mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING MATT CONSTANTINE'S RETIREMENT AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES IN KERN COUNTY
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I rise today, along with my colleague David G. Valadao, to honor Matthew Constantine for his nearly three decades of public service to our community. After dedicating 27 years of his life to government service, and protecting the health and safety of the people of Kern County, an area that I represent, Matt is concluding his tenure this month as the Director of Kern County Public Health Services Department for Kern County, a position he has held since 2009. prgtoken Matt was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and earned both his bachelor's and graduate degree from California State University, Northridge. His family has had roots in Bakersfield for five generations, and he has worked at various levels of government, including with the Federal Indian Health Service and the State of California. In 2006, he was hired as Kem County's Director of Environmental Services. In 2009, Matt spearheaded the merger between two different departments and became the Director of Public Health Services for the county. prgtoken Matt had already informed the Kern County Board of Supervisors of his intent to retire as the Director of Public Health Services when the Coronavirus pandemic hit. But instead of retiring, Matt stayed on to serve our community and began crafting a plan to reduce patient caseloads at local hospitals and keep the people of Kern County healthy and safe. During his time with the Department of Public Health Services, Matt always displayed leadership, especially over the course of this stressful past year, by balancing local needs with state mandates while never shying away from making tough decisions. Despite many early days and long nights, Matt's work ethic has been critical for our local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was exemplified by the routine COVID-19 updates he gave to the residents of the county over the last 12 months, and despite the State of California's constantly changing guidance for residents and public health officials, Matt always had one goal in mind--to create and execute a plan to combat the transmission of the virus in our community and keep mortality rates in Kern County down until a vaccine was able to be offered to every resident who wanted one. prgtoken Matt is more than just the leader of our local public health response; he is an active member of the Kern County community. He serves on the board of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and the Kern County Network for Children, where his vision and expertise have been influential in making decisions and impacting others. prgtoken I always appreciated Matt's insight and wisdom on the public health matters affecting our community, and although we are going to miss Matt, I am confident that his record of success will continue to benefit our county for years to come. On behalf of the people of the 23rd Congressional District of California, and the people of Kern County as a whole, I want to thank Matt
TO-DO LIST FOR THE PRESS CORPS
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , we are now being sent home for 3 weeks, I don't know whether it is coincidence or not that we are being sent home when we have such a problem at our border, and we just got done voting on a few immigration bills. prgtoken All of us Congressmen should have a to-do list over the next 3 weeks. I want to give the press corps a to-do list. Right now, our Border Patrol is under a gag order in which they cannot educate the press or Congressmen as to what is really going on. This, at a time when you have almost three times as many people trying to get across the border than at this time last year, and we have huge numbers of unaccompanied minors down there. prgtoken The press should be outraged at this gag order. I have been at the border four times so far over the last couple years, and it is always very illuminating what the Border Patrol can say to us. Now, like we are in some totalitarian state, they are not allowed to speak to us. prgtoken I don't care whether you care about the government benefits, the unaccompanied minors, the drug trafficking, the human trafficking, the money the drug cartels are making on illegal immigration, we should want to know and we can't know unless the Border Patrol tells us. Please wake up, sleeping press corps.
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-19

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , to the gentlewoman's point about working together, did not offer a hand of bipartisanship in this ram-and-jam job on the $2 trillion bailout bill. They even lost on it. So they didn't work with us. prgtoken It was a pure partisan play, and there is a reason for that. It is mostly unrelated to COVID. It is bailout galore. It is a wish list of the liberals in this House, and they just pushed it through and called it, in disguise, COVID relief. prgtoken But the fundamental principle we are talking about today is paygo. This is a law passed by , signed by a President. It says, fundamentally--and the American people understand this--if you spend beyond your means, you have got to find a way to pay for it. You have got to offset it or you go into debt. prgtoken , the American people, if they don't pay their bills, they get their water turned off or their electricity turned off. The IRS will hunt them down and put them in jail if they don't pay their taxes. They will have their mortgage foreclosed, their cars repossessed. That is what happens to the American people when they don't pay their bills. prgtoken President , when he signed the law, said, You can't spend a dollar unless you cut a dollar elsewhere. I agree with him. prgtoken Ms. Pelosi, our , gave a speech and she gave glowing points as she embraced wholeheartedly and full-throatedly this paygo. She said it is important `` . . . to our fiscal soundness, and to our children and grandchildren.'' prgtoken She said: `` . . . who could oppose this great idea?'' prgtoken She went on to say: `` . . . investments in our children's future . . . must be paid for, or else we are heaping debt onto our children.'' prgtoken The national debt is almost $30 trillion and counting. prgtoken Who is going to pay for that? prgtoken Not us. Not you. Our kids are going to pay for it. prgtoken These are Ms. Pelosi's words, : ``This pay-as-you-go is part of a blueprint for fiscal responsibility. . . . '' prgtoken She said: `` . . . subjecting spending to the harshest scrutiny. Every Federal dollar that is spent must be subjected to scrutiny to make sure taxpayers get his or her money's worth.'' prgtoken Bailing out union pensions, giving cities and States money that horribly mismanaged their business prior to COVID, giving people more money to be on unemployment than they made in their previous jobs, paying people who are not economically harmed in this COVID disaster, all of these things are wasteful. There is a litany of wasteful, irresponsible, and unnecessary spending, hundreds of billions of dollars. prgtoken And the is saying every dollar is going to be scrutinized. We are going to stick it to our seniors. We are going to stick it to our kids. That is a profile in courage, if I ever saw one. Now, that is the leadership that made this country great, . These are Ms. Pelosi's words, not mine, but
IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF PETER COLE BEING NAMED THE OHIO PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. Peter Cole, Principal of Carey Junior High and High School, for being named the Ohio Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA). Mr. Cole, who is a former President of the Board of Directors for the OASSA, is characterized by fellow principals as a leader who sees himself as a servant, not only for Carey schools, but a vast number of school districts as well. prgtoken Peter Cole graduated from Carey High School in 1993. He received his bachelor's degree in music and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Bowling Green State University. Principal Cole went on to receive his Superintendent's License from the University of Findlay and Ashland University. Before becoming principal at Carey in 2007, he was band director at Hopewell-Loudon and Oak Harbor schools. prgtoken During his time as an educator, Principal Cole has strived to think outside the box and create an environment for students to succeed. He promotes new ideas, rather than always relying on traditional methods to educate his students. Principal Cole uses the term ``servant leader'' to describe his position at the school because he feels his role is to serve the students. He focuses on ensuring all of his students are having a good experience during their time at Carey schools. Principal Cole's contribution to Carey Junior High and High School is seen in every action that he takes for his school. His dedication is an example for all of Ohio's educational leaders. prgtoken Congratulations to Principal Peter Cole, on being named the Ohio Principal of the Year.
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-3-19

this bill is just the first taste of a bitter brew concocted by those who pushed through $1.9 trillion of pure deficit spending last week. prgtoken Now, this measure involves our paygo rules. You remember paygo. The current version dates to 2010. In those days everyone was worried about a $1.3 trillion deficit and $13 trillion of national debt. Isn't that adorable? prgtoken Paygo requires across-the-board spending cuts to offset any bill that spends money we don't have. And we just spent a lot of money we don't have. As paygo works, the first installment payment for this binge is $345 billion of spending cuts every year for the next 5 years, and that includes $52 billion in paygo and BCA cuts to Medicare, which is expected to go broke in 2024 as it is. Now, that is just to pay for the party the had the other day. So it is time to pay for it. prgtoken How do you deal with a bill like that? Well, it is pretty simple: Just forget about it. Just wipe it off the books and start planning the next trillion-dollar spending spree. In fairness, that is how both parties have addressed paygo since we passed it. And the net result is the deficit has nearly tripled and the debt has more than doubled in less than a decade. prgtoken At least the tax cuts in 2017 helped produce such a strong economic recovery that our revenues went up. They didn't go down. Now, that should have reduced our deficit, but our failure to control spending instead drove that deficit still higher. In short, it is the spending, stupid. prgtoken No nation has ever spent, taxed, and borrowed its way to prosperity, but many have spent, taxed, and borrowed themselves into bankruptcy and ruin. History warns us that nations that bankrupt themselves aren't around very long, because before you can provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare, you first have to be able to pay for them. prgtoken Excessive debt saps the credit of a nation that is its lifeline in times of genuine peril. It consumes the future prosperity of the nation as interest costs swell. It saps the economic vitality of our Nation by crowding out capital that would otherwise be available to consumers and home buyers and businesses. It robs the currency of its value, pilfering the Nation's savings and their pensions. It alienates capital markets until interest rates rise and interest costs balloon into a debt spiral. Once this starts, there is no way to stop it until the whole house of cards crashes down. prgtoken Do you know want to know what that looks likes? It looks a lot like Venezuela. prgtoken In the spring of 1945, there was serious concern whether we could continue the war into 1946. Bond sales were failing miserably, war taxes, spending, borrowing, and inflation had hollowed out our economy, and the Nation's credit was nearing exhaustion. Now consider this: we are carrying a larger percentage of debt today than we were at the very end of
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-3-19

I thank the distinguished ranking member from Missouri for yielding this time. prgtoken , I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1868, the ' attempt to put a Band-Aid on their out-of-control spending, and this bill tries to remove, as the others speakers have said, the tough consequences of their continued reckless and irresponsible spending. prgtoken Last week, the passed their massive $2 trillion blue State bailout package with the intent to burden future generations of Americans with yet another layer of crippling debt and inevitably higher taxes for years to come. prgtoken This was yet another effort to further use the COVID virus as an opportunity to fund their leftist expansion of government, climate extremism, woke social justice, and radical progressive agenda. At $2 trillion, the Pelosi bailout bill would spend another $6,000 per American citizen. This $6,000 in debt, per citizen, with the chance for some to receive a $1,400 check, is a raw deal for Americans. Everybody gets an IOU for $6,000; some people get a $1,400 check in return. prgtoken Only 9 percent of the $2 trillion is even related to COVID relief, with the bulk of the spending going to fund these pet projects. There is no pressure at all on the teachers' unions to even reopen the schools in return for the additional $130 billion in the bill, the rejected those commonsense amendments to require the schools to reopen. Only 5 percent of that $130 billion for schools will even be spent this year in 2021, that is how essential it is for COVID relief. prgtoken Now are finally acknowledging today that their spending is out of control and unsustainable, but instead of seeking a true remedy for their problem, they are once again trying to kick the can down the road and exempt their spending from longstanding paygo rules. prgtoken This new legislation would prevent sequestration for mandatory spending, which was only triggered in response to the reckless spending bill they passed last week. Their ill-conceived bill failed to cut funding for the unnecessary projects prioritized by , but not by the American people. prgtoken The imminent future sequester cuts this new bill is intended to address came about as a result of the blatantly partisan and irresponsible bill the rammed through last week. Our national debt is now nearing $30 trillion, an inconceivable number. It equates to about $90,000 per citizen. This amounts to an economic crisis, a national security crisis, and we can't afford to ignore it any longer. A day of reckoning is coming. prgtoken But the majority is ignoring it. Any semblance of fiscal discipline would have resulted in a COVID bill that was maybe 10 to 20 percent of the $2 trillion that was in H.R. 1319, the Pelosi blue State bailout. But instead, they unilaterally, on a hyperpartisan basis, rammed through the $2 trillion to satisfy their left wing, and appeas
HONORING THE IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I am honored and humbled to acknowledge the service provided to our Nation's Capital by the men and women of the Idaho National Guard. The presence of ldaho's Army and Air Guard contributed to the safety of our legislative process. I am so thankful to be blessed by the always optimistic American spirit that guides this divinely inspired country. Not only did our Guard protect the U.S. Capitol, they also protected the Members, staff, and employees of the legislative branch, and the constitutional process we follow. Idaho's National Guard worked alongside the Capitol Police and other law enforcement personnel to ensure that constitutional process could move forward uninterrupted. I extend my gratitude and include in the Record the names of the men and women of the 124th Fighter Wing and the 101st Civil Support Team:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ROD SLYHOFF, PRESIDENT/CEO, PUEBLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , on Monday, March 1, 2021, the city of Pueblo lost a community leader and business champion with the passing of Rod Slyhoff. Mr. Slyhoff started at the Chamber in 1988 and served as an account representative, membership director, Vice President of Membership and Small Business Development, and later became President/ CEO in 1994. prgtoken As one of the city's best advocates and greatest boosters, he oversaw a period of growth for the Chamber with membership expanding from 800 to more than 1,300 members. prgtoken Mr. Slyhoff's accomplishments were remarkable, and he led the Pueblo Chamber to become a model for others across the West. He helped strengthen Pueblo's relationship with one of its sister cities-- Chihuahua, Mexico--by developing trade exchanges of business and tourism. He also advanced Pueblo's business agenda at the State Capitol and offered solutions for improving the workforce to the National Education Trust Conferences. prgtoken Always an advocate for others, Rod increased the Chamber's involvement with the El Pomar Foundation and the Black, Latino and Asian Emerging Leadership programs. He also served as President of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives, a member of the United Way of Pueblo board, and chairman of the Southern Colorado Business Partnership. prgtoken Mr. Slyhoff was recognized for his heartfelt service to the community, and he was awarded the United Way Ambassador Award for Excellence, the Southern Colorado Press Club Mel Harmon Community Award, and the Colorado State University-Pueblo President's Medallion for Distinguished Service. prgtoken Rod Slyhoff encouraged local engagement, facilitated cultural development, and spread joy throughout the community by founding the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival in 1994 which has brought as many as 150,000 people to Pueblo annually. Because of Rod, the ``Pueblo Chile'' is known throughout the world, and his legacy will endure through the Festival every year. prgtoken Mr. Slyhoff had a quick wit, was kind to everyone, and was beloved by his community. He was quick to give a listening ear and offer gentle advice. I want to take this opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy and to offer my deepest sympathies to his wife Alice, daughters Katrina and Marcy, and the rest of Rod's family and friends. May they find comfort in the words of Scripture, ``the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.'' God bless the memory of Rod Slyhoff.
RECOGNIZING KIDNEY CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Jim Hagedorn (Republican, MN) \u2014 2021-3-19

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, and frankly, every month is cancer awareness month. prgtoken Two years ago, I was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer, and ever since, I have received treatment and great care from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. prgtoken Two months ago, they removed my kidney, and I am very grateful to say that, just this week, my doctor said ``no cancer detected'' at this time. prgtoken But here is the point about this: My cancer was found through a routine physical. I had no symptoms. prgtoken In this past year, millions of Americans have, for whatever reason, coronavirus or otherwise, postponed or canceled their doctor's visits and aren't getting the cancer screenings they have in the past. prgtoken I encourage everyone to make sure you get out there, see your doctor regularly, get looked into, because the earliest possible detection of serious illness can literally save your life. I am someone who can attest to that. prgtoken To my fellow cancer survivors, hang in there. Keep fighting because cures are coming along every day. And, , it is uncanny how family, friends, medical professionals, total strangers, they rally around us and help us fight.
HONORING AMBASSADOR H. DOUGLAS BARCLAY
Andrew R. Garbarino (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I rise today to honor the incredible life and legacy of former New York State Senator and former U.S. Ambassador, H. Douglas ``Doug'' Barclay. prgtoken Ambassador Barclay dedicated his life to private and public service to New Yorkers, Americans, and citizens of the world. Born and raised in the Empire State, Ambassador Barclay attended St. Paul's School and Yale University before serving in the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge from the armed services, Ambassador Barclay graduated from Syracuse University College of Law, and practiced law at a Syracuse law firm before pursuing a life of public service. prgtoken First elected to the New York State Senate in 1964, Ambassador Barclay honorably served for twenty years, championing efforts in criminal justice, court reform and economic development. In 2003, President nominated, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador. prgtoken I will always cherish the times I spent with Ambassador Barclay and his son Will, a dear friend of mine. Whether meeting up at political functions in New York City or having lunch with Will at our favorite Thai restaurant in Albany, I always enjoyed hearing Ambassador Barclay share his inspiring stories from a lifetime of service. prgtoken Whether serving in uniform, in the New York State Senate, or as an Ambassador, Ambassador Barclay always put the interest of New Yorkers and Americans first. Ambassador Barclay was a true statesman and a once-in-a-generation example of what it means to be a public servant. I join the State of New York in mourning the loss and celebrating the immense legacy of one of our state's greatest.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER BROWNAWELL
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-3-19

today, we take a moment to remember the life and service of Sergeant Major Christopher Brownawell, a decorated American soldier who died unexpectedly last week. prgtoken Chris' life was defined by his service, both in and out of uniform. For 24 years, Chris served honorably in the United States Army, deploying to Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. prgtoken Outside of the military, Chris kept our community safe as a corrections officer at SCI Coal Township. prgtoken Those who knew Chris remember him as the quintessential infantryman and a purpose-driven leader who went out of his way to develop and mentor other soldiers. Chris set the standard for other soldiers and, undoubtedly, had a profound impact on so many during his years of service. prgtoken Every freedom we have in this Nation was paid for by soldiers like Chris. Chris is a hero, and his legacy of service to our community, State, and country will live on with his family and friends and our community.
RECOGNIZING THE LINEMEN AND LINEWOMEN OF TEXAS
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-19

I rise today to recognize the resilient linemen of Texas-25 for their outstanding work to successfully provide power to Texas homes, businesses, and communities during the catastrophic winter storms. prgtoken I and many others send our deep gratitude to the workers of the prgtoken Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Austin Energy, and other electric providers in Texas-25 who worked tirelessly through a brutal winter storm to meet the needs of Texans and across the State. prgtoken They put their lives in danger, working around the clock in subzero temperatures and in harsh conditions to restore critical power as quickly as possible. prgtoken Due to their fortitude and grit, lives were saved, animals were saved, and communities were restored and on track to recovery. prgtoken You are our heroes, and on behalf of the 25th Congressional District of Texas, we simply say thank you. In God we trust.