mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CAVHS NURSES
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise to congratulate the 19 Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System nurses who have been named to the Great 100 Nurses Celebration of Arkansas 2018 honoree list. prgtoken The selected nurses are chosen based on their concern for humanity, their contributions to the profession of Nursing, and their mentoring of others. prgtoken Each of the Great 100 nurses will receive a certificate and custom pin in honor of their accomplishment. prgtoken This is a record number of honorees from the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and I greatly applaud their work and their caring nature towards our veterans. prgtoken I am proud to represent these and all of our central Arkansas nurses who are making a difference in the lives of our veterans. prgtoken , I include in the Record the name of each selected nurse. prgtoken The 19 CAVHS nurses are: Jackie Archer, RN; Jill Avery, APRN; Shelly Berry, RN; Matthew Bishop, RN; Lana Brown, RN; Pamela Cochran, RN; Kimberly Crutchfield, RN; Brandi Gause, RN; David Hathcock, II, RN; Shauna Haynes, RN; Pamela Horton, APN; Connie Jordan, RN; Meredith Morton, RN; Dara Penn, RN; Danielle Shelby, RN; Courtney Steele, RN; Amada White, RN; Sarah Wilson, RN; Salena Wright-Brown, Ph.D MNSc, APRN, RN.
JOURNEY OF HOPE CYCLISTS
Kevin Yoder (Republican, KS) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today to recognize the Journey of Hope cyclists riding over 4,000 miles across the country this summer to raise awareness for people living with disabilities. prgtoken In 1987, one man's dream of riding his bike across the country inspired the largest fraternal fundraising and awareness event of its kind, the Journey of Hope. prgtoken Today, the Journey of Hope consists of three cross-country routes covering 32 different states and over 12,000 miles that converge upon the U.S. Capitol here in Washington. prgtoken On a typical day, the cyclists ride over 75 miles. However, their day is far from over. The remainder of their days are spent visiting local groups that support people with disabilities and volunteering in the community. prgtoken Next week, the three Journey of Hope teams will arrive at our nation's Capital having raised over $665,000 for the disabled. prgtoken , I call upon all of us in this body to join with me in thanking the Journey of Hope cyclists for their service to the disabled community.
CELEBRATING IDYLLWILD'S TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL ``JAZZ IN THE PINES''
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today to recognize Idyllwild's ``Jazz in the Pines'' festival, a celebration of music, art, and community in my congressional district. prgtoken Jazz in the Pines is one of my family's favorite traditions. It's a chance to marvel at the handiwork of local artists, catch up with friends, and listen to the sweet, sweet sounds of smooth jazz. Every year, we join our neighbors in the San Jacinto Mountains to celebrate the natural and cultural beauty that makes Idyllwild unlike any other place on earth. prgtoken The proceeds of this yearly celebration benefit the Idyllwild Arts, a foundation that teaches adults and children of all ages to realize and develop their artistic talent. Through summer camps and college preparatory courses, Idyllwild Arts is enriching the lives of students from Idyllwild and across the country. prgtoken This year's Jazz in the Pines is particularly special. Not only does it mark the festival's twenty-fifth year--it comes in the wake of and in spite of the largest wildfire to threaten the community of Idyllwild in nearly five years. prgtoken The Cranston fire burned more than 13,000 acres, destroying buildings, closing major roads, and forcing thousands from their homes. But no matter how large the fire grew, our mountain community's passion for celebrating music and the arts burned brighter. prgtoken We owe this year's festival to the incredible first responders who risked their lives to protect Idyllwild, Pine Cove, Mountain Center, Fern Valley, and many surrounding communities. I am also grateful to the hundreds of musicians, artists, and volunteers who made this year's event possible. prgtoken Jazz in the Pines was born from conversations around a kitchen table. Today, it demonstrates what we can achieve when neighbors, local businesses, and non-profits work prgtoken together. That community spirit helps us bounce back from every challenge. It's a lesson in resiliency that I am proud to share with my daughters.
IN RECOGNITION OF 44TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise in remembrance of the long national nightmare that ended 44 years ago today when Richard Milhous Nixon addressed the nation from the Oval Office and announced that he would resign the office of the Presidency. prgtoken The next day, August 9, 1974, he submitted his letter of resignation to Henry Kissinger and left for California. prgtoken In November 1973, long before it was clear that Richard Nixon would be driven from office, the noted historian Arthur Schlesinger explained in his essay, ``The Runaway Presidency,'' why Nixon's malfeasance was unique, and why it would eventually lead to his downfall: The presidency has been in crisis before; but the constitutional offense that led to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson was trivial compared to the charges now accumulating around the Nixon Administration. There are, indeed, constitutional offenses here but . . . what is unique in the history of the presidency is the long list of potential criminal charges against the Nixon Administration. prgtoken When the Watergate burglars were arrested in 1972 after breaking into the ic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C White House press secretary Ron Ziegler dismissed the incident as a ``third-rate burglary.'' prgtoken The execution of the plot to burglarize the DNC may have been third- rate and amateurish, but that was not the essence of the vast criminal enterprise that would become known as ``Watergate.'' ``Watergate'' is short-hand for the systemic, calculated effort conceived and managed from the inner circle of the Nixon White House to subvert elections, punish political enemies, undermine the media, and mislead the American people. prgtoken President Nixon obstructed justice from the Oval Office, used the Internal Revenue Service to go after his political enemies, launched an illegal war in Cambodia, waged dirty tricks against his opponents, kept an ``enemies list,'' was recorded in the Oval Office describing Jews as ``aggressive, abrasive and obnoxious'' and Italians as not having their ``heads screwed on tight,'' had articles of impeachment against him approved by the House Judiciary Committee, and left a permanent stain on American democracy. prgtoken In short, President Nixon attempted to subvert our democratic institutions and flout the rule of law. prgtoken America's democratic institutions, however, are made of sterner stuff, and withstood this assault because in America, no one office or person is above the law. prgtoken As President Theodore Roosevelt put it so well on December 7, 1903 in his third Annual Address to Congress: ``No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.'' prgtoken That is why former FBI agent G. Gordon Liddy and former CIA employee James McCord, security director of the Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP) would be fo
CONGRATULATING CHRIS JEFFERS ON HIS RETIREMENT
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today to congratulate Chris Jeffers, a true public servant, on his retirement after a remarkable 38 years serving in local government. prgtoken For the past 29 years, Chris has served as City Manager of two San Gabriel Valley cities in my district, Monterey Park and Glendora, where his leadership and dedication have made him a pillar in our communities. As City Manager of my hometown of Monterey Park for 16 years, Chris led an expansion of our library, added hundreds of new housing units for seniors and new residents, and expanded the city's business and retail space. He chaired the American Communities for Cleanup Equity, a nationwide coalition of local governments working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and coordinated development of the Greater San Gabriel Valley Community Development Corporation, a partnership of local cities and banks created to invest in small business startups. prgtoken In 2007, Chris accepted the role of City Manager in nearby Glendora. During his tenure, the city was named the Los Angeles area's most business-friendly city under 65,000 residents in 2014 and was twice recognized by the Public Technology Institute for its adoption of new technologies to streamline the way that the government interacts with citizens and businesses. Glendora has even been awarded best downtown and friendliest city by the San Gabriel Newspaper Group for four years running, and a survey of local small business owners showed that over 80% found the city to be an excellent place to have a business. prgtoken Chris's record speaks for itself, and he is proof of the tremendous impact that one can make through dedication to public service. I thank him for his 38 years of contributions to our communities and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.
NOMINATION OF JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH TO THE SUPREME COURT
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to voice my opposition to President 's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. The stakes could not be higher: Judge Kavanaugh is not the Justice that our nation needs, nor deserves. Voting rights, women's reproductive rights, and affirmative action are all under threat. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation could redefine the Supreme Court, and threatens to undermine some of our nation's most important rights for decades to come. prgtoken Judge Kavanaugh's nomination poses a threat to voting rights. When the state of South Carolina tried to enforce a draconian voter ID law, the Administration blocked the law. When the case was referred to the US District Court, Judge Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, upheld the voter I.D. law saying, ``the South Carolina Law has neither a discriminatory effect nor a discriminatory purpose. Moreover, South Carolina did not act with a discriminatory purpose.'' The three-judge panel, led by Kavanaugh, upheld the law. The bill was signed by former Governor, and now UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. prgtoken Kavanaugh's nomination also poses a threat to reproductive rights. The landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision not only gave women access to basic health care rights, but it also strengthened a woman's right to choose. We've seen this playbook before, ; s will stop at nothing to end Roe as we know it. They will chip away it. They will undermine it. They will erode it. prgtoken And we know that women of color and women from low-income communities will be the most adversely impacted by restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare. prgtoken From Kavanagh's tacit approval of Justice Rehnquist's dissent in Roe vs. Wade, to his own dissent in the 2017 ``Jane Doe'' vs. HHS case saying, ``(we can't allow) a new right for unlawful immigrant minors in U.S. Government detention to obtain immediate abortion on demand,'' it is clear Judge Kavanaugh will be receptive to cases prohibiting women's right to choose. prgtoken Finally, while Judge Kavanaugh has never written a judicial opinion on affirmative action, he has written an amicus brief for the Center for Equal Opportunity, an organization opposed to the consideration of race in college admissions decisions. prgtoken If affirmative action were to be limited or ended, historically disenfranchised students would have fewer opportunities to access mainstream institutions of higher learning. prgtoken As a co-chair of the Congressional Pro-choice Caucus, and as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I will keep fighting to protect women's reproductive rights, voting rights, and affirmative action. We must urge the Senate to oppose 's dangerous nominee who represents a direct threat to our values as a nation. We can and must stop the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
HONORING THE BRAVERY OF SOUTH TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Vicente Gonzalez (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today to honor the bravery of fellow South Texans: Lieutenant Phillip Foley, Officer Lucino Cabrera, Officer Ulysses Guerrero, Officer Alberto Rios-Cantu, and Officer Osiel Reyes of the City of McAllen Police Department. These five law enforcement officers engaged and prevented the Deutsch and Deutsch Jewelry store robbery on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at La Plaza Mall in McAllen, Texas. They apprehended seven male suspects who were attempting to rob this jewelry store midday during an otherwise calm weekend in South Texas. prgtoken After entering the store with what appeared to be firearms, the suspects intimidated and threatened store staff while smashing glass displays. One off-duty officer working at a nearby store was alerted to the commotion and immediately went to appraise the situation. He then approached the active scene with the assistance of an off-duty Pharr Police narcotics officer, an off-duty McAllen Police lieutenant and off-duty McAllen Police officers. Together they arrested the suspects and secured the scene. prgtoken Thanks to the brave actions of these officers, all seven suspects were taken into custody, and no one was harmed and no shots were fired. Though off-duty, these officers remained committed to the safety and well-being of our community. I would be remiss to not thank McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez for his leadership at the helm of the police department for now more than 17 years. His vision, tenacity, and approach to guiding the more than 400 people under his command at McAllen Police is admirable and second to none. prgtoken , it is my distinct privilege to represent and recognize these courageous officers from South Texas. These heroes deserve our utmost respect and gratitude for a job extremely well done.
HONORING KEVIN J. KEEFE
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Kevin J. Keefe for his 31 years of outstanding federal service, including as a civilian attorney for the Department of the Navy (DON) Office of the General Counsel (OGC). prgtoken In May 1987, Mr. Keefe was first appointed to federal service as an Attorney Advisor with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Office of Review and Appeals, where he remained until 1989. He went on to serve as Assistant Counsel at DON OGC from 1989 to 1995, and as Senior Advisor in the Executive Office for United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice (DOJ) from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Keefe returned to DON OGC in 1998 as Supervisory Associate Counsel for the Strategic Systems Program (SSP), where he spent the last 20 years representing DON in various roles. prgtoken Kevin J. Keefe quickly established himself for his great foresight in anticipating and evaluating legal issues, particularly in considering potential future implications for the DON. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Keefe earned and maintained the trust of senior leaders at SSP with his superb legal acumen and was well-known for his thorough litigation work. Mr. Keefe has secured numerous favorable decisions from the EEOC and the Merit Systems Protection Board on behalf of DON in his central practice area of civilian personnel law. Moreover, he has assisted the U.S. Attorney's office in representing DON when SSP personnel cases were appealed to the federal District Court or to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In these instances, U.S. attorneys relied on motions and briefs drafted by Mr. Keefe to prevail in federal court. prgtoken Kevin J. Keefe's achievements have been celebrated throughout his career with a variety of awards for his outstanding work in the federal government. These include the DON Meritorious Civilian Service Award, a DOJ Special Achievement Award, a Letter of Recognition from the Director of SSP and other performance-related accolades. prgtoken , I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Kevin J. Keefe, on the occasion of his retirement, for his many years of excellence in federal service.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE SAMUEL U. RODGERS HEALTH CENTER'S 50TH YEAR OF SERVICE
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2018-8-10

I proudly rise today to recognize and celebrate 50 years of service from the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. This milestone embodies the vision Dr. Samuel U. Rodgers had for a foundation that would provide families with affordable health care. With over four decades of service Dr. Rogers' health center has been responsible for providing cost effective and quality health care to thousands of families in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. prgtoken Dr. Samuel U. Rodgers' passion for serving low income families can be traced back to his early days in Kansas City when he first arrived as an intern for a then-segregated general hospital. During this time Dr. Rodgers witnessed firsthand the challenges minority and low-income families faced while trying to access quality and affordable health care. This experience would inspire him to go on to become the first African American OBGYN in Kansas City, and then later, the first African American to open a successful all-black medical practice. Dr. Rodgers' commitment to ensuring that all people, regardless of their ethnicity or economic background, receive affordable health care would later inspire him to open Missouri's first federally-recognized health center, the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. prgtoken When Dr. Rodgers opened his health center, he did so with the intent to serve both individuals and families who otherwise would not be able to afford quality healthcare. Moreover, Dr. Rodgers emphasized the need to also provide patients access to resources that help maintain their long-term health. prgtoken Today, there are five Samuel U. Rodgers Health Centers located throughout the Greater Kansas City area. Each one continues Dr. Rodgers' legacy of compassion and equitable health care for all. The Samuel U. Rodgers Health Centers offer a variety of services that range from dental care to behavioral health prgtoken services. As fundamental pillars of the community, these health centers strengthen and contribute to the prosperity of my district and I have no doubt that Dr. Rodgers would be proud to see the sustained success of his vision. prgtoken Healthcare is one of the most critical factors a community needs to prosper. The Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center is truly a blueprint when it comes to demonstrating the power of arming communities with the access and resources necessary to maintain their health. prgtoken It is a privilege to stand today and recognize the half-century of service of the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center please join me in thanking and honoring the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center for selflessly serving families across the Greater Kansas City area for 50 years.
OFFSHORE WIND FOR TERRITORIES ACT
Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Democrat, GU) \u2014 2018-8-10

today I introduce the ``Offshore Wind for Territories Act,'' which would authorize wind energy development off the coasts of all 5 U.S. territories. prgtoken s--Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon from Puerto Rico, Congresswoman Radewagen from American Samoa, and Congressman Soto from Florida--for their support as original cosponsors. prgtoken Guam and the other territories remain heavily reliant on costly imports of foreign-refined petroleum for electricity generation and transportation fuel. prgtoken Electricity usage and costs for territorial residents are nearly twice the national average, while at the same time our median household incomes are less than half that of the mainland United States. prgtoken As such, reducing the territories' dependence on costly foreign fuel imports with domestically produced offshore wind energy should be a priority for Congress, and something everybody can support. prgtoken Current federal law does not authorize offshore development in the Exclusive Economic Zone around U.S. territories, which extends 200 nautical miles seaward from our coastlines. prgtoken This oversight precludes potentially viable offshore wind projects near Guam and other U.S. territories from moving forward or even getting started. prgtoken To rectify this problem, my bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as our respective Exclusive Economic Zones. prgtoken Further, my bill would direct the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to complete a feasibility study on the offshore wind development potential for each territory, issue a call for information to gauge commercial interest, and offer wind lease sales as appropriate. prgtoken The wind lease scoping and sale process outlined by my bill mirrors the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's existing process for other forms of offshore development. prgtoken Any offshore wind project in the territories must be sited appropriately, which is why my bill would ensure that the governors of each territory are consulted throughout this process. prgtoken My bill also requires consultation with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Defense. prgtoken My late husband, our former Governor Ricky Bordallo, proposed powering Guam with wind and solar energy during the 1970s and 1980s. prgtoken Now decades later, his vision may soon be realized. prgtoken Importantly, my bill would guarantee each territory a state- equivalent share of all royalty payments made to the federal government by offshore wind developers for projects in our respective Exclusive Economic Zones. prgtoken The royalty revenue-sharing under my bill is the same as that which current federal law provides for the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from offshore development in the Gulf of Mexico. prgtoken My bill would also direct
TRIBUTE TO ROBIN TELLER
Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-8-10

I rise today to congratulate Robin Teller of Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico for her role in the Pueblo Pottery Mug project and her success as a Native artist. prgtoken The Pueblo Pottery Mug project started as a collaboration between five Pueblo artists and the first Pueblo-owned Starbucks in New Mexico. The mugs were first sold in 2016 at the Starbucks store in Albuquerque. Each mug was hand-crafted by a different Pueblo artist to celebrate the opening of the new store and to symbolize the collaboration between New Mexico Pueblos and Starbucks. After quickly selling out of the unique mugs--selling over 6,000 mugs--the Shumakolowa gift shop collaborated with the artists to sell mugs at their location in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. prgtoken Robin is from the Pueblo of Isleta, where pottery has historically been made for functional or ceremonial uses. Since 1988, she has become known for her iconic storytellers, nativity scenes, human and animal figures, and polychrome vessels that honor the traditions of her Pueblo. She uses the traditional method of digging clay, tuffa, and pigments from different areas of the Isleta Pueblo, some of which were used by generations past to collect clay. prgtoken Robin's work comes from the traditional designs of the Isleta Pueblo: red and black fluid geometric designs on a white background depicting nature's elements. Her work is also largely influenced by the generations of strong women in her family line. prgtoken , I applaud Robin Teller for being a part of the Pueblo Pottery Mug project. This project has given the community, as well as visitors to New Mexico, an opportunity to appreciate usable pieces of art that prgtoken are inspired by Native culture and traditions. I look forward to seeing this project continue to flourish and support talented Native artists from Pueblos throughout New Mexico.