mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AMENDMENT TO MONTREAL PROTOCOL (``KIGALI AMENDMENT'')
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-9-20

I rise to speak to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. prgtoken I thank the leader for bringing this important legislative initiative to the Senate floor, and I want to thank our colleagues who have joined in a bipartisan effort to send a very strong message that this is about America's competitiveness; this is about America's security; this is about challenging China. prgtoken For more than 20 years, U.S. manufacturers have been hard at work pioneering new technologies for our refrigerators and air-conditioners. They defined the global standard, and they have the competitive advantage over companies in China and India which have doubled down on yesterday's technology. prgtoken Our companies want and need the Senate to support them so that they can continue to lead, to create jobs, and to export their goods to global markets. prgtoken So this is why I come to the floor today, to urge my Senate colleagues to provide advice and consent to the Kigali Amendment, the fifth technical update to the incredibly successful Montreal Protocol, a treaty amendment that passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by bipartisan voice vote--a bipartisan voice vote. That just shows the depth and scope of bipartisan support. Each of the four prior updates were approved by the full Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues to do the same for Kigali. prgtoken The amendment is a success story of business and government working together, dating back to the Administration. It is an update that will ensure U.S. leadership in exports into the future, and it is the only way--the only way--to keep our businesses from being locked out of markets across the world. prgtoken American businesses are clear. It is time to phase down antiquated chemicals, known as HFCs, which American manufacturers want to leave behind. It is time to usher in a new era in which the modern products are purchased all over the world. prgtoken Our companies already lead in this space. They have been investing billions of dollars to develop new technologies--alternatives to HFCs-- and they have done so in ways that will ultimately decrease costs-- decrease costs--for U.S. consumers. That is why, for the time being, we have the competitive advantage over China and others. prgtoken So the choice on this is clear: Ratifying Kigali means ensuring U.S. companies dominate the export markets. Failure to ratify means a wasted investment and a missed opportunity. Ratifying means we will see thousands more domestic manufacturing jobs--33,000, according to industry estimates. Failure to ratify means U.S. businesses that employ tens of thousands of people across the country will not--will not--be able to sell many of their products in key countries. We are talking about $4.8 billion annually--annually-- prgtoken of increased exports; $12.5 billion of increased economic output per year. So do we want bill
WELCOMING GOVERNOR SAMUEL ALEJANDRO GARCIA SEPULVEDA
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-9-20

. Madam , today I rise to welcome Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda, governor of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, to the House of Representatives. prgtoken Nuevo Leon has a significant economic footprint. It's a leader in education and several major industries. It's also home to Monterrey, Mexico's second-largest metropolitan area. But folks back home in Laredo know Nuevo Leon for different reason: it's our neighbor across the border. Governor Garcia has a central role to play both at home and in U.S.-Mexico relations, and I am honored to welcome him here today. prgtoken The Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, which spans from Nuevo Leon to my hometown of Laredo, is a critical artery for North American trade. With this visit, Governor Garcia is strengthening the bond between Nuevo Leon and Laredo, and between the U.S. and Mexico-- not only in the realm of trade, but also security cooperation, healthcare, and more. prgtoken At just 34 years old, Governor Garcia is already an accomplished attorney, a former local deputy and senator in Nuevo Leon, and the author of several books. He has a bold vision for his state and for his country. By investing in education, infrastructure, and sustainable growth, Governor Garcia is putting Nuevo Leon on the path toward a more prosperous future. prgtoken Madam , I ask all my colleagues to join me in welcoming Governor Garcia to the House of Representatives. Governor Garcia is a truly committed public servant with a bright future. I look forward to working with him to deepen the ties between our two communities and our two countries.
AMENDMENT TO MONTREAL PROTOCOL (``KIGALI AMENDMENT'')
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-9-20

I rise to seek consent to advance the nomination of a Virginian and friend, Leopoldo Martinez, to be Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. The IDB is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a critical part of the ability of the United States to engage diplomatically with our American partners to counter a growing influence of Russia and China and Iran and other nations in the Americas. And it is very much in the national interest of the United States prgtoken to build up economic prosperity of countries in the Western Hemisphere. prgtoken We have seen over and over that when countries have troubled economies, it is not a distant or faraway problem. It drives government corruption; it drives organized crime; it drives drug abuse and drug trafficking. And then it expands migration that could start as a country's problems but very quickly become our country's problems as well. When we don't step up, we see that other nations--China and Russia, in particular--in the Americas fill the vacuum. prgtoken As Latin America and the Caribbean countries continue to face challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic--where the region has had the highest global per capita infection and death rates in the world and is experiencing the largest economic contraction of any region in the world--the IDB has a key role to play in improving economic outcomes for the region. prgtoken But the problem is the IDB is without an executive director. It is without leadership confirmed by the Senate at this critical moment in time. prgtoken Leopoldo Martinez brings decades of experience in the public and private sectors, as well as academia. He has extensive experience advising Fortune 500 companies, private equity funds, international businesses, and nongovernmental organizations. He is the CEO for the Center for Democracy and Development of the Americas, as well as a commissioner for small business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is on the board of one of our public universities, the University of Mary Washington. prgtoken And as I have said, he is not just a constituent; he is also a friend. And in all respect, he is outstandingly qualified for this position. prgtoken Now, I understand that there are differences of opinion in the Senate about the success, or lack thereof, about the administration's policies in Latin America. Earlier this week or late last week, some of my s challenged the administration as being too soft on corruption issues in the Americas. prgtoken I was asked about my colleagues' critiques, and I would say: Well, I got a critique, too. I wouldn't say they are too soft, but I would say they are too inattentive. I don't think we have, under this administration or the previous administration or the previous administration--going back nearly to the beginning of this country, I don't think we paid the attention t
Energy (Executive Calendar)
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2022-9-20

I rise today to talk about how the current process that we are in right now with the energy challenges we have, not just in our country but around the world, and how the committee process, the committee process that we are working on, can help relieve the challenges that the American public have right now with high prices at the gas pump, high prices they are receiving in their homes for heating and all the necessities they have. prgtoken What is at risk right now--and I want people to understand. What is at risk is the energy independence and energy security of the United States of America. If we are going to remain the superpower of the world, if we are one country that has it all, you better have energy independence. If you can't produce your own energy and you are going to ask other people around the world to do what you won't do for yourself but you have the ability to do it and the resources to do it, God help us all. That is what we are dealing with. prgtoken So I am going to talk about how Congress can provide some relief here. prgtoken The 2022 Energy Independence and Security Act we have been working on is going to be paramount to maintaining what we have. That means that we have to focus on not blaming each other. This has become a personal thing back and forth, back and forth. prgtoken Some people on the extreme left--liberals--don't like it because they want many changes. We have some people in the conference over here, my friends, who have always been for it, but now the leadership has made it personal to be against it. But let me tell you who suffers--it is all the people. All the American citizens are going to suffer if we don't do something. prgtoken We are all citizens of this great country, and we are all so grateful for having the opportunities we have by living here. But we have an abundant amount of energy--an abundant amount of energy that we can produce cleaner than anywhere else in the world. prgtoken I have always said let's do decarbonization. We all should be committed to decarbonize to help the atmosphere and to help the climate. That is our responsibility as human beings and especially in a developed nation in the developing world. prgtoken Decarbonizing means two things, however you intend to interpret it. Some people want to decarbonize by basically eliminating anything that has fossil. Well, guess what. Our friends in Europe tried that. Our European friends tried that. Look where they are. prgtoken Then there are those of us who want to basically say: We can decarbonize by producing more fossil, which is cleaner in the United States of America, and basically dispersing the dirty fossils produced around the world. That is all we are saying. prgtoken When you have oil and gas coming from Venezuela, which is produced with no oversight whatsoever--dirtier than any place in the world--we were going to go to them and remove sanctions to help us? That makes no se
UPHOLDING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-9-20

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8453, the Upholding the Dayton Peace Accords through Sanctions Act. I want to begin by thanking the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, and my colleagues, Representatives Wagner and Wilde, for their leadership on this issue and for bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken Twenty-seven years ago, thanks to the leadership of President Bill Clinton, the Dayton Accords were signed, officially marking the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, however, we still have domestic and foreign actors threatening to undermine the accords' legitimacy. I am concerned that any challenge to the agreements laid out in the accords poses a severe risk to the relative stability of the Western Balkans. For the region's sake, we cannot afford to let these bad actors go unpunished. prgtoken That's why I believe that the House of Representatives--and our government as a whole--must continue to support the European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a necessary step and one that I hope will eventually lead to them joining the European Union and NATO. prgtoken As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, I have seen the incredible progress that this young country has made over the past quarter century. Yes, the situation is far from perfect; corruption issues linger, and young, educated people continue to leave in search of a better life. But, , progress is often slow and incremental. With our enduring support, I am optimistic for their future. prgtoken Fortunately, H.R. 8453 provides for that support--and more. The bill recognizes it as the policy of the United States to support a unified, sovereign, and multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also strengthens the sanction tools available to Administrations to ensure lasting peace and security in the country. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill and hope for a swift passage in the Senate.
RECOGNIZING DIXWELL AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-9-20

today I rise to recognize Dixwell Avenue United Congregational Church of Christ as it celebrates 202 years of spiritual leadership in New Haven, CT. I am honored to join Dixwell Congregational Church's congregation and supporters in celebrating the church's bicentennial, 2 years later than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic--just the latest obstacle the church has overcome in its long and remarkable history. prgtoken Dixwell Avenue United Congregational Church of Christ is the oldest African-American Congregational UCC church in the world. It was founded in 1820, when Black residents in New Haven were unwelcome at the city's traditional churches. Seeking the freedom to worship, a group of 22 Black New Haven residents persuaded a Yale student and abolitionist named Simeon Jocelyn to conduct religious services with them at his home. Together they formed the city's first Black congregation and, after meeting house to house for 4 years, began renting a small church on Temple Street in New Haven in 1825. prgtoken In 1837, the Rev. Dr. James W. C. Pennington became the first Black pastor of Dixwell Avenue United Congregational Church of Christ. After fleeing from slavery, the Yale-educated Pennington became internationally renowned as a skilled orator. Under his leadership and the pastorate of his successor, the Rev. Amos G. Beman, the church became one of America's most eminent civil rights organizations and a cradle of the abolitionist movement. Not only did the church serve as a stop on the Underground Railroad, but many of its members were active on the Amistad Committee, which supported the defense in the landmark 1841 case United States v, The Amistad, which resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court granting the enslaved people onboard the ship their freedom. prgtoken The church moved to its current home on Dixwell Avenue in 1886 and continued to work for the social betterment of the community. In the early 20th century, the church donated the land on which the original Dixwell Community House was built, ensuring that generations of area residents had access to enriching education and recreation, as well as vital social services. One of the central figures in the church's recent history is the civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Edmond R. Edmunds, who led the church for nearly 40 years beginning in 1959. Under his pastorate, the congregation established daycare and afterschool programs that encouraged academic achievement in the Dixwell neighborhood. He also helped initiate the Dixwell Housing Development Corporation which, for many years, provided affordable housing to local, low-income families. prgtoken The church's current pastor, the Rev. Dr. Frederick ``Jerry'' Streets has carried forth the congregation's tradition of serving its community. Reverend Streets has fostered civil and constructive conversations about race in New Haven, developed faith-based rehabilitation programs for individuals wit
HONORING CARLOS TAMAYO
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-20

. Madam , I rise today to honor Carlos Tamayo. Through the creation of La Tortilla Factory with his family, Mr. Tamayo helped contribute to his community by increasing the diversity of cuisine in the area, providing jobs and livelihoods for so many. prgtoken Mr. Tamayo was born in Nebraska in 1946 to a family of five sons. After attending college in Arizona, Mr. Tamayo and his wife moved to Fremont, California, where they found inspiration to partner with his parents to create La Tortilla Factory, prgtoken La Tortilla Factory was founded in August of 1977 in Santa Rosa, California. It began as a family-run restaurant owned by Mr. Tamayo's parents, and siblings, and quickly expanded into a business that focused solely on producing tortillas. The factory's growth led to more than 300 new job opportunities for the local community. prgtoken Mr. Tamayo has dedicated his life and work to helping others through a variety of roles. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. After earning his master's degree, he took on a job as a financial analyst at the National Economic Development Association and worked to help Latino individuals who were interested in a career in business. prgtoken Mr. Tamayo was heavily involved in decision-making and financial components of La Tortilla Factory, and served as the business' Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and President throughout its duration. La Tortilla Factory's success as the main tortilla distributor for the United States is in part due to Mr. Tamayo's expertise. prgtoken Mr. Tamayo was well-known in his community, and will be remembered as friendly, passionate, and incredibly intelligent. He was dedicated to his family, and travel was a huge part of his life. Mr. Tamayo was also inspired by his parents. They raised a family and achieved success in the United States after his father immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico through the Bracero program, and his mother's parents immigrated to the U.S. Mr. Tamayo passed away on July 29, 2022, and he will be greatly missed by all. prgtoken Madam , it is evident that Mr. Tamayo has left a tremendous impact on the community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor his legacy here today.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-9-20

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Treaty Document No. 117-1, postcloture; further, that all time during adjournment, recess, morning business, and leader remarks count postcloture on the treaty.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-9-20

I rise to pay my respects to Phil Hanceford, a tireless and broadly respected advocate for public land conservation. Phil unexpectedly passed away on August 14, 2022. prgtoken Phil served more than 15 years as an attorney, policy expert, and conservation director at The Wilderness Society--TWS--in Denver, CO. He began his career with an internship at TWS while a student at the University of Colorado School of Law. Across a distinguished, 15-year career, Phil played a significant role in protecting some of the most important public lands in the West, from Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, to conservation areas in the Pacific Northwest, the Mojave Desert, Nevada, and Colorado. prgtoken Phil was an expert in land management planning, specializing in the management of national monuments and other Bureau of Land Management-- BLM--conservation lands. He inspired and mentored countless individuals at TWS and across the conservation community, contributing his deep expertise and humble spirit to all who sought his advice or support. Over the years, his guidance helped shape a new cohort of effective advocates for America's public lands. prgtoken Phil's greatest accomplishments include helping to create the National Landscape Conservation System; the adoption of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan that conserved wildlands and promoted renewable energy development across nearly 11 million acres in southern California; the restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monuments that protects over 3 million acres of stunning desert wilderness in southern Utah; and the establishment of Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado. prgtoken Phil was a champion of the BLM and earned the lasting respect of Bureau staff across the country for his warmth and expertise. He often went out of his way to connect with employees across the organization and fiercely advocated for getting staff into the field to see firsthand the places they worked to protect. prgtoken Phil grounded his work in humor, kindness, determination, and grace. He genuinely believed in the promise of public lands as a legacy for everyone--an issue that could bring Americans together regardless of where you lived or which political beliefs you held. Phil's prgtoken distinguished career was cut too short, but he leaves behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come. I extend my deepest condolences to Phil's wife Keenan and their young daughter Hazel, along with the rest of Phil's family, friends, and colleagues.
SEPTEMBER CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-20

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize Edward Becerra as my September Constituent of the Month. As we begin another school year, we must continue to support and uplift the work of local community leaders who are going above and beyond to help our region thrive. During the pandemic, many kids fell behind on key educational markers, including literacy. Edward's work with Education Begins in the Home is critical to ensuring all families in my District have access to age-appropriate books for their children. prgtoken Edward's program, Education Begins in the Home, aims to increase literacy in the Latino community through access to free books. The program is one of several under non-profit Empowering Latino Futures, whose mission is to remove barriers to educational and professional success for Latino communities. He started Education Begins in the Home in May of 2015 after learning that 60 percent of low-income families in the county at the time did not own a book at home according to the San Diego Council on Literacy. To address this problem, Edward partners with community organizations to gather books and hosts `book sorting parties' with volunteers to later distribute them in the community. Since its founding, his program has hosted 700 events and distributed 176,500 free books to children in North County San Diego. I'm proud that my office was able to secure books for Edward's program through the Library of Congress Surplus Books program. prgtoken During Hispanic Heritage Month, I am proud to uplift Edward Becerra and other Latino voices who contribute to our unique and diverse district. I'm so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their time to the betterment of our community, and I'm proud to honor Edward Becerra as my September Constituent of the Month.