mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN PALLONE
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-3-5

it is with great pleasure and pride that I rise today to congratulate my brother, Long Branch Councilman John Pallone, on his selection as the Amerigo Vespucci Society Man of the Year. I joined the Amerigo Vespucci Society on March 3, 2018 at their 125th dinner gala to celebrate John and recognize his outstanding work. prgtoken Born and raised in Long Branch, New Jersey, John is a lifelong resident of the city and an active member of the community. Currently serving as Council President, John was first elected to the city council in 1990 and then ran successfully again for a council seat in 2010 where he has served ever since. In this capacity, John has made the safety and well-being of Long Branch residents a priority and continues to focus on the redevelopment of the city, serving as a board member of the Urban Enterprise Zone. prgtoken In addition to his work as a public servant, John is the Vice President of the Long Branch Free Public Library Board of Trustees, a member of the Amerigo Vespucci Society and a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church. prgtoken John is the owner of Video Life Productions, a successful video production company that he established in 1982. He and his wife Svetlana are the proud parents of John Thomas. prgtoken , I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating John Pallone on his recognition as Man of the Year by the Amerigo Vespucci Society. He is truly deserving of this body's recognition.
HONORING THE LIFE OF MARCUS RASKIN
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-5

I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of a strong voice in the progressive movement, and a great mentor and friend, Marcus Raskin. Marcus' exceptional work as a national security staffer, political theorist, and progressive thought leader has deeply shaped our nation's consciousness about war, economic inequality, and civil rights. prgtoken Born in 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marcus initially pursued a career as a pianist, before changing direction and studying law and policy at the University of Chicago. After attaining his law degree, Marcus moved to Washington D.C. and became a staffer for Representatives Robert W. Kastenmeier & James Roosevelt. prgtoken He quickly distinguished himself as a leading voice of liberal thought, and was hired as staff on the National Security Council by President Kennedy's National Security Advisor, McGeorge Bundy. He also later served in the Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management and Budget), and the Presidential Panel on Education. prgtoken Following his service in the Kennedy Administration, Raskin formed the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) along with Richard Barnet. As a progressive policy think-tank, IPS was the first of its kind. To this day, the institute remains committed to economic and racial justice, climate justice, peace and foreign policy, community engagement, and leadership development. prgtoken Marcus also played a pivotal role in the release of the Pentagon Papers during the Nixon Administration. His criticisms of the Vietnam War and American military policy led to Daniel Ellsberg noticing Marcus and relying on his help to get the leaked documents to reporters at the New York Times. This initiated a watershed moment in our country's history about the need for transparency and accountability in government. prgtoken I first met Marcus Raskin, during the mid-1970's, while I worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Ron Dellums, and I am grateful to him for his wise counsel over the years. Marcus was one of the first to congratulate me on my election to Congress, and acted as a reassuring confidant as I considered my vote against the overly broad 2001 authorization to use military force. prgtoken Marcus Raskin passed on December 24, 2017, and is survived by his wife, Lynn, and his children Erika, Eden, Noah, and my colleague in Congress--Jamie. prgtoken Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, it is my honor to commend Marcus Raskin for his moral leadership and to thank him for his mentorship. I cherish my time serving alongside his son, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland's 8th Congressional District and wish my sincere condolences to the rest of his surviving family.
COMMEMORATING THE 165TH ANNIVERSARY OF STEINWAY & SONS
Joseph Crowley (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-3-5

I rise today to recognize the 165th anniversary of a Queens treasure, and one of the world's most iconic brands--Steinway & Sons. prgtoken Steinway makes world-renowned pianos, distinguished for their grandness and masterful craftsmanship. Each piano consists of more than 12,000 individual parts, and is said to have its own musical character as unique as the individual who plays it. These magnificent works of art, I am proud to say, are made in my district. prgtoken The Steinway legacy dates back to 1853, when Heinrich Engelhard Steinway founded Steinway & Sons in New York, a few years after emigrating from Germany. The high quality and meticulous craftsmanship of Steinway's pianos led to rapid growth for the business and the opening of a factory in Queens. Along with the factory, the Steinway family established a company town, Steinway Village, which spurred development in the neighborhoods that are today known as Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, and they spread their family values of investing in community. The philanthropic work of the Steinway family endures today throughout Queens and New York City. prgtoken That same factory, which first opened in the early 1870s, continues to operate today. The historic factory has been producing the world's finest pianos, virtually uninterrupted, for more than 145 years. Today, the factory employs over 300 union craftspeople, and many more people in management, administrative and sales roles in New York and throughout America. Steinway & Sons is an American success story, integral not only to the history of the borough of Queens and New York City, but also to the cultural story of the United States of America. It is a jewel that elevates American craftsmanship and innovation throughout the world. prgtoken As a lifelong musician and a son of Queens, it is with great pride that I celebrate the 165th anniversary of the world's number one piano, New York's very own Steinway & Sons.
SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL: RACISM AND POVERTY 50 YEARS AFTER THE KERNER REPORT
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-3-5

from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison), someone I had the pleasure of spending time with. We have a little running conversation with the Eagles playing in the Super Bowl. He has turned out to be a very good friend in spite of that. prgtoken He has traveled this Nation and been very thoughtful in his comments and the things he has said. He wanted to really weigh in on this subject. He has been in the forefront of economic opportunity, poverty reduction, racism, and income equality. He has been in there.
SUPPORTING DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-3-5

6 months ago, the White House shamefully rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program without having legislation in place to protect Dreamers. That is just wrong. prgtoken The overwhelming majority of Americans support a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, yet leadership refuses to let Congress vote on a clean Dream Act. prgtoken A few months ago, after ending DACA, the President began rolling back immigration from Black and Latino countries he thinks are s---holes. After that, he went on a Twitter rant to attack the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, which helps people from Africa immigrate lawfully to the United States. prgtoken Eliminating DACA without a plan for Dreamers is just another antiminority move. Removing the Diversity Immigrant Visa program is more of the same. The administration has shown itself to be hostile to people of color racism is not a good policy.
SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-3-5

I rise today as Syria is about to enter its eighth year of conflict. We have witnessed 7 years of displacement and violence, 7 years of war crimes, and 7 years of Bashar al-Assad's illegitimate grasp on power. To say that it is past time for Assad to go or that it is past time for the conflict to be resolved dramatically underestimates the horrible suffering and destruction the people of Syria have experienced. In these 7 years, almost 500,000 Syrians have been killed and more than 12 million have been displaced from their homes. prgtoken This conflict has disproportionately affected children, as all conflicts do. According to Save the Children, inside Syria, 7.5 million children have lived their whole lives knowing nothing but war. Emotional and psychological stress has manifested itself physically; Syrian children now face an increase in heart disease, diabetes, and depression. These children are growing up in refugee camps, with no end in sight. This means the loss of their childhood and prgtoken of educational opportunities. I don't exaggerate when I say that because of this war, an entire generation of Syrians will be both displaced and disaffected in an already volatile region. Ignoring these children ensures decades of instability to come. prgtoken In Eastern Ghouta this past week, we saw the most recent example of the brutality of the Assad regime, aided and abetted by Russia and Iran. While only just now making headlines, Eastern Ghouta has been held under siege by the Syrian Government since 2013. This neighborhood, which had supposedly been designated as a deescalation zone, has been bombarded by Syrian Government forces armed with Russian weapons. In just a few days, 500 civilians have been killed, and that number is growing. prgtoken Years after the international community reached a consensus that Assad had lost his legitimacy as the leader of Syria, he not only remains in power but is more secure than ever. The United States has not only failed to exert moral leadership in the face of Syrian suffering but has also failed to show strategic leadership in the face of a tangible threat to U.S. national security. prgtoken I have long called on both the and administrations, warning that U.S. interests were not being represented in Syrian negotiations, but this has never been more clearly illustrated than in November of this past year, November of 2017, when a picture circulated of Presidents Ruhani, Putin, and Erdogan shaking hands in Russia after a round of negotiations to determine a potential resolution of the Syrian conflict. prgtoken I have to ask, is it now U.S. policy to let these three dictate policy in the Middle East--Ruhani, Putin, and Erdogan? The United States was not there, nor were our European allies. The United States is failing our own interests by ceding leadership in Syria to Iran and Russia, whose national security interests often directly contradict our
ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMGAIT POGROMS
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-5

I rise to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the pogrom against the Armenian residents of the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan. On February 27, 1988, and for three days following, Azerbaijani mobs assaulted and killed Armenians. The violence left hundreds of Armenian civilians dead and injured, women and girls were raped, and some victims were burned alive. Thousands were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their belonging. The pogroms came about as the result of years of vicious, racist anti-Armenian propaganda by Azerbaijani authorities, dehumanizing Armenians. Azerbaijan authorities made little effort to punish those responsible, instead attempting to cover up the atrocities in Sumgait to this day, and denying the government role in instigating the killings. Indeed, even today, racist propaganda against Armenia and Armenians is prevalent in Azerbaijan. The assault on ethnic Armenian civilians in Sumgait helped touch off what would become a direct conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan which took thousands of lives and dislocated millions more. The anniversary of Sumgait is a reminder of the consequences when aggression and hatred grow unchecked this April we will mark the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, an event the Turkish government, Azerbaijan's closest ally, goes to great lengths to deny. We must not let such crimes against humanity go unrecognized, whether they occurred yesterday or 30 years ago or 100 years ago. Today, let us pause to remember the victims of the atrocities of the Sumgait pogroms. Mr it is our moral obligation to condemn crimes of hatred and to remember the victims, in hope that history will not be repeated.
FIXING OUR BROKEN NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Jerry McNerney (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-5

I thank Mr. Shimkus for yielding. We work together on nuclear waste. I have been to the Yucca Mountain site, and I have seen the work that has gone on there. prgtoken But, first of all, I just want to say there are a lot of issues out there that we are dealing with here in Congress; so how important is nuclear waste? I mean, we have got the gun issue; we have climate change; we have the economy; we want to create jobs; trade. I mean, there are a lot of issues; so how important is nuclear waste? I mean, it has been festering for decades--for decades--so how urgent is it? prgtoken You know, we haven't had a major accident yet, but there are tens of thousands of tons of high-level nuclear waste sitting in relatively exposed conditions, so what could possibly go wrong? I mean, high-level nuclear waste is so radioactive that it emits heat. It emits an immense amount of heat. So we could--I will give you a couple of things that could go wrong. prgtoken The waste could be commandeered and then made into weapons. It doesn't have to be made into a nuclear fission bomb. It could be made into a dirty bomb. Just put a bunch of nuclear waste with explosive material in some city and that city would be uninhabitable for the rest of our lifetimes, for sure. prgtoken There also could be waste leakage. We have nuclear waste sitting on the banks of the Missouri River. We have nuclear waste, tons and tons of nuclear waste, high-level nuclear waste, sitting a quarter mile from the Columbia River, and this is pretty serious stuff. And my friend from Illinois, my colleague from Illinois, I am sure, will tell us about nuclear waste that is on the Great Lakes ready to go. So we have a problem. We have been pretty darn lucky so far. prgtoken You know, I worked as a graduate student. I was a graduate student in mathematics. I worked for an engineering professor to study the nuclear waste project at WIPP, a waste isolation pilot project near Carlsbad, New Mexico, and I can tell you the technical solutions are there. Nuclear waste can be safely engineered for tens of thousands of years, as long as it needs to be stored. Transportation can be done safely. I have seen train cars that are designed to hold high-level nuclear waste slammed into concrete walls with no damage to the interior of the car. prgtoken This stuff can be done. It is not an engineering problem. I mean, the engineering and the geological solutions are there if we put our minds to making it happen. It can be done in engineering. prgtoken However, nuclear waste is a political problem, and it hasn't been managed so far. The politics of the Yucca Mountain waste project were very badly managed from the very beginning. A successful nuclear waste storage project will need complete transparency from the very beginning with the local community. There will always be some amount of opposition, but without local buy-in, the project is going to fail. Local buy-in is absolutely essent
TUSKEGEE AIRMAN POST OFFICE BUILDING
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-3-5

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4406, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 Macombs Place in New York, New York, as the ``Tuskegee Airmen Post Office Building.'' prgtoken H.R. 4406 is a fitting tribute to the African American men who fought heroically and against great odds and personal hardships, in World War II and is long overdue. prgtoken The 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th, Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces, which will be forever known as the ``Tuskegee Airmen,'' were instrumental in the Allied Powers victory in World War II, and is by any standard American heroes. prgtoken For these reasons it is a fitting tribute that we honor these men by naming the Post Office at 99 Macombs Place, in Harlem, New York after them. prgtoken A few years ago about this time, I was honored to join my colleagues, Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran, in paying tribute to surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the 555th Parachute Infantry, the famed ``Triple Nickels'' at a moving ceremony sponsored by the U.S. Army commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. prgtoken The success of the Tuskegee Airmen in escorting bombers during World War II--achieving one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups, and being in constant demand for their services by the allied bomber units--is a record unmatched by any other fighter group. prgtoken So impressive and astounding were the feats of the Tuskegee Airmen that in 1948, it helped persuade President Harry Truman to issue his famous Executive Order No. 9981, which directed equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the United States Armed Forces and led to the end of racial segregation in the U.S. military forces. prgtoken It is a source of enormous and enduring pride that my father-in-law, Phillip Ferguson Lee, was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. prgtoken Clearly, what began as an experiment to determine whether ``colored'' soldiers were capable of operating expensive and complex combat aircraft ended as an unqualified success based on the experience of the Tuskegee Airmen, whose record included 261 aircraft destroyed, 148 aircraft damaged, 15,553 combat sorties and 1,578 missions over Italy and North Africa. prgtoken These outstanding African American men defied all odds and became military pilots when the United States was still subject to Jim Crow Laws and the American military was still segregated. prgtoken Not only were these men exceptional soldiers who fearlessly defended this nation, but they were torchbearers who illuminated a path for countless African Americans to follow. prgtoken The Tuskegee Airmen proved that the antidote to racism is excellence in performance. prgtoken This bill would honor the unsung heroes of World War II who valiantly fought to defend this nation and pioneered a movement that led to the desegregation of
TRIBUTE TO IRMA CLOUGH
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-3-5

today I would like to recognize the very special occasion of the 100th birthday of Mrs. Irma Clough, which occurred on February 18, 2018. Born in 1918, Irma has lived in Bath, NH, for the majority of her life. prgtoken Irma's friends describe her as an independent spirit with a great sense of humor. She loves wildlife, playing cards and dominos, and keeping up with basketball games. As a young woman, she cleaned people's houses to help support her family. While working as a cook at the Village Bath School, Irma was well known for her baking skills. prgtoken Irma is a dedicated member of the Bath Congregational Church where she has sung in the choir and served as the church treasurer. Twenty- three years ago, Irma started the annual Fall Foliage Festival in her town. She has also been a member of Pine Grove Grange for over 85 years and continues to serve as their treasurer. prgtoken Irma and her husband, Edwin Clough, who passed away in 1993, were married for 45 years. Together they raised three children, and now, Irma has 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. prgtoken I hope everyone joins me in wishing an accomplished and well-loved Granite Stater, Irma Clough, a very happy 100th birthday.
Gun Safety (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-3-5

it is nice to hear my colleague's words. I would also want to mention a few things about the same issue. prgtoken , it has been nearly 3 weeks since the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Still, unfortunately, the majority leader hasn't committed to any floor time for the debate on the issue of gun safety--no time to debate universal background checks, a policy that over 90 percent of Americans support, including the vast majority of gun owners; no time to debate protective orders to allow law enforcement to temporarily disarm individuals who have shown credible signs of being a harm to themselves or others, especially relevant after Parkland; no time to at least have a debate on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines on the floor of the Senate. prgtoken The kids who survived that horrific shooting are speaking up and speaking out and are demanding that we address this issue head-on. I believe they are moving the conscience of the Nation. I met with them. They are fine young men and women. Instead of just cursing the darkness after what they went through with the losses of friends and colleagues they suffered, they are trying to light a candle, urging us to debate and do something real. Yet, the majority leader is moving to a banking bill today with no promise of time to consider a package of commonsense gun safety measures. prgtoken We need to debate them on the floor. We can't just try to do one little bill by UC with no debate or put it into some other big bill. This needs a national debate. This issue is consuming America, and for the Senate to turn its back and do nothing, or to try to just slip some minor measure through, doesn't work. prgtoken Last week, America watched President whipsaw on gun safety issues in a matter of days. All of America felt pretty good when the President met with a bipartisan group. He seemed to be open to tackling gun safety in a bipartisan way in a nationally televised meeting. Then, the next day, he met with the NRA behind closed doors and seems to once again have backed off. prgtoken It is a show we have seen before, and it is getting old. Too many times we have watched the President say the right things when the cameras are on but refuse to follow through the moment they are switched off--oftentimes doing a 180-degree reversal of his position. prgtoken On the issue of gun safety, just like the issue of immigration, we could find a bipartisan consensus. It is very possible, but it requires the President to show some leadership, some followthrough, and some consistency. Otherwise, Congress will do what it has done after every mass shooting for the past decade--nothing. prgtoken Those brave, young students will be here in a few weeks, having watched Congress do nothing again. What a black mark that will be-- lowering the even low ratings of this body.
U.S. NAVY SEAMAN DAKOTA KYLE RIGSBY POST OFFICE
Wm. Lacy Clay (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2018-3-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I am pleased to join my friend from the great State of Virginia (Mr. Garrett) in urging passage of H.R. 3183, the U.S. Navy Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby Post Office. prgtoken The youngest servicemember killed in the collision on the USS Fitzgerald, Seaman Rigsby is remembered today by his family and friends for his sense of humor and true passion for public service. prgtoken , we should pass this bill to honor Seaman Rigsby's memory and service to his country. prgtoken , I want to inform the gentleman from Alabama that I have no further speakers on this bill. I urge its passage, and .