mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ELIMINATE USELESS REPORTS ACT OF 2024--Continued
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-7-25

a few comments on the support the authors of the bill have come forward with. prgtoken The discussion is that State attorneys are not empowered when, in actuality, if you read the bill, the State attorneys are empowered. They are specifically referred to in the bill, and they are specifically empowered to sue if and when the Child Online Safety Committee promulgates rules to the FTC. This is specifically given to all these State attorneys, but also the rulemaking authority is given in the bill. prgtoken State attorneys general will also be allowed to sue even if no rule is made. This does empower State attorneys general across the Nation to sue over whether or not people are adequately suppressing or censoring speech based on anxiety. So that is a factual dispute we have with the authors. prgtoken One of the authors says: We can't trust the online people. We can't trust the people hosting these platforms. prgtoken Well, of course you can't. That is why you are supposed to be parents. That is why you are supposed to be involved with your church and community and you are supposed to try to police. Everything is imperfect, but you are supposed to try. It isn't the government. prgtoken So he says: We can't trust them. prgtoken But, you know what, I have also heard another comment: Trust us; we are from the government. Trust us; we are going to give this Child Online Safety Committee unlimited, unchecked power to regulate anything that causes your teenager to feel anxiety--from climate change to sexuality to who knows what to eating disorders to thin models to gambling on the PGA or any website, or beer commercials. This is Pandora's box, and we need to be aware of what it actually does allow to occur. prgtoken The rule of construction, the amendment that is being blocked, is typical. This is a bill to block free speech. So in order to pass a bill to block free speech, you block the free speech on the floor of the Senate and disallow amendments. prgtoken Who in America would think it would be wrong to limit this bill and to protect political, social, and religious speech? That is what they are actually saying. They won't allow amendment on it, but they are not for exempting political, social, or religious speech. What does that mean? It means they conclude that the bill will allow regulation of political, social, and religious speech. prgtoken Mark my words: We will revisit this issue. The court is either going to strike this thing down or we are going to come back here in a year or two, and people are going to go: Oh, my God. Did anybody read the bill before they passed it? prgtoken They have 70 cosponsors because nobody reads the bills. Nobody thinks of the implications of the bill. The bill gives virtually unlimited purview to the Children's Online Safety Committee to determine what causes anxiety. prgtoken Everything causes anxiety in teenagers. Every controversial subject could potentially cause anx
CELEBRATING THE CAREER AND RETIREMENT OF BEAUMONT POLICE CHIEF JAMES SINGLETARY
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-7-25

I rise today to recognize my good friend, Beaumont Police Chief James ``Jimmy'' Singletary, who is retiring after a long, distinguished career in law enforcement. prgtoken Chief Singletary was born on January 27, 1948, to parents John and Melba Singletary in Beaumont, Texas. A lifelong resident of Beaumont, he attended Beaumont High School, where he secured a scholarship to Lamar University. He earned many accolades during his years on the Lamar University men's golf team, including four straight Southland Conference Championships, a Southland Conference Individual Championship in 1969, and back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships in 1967 and 1968. prgtoken After graduating from Lamar University in 1971, Chief Singletary began his 53-year law enforcement career by joining the Beaumont Police Department, where he moved through the ranks from patrol officer to lieutenant. As a lieutenant, he oversaw seven different divisions, including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics and Vice, Training and Personnel, Drug Enforcement Task Force, Special Weapons and Tactics, and Internal Affairs. prgtoken Chief Singletary retired for the first time from the Beaumont Police Department after 30 years and accepted a position with the Department of Justice as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Texas. In 2002, he joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department as a major and was a member of the Narcotics Task Force and commander of the SWAT team. In 2009, he was assigned to the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force, where he worked with local agencies on violent crimes and major federal cases. prgtoken In 2011, Chief Singletary was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the Beaumont Police Department. His mission was to increase the department's local outreach, educate the public, and build trust between citizens and law enforcement to create a safer community for all residents. Under his leadership, community programs like the Police Community Advisory Committee, Citizen's Police Academy, Cops & Kids, Clergy and Police Partnership, Police Explorers, Youth Academy for Law Enforcement, and Practicum in Policing flourished. prgtoken Chief Singletary is also an avid family man. He met his late wife, Tammy, when they both played in a coed softball league. They welcomed their only child, Hallie, in 1988, and I am confident that he is looking forward to spending much time in his retirement with his daughter and grandson, Wyatt Justice, who is the apple of his eye. He has always been best known amongst his family and friends for his selflessness and for always taking the time to help those in need. prgtoken I have known Chief Singletary for many years. Even as a young man, he displayed an incredible depth of character that undoubtedly played a vital role in his journey to becoming such an upstanding public servant. It is my sincere honor to congratulate Chief Singletary <
STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ITS BORDER CZAR, KAMALA HARRIS'S, FAILURE TO SECURE THE UNITED STATES BORDER
Carlos A. Gimenez (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-7-25

I rise in support of H. Res. 1371. prgtoken , in March 2021, President proclaimed Vice President as our Nation's border czar. Yet, over the last 3\1/2\ years, it is unclear what work she has done, if any, to secure our borders. prgtoken As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I traveled to the Darien Gap in Panama to witness the migrant crisis firsthand. I have also been to our southern border. prgtoken This is a picture of me at the Darien Gap. Those folks there, that is thousands of migrants coming to the United States. This is 2 years after she was named the border czar. prgtoken According to the CBP, before the - administration, there were less than 1 million encounters at the southern border annually. Since the border czar, , has taken over, there have been nearly 8 million illegal encounters at the southern border and nearly 2 million known got-aways. That is a total of almost 10 million people who have entered our country. prgtoken The growing crisis has a direct impact on our border districts, like mine. Illegal migrant landings have increased in our State, particularly in our beloved Florida Keys. We have seen an increase in encounters of Chinese and other nationals. prgtoken Our adversaries know that they can take advantage and exploit the open-border policies of the - administration. FBI Director Christopher Wray has testified that suspected terrorists have crossed the southern border and are unaccounted for in our country. prgtoken The - open-border policies are a risk to every man, woman, and child living in America. prgtoken Vice President has proven herself incapable as border czar, and I know that the country cannot afford 4 more years of these disastrous policies. prgtoken , I urge passage of this resolution.
ELIMINATE USELESS REPORTS ACT OF 2024--Continued
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2024-7-25

think about how much has happened over the last several weeks. We have had one Presidential candidate survive an assassination attempt. Our current President is dropping out of the race. We prgtoken have had protesters burning an American flag and raising a Palestinian flag as the United States' closest ally gave a speech to Congress yesterday. That is how much has happened in several weeks. prgtoken Guess what hasn't happened in 25 years? An update of how to protect children on their online experience. That has not changed in 25 years, even when so much happens in just a few weeks. So rules from 25 years ago cannot effectively govern social media sites that did not exist 25 years ago, were not conceived of 25 years ago. prgtoken We have waited too long to update these rules, but today we have a chance to fix. The current armor protecting children's internet activity passed into law in 1998. Babies born that year are well into their professional careers. People were concerned about Y2K, and Nick Saban had not become LSU's football coach. prgtoken Of course, the 1998 rules do not prohibit Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok from collecting personal information on young teenagers without consent because that was not envisioned 25 years ago. prgtoken Today, the internet is an integral part of a child's life. The information a child has access to has drastically expanded, exposing children to risks that they may not have the maturity to navigate independently. prgtoken The internet has so many good things and can be a great learning tool for our children. But we can't ignore the dangers--the adult content, the pornography, the cyber bullying, the violence, the predatory behavior, the overall impact upon our children's mental health. Our children should not be left to face these challenges alone. Under current law, the law passed in 1998--good for the time, but not for now--only children less than age 13 were covered, leaving a whole population of teenagers unprotected. prgtoken With 95 percent of teenagers between 13 and 17 using social media, their protections should be expanded. By expanding these protections, by banning targeted advertising, by limiting data collection, and strengthening parental control, COPPA 2.0 enables safer online experiences and guards against exposure to manipulation and exploitation. This, in lockstep with the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, will give the parents the peace of mind to know their child is safer than they were before. prgtoken These bills empower parents. They empower children. They are bipartisan no-brainers, which is why they have overwhelming bipartisan support in both Chambers of Congress. prgtoken Look, I am a doctor, a father, a grandfather. But I am not the only grandfather and father voting on these pieces of legislation. Anyone with children knows that they would do anything to protect those children. Congress has a chance to reflect that paternal and mate
HONORING TEATRO VISION: 40 YEARS OF BUILDING COMMUNITY
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-7-26

I rise on behalf of myself and Representatives Anna prgtoken Eshoo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta to recognize the accomplishments of Teatro Vision for 40 years of community building and social justice work in San Jose, CA. prgtoken Teatro Vision was founded in 1984 in San Jose, California, with the mission of inspiring the people of Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. The theater was co-founded by Elisa Marina Alvarado, who is a director, actress, and dancer. Through Teatro Vision, Elisa Marina Alvarado established Instituto de Teatro, an educational program that teaches comprehensive training in theater for Latino communities. prgtoken For the last 40 years, Teatro Vision has produced and presented projects that have been made accessible to the entire community, emphasizing activist theater and focusing on Latino and Chicano communities, integrating Latin American cultures. Teatro Vision's recent projects include ``Miss You Like Hell,'' ``Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories,'' and ``Raices, El Libro de los Caminos,'' performed at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose. prgtoken Teatro Vision's work is centered in the Mayfair neighborhood located in East San Jose where their main stage, the Mexican Heritage Plaza, is also situated. Over 77 percent of the Mayfair neighborhood is made up of Latinx; 66 percent of which speak Spanish at home. Teatro Vision's programs give accessibility to Title I schools in Mayfair, where many students come from economically disadvantaged households. prgtoken Teatro Vision has shared powerful stories and convictions that speak to the courage, compassion, and power of many minority communities. The team at Teatro Vision are strong leaders that our community needs now and in the future.
RECOGNIZING CONGRESSWOMAN CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2024-7-26

I rise today to recognize and honor a dedicated public servant, loving wife and mother, champion for America's Military Families, and a distinguished member of this body, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Earlier this year, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers announced that she would not seek re-election to return to the House of Representatives and, in turn, would be stepping down as the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus. prgtoken Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers cares deeply about our Nation's veterans and Military Families because of her background as a military spouse and parent. In 2006, she married her husband, Brian Rodgers, a U.S. Naval Commander, and her experiences as the spouse of a U.S. servicemember empowered her to become a strong champion for America's Military Families who often face unique challenges as they live and work in and around military installations in the United States and across the globe. prgtoken When our servicemembers enlist in the Armed Forces, they must relocate to military installations--often with their spouses and young children. On base, military spouses and children must quickly navigate a new landscape which can pose challenges: new housing, new schools, seeking employment, and sometimes even moving abroad. prgtoken After recognizing these same challenges in my district, serving as the Member of Congress representing U.S. Army servicemembers and their families at Fort Moore, Georgia--Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and I joined together in 2009 to form the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus. For the past 15 years, I have been honored to serve alongside the Congresswoman as her co-chair. prgtoken Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers record of public service is historic and worthy of admiration. Growing up, she worked at the family orchard and fruit stand in Kettle Falls, Washington. In 1994, she won a special election to serve in the Washington House of Representatives, faithfully serving her district for 11 years, including 1 year as House Minority Leader before successfully running for the United States Congress. prgtoken During her third term in Congress, McMorris Rodgers was elected by the House Conference as the Vice Chair, and she would hold this role for four years before becoming only the second woman to serve as Chair of the Conference from 2013 and 2019. prgtoken In January 2021, McMorris Rodgers became the first woman to serve as the top on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee as Ranking Member, and in 2023 becoming Chair. Chair McMorris Rodgers has been a leader on countless issues affecting the American people including emerging technologies, strengthening rural communities, helping to strengthen American energy resiliency and independence, and of course fighting for Military Families and veterans. prgtoken Every year since we founded the Congressional Military Family Caucus, Co-
HONORING CITY OF MISSION VIEJO CITY MANAGER DENNIS WILBERG
Young Kim (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-7-26

I rise to thank Mission Viejo City Manager Dennis Wilberg for his decades of service to our Mission Viejo community and to Orange County. prgtoken His work in the public and private sectors of civil and transportation engineering, including 20 years as City Manager, has left an enormous impact across Mission Viejo and the County. prgtoken From helping create the second-largest animal shelter in Orange County and building a water treatment facility, to increasing public safety and maintaining the City's transportation network, there's no question how he has become the longest-tenured city manager in Orange County. prgtoken I thank him for his dedication to keeping our communities safe and connected. prgtoken We are grateful for his leadership, and I wish him a wonderful retirement.
RECOGNIZING ANNA OSINSKI PERRONG'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-7-26

I rise today to recognize Anna Osinski Perrong, a remarkable constituent from my district, who is celebrating her 100th birthday. Anna was born on July 27, 1924, in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Girls High School in 1941 and continued with her undergraduate degree at Temple University School of Pharmacy where she met her future husband, John Pierce Perrong. She graduated from Temple University in 1944. prgtoken She participated in numerous (Rho Psi) sorority functions during her years at Temple University. Anna and John were married after he returned from World War II, where he served as an Army medic in Germany. Anna started her career at Dupont as a chemist and later worked at Sharp & Dohme as a research chemist. prgtoken Anna and John moved into their new home in Northeast Philadelphia in 1950. They were blessed with a son and daughter, Robert and Carolyn. prgtoken Anna took time out from her career to raise her children but after the children matured, she went back to work as a pharmacist at Germantown Hospital from 1968 to 1991 and later volunteered her time at the hospital for over 20 years. Aside from her pharmacy career and being a homemaker, she played the cello in the Olney Symphony Orchestra for nearly 50 years and was active in several string quartet groups. Additionally, Anna served as Personnel Chairman for the Olney Symphony. She still remains in contact with many friends she made over the years in music. prgtoken Her favorite activities have always included making family holiday dinners. Besides her two children, Anna has two grandchildren, Jon and Rob, and two great-granddaughters, Emma and Ava which happen to be identical twins. Additionally, she has a very supportive son-in-law, Sean Corsaut, and a loving daughter-in-law, Karen Perrong. prgtoken , I ask my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations, sincere well-wishes, and all of God's Blessings to Anna Osinski Perrong on the celebration of her 100th Birthday.
Terrorism (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-7-29

the partners, puppets, and proxies of America's biggest adversaries spent a busy weekend repressing and killing innocent people. prgtoken On Saturday, in the Golan Heights, Israeli Druze children were playing soccer when Hezbollah launched a rocket made in Iran and killed 12 of them. On Sunday, Venezuela's communist dictator hijacked an election, promising the suffering people of his country even more brutal days to come. prgtoken We live in a world where thuggish repression and terrorist violence are increasingly common. Tragically, the slaughter of innocent children by terrorists is not surprising. Neither, unfortunately, is a stooge of the world's most powerful authoritarian's tightening his own chokehold on power. prgtoken But one thing doesn't ever get less shocking or alarming: the continued naivete with which our leaders respond. The Secretary of State says the - administration has ``serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.'' prgtoken Well, many of us have serious and longstanding concerns that the administration does not know how to credibly change the calculus of America's adversaries. Autocrats don't care about disapproving looks from Western diplomats. prgtoken Don't believe me? Ask the mullahs in Tehran how worried they were about stern condemnations of their ongoing nuclear enrichment efforts. prgtoken We certainly don't have to wonder whether promises of sanction relief from Washington succeeded in convincing Nicolas Maduro to permit a free and fair election. ``Concern'' is not a strategy. And speeches, for that matter, are not policy, especially when they are not backed by facts and by force. prgtoken Last week, President tooted the horn of his own foreign policy and declared proudly that ``the United States is not at war anywhere in the world.'' Well, that was news to America's servicemembers deployed in harm's way. prgtoken The very next day, Iran-backed terrorists attacked U.S. personnel in Iraq and in Syria again. For months, at his orders, U.S. Navy destroyers have expended more than $1 billion in high-tech munitions to intercept the Houthis' Iran-made arsenal of missiles and drones in exchange for no measurable increase in deterrence. prgtoken It is well and good to insist America is not at war, but a growing list of authoritarians, rogues, and strongmen are at war with us. The President's failure to respond decisively to threats may have let him believe we are not at war, but the same failure has emboldened our adversaries. prgtoken Time and again, the - administration has limited support, agonized over perceived risks of escalation, and tried to micromanage the way our friends in Ukraine and Israel actually defend themselves. In Secretary Blinken's first public comment after Hezbollah's most recent strike, he insisted that ``we don't want to see it spread.'' Well, neither did Is