mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO JIM TUFTS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-7-29

today I would like to congratulate Mr. Jim Tufts of Exeter, NH, on his retirement, after his long, productive, and impactful career of making a difference for young people and their families throughout our region and country. prgtoken After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Jim spent 2 years as an assistant coach at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, NH. In 1977, he joined Exeter High School as the physical education teacher and varsity head coach of both the boys soccer and hockey teams. prgtoken Jim has coached over 1,650 games, and his teams have accumulated almost 1,000 career wins and won a combined eight New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, NHIAA championships. He has also served as chairman of the Physical Education Department at Philips Exeter Academy for the summer school program. In 1988 he became the coach and local program coordinator of the Exeter Area Athletes and runs the Learn to Play Hockey Program to introduce hundreds of young people to ice hockey. prgtoken For 50 years, Jim has volunteered with the New Hampshire Special Olympics, which was first organized in the State in 1970 by his mother, Jean Tufts. He has served as the director of the Exeter Special Olympics Program for 32 years, and in 2003 he was named Special Olympics Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Jim has organized students from Exeter High School and surrounding high schools to get involved as peer coaches for the athletes, making the Exeter Special Olympics an incredible community event. prgtoken It is Jim's devotion to Special Olympics athletes--and the example he has set for the athletes he coaches in all of his different roles--that has made a unique and life changing difference for thousands of young people and their families. prgtoken Jim, accompanied and guided by his wife, Leslie, and sons, Matt and Kyle, has been a tremendous asset to Exeter High School and to the entire Seacoast region. He has given back to his community in countless ways with humility and an exceptionally positive attitude. Jim has taught all of us that talent and compassion, strength and kindness, go hand in hand. His town, State, and country are better because of his example. prgtoken , I hope you will join me in honoring a dedicated Granite Stater, Jim Tufts.
TRIBUTE TO STAFF SERGEANT ODON S. CARDENAS
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-7-30

. Madam , today I rise in honor of WWII Veteran, Retired Army Staff Sergeant Odon S. Cardenas. July 30, 2019 marks SSgt. Cardenas 100th birthday and I am proud to represent an individual who has dedicated his life to family, community, and country. prgtoken SSgt. Odon Cardenas was born on July 30, 1919 in Devine, Texas to Donaciano and Cecilia Cardenas. One of six siblings, his early life was spent as a Sugar Beet Farmer in Shakopee, Minnesota. On March 29, 1941 he enlisted in the United States Army in Ft. Snelling, Minnesota as Private First Class. After becoming Squad Leader, SSG Odon Cardenas was assigned to the 172nd Battalion, Company C in California. Shortly after reassignment, the battalion deployed in November 1944 to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations of World War II in Germany. prgtoken While on the front lines of defense, Cardenas and his unit were attacked by German opposition. During the ambush, his company received heavy artillery fire. Approximately 24 hours into battle, he and a few others attempted to escape by crawling through the snow at night. However, he and several company members were captured by opposition forces and held in captivity at a Prisoner-of-War camp near Dusseldorf, Germany. After being detained for two weeks, SSgt. Cardenas and his fellow service members were liberated by the Americans and allied forces. Odon departed soon after in April 1945, receiving an honorable discharge in October 1945. prgtoken After the war, SSgt. Cardenas became a barber and auto mechanic. With his wife of 60 years, Maria Inez Valadez Cardenas, they raised 10 children along with 18 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Madam , I am honored to represent SSgt. Odon Cardenas and look forward to his 100th birthday. His lifelong dedication to our country can only be met with celebration.
Trump Administration (Executive Calendar)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-7-30

. Here is what yesterday's Baltimore Sun editorial states: President , whose early career was marred by a federal housing discrimination suit, may be interested to know that Baltimore was something of a pioneer in that regard. It enacted the first housing segregation ordinances, which were soon invalidated by the Supreme Court, leading to subtler and more nefarious tactics. Racially restrictive covenants, privately enforced, prevented the sale of homes in certain neighborhoods to minorities. Redlining prevented minorities from getting financing to buy homes in white neighborhoods. And blockbusting made rich the unscrupulous men who capitalized on racism and fear to drive white flight. They profiteered on blacks who sought security and better opportunities but instead found themselves exploited and impoverished. prgtoken They go on to make the point: Those days aren't nearly so far in the past as we might like to think. Just seven years ago, Baltimore settled a landmark lending discrimination suit against Wells Fargo, which steered minority borrowers into subprime mortgages--the sort of abuse the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Mr. has eviscerated, might have prevented. Landlords in Baltimore continue to take advantage of rules stacked in their favor to evict low-income (and frequently minority) tenants; in a particularly egregious example, the Kushner Cos. (as in son-in-law Jared Kushner) has aggressively sought to jail tenants who fall behind on their rent. prgtoken We do have a legacy of discrimination in Baltimore City to overcome. The President, instead of challenging that legacy, has decided to pile on in the manner he did with his comments. prgtoken I know that Baltimore will rise above this. I know the city is resilient, and I know this great city's greatest days are still ahead as we tackle that legacy and move on to the future. But I think we as a body--both s and alike--have an obligation to also stand up for our country. We cannot allow these kind of remarks out of the Oval Office to go unanswered. We cannot allow silence when the President of the United States challenges the very idea of what it means to be American, which is a place where people of all different backgrounds, all different races, and all different religions can come together: ``E pluribus unum.'' The President wants to drive a stake in that idea. He wants to divide the country, and we cannot be silent while he soils the Oval Office. prgtoken I ask all of us to speak out, wherever we are, when we see this kind of attack by the President of the United States. It is wrong for our country. It is bad for our country. It is a disgrace to the Oval Office. prgtoken The one thing I can say is that, in the face of that disgrace, Baltimore has shown great dignit
IN HONOR OF AVIS MICHELLE FISHER
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-7-30

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the life of Avis Michelle Fisher, a local gospel singer and community leader. prgtoken Born on May 31, 1964 to Rev. Albert Van Fisher and Verdell Fisher, Fisher's musical talent shone in the Fort Worth community from the time she was five years old. Known as the musician who ``could sing anything,'' she led the choirs at Salem Baptist Church and Mount Olive Baptist church for over 30 years. prgtoken Fisher began music lessons near her home in Highland Hills when she was five years old and went on to perform in her first musical when she was just thirteen years old. Fisher attended elementary, middle, and high school while growing up in Fort Worth and was part prgtoken of an award-winning choir program at O.D. Wyatt High School where she graduated in 1982. prgtoken Fisher's lifelong commitment to gospel music was a beacon of light in the Fort Worth community. An accomplished singer, pianist and organist, Fisher was well known as a musician and leader across Dallas and Fort Worth. Alongside her leadership in several church choirs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth community, Fisher contributed to a deep history of gospel performance in African American churches. prgtoken Our community lost a talented musician, leader, and teacher in Avis Michelle Fisher which is why I would like to take this opportunity to honor her life and legacy in Fort Worth and extend my thoughts and prayers to all that have been impacted by her.
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOEL STEPHEN FASS
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-7-30

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I honor the life of Joel Stephen Fass, a brilliant legal mind, community advocate, and my dear friend. prgtoken Mr. Fass, along with his law partner Michael Colodny, formed the firm Colodny Fass in Broward County, Florida in 1974. Mr. Fass prgtoken practiced in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation, and civil rights. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Fass served as the Kings County prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York and successfully pursued the rights of countless personal injury victims, including abused and neglected elderly individuals. prgtoken Joel was a champion for our community's elderly. He served as past president of the Broward County Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors, and was recently named to the ``Broward Senior Hall of Fame.'' I have known few people who worked as tirelessly as Joel did to ensure our seniors were safe, and able to maintain their dignity and wellbeing. prgtoken Joel was always on the front lines in responding to the critical needs in our community. In 2010, Mr. Fass was bestowed the ``Ending Abuse Award'' by Broward Jewish Family Services for his recognition to urge advocacy of shared gender responsibility in maintaining domestic tranquility among families in the Jewish community. prgtoken A resident of Weston, Florida for 19 years, he chaired the City of Weston's first Charter Review Commission and subsequently served as a Weston Charter Review Commissioner. Joel was a distinguished veteran who served honorably in the United States Army and embodied the best of what it means to give back to your country and community. My heart goes out to his wife Susan, children, and grandchildren whom he adored and were the light of his life. prgtoken Joel was a selfless, compassionate, and a tireless advocate for others in Broward County. He will be profoundly missed but never forgotten.
Trump Administration (Executive Calendar)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-7-30

first, I thank Senator Van Hollen, my seatmate and friend representing the State of Maryland in the U.S. Senate. His comments reflect the views, I hope, of the overwhelmingly majority of Americans. It is critically important that we speak out as to what the President has said. prgtoken I have lived my entire life in Baltimore. I love Baltimore. It is a great city. As Senator Van Hollen has said, it has an incredible history. It is a vibrant city. There are so many good things happening there. It has a great future, and it needs our help from the point of view of any major urban center in America. prgtoken On weekends, my wife and I will frequently walk areas of Baltimore City in order to get some exercise, to clear our heads from the workweek, and to see what is happening in Baltimore. I must tell you that it is so energizing to see the building cranes in downtown Baltimore building new housing for our young people coming into our city because they know the economic future of Baltimore. They are there because they want to live in an exciting place in Baltimore City. prgtoken We see the optimism on their faces as they are doing their exercise in the morning and walking the streets of Baltimore. We see a great city that is continuing to rebuild in a modern economy. So when the President of the United States insults the city of Baltimore and Congressman Cummings, it is incumbent on all of us to speak out and tell the President: This is unacceptable. prgtoken We know the Office of the President is frequently referred to as a bully pulpit that he can use, but the President of the United States cannot be a bully. Yet that is exactly what he is doing, trying to bully minorities and others in this country. It will not work. prgtoken The bully is not Elijah Cummings, as President called him. The bully is President . The person who is dividing our country is President , and he should be the one bringing us together. prgtoken Why does he do this? I don't think any of us believe that he isn't doing it for political reasons. He wants to distract from what is happening in this country. In the Congress of the United States, Congressman Cummings is leading a committee that has the responsibility of checks and balances of our system to act as a check on the President of the United States. prgtoken Does anybody in this Chamber believe there shouldn't be a check and balance in our system on this President? Look at how he has used his Executive powers and abused his Executive powers and the emergency declarations that he has used. prgtoken The Mueller report spells out how the President tried to interfere in the investigation. The way he talks about our judiciary, saying that he is not going to follow the orders of our court, and the way he trashes our free press--all of that cries out for an aggressive check and balance on the independent first branch of government, and that is what Elijah Cummings is
BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2019
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-7-30

I support the Bipartisan Budget Caps and Debt Limit Deal as an important step to protect Americans and our economy. This agreement secures an additional $100 billion for crucial services to promote the well-being of our residents while rejecting the offsets proposed by the current Administration. This agreement permanently ends the harmful cuts to non-defense programs that support the health, housing, education, child care, and security of Americans via the discretionary sequester. It allows continued investment in veterans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, environmental sustainability, the National Institutes of Health, and the fight against drug addiction sweeping the nation, including my state of Illinois. This agreement also protects the full- faith and credit of our government by raising the country's debt limit. prgtoken As we know, the debt limit was reinstated to $22 Trillion on March 2, 2019, imposing a legal limitation on the government's ability to issue debt and pay many federal obligations that directly impact the American people. A suspension of the debt limit until July 31, 2020 is a critical win for the ic Leadership that protects our national economy. prgtoken The sequester and restrictive appropriations under s have eroded federal support for programs that help children and families in this nation and internationally, cutting domestic and international programs by 4.6 percent between FY2010 to FY2019 after inflation. Constituents in my District have felt these cuts, and this deal helps rebuild these important services. In my district with a population of approximately 703,000 residents, 30.8 percent of children live in poverty and 15 percent live in extreme poverty, 25 percent of taxfilers are low-income working parents, and 18.7 percent of adults in my District over 18 have income below the poverty level. These Chicagoans rely on an array of programs to work and care for their families. According to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, in 2016, my district alone had a veteran population of over 41,978 people. These returning heroes and public servants deserve a government that serves them and assists with resources so that they can live the American dream. prgtoken This is not a perfect agreement, but it moves our country forward in very important ways. I promise to work to end the mandatory sequester. The mandatory sequester cuts federal dollars from vital programs including Medicare, home visiting, the Social Services Block Grant, and Safe and Stable families--programs that provide health care for the elderly, services for the disabled, and child abuse prevention--to name a few. prgtoken Former National Security Advisor Colin Powell once said ``Leadership is about solving problems.'' I rise today to commend and support Pelosi on her leadership and problem solving skills to rebuild our investment in children and families via thi
REMEMBERING JOE H. BARRAGAN
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-7-30

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Joe H. Barragan, an esteemed Californian and an outstanding gentleman to everyone who knew him. Mr. Barragan passed away on November 19, 2018 but will continue to be remembered for his love of family, commitment to serving his community, and passion for working to make the world a better place. prgtoken Mr. Barragan was born on December 31, 1931 and attended Saint Ferdinand School and San Fernando High School. A man of extraordinary character and patriotism, he nobly served our nation as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War. prgtoken Though his sacrifices for our country alone are enough to warrant the highest respect and praise, we could not properly celebrate a man such as him without mentioning the generous life he led in his community. In the years after he returned from war, Mr. Barragan spent his time enriching the lives of others without ever expecting anything in return. He will be remembered for his endless kindness and love of all people. prgtoken Mr. Barragan is survived by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Barragan; his two daughters, Susan Arriaga and Belinda Barragan; his son-in-law, Danny Arriaga; his two grandchildren, Daniel Arriaga Jr. and Jessica Arriaga; and his dog, Demi. prgtoken As his family and community continue to hold the legacy and memory of Mr. Joe H. Barragan in their hearts, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding man and the virtues he held so dear to him. May his memory serve as an example for all seeking to lead a happy and joyful life and may his spirit rest in peace and glory.
COMMISSION TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL CREATION OF A NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ACT
Grace Meng (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-7-30

. Madam , I rise today to emphasize the need to weave the narrative of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities into the greater American story. prgtoken There is no doubt that Asian Americans are the fastest growing population in the United States, and our community is becoming an increasingly powerful and visible force in all aspects of American life. From entertainment to medicine; from academia to entrepreneurship; from social justice to innovation--our community has made immeasurable contributions to every facet of our nation. But, too often, our community is excluded or forgotten in history. prgtoken That is why today, I am introducing the ``Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act''. With the rise of recent exclusionary rhetoric and policies, it is crucial to remember our collective past now more than ever. The past shapes who we are, and it also strengthens how we move forward. prgtoken From the Chinese Exclusion Act to the Japanese American internment camps; from the racially motivated murder of Vincent Chin to the first wave of Southeast Asian refugees on our shores--these historical events have affected the way we deal with policies today. Nevertheless, these stories are often left out of history books. A commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American history is the first step in elevating the AAPI profile and ensuring that Americans of all ethnicities and generations can learn about the impact our community has had in our nation's values, traditions, culture, and history. prgtoken Madam , I firmly believe the story of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is sorely misunderstood and creating a national museum would ensure that our experiences--both good and bad--are recognized by all Americans. Museums are gateways for Americans and the world to see the United States' rich history, challenges it overcame, and potential for greatness. Establishing this commission is the first step toward the creation of a national AAPI museum. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
U.S. SENATOR JOSEPH D. TYDINGS MEMORIAL PREVENT ALL SORING TACTICS ACT OF 2019
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-7-30

I rise in support of H.R. 693, the U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2019 or the ``PAST'' Act. prgtoken Put simply, soring is the cruel practice of intentionally inflicting pain on a horse's legs or hooves to alter the horse's gait. This is done by applying caustic chemicals such as diesel fuel, and mustard oil to the skin, and inserting sharp painful objects into horses' hooves to achieve an artificial high-stepping gait. It is all too commonly inflicted on horses that participate in Tennessee Walking Horse competitions. prgtoken As a former horse owner myself, I am deeply disturbed about the pain and suffering these majestic animals are put through. Soring is already prohibited by the laws of the United States. Congress passed the Horse Protection Act in 1970 to address the problem. What we are doing today is identifying gaps in the original law and fixing them. prgtoken No other category of horse show has federal oversight because no other group of trainers and horse show enthusiasts intentionally injure horses as a way to enhance performance. This practice belongs in the same category as dogfighting and cockfighting in that people hurt animals in severe ways just for entertainment. Ending this despicable practice is long overdue. prgtoken Since the PAST Act was first introduced in the 113th Congress it has never had fewer than 272 cosponsors and has always been a firmly bipartisan bill with co-sponsors representing districts across the country. The PAST Act is also supported by hundreds of veterinary and equine groups--including the veterinary medical associations from all 50 states. I would like to recognize the hard work of the individuals within these outside animal rights advocates--particularly Marty Irby, Executive Director of Animal Wellness Action, who has dedicated so many years to this purpose. prgtoken As the chair of the subcommittee where this bill is assigned, I am proud to stand in favor of this anti-cruelty legislation. Let's send the bill to the Senate with a strong vote that shows how Americans will not stand for animal abuse.
Venezuela (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-7-30

one final comment to my colleague. The 7,000 who have been killed by Maduro's secret police is reflective of the fact that those who are here are some of the earliest opponents of Maduro--those who tried to create change but fled. They have a heightened reason why, in fact, going back--in addition to the chaos and in addition to the danger--they are particularly threatened, at the end of the day, because they are the ones who were trying to create change and found a situation in which the threat of their life was at risk so they came to the United States. prgtoken Getting protected status--if there was ever a moment in which temporary protected status was envisioned, it is for this situation. prgtoken .