mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CLIMATE CHANGE
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2018-9-4

it is Tuesday afternoon, and although I usually come to the floor of the Senate on Thursday to talk about an individual in Alaska who makes my State such a great place--what we call the Alaskan of the Week--we haven't been able to do that for a couple of weeks, so I thought I would just move up the timeline today and talk a little bit about some people in my State who really have made an incredible difference. It is one of my favorite speeches I give throughout the year and throughout the week because it is about people who help their community, help their State, help their country, and oftentimes they are not always recognized. prgtoken So today we are going to talk about two--not one but two--individuals who are our Alaskans of the Week. We actually made our poster board today to be a little bit more specific on what just transpired in our great State a couple of weeks ago. prgtoken The two Alaskans are Jon Rowan and Aaron Isaacs. prgtoken As I mentioned, we have a beautiful, incredible State, and recently I was reminded again of just how awe-inspiring the great State of Alaska is. I have been home pretty much every weekend this summer. I had the opportunity to visit 12 villages in the western part of our State, where I was able to meet with my constituents--some of the most generous, resilient, and, very important, patriotic people in our great Nation. prgtoken Jon Rowan and Aaron Isaacs are part of that tradition. Alaska has more veterans per capita than any State in the country, and Alaska Natives serve at higher rates in the military than any other ethnic group in the country. So this is very special patriotism, particularly with regard to the Alaska Native population in our great State. prgtoken So what have they done? What did Jon Rowan and Aaron Isaacs do? They live in a wonderful community in Southeast Alaska, Klawock, and this prgtoken community now has a 37-foot totem pole dedicated to those who have served our country in the military. That totem pole now stands tall because of the dedication and skill of Jon, who is the carver, and Mr. Isaacs, a highly respected Alaska Native elder who had the idea and the vision and raised the money to make it happen. prgtoken Let me talk a little bit about both of these Alaskan patriots. Jon was raised in Klawock. When he was in the eighth grade, he saw an ad featuring a group of men in uniform on Zodiacs at night, recon marines on a mission, and he was very struck by that. He said he wanted to be a marine. He wanted to be like them. prgtoken Shortly after he graduated from high school, he contacted a recruiter whose name he still remembers, Gunny Joins, and 2 weeks after graduation, in 1982, he left his village to become a U.S. marine. prgtoken Four years later, he was back home and met his future wife Patricia. They were soon married, and he and Patricia have been happily married ever since and have raised two fine daughters. prgtoken Along the way, Jo
MISCELLANEOUS TARIFF BILL ACT OF 2018
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-4

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , H.R. 4318 will deliver much-needed temporary tariff relief to American manufacturers of all sizes, helping them to grow and create jobs. The bill will also help American consumers by reducing prices and not forcing families to pay unnecessary taxes on products that aren't made here. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to join here in a bipartisan way concurring with the Senate amendments to H.R. 4318. prgtoken Madam , .
ADVANCING CYBERSECURITY DIAGNOSTICS AND MITIGATION ACT
John Ratcliffe (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-4

I would like to thank my friends across the aisle, Ranking Member Thompson and Congressman Langevin, for their support of this bill. I would like to thank the ranking member of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, Mr. Richmond, for cosponsoring this bill. prgtoken , this is, very simply, commonsense legislation that will strengthen our Nation's cybersecurity posture and thereby strengthen our Nation's national security. prgtoken , once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6443, and .
TRIBUTE TO NANCY AND TERRY PHILLIPS
David Young (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-9-4

I rise today to recognize and congratulate Nancy and Terry Phillips of Truro, Iowa, on the very special occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. prgtoken Nancy and Terry's lifelong commitment to each other truly embodies our Iowa values. As they reflect on their 50th anniversary, may their commitment grow even stronger, as they continue to love, cherish, and honor one another for many years to come. prgtoken , I commend this great couple on their 50th year together and I wish them many more. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Nancy and Terry Phillips on this meaningful occasion and in wishing them both nothing but continued happiness.
REMEMBERING JOHN McCAIN
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-9-4

today I rise to honor a dear friend of the Senate and a dear friend to me. This weekend many of us had the honor of joining the family of John Sidney McCain III as we walked through his life and shared memories of such a wonderful man, a true patriot, an American hero, a wonderful Senator, a father, and a wonderful friend. prgtoken The first time I met Senator McCain was in 2014, and he was larger than life. I was engaged in my primary for the Senate, and I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC, and sit down with Senator McCain in his office and visited and talked with him about what it was like to be a U.S. Senator. prgtoken Immediately, I felt that bond with John McCain as a fellow veteran. It was one thing that he was truly interested in. He had been through the political stuff with a lot of other folks running for the Senate-- what it is like to engage in a campaign. That is all good and fine, but what he really took an interest in was my experience in the war in Iraq. He asked me about my service. I talked to him about the National Guard--all of those things he truly understood and connected with. He really enjoyed that aspect of our discussion. prgtoken It was that first meeting--again, meeting with somebody that to me was larger than life, someone who truly had served his country--and we felt that connection. prgtoken The months progressed, and I got through the primary campaign and moved on into the general election cycle. During that time, a number of Senators came to Iowa. They would hop on my bus, which we fondly called the ``squeal mobile,'' and we would travel around the State of Iowa. prgtoken John McCain is so well known for his codels, or his congressional delegation visits to other countries. I have heard many of my colleagues refer to those codels as the ``McCain death marches'' because he is going from sunup to sundown--no resting, no stopping. He was visiting with world leaders all over, furthering our American interests. prgtoken My bus tour was a lot like that in the fall of 2014. John graciously agreed to come out and spend a day on the road with me in the ``squeal mobile.'' That day we were doing eight different events in eight different counties in Iowa. We were going from sunup, literally, to sundown, and we were traveling in this big RV. prgtoken I remember having a conversation with him. We were sitting at a little table. I was facing the rear of the bus. He was facing the front. It was late at night. It was dark. The sun had already gone down. We were approaching Bloomfield, IA, which was the last stop for the day. All of a sudden and out of nowhere, as we were having this conversation, boom, and we hit something. The bus did. John McCain, in true John McCainism, said: What the ``fill in the blank'' was that? prgtoken I didn't even have to turn around. I knew immediately. Again, it is Iowa. It is the fall. It is after dark. I said: John, we hit a deer. prgtoken Th
CLIMATE CHANGE
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-9-4

I rise today in support of Elad Roisman, who has been nominated to serve on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. On June 1, 2018, President announced his intention to nominate Elad to be the Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a 5-year term. prgtoken Elad currently serves as chief counsel for the Banking Committee. I and many members of the committee can personally attest to his qualifications for this position. He has an impressive command of securities law, a keen intellect and work ethic, and has always exhibited a steadfast commitment to doing what is right. Those attributes were manifest during his nomination testimony hearing a few weeks ago. He was subsequently voted out of the committee by voice vote with unanimous bipartisan support. prgtoken As many on the Banking Committee know, Elad is intimately familiar with the inner workings of the SEC, having previously served as counsel to Commissioner Daniel Gallagher and as chief counsel at the NYSE Euronext. He is highly regarded by those with whom he has worked and is an exceptionally qualified candidate for this position. prgtoken The SEC has an important three-part mission: protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation. Each part of this mission is equally important and should not come at the expense of another. In his nomination hearing, Elad echoed the importance of this mission and committed to furthering it. prgtoken He stressed the need to promote investor confidence in both the markets and the SEC itself and the importance of dispelling the perception that markets are inaccessible or rigged against the little guy. prgtoken He committed to ensuring that the SEC has a strong enforcement program--one that holds regulated entities and individuals accountable. Elad also emphasized that the SEC must listen to small business owners and investors, many of whom do not make it to Washington regularly, whose perspectives are incredibly important to the SEC's work and its continued improvement of capital markets. prgtoken The U.S. financial system and markets are the preferred destination for investors throughout the world, and the SEC has an important role in ensuring that it remains so. Capital markets drive innovation and job creation, and access to them is the lifeblood of our economy. Elad has consistently demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that our markets remain the envy of the world, and I am confident he will work hard to make sure the U.S. financial markets can thrive while also protecting investors. prgtoken I personally want to thank Elad for his tireless service to the Senate and for being a trusted resource and ally of mine. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the cloture motion and to support his nomination so he can quickly get to work for the American people. prgtoken , . prgtoken I suggest the absence of a quo
CONGRATULATING THE KERNERSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-9-4

I rise to recognize the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce on celebrating its 50th anniversary this week. This organization is a steadfast pillar of the strong business community in Kernersville, North Carolina. prgtoken The Teacher Grant Program is among the chamber's many significant contributions to local education and investments in future business leaders. Each year, teachers submit proposals for creative ``hands on'' lessons, and with moneys raised over the summer, the chamber awards at least one $500 grant to each school. prgtoken The chamber also supports current community and business leaders through its Leadership Kernersville Program, which has prepared 200 participants for leadership roles and involvement within the community, the region, and the State since 1993. prgtoken The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce has been an incredible asset to the community and will continue to be so for many years to come.
HONORING CHARLY BUTCHER
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-9-4

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of northeast Indiana broadcasting icon, Charly Butcher. prgtoken For decades, thousands of northeast Indiana residents would start their mornings with Charly, a beloved radio anchor on WOWO's morning news program. prgtoken His talent and ability to speak directly through the radio and into the home or car of each listener was unparalleled. Though he could have become a radio fixture anywhere in the country, Charly chose to stay in Fort Wayne and broadcast locally for more than 30 years. prgtoken I was fortunate to get to know Charly both on and off the air, but our off-the-air conversations are what I will cherish the most. He was passionate about education, as his wife Sarah is an elementary schoolteacher, and we would often discuss my work on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. prgtoken While our entire region mourns his loss, his irreplaceable voice will live on for generations to come. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife Sarah, three children, and colleagues at WOWO. prgtoken , I thank you for allowing me time to remember Charly and to honor his legacy.
MICHAEL NGUYEN
Edward R. Royce (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-9-4

let me begin by thanking the gentlewoman from California for yielding to me. And I do want to commend my colleague, Mimi Walters, for organizing this Special Order. I want to commend her for her tireless effort here for the release of her constituent by the name of Michael Nguyen, someone whose family I happen to know. I rise today to request that the government of Vietnam release an American citizen. prgtoken If I could just share with you my observations about this situation. We are really speaking out on behalf of a U.S. citizen from Orange, California, who was detained, as the Congresswoman shared with you, on July 7. And what I wanted to share with you is he was touring Vietnam and visiting elderly relatives. I think it is a very commendable thing that he does, that he stays in touch, he tries to do this once a year, to see his elderly relatives in Vietnam. prgtoken We have been informed that he is under investigation for engaging in activity against the People's government, which in this case is a spurious charge that the Vietnamese government is using to justify an arbitrary detention of a U.S. citizen. prgtoken Now, this is an individual who is deeply missed by his wife and four daughters, the youngest of whom is only 8 years old. Michael's family has seen their entire lives turned upside down because of this senseless ordeal. prgtoken Now, as I shared with you, I know the family, I know his wife, Helen, who works in healthcare in Orange County, and I can tell you what she and the daughters would tell you: This fellow is a loving husband, a doting father. The kids really enjoy his sense of humor. He is the guy that gets up, and because of his schedule as a small businessman, he is able to make breakfast for the girls every morning. He enjoys taking them to school, to the dance classes, to the sports practices. prgtoken As school begins again back here in the United States, it is usually a time of excitement, but also nervousness, for young students. So our hearts especially go out to his four daughters, who are being forced to navigate the new school year without their father. prgtoken While his family suffers without him at home, Michael remains detained in a Vietnamese prison. While in detention, he is provided only one meal a day and is allowed to buy a bowl of soup extra a day from the canteen. Michael is 54 years old. He cannot and should not be subjected to such treatment. prgtoken It is really imperative that we speak out, because Michael could be detained for months on end. Some prisoners are held for years on these bogus charges. prgtoken This situation is deplorable. Michael's case is an egregious example of Vietnam's troubling history of arbitrary arrest. My fear for Michael's safety is the same fear that you have already heard Congresswoman Mimi Walters share with you. We do fear for his safety. We want him returned to his family here in the United States. prgtoken The United States has a gr
DHS COUNTERING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COORDINATOR ACT
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-9-4

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 6438, the DHS Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act. prgtoken In 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration estimated that there were 1.9 million consumer unmanned aircraft systems vehicles, commonly known as drones, in the U.S. This number is expected to grow to a staggering 4.3 million by the end of 2020. prgtoken The increased availability and expanded use of drones has led to concerns over the potential risks to national security. Drones provide malicious actors both a robust aerial delivery mechanism for potentially hazardous payloads and anonymity in carrying out an attack. prgtoken This threat is not just imaginary. Known incidents involving drones have included weaponized use by ISIS and cartels, smuggling operations, intrusions at NFL and Olympic stadiums, and damage to electrical grid infrastructure in Canada. prgtoken Several DHS offices and components assess drone threats and are members of interagency and industry drone working groups which promote information sharing, research, and joint problem-solving initiatives. However, DHS currently does not have a centralized, departmentwide official responsible for the coordination of counter-drone policies and activities. prgtoken H.R. 6438 authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to designate a countering unmanned aircraft systems coordinator at the Department to serve as the lead DHS official for coordinating counter-drone threat planning policies and plans. H.R. 6438 enables DHS to centralize the coordination of counter-drone threat planning efforts under one official. prgtoken Under H.R. 6438, the countering UAS coordinator is responsible for coordinating with relevant DHS components on the development of policies and plans to counter threats from drones. The countering UAS coordinator promotes the research and development of counter-drone technologies within the Department and ensures that information and guidance regarding drone threats is disseminated across the Department as appropriate. prgtoken The coordinator will also serve as the principal Department official responsible for disseminating information to the private sector regarding DHS counter-drone measures and will ensure that DHS counter- drone activities are carried out in accordance with Federal laws. prgtoken H.R. 6438 is an important and timely piece of legislation that seeks to further prepare the Department in carrying out its duties in countering this emerging threat. prgtoken , I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 6438, and . Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, September 4, 2018. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington
CONFIRMATION OF LYNN A. JOHNSON
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-9-4

today I wish to express my opposition to the confirmation of Lynn Johnson to become Assistant Secretary for Family Support at the Department of Health and Human Services. prgtoken Time and again, this administration has shown a complete lack of good judgement on immigration policy. Most recently, the administration implemented their family separation policy, which caused the cruel separation of thousands of children from their parents, a number of whom have still not been reunited. prgtoken The sheer inhumanity of a policy that involves forcibly separating children from their families has traumatized these children. Experts have said that this trauma will compound the trauma many of these children have already experienced fleeing their violent home countries, exacerbate learning difficulties, increase depression and post- traumatic stress disorder, and may make some children more prone to substance use disorders. prgtoken These traumatized children have then gone into the care of facilities overseen by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which Ms. Johnson will oversee. There have been a number of concerning reports about facilities caring for these separated children, including medical neglect, physical and sexual abuse, overzealous restrictions on phone contact with their parents, and inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs without parental consent. prgtoken While I understand that Ms. Johnson was not in charge of the agency when this policy was implemented, I could not in good conscience vote to confirm a nominee who will be charged with carrying out this administration's misguided policies. prgtoken Thank you.
TRIBUTE TO JOHN McCAIN
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-9-4

I wish to honor the life and legacy of my friend and colleague, Senator John McCain. Over these past months, his presence has been dearly missed, and I must admit it is still hard to imagine that John isn't coming back. prgtoken I want to associate myself with the remarks of my colleagues who have so eloquently discussed John's lasting legacy as a great statesman and as a true American hero. I join with them and so many Americans across the country in mourning his passing. prgtoken As many people know, John had a special relationship with New Hampshire, a relationship forged during his Presidential campaigns. We often considered John one of our own, a true Granite Stater. He just seemed to click with the Granite State; in fact, he prgtoken would call New Hampshire his ``second favorite state.'' prgtoken Throughout his many visits to New Hampshire, Granite Staters appreciated his candor and sincerity. The Straight Talk Express wasn't just a slogan--the John McCain you saw was the John McCain you got. prgtoken Most memorable, during a campaign stop in Wolfeboro in 2008, a mother stood up and asked John to wear a bracelet with her son's name it. Her son, Matthew Stanley, was only 22 years old when he died serving in Iraq. She wanted to make sure that her son's sacrifice wasn't forgotten, that he didn't die in vain. John said he would be honored to wear the bracelet. From then on, it was on his wrist everywhere he went. In his final days, John continued to wear the bracelet of Matthew Stanley on his wrist. Until the very end, John was true to his word and true to his convictions. prgtoken As my chairman on the Armed Services Committee, it was always a great honor to work with John on the annual defense authorization bill. The issues we addressed were so important to him. His devotion to service and the Armed Forces not only ran deep in his character, but in his family legacy. Delivering a good and timely defense bill was John's No. 1 priority. prgtoken One issue I had the great honor of working with John on every year was providing additional visas to Afghan interpreters and support staff who help our troops and diplomats on the ground. For their service, these men and women are often targeted by the Taliban and other terrorist groups. John recognized that we have a profound obligation to provide a safe haven to these Afghan allies who risk everything. John led this fight because it is just the right thing to do. He understood that the solemn commitment to leave no man behind extends to all who fight, and just like John, America would be true to its word. prgtoken I also had the pleasure of traveling internationally with John to represent the United States and observe U.S. missions. As many of my colleagues can attest, rarely was a minute wasted on a McCain delegation. One of his great passions was human rights and supporting those on the side of freedom and democracy around the world. Whether that be