mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TAX RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACT OF 2024
Carol D. Miller (Republican, WV) \u2014 2024-1-31

I commend Chairman Smith for his diligent work. It is a huge win for working families, small businesses, and employers throughout our country. This has set the tone for the Ways and Means' agenda where we are able to make the best package possible. prgtoken The child tax credit expansion will help working families, while protecting the important guardrails that we fought so hard to ensure that the program is going to help Americans in need.
HAMAS HOSTAGE INHUMANITY
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-1-31

it has been over 100 days since the murderous invasion of Israel by Iranian puppet Hamas. There was merciless slaughter of over 1,200 Israelis and over 200 taken hostage, including Americans. prgtoken One of the hostages still being held in Gaza is American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen. When terrorists invaded on October 7, Sagui locked his wife and children in a safe room. He bravely fought but was ultimately taken hostage. While captive, his wife, Avital, gave birth to their third child. In the name of humanity, Sagui must be set free. As long as there are Hamas hostages, there can be no good-faith negotiations. prgtoken All hostages should come home now to stop deaths caused by Hamas sacrificing human shields. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for prgtoken 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open borders for terrorists. It is sadly clear that there will be more 9/11 attacks across America imminent in our country as warned by the FBI. prgtoken Our sympathy to the families of the three Georgia reservists murdered by Iranian puppet Houthi.
CCSO COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-1-31

I rise today to recognize Ms. Michele Hart on being named Communications Officer of the Year for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO). The term ``hero'' gets used too often, in my opinion. It is said that ``True heroism is remarkably sober and very undramatic. For, it is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but rather the urge to serve others at whatever cost.'' I could not agree more with this assessment. The heroism that is displayed daily by our first responders is both inspirational and aspirational for us all. So few among us answer the call to serve, yet it is the selfless sacrifice of those few who do that keeps our entire community safe. prgtoken By all accounts, Ms. Hart has dedicated her life to serving others, highlighted by her seven-year tenure with the CCSO which has included progressive responsibility as she was promoted from Communications Officer to Communications Officer In Charge, and then to Communications Supervisor before accepting her current role as Quality Assurance and Training Specialist. She has exhibited unwavering dedication and commitment to the improvement of the Communications Division, which is critical to the operational success of the entire law enforcement team. She has been recognized for consistently supporting new employees by researching and implementing enhanced training platforms to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. She also took a leadership role in converting the Department's communication program to a more prgtoken modernized, digital format. By obtaining her Quality Assurance Certification in the Priority Dispatch Protocol programs, Ms. Hart expanded the capacity of her team and highlighted her willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. It is the daily efforts of support team members, like Ms. Hart, who enable our law enforcement officers to meet the needs of the community. Her peers, commanding officers and the community-at-large have recognized that Ms. Hart routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty to promote public safety and to support her team, even in the most difficult of circumstances. The impact of her efforts have left a lasting imprint on the lives of those she serves.
Iran (Executive Calendar)
Pete Ricketts (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-1-31

I rise here today in support of our closest and longest standing ally in the Middle East, Israel, and also to prevent American taxpayer dollars from supporting terrorism. prgtoken On October 7, Hamas broke the cease-fire with a horrific and barbaric attack on Israel. Hamas terrorists crossed the border. They killed unarmed citizens, raped and mutilated women, burned children, beheaded soldiers, and kidnapped innocent civilians as well. That horrific attack demonstrates the barbarity of this terrorist organization. prgtoken For those who call on a cease-fire for Israel to somehow sponsor this, I call on you to call on Hamas to surrender. Hamas must surrender. Israel cannot tolerate an organization on its border that is dedicated to destruction of its state. Hamas has said time and time again they will continue to attack Israel in this barbaric way. Hamas must be destroyed and the United States must support Israel. Israel will be doing the world a favor when Hamas is destroyed. prgtoken On that day, 1,200 Israelis were killed. It included 33 Americans. Hundreds of people were kidnapped, many of whom have not been returned. I have been posting about the hostages since this terrible event has happened. These folks are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, children. These folks are real people, and they must be returned. That is why it is so important that Hamas surrender, return the hostages, and the State of Israel must continue to defend itself until that happens. prgtoken Now, we ought not support terrorism, especially not a brutal terroristic organization by the name of Hamas. We shouldn't undermine our foreign policy to support the State of Israel. And yet that is exactly what we are doing at this moment. prgtoken There is an organization called the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East, also called UNRWA. Last Friday, there was a report that a dozen UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attack, six directly in the attack killing Israelis. A couple were responsible for logistics, procuring weapons. More were involved in kidnappings. Still more were traced to the sites where Israelis had been killed. prgtoken The Wall Street Journal reports that perhaps 10 percent of UNRWA employees, some 1,200 people, may have links to Hamas or even the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which considers Hamas too moderate. Think of how crazy that is. prgtoken UNRWA has been described as, essentially, a branch of Hamas. But, by the way, this is not a news flash that this prgtoken happened. The UN has said they are going to launch an investigation into this. But guess what. We know through previous investigations that this was the pattern of UNRWA. prgtoken The administration knew this, and so they cut off funding for UNRWA. They knew that UNRWA previously had been supporting Hamas, had its employees also be agents of Hamas, that its textbooks glorified martyrdo
HONORING THE TRUNG SISTERS' LEGACY
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-1-31

I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to a great South Californian and friend, Laura Park. Laura is a brilliant designer and the owner of LeeHwa Wedding and Hanbok. prgtoken For over 30 years, she has used her business to bring the traditional Korean hanbok to Americans. Her work is the product of four generations of hanbok makers, going all the way back to her great-grandparents in North Korea. prgtoken Now she represents what it looks like when Koreans achieve the American Dream, as her business has become the largest hanbok house in the United States. prgtoken As a first-generation Korean American myself, I am so appreciative of her work to preserve the traditions of Korea, while embracing the greatness of America at the same time. Her exceptional work is something all Californians and all Americans can be proud of. prgtoken Laura, thank you for all you do, and have a very happy birthday.
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST SECRETARY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS
Cliff Bentz (Republican, OR) \u2014 2024-1-31

this morning the House Committee on Homeland Security passed two Articles of Impeachment accusing Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of high crimes and misdemeanors. prgtoken I have thought, and with the information developed by the committee, have come to believe that Secretary Mayorkas should be impeached for his clear violation of the law, and when this matter comes to the floor, I intend to vote in favor of his impeachment. prgtoken That said, today I wish to remark upon the importance and merit, when it comes to most things, and certainly impeachment, of the value of carefully following proper process. prgtoken Impeachment is a constitutional function of the highest order, and when considering its use, we must transcend passions and politics. If impeachment is to remain what the Founders intended, and that is something greater than a political tool deployed whenever the mood suits, then it must be used as originally designed: as a means of holding people who have political power accountable when they violate the high crimes and misdemeanors standard. prgtoken If we fail to follow best practices in this effort, then impeachment will soon prgtoken become little more than a sad and ineffective means of expressing dissatisfaction with the policies of the opposing party. prgtoken It has correctly been said that the object of the House in an impeachment proceeding is to create a full record upon which a verdict in the Senate can be fairly and efficiently adjudged. prgtoken Thanks to Chairman Mark Green's excellent work, this is exactly what has happened. Over the past 10 months, including important recent evidentiary hearings, Chairman Mark Green's Homeland Security Committee, using an open and deliberative process, has carefully created a full record reflecting Secretary Mayorkas' violation of statutory and constitutional standards upon which the Senate can and should deliberate. prgtoken That process has not only developed the facts and evidence of breaches of our laws, it has also allowed full debate and full disclosure to our Nation of what our law requires and the Secretary's intentional circumvention of those laws. prgtoken Had we not completed this investigative process, we would have not only weakened the impeachment remedy, but we would have also made it much easier for the Senate to ignore the excellent work the committee has now done. prgtoken Just a few words about Article I of the Homeland Security Committee's impeachment resolution: prgtoken United States Code 8 U.S.C. 1226(c) explicitly states that illegal aliens who have a criminal conviction shall be detained. Yet Secretary Mayorkas literally ordered DHS employees to not enforce this law. This is not mere neglect, nor can this violation be excused as a result of not having space available in the detention facilities. There were and are spaces available, and if there were not, the Secretary could and should have asked for increased funding in the DHS budg
Iran (Executive Session)
Eric Schmitt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2024-1-31

I rise today in recognition of the Kansas City National Security Campus and the important role it plays in strategic deterrence on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. prgtoken I stand here today at the desk of President Harry S. Truman. In 1946, President Truman established the Atomic Energy Commission, and in 1949, Kansas City was selected as the location to produce nonnuclear components for our nuclear arsenal. For 75 years, the Kansas City National Security Campus has been the primary site within the Nuclear Security Enterprise for procuring and producing--say that a few times-- nonnuclear parts and components for nuclear weapons. prgtoken As the United States continues to advance nuclear modernization programs, the Kansas City National Security Campus plays an essential role in America's national security, helping to ensure the nuclear stockpile is safe, secure, and reliable. prgtoken More than 6,000 hard-working Missourians go to work day in and day out, and the importance of their contribution to our country and its defenses cannot be understated. They make 80 percent--80 percent--of the nonnuclear components for the weapons in our national nuclear arsenal. In addition, they support proliferation deterrence, supply chain security, and our overall responsiveness to global threats. Kansas City National Security Campus is not only improving the reliability and modernity of our arsenal, they are making it more efficient too. prgtoken The U.S. nuclear stockpile remains the bedrock of our strategic deterrence, and the security and stability it provides to our country's defense is paramount. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is the most important moment for our nuclear arsenal in generations, and the Kansas City National Security Campus is at the center of it all. prgtoken At a time when the People's Republic of China is rapidly growing and modernizing its own arsenal, Kansas City National Security Campus and the critical role it plays in our defense is more important than ever. Never in our history have we faced so dangerous a threat as communist China, founded on the belief that the power to govern comes not from the people but from the barrel of a gun. We must therefore meet their strength with our own, and Kansas City National Security Campus is making our country and its defenses stronger each and every day. prgtoken I am deeply proud--and there are many of them here today--to represent the State of Missouri and the folks from that campus in the U.S. Senate and to represent the dedicated workforce of the Kansas City National Security Campus. They are central to our Nation's security. prgtoken I could not be more pleased to recognize the Kansas City National Security Campus and its 75 years of contributions to national security. Some of the facility's leadership is with us today in the Gallery, and I thank them for their service. prgtoken .
Nomination of Kirk Edward Sherriff (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-1-31

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Kirk Sherriff to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. prgtoken Born in Berkeley, CA, Mr. Sherriff received his B.A. from Columbia College at Columbia University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. After completing law school, Mr. Sherriff prgtoken clerked for Judge Deborah T. Poritz of the New Jersey Supreme Court before beginning his legal career at White & Case LLP. As an associate, he focused on complex commercial litigation and on domestic and international arbitration matters. prgtoken Following his time in private practice, Mr. Sherriff has spent the past two decades at the U.S. Attorney's Office--USAO--for the same district to which he is nominated, where he has handled a wide range of civil and criminal matters. Since 2015, Mr. Sherriff has been the chief of the USAO's Fresno office, where he is responsible for overseeing Federal prosecutions brought in the southern half of the Eastern District of California. prgtoken The American Bar Association unanimously rated Mr. Sherriff ``well qualified'' to serve on the district court, and he has the strong support of Senators Padilla and Butler. prgtoken Mr. Sherriff's deep ties to the California legal community, combined with his significant courtroom experience, make him an excellent candidate to serve on the Federal bench. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support his nomination.
REMEMBERING WARREN COPELAND
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2024-1-31

today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Warren Copeland, an Ohioan, an educator, a man of deep faith, and a dedicated public servant, who passed away this January. prgtoken Warren Copeland's life and career are the epitome of public service. He believed in justice and opportunity for all, and worked every day toward that goal. He was one of the longest serving mayors in Ohio history, representing the people of Springfield from 1990 to 1994 and, again, from 1998 to 2023. Warren retired in November 2023 during his 35th year as mayor. He also served on the city commission from 1988 through 2023. Springfield was lucky to have Warren at the helm. prgtoken Warren put the people of Springfield and the good of the city first. He was dedicated to his community and cared deeply for those in it. Over the course of his career, Warren achieved so much and helped make Springfield the vibrant community it is today. For members of the community, Warren was a constant; he rarely missed local events and was always there if you needed him. prgtoken As a leading voice in the bipartisan Ohio Mayors Alliance, Warren offered guidance and advice to new mayors. He served as a mentor and supporter for many of his counterparts across the State. I had the privilege of working with Warren and appreciated his dedication to our State. We fought together to protect manufacturing jobs in his city and region. He knew that good jobs with a living wage are the key to strong communities. prgtoken Warren also served his community and lived his faith as a professor of religion and the director of urban studies at Wittenberg University. Warren was an accomplished scholar with a master of divinity from Christian Theological Seminary and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He joined Wittenberg faculty in 1977 and continued teaching throughout his time as mayor. prgtoken During his time at Wittenberg, he helped to establish the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement, where he served as faculty director. The center and Warren supported students as they explored careers and interests connected to community service. He cultivated partnerships that were beneficial for his students and for Springfield, including with our mutual friend former Congressman Dave Hobson. Warren shared his wisdom and knowledge and passion with class after class. He taught his students to be engaged citizens who embody the values found in the Beatitudes and in Matthew 25, values that Warren championed throughout his life of service. prgtoken Today, we recognize Warren's commitment to Ohio, we honor his life of service and faith, and we recommit to the example of service he set. Because of Warren, Springfield is a better place, and Ohio is a better place. We are grateful for his leadership and his service. prgtoken Our thoughts are with his wife Clara, his three children, and seven grandchildren and all those who were blessed to
HONORING GEORGE SALLIE
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2024-1-31

I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of George Sallie, who at 94 years old, was among the oldest living Foot Soldiers from Bloody Sunday and passed away on January 18, 2024. prgtoken Mr. Sallie was born on March 15, 1929, in Fostoria, Alabama, as the youngest of five children to the late Monroe and Mamie Sallie. He received his education in the segregated school system of Lowndes and Dallas Counties. At a young age, he learned to value hard work. Mr. Sallie was the son of sharecroppers and dropped out of school early to support his family. Despite leaving school, he never abandoned his ``helmet of salvation.'' which was education. prgtoken Mr. Sallie married Minnie Walker on October 4, 1952, and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage. The Sallies built their union on biblical principles to nurture their love for God and desire for equality. George and Minnie were longtime members of the Freewill Christian Church in Selma, Alabama. prgtoken The United States Army drafted Mr. Sallie two days after his wedding. He completed basic training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and did his first tour in South Korea with the 8th Infantry on February 26, 1953. Mr. Sallie experienced segregation in the military, and while in Korea, he realized that he was fighting for a freedom he did not have himself. prgtoken After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Sallie returned home and fought for veterans to receive a fair and equal education. He and his wife, Minnie, championed educational cases for veterans and encouraged everyone in their community to pursue higher learning. prgtoken In 1955, the Sallies moved to Selma, Alabama. They quickly became involved in the Civil Rights Movement, helping to raise funds to support a committee to travel to Washington. D.C to assist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the March on Washington. prgtoken In 1966, Mr. Sallie pursued a career in electoral politics, running for a seat on the Dallas County School Board and then again in 1970, vying for a seat on the Dallas County Commission. Though he was unsuccessful in these elections, Mr. Sallie's life inspired future generations of African American leaders to engage in community activism and pursue elected office. prgtoken Mr. Sallie was a distinguished community leader and a man of principles and high morale. He earned the title of a Foot Soldier on prgtoken Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. From that moment, he wore his ``Shoes of the Gospel of the Peace'' and never missed a commemorative march to return to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. prgtoken Throughout his Life, Mr. Sallie received many awards and recognitions, including the distinguished member of the Civil Rights Foot Soldier's Hall of Fame at the National Voting Rights Museum; a plaque commemorating courage and bravery from the Dallas County Commission; and the Living Legend Award from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. prgtoken Mr. Sallie is preceded in death