mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS ACT OF 2021-- MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-6-7

I want to reiterate and underscore and expand on some of the comments made by Senator Kelly from Arizona in support of this legislation. prgtoken We know that, as he said, our servicemembers put their lives and health on the line to keep us safe. Even those who come home can face long-term health risks from their service. Too often, we have not provided veterans the care and the benefits they have earned and deserve, particularly those exposed to toxic substances while serving in uniform. We have the opportunity this week, finally, to change that. prgtoken This week in the Senate, we are on the verge of passing the most comprehensive expansion of benefits for veterans who faced toxic exposure, in our Nation's history. Providing healthcare and benefits for veterans who suffer from toxic exposure is a cost of going to war. We are willing to spend a lot of money going to war, as we need to, but we have never, never really stepped up taking care of our veterans-- those who return home--because it is also costly, but it is what we need to do. prgtoken If you were exposed--fundamentally this--if you were exposed to toxins while serving our country, you deserve the benefits you earned, period, no exceptions. The Senate is finally on the verge of recognizing that. prgtoken My office holds roundtables with veterans all over Ohio, and I have heard veterans raise this issue again and again and again. As many as 3\1/2\ million servicemembers in this country were potentially exposed to toxic smoke. Time is running out for these veterans. prgtoken For years, we have worked to highlight this long-ignored issue and the hurdles veterans faced after burn pits and, before that, exposure to Agent Orange. With Agent Orange, we expanded VA benefits. We had to do it condition by condition and location of service by location of service, and it took way, way, way too long. Far too many Vietnam veterans suffering from toxic exposure to Agent Orange died while Congress continued to slow-walk the kinds of benefits we should have done much more quickly. Too many veterans were left behind. Our veterans deserve better. prgtoken This bipartisan bill would guarantee that veterans who suffer because of toxic exposure will get the VA benefits they earned for the first time in our country's history. It would finally extend VA healthcare eligibility to all post-9/11 combat veterans. It would expand presumptions for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It would add 23 burn pit- and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA's list. prgtoken The comprehensive legislation is named in honor of Ohio veteran SFC Heath Robinson, who deployed to Kosovo and Iraq with the Ohio National Guard. He passed away in 2020 from cancer as a result of toxic exposure during that military service. prgtoken His widow, Danielle Robinson, has been a determined advocate for this cause. She was the First Lady's guest at the State of the Union this year, to undersco
GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-6-7

. The avalanche of horrible news about mass shootings, especially at schools, has been painful but instructive. prgtoken America is not unique. But what is unique is that America has accepted the slaughter, unlike Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, who have acted decisively to reduce gun violence and proven that it works. prgtoken We have stood by allowing the carnage to continue to our shame. America should not be the only rich country that cannot protect its children. prgtoken This should be one of the defining issues of this election cycle. If candidates can't support simple, commonsense, and proven steps to reduce gun violence, then what is their answer? prgtoken It is no longer acceptable for gun violence enablers to hide behind thoughts and prayers. prgtoken If other countries can protect their families, then why can't we? prgtoken American families deserve to know where each politician stands.
Inflation (Executive Session)
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2022-6-7

today is an important day. This is the day that we are going to take up toxic exposure in the U.S. Senate. It is a day that, quite frankly, should have been two decades ago, three decades ago, five decades ago, but we are where we are. prgtoken The bill we are going to be considering is the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act. This bill is the most comprehensive toxic exposure package for veterans Congress has ever considered and hopefully I can say has ever delivered. It has literally been years in the making. prgtoken I am especially proud of this bill because it addresses decades of inaction and failure by our government to do the right thing by the men and women who have served this country in uniform and stood in harm's way. prgtoken I want to thank my friend and ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Jerry Moran, for being able to work together across the aisle to deliver what is truly a bipartisan bill that will give veterans of all eras the benefits that they have earned but maybe even more importantly, the benefits that they deserve. prgtoken As chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, there have been few issues as important as this one is to me. It has been a top priority of mine since I first came to Congress and started hearing from veterans, their families, their advocates, and veterans service organizations about exposures prgtoken to chemical, physical, and environmental hazards as they serve this country in the line of duty. So let's talk about military toxic exposures and why we are here today. prgtoken In World War I, there was a thing called mustard gas. In World War II, we had radiation. In Vietnam, we had Agent Orange. Now we have burn pits--massive areas used to dispose of plastics, rubber, jet fuel, and other chemicals in Iraq and Afghanistan and other locations around the globe. prgtoken Generation after generation, war after war, servicemembers have returned home, only to face yet another battle here at home when seeking the care and the benefits that they have earned and that they desperately need because Washington--we, Congress--has been unwilling, simply unwilling to give the Department of Veterans Affairs the tools they need to take care of our veterans. Our men in uniform answered the call of duty. They held up their end of the bargain, so we need to hold up ours. prgtoken I will never forget what I heard from a Vietnam veteran in Montana my very first year on the VA Committee. I was holding a townhall meeting. This gentleman stood up in the back of the room at the townhall, and he said: You are not going to treat this generation of veterans the way you treated us, the Vietnam veterans. prgtoken I remember it because it hit home with me. I remember those Vietnam soldiers coming home. I remember the stories of toxic exposure to Agent Orange. I remember how we knew what we needed to do, but, man, it took us a long time to get stuff d
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL GUY C. SWAN III
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-6-7

on behalf of myself and Senator Inhofe, as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the cochairs of the Senate Army Caucus, it is our honor to pay tribute to a great leader and exceptional advocate for the U.S. Army, LTG Guy C. Swan III, U.S. Army, Retired, as he retires from his current position as vice president of the Association of the United States Army, AUSA. For the past 10 years, Lieutenant General Swan led education and professional development for AUSA. Lieutenant General Swan exemplifies a lifetime of commitment and service to the Nation and to others. prgtoken A 1976 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Lieutenant General Swan was commissioned as a second lieutenant to be an armor officer. Throughout his distinguished career, he was frequently recognized for his exemplary leadership skills, holding command assignments at every level and in many theaters. His career culminated as the commanding general, U.S. Army North/Fifth Army. Along the way, he served in critical staff assignments such as chief of staff and director of operations in Multi-National Forces-Iraq and in high visibility roles including commanding general, Military District of Washington. Placing mission and Nation first, he excelled in every endeavor. prgtoken Between assignments leading soldiers, Lieutenant General Swan demonstrated his longstanding commitment to continuous learning. He earned master's degrees in military art and science from the U.S. Army's School of Advanced Military Studies and in national security studies from Georgetown University. Seamlessly stitching his knowledge gained in academia with his military experience, Lieutenant General Swan made considerable contributions as a thought leader in national security throughout his career. He served as a national security fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Aspen Institute Homeland Security Group, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency-- FEMA--National Advisory Council. prgtoken Following his retirement in December of 2011 from the U.S. Army, Lieutenant General Swan continued to serve in support of soldiers, their families, Army civilians, and veterans as vice president for education at AUSA. Through his committed leadership, vision, and always positive outlook, Lieutenant General Swan responded to ever-changing interests and needs of the Army by expanding and improving AUSA's support for professional development and education. His work also heightened public interest in the appropriate role of the Army in defense of our Nation. His priority programs to achieve these goals included creating AUSA's world-class ``ARMY'' magazine, building a family readiness program that reaches out to Army families worldwide, refocusing AUSA-sponsored writing contests to build critical thinking and research skills in the Arm
COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 340B DISCOUNT DRUG PROGRAM
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-6-7

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his comments. Certainly, his comments focus so much on the importance of the 340B program. We know that rural hospitals are the lifeblood of their communities. They often serve as the largest employer in a town and a way to keep and attract young people to that community. prgtoken Rural hospitals are already in crisis, and since 2005, more than 180 rural hospitals have closed their doors. One reason why that number is not higher is the 340B program. prgtoken Savings from 340B discounts and community pharmacies are half of all the savings for rural hospitals. If these losses are allowed to stand and grow bigger, we will face a real crisis across rural America. prgtoken Recent actions by the pharmaceutical companies threaten the ability of rural hospitals to stay open, costing them, on average, $229,000. prgtoken Madam , from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran).
RECOGNIZING THE HEALTH WAGON
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-6-7

as we continue our battle with COVID-19, we must acknowledge the healthcare healers that are serving in our rural communities. In particular, I would like to highlight the work of the Health Wagon in Virginia. The Health Wagon is the oldest mobile clinic in the Nation. Their mission is to provide compassionate, quality healthcare to medically underserved people in Appalachia. The Health Wagon works to mitigate barriers to healthcare access, taking healthcare into the community, into places like grocery stores, food banks, workplaces, and providing communities in southwest Virginia with access to primary, specialty, dental and vision care. prgtoken Health Wagon originated 40 years ago with Sister Bernadette Kenny of the Catholic order Medical Missionaries of Mary. Sister Bernie traveled on rural mountain roads in her Volkswagen Beetle to deliver healthcare to individuals in southwest Virginia. Now, the organization employs more than 50 staff members across four clinics and four mobile units. Their average patient is 41 years old, with 100 percent of patients being uninsured or underinsured. Over the last year, the Health Wagon has served 10,857 individual patients and documented 35,250 patient encounters. prgtoken The Health Wagon has also been vital in the fight against COVID-19. Since March 2020, the Health Wagon has provided more than 18,000 COVID- 19 tests, provided 19,567 COVID-19 vaccinations, and administered over 5,500 monoclonal antibody treatments. They do not bill for services, and their programs are sustained by grants and donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Health Wagon is led by president and CEO, Dr. Teresa Tyson. Dr. Tyson has served with the Health Wagon for 30 years, and under her leadership, the organization has received national recognition for its innovative projects in telehealth space. The Health Wagon was the first to deliver a virtual wound care clinic and conducted the first FAA-approved drone delivery of medications in the United States. Dr. Tyson led the largest health outreach of its kind in the Nation, as well as providing the first telecytoscopy in the world in partnership with University of Virginia. Dr. Tyson leads a group of caring and committed providers. prgtoken Rural communities are the backbone of our country, and the Health Wagon has served the Appalachia community admirably. I thank them for their service.
IN RECOGNITION OF HELEN HILTON RAISER
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a remarkable philanthropist and community leader, Helen Hilton Raiser. Through sheer will and determination she helped restore a wasteland into a major new public attraction in the City by the Bay: Francisco Park, a new 4.5 acre jewel at the corner of Hyde and Francisco Streets. Helen contributed in countless ways by fundraising, assisting in design and promoting her vision for this new park during its development. prgtoken In addition to Helen, credit goes to hundreds of neighbors and the leadership of the Francisco Park Conservancy, including board president Leslie Alspach and all of the original and successor board members. $27.5 million was raised by these leaders and Helen as they sought to tum a long-neglected area into a new destination in San Francisco. prgtoken For 80 years this site was a deserted reservoir hosting poison oak, raccoons, and an occasional coyote, but otherwise inhospitable to visitors. The reservoir was San Francisco's first, built in 1860 and it was crucial during the 1906 earthquake and fire. However, it was abandoned in 1940 after a newer facility was built a short distance away. This old reservoir remained an eyesore for decades, only to begin its renaissance after neighbors organized in 2011, and after the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department assumed formal responsibility for the location in 2014. prgtoken What makes Francisco Park so special is that numerous community meetings over many years led to a special place that will serve both residents and likely hundreds of thousands of visitors, annually. The park is adjacent to the Hyde Street cable car and visitors from around the globe will probably disembark and enjoy the inspirational views from this place of urban greenery. There is also a children's playground, a fenced dog run with artificial turf, and a community garden. A ``heart of San Francisco'' sculpture is on display, donated by Helen Hilton Raiser. It was created by the artist Laura Lineback. Early settlers and the harbor of what was then known as Yerba Buena were located nearby, so history is at the fingertips of visitors. Interpretive signage offers visitors important historical facts about the site, educational lessons about water conservation, a description of views from the location, and other features that make the park as much a classroom as it is recreational open space. prgtoken While I rise to highlight this park, Ms. Raiser and her neighbors, I also note Helen's long history of philanthropy and activism. She is well known as a leader at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and as a major benefactor, over decades, of community groups from the peninsula through San Francisco. prgtoken It was my good fortune to meet her decades ago as she led her campaign against handguns and gun violence. She personally led a 1982 effort on the California ballot to sharply reduce the number of handguns in California, and was a b
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIME TIMERS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-6-7

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Prime Timers of the National Capital Area. prgtoken Prime Timers of the National Capital Area was founded on December 17, 1996, as a chapter of Prime Timers Worldwide, an international non- profit organization that celebrates all human diversity and whose vision is to ``Bring together mature gay and bisexual men for friendship, social activities, support and personal growth.'' prgtoken The mission of Prime Timers of the National Capital Area is to provide opportunities for older gay and bisexual men to come together in a safe and supportive environment regardless of race, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. The chapter promotes healthy aging through supportive relationships and personal enrichment through service to others. prgtoken Madam , again, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Prime Timers of the National Capital Area for its 25 years of dedicated service, which has advanced the welfare not only of the LGBTQ community in the District of Columbia, but of the entire population of the District of Columbia.
HONORING OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS ACT OF 2021-- MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-6-7

I rise to discuss helping our servicemembers exposed to toxic burn pits. prgtoken Let me tell you about U.S. Army SFC Heath Robinson. He was a strong, healthy, fit combat medic who served tours in Kosovo and Iraq. When he returned home, however, he began experiencing fatigue. He started bleeding from his ears and nose and completely lost his voice. prgtoken After consulting multiple doctors, he and his wife were sitting in the exam room waiting for test results when the doctor came in with tears in his eyes. He explained that Sergeant Robinson had an extremely rare form of stage IV lung cancer and exclaimed: What have you been exposed to? Sergeant Robinson thought back to his tour in Iraq. He remembered seeing and smelling smoke from pits the size of football fields at his base near Baghdad. prgtoken While serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, millions of U.S. troops have lived and worked near burn pits. They are basically burning trash heaps that the military has used for decades to dispose of everything from human waste to trash and electronics and jet fuel, and they spew forth many of the same dangerous toxins that were at Ground Zero after 9/11. prgtoken The VA estimates that 3.5 million servicemembers were exposed to burn pits around the world, many of them veterans who are now suffering from permanent injuries and illnesses ranging from chronic bronchitis to cancer. But when these veterans seek treatments, they face an often unsurmountable burden of proof. prgtoken For SFC Heath Robinson, the VA denied him compensation and prescription medications because it wasn't proven that burn pits were the cause of his illness. Army Sergeant Robinson died in 2020. He was only 39 years old. prgtoken I have heard from many veterans, servicemembers, and their families who have also been raising the alarm about burn pits. Gina Cancelino of New York told me about her husband Joseph, who was a Marine Corps veteran, an NYPD sergeant, and a dad of two girls. In 2017, he developed a very rare, very aggressive form of testicular cancer, as well as thyroid cancer. He died in 2019 when he was just 52. prgtoken This is simply unacceptable. Our servicemembers risk their lives to keep us safe. All they ask for is care in return, but our government has failed them repeatedly. First, it was Agent Orange. Then, it was the Blue Water Navy vets. Today, it is burn pits. prgtoken That is why, nearly 2 years ago, I started working with Jon Stewart, John Feal, and a strong coalition of veterans service organizations to craft the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act. prgtoken This bill forms the centerpiece of the Honoring Our PACT Act, which has now been named in honor of Sergeant Robinson. The bottom line: It would remove the unsurmountable and unreasonable burden of proof for veterans to receive care. No longer would these selfless individuals have to jump through hoops to get
HONORING OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS ACT OF 2021-- MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-6-7

it is past due for us to address veterans not getting the care they need after suffering an illness caused by toxic exposure. We can do that as soon as this week by passing the PACT Act. prgtoken As a retired naval aviator, I know firsthand the sacrifice and hard work it takes to succeed in our military. I knew I wanted to join the military from a young age, and after attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, making that choice was easy for me. That is the case for some but not for everyone. Many more will say that this was the hardest decision that they had to make, putting families, school, careers, or all three through major changes in order to serve. prgtoken This is a sacrifice for so many, and regardless of how someone comes to serving, what follows isn't easy. We spend years training to go to war. For me, that was training to fly off of and land on an aircraft carrier and put bombs on enemy targets. That is what I did during Operation Desert Storm, flying combat missions off the USS Midway in the gulf, to deliver weapons on dozens of targets in Iraq and Kuwait. prgtoken War is by its very nature dangerous, and flying airplanes in combat or conducting ground combat operations is very complex. You need to focus on completing the mission while also focusing on your safety and that of your team or your crew. There are many opportunities to be killed or injured. We all get that. The public understands prgtoken that. But there are also silent killers that affected soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who served abroad. prgtoken No American soldier goes overseas and expects to be put in grave danger by their own military, but they were. We saw it in Vietnam with Agent Orange. We saw it in the first gulf war with toxic exposures that we are still grappling to fully understand. It happened again starting about 20 years ago when American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were breathing in toxic smoke from American-made burn pits. Clouds of smoke containing plastics, rubber, medical waste, and chemicals billowed, and although the ``stink'' might have been a nuisance, the true physiological damage would turn out to be much worse. prgtoken We sent young, healthy, and highly capable American troops--all of whom volunteered--overseas. When they came home, they got sick, and then they got sicker, just like in the case of SFC Heath Robinson, whose namesake and story are behind the PACT Act. prgtoken Our servicemembers had put everything on the line, only to return with severe illnesses due to bad decisions. When those same servicemembers battling rare diseases filed claims with the VA, they were met with a closed door. They were told that it wasn't a service- connected illness, so it wasn't covered. This is shameful, and it is unacceptable. That is why this legislation is so important. Our military made mistakes, and thousands of Americans and more than 6,500 Arizonans have paid or are continuing to pay