mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Charter Schools (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-13

my children are grown now, but every time that we moved or considered what neighborhood to live in, as they were growing up and attending public schools, the first question we would ask is, ``What about the schools?'' because we, like most parents, wanted to make sure that our children went to the very best schools possible. And if we had to dig a little deeper and figure out how do we buy a house in a neighborhood that was in that school district, then we would do it. But the sad fact of life is that many parents of lesser means, of lower income, don't have the luxury of buying a house in a neighborhood where a public school is excellent. In fact, many of our children, because they don't have access to charter schools, are literally trapped in failing schools, which will forever affect their course of life, their development, the jobs they can qualify for, the level of education they can achieve. All of that will be impacted negatively by the fact that many of our young people go to schools that are less than excellent and, in many cases, failing. prgtoken In 2010, I think it was, I saw the documentary called ``Waiting for Superman.'' This was a story that in one way was exhilarating but in another way it was very depressing because it was all about the lottery system in New York's schools. If you were lucky enough to win the lottery, you knew that your life and your future was going to be forever impacted for the better. prgtoken But I still remember looking at the faces and the tears of the children who did not win the lottery, who did not get to go to the best schools, and they knew that their life, too, would be forever impacted but in that case for the worse. prgtoken I am a firm believer that competition makes us all better. It makes us work harder, strive for greater achievement. But I think the public school system--in particular, the teachers unions--they don't want any competition because they don't want anybody to show that our children can be educated better--with better teachers, better training, better facilities. And that is what the charter school movement has provided: some competition, some basis for comparison. prgtoken If everybody is operating at this level, with no one operating at this level, then everybody is going to continue to operate in a subpar performance. Of course, I am not painting with a broad brush, but I am saying that a lot of low-income children are condemned to bad schools with no way out. And charter schools offer a way out for those children. prgtoken Now, I think sometimes the term ``school choice'' gets confused with charter schools because school choice, as I understand it, is more broadly interpreted to mean parochial schools and that sort of thing-- private schools. But charter schools are public schools. We are talking about high-quality, tuition-free public schools that are open to all students. prgtoken In my State, in Texas, we have 900 charter
HONORING THE SERVICE OF HERSCHEL RYAN
Julia Letlow (Republican, LA) \u2014 2022-12-14

I rise today to honor Mr. Herschel Ryan, an incredible individual who is not just a close personal friend but a true American hero. prgtoken My personal experiences with Herschel Ryan started when I was a small child, but the most poignant moment that I ever had with him was when he chaperoned on our church mission trip in the seventh grade. It was there that he took a few minutes and shared with me his personal experiences from the Vietnam war. prgtoken Mr. Herschel was a talented pilot in the Army, achieving the rank of captain and recognition for his skills in flying helicopter missions. prgtoken It was while he was supporting a combat operation on February 9, 1968, that his flight encountered intense enemy fire, and he took a direct hit. His injuries were so severe that he would ultimately lose his left hand and eye, yet he still managed to direct his flight back to safety. prgtoken For his gallantry and bravery, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters. prgtoken , hearing Mr. Herschel's story was formational for me. It was the first time I had ever heard a personal perspective from a veteran. What a gift he gave to me that day. prgtoken In this Chamber, we often talk about the need to honor our veterans and the desire to celebrate our heroes. When I think of those who served and sacrificed, I think of Herschel Ryan, a glowing example of some of the finest men and women this country has ever produced. prgtoken He fought in a war that was unpopular and came home to a country that did not want to talk about heroism. {time} (1115) prgtoken But in spite of all that and the personal challenges he faced; he never lost his joy. I cannot think of a more genuine, warm, and kind man. He has an infectious laugh and spreads happiness to everyone who is around him. prgtoken , Mr. Herschel just turned 80 years old and has retired from a successful career in business. He now travels with his wife, Debbie, and volunteers his free time working with veterans who suffer from PTSD, wanting to continue to serve others. prgtoken , today, here in the House of Representatives, we pause and pay tribute to a great man and true American hero, Mr. Herschel Ryan.
CONGRATULATING INDIANA AREA HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEAM
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Indiana Area High School math team, which recently attended the 36th Annual Benjamin Freed High School Mathematics Competition at PennWest University Clarion on November 3. prgtoken Out of the 213 students who attended, Indiana High School won first place overall in the team category, and five students from Indiana High School individually placed in the statewide competition: Chloe Williams, Luca Cosentino, Gabe Kenning, Ethan Coleman, and James Mill. prgtoken The math team is coached by Dr. Scott Layden and consists of advanced math students from the Indiana junior and senior high schools. prgtoken The team plans to continue training and attend future competitions at universities across the State and across the country. prgtoken Madam , please join me in congratulating these fine young students on their outstanding accomplishment and their commitment to science and mathematics. prgtoken As a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee and a longtime advocate for young people in STEM, I take pride in seeing our students adopt a love of math that will take them far in their careers and their lives.
HONORING JOE LILES
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-12-14

I rise today to honor the exemplary work and upcoming retirement of Joe Liles, a law enforcement officer with the Ouachita National Forest. prgtoken Joe has faithfully served Arkansas for 30 years, going above and beyond in each mission to loyally serve the people of Arkansas. prgtoken Throughout his successful career, Joe received many awards, including the ``Delivering Benefits to the Public'' award at the 2019 Regional Foresters Honor Awards for his heroic efforts in locating and recovering a lost hiker in the Caney Creek Wilderness. prgtoken Joe's humble nature and hardworking spirit made him a vital part of the Ouachita National Forest. I speak for all Arkansans when I say thank you for your service and wish you the best in retirement.
RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA ``GINNY'' BURROUGHS ON HER 102ND BIRTHDAY
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Virginia Jewell Rogers Burroughs. Ginny was born on December 19, 1920. As we celebrate her 102 years of life, we think of all the memories and stories that she has and continues to share as a citizen of this great country. Ginny was born and raised in the Trenton, New Jersey area, spending much of her adult life in Pennington, New Jersey. She is a mother and was the devoted wife of her husband, Robert Burroughs who was the CEO and Owner of the Trenton Folding Box Company. Ginny raised 4 children and is the grandmother to 9 grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren. Ginny would often split her time between Pennington, New Jersey and Naples, Florida until she retired at Holland Village where she actively engages in the community beyond bingo and canasta. Ginny is a supportive voice in the Holland Village Community and continues to care for others by making sure they have their meals and welcomes visitors to her dining room table. Now as she has turned 102 years young, I am proud to recognize and celebrate Virginia Jewell Rogers Burroughs as an exceptional citizen from my district. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Ginny has had throughout her life and the countless people she has touched through her kindness, and we wish Ginny countless blessings as she continues to be a voice for her community.
CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF ZEELAND, MICHIGAN
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-12-14

I rise today to recognize my hometown, the city of Zeeland, on its 175th anniversary. prgtoken Throughout the first week of October, friends and residents of this small but vibrant city in west Michigan gathered together to celebrate and share memories of the community's storied history. prgtoken The village of Zeeland was established in 1847 when nearly 500 Dutch citizens, led by James Van de Luyster, sailed from Zeeland in the Netherlands to pursue religious freedom and self-rule. I will note that my own family came in the second wave that same year of 1847 and has proudly been ensconced in the city of Zeeland since then. prgtoken After settling on 16,000 acres of land, one of the first buildings established was a church. Here, Reverend Cornelius van der Meulen became the first spiritual leader and pastor to the Zeeland colonists, offering hope and courage as the settlers cleared thick forests and tackled this new land. prgtoken As the center of the community, the church served as a place of worship on Sundays as well as a school on the weekdays, with instruction provided in both English and in Dutch. prgtoken A burgeoning manufacturing and agriculture sector, as well as a post office helped Zeeland to grow, leading to incorporation as a city in 1907. Now, the 1900s were a time of growth in Zeeland. In fact, my own father served over 30 years on the city council from the late 1960s up until the 1990s. prgtoken While the city has grown, one thing has remained a constant: The innovative, entrepreneurial, close-knit, and welcoming community continues to make Zeeland a special place to live, work, and raise a family. prgtoken , let us join in recognizing all former and current residents of the city of Zeeland as they celebrate their 175th anniversary.
PROVIDING RESEARCH AND ESTIMATES OF CHANGES IN PRECIPITATION ACT
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-12-14

enough is enough. Here in the waning days of one-party control, are grasping at straws to push more of their radical policy agenda on the American people. They are hoping the lameduck House will help jam through a monstrous $1.7 trillion omnibus down our throats before Christmas so incoming House s can't use the budget next year to impose fiscal responsibility and check 's disastrous agenda. prgtoken Even though voters demanded change in November, House s have had no seat at the negotiating table. This one-week CR will continue funding for President 's policies that have created crisis after crisis. prgtoken Under his watch, the Nation is experiencing a historically bad crisis at the southern border, a botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that cost American lives and created tens of thousands of refugees, his quest to provide abortion on demand, his illegal and regressive cancellation of student loan debt, his anti-energy agenda, and an inflation crisis that makes Americans poorer. prgtoken The American people cannot afford another -led spending measure that would exacerbate inflation and continue to fund the very agencies waging war on their freedoms. prgtoken Every must reject this lameduck spending spree and let the incoming Members of the new majority, who will be accountable to the voters, work to reach a more balanced agreement than this liberal spending spree. prgtoken We must use every opportunity at our disposal, especially through the constitutional power of the purse, to fight for the American people and change the broken status quo in Washington. s must stand strong and oppose this last-ditch power play by .
RENEWABLE ENERGY DOESN'T DO THE WHOLE JOB
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-12-14

nuclear power, hydropower, biofuels, solar, and wind are all positive sources of energy. They take advantage of available resources and bring high-paying technical jobs to rural areas, especially. prgtoken However, forcing people into renewable sources of energy only will not help families immediately heat their homes this winter or next. prgtoken Right now, in California, renewable energy accounts for roughly one- third of our power grid, depending on whether or not you count hydroelectric power, which large power plants aren't counted, for some arbitrary reason in our State. prgtoken Each summer, we face rolling blackouts throughout the State. Each winter, mountain towns face power shortages due to snowstorms knocking down power lines. prgtoken At this moment, natural gas and oil remain by far the most efficient and affordable sources of energy, a fact that the administration must accept. prgtoken Renewable energy won't do the whole job. Yet, what are they doing? They are attacking oil and gas, which is based on some idea of CO2. I remind you that CO2 is only 0.04 percent of our atmosphere. It is dwarfed by all the others. Even trace gases are about equal. prgtoken Yet, we are hell-bent on getting rid of CO2 and making people unable to use the energy they need, do their jobs, heat their homes, et cetera.
RECOGNIZING U.S. SPACE FORCE MAJOR MARK CRIMM
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of U.S. Space Force Major Mark Crimm, who served as my 2022 Defense Fellow. Major Crimm, call sign Reaper, has been an integral part of my office, helping constituents and veterans in Colorado's 5th Congressional District. prgtoken Major Crimm is a decorated warfighter, expert Guardian, and has been essential in developing national defense policies and legislation, especially in military space. Reaper assisted with House Armed Services Committee hearings and mark-ups and provided invaluable support developing the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken Major Crimm is originally from Wyoming and is married to Elyse, a Colorado native, who also serves in the U.S. Space Force. They have a newborn daughter, Lexington. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in thanking U.S. Space Force Major Mark Crimm for serving our Nation, my office, and many grateful constituents.
MEMORIALIZING JEAN MONNET
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I am grateful, as Co- Chair of the Congressional French Caucus, to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Jean Monnet through the legislation I co-sponsored creating a commemorative work in Rock Creek Park to honor his international peace contributions. prgtoken Jean Monnet is often referred to as the ``Father of Europe'' for his role in initiating the dream for the European Union, which today is one of our largest trading partners. During World War II, Jean Monnet took up residence here in Washington, D.C and contributed to the ``Victory Program'' with the United States, helping the allied powers retake his home country after its fall in 1940. prgtoken After the war, Jean Monnet worked tirelessly to integrate European nations with the United States, and create a lasting transatlantic cooperation. His diplomatic work led to the creation of the European Union. prgtoken Mr. Monnet spent his time in the United States appreciating the natural beauty of our country. He notably took daily walks through Rock Creek Park which he fondly referred to as ``my park'' in his memoirs. His personal connection to the park makes it a fitting location for a commemorative work in Washington. I join my colleagues in extending support for the legislation creating this new capital memorial.
HONORING JAMIE MILLER FOR HIS SERVICE TO MISSISSIPPI
Steven M. Palazzo (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize one of my former staff, Jamie Miller, for his dedication to the state of Mississippi. prgtoken Jamie was born in Gulfport, MS, and graduated from Gulfport High School. He has an associate degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he attended on a baseball scholarship, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South em Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Jamie has been married to his wife, Kelli, for 25 years, and they have 3 children. Their oldest daughter, Maddison Miller Cuevas, is a University of Southern Mississippi graduate and lives in Birmingham, AL. Their second daughter, Carson Miller, attends Mississippi State University in Starkville, and their youngest son, Landon Miller, is a freshman at Stanford University. prgtoken Jamie began his career as a coastal ecologist working for the Department of Marine Resources in 1997. The City of Pascagoula hired him in 1999 as a planning coordinator and grant administrator, focused on downtown development and hazard mitigation. He worked his way to the position of Deputy City Manager before leaving for the private sector. After Katrina, Jamie worked with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to assist local communities with recovery efforts but joined Governor Haley Barbour's Office of Recovery and Renewal in April 2006. prgtoken In 2011, Jamie joined my team, initially as the District Director but became Chief of Staff in my Washington, D.C. office. During his tenure, he worked to connect federal resources and legislative solutions to South Mississippi communities, businesses, and individual constituents. Jamie participated in the drafting and the RESTORE Act, which paved the way for billions of dollars to be directed to the Gulf States for recovery from the Deep-Water Horizon Oil Spill. He also worked on National Flood Insurance Program, Defense, and Commercial Space policy. prgtoken Following his time as a federal employee, Jamie continued to serve the state of Mississippi. In 2013, Governor Bryant appointed Jamie as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine resources. Then in 2018, Jamie received another Governor appointed leadership role as the Deputy Director of the Mississippi Development Agency. Jamie is currently the Chief Operations Officer at MDA and is responsible for all aspects of the agency's administrative, technology, and financial divisions. Jamie directly coordinates the staff assigned to the administration of the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund. prgtoken Madam , it is with gratitude and appreciation that I honor this Mississippi native and my friend, Jamie Miller.
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-14

interspersed among the farewell speeches, which are always enjoyable to listen to as people reminisce about their time in the Senate and that causes all of us to reflect on our role and what we have done to help our country and help our constituents--and no one has done it better than the Senator from North Carolina--we also have a few things to do before we break for the holidays. Perhaps the next important thing that we have to do is to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which, of course, provides the authorities necessary to strengthen our Armed Forces, to modernize our defense, and to maintain the peace. prgtoken This year's Defense authorization act includes a significant increase in defense funding, which, in light of the range of threats confronting our country and the world, is appropriate, coming in roughly at $45 billion above the White House's most recent budget request. prgtoken This is a bipartisan increase in the authorization, which is the appropriate role of Congress to tell the White House: We think you have low-balled the number, and we think the threats deserve even more support in terms of the funding. prgtoken These investments are absolutely critical to our military and our national security, but we all know this legislation is more than just about funding levels. It includes a range of bipartisan bills to support those who wear the uniform and their families, our allies, and our national defense as a whole. prgtoken It really includes a lot of different bills in this umbrella of the National Defense Authorization Act. One example of one of those components is the Protecting Our Servicemembers through Proven Methods Act, which I introduced with Senator Sinema of Arizona and a bipartisan group of colleagues. prgtoken The goal of this bill is to focus on proven methods that empower military leaders to prevent sexual assault and harassment in the military from happening in the ranks. prgtoken The RAND Corporation, the think tank, published a 10-step approach to strengthen sexual assault prevention in the military, and step one is all about data. We need a clear picture of the problem before we can craft the most appropriate and effective solutions. prgtoken Our bipartisan bill specifically answers that recommendation by requiring the Department of Defense to collect data on the causes behind sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence in the military. prgtoken That data will better inform our decision making within the Department and beyond. It will help guide our work in the Senate, too, where there is a bipartisan commitment to ending sexual assault and harassment in the military. And I hope it leads to stronger prevention efforts across the board. prgtoken Our bill requires the Department of Defense to confer with universities and public health institutions to best identify the practices that will combat these abuses, whether that is in the workplace or on co