mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE CONGREGATION KNESETH ISRAEL OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS ON THEIR 130TH ANNIVERSARY
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-6-13

. Madam , today I rise in recognition of the Congregation Kneseth Israel (CKI) of Elgin, Illinois for their 130th anniversary. The Congregation provides spiritual support to a diverse and growing Jewish population throughout areas in and around my district, including Kane, McHenry, DuPage, DeKalb, and Northwest Cook Counties. Marking CKI's 130th anniversary is a fitting way to honor the lasting impact of its exemplary efforts to build and strengthen community, foster inclusive environments, and give back to those in need. prgtoken CKI has been a spiritual anchor for the community since 1892 when a small group of Jewish residents organized the first Illinois synagogue west of Chicago. However, the roots of the Jewish community in Chicagoland go back even further. In making Illinois their home, Jewish settlers were a critical part of the group of farmers, merchants, and tradesmen that laid the groundwork for the region we are so proud of today. CKI is an important part of this history, and I am honored to stand here in recognition of the Congregation's continued efforts to meet the needs of the surrounding community. prgtoken Since its founding 130 years ago, CKI has demonstrated a commitment to serving others that stands as an example to all of us. Through education initiatives for adults and children, youth and senior interest groups, and through its worship services, CKI positively prgtoken shapes the lives of its members and all those who are touched by the Congregation. Moreover, through a series of social action projects, including canned food drives, blood drives, organized volunteering to advance local causes, and other forms of service, CKI goes beyond worship to serve the most vulnerable among us. prgtoken I know I speak for many constituents in Illinois' 8th District when I say that I am thankful for the tremendous work that the Congregation Kneseth Israel has done in the last 130 years. This remarkable anniversary is worth commemorating, and we all look forward to what the next 130 years will bring for CKI as it continues to be a cultural and religious hub for the Jewish community in the area surrounding Elgin.
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-6-13

. Madam , for over 150 years, June 19th, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, has served as a source of reflection, inspiration, and hope for generations of Black Americans. It is a day when we are reminded of the trials and tribulations of those who came before us, and celebrate the incredible progress we have made. It is a day when we can rejoice together in the freedom and liberties that we all share, and recommit ourselves to everlasting equality and justice. It is a day that means so much, but for too long had not been formally recognized as a federal holiday. prgtoken That was, Madam , until our advocacy was finally met with action from the rest of Congress and the White House. I was proud to join my colleagues here in Congress and the Administration last year to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Now, just one year later, many more Americans understand and appreciate the day's history. prgtoken Today, I am especially thankful for Texas's very own, Ms. Opal Lee. Colloquially known as the ``Grandmother of Juneteenth,'' Ms. Lee has worked tirelessly over the years to educate, inform, and advocate on behalf of the Juneteenth movement. I have had the pleasure of meeting her several times over the years and am constantly reminded that we stand on the shoulders of icons like her. prgtoken Madam , I want to wish those in Texas's 30th Congressional District and across the country a Happy Juneteenth.
EXPRESSING STRONG SUPPORT FOR STEEL TARIFFS
Frank J. Mrvan (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2022-6-13

. Madam , I rise today to express my strong support for the continuation of section 232 steel tariffs for our domestic manufacturers, our workforce, and our national security. prgtoken Indiana's First Congressional District is home to an incredible foundation of steelworkers and the American steel producers who create products that are essential not just to the strength of our national economy but also to our national security. prgtoken It is necessary that the American steel industry has a level playing field in our global economy so that our innovative companies and skilled workforce can continue to lead the world in manufacturing the most environmentally friendly and efficiently produced steel. prgtoken As co-chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, we have been actively expressing our strong support for the continuation of section 232 steel tariffs. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and members of the administration to advocate for the value of these current tariffs and ensure that we all recognize how unfair trade and global steel overcapacity negatively impact our Nation's future.
OCEAN SHIPPING REFORM ACT OF 2022
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-6-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of S. 3580, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to strengthen our Nation's supply chain and address unfair shipping practices, which became broadly apparent during the pandemic. prgtoken Once again, we have come together to find common ground to address the needs of the American people. I particularly want to express great appreciation for the extraordinary leadership of my colleague from California, John Garamendi, and Dusty Johnson, for their tireless work fighting for this legislation. prgtoken I would also like to acknowledge Sam Graves, the ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Salud Carbajal, and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Gibbs. Their contributions were many, and I appreciate the time they took to work with all the stakeholders. prgtoken The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the practice of business worldwide, perhaps permanently. It shuttered factories, changed consumer demand, and inundated our ports with containers. In no other time have we had such an unprecedented need for a resilient supply chain, yet if anything, the trials of the past 2 years have highlighted the inefficiencies of our transportation system, both domestically and internationally. prgtoken One response will be, hopefully, with the COMPETES Act, to onshore critical industries and components in the future. But the other is to deal with the inefficiencies of the existing system during that transition. prgtoken The importance of the maritime sector as part of America's supply chain cannot be overstated. $4.6 trillion in activity takes place annually at all the U.S. seaports. prgtoken Despite historic demand and profit levels, we have been alerted to instances of large ocean carrier conglomerates taking advantage of American exporters and importers. In fact, the three largest shipping conglomerates in the world enjoyed more profits last year than the total of their profits in the previous decade. We might call that price gouging. prgtoken Foreign-flag commercial carriers transport more than 98 percent of U.S. foreign commerce. Again, we need more significant steps to rebuild a U.S. maritime industry so, as a maritime nation, we are not dependent upon Communist China and other places, a whole bunch of developing or even nonexistent countries with flags of convenience that are substantially under the thumb of the Chinese. prgtoken Foreign-flag commercial carriers transport 98 percent, as I said, which means we must be robust in our approach to the oversight and enforcement of trade to secure fairness and economic prosperity. prgtoken The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 gives the Federal Maritime Commission updated authority to protect exporters, importers, and consumers from unfair prac
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-6-13

I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to Joseph L. ``Joe'' Murchison, Jr an extraordinary public servant who passed away last year and who would have turned 92 on June 19, 2022. prgtoken Joe was born in North Carolina in 1930 and enlisted as early as he could in the U.S. Army. Determined to commit himself to his Nation, Joe eventually joined the all-Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. The members of this battalion were called the ``Triple Nickles.'' prgtoken In 1947, a year before the Army was desegregated, Major General James Gavin oversaw the troopers' transfer into the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. This was the first step toward integrating the 82nd Airborne Division and made the Triple Nickles some of the first Black soldiers to train alongside White soldiers. prgtoken Even after this trailblazing shift, the troopers continued to consider themselves Triple Nickles. Despite the racial separation of most soldiers, the paratroopers gained the respect of many units as a result of their special airborne status. As Joe said, ``We knew we had something to prove and we had to be better than the best.'' prgtoken In 1958, Joe retired from the military as an officer. He followed his impressive service by starting several successful businesses across the United States and helping to found a newspaper in Greensboro called the ``Carolina Peacemaker.'' As part of these endeavors, Joe was one of the first Black owners of a North Carolina automobile dealership and worked with a major car manufacturer to promote an alternative fuel vehicle. prgtoken Joe founded the 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Inc in 1979. The organization enables the paratroopers to stay connected. Throughout his three terms as president of the association, Joe saw it grow to include over 1,500 members across 26 chapters. prgtoken Throughout his remarkable lifetime, Joe dedicated himself to sharing the importance of the Triple Nickles, even visiting the White House. While he was alive, Joe was pleased to see Juneteenth--also his birthday--be named a Federal holiday by President . He passed away on November 11, 2021, Veterans Day. prgtoken My wife Cynthia and I extend our best wishes to his daughter, Joelle, along with her 10 siblings, as well as Joe's grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren as they celebrate his outstanding life this Sunday. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing Joseph L. Murchison, Jr.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-6-13

I got the news, along with others, Sunday morning about the decision of 10 and ic Senators to move forward with the proposal to deal with our Nation's epidemic of gun violence. I had a conversation with Senator Chris Murphy, who has been one of our leaders on the ic side, about exactly what that meant and the help that we might be able to offer to him from the Senate Judiciary Committee. prgtoken I just want to say, at this moment, that I really want to commend my colleagues on both sides, and s. I believe they made a good-faith effort to negotiate a package of reforms. Senator Murphy, Senator Cornyn of Texas, made it bipartisan, timely, and I believe did an excellent job. Is it the package that I would have written? No--nor yours, . You would have included things, and I would have included others. But it is within our reach. prgtoken We have a bitterly politically divided nation. That is a fact. We have a Senate Judiciary Committee evenly divided 50-50. We have a Chamber evenly divided 50-50. So it is difficult to say that any one party or one person will get exactly what they want in this political atmosphere, but it is equally important to note that we have all gone home and gotten the message over and over again. Whether it was in reference to the supermarket killing in Buffalo, the fourth grade school class in Uvalde, TX, or the doctor and other bystanders being killed in a Tulsa, OK, hospital, all of that has occurred in the last few days. prgtoken The American people have reacted with one voice, and they have said to us two words: ``Do something.'' To Members of Congress, don't just tell us you are going to give us your thoughts and prayers. Do something. prgtoken Well, I think this decision to move forward could help. Every provision in this agreement could save a life. For that reason, if for no other, I will be supporting it. prgtoken This agreement would support ``red flag'' laws. It is one way they characterize them. ``Crisis intervention orders'' is another. Many States--19--already have them. It would also close dangerous gaps in Federal law that enable domestic abusive boyfriends to get guns. prgtoken I want to commend Senator Klobuchar, who has been the leader in the U.S. Senate on that issue. We tried to help her on a previous piece of legislation, and it didn't have the votes to do it, but if it is included in this package, I will definitely support it, and I thank her for her leadership. prgtoken It also would strengthen the background check system by clarifying which gun sellers would be required to conduct background checks. That is a step in the right direction. I hope there is more coming. prgtoken The agreement would provide funds for desperately needed mental health and trauma support services, including more school counselors for enhanced school safety. prgtoken I can't tell you how critically important that i
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-6-13

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for her distinguished presentation. prgtoken I will take a moment, as other Members are on the floor, so I can at least set the framework of this evening of which she has done so ably. I think the cornerstone of the chairwoman's remarks is that we have been building on Juneteenth, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, for all of our tenure in Congress. We have done it by the myriad of legislative initiatives that continue to build and repair what was generated from the 246 years of slavery. prgtoken Let me, first of all, read into the Record that order of General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, on the shores of Galveston, Texas: ``The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.'' prgtoken Most people have not heard the entire order. prgtoken Union soldiers, up to 200,000, fought in the Civil War and died. Union soldiers were killed by Confederate soldiers. Rather than, under the laws of the military protocol, captured as prisoners of war, they shot them dead. prgtoken Blood was shed by slaves, or Freedmen, and the order that we all so often praised, let me be very clear, General Granger said you are free, but your posture, your framework, the guidepost, is you are not to leave. You are now employer and not even employee but hired labor. prgtoken There was no obligation for Freedmen to stay and take a job, and most of the slaves looked askance. They didn't understand what ``employer'' was. That is not a word they had ever heard, in any large sense, and ``hired labor.'' We are free. prgtoken Tonight, we speak about freedom. They were free. Yet, even in the goodness of that order, they were advised to remain at their present homes, probably something that had been given to the plantation and the masters and to work for wages. It did not say what kind of wages, what kind of work conditions you had, what kind of workers' comp, insurance. No, they were informed that they would not be allowed to collect at military posts, and as if that had been the slaves' mantra, they even challenged them to not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere. prgtoken Let me tell you, by this very potent picture, what the ancestors had gone through for 246 years. For those who were born, lived, and died in the brutality of slavery, this was their lives, the separation of families and the unnaming of families. They had first names, or they were called ``husband
Introductory Statement on S. 4383
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-13

I rise to speak in support of the Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coin Act, which I introduced today. prgtoken While the eyes of the world will be on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, the work preparing our region for this grand stage is already starting. That is why I am proud to introduce these bills that will help carry out the Games and make investments in the region and across our Nation. prgtoken The Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act would ensure the Federal Government provides critical assistance for surface transportation projects and plans relating to international Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympics events. The transportation plans made in the coming years will not only make the Olympics and Paralympics run smoothly but will also be an investment in infrastructure that will benefit commuters and the region for years to come. prgtoken This bill would also allow the Department of Transportation to prioritize Federal transportation grants for projects relating to an Olympic, Paralympic, or Special Olympics International event and to provide funding for temporary facilities, equipment, operations, and maintenance that meet the extraordinary needs associated with hosting such events. prgtoken The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coin Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint coins in commemoration of the ninth time that the United States will host the modern Olympics and the third time that our Nation will host the Paralympics. This bill would come at no cost to the Federal Government. Any surcharges from the sale of the coins would support the hosting of the 2028 Games and aid in the execution of legacy programs, including the promotion of youth sports in the United States. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Brownley and Representative Sherman for co-leading these bills with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of these bills that will help Los Angeles, California, and our entire Nation prepare for the successful administration of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
MORNING BUSINESS
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-6-13

Senator Merkley and I wish to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Juneteenth Oregon Celebration in our hometown of Portland, OR. Every year on June 19, people in Portland and across the State of Oregon and the Nation join together to celebrate when, on June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were finally declared free more than 2 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and recognition that emancipation was delayed for many enslaved people even after the Civil War was over. This day is among the most important days of commemoration in our Nation. prgtoken The Juneteenth celebration was brought to Oregon in 1945 by the late and beloved community leader Clara Peoples. She led the first-ever Juneteenth celebration in Oregon at work. When her supervisor told her that if the celebration ran over 15 minutes she would be fired, she announced to her coworkers, ``Hear ye, hear ye. It's Juneteenth. We have 15 minutes to celebrate.'' Thanks to Clara's tireless efforts in the community and her work to create the nonprofit organization Juneteenth OR, the first official citywide celebration of Juneteenth occurred 50 years ago on June 19, 1972--and is today celebrated with a parade and other festivities like delicious food, art and live music. prgtoken Clara Peoples continued fighting for her community by lobbying at all levels of government to make Juneteenth a recognized holiday on the State and national level. While, sadly, Clara did not live to see her efforts realized, she clearly paved the way for Juneteenth to at long last be declared a Federal holiday and a State holiday in Oregon. Today, we remember and honor her as, in the words of the Rev. Dr. Ronald Myers, ``the mother of Juneteenth.'' prgtoken Soon after Clara Peoples passed away in 2015, her granddaughters Jenelle Jack and Jynnefer Robinson took over as leaders of Juneteenth OR. Jenelle and Jynnefer continue to champion this special and important event, creating and coordinating online celebrations for 2 years during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. They even sent Oregon's candidate for last year's Miss Juneteenth, Aceia Spade from Eugene, OR, to Galveston, TX, where she was crowned National Miss Juneteenth Queen. It was through Jenelle and Jynnefer's efforts--and the efforts of the dedicated staff and volunteers of Juneteenth OR--that Portlanders and Oregonians across the State will once again be able to celebrate Juneteenth in person this year. We look forward to another Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade this year, as well as another Miss Juneteenth competition where young Black women will have the opportunity to showcase who they are, their talents, and their confidence. prgtoken While celebrating a victory in the fight to keep the film ``Birth of a Nation,'' which celebrated the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan, from being played in Portland, another Oregon hero a
POTENTIAL GUN VIOLENCE LEGISLATION
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-6-13

. Madam , it is disappointing to see s in the Senate ready to make a deal that will do nothing except slide us down the slippery slope toward gun registration and confiscation. prgtoken The gun deal being contemplated in the Senate will do nothing to stop criminals intent on doing harm. This is just another surrender by uniparty RINOs. This will do nothing to satisfy the radical left that wants, again, registration and confiscation. prgtoken Why not do something that would truly reduce violent crime in blue cities where there are hundreds of shootings every weekend? Why not support our police, prosecute criminals, end no-cash bail, harden our schools, and do something that will actually make a difference in reducing the deaths by violent crime in this country?