mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE 2018 FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-6-21

I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken This is the 40th Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present ninety-one awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories, including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medal of Valor. prgtoken Sixty-nine awards will be bestowed upon first responders who serve with the Fairfax County Police Department in recognition of their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record following Valor Award Recipients: Silver Medal of Valor: 2nd Lt. Michael D. Gubesch, MPO Douglas E. Middlebrooks, PFC Ali Sepehri, Ofc. Isa L. Martin, Pilot Garret G. Wymer. Bronze Medal of Valor: 2nd Lt. Scott F. Moskowitz, 2nd Lt. Peter J. Massaro, MPO Brian E. Plaugher, PFC Robert A. Wardrop, PFC Jose R. Morillo, PFC Gary Moore, Jr PFC Lindsey M. Memenza, PFC Eric L. Harte, PFC William W. Daugherty, Ofc. Andrew H. Snow. Certificate of Valor: 2nd Lt. Edward S. Rediske, MPO John E. Alford, PFC Nicholas D. Taormina, PFC Timothy B. Schilling, PFC Michael D. Scatchard, PFC Ryan M. Saupp, PFC James F. Sadler, PFC Todd C. Owens, PFC Michael W. Greene, PFC Edward K. George, PFC Colby B. Cooman, PFC Stephen P. Cicinato, PFC Aaron M. Ciarrochi, PFC Morgan N. Blumer, PFC Kenneth D. Baxter, Det. Paul H. Cable, Ofc. Michael A. Stirling, Ofc. Frank J. Kopeski, Ofc. Joseph S. Hensley, Ofc. Alicia A. Adkins, Pilot Andrew J. Wiseman, APO Dennis M. Staten, Dispatcher Jill Velez, K9 Bolt. Lifesaving Award: 2nd Lt. Daniel B. Spital, MPO Erik S. Stallings, MPO Bryan V. Smith, MPO Brian A. Ritter, PFC Cameron York, PFC Kurt T. Woodward, PFC David M. Winter, PFC Jon David F. Tiedemann, PFC Philip C. Stone, PFC Shannon L. Sams, PFC Gregory J. Salino, PFC Kevin L. Reynolds, PFC Steven L. Randazzo, PFC Gershon L. Ramirez, PFC Kory A. Pfeiffer, PFC Paul J. Notarianni, PFC Christopher W. Munson, PFC Katherine A. Montwill, PFC Kelly E. McElligott, PFC Young H. Lee, PFC Matthew R. Kourt, PFC Casey C. Johnson, PFC Nicole A. Hunt, PFC Timothy M. Henderson, PFC Kyle R. Bryant, PFC Kurt A. Bowers, PFC Morgan N. Blumer, Det. Brian C. Christian, Ofc. Devin T. White, Ofc. Matthew D. Erd. prgtoken , I congratulate t
SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ACT OF 2018
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-21

this bill is a step in the wrong direction in so many ways. prgtoken I wish that we had had an opportunity to sit down, reason together, and come up with a plan that really serves our country. That didn't happen. prgtoken Here is what the result was: The Chamber of Commerce has just reported that the Niskanen Center that they have relied on indicates that, if this bill became law, the U.S. would lose $319 billion in GDP. That would be the impact, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for adopting this bill. prgtoken And I wonder what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are really doing by turning every undocumented person in the United States, currently a civil law violation, into a crime. We are now creating 11 million prosecution opportunities. prgtoken At the same time, The Washington Post is just reporting, this is the headline: `` Administration Will Stop Prosecuting Migrant Parents Who Cross the Border Illegally with Children, Official Says.'' prgtoken What are we doing here? We are doing a bill that would incarcerate families and children to pursue a policy that the administration now says they don't intend to pursue. prgtoken Now, I don't have a lot of trust in the administration because it changes daily.
SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ACT OF 2018
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2018-6-21

the balance of my time. prgtoken , as you heard, H.R. 4760 is fatally flawed. We are here only today debating it because the leadership was essentially extorted by extremists within its ranks. prgtoken Instead, we should be here debating legislation to give Dreamers a path to citizenship. We should be here debating legislation to give safe haven to refugees from Haiti, El Salvador, Sudan, and Nicaragua. prgtoken We should be here debating a measure to end zero tolerance and family separation. Even before the administration created this family separation crisis, America's image was suffering the effects of the slump due to the President's inflammatory and cruel immigration and border security policies and rhetoric. prgtoken In fact, last June, the Pew Research Center released an international survey that concluded that sentiment regarding the U.S. had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. prgtoken What the President and supporters of H.R. 4760 do not understand is that what makes America great is its people, both native-born and immigrants. prgtoken Let's send a message to the President that we know what makes America great. Let's defeat H.R. 4760. prgtoken , .
TRIBUTE TO JORGE RAMIREZ
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-6-21

I want to take a few minutes to thank Jorge Ramirez for his extraordinary service to the city of Chicago. Earlier this year, Jorge announced that after 12 years at the Chicago Federation of Labor--8 as president--that he will be retiring at the end of the month. prgtoken Jorge's story is the story of the American Dream. The son of Mexican immigrants, Jorge Ramirez attended high school in Texas and was a 4- year letterman in football at the University of Texas El Paso, where he earned a double major in marketing and computer information systems. In 2006, Jorge joined the Chicago Federation of Labor as its secretary- treasurer and, four years later, became its first Latino president. prgtoken Jorge Ramirez is a trailblazer, but anyone who knows his father, Ruben, a Chicagoland legend, wouldn't be surprised. Ruben was the Ramirez's family original Labor leader, spending four decades as a member, officer, and in 1993 becoming the first and only Latino president for United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 100A, Chicago's meatpacking union. You could say organized Labor is in Jorge's blood. prgtoken Jorge watched his father closely and learned important values and principles that would serve him well throughout his career. As president, Ruben made sure the leadership of Local 100A mirrored the members they served by including women and men of all backgrounds on the Union's executive board. Inclusivity and respect for prgtoken all people became an ideal Ruben and his wife, Sarah, later instilled in their children. Just ask Jorge's fellow Labor leaders, the people who know him best: ``For Jorge, every day is a another chance for him to fight for dignity and respect for workers and nothing will ever stop him from doing what is right and just.'' That is a legacy I know Ruben and Sarah are proud of. prgtoken Under Jorge Ramirez's leadership, the Chicago Federation of Labor helped the city avoid massive layoffs, pushed an $8.5 billion plan through, city council, expanding O'Hare Airport and creating 60,000 new jobs. He partnered with the mayor to guarantee O'Hare employees a living wage and paid sick leave. Jorge's efforts on behalf of Chicago's working women and men also resulted in raising the minimum wage to $13 an hour by 2019. prgtoken Last summer, Jorge led a labor investment group that bought the Chicago Sun-Times, breathing new life into the paper, returning it to its roots, and giving working families a voice. Jorge believes a paper for and by these families is fitting in Chicago, home of the American labor movement and the place that gave us the iconic Studs Terkel and Upton Sinclair's classic, ``The Jungle.'' Thank you, Jorge, for helping save the Sun-Times, one of Chicago's beloved institutions, and preserving one of the last two-newspaper cities in America. prgtoken Last month, after announcing his intention to step down, one of Chicago's union leaders gave what Jorge called the ultimate co
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4760, SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ACT OF 2018
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-6-21

then they had a hurricane. The hurricane was the first category 4 hurricane to hit Haiti in over half a century, claiming 1,000 lives and displacing more than 2 million people. prgtoken Haiti, quite simply, continues to climb out from the rubble of the earthquake, cholera outbreak, and Hurricane Matthew, and we in the United States have tried to help them to do so, as we should. prgtoken In its wisdom, the administration has decided to end TPS for Haiti and many other countries. Not only does this conclusion fly in the face of the facts as we know them, but it needlessly inflicts countless wounds on our communities and our families.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLAN PROPOSAL
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-6-21

my prayers are with the immigrant families who were being separated at the border. The administration's actions were inhumane, and I am glad the President reversed these actions. prgtoken As the children are sleeping on the floor behind a cage wishing they would hear from their mom and dad, the administration and majority are working silently, chipping away at the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken The administration released a rule that would greatly expand association healthcare plans, which are exempt from the Affordable Care Act's essential healthcare benefits, including maternity care, mental healthcare, and prescription drugs. This new loophole will bring back junk, or fake, plans that provide little or no health coverage. prgtoken Repeal of the Affordable Care Act didn't happen, but the s' sabotage of our Nation's healthcare system continues, and our uninsured Americans continue to grow. prgtoken These junk plans will siphon off young, healthy people, damaging the ACA marketplaces and leaving everyone else with higher premiums. The fake insurance may not cover emergency room treatment or other terrible illnesses. prgtoken Americans need healthcare, not fake insurance.
SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ACT OF 2018
Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-6-21

this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. prgtoken When DACA was terminated in September, this Chamber promised hundreds of thousands of young people and the American public that we would have a public debate and vote to protect Dreamers. We gather here today, instead, to vote on legislation that fails to protect these young people, radically changes our immigration laws, and derails the bipartisan queen-of-the-hill effort that would give us a solution. prgtoken H.R. 4760 is a hyperpartisan, sweeping bill which would fundamentally change our legal immigration system and negatively impact our economy, which is why it is opposed by the majority of the Conference, faith groups, businesses, chambers, and, quite frankly, everyone in between. prgtoken If enacted, these policies would undermine local law enforcement, hurt businesses, and rip apart communities through mass deportation, while telling hundreds of thousands of American Dreamers that they can only be a guest in the only country most of them have ever known, but that they will never truly be American. prgtoken The truth is that this bill is a poison pill-ridden effort that does nothing to get us closer to passing a bipartisan, narrow, and targeted solution for Dreamers. prgtoken Congress--that is each and every one of us--has a responsibility to address this -created crisis in a bipartisan, rapid, compassionate, and meaningful way. This is what the American people want us to do. But since the start of the administration, a divisive and twisted narrative has been perpetrated to villainize, scapegoat, and hurt immigrant families. prgtoken This week, the pain of immigrant families was felt by each and every person in America who heard the terror and cries of children being torn from their parents. This week we have experienced the horror many immigrant families feel every single day, and we have seen how ugly it is to use vulnerable immigrant children, mothers, and fathers as political pawns. prgtoken But we have also seen Americans stand up for these families. We saw them rebuke the President and his heinous policy. Today we must do the same thing by standing up for Dreamers. We must meet our responsibility as Members of Congress by voting for legislation that fixes this - created DACA crisis, not by voting for legislation that makes it worse. prgtoken Every time that a bipartisan fix for Dreamers is within our reach, this chaotic Conference caves to those who aim to exploit Dreamers in order to impose radical changes to our immigration system. prgtoken The provisions in H.R. 4760's partisan anti-immigrant bill betray our most fundamental American values. It is a reflection of the xenophobic agenda of the White House which prioritizes billions upon billions on a wasteful wall, cuts l
ENERGY AND WATER, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-6-21

each year, 230,000 men and women leave military service. Many enter the civilian workforce. I know everyone in this Chamber believes we can do a better job connecting our veterans and transitioning servicemembers with rewarding and high-paying jobs. prgtoken I also know people in this Chamber agree that these men and women are ideal employees for American businesses. They are highly trained, many in advanced technologies. They are experienced leaders. They are driven and mission-oriented. As someone who used to work in the private sector, these are all qualities I have looked for in employees. prgtoken As a Colorado Senator, I know our State has one of the highest percentages of veterans in the country, and we have military bases with transitioning servicemembers. Many veterans from all over the country choose to live in Colorado and make it their home. prgtoken We also have top science and engineering programs in emerging energy industries hungry for a highly skilled workforce. There is a natural opportunity to connect these groups and strengthen the bridge between our men and women in uniform and rewarding, high-paying jobs. That is what this amendment seeks to achieve. prgtoken It directs our government to identify opportunities with the military to partner with colleges, universities, and the private sector to train our veterans and transition servicemembers for jobs in the growing energy, cyber security, and artificial intelligence sectors. prgtoken s for supporting the amendment and especially Senators Gardner and Duckworth for joining me as cosponsors. prgtoken .
BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION REFORM ACT OF 2018
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-21

I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. prgtoken , I rise in opposition to this partisan bill. prgtoken Just a few days ago, I traveled to San Diego with several of our colleagues to see firsthand how current immigration policy is being enforced. prgtoken There were children separated from their parents and migrants seeking asylum. prgtoken Our immigration system is broken, and everybody knows that. And this administration is making a challenging situation worse. prgtoken Our immigration system needs to be dealt with. Why don't we try sitting down and working together on real bipartisan reform? prgtoken This is a partisan proposal that holds Dreamers and vulnerable children hostage and does nothing for California farmworkers. prgtoken What is worse, it builds a $25 billion wall that, by itself, does not provide comprehensive solutions for our border security, which we all believe in. prgtoken By the way, didn't the President promise that Mexico would pay for this wall? prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to do the right thing. Vote ``no.'' Let's get back to working on bipartisan reform, reform that provides us with the border security we need and fixes our immigration system and respects the dignity and the humanity of aspiring Americans.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4760, SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ACT OF 2018
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-6-21

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken , these rules would mark the capitulation by a large number of s who, for a time, reflected the views of 86 percent of the American people and the hopes of the Dreamers those Americans support. If they vote for this pretense of reform and security, they will have abandoned the principles they mouthed and the people who relied on their courage. prgtoken Contrary to the and majority leader, the test for bringing bills to prgtoken the floor must not be whether the President, untethered to principle, would sign them, but whether they reflect the will of the people and this House. prgtoken The refuses to put options on the floor supported by, at one time, 247 Members of this House. Now, 240 Members have supported a rule to give us four competing options to address the -caused crisis. That number may not comply with the Hastert rule, but it does comply with democracy. prgtoken And it would give the his option as well. The clearly fears that his alternative will fail. As a result, he has opposed an open process. So much for the leadership that claimed--falsely--to pursue transparency, openness, and a willingness to take the tough issues head on and individually. prgtoken The bill it would bring to the floor, contrary to what Ryan and Leader McCarthy claim, is no compromise. A compromise, by definition, requires both sides to come together and meet in the middle. We did. And we built a majority of support for a bill. prgtoken The Ryan bill is a capitulation by those who have professed support of the Dreamers. Indeed, the only compromise in this bill is how it compromises our values, our principles as Americans, and how it compromises our economy and national security. prgtoken The conservative Cato Institute has said that only 12 percent of Dreamers would ever actually attain citizenship under this hoax of a bill. prgtoken For those seeking refuge from fear for their lives and from assault, and from having their children torn from their arms and separated--as Laura pleaded, ``immoral''--this bill does not provide a solution. Instead, it provides for locking up those children in prison with their parents. Isn't that a wonderful option? prgtoken The American people are overwhelmingly outraged by what is happening at the border and want to see Congress take real action. As John McCain stated, such a policy that is being promoted by the President and the s in Congress ``is an affront to the decency of the American people.'' prgtoken In addition, the Ryan bill imposes new restrictions on legal immigration. will strongly oppose this noxious bill. prgtoken , please summon the courage to let the people's House work its will and demand that the President return to a policy of treating these children as we would want our own children to be treated. That is not what these bills do. Reject these bills. We are America. We are better th
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-6-21

today I wish to pay tribute to Dr. J. Alex Haller, Jr a pioneer in the field of pediatric surgery, who died on June 13 at the age of 91. Theodore Roosevelt once said, ``The greatest gift life has to offer is the opportunity to work hard at work worth doing.'' Alex Haller certainly spent his life working hard on something worthwhile. He was a professor emeritus of pediatrics, surgery, and emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical School and was the surgeon in charge of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center for nearly 30 years. Over the course of his distinguished career, he became known as the ``father of pediatric trauma care.'' Throughout his life, Dr. Haller pushed the boundaries and transformed how we care for our children. prgtoken Dr. Haller was born in Pulaski, VA, in 1927. He earned his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and then came to Baltimore to earn his MD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After he graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1951, Dr. Haller spent a year as a fellow in pathology at the University of Zurich, and then served in the military for 2 years. He returned to Johns Hopkins to complete his residency. In 1959, he went to Louisville General Hospital, where he served as chief of cardiac surgery for 4 years. Then, Alfred Blalock, the chief of surgery at Johns Hopkins, asked him to return to head the new pediatric surgery division Blalock planned to launch. prgtoken During his time at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Haller was responsible for helping to make Johns Hopkins one of the best hospitals for pediatric care in the country. For almost 30 years, he served as the surgeon in charge of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and was the founding co- director of the division pediatrics. He created the regional trauma center for children, the first such program of its kind in the United States, and at his urging, Johns Hopkins became the first academic medical center to implement pediatric surgery subspecialties. prgtoken Outside of Johns Hopkins, Dr. Haller created opportunities for his colleagues to learn from one another. He was one of 24 pediatric surgeons who founded the American Pediatric Surgical Association and played a key role in developing the Pediatric Advanced Life Support, or PALS, protocol, which details the steps and procedures for stabilizing critically injured children or those with other emergency conditions. prgtoken Nelson Mandela once said ``There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.'' Dr. Haller spent his life ensuring that our children will have the best care that modern medicine can offer. He leaves a lasting legacy in the lives of children whom he saved and who will be saved because of his pioneering work and because he trained so many other doctors and surgeons who carry on the mission. On behalf of my colleagues, I send my deepest condolences to his wife of 67 years, Emil
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4760, SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ACT OF 2018
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-21

if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to strike the text of this rule and insert House Resolution 774, Representative Denham's bipartisan queen-of-the-hill resolution. This rule would bring up four separate immigration bills to be debated and voted on the House floor. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.