mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Resumed
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2021-5-25

I am here today to talk about the origins of the COVID-19 virus. I want to stop and thank the scientists and journalists who risked and in some instances gave their lives to get the genetic sequence of the virus and some hints of its origin out to the rest of the world to give us a fighting chance. prgtoken I also want to thank the NIH and Dr. Francis Collins, whose team was able to stabilize the virus within a matter of weeks and share that technology with the world. This helped to quickly launch the success of Operation Warp Speed, as well as other research for testing, anti- virals, and vaccines. prgtoken But now here we are 16 months into the most catastrophic health disaster of our lifetime, and we still have more questions than answers. At least 3 million lives have been claimed by the virus, and we still don't know its origin. More specifically, we don't know its geographical or biological origin. The world deserves to know and needs to know where and how it started. Was it naturally occurring, or was it made in a lab? prgtoken I am here today to tell you, the preponderance of evidence suggests that this virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan. But first let's look at the mounting evidence suggesting that COVID-19 is truly a supervirus, the product of lab manipulations, including viral gain of function. In order to do this, we need to look at the world history of two similar events and the great work of scientists surrounding the containment of SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012. prgtoken For SARS, it took 4 months to find an intermediate host, a civet, a raccoon-looking mammal. Yes, it only took 4 months to prove that the SARS virus went from a bat to a civet to a human. Significantly, scientists found 24 viral ancestors to SARS, as the virus prgtoken spontaneously mutated from a virus that would not easily attach to human cells into a more lethal virus. prgtoken For MERS, it only took 9 months to find the virus occurring naturally in bats, and the intermediate host was camels. prgtoken Yet, with COVID-19, here we are some 16 months later, and we have no intermediate host and no COVID-19 found in a live bat. The Chinese tell us they tested over 80,000 viral sequences and have come up empty. Coincidence? prgtoken No precursors, no grandfather or great-grandfathers, nothing close to resembling COVID-19 has been found in nature. As a matter of fact, the closest virus we know of to COVID-19 is RaTG13, which has called the Wuhan Institute of Virology home for several years. This virus was supposedly from bats in Yunnan and transported by scientists to the Wuhan viral lab, but of course the Chinese won't hand the virus over to the world now for further study. prgtoken Is it possible that RaTG13 could have been manipulated into COVID-19? Some experts would say yes. And we know, based upon the words of the WIV researcher, Dr. Shi, that the WIV had eight similar viruses to RaTG13, but China won't share those ei
HONORING NEW YORK'S BRAVE FIRST RESPONDERS, PARAMEDICS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-5-25

. Madam , I rise today to honor New York's brave First Responders, Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians as we celebrate National Emergency Medical Services Week. I recognize the great impact and sacrifice our EMS providers make to keep our communities safe. prgtoken EMS systems provide lifesaving care and are an integral part of our communities' wellbeing. Emergency medical responders are first on the scene of what is often the worst days of people's lives. Despite the great physical and mental toll, EMS providers continuously put the care of others before themselves. Their selfless perseverance and rigorous training allow them to be prepared for any situation. I am profoundly grateful for all those who choose to serve our community in this way. prgtoken The 21st Congressional District of New York is home to the oldest continuously run commercial ambulance service in the country. Guilfoyle Ambulance was established in 1907 and is currently owned and operated by Bruce G. Wright. The first ambulance was a horse drawn carriage and the business now boasts 16 ambulances. Today, Guilfoyle is certified at the Paramedic level and provides basic and advanced life support transportation as well as Paramedic service for over 8,500 requests and over 600 transports each year. The company operates in the majority of Jefferson County, including Fort Drum, as well as in some neighboring towns in St. Lawrence. Lewis, and Oswego Counties. Guilfoyle is just one of the many critical components of our EMS systems in the 21st District. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I am proud to represent thousands of hardworking EMS providers and I am honored to recognize them on this National Emergency Medical Services Week. I thank them for safeguarding our community.
HONORING FLORIDA'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT'S GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-5-25

. Madam , I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Army Sergeant Henry Levon Brown. Sgt. Brown was killed in action the 8th of April 2003 south of Baghdad, Iraq. He was the proud husband of Army Specialist JoDona Brown and son of Elm and Rhonda Brown. Sgt. Brown was known to be a quiet and religious man focused on his duty as a soldier and role as a loving husband. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of our Nation and all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Army Sergeant Ed Santini. Sgt. Santini was killed in action the 17th of March 2007 near Baghdad, Iraq. He was the proud husband of Astrid Santini and father of Nayomi and Valerie. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice to our Nation for the freedom of all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Sergeant Jeffrey David Smithson. Sgt. Smithson was killed in the line of duty the 11th of December 2013 near St. Augustine, Florida. He was the proud husband of Celeste Ann and father of Madeline, Christian, Jeremy, and Colin. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice to our Nation for the freedom of all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Major Gene Andrew Redding. Maj. Redding died the 6th of September 2016 near Lawtey, Florida. He was the proud father of Bryson James and Ella Grace. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice to our Nation for the freedom of all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Army Staff Sergeant John A. Reiners. Ssg. Reiners was killed in action the 13th of February 2010 in Zhari Province, Iraq. He was the proud husband of Casey and father of Lex. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice to our Nation for the freedom of all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Army Captain Leroy Campbell. Cpt. Campbell was killed in the line of duty the 17th of September 1956 in California. He was the proud father of Ms. Lynn Vernon. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice to our Nation for the freedom of all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the service and sacrifice of Private First Class Donald ``Wayne'' Vincent. Pfc. Vincent was killed in action the 25th of July 2009 in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was the proud son of Lee and Betty Sue of Gainesville, Florida. He is greatly missed by friends, family, and community members alike. We thank him for his ultimate sacrifice to our Nation for the freedom of all Americans. prgtoken I am proud to honor the se
RECOGNIZING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEEF 'N' BARREL RESTAURANT
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-5-25

. Madam , today I rise to recognize the fiftieth anniversary of the Beef 'N' Barrel Restaurant in Olean, New York, and congratulate the owners, Jim, Mike, and PJ McAfee for reaching this milestone. prgtoken The Beef 'N' Barrel is a family-owned beef and steakhouse restaurant located at 146 North Union Street in the Olean area that has been celebrated for years. During our visits to this establishment, we have been impressed by the ownership and staff, as well as the quality of service and products they provide. For fifty years, the restaurant has kept its doors open and satisfied customers, whether they were area visitors or life-long residents. prgtoken The restaurant opened in May of 1965 under the ownership of Neil and Denis Goodemote but was later sold to Jim McAfee in 1971. The restaurant has expanded over the years, from seating for fifty patrons to room for over three hundred in its current location. prgtoken The McAfee family has operated the Beef 'N' Barrel with hard work, dedication, and great effort over the years. We congratulate them on their extraordinary efforts to keep this restaurant growing and thriving, providing a delicious meal to all who visit. Whether it be a daily special, item from the beef bar, burger or other specialty, the quality of food and service received is outstanding. prgtoken Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body join me to recognize the fiftieth anniversary of the Beef 'N' Barrel Restaurant in Olean, New York, and congratulate the owners, Jim, Mike, and PJ McAfee for reaching this milestone.
RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-5-25

Senator Inhofe and I and this body have just passed by voice vote a resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. It is a significant resolution not only to be able to recall what happened in that terrible time in 1921 but to also recognize the 13 Black towns that still remain in Oklahoma. prgtoken It is an interesting history that we have in Oklahoma, and I encourage folks to be able to find out more about us as a State. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Black individuals and families from all over the South were fleeing away from where they were being oppressed, and they were coming to Oklahoma, setting up vibrant communities. Over 50 all-Black towns rose up in Oklahoma. prgtoken In fact, there was some dialogue in the early 1900s about possibly having Oklahoma be an all-Black State even. These Black communities were rising up around our State looking for opportunities, freedom, and a chance for a better life. Thirteen of those fifty towns still remain today as communities. Many of the individuals in these towns are friends and people whom I know and Senator Inhofe and I have the honor of being able to represent in this great body. prgtoken I think about Dr. Donnie Nero, Sr. He is the President of the African American Educators Hall of Fame. He is the one who helped found and pull this all together. He has an attitude in wonderful Clearview, OK, and he says: ``One of the greatest motivational concepts accessible to mankind is `Recognition.''' He says recognition is about remembrance and acknowledgment. prgtoken We are taking a moment as a Senate today to be able to acknowledge these 13 Black towns that still remain in Oklahoma and to be able to look at some of the history of what happened during that time period. So let me walk through this somewhat. prgtoken Tullahassee was founded in 1883. It is regarded as one of the oldest surviving historically Black towns in Indian Territory. prgtoken Langston, founded in 1890, and was named after John Mercer Langston, an African-American educator and U.S. Representative from Virginia. Seven years later, the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature established the Colored Agricultural and Normal University, which would later be called Langston University. This historically Black college and university has grown from 41 students in 1897 to over 3,000 students today. Prominent Oklahomans such as Melvin Tolson, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, Clara Luper, E. Melvin Porter, Frederick Moon, Marques Haynes, Zelia Breaux, Isaac W. Young, Inman Page, and Zella Black Patterson all resided in the town of Langston or called Langston University home. prgtoken Tatums was founded in 1895. It was named after brothers Lee B. Tatum and Eldridge ``Doc'' Tatum. They found prosperity in 1929 when oil wells were drilled in Tatum. Norman Studios even filmed a silent movie called ``Black Gold,'' using the brothers in their film prgtoken Taft was founded in 1
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT--Resumed
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2021-5-25

this amendment is called the Protecting IP Act. It is a bipartisan amendment that will help increase enforcement of the United States and China phase one trade deal. prgtoken This deal put in place important protections for America's intellectual property, the research inventions, copyrights, and more. prgtoken China has been a notorious and serial abuser of American intellectual property for decades, and that is why the phase one deal put in place a number of important safeguards. Unfortunately, China has not lived up to their end of the deal. It is critical that we hold China accountable for its commitments. prgtoken As we debate increasing investment in advanced research, we cannot look the other way and allow China to continue to steal American intellectual property. That is why I introduced this bipartisan Protecting IP amendment with Senator Cortez Masto, to ensure the President and the USTR uses all available tools to enforce the phase one agreement. prgtoken We are in a race against China and must remain globally competitive. That is why I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense and bipartisan agreement.
REMEMBERING REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD T. BRENNAN, JR.
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-5-25

I rise today to honor RDML Richard T. Brennan, Jr of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Commissioned Corps, one of our Nation's eight uniformed services. Admiral Brennan most recently served as the Director of the Office of Coast Survey, one of America's oldest bureaus, created by Thomas Jefferson in 1807 to produce nautical charts to help the Nation with safe shipping, national defense, and maritime boundaries. Unfortunately, Admiral Brennan passed prgtoken away suddenly on May 13, 2021, due to complications from surgery. He was 52 years old. prgtoken Former leaders of the storied ``Survey of the Coast,'' going back to the first superintendent, Ferdinand R. Hassler, were either impeccable surveyors, expert scientists, ingenious engineers, master shiphandlers, intrepid explorers, or visionary risk-takers. With 27 years of diverse experience and a constant desire to learn more, Admiral Brennan embodied all of those qualities and more. He served on nearly every hydrographic ship in NOAA's fleet, surveying the East Coast, Caribbean territories, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Coast into remote areas of Alaska, even mapping far into the Arctic Ocean to support the U.S.'s Law of the Sea claim. Whether discovering a new, uncharted seamount deep in the Chukchi Sea or uncovering the sunken remains of a lost locomotive tender car off the tidal banks of the Piscataqua River, Admiral Brennan's endless enthusiasm for mapping our oceans and coasts was infectious to all who sailed with him. prgtoken During his various land assignments, Admiral Brennan provided valuable technical direction to the many physical scientists, hydrographers, cartographers, and officers who worked for him while leading change to pull charting services ever more into the digital age. He served as a reliable resource to various maritime stakeholders and other Federal Agencies, using his effective interpersonal skills to bring NOAA assets to bear in addressing their concerns. He notably earned the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal and the Department of Commerce Group Silver Medal for his service during Hurricane Irene by coordinating NOAA resources to quickly reopen the port of Norfolk, a waterway that is as vital for national security as it is for global commerce. I am proud to point out that along the way, he earned a master's degree in ocean engineering at the University of New Hampshire's esteemed Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. prgtoken However, Admiral Brennan's stellar career is not what endeared himself to so many or what makes his passing so devastating. He was an exemplary civil servant and leader, and he is remembered as the person whom so many were grateful to work alongside during their own careers. People across the country remember Admiral Brennan for his empathy, wry humor, generosity, friendship, and humanity. Many sought his guidance on personal matters as much as they did on profe
MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
Ed Case (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-5-25

. Madam , I rise today to honor each and every person who wears a uniform or has served in our country's Armed Forces and celebrate National Military Appreciation Month. prgtoken My home state of Hawaii is home to over 142,000 military members, family and support personnel, making it the largest and most important multi-service military `ohana in the IndoPacific. We are deeply grateful to those who are regularly deployed to protect our Hawaii, along with the many more who are proud to volunteer their time, skills and abilities to the task of making our country and our world a better place for all. prgtoken Just as crucial to the fabric of Hawaii's military community is the more than 108,000 veterans who call Hawaii home. These men and women served with honor, and we must always ensure they are provided with the benefits they so rightfully earned and deserve. prgtoken I also want to extend my enduring gratitude to the families of our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. prgtoken Freedom, justice equality--these are the values that the men and women of our Armed Forces are charged to preserve and protect. Each of us owes our very best efforts to ensure that America's servicemembers can defend our values. We must make sure they are mission-ready, with the training and equipment necessary to carry out their duties here in our country and overseas. prgtoken As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, I am dedicated to properly supporting our present military members and their families and fulfilling the promises made to our veterans. Their service deserves our nation's respect and recognition not just for this month--but every day. prgtoken Move forward with strength (Imua).
REMEMBERING REV. E. BAXTER MORRIS
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-5-25

. Madam , I rise to pay tribute to the late Rev. E. Baxter Morris, who passed away on May 2. His funeral took place on Saturday, May 15, at the church that he led for nearly half a century. Many of us in this House knew Rev. Morris as a gracious host when we traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, on the annual Faith and Politics Institute Civil Rights Pilgrimage. He and his congregants at the historic First Baptist Church welcomed us with a very moving service followed by a home-cooked meal that made us feel like we were part of their community. I spoke with him at those lunches and, like so many others, came to see his wisdom, patience, and grace. I know that Rev. Morris, who was the congregation's longest-serving pastor, will be deeply missed by all who knew him and worshiped with him. prgtoken One of my most cherished memories of congressional pilgrimages to the First Baptist Church and other now-sacred places is sharing the experience with my dear friend John Lewis. John would remind us of the time in youth when he helped organize and lead the Freedom Rides. That effort began 60 years ago this spring. In late May 1961, around 1,500 community members, Freedom Riders, and civil rights activists had gathered to worship at First Baptist Church, when they were besieged by a mob of as many as 3,000 white supremacists. Joining John Lewis inside were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Fred Shuttlesworth, Diane Nash, James Farmer, and the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, who was the senior pastor of the church at that time. It took a historic intervention by President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, which involved calling out the Alabama National Guard, to break that siege and save the lives of those inside. That incident, known now to history as the First Baptist Church Siege, was a pivotal moment in the effort to desegregate public transportation across the South. prgtoken Thus when Rev. Morris became the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in 1972, it already had a storied history. He did his utmost to preserve that history and ensure that his congregants and visitors alike never forgot the important role that First Baptist Church played in the march for freedom, equality, and civil rights in our country. Indeed, at the lunches I attended with John and other Members of Congress, Rev. Morris would remind us that his church had been founded shortly after emancipation by those who had endured slavery. When a fire destroyed their original church building, the congregants banded together to build the current structure, donating bricks for its construction. For that reason, it is also known as the Brick-a-Day Church. prgtoken Rev. Morris understood that his pastoral work reached far beyond the walls of First Baptist Church. He regularly volunteered his time as a mentor throughout the Montgomery community, and he served as Chaplain for the Montgomery Police Department for more than two decades. The Operation Go
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-5-25

. Madam , on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, I was unfortunately not present for roll call vote 149 on agreeing to H. Res. 275, Condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16, 2021, and reaffirming the House of Representative's commitment to combating hate, bigotry, and violence against the Asian- American and Pacific Islander community. I fully condemn the shootings in Atlanta on March 16, 2021, and stand fully committed to combating hate, bigotry, and violence against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. Had I been present for this vote, I would have voted AYE on roll call vote 149.