mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL A. JOHNSON
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a man who has served as a distinguished community leader from a young age and has continued to enrich future generations as a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Scoutmaster for the past 37 years, Michael A. Johnson. Recently, Michael was awarded the Book of Golden Deeds Award by the Exchange Club of Albany in May 2022 for his exemplary record of community service and improvement, volunteering, and improving the lives of young people. His retirement as Scoutmaster for St. Teresa's Catholic Church Troop 3 will be celebrated on October 9, 2022 at three o'clock p.m. at the church's school cafeteria in Albany, Georgia. prgtoken Born into an Air Force family by the union of Michael and Marcia Johnson, Michael moved to Southwest Georgia when his father was transferred to Albany in 1971. He began his Scouting journey as a young boy in the Cub Scouts and in 1971 joined as a Boy Scout in St. Teresa's Catholic Church Troup 3 where he would earn several awards and distinctions. Additionally, Michael attended high school in Albany and went on to earn a degree in Architecture from Auburn University. prgtoken After achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 1977, Michael continued his servant leadership within the Scouting community by serving as a Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster from 1985 to 1990, and then as Scoutmaster in 1990, a position he still holds today. Throughout his life in Scouting, he has been revered as a steadfast mentor and positive influence on the hundreds of young people who have passed through his troop. It was important to Michael that all Scouts had the opportunity to experience trips to BSA's National Jamborees, summer camps, and other high adventures activities, and he personally made sure that funding was never an issue for them to attend. And notably, of the 194 Eagle Scouts from Troop 3, 145 achieved the rank under Michael's leadership, affirming his record of dedication to each of these young people as they completed service projects to improve their neighborhoods and the greater community. prgtoken Michael demonstrates impeccable community leadership in so many ways. He currently serves as a Leader in Boy Scouts of America's South Georgia Council, which is comprised of 28 counties in the region. As the Vice President of Properties for the South Georgia Council, he spearheaded the efforts to restore the Council's 2 Scout camps following damage sustained by three tornadoes and a hurricane in 2017 and 2018. He also leads by example by participating in many community service projects, such as Flint River Cleanups with Keep Albany- Dougherty Beautiful; food drives to support St. Clare's Neighbors in Need; Christmas tree recycling with the YMCA and the City of Albany; parking cars for Phoebe events; and supporting the Exchange Club's car shows. But his dedication goes beyond community service and mentoring youth and young professionals; Michael's strong faith in God led him to
FEMA IMPROVEMENT, REFORM, AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2022
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-28

I rise to discuss and explain the matter we just took action on. It is relative to wildfires. All across the Western United States, historic wildfires continue to grow both more frequent and more severe. Every year, in recent years, entire communities have been destroyed by wildfires in a matter of hours. We have seen this in California, New Mexico, and Colorado. Families are forced to flee with only the belongings they could quickly pack into their vehicles. prgtoken Last year, I visited the incident command center in Quincy, CA, to see firsthand the real-time response to the devastating Dixie fire. Separately, I met with local leaders in Santa Rosa, CA, to hear about problems with recovery from previous catastrophic wildfires. prgtoken So my bill--the bill we just took action on, the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act or the FIRE Act--will help ensure FEMA better addresses the unique and increasing danger of wildfires. prgtoken FEMA's current procedures and requirements don't always work for postwildfire recovery needs. And this bill will close those gaps. prgtoken I give a lot of credit to FEMA. They have gotten pretty good at anticipating and responding to other types of disasters. We are seeing it, as we speak, with the hurricane impact in Florida. They do the same with tornadoes, floods, other disasters. prgtoken In all these scenarios, we know that it begins with preparation. The FIRE Act will begin the process of allowing FEMA to predeploy resources during times of extremely high risk. In the West, we know it as red flag warnings. prgtoken When it is hot, conditions are dry, and the wind kicks up, it is a recipe for disaster. And so to have FEMA be able to deploy in advance-- just as they do already during hurricane warnings, as we are seeing in Florida at this very moment--is a smart thing to do. prgtoken Then, as communities rebuild after a devastating wildfire, this bill will work to ensure that FEMA takes wildfire-specific issues into account, like melted infrastructure and burned trees. It will also help local governments work with FEMA to more effectively relocate critical infrastructure away from fire-prone areas. prgtoken Now, in the aftermath of a fire, the bill will help provide better housing assistance, case management, and crisis counseling for survivors with a focus on equity for underserved communities and Tribal governments. Oftentimes these underserved communities and Tribal governments suffer the disproportionate impact of these wildfires. prgtoken So with the FIRE Act, we will be able to better prepare for and respond to the unique challenges of wildfires in California and throughout the Western United States. prgtoken The FIRE Act passed out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by a voice vote on February 2 of this year. And I want to take a moment to thank both Chairman Peters and Ranking Member Portman and their staffs who contributed to t
SERGEANT GERALD T. ``JERRY'' DONNELLAN POST OFFICE
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-9-28

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support today of H.R. 6267, authored by my good friend and colleague from the great State of New York. prgtoken This bill will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 Chestnut Street in Suffern, New York, as the Sergeant Gerald T. ``Jerry'' Donnellan Post Office. prgtoken Sergeant Donnellan was born on December 18, 1946, in Nyack, New York, as the youngest of five children. He graduated from Albertus Magnus High School and went on to major in English at Rockland Community College and Texas A&M University. prgtoken During the height of the Vietnam war, Sergeant Donnellan was drafted into the Army and began his basic training at Fort Gordon in Georgia. After several months, he was deployed to Vietnam. prgtoken On the front lines, Sergeant Donnellan sustained life-threatening injuries after an enemy grenade exploded in front of him. While in recovery at Valley Forge, he received the Purple Heart. prgtoken After recovery, Sergeant Donnellan worked in the Veterans Service Agency office of Rockland County as commissioner of veterans affairs until his retirement in January 2018. prgtoken During his tenure, he created the local Chapter 333 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, started a veterans' health clinic, helped create Camp Shanks Museum in Orangetown, established the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers Award to recognize the contributions of African- American veterans, and established the Rockland County Public Service Medal to honor those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the global war on terror. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Sergeant Donnellan, a Purple Heart recipient, by naming the post office after him. prgtoken , .
BANKING TRANSPARENCY FOR SANCTIONED PERSONS ACT OF 2021
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-28

the balance of my time. prgtoken , the Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act of 2021 will help ensure that Members of Congress have the information they need to provide more effective oversight of the decisions made by Treasury and OFAC and the impact that those decisions have on sanctioned persons. prgtoken I thank Mr. Steil for bringing this measure forward, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. prgtoken , .
CLANCY'S IRISH PUB
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Clancy's Irish Pub for receiving the Wheat Ridge Business Association's 2022 Cultural Commission Award. prgtoken Clancy's Irish Pub is being recognized by the Wheat Ridge Business Association's Cultural Commission as the longest running Irish Pub in the State of Colorado and as a vital cultural hub for members of our community. Clancy's hosts annual Celtic and Sonic Bluegrass Festivals, weekly Irish music performance, Celtic and bluegrass jam sessions, and karaoke. Clancy's also opens their doors to community events like Hops with a Cop, Pints and Policy, and Ridgefest Deconstructed. Their steadfastness toward engaging the community of Wheat Ridge in Irish culture and providing a space to celebrate and learn about it is why the Cultural Commission chose Clancy's. prgtoken I thank Clancy's Irish Pub for the rich culture they bring to our community.
SOLID START ACT OF 2022
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , there has been a lot of talk on the other side of the aisle, and I just want to be clear. No one in this room is in the judicial branch, and no one in this room that I am aware of is a medical doctor. prgtoken If you believe that the provisions that the VA has put forward have a legal problem, then you have the right to take up that case and put it through the courts. We are the legislative branch. We make laws, and we pass laws. We are not judge and jury. Take it to a court if you are concerned. That is your right. prgtoken In terms of making decisions on behalf of women, if you want to take a veterans' bill and make it about abortion, then let's do it. What you are saying, and you are saying it in front of the American people, is that you believe a veteran who has been raped, who is the victim of incest, or who is having a dangerous miscarriage does not deserve access to abortion. prgtoken You are saying--unless you correct me and tell me what you believe a woman deserves to have when she has been raped, the victim of incest, or is in the middle of a dangerous miscarriage, if you can't state it then be clear you believe in no exceptions for women--a cold, heartless, and violent approach to women's health. prgtoken You want to ban all abortions. That is your goal. Many of you have been open about that, and if you flip the House, we know that you will put forward a full ban on all abortions for all States. You have been clear about it. prgtoken If you want to turn a veterans' bill into an abortion bill, then let's do it. Not one of you are a medical doctor. Not one of you. prgtoken What the VA guidelines say is that if you have been raped or are the victim of incest or a medical professional deems that your pregnancy is a risk to your health. The one in four women in this country who has had a miscarriage, probably many women in this room, that you are a better judge of who gets to decide the future of their life and not a medical doctor? Who do you think you are? prgtoken You are politicians. We are all on this floor elected officials and not medical professionals. If it were your wife or your daughter who is suffering through a miscarriage, are you going to tell her she can't until her fever gets high enough or until she is bleeding harder? prgtoken That is what is happening in the State of Texas right now. If that is what you want for veterans, shame on you. Shame on you. prgtoken I am sorry we built this bill to be bipartisan. I sought your support particularly, sir, and you are making it a political issue. prgtoken Shame on you. You all have pictures of veterans in your office. You are proud to show your pride in our veterans. It should be the most bipartisan issue in the world, and you are making it political. Shame on you.
CIVIL RIGHTS COLD CASE INVESTIGATIONS SUPPORT ACT OF 2022
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-9-28

I took chemistry in high school. I wasn't very good at it, but I think I got a B, and I was glad to get rid of it because I didn't understand a lot of it, and that was not where I was headed in life. prgtoken The question which the Senator from Wisconsin puts before us today is a complicated question. It seems he is--do we have a drug crisis in America? Yes. Is fentanyl dangerous? Yes. Is fentanyl deadly? Yes. Is fentanyl on schedule I, the highest possible narcotic rating under our Criminal Code? Yes. prgtoken So what is this discussion about fentanyl? Why are we at this again? prgtoken I don't know the Senator from Wisconsin's background in chemistry and the like, but here is how I understand it and why it is not as simple as paying tribute to this young man who lost his life to fentanyl. And I can come up with examples that I have run into as well. It is heartbreaking what is going on. prgtoken There are certain elements that contain fentanyl that have other chemical structures, not simple fentanyl, which is already a prohibited narcotic under American law. And these so-called analogs of fentanyl have many chemical variations. It turns out that some of them are deadly dangerous, but some of them are not. It turns out that some are deadly dangerous, and others may have a promise to be the next Narcan for the researchers. prgtoken So we have been struggling, literally, for years with a research community that says: When it comes to fentanyl analogs, don't sweep them all into category I. Some of them may be lifesaving, as odd as that sounds. It could happen. And I have been saying it is a reasonable argument, but how long is this investigation going to go on? How long will this research continue? prgtoken We are told that it is sincere and real--it has happened under previous administrations and this administration--and that to sweep all these chemical analogs of fentanyl into this category would be, frankly, counterproductive. We may be walking away from something that is a lifesaver rather than a life-taker. prgtoken And it is because of that that we have been temporarily extending the decision to put fentanyl and its analogs on category I so that this research can establish whether, in fact, there is a lifesaver, that there is something positive in a fentanyl analog. prgtoken I have just given you the sum total of my understanding of this issue. As I said, I didn't major in chemistry and barely got through it in high school, but I think that is where we are. prgtoken I don't think there is any disagreement between us that fentanyl is deadly and dangerous and belongs on that category I. prgtoken When it comes to the analogs, they said to me: Durbin, you are a liberal arts lawyer. Don't act like you are a chemist. Give us the time to do this right.
AFFORDABLE INSULIN NOW ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-9-28

I just went over to our colleague from Kansas and told him that I would much rather be on the floor this afternoon working in a bipartisan way on something like this, and I hope that can be part of Senate proceedings in the future. prgtoken Here is what I think is important for the public to know about this proposal. It is that in the real world, the Marshall proposal is a prescription for less flexibility and more redtape in American healthcare. I want to be very specific. prgtoken Every Member of this body understands that America has a serious shortage of nurses and healthcare providers. Every single time we go home--I am sure this is the case for our colleague from Kansas, who is a physician. He hears from physicians and providers. Every time we are home, we hear from healthcare providers. I see the Presiding Officer of the Senate has been a very strong advocate for healthcare improvement for patients and providers. Every time we are home, we hear about the need for more healthcare providers. prgtoken Right now, there are requirements in Medicare for a lengthy process that must be completed before it is possible to hire healthcare providers to serve Medicare patients. If the Marshall proposal goes into effect as written, Health and Human Services could not waive this complicated process to take care of patients. So that would leave our country short of healthcare providers when there is an acute, even more serious need for them. prgtoken I am just going to close with this because we are all hoping to be home over the next week or so. When I am home, I always do these open- to-all townhall meetings. I go to every one of my counties every year. I have had more than 1,020 of them--open to all, ask whatever you want. I have never had a constituent at home, an Oregonian, say: Ron, what we need is more complicated processes and redtape in American healthcare. Usually, they are talking to us about waiving things. prgtoken For those reasons, , I object.
TRIBUTE TO ERNIE MANN
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-9-28

I can't let the question rhetorically hang there. prgtoken I would say to my colleague, first of all, for all of us who have been fighting this issue on a bipartisan basis--I think his bill has only got sponsors on it, a few--that we have been fighting this, and this is a continuous fight. And, yes, every life that is lost is a life that we mourn. But what would I say to them? prgtoken I would say, well, if we get the Fentanyl Results Act legislation passed, which passed the committee on a bipartisan basis, we would have a bipartisan approach toward dealing with this. prgtoken I appreciate that my colleague has declared war on fentanyl, but just because he has declared war doesn't mean that his view as to how you meet the challenge is the ultimate result, is the ultimate solution. prgtoken So in good faith, I offer our colleague to work with us. But you can't end up making the Senate the Committee of the Whole. If we want to do that, good, let's abolish all of our committees, and let's all sit here and we can bring up legislation after legislation that was just introduced, where nobody has a chance to read it and nobody has a chance to understand the unintended consequences, as noble as the intent might be. But that is what my colleague has done on more than one occasion now. He introduces a piece of legislation and, days after, comes to the floor to seek its approval. Well, that bypasses the entire system that is meant as a check and balance to get the best legislation to accomplish a common goal. prgtoken So that is what I would say. We need to work on this together. We are committed to it. That is why we passed legislation in the past. That is why we just passed legislation recently. I hope my colleague will join us, and maybe we can get it in the NDAA together. prgtoken With that, .
HONORING THE BILLY DE FRANK CENTER
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Billy DeFrank Center. The Center has been an incubator and catalyst for emerging groups and organizations working to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. prgtoken The Billy DeFrank Center opened its doors on March 1, 1981, in a two- room storefront. They turned opposition into opportunity by using funds from a failed campaign to repeal ordinances extending housing and employment protections to the gay community to finance their Center. prgtoken The Center named itself after William Price, a popular African American drag queen, Billy DeFrank. A mural on the outside of the building honors his commitment to the community and his inclusive spirit. prgtoken The Billy DeFrank Center housed several important groups, including High Tech Gays, a major force for change in the 80's and 90's. They successfully sued the Federal Government's Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) for discriminatory practices in issuing High Security Clearances to the LGBTQ+ community. prgtoken Sister Spirit Bookstore, a cultural hub for queer women, moved to Billy DeFrank Center's new and larger site in 1986. prgtoken Currently, the Center collaborates with various service providers and Silicon Valley Pride to build, unify, and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community in the South Bay. prgtoken Throughout the past 40 years, the Billy DeFrank Center has been a beacon of hope, a place to be who you are within your chosen family, to share information to address the diversity of needs in the LGBTQ+ community. Please join me in celebrating this significant milestone.
GLOBAL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Kaiali’i Kahele (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-9-28

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 7321, the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Peter DeFazio. prgtoken One level of safety. For over a decade, that has been the single- minded goal of Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration in setting aviation policy. But until domestic and FAA-certificated foreign repair stations are subject to the same oversight and safety standards, there is no hope we can achieve one level of safety. prgtoken In fact, existing safety rules make clear that there is not truly one level of safety. Under current FAA regulations, domestic repair station workers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Workers at foreign repair stations are not. Domestic repair station workers are subject to comprehensive background investigations; foreign repair station workers are not. prgtoken Unfortunately, more and more maintenance work for U.S. air carriers is being sent overseas. The number of these facilities has grown by nearly 40 percent in the past 6 years. The global pandemic has only exacerbated this trend, as more than 8,200 aircraft maintenance jobs left the United States in just the past few years. prgtoken The Department of Transportation inspector general has also been ringing the alarm bell in five audit reports containing 41 recommendations since 2002 to improve the FAA's dangerously weak oversight of repair stations overseas. prgtoken How many more inspector general reports will it take for the FAA to be brave enough to take a leadership role in the international community and apply strong standards to foreign repair stations? prgtoken This bill will require the FAA to take a number of specific and decisive steps to improve oversight of foreign repair stations. These include, among other things: requiring all foreign repair stations to be subject to at least one unannounced inspection each year; requiring supervisors and individuals who authorize aircraft for return to service to meet minimum requirements and hold FAA mechanic or repairman certificates; and requiring the FAA to, one, comply with the 2016 mandate for a final rule on drug and alcohol testing of employees at foreign repair stations, and, two, initiate a rulemaking mandating background checks of such employees. prgtoken I thank the stakeholders for their support and the tireless efforts in working toward an agreeable solution as well as Ranking Member Graves and his staff. prgtoken Madam , this bill is a giant step in the right direction, I urge my colleagues to support it, and .