mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
THE THREAT COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON TO WORK CENTERS OR COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2019-7-17

I rise today to discuss the current threat coming out of Washington to work centers or community rehabilitation programs. prgtoken So people understand, these are what used to be referred to as sheltered workshops. prgtoken People born with disabilities that cause people to have different abilities than most of the rest of us have, frequently now they work in work centers, frequently packaging or other prgtoken light manufacturing sort of jobs. They sometimes make minimum wage, they sometimes make less than minimum wage. prgtoken If you have not toured one of these facilities, you have really missed out on one of the joys of life. prgtoken Here we find people working hard, earning their own paycheck, proud to go to work each day with friends and a social network, sometimes working in the same place for 20 or 25 years, who feel very good about themselves, and, quite frankly, should make the rest of us ashamed if we are ever unhappy in our own life, seeing people so happy with the jobs they have. prgtoken However, friends of people with different abilities, be they family members, be they guardians, be they just next-door neighbors, have to wake up, because there are small, powerful forces who want to shut down these work centers. prgtoken Why do they want to do so and how are they going to do it? prgtoken They are going to do it two ways. Tomorrow, or soon, in this place, we are going to take up what will be publicly discussed as the increase the minimum wage bill. prgtoken However, the increase the minimum wage bill is going to do something more than just that. It is going to get rid of 14(c) waivers for minimum wage, which allows people to work for less than minimum wage. prgtoken This is not an oversight. We tried, in something called the Rules Committee, to amend the minimum wage bill. prgtoken There are people out there who feel it is below people's dignity to ever work for less than minimum wage. prgtoken People familiar with the sheltered workshops and the abilities of the people there know that already there are people who are not going to be able to find employment at $7.50 an hour. There is no way these folks are going to find employment, or many of these folks are going to find employment, at $15 an hour. prgtoken What is going to happen when you lose the ability to grant waivers and have somebody make $3 or $4 or $5 an hour? What happens when that disappears? prgtoken People are no longer going to be able to work in the community, they are no longer going to be able to work at the community rehabilitation centers. prgtoken These folks are going to wind up sitting at home. They might wind up in day services, but in day services, you don't get the pride of going to work. You aren't going to work every day like your parents did or like your siblings do or like your friends do. You will no longer have the social network that comes with every job, in which you will be able to have the same friends, which are so vi
WELCOMING PRESIDENT TSAI ING-WEN TO COLORADO
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-7-17

today I wish to welcome President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan to my home State of Colorado. prgtoken On Friday, July 19, President Tsai will land in Denver as she transits through the United States on to her way home from official visits with diplomatic allies in the Western Hemisphere. prgtoken President Tsai will be the first sitting Taiwan head of state to visit the beautiful State of Colorado. It will indeed be a historic occasion. prgtoken This visit to Colorado will highlight the special relationship that our State shares with Taiwan. Colorado exports $222.7 million in goods to Taiwan, making it the 10th largest export market for the Centennial State, the sixth largest in Asia. It is estimated that over 2,400 jobs in Colorado support the export of services to Taiwan. prgtoken Our relationship extends well beyond trade ties. Denver recently became the new home for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in 2015. Colorado Springs and Kaohsiung City have been sister cities since 1983. prgtoken The shared values of freedom, democracy, and prosperity provide for the strong basis of the longstanding friendship between our two nations. Taiwan is a shining example to its neighbors. In 2019, Taiwan was ranked the second freest country in Asia by Freedom House. It was also ranked the 10th freest economy in the world by the Heritage Foundation. prgtoken The strength and vitality of Taiwan's democratic and economic system has made it a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world. The relationship between our two countries is critical for the United States, as we continue to advance the goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific and to promote our shared values in that region. prgtoken This is why, during my time in the Senate, I have championed the ties between the United States and Taiwan. On December 31, 2018, President signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, which declares that it is the ``policy of the United States to support the close economic, political, and security relationship between Taiwan and the United States'' and requires regular U.S. arms sales and endorses high-level reciprocal visits between our nations. prgtoken President Tsai has graciously welcomed me to Taiwan on four occasions, including a memorable visit several prgtoken months ago, when she graciously took me on a tour of Taipei's iconic Dadaocheng neighborhood. It is now my pleasure to return the favor this weekend when she visits my home State. prgtoken Welcome, President Tsa, to the Centennial State, and may we continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our nations and our peoples.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-7-17

reserving the right to object, it has long been my feeling that we need to address our massive debt in this country. We have a $22 trillion debt. We are adding debt at about $1 trillion a year. Therefore, any new spending that we are approaching, any new program that is going to have the longevity of 70 or 80 years should be offset by cutting spending that is less valuable. At the very least, we need to have this debate. prgtoken I will be offering up an amendment if this bill should come to the floor, but until then, I will object.
Trump Administration (Executive Calendar)
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-7-17

I am looking forward to joining in on this discussion that is taking place right now on what is happening with these people and Oklahoma's role in this. Jim Bridenstine is a fairly recent Director of NASA, and he is committed to reestablishing our position of leadership. We haven't really lost it, but it hasn't been as prominent as it has been in the past. prgtoken We have people like Tom Stafford. I talk to Tom Stafford almost on a daily basis. He is still around. He is still active. He still rejoices in the fact that we are reestablishing our position, and I am very excited about that. prgtoken I wasn't going to talk about that today. I think that is going to be tomorrow. prgtoken There is another area in which President and the Senate have had great success, and that is in remaking the Federal judiciary. As of this week, we have confirmed 43 appellate judges. That is more at this 2\1/2\-year point than in any other President's term in the history of this country. That is what is going on, and it goes unnoticed. These judicial confirmations have real impact. prgtoken Here is a great example. This week, the Ninth Circuit--the notoriously liberal appellate court in California--ruled that portions of President 's ``Project Life'' rule can--not can't, can--go into effect. This is a commonsense rule. prgtoken All it says is that in States that receive title X funding, it cannot be used by clinics to provide abortions. We calculate that this would have the result of defunding Planned Parenthood by about an initial $60 million annually. It is a great start to defunding the abortion-on- demand culture, and it is possible only because President and Leader McConnell have rightly made remaking the Federal judiciary a top priority. prgtoken What I want to talk about is something we need to talk about now because it has not been called to the attention of the American people, and that is about the great work being done in this administration to better our environment. prgtoken When you say that perhaps it can be argued the administration may go down as one of the truly great environmental administrations, nobody will believe that. In my lifetime and in my history, I have never seen a President so detested by members of the media. So people, consequently, don't know, with the exception of a few tweets. I admit that I cringe a little bit when I hear a new tweet coming out. But, look, if that is the only way you can get the truth out, it is something that has worked, and it has been very effective. prgtoken We have a White House dedicated to clean air, land, and water by cutting excessive, duplicative regulations. Based on what you see in the media, you would think this President turned his back on the environment, but it has been just the opposite. We are seeing significant progress in environmental protection that we have not seen in any other administration. Americans should
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-7-17

. President, today I wish to pay tribute to MG Mark Berry for his exemplary dedication to duty and service as the adjutant general for the Arkansas National Guard. General Berry is retiring from his position on August 10, 2019. prgtoken A Texas native, General Berry enlisted in the Air Force in August 1974. He also furthered his education while serving, receiving a bachelor of aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earning a masters of public administration from Golden Gate University. prgtoken Major General Berry has served the United States in a broad capacity during his 45-year career with the Armed Forces. Upon completion of basic training, he began technical training as an air traffic controller. In 1985, he attended officer training school with follow-on training as an air traffic control officer. General Berry separated from his Active-Duty role in September 1992 to join the Arkansas Air National Guard as a public affairs officer. prgtoken During his time in the National Guard, he served as a communication flight commander, mission support group commander, and maintenance group commander. In the State of Arkansas, Berry served as the vice- chairman of the Air National Guard A-10 Aircraft Maintenance Council until receiving the honor of becoming the president of the National Guard Association of Arkansas. In 2015, General Berry was given his most distinguished assignment when he was appointed adjutant general for the Arkansas National Guard. prgtoken Throughout his time in Arkansas, I have worked closely with General Berry to ensure our National Guard not only meets but exceeds the standards needed to protect our State and country. During times of crisis or disaster in the State, General Berry made certain the National Guard was prepared and able to respond quickly and effectively. He has represented himself, the Arkansas Guard, and our Armed Forces with consistent professionalism, diligence, and commitment. I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the job he has done as the leader of our State's National Guard. prgtoken Major General Berry has received numerous awards and recognitions for his service to the United States during his career, including the Legion of Merit for exceptional conduct in the performance of his services to our Nation, and has had a positive impact on the lives of many servicemembers, peers, and superiors. His accomplishments reflect highly not only on himself, but also on the men and women of our Nation's military. As his time in uniform comes to an end, we honor his dedication to our country and his invaluable service to the U.S. Air Force and Arkansas National Guard. prgtoken It was a genuine pleasure to have worked with MG Mark Berry throughout his years serving his country and our State. I commend General Berry for his exceptional service and decorated career and greatly appreciate his friendship of many years. We wish him all the best as he begins his r
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2019-7-17

I thank the good Senator from Mississippi. prgtoken This weekend, our Nation will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. This was a tremendous feat for our country. prgtoken In recognition of this true American triumph, I am cosponsoring a Senate resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. Our resolution recognizes the vision of President Kennedy and the hard work and the ingenuity of the men and women of NASA who made it possible for our Nation to achieve what seemed to be an impossible goal at the time. prgtoken Like many Americans, I can still remember the excitement of seeing the American flag planted on the Moon and hearing Neil Armstrong say the famous line, ``That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'' prgtoken Truly it was a giant leap. NASA not only helped develop technologies to put astronauts on the Moon, but these technologies have benefited industries, including our military, the medical field, energy, and many others. prgtoken We all know NASA is a premiere center for scientific research and technological advancement, but it is important to remember that NASA's mission includes not only space but also aeronautics. prgtoken As our Nation did during the space race, we are now working to stay at the forefront of new technologies, including unmanned aerial systems. In particular, I want to highlight the research NASA is doing right now in support of unmanned aviation. NASA is designing an unmanned air traffic management system that will provide air traffic control for unmanned aircraft operations. This traffic management project is critical to unlocking the potential of unmanned aviation, from package delivery to pipeline inspections. prgtoken NASA is at the forefront of this effort to make unmanned flights safe and efficient for a multitude of operators. North Dakota works right along with NASA toward this goal, with a UAS test site that is helping advance all aspects of unmanned aviation. In fact, they were recently selected by the FAA to host an unmanned traffic pilot program and have developed a strong partnership with NASA to research, develop, and demonstrate this technology. prgtoken I continue to support funding for unmanned traffic management research because I am confident that NASA, with the help of its industry partners, as well as our test site in North Dakota, will meet this complex technological challenge. By making a relatively small investment in unmanned traffic management research today, NASA is going to help unlock billions of dollars in economic activity in the not-too- distant future. prgtoken We have worked hard to ensure that North Dakota is an important part of exploring this new NASA frontier, and we are thrilled to help realize the wide variety of benefits that unmanned aviation will bring, making our Nation more prosperous and secure, and we can only imagine where we will be 50 years from today. prgtoken I y
RECOGNIZING LEVATAS
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-7-17

as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my honor to recognize a small business that exemplifies innovation, entrepreneurship, and hard work. This week, it is my privilege to name Levatas of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Levatas is a strategic marketing and consulting firm that uses artificial intelligence--AI--and machine learning technologies to develop solutions for their clients. They utilize AI technology to help the manufacturing industry and other companies better understand their customers. Levatas was started 13 years ago by Chris Nielsen in his Jupiter, FL, garage. Nielsen and his team have since expanded to become one of south Florida's leader in AI solutions. prgtoken Moving from Jupiter, FL, Levatas expanded to their current office in Palm Beach Gardens and recently announced a second expansion, headquartered in Rosemary Square, where an additional 50 new jobs will be created. prgtoken A large part of their success lies in Levatas's excellent company culture. In fact, Levatas was recently honored by Entrepreneur magazine in the ``2018 Top Company Cultures'' for the ``Small Companies'' category. They have also been recognized by the Florida community as well. In 2018, Palm Beach Tech Association awarded Chris Nielsen, Ryan Gay, CEO of Levatas, and Levatas Golden Palm awards for excellence. In addition to numerous accolades, Levatas has made significant contributions to their community. Through Levatas's GenerosiTeam initiative, employees have supported local philanthropic organizations including the Big Heart Brigade, Sheridan House, One Blood Organization Blood Drive, Children's Miracle Network donation drive, and other nonprofits. prgtoken Levatas has cemented themselves as a local hub for innovation in the Palm Beach community. Levatas's extensive clientele spans many industries and includes companies such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Orangetheory Fitness, SunTrust Bank, HSBC, Dell, IBM, Discover the Palm Beaches, Duffy's Sports Grill, and more. Renowned for their phenomenal quality of service, Levatas's innovative solutions for digital transformation showcase their significant experience in building technology and bringing products to market. prgtoken Levatas has remained true to their core values by focusing on quality service with an expert ability to provide innovative, creative, and experienced solutions to shape brands and build technology. Furthermore, Levatas is a phenomenal example of how hard work can lead to success. It is with great pleasure that I extend my congratulations to Chris Nielsen and all of the members of the Levatas community. Levatas has an exciting future ahead, and I look forward to watching your continued success.
LUCAS LOWE POST OFFICE
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-17

. Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 1250, a bill to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility in Hardin, Texas, as the ``Lucas Lowe Memorial Post Office''. prgtoken As my colleagues know, to fast-track a postal legislation, we collect cosponsorships from every other member of the State's delegation. When you come from a State as large as the State of Texas, this can certainly be easier said than done. Although everything is bigger in Texas, I am proud to inform you that we have the support of all 36 members of the Lone Star State of Texas' delegation to honor this American hero, Lucas Maurice Lowe, with the naming of a memorial post office. prgtoken Chief Warrant Officer 2nd Lucas Lowe of Hardin, Texas, was tragically lost to us during a training flight just after Christmas in 2016 during his time in the Texas Army National Guard. A hardworking man who loved being in the service, Lowe especially loved to fly. prgtoken After enlisting in the Army in 2004, Lowe completed an 11-month tour in Afghanistan in 2005 to 2006 and a 14-month tour in Iraq in 2007 to 2008. He later attended Warrant Officer Candidate School in Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he also attended flight school to become an AH- 64 Apache attack helicopter pilot. He was an amazing soldier who faithfully served both God and his country. prgtoken However, when the world lost Lucas, we lost more than a dedicated pilot. We lost a man who always went out of his way to lift others' spirits and encouraged them to reach for higher success in life. prgtoken Lucas was a wonderful family man who loved his wife, his children, and his family more than anything else. He loved his children more than life itself. He loved camping in the woods, hunting, fishing, campfires, and good music. He enjoyed dancing, playing golf, cooking, and singing to brighten someone's day. He always had a way of making someone's day better. prgtoken Admired by all, his courage and dedication made him a natural-born leader. He touched the lives of all who knew him, and he lived his life with an optimistic spirit, always ready to take on the next big challenge. prgtoken Lucas is survived by his wife, Kami; and five children, Clayton, Lance, Alysen, Logan, and Tenley. prgtoken He is dearly, dearly missed throughout the Texas Guard, the entire Hardin community and Liberty County, and by those family and friends he left behind.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-7-17

I am pleased to join my colleagues in commemorating the 50th anniversary of American astronauts becoming the first humans to walk on the Moon. prgtoken It was 50 years ago that the United States met one of the biggest challenges it had ever set for itself. Through determination, hard work, invention, and innovation, the United States fulfilled President Kennedy's vision of reaching the Moon before the end of the 1960s. prgtoken I remember that time very well, for July 16, 1969, was my dad's 37th birthday. We were vacationing in Florida, at the Spyglass Inn on the beach. We were so excited to be close to Merritt Island, FL, where Apollo 11 was being launched. We were in our hotel room, watching the television. That is one vacation I will never forget. As a young girl, I remember watching those first astronauts step foot on the Moon. It was with great awe that I watched Apollo 11 lift off from the Earth and watched the lunar module land safely on the surface of the Moon. With a lot of amazement, I watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they announced ``the Eagle has landed'' and then as they took those first brave steps on the Moon. It was with great pride that I watched them plant the American flag on the Moon. prgtoken Those brave NASA astronauts of the Apollo program today continue to serve as an inspiration that we are capable of anything we set our minds to. Equally important is the reminder that those astronauts could not have reached the Moon without their having the support of the thousands of men and women who were both in NASA and in the aerospace industry. It is a reminder that we are at our best when we work together. prgtoken While NASA's mission has changed and evolved over the last 60 years, the aerospace industry continues to play a vital role in our quest for knowledge and America's national security mission. prgtoken In my home State of Mississippi, we are very proud of the conspicuous roles our citizens play in our Nation's space exploration and endeavors. Since the earliest days of America's space program, Mississippi has played an important role in the quest to explore the stars. prgtoken For more than 50 years, the John C. Stennis Space Center, in Hancock County, MS, has dutifully tested and approved NASA's largest rocket engines, including the Saturn V rockets that took our astronauts to the Moon and, later, the engines for the space shuttle program. Stennis is today testing engines and rocket stages for NASA's Space Launch System, which will again take humans beyond low-Earth orbit. I am pleased, much like in the Apollo days, that Mississippi has an important role in the SLS program. As we are fond of reminding everyone, ``The road to space goes through Mississippi.'' prgtoken However, Stennis isn't only known for its rocket testing to support NASA missions; it also proudly bears the title of the ``Federal City'' and is one of the Federal Government's best places to work