mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING JANIE L. MINES
Ralph Norman (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-6-11

today, I would like to recognize one of the most accomplished constituents in the Fifth District of South Carolina. prgtoken Janie L. Mines, who lives in Fort Mill, encompasses what it means to serve and honor one's country. In 1975, after the United States Congress authorized the entrance of women into our first-rate military service academies, Janie soon applied to enter the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. prgtoken Out of 81 women who entered the academy in 1976, Ms. Mines was the first and only Black woman to graduate from her class and the first ever Black woman to graduate from the United States Naval Academy as a whole. prgtoken After her departure from the academy with the rank of ensign and a bachelor of science in engineering, Ms. Mines was trained as a supply officer and became a supervisor at the former Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida. She proceeded to serve in the former Naval Annex at the Pentagon, aboard the USS Emory S. Land, and as a senior adviser to the Secretary of the Navy. In fact, she has continued her work in the Armed Forces on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women. prgtoken Her exceptional accomplishments include being granted the position of torchbearer for the 2002 Olympic Games, starting a foundation that tends to the needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged boys, and being honored by the United States Navy with a business achievement award in 2010. prgtoken In 2018, Ms. Mines wrote and published the book ``No Coincidences: Reflections of the First Black Female Graduate of the United States Naval Academy.'' In it, she shows us the true meaning of faith, patriotism, and persistence. We can all learn from her story and her deep love of this country. prgtoken I will end with a quote from her book: ``God has a plan for us all. If we submit to His will, we need not fear. We are prepared and protected.'' prgtoken We thank Ms. Mines for her continued service to this great country. Honoring Southside Fire Department
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2740, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES...
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2019-6-11

I rise in opposition to the rule. prgtoken Earlier this year, , President made it clear in a letter that he will veto any piece of legislation that undermines or nullifies any pro-life policy, regulation, or rule. prgtoken The bill facilitated by this rule reverses several life-affirming pro-life policies, including conscience protection, Title X reform, the protecting life in global health assistance, and more. prgtoken No one, --including doctors, nurses, and LPNs--and no entity like a hospital or a health insurance plan should ever be compelled against their will into performing, facilitating, or subsidizing abortion. prgtoken First, the approps bill overturns the conscience protection final rule, leaving many at risk of pressure, harassment and coercion. prgtoken Second, in late February, HHS promulgated the Protect Life Rule to reassert portions of President Ronald Reagan's Title X rule, including ending co-location of abortion clinics with family planning clinics subsidized by Title X. prgtoken Third, H.R. 2740, the underlying bill, repeals and bans future promulgation by any President of protecting life in global health assistance, a significant reiteration and expansion of President Reagan's Mexico City policy, a policy designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are not funding foreign NGOs that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. prgtoken , why is this so important? Because women and children, both home and abroad, deserve better than the violence of abortion. prgtoken The humanity of the unborn child is beyond doubt, yet the pro- abortion movement, like some kind of modern-day flat Earth society, continues to cling to outdated, indefensible arguments cloaked in euphemism. Even the seemingly benign word ``choice'' withers under scrutiny. prgtoken Choice to do what? prgtoken Dismember a baby? prgtoken Take pills to starve a child to death and then forcibly expel her or him from the womb? prgtoken Inject chemical poisons that kill the baby? prgtoken At the end of this process, , important policies embedded in the approps bill will be signed into law, but reversal of pro-life policies will be vetoed. This legislation will be vetoed and the veto will be sustained by this Congress.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-11

I have 6 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, during schedule votes, to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Amy Karpel, of Washington, and Randolph J. Stayin, of Virginia, both to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a closed hearing. Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety prgtoken The Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety of the Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on the nomination of William B. Kilbride, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Subcommittee on Intellectual Property prgtoken The Subcommittee on Intellectual Property of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
RECOGNIZING COLONEL TIMOTHY HOLMAN
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-6-11

. Madam , today I recognize Colonel Timothy Holman of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication and service to our Nation. Colonel Holman will soon transition from his current assignment as the Chief of the United States Army House Liaison Division in the House of Representatives to the Deputy for the Army's Unity and Inclusion Office. With an impressive and proven record of leadership, including combat tours in Iraq as the Brigade Operations Officer of the 130th Engineer Brigade and in Afghanistan as the Battalion Commander of the 54th Engineer Battalion, Tim was chosen to serve as the Chief of the House Liaison Division in 2017 after serving as a Chief of Staff of the Army Senior Fellow with the Center for a New American Security. Colonel Holman's outstanding work led to him being selected as the Chief of the United States Army House Liaison Division. His first-hand knowledge of the military, its culture, and traditions was a tremendous benefit to Army senior leaders and Congressional offices. Tim was especially effective in his service to Members and staff as he escorted them on fact-finding and oversight delegations within the United States and around the world. Recently, Colonel Holman led a CODEL to the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landing at Normandy, the largest CODEL of this type on record. His expert planning, attention to detail, and love of travel enabled exceptional visits for fifty-eight Members of Congress and their staff. I found him to be a thoughtful, intelligent, and a professional soldier in the best traditions of America's Armed Forces. Madam , it has been a pleasure to work with Colonel Holman during his tenure as the Chief of the United States Army House Liaison Division in the House of Representatives. On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of a fellow Mississippian, Colonel Timothy Holman, and his wife, B.J. Holman. I wish them the very best.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2019-6-11

along with my colleagues, Senators Jacky Rosen, Martha McSally, and Amy Klobuchar, I am introducing the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2019, a bill that seeks to help combat the abuse and financial exploitation of our Nation's seniors. Our bill would create a semipostal, or fundraising, stamp that would allow Postal Service customers to make a voluntary contribution to raise awareness and combat elder abuse by purchasing this special stamp. prgtoken The proceeds from this stamp would go to the Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Administration on Community Living (ACL) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). The funding would allow the ACL to further support the development and advancement of emerging practices to prevent and respond to the abuse of older adults, and would assist DOJ in improving prosecution, data collection, litigation support, and initiatives that prevent elder abuse. Notably, this bill would help to provide needed additional revenue to tackle elder abuse without costing the Federal government a single penny. prgtoken Abuse of older Americans is sadly prevalent--no matter the person's gender, race, religion, or ethnic or cultural background. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. Abuse can happen in many places, including a person's home, a family member's house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. Just as abuse can occur in various settings, there are many types of elder abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation, to name a few. Although there are different types of abuse, it is common for a victim to experience more than one form of abuse. prgtoken According to the National Council on Aging, approximately one in ten Americans aged 60 years old or older have experienced some form of elder abuse. According to the GAO, financial fraud targeting older Americans is a growing epidemic that costs seniors an estimated $2.9 billion annually. We know, however, that the true number is probably much higher since many of these cases are never reported because the victim is too often embarrassed to report abuse, particularly when it involves a family member. In fact, the National Center on Elder Abuse reports that only one in 14 cases are reported to the authorities. prgtoken In Maine--the State with the oldest population by median age--an estimated 33,000 seniors each year are the victims of some kind of abuse or financial fraud. Moreover, in as many as 90 percent of financial cases, the senior is victimized by someone he or she knows well. A 2017 report of financial exploitation of Maine's older adults found that in most cases, financial exploitation is perpetrated by a family member, typically the victim's own adult child. prgtoken In a recent case in Maine, police charged a pastor in York County, Maine, with exploiting an inc
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2740, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES...
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-6-11

. Because of the political dysfunction in their own Caucus, they stubbornly refuse to put forward any solutions. It has gotten to the point where editorial boards in some of the Nation's most liberal cities are now calling out for their inaction. prgtoken need to stop denying the facts and blaming the President for this crisis. The time has come to face reality and work with the President and s in Congress to immediately resolve this humanitarian crisis. prgtoken , I urge all Members to defeat the previous question on this rule. If we do that, we can finally bring this critically needed supplemental funding to the House for a vote.
IN HONOR OF THE DEDICATION OF THE SERGEANT DONALD BURGETT POST OFFICE BUILDING IN HOWELL, MICHIGAN
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Madam , today I rise to honor Sergeant Donald Burgett, an American hero to whom the people of the 8th District of Michigan, along with the entire nation, are deeply indebted. As Congress has deemed, the United States Post Office in Howell, Michigan, shall henceforth be known as the Sergeant Donald Burgett Post Office Building, enshrining the legacy of this valiant champion of freedom for generations to come. Sergeant Burgett was born in Detroit in 1925 and served as a rifleman and machine-gunner in the 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. His service took him throughout the European theater and included parachuting into Normandy in the opening hours of D-Day. His devotion to country did not end with his service, however, as he returned to Howell after the war and committed himself to bettering the community through veterans' organizations and civic leadership, and by chronicling the war's events in several highly acclaimed books. Sgt. Burgett was deeply committed to recording the experiences of his colleagues-in-arms so that their legacy would live on. Now, we have the distinct honor of doing likewise, by dedicating a public building in his name. I can think of no more fitting tribute on this Flag Day, which comes just days after the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, than to honor the heroism of a man who lived and died under the flag and whose very name is synonymous with its ideals. Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Sgt. Burgett and his extraordinary life and legacy of service. May all who enter the building that now bears his name be inspired to the principles of service over self and love of country by which he lived.
Medicaid (Executive Calendar)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-6-12

we are on the floor, and I will be joined by colleagues to talk about the program we know as Medicaid--a program that I think we are beginning to appreciate more, especially in the last couple of years--and the impact it has on the American people. prgtoken Unfortunately, the debates on healthcare have resulted in Medicaid becoming a target. Too often, both in the Senate and in the other body--the other body, the House--the Medicaid Program has been the subject of attempts to do at least one of three things, if not all three. prgtoken One is attempts to decimate the program by way of funding cuts over the next 10 years. We know the President's budget has proposed cutting Medicaid by $1.5 trillion over 10 years--that is with a ``t''--roughly, $150 billion each and every year for 10 years. That is a bad idea, and we are going to fight that with all we have. prgtoken Other attempts to slash Medicaid have been perpetuated over time, either to cut it over 10 years or to cut it in a particular year. prgtoken The third thing we have seen is sabotage efforts by the administration when it comes to the exchanges resulting from the Affordable Care Act but also attempts to sabotage the Medicaid Program itself. I will develop that in a moment in terms of the attempts by the administration. prgtoken Medicaid is a program that, I think, tells us who we are as a nation. We are a great nation for a number of reasons. We all know we have the strongest military and the strongest economy. When we are at our best, we are an example to the world. We are also the greatest country in the world because of the way we attempt--don't always do the right thing and don't always do as much as we should--but because of our attempts to take care of folks who need help and to give opportunity to folks who might need a door to be opened or an opportunity to be presented to them. prgtoken Medicaid is one of those examples of American greatness when we get it right. Medicaid is the program that we know is responsible for making sure seniors can get into nursing homes. Absent Medicaid, millions of seniors wouldn't be able to have the benefit of skilled care in a nursing home. Something on the order of 60 percent of seniors have an opportunity to get skilled care because of Medicaid. Absent Medicaid, it is highly likely they wouldn't be able to get that care, especially when you consider the cost of care to just one family. It would cost tens and tens of thousands of dollars. prgtoken Medicaid is the program that takes care of a huge share of the Nation's children, and a subset of that, of course, is children with disabilities. We are told, just in Pennsylvania alone--the most recent number I have seen--54 percent of children with disabilities have their healthcare provided to them by Medicaid. Thank goodness that is the case, and we have to make sure that continues. prgtoken Just consider the birth of a child. We know, whether it is
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2740, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , while we may not agree on everything, I do want to thank my colleague from Georgia for his participation in this process. I hope we can agree that getting back to regular order is the right thing to do, not for and not for s, but for the American people. prgtoken Congress cannot write a blank check and allow children on our southern border to continue to be abused while they are in our custody. We need transparency, we need accountability. Members of Congress need to be able to go and inspect these facilities without being denied entry. prgtoken On the issue of participation among Members of Congress through this process of appropriations, I want to state once again that ideas are absolutely welcome. However, the Appropriations Committee chairwoman cannot order Members to participate in the process. We can set up meetings and we can invite them to come and participate, and many did. They presented their ideas, they presented their requests for funding for their districts, and, guess what, 95 percent of those requests were agreed upon through a process of mitigating. prgtoken Now, if I was writing this appropriations bill myself, it would look very different. If my colleague from Georgia was writing this appropriations bill himself, it would look very different. He and I both know that. But our commitment is not to our personal agendas. Our commitment is to the rule of law, is to democracy, and is to the American people, our constituents, who sent us here to represent them. prgtoken The underlying legislation is a strong bill that is the result of good, hard work by Members of both sides of the aisle. It is about time that the House of Representatives got back to doing the business of the people in a timely manner. prgtoken , I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.
RECOGNIZING THE VFW POST 7327 AMERICANISM AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-6-12

. Madam , I rise to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7327 in Springfield, Virginia and the winners of its 2019 Americanism Awards. prgtoken The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) traces its beginnings to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish American War established local organizations to bring awareness to their service prgtoken and to advocate for veterans retirement benefits and improved medical care. Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. prgtoken With approximately 600 Comrades and 150 Ladies Auxiliary members, the Springfield VFW Post 7327 stands out for the depth of its commitment to our community. Often called ``The Friendliest VFW Post in Virginia,'' Post 7327 has one of the most aggressive ADOPT-A UNIT programs in the entire VFW organization to support our service members stationed overseas. VFW Post 7327 visits the VA hospital at least quarterly, bringing along goodie bags for our Wounded Warriors. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, VFW Post 7327 adopts military families in need through the USO and provides them with meal baskets for each holiday, gifts for children, commissary cards for the parents, and a Christmas party where the children can meet Santa and receive a gift-filled stocking. The Ladies Auxiliary members collect, sort, and distribute more than 2,000 pieces of clothing each month to various charitable organizations. prgtoken VFW Post 7327 is a strong supporter of local youth organizations including the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Little League Baseball that contribute greatly to the education and well-being of our children. prgtoken Each year, VFW Post 7327 bestows awards to local students who have submitted outstanding essays on a specific theme and to local teachers and public safety officers in recognition of their extraordinary actions and dedication to the community. prgtoken I am honored to include in the Record the names of this year's award recipients: prgtoken Patriot's Pen: 1st Place--Madeline Elizabeth Chambers, 2nd Place-- Miriya Gyalokay, 3rd Place--Tyra C. Lovell. prgtoken Voice of Democracy: 1st Place--Austin Houck, 2nd Place--Dorian M. Dore. prgtoken Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Carrie Messina, Poe Middle School, Ms. Heather Sable, Hill Elementary School. prgtoken Firefighter Award: Firefighter/EMT Michael See. prgtoken EMT Award: EMT Anna Morgan. prgtoken Law Enforcement Award: PFC Scott Reever. prgtoken National EMT Award: EMT Tory Albertson. prgtoken National Firefighter Award: Firefighter Samantha Green. prgtoken Community Americanism Award: Christopher Reese, Samantha Mulvaney. prgtoken Madam , I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking VFW Post 7327 for its continued efforts on behalf of our community and in congratulating the honorees of the 2019 Americanism Awards.