mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REAUTHORIZE CHIP
Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2017-10-11

as a Member of Congress, as a father, and as a grandfather, nothing I do is more important than ensuring every child in Arizona and America has the opportunity to live up to their God-given potential. No matter where they live, kids deserve to grow up healthy, with every chance to succeed. prgtoken That is why it is beyond unacceptable that, for the first time ever, Congress missed the deadline to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program. prgtoken For decades, CHIP has been a bipartisan program and has been reauthorized with broad support, until now. It has now been 11 days since CHIP expired. This is an outrage for children across the Nation who depend on the affordable, quality care they receive, thanks to CHIP. It is especially troubling for Arizona. prgtoken Arizona has had the unfortunate distinction of being one of the worst States for healthcare access for children. Until last year, it was the only State in the entire Nation without an active Children's Health Insurance Program. prgtoken Arizona froze CHIP KidsCare program in 2010. At its height, the waiting list for coverage after the freeze topped 100,000. I repeat: the list topped 100,000 because of a freeze put on by the State of Arizona. prgtoken Two years ago, Congress reauthorized CHIP and included enhanced match rate funding for States under the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to advocates on the ground and with bipartisan support in our State legislature, this enhanced funding finally paved the way for our State to reopen KidsCare. prgtoken Last year, KidsCare began enrolling children--over 23,000 so far. We have just begun the hard work of educating and reaching out to the working families who qualify for coverage. prgtoken Arizona is one of a handful of States, as you can see here in this chart in blue, that would run out of Federal funds to cover children by December of this year, absent congressional action. prgtoken Families in these States are the most at risk for losing critical access to care, until Congress steps up to the plate and passes a robust reauthorization with enhanced rate funding. prgtoken I have met and heard from many of these families and their providers. I know what is it stake for them. prgtoken Cate Arnquist is a mother from Tucson, Arizona, whose 8-year-old son, Zachary, was approved for coverage through KidsCare last month. This is a huge relief to Cate, who recently moved to Arizona with her husband and works at a local elementary school. Cate said: It's important for me to know that if I need to take him to the doctor, I will be able to take him. As a parent, your kids are always your biggest priority. I think every parent wants to make sure their kids are healthy. prgtoken Cate, I couldn't agree with you more. Kids like Zachary deserve to know that their elected officials here in Congress are looking out for them. prgtoken Graciela is a working single mom who lives in Phoenix. Her 17-year-
MEDICAL ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2017-10-11

today I am proud to recognize Medical Advocacy and Outreach (MAO) for 30 years of dedicated service to the rural and underserved communities of Alabama. MAO, formerly known as Medical AIDS Outreach and Montgomery AIDS Outreach, is a private, non-profit, Rural Health and Wellness Organization and Community Based AIDS Service Organization in Montgomery, Alabama. It was founded in 1987 by a group of volunteers who were both directly and indirectly affected by HIV/AIDS. In 1994, after being awarded Ryan White Care Act Part C funds, MAO transitioned from a volunteer education and service organization to a full-time, health care facility. Because of the hard work of many working together on the local, state and federal level over the years, MAO now operates the largest HIV-specific health care facility by geographic area within the state of Alabama, the Copeland Care Clinic. I am inspired by the small group of volunteers, many who are still involved and supportive today, who have been responsible for the growth of this organization over the past 30 years. Today, MAO provides education services to members of the community and medical and social services to those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and Diabetes. MAO and the Copeland Clinic currently provide services to over 1600 patients who live in Montgomery and 28 surrounding counties in Southeast Alabama. In addition, MAO provides an array of comprehensive services and care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, including: medication assistance, pharmacist consultations, housing services, an on-site food pantry, mental health counseling/case management, patient education, prevention education, free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, PrEP and interpretation services for Spanish-speaking individuals and the hearing impaired. Through their Telehealth Resource Center, they assist other providers with the integration of telemedicine technology into patient-centered environments in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New York, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In addition to providing direct health care services, MAO educates the public about HIV/AIDS and related illnesses and how to prevent transmission of infection. To this end, the organization has made significant progress in educating the public on the reality that a person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to their partners. This is why the staff at MAO also works so hard to ensure that individuals living with HIV receive regular treatment. As a matter of fact, MAO has a new initiative called ``Zero by 2020.'' The targeted goal is to have no new HIV diagnoses in Lowndes County, Alabama in the year 2020. I truly believe this can be done if we support organizations like MAO that provide free testing and educate citizens on the importance of getting regular health screenings. MAO has two full service health and wellness clinics in Montgomery and Dothan w
REFUGES HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-10-11

each year, millions of Americans visit wildlife refuges throughout the country. They generate over $2 billion in economic activity and create 35,000 jobs. This wouldn't be possible without help from dedicated and hardworking volunteers. prgtoken That is why we have introduced H.R. 3979, bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer, Community Partnership, and Education Program. This program ensures public access to refuges for exploring, hunting, fishing, and studying wildlife. prgtoken Refuges have a tremendous impact, even in Brooklyn, where Fish and Wildlife Service staff and volunteers work with local public schools to cultivate the next generation of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts through hands-on learning. prgtoken Carmen Wheeler, a second grade student in Brooklyn, recently wrote to me and said: ``I think we should keep the wildlife refugees safe, even if they are far away, because they will always keep our world healthier.'' prgtoken We are with you, Carmen.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO OFFER RESOLUTION RAISING A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-11

pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I seek recognition to give notice of my intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House. prgtoken The form of the resolution is as follows: prgtoken Articles of Impeachment against Donald J President of the United States of America, in the Congress of the United States of America. prgtoken Resolution. prgtoken Resolved, that Donald J President of the United States of America, has undermined the integrity of his office with impunity and has brought disrepute on the Presidency with immunity, has betrayed his trust as President to the manifest injury of the American people and is unfit to be President, and is impeached pursuant to Article II, section IV of the Constitution of the United States of America, and that the following Articles of Impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate: prgtoken Articles of Impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of all of the people of the prgtoken United States of America against , President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors of a nature which may, with peculiar propriety, be denominated as political, not requiring the commission of a crime, and exclusively the jurisdiction of the United States House of Representatives for impeachment purposes. prgtoken Article I: That , President of the United States of America, unmindful of his high duties of his office and the dignity and proprieties thereof, and the harmony, respect, and courtesies, which ought to exhibit and be maintained in American society, has under the inane pretext of dispensing with political correctness, produced a demonstrable record of inciting white supremacy, sexism, bigotry, hatred, xenophobia, race-baiting, and racism by demeaning, defaming, disrespecting, and disparaging women and certain minorities. prgtoken In so doing, , President of the United States of America, has fueled and is fueling an alt-right hate machine and its worldwide covert sympathizers engendering racial antipathy, LGBTQ enmity, religious anxiety, stealthy sexism, and dreadful xenophobia, perfidiously causing immediate injury t American society, to wit: prgtoken On September 23, 2017, incited race-baiting and racism, engendering stealthy sexism and racial antipathy, when he disrespected, disparaged, and demeaned mothers of professional football players by calling them dogs as he made the widely published statement: Won't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, say, Get that son-of-a-B-I-T- C-H off the field right now, out. He's fired. He's fired. prgtoken On September 23, 2017, incited race-baiting and racism, engendering racial antipathy, when he disrespected and disparaged
WHITE HOUSE IMMIGRATION PRINCIPLES
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-10-11

I rise in strong opposition to the cruel immigration proposal unveiled by the White House this week. This proposal goes beyond some of the worst immigration bills. It demands billions more for border security, tightens asylum standards, cuts off legal immigration, and implements a faulty points-based system, undercutting our core values as a country and destroying our economy and our future. prgtoken , two-thirds of all immigrants to the United States are women and children, and these policies will disproportionately hurt them. A points-based system eliminates family-based immigration, and it is insulting to the valuable contributions of women, especially. prgtoken Nearly 70 percent of all women immigrants with legal status obtained it through the family system, and many are stuck in visa backlogs waiting years and even decades to reunite with their families. prgtoken , immigration has never been just about immigration. It has always been about who we are as a country and what we are willing to stand up for. I believe the majority of my colleagues want to pass the Dream Act, and I ask them to join us in rejecting these anti-immigrant poison pills and proposing real solutions that benefit the American people and unify our country.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Cedric L. Richmond (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2017-10-11

. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record a letter from the National Education Association. National Education Association, Washington, DC, October 4, 2017. Dear Representative: On behalf of the more than three million members of the National Education Association (NEA), and the 50 million students they serve, we urge you to Vote No on the FY 2018 budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 71) being brought to the House floor this week, and offer our views on the alternative budgets that have been proposed. The budget should reflect the priorities of our nation and should especially meet the needs of children and those most in need. Actions on this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 115th Congress. In addition to urging a NO vote on H. Con. Res. 71, we urge you to: Vote YES on the ic substitute budget. This budget stresses the need to invest in our economic future. It lifts the budget caps, broadens access to education, defends and strengthens the Affordable Care Act, invests in infrastructure, raises the minimum wage, and supports tax reform that supports American families and workers. Vote YES on the budget presented by the Congressional Progressive Caucus offered by Reps. Pocan (D-WI) and Grijalva (D-AZ). This budget provides a practical, progressive vision for our country by investing in 21st century infrastructure and jobs, tackling inequality, making corporations pay their fair share, and strengthening essential public programs. Vote YES on the budget presented by the Congressional Black Caucus offered by Rep. Scott (D-VA). This budget would establish funding levels to allow for investments in key programs like education, infrastructure and job training, makes the tax code more progressive and fair, repeals the Budget Control Act and ends the threat of sequestration, and create jobs while also reducing the deficit. Vote NO on the budget presented by the Study Committee authored by Reps. Walker (R-NC) and McClintock (R- CA). This budget goes beyond the Budget Committee proposal in terms of balancing the budget on the backs of those least able to afford it by cutting spending $5.7 trillion over the next 10 years. The budget also would repeal the Affordable Care Act, increase the Medicare eligibility age, and block grant Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. We strongly oppose H. Con. Res. 71 because it takes us in the wrong direction as a nation by making dramatic cuts to essential programs and services in order to finance tax cuts for the wealthy. Specifically, we oppose: Doubling down on deep cuts to education and other domestic programs. This proposa
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, TAMAQUA
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-10-11

I rise today to honor Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. For a century and a half, Trinity has served as a place of worship and community for the residents of Tamaqua, from the early German settlers of the region to modern congregants from diverse backgrounds. prgtoken In 1835, Trinity's parent church, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church, was founded by the German population of Tamaqua. In 1867, twelve men and their families left the congregation of St. John's to form Trinity Church under the guidance of Reverend Levi K. Derr. One of the original twelve, Daniel Shepp donated land to build the church at the comer of Lafayette and Washington Streets. In September 1868, Reverend I.E. Graeff became the first full-time pastor, serving until March 1873. prgtoken In 1961, the present church was dedicated and, over the following decades, improvements were made to the building and grounds. The church's distinctive exterior is marked by the Trinity chime, a landmark in Tamaqua. Additionally, Trinity is unique in that it is one of the very few churches that have its own hymn. In 1942, Rev. Dr. Henry A. W. Shaeffer wrote the words, and Mrs. Gertrude Wagner wrote the music to the signature piece. prgtoken Today, Trinity, under the leadership of Pastor Darry Kensinger, celebrates a diverse, vibrant congregation dedicated to serving Tamaqua and the surrounding community in the tradition of the United Church of Christ, known for being open minded, inclusive, and welcoming.
THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Jerry McNerney (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-10-11

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her work on this small business bill. I also thank Chairmen Smith and Chabot and Ranking Members Johnson and Velazquez for including my amendment to benefit minority-serving institutions in H.R. 2763. This is essential to retaining American leadership in innovation and small business development. prgtoken The SBIR and STTR programs were both created to expand small business participation in the Federal research mission. One of the four objectives Congress had in mind in establishing the SBIR was to facilitate and increase the participation of minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation. prgtoken My amendment requires that the participating Federal agencies in the SBIR and STTR programs conduct outreach to minority-serving institutions--MSIs--and Hispanic-serving institutions and faculty conducting research at these institutions so that participation rates in Federal research and development opportunities will increase. prgtoken There are many great MSIs and researchers who work at these institutions across the country. For example, California State University Stanislaus, which has a campus in my district, is a Hispanic-serving institution and an MSI, and has been ranked one of the best colleges in our Nation. Our country depends on innovation of MSIs and the intellectual capital of its graduates. prgtoken In the 21st century, American economic growth is going to be determined by the innovation and growth of technology and STEM-focused businesses. It is critical to the growth of our economy that minority- serving institutions and minority-owned businesses are connected to this technological ecosystem.
DR. JOHN F. NASH, JR. POST OFFICE
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-10-11

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I do rise to urge support for my bill, H.R. 2302, which would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 259 Nassau Street in Princeton, New Jersey, as the Dr. John F. Nash, Jr. Post Office. prgtoken As a legendary figure of Princeton University's mathematics department, Dr. Nash was famous both for his genius and his life story. Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, in 1928, Dr. John Nash was a child prodigy who graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology at age 19, with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in mathematics. prgtoken Dr. Nash subsequently received his doctorate in 1950 from Princeton University and published a groundbreaking theory of noncooperative games later that year, which is now known as the Nash equilibrium. prgtoken His monumental work in mathematics, game theory, economics, and evolutionary biology has influenced generations of experts in these fields. prgtoken In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Nash gained worldwide acclaim from the 2001 film ``A Beautiful Mind,'' which portrayed his vast accomplishments while living with schizophrenia and throughout his recovery from mental illness. prgtoken In recognition of his lifelong work, Dr. Nash was awarded a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1994, and the 2015 Abel Prize from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. prgtoken Tragically, he and his wife, Alicia, were killed in an automobile accident in 2015 on their return from receiving the award in Norway. prgtoken Finally, I want to end my remarks by congratulating Ms. Lyla Malloy, the student in my district whose essay submission to our post office naming competition was chosen out of 84 entries. prgtoken , I urge the passage of H.R. 2302 in recognition of Dr. Nash's important contributions to our country, and .
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Michael F. Doyle (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-10-11

I was unable to be present in Washington for voting on October 4-5, 2017 due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted: Yes on the Grijalva Amendment to H. Con. Res. 71 (Roll Call No. 553), and Yes on the Scott Amendment to H. Con. Res. 71 (Roll Call No. 554). Additionally, I would have voted Yes on the Yarmuth amendment to H. Con. Res. 71 (Roll Call No. 556), and voted No on Final Passage (Roll Call No. 557).
HONORING EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE AND THE LEGACY OF CAPTAIN CHARLES E. YEAGER
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today to recognize an integral component of California's 23rd Congressional District and the U.S. Air Force--Edwards Air Force Base--and the life and legacy of Captain Charles E. Yeager, who played an essential role in achieving a critical milestone in U.S. aviation history. prgtoken This year, the United States Air Force observes its 70th birthday. Edwards Air Force Base, the second largest base in the Air Force, has long played an important role in the success and development of this branch and its weaponry. From the 412th Test Wing to the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards has always been a leader in developing and testing new technology to ensure that our warfighters operate with the most advanced weapons systems and platforms. prgtoken Coincidentally, the Air Force also celebrates the 70th anniversary of the very first supersonic flight, which occurred at Edwards Air Force Base, this year. Captain Charles E. Yeager became the fastest man in the sky on October 14, 1947, when he flew faster than the speed of sound in the rocket-powered Bell X-1, high above Edwards and over Southern California's famed Mojave Desert. Captain Yeager paved the way for a new era of air and space travel on that day and ushered in the development and eventual practical use of the X-Plane, an advancement that has greatly benefited NASA and the U.S. Air Force. I want to recognize Captain Yeager's fearlessness and desire for adventure, which was pivotal in advancing American aviation. prgtoken Throughout its history, Edwards Air Force Base has always remained on the forefront of various scientific initiatives and discoveries. After Captain Yeager broke the sound barrier, pilots at Edwards were eventually able to fly at more than six times the speed of sound. Additionally, and among many other accomplishments, the very first space shuttle mission landed at Edwards on April 12, 1981. As we celebrate the Air Force's 70th year, it is important to take a moment to recognize the rich legacy and history of installations like Edwards, which, having been established in 1933, predates the creation of the Air Force itself. Prior to the establishment of the United States Air Force in 1947, Edwards was the Muroc Army Airfield. prgtoken I am reminded of Edwards Air Force Base every time I get the opportunity to visit the Smithsonian's Air and Space museum here in Washington, D.C. The very Bell X-1, in which Captain Yeager broke the sound barrier, is displayed in the main hall on the first floor of the museum. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance that Edwards has played to advance the greater mission of the Air Force. prgtoken I am incredibly grateful for the many men and women who have served and currently serve at Edwards Air Force Base. Their creativity, dedication, and sacrifice reflects the same spirit that Captain Charles Yeager exemplified 70 years ago. Edwards plays an important role in California's 23r