mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-4-24

. Madam , had I been present for roll call vote No. 103--providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 935) establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, I would have voted YEA on the measure. prgtoken Furthermore, had I been present for roll call vote No. 104--making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year end September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, I would have voted YEA on the measure.
COMMEMORATING THE 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
TJ Cox (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-24

. Madam , today marks the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide--an atrocity perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire that killed over 1.5 million Armenians, as well as Assyrians, Greeks, and other Christian peoples. Over a century later, we memorialize this tragedy alongside the vibrant Armenian-American community in the Central Valley and across our great nation. We must never forget the families torn apart, the lives lost, and the immense impact the Armenian Genocide had from 1915 until now. prgtoken While we remember the past, we must also recognize the progress we've made. This Congress, both the House and the Senate officially recognized the Armenian Genocide for the first time in history. I am so proud to have been a part of that important milestone for the Armenian community, while reiterating our nation's commitment to acknowledging human rights violations. prgtoken It is difficult to find an Armenian today without a family story of genocide. These stories show us just how long-lasting and detrimental the effects of brutality can be. They also highlight the importance of promoting peaceful and constructive relationships between nations, while condemning perpetrators who deny their history of violence. prgtoken Whether it be in the past, present, or future, we must take a stand against genocide and genocide denial across the world. The Armenian people do not stand for it, and neither should America. We must reassess our relationships with nations that continue to deny the Armenian Genocide and continue forward with policies of justice and morality.
HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS EDGAR MORGAN
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-4-24

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a long-time Lone Star lawman and Marine Corps veteran, Lieutenant Thomas Edgar ``Tom'' Morgan of the County Sheriffs Office Reserves who passed away Monday, April 20, 2020 at the age of ninety- nine. At age ninety-eight, Lt. Morgan was Texas' oldest licensed peace officer at the time of his retirement in 2018. prgtoken Tom Morgan was born on September 20, 1920 to Claude Jefferson Morgan and Connie Kenington Morgan in Bossier City, Louisiana. Growing up poor during the Great Depression and having to work hard in order to survive developed a tremendous work ethic and sense of patriotism in young Tom Morgan. prgtoken In 1942, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of twenty-one. During World War II, Tom saw action in the South Pacific during the invasions of Saipan, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa. In addition to surviving these invasions, Tom also survived the sinking of his transport ship and malaria during wartime. Tom remained on active duty in the Marine Corps until 1946 and later served for three months during the Korean War as a Reservist. prgtoken Following his military service, while in college in Louisiana, Tom met his wife Pat during a visit to Houston. He transferred to the University of Houston to complete a degree in Mechanical Engineering and to be near Pat. They married in 1947 and raised their family of three children in Pasadena, Texas. Tom had a distinguished career as a pipeline engineer for Gulf State Engineering for many years and retired in 1982 at the age of 62. prgtoken In 1992, five decades after joining the Marines and a decade after retirement, Tom decided to continue his service as a reserve deputy with the County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). At age 72, Tom was the oldest rookie in the Academy. Deputy Morgan served in the HSCO Marine Division where he patrolled the waters of Lake Houston, the San Jacinto River, and the Houston Ship Channel. In 2013, our mutual friend, Representative Ted Poe, honored Lt. Morgan when he reached 20,000 hours of service with the Sheriff's Office. After serving as a Reserve Deputy for twenty-six years, Tom Morgan retired as a Lieutenant at the age of ninety-eight, earning the title of the Lone Star State's oldest lawman. prgtoken Tom reflected God's love daily in his service to others and leaves quite a legacy. A committed Christian, he spent much of his life as an active member of First Baptist Church or United City Church in Humble. He also enjoyed playing dominoes, dancing, and spending time with friends at the Humble Senior Activity Center. prgtoken Tom is preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Nana Lou ``Pat'' Morgan who passed away December 26, 2008. He is survived by his three children: Carol Green and husband Larry of Deer Park, Kathy Denton of Kingwood, and Tommy Morgan Jr. and wife Betty of Baytown, Texas. Tom had seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandc
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
George Holding (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-4-24

. Madam , I rise to highlight the invaluable work that YMCAs across the country are doing during this crisis and urge Congress to ensure that they are made eligible for essential federal assistance programs in the next coronavirus package. prgtoken From the beginning, YMCAs across the state of North Carolina have been on the front lines of efforts to combat the spread of corona virus and care for the communities affected by it. For weeks, YMCAs have take the initiative on providing family care and assistance. In Garner, NC, for example, the Poole Family YMCA has set up day camps for the children of essential personnel and runs blood drives. Their work has played an invaluable role in ensuring health care workers can continue fighting and that hard-hit communities have access to basic necessities. prgtoken Despite providing these essential services, YMCAs have been left out of the federal assistance programs they desperately need. YMCAs in Raleigh and in Charlotte have furloughed aver 95 percent of their staffs and left many on extended unpaid leave as they continue to operate on a deficit throughout this crisis. prgtoken Unfortunately, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which Congress passed specifically to help groups like this, does not allow affiliated YMCAs that collectively employ over 500 people to receive funds. prgtoken Madam , without federal assistance, YMCAs across the country will no longer be able to provide relief to health care workers and underserved communities during this emergency. I ask that Congress work to ensure YMCAs that provide essential community services are able to receive funds through the PPP regardless of affiliation size in the next corona virus package.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF PHYLLIS LYON
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-28

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to the beautiful life and legacy of a dear friend, Phyllis Lyon, who passed away peacefully on April 9, 2020 at the age of 95. Phyllis Lyon was an icon of San Francisco and a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights, who dedicated her entire life to advancing equality for the LGBTQ community. Her passing is a profound official loss for the countless San Franciscans whose lives she touched and a deep personal loss for her many friends and loved ones. prgtoken Phyllis, along with her late wife Del Martin, was a pioneer in the fight for LGBTQ equality. In their kitchen, in 1955, they created the Daughters of Bilitis, the first national lesbian rights organization. Through their skillful advocacy and Phyllis's brilliant writing, they helped lesbians and all LGBTQ Americans unite in solidarity and, in the process, helped develop the foundation on which the entire LGBTQ equality movement was built. prgtoken Phyllis was a tireless force for progress. As a journalist and community organizer, she fought relentlessly to decriminalize homosexuality, promote women's health and end employment discrimination in San Francisco. In all her endeavors, Phyllis's voice and expertise were instrumental in bringing our nation closer to its founding promise of justice and equality for all. prgtoken In 1979, the Lyon-Martin Health Services, named in honor of Phyllis and Del, was created to provide LGBTQ women access to quality, comprehensive health care, free from fear, stigma or discrimination. In its four decades of service to the Bay Area community, the Lyon-Martin Health Services has become an essential lifeline for countless women and their families, regardless of who they are or whom they love. As a model for community-based care, it is a fitting tribute to Phyllis's legacy of service and commitment to lifting up all vulnerable communities. prgtoken Phyllis and Del's passion, dedication and vision were an inspiration to me and to generations of leaders, activists and public servants. In 1995, I was honored to appoint Phyllis to the White House Conference on Aging where she advocated powerfully to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable were heard at the decision-making table. It was a privilege to speak of Phyllis and Del's beautiful commitment to each other on the Floor of the House during the debate of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and, again, last year, as the House passed the landmark Equality Act to finally end LGBTQ discrimination once and for all. prgtoken All those who were blessed to know Phyllis and Del remember the extraordinary love that they had for each other and the great joy we felt watching them becoming the first same-sex marriage recognized in San Francisco. As we mourn the loss of our dear Phyllis, we find peace in knowing that she and Del are together again. May it be a comfort to their daughter Kendra, Phyllis's sister Patricia, grandchildren Lorri and
AMERICA'S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-28

. Madam , I rise to speak in support of Congress taking immediate action to help people and countries around the globe to fight the COVID-19 Pandemic. I wish to thank my colleagues Dr. Bera and Dr. Yoho for organizing this important Special Order. The need around the world to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic is immense. I and other Members are joining the call for Congress to provide twelve billion dollars for international efforts to fight the virus, with a specific focus on helping African countries and multilateral institutions who are on the front lines of this crisis. This is a small fraction of what we are spending at home, but it can make a huge difference in stopping the virus around the world. prgtoken Right now, America is hurting from COVID-19. Too many families are dealing with the suffering and death of loved ones from the virus. Many more are struggling to cope with an economic crisis unlike any we've seen in our lifetimes. And while this suffering is wide and deep, it's also deeply unequal. It's true that Coronavirus itself doesn't discriminate on who it infects. But the inequality that has built up in our health care system and our economy means that Black and Brown people are more likely to get sick, and more likely to get substandard care. And people already living on the edge of poverty are bearing the worst of the economic crisis, unable to telecommute, unable to make rent, and last in line to get help. prgtoken When so many are suffering at home, it's fair that some people might ask, ``why should Congress be looking to help other countries? Why shouldn't we take care of our own first?'' prgtoken Madam , that is a false choice. The bottom line is that we cannot defeat COVID unless the whole world works together. There are too many countries that simply lack the resources to tackle the pandemic on their own. There is a practical reason why we need to help these countries--because if we don't, we run the risk that both this virus and the economic shock will fester, creating more risks for us here at home. But more importantly, we need to help because of the moral imperative, the fact that an America that seeks to be just and moral needs to play a leading role in making sure that every country can weather this crisis. America serves both our interests and our values when we act in service of our common humanity. Regardless of what disagreements we might have with particular governments, it is our mission to make sure that people everywhere have basic public health protections, and a lifeline to whether the economic impact of this crisis. prgtoken The good news is, we have a road map for how this is done. When in the past, the world has faced pandemic challenges, America has taken action to contribute to the global effort. When HIV and AIDS threatened Africa with widespread suffering and demographic disaster, I and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle here in Congress worked wi
AMERICA'S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-4-28

. Madam , in my travels around the world as a Member of Congress one thing has become abundantly clear. Advancing prosperity and stability internationally is not just a moral imperative, it's a national imperative--because instability anywhere is a threat to stability everywhere. prgtoken Human rights violations, terrorism, and infectious diseases don't stop at the border. We have seen that tragic reality reinforced through genocide, international terrorism, and global pandemics. prgtoken So what is the lesson as we fight COVID-19? prgtoken No matter how successful we are in combatting this pandemic here at home, we will never fully stop it unless we also combat it around the world. After all, we saw COVID-19 jump from Wuhan, to Westminster, to West Palm, in a matter of weeks. Outbreaks in remote villages don't stay in remote villages. According to the CDC, 70 percent of the world remains underprepared to prevent, detect, and respond to any public health emergency. prgtoken So while there is still so much more we need to do domestically to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the American public, part of that effort needs to focus on U.S. global leadership to fight this disease and future pandemics. prgtoken America remains the world's most critical defender of human rights and prosperity around the globe. And that role is needed now more than ever. prgtoken Before this pandemic, millions were already fleeing war and persecution in countries around the world, including the devastating impacts in Syria. And COVID-19 is now a force multiplier, increasing the risk of violence, displacement, hunger, and suffering. prgtoken It is crucial that we support the State Department, USAID, the World Health Organization, and others on the frontlines responding to this pandemic and advancing American interests around the world every day. prgtoken More emergency funding is needed for the International Affairs Budget to support the global response to combat this pandemic.
AMERICA'S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-4-28

. Madam , the COVID-19 pandemic we face today has made it abundantly clear how truly connected to one another we all are and how widely our connections span the globe. This pandemic is the greatest global challenge we have faced since World War II and cooperation has never been more important. prgtoken As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee for Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment, it has been one of my top priorities to strengthen and support our transatlantic alliance. Together, the United States and our friends and allies in Europe have worked side by side to tackle challenges while advancing democratic values. Through our NATO alliance and as members of multilateral institutions like the United Nations and the World Health Organization, we have consistently worked together to maximize our resources to address shared security threats. prgtoken Now as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, our cooperation today is more important than ever. Although it has caused many to look inward and focus on those in our own communities, it is critical to remember that the threat from COVID-19 will not end once we have flattened the curve here at home. If we fail to rally support and resources for countries struggling with COVID-19 abroad, especially developing countries and countries marred by conflict, we risk this disease once again finding its way to our shores. Beyond the disease itself, we will face threats from the security and economic conditions COVID-19 is already leaving in its wake including famine, a global recession, and heightened instability and the extremism that often follows it. prgtoken However, we must also remember that we don't have to go it alone and that in fact we are stronger in meeting our shared challenges when we work together. We can learn from each other to better understand the pathology of COVID-19 and how we may ultimately begin safely reopening our economies. We can share resources to ensure all of our medical and health personnel have access to personal protective equipment, ventilators and other medical devices, and eventually to vaccines as well. We can work together to debunk myths and combat disinformation so our communities are not misled by malign actors. Our NATO alliance is already working to coordinate these kinds of assistance and we must build on these successes to be most effective in ending this pandemic for good. prgtoken We are capable of meeting this challenge if we do so together, and for that, American leadership is crucial. We have seen American leadership raise critical resources to fight pandemics in the past and improve the effectiveness of multilateral institutions like the World Health Organization. If we cede this leadership role, we relinquish our ability to shape a safer, more secure future for all Americans, their families and friends overseas, and the myriad business and educational opportunities they have created together to grow the globa
AMERICA'S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-4-28

. Madam , while we must continue to focus on flattening the curve and supporting struggling Americans here at home, we must also help combat the spread of COVID-19 abroad. The pandemic is just beginning in many developing countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. It is not hard to imagine a worst-case scenario as COVID-19 ravages these fragile nations, particularly in areas already plagued by conflict and extremism. The destabilizing impact that the virus will have on economies, government institutions, and communities is deeply concerning. prgtoken This is a global pandemic, and the work that we do overseas makes us safer here at home, too, as this virus continue to spread. Since the outbreak began, the U.S. has provided $775 million to over 100 countries around the world to combat the spread of COVID-19. This commitment builds on over two decades of sustained U.S. leadership and investment to strengthen health systems and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. In addition, according to the State Department, the American people, NGOs, faith groups, and the private sector have also stepped up to provide an estimated $3 billion in donations and assistance to save lives around the world. prgtoken However, we must ensure that these vital resources are used as effectively and efficiently, as possible. Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party continues to cover up their culpability--withholding test samples, lying about mortality rates, and suppressing doctors and journalists from covering the facts-and ultimately undermining the global response. I support the administration's efforts to insist on transparency and accountability. This includes accountability at the World Health Organization, which failed to immediately and effectively respond to this global pandemic. We cannot allow taxpayer resources to go toward organizations that were complicit in this cover up until there is accountability. prgtoken Our assistance must not only consider the short-term needs of vulnerable populations and our partners overseas, but also longer-term recovery efforts to generate economic growth and opportunity. In this unpredictable time, authoritarian regimes, terrorist groups, and hostile nation states will try to take advantage of the chaos for strategic gains. The Chinese Communist Party, acting as both the arsonist and the firefighter, is leveraging this pandemic to project their power and influence through economic dependencies created by their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As African nations cry out for much-needed debt relief from China's predatory BRI lending, reports are already emerging that China is seeking to condition relief on the handover of strategic assets, such as copper mining assets in Zambia. prgtoken We must consider the follow-on shocks of COVID-19--on nascent democracies, counterterrorism operations, refugee camps, vaccination campaigns, education systems, food security, and nu
REMEMBERING CHARLES ``CHUCK'' ALAN STRANGE
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-4-28

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Charles ``Chuck'' Alan Strange from Surprise, Arizona. prgtoken He was loved by many including his wife, Rosie, his three children, Alan, Chris and Laura, his two sisters, Barbara and Carolyn, and grandchildren and great grandchildren. prgtoken Chuck served honorably in the Army for 21 years, including as an Army Ranger for 3\1/2\ years in combat in Vietnam. prgtoken During his service, he was awarded: 7 O/S Bars--(7) six month deployments overseas; Bronze Star Medal with 12t-3rd Oak Leaf Cluster; Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal; Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars--5 Campaigns; Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal 1st and 2nd Awards; Meritorious Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal 1st-7th Award; National Defense Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device 1960; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Bronze Star; Combat Infantry Badge; Vietnam Ranger Badge; and Expert Rifle Badge with M-14 Bar. prgtoken He was a member of the Peoria Chamber for more than 15 years and served on the Board of Directors as well and many other positions. prgtoken Chuck also served on the Peoria & Surprise Regional Chambers and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Surprise. prgtoken He was active in many charities and volunteer positions including Luke Air Force Base, Military Affairs and the Rio Vista Veterans Memorial Wall. prgtoken On this day, we as a community honor him and ask those who knew him to pray for his family during this time of mourning.