mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2020-9-22

from New Hampshire for her beautiful words. prgtoken I rise today to join my colleagues in celebrating the life and legacy of a hero, an icon, and a woman way ahead of her time, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. prgtoken She was a trailblazer who exceeded all expectations and, through her example, helped young people, young women across this country believe that anything and everything is possible, and it is my hope that this Chamber can follow in her footsteps and exceed expectations when it comes to this precious democracy that we are supposed to hold and that we are supposed to take care of. prgtoken A few years back, my daughter Abigail and I got to see Justice Ginsburg--and I had met her a few times--but we were at an event, and we had our photo taken with her. prgtoken Now, as you know, Abigail was in her early twenties, and Justice Ginsburg had become a cult figure at that point in her eighties-- something we all aspire to--to the point where she had her own hashtag. prgtoken So we had our photo taken, the three of us. Afterward my daughter came up, and she said: Mom, I got a photo of the ``Notorious RBG.'' I am going to put it on my Facebook page. But, Mom, I hope you don't mind; I am cutting you out. I just want one with RBG up there. prgtoken Justice Ginsburg literally made justice cool for a lot of young people out there, and that legacy--that legacy, with all the people, the outpouring of love and support you see at the courthouse-- continues. prgtoken When people told Justice Ginsburg that she shouldn't go to law school because she was a woman, what did she do? She went to Harvard, became the first woman to work on the Harvard Law Review, and then went on to graduate from Columbia at the top of her class. prgtoken As has been recounted many times, she literally was called before the dean of Harvard Law School, along with the eight other women who were in that class of all of those men, and asked why they would be taking the seat of a man. But that didn't stop her. Nothing stopped her. When law firms in New York wouldn't hire her because she was a young mother, what did she do? She became one of only two female law professors at Rutgers University where she then wrote the brief that led the Supreme Court to decide for the first time that the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution should protect against laws that treat people differently solely on the basis of sex. prgtoken When they told her that despite her expertise and her novel theories of how to advance equal protection, when they told her that she shouldn't argue equal protection cases before the Supreme Court, that maybe the chances would be better if a man would do it, what did she do? She argued six cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and leaves with five out of six victories. prgtoken But she didn't stop there. She was nominated as the second woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court after Sandra Day O'Conn
RECOGNIZING MICHELLE HARVEY AS CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize Michelle Harvey, founder of the San Diego Face Mask Sewing Group, a Facebook community page dedicated to sewing face masks for donation. Now more than ever, as we continue addressing this unprecedented health crisis, it is on all of us to do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. With this in mind, Michelle Harvey found herself getting to work behind the family sewing machine. prgtoken Ms. Harvey discovered her newly found sewing abilities when her friend, an ICU nurse at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, informed her the hospital would begin taking mask donations. In hopes of providing face masks for as many essential workers as possible, Michelle reached out to others who would be interested in helping her cause and found an overwhelming amount of volunteers. From there, the now 1,800 member San Diego Face Mask Sewing Group took off. prgtoken Providing members of our community with a face mask is one of the easiest and most effective ways to slow the spread. So far, with the unwavering support of her mask-making group, Michelle coordinated the donation of around 50,000 masks to hospitals, charities, and community members across San Diego County. In an effort to ensure all followers are covered, The San Diego Face Mask Sewing Group also offers tutorials for people to create their own mask from scratch without ever having to leave their homes. prgtoken I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Today, I am proud to recognize Ms. Harvey as my Constituent of the Month, and I thank her for being a leader and role model in helping our community collectively work together to both protect our frontline workers and helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021 AND OTHER EXTENSIONS ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , it is with frustration that I rise in support of today's short-term continuing resolution and urge my colleagues to do so as well. prgtoken Once again, we need a means to keep the lights on for the Federal Government. The American people need and deserve more from their collective elected leaders. We are in the middle of an economic crisis and global pandemic when many are unsure they can keep their own lights on. prgtoken This 11-week extension puts our Federal agencies on autopilot. They can't begin new programs or respond to shifting priorities. It handcuffs our ability to respond to America's twin crises. It blocks investments in national security, fails to assist schools struggling to safely educate America's youth, fails the millions of families standing in long lines desperate for food assistance, and leaves millions questioning whether they even have a home tomorrow. It is a complete and total dereliction of duty for today and tomorrow. prgtoken The lack of action from our Senate colleagues, for the second year in a row, who deep-sixed their fiscal responsibility and leadership brought us here today. Our Senate friends have not even started the appropriation process. Not a single bill was considered in their committees. But they have time for another judicial confirmation. prgtoken Madam , I commend Chairwoman Lowey's leadership, and Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer for their prioritization and passage in the House of 10 of our 12 annual appropriations spending bills--all managed with the unknown and lack of Presidential leadership in establishing a Federal response to the COVID pandemic. The Senate achieved nothing. Nothing. prgtoken While Senate strategists are squeezed in rooms over there thinking about a Supreme Court nominee before election day, they ignore their top responsibility of Congress' funding responsibility. Our Senate colleagues have 11 weeks to draft and pass 12 bills, but not a single word on how they plan to achieve this monumental task. prgtoken The Energy and Water portion of the continuing resolution contains commonsense, necessary extensions to keep certain programs operating for the next 11 weeks. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this short-term resolution.
REMEMBERING JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-9-22

I want to thank my colleague from Michigan for outlining the stakes for the American people. prgtoken I will start tonight with the two principle reasons we gather tonight on the Senate floor. We gather on this floor tonight to reflect upon the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to pay tribute to her life of public service and to outline, as so many of our colleagues have outlined tonight, what is at stake for American families in a debate about the next Supreme Court Justice. prgtoken Let me start with the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Nothing we could say tonight would do justice to her story, but her story is an American story. It is a story of hard work and struggle, a story of overcoming discrimination--discrimination that I and so many others have never faced. It is also a story of knocking down barriers for women, a story of defending workers fiercely, a story of defending voting rights, and so much more that we will talk about in the next number of days. prgtoken It is also a very human story, as much as it is an American story. It is a human story about her heroic battles--plural--many battles with cancer, at least two kinds of cancer, over the course of 20 years. This struggle, this heroic struggle, this battle helped to transform Ruth Bader Ginsburg--then Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg--into an American icon and an inspiration to millions of Americans. prgtoken We mourn her passing, and we will, in the days ahead, continue to laud her extraordinary accomplishments, her achievements as a lawyer and a Federal appeals court judge and, of course, her 27 years as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. prgtoken At the same time as we pay tribute to her, we have, I believe, an obligation to make it clear what is at stake, what is on the line for tens of millions of Americans. I will focus on one subject area tonight, healthcare. We know that after failing to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act numerous times--and ``numerous'' is an understatement--after failing that many times, Senate s, along with the President, will try now to ram through a Supreme Court nomination that could, and very likely will, be the deciding vote to destroy the Affordable Care Act and all of its protections. prgtoken I will not dwell tonight on the blatant hypocrisy of this action. I will talk mostly about healthcare. But the hypocrisy, I think, is well known all these days, since Justice Ginsburg's passing, by so many s who said just 4 years ago that it was the wrong thing to do, even within 10 months in a Presidential election year, to confirm a new Justice. But here we are, and that same party, those same Senators, on tape over and over saying that they would not do this, are here trying to ram through another nomination. prgtoken By the way, when you consider the last number of months--the months of May, June, July, and August--this body, the U.S. Senate, did little else but nom
RECOGNIZING WORLD WAR II VETERAN GEORGE BEAM
David B. McKinley (Republican, WV) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor George Beam of Fort Ashby, West Virginia, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday next month. prgtoken George Beam's life is one of exemplary service to his community and his country. During the height of World War II, he enlisted and served in the United States Army, leaving behind his wife and newborn baby. Mr. Beam sensed the call of duty and he knew serving his country was the right thing to do. prgtoken For his service, he received numerous recognitions, including a Purple Heart for his injury at the infamous Battle of the Bulge. prgtoken After the war, Beam returned home to West Virginia where he operated several businesses in Fort Ashby. prgtoken George Beam, we wish you a happy 100th birthday. You truly are a great American.
VALUABLE ROLE FOOD BANKS PLAY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-9-22

earlier this month we celebrated National Food Bank Day. Each year on the first Friday in September, we have an opportunity to recognize the valuable role that food banks play in our communities and offer thanks to the tireless volunteers who help feed hunger-challenged families nationwide. prgtoken No matter the time of the year, food banks and food pantries support our neighbors in need with access to food, and throughout the pandemic, we have seen just how critical this access can be. prgtoken In 2018, more than 37 million Americans were considered food insecure, including 11 million children. The Department of Agriculture, defines food insecurity as ``a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.'' prgtoken Healthy families need access to quality, nutritious food. As a former chairman of the Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations, this is an issue that I feel very passionately about. prgtoken I am pleased to see the success of USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box program and have heard a lot of positive feedback from volunteers and food bank staff in my district. prgtoken Through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, the USDA has delivered more than 90 million boxes of fresh, delicious, nutritious food to families in need. Fresh fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat and more have been distributed by food banks, community centers, and churches nationwide. prgtoken I would be remiss if I didn't mention how helpful this has been for our farmers and ranchers as well. Earlier in the pandemic, we heard too many stories of dairy farmers dumping their milk and crops going to waste. The Farmers to Families Food Box program allows farmers to sell their products and crops to be used in the boxes which has reduced waste. prgtoken John, from the Christian Food Bank of Elk County in my district, called the boxes a ``Godsend,'' noting that recipients were deeply appreciative and amazed by the quality and variety of the food. prgtoken Mel Curtis, director of the Centre County YMCA, said the boxes have been extremely helpful for families because the boxes provide goods that individuals and families with limited income may have to forego at the grocery store. prgtoken I would like to give a special shout-out to Mel Curtis and all of the other hardworking people at the Centre County YMCA. I have been particularly impressed with their high energy, can- prgtoken do spirit, and constant commitment to serving families in the Centre region. Mel and his team are always innovating and thinking of new ways to reach out to the community. prgtoken I was pleased to join the Centre County YMCA this summer for a Travelin' Table event to collect donations of food and to pack grab- and-go lunches for local students. Travelin' Table is a mobile feeding bus. Typically, the bus makes six to eight stops a day delivering food, but operations have be
UYGHUR FORCED LABOR PREVENTION ACT
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , I thank my good friend, Mr. McCaul, the ranking member, for his leadership, for his very, very strong and passionate statement today. I thank my good friend and colleague, Mr. McGovern, the chairman of both the China Commission, as well as the Lantos Commission--and I serve as cochair with him on the Lantos Commission and as ranking member on the China Commission. And I am very pleased to be the principal cosponsor of this bill. I see Mr. Suozzi over there, who has been a great leader as well. We have been teaming up for years on this issue, and I thank him for his leadership as well. And Eliot Engel, our chairman, for his work on this as well. prgtoken Madam , at a 2018 Congressional hearing I cochaired, Mihrigul Tursun recounted her ordeal of torture, sexual abuse, and detention in one of China's mass internment camps in Xinjiang. She broke down weeping, telling us that she pleaded with God to end her life. Her Chinese jailers restrained her to a table, actually increased the electrical currents coursing through her body, and mocked her belief in God. She was tortured simply for being an ethnic Uyghur and a Muslim in China. prgtoken Madam , there are millions of stories like this waiting to be told. Nightmarish accounts of President Xi Jinping's genocide. And make no mistake about it, this is Xi Jinping's genocide. I point out to my colleagues that this includes the mass internment of millions. An estimated 1.8 million victims in concentration camps, children ripped from the warm embrace of their families, to be indoctrinated in Communist ideology and forced to renounce their religion, their culture, and their language. prgtoken Rape and sexual abuse of women being held in internment camps, forced abortion and involuntary sterilization to prevent the birth of Uyghur children, a direct violation of Article II(d) of the U.N. Genocide Convention, which states, in part, that genocide includes imposing measures intended to prevent births within a group. Forced labor on a massive scale that allows Chinese companies to profit, and profit big time, from modern-day slavery. prgtoken Chinese authorities initially denied the existence of mass internment camps and tried to portray them as vocational training. The Chinese Communist Party employed the big lie, censorship and economic coercion to stifle any discussion of their crimes. However, documents obtained by the New York Times and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists have exposed beyond any reasonable doubt the brutality behind Beijing's plans to radically and coercively transform the culture and religion of ethnic Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslims in China. prgtoken The leaked papers showed detailed plans--this is back years ago now-- of looking to intern between 1 and 3 million Uyghurs in these concentration camps and imposing Orwellian indoctrination efforts for those ``whose thinking has been infected.'' In other w
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-9-22

I rise today to recognize the Disabled American Veterans--DAV--organization for its commitment to serving wartime-disabled veterans since its formation 100 years ago. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am grateful for the positive impact of the DAV on disabled veterans in South Dakota and across the Nation. prgtoken Founded on September 25, 1920, the DAV has grown to become the largest wartime veterans service organization in the United States, with more than 1 million members in 1,344 chapters around the country. prgtoken The DAV helps disabled veterans and their families work through the bureaucracy of the Federal and local governments to make sure they receive the benefits they deserve. Additionally, the organization operates a nationwide transportation network, providing free transportation for disabled veterans to Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics. prgtoken We are truly blessed to have the DAV organization in South Dakota and in the United States. They give their time, talent, knowledge, and friendship to disabled veterans who need it most. We are thankful for their 100 years of service to the veteran community. prgtoken May God continue to bless the DAV and everyone they serve. prgtoken Thank you.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
William R. Timmons IV (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , I missed the votes the week of September 14, 2020, due to full-time military duties with the South Carolina Air National Guard. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 183; YEA on Roll Call No. 184; NAY on Roll Call No. 185; NAY on Roll Call No. 186; YEA on Roll Call No. 187; YEA on Roll Call No. 188; NAY on Roll Call No. 189; YEA on Roll Call No. 190; YEA on Roll Call No. 191; NAY on Roll Call No. 192; NAY on Roll Call No. 193; YEA on Roll Call No. 194; and NAY on Roll Call No. 195.
EXTENSION OF THE CARIBBEAN BASIN ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 991, which extends the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act through 2030. This legislation enjoys wide bipartisan support, and I want to thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for partnering with me to get this done. prgtoken Madam , I also thank Ranking Member Brady and Chairman Neal for their cooperation and support of this legislation as well. prgtoken As a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am proud to support our Nation's trade preference programs, which bolster further economic expansion in truly developing nations and support jobs here in America. It is a true win-win scenario. prgtoken In particular, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, or CBTPA, accomplishes that goal in the Caribbean, providing trade benefits to eight Caribbean nations, most notably, Haiti. prgtoken Furthermore, the program also benefits American businesses and workers, a number of whom have created strong, reliable partnerships with suppliers in the Caribbean. This partnership helps to add value for customers and supports American jobs. prgtoken Also of note, the program requires the use of U.S. yarn, which boosts jobs in our cotton and textile industry. prgtoken In my district, Cintas Corporation, which is headquartered in Cincinnati, utilizes a strong partnership with Haitian suppliers as part of their North American supply chain. prgtoken Finally, as we step back and look at the bigger picture: The CBTPA helps American stewardship of the Western Hemisphere, where we want to support budding democracies on our doorstep and create mutually beneficial economic stability with our neighbors. Our overall trade agenda is well served by agreements like the recently passed USMCA, as well as these important trade preference programs like the CBTPA. prgtoken Again, I want to thank Congresswoman Sewell for her partnership on this issue, as well as Ranking Member Brady and Chairman Neal for their support. prgtoken Madam , this is good, sound policy which stands to benefit both Americans and our friendly neighbors in the Caribbean. I urge my colleagues to support its passage, and .
HAPPYBOTTOMS DURING DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-9-22

. Madam , I proudly pause to recognize HappyBottoms. HappyBottoms is a very important organization as they help bridge the gap for the almost 22,000 children that do not have enough diapers and bring awareness to the need during Diaper Need Awareness Week, which is celebrated the week of September 21 through 27, in Missouri. prgtoken HappyBottoms is Kansas City's only diaper bank and they have been instrumental in alleviating the need of diapers for families in the Kansas City area since its creation. Created in 2011, HappyBottoms has provided over 13 million diapers for low income families in collaboration with 41 partner agencies at 54 distribution sites across 6 counties. In addition to their work within the community, HappyBottoms is also active within 5 area hospitals providing diapers to eligible mothers of newborns under their ``Bundle of Joys'' program. I strongly support these efforts to address the dire need of diapers within the Kansas City area as I believe this will ultimately lead to improved health for families within our communities. prgtoken Madam , I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing HappyBottoms for their effort in collecting, packaging and distributing diapers to low income families across the Kansas City metro area. I am honored to represent this wonderful organization in the United States Congress.