mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Calendar)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-12-7

for more than 60 years, Congress has passed the NDAA to ensure our Armed Forces are able to keep Americans safe. prgtoken The Armed Services Committee agreed on a robust, bipartisan bill in June--June. What I don't understand is why it took 6 months to schedule a vote on this critical bill. Waiting until the last minute to pass the NDAA is playing a game of chicken with our national security and with the American servicemember. I know most of my ic colleagues in both the House and Senate did not control the timing of this bill. prgtoken But Senator Schumer did. And he decided to wait so long that our chairman and ranking member were forced to conference the bill prior to it coming to the Senate floor. So let's not wait until December 2023 to get the NDAA to the floor. Let's get the fiscal year 2024 NDAA to the floor in regular order--because the consequences of playing these games with the NDAA are severe. prgtoken If Congress keeps the DOD guessing about when we might pass the NDAA, it hinders our ability to keep up with China, assert our dominance in space, keep command of the seas, and restock our missile defenses. If we fail to pass the NDAA or kick this to next year, we should keep in mind the consequences. There will be no raise for servicemembers and no spending increases to keep up with inflation. In short, we would be in a very dangerous situation. Providing for our common defense is one of the few responsibilities mandated by the Constitution for this body. prgtoken As the House moves forward with the NDAA this week and the Senate considers the bill next week, I hope my colleagues will come together to put our common defense over partisan politics. Producing the military equipment and facilities outlined in the NDAA requires a huge supply chain. And the pandemic revealed America's concerning dependence on foreign adversaries for items we used to produce in the U.S. prgtoken Our military is dependent on imported tungsten, cobalt, and rare earth elements. In addition to the military, our Nation's food supply depends on imported materials for fertilizer. Our energy supply chains are dependent on imported aluminum, copper, graphite and uranium. All of these have been listed by the U.S. Geological Survey as ``critical minerals'' in 2018 and most recently in 2022. Many of these maxed out at 100 percent imports to the U.S. prgtoken In fact, we import 100 percent of our supply of 14 of the 35 critical minerals as defined by the Department of the Interior. That means our domestic production of those minerals is zero. And our dependence on foreign countries is growing. prgtoken Where are we getting our imports? Mainly from Russia, China, and their surrogates. We are importing these materials from a country waging brutal and unprovoked war on one our allies and another country with a human rights abuse record that is too long to fit into my time today. All the while, America boasts these mi
TRIBUTE TO COLONEL PAUL TAYLOR
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-12-7

today I want to recognize and pay tribute to a remarkable Kansan: retired U.S. Army COL Paul Taylor of Overland Park. Paul was recently awarded ZERO's 2022 Prostate Cancer Veterans Advocacy Award for his leadership in improving prostate cancer outcomes for veterans impacted by this disease. prgtoken Paul was first diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer in 2012 at the age of 41 while preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. As is too often the case, he did not experience any notable symptoms warning of the disease. It was a routine predeployment medical screening that saved his life. prgtoken Unfortunately, Paul's story is not rare. With nearly 489,000 patients suffering from prostate cancer, this is one of the most common cancer diagnoses among American veterans. In fact, one in five veterans will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. prgtoken With the support and encouragement of his superiors, Paul retained his command of 700 soldiers throughout his medical treatment consisting of hormone therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. He later retired from the Army and continued to serve his country in emergency management roles throughout regional and national crises. prgtoken Paul's cancer is now under control with treatment and is closely monitored. He credits his family and patient support groups for their care and encouragement throughout his cancer journey. They have been meaningful sources of emotional support and mentorship as he underwent treatment for the disease. prgtoken For those facing similar health challenges, he encourages them to find a community to offer support and hope throughout the journey. He embodied this principle himself by choosing to sacrifice his own time and talents to help those facing prostate cancer. prgtoken Even as Paul battled this terrible disease himself, he dedicated his life to fighting prostate cancer through volunteer leadership to help all who suffer from this disease--but especially veterans. prgtoken Today, Paul lives in Overland Park, KS, with his wife Amy and three daughters. He is an active and dedicated advocate for veterans who suffer from prostate cancer. prgtoken His efforts have been instrumental in the progress of S. 2720, the Veterans' Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act. This legislation creates a clinical pathway for prostate cancer in the Department of Veterans Affairs and helps thousands of veterans manage their prostate cancer treatment process. prgtoken On behalf of the U.S. Senate, it is my honor to recognize Paul Taylor for his courage, sacrifice, and determination as he now offers hope and support to the nearly 3.1 million men living with prostate cancer in the United States.
HONORING PROMISES TO NATIVE NATIONS
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-12-7

in 2018, the United States Commission on Civil Rights released the ``Broken Promises'' report, a project undertaken at my request to evaluate Federal obligations to Indian Country. prgtoken Here is a summary. For too long, the Federal Government has failed to live up to its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal nations. As a result, many Native communities lack adequate housing, health facilities, schools, and justice centers. Many lack basic infrastructure--roads, water, and telecommunications--required to deliver needed support services. prgtoken Congress and the Federal Government have a moral and legal obligation to fulfill the promises that have been made, and that is why I am proud to introduce the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, legislation to help reverse the decades-long pattern of systemic funding shortfalls and to strengthen Federal programs that support Indian Country. prgtoken This bill includes provisions to reaffirm the nation-to-nation relationship between the Federal Government and Tribal nations and to better meet the needs of Native communities. prgtoken Action is long overdue, , and Congress should move swiftly to get this done.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF MYRTLE BRAXTON
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the service of Myrtle Braxton. prgtoken Throughout her life, Myrtle has served her community in Richmond and has been a true champion for Contra Costa seniors and families. She began her career in public service at the age of 17, working at the Social Security Administration's (SSA) San Francisco office. She went on to work out of the SSA's Richmond office, serving with the SSA for a total of 35 years prior to her retirement in 1981. prgtoken After retiring, Myrtle continued to be engaged and active with a number of community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, California Alliance for Retired Americans, the Richmond Commission on Aging, and more. She is also a founder of the City of Richmond's Crime Prevention Program, promoting neighborhood safety and advocating for improved relations between community members and local law enforcement. Additionally, Myrtle has worked hard to preserve open and recreational spaces in our community through her work with the California Association of Parks and Recreation for Commissioners and Board Members and with the National Citizen Branch for the Recreation Park Association. Myrtle has worked tirelessly to improve her community and to serve Richmond residents. Her passion and commitment to activism are admired by many. prgtoken Myrtle's advocacy and leadership have been instrumental in Richmond and West County. Please join me in recognizing and thanking Myrtle Braxton for her many years of dedicated service.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8404, RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-7

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her leadership. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of the rule for the Respect for Marriage Act. prgtoken In all my decades of public service, I have never wavered in my support for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1990, I introduced the first legislation in New York State history to grant legal recognition to same-sex couples. When the Defense of Marriage Act was introduced in 1996, I was one of 67 House Members to vote against it. I knew then what I know now: DOMA was a bigoted, discriminatory solution to a problem that never existed. prgtoken It never made sense that I could get into a cab and meet someone that I have never met before, a cab driver, and marry a complete stranger. You could marry the driver that day. Yet a bold, brave New Yorker, and a friend of mine, named Edie Windsor could not have her marriage recognized. She took that fight to the Supreme Court and won. prgtoken , the Respect for Marriage Act will ensure LGBTQ equality, but much more work needs to be done. I thank Chairman Nadler for this bill.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8404, RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-12-7

the balance of my time to close. prgtoken , tonight's vote should be an easy one. The Respect for Marriage Act passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support, and the bill is supported by over 70 percent of Americans. It provides critical safeguards for a right that many Americans have already exercised and rely upon for the protection and prosperity of their families. prgtoken The Respect for Marriage Act is historic legislation to protect the marriages of same-sex and interracial couples. I don't think history will look kindly on those who, when given the prgtoken ability to protect the rights and freedoms of their constituents, chose to say no. prgtoken , on behalf of the LGBTQ community, my cousins, my dearest friends and neighbors, religious communities across the country, and, of course, the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection, which I am so proud to represent, I stand in strong support of the Respect for Marriage Act, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this rule and the bill. prgtoken , , and I move the previous question on the resolution. prgtoken The previous question was ordered.
DANIELLE RADOVICH PIPER
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-12-7

. Madam , I rise to honor the public service of my Chief of Staff, Danielle Radovich Piper. prgtoken Danielle has served as my trusted adviser for more than two decades. She managed my first campaign for Congress in 2006 out of a former veterinarian's office in Golden and has been by my side ever since as my Chief of Staff. Together, we've served Colorado's 7th Congressional District for the last 16 years. Danielle expertly managed our team of dedicated public servants. She ensured a dual focus for our office on advancing legislation which would benefit the hard-working people of Colorado while simultaneously providing excellent constituent services. Danielle is a brilliant strategist and communicator. This has served us well during difficult times including natural disasters and devastating crises in our community. She is highly respected by her peers in both Colorado and Washington, D.C. prgtoken Danielle graduated from Colorado State University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Before serving as my Chief of Staff, Danielle was Chief of Staff for the Senate Majority in the Colorado General Assembly. She has been appointed to several state- level entities, including the Supreme Court Nominating Commission and the Census Outreach Grant Committee. prgtoken Danielle has done this all while raising two boys, Aiden who attends Golden High School and Liam who attends Manning Middle School, with her husband Chris. Danielle is a tremendous role model with a strong moral compass who checks every line of the Code of the West, especially ``Always finish what you start,'' ``Know where to draw the line,'' ``Be tough, but fair,'' and ``When you make a promise, keep it.'' Danielle's leadership and commitment to our community is remarkable and it is impossible to count the ways her work has impacted the State of Colorado. I am proud to see Danielle continue her public service next year at my alma mater, the University of Colorado, as the Senior Vice President for External Relations and Strategy. prgtoken On behalf of our friends, neighbors, and constituents from Colorado's 7th Congressional District and the entire Congress, I want to express sincere appreciation for the career and public service of my colleague and friend, Danielle Radovich Piper.
HONORING CAPTAIN DAVID STUPPY UPON RECEIVING THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor and commend Captain David Stuppy of the 60th Air Mobility Wing upon receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service, dedication, and sacrifice during Operation Allies Refuge. He exemplifies the best of America, and his tireless efforts guarantee the safety of all those who call America home. prgtoken Last year, the servicemembers of the 60th Air Mobility Wing met a challenge of colossal scale when they played a pivotal role in completing the drawdown of forces from Afghanistan. This command was critical in the largest noncombatant evacuation operation in known history, Operation Allies Refuge, ultimately saving over 124,000 lives. The 60th Air Mobility Wing directly supported the evacuation of nearly 13,000 Afghans while simultaneously managing the security and operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport. I have listened to countless stories from this group of brave men and women that exemplify the character, leadership, and bravery that is cultivated at Travis Air Force Base. prgtoken Service records only scratch the surface of the courageous actions performed by the 60th Air Mobility Wing. They put their hearts and lives on the line to save so many. These valiant servicemembers like Captain David Stuppy epitomize the values of courage and patriotism. prgtoken On behalf of a grateful country and all the constituents of California's Third Congressional District, I would like to congratulate Captain David Stuppy of the 60th Air Mobility Wing for receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and extend my sincere gratitude for his prgtoken sacrifice and contributions to the defense of this great country.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-12-7

we have a longstanding adult literacy crisis that affects the quality of life for individuals and families and holds our economy back. It is time for a major expansion of adult education. Today, I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation--the Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success Act, or the Adult Education WORKS Act--with my colleague Senator Young. prgtoken Adult education provides numeracy, literacy, digital literacy, English language skills, work readiness, soft skills, high school equivalency, and numerous wraparound services to millions of adult learners nationwide--all essential skills. They can be the difference between earning a family-sustaining wage and struggling to make ends meet. A study commissioned by the Barbara Foundation estimated that getting all U.S. adults to the equivalent of a sixth grade reading level would generate an additional $2.2 trillion in annual income for the country. Without the opportunities provided through adult education programs, many adults will be left on the sidelines. prgtoken According to recent National Center for Education Statistics, NCES, data, 43 million adults are low-skilled in literacy and 62.7 million adults are low-skilled in numeracy. Building a sustainable economy that truly works for everyone is going to require helping these individuals acquire the basic skills they need to succeed. Unfortunately, we are reaching only a fraction of these individuals today. According to the Department of Education, at current funding levels, adult education programs only serve about 1.1 million people, and an estimated one- third of local adult education providers have waiting lists. prgtoken The Adult Education WORKS Act provides a roadmap for addressing this crisis. It calls for increased resources, doubling funding for adult education by 2026. At the same time, it makes significant improvements to the adult education system. It calls for a new emphasis on digital and information literacy, which are critical for success in the workplace and in navigating everyday life. It enhances the role of adult education providers, with a special focus on public libraries and community-based organizations, throughout the workforce development system, ensuring coordination and efficient use of resources. It invests in the professionalization of the adult education field, strengthening State certification policies, encouraging full-time staffing models, and expanding professional development opportunities and career pathways for adult educators. It provides support for college and career navigators in public libraries and community-based organizations to support adult learners where they live. Finally, it invests in innovation and accountability through pilot projects that test new approaches to measuring program performance and learner outcomes. prgtoken In developing this legislation, Senator Young and I worked cl
TRIBUTE TO KEN LEONARD
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-12-7

anyone who knows Coach Ken Leonard knows that he cares deeply about football, but more than that, he cares deeply about people. As Illinois' most successful high school football coach, Coach Leonard has left his mark on our State by leading Sacred Heart-Griffin High School to six State football championships and harnessing the power of sports to build confidence in young athletes. He never let any challenges get in his way and always inspired others to follow his lead. prgtoken Ken Leonard was born July 7, 1953, in Lexington, IL, to John and Iona Leonard. He was one of six children in his family, along with his two brothers and three sisters. He graduated from Chenoa High School in Chenoa, IL, where he was a four-sport athlete. Following high school, Ken was a 2-year starter for the Hawks of Harper Junior College football team in Palatine, IL, and a 1-year starter for the Trojans of Dakota State University in Madison, SD. Ken then graduated college from Illinois State University, but his career as a player was just the beginning of his legendary legacy. prgtoken In 1980, Ken took his first football head coaching job at Gridley High School, in a community of fewer than 2,000 people. A former smalltown kid himself, Ken felt right at home at Gridley, but the school struggled to recruit enough student players to field a football team. And they were forced to shut the program down. This setback, however, did not stop Ken from pursuing his passion for football. prgtoken Later that spring, Ken received a call from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, where he would go on to become the winningest high school football coach in Illinois history. prgtoken After 39 seasons with Sacred Heart-Griffin and 43 total seasons coaching high school football, Coach Leonard is set to retire this December. By the time he leaves the locker room for the last time, he will have coached 500 games and taught countless young athletes how to work as a team. prgtoken As a parent of Sacred Heart-Griffin alumni and a fan of high school football, I feel lucky to have met Coach prgtoken Leonard. Even after my kids graduated, I would catch as many games as I could. I even had the opportunity to attend a celebration for the Cyclones after they won one of their many State championships. prgtoken From my visits to Sacred Heart-Griffin, it was evident that Coach Leonard's impressive 419-81 record reflects his deep passion for the sport and tireless dedication to his athletes. If you ask Coach Leonard, he would tell you that he has not worked a day in his life because he loved what he did. And his impact extended well beyond the gridiron. prgtoken Coach Leonard did not just coach football; he coached character. His players have gone on to become All-Americans, college football players, and even NFL stars. But Ken knew that life was more than tackles and touchdowns. He believed that what mattered more than developing players was developing go
HONORING DR. K. BARRY SHARPLESS FOR RECEIVING HIS SECOND NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of Dr. Barry Sharpless who was awarded his second Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year. His contributions to the fields of chemistry and medicine are numerous and with this award he has joined an elite list of researchers and scientists. I honor his achievements as he becomes one of only two scientists in history to win two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and only the fifth person to win a Nobel Prize twice. prgtoken Dr. Sharpless was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1941. His first true passion was fishing, and it has been a constant throughout his life. He did not discover his love of chemistry and science until much later and did not plan to become a scientist in his youth. In 1959, he left Philadelphia to attend university at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. His parents had always hoped that he would follow in his father's footsteps and become a medical doctor. This led him to study chemistry in school. It was at Dartmouth College that he found mentors who inspired and guided him. prgtoken Dr. Sharpless attended Stanford University for his postgraduate studies, where he earned his doctorate in organic chemistry. He met his future wife at Stanford University, and they later had three children. Upon completion of his Ph.D Dr. Sharpless conducted research in enzymology at Harvard University. prgtoken In 1970, he joined the faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an assistant professor. It was at MIT that he began researching chirality, a concept in chemistry which refers to mirror image molecules. Chemical reactions that occur in a lab produce two forms of molecules with different properties. Relying on the wrong form can make synthetic medicines dangerous. Thanks to the work done by Dr. Sharpless and his colleagues, his lab was able to find ways to synthesize molecules with new properties to develop safer pharmaceutical products. These contributions earned him his first Nobel Prize in 2001, which he shared with William S. Knowles, Ph.D and Ryoji Noyori, Deng. prgtoken Dr. Sharpless joined Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, in 1990. Building upon his earlier work, Dr. Sharpless developed click chemistry, a term he coined that describes a set of methods used to construct chemical compounds. This process revolutionized how scientists approach bioimaging and has led to significant advances in drug development for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer. prgtoken We are incredibly proud that Dr. Sharpless and his team at Scripps Research are doing this groundbreaking work in the San Diego region. prgtoken Nobel Prizes are awarded to those with the highest degrees of intelligence, creativity, and dedication. I am certain Dr. Sharpless will continue to embody these characteristics and inspire future generations to do the same. Dr. Sharpless has earned countless awards, honors,