mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
VETERANS 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTION ACT
K. Michael Conaway (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-16

I rise today in support of the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, a bill that I have supported for the last several Congresses. prgtoken The Second Amendment is a constitutional right for all of us, but it is especially sacred to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our Constitution and our way of life. Unfortunately, under current law, many of our servicemembers who use a fiduciary to help them navigate the increasingly complicated Department of Veterans Affairs are automatically labeled as mentally defective--which, in this politically correct era, is probably not the best way to phrase them-- which places them in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. prgtoken This label wrongly denies these veterans their constitutional right to bear arms. The determination for a label of this magnitude should rest with the courts, as this bill ensures, not with a bureaucrat, as the current practice dictates. prgtoken , as our colleagues on the other side of the aisle said, they have listed some almost 40,000 people who have a clinical issue who deserve to have a conversation of the 174,000 that are on the list. What about the other 130,000? prgtoken As the other side has also admitted, it overreaches and is beyond what we should be doing. Their gratuitous offer to negotiate to fix that, they know, of course, that the current practice of just labeling folks by a bureaucrat would remain in place throughout that negotiation process if it were to ever actually occur. prgtoken All too often, government bureaucracies fail the very men and women who fought to protect this Nation; however, this bill is an easy fix to ensure that veterans aren't further hindered by Big Government bureaucracies. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
IMPROVING AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO HIRE AND RETAIN PHYSICIANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-3-16

I would just like to take a second here to thank the ranking member for his hard work and putting forth many of the ideas that are in this bill and working with us, and thank him for his service to our country in the military and the high rank that he achieved, and bringing those experiences to us. prgtoken , I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz).
RECOGNIZING VICTOR MARX
Trent Franks (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-3-16

Mr. Victor Marx is a man dedicated to spreading the great truth that even in the face of hate and violence, the love of God can heal even the most wounded among us. Victor's full life story has been chronicled in the book ``The Victor Marx Story'' and in a film by the same name. prgtoken Victor's animating, faith-motivated, moral imperative to help the suffering has fueled the mission of All Things Possible to free children from abuse and the effects of its trauma. prgtoken Therefore, , I rise today to recognize and to commend Victor Marx and All Things Possible Ministries for the work they do to reach out and embrace traumatized individuals across the world. prgtoken In 2015, All Things Possible launched high-risk missions to bring hope to those suffering abuse at the hands of evil in the Middle East. Victor and his team, including Dave Eubank of Free the Oppressed, visited Iraq to help over 300 young women and children who were previously held captive or traumatized by the violence of ISIS. prgtoken In an effort to provide children with tangible comfort, ATP launched the Lions and Lambs project. More than 11,000 little boys and girls have received stuffed animals that play cultural songs and prayers in a language native to their region. These signs of huggable hope remind them that they are not forgotten by the outside world. prgtoken In 2016, Victor and his team initiated efforts to find persecuted Christian families in northern Iraq and move them to safe havens in neighboring countries. To date, ATP has relocated more than 40 individuals specifically targeted by ISIS for elimination, giving them hope for a safer, better life, and restoring their faith in the human spirit. prgtoken Last year, ATP launched the third option with the goal of offering concrete alternatives to those vulnerable to ISIS recruitment. ATP unites with moderate leaders of the Islamic faith to pursue this goal. Recognizing Victor as a man of the book, a key leader of the Sunni Endowment is now working with ATP to craft a common narrative designed to prevent men of military age from being assimilated into ISIS. prgtoken , the prophet Isaiah said: The wolf also shall lie down with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. prgtoken Victor Marx and All Things Possible Ministries have brought this powerful ministry to life in a very touching way. It should encourage all of us to relentlessly pursue that day when the light of hope will fall across all of the lonely faces of God's children all over this world and to that time when future generations, of those whom Jesus called the least of these our brothers and sisters, will be able to walk in the sunlight of liberty for as long as mankind inherits the Earth. prgtoken , I commend Victor Marx and All Things Possible, and I thank them for trying to make a better world. prgtoken , I yiel
VA ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST ACT OF 2017
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-3-16

from Tennessee for this opportunity. prgtoken I rise today, , in support of H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act, because our veterans deserve to receive the best care possible, and our VA personnel deserve to work alongside only the best qualified and professional caregivers. prgtoken , I am proud to serve almost 100,000 veterans in northeast Florida, and this important bill will ensure that veterans throughout the Nation get the care and respect that they have earned. prgtoken In addition, thousands of good and caring VA employees dedicate their lives to serving our veterans in some of their greatest times of need. But it is unfair--unfair--to these many hardworking VA employees when those working alongside of them engage in misconduct and they are not held accountable. prgtoken , our veterans deserve better, and our caring, hardworking VA employees deserve better. As has been stated multiple times, this bill does not eliminate employee due process. My colleagues and I in Congress carry a sacred obligation to our veterans, have a sacred obligation to our Nation to improve accountability at our VA.
IMPROVING AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO HIRE AND RETAIN PHYSICIANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES
Jason Chaffetz (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-3-16

I want to thank, certainly, Dr. Wenstrup, for bringing forward this bill, and also the ranking member here for good bipartisan work. prgtoken 1978 was a good year. I was playing soccer at the AYSO as a young, 11-year-old kid. It was also a good year because that was the last time the civil service had a total revamp of its system. It has been that long since civil service has had this type of reform, and we are looking, on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to take what is being done here in a good, bipartisan way, and try to institute some of these good best practices into the broader Federal Government. prgtoken The current hiring process is far too long and far too complex. We want to ensure the Federal Government remains a competitive employment option. We also want to make sure, particularly at the VA, that the department has the necessary data to make smart hiring decisions and ensure important positions are filled. prgtoken This bill will allow technical experts to earn promotions without having to necessarily go into the management track, which is very important. For some of the skill sets, you don't have to be in management if you are providing a skill that is so imperative to making sure we take care of our veterans. prgtoken The bill also allows for a fast-tracked reemployment of former VA employees who have a proven record of success at the agency. We get some people trained up, maybe they go and do something else, we ought to give the people priorities in coming back as well, to make sure that we have the most qualified Federal workers who are taking care of the people who have taken care of us. They did the heavy lifting for this country, and they deserve better, and we can do better by them. A big part of that would be passing this bill, H.R. 1367. prgtoken So, again, I want to thank Mr. Wenstrup for his leadership. I am glad this is moving forward, and I stand in support of the bill.
BIRTHDAY PROCLAMATION FOR ANIKA AND PRIAM ZELA
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2017-3-16

I include in the Record the following proclamation: prgtoken Whereas, Anika and Priam Zela, twin sister and brother, will be honored by their parents, nona, family and friends on the occasion of their 1st Birthday on March 18th, 2017; and prgtoken Whereas, Anika and Priam Zela were born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 16th, 2016, at 12:45 p.m. and 12:36 p.m respectively, blessing their parents and their family, and have been residents of Scottsdale, Arizona since then; and prgtoken Whereas, March has been a blessed month for Anika and Priam, as their parents first met on March 3rd, 2007, the wedding of their parents was held on March 20th, 2011 and they came to this life on March 16th, 2016; whereas March marks the beginning of Spring, where the grips of winter are just beginning to lose their hold as a new season of life begins too; whereas March was the beginning of a New Year and is still celebrated as such in many cultures and religions; whereas March marks the Vernal Equinox where northern and southern hemispheres are equally illuminated and day and night are of equal duration all over the earth symbolizing a twin approach; whereas March marks the International Day of Happiness exactly to the day their parents wedded and Equinox happens, as well as marks the World Mathematics Day; whereas March's birthstones are aquamarine and bloodstone that both symbolize courage; whereas March is named after Mars, the god of war, fertility and agriculture who oversaw the new growth of Spring, and encouraged the continuation of life; whereas the personality of March (and Mars) is charging, unrelinquishing and brutally assertive as, at this point in the year, there is no stopping the burgeoning birth of new life; whereas March (and Mars) is a high-speed locomotive on a single-focused monorail with only one objective: Explosive Expression; whereas March meaning embodies the reigniting of the hearts and consciousness of humankind, a time when we feel the initial kicks of Spring from the deepest womb of the Mother Earth; and, like our ancestors, we are quickened, our soul-palettes are whetted for new conquest and bold assertion and we set a course for forward-momentum; and prgtoken Whereas 2016 (MMXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2016th year of the Common Era; and prgtoken Whereas 2016 was a very eventful year, designated as the International Year of Global Understanding, where ESA and Roscosmos launched the joint ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter on a mission to Mars; where Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest and deepest railway tunnel, was opened; where NASA's Juno spacecraft entered orbit around Jupiter and NASA launched OSIRIS-REx, its first asteroid sample return mission; where the final videocassette recorder was manufactured by the Japanese company Funai; where the Solar Impulse 2 became the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth, and where Summer Olympics we
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. BRETT FRENCH
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-3-16

it's an honor to recognize Mr. Brett French as this year's individual recipient of the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The Lake Superior Community Partnership's Distinguished Service Award is extended to businesses and individuals who support economic development in Marquette County. prgtoken After earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Central Michigan University, French served as a public policy and environmental consultant before settling in Ishpeming and beginning his career with American Transmission Co. (ATC), a high-voltage electric transmission system company. As the external affairs manager for ATC, French contributes to Marquette County's development by streamlining and enhancing access to affordable electricity for hundreds of communities across Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Having been with ATC for 16 years now, French is responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing relationships between ATC and the Michigan-based customers and stakeholders who make ATC's work possible. prgtoken French participates in numerous community development organizations and remains devoted to improving American infrastructure and the quality of life in the Upper Peninsula. His commitment to economic development is exemplified through his service with Marquette County's Economic Development Corp Dickinson Economic Development Alliance, and Operation Action U.P where he works to identify and address regional opportunities that advance economic development in our state's most rural areas. French also understands the importance of learning the skills needed to succeed in today's economy. In conjunction with the Midwest Skills Development Center Advisory Board and NICE Community Schools, he has provided the guidance to equip the next generation of great leaders with the skills they need to succeed. French's commitment to his profession, community, and neighbors has been essential to his success, and I am confident that he will continue to inspire others in the community to take an active role in improving the quality of life in the Upper Peninsula. prgtoken , French's accomplishments in service to the Upper Peninsula cannot be understated, and his family and community can take pride in knowing that Northern Michigan is a better place thanks to his work. On behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I congratulate Mr. Brett French and wish him well as he continues to make a difference in the lives of others.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF LOUISE HOPKINS UNDERWOOD
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-3-16

I rise today to celebrate the life and legacy of Louise Hopkins Underwood, a west Texas icon who passed away Tuesday, March 7, at the age of 97. prgtoken Mrs. Underwood was known as a charismatic woman with a sharp sense of humor. A woman loved by all, she was gracious, she was generous, and she was inspirational. prgtoken Mrs. Underwood was the mother of six and a pioneer in her quest to promote a passion for the arts and a stronger sense of community on the south plains. prgtoken Our region, which has a rich history better known for farming and ranching, is now also known for the arts, thanks to Mrs. Underwood. prgtoken Ecclesiastes 7:1 says: A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. prgtoken Thank you, Mrs. Underwood. Thank you for your fragrant life and for leaving a legacy of a brighter, more colorful west Texas. prgtoken God bless the Underwood family.
RECOGNIZING ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH
Barry Loudermilk (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-3-16

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, where we recognize the impact this disease has on the quality of life for women throughout our country. The lack of awareness about endometriosis creates an environment that delays treatment and grows the cost of care. This condition, in which the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus is found in areas outside the endometrium, causes severe pain in the body. Endometriosis occurs in about one in ten women of reproductive age, and is most often diagnosed in women in their 30s or 40s. This disease can be treated with medication, surgery, or sometimes both. Roughly five million women in the United States suffer with endometriosis, costing an estimated $119 billion annually. It can take more than nine years, from the onset of symptoms and visits to specialists, for women to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis; and women with endometriosis are 1.35 times more likely to need surgery or stenting to open blocked arteries. The general lack of awareness about this disease can contribute to the unnecessary suffering of patients and the rising public costs of this disorder. We must help to bring awareness of endometriosis in order to foster the prgtoken health and well-being of women across America.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1259, VA ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST ACT OF 2017; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1367, IMPROVING AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO HIRE AND RETAIN...
Brian J. Mast (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-3-16

. I appreciate that. When I get to speaking about the specifics of this matter--and you used a very broad, general term, like the term ``post-traumatic stress disorder.'' That is something that is, unfortunately, layered upon nearly every veteran that exits service today. So to go out there and have this ability to put people into this NICS, who have this sort of label placed upon them, that is exactly the crux of this that I am getting to that is not specific enough. It does not point to what is specifically an issue that anybody is facing.
IMPROVING AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO HIRE AND RETAIN PHYSICIANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES
Bruce Poliquin (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-3-16

. Mr. Chair, I would like to point out for the Record that prgtoken both Mr. Walz and Mr. Wenstrup are both veterans, and we are so grateful for their service to our country in so many different ways. prgtoken Mr. Chair, it was our first commander-in-chief, George Washington, who said, and I paraphrase, that we can never expect young men and women to rise to the occasion to fight for our country and for our freedom unless we take care of those who have already sacrificed on the battlefield. So the wonderful thing about serving on the Committee for Veterans Affairs, Mr. Chair, is that it is completely bipartisan. prgtoken This is all about our veterans. We just love them in the State of Maine--66,000 veterans strong in our Second District of Maine, Mr. Chair. We have one of the highest percentages of our population that are veterans in the country, and we are very, very proud of that. prgtoken I must say that, in my dealings with Togus--which is, by the way, Mr. Chair, the first military hospital in the country. It is about 150 years old now. They set up to take care of our Civil War veterans about 150 years ago. prgtoken In any event, in talking with the folks at Togus, they made it very clear to me, Mr. Chair, that one of their biggest problems they have, and it is ongoing, is: How do we hire quickly and retain the best quality doctors, nurses, and medical technicians to care for our heroes? prgtoken That is why I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity to vote for H.R. 1367, because it helps solve one of these problems. It removes red tape in the hiring process. It streamlines the hiring process. prgtoken The Veterans Administration has about 360,000 employees, so it is a very large organization. When that happens, of course, you need to deal with administrative burdens and red tape and what have you. prgtoken So I am encouraging all of my fellow colleagues here, s and , to make sure they vote for this bill, H.R. 1367, because our best fought for us, Mr. Chair, our best fought for us. It is time that our best take care of those who fought for us.
VA ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST ACT OF 2017
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-3-16

let me first commend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) for his leadership on this issue and so many others on behalf of our veteran population. prgtoken As a veteran myself of the war in Afghanistan, I have a deep commitment to ensuring that my fellow veterans receive the proper care and treatment that they have earned by serving our country. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the VA Accountability First Act. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation will give Secretary Shulkin the tools that he needs to change the dysfunctional culture of the VA. It has been 3 years since the wait list at VA facilities became public, yet too many of our veterans deal with VA employees who engage in misconduct that could endanger their lives. prgtoken Too often, it takes months or even years to remove those employees. Worse still, sometimes these employees are not removed at all. Most VA employees, though, are hardworking and dedicated people, which makes it that much more unfair when the VA can't or won't hold bad employees accountable. prgtoken We can and must do better, and this bill is a first step in that process.
MR. JOSEPH ROBERGE
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-3-16

I rise today to honor Joseph Philip Roberge. Immediately following his graduation from High School in 1942, Joseph enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a Navigator on a B-17 bomber with the 398th Bomb Group located at Nuthampstead Air Base in England. prgtoken Joseph flew 35 missions over Europe, including being part of air support at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Throughout his time in service, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, European Theater of Operations Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. prgtoken Our country owes a debt of gratitude to Joseph for his selfless actions taken to protect his homeland. It is important we honor these types of individuals as best we can and I hope that many will follow in his footsteps and give back to our country as graciously as he did. People like him are a rare breed and they help make not only our country, but our world a much safer and better place.
LET'S TAKE CARE OF OUR VETERANS
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-3-16

today I rise in support of the VA Accountability First Act. This legislation provides the VA's Secretary with increased ability to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct. prgtoken Why it takes legislation to enforce common sense is beyond me. Just like in the business world, the VA and its employees must be held accountable for their actions. prgtoken Three weeks ago, I hosted a veterans townhall in Swainsboro, Georgia. Many of the complaints and concerns shared with me were about wait times. One thing no one has enough of is time, especially our veterans. For far too long, veterans have waited for care at their own expense. This is unacceptable. prgtoken It is our responsibility to not only take care of, but provide the best possible care to our servicemen and -women. Getting rid of bad and incompetent actors is a great place to start. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. It is truly the least we can do for those who have done so much for us.
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSOURI WHITEWATER CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-3-16

I rise today to honor the Missouri Whitewater Championships celebrating their 50th year March 17 through 19, 2017. The races are held at the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area of the Saint Francis River near Fredericktown, Missouri. prgtoken The Championships continue a tradition begun in 1968, when the first Saint Francis River Whitewater Slalom Race was held. Since then, the event has expanded its scope and attracts beginners and seasoned competitors from other states and countries. Even Olympic-class paddlers have used this race as training preparation for future Olympic Games. prgtoken The event first begun by the Meramec River Canoe Club is now hosted by the Missouri Whitewater Association. It comes together as 100 volunteers set up the race course, provide safety, judge, time, and score the participants while hundreds of spectators cheer. prgtoken For providing sportsmen with the thrill of competition on the Saint Francis River for half a century and enhancing tourism for Madison and surrounding counties through its annual Whitewater Championships, I am happy to congratulate the Missouri Whitewater Association today before the United States House of Representatives.