mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING LLOYD RICHARDS
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-2-29

I rise today in this esteemed body to honor the late Lloyd Richards, who left an indelible mark on our society through his groundbreaking career as a director, producer, performer, and educator. prgtoken A giant of the American Theatre, Richards was a groundbreaking talent who smashed the color barrier on Broadway for African American directors and became the first Black director to direct a Broadway play. prgtoken Before becoming one of the most important figures in American theater during the 20th century, he survived poverty and hardship during the depths of the Great Depression. At the age of only 13, he worked in a barbershop to help put food on the table for his blind mother and his four siblings. prgtoken During World War II, Richards halted his studies at Wayne University to serve his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps' division of fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He then moved to New York City in 1947, and despite roles for African American actors being incredibly hard to come by, he landed roles on Broadway and on the radio. It was during this time that Richards started his illustrious career as an educator and developed what would become a lifelong friendship with one of his early acting students, the great Sidney Poitier. prgtoken Richards would go on to direct Poitier in the landmark original production A Raisin in the Sun, which opened at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theater on March 11, 1959. The production became an artistic and commercial success on Broadway, and Richards became the first African American to be nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction. prgtoken Richards went on to become one of the most respected and innovative directors in the industry. He helped to bring the works of playwrights such as August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Athol Fugard to the stage, shaping the landscape of American theater in the process. prgtoken Beyond his contributions to the world of theater, Lloyd Richards was a dedicated and passionate educator. As the dean of the Yale School of Drama, he nurtured and inspired generations of talented artists, instilling in them the values of integrity, hard work, and dedication. prgtoken I am grateful that thanks to the incredible advocacy of the Committee to Celebrate Lloyd Richards, the corner of 47th Street and Broadway in Manhattan will be co-named ``Lloyd Richards Way'' on June 29, 2024. This is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the art of theater and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence artists worldwide. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Lloyd Richards and in celebrating his contributions to American theater. May his name and his legacy continue to inspire future generations of artists and educators for years to come.
Border Security (Executive Session)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-2-29

first of all, I want to thank Senator Murphy for his extraordinary leadership. He and Senator Lankford and Senator Sinema came together, leading an effort that was amazing-- intense, hard-fought negotiations on something so very, very important. And they got it done. They got it done--a bipartisan border security bill, the toughest in our generation. prgtoken I want to thank Senator Murphy for that and for his continual advocacy and putting a spotlight on the fact that we can still do this. We have this bill. We have this bill in front of us. prgtoken The President of the United States, President , has gone to the border to say: Pass the bill, the bipartisan bill. prgtoken has gone to the border to say: Yay, more chaos. Keep it coming. prgtoken The truth is--and we hear it all the time; I have heard it my whole time in the Senate--s like to portray themselves as being the party of national security. If you want your family to be safe, you need to vote for s. prgtoken Well, 22 days ago and counting--we will see how high this number gets--22 days ago, we had a chance to boost our national security by voting for the strongest border security bill in our lifetime; and 22 days ago, they killed it. That is a fact, and we all know why. told them to do it, and if tells s to jump, the only question they ask is, How high, sir? prgtoken are committed to solving the challenges at the border. There are multiple issues that need to be addressed and that are addressed in this bill, and we know it is critical that we give President the tools he has been asking for, ever since he came into office, to be able to resolve these issues. Again, that is exactly what this legislation would do. It is bipartisan. It meets all of the tests that people have been asking for for months. prgtoken And, if it passed, it would significantly improve our Nation's security in a number of important ways. It would reform our broken asylum system so that decisions would be made more quickly on who should be allowed to remain in the country and who should be deported. Those allowed to stay would be provided authorization to work so that they could take care of themselves and their families and fill crucial jobs in our economy while waiting for their cases to be resolved. prgtoken The legislation would create a new emergency authority that would allow the President of the United States to pause the processing of asylum claims of migrants who arrive between ports of entry when cases rise beyond a certain number. prgtoken The legislation provides important resources to increase our border security: more border security agents and more equipment that our agents have been asking for over and over again and that the President has asked for over and over again. This is one of the reasons that the border security union strongly supports this as a major step fo
MAUI MINUTE 10: MENTAL HEALTH
Jill N. Tokuda (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-2-29

. Madam , last week in Lahaina, my team and I participated in a morning pule, or prayer, that EPA and Army Corps workers do each day with the cultural monitors who join them. prgtoken Standing in a circle, they speak `` 'olelo Hawaii,'' ``Hawaiian language,'' rhythmically cupping and clapping their hands as they ask for safety while they work. prgtoken They do another pule at the end of the day to leave behind any negative energy they connected with during their work. prgtoken Looking at the remains of our beloved former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, one understands these chants are necessary, both to ask for permission to enter and to have a way to respectfully separate at the end of the day. prgtoken This has been a mission assignment unlike any. Under the leadership of Colonel Jesse Curry, the Army Corps has made unprecedented efforts to respect the people, culture, and environment and to protect the sacred spaces throughout Maui that were impacted by the fires. prgtoken As Colonel Curry soon departs Maui, I hope he knows his commitment to our people and community will not be forgotten. prgtoken Mahalo, Colonel Curry, for taking care of our home like it was your home. Please know that you will always be welcomed back as a ``local,'' a ``kama'aina.''
HONORING THE DIVINE NINE
Robin L. Kelly (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-2-29

I rise today to celebrate Black History prgtoken Month by honoring the organizations that have served as the training ground for many of our Nation's most extraordinary leaders. I am talking about the Divine Nine, the historically Black fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. They serve as a pipeline for Black leaders across business, academia, and, of course, right here in the Halls of Congress. prgtoken The Divine Nine organizations are: prgtoken Alpha Phi Alpha, whose colors are black and gold, founded in 1906 at Cornell University. prgtoken My colleagues who are a part of Alpha are: CBC Chair Steve Horsford; Congressman Emanuel Cleaver; Congressmen Danny Davis, Al Green, Gregory Meeks, David Scott, and Bobby Scott; the National Urban League president, Marc Morial; and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their honorable general president is Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, my constituent. prgtoken Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, whose colors are salmon pink and apple green, was founded in 1908 at Howard University. Their sisterhood proudly boasts Vice President ; my colleagues Sheila Jackson Lee, Terri Sewell, Frederica Wilson, Alma Adams, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lauren Underwood, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Nikema Williams; the late, great Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson; civil rights leaders Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King; and my current and former staffers Meagan Thompson, April Williams-Luster, Evan Mitchell. Their honorable president is Danette Anthony Reed. prgtoken Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, whose colors are crimson and cream, was founded in 1911 at Indiana University. Among their notable achievers are: Our leader, Hakeem Jeffries; Congressmen Troy Carter, Glenn Ivey, and Bennie Thompson; former Congressmen Al Lawson and William Lacy Clay; the late Don McEachin, Alcee Hastings, and John Conyers; Atlanta mayor, Andre Dickens; tennis champion Arthur Ashe; and my former staffers, Brandon Webb and Brandon Garrett. Their former grand polemarch was Reuben A. Shelton, III. prgtoken Omega Psi Phi fraternity, whose colors are purple and gold, was founded in 1911 at Howard University. They include in their ranks: My colleagues, Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn; Congressman Hank Johnson and Congressman Kweisi Mfume; former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.; poet, playwright, and author Langston Hughes; Earl Graves, Sr of Black Enterprise; and my former staffers Charles Bolden and Vaughn Roland. Their immediate past grand basileus is Dr. David Marion. prgtoken Delta Sigma Theta sorority, whose colors are crimson and cream, was founded in 1913 at Howard University. Delta counts as sisters my esteemed colleagues Yvette Clarke, Joyce Beatty, Stacey Plaskett, Lucy McBath, Summer Lee, Jasmine Crockett, Valerie Foushee, and Jennifer McClellan; HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge; former Congresswoman Val Demings; my former chief of staff Mia Keeys; Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, the
CUBAN STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR DESIGNATION
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-2-29

I rise today to express my profound frustration at the continued -era policies toward Cuba. For 65 long years, the Cuban people have suffered under the weight of an American embargo. prgtoken Now, Cuba's completely unwarranted designation as a state sponsor of terror is causing new waves of hardship for the people of the island. prgtoken It is also impacting our allies and friends I met with many ambassadors from close partners of the United States when I was in Cuba, and they were unanimously opposed to the state sponsor designation. prgtoken and Pompeo created this designation, knowing it has no merit, and it was a political trap for the administration. prgtoken , I call on President to step out of that trap, finally, and stop this cruel and counterproductive policy. He should remove the state sponsor designation today.
REMEMBERING CHARLES "LEFTY" DRIESELL
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2024-2-29

it is my honor to recognize the life of long-time basketball coach Charles ``Lefty'' Driesell, who sadly passed away on February 17, 2024, at the age of 92, in Virginia Beach. prgtoken Driesell was born on Christmas Day, 1931, in Norfolk, VA. He started down the coaching path early in life, earning a varsity letter for the Granby High School basketball team in fourth grade for his service as a manager for the team. Driesell later became a star player for the team. While a senior in high school, he led his team to the Virginia State championship and was named tournament MVP. prgtoken After high school, Driesell accepted a scholarship to Duke University, where he played center and eventually graduated with a degree in education. Soon after college, he returned to Granby as the junior varsity coach and then later accepted a job as the varsity coach at nearby Newport News High School, where he won another State championship. prgtoken In 1960, Driesell joined the college coaching ranks, accepting the head coach position at Davidson University. Over the course of nine seasons, he accumulated 176 wins and made three NCAA tournaments. prgtoken Following Davidson, Driesell coached 17 years at the University of Maryland. While there, he won 348 games, made the NCAA tournament eight times, won the Atlantic Coast Conference-- prgtoken ACC--twice, and won the 1972 National Invitation Tournament--NIT-- championship. Driesell's teams at Maryland were consistently among the highest ranked in the Nation, and the team was one of the powerhouse programs of his era. prgtoken After Maryland, Driesell became the head coach of James Madison University, where he won another 159 games. His teams had the best record in the Colonial Athletic Association--CAA--for five straight seasons. Driesell finished his coaching career at Georgia State, winning 100 games. This made him the first coach to win 100 or more games at four different Division I schools. prgtoken In 2018, Driesell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, and Davidson, Maryland, Southern Conference, and Virginia Sports Halls of Fame. prgtoken Driesell's impact on the game of basketball goes well beyond his 786 career wins. He also brought more fans to the game with innovations like Midnight Madness. On the first day college teams were allowed to practice for the season, Driesell invited fans to join the team for a 12:03 a.m. run. This became an annual tradition, where thousands of fans would show up to celebrate the start of a new season with the team. Soon, other schools picked up on the practice, and these events have become a widespread and cherished part of college basketball. prgtoken Driesell's impact was felt by the many assistant coaches and staff he worked with over his 40 years of coaching, the hundreds of student athletes he coached, and the countless fans wh
CONGRESS MUST WORK TO AVOID A SHUTDOWN
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2024-2-29

let me be very clear: We cannot shut this government down. prgtoken , 4 pages, 5 pages, or 20 pages of a stopgap measure, the government cannot shut down. The rules of this House and Senate require the Congress to do its work. prgtoken As the President said, we have the purse strings to be able to ensure that the government remains open; that law enforcement is paid; that Medicare and Medicaid are provided for our families and our seniors; that we are able to ensure that the young families of young soldiers, men and women of the United States military who put on the uniform unselfishly and are on the front lines, are paid. prgtoken As we have seen, a number of tragic incidents have caused the loss of lives of the men and women in uniform, including many of our tragic flight incidents. We have lost many lives over prgtoken this last year, including those who are in combat. prgtoken , are you telling me that we are not going to put pen to paper and work together, work with the Budget Committee that I sit on, to ensure that there are Members who will advocate for your Members to join in, without poison pills, of the funding of the CR? prgtoken This paper allows us today to work through an extension until March 8 and an extension until March 22. It includes a response to our student loan crisis, which is extremely important. It ensures that the doors of the government remain open. prgtoken What I hope that we will be able to do is to fight against the dastardly position of underfunding or not funding the women, infants, and children program. My community needs to be able to provide funding for women, infants, and children, a major component of the Federal Government's budgeting. prgtoken What else do I want to make sure that we do? As I walked through my district over these last couple of days, in particular, I heard about the crisis of seniors and housing. prgtoken , we know that young families need housing, but do you realize that in the later years of a senior's life, sometimes they are priced out of their own home? Because of building around their home, their home values increase. They cannot afford the taxes or the upkeep. Where do they go? prgtoken This government should be committed, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to developing a serious housing program for seniors. This program would, in essence, ensure that we could provide housing for seniors all over America. prgtoken , I agree with Senator Tester, who, in speaking about the House, said that we can't fool around. If that is what it takes to get this done, we need to stop kicking the can down the road. We need to stop it. We need to get a real budget I am standing with him. prgtoken We can't be far right. We can't be far this. We can't be far that. We have to be for the American people. We can't be against the rights of women, where we are denying them the ability to get medication dealing with abortion. We cannot help ou
A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE
Melanie A. Stansbury (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2024-2-29

I rise today to ask my colleagues one simple question: Do you honestly believe that you have any right to tell me or any woman in America what I can do with my own body? prgtoken Do you have any right to tell me when, if, or how, I decide to have a family; or the thousands of women across Alabama who had their rights stripped away this week to become a mother; the thousands across this country who are facing the devastating experience of having a miscarriage and not being able to get care; and the millions of women, including myself, who prgtoken woke up 2 years ago to the news that the Supreme Court had stripped away our rights. prgtoken Yet, you stand here on the House floor denying the rights of women to IVF and reproductive care and telling your donors that you will enact a 100 percent abortion ban this November.
RECOGNIZING TOM SKILLING
Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-2-29

. Madam , many things have changed in Chicago over the past 45 years. We are grateful that Tom Skilling has been there for all of that time to help us weather the storms and enjoy the good days, as well. prgtoken Tom is ``Chicago's Very Own.'' He is our weatherman. prgtoken Our city's pride in Tom is evident. He has had a sandwich named after him. He has his own bobblehead, his own beer, his own asteroid. Perhaps most fittingly, he has his own city snowplow named after him that was unveiled just a few days ago. Its name: Skilling It. prgtoken These accolades are well deserved. Tom started his broadcasting career when he was just 14. For his entire career, Tom has embodied the professionalism, kindness, and knowledge we have been lucky to watch on TV every day. prgtoken I say to Tom: Enjoy your retirement. Of all people, I am sure that you will be able to find warm beaches and beautiful sunsets.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2024-2-29

I rise today in strong opposition to override President 's veto on S.J. Res. 38, a Congressional Review Act resolution to disapprove of the administration's phase-in of ``Buy American'' requirements for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. prgtoken We continue to see almost daily reminders that our planet is on fire. Scientists tell us we are running out of time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst of the climate crisis. The world is looking to the prgtoken United States for leadership right here on this floor. prgtoken If we override the veto of the President, Senator Rubio's resolution would undermine domestic production of EV chargers. This resolution would create greater uncertainty for our domestic EV charging industry, directly contradicting our goal of having this equipment made and assembled right here in America. That is why groups like the AFL-CIO and the United Steelworkers oppose the Rubio resolution. It would mean shipping jobs overseas instead of building our supply chain right here at home. prgtoken This resolution would actually weaken ``Buy American'' requirements. It would result in more EV charging projects being built overseas, not less. It would undermine American workers and our Nation's ability to be global leaders in electric vehicles. prgtoken Put simply, a vote to override the veto is a vote against American manufacturing of EV chargers. prgtoken That is why I oppose this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do so as well. Thirty-five percent of our emissions in this country for global warming come from our mobile sources--35 percent. It is imperative we continue to work on that and go after that as our target. prgtoken . Vote on Veto Message
EXTENSION OF CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS ACT, 2024
Thomas Massie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-2-29

I will give the American people an overview of the debate that is happening here today. Why are there three Members of Congress controlling time on the floor? I thought there were only two parties. No. When it comes to spending, there is the ``uniparty.'' There is only one party today, and that is because s and have united to kick the can down the road. They wanted to control all time for debate today, but my colleague, Mr. Roy from Texas, came down here and used a parliamentary procedure to claim time in opposition for 20 minutes so that people who take their oath to the Constitution most seriously, the people who are most concerned about debt, the people who want to represent the good folks back home, have a voice here today. prgtoken And what are we doing here today? We are going to pass a CR. We are going to kick the can down the road. Is that going to solve any problems? No. It creates another crisis next week. That is what they want. They want another crisis. They want to threaten you with the shutdown so they can get prgtoken more spending. Is this a clean CR? We are told you can't add anything to it. No. It deals with student aid in this CR. prgtoken Are the American people concerned about student aid right now? Is that the most pressing issue to address in this spending bill? We have a crisis at the southern border. We could add one sentence to this bill that would help tremendously. Just say: None of the funds hereby appropriated may be used to disassemble border security erected by the States on our border. Put that one sentence in this continuing resolution. That would help tremendously. prgtoken I am worried that we are not going to prevail today, the third group who is debating here against the uniparty. If the other side prevails, what will happen? What will happen today, this evening after this passes? Will we stay here and work hard for another week to get the 12 bills done, the 12 separate appropriation bills? No. Guess what we are going do this evening? Everybody has already got their plane tickets. They are sending us home early. Congratulations. You moved the crisis down another week. Go home. Have a 4-day weekend. prgtoken We are going to let staff and a few Members in the Senate and a few Members in the House write this big bill, and then you can take it or leave it next week. Gone is any semblance of regular order from this process. prgtoken What we have is what the swamp always does, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this continuing resolution that does nothing but kick the can down the road.