mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-3-8

I stand in solidarity with my friend from Kansas. I say to Senator Moran: Thank you for your great leadership and for allowing me to be your wingman as we do our best, not just to save the Postal Service, but to make sure that they are robust and germane to the futures--germane to the future and integral to the future of our country as they have been for the last 200-plus years. prgtoken When folks in Delaware gathered--we had about 25 men who gathered in a place called Dover, DE, on December 7, 1787. We voted, after debating for 3 days a draft Constitution. We adopted it unanimously and sent it off to the other 12 Colonies. prgtoken One element in the Constitution that was sent to us from Philadelphia by our Founding Fathers was the creation of a Postal Service--a Postal Service. It has been mentioned before that the first Postmaster General was Ben Franklin, of all people. What the Founding Fathers had in mind was a way to bind us together as a country--to bind us together as a country. The idea of being able to communicate through the mail, that was important; the idea of fostering greater economic growth, that was important. But they also were looking for a way to pull us together as a new nation, and the Postal Service was integral to doing that. prgtoken Over the years, the Postal Service has changed. For the most part, I think it has changed in good ways. It used to be people got their mail by going to post offices that were maybe in the community where they lived or close to the community where they lived, but they had to go to the post office to get it. prgtoken Eventually, the mail was delivered to farms and to homes and to businesses across the country, and people didn't have to leave their homes to get the mail. There was a time, not that long ago, when we didn't have the internet, and if we wanted to communicate--we wanted to send letters to people or cards to people, a lot of gifts to people--we would use the Postal Service. prgtoken Today, we can use the internet. The internet doth taketh from the Postal Service--taketh and giveth away. A lot of folks, well, they just hit a ``send'' button for a birthday card or a Christmas card or any kind of holiday card. They used to send the actual cards; a lot of people don't do that anymore. prgtoken If you look at the financial condition of the Postal Service, one of the things that has happened most noticeably in the last 10, 15, 20 years is a drop in first class mail, and a large part of that is from the internet. I would like to say again the internet taketh and it giveth away. prgtoken One of the great things that comes out of the internet is that a lot of people are ordering items over the internet for purchase. A lot of people order food, but a lot of people order clothes; they order shoes; they order all kinds of things. And you know who has a chance to deliver it? The Postal Service. The Postal Service delivers, not just 1 day a
DIVINITY DELMASTRO
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Divinity Delmastro for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. prgtoken Divinity Delmastro is a student at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. prgtoken The dedication demonstrated by Divinity Delmastro is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Divinity Delmastro for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
HONORING JOHN ``POPS'' ARTHUR, SR.
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , I am thankful for the opportunity to speak before the House, and it is an honor to be a Member of this prestigious body. With that, I would like to take the opportunity to explain and exclaim how our hearts in America go out to the people of Ukraine as they fear for their lives and they flee this tragedy that is caused by Russia and Vladimir Putin. prgtoken It is unfortunate that there are many people around the world right now as we speak who have, unfortunately, had to flee their country, flee their homes, in fear of people like Vladimir Putin and others who create atrocities on them, their communities, and their country. prgtoken I want to just remind everybody that the United States of America continues to be the beacon of hope, light, and life for everyone who needs to seek asylum. There are opportunities for us and many, many great countries around the world to embrace these people who are fleeing these unspeakable horrors. prgtoken It is very important for us to understand that we are great when our arms are open. We are great when we receive those who are less fortunate. We are great, and our greatness comes from so many of us who come from families who fled their country, who left atrocities so that they can have a new life for them, but more importantly, for the next generation, the next, and the next. prgtoken Once again, the United States of America shall always remain the place where people can seek refuge when they are fleeing atrocities like we are witnessing in Ukraine and other parts of the world.
CONDEMNING THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-3-8

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for bringing this resolution to the floor. prgtoken Today, I rise in strong support of this resolution condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, and reaffirming the important role that HBCUs play in our country's education, innovation, and leadership. prgtoken I am a proud graduate of Morehouse College, one of 107 HBCUs across this country. My district, in middle and southwest Georgia, is home to two distinguished HBCUs, Fort Valley State University and Albany State University, both of which were targeted during last month's bomb threats. prgtoken The incitement of fear and hatred is utterly unacceptable, should be intolerable, and has no place anywhere, let alone at our sacred places of learning. prgtoken These threats came on the cusp of Black History Month, and they remind us that we still have not achieved the colorblind world that was dreamed of by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and of the important educational mission and empowering roles that HBCUs play for the African-American community and our Nation. prgtoken Today, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution condemning these dangerous threats to our Nation's HBCUs and the African-American community and demand that those responsible be brought to justice for their heinous actions.
HAITI DEVELOPMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INSTITUTIONAL TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE ACT
Michael K. Simpson (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-3-9

today, I rise in support of the fiscal year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill and particularly the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. prgtoken As ranking member of the subcommittee, I say to my colleagues: It is a strong bill and deserves bipartisan support. prgtoken There are, of course, things I would have done differently had I been the only one writing the bill. I am sure my chairwoman would be able to say the same thing. But that is the nature of bipartisan negotiations. Everyone has to give a little in order to get what each needs most. prgtoken First and foremost, this bill strongly supports our national nuclear security programs, providing $20.7 billion, which is an increase of almost $1 billion above fiscal year 2021 and above the administration's budget request. This funding supports the maintenance and modernization of our nuclear weapons complex and supports the Navy's nuclear propulsion program. prgtoken Harbor maintenance trust fund activities at the Corps of Engineers are funded at more than $2 billion, in accordance with the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. prgtoken Efforts to guard our energy sector against cyberattacks are increased above last year and even above both House and Senate bills. prgtoken The bill continues investments in a wide array of energy sources, including fossil energy, hydropower, energy storage, and--one of my highest priorities--nuclear energy. The bill provides $1.65 billion for nuclear energy, including increased funding for the advanced small modular reactors program; continued support for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program; and initiation of a new program to ensure a domestic supply of high-assay, low-enriched uranium that will be necessary for many of the advanced reactor designs currently under development. prgtoken Before , I would like to note the hard work of our full committee leadership, my ranking member, Kay Granger, as well as Chair DeLauro. prgtoken Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairwoman Kaptur and I again worked well together with our Senate partners, Senator Feinstein and Senator Kennedy. prgtoken Finally, I would like to thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work to help bring this bill to completion: on the majority staff, Jaime Shimek, Scott McKee, Brian Smith, Michael Brain, Will Ostertag, and Lauren Leuck; on the side, Angie Giancarlo; and for my personal office, Sarah Cannon. prgtoken , the fiscal year 2022 energy and water bill is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
HONORING CHIEF WAYNE PAYNE
Steven M. Palazzo (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-3-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor Chief Wayne H. Payne's accomplished career and outstanding service to law enforcement in the State of Mississippi. prgtoken Chief Wayne Payne is a native and lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He graduated from Gulfport High School and earned his Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1991. Chief Payne and his wife, Paula, have been married since 1974 and have two sons, Wayne and Joey, both law enforcement officers. They also are blessed with three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kimberly and, Haily. prgtoken Chief Payne is an accomplished public servant and Law Enforcement Executive with nearly 50 years of public service. In 1976, Chief Payne transitioned from his position as a firefighter for the Gulfport Fire Department to the Gulfport Police Department, where he started as a patrol officer and quickly rose through the ranks. Notably, Chief Payne has served as the Chief of Police for the City of Long Beach, the Major of Operations for the Gulfport Police Department, and the Chief of Police for the City of Gulfport. prgtoken Chief Payne served a total of 30 years with the City of Gulf-port before retiring in 2004. After his initial retirement, Chief Payne decided to continue his public service as the Major of Operations for the on County Sheriff's Department. prgtoken In 2007, Chief Payne was selected as the first Chief of Police for the City of D'Iberville Police Department. As D'Iberville' s first Chief of Police, Chief Payne has utilized his years of professional expertise and experience to build out his department and guide the next generation of police officers who serve and protect the State of Mississippi. prgtoken The City of D'Iberville's Police Department motto is ``Serving our citizens with Dignity, Honor, and Integrity'' and there is no doubt that Chief Payne has exemplified this saying throughout his many years of dedicated service. prgtoken Chief Payne is among many brave Mississippians who understood the risks of the profession, and still chose to serve our communities as law enforcement officers. The sacrifices that Chief Payne and his family have made over the years have not gone unnoticed. On behalf of Mississippi's fourth congressional district, as his Congressman I thank him and his family for their immense sacrifice and his service.
SUSPENDING ENERGY IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-3-9

today is day 14 of Putin's ruthless, senseless war on Ukraine. Yet, with all eyes on the United States, President has still failed to impose the necessary full economic penalties on the Russian economy. prgtoken This week, Ways and Means s and negotiated a strong bipartisan bill that added additional, much-needed economic punishments on Putin's war effort, a historic deal that stopped both U.S. imports of Russian oil and suspended normal trade relations with Belarus and Russia--that is, before the White House got involved. prgtoken To be clear, the only reason the White House is doing anything is because it is being politically expedient. They stopped and stalled negotiations. prgtoken The White House has subsequently watered down negotiations where now 40 percent of nonenergy imports from Russia can still continue under this plan, fueling his war efforts. prgtoken While banning U.S. imports of Russian oil is critical, this weakened legislation fails to go the distance and truly hold Putin accountable for his shameful war crimes. prgtoken There is a special place in hell for evil despots who bomb children's hospitals. We must do everything at our disposal to support Ukraine and prove to the world that a strong America will not allow brutal dictators to reign on this Earth without swift and ferocious consequences.
FULL EQUALITY FOR PUERTO RICO
Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican, AS) \u2014 2022-3-9

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the 105th anniversary of Puerto Ricans gaining the right to U.S. citizenship. For the past 105 years, Puerto Ricans have served this country with the utmost distinction, especially the more than 235,000 Puerto Ricans that have donned this country's uniform. prgtoken During this time of celebration, I would also like to bring to the House's attention the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, which would grant Puerto Rico statehood. I wholeheartedly support this bipartisan piece of legislation that simply executes the wishes of the people of Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans have spoken, and it is time for us to listen. prgtoken As a Member of Congress from a territory, I can tell you that a lot has been said in recent years about the status of U.S. territories and their place in America. A lot of the noise that has been generated has been from people and groups outside the territories, who cannot comprehend the complexities of life in the territories. In my view, it is up to the people in each of our territories to express their wishes for their own futures. prgtoken This bill is the manifestation of those exact wishes. On November 3, 2020, a majority of Puerto Ricans answered with an emphatic 'Yes' when asked if they wanted to be a state. No ifs, ands; or buts. prgtoken It is our duty as Members of Congress to immediately follow through on the demands of the people of Puerto Rico, and anything less would do them a great disservice. I am proud to stand with my good friends Representatives Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico and Darren Soto of Florida as they seek to deliver for Puerto Ricans.
SUSPENDING ENERGY IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-3-9

such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. prgtoken , at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill to the Committee on Ways and Means. prgtoken I will also ask to have my amendment, that suspends permanent normal trade relations with Russia, included in the Record. prgtoken While there is broad agreement to stop imports of Russian energy, to stand with Ukraine, Congress does need to do more. That is what this motion does. prgtoken As we talked earlier, when we talked about amending the rule to offer American-made energy production, the idea of doing sanctions without American energy production is incomplete at best. prgtoken But when it comes to trade with Russia, we also need to take stronger steps, stronger bipartisan steps. We had a good, bipartisan agreement that stopped oil imports from Russia but also removed preferential trade on other products from Russia. prgtoken The bill we are voting on today allows about 40 percent of the total products we buy from Russia to receive preferential trade treatment. That is why we are so disappointed and puzzled about why this provision was removed from the bill, because I believe that there is sincerely broad, strong bipartisan support in Congress to remove and suspend that. prgtoken I know that Chairman Neal is committed to working together toward that goal. By not revoking PNTR, Russia enjoys the same preferential trade status and lower tariffs as all of our American allies. prgtoken Ironically, unless we change the bill, Russia will maintain the same trade status on nonenergy products, like Russian diamonds and vodka, as Ukraine, the country they invaded. That is not right by any measure. We need to be tougher together. prgtoken Congress can lead by passing this motion to recommit, which simply substitutes the bipartisan agreement we reached that both shuts down Russian oil imports and removes the preferential trade status for all of the other products we import from Russia. prgtoken America needs to lead, Congress needs to lead, to take this important bipartisan step and vote ``yes'' on the motion to recommit. prgtoken I strongly believe the effort in this bill to immediately stop purchases from Russia has support and should have support from every American, but we need to do more. prgtoken I urge my colleagues and I urge our President to stand with us with strong economic sanctions and more American-made energy to replace Russian oil. prgtoken , .
HONORING TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-3-9

. Madam , I rise to honor the many police officers who serve communities in Texas, and I continue to be inspired by their acts of heroism and dedication to protecting others. prgtoken Now we are facing a time where there has been a tragic increase in police officers being targeted and killed while on the job as violent crime skyrockets across America. Last year alone 346 officers were shot in the line of duty, the highest in 20 years. prgtoken One of Texas 25th's own Hill County Constable Kevin Cordell was shot multiple times while on a high-speed car chase. One bullet went through the windshield of the vehicle, struck him in the head, and exited through his neck. By God's grace, he survived the shooting and recovered after surgery. prgtoken Liberal Activists who care more about political agendas than public safety are making our cities unsafe. Last year Austin, Texas submitted to the radical left's anti-police hatred and cut $150 million from their police department. This budget cut put Texas families and residents at greater risk for longer emergency response times and paves the way for lawlessness to run wild in the city. prgtoken Now more than ever we need to back the blue and restore law and order on our streets. prgtoken May their sacrifice not be in vain, and may God continue to keep them safe as they work tirelessly to put service above self.
SUSPENDING ENERGY IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT
Tom Rice (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-3-9

I thank Mr. Brady, Mr. Neal, and Mr. Doggett for their leadership on this bill to sanction Russian energy exports, which I support, but I must express my frustration that this bill does not go far enough. prgtoken On February 7, President stated that if Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States would impose crippling sanctions. Yet, here we are, 2 weeks after finally found the courage to call it an invasion, and the sanctions are still being rolled out piecemeal. prgtoken Only last week, the administration was telling us that sanctioning Russian oil and gas imports was not on the table. In the face of inaction, and s in Congress came together to impose the crippling sanctions the President had promised but not followed through on. The bipartisan bill would have banned Russian oil imports and enabled the imposition of tariffs on all remaining Russian imports to America. But the White House intervened, and my friends withdrew their support. prgtoken Instead, this bill bans only oil. The remaining half of Russian trade remains. American purchases will keep funding Russia's cruel invasion, and Russia will keep its most-favored-nation status in the World Trade Organization. prgtoken In this bill, we ask our allies to penalize Russian imports, but we refuse to do so ourselves. Now, that is not leadership. I cannot understand why America would maintain trade relations with a nation that only last night bombed a children's hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. prgtoken , how many more innocent Ukrainians need to die before you do what you promised? Stop projecting weakness, and just do what you say. prgtoken China is watching. The world is watching.
HAITI DEVELOPMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INSTITUTIONAL TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE ACT
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-3-9

I rise this evening to speak on the FY 2022 appropriations package. I thank Ranking Member Granger for yielding me the time and for her outstanding leadership this year. prgtoken I also want to thank my counterpart, CJS Subcommittee Chairman Cartwright for his partnership over the last year. prgtoken Within the CJS title, we've been able to increase funding for the Space Launch System, the Exploration Upper Stage, and other space technologies. All are key in our efforts to establish a strategic presence on the Moon ahead of Russia and China. prgtoken There are increases provided to support our communities within agencies such as the DOJ and NOAA. We're investing millions of additional dollars to improve our ability to understand and forecast extreme weather, so that local leaders can help create more resilient communities, and Americans can get safely out of harm's way when dangerous weather strikes. prgtoken We're increasing funding for critical drug court programs and other vital initiatives that address the opioid epidemic, as well as DNA analysis programs that are helping to solve cold cases. prgtoken Even as we reflect on the spending priorities within this package for our own citizens, we must not turn our eyes away from the atrocities being committed by Vladimir Putin against the people of Ukraine. prgtoken Today, we stand in strong support of the people and forces of our ally. Putin's violent attempt to strip Ukrainians of their freedom will be met with an even stronger force because of our help. prgtoken American strength has long been a deterrent of global conflict. I take this responsibility seriously and will continue working to ensure adequate funding is provided to meet both the immediate and long-term security needs of this country. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues to support the security package within the omnibus appropriations bill and ensure the Ukrainians have the resources they need to defend themselves from these heinous acts.