sailed through the Panama Canal and on to all the islands in the Pacific, along with Japan, China, India, and near the coast of Africa. He was an expert rifleman when the war ended. prgtoken After being discharged from the Marines, he farmed with his brother- in-law and sister and later delivered fuel to area farms. He married Elaine Ponto in 1947, and the newlyweds lived in a home on the Argusville farm of his brother-in-law and sister until 1949, when they bought a farmstead 3-and-a-half miles east of Gardner. There, they continued to farm and raised six children. Nils was active in the American Legion, and he and Elaine attended regular reunions with friends from his Marine unit. They lived there until 1993 when they sold their farm and moved to Fargo. prgtoken Elaine died in 2006 and Nils continues to reside in Fargo in the home they purchased in 1998. His daughter Marcia now lives with him, and his life is filled with the activities of his four children who are still living and 11 grandchildren. He continues to drive and walks about an hour daily, weather permitting. While not the oldest living veteran in North Dakota, his family believes he may the oldest to still have a valid drivers license. prgtoken North Dakota is home to more than 200 centenarians, and we consider them among our most treasured residents. Nils Buringrud embodies the very best of the Greatest Generation, growing up on a farm, moving out of State for awhile, enlisting to serve in World War II, and then returning home to raise a family and contribute to his community and State. He has remained a proud and active veteran, and his pioneer spirit, dignity, and hard work have brought him through many challenges and personal achievements. He is an inspiration to all of us. prgtoken On behalf of all North Dakotans, I thank Nils for his service to our country and wish him a happy 100th birthday. I hope you enjoy continued good health and vit
RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTHEAST IOWA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-1-17

I rise today to congratulate the University of Iowa's defensive coordinator, Phil Parker, who has been awarded the coveted Broyles Award. This accolade is presented each year to the top assistant coach in college football, and it recognizes Parker's 25 years of dedication and leadership on the Hawkeye's coaching staff. prgtoken This season, the team had an impressive defensive record, ranking fifth nationally in total defense, and they played 27 consecutive games where they allowed 400 yards or less. Coach Parker has been instrumental in their success, which is reflected in their lowest defensive average since 2008. prgtoken As the third Iowa assistant coach to receive this award, I congratulate Coach Parker and the rest of the coaching staff on this impressive testament to the excellence of the University of Iowa. prgtoken Go Hawkeyes.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-1-17

over the weekend, President once again refused to describe the situation at the southern border as a crisis. Apparently, according to the Commander in Chief, 10,000 illegal border crossings in a day--and the busiest month and year on record at the border--is, somehow, not a crisis. prgtoken Needless to say, I am glad that Senator Lankford and our colleagues working on meaningful border security policy don't share that view. I am glad that we may soon be able to address an urgent crisis with urgent action. prgtoken Negotiators are making headway toward the most significant border enhancements in almost 30 years. They are getting closer to delivering serious, lasting solutions to the unprecedented humanitarian and national security catastrophe that has unfolded on President 's watch. That is certainly good news. prgtoken Of course, our colleagues' work is also the linchpin of our broader efforts to address the national security challenges we face around the world, from Russian aggression in Europe to Iran-backed terror in Israel and the Middle East, to competition with China. China prgtoken , an increasingly aggressive China represents the greatest strategic challenge of the century, and recent events in the Indo-Pacific remind us exactly what is at stake. The PRC is an expansionist, revisionist, and repressive power all at the same time. It wants to impose its will on its neighbors, regardless of their views or values, just like it does at home. prgtoken Just consider the free, fair, and hotly contested elections that took place in Taiwan this past Saturday. The people of Taiwan have resisted Beijing's blatant efforts to interfere in their politics, and the PRC is clearly unhappy with the outcome of the election, which saw the DPP maintain its hold on the Presidency. prgtoken But it wasn't just the results of Taiwan's elections that the PRC views as a threat. It is also the basic process prgtoken itself. The idea of self-determination--of citizens actually getting a choice--terrifies the leaders in Beijing. prgtoken Of course, it is impossible to watch Taiwan's defiant self-expression without thinking how fragile this autonomy can be. Just remember how swiftly the PRC has acted to snuff out forces of democracy in Hong Kong. prgtoken Right now, my old friend Jimmy Lai, prolific publisher and a proud Hongkonger, is on trial. He is facing the possibility of life in prison simply for committing the crime of journalism, of seeking to publish the truth at variance with the party's definition of it. prgtoken See, the Chinese Communist Party doesn't just fear its own people. It fears the pursuit of truth. And, on both counts, Beijing finds common cause with fellow authoritarians in Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang. These regimes, and the would-be imperialists who lead them, understand that their most precious currency isn't truth or legitimacy, but contr
AMENDING THE PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT OF 2013--Motion to Proceed--Continued
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2024-1-17

I rise today in light of the news that John Kerry, America's climate czar, will soon be leaving his post. Mr. Kerry's exit presents, I think, us with an opportunity to comprehensively reexamine the administration's record on energy and the environment. prgtoken For 3 years now while Mr. Kerry has been there, we have had energy regulation after energy regulation, climate mandate after climate mandate; and President has clearly and unapologetically put the American people last. prgtoken His Cabinet Secretaries and unelected staff members from the State Department to the EPA, from prgtoken the White House to the U.S. Department of Transportation, have followed his lead. They have pushed an unworkable, untenable agenda meant to appease the global climate community and environmental activists alike. prgtoken The problem is that these goals and proposals are completely detached from reality. Well, let's just start with Mr. Kerry's recent comments: There shouldn't be any more coal-fired power plants permitted anywhere in the world. prgtoken Followed by him signing an international pledge to do just that. prgtoken Well, that is a big statement for someone in his position, yet he has outlined no plan to replace this baseload energy source that is critical to our Nation and, really, critical around the world, especially in these winter months on days like we see today and this past week where we have had record freezing--and below-freezing-- temperatures. prgtoken He makes comments like this but does not acknowledge that States like mine--West Virginia--or States like Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Colorado all rely heavily on coal-fired power plants for our electricity. prgtoken Acknowledging this reality would not be wise for Mr. Kerry because decimating the entire electric grid of dozens of States across the country and the thousands--tens of thousands of jobs that go with it would not be a good look for the administration. prgtoken So they never quite get to the next point of what would happen if we actually followed what he is saying. But not to fear, the EPA has Mr. Kerry's back when it comes to threatening America's energy grid with policies that are just not based in reality. prgtoken Despite the Supreme Court knocking down the administration's previous attempt to close down coal- and gas-fired power plants in West Virginia v. EPA, the administration has doubled down on this reckless policy. The Clean Power Plan 2.0 is, again, designed to prematurely force the retirement of these power plants and require the use of technologies that are not nearly ready for prime time. prgtoken Unfortunately for the American people, by the time the courts catch up, as they did before, a lot of the damage is done. Jobs are lost, the electric grid is undetermined and undermined, and the lives of entire communities are disrupted. Believe me, I know this firsthand. We lived through t
A CALL FOR HUMANE TREATMENT OF MIGRANTS
Mike Flood (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-1-17

I rise today to express my sincere gratitude to my hometown mayor, Josh Moenning, of Norfolk, Nebraska. After almost 12 years as mayor, he has decided to retire at the end of his term. prgtoken During his tenure, Mayor Moenning saw Norfolk through dozens of projects that made our city a more desirable place for families and young people. Mayor Moenning said his time as mayor centered around three things: enhanced quality of life, improved infrastructure and city services, and economic growth. prgtoken He accomplished those three objectives and more by renovating Johnson Park, revitalizing a wide variety of businesses and housing developments, and expanding infrastructure. Mayor Moenning took the city's ideas and needs, and he put them into action. prgtoken Because of his service to our community, Norfolk is an even better place to live, work, and raise a family than it was 12 years ago. prgtoken On behalf of the city of Norfolk in the First Congressional District, I extend our appreciation to Mayor Moenning for his leadership over the past 12 years. In Honor of Angie Muhleisen
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6914, PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6918, SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR...
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-1-17

I have a serious question for my colleagues: Did the campaign write these bills for you? They seem right out of his political playbook--cruel, uninformed, nasty bills. You are turning the House of Representatives into the committee to re-elect . prgtoken , the gentlewoman from Minnesota can claim whatever she wants about these bills, but I wish the other side would just be clear. I wish they would just come clean with the American people. What they want is to ban abortion, a total ban. That is what these bills are about. prgtoken Don't believe their spin. This debate isn't about giving students more information or helping provide resources to families or whatever other misleading junk you hear from the other side. That is all a bunch of baloney, a bunch of BS. prgtoken Read their bills. Read the bills, and you will see what they do. prgtoken The Pregnant Students' Rights Act doesn't give anybody any new rights. It contains a bunch of completely made-up claims meant to stigmatize abortion. It lets schools not inform students of their actual rights with regard to contraception or abortion care. That is the truth. prgtoken s can name the bill whatever they want. The problem is, when you read the bill, people actually see that the title is misleading. prgtoken I read the bill. The title is misleading. Their other bill is about crisis pregnancy centers, and I know a little bit about crisis pregnancy centers. I have one in my district that almost killed somebody because they told her that everything was fine when she had an ectopic pregnancy, and she almost died. prgtoken These centers are about pushing a political agenda, about deceiving women--some who are actually trying to seek access to abortion care. prgtoken s say that Federal funding can't go to Planned Parenthood for political reasons, then why the hell is it going to these dangerous political pregnancy centers that push their own agenda? I mean, give me a break. prgtoken Now, look, just to be honest about it, the position is to ban abortion nationwide. We know overturning Roe was just the start. Now they want to criminalize abortion, too, and throw women in jail for making decisions about their own bodies. Texas, Kentucky, South Carolina, they are all trying to lock women up if they get an abortion. prgtoken Every single week, s are here on the House floor pushing for more extremist culture war nonsense like this. prgtoken Maybe that is why they keep losing elections because every time they put their anti-abortion agenda on the ballot, they lose. You would think that they would take the hint. Maybe that is why there are so few speakers on the other side talking about these bills today. prgtoken The sickest part of it all, the most disgusting thing is, they do not have one shred of compassion or care about the baby after it is born. They talk about the sanctity of life this and the sanctity of
DENOUNCING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S OPEN-BORDERS POLICIES, CONDEMNING THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS ALONG THE SOUTHWEST BORDER, AND URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN TO END HIS...
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2024-1-17

while the do-nothing extreme MAGA majority wastes the time of the Committee on Homeland Security with a phony, baseless impeachment ``investigation,'' they occupy the House floor with a symbolic resolution equally as false. prgtoken Put simply, there are no so-called ``open-borders policies'' to denounce. prgtoken The administration is, in fact, fulfilling its Constitutional responsibility to secure America's southern border. It is apprehending, processing, and removing individuals with no legal basis to remain in the United States in accordance with the law. prgtoken Instead of working with to solve the challenges along our southern border, the extreme MAGA s who run the House of Representatives have consistently squandered opportunities to work across the aisle to solve the challenges facing our Nation. prgtoken Last Congress, they voted against funding for DHS, to include billions of dollars in increased funding for border security meanwhile, put people over politics and got those funding bills enacted into law. prgtoken Last year, they rejected 43 common-sense amendments during the Homeland Security Committee's markup of its portion of H.R. 2, the MAGA ``Child Deportation Act,'' a bill which would villainize nonprofit organizations and punish local officials providing aid to the needy. prgtoken This year, instead of constructively participating in bipartisan negotiations on immigration reform and border security with the administration and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, House s are pursuing a sham impeachment of the Secretary for supposedly not doing his job. prgtoken , how would the extremists in the House Conference even know prgtoken Secretary Mayorkas isn't performing his job? They're not showing up to do their job at the negotiating table. prgtoken Instead, dressed in polos and perfectly creased khakis, MAGA s fly down to Texas for photo ops while the real work of legislating remains undone--hamstrung by the endless drama within the House Conference. prgtoken The talented, hard-working agents and officers of Customs and Border Protection don't need more political photo ops or baseless impeachments or symbolic resolutions. They need resources. prgtoken House s would rather shut down the government than give those with their boots on the ground what they need to get their job done. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H. Res. 957 and reject extreme MAGA s' empty gestures and false campaign rhetoric.
RECRUITING FAMILIES USING DATA ACT OF 2023
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-1-17

the balance of my time for closing. prgtoken , Mr. Feenstra, for his work on this, as well as all my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee and throughout Congress for supporting this legislation. prgtoken As I said, there is much we need to do to improve the foster care system, to recognize the needs of foster youth, to make sure that they have a safe and loving home, to put them on a path to be the best versions of themselves. This is a step in that direction. I encourage all my colleagues to support this legislation. prgtoken , .