mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DISAPPROVING RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RELATING TO BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
A. Donald McEachin (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-2-7

the BLM's Planning 2.0 initiative has made important, overdue updates to our process for drafting resource management plans. prgtoken These plans govern our use of more than 175 million acres of public lands. The way in which we use those lands deeply affects the environmental quality, public health, and all Americans' quality of life. It is vitally important that we get our planning right. prgtoken This rule promotes transparency and consensus, creating more and earlier opportunities for public involvement in the planning process. It encourages greater use of high-quality scientific information, and it provides for a big-picture, landscape-level response to challenges like wildfire management and invasive species. The effect is to strengthen, streamline, and democratize a process that had previously bred litigation and delay. prgtoken , I have to wonder: Which of these changes does my friend across the aisle oppose? prgtoken , in the last week, the House voted to disapprove three other rules that protect public health and environmental quality. I am disturbed by that pattern, and I am disturbed by the haste with which we have moved, especially since all of these rules took years to create and craft. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues in the majority to think of their children, their grandchildren, and all the generations to come. They deserve to inherit a rich, healthy, and sustainable world. If we continue down this reckless path, I fear they will not.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO TEACHER PREPARATION ISSUES
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-2-7

I just want to comment because I was a little confused by what the gentleman said. I believe that we want to be sure that teachers who get TEACH grants are doing that at schools that have shown the capacity and the ability to really help children achieve. And so that is why we want to direct them into those schools particularly. prgtoken , I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).
NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-2-7

in recognition of National School Counseling Week and in honor of the many dedicated school counselors in Rhode Island and across the Nation, every day, school counselors are out on the front lines helping our students navigate their educational and career pathways. They provided advice and support during the most formative years of students' lives, helping them develop the skills to succeed in school, in the workforce, and in life. prgtoken Unfortunately, in too many schools across the country, students do not have access to school counselors and counselors do not have the resources they need to do their jobs. prgtoken , it is Congress' responsibility to provide schools and counselors with the funding that they need to properly educate and guide our Nation's youth. prgtoken In recognition of National School Counseling Week, I ask my colleagues to join me in renewing our promise to fulfill that responsibility. Our students, , are depending on us.
IN HONOR OF SABU J.R. SHAKE, THE PAISANO OF THE YEAR
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-2-7

I rise today to honor Sabu J.R. Shake, the Paisano of the Year, for all that he has done for our community on the central coast of California. prgtoken The fourth son of Isabella Shake and the late Sabu Shake, Sr. and brother to Benji, David, Chris, Angelo, and Tene, Sabu was born and grew up in Monterey, California. He is the proud father of five children and grandfather of two. prgtoken From a young age, Sabu understood the value of hard work. He worked at the family restaurant, Old Fisherman's Grotto, as a busboy and worked his way up to become a maitre d', cashier, and manager. Through this experience, he learned all aspects of the restaurant business. prgtoken Building on his early experience in the hospitality business, Sabu and his brother Chris opened The Fish Hopper restaurant on the historic Cannery Row in 1995. With the huge success of that restaurant, Sabu opened another Fish Hopper in Kona, Hawaii and, recently with Chris, Scales Seafood & Steaks on the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. prgtoken While Sabu is a pillar in the business community, he is also a steadfast servant to the community he calls home. prgtoken As a past board member of the Boys & Girls Club and current member of the Paisano Club, Chaine des Rotisseurs, Compari Club, Sheriff's Advisory Council, and Italian American Cultural Center Foundation, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service. prgtoken In memory of his father, Sabu Shake, Sr Sabu organized the first Sabu's Safari to raise money for The Salvation Army's Monterey Peninsula Corps in 2007. Today, the annual gala is attended by close to 500 people and raises thousands of dollars for The Salvation Army. To date, this event has raised more than $1,725,000. prgtoken In 2012, Sabu initiated a Turkey Drive challenge by reaching out to friends and business colleagues for donations to purchase turkeys for people in need during the holidays. The Turkey Drive has become an annual tradition which provides nearly 1,500 turkeys every year. prgtoken Sabu also hosts an annual Christmas Toy Drive. Through that event each year, nearly 300 toys are collected for The Salvation Army to give to children during the holidays. prgtoken Following Hurricane Iselle, which hit Hawaii in 2014, Sabu raised more than $15,000 for The Salvation Army in Hawaii to aid recovery efforts. Later that fall, Sabu hosted the first annual Red Kettle Kickoff for The Salvation Army at The Fish Hopper in Kona, Hawaii and it was a huge success. prgtoken Due to his incredible generosity, The Salvation Army gave Sabu the M. Temple Eliott award and The Others Award, which is the highest national award given to a civilian by The Salvation Army. prgtoken , I know the whole U.S. House of Representatives joins me in honoring and congratulating Sabu J.R. Shake on being chosen as the Paisano of the Year. prgtoken Thank you, Sabu, for your service to our Central Coast and nation
DEBORAH SHAPIRA AND BARRY L. STERN
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-2-7

I rise today to honor two community leaders, Deborah Shapira and Barry L. Stern, who are being recognized as the Guests of Honor at this year's 48th Annual SAR Anniversary Dinner. Deborah and Barry have been intimately involved in SAR's outreach and operations, and are integral to the organization's success. They are most deserving of this wonderful recognition. prgtoken Ask anyone and they'll tell you, Deborah and Barry are among SAR's most thoughtful, humble and gracious members. Deborah serves on the SAR Board of Trustees, and is Chair of the SAR Academy Board of Education. Together, they served as Regional Vice Chairs for the 2014 Dinner, where Barry was involved in strategy and outreach. Deborah is a most active volunteer, working as a grade representative, class parent, Learning to Look volunteer, and committee member for the Academy's Chanukat Habayit, and regularly offering her wisdom on an array of academic issues. They have opened their home for parlor meetings and `meet and greets' to introduce and mentor SAR's new families. prgtoken Deborah, a graduate of the HaSha'ar teacher training program at the Drisha Institute, taught at Beit Rabban Day School in Manhattan. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, North America. Barry is Associate Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also has a private psychotherapy practice in midtown Manhattan. prgtoken But for Deborah and Barry, their true passion and love is first for family. They have three beautiful children, Pearl, Kayla, and Matan, and they are their pride and joy. prgtoken Congratulations again to Deborah and Barry on receiving this wonderful recognition, and thank you for all you've done in the community.
SUPPORT COMPANIES THAT OPPOSE IMMIGRATION BAN
Luis V. Gutiérrez (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-2-7

as we all learned on Sunday, Adolphus Busch came to America from Germany to make the king of beers. He didn't have a visa. He had a boat ticket and, of course, our country welcomed him. Well, not exactly. prgtoken In the Super Bowl ad that aired, Mr. Busch was told: ``You are not welcome here. Go back home.'' prgtoken But then the young man eventually reaches St. Louis, meets Mr. Anheuser, and Budweiser--one of the most unmistakably American brands around the world--is born. prgtoken All of us assumed that the President was watching the ad because it was, after all, the Super Bowl and it was broadcast by FOX network, his favorite. But I wonder if the message sank in. prgtoken , to borrow a line from a different advertiser: I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I think the next time it will be a Bud. prgtoken But then there was the little girl and her mom who walked to America from Latin America in the 84 Lumber ad. They didn't have a visa either because, well, we don't generally allow visas to people from Latin America who are seeking a better way of life here. If they did qualify for a visa, that little girl would be a grown-up adult by the time the visa was processed, given our broken immigration system. We learned that FOX television told the advertiser to edit out a border wall scene in the original version of the ad. I guess even FOX was worried about being attacked by the twitter in chief. prgtoken I am not sure what 84 Lumber sells, but I think I am going to go out and buy some I haven't had a cup of coffee in 30 years. I don't drink the stuff. You can bet, however, I am going to go find my way into a Starbucks sometime soon because they just announced--in the midst of all of this political turmoil--that they will hire an additional 10,000 refugees. prgtoken The CEO of Starbucks said in a letter recently: ``There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business.'' prgtoken Apple and Netflix were among the companies to strongly oppose the President's ban of travel from certain Muslim countries and the halt to the refugee program. I know this because I googled it--and Google is another company that has stepped up as a corporate citizen to say that restricting legal immigration by visa holders is bad for their bottom line, bad for a nation built by immigrants, and bad for a nation that is a leader of and dependent on the world economy. prgtoken , there is no more iconic world brand--no commercial symbol more associated with America and Americans around the world than Coca-Cola. Unlike coffee, , I enjoy a Coke and a smile several times a day. The company issued a statement recently that said: ``Coca-Cola Co. is resolute in its commitment to diversity, fairness and inclusion, and we do not support this travel ban or any po
HONORING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE ALVIN BALDUS FOR HIS LIFE OF SERVICE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS, WISCONSIN STATE LEGISLATURE, AND ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES
Ron Kind (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2017-2-7

I rise today to honor the distinguished life of Alvin Baldus, who passed away on February 2, 2017 at the age of 90 in Menomonie, Wisconsin. An honorable veteran, public servant, and friend, Al's service to this country is an inspiration to not only the state of Wisconsin but anyone who aspires to be in public service. I had the distinct honor to get to know Al and his wonderful family and am proud to have modeled my public service career after Al's civil and accessible nature. Born in Garner, Iowa, Al graduated from Elkton High School in Minnesota, attended Austin Junior College in Austin, Minnesota, and served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II from 1944 through 1946. During the Korean War, Al again answered the call to serve his country in the U.S. Army with the 2nd Infantry Division from 1951 through 1953, receiving the Bronze Service Star medal for his bravery and courage, which included action in the Battle of Old Baldy. In 1959, Al married the love of his life, Anna Lorayne ``Lolly'' Reiten and the two of them began to raise their family in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Soon after in 1966, Al's community elected him to the Wisconsin State Assembly. For eight years, Al served Dunn County with integrity. For Al, this was just the beginning. Al not only served his fellow Wisconsinites in the State Assembly, but he also represented the voices of the Third Congressional District in this body, the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1974 through 1980 during the 94th, 95th, and 96th Congresses. Al spent his years in the House as a strong voice for agriculture fighting for legislation that promoted environmental conservation, agricultural safety, and milk price supports. Al used his leadership as the chairman of the Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee to fight for farmers in the U.S. Congress. In 1989 Al's strong commitment to serving his community convinced him to resume his lifelong joy of public service in the Wisconsin State Assembly until his retirement in 1997. I vividly remember meeting with Al, Lolly and his children with my wife Tawni to talk prgtoken about my future as a Congressional Representative. They graciously welcomed us into their home, and I was struck by how well behaved and kind his children were. As our visit went on, I grew to understand that everything about Al and Lolly was authentic and accessible. It has been an honor for me to serve in the same seat that Al held many years ago. On behalf of my family, Wisconsin and a grateful nation, I would like to thank and commend Al for his years of dedicated service. Al's colleagues remember him for being kind, gracious, civil, and approachable. May his legacy continue to live in this chamber and across the nation.
HONORING MRS. BARBARA WHELTON
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-2-7

I rise today to honor Mrs. Barbara Whelton of Rutland, Vermont. Barbara is retiring from a distinguished career after nearly a half century of devoted public service. prgtoken Mrs. Whelton has worked in various capacities for government agencies across the country. From 1970 to 1975, she worked for both the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island and the United States Marshals Service, assisting with the Service's nascent Witness Protection Program. Following a stint in the Audit Agency for the United States Air Force in Great Falls, Montana, Mrs. Whelton went to work for the United States Secret Service as a Contact Representative from 1975 to 1980. prgtoken In 1980, Mrs. Whelton and her husband, Master Chief (U.S. Navy, Ret.) Paul Whelton, relocated to Rutland, Vermont where he was posted as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Upon their arrival, Mrs. Whelton served as a legal assistant in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont. Except for a brief turn in the private sector, Mrs. Whelton served in our U.S. Attorney's office for twenty-four years before she was asked to become the judicial assistant to Vermont's sole judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Honorable Peter W. Hall. prgtoken Mrs. Whelton has been Judge Hall's judicial assistant for the past thirteen years. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that chambers ran smoothly and that Judge Hall and his clerks were fully supported in handling their robust caseload. I can say with confidence that without Mts. Whelton's determined efforts, the administration of justice would not have been as efficient or exacting. prgtoken I know Barbara's colleagues will miss her sharp wit, her quiet determination, her devotion to duty, her professionalism, and most of all, het friendly demeanor. prgtoken So, , I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in recognizing Mrs. Whelton's many contributions to our country and the states and communities she served during her exceptional career. I wish her many years of health and happiness in her well-earned retirement.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO TEACHER PREPARATION ISSUES
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-2-7

I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 58, which would undermine the requirement that States assess the quality of their teacher preparation programs and weaken efforts to provide educators with high-quality teacher preparation programs. prgtoken There is no doubt that our country needs highly skilled and diverse educators, and that means attracting good people by providing them with high-quality preparation and ongoing support, especially early in their careers. Many teacher preparation programs are meeting this charge-- recruiting diverse candidates, offering rigorous practicums, and providing supports that follow them into their classrooms. prgtoken But some programs are still preparing large cohorts of educators for fields that are not in demand. And, according to one survey, more than 60 percent of teachers still enter the classroom feeling unprepared for one of the toughest, most important jobs in America. prgtoken Many of us readily agree that the regulations governing transparency and program quality for teacher preparation are not perfect. But, let's remember that this resolution would effectively demolish key provisions at the Higher Education Act, which was last reauthorized in 2008, and in which Members from both sides of the aisle agreed that States needed to provide better data on the quality of their teacher preparation programs. prgtoken If the rules for improving teacher preparation programs are unnecessary, as my friends across the aisle may contend, I would ask them to explain why critical sections of the Higher Education Act remain largely unimplemented, nearly a decade after Members of Congress wrote the requirements into law. Without regulations, provisions of the 2008 reauthorization will continue to go unfilled. Taxpayer-funded grants will continue to support ineffective programs for teachers in high-needs schools. prgtoken The truth is, and s could probably reach consensus about how we might like to see these regulations amended and improved. I am sure we all support robust data on how new teachers are performing and being supported in the classroom. And I am sure we all support States and institutions using data to continually strengthen their preparation programs. prgtoken But, unfortunately, my colleagues appear unwilling to have that conversation about how to give teacher preparation programs the tools they need to improve. Instead, they have offered this resolution that would essentially guarantee that important provisions in law are never fully implemented by this administration, or a future administration, because this resolution is under the Congressional Review Act, which, until recently, has been used successfully only once. It is a blunt instrument that actually bans Federal agencies from providing similar protections in the future. prgtoken So instead of fixing the teacher preparation regulations and upholding congressional intent in the Higher E
NO MORAL EQUIVALENCY
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-2-7

on Sunday, I and many Americans watched in horror as our President continued to wax poetic on TV about the bromance with President Vladimir Putin. prgtoken When the host noted ``But he's a killer,'' our President came back with: ``There are a lot of killers. You think our country's so innocent?'' prgtoken While our country has made many mistakes, we have not yet seen an authoritarian regime brazenly assassinate its political dissenters. prgtoken The same cannot be said for Putin and the growing list of murder victims and dissenters in Russia, including liberal politician Boris Nemtsov, former Press Minister Mikhail Lesin, former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, and journalist Anna Politkovskaya, to just name a few. prgtoken There is no moral equivalency between the United States and Russia. We are not yet an autocracy. We are not like Russia, and the President needs to stop relying on alternative facts.
WHAT HAS WASHINGTON DONE TO YOU?
Ro Khanna (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-2-7

. I have. I appreciate the Congressman's leadership on this. prgtoken Net neutrality, as the gentleman knows, is a very simple idea. That means that everyone should have equal access to the internet; that you shouldn't get to pay for faster service or you shouldn't get to pay to have more of your message out. prgtoken You would think that if anyone would appreciate the importance of it, it is the President, who uses the tool of the internet with Twitter and Facebook.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 44, DISAPPROVING RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RELATING TO BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 57...
Jared Polis (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-2-7

. Finally, in my home State of Colorado, a great example of stakeholders who know the new process is working is Park County, which I have the honor of representing part of. As part of revising the Eastern Colorado Resource Management Plan, the Royal Gorge Field Office in Colorado has already embraced and implemented some of the ideas for Planning 2.0, including recent envisioning sessions that involve multiple stakeholders. prgtoken I include in the Record a letter from Park County, Colorado. County of Park, Board of County Commissioners, May 12, 2016. Re the Bureau of Land Management's Proposed Resource Management Planning Rules, 81 Fed. Reg. 8674 (February 25, 2016). Neil Kornze, Director, Bureau of Land Management, Washington, DC. Dear Director Kornze: The undersigned representatives of local government are writing to share their support for provisions of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) Proposed Resource Management Planning Rules, 81 Fed. Reg. 8674 (Feb. 25, 2016) (the Proposed Rules). In particular, we support the provisions of the Proposed Rules that provide additional opportunities for public involvement earlier in the planning process, including the chance to review preliminary resource management alternatives and preliminary rationales for those alternatives. Each of undersigned representatives come from local jurisdictions whose land bases include substantial amounts of public lands managed by BLM. The management of these public lands is vitally important to the citizens we represent Our citizens and local economies depend on these lands for sustainable multiple uses, from outdoor recreation to livestock grazing to mineral exploration and development. The current BLM planning methodology lacks adequate opportunities for public involvement, particularly early in the process. It also lacks transparency. It often results in a range of alternatives that fails to address the concerns of all stakeholders. The proposed changes would provide the public with an opportunity to raise concerns and review potential management alternatives before these alternatives become solidified in a draft Resource Management Plan (RMP). This early public involvement will hopefully help resolve conflicts and produce RMPs that better reflect the needs of our citizens as well as others who use the public lands and have a stake in their future. In addition, we note that the Proposed Rules also expand opportunities for states and local governments to have meaningful involvement in the development of BLM's land use decisions. The Proposed Rules continue to provide for