mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE YWCA USA
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-12-6

I rise today in honor of the 160th anniversary of the YWCA USA. Since the first YWCA USA branch opened in 1858, in my home state of New York, the organization has expanded to include 213 United States locations and its programs serve 2 million individuals nationwide. The YWCA USA has stayed true to its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women throughout its rich history. prgtoken Many prominent social movements, past and present, have included activism from the YWCA USA. This includes advocacy for women's voting rights, civil rights, pay equity and gender-based violence prevention. With their voices at the forefront of many social issues, the YWCA USA is taking a stand for the rights of women across the country. prgtoken In addition to advocacy, YWCA USA offers a wide variety of resources so women can reach their full potential. Financial literacy and job training are two such prominent programs offered by the YWCA USA. Women have the ability to secure economic opportunity and gain financial independence with the help of the skills developed with these resources. prgtoken Furthermore, YWCA USA is committed to the higher education of young women. They have sought to increase female representation in the science, technology, engineering and math fields with their ``Girls in STEM'' courses, as well as financially support college-bound young women by providing 20,000 scholarships annually. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating 160 years of the YWCA USA. I have witnessed the life-changing work carried out by the YWCA USA at the Onondaga County location in my district. The efforts of the YMCA USA have greatly advanced the lives of women in my district and across the United States. I encourage my fellow members in the House to support the mission of the YWCA USA, as well as organizations promoting a similar message of equality. Women are moving closer to equality in our society and with the help of groups like the YWCA USA, we can achieve that equality.
Remembering George H.W. Bush (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-12-6

as our Nation paused just for a little while this week to remember the 41st President of the United States and to honor his legacy and his life, I think it is important that we also pause here in the Senate Chamber, and, quite frankly, I bring that same sense of respect from my State of Oklahoma. prgtoken President was widely known as our President. Quite frankly, one of the legacies I think he will leave the longest tale on is his commitment to faith and family. His compassion for people ran throughout his lifetime. prgtoken The conversation during the funeral yesterday in Washington, DC--and it is happening right now in Houston--centered significantly around his relationship with his beautiful wife Barbara. Seventy-three years of marriage is quite a legacy, and it is rare in America. It was a gift to America to see that kind of example set in front of us; it is that kind of commitment to their family and to each other. prgtoken They met each other at a dance in Greenwich, CT, in 1941, when he was a 17-year-old high school senior and she was 16, and they went out to dance together with Glenn Miller songs playing. Tell me that is not a throwback to a different time and a different age. prgtoken They were engaged in 1943 at the height of the war. During that same time period, he was engaged in working with the United States to protect our country during World War II. He served as one of the youngest fighter pilots--the youngest during that time period. prgtoken Some of his letters have survived, and much has been said about what a prolific, personal writer President was in his own life. The letters he wrote to Barbara during that 1943 time period have survived, including a letter he wrote to her on December 12, 1943, when they were still engaged. He said: My darling . . . Bar, you have made my life full of everything I could ever dream of--my complete happiness should be a token of my love for you. prgtoken Who writes like that, other than a man who is a great personal example to the Nation? prgtoken They were married on January 6, 1945, and had six children. They were the longest married Presidential couple, married 73 years. In 1994, Barbara described herself and her husband in her memoirs as ``the two luckiest people in the world, and when all the dust is settled and all the crowds are gone, the things that matter are faith, family and friends. We have been inordinately blessed, and we know that.'' prgtoken In 1994, that same year--he is still writing her decades later--he wrote her on their anniversary with this note: Will you marry me? Oops, I forgot you did that 49 years ago today. I was very happy on that day in 1945. I'm even happier today. You've given me joy that few men know. I've climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that cannot hold a candle to being Barbara's husband. prgtoken Their love story didn't come
THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-12-6

. from Tennessee. I appreciate your explanation, which also reflects my understanding, about the difference between international exchange program fees and placement and recruitment fees covered by the bill. Let me conclude by saying that I agree with you about the importance of our International Exchange Programs administered by the Department of State, and I know that Congress has long supported these programs.
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN J. RUSSELL
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-12-6

I rise today to honor the memory of John J . Russell of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, who was the loving and devoted father of Tricia Russell, my exceptional and incomparable Chief of Staff. prgtoken Originally born in County Cork to parents James and Norah, John was a proud son of Ireland through and through. Like many generations of Irish who came to this country before him, he and his loving wife Joanne raised their family in Boston--proudly preserving and celebrating their heritage, faith, and traditions. John was blessed with the gift of the gab and was known for his ability to make friends or engage complete strangers anywhere. For this and the other gifts he was blessed with, including his family, he was thankful--showing a devotion to his faith and his fellow parishioners. prgtoken While I did not know John personally, I feel as though I have come to know his many exemplary qualities and his character through his daughter, who embodies his values day-in and day-out: selflessness and dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by others, no matter what. prgtoken John's devotion and adoration may not have always been spoken, but his actions and unadulterated love for his family were loud and clear. John undoubtedly was proud of Tricia and loved her dearly, helping her grow into the strong woman she is today. He was the rock on which the family was built and his spirit will continue to live on through Tricia and Joanne. prgtoken , there is a beautiful old Irish saying for mourning a loved-one: ``Ar dheis De go raibh a h'anam,'' meaning ``May his soul be on the right side of God.'' For us, there is no question: John's love for his family, his love for his home, and his faith have secured for him a new life in God's embrace. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of John J. Russell and his extraordinary legacy.
FAREWELL SPEECH
Jared Polis (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-12-6

it has been the honor of my life to have served 10 years in this body, and I want to take this occasion to thank the amazing and talented staff that has worked both in our congressional office here in Washington as well as in Ft. Collins and Boulder and in Adams and Summit Counties. prgtoken I want to thank all of the interns who have lent their services over the last decade, on behalf of the people of the Second Congressional District, hopefully providing them with a great experience that furthers their interest in public affairs. prgtoken And, of course, I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The men and women I have come to know and have worked with in the last decade have been some of the most important relationships of my life. I truly believe that there is no problem so large that the deliberative and thoughtful minds in this body can't rise to the occasion and solve all the pressing issues. prgtoken It has been sad to see that, all too often, things stand in the way of that progress, whether it is partisanship, yes, but not only partisanship, the role of the special interests, and the increasingly divided electorate that we have nationally. prgtoken But I know that the men and women of this body and in the next Congress, the 116th Congress, will hopefully come together to solve a lot of the pressing issues that affect our country and the world. prgtoken Whether it is making sure that kids grow up with a good education, that families have access to affordable healthcare, or protecting our environment for ourselves and future generations, I know that the men and women in this body will be able to rise to that occasion. prgtoken It truly has been an amazing honor to have worked with so many terrific people from all over this country, authentically representing their constituents and their districts. prgtoken I look forward to taking this decade of service to our Nation with me throughout the rest of my life, wherever I go, to help inform the decisions I make to do the very best job that I can, every day. prgtoken Thank you, , for the honor of serving in the United States Congress for a decade. I look forward to continuing to work with future United States Congresses.
TRIBUTE TO YOUNG STAFF MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-12-6

as Members of Congress we know well, perhaps better than most, how blessed our nation is to have in reserve such exceptional young men and women who will go on to become leaders in their local communities, states, and the nation in the areas of business, education, government, philanthropy, the arts and culture, and the military. prgtoken We know this because we see them and benefit from their contributions every day. Many of them work for us in our offices as junior staff members, congressional fellows, or interns and they do amazing work for and on behalf of the constituents we are privileged to represent. prgtoken , I believe there is no higher calling than the call to serve a cause larger than ourselves. That is why I ran for public office. I was inspired to serve by President Kennedy who said, ``Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,'' and by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said: ``Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. . . . You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.'' prgtoken By this measure, there are several other great young men and women who served as volunteers this year in my offices. They may toil in obscurity but their contributions to the constituents we serve are deeply appreciated. That is why today I rise to pay tribute to 4 extraordinary young persons for their service to my constituents in the 18th Congressional District of Texas and to the American people. They are: prgtoken Stephen Singleton from Texas Tech University; prgtoken Tynesea Watts from University of Kentucky; prgtoken Jacqueline Lee from The Madeira School; and prgtoken Nisreen Marabe from The Madeira School. prgtoken , the energy, intelligence, and idealism these wonderful young people brought to my office and those interning in the offices of my colleagues help keep our democracy vibrant. The insights, skills, and knowledge of the governmental process they gain from their experiences will last a lifetime and prove invaluable to them as they go about making their mark in this world. prgtoken Because of persons like them the future of our country is bright and its best days lie ahead. I wish them all well. prgtoken , I am grateful that such thoughtful committed young men and women can be found working in my office, those of my colleagues, and in every community in America. Their good works will keep America great, good, and forever young.
H.R. 390, IRAQ AND SYRIA GENOCIDE RELIEF AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2018
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-12-6

I rise to celebrate the passage of the Senate amendment to H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017 in the House on November 27, 2018 by voice vote. The legislation has been presented to the President for his signature and I urge him to quickly sign the bill into law. prgtoken H.R. 390 is the culmination of years of work in Congress to help ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria who suffered horrific oppression at the hands of ISIS. The legislation will better channel humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery aid to genocide survivors through organizations currently working on the ground to help displaced populations return to their homes and rebuild their communities. Iraq is home to some of the oldest Christian communities in the world, yet less than 200,000 Christians remain in Iraq, down from 1.4 million in 2002. prgtoken In March of 2016, Congress took historic action when it declared that the brutal and systemic persecution of Christians, Yazidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria by ISIS constituted genocide, one of only three times in history that Congress has made such a declaration. prgtoken Despite the powerful message Congress sent when it declared these atrocities as genocide, and appropriated hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance for these communities, U.S. aid has not reached these populations due to longstanding policies and practices of the federal government that prevent faith-based groups and other organizations from distributing foreign aid. Many of these faith-based groups are the only organizations working directly with survivors on the ground and have the expertise and knowledge of the region, its history, and culture to deliver this aid in the most effective way possible. Outdated policies in the Executive Branch should not stand in the way of the U.S. helping these suffering communities. prgtoken H.R. 390 supports entities conducting investigations into the perpetrators of these crimes to ensure they are held accountable. It is critical that evidence be collected and preserved so it can be used in court. It is also critical that our government works with foreign governments to identify and apprehend suspected perpetrators. Finally, the bill requires the U.S. government to identify and determine warning signs associated with genocide and crimes against humanity to help policymakers better respond to future campaigns against at-risk populations. prgtoken As the daughter of parents who fled religious persecution in the Middle East, I'm proud to have helped carry H.R. 390 through the Congress with the bill's sponsor in this effort to help the tens of thousands of survivors of genocide in Iraq and Syria, Congressman Chris Smith. He's been a tireless advocate on behalf of these persecuted communities and I applaud him for the work he has done to get this bill through Congress and to the President'
ADOPTEE CITIZENSHIP ACT
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-12-6

last week, I cosponsored H.R. 5233, The Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018. This is bipartisan legislation that seeks to make an important correction to U.S. adoption law. prgtoken Currently, when a child is legally adopted by an American parent and is raised by the family here in the U.S they automatically acquire U.S. citizenship. However, when Congress updated the law, it failed to address the situation for thousands of families with previously adopted children. We need to correct that, which is why I support H.R. 5233. prgtoken This legislation does not create a new loophole that allows anyone to game the system These are individuals who legally entered the U.S. They were legally adopted as children, and they grew up here believing they were U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, through no fault of the children, adoptive parents in several thousand cases failed to properly file all of the citizenship papers on behalf of their adoptive children, often not realizing that it was even necessary after completion of the legal adoption process. If you were legally adopted by an American family, entered the U.S. legally as a child, and raised in the United States, you are an American. I look forward to working with both my and ic colleagues on this bipartisan effort.
HONORING CONGRESSMAN JUDGE TED POE OF THE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL VICTIMS' RIGHTS CAUCUS UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-12-6

I rise today to honor a great Texas public servant, fellow founder of the Victims' Rights Caucus, and dear friend Congressman Judge Ted Poe, who is retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of the 115th Congress. prgtoken Since 2005, Congressman Poe has served with distinction as a Member of Congress, providing excellent and compassionate service to his constituents in the 2nd Congressional District of Texas and the American people. For more than a decade, I have had the privilege of serving with him on the Victims' Rights Caucus, which has given a voice to crime victims, survivors, and the professionals who assist them. As a founder and co-chair of the caucus, Congressman Poe played a crucial role in enhancing Federal programs that support national, Federal, Tribal, state, and local victims' services, including the Victims of Crime Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Over the years, he has distinguished himself as a national bipartisan leader in the fight to combat human trafficking and support victims and survivors, sponsoring enacted legislation such as the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. In addition to the Victims' Rights Caucus, I also had the pleasure of serving with Congressman Poe on the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue to strengthen and enhance the level of political discourse between American and European lawmakers. prgtoken Prior to working in Congress, Representative Poe served in the United States Air Force Reserves, taught both high school and college courses, and received his law degree from the University of Houston. He first made his mark in the public eye during his eight years as an undefeated criminal prosecutor for County and later became one of the youngest judges ever appointed in Texas. During his 22-year tenure on the bench, it became clear that he would play a prominent role in the victims' rights movement. Congressman Poe handed out innovative, unorthodox, and appropriate punishments intended to continually remind criminals of their offenses. As a judge, he became an example for others who served in the Texas judiciary for the way he treated victims of crime with dignity, fairness, and respect. prgtoken Ted is admired by his peers and loved by his constituents--a reflection of a life spent in service to the United States, its people, and its ideals. During his time in Congress, he gave a voice to victims of crime, including human trafficking, and championed legislation to improve our criminal justice system. His remarkable impact on both his community and colleagues will not be forgotten. We will honor his great legacy in the U.S. House of Representatives and beyond, by continuing to build upon this commitment to his country. I would like to congratulate Congressman Judge Ted Poe on his extraordinary career and extend my gratitude for his noteworthy contributions to our nation. While Congressman Judge Te
FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-12-6

later today, the House is poised to send us a 2-week continuing resolution, which will give us time to hash out the remainder of the appropriations process this year. I expect it will pass this Chamber later this afternoon. President and my colleagues now have to decide what they want to do after those 2 weeks are up and, hopefully, even sooner. prgtoken As everybody knows, have offered to pass the bipartisan DHS appropriations bill agreed to 6 months ago, which includes $1.6 billion for border security. There has been some confusion about that figure. prgtoken Let me be clear. The $1.6 billion cannot be used to construct any part of President 's 30-foot-tall, concrete border wall. It can be used only for fencing, using technology currently deployed at the border, only where the experts say fencing is appropriate and makes sense as a security feature. prgtoken This is something have always been for: smart, effective, appropriate border security. This is so good that every appropriator signed off on that bill a few months ago, including Senator McConnell, Senator Shelby, Senator Rubio, and Senator Graham. They were all for it. prgtoken This is a bipartisan compromise proposal. If they can't go for the proposal that they signed off on and negotiated because President is pounding the table in an irrational way, there is a second option. have also offered to pass the six bipartisan appropriations bills and a continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security. This continuing resolution doesn't resolve this issue but continues to fund the Homeland Security Department. We think that continuing resolution should be for a year. prgtoken Both options would receive 60 votes in the Senate, would pass in the House, and would get us home in time for the Christmas holiday, which I know many people want to do. I have heard that from many of my friends. prgtoken As I said, either option would keep the government funded over Christmas. We don't want to see the government shut down over Christmas, even though President seems to brag that he wants one. The one and only way we approach a shutdown is if President refuses both of our proposals and demands $5 billion or more for a border wall. prgtoken The wall request is a nonstarter for many reasons. Here are three: prgtoken First, when President proposed this as a candidate, he said: ``I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.'' The idea that the American taxpayer now has to foot the bill doesn't make sense. prgtoken Second, there is no plan for the wall. They haven't said where they want to build it or how high it is. Let me make clear that I don't like any wall, but how can you spend $5 billion when there is no plan? It shows that this is sort of political fodder for President . It appeals to his base, but he doesn't even care that much that h