mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACCURACY AND TECHNOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY ACT
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2019-12-19

I rise today with great pride to recognize and honor my chief of staff and dear friend Bill Murat, who will retire at the end of this year after 21 years of working in Congress. prgtoken It is a rare thing in Washington to work side by side with the same person for more than 20 years. prgtoken So on the eve of your retirement, Bill, I want to share a few words about how much you have meant to me and the countless others you have encountered during your long and storied career. prgtoken Bill Murat is a proud son of Stevens Point, WI. He graduated from high school and college there, earned his GD from UW Law School and his MBA from Columbia University. prgtoken Civically engaged since his youth, he served as district attorney for Portage County, WI, prior to his election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1994. It was there that Bill and I developed a friendship as colleagues in the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 1990s. I found him to be earnest, hard-working, a brilliant strategist, and lovely storyteller. He also knew when to add good humor or a note of levity. prgtoken I remember fondly one night, during a midnight session of the assembly, when Bill and I and a few of our colleagues were on the floor waiting for a vote while many of our colleagues were still in their respective caucuses trying to hash out an agreement on an issue. Being a big fan of Broadway, Bill was reflecting on how this moment felt like a particular song from the musical ``Oklahoma.'' There, on the floor of the Wisconsin State Assembly, while in recess in the wee hours, on a bipartisan basis, he broke out in song, singing: ``The farmer and the cowman should be friends.'' Because this is a speech about Bill Murat, this will not be the last time I mention show tunes. prgtoken After I was elected to the House of Representatives, Bill came to work with me, first, as my district director and then, starting in 2001, as my chief of staff. Bill's steady hand of leadership has helped me weather the storms Washington brings and stay focused on what matters most--the people we serve in Wisconsin. prgtoken I remember the days after September 11, 2001. It was chaotic, weighty, and, frankly, a scary time in Washington and across our Nation. I had to get back to Wisconsin, but planes were still grounded. So Bill walked into my office and simply said: ``Need a ride?'' So, together, we made that 14-hour trip home from Washington, DC, to Madison, WI, noting the American flags that were hung from nearly every highway bridge we passed under and considering the gravity of the new world we were seeing emerge. prgtoken Bill has been by my side for the highs and the lows of my time in Congress. I am so proud of what we have done together, working to do right by the people of Wisconsin and to pass on to the next generation a country that is more equal, not less. His generosity of spirit extends to every constituent in Wisconsin, every c
RECOGNIZING THE 2019 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS FOR THE DALE CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I rise to recognize the 2019 installation of officers for the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department which is located in Prince William County Virginia, 25 miles from our Nation's Capital. The DCVFD goes on an average of 20,000 calls per year, serving and protecting the 75,000 residents of Dale City, Virginia. prgtoken Incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1967, the DCVFD ensures the safety of families in Dale City. Funded by the residents of Dale City and comprised of committed community members, the Department has been able to significantly grow throughout the years. From humble beginnings on the front lawn of the first Fire Chief's home, DCVFD has expanded to five stations in the last 50 years with approximately 250 dedicated volunteers. With bravery and dedication, DCVFD is readily available for the families of Dale City. prgtoken Their motto, Second to None, amplifies their dedication of preparedness, safety, and strong community service. Over the past 50 years, DCVFD has educated and mentored the youth in Dale City, not only teaching fire safety education, but also strengthening community relations. prgtoken It is with great honor I include in the Record the names of the following Dale City Fire Department Officers: prgtoken Chief--Christopher Hool. prgtoken Deputy Chief of Operations--Edgar Van Horn. prgtoken Deputy Chief of Administration--James Delaverson. prgtoken Deputy Chief of EMS--Barbara Brown. prgtoken Assistant Chiefs of Training--Darrell Hudson. prgtoken Assistant Chiefs--Steve Chappell, Marc Sherman, Jeremy McPike, Sandra Sokol. prgtoken Captains--Eddy Dumire, Joshua Jensen, Linda Wortham, Thomas Mazzo, Patrick Palacios, Kimberly Batson. prgtoken Lieutenants--Thomas Borsari, Michael Cajayon, Simon Courtman, Daniel Moran, Donavan Stewart, John Van Horn, Mett Werner, Jabin Young, Stephanie DeFreitas. prgtoken Sergeants--Robert Best II, Andrew Kelly, Robert Willis, Sam Porter Sr Jordan Maplass, Bradley Gray, Steve Chasin, Muhamad Naiz, Joe Krimmer, Lauren Clowser, Nikia Griffiths. prgtoken Madam , I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the newly installed officers and in recognizing the men and women of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department for their service to our country and steadfast commitment to their community.
RECOGNIZING WGN-TV
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-12-19

we find ourselves in the usual December doldrums. We are somewhere between the end of the baseball season and the beginning of spring training. It is a time to reflect and a time to dream. prgtoken A familiar offseason refrain from many die-hard Chicago Cubs fans is, ``Wait `til next year'' or ``next season will be different.'' Well, next season will indeed be different as Cubs fans will not, in the immortal words of Steve Goodman, be able to ``catch it all on WGN.'' Chicago Cubs baseball is moving to the new Marquee Sports Network. I want to take a moment to honor WGN's long-standing commitment to unsurpassed sports coverage and their historic partnership with the Cubs. prgtoken I think it is safe to say that, for the most part, Cubs fans are an optimistic bunch. We have endured some very tough seasons and the longest championship drought in Major League Baseball. Of course, in 2016, the Cubs rewarded their fans with a World Series championship, the first in more than a century. Throughout much of that century, fans could count on watching their favorite team on ``Chicago's Very Own,'' WGN-TV. In fact, for 72 years, WGN helped spread the thrills of Cubs baseball through player milestones, including Mr. Cub Ernie Banks' 500th homerun, pennant races, October baseball, and more than a few lean years. prgtoken The Cubs game on April 23, 1948, wasn't a particularly memorable one. They lost 1-0 to the rival St. Louis Cardinals. History was made not on the field but in the broadcast booth as WGN-TV aired its first Cubs game and set in motion the longest baseball-TV relationship in baseball history. Since then, WGN-TV has aired 7,115 Cubs games, reaching fans across the country and around the globe. prgtoken It was a great risk for the Cubs to start airing all their games on television. What if people stopped going to games and only watched from home? After all, WGN-TV made it feel like you were at the game. The Zoomar lens brought long shots and close-ups into focus as a television cameraman swung quickly from views of the whole diamond to close-ups of batting, pitching, and action in the bullpen. But the gamble was worth it. The Cubs drew 1.2 million fans to Wrigley Field in 1948, despite losing 90 games that season. prgtoken It became a tradition for kids to come home after school to watch the Cubs on WGN. Hall of famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, prgtoken Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg, and a host of Cubs stars became household names to fans across the country. Many a big leaguer today will tell stories about watching the Cubs on WGN-TV and dreaming of playing at Wrigley Field. prgtoken Generations of fans grew up knowing the sights and sounds of WGN-TV's Jack Brickhouse yelling, ``Hey-hey!'' or Harry Caray's ``Holy cow!'' and his famous rendition of ``Take Me Out to the Ball Game.'' Both of these hall of famers informed, entertained, and thrilled us for decades with their
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I would like to first thank the chairman and the working group for working together. prgtoken Trade can be a poverty buster. It is a powerful tool in the toolbox by increasing the earning power of our communities and creating well- paying jobs. prgtoken Coming from the city of Philadelphia, which nearly has 25 percent poverty, well-paying jobs are the difference between thriving and surviving. Let me say that again: thriving and surviving. That is why this is important. prgtoken Trade is especially beneficial to minority-owned businesses. Minority-owned exporting businesses average three times more workers and pay a wage premium of nearly $16,000 more. prgtoken That is why I thank the chairman and the staff in the working group, because of their leadership. This really sends a message to the entire world that we want free trade, but also fair trade. prgtoken It is especially important to understand that everybody doesn't get everything they want. That is called negotiation. prgtoken Again, I stand here today, proudly, to say I am supporting this 100 percent.
MEASURES PLACED ON THE CALENDAR
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-12-19

last night, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President . It is only the third time in our Nation's history that the President of the United States has been impeached. prgtoken The articles of impeachment charge that President abused the powers of his office by soliciting the interference of a foreign power in our elections, not for the good of the country but to benefit himself personally. The articles also charge that the President obstructed Congress in the investigation of those matters. Together, these articles suggest the President committed a grave injury to our grand democracy. prgtoken The conduct they describe is very much what the Founders feared when they forged the impeachment powers of the Congress. The Founders, in their wisdom, gave the House the power to accuse and the Senate the power to judge. We are now asked to fulfill our constitutional role as a court of impeachment. prgtoken Now that the House of Representatives has impeached President , the Nation turns its eyes to the Senate. What will the Nation see? Will the Nation see what Alexander Hamilton saw--a body of government with ``confidence enough . . . to preserve, unawed and uninfluenced, the necessary impartiality,'' or will the Nation see the Senate dragged into the depths of partisan fervor? prgtoken The Nation just witnessed how the leader sees his role in this chapter of our history--demonstrating both an unfortunate descent into partisanship and demonstrating the fundamental weakness of the President's defense. prgtoken Leader McConnell claimed that the impeachment of President is illegitimate because the House voted along party lines. Forgive me, but House cannot be held responsible for the cravenness of the House caucus and their blind fealty to the President. prgtoken Leader McConnell claimed that the impeachment was motivated by partisan rage--this from the man who said proudly, ``I am not impartial. I have no intention to be impartial at all'' in the trial of President . What hypocrisy. prgtoken Leader McConnell accused the House of an obsession to get rid of President --this from the man who proudly declared his ``number one goal'' was to make President a one-term President. prgtoken Leader McConnell claimed that impeached the President for asserting Executive privilege. President never formally claimed Executive privilege; he claimed ``absolute immunity,'' and the White House Counsel wrote a letter stating simply that the administration would not comply with any subpoenas. prgtoken Leader McConnell claimed that the ' ``obsession'' with impeachment has prevented the House from pursuing legislation to help the American people. Leader McConnell knows very, very well that the House ic majority has passed literally hundreds of bills that gather dust here in the Senate, condemned to a leg
VOTE EXPLANATION
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-12-19

. . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 401, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 382, Matthew Walden McFarland, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 402, the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 382, Matthew Walden McFarland, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 403, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 465, Anuraag Singhal, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 404, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 466, Karen Spencer Marston, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 405, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 480, Daniel Mack Traynor, of North Dakota, to be United States District Judge for the District of North Dakota. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 406, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 481, Jodi W. Dishman, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 407, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 490, John M. Gallagher, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 408, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 536, Bernard Maurice Jones II, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall Vote No. 409, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 354, Mary Kay Vyskocil, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted yes on rollcall Vote No. 410, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 383, Kea Whetzal Riggs, of New Mexico, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico. prgtoken . I was absent, but had I been present, I would have voted yes rollcall Vote No. 412, the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 357, Stephanie Dawkins Davis, of Michigan, to be United S
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Cheri Bustos (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-12-19

. Madam , I appreciate Chairman Neal for yielding me the time. prgtoken In my congressional district, I represent more than 9,600 family farms and 90,000 labor households. I have toured my district many times and was fortunate enough to bring the of the House into the State of Illinois over the summer to meet with our family farmers. prgtoken Trade is one of the top issues people back home bring up to me, and the message that they deliver is loud and clear: We need a strong trade deal with broad-based support to help both America's farmers and our labor communities. prgtoken I have worked to help bring parties to the table and reach a deal that works for everyone. I am proud to say that the United States- Mexico-Canada trade agreement is that deal. prgtoken The USMCA outlines protections for labor that will make America better prepared to expand opportunities for our workforce. It builds on trade relationships critical to our agriculture markets, and it represents the strongest trade enforcement mechanisms our country has ever seen. prgtoken I am proud to cast my vote to support this step forward and to help build the foundation for future trade agreements.
TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY ISAKSON
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-12-19

I wanted to spend a few moments to recognize my colleague and friend, Senator Isakson from Georgia. prgtoken When I first came to the Senate in 2009--a decade ago, it surprises me to say--I was on the Banking Committee. We were in the middle of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and millions of Americans were losing their homes each month. prgtoken We held a hearing on housing, and I remember Senator Isakson coming to testify because, before he was in politics, he had spent several years in the private sector working in real estate. I appreciated that moment because, one, I had also spent some time in business before politics, and two, because it was so refreshing to hear from someone who actually knew what they were talking about. prgtoken Over the past 10 years, I have had the benefit of Senator Isakson's experience, friendship, and wisdom on both the HELP and Finance Committees. prgtoken In Johnny, so many of us have had a model for how to get things done even in this moment of partisan division. He was a welcome throwback to a time when people didn't come to this town just to spend every moment on cable news but to get things done for the people they came here to represent. prgtoken Johnny's record suggests there is nothing quaint or naive about that approach to the work because over his 15 years in the Senate, he has managed to secure quite a few bipartisan accomplishments, including several things we have worked on together. prgtoken I remember Johnny really digging in and getting his hands dirty on the SAVE Act, our bill to make Federal mortgage loan agencies consider the returns from energy efficiency when they determine your ability to make your monthly payments. We passed that out of the Senate, and it was a prgtoken tremendous credit to Johnny's determination and focus. prgtoken We passed a bill to modernize the FDA's medical device inspections and to strengthen patient access to rehabilitation hospitals in Colorado and Georgia. We passed an amendment to strengthen funding for early learning programs. And we introduced bills together to provide tax relief for AmeriCorps members who earned Segal Awards to help pay for college. prgtoken I could go on, and it is a credit to Johnny's broad record of bipartisan work. prgtoken Johnny has been a particular champion for our veterans. As a former member of the Georgia Air National Guard, Johnny has been a steady and effective advocate for those who have served. Last year, he was instrumental in passing a bipartisan bill to make it far easier for veterans to take their benefits to private doctors for care, among other long-overdue reforms. With our large population of veterans in Colorado, we were especially grateful to Johnny for his leadership. prgtoken There is a lot more I could share, but the point is, Johnny has used his time here well--with real results for the people of Georgia. He didn't do it through bullying or shouting
REMEMBERING WILLIAM EBELTOFT
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2019-12-19

we have had a fruitful day here today. We passed a lot of bills. We did it in a bipartisan way. I want to thank both Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer for their good work, as well as Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Leahy for their good work on these bills. prgtoken Today, I am going to do something that I have never done before. I am going to read an obituary about a man I don't believe I have ever met, even though I was in the Veterans' Home of Columbia Falls while he was there. This obituary was passed on to me by my wife, who got it from a friend. It is incredibly powerful because, quite frankly, it is about one man, but it is actually about a generation of men and women who served in Vietnam. prgtoken This guy's name was William Ebeltoft. The obituary goes like this: ``Not everyone who lost his life in Vietnam died there.'' The saying is true for CW2 William C. Ebeltoft. He died on December 15, 2019 at the Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls, Montana. He died 50 years after he lost, in Vietnam, all that underpinned his life. He was 73 years old. Everyone called him ``Bill.'' He was loved by the nursing staff who cared for him. He was loved by the fellow veterans with whom he lived; those he helped when he was able and entertained with funny German slang and a stint at the piano when he could. He was a virtuoso when playing ``Waltzing Matilda.'' His small family loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Ebeltoft of Dickinson, North Dakota, whose devotion and care for their war-damaged boy was strong and unfailing. He is survived by his brother, Paul Ebeltoft, and the one he loved as the sister he never had, Paul's wife, Gail. . . . It is difficult to write about Bill. He lived three lives: before, during and after Vietnam. Before Vietnam, Bill was a handsome man, who wore clothing well; a man with white, straight teeth that showed in his ready smile. A state champion trap shooter, a low handicap golfer, a 218-average bowler, a man of quick, earthy wit, with a fondness for children, old men, hunting, fast cars, and a cold Schlitz. He told jokes well. During Vietnam, he lived with horrors of which he would only seldom speak. Slow Motion Four, Bill's personal call sign, logged thousands of helicopter flight hours performing Forward Support Base resupply landings, medical evacuations, exfils and gun ship runs. We know of him there mostly through medals for valor he received, and these were many. . . . While attempting to resupply B Company, [Warrant Officer] Ebeltoft's co-pilot became wounded. Realizing the importance of the mission WO Ebeltoft elected to attempt completion of the mission. Due to his superior knowledge of the aircraft, the helicopter was kept under control dur