mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO ST. LOUIS WORLD WAR II VETERANS
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-4-29

today I wish to commemorate three extraordinary World War II veterans from St. Louis who were recently awarded the French Legion of Honour. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honour is the highest civilian honor awarded by the government of France. prgtoken Mr. Eugene Harmack, Mr. Glenn on, and Mr. Alfred Villagran served when the United States and its allies needed them most. These heroes bravely fought against the Nazis and helped liberate Europe from Hitler's fascist regime. prgtoken When he was 24, Eugene Harmack fought in one of the deadliest battles in American history, the Battle of the Bulge. During the battle, Harmack secured a vehicle trapped behind enemy lines and used its radio to restore vital communications for the American forces that defeated the last major Nazi offensive. prgtoken In 1944, Glenn on was a 23-year-old B-17 bomber pilot who had flown 17 bombing missions against the Nazis. On one mission, on and his crew were shot down on the way to Munich, Germany. Following the crash, on was captured and forced to march 300 miles to a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp, where he was held from June 1944 to January 1945. prgtoken At the age of 19, Alfred Villagran was a gunner and radio operator on a B-17 Bomber. On one mission, Villagran's plane was shot and lost two of its four engines. As the plane flew back to England, Villagran and his crew came under fire again and lost the third engine. With only one functional engine, the crew safely landed thanks to the Allied fighter planes that provided cover. prgtoken As we approach the 75th anniversary of D-Day, I wish to thank these American heroes for their service and bravery. As a nation, we are forever grateful for their sacrifices.
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS--VETO
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-4-29

with the 2-week hiatus we have had here in Washington, DC, so we could be back home visiting with our constituents, some things have not changed; they are just the way they were when we left, and that would include the heart-breaking stories that illustrate the situation along our southwest border. prgtoken I have talked, as you might imagine coming from Texas, with a lot of Border Patrol personnel who found migrants crammed in parts of cars that you didn't even know exist. I visited the unmarked graves of those who have been abandoned by their human smugglers in essentially desert conditions and left to die. I have seen the disgusting stash houses, where dozens of migrants are held at a time to avoid being caught before they are transported up through the Interstate Highway System to distant locations. prgtoken I could fill a book with all of the sights I have seen and the stories I have heard over the years, and I am sure, with the stories compiled by the Border Patrol agents and officers, we could fill an entire library. prgtoken The story, though, really is about how ruthless and inhumane and completely reckless and thoughtless with regard to human life these criminal organizations truly are. prgtoken One headline, though, during this recess period, stopped me in my tracks. Even this, I thought, could not be the case. It read: A 3-year-old was found alone in a field by Border Patrol agents. His name and phone numbers were [written] on his shoes. prgtoken A toddler, not even old enough to talk to the agents who found him, was abandoned. prgtoken Customs and Border Protection believes the boy was part of a larger group trying to enter the United States with their human smugglers. When the group encountered Border Patrol agents, the adults ran into the Rio Grande River and back to Mexico, leaving the little boy all by himself. prgtoken He was, as the Border Patrol does in every instance, taken into custody and treated well. He was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation, and, miraculously, he was found to be in good condition. prgtoken While the agents tried to track down the boy's family, one supervisory patrol agent purchased clothing for him out of his own pocket; other personnel entertained the little boy, watching movies and playing games. prgtoken These agents aren't just patrolling the border to catch illegal crossers; they are now being forced, because of the crisis at the border, to act as caregivers for some of the most vulnerable individuals they come across. Unfortunately, what that means is, they are also diverted from their No. 1 job, which is law enforcement and to protect the security and safety of the American people along our borders. They are now diverted from that mission, as well as their counterdrug mission, essentially handing out diapers and juice boxes for little boys and little girls. prgtoken I think this should be a reminder for some of our colle
CONSORTIUM TO COMBAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-4-29

this morning I was at Penn State University, a great land grant university, for the inaugural conference of the Consortium to Combat Substance Abuse. Penn State has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to address the largest public health crisis of our lifetime: the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. prgtoken This group will draw on the expertise of researchers, educators, and practitioners from Penn State campuses across the Commonwealth to develop and implement effective programs, policies, and practices aimed at preventing and treating addiction and its spillover effects on children, families, and our communities. prgtoken Pennsylvania has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, especially our rural communities, though no household is immune. prgtoken On Saturday, Americans had the opportunity to protect their communities and prevent the spread of addiction by safely disposing of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription drugs, thanks to the Drug Enforcement Administration's 17th Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. prgtoken It is encouraging to see communities working together to slow the spread of the opioid epidemic. It is my hope that through increased awareness and action at all levels we can eradicate it once and for all.
SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING IN POWAY
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-4-29

as Members have all heard, this weekend our Nation experienced another horrific attack on the Jewish people during Passover, this time in a shooting at a San Diego-area synagogue. prgtoken This is something that I am afraid is becoming too commonplace, and we are becoming comfortable with this type of violence against Jewish people around our country and even around the world. prgtoken Multiple people were injured. One person even lost her life, Lori Gilbert-Kaye. Eyewitnesses claimed she died while shielding the Rabbi from gunfire, her friend of more than 30 years. prgtoken Almog Peretz shepherded many children away from the gunfire and toward safety. prgtoken While most people, understandably, were fleeing this violence, Army veteran, Oscar Stewart, instinctively ran towards the gunfire, which froze the shooter. He was shouting and intimidating the shooter which eventually chased him off. prgtoken From there, off-duty U.S. Border Patrol Officer Jonathan Morales joined him in the parking lot with a handgun and shot several rounds at the shooter's car which made him continue to flee. prgtoken There is no telling how bad this could have gotten without the heroics of these folks. And as Oscar Stewart alluded, a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun, and it happened in this case. prgtoken Join me in praying for Lori Gilbert-Kaye and her family, and for all those who were injured. God bless those who stepped up and saved the lives of others.
IN HONOR OF MAJOR RUSTY RIDLEY'S SERVICE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-4-29

. Madam , I rise today to thank Major Rusty Ridley, United States Air Force who has served as a Congressional Legislative Liaison Officer since October of 2017. prgtoken A Wyoming native, Maj. Ridley joined the Wyoming Air National Guard in 2001 and completed basic training in 2002. He has completed several qualification courses including Squadron Officer School, and the Logistics Readiness Officer Course. Maj. Ridley has been a valuable asset to the House and our members, serving as a source of information on a range of topics relating to the Air Force and helping members understand the impact policy decisions will have on Airmen and their families. My office has been especially grateful to work with Maj. Ridley. prgtoken Major Ridley exemplifies the best that Wyoming and our country has to offer. Again, Madam , I want to thank Major Rusty Ridley for his dedicated service to the people of Wyoming, the members of this body, and our country.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-4-29

I rise today to honor Sergeant Russell Herman Sines of Goshen, WV. Sergeant Sines bravely served in the 80th Division, 317th Infantry of the United States Army from 1942 to 1945, during the height of American intervention in World War II. Known as the Blue Ridge Division, Sergeant Sines and his comrades from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and our home State of West Virginia were ordered into action on July 15, 1942, and eventually set sail for Europe on Independence Day of 1944. prgtoken The 80th Division fought valiantly on the Allied front, first landing on Utah Beach in Normandy and then quickly moving to Saint-Jores, France. Later that fall, the 317th Infantry was forced to cross the Moselle River to Pont-a-Mousson in the face of heavy Axis opposition. During the ensuing battle at Mousson, Sergeant Sines was wounded by shrapnel in his calf and ankle and taken to receive treatment at a Paris hospital. Sergeant Sines would later receive a Purple Heart for his wounds received during combat. prgtoken However, this injury would not stop Sergeant Sines from serving his country. By the time the Axis forces began their Ardennes Offensive, Sergeant Sines was already back with the 317th Infantry. His regiment continued to move toward the southeast lines of Bastonge, where fighting would continue for several months. While on the streets of Bastonge, Sergeant Sines happened to run into his brother, Junior Sines, proving how small the world is that we West Virginians enjoy. prgtoken Sergeant Sines and the 80th Division, 317th Infantry would go on to capture the cities of Kassel, Erfurt, Wierman, Jena, and Gera. It was during the fighting between Kassel and Erfurt that Sergeant Sines would receive a bronze medal for his heroic and meritorious service on the battlefield. By the end of the war, the Blue Ridge Division captured over 200,000 enemy soldiers and endured 289 days of combat, fighting courageously in places such as Ardennes, Luxembourg, and Argentan to name a few. prgtoken I hold stories like that of Sergeant Russell Herman Sines close to my heart, as my father, Governor Arch Moore, also fought in World War II. As Americans, we have a duty to honor and remember the collective sacrifice of all the men and women of the Greatest Generation. Because of their service, America has continued to prosper and flourish, serving as a pillar of hope and freedom for people across the world. prgtoken West Virginians understand the importance of community, patriotism, and liberty. These values are alive in the Appalachian foothills due to the service of brave men and woman like Sergeant Russell Herman Sines. Again, I thank Sergeant Sines for his duty to his country, and it is an honor to call him a fellow West Virginian.
COLUMBIA RIVER IN-LIEU AND TREATY FISHING ACCESS SITES IMPROVEMENT ACT
Rob Bishop (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-4-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , even though H.R. 91 is a new bill, we have seen it before. The last time we were here, it was a Senate bill that came over and passed our committee but did not pass the floor itself. We did talk about it as part of a package we did earlier this year, that it could have gone in that. For some reason, it was not allowed to go in there. prgtoken It does deal with four of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes and the conditions on their traditional fishing areas that are basically unsanitary and simply unsafe. What this bill does is authorize the Department of the Interior to upgrade these areas, to make them acceptable to safety and sanitary standards, and to do that in consultation with the Tribes. prgtoken This bill is, in my estimation, a reasonable approach. I have no objection to passing this measure today. prgtoken , .
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ERNEST ``CHUCK'' AYALA
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-4-29

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and honor the incredible life of a dear friend, Ernest ``Chuck'' Ayala. Chuck Ayala was a visionary leader and entrepreneur who dedicated his life to serving the people of San Francisco and our nation. His passing on April 22, 2019 at the age of 94 is a profound official loss for the countless San Franciscans whose lives he touched and a deep personal loss for his many loving friends and family. prgtoken Chuck Ayala was a life-long San Franciscan whose deep faith compelled him to honor the words of our patron saint, Saint Francis who said, ``Preach the gospel, sometimes use words.'' Whether serving in the Army during World War II, directing the Catholic Youth Organization's Youth Services or mentoring countless at-risk young people to put them on the path toward a brighter future, Chuck lived his faith through action and always looked for ways of giving back to the community he loved. prgtoken In 1973, Chuck was inspired by his mother's immigrant experience to create the Centro Latino de San Francisco, a senior center dedicated to feeding our city's seniors and providing the resources they need to thrive. For over 46 years, Centro Latino has helped countless underserved and underrepresented seniors receive a hot meal and find a sense of community. prgtoken Since Chuck started Centro Latino, it has become a full-service community center for over 2,500 low-income multi-ethnic seniors and families. The center's education initiatives have helped new immigrants learn English, apply for vital services and fulfill their American Dreams by becoming citizens. In short, Centro Latino has done nothing less than give thousands of San Franciscans a sense of dignity and worth. prgtoken From city hall to the White House, Chuck never failed to make his voice heard. It was an honor to nominate Chuck to the White House Conference on Aging to ensure that our nation's leaders were listening to the grassroots activists who are on the ground caring for our seniors and their families. prgtoken For Chuck and the love of his life, his late wife, Bernice, their greatest source of joy was family. Over their 56 years together, Chuck and Bernice raised a beautiful family and created a legacy of service and advocacy that will continue to improve the lives of San Franciscans and all Americans for generations to come. prgtoken May it be a comfort to Chuck's daughter, Darlene, sons, Mike and Joe, grandchildren and the entire Ayala family that Chuck and his beloved Bernice have been reunited. May it also be a comfort that so many mourn with and pray for them during this sad time.
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS--VETO
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-4-29

it is hard to imagine that the U.S. Congress was once guarded by a lone watchman, but when the legislative branch of our government moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC, that was the case. His name was John Golding. He was charged with protecting the U.S. Congress. A generation later, after several incidents, President John Quincy Adams asked that a Capitol Police Force be created. It was created with four officers working 15-hour shifts. Today, there are over 2,000 officers and civilians who work for the Capitol Police. prgtoken When you put it in perspective, 3 million to 5 million people from all over America and all over the world come to this building complex each year to personally witness the foundation--at least on the congressional side--of our democracy. We want to make certain they are safe. prgtoken We know we live in a dangerous world. The threats facing Congress today are far different than at the time of John Golding. Our exposure to risk is higher, as we learn every day and every week about horrible shooting incidents that occur. One, of course, did occur in the Capitol not that many years ago. We know we have the best protection possible in this increasingly dangerous world thanks to the dedicated, talented, and committed men and women of the Capitol Police Force. prgtoken There is an important reason why I have been able to do my job as the ic whip for 14 years. It is because R.D. Moore, a member of the Capitol Police team, has led my security detail during that period of time. At the end of this month, R.D. is retiring after 39 years of service to his country and more than 30 years with the U.S. Capitol Police. prgtoken Renoard Moore joined the Capitol Police in 1988, after serving 9 years in the U.S. Army. He also served with the Dignitary Protection Division, protecting the Senate and House leadership. prgtoken In 2005, when I joined the Senate leadership, R.D. became part of not just my Senate family but my family. As a team leader, he has been responsible for keeping the detail up-to-date on the logistics of every event and making critical decisions for the safety and security of our office team. Simply put, R.D. has been an important part of my life every day that he has been willing to put his life on the line for me. He has become an honorary Illinoisan in the process due to countless trips he has made back to my home State. There is even reason to believe we have made him a Cubs fan, but I am not going to say that with certainty. prgtoken Even with his commitment to duty, R.D. has always found time for his own family, putting thousands of miles on his car each year to travel across the country to Kentucky, Michigan, and other places to visit his mother, his siblings, and his cousins. Whether it was in Michigan, Kentucky, or North Carolina, he found the time for family. No matter where he was, R.D. was always willing and able to respond to a phone call or
EXPANDING SOCIAL SECURITY
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-4-29

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his continued leadership. prgtoken I want to underscore a couple of things that he said, and especially reaching out to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. prgtoken It is not often that I think you see us come to the floor and talk about following President , but I believe they should follow their President in this instance, because he had both the audacity and the temerity to argue in front of 16 other s when he was campaigning for President and they attempted to corner him and commit that Social Security was an entitlement. He said, no, it is an earned benefit; it needs to be protected. To his credit, he had written before about it in a book as well, and so he is on the record. prgtoken We will pass a bill in the House of Representatives, there is no question, with more than 206 original cosponsors on the bill, but what we need to happen here, I think, is for people to come together in a way that they did in 1983 and present the American people. prgtoken Now, some would say, well, geez, that is impossible to do. The House is ic, the President is , and the Senate is . prgtoken In 1983, the House was ic and Tip O'Neill was the ; Ronald Reagan was the President; Howard prgtoken Baker was the Senate majority leader, a . prgtoken So what happened then and what needs to happen now is for the American public to make sure that they are contacting their Representative, their Senator, the President and saying this can be done. prgtoken I am confident that Nancy Pelosi and could do what Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan did in 1983, except this time it would be enhanced and indexed and help so many people. prgtoken Here are the facts: prgtoken Almost 63 million people are receiving Social Security benefits, of which 55 percent are women and 45 percent are men; prgtoken For almost two-thirds of those beneficiaries, Social Security provides a majority of their income--a majority of their income for two-thirds of American people--and for almost one-third, it provides 90 percent or more of their income; prgtoken The average annual Social Security benefit for a woman is $14,000-- nobody is getting wealthy on these programs that they have paid for-- compared with $18,000 for men; prgtoken Without these very modest benefits, nearly half of women 65 years or older living without a spouse would live in poverty; prgtoken Nearly 20 percent of Hispanic women 65 years and older live under this current program in poverty, and without Social Security increases, this would rise to 50 percent for Hispanic women over 65 years old; prgtoken Today, nearly 18 percent of African Americans live in poverty on Social Security. prgtoken So the Nation's preeminent insurance program, as sound and as solid as it is and will be, the latest Social Security Trustees report says that in just 15 years, if we do nothing--which, shamelessly, has b
HONORING HANS BERG
Joe Neguse (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-4-29

. Madam , I rise today because in early March my district and the state of Colorado lost Hans Berg of Empire to an avalanche in Jones Pass. Hans was a professional photographer for an experienced and well- reputed backcountry ski company. He was working with a guided group when an avalanche struck the pass. Hans' death is the seventh in my home state this season and was the second within one week's time. I share my deepest condolences with Hans Berg's family and friends during this time of loss and ask for a moment of silence in his honor.