mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Recognition of the Majority Leader (Executive Session)
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-1-6

I rise today to join my colleagues in marking a very solemn anniversary. A year ago, our former President, , and his Big Lie about the 2020 election incited a violent insurrection on our Nation's Capitol and an attack on our very democracy. prgtoken We must never forget this dark day in our Nation's history. We must never forget the heroic work of the Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police, and the National Guard to protect all of us and this institution and its critical work from that violent mob. We must never tolerate such an attack on our democracy and our democratic values. prgtoken That disgraceful day led to the deaths and injuries of brave people in uniform, created lasting scars for countless members of our community, and further opened the door to undermine our trusted democratic process for generations to come. prgtoken I applaud the ongoing efforts of the House Select Committee, bipartisan in nature, to uncover the truth, to provide accountability, and to ensure that this never happens again in our country. But Congress cannot stop at making clear to the American people how January 6 came to be and ensuring those who contributed to this tragic attack on our Nation and its institutions face the consequences of their actions. prgtoken We must also act to protect the right of every eligible American to vote and to secure the integrity of our elections against partisan interference because the Big Lie hasn't gone away--far from it. Across the country, State legislatures are using it to justify attacking our democracy time and time again. prgtoken In the last year alone, more than 400 pieces of legislation--bills-- that restrict access to voting have been introduced in 49 of our States, and in at prgtoken least 19 of those States, these measures have become law. prgtoken In my home State of Wisconsin, the s in the State legislature are willing to disregard the clear reality that Wisconsinites from across the political spectrum exercised their right to vote in record numbers in a secure, fair, and safe election in 2020. Instead, they are pushing 's Big Lie to gain a partisan advantage by curtailing voting rights and putting up barriers to make it harder to vote. prgtoken They are today fleecing taxpayers to support a sham, partisan process under the false guise of election integrity, undermining people's faith in our elections. At the same time, they are advancing a redistricting proposal that will double down on Wisconsin's unprecedented level of partisan gerrymandering, all while our hard-working election officials are facing threats against their lives simply for doing their jobs. prgtoken Enough is enough. That is why the Senate must take up and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay. prgtoken Regardless of where you live in this country, you should have the same access to the ballot box and faith tha
HONORING MR. STANLEY WEISS
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I rise today, two weeks after what would have been his 95th birthday, to honor Mr. Stanley A. Weiss--a business executive, prolific writer, and civic leader who passed away earlier this year in August. prgtoken Self-described as a ``skinny Jewish kid from South Philadelphia'', he lived a life of adventure and purpose. Mere weeks after turning 17, he joined the Army and the next summer, he was training for the invasion of Japan when the atomic bombs ended World War II. He launched his first business, selling scrap metal and surplus Army supplies, shortly thereafter. prgtoken While studying at Georgetown, he was inspired by the film The Treasure of Sierra Madre to move to Mexico in search of gold. Without knowing Spanish and with no previous mining experience, he took his pickaxe to the hills. Mr. Weiss didn't find gold--but he found rich deposits of manganese, a crucial ingredient used in the production of metal alloys. prgtoken By 1960, Mr. Weiss had founded a mining and mineral processing company that, after a merger, became American Premier, Inc. The conglomerate became a major supplier and processor for chemicals used in everything from glazing tiles to Epsom salt, and at the height of the Cold War, was responsible for fostering trade opportunities between the U.S. and the USSR. prgtoken In addition to his business acumen, Mr. Weiss always had an interest in giving back. During the 1977 to 1978 school year, he was a business fellow at Harvard's Center of International Affairs, and would later serve as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, on the Board of Visitors for Georgetown's Walsh School of Foregn Service, as well as the on advisory board of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy. prgtoken However, his greatest contribution to the public arena was as the founding chairman of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). When asked why he and other leaders in the private sector were getting involved in national security issues, he delivered his signature phrase: ``being dead is bad for business.'' Focused on nuclear non- proliferation, arms control, and the defense procurement process, BENS was instrumental in reforming the Pentagon and cutting unnecessary waste and pork from the budget. prgtoken His advocacy, in addition to his leadership in supporting innovation in government, led to him being honored with the Distinguished Civilian Service Award by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2007. prgtoken Right up until his death, Mr. Weiss was writing. His last piece, published on Election Day last year, talks about his experience as a 13-year old seeing the 1940 election up close. He recounts how President Roosevelt's opponent, Wendell Willkie, initially stood opposed to American intervention in Europe as the Third Reich invaded its neighbors. And then, in a speech to 300,000 supporters a month after France fell to the Nazis, Willkie ``did one of the most extraordinary things a po
CONGRATULATING LIEUTENANT PATRICK SIANO
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Shelby County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Patrick Siano on his retirement after 34 years of service to our community. Lieutenant Siano's uncle Ralph used to tell him that if you really love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Lieutenant Siano loved his work and said he's never had to work a day in his life. He also said that the decision to retire was a tough one since he'd gone into law enforcement to help people. prgtoken His desire to help people was the subject of a ``Strolling with Eldon Roark'' column in the Memphis Press-Scimitar in the 1970s, when the lieutenant was still a teenager and was singled out for helping a couple repair a blown radiator hose. prgtoken December 30 was his last day with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in the Civil Division. Over his more than 30-year career, Lieutenant Siano was assigned to Courts, Metro DUI, Detectives (including homicide, child protective services and domestic violence), Reserve, Emergency Services, Uniform Patrol and Fugitive Divisions. He often interacted with new recruits as a field training officer and DUI instructor. prgtoken Lieutenant Siano is the middle child of seven children of Jerry and Edna Aikens Siano. His late father was a native of Chicago who came to Memphis as an entrepreneur and founded Jerry Siano Foods. A native of Memphis, Lieutenant Siano attended St. Michael School, Christian Brothers High School and the then-Memphis State University before a driving work ethic led to his father's Honda of Millington dealership, where he sold motorcycles. But he always wanted to be a sheriff's deputy and began as a reserve officer in 1984, working 100 hours a month for almost four years before attending the academy and becoming a deputy in 1988. prgtoken Always known for his respect for the law and for his kindness, his service to Memphis and Shelby County will be valued and deeply missed. I am pleased that he can now spend a pleasant retirement with his wife of 12 years, Susan, his two children and six grandchildren, his fellow deputies, and his many friends. He truly made Memphis a better and safer place to live.
IN RECOGNITION OF ROBIN HEBERT
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I rise to honor the life of Robin Hebert. Robin was a beloved wife and a Gold Star mother. prgtoken She passed away on September 13, 2021, after an extended battle with bone marrow cancer at age 63. prgtoken Robin was an active and compassionate member of her community. prgtoken On August 1, 2003, Robin lost her son, Army Specialist Justin Hebert when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Kirkuk, Iraq. prgtoken Robin fought her battle with cancer with the same honor and courage as Justin. prgtoken Robin volunteered as a trial patient for an experimental bone marrow transplant. While she could not donate her organs, she proudly donated her information to researchers to save lives even after she passed. prgtoken Robin will be remembered by friends and family for her resilience and tenacity. She will be missed greatly.
Recognition of the Majority Leader (Executive Session)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-1-6

I rise, as so many of us have done, on this day to do a couple of things--No. 1, to reflect and remember. That is important for so many reasons, but we are also here, I think, to express gratitude and commendation for so many who work in this building, the staff and the Capitol Police and so many others who kept us safe 1 year ago today on that awful day. prgtoken I will get to some other issues in a moment, but I want to start with just some reflections on what I remember about that day but also what I think the country experienced on a day of horror and terror and desecration--a day when a group of Americans came to this building to stop the counting of the electoral votes, and they were told to do that by the then-President of the United States. prgtoken We know all the death that ensued from that, especially of law enforcement officers; something on the order of 140 injures, some of them grievous, permanent injuries to law enforcement--all based upon the violence based upon a Big Lie, a deliberate falsehood that started long before even election day. It started during the course of the 2020 election. prgtoken But despite that Big Lie--I don't want to spend all of today talking about that--despite that Big Lie and the violence that flowed from that Big Lie and the near collapse of our democracy, despite that, we know that something on the order of 60 judges throughout the country-- Federal judges and State judges appointed by and s and even some appointed by the former President--called out that Big Lie by rejecting the arguments based upon that Big Lie in about 60 different matters before those judges. prgtoken So we know what happened, and I think the January 6 Commission will continue to put the evidence on the record and hold people accountable, but I think on a day like today, I want to focus on two issues. One is to express that gratitude that I mentioned before for the thousands of Americans who work in this building, the thousands who are not Members of Congress who helped us on that day, everything from getting us to safety to making sandwiches for us when we were in a safe, secure room--something that basic. prgtoken But, of course, so many Americans now know, after all these months have unfolded, about the sacrifices made by so many on that day, especially law enforcement, but people in this building, who work in this building--have done so for years--they, too, were terrorized on that day. It wasn't just Members of Congress and the Nation more broadly. prgtoken We even had the image--the horrible, disturbing, racist image--on television of an American walking through the halls of this building with a Confederate flag. It never happened before. Not even during the American Civil War had that happened. prgtoken So when we talk about those who have done so much, here is what we are talking about: We are talking about people who suffered devastating injuries, as I
PASSING THROUGH THE FIERY TRIALS OF DEMOCRACY TO SAVE AND RENEW OUR REPUBLIC
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, as the descendant of patriotic and heroic veterans who risked their lives to defend our nation and our freedoms, as a parent with the fervent hope and determination to pass on this great democracy to the next generation, and as a citizen of the greatest republic in world history, I rise to reflect on the state of our democracy as it is about to open a new chapter in the remarkable story of America. prgtoken In 1776 the Framers declared the self-evident and later the universal truth that all persons are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As important, the Framers declared that ``to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed.'' This genius of self-government is the Framers' gift to us and America's gift to the world, and for nearly 250 years the world has looked upon the United States with wonder, awe, and envy not just for its awesome powers and achievements, but for being the exemplar to which most freedom-loving nations aspire. prgtoken But as President Lincoln reminded us at Gettysburg, the proposition that a people can govern themselves is not to be taken for granted; it is a proposition that will be tested time and again and it is for us, the living, to highly resolve to commit ourselves to the great task always before us, that government of the people, by the people, and for the people not perish from the Earth. prgtoken As Thomas Paine said in his time, the past four years were times that tried one's soul. The nation was tested, severely so, by what can only be described as the modern-day Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: a deadly pandemic, economic devastation unseen since the Great Depression, social justice unrest, and the very real threat of authoritarianism. While the threat posed by these challenges are still with us to varying extent, we can all rejoice that the nation withstood the challenge, e pluribus unum, by standing together as ``We The People.'' President Lincoln reminded us that in times of testing and challenge that ``the fiery trial through which we pass will mark us prgtoken down in honor or dishonor until the latest generation'' but that so long as the people ``retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in the short space of four years.'' prgtoken And Lincoln was right, for on Election Day 2020, Americans by a substantial majority, voted to withhold consent to govern from an incumbent administration and confer it upon another. That act of self- government and sovereign expression was solemnized on January 20, 2021, at noon when and Kamala D. took the oath of office as the 46th President and 59th Vice-President of the United States
HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS COMMISSION SUMMARY OF FINAL DECISIONS
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I include in the Record the House Communications Standards Commission Summary of Final Decisions: May 24, 2021. The House Communications Standards Commission conducted Poll 117-1: 1. Based on the Complaint submitted to the Commission on April 22, 2021, by Representative Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter against Representative Zoe Lofgren and Representative Lofgren's Answer to the Complaint, submitted to the Commission on May 6, 2021, this Commission was asked to decide if a violation of the House of Representatives Communications Standards Manual occurred. The vote was as follows: Ms. Scanlon, ``No.'' Mr. Sherman, ``No.'' Mr. Bowman, ``No.'' Mrs. Cammack, did not vote. Mr. Latta, did not vote. Mr. Steil, did not vote. No violation was found.
RECOGNIZING LESTER CASH ON HIS RETIREMENT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and congratulate Lester Cash on his exemplary 37 years of service to the Federal Government, including 24 years at the Department of Health and Human Services. prgtoken After growing up in North Carolina, Lester Cash began his federal career as a statistician planning for the 1990 Census, which was followed by a decade as a senior examiner at the Office of Management and Budget. In 1997, Mr. Cash moved to HHS and spent eight years overseeing budgets for some of the Federal Government's most important agencies, including the NIH, CDC, and FDA. In 2005, he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. prgtoken Since 2007, Mr. Cash has served as HHS's Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, often managing the most difficult budgetary issues across a Department whose programs and services reach virtually every American at some point in their lives--from Head Start for early childhood education to Medicare for seniors. prgtoken Throughout his 24 years of service at HHS's Office of Budget, Mr. Cash frequently served as the Department's liaison to the Committees on Appropriations. During that time, he became an indispensable resource to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Mr. Cash's budgetary and programmatic expertise has helped the subcommittee to draft annual appropriations bills and emergency supplementals--for which I am deeply grateful. prgtoken Most recently, Mr. Cash provided important technical assistance on emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the COVID pandemic. He has been instrumental in HHS's procurement of life-saving vaccines, prgtoken therapeutics, and antivirals, as well as the distribution of emergency relief funding to healthcare providers affected by the pandemic. prgtoken In 2018, Mr. Cash earned the Presidential Rank Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the Federal career civil service, which recognizes members of the Senior Executive Service for ``sustained extraordinary accomplishment.'' It was aptly awarded and richly deserved. prgtoken In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Cash has earned three master's degrees, including a master's degree in public policy from Duke University, a master's degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master's degree in theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. prgtoken I thank Mr. Cash for his tireless public service--which often included long days, evenings, and weekends--as he worked to ensure that critical health and human services programs had the necessary resources to serve millions of American families who relied on them. His talents and contributions will be sorely missed. prgtoken I congratulate him on a distinguished career and wish him the best in his upcoming retirement.
HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MS. ELSIE HARTMANN
Chris Jacobs (Republican, NY) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate and honor the 100th birthday of Ms. Elsie Hartmann. prgtoken Ms. Hartmann was born in Dansville, New York, on January 9, 1922, to Ray and Ruth Finch. As a child, she was adventurous, loved the outdoors, and was a proud member of the Girl Scouts. Ms. Hartmann graduated from Dansville High School in 1939 and served as Senior Class Treasurer alongside her future husband Austin ``Mush'' Hartmann, who was Senior Class President. prgtoken After high school, Ms. Hartmann attended Cortland Normal School for one year as a Physical Education major, and then enrolled at the Rochester Business Institute and graduated with a certificate in Secretarial Science. After graduating, Ms. Hartmann accepted a job as a clerk in the Methods and Tool Design department at Gleason Works, a machine shop in Rochester, New York. prgtoken In 1943, Ms. Hartmann left Gleason Works and enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and was part of the second group of women to enlist with the U.S. Marine Corps. Ms. Hartmann joined the Marine Corps to become a mechanic, but because of Ms. Hartmann's secretarial background, she was sent to Arlington, Virginia, to work at the headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps. At the end of WWII, Ms. Hartmann was discharged with the rank of Sergeant, and in 1946 she married her high school sweetheart, Mush Hartmann. prgtoken Ms. Hartmann enjoys the simple things of life, bird watching and flower gardening, and is happiest when her house is filled with family. As the proud matriarch of her large family, which is comprised of 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren, she attends as many of their events as possible, including high school and military graduations, school performances and sporting events. Ms. Hartmann still lives at the Hartmann Homestead, which has been in her family for over 170 years. prgtoken Ms. Hartmann is very talented both artistically and musically. She still sings in her church choir and plays the hand bells. At various times in her life, Ms. Hartmann played the violin, piano, flute, tap- danced, was involved in various singing groups, and participated in community theatre. Ms. Hartmann's calligraphy work can be seen throughout Dansville and West Sparta, including on the wall of the Clara Barton Chapter 1 Museum, and at the Dansville Presbyterian Church in their Memorial Book and on the inside front cover of every hymnal that is used today. In 2012, a flag-size banner that Ms. Hartmann hand- lettered, was taken up to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro by a Dansville native. prgtoken Ms. Hartmann has always remained involved with her local community. Ms. Hartmann is the oldest and longest serving member and choir member of the Dansville Presbyterian Church, and is a long-time member of the West Sparta Historical Society. In 2004, Ms. Hartmann and her husband Mush were chosen as Livingston County Senior Citizens of the Year. In 2014, Ms. Hartmann had the hono
IN MEMORY OF COURTNEY LYKINS, JR.
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-1-6

. Madam , I rise to honor the life of a great American, Courtney Lykins, Jr. Mr. Lykins lived in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and passed away on December 15, 2021. prgtoken Mr. Lykins served our nation proudly in the United States Army Reserves from 1970 to 1997. He served in the 100th Division, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade as Sergeant First Class/E7, Senior Drill Sergeant, and Senior Tank Commander. He trained soldiers heading to Vietnam in 1970 when he served at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Mr. Lykins was an active member of the American Legion, Post 22 in Mt. Sterling. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in recognition of his service and accomplishments. prgtoken Mr. Lykins worked at Hobart Manufacturing Company for ten years. He then worked for Kentucky Utilities, LGE in Mt. Sterling for 32 years until his retirement. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Wilson Lykins, two sons and daughters in law, Chuck and Nancy Lykins and Wesley and Allison Lykins, and six grandchildren. In addition, he leaves behind two brothers and two sisters. prgtoken Courtney Lykins was a follower of Christ, a true patriot, and a loving family man. It is my honor to lift up the life of Courtney Lykins before the United States Congress.