mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HELEN ANDERSON TOLAND
Steven Horsford (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Helen Anderson Toland. Ms. Toland has been a Las Vegas resident since 1964 and served as the Clark County School District's first African American female school principle at the former Kit Carson Elementary School, now renamed Helen Anderson Toland Elementary School in her honor. prgtoken Originally from Marceline, Missouri, Ms. Toland attended University of Illinois and worked as the first black speech correctionist in Louisville, Kentucky before receiving a master's degree in speech therapy from University of Southern California (USC). While in Los Angeles in the early 1960s, she became active in the NAACP, through which she met Jim Anderson, whom she married in 1964. prgtoken When Ms. Toland arrived in Las Vegas, she was initially hired as a speech therapist by the Clark County School District, before becoming principal of Kit Carson in 1965, a position she held for seven years, after which she became principal at Robert E. Lake Elementary School. While principal, Ms. Toland took great pride in providing for her students, including by organizing field trips to Disneyland and Mt. Charleston. Following the passing of Mr. Anderson, she married Elton Toland and moved to Los Angeles in 1972 before moving back to Las Vegas in 1980. prgtoken Throughout her lifetime, Ms. Toland has been very active in community work in Las Vegas, as well as in Africa. In addition to her work with the NAACP and the civil rights movement, Ms. Toland was also a board member of an environmental group called Foresta, and was involved with the National Association of College Women and Les Femmes Douze. Ms. Toland is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and was one of the founders of the local chapter. Ms. Toland also has held community yard sales to raise funds for the schooling of young people in Las Vegas and Africa, contributed to the first preschool speech therapy program in Kubwa-Abuja, Nigeria, and shares artwork and artifacts from her travels to Africa with members of the local community, including university and school children. prgtoken Earlier this month, the Historic Preservation Commission, joined by Councilman Cedric Crear, preserved Ms. Toland's Westside home as part of the City of Las Vegas Historic Property Register, and she will be included among the icons to be enshrined at Historic Westside Legacy Park later this year, in honor of her years of accomplishments and dedication to the Las Vegas community. We love and appreciate everything Ms. Toland has done for the Southern Nevada community, and want to take this opportunity to say thank you
REMEMBERING SPECIALIST JAMESON LINDSKOG
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise to recognize the life of United States Army Specialist Jameson Lindskog on the occasion of the dedication of a new Army Reserve training facility in my district, to his life and heroism. prgtoken Jameson was born on May 25, 1987 in San Mateo, California to parents Donna and Curtis. He graduated from the Orion Academy in 2006 and the National Holistic Institute before enlisting in the United States Army and became a Certified Emergency Medical Technician for the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. prgtoken While serving as a Platoon Medic on 29 March 2011, the lead section of his convoy was ambushed from multiple directions and pinned down. Specialist Lindskog was in the trail element and immediately acted to treat multiple casualties. The Army describes Specialist Lindskog's actions in those moments as follows: ``Specialist Lindskog at great personal risk to his life showed no hesitation and bounded to the wounded Soldiers through withering enemy fire while brush, trees, and debris were destroyed around him. Once the reinforcements reached the ambushed men, Specialist Lindskog immediately assessed the situation, evaluated casualties, and issued priorities for first aid.'' prgtoken In the moments that Specialist Lindskog was providing life-saving care to his comrades, he himself was shot in the chest. Even while mortally wounded himself, for thirty minutes Specialist Lindskog gave instructions to those around him about how to provide emergency care for the wounded soldiers around him and himself. His heroism in the throes of personal sacrifice saved the lives of two people that day. prgtoken Specialist Lindskog was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his conduct, and in it's description the Army states: ``His courage, bravery and leadership in combat set the example for all to follow. Specialist Lindskog's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 327th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the United States Army.'' prgtoken Today we memorialize Specialist Lindskog's service by naming a new facility at Parks Reserve Forces Training Area in his honor. This new facility will house six simulation training rooms containing hospital beds, simulated patients, and a host of bio-medical equipment. prgtoken The Lindskog Reserve Facility will help prepare the next generation of our heroes to serve and save lives in the future. It is a fitting tribute to Specialist Lindskog, his parents Donna and Matthew Walker and Curtis and Jo Lindskog, his siblings Ken and Candace, and all those who loved him and hold tight to his memory.
CBC SUPPORTS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to discuss the importance of infrastructure to my district and the Nation. Right now, we are discussing two monumental transportation and infrastructure improvement proposals: the American Jobs Plan and the INVEST in America Act. Both proposals would repair and replace airports, bridges, buses, seaports, and thousands of miles of American highways. prgtoken These proposals would provide direct benefits to my constituents in New Jersey's 10th District. The greatest benefit would be the construction of the $13.4 billion Gateway Program. The program consists of two projects: a new Portal North Bridge and a new Hudson River Tunnel to go with repairs to the current tunnel. The existing bridge and tunnels are more than 110 years old. They have been here longer than the Empire State Building and they are an accident waiting to happen. Each facility carries 200,000 passengers in 450 trains every day to destinations in New Jersey, New York and across the country. A shut down of either facility would cost $100 million in lost economic output every day. Thankfully, officials will begin construction on the new Portal North Bridge this year. But we need funding for the Hudson River Tunnel project immediately. prgtoken The Gateway Program is not the only infrastructure project that would receive aid from these bills. A strong investment in our nation's infrastructure will help the City of East Orange improve their transit network and revitalize their downtown area. It will provide more advanced vehicle and pedestrian crossing signals to increase the speed and safety of traffic in Newark. It will replace sidewalks and streetscapes in South Orange. In addition, it will give the residents of Bloomfield a modern train station. prgtoken These projects are all critical to the economic health and prosperity of my residents. I know each Member of Congress has a similar list of projects that will bring similar benefits to their constituents. We cannot wait any longer. The longer we wait, the farther behind our national transportation system falls in relation to countries in Europe and Asia. We need to support these bills, repair our bridges, repave our roads, and make life better for all Americans. It is the job we were elected to do. Now, it is time to do it.
Now, I yield to my friend from California (Mrs. Kim), who has taken a leadership role from the other side of the aisle to talk to us about SALT.
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise today in support of ending the cap on State and Local Tax deductions--better known as the SALT deduction. prgtoken For more than 100 years, an idea dating back to Abraham Lincoln, the SALT deduction has allowed families to deduct taxes already paid to state and local government from their federal tax returns. prgtoken Many middle-class Americans benefit from this commonsense tax policy every year. In past years, almost a third of Rhode Islanders have claimed the SALT deductions, including almost 60 percent of people in my district who make between $75-100,000 per year. prgtoken The destructive 2017 tax cuts, however, imposed a $10,000 cap on SALT deductions, meaning that if a family pays more than $10,000 in state and local taxes, the taxes paid in excess of that $10,000 can no longer be deducted from federal returns raising those families' tax liability significantly. prgtoken It just doesn't make sense to have Americans, especially middle-class families living in states with high tax rates, pay extra taxes on the taxes they have already paid. prgtoken Most middle-class Americans living in high tax areas are there so their children can go to high caliber public schools or receive better programs. prgtoken Many of them made 10, 20, and 30-year investments in home ownership in these high tax areas, relying on the SALT deduction that had been in place for more than 100 years when budgeting for this big expense. prgtoken Then they had the rug pulled out from under them and were told they were suddenly liable for thousands of dollars more in taxes per year. For many of these people, that extra tax is a significant portion of their annual income. prgtoken These Americans are working hard to give their families the best life possible. Putting a secondary tax on the taxes they have already paid will force many middle-class Americans to struggle. prgtoken In fact, middle-class Americans have said that the SALT Cap will, quote: ``wipe them out'' by forcing them to pay those extra federal taxes in addition to state and local. prgtoken This is why I cosponsored H.R. 613, the SALT Deductibility Act, this Congress. prgtoken This bipartisan bill would reverse the 2017 law and allow Americans to use the SALT deductions when paying federal taxes without a $10,000 cap, keeping money in the hands of American working families. prgtoken I applaud Congressman Suozzi for introducing this important legislation. It will have a significant impact to help American families, which is especially important after the devastating economic effect of COVID-19 that has left so many middle-class Americans struggling financially, including many Rhode Islanders. prgtoken The 2017 law was more than a mistake, it was bad policy, and I hope that this body does the right thing by taking action to correct it.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2662, IG INDEPENDENCE AND EMPOWERMENT ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3005, REPLACEMENT OF BUST OF ROGER BROOKE TANEY WITH BUST OF THURGOOD MARSHALL...
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-6-29

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the lively debate today. I understand that there are some who have concerns with the rule and its underlying legislation, but these bills are vitally important to our country, and I am confident they would greatly benefit all of us. prgtoken We should be able to support robust infrastructure spending that meets our Nation's current needs. We should all support a vigorous corps of inspectors general who can weed out fraud, waste, and corruption in the Federal Government. We should all support removing symbols of hate from the Capitol. These should be easy bills for us all to get behind. prgtoken Lastly, I strongly support the creation of a select committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection and debunk the absurd theories and falsehoods that have infected our collective understanding of that day. While some of our colleagues may continue their denial, those of us in this Chamber who are committed to transparency and accountability and the well-being of the Nation can no longer afford to be held back by the sensitivities of those who put their fealty to the former President over their duty or obligation to the country. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule and the previous question. prgtoken The material previously referred to by Mr. Reschenthaler is as follows: Amendment to House Resolution 504 At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 9 Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 471) to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from lessening the stringency of, and to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from ceasing or lessening implementation of, the COVID-19 border health provisions through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and (2) one motion to recommit. Sec. 10. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 471.
INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-6-29

in a moment, we are going to hear the rule coming forward to support the INVEST in America Act. prgtoken I applaud my friend and colleague, Peter DeFazio, for his tireless efforts to bring Federal transportation policy into the 21st century. prgtoken Unlike past reauthorization bills, this legislation is centered around climate and equity. It makes historic investments in public transit and returns parity to the Federal share for transit and highways, while integrating bike-share and share micro-mobility into transit projects. It invests in Amtrak and high-speed rail, as well as biking and walking. prgtoken , I am especially encouraged by the newly created Reconnecting Neighborhoods Program, which will provide Federal funding for projects like Albina Vision in my community to rebuild underserved communities that have been negatively impacted by past transportation decisions. prgtoken , by passing this legislation, my community and communities across the country will be made safer with the incorporation of my Vision Zero legislation. prgtoken This is an unprecedented opportunity to deliver for our country, and we are ready to get this job done.
RECOGNIZING NEW JERSEY'S OLYMPIC TRACK ATHLETES
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I rise today to recognize some of the amazing track talent from the 12th District. prgtoken This past weekend, Athing Mu of Trenton, the child of Sudanese immigrants, dominated her 800-meter Olympic qualifying race, nearly breaking the American record despite an early collision on the track. This young woman is finally getting the recognition she has worked so hard for. prgtoken No less impressive was Dunellen's own Sydney McLaughlin, who broke the world record for the 400-meter hurdles, becoming the first woman to ever run the race in under 52 seconds. prgtoken We have known about these extraordinary young women for quite some time back home, but now America has had the opportunity to see them in action. prgtoken New Jersey is so proud of them. I can't wait for them to show the world what they will do at the Olympics.
Now, I yield to my friend from California (Mrs. Kim), who has taken a leadership role from the other side of the aisle to talk to us about SALT.
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Congresswoman, I want to thank you so much for being here. We have had some s across the aisle here tonight. We have had some moderate here tonight. And we have progressive , such as yourself, here. prgtoken I think it is important that we point out that actually the SALT deduction prgtoken is in keeping with progressive policy, because it supports those States that want to promote progressive policies within their States.
Now, I yield to my friend from California (Mrs. Kim), who has taken a leadership role from the other side of the aisle to talk to us about SALT.
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I thank Mr. Suozzi for yielding. prgtoken When talking about the SALT deduction, we are not griping about something that came about yesterday. The SALT deduction goes back to the Civil War. We are talking about 150 years of history when President Lincoln had to fund a brand-new army to crush the traitor States in the South. So we must use the 150-year history as a baseline for our tax policy when discussing reform. prgtoken It is not low-hanging fruit as it was in 2017 when they looked for the money for the false tax cuts and they got slammed out of office in 2018. Go to the facts. prgtoken Abe knew what he was doing, how it took money away from the States. They couldn't build hospitals. They couldn't build schools. They couldn't build roads. He knew what he was doing. The States needed money, too. prgtoken s targeted blue States. They bragged about it. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard them on the floor of the House openly admitting it. They made no qualms about it. They targeted these blue States when passing their 2017 tax scam. Talk about a hoax. They bragged about it. prgtoken Its motivations alone are disqualifying, but its impacts are worse. SALT was a lifeline to the middle class. Despite half-truths and outright falsehoods, SALT is about the middle class, and if you can't stand up for the middle class, you shouldn't be here. prgtoken In 2017, 42 percent of the Jersey taxpayers, nearly 2 million people, deducted their State and local taxes, averaging over $19,000 per household. That is a $9,000 increase in taxes. Those phonies did it. That is why they got smashed in 2018. prgtoken More than 81 percent of those who deducted SALT earned less than $200,000. Naysayers claim this deduction only benefits the well-off. They do not recognize the cost of living in our States. The same people who voted for the tax cuts that helped the 1 percent, the 1.5 percent, they felt badly about the rich people who--one clown who went to jail in New York State, before he went, he said that we had to take care of our donors. He said it. I didn't. I mean, he didn't go to jail for saying that. He played the stocks. prgtoken Middle income in New Jersey is not the same as Oklahoma or South Dakota. Housing, food, childcare, and transportation costs are much lower there. Our middle-class taxpayers are the pack mules of the U.S. tax system, and as one of our brothers from New Jersey would say, we are tired of being the lackeys for these other States. Look who is paying Federal taxes. prgtoken Our middle-class taxpayers will no longer sit idly by. This cap dumped even more weight on the backs of my constituents in my district, the Ninth District of New Jersey. I appreciate the growing recognition that relief is needed. prgtoken Senator Sanders' budget draft is an important step in the right direction. But we have got to think big. We demand relief now for our States and our middle-class co
IG INDEPENDENCE AND EMPOWERMENT ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I thank the gentleman, my dear friend and colleague, for having great enthusiasm for oversight and combating waste, fraud, and abuse. I would respectfully offer to him that the best way to conduct that is to give the power to the IGs to conduct legitimate investigations. What we have seen is that when there comes a legitimate investigation, they are often moved aside, fired, or retaliated against. prgtoken So, I welcome the gentleman's enthusiasm. I hope he will join with me in supporting giving the power to IGs to conduct legitimate investigations of waste, fraud, and abuse. prgtoken As I said in my opening remarks, for every dollar we spend on IGs, we get back $17, really hundreds of millions of dollars back from their oversight and work. prgtoken Madam , I want to remind the gentleman, as he knows from our hearings, there are many provisions in this bill that are bipartisan, several that Mr. Connolly just mentioned that we were working on. I look forward to working with him and passing this bill. prgtoken It should be bipartisan. Oversight and accountability should be bipartisan. I hope the gentleman joins us in voting for this important bill. prgtoken Madam , I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier), the chair of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the Armed Services Committee. She also serves on the Oversight and Reform Committee and is the co-chair of the ic Women's Caucus.
Now, I yield to my friend from California (Mrs. Kim), who has taken a leadership role from the other side of the aisle to talk to us about SALT.
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-29

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding to me and certainly for his wonderful leadership on this issue. prgtoken Anyone that is tuned in this evening from across the country is hearing a lot of passion spilling over at the podiums here, and for very good reason. In 2017, despite the opposition of every single in the United States House of Representatives and some s, Congress passed a tax law that bulldozed the State and local tax deductibility. This hurts a lot of people. prgtoken Now, that was close to a $5 trillion package and so why was this bulldozed? They went through the Tax Code looking for things that were deductible to lower the price tag of a highly inequitable tax package. And the SALT deduction, as it is known, was then capped at $10,000 for both individuals and then for married couples filing jointly. prgtoken I viewed this then, as I do today, as an assault on the middle class of our country. It was one of the main reasons that I voted against the 2017 tax law. Now I think that if you ask the question of 435 Members of the House: Do you support the middle class? They would all say ``yes.'' But the Record shows something else. prgtoken We know that everyone aspires to get into the middle class, and we know that the middle class, as my father always used to say, is made up of extraordinary, ordinary people who are the backbone of this country. And that is why this policy is so wrong and it is so hurtful. prgtoken This is a very important deduction for the middle class. Middle class, you file long term, and you have four areas that you can deduct: mortgage interest deduction, charitable contributions, healthcare expenses, and State and local taxes. And they wiped that out. prgtoken Now, you tell me whether that is fair or not. I don't think so. And I don't think people across the country do either. Capping the SALT deduction affects nearly 200,000 families in my congressional district. prgtoken I am not talking about the whole State of California. I am talking about California's 18th Congressional District, and it has raised taxes on over a million households in the State of California. Prior to this harmful cap, my constituents--hold on to your seats, hold on to your hats--deducted an average of $63,083 in State and local taxes. Wiped it out. prgtoken Some have unfairly, I think, maligned the SALT deduction as a benefit for the wealthy. I think it is an essential deduction for taxpayers in high-cost, high-tax States like California. And that has been spoken to earlier. That is a very important legitimate case to be made. In the bay area, the beautiful bay area of California, northern California, the cost of living is really very expensive, and it keeps going up. prgtoken And it is so high that the Economic Policy Institute estimates that a family of four needs to earn more than $100,000 to earn a modest but adequate standard of living. That is simply a fact. prgtoken So prior to th