mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-9-17

this Sunday, I will have the honor and pleasure of attending services at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal, AME, Church in Fort Washington, MD to celebrate the 35th anniversary of service to this wonderful church by my dear friends, the Reverend Dr. Grainger Browning, Jr and his wife, the Reverend Dr. Jo Ann Browning. prgtoken Ebenezer AME Church's beginning is similar to the origin of many other AME churches. In 1856, 13 Black members left Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgetown because of discrimination and segregation. They erected a new church at 2727 O Street, NW, not far from Mt. Zion. They named it ``Ebenezer'', meaning ``stone of help,'' a reference to I Samuel 7:12. The congregation worshiped in the historic Georgetown location for well over one century. By 1983, however, many Black families had left Georgetown. Church membership fell to fewer than 30 people, with a Sunday offering of only $200 per week. prgtoken With the vision, leadership, and support of Bishop John Hurst Adams-- the presiding prelate, Second Episcopal District at that time--the Reverend Howard C. Wright as pastor, Dr. Joseph C. McKinney as the African Methodist Church treasurer, and the Washington Conference Board of Trustees, 17 faithful members moved to Fort Washington, MD, and the church in Georgetown was sold. prgtoken One month following the move to a 500-seat sanctuary with a $3,500 monthly mortgage note and a $300 weekly offering, the Reverend Dr. Grainger and Reverend Dr. Jo Ann Browning were called to serve the Ebenezer family. The congregation soon outgrew the building and began holding worship services at the Friendly High School auditorium in 1986. In 1994, having outgrown the 1,500-seat auditorium at ``Friendly Ebenezer,'' members carried their faith pilgrimage to ``Ebenezer the Beautiful,'' a 2,600-seat sanctuary on 33 acres of land. Many people call the current church ``The Miracle on Allentown Road.'' prgtoken The Reverend Dr. Grainger Browning, Jr is the senior pastor of Ebenezer AME Church. He is a 1974 graduate of Hampton University in Hampton, VA, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in history and education and was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was awarded a master of divinity degree in 1982 from Howard University Divinity School, where he was awarded the Benjamin E. Mays Theological Fellowship. He received doctor of divinity degrees from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, OH and from the AME University in Monrovia, Liberia. Before Pastor Browning was called into ministry, he was a high school educator with the Newton Massachusetts Public School System, serving as department chairperson in social science. While he was living in the Boston area, Pastor Browning was also vice president of the Boston NAACP from 1982 to 1983. prgtoken In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Browning has ministered extensively throughout the African continent, includi
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-9-17

our Nation is suffering through a public health crisis. Our Nation, our neighbors, our families--in fact, very few among us can say that we have not been personally impacted by the opioid crisis. prgtoken The scope is simply staggering; 116 lives are lost every day to opioid overdose. There are 116 sons, daughters, husbands, wives, siblings, and parents who will never come home again--116 lives ended decades too soon, lost every day. prgtoken Substance abuse disorders do not discriminate. We feel this pain in every region of our country--urban and rural areas and red and blue States. We know there is no silver bullet that will end this crisis overnight, but we do know how to fight it together, and that is what we are doing today. prgtoken Tonight the Senate will pass the bipartisan Opioid Crisis Response Act, and this body will show a unity of purpose that, frankly, I wish we could show more often. As this important bipartisan legislation came together, I worked closely with my colleague Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia to make sure that our Nation's youth were not left behind. prgtoken We know young adults are more than twice as likely to misuse prescription opioid pain relievers as compared to adults. One in five high school seniors knows where they can easily get heroin, and the problem continues to escalate. In Michigan, the rate of opioid overdose deaths among youth under 25 has doubled since 2012. These are empty seats at the dinner table, in classrooms, and in workplaces. prgtoken When tackling a problem this large, we need to follow the data and invest in what works, especially for adolescents and young adults. Health experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, as the gold standard for opioid addiction treatment. While we need to continue investing in research, completed studies have shown that youth treated with MAT are more likely to reduce opioid misuse, injection drug use, continue their medical care, and achieve long-term sobriety. prgtoken The research we have on using medication-assisted treatment to treat adults is overwhelmingly positive and shows this course of treatment to be safe and effective, especially in comparison to the life-threatening risks faced by patients who go untreated. Research shows that medication-assisted treatment has the power to cut the mortality rate of opioid-addicted patients in half, if not more. prgtoken France instituted a strong MAT strategy in response to a heroin epidemic in the 1990s. The death rate due to overdoses there decreased by nearly 80 percent over the course of just 4 years. prgtoken Substance abuse disorders are not a personal or a moral failure; they are a public health crisis brought on by chemical dependency. We are fortunate that our doctors and researchers have developed medication that can help end dependency and save lives, and we must get it to patients who
RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FREDERICK GROVER, M.D.
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise to honor the contributions of a remarkable Coloradan, Frederick Grover, M.D who on September 20th will retire after nearly 50 years of exemplary professional, military and community service. prgtoken Dr. Grover has been a powerful force in our community; he has had an extraordinary career as a cardiothoracic surgeon at our preeminent medical institutions and is a recognized national leader in his field. prgtoken Dr. Grover is a graduate of Duke University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at Duke and the University of Colorado. After two years of service in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, he spent 19 years at University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He then became the head of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Chief of Surgical Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver. prgtoken His impact will be felt for decades through his active participation in the training and mentoring of more than 50 thoracic surgery residents, his clinical work in the areas of acquired adult cardiac surgery and lung and heart transplantation and his dedication to international medical missions. prgtoken Dr. Grover's legacy includes a new chair, with its first appointee serving this year, at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine: The Fred and Carol Grover Endowed Chair in Surgery. prgtoken Dr. Grover served as President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (SOTS) from 2006 to 2007 and has worked closely with my office and the entire Colorado congressional delegation over many years to impact federal health care legislation. prgtoken As a fellow congregant at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, I have seen Dr. Grover's commitment to his community and to improving people's health on a global scale. He has been on Montview's Global Mission Committee since 2003 and has led numerous medical missions to Nepal, improving health care facilities and performing life-saving surgeries. prgtoken He is also very much a family man, devoted to especially to his grandchildren--who range in age from grade school to college. He has made a point of bringing each of them, when very young, to Washington DC so they could experience our nation's capital. I have been proud to host them in Congress, even on the House floor itself. prgtoken , I am proud to rise today to honor my friend Fred Grover for his dedication to patients, his compassion and his significant participation in the civic life of Colorado. It is an honor to celebrate his service.
DR. FREDERICK L. GROVER, MD
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise today to recognize and applaud Dr. Frederick Grover for his decades of service to the Colorado medical community and Veterans in Colorado. prgtoken For over forty years, Dr. Grover has trained and mentored numerous thoracic surgery residents all while providing high-quality care to numerous patients throughout Colorado. In addition to clinical interests in the areas of acquired adult cardiac surgery and lung and heart transplantation, Dr. Grover is also focused on risk adjusted outcomes analyses and quality improvement in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. He chaired the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Work Force on National Databases from 1995 to 2004. Dr. Grover served as the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University Colorado School of Medicine where he helped develop future generations of medical professionals and the success of Colorado's medical community for generations to come. His selfless devotion to his students has provided an exemplary standard of service. prgtoken In addition to his work at the University of Colorado, Dr. Grover distinguishes himself as a caring member of the community by striving to aid numerous professional organizations. His dedication to the field of medicine and contributions can be seen across Colorado and our nation. He has been a strong advocate for healthcare policy at the national level by serving as President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Additionally, the work he has done within the Veteran's community of Colorado as the Chief of Surgical Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver and his pioneering of the VA Cardiac Surgery Database as the Medical Director has been very beneficial to Veterans in Colorado. He chaired the United Network for Organ Sharing Thoracic Committee, and has served on the UNOS Board of Directors. He was the co-principal investigator of a large VA multi-center clinical trial comparing off-pump to on-pump coronary artery bypass, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. prgtoken I extend my deepest thanks to Dr. Frederick Grover for his service to the people of Colorado and across the nation. I am certain the effects of his service will continue to benefit our communities for decades to come. I thank Dr. Grover for being a remarkable member of the Colorado medical community.
OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-9-18

last night was a great moment for the Senate. prgtoken We have been able to pass a broad legislative package that will address the opioid epidemic in many ways. prgtoken As we all know, the opioid crisis is not nearing its end. prgtoken We are seeing more and more Americans abuse opioid drugs every year. prgtoken In 2016, there were 64,000 overdose deaths, and this number rose to a staggering 72,000 deaths in 2017. prgtoken Right now, more than 115 people in the United States die from opioid overdoses every day. prgtoken In Iowa last year, more than 200 people died from opioid misuse. prgtoken If there is one thing we have learned, it is that no segment of society has been left untouched. prgtoken The crisis has affected people all over this country. Communities throughout the United States are desperate for answers. prgtoken While overcoming this crisis cannot be accomplished overnight, the passage of the Opioid Crisis Response Act is a huge step in the right direction. prgtoken This legislation is a collection of more than 70 proposals from four different committees here in the Senate, including Judiciary, where I led six different bills through committee. prgtoken It is important to highlight how well we worked together on both sides of the aisle--and across the aisle--to get to this point. This was a massive bipartisan effort. prgtoken On behalf of Judiciary, not a single bill passed through committee without wide bipartisan support. The Judiciary Committee contributed six separate bills--each with different sponsors, to this larger piece of legislation. prgtoken I worked with my Judiciary colleagues to get near-unanimous backing for each of the bills. That takes a lot of time and hard work. It takes some compromise. But we were able to get it done. prgtoken Several of the bills relate to Drug Enforcement Administration authorities. Those bills will help empower DEA to better identify and stop suspicious orders, gather more information when setting annual quotas for opioids, and facilitate the flow of information among drug manufacturers and distributors to enable better reporting decisions to warn DEA of potential problems. prgtoken I teamed up with my fellow Iowan, Senator Ernst, to promote higher participation in drug take-back programs so that unused, forgotten opioids don't find their way from the medicine cabinet into unauthorized hands. prgtoken Another bill successfully reported out of the Judiciary Committee reauthorizes the Office of National Drug Control Policy. ONDCP directs, crafts, and coordinates the drug policy strategy for the entire Nation. prgtoken Its reauthorization sends a message to other Federal agencies and the country that we will continue to have strong leadership guiding us through this crisis. prgtoken Yet another bill closes a loophole addressing illegal actors peddling synthetic drugs, allowing law enforcement to better investigate and prosecute cases involving synthetics. prgtoken
ORRIN G. HATCH MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-9-18

I want to thank my dear colleague from Nashville--really, from Tennessee--for his very kind remarks. He covered this really well. prgtoken I have had this experience of writing pretty nice songs, mainly because of my cowriters. I have to say that I was shocked that even though hundreds of thousands--even millions--of records have been sold on some of these songs, the songwriters are paid little and in many cases, not paid at all. This will enhance songwriting in America and give songwriters a chance to be able to hopefully make a living, especially the good ones, even some who are not necessarily in Nashville or Hollywood or New York or in any number of other places. prgtoken I want to say that we all are very lucky to have Senator Lamar Alexander, who is one of our chief advocates in this area. He understands these problems. He has lived with these problems. He has anguished over them, and he has played a tremendous role in finally getting us to this passed bill. prgtoken This is a very important bill. People don't realize it, but they will once this bill is really utilized the way it is allowed. prgtoken I can't say that I am a great songwriter, although I do have one platinum and one gold record and some others that will probably go gold and platinum. But I can say this: It has been one of the most enjoyable, productive, and interesting experiences to write songs--for me and for those who write with me. prgtoken All I can say is that I feel really, really indebted to everyone in the Senate and the House for doing this to help spur on the music industry in this country and to get people treated properly from a remunerative standpoint. prgtoken I am grateful for Lamar Alexander and for the leadership that he has provided. We couldn't have done this without him. prgtoken Frankly, it is always a pleasure to work with him. He has such a great sense of humor. He is a tremendous musician himself. He plays the piano as well as anybody I know and, frankly, has done so for a lot of us around here. He has uplifted us with his talents. He is a good guy. I think in Tennessee, and especially in Nashville, they are very lucky to have him as a U.S. Senator. prgtoken I am grateful to the Senate for allowing us to get this done. I am grateful for my friends on the ic side for opening the door here, and I am grateful for my friends on the side, all of whom realize how important this bill is and how much good it is going to do for America and for the music industry--to enlighten us all, to lift us all during times of difficulty and grief and so forth, and to provide the incentives to do even better in the future than we have done in the past. This is an important bill. I am pleased that I have had a role in helping to pass it. prgtoken I am very grateful to Senator Alexander. He is one of my favorite people here. I used to chair the Labor and Human Resources Committee that he now chairs. I underst
RECOGNIZING THE TRANSIENT REACTOR TEST FACILITY RESTART
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-9-18

along with my colleagues Senator James Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, today I wish to call attention to an important event taking place today at the U.S. Department of Energy's, DOE, 890-square-mile site in Idaho. Today, Idaho National Laboratory, INL, personnel ran the first experiments in the Transient Reactor Test, TREAT, facility in nearly a quarter century. prgtoken Idaho National Laboratory is our Nation's lead nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration laboratory, the place where 52 original nuclear reactors were constructed and demonstrated. One of those reactors was the TREAT facility, which operated from 1959-1994, and remained fully fueled while on standby status. Transient testing focuses upon testing nuclear fuel under accident conditions. TREAT is one of the most capable and flexible transient test reactors in the world. prgtoken Following the accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi Power Plant in Japan 7 years ago, Congress directed the DOE to develop reactor fuels that could better withstand accident conditions. During TREAT's 35 operating years, the reactor performed 6,604 reactor startups and 2,884 transient irradiations. Given this history, it made more sense to restart the facility than build a new reactor. That decision paid off when, on August 31, 2017, the Resumption of Transient Testing Program was completed more than 1 year ahead of schedule and approximately $17 million under budget. prgtoken This highly successful restart at the TREAT facility was recognized in August, when a joint DOE-INL team won the Secretary of Energy Award. This award recognizes DOE employees or contractors who accomplish significant achievements. It is the highest nonmonetary internal recognition that can be achieved at the DOE. U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry highlighted the TREAT restart team's effort and efficiency, and recognized the importance of the facility to nuclear energy scientists and engineers as they work to develop advanced nuclear fuels and reactor technologies. prgtoken Congratulations, INL and DOE, on the TREAT restart and for bringing back online an important national asset in the effort to develop the advanced nuclear reactors so vital to our economy, environment, and national security.
TRIBUTE TO STANLEY RILEY
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2018-9-18

it is Tuesday, and normally I come to the Senate floor on Thursdays, and I do what is the favorite part of the week for me. I do our series called the ``Alaskan of the Week.'' So we are going to talk about the Alaskan of the week, which is a great opportunity for me to talk about somebody in the great State of Alaska who has done something good for their community, their town, their State, or maybe their country, and I get to brag a little bit about what I think makes my State the best State in the country. It is the people. It is the community. It is people who are doing wonderful things and are an inspiration. prgtoken Today I want to transport you to a village called Anaktuvuk Pass in Alaska's North Slope Borough. It is about 500 miles north of Anchorage, way up north, beyond the Arctic Circle. It is smack-dab in the Brooks Range, surrounded by beautiful, rugged, majestic mountains. It is Alaska's real-life version of the mythical Shangri-La. Anaktuvuk Pass is the place that Stanley Riley, an amazing young Alaskan, calls home. prgtoken Stanley made his village proud recently by bringing home a gold and two second place finishes from his first World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. Let me spend a minute or two talking about the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, another Alaskan institution. The games began in 1961. They test the skills, strength, ability, agility, and endurance of Alaskan Natives, who for millennia have needed to be able to survive in some of the harshest conditions in the world. prgtoken The games leave no part of the body untested. There is the seal hop, the four-man carry, the ear pull--that one is really popular--the high kicks, and the muktuk eating contest, which is whale blubber. They also reflect what is very unique about the great State of Alaska. Stanley won a gold for the head pull. It is another competition at these incredible World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. prgtoken Let me describe the head pull. You lie down on the ground, facing your competitor. Both of you are up on your hands, and you share a strap looped around each other's necks. Whoever is able to use enough neck and shoulder strength to pull the other over wins. That is the head pull. prgtoken He almost won the four-man carry, where you walk for as long as you can with four people clinging to all sides of you. That is the four-man carry. He spent all summer training for it, climbing up the mountains that surround his prgtoken village and hauling game back down the mountains that he had shot. It is a good way to train in Alaska. That honor went to Sido Evans from Fairbanks, Riley's best friend. He called him a ``mountain of a Koyukon man.'' prgtoken Riley has his sights on gold for next year's World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. It seems like when he wants something badly enough, he gets it, particularly now, since he has found his calling. prgtoken What is his calling, you ask? His calling is to be a role model for his people, es
ORRIN G. HATCH MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-9-18

from Utah for his remarks. I think we both would feel remiss if we didn't properly acknowledge all of the Senators and especially all of the staff members who have put in such long hours and used such professionalism to help with this. We will come back to the floor next week and do that properly. prgtoken Lindsay Garcia is here with me, as well as Paul McKernan and David Cleary. I see Senator Hatch's staff is on the floor, some from the Finance Committee. I want to make sure that we do a complete job of acknowledging their highly professional work in this complex and important piece of legislation. As I said, it is the most important piece of legislation in a generation to help make sure that American songwriters are paid fairly for their work. prgtoken Thank you.