mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Inflation (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-7-12

month after month, week after week, day after day, family budgets are being battered by inflation--inflation made worse by the reckless spending habits of the Federal Government and particularly of the administration. prgtoken Gas prices are up nearly 50 percent from a year ago, and grocery bills--as any of us can see when we go to the grocery store--have soared. From eggs to milk to meat to produce, everyday essentials cost more today than they did last year. prgtoken The pain of inflation is having a dramatic impact on the American people. This quote from the New York Times yesterday sums it up pretty well: Widespread concerns about the economy and inflation have helped turn the national mood decidedly dark, both on Mr. and the trajectory of our nation. prgtoken It is a sentiment I have heard over and over again in my conversations with my constituents in Texas, and it is one that is increasingly visible in public surveys. A recent poll from the New York Times and Siena College found that more than three-quarters of voters think that the United States is headed in the wrong direction--three- quarters of the country. Only 13 percent said the country was on the right track. prgtoken With voter confidence at a concerning low, our ic colleagues have made an interesting calculation. They are trying to resurrect their ``Build Back Broke'' agenda. Now, you may remember this bill, which was called Build Back Better, but I think it can more accurately be described as ``Build Back Broke'' or ``Build Back Bankrupt.'' This bill went out with a whimper last year because our ic colleagues didn't even have the support among their Members to pass it in an evenly divided Senate where the Vice President breaks the tie. prgtoken So they have now chosen this moment, for some reason, to bring it back. To have a shot at passing this proposal, our ic colleagues have slimmed and trimmed the bill, but it still packs a painful punch, especially where it has to do with energy prices. prgtoken Last month, the national average of gasoline exceeded $5 a gallon for the prgtoken first time on record--5 bucks a gallon, plus. Since then, prices have fallen some, but the national average today is still $4.66 a gallon. Now, that is better than $5, but it is certainly no reason for celebration, and it still costs almost 40 bucks more to fill up a pickup truck today than it did a year ago. prgtoken In standard fashion, the administration has tried to blame someone else. Mr. has implausibly blamed Vladimir Putin for the high price of gasoline. So rather than acknowledge the impact of its own policies which have discouraged investment in new production, new supply, the administration is trying to blame the very energy companies that we are depending on to produce more oil and gas so we can make more gasoline and so we can bring the price down. prgtoken I have heard from o
HONORING THE KIWANIS CLUB OF WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-7-12

as co-chair of the Service Organization Caucus, which highlights the great work of service organizations across our country, I rise to recognize and honor the Kiwanis Club of Warren, Pennsylvania. prgtoken This month, the Kiwanis Club of Warren is celebrating 100 years of service. Since July 12, 1922, Kiwanis of Warren have worked toward fulfilling the mission of Kiwanis International ``to improve the world one child and one community at a time.'' prgtoken Their work not only in Warren, but internationally, has made a positive impact for children and families everywhere. prgtoken The Kiwanis Club of Warren has raised funds for a joint effort between UNICEF and Kiwanis International to eliminate iodine dependency disorder and maternal neonatal tetanus worldwide. prgtoken In addition to the club's global impact, the Warren Kiwanis Club also makes a difference at home. In efforts to engage the next generation of service-minded leaders, the Kiwanis Club sponsors three service leadership programs where participants focus on leadership and character building. prgtoken The Kiwanis Club of Warren also sponsors a variety of community building events, like the Salvation Army bell ringing and annual blood screenings. prgtoken I congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Warren for 100 years of service.
HONORING FATHER ALEXANDER KARLOUTSOS
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today in honor of my friend, Father Alexander Karloutsos, who was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest civilian honor. prgtoken Father Alex has spent more than half a century as a Greek Orthodox Priest, including as the pastor of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, in the First Congressional District of New York. prgtoken In 1994, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew named Father Alex as a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is the highest honor a married clergyman can receive in the Orthodox Church. prgtoken He has also served as the first Vicar of Public Affairs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and as a spiritual advisor to several U.S. Presidents. prgtoken I am grateful to Father Alex for his decades of service to the Greek Orthodox community, Long Island, and our Nation. I send my sincere congratulations to Father Alex, his wife, Xanthi Karavellas Karloutsos, their three children, and nine grandchildren. This honor is so well deserved.
FIRST RESPONDER FAIR RETURN FOR EMPLOYEES ON THEIR INITIAL RETIREMENT EARNED ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-7-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of H.R. 521, the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act, which was introduced by the chairman of the Government Operations Subcommittee, Representative Connolly, along with Representatives Fitzpatrick and Langevin. prgtoken This bipartisan bill makes an important change to the law governing certain retirement programs which cover Federal first responders and law enforcement officials in the event that they become disabled on the job and continue government service in a different capacity. prgtoken Currently, these Federal employees are enrolled in and pay into a system with mandatory retirement at the age of 57, or after 20 years of service. This system also requires greater retirement contributions from the employee. prgtoken Under current law, when these employees become injured and disabled in the course of their work--which is inherently dangerous--they lose the benefits they earned before they became disabled. prgtoken H.R. 521 would allow employees in positions covered by enhanced retirement programs to retain their original benefits if they are injured and disabled on the job and choose to continue working for the Federal Government. prgtoken The employees covered under this bill include law enforcement officers, firefighters, nuclear materials couriers, and diplomatic security special agents. These are, by definition, high-risk jobs. Denying them the retirement that they were guaranteed when they entered public service is deeply unfair. prgtoken The men and women who sign up for dangerous jobs to serve our Nation should not be punished if they sustain injuries on the job--especially when, despite these injuries, they choose to continue their career in public service in a new capacity. These people should be rewarded, not punished. prgtoken I commend Chairman Connolly for his leadership on this bill which enjoys bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important prgtoken bill, and .
REMEMBERING HORTON ALEXANDER ``COTTON'' ROSSER
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Horton Alexander ``Cotton'' Rosser. Passing away at the age of 93, Mr. Rosser leaves behind an indelible legacy in the rodeo world as a champion saddle bronc rider and owner of Flying U Rodeo Company, the oldest rodeo livestock company in the United States. prgtoken In the 1950s, he made a name for himself in the rodeo world as a champion saddle bronc rider, including a prominent victory at the Reno Rodeo in 1950. Unfortunately, his competitive rodeo career abruptly ended in 1956 when a ranch accident left him with two broken legs. prgtoken However, Mr. Rosser remained an integral part of the rodeo world as the country's premier rodeo rancher. In 1956, he bought the Flying U Rodeo Company, supplying rodeo animals and livestock. Over several decades, Mr. Rosser and his family built Flying U, based in Marysville, California, into one of the most successful stock contracting firms in professional rodeo. prgtoken In addition to stock contracting, Flying U produced around 50 rodeos annually; Mr. Rosser and his company became known for their outstanding rodeo productions. The showmanship of his rodeo opening ceremonies presented at the National Finals Rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show, and the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco raised the profile of the sport. prgtoken Mr. Rosser was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1995 and honored with a half-sized bronze statue in front of the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center commissioned by past presidents of the Reno Rodeo Association. The statue remains a lasting tribute to Mr. Rosser's work as a longtime rodeo producer. In the same year, he became the first-ever Triple Crown winner at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The Western Fairs Association inducted Mr. Rosser into their Hall of Fame in 2014 for his incredible work supporting the fair industry. In 2015, Mr. Rosser received the PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award. prgtoken I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Rosser's loved ones. I know that they, along with the rodeo community, join me in celebrating his life and legacy.
CELEBRATION OF LEXINGTON, MISSOURI'S BICENTENNIAL
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of the bicentennial of Lexington, Missouri. For two hundred years, Lexington has stood as a proud, historic city filled with hardworking people who embody the American Dream. As the people of Lexington gather to celebrate their bicentennial, let us take a moment to reflect on the town's rich history. prgtoken Located on the Missouri River, Lexington was first platted in 1822. Founded by Gilead Rupe, the town was established from a river port and grew as a result of trade along the Big Muddy. Lexington was named after Lexington, Kentucky, as many of the city's early settlers ventured from the Bluegrass State. Lexington soon became the county seat of Lafayette County. prgtoken In 1861, the town found itself at the center of the Civil War, as the Show-Me State split its support between the Union and the Confederacy. Between September 19th and September 21st of that year, the town became engulfed in the First Battle of Lexington Missouri, colloquially titled the Battle of the Hemp Bales. As Blue and Gray forces clashed, the Lafayette County Courthouse was struck with a cannonball, where it remains lodged in the building's eastern-most column to this day. Another landmark from the battle, the Oliver Anderson House, served as a Union hospital for the remainder of the war. prgtoken Lexington's history goes beyond the Civil War. Migrants traveled through the town on prgtoken the Santa Fe, Oregon, and the California trails. The town was also home to the headquarters of the trade firm of Russell, Majors, and Waddell, the founders of the Pony Express. Historic homes dot the town, including Linwood Lawn. The manor was described as ``the largest and most palatial home west of St. Louis'' by the local newspaper when it was constructed in 1859. Today, after refurbishment, it is still a shining example of a historic, antebellum home. The rich history of Lexington is something its citizens are proud of and uphold. Indeed, history such as this is important at demonstrating the narrative of the town and our nation. prgtoken Lexington has been home to various academic institutes over time. Throughout the 1800s, multiple institutions for women were opened: including the Elizabeth Aull Seminary, Lexington Ladies' College, and Central College. In 1880, Wentworth Military Academy opened its doors, and throughout its operation, welcomed students from around the world. Wentworth became one of the oldest operating military academies west of the Mississippi River and remained open until 2017. Throughout its history, Wentworth produced many celebrated alumni, including the late Congressman Ike Skelton and two Medal of Honor recipients. Meanwhile, the Lexington School District continues to provide students with ample opportunities to succeed in academics, fine arts, and athletics. prgtoken The city is home to industry and scenery that best exemplify our state and what it means to be a Missourian. From
HONORING ROBERT ELROY JONES, JR.
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Robert Elroy Jones, Jr. who entered this world on November 14, 1971 to proud parents, Dezie Woods-Jones and Robert (Bones) Jones, Sr. He was called to his heavenly home through a circle of love on May 20, 2022. prgtoken Mr. Jones was born in Berkeley, California, and later moved to Oakland, California and attended Oakland schools, until returning to Berkeley to graduate from high school. He attended Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia for three years and finished his Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University. prgtoken He lived and worked in Surprise, Arizona for several years after graduation and was blessed to have two wonderful children by his wife at the time, Kimberley Sorensen Jones. He loved and adored his children, Amani Sorensen Jones and Isaiah ``Z'' Jones. prgtoken Robert Jones, Jr. also loved his church families and was active in the Allen Temple Youth Department. He was baptized in 1985 at Allen Temple Baptist Church and throughout his lifetime attended St. Paul AME Church in Fowler, California; Carter Memorial AME Church in Fresno, California; and St. Paul AME Church in Pixley under the pastoral leadership of his stepfather, the Reverend Carl L. Jones. prgtoken In addition to Robert's love for his family and the church, was his love for the community. He was a coach and athletic trainer and led his teams to win several championships. He himself won outstanding coaching awards during his career. prgtoken He was passionate about social issues relative to education, particularly when it came to the lack of support for teachers. Robert was an advocate for the undeserved and those impacted by various social determinants of health, like the homeless and those with limited access to healthcare. Thanks to his mother, Robert had an early commitment to public service and was named the youngest ever Jr. BWOPA Man of the Year by the Board, in addition to having the opportunity to work for the 2004 National ic Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. prgtoken Robert was both an advocate and a fighter, whether through his diagnosis at the age of eleven, with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease or his daily perseverance through the pain caused by them, while being sure to never complain to others. prgtoken My deepest condolences and prayers go to his family, friends and loved ones and my greatest respect and empathy go to my dear friend, his mother, Dezie Woods-Jones. I remember Robby as a child and always marveled at his maturity and sense of purpose. I know that his impact and commitment to the community will continue to be an example to us all. prgtoken On behalf of the 13th Congressional District of California, we remember with love and admiration, Robert Elroy Jones, Jr for his tireless service and dedication to the community throughout his lifetime. May he rest in peace and power.
NATO Summit (Executive Session)
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-7-12

. I rise to join the leaders of the codel that I just had the honor and blessing of joining, Senators Shaheen and Tillis, and a number of the other members of that codel, Senators Ernst and Blunt. And I was grateful for the chance to travel with Senators Durbin and Fischer. I want to just join in my colleagues' statements today. prgtoken I think this was a tremendous opportunity for us in Sweden and in Finland to meet with nations that are advanced economies, that are closely aligned with our values, that have sophisticated militaries, and that now, for the very first time, are seeking admission to NATO. NATO is the most successful security alliance in world history, and it is rooted in shared values and shared concerns and interests. prgtoken One of the most vulnerable pieces of NATO, if you looked at the map just a few months ago, were three little Baltic States--Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia--that, for decades, were under the heel of the Soviet Union. They were relatively newly independent in recent decades, admitted to NATO, but very difficult to defend. prgtoken One of the reasons I joined with my colleagues to say here, as we did in Madrid, that we should swiftly ratify the joining to NATO of both Sweden and Finland is that they will provide security. They will be security contributors to this alliance. The odds that a young man or a woman from Iowa or North Carolina, from Missouri, New Hampshire, or Delaware will have to go defend Estonia, will have to go risk or give their life to defending Latvia or Lithuania will go down dramatically if we have on that border, at the very northern end of the NATO alliance, a new 830-mile border between Finland and Russia. The Russians know they will have to defend and pay attention to it given the unique history of 1939-1940 war. And where countries aligned with our values and priorities are going to continue to contribute to the importance of this alliance. prgtoken It was valuable that in our meetings with heads of state from Europe, like Chancellor Scholz from the Indo-Pacific, like Prime Minister Kishida from Japan, in conversations with foreign Secretaries like Liz Truss of the United Kingdom, or meetings with foreign Ministers of Italy and of Germany and of France and of Spain, that this delegation was able to speak with one voice and to articulate why we join the administration in supporting NATO accession for these two critical new partners. prgtoken The last point I want to make is that I am hopeful--I am optimistic-- that we will continue to provide unified bipartisan robust support for Ukraine's brave and fierce defense of its Nation and its sovereignty in the face of Russia's war crimes, Russia's continued aggression. We are calling on all of our NATO allies to step up and to contribute and to participate. And they are. This has brought greater unity, greater purpose, greater focus to the NATO alliance than anything in decades. prgtoken I will remind
HONORING PRETRIAL, PROBATION AND PAROLE WEEK 2022
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-7-12

. Madam , I rise to recognize the nation's community supervision professionals and the many vital roles they play in their work with justice-involved adults and juveniles. They identify opportunities and services to help individuals contribute to society, while, at the same time, holding them accountable for their actions. prgtoken In honor of Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2022, we salute all of those who have chosen this important career. In the District of Columbia, we especially thank the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia and their employees for their work. Their work reflects the theme of Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2022, ``Restoring Trust, Creating Hope.'' prgtoken As was the case last year, community supervision professionals have once again demonstrated great courage and resolve in continuing their work during the coronavirus pandemic. They have found innovative ways to remain connected with the people they supervise and to continue guiding them in the interest of public safety. prgtoken Community supervision agencies are valuable partners of government agencies, non-profits, neighborhood-based groups, and all who strive to make our nation safer and stronger. We extend our gratitude to them and recognize their many achievements as we proclaim July 17-23, 2022, as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2022.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-7-12

I am honored to recognize Pete Gagne of Conway as June's Granite Stater of the Month. Pete is the owner of the Saco River Tubing Center, and this summer, he is spearheading the second Paddle for a Cause campaign to raise money for and lift up local Mount Washington Valley organizations. prgtoken Every Wednesday during the 11-week campaign, a portion of every tube, kayak, and rental sale from that day is donated to that week's chosen nonprofit. This year's organizations work on issues such as nature conservation, food insecurity, affordable housing, and service dogs for people with disabilities. Visitors can also pay extra to bring their dogs with them on river expeditions, with all proceeds going to the Conway Area Humane Society. Last year, Saco River Tubing donated over $3,500. prgtoken The Paddle for a Cause program provides much-needed funds to local organizations that are a vital part of the Mount Washington Valley community and helps Granite Staters and tourists alike learn more about all that the vibrant Mount Washington Valley community has to offer. prgtoken In addition to fundraising and raising awareness about local organizations, the campaign has an educational component on nature conservation. This is especially important in New Hampshire, since the Granite State is home to many beautiful natural treasures. During every trip on the river, Saco River Tubing employees speak to guests about respecting wildlife and minimizing any negative impact to the ecosystems while on the water. This is particularly important given the influx in visitors that started when Granite Staters and tourists alike were looking for more outdoor activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Pete's Paddle for a Cause not only gives back to the community through fundraising, but also educates people on taking care of our natural resources. Pete exemplifies the Granite State spirit of dedication to community, and I commend him for bringing people together to support critical causes. I know that his initiative will have lasting, positive effects for the Mount Washington Valley and the entire State.