mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SANFORD ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , today I rise to recognize and salute State Representative Scott Sanford, a steadfast leader who has faithfully served the constituents of Texas' House District 70 over the past decade. prgtoken A proud Texas native, Mr. Sanford earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Baylor University prior to beginning his career as a certified public accountant. In 1997, Scott heeded a new calling by joining the ministry at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, where he currently serves as the Executive Pastor. prgtoken In 2012, Sanford undertook a new mission of service after being elected to Texas House District 70, which encompasses the rapidly growing Collin County cities of McKinney, Melissa, Celina, Prosper, Anna, Princeton, and Weston. prgtoken During his time in the Texas Legislature, he has proudly held the positions of Texas GOP Caucus Policy Chair during the 86th and 87th Legislative Sessions and also served as the Chairman of the Texas Prayer Caucus. Notable past committee assignments include the House Public Education Committee, Health & Human Services Committee, Urban Affairs Committee, Land & Resource Management Committee, Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee, and the Corrections Committee. Rep. Sanford also currently serves on the prestigious Ways & Means Committee, Insurance Committee, and the House Administration Committee. prgtoken His proudest legislative achievements include the Pastor Protection Act, the Bonton Farms Act, the Don't Pass the Trash Bill, and the Freedom to Worship Act. For his many efforts, he was recognized by Texas Values as a ``Faith & Family Champion,'' by Texas CASA with the ``Big Voices for Little Texans'' Award, and by the Texas Conservative Coalition as a ``Courageous Conservative.'' prgtoken Representative Sanford's deep commitment to his community and constituents is evidenced by his work as a member of the board for Smiles Charity and Collin County Meals on Wheels, as a member of the Rotary Club of McKinney and the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, and as a mentor to students in McKinney Independent School District through the REACH program. prgtoken Representative Sanford has truly fostered a tremendous legacy of servant leadership. Now as he prepares to begin a new season of life alongside his wife, Shelly, it is with gratitude that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing his many contributions throughout his career in public service while wishing him and his family all the best in this next chapter.
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-11-17

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso), the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Braun), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy), the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), the Senator from Mississippi (Mrs. Hyde- Smith), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Inhofe), the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul), the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Portman), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio), the Senator from Nebraska (Mr. Sasse), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott), the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Thune), and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) would have voted ``nay'' and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young) would have voted ``yea.''
RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER AS 22q DELETION SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , today I recognize DiGeorge Syndrome, or 22q Deletion Syndrome, awareness day and month. prgtoken 22q Deletion Syndrome is a genetic syndrome caused by the deletion of a small part of chromosome 22 during a pregnancy, resulting in a wide- ranging scope of physical health issues and developmental delays for the child and leading to ongoing challenges for individuals diagnosed with 22q throughout their lives. prgtoken I would like to thank my constituent, Ms. Rebecca Osberg, for her impactful work on raising awareness for 22q Deletion Syndrome and for bringing this important issue to my attention. Ms. Osberg and so many families around the country are leading the charge to shine a light on 22q Deletion Syndrome and related rare diseases. Thank you for your tireless advocacy. prgtoken This month is a time to celebrate individuals with 22q and their often-overlooked contributions to our communities.
REOPEN THE CAPITOL
Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , today, I am here to talk about reopening the very building in which we stand, the United States Capitol. prgtoken It has been 2\1/2\ years since Pelosi closed the people's House and told Americans it was part of our united effort to stop COVID-19. Over the last year, we have seen a sharp decline in hospitalizations and deaths from COVID. In fact, just 2 months ago, President even declared the pandemic was over. Yet, certain protocols remain from the height of the pandemic. prgtoken Today, when constituents come to visit my office, they need to be personally escorted around by staff. They have to be a small group. They can't go to the House gallery to watch votes take place, and my staff is only allowed to give a tour once a week. prgtoken If the is really trying to prevent the spread of COVID, why is she forcing people to gather in large crowds around security checkpoints? prgtoken This is the people's House, yet we continue to deny access to the people, the very people who elected us to serve them, the very people whose taxes fund our operations. prgtoken Because of these regulations, I have had to turn several of my constituents away. Not only do these regulations make it difficult to welcome every group into my office, but it also affects the function of all House offices. prgtoken I have multiple visitors a day, and each time they come in, I have to send one of my staffers to find that visitor in a crowd of people, wait in a long security line, and then escort them through the House office buildings. It is inefficient and takes staff away from the valuable work they should be doing on behalf of the people of Arkansas. prgtoken To top it all off, none of this makes any sense. Why does one of my staffers need to escort someone who has already been cleared by security into the building? How does this protect against COVID-19? What is so dangerous about allowing visitors the ability to watch their government function? How can we claim to be a transparent government when we prohibit access to their elected officials? prgtoken It is far past time to truly open up the Capitol to the people and restore its operation to prepandemic times. We cannot afford to keep distance between the American people and their elected Representatives. prgtoken These regulations prevent constituents from freely visiting their Representatives and hinder productivity in our offices, and none of it makes us any safer. prgtoken The people are an important part of the legislative process. In fact, they are the reason for it. Madam , they should be welcomed here.
GRANTING A FEDERAL CHARTER TO THE NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN VETERANS, INCORPORATED
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-11-17

I wanted to say how pleased I am to finally see this bill pass the U.S. Senate. I want to underscore, again, the situation of recognizing the important work done by the NAIV to benefit our Native American veterans. prgtoken I particularly want to recognize the work done by Mr. Don Loudner of Mitchell, SD, who has led the NAIV since its inception in 2004. Don has served as an Army officer and is a combat veteran of the Korean war. He served with my father in the National Guard in South Dakota, as well. He also served in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Census Bureau and has spent decades supporting our Native American veterans. I want to thank prgtoken him for his 70 years of service to our Nation.
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-11-17

so I am going to reserve the right to object, and let me say I am doing this somewhat reluctantly because I fully acknowledge the Senator from Maryland is correct, that corruption is a scourge. There are many countries going the wrong direction. It is fully in the national interest of the United States to combat the corruption that we see, and he has proposed a completely good-faith, thoughtful approach to dealing with some aspects of the corruption that we find. prgtoken But I have concerns about the particular way in which he does this, and I would like to work with him and see if we can find common ground on this. prgtoken Let me explain my concern. prgtoken The bill would task the State Department with annually ranking every country in the world, including our partners and allies and friends and even, maybe, countries that aren't necessarily so friendly but, at the moment, are maybe working with us. It requires that this ranking of countries, based on how corrupt they are, be then made public. That is for good intentions, but I am concerned that in the process of naming and shaming countries that are deemed to be in the wrong place, it could complicate efforts that we are making, whether it is our Treasury or our State Department, with very legitimate objectives that we have that are unrelated to the corruption problem that the country faces. prgtoken For instance, depending on the country, maybe we want them to be more cooperative in the global coalition against Russia to defend Ukraine. Let's be honest. There are corruption problems in Ukraine also, but we are defending Ukraine, quite rightly. Maybe it is about joining the administration's Indo-Pacific economic framework, which is very important for a variety of reasons, but maybe there are corruption problems. prgtoken This seems like a bit of a blunt tool that requires this labeling and naming and shaming, and it doesn't provide the discretion for the administration to say: You know, maybe right now isn't the right time to rub their noses in one of their problems because we need them for something else. prgtoken So I guess what I would say is, look, fighting corruption is absolutely important, and the Senator from Maryland has been consistent and thoughtful on this, but it is not our only--and sometimes it is not our most important--objective with another country. prgtoken I would like to continue to work with the Senator from Maryland, and I would be very happy to devote the time and energy to try to make sure we are able to get to common ground here before the end of the year; but at this moment, I can't support this, so I object.
TRIBUTE TO KAREN ROETTER
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-11-17

I congratulate Karen Roetter, who is retiring as my regional director in my Coeur d'Alene office. Karen's humor, optimism, and dedication are hallmarks of who she is and will be greatly missed. prgtoken Karen graduated from the University of Idaho in 1979, with a teaching degree, and began teaching at Canfield Middle School in Coeur d'Alene, where she taught social studies and physical education and coached girls volleyball. Karen is a deeply devoted wife, mother, and grandmother to her beautiful family. After 5 years of teaching, she left teaching to stay home with her and her husband Matt's three daughters: Katie, Andrea, and Tara. Katie and her husband James have a son, Jackson. Andrea is married to Blake, and they have two children, Layne and Hudson. Tara is married to Shea and has three children, Ensley, Ebbet and Ellers. prgtoken In 1997, Karen took a part-time job with then-U.S. Representative Helen Chenoweth, before she, thankfully, came to work for me in 2000, doing casework part-time. In 2007, she began working for me full-time and was promoted to regional director for the Coeur d'Alene office. prgtoken In the nearly 23 years Karen has served the people of Idaho as a valued member of my staff, one of the many projects she has worked on has been our annual academy nominations. Her passion for this effort shows in the time and attention she devotes to educating about these opportunities and identifying and promoting the Idaho students ready and willing to attend our country's military academies. The commitment shown by the students and the fact they also have a desire to serve their country makes them her kindred spirits. Additionally, north Idaho, with the decades of cleanup at the Bunker Hill Superfund Site and the history of mining and milling in the Silver Valley, has had no shortage of land use and natural resources challenges. Karen has faced them with warmth, curiosity and a willingness to listen and help the rightly concerned people of the affected communities. prgtoken Karen, thank you for your hard work on behalf of Idahoans, and congratulations on your retirement. I have greatly enjoyed our conversations and valued your dedication to addressing the needs of north Idaho. You have also been a wonderful example of grace to all of us while facing life's most difficult challenges. On a lighter side, many members of the staff have you to thank for introducing them to huckleberry milkshakes. May retirement provide you ample time with the family you love so dearly, including shuttling your grandchildren to activities and the gardening you enjoy. I wish you all the best.
THE END OF AN ERA
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-11-17

the House will be leaving town today, heading back to our States, heading back to our districts. Obviously, this will be a week of thanksgiving and, obviously, I wish all of my colleagues well and safe travel. We have much, of course, for which to be thankful in this great country. prgtoken But there are great concerns that we face. Today, obviously, we had the speech and the news about the future of Pelosi. The outgoing has had a long career in this body, and I wish her well. I wish her the best in the next chapter of her life. prgtoken Some are saying it is an end of an era; and I would say that it is only an end of an era if we choose to make it so. prgtoken Pelosi ran this Chamber not terribly unlike her predecessors, and I don't necessarily mean that to be the right way to do things; bills that are cooked up in small rooms among leadership staff and Members of leadership; thousands of pages of legislation dropped on Members at the 11th hour; key pieces of legislation that are shuttled through committee without significant debate and then dropped on the floor. prgtoken Sometimes we have what is called suspension votes, where we suspend the rules and we have votes on the floor with no Members here to debate it or discuss it; just take the word of the committees on which I don't serve; amendments on the floor of this body restrained since May of 2016, under both parties' leadership. prgtoken Some people refer to this as a cartel. Some refer to it as the swamp. What it is, regardless of branding, we know that it takes power away from the legislators and, thereby, takes power away from the people who sent their legislators here to represent them. prgtoken The only way we are going to make this the end of an era is if we change the way we do things, and we should. I am saying this now that there is a majority about to take the gavel. I believe we have to change the way this town works. I believe we have to change the way this body works. prgtoken The reason that I introduced the Article I Act in the first Congress that I served in this body, while President was in office, to reclaim power from the executive branch, to say that we must have a voice in these ongoing emergency declarations, some of which date back to the 1970s. The reason that I did that was because I believed it, even though it would have taken power away from a President. prgtoken I am wondering now if some of my ic colleagues will think, well, maybe that is not a terrible idea if we look ahead. I don't know. prgtoken Here, in this Chamber, I am, as a , calling on a fundamental change in the way we do things here; how bills get to the floor. prgtoken Most people might not understand that the default rules that would go back to the Jefferson Manual and the basic rules of parliamentary procedure would be that I have the right to be able to offer a bill; and that then you would have the ri
HONORING LEWIS SMITH
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor Edward Bradley of Chadwicks, New York, who passed away earlier this week. prgtoken Edward was a lifelong resident of the Utica area and dedicated his life to serving our community and his family. He worked for several companies in the area, including James Donovan Roofing and Mohawk Containers, where he worked for 40 years. Incidentally, James Donovan was one of our New York State senators from our region. prgtoken On top of his work, Edward was also a 50-year member of the Willowvale Fire Company, where he served previously as president and vice president. He also served as a member of the Oneida County Fire Police and the State director of the New York State Fire Police Association, and he was honored by the Willowvale Fire Company with the very prestigious Ironman Award. prgtoken Edward was also a member of the Utica Elks Lodge and was nominated by the United Way of the Mohawk Valley for the 100 Heroes of the Mohawk Valley, recognizing his tremendous and honorable, dedicated service to our community. prgtoken Edward, thank you for your lifetime of service, and may your memory continue to be a blessing to all of us and the new generations of people that come after us. prgtoken We will never forget your commitment to our region, and your family remains in our thoughts and prayers. Your department is in great hands. They learned from truly the best.
HONORING THE CAREER OF FRANK ONGARO
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor Frank Ongaro's successful career of advocating for and protecting Minnesota mining, and to celebrate his well-deserved retirement after serving as the Mining Minnesota executive director for 15 years. prgtoken Frank is a born and raised Iron Ranger from Hibbing who has spent a majority of his career working in or around mining. prgtoken Starting with his grandparents, who immigrated to the United States and worked in mines, Frank and his family truly have embodied what the legacy of Iron Range mining means. prgtoken In northern Minnesota, mining is our past, present, and future, and Frank worked tirelessly every day to protect what so many of us hold near and dear to our hearts. Mining isn't just a career; it is a community that he continuously uplifted. That is why when I think of American exceptionalism, I think of Frank Ongaro. prgtoken Frank has been a champion for promoting and protecting the Iron Range every day of his career. I thank Frank for his decades of service to our communities and wish him nothing but happiness as he begins this new phase of life.
AMERICA NEEDS A NEW COURSE
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , as we here in the House and our country come near the close of 2022, the United States has gone through the worst year on our record for illegal border crossings. prgtoken Meanwhile, we have a Homeland Security Secretary who tells us regularly that the border is secure. Just this last month, over 230,000 illegals have crossed that we know of. prgtoken Along with this, gasoline prices are over $4 a gallon again, and the cost of Thanksgiving for most families will be over 20 percent what it was last year. prgtoken This has been a troubling year. America needs a new course. This House needs a new course, a new direction, and new priorities that strengthen America and Americans.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-11-17

I would like to echo the words of our Senator from South Dakota about Veterans Day. We weren't here. In my State of Alabama, we have 400,000 veterans who have served our country and served our country well. A lot of them put their life on the line. We have a lot of injuries. And I just want to thank them for what they have done, being that we weren't here in the Chamber on Veterans Day. And I want to again thank them for their service. And, hopefully, in the future we can talk more about our veterans here in this Chamber because there is not a more special group than that. Tribute to Stephen Boyd prgtoken , also, I want to start today by taking time to honor my departing chief of staff, Stephen Boyd, and thank him for his service to the State of Alabama and to our country. prgtoken For the past 2 years, Stephen has been at the center of every decision and every action we have taken on behalf of the State of Alabama in my office. And after nearly two decades of public service, we say goodbye to this integral part of our team. prgtoken When you run for Congress, you learn that people are quick to give you advice, especially when you have had a lifelong career in something outside of politics. One tip I heard over and over was hire a great chief of staff. But when I thought about what would make a good chief of staff, I decided I needed someone with three main qualifications: One, someone who knew the Federal Government; two, someone who knew the great State of Alabama; and, No. 3, someone who would lead with integrity. And that someone was Stephen Boyd. prgtoken Stephen brought a wealth of knowledge to my office from his time working in the House, in the Senate, and as a Senate-confirmed Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs. Stephen has been quietly working in the background to help improve the lives of the people in Alabama. And I have no doubt that he will continue with that sense of service and succeed in his next endeavors. prgtoken So, Stephen, thank you for your service to our office; thank you for your service to the great State of Alabama; and thank you for your continued long service to the great country that we live in. Midterm Elections prgtoken , meanwhile, our work here in Washington continues. Moving forward, Congress has a lot to do to get our country back on track, with a lot of division. Last week, millions and millions of Americans across the country took part in one of the most sacred traditions that we have here. It is called voting. prgtoken The right to vote in free and fair elections is the cornerstone of our democracy. I was proud to see so many Alabamians exercise that right and also people across our country. Voting is the best way for the American people to tell the government how they feel about our performance. That is how we are evaluated. prgtoken As expect
CONGRATULATING JASON MAREE
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate the Pennsylvania 4-H Dairy Judging Team on their top honors at the 100th National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo. prgtoken In October, the Pennsylvania team traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, to compete in the dairy cattle judging contest. The Pennsylvania team was made up of four members, with Ellie Curtis of Warren County representing the Pennsylvania 15th Congressional District. prgtoken Their hard work paid off. Ellie Curtis placed fourth overall with the Ayrshires. As a team, Pennsylvania was first for overall placing for Jerseys. They ranked second in oral reasons, Brown Swiss and Guernseys, third for Ayrshires, and fifth for Holsteins. prgtoken As a result of their victory, the team has qualified to represent the United States this summer at the International Dairy Judging Contest in Glasgow, Scotland. prgtoken Congratulations to Ellie and the entire Pennsylvania 4-H Dairy Judging Team. Congratulating the Indiana County Conservation District