mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2021-2-24

this week, as February becomes March, Black History Month comes to an end. But I want to be clear, every month is Black History Month because Black history is American history. prgtoken Today, I am thinking of the amazing Black women and men who inspire us daily and who changed the world. prgtoken I am thinking of Ruby Bridges who, at only 6 years old, became the first Black student to integrate a southern elementary school. prgtoken I am thinking of Gwinnett's own Beauty Baldwin, the first Black woman to be a school superintendent in Georgia. prgtoken I am thinking of Hank Aaron, who showed the world the meaning of Black excellence when he broke Babe Ruth's home run record, and he was a proud Georgian. prgtoken I am thinking of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr an Atlanta preacher who shared his dream with the world and, in the process, changed it forever. prgtoken And I am thinking of Senator Raphael Warnock, who preached from the same pulpit as Dr. King, and who now follows in his footsteps as an advocate for change. prgtoken I am thinking of , our Nation's first Black and first female Vice President, and of all the Black and Brown girls around the country who are finally able to look at the White House and see themselves reflected there. prgtoken Finally, I am thinking of our beloved Georgia friend, mentor, and colleague, John Lewis. Congressman Lewis would have turned 81 this weekend. Congressman Lewis spent his life getting into good trouble. prgtoken At 21, he was one of the original 13 Freedom Riders. At 23, as the chairman of SNCC, he spoke at the March on Washington. At 25, he led the march from Selma to Montgomery, in the process withstanding all the violence and hatred local and State officials could throw at him. prgtoken Congressman Lewis went on to serve Atlanta on both the city council and in Congress for more than 35 years, becoming the conscience of the Congress. prgtoken The tireless work of heroes like John Lewis pushes me to continue pursuing equitable and just policies. Over the past 2 years, our country has had a much-needed awakening to the systemic inequality people of color face every single day. I promise to continue using my privilege as a Member of Congress to try to break down that inequality wherever it is found. prgtoken In that spirit, I am proud to be cosponsoring some critical pieces of legislation being considered in Congress: H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a transformational bill that seeks to ensure free and fair elections and easy access to the ballot box, to secure nonpartisan redistricting, and to put people over dark money and special interests in elections; the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to holding police accountable, changing the culture of law enforcement and building trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and biases in order to help save lives; H.R. 40, which create
Black History Month (Executive Session)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-2-24

each February, we mark Black History Month by coming together to highlight the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to our national story and remember the centuries of struggle that have shaped our society. prgtoken At every turning point in American history, Black American achievements and calls to action have driven our Nation's cultural, economic, and social progress forward, helping to hold to account the promises of freedom and equality for all people that our founding doctrine failed to uphold. prgtoken For too long, this history and the names and faces of those who marched, sacrificed, and fought for change have been obscured by prejudice and hate. It is our charge to remember those who marched for justice and the forces they marched against. prgtoken When we ignore the injustices of our past, we cannot make amends in the present. The consequences of such inaction are grave and live on in present day: the ongoing racial and religious profiling, brutality, and killing of Black Americans by police; the high rates of COVID-19 transmission and death in Black communities; and the disproportionate impact this current economic crisis has had on Black workers and Black- owned businesses. prgtoken The unemployment rate for Black workers reached 9.9 percent, for instance--far beyond the national average of 6.7 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. prgtoken These issues, including the broader economic and health consequences of the pandemic, result from systemic failures in place far before the current crisis, and they threaten to worsen racial gaps in wealth, health outcomes, and opportunities for years to come. prgtoken Last year, our Nation's fight against racism gained new urgency by a police officer's callous killing of George Floyd in May. The administration and law enforcement's response to peaceful protests further displayed the double standard that still exists in our society today. Protesters were attacked with tear gas and rubber bullets across the Nation and here in our capital as they organized and marched to make it known that Black lives matter. We watched on television as the National Guard forcefully removed peaceful protesters from Lafayette Park to make way for President to walk to St. John's Episcopal Church for a photo op. President brandished a Bible in front of the church while he continued to fan the flames of bigotry, hate, and racism. prgtoken The historic election of as our Nation's first Black female Vice President serves as a reminder of the power of collective action. The - administration gives us opportunity to take meaningful action in government to create a more just society. In the year ahead, we must work together to advance the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to bring accountability to law enforcement and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to combat voter suppression and restore the Votin
TRIBUTE TO BIRGIT KLOHS
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-2-24

I rise today to honor a lifelong leader of West Michigan's economic development community, Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place in Grand Rapids, MI. Ms. Klohs has made an immense impact on western Michigan over the past 33 years and has helped reshape the region and State's future. prgtoken Born in West Germany, Ms. Klohs left her home country to attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, where she graduated with a bachelors of business administration in finance. While going to school full time, she began her economic development career in service to the Berrien County Economic Development Corporation as an industrial consultant and then eventually moved to the Michigan Department of Commerce where she served as an account executive focusing on western Michigan. prgtoken Later, as assistant director of the Office for Economic Expansion at Grand Valley State University, Ms. Klohs was asked to join the region's first-ever European foreign investment mission in conjunction with The Right Place. The Right Place, an organization started in 1985 by Grand Rapids area business executives, was concerned that the region was missing out on economic opportunities. That trip involved discussions with a German company that 2 years later broke ground on a new manufacturing plant just north of Grand Rapids, a highlight in Klohs' career dedicated to keeping and growing jobs in the region. prgtoken Mrs. Klohs applied for the directorship of The Right Place and began leading the organization as president and CEO in 1987. At that time, The Right Place had a small staff serving one county; after Ms. Klohs' dynamic leadership and expertise, it grew into a prgtoken team of more than 30 professionals serving a six-county region. Throughout her three decades of leadership, The Right Place has assisted thousands of west Michigan companies to invest more than $5 billion and create 48,500 new jobs throughout the region. prgtoken Ms. Klohs also helped the region, known for its manufacturing heritage, to grow its skill and sophistication in making things, from medical devices to office furniture. In the process, she helped the region grow and increase the job opportunities across many sectors. Those efforts attracted attention worldwide, with ``The Economist'' last year citing Grand Rapids as ``the most successful intensive manufacturing city in America'' and Forbes ranking Grand Rapids No. 2 on its list of the top 15 industrial cities in America. prgtoken Over her career, Ms. Klohs worked closely with five Michigan Governors to pursue economic development opportunities around the globe. The region is now home to 136 foreign companies, including more than 50 from her homeland of Germany. She is credited with fostering countless public-private ventures that advance the economic prosperity of the region, including the Medical Mile which is the 10th largest life science cluster in the United States, the Michi
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 803, COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2021, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5, EQUALITY ACT
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-2-24

yesterday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 147, providing for consideration of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, under a closed rule. The rule provides 90 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary and one motion to recommit. prgtoken The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 803, the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources and self-executes a manager's amendment from Chairman Grijalva. It also makes in order 29 amendments, provides en bloc authority to Chairman Grijalva, and provides one motion to recommit. prgtoken , we are here today to debate the rule for two critical pieces of legislation, H.R. 5, the Equality Act, and H.R. 803, the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act. prgtoken This is a historic day for Congress and for equal rights. Over 45 years ago, Congresswoman Bella Abzug introduced the first version of the Equality Act, a bill that will provide full legal protections to LGBTQ people all across our country by extending the protections of the Civil Rights Act to them and making clear that we must respect, defend, and celebrate the dignity innate of everyone in our communities, including--and perhaps especially--those who are perceived as different or non-binary. prgtoken The version of the Equality Act that we consider today is the result of years of careful legislative drafting and amends existing civil rights laws to provide protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in key areas of public life: employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. prgtoken Additionally, the Equality Act updates the public spaces and services covered in current law to include retail stores and services, such as banks, legal services, and transportation. These important updates would strengthen existing protections for everyone. prgtoken The journey to this final version of the Equality Act was led by a dear colleague who is a historymaker in his own right, co-chair of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus and my colleague on the Judiciary Committee, Congressman David Cicilline of Rhode Island. Congressman Cicilline worked with lawyers and advocates from the left and the right, religious groups, and a host of civil rights groups to make sure the language of the Equality Act achieved full legal equality while protecting existing civil rights for other marginalized groups. prgtoken The resulting bill is supported by 130 of the largest employees in the country, our largest labor unions, and the hundreds of organizations including, to name just a few, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP, the National Women's Law Center
NOMINATION OF JENNIFER GRANHOLM
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-24

I rise today in support of Governor Jennifer Granholm's nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Energy. prgtoken I can think of no one better than Governor Granholm to lead the Department of Energy during this critical and transformative period for our country. prgtoken Governor Granholm has the experience to lead and oversee the 13,500 employees at the Energy Department. She served as the Governor of Michigan from 2003 to 2011 and as Michigan's attorney general from 1998 to 2002. prgtoken During her tenure as Governor, she led Michigan through the tumultuous years of the 2008 financial crisis and the resulting bailout of the auto industry. She shepherded over a billion dollars in Federal funding to her State to manufacture electric vehicles and batteries. She diversified Michigan's energy portfolio and signed into law the State's first renewable energy standard. prgtoken I won't hold against the Governor the fact that she is a graduate of UC Berkeley--I am sure a Stanford Cardinal and a Golden Bear can still find some common ground and I am sure it will help that she will bring the innovative spirit of California along with her to her new role as Secretary. prgtoken Following her tenure as Governor, Jennifer became a faculty member at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. She has spent her career, both inside and outside of public office, as a steadfast advocate for clean energy. I have no doubt she will bring the same passion if confirmed as Secretary. prgtoken With this appointment, Governor Granholm has gained the opportunity to understand our unique national lab system, which is a critical aspect of the Department of Energy. She was a project scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and I look forward to her getting to know our 16 other National Labs. From basic science to nuclear safety, these are gems of the Energy Department. prgtoken Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the trailblazing nature of the Governor's career. She was Michigan's first female attorney general; Michigan's first female Governor; and, if confirmed, will be only the second woman to lead the Energy Department since its formation in 1977. She has been and will continue to be a role model for young women across this country. prgtoken The Governor does not have an easy task ahead of her, but I have full confidence that she is up to the challenge. As chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, I look forward to working with her closely over the coming years to fund clean energy programs, confront climate change, and fulfill the energy and water infrastructure needs of California and our country.
NOMINATION OF JENNIFER GRANHOLM
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-2-24

now is the time to take substantive action to transition to renewable resources, combat climate change, and build a brighter future for Americans. To help manage that transition, President has nominated Jennifer Granholm to be the Secretary of Energy. prgtoken As the first female Governor and first female attorney general in Michigan history, Granholm oversaw the State's response to the great recession and worked closely with the administration to save the Nation's auto industry and 1 million jobs. Granholm embraced innovative ideas to electrify the auto industry, stimulate State-wide job growth, and build the State's clean energy sector. She founded the American Jobs Project to promote technological advancements and clean energy policies to spark job creation and continues to push for clean energy policy nationwide. prgtoken Additionally, Granholm backed tax credits and incentives for wind and solar and signed legislation requiring Michigan to get 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources. She is eminently qualified to spearhead research and development and set policies to reach President 's stated goal of getting to a 100-percent carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. prgtoken Granholm received bipartisan support from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and we should follow their lead. She knows that clean energy is the key to creating millions of good jobs and mitigating climate change and is dedicated to advancing our Nation's nuclear security. For these reasons, I support Jennifer Granholm's nomination for Secretary of Energy.
MOMMA ACT
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-2-25

this week America reached a heartbreaking milestone, one that would have seemed unthinkable a year ago. We have now lost more than 500,000 Americans to the COVID-19 pandemic. That is one in every five COVID-19 deaths in the world. We have lost mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. On Monday evening, President , Vice President , and their spouses remembered all of these lost souls in a moving ceremony at the White House. Behind them, 500 flickering candles lined the White House stairs, each candle representing a thousand lives cut short by the virus, a thousand grieving families. In addition, more than 28 million Americans have been infected by the coronavirus in this pandemic prgtoken No State, no community in America, has been spared in this sadness. In my State of Illinois, COVID-19 has claimed more than 20,000 lives. My heart goes out to and every American trying to survive in this terribly difficult year. I have heard others say, and I agree: This pandemic will not break us, but it is showing us where we are broken.Like so many other diseases and health conditions, the pandemic has inflicted disproportionate harm on people and communities of color--Black Americans, Native Americans, and members of the Latinx community. prgtoken Black Americans get sick and die of COVID at 1.5 times the rate of White Americans. Despite their greater risks of infection and death, people of color are receiving COVID vaccinations at less than half the rate as White Americans. In Illinois, Black residents make up 15 percent and Latinx residents make up 18 percent of our State's population, yet each group accounts for prgtoken only 8 percent of the COVID vaccines allocated so far. prgtoken Sadly, these statistics come as no surprise. America has a long history of medical inequality. From premature births to premature deaths, people of color suffer disproportionately from America's troubled health care system. People of color in America suffer more chronic and acute health conditions. They are more likely to go without needed medical care, and they have shorter life expectancies. According to new estimates from the CDC, life expectancy in the United States fell by a full year as COVID-19 swept through the Nation last year--the steepest decline in life expectancy since World War II. Again, the pain was unequal. Latinx Americans' life expectancy declined by 2 years and Black Americans' by 3 years. The reasons for the disparities are many and varied, but they include unequal access to affordable healthcare, inadequate research, and too few healthcare professionals of color. prgtoken Martin Luther King called healthcare inequality ``the most shocking and inhumane'' form of injustice. Far too often, this inequality begins even before birth. It should shock our consciences that the United States, one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, has one of the world's poorest re
EQUALITY ACT
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2021-2-25

a few years ago, at a townhall in my district, a young student asked me: What is Congress going to do to protect trans people like me? He bravely stood before an auditorium of neighbors and told me he was terrified by the bigotry and discrimination against him and his LGBTQ-plus community members. prgtoken I have heard these fears expressed by my own nonbinary child. Their fears are not misplaced. Our LGBTQ neighbors face discrimination in healthcare, housing, education, and employment. Even here, in the people's House, Members of Congress are describing transgender people as something less than, as undeserving, and illegitimate. prgtoken Today, our vote for the Equality Act says to every person that you matter, that you deserve to live your truth with respect and dignity, that there will be no true freedom for anyone until there is equality for everyone.
TRIBUTE TO JANE HARMAN
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-25

I rise to recognize the extraordinary service of my friend Representative Jane Margaret Lakes Harman, who will be leaving her position as president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars after nearly a decade of distinguished leadership. prgtoken Born in New York City, Representative Harman grew up in Los Angeles and received her bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Smith College and her law degree from Harvard Law School. Like many young people who believe in the unmatched power of public service, Jane moved to Washington, DC, where she served as a staffer to Senator John Tunney and with the Senate Judiciary Committee. She would go on to serve her country in the Department of Defense and as President Carter's Secretary of the Cabinet. prgtoken From 1993 until 2011, Representative Harman served the people of Southern California's 36th District. Throughout her tenure, Representative Harman fundamentally improved the national security of the United States through her work on the Armed Services, Intelligence, and Homeland Security Committees. Not content with leading just from the halls of Congress, she sought to find the truth for herself. Her work in pursuit of the facts relevant to protecting our democracy and our allies took her to Guantanamo Bay, Syria, and North Korea. Her oversight and leadership on national security was especially critical throughout this time period, as the United States sought to understand and push back from threats both new and old, including foreign terrorism. While Representative Harman's contributions speak for themselves, her receipt of the Defense Department Medal for Distinguished Service, the CIA Seal Medal, the CIA Director's Award, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal highlight an extraordinary career serving the American people. prgtoken At the Wilson Center, Representative Harman continued her diligent work keeping our policymakers and the public informed on the ongoing security challenges the United States and her allies face. As we prepare and steel ourselves for the next era of security challenges, knowledge produced under her leadership and the relentless efforts of her colleague and staff will continue to be an invaluable resource. prgtoken Like many extraordinary Americans, Representative Harman carried out this work while also caring for her family, including her four children, her four grandchildren, and her late husband Sidney, an enormous personality in his own right. After a lifetime of public service, from staffer to elected official to thought leader in the policy-making community, Representative Jane Harman has left an indelible mark that has deeply strengthened the safety of our Nation. I am forever grateful for her service, her friendship, and wish her all the best in her next adventures.