mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE FIRST ANNUAL HARRIET TUBMAN DAY HOSTED BY THE NEW YORK STATE EQUAL RIGHTS CENTER
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-3-7

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of the first annual Harriet Tubman Day hosted by the New York State Equal Rights Center (NYS Equal Rights Center) in Auburn, New York. Harriet Tubman is an American icon, whose courageous activism helped strengthen civil and women's rights. Her legacy runs deep in Central New York and still influences the local community today. prgtoken Born a slave in Dorchester County, Maryland, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849. She arrived in Philadelphia but quickly returned to Maryland to rescue the rest of her family. Successful in guiding her family and many other slaves to their freedom, Harriet Tubman became a well known figure on the Underground Railroad. Notably, she never lost an escaped slave she was guiding to freedom during her service as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. prgtoken Harriet Tubman joined the Union when the Civil War broke out in 1861, first serving as a nurse and then as a scout. She possessed knowledge of stealth travel from her time on the Underground Railroad, a skill she passed along to Union scouts to evade detection by Confederate forces. This skill proved extremely helpful during the Combahee River Raid, when she and her fellow Union scouts sabotaged Confederate supplies. This raid was also significant because Harriet Tubman became the first woman to lead an armed assault during the Civil War. After the war, Harriet Tubman moved to Auburn to care for her family who settled there. prgtoken Women's suffrage became a priority for Harriet Tubman during her later life. She became very active in the movement, traveling throughout the northeast to participate in demonstrations and working alongside suffragist leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Emily Howland. While Harriet Tubman passed away in 1913, her role in the suffrage movement helped pave the way for full women's voting rights in 1920. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating the first annual Harriet Tubman Day hosted by the NYS Equal Rights Center. Harriet Tubman's contributions to civil and women's rights in our society is unparalleled. The NYS Equal Rights Center pays tribute to her activism, serving as a reminder for Central New Yorkers to treat everyone in the community equally and respectfully. I ask my fellow Representatives to honor Harriet Tubman's legacy and never forget her role in creating a more equal America for all.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-3-7

today I wish to honor my friend, GEN Raymond A. Thomas III, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, for his dedication to military service in the U.S. Army. General Thomas will retire from active military duty on March 29, 2019, after serving 39 years defending our national security. prgtoken Born in Philadelphia, PA, General Thomas graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in 1980. Throughout his career, General Thomas has grown as a well-respected leader and a vital asset to the special operations community. prgtoken Prior to assuming command of U.S. Special Operations Command, General Thomas served as commander, Joint Special Operations Command--JSOC-- Fort Bragg, NC. His other general officer assignments include Associate Director for Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency; commanding general, NATO Special Operations Component Command-- Afghanistan; deputy commanding general, JSOC; Deputy Director for Special Operations, the Joint Staff in the Pentagon; assistant division commander, 1st Armor Division in Iraq; and assistant commanding general, JSOC. prgtoken Prior to his promotion to brigadier general, General Thomas served as the JSOC Chief of Staff and Director of Operations. He also faithfully served in key joint and special operations assignments all around the globe to include commander, Joint Task Force--Bravo, Soto Cano, Honduras; commander, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Savannah, GA; and commander, B Squadron, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-- Delta, Fort Bragg, NC. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me as I proudly recognize the remarkable military career of GEN Raymond A. Thomas III. I wish General Thomas, his loving wife, Barbara, and their extended family the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their journey together.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-3-7

I have 9 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing ``examine the chain of commands accountability to provide safe military housing and other building infrastructure to servicemembers and their families.'' Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 12:30 p.m to conduct a business meeting and hearing on the following nominations: Rita Baranwal, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Secretary (Nuclear Energy), William Cooper, of Maryland, to be General Counsel, Christopher Fall, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Science, and Lane Genatowski, of New York, to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, all of the Department of Energy. Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Joseph F. Bianco, of New York, and Michael H. Park, of New York, both to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, Greg Girard Guidry, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Michael T. Liburdi, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona, and prgtoken Peter D. Welte, to be United States District Judge for the District of North Dakota. Committee on Veterans' Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 2 p.m to conduct a joint hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 2 p.m to conduct a closed briefing. Special Committee on Aging prgtoken The Special Committee on Aging is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Complex web of prescription drug prices, focusing on untangling the web and paths forward.'' Subcommittee on Security prgtoken The Subcommittee on Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a
REMEMBERING JACK COGHILL
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-3-7

today I speak in memory of an Alaska pioneer, a pillar of the community of Nenana, signer of the Alaska Constitution, legendary Alaska legislator and our 6th Lieutenant Governor, Jack Coghill, who died in February at the age of 93. prgtoken Long before statehood, the name Coghill was synonymous with the town of Nenana. Jack's father, William A. Coghill, Sr emigrated from Scotland to Canada and then to Alaska in March 1907. He landed in Valdez, hiked to the interior over the course of 10 days, and went to work delivering the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. prgtoken In 1916, Bill relocated about 60 miles down the road to Nenana, which was at the time a boom town. It was home to the Alaska Engineering Commission, which was building the railroad, a bridge, and a large dock. Along with a partner, Bill converted an existing business into Coghill's Store, which continues to exist today. prgtoken In the 1930s, Jack and his brothers, Bill, Jr and Bob, began learning the business from the ground up. They were hauling freight, stocking shelves, assisting customers, and delivering the groceries. Jack served in the Army in World War II. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Alaska Command, fighting in the Aleutians. Following the war, Jack moved home to Nenana. When Bill, Sr died in 1947, Jack and his brother Bob, along with their mother, took over the store. Later the business included a movie theatre, fuel distribution, and a roadhouse. prgtoken Public service was an important part of Jack Coghill's life since the late 1940s. He served on the Nenana School Board, and he was mayor of Nenana for 23 years. He was elected to the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1952 and reelected in 1956. At age 30, he was selected as one of 55 delegates to the Alaska Constitutional Convention. Jack participated in the drafting of the Alaska Constitution in 1956 and was the third individual to sign it. Post-statehood, he served in the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska Senate. In 1990, he was elected Lieutenant Governor on a ticket with Wally Hickel. Unable to stay away from service, Jack returned to the Nenana City Council when his term as Lieutenant Governor concluded. Until his death, Alaskans of all generations looked to Jack for advice. prgtoken Jack and his wife Frances were parents to six children. Next to family, Jack characterized his service on the Alaska Constitutional Convention as his greatest achievement. Of course, that was far from Jack's only recognition. He held an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska and was elected to Junior Achievement's Small Business Hall of Fame. prgtoken One of Jack's six children is John Coghill, a friend whom I served with in the Alaska Legislature and who serves as a member of the Alaska State Senate today. John remembers his father as ``a firm believer in utilizing Alaska's natural resources to build a strong economy and provide good paying jobs for Ala
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019
Joe Neguse (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-3-8

. Madam Chair, I am proud to offer an amendment today to ensure early registration, or pre-registration, for all 16- and 17- year-olds prgtoken across the country ahead of their 18th birthday. prgtoken To be clear, my amendment does not lower the voting age; it simply allows individuals to pre-register so they are registered and ready to vote when they turn 18. prgtoken Today, 14 States, including my home State, the great State of Colorado, as well as the District of Columbia, permit pre-registration beginning at 16 years old. Four States permit pre-registration beginning at 17 years old, and five other States allow for pre- registration a few months ahead of voters' 18th birthday. prgtoken States across the Nation are taking up pre-registration to integrate young people in the democratic process early, and I think it is time for us to take up these reforms at the Federal level. prgtoken We see young people interacting with the government agencies most frequently when they are 16 and getting their driver's license or learner's permit. This is common sense to allow our young folks to register early when they are already at the Department of Motor Vehicles in their respective State, where voter registration services are typically offered, to ensure that when they turn 18, they have no barriers to casting their ballot on election day. prgtoken Madam Chair, the foundation of our democracy is built on the ability of our citizens to vote. We must hold this right precious and sacred, and we must encourage, in my view, our citizens of every age, from every background and every locality and every local party to engage in our political process. Pre-registration helps us do that by investing in our next generation and by encouraging democratic participation from an early age. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
ARI HALBERSTAM AND THE JEWISH CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Yvette D. Clarke (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-3-8

in light of the undeniable spikes in hate speech and hate crimes and conversations we have had in the House over the past few days, I rise today in memory of Ari Halberstam, a young neighbor of mine whose life was taken 25 years ago this week when anti-Semitic hatred morphed into terrorism. prgtoken Tragically, on March 6, 1994, Ari passed away at age 16 due to gunshot wounds to the head after a terrorist attack on the ramp leading to the Brooklyn Bridge. prgtoken , we must confront hatred in all of its manifestations, be it anti-Semitic attacks that took our beloved Ari's life or the hate- fueled neo-Nazi march through Charlottesville that took the life of Heather Heyer. prgtoken Devorah Halberstam, Ari's mother and my dear friend, is a crusader for justice and a forceful advocate in New York State for the passage of Ari's Law as part of a comprehensive gun control bill prohibiting interstate gun trafficking. prgtoken Determined to bring about something symbolic of resilience, tolerance, and beauty, in 2004 Ms. Halberstam established Brooklyn's iconic Jewish Children's Museum in my district in memory of Ari. The award-winning children's museum is Ari's legacy. It is our legacy. prgtoken The uptick in acts of anti-Semitism targeting Jewish communities are truly alarming, but must be confronted. Let us remember that these acts are in no way reflective of who we are as a Nation and/or our core values of tolerance, respect, and human decency. prgtoken Let us celebrate Ari's life and legacy by coming together in respect, tolerance, and, above all else, love.
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019
Max Rose (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-3-8

. Madam , I rise today in opposition to this motion. I rise today as a new Member who ran for office on cleaning up our system. And admittedly, I rise today as someone who has voted for MTRs in the past. prgtoken In fact, I was eager to hear how my colleagues and friends across the aisle would propose a solution today for how they are going to finally drain the swamp. I was eager to hear how they would protect and enshrine the rights and freedoms and liberties that we all are endowed in the Constitution. prgtoken But what they have given us today does nothing to drain the swamp, nothing to uphold our freedoms. Only in Washington would we see a group of people actively trying to sabotage anticorruption measures. prgtoken This is a political stunt meant to divide us, meant to sow hatred. It is a game, nothing less. Nothing less. prgtoken This right here is why the American people hate politics. Honestly, if this is your strategy to win future elections, we wish you Godspeed because it will never work. It will never work because the question before us today, and the thing that this joke of an MTR that is seeking to distract us from is, whose side are you on? prgtoken Let's show the American people that this is the people's House, not the House of corporate interests and lobbyists and dark money. prgtoken Again, I stand in opposition to this motion.
IN RECOGNITION OF PASSAGE OF THE HOUSE RESOLUTION AGAINST ANTI- SEMITISM, BIGOTRY AND HATRED
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-3-8

. Madam , today, Congress made clear that there is no place for anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, or any other hate-based rhetoric in America. In doing so, we are echoing the words of George Washington who pledged to the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island, that `the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.' prgtoken The language of anti-Semitism is often subtle, but it is very painful to Jewish Americans: they hear the implied threat and the `othering' of them as Americans. We all must be mindful of the impact of our words. All hatred on the basis of religion is abhorrent, including the suggestion that all Muslims are terrorists or that Catholics owe allegiance to the Pope, accusations that have tarnished our political discourse in recent memory. prgtoken We are currently witnessing an alarming spike in anti-Semitic rhetoric and hate crimes. Just a few months ago, we witnessed the deadliest attack on American Jews in our nation's long history, with 11 worshippers murdered while praying at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. In my community in New York City, we've had a 72 percent increase in hate crimes against Jews with Jewish men being attacked and beaten on the street; schools and walls defaced with Nazi symbolism; and synagogues vandalized. Elsewhere in the U.S attacks on Jews are growing. prgtoken Last year, we heard the shameful chants of white supremacists in Charlottesville saying, `Jews will not replace us.' Recently, we've heard the suggestion that Israel hypnotizes the world into overlooking its actions. We've heard that pro-Israel groups purchase U.S. support for Israel, as if the only reason American politicians would support Israel is campaign contributions and not because of our shared values and interests. We've heard the ancient anti-Semitic trope of dual loyalties--one that goes back thousands of years. prgtoken Words and ideas lead to action. Anti-Semitic language and hate-filled rhetoric have no place in this country and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, which is why I was proud to join my colleagues in voting for today' s resolution. prgtoken But we also need to be proactive, and not just reactive, in our fight to combat hate and anti-Semitism, which is why I have introduced the Never Again Education Act, H.R. 943, so that all Americans can learn about the Holocaust and the impact of anti-Semitism. We must do everything we can to eliminate anti-Semitism in the United States.
IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1, THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2019-3-8

. Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 1, The For the People Act. prgtoken In November, Americans took to the polls to make their voices heard-- and this ic Congress has heard them, loud and clear. prgtoken H.R. 1 will implement common-sense measures to give Congress and our elections more transparency. prgtoken It's long been said that sunshine is the greatest disinfectant. prgtoken We need to limit the influence of money in our politics and make critical updates to our campaign finance laws. prgtoken We need to make sure that voters elect their representatives and not the other way around. prgtoken We need to give every American a seat at the table, so we can drive progress for every family in every community. prgtoken H.R. 1 does all these things and more. prgtoken It expands access at the ballot box by addressing systemic and institutional barriers to voting. prgtoken It prohibits voter roll purges and ends partisan gerrymandering. prgtoken It expands early and absentee voting. prgtoken It also protects our elections systems from attack. prgtoken I am also proud that H.R. 1 lays the groundwork for H.R. 4, The Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will restore the VRA's preclearance provision. prgtoken Madam , voting is the very cornerstone of our democracy. And THIS is what Democracy looks like.
CULTURAL COMPETENCY OF POLL WORKERS AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1
Grace Meng (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-3-8

. Madam , I rise today to express my excitement about the passage of H.R. 1. I am especially pleased that my amendment to increase the cultural competency of poll workers was adopted as a part of this historic bill. prgtoken I represent New York's 6th district in Queens, New York--a robust and diverse community. I understand firsthand that voters in every district are unique. Poll workers should not only be aware of the intricacies of state voting laws, but the ways in which individuals have different needs at the polls as well. prgtoken Poll workers are a crucial component to elections at every level of our democracy. These individuals check with voters to verify information and either hand voters a ballot or direct individuals to a voting machine. They ensure order and efficiency on Election Day. prgtoken My amendment requires that poll worker manuals contain cultural competency training information. Those who work our polls will learn strategies to help voters who come from diverse backgrounds, live with disabilities, or have limited English proficiency--regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Cultural competency training will decrease congestion at the voting booth and ensure that all voters are able to participate in our democracy to the fullest. prgtoken s Representative Chu, Representative Grijalva, and Representative Pressley for co-sponsoring this amendment with me. I look forward to continuing my work on the expansion of voting rights in the 116th Congress.
HONORING POLICE CHIEF KRISTEN ZIMAN ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Lauren Underwood (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-3-8

. Madam , I rise today on International Women's Day to honor a woman who has been a pillar of strength in my community during a particularly difficult time. prgtoken Last month, in Aurora, Illinois, we had five neighbors killed in a terrible act of gun violence. If you watched the news following that tragedy, you saw a woman, Chief of Police Kristen Ziman, exuding strength, compassion, resolve, and leadership following an event we never imagined would happen in our community. prgtoken Chief Ziman leads the second biggest police department in our State of Illinois--no small feat considering that prgtoken there are only 219 female chiefs in the more than 14,000 police departments nationwide. prgtoken Chief Ziman's compassionate leadership and barrier-breaking approach to law enforcement inspires us all across the Fox Valley region. We truly are Aurora strong. prgtoken Her strength and her service to our community makes us so proud, and I look forward to watching all the little girls in our community grow up knowing they can be anything they want to be, from a police chief to a Congresswoman, because they grew up seeing it firsthand. prgtoken There are women like Chief Ziman lifting all of our communities all over the 14th District and all over our country, and I am so glad to celebrate them today.
NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-3-8

Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of the death of my father, the late Congressman Donald Payne. My father was a tireless advocate in this House, but he lost his life to colorectal cancer too early. prgtoken That is why each year I sponsor a resolution recognizing March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to educate the public about the disease and the need for screening. I introduced that resolution on Wednesday, the anniversary of the loss of my father. prgtoken I also introduced the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Screening Act, a bipartisan bill joined by Representatives Rodney Davis, Don McEachin, and David McKinley as co-leads. More than 100 Members have joined on as cosponsors, and I hope the remaining Members will join as well. prgtoken , when people use Medicare to get colonoscopies, they are hit with an unexpected bill if polyps are removed. That is a monetary barrier to screening, and screening saves lives. My father, unfortunately, did not get screened for colorectal cancer. It wasn't something that people of his generation did. But we can honor his legacy by improving education and removing barriers to screening.