mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING COACH PATRICK FAIN DYE FOR HIS SERVICE TO ALABAMA
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-5-10

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Coach Patrick Fain Dye for his long, successful career representing our state. prgtoken As head coach of the Auburn University football team from 1981 to 1992, Coach Dye elevated the program to new heights, compiling a record of 99-39-4 and winning Southeastern Conference championships in 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1989. He received Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1983, 1987, and 1998. Coach Dye's 1983 Auburn Tigers team, one of the state's greatest in our proud football history, ended the season ranked No. 1 by the New York Times after winning its final ten games. prgtoken Coach Dye also served as Auburn's Athletics Director from 1981 to 1991, a tenure marked by the successful relocation in 1989 of the annual Iron Bowl to Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium from Legion Field in Birmingham. That monumental Iron Bowl, the first played in Auburn in decades, was a 28-18 victory for the Tigers. It was appropriate that in 2005 the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium was renamed Pat Dye Field in his honor. prgtoken During Coach Dye's head coaching career, which included early stints at East Carolina University and the University of Wyoming, he compiled an overall record of 153-62-5 and a bowl record of 7-2-1. For his accomplishments, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005. prgtoken When interviewing for the head coach position at Auburn, Coach Dye was asked how long it would take him to beat the University of Alabama, where he had previously served as an assistant coach under the legendary Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. His response of ``60 minutes'' was representative of the confidence and grit that endeared him to his players and the Auburn family. His promise came true in his second season, ending a nine-year Alabama win streak. prgtoken The Auburn family's love for Coach Dye continues to this day. He was a father figure to so many of his players over the years, and his legacy has continued to grow through the years with his work in the Auburn community and his philanthropic activities. To this day Coach Dye remains close with so many of his players and is a beloved figure in the state of Alabama and beyond. prgtoken I thank Coach Dye for his distinguished years of service to Auburn University and the people of Alabama. War Eagle.
FREE MARKET SOLUTION TO HEALTHCARE
Mark E. Green (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-5-10

. Madam , clinicians need to take the lead on healthcare. Lawyers and bean counters were used to write the Affordable Care Act, and look what it got us. prgtoken As a doctor, former owner of a healthcare company, and cancer survivor, I believe it is time we allow clinicians to write and form the healthcare laws that will help our Nation, and to base it on a free market solution. That is why I am introducing a bill to innovate Medicaid, a plan that will put the patient in charge of their care with more choice and less cost. prgtoken My plan would allow for free market competition and improve care. But above all, for Medicaid, it would not raise taxes and, potentially, could even lead to lower costs, without raising costs for Medicaid patients. prgtoken We need less government involvement, not more, to fix our broken healthcare system.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Neal P. Dunn (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-5-10

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, my amendment increases military construction funding in the bill for the Air Force and the United States Marine Corps. prgtoken Last year, Hurricanes Florence and Michael destroyed two of our Nation's premier combat and training bases. prgtoken Camp Lejeune in North Carolina sustained $3.6 billion in damages due to Hurricane Florence. Lejeune is critical to our Nation's defenses not only for the Marine Corps, but it is also home to a major Navy command and a Coast Guard command. prgtoken The base's unique access to two deepwater ports allows for rapid seaborne deployments. It also has vast amounts of land and deep training resources. This is what makes Camp Lejeune the home of ``Expeditionary Forces in Readiness.'' prgtoken Tyndall Air Force Base, in my district in Florida, took a direct hit from a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Michael. Tyndall is home to the largest F-22 base in the world. It is one of only two Air Force bases that has immediate access to the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range, a range that is like no other in the world. Our airmen are able to train and test on the next generation of supersonic and hypersonic aircraft and weapons systems in a live-fire environment. prgtoken A few months ago, President came, and he ordered the Air Force to make Tyndall a fifth-generation Air Force base outfitted with three squadrons of F-35s and a squadron of MQ-9s. This rebuild will cost $2.7 billion in military construction alone, and it will make Tyndall the base of the future. prgtoken My amendment will raise MILCON funding in fiscal year 2019 up to $500 million for the Marine Corps and up to $1 billion for the Air Force. This is only a downpayment to help these services continue on their rebuilds. prgtoken This funding is crucial for our military. Our Nation's defense is in crisis, and our readiness will continue to deteriorate if we do not provide the necessary funds to our armed services immediately. prgtoken I would like to make a couple of other points that sometimes seem to get lost in our discussions. prgtoken The Federal Government knows that it self-insures the military. From the moment the storms occurred, it was 100 percent certain that we were going to need a disaster supplemental. By law, the funds cannot come from FEMA, and they cannot come from HUD. They must be directly appropriated by this Congress. prgtoken Hurricane Michael was a unique storm. It was more like a tornado than a hurricane, but it was a tornado that was 80 miles wide and 120 miles deep. In my district, we have 3 million acres of land that is crushed. prgtoken By way of comparison, in 2017, three hurricanes affected Florida: Hermine, Maria, and Irma. Fifty counties were affected. prgtoken Just the county that Tyndall Air Force base sits in has already cleaned up 30 million cubic yards of debris, compared with less than 3 million in those 50 counties in 2
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-5-10

. Madam , let's be clear. On the problems with our immigration laws, the gentleman mentioned asylum. We all know right now, somebody comes across the border on a daily basis--in the thousands on some days. And they come across and claim asylum, coming through illegal parts of our border, not the ports of entry. prgtoken The President has made it clear: If you are seeking asylum, there is a legal way to do it. Come through a port of entry and properly seek asylum. prgtoken Many people know there are coyotes, people who make money human trafficking people across the border, and they read from a script. They all know the script. Whether they are seeking asylum or not, they just read the script, and they are let in. prgtoken We see it all the time, and they know the game. It is a game, because it is a loophole in the law that we have tried to fix and haven't gotten any help from the other side. prgtoken But they know that if they read the script and they know--ironically, they have come through multiple countries that have offered them asylum, and they have turned down that asylum. prgtoken So that is not the right way to do it. The President said: Come the right way. Nobody said--you have never seen the President say get rid of immigration laws. He said fix the immigration laws, secure the border, have a legal way to come here, and get rid of things like the visa lottery system and turn it into a merit-based system to make this law work better for the people who want to come here and seek the American Dream. prgtoken And I know we have beaten this to death, and we will continue to debate it. Hopefully, we get some real conversations over the weekend to solve these other problems in the disaster bill that aren't included and clear up the number. prgtoken We have seen a number of $90 billion plus that has been appropriated to Puerto Rico. Regardless, clearly, it is well over 50, probably closer to 90. We will continue to talk about that as well and address this problem. prgtoken Madam , .
REMEMBERING JACQUELINE L. FALK
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-5-13

today I wish to honor Jacqueline ``Jackie'' Louise Falk. Jackie was an incredible force in ic politics for decades. She left behind a tightknit family of relatives and a political family that stretches around the world. prgtoken Jackie is best known for holding a key role in nearly every ic National Convention from 1972 through 2004. She also was on staff at the ic National Committee (DNC), as an aide to then- treasurer Robert Strauss, during the time of the Watergate break-in; she served as assistant to the counselor to the President during the Carter Administration; and served as administrative assistant and chief of staff to U.S. Representative Leo Zeferetti in the early 1980s. prgtoken Jackie suffered a stroke last week and passed away on Wednesday, May 8, surrounded by her loving, extended family. Jackie never sought the spotlight. but left her mark on our party and our country by bringing a semblance of order to the sometimes-chaotic world of nominating the President of the United States. prgtoken Today, I would like to honor Jackie's memory by sharing some of her remarkable story. To tell the story of Jackie Falk is more than politics, although it is weaved throughout her life. As one friend, Yolanda Caraway, described her: ``Jackie was one of the sweetest, kindest and funniest people I've ever known and I'm really going to miss her, especially her wonderful laugh.'' prgtoken Jackie was born in Trenton, NJ, to Minnie and Arlo Falk. She grew up with her brother Albert and sister Lisa. Jackie got hooked on politics and public service at a young age thanks to her Aunt Violet (Williams Biglane), who, after service in the Navy WAVES, went on to work as the personal secretary to former Senator and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey. prgtoken Jackie would tell stories of interacting with Hubert Humphrey and passing out flyers for his campaign. In 1964, Jackie accompanied Aunt Violet to the ic National Convention in Atlantic City, NJ, to see Humphrey nominated as Vice President. Aunt Violet helped Jackie make her way to the ic National Committee, where she started working in 1972 for then-DNC Treasurer Robert Strauss. Jackie went on to work closely with every ic Party chairman from Strauss through Terry McAuliffe. prgtoken When Terry McAuliffe, former Governor of Virginia and former chairman of the DNC, heard of Jackie's death, he had this to say: ``We lost a legend. The ic Party and ic National Conventions will never be the same. Jackie's convention credentialing was a labor of love and truly a work of art. She conducted her credential operation like Mozart conducted his symphonies. She never ceased to amaze. I and so many others will forever be in her debt and will miss her deeply.'' prgtoken In 1975, Jackie moved to Atlanta to work on the Presidential campaign of Jimmy Carter. She returned to Washington to work on his White House
VOTE EXPLANATION
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-5-13

I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 99, the confirmation of Joseph F. Bianco, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 100, the confirmation of Kimberly A. Reed, of West Virginia, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2021. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 101, the confirmation of Spencer Bachus III, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2023. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted yes on rollcall vote 102, the confirmation of Judith DelZoppo Pryor, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2021. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 103, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Janet Dhillon, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2022. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 104, the confirmation of Janet Dhillon, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2022. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 105, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Michael H. Park, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. prgtoken , I was necessarily absent but, had I been present, would have voted no on rollcall vote 106, the confirmation of Michael H. Park, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.
Foreign Election Interference (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-13

Secretary of State Pompeo will meet with Vladimir Putin tomorrow, and there is something important he must do. prgtoken The Mueller report, for all its revelations about the President's conduct, also reminded us of things we know to be true and must resist at all costs. The Mueller report documented the ``sweeping and systematic'' disinformation campaign directed by President Putin to undermine our 2016 elections. Whatever you may think of the President's behavior, foreign interference in our elections cannot be ignored. prgtoken It was an attack on democracy itself, and in my view, America's response has not been adequate. What happened in the past has happened, as bad as it was, but the point of looking at this is to prevent it from ever happening again in the future. We don't know what country will try to change our elections and who it might support--Russia, China, Iran, North Korea. So we have to bolster ourselves, and until we get a full, full description of what happened and a plan to stop it from happening in 2020, America should not rest because it is an attack on democracy itself. prgtoken America's response, thus far, has not been adequate. Congress passed sanctions, but then President failed to implement some and watered others down. Only a few months ago, the Treasury Department cut a sweetheart deal on sanctions relief for Russian oligarch and Putin crony Oleg Deripaska. prgtoken Even rhetorically, the President and members of his administration have shown an unbelievable willingness to look past President Putin's actions of 2016. A little over a week ago, just after the Mueller report came out, President held a phone call with President Putin in which he reportedly brought up the Russian hoax, and he did not warn Putin not to meddle in our elections. Of course, the press conference in Helsinki last year was the epitome of President 's inability to confront President Putin about his interference in our elections. prgtoken This matters a great deal because any softness on the administration's part will be read by Putin and other foreign powers as an invitation to try and interfere with our elections again. We know, thanks to the testimony from FBI Director Wray and our national intelligence chiefs, that foreign adversaries are gearing up right now to try again and interfere with our elections in 2020. Yet it may not be just Russia next time; it might be China, North Korea, or Iran. Who knows? prgtoken So it is long past time for the administration to make it crystal clear that another interference campaign by Putin will not be tolerated. The Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, has an obligation to warn President Putin that any action to interfere in our elections will be met with an immediate and robust response. Secretary of State Pompeo must make clear that the cost of trying to interfere with American elections will be dear. Secretary of State Pompeo mus
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-5-13

today I would like to recognize the retirement of Mr. Larry Gammon of Bedford, NH, after 47 years of service to Easterseals. prgtoken Larry started his career with Easterseals New Hampshire in 1971, serving as the facilities director and helping out with everything from teaching to driving the bus. prgtoken In 1985, Larry was named president and CEO of Easterseals New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine and, for the past 33 years, has overseen the programs and services offered to individuals who experience disabilities in these states. prgtoken Under Larry's leadership, Easterseals has grown to offer 13 core programs, including child development centers, a family resource center, child and family services, early supports and services, autism services, residential and educational services, special transit, camps and recreation, community-based services, workforce development, military and veterans services, senior services, substance misuse treatments, and oral health services. The organization serves more than 32,000 clients annually with a staff of 1,800. prgtoken Larry has also done incredible work lending his expertise and extraordinary kindness and energy as an active member of the Queen City Rotary Club, the mayor's task force on human services, the NH State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Assembly of Overseers, and YMCA task force on accessibility. prgtoken Whether on one of the boards that he serves or in his professional life, Larry has made a real difference in the lives of so many and his work has strengthened our families, communities, and State, and he has done so with humility and humor. prgtoken I hope you will join me in honoring a dedicated Granite Stater, Larry Gammon.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-5-13

today I have introduced the Retirement Parity for Student Loans Act. This legislation would permit employers to make matching contributions to workers under 401(k) and similar types of retirement plans as if worker student loan payments were salary reduction contributions to the retirement plan. This legislation will help workers who cannot afford to both save for retirement and pay off their student loan debt by providing them with employer contributions to build their retirement savings. This legislation is a common sense fix to our nation's laws that govern employer-sponsored retirement plans and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
CLOTURE MOTION
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-5-13

I rise to celebrate the 54th anniversary of Head Start and the 25th anniversary of Early Head Start on May 18. prgtoken We know that in January of 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared the War on Poverty in his State of the Union Address. Sargent Shriver, who was the then-Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, assembled a panel of experts to develop a comprehensive child development program to help communities meet the needs of disadvantaged preschool children. It resulted in Project Head Start's launching in the summer of 1965. prgtoken Over 50 years later, Head Start and Early Head Start have served hundreds of thousands of children with high-quality, comprehensive early learning and wraparound services. Just to give the Senate a reminder of what Head Start is in terms of the ages, Head Start serves children who are ages 3 to 5. Early Head Start serves children who are up to the age of 3--so under the age of 3. prgtoken We know that these early learning experiences provide children with the tools they need to develop and succeed in school. When children learn more earlier in life, they earn more later in life. It is not just a rhyme. All the evidence and research show that there is a direct connection between early learning and later earning. A study of Head Start children in burg, PA, found that they had higher scores in the fifth grade than a control group on all academic and executive functioning outcomes. prgtoken These benefits stay with children through adulthood. Research shows Head Start children have a higher likelihood of graduating from high school and receiving postsecondary degrees. These benefits even flow to the next generation. The children of Head Start graduates are significantly more likely to finish high school and enroll in college, and they are significantly less likely to become teen parents or to be involved in the criminal justice system. prgtoken One of the core tenets of Head Start that has made it so successful is its responsiveness to local community needs. In Pennsylvania, for example, as in many other States, the opioid epidemic has hit far too many communities, and Head Start has responded to that crisis with innovative programming. prgtoken For example, the SafeStart Program in Allentown, which is an Early Head Start program, provides early intervention to assist the development of infants and toddlers who have suffered abuse or neglect. After having completed SafeStart--the new program in Allentown--68 percent of 3-year-olds were on age developmentally, and 100 percent of the children showed significant improvement in their drug-impacted symptoms, with 53 percent having shown resolution. Of the women who became pregnant while their substance-impacted children were enrolled in SafeStart, 88 percent gave birth to full-term, drug-free, and healthy second children. prgtoken The whole family approach and integration with local community part
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-5-13

May is National Foster Care Month. prgtoken Due to the opioid crisis and other substance abuse issues plaguing communities in Iowa and all across America, the number of kids in foster care is rapidly rising. In 2017, there were 443,000 kids in care. Ninety-six thousand entered foster care because of parental substance abuse. prgtoken These families need help. That is why Congress passed the Family First Prevention Services Act, which will allow States to receive Federal reimbursement for services to help keep kids with their parents. These services include substance abuse treatment programs. prgtoken As we celebrate this month of May as National Foster Care Month, I hope we will think about the number of kids who are there and do what we can to help those kids have permanency and parents. As chairman of the Caucus on Foster Youth, those are the two things I hear from them when listening to them talk about going from foster home to foster home, sometimes two or three times a year. They tell me they would like to have parents and they would like to have a home. They want stability. prgtoken .