mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HAROLD D. McCRAW, SR., POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-9-13

I rise today in support of H.R. 606, a bill to designate the United States Post Office at 1025 Nevin Avenue in Richmond, California as the ``Harold D. McCraw, Sr Post Office Building.'' prgtoken Harold D. McCraw, Sr. began working for the Richmond Post Office in 1956 as a Career Substitute Carrier, and worked in various supervisory positions during his tenure of more than 45 years. prgtoken From the time of his appointment as Officer-in-Charge of Richmond in August of 1973, Harold was active in the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS). He began with the East Bay Chapter and served in the state chapter as Area Director, Chapter Secretary Chapter President, and Chairman of the 1989 National Convention held in San Francisco. prgtoken Harold served NAPUS at the national level as Western Region Liaison Officer, EEO Committee Chairman, Advisory Board Member, and Postmasters Representative. In January 1988, assumed the office of National Vice President for Area 22. Harold also served as the Editor of the state publication, The California Postmaster, and of the national publication, Postmasters Gazette. prgtoken In addition to serving the community in his job as Richmond Postmaster, Mr. McCraw also served on various boards and commissions. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Community Social Services Corp where he facilitated the development of a childcare facility that has expanded to five locations and cares for hundreds of children. prgtoken Harold also helped bring about great change in the Richmond area through his service a member of the Richmond Management Service Corp and the Greater Richmond Housing Corp which established housing projects and expanded retail space for small businesses in the area. prgtoken The post office on Nevin Avenue has operated as Richmond's main post office since 1938. The building is located in the heart of downtown and is a driver of the city's economy. During World War II it served as an air raid shelter, and to this day remains a landmark and meeting point for community residents. It is also a classic example of Art Deco architecture that is an essential piece of Richmond history and culture. prgtoken I am honored to name the post office in Richmond, California after Harold, a man who dedicated his life to the United States Post Office and the Richmond Committee. prgtoken I would like to thank Chairman Gowdy and Ranking Member Cummings for their support of this legislation. prgtoken The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
PROSTATE CANCER DISPARITY
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-9-13

this morning I met with the Prostate Health Education Network and leaders from across the country who are on the frontlines of the fight against prostate cancer. prgtoken It is critical for African American men and their families that leaders like us raise awareness and funding to end the racial disparity in prostate cancer research. prgtoken African American men are more likely to get prostate cancer, are diagnosed at more advanced stages, and are twice as likely to die as our Caucasian counterparts. prgtoken Fighting cancer requires sustained efforts at all levels to raise awareness to ensure individuals and their families have quality and affordable access to screening and treatment. prgtoken It is critical that Congress continues putting resources toward ending racial disparity in prostate cancer and healthcare more generally.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3798, SAVE AMERICAN WORKERS ACT OF 2017; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE CONFERENCE REPORT TO ACCOMPANY H.R. 5895, ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND...
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-9-13

I am going to truncate my original remarks. prgtoken , today's legislation is yet another callous attempt by my friends on the other side to undermine healthcare for millions of Americans, all while recklessly adding billions of dollars to the deficit. prgtoken This legislation not only guts vital provisions of the Affordable Care Act, but also weakens the requirements on employer-provided healthcare. I might add, even though we may not be bringing it up, we do support the conference report and will be willing to go forward in that regard. prgtoken The time has come for our friends across the aisle to abandon their tired playbook, a playbook full of tactics and strategies bent on sabotaging and undermining healthcare, rather than plans to make our healthcare system stronger and more inclusive. prgtoken , we are also here today, as I just said, on the conference report, for a three-bill spending package, funding a portion of our government, which runs out of funds at the end of this month. prgtoken This funding package isn't perfect, and while I would have preferred we consider appropriations bills one at a time through regular order, as the promised, this effort represents how this House should operate when we consider legislation. We hold hearings, markups, go to conference, negotiate in good faith, and finally, emerge with a bipartisan compromise. prgtoken Good process makes for good policy. While this bill may not be one would have written, I am glad this conference report rejects House s' and President 's extreme budget cuts and harmful antienvironmental riders. prgtoken Finally, , I want to say this: We have learned that, as Hurricane Florence closes in on millions of Americans, the administration has raided the coffers of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to move money to ICE. I am not going to spend a lot of time on that. I think it is just wrong. prgtoken , this -led Congress sets yet another record with today's 97th closed rule. Week after week, my friends across the aisle continue to make history for all the wrong reasons, but we should not let this latest milestone go unrecognized because it is yet another sad point in this Chamber's history. prgtoken In this historically closed-off Congress, leaders have used restrictive rules to block measures to create jobs, bring down the cost of prescription drugs, and make education more affordable for our children. prgtoken , I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me the customary thirty minutes for debate, and as much time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today to debate the Rule for H.R. 3798, the Save American Workers Act and the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 5895. prgtoken , last year s took one on the chin when their Affordable Care Act repeal bill--a bill they spent all of 17 days working on--went down in flames in a most public and spectacular fa
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 5895, ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Stephanie N. Murphy (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-9-13

since coming to Congress, I have made it a priority to ensure that our men and women in uniform are prepared for success once their military service ends. The members of our Armed Forces serve and sacrifice for this Nation. We have a moral obligation to help them thrive when they transition to the civilian world. prgtoken That is why I am so pleased the final version of this bill includes the bipartisan amendment I coauthored to increase funding for the Wounded Warrior Program. This initiative places disabled veterans in paid, 2-year fellowships in House offices, providing them with potentially life-changing opportunities for professional and personal growth. It also enables Members of Congress to better serve the American people, because veterans can use the unique skills they gain in the military to improve public policy and help constituents. prgtoken I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.
HONORING MR. GEORGE WAYNE DANIEL, SR.
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2018-9-13

I rise today to honor the life of a dear friend, Mr. George Wayne Daniel, Sr. prgtoken Mr. Daniel was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 10, 1948, but was raised in Bolton, Mississippi by his grandparents, Melvin and Fannie Moore. He attended Tougaloo College earning a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Jackson State University. prgtoken He served as an academic counselor for over twenty years at Jackson State before taking on the roles of Police Chief of the Bolton Police Department and City Manager. prgtoken I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Daniel for many years. We were childhood friends, high school and college classmates, and neighbors. prgtoken From Hinds AHS, Tougaloo College, and Jackson State University, we have been with each other every step of the way. He was truly a dear friend who left an everlasting impression on my life. Mr. Daniel passed on September 10, 2018, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. prgtoken He is survived by his son, George Wayne Daniel, Jr his grandson, George Austin Daniel, and his sister, Diane Daniel. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and memory of my dear friend, Mr. George Wayne Daniel, Sr.
CELEBRATING MATHER FIELD'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Ami Bera (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-9-13

I rise today to recognize Mather Field as they celebrate their centennial anniversary in Sacramento County. During World War I the Army activated Mills Air Field, east of Sacramento. It was renamed Mather Field in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Carl Spencer Mather, killed in 1918 during a training flight collision in Texas, at the request of his classmates. Following World War I, Mather was temporarily shut down as a military base but reopened in 1925 and hosted the first annual ``Aerial Circus'', featuring 90 airplanes demonstrating aerobatic stunts and displays. Two years later, Charles Lindbergh and the famous The Spirit of St. Louis visited Mather Field following his first solo transatlantic flight. In 1930, Mather was reactivated as a training center for the U.S. Armed Forces and later played an important role preparing the Army for the fight in the Pacific Theater. With an Allied victory in sight, Mather Field's training activities ended in 1944 and it became a major stopover point for troops and aircraft headed to and from the Pacific. Following U.S. victory in the Pacific, Mather returned to its status as a training base and ownership was transferred to the U.S. Air Force as part of the Air Training Command. The Department of Defense moved all of its navigator training to Mather AFB in 1964 and navigator training became Mather's specialty for several decades. In 1976, the Interservice Undergraduate Navigator Training was established at Mather to serve Navy, Marine and Coast Guard students and trained the first female navigators. While Mather AFB was decommissioned in 1993, Mather Field continues to support the Sacramento region. The Former base now hosts Sacramento's Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mather Business Park and Mather Airport, which is an important regional cargo hub. I am incredibly proud to represent Mather and the surrounding community. As Mather Field celebrates its 100th birthday at the 2018 California Capital Airshow, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this historic landmark for all it has provided our region and our country over the last century.
DIANA E. MURPHY UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-9-13

I rise in support of S. 3021, America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Every Member in this House should be able to support it. It is how Congress should work, and it is what the American people expect. prgtoken Overall, the bill would authorize $6.1 billion in Federal funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out new and existing projects critical to our Nation's economy, environment, public health, and safety, including the Great Lakes region. prgtoken This legislation also includes the Drinking Water Systems Improvement Act, which the Energy and Commerce Committee approved last year, in bipartisan fashion. These provisions will improve drinking water systems and authorize $4.4 billion for the State Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program, which will provide much-needed Federal financing for States and utilities to strengthen drinking water infrastructure. prgtoken Everybody remembers Flint. Now we have PFAS. It is important that every American be able to trust the water they are drinking. This is why I am proud that this bill includes important provisions from legislation I introduced that would increase drinking water notifications and make consumer confidence reports on drinking water easier for every American to understand. It is an essential part of our response to drinking water crises in this country. prgtoken We have a crisis of confidence in our systems, and consumers deserve clear and immediate notifications and transparency when it comes to the quality of the water they are drinking. By requiring large water systems to provide consumer confidence reports biannually, the American people will have more frequent reports on water quality, which will help identify and mitigate risks sooner. prgtoken With 90 percent of Americans receiving their drinking water from a public drinking water system, it is our collective responsibility to provide strong funding authorizations for modernizing drinking water systems, and we must continue to find effective ways to keep the public informed.
HONORING JANET BAGLIERI
Grace Meng (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-9-13

I rise today during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to honor my constituent and ovarian cancer survivor, Janet Baglieri. prgtoken For as long as Janet can remember, she's had a sour stomach. That's why in 2010, when she experienced prolonged periods of abdominal bloating and cramping, she initially didn't think much of it and simply chalked it up to her long history of stomach sensitivity. prgtoken Eventually, after months of discomfort, she went to the doctor who referred her to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. It was during this routine colonoscopy that doctors discovered Janet's ovarian cancer, and in August of that year she was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer. After undergoing surgery, doctors removed two large masses from her ovaries and performed a full hysterectomy. prgtoken During Janet's battle with ovarian cancer, she received genetic counseling and testing and discovered that she carries a BRCA2 genetic mutation. In contrast to other cancers, there is a much stronger hereditary component in ovarian cancer. Inherited genetic mutations cause roughly 20-25 percent of ovarian cancer cases compared to 5-10 percent of cancer cases overall, and BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the commonly inherited genetic mutations that cause ovarian cancer. prgtoken While genetic information is ideally applied in the context of cancer risk management and prevention, it increasingly plays a role post- diagnosis in guiding treatment options. Such is the case with Janet, who recently began taking PARP inhibitors after being diagnosed with a recurrence. PARP inhibitors are an emergent class of targeted therapies that work by blocking the growth of cancer cells and are typically taken long-term. For BRCA positive women with ovarian cancer like Janet, PARPs have proven to be a lifeline. prgtoken Today, Janet is an 8-year survivor. She has experienced the ups of remission and the downs of recurrence, all the while showcasing bravery and strength throughout her journey and never missing a beat in taking care of her family. prgtoken Sharing stories like Janet's is an important way to spread awareness not only this month, but every month. Awareness is particularly impactful when it comes to ovarian cancer because there is no effective screening tool. It is notoriously hard to diagnose and progresses quickly and aggressively, often with vague or altogether absent symptoms. As a result, most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the late stages, when treatment options are limited and chances for survival are diminished. Less than 50 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live five years beyond their diagnosis. prgtoken Janet is beating the odds and serves as an inspiration to all of us. In honor of Janet and every other woman who has faced an ovarian cancer diagnosis, I support designating September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
IN RECOGNITION OF MAYOR BOB ANDREWS
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-9-13

I rise today in recognition of Mayor Bob Andrews, who has served the City of Newberg, Oregon with distinction and dedication for the past 12 years. prgtoken The first time I met Mayor Andrews was shortly before I was elected to Congress. He told me he wanted to build and sustain a positive working relationship; and we did just that. For the past six and a half years, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Mayor Andrews--a steady, forward--thinking, principled pragmatist with an unsurpassed commitment to Newberg and its residents. prgtoken When Phase I of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass opened earlier this year, it culminated a decades-long progression of vision and advocacy to make Newberg and Dundee more livable communities for residents who were constantly stuck in gridlock and congestion. The project was painstaking at times with numerous setbacks, but Mayor Andrews and his dogged determination never wavered. For a decade, with steadfast devotion, Bob attended nearly every meeting and hearing--including those in Salem and the occasional trip to Washington, D.C.--to advocate for resources and support. Although a handful of people pushed this project over the finish line, Mayor Andrews is first among equals. prgtoken That same level of persistence and commitment also characterized Mayor Andrews' support for Special Olympics Oregon, which held its Summer State Games in Newberg for six years. He worked to make sure that the city rolled out the red carpet, and he was a champion for the athletes and their families. In addition, Mayor Andrews served on a number of nonprofit boards and helped orchestrate a faith-based emergency preparedness plan to help the city prepare for a Cascadia earthquake. For his achievements, the Oregon Mayors Association awarded him with the 2018 Mayors Leadership Award--the highest honor among his peers. prgtoken Newberg is a better place because of the selfless service of Mayor Andrews. His commitment to the people of Newberg is unparalleled, and his goals as a public official always transcended himself--qualities all leaders should aspire to. In a time of deep cynicism and political division, Bob embodies the true meaning of `Civil servant.' prgtoken I am honored to have worked alongside Mayor Bob Andrews and consider him both a fantastic mayor and a friend. I wish him the very best in his second retirement, and hope he enjoys some well-deserved time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
DIANA E. MURPHY UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-9-13

I want to thank Mr. DeFazio, Mrs. Napolitano, and all the leadership on both the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for putting this bill together. prgtoken , I wanted to talk about the Energy and Commerce jurisdiction, which is initially the Safe Drinking Water Act. prgtoken Our Nation's public drinking water system serves more than 300 million people, but aging and failing infrastructure threatens access to safe drinking water in communities large and small. prgtoken The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that our water systems will require $472 billion in infrastructure repairs over the next 20 years, but prgtoken investment simply has not kept pace with the need. prgtoken This bill reauthorizes the Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund for the first time in 20 years and provides significant new funding to State and local governments in dire need. prgtoken The bill nearly doubles the authorized funding from $1 billion to almost $2 billion in 2021 and increases funding for public water system supervision grants to States. prgtoken Important provisions in the bill ensure that this money gets to the communities that need it most by raising the cap on special assistance to disadvantaged communities under the State Revolving Fund and setting a floor for such assistance to guarantee help for those communities. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Tonko, the ranking member of our House Energy Subcommittee on Environment, who led the effort to reauthorize and improve the State Revolving Fund for many years. Many of the provisions in this bill were incorporated from AQUA Act, which he authored. prgtoken The bill also contains a provision first introduced by myself and Representative Rush establishing a grant program for replacing leaded drinking water fountains in schools and requiring, for the first time, a national inventory of lead service lines and the cost to replace them. prgtoken The bill contains Representative Dingell's provision to make drinking water quality reports to consumers more frequent, comprehensive, and understandable. prgtoken Significantly, the bill incorporates Representative Peters' provision to assist systems with resiliency to extreme weather, and it establishes new requirements to assess and address vulnerabilities to those threats. prgtoken It also provides $100 million for grants to extend access to safe drinking water into areas impacted by natural disasters, responding to concerns raised by Representative Green. prgtoken Additionally, the bill contains language championed by Representative McNerney authorizing a water sense program to encourage consumer product water efficiency, and it authorizes Buy America requirements for iron and steel products for 5 years. prgtoken , this bill won't solve all our drinking water challenges, but it makes important improvements and delivers real benefits. prgtoken I am also pleased that this f