mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MODERN JEWISH STATE OF ISRAEL
Lou Barletta (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-4-23

it is a great honor for me to help commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the modern Jewish State of Israel. prgtoken As I reflect on Israel's 70 years of independent and democratic governance, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of the Israeli people. Israel's statehood was hard-fought and long overdue. prgtoken Israel's story has long been admired by the United States, with generations of Americans having advocated on behalf of the Jewish people's aspiration to return to their beloved homeland, including Presidents like George Washington, John Adams, and Abraham Lincoln. prgtoken President Truman forged a valuable and everlasting relationship between our two nations when he made the United States the first country to officially recognize Israel as an independent state. Since then, the United States has been proud to stand with Israel and her people not just as allies, but also as friends. prgtoken Since its rebirth in 1948, Israel has proven itself to be a beacon of democracy and economic progress in the Middle East. Despite fierce opposition and unjust violence, Israel continues to succeed as a global power where the Jewish people have a formidable seat on the world stage. prgtoken To express the unbreakable bond between the modem State of Israel and its ancient nationalism rooted in biblical times, the 70th anniversary official logo combines the number 70, a modern design of the Star of David, and the word Israel as written by a scribe in a Torah scroll. Together, these images bridge the extensive history of Israel, from the days of King David's reign to the nation's modern sovereignty. prgtoken I am honored to congratulate Israel on reaching this milestone, and consider it a privilege to work toward our nations' common interests in the United States House of Representatives. prgtoken , please join me in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the modern Jewish State of Israel.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2018-4-23

I have a request for one committee to meet during today's session of the Senate. It has the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committee is authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on foreign relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Monday, April 23, 2018, at 5 p.m to hold a hearing.
RECOGNIZING WOMAN OF LIGHT HONOREE INA THOMPSON
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-4-23

today I rise to honor and pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of Ina Thompson, who is the ninth woman to be honored in the Women of Light program sponsored by the DeFuniak Springs Woman's Club. Women of Light honors women past and present who have made significant contributions to our community or who came from this area and made contributions elsewhere. prgtoken Ina Simmons was born October 3, 1902 in Freeport, Florida. Her parents were Dr. Daniel Simmons and her mother Mary Ansley Simmons, an early education teacher. She had five siblings; Minnie Ruth, Sarah Gertrude, Mary Edith, Daniel Curtis and Martha Louise. prgtoken Her family moved to DeFuniak Springs in 1909 where her father opened a private practice in addition to caring for lumber and turpentine workers as a company doctor. Ina attended schools in Walton County and graduated from Walton High School in 1920. She loved sports and was on the girls' basketball team. Her favorite subject was history. prgtoken She attended Florida State College for Women and was a forward on the basketball team. She also played tennis and held an elected office each of the four years she attended the school. Ina graduated in 1924 with majors in history and English. She returned in 1948 and received a Masters Degree in Education at what was by then Florida State University. prgtoken After graduation Miss Simmons returned to DeFuniak Springs and taught English and history at Walton High School. In 1928, Miss Simmons married Warner Thompson who had graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. The couple moved to Wilmore where Warner finished his last two years at Asbury Seminary. Their son, Warner Paul Thompson Jr. was born in 1929. Rev. Warner graduated from seminary in 1930 and became a Methodist minister. prgtoken The family moved to Gamber, Maryland where Rev. Thompson pastored a church. Two years later he was a minister for a church in Baltimore. Daughter Gretchen Ann was born there in 1936. Rev. Thompson suffered from asthma in an age where there were not the medicines we now have to treat it. There were times when he was too ill to give the sermon on a Sunday. On those days the church allowed Mrs. Thompson to fill the pulpit and deliver the sermon. prgtoken In 1941, after the passing of Rev Thompson, the young widow and her two children returned to DeFuniak Springs and her family home. prgtoken Mrs. Thompson worked as a visitor for the Welfare Board. In 1943 she was made a Welfare Board supervisor for Walton and Holmes Counties. prgtoken In 1945 the Florida legislature provided funds to create in each county a new position, general supervisor of schools. This position was appointed by the county superintendent of schools. Mrs. Thompson was the first general supervisor of schools in Walton County. She was in charge of curriculum development for elementary through high schools. She held this position for ten years. In 1955, newly elected Florida governor
TRIBUTE TO DIMITRI PHILEMONOF
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2018-4-23

today I would like to recognize an Alaska Native leader who has dedicated much of his life and career to humanitarian service in Alaska. Dimitri Philemonof is the president of the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, which is a Tribal nonprofit organization that serves the regional tribes in the Aleutian Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Under Dimitri's leadership, APIA has had a profound impact on the health and well-being of the Aleut people by providing them with a broad spectrum of services. These services include health, education, social, employment prgtoken and vocational training, public safety, and cultural preservation. prgtoken Dimitri's tenure with APIA began on April 24, 1978, when he was hired as a training tech for employment assistance. Less than a year later, Dimitri was promoted to manpower director and later the community services director. By 1985, the board of directors at APIA would reach a consensus and promote Dimitri to be the executive director and president of APIA, a position that he has held since. This week marks the 40th anniversary of Dimitri's hiring at APIA, and I would like to take this time to express my appreciation for Dimitri's service to the Alaska Native people. prgtoken Dimitri accomplished many things during his time as the president of APIA, but according to Dimitri, the most important accomplishment as the president of APIA was working to pass the Aleut Restitution Act. It was meaningful for Dimitri because his parents were forcibly evacuated from the island of St. George and brought to the Funter Bay Internment Camp during the Aleut Evacuation of WWII. Conditions at the camps were horrid. There was no running water, no sewer system, and no laundry or bathing facilities. Most of the buildings didn't have electricity, heat, windows, or doors. Eventually, Dimitri's parents were able to return to their home on St. George Island, but they still carried with them the experience of being forced into an internment camp. This was an experience that many Alaska Natives carried with them because they too were put into internment camps, not just in Funter Bay. There were internment camps in Killisnoo, Ward Cove, and on Burnett Island. prgtoken Fast forward and once Dimitri became the executive director of APIA, he worked tirelessly to ensure that the Aleut people would receive restitution for their time in internment camps. He worked with Alaska's congressional delegation to ensure that Aleut and other Alaska Native people were able to testify before congressional hearing commissions and committees to share their stories and their experiences in internment camps. prgtoken In 1988, the Aleut Restitution Act was passed, and in 1993, the Aleutian Pribilof Restitution Trust was created. Dimitri and many other Aleut leaders believe that the pursuit for restitution was one of the first steps in the healing process for the Aleut people. prgtoken Dimitri has had a significan
Nomination of Mike Pompeo (Executive Session)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-4-23

I rise to speak to the nomination of and the vote we are about to have on Kyle Duncan. Kyle Duncan is from Louisiana. He has been nominated to be on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Let me speak a little bit about his qualifications and why I think we should support his nomination and vote yes. prgtoken First, I have a little bit of pride in this; he is a graduate of LSU, my alma mater, and graduated from LSU's law school, the Paul M. Hebert Law School. He graduated in the Order of the Coif and subsequently got a master of law degree from Columbia University. He has the training, experience, and institutional knowledge to be a successful judge. prgtoken I have discussed his academics; let's speak about his experience. His breadth of experience makes him a great choice. He was certified as ``well qualified'' by the American Bar Association. He has extensive courtroom experience on the Tenth and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Texas and Louisiana Supreme Courts, and he has twice argued in the U.S. Supreme Court. He has experience working in the public and private sectors and in academia. He pulls from diverse legal backgrounds, including criminal law, American Disabilities Act regulations, section 1983 claims, healthcare law, adoptions, and contract law. He understands the Fifth Circuit. prgtoken After law school, Mr. Duncan clerked on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals under the Honorable John M. Duhe, Jr. He was the assistant solicitor general at the Texas attorney general's office and a professor at the University of Mississippi Law School. He is the appellate chief of the Louisiana Department of Justice. All of these are States included in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Again, this is the experience and background we should look for when selecting a judicial nominee. prgtoken I will also add that he is of high character. Even those who are going to vote no have been impressed once they have met him. They consider him a genuinely nice man whose body of work is reflective of someone who is decent. His body of work also demonstrates his high respect for legal precedent. He understands that a judge is not an advocate for a particular case but, instead, an adjudicator upholding the law, applying the law to the facts. He is a man of high integrity, high character--something sorely needed in this world but especially to be demonstrable in the Federal judiciary. prgtoken Clearly, Mr. Duncan is a qualified nominee, having that which it takes to be a successful judge. I recommend Mr. Duncan without reservation, and I urge my colleagues to join in supporting his nomination.
National Park Week (Executive Session)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-4-23

today marks the start of National Park Week. prgtoken As a fifth-generation Montanan and as someone who grew up in Bozeman--in fact, Mom and Dad moved there in 1964, just a short drive from America's first national park, Yellowstone--I am very excited to take this opportunity to celebrate the parks that are so very special to so many because, in Montana, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and white water rafting are a way of life. prgtoken I grew up spending as much time outdoors as possible, and I continue that tradition with my children today. In fact, my idea of a great time in August is to take our dogs, as many of our kids as we can get together--according to their schedules anymore--and take our backpacks and spend several days together in enjoying Montana's outdoors. As a father, I am grateful to share these experiences with our four children and instill in them a love for the outdoors. Frankly, what better place to do that and enjoy the outdoors than in our national parks. prgtoken While Montana is privileged to have two world-famous national parks in Glacier and Yellowstone, national parks are the pride of so many States from Florida to Colorado, to Maine. prgtoken Speaking of Maine, I am very glad to have partnered with my colleague from Maine in leading this week, as well as with an additional 26 of our colleagues around the country, supporting this resolution. I am pleased we will have the opportunity to recognize the tremendous value our national parks bring to so many. prgtoken As this week begins, I have one challenge for everyone. I challenge you to find time in your schedules and visit a national park. Our national parks are what make us distinctly American. In fact, you can go to findyourpark.com and find the closest park to you. I hope to see all of you out there sometime this year. prgtoken With that, I would like to turn it over to my colleague and my friend, the former Governor of Maine and now the Senator of Maine, Angus King, who joins me in leading National Park Week.
RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SYRACUSE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-4-23

I rise today to recognize the 125th anniversary of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse in my district. prgtoken Since 1892, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse has been serving Syracuse children of all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. While the program began as simply the ``Boys' Evening Home'' in the May Memorial Church in Syracuse, it has grown extraordinarily in the last 125 years. prgtoken Following World War I, membership continued to grow exponentially, resulting in several relocations and expansions until the Club found its permanent home at 430 East Genesee Street. By the late 1940s, the Club had expanded to a total of three branches to accommodate its 6,000 members. In 1990, the Club changed its name to the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse. After many years of welcoming girls into the organization, it only seemed proper to finally change its name. prgtoken Today, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse has four clubhouses and two school-based sites, which provide a variety of programs for the children of Syracuse. Serving over 1,000 members annually, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse enables children in our community to realize their potential and become productive and prospering members of our society. prgtoken The Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse will always ensure that every child has access to a safe environment after school with caring adults. The work that they do provides an incredible benefit to Central New York, allowing parents to work hard without having to worry about the safety of their children. prgtoken It is my distinct honor to recognize the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse on 125 years of great success.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2018-4-23

today I wish to recognize 32 Arkansans who have taken an interest in playing a positive, productive role in their communities, the State of Arkansas, and our country. prgtoken In September, this group of high school students convened as part of my prgtoken inaugural Congressional Youth Cabinet, a nonpartisan initiative that has allowed these young people firsthand experience engaging in the democratic process. Students from each of Arkansas' four congressional districts participated in the program, which provided them with exposure to the legislative process and opportunities to seek out advocacy and civic engagement. prgtoken The goal of the Congressional Youth Cabinet is to foster a lifetime commitment to civic engagement and public service. I have been impressed with these young Arkansans as they have grown in their knowledge of how our government works and the role that public policy plays in their everyday lives. prgtoken One project in particular that demonstrates this process involved having the participants, grouped together by their congressional districts, develop a legislative proposal of their choice between three issues: driverless cars, an internet sales tax, or rural broadband. The students worked together to craft their proposals on these topics, drawing on their own research and background knowledge. prgtoken I was able to help them refine their ideas and offer my advice as to how they could make adjustments to their product so as to have the best chance of garnering bipartisan support. We also discussed why similar legislation had not successfully attracted enough backing to pass Congress and become law. prgtoken This program has given these students the chance to think critically and carefully about how public policy can have an impact on them, their families, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. I am proud of these Arkansans for taking a proactive step to learn more about how they can make a difference and be a force for good. Their participation in the Congressional Youth Cabinet is something we all can take great pride in. prgtoken I congratulate them on their hard work and efforts and offer my best wishes for the future. I know these students will continue to be leaders and doers who give back to their communities. I hope their participation in the Congressional Youth Cabinet is something they can point to as having made a distinct and significant contribution to their development as students and informed, engaged citizens.
TRIBUTE TO JOHN RUHS
Dean Heller (Republican, NV) \u2014 2018-4-23

today I would like to recognize and thank Mr. John Ruhs, the director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, BLM, in Nevada, for his work on behalf of our State as he departs his role to assume the top position at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, ID. prgtoken Mr. Ruhs first moved to Nevada as a wild horse and burro specialist and later served as Ely's BLM district manager and Winnemucca's district fire management officer. When talking about the time he has spent in Nevada, Mr. Ruhs said, ``I truly love the resources, the people, and the wide variety of activities and issues that we face.'' prgtoken He was appointed by Neil Kornze, the national director of the BLM during the administration, to serve as Nevada's director in 2015, a role he was well-suited for, given his previous public service in Nevada. For more than 3 years, he was in charge of managing 48 million acres of Federal land in our State. It is a tough job, but he excelled in the role, and I have appreciated the opportunity to work with him. He is a hard-working, honest broker who has a record of successfully and expeditiously resolving longstanding issues. John is a leader and a problem solver and was willing to get personally involved in even the most difficult disputes. prgtoken Prior to his work in Nevada, Mr. Ruhs worked for the BLM in Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon, as well as in Washington, DC, as the senior special assistant. He also worked in Wyoming as district manager of the High Desert District. Mr. Ruhs is also a veteran. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and I am truly grateful for his service to our Nation. prgtoken Mr. Ruhs grew up in Iowa and graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor of science degree in animal science. He and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of seven daughters. Together, they embrace the outdoors and enjoy spending time riding horses and camping. prgtoken As the senior Senator from the State of Nevada, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Ruhs for his many years of public service to the BLM and to my home State. While his departure is Nevada's loss, I know that the National Interagency Fire Center will benefit from his expertise. I wish Mr. Ruhs continued success in his future endeavors and many fulfilling years to come.
CUBA
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-4-23

today I wish to address Cuba's undemocratic leadership transition and its implications for the Cuban people and U.S. foreign policy. prgtoken Today, in a highly scripted process, Cuba's National Assembly replaced Raul Castro, the country's gerontocratic dictator, with heir apparent Miguel Diaz Canel. While this marks the first time in nearly 60 years that a Castro does not occupy the Cuban Presidency, this transition by no means portends the desperately needed political and economic change that Cubans desire, nor does it mean that the Castro regime is no longer in charge. prgtoken This week's transition, characterized as a coronation and an attempt to institutionalize the Castro regime, is a ruse. This spectacle does not remotely come close to meeting internationally recognized standards for a democratic election. Cuba remains a single party, authoritarian state that denies its citizens their most fundamental freedoms. prgtoken Some contend that Mr. Diaz Canel could be a ``Cuban Mikhail Gorbachev,'' and in seeking to reform the Castros' broken model, he will stumble into the collapse of Cuba's communist system. Such thinking fails to account for the fact that Mr. Diaz Canel's political ascent was forged under the same Communist Party that has perpetuated the Castros' decades-long stranglehold on Cuba. prgtoken More importantly, Raul Castro will maintain his position as the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party. As article 5 of Cuba's authoritarian constitution states, ``The Communist Party of Cuba [. . .] is the superior ruling force of society and the State . . .'' Under such a structure, does anyone honestly think that Raul Castro won't continue calling the shots while his handpicked dauphin occupies the role of President? prgtoken As this political farce unfolds, I want to make brief observations about three aspects of Raul Castro's legacy, the state of human rights in the country, the state of the Cuban economy, and the crisis in Venezuela, which Miguel Diaz Canel now owns. prgtoken Raul Castro will certainly leave an enduring human rights legacy. In the last 3 years, the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation, Cuba's leading independent human rights organization, documented more than 20,000 arbitrary detentions of activists. Moreover, the State Department's 2016 Human Rights Report on Cuba stated that the Cuban Government routinely denies its citizens fair trials, monitors and censors private communications, suppresses freedoms of speech, assembly and press, and employs threats, physical assault and intimidation tactics against its own people. prgtoken Raul Castro's economic legacy will be the maintenance of the dual currency system that distorts the national economy and subjugates Cuban citizens to second-class status in their own country. Foreign companies seeking opportunities in Cuba are still forced to conduct business with the military and its vast network