mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING BRIAN McQUEEN
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today to recognize Brian McQueen, a constituent and a dear friend from the 22nd District who has dedicated his life to public service. prgtoken For 34 years, Brian worked in the Whitesboro Central School District--as a teacher for 19 years and as a principal thereafter. Brian also took his compassion for our community to the Whitesboro Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as fire chief from 1999 to 2002. He currently serves as a lieutenant and safety officer, in addition to serving on the board of directors of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. prgtoken In 2013, Brian was diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Brian joined members of the Barneveld Fire Department to found the Believe 271, a foundation to assist volunteer firefighters and EMTs who are battling cancer and life-threatening diseases. Since that day, Believe 271 has provided financial and emotional support to firefighters and their families throughout Oneida and Herkimer Counties. prgtoken With increased exposure to smoke and toxins, firefighters are at a much higher risk of contracting cancer. Brian's tireless advocacy is a testament to his dedication and his compassion for all volunteer firefighters who risk their lives to keep our communities safe, and it is an honor to recognize my friend and a great community partner, Brian McQueen, today.
HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MORRISTOWN & MORRIS TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY'S WILLIS WING
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today to honor the Morristown & Morris Township Public Library's Willis Wing, located in Morristown, New Jersey on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. prgtoken Library services have been available in Morristown since 1792. The first circulating library consisted of 97 members and 96 books. The Morristown Library Association was formed in 1812 and by the middle of the 19th century the library had grown to several thousand volumes. From 1875 to 1914 the Library was housed on South Street in the Morristown Library and Lyceum, an organization that officially incorporated in 1866. Its collection grew from 8,000 books to over 30,000 when the building, and almost everything in it, was destroyed by fire in 1914. prgtoken A temporary library was soon opened in the old YMCA building on South Street. With money from both insurance and the sale of the land on which the Library and Lyceum stood, the property at the corner of Miller Road and South Street was purchased with the intention of building a new library building. In 1916, Grinnell Willis, a retired textile merchant who lived in Morristown since 1889, approached the Library Trustees and offered to pay the entire cost of a new fireproof building. prgtoken The new Library would be built in ``grateful remembrance of the love and affection bestowed on his late wife by her friends and neighbors in Morristown.'' The day after Mr. Willis made his offer, an Act of Incorporation for the Morristown Library was filed. Its objective was ``to establish and maintain a free public library and reading rooms, to establish and maintain an art gallery and museum for the encouragement of arts and science, to establish and maintain a collection of books and documents of historic interest and to advance the literary and educational interests of the community.'' On December 13, 1917 the Library, with 8,000 volumes and a staff of four was opened to the public. prgtoken In 1929, with the collection now totaling 43,500 volumes, Mr. Willis funded the cost of an addition to the original 1917 building. This addition, which opened in 1930, contained the Children's Wing. Grinnell Willis died shortly after the new wing was completed. In his will he left the library an endowment of $200,000. prgtoken The Library continued to grow and serve its public as an association library until 1966 when the residents of Morristown and Morris Township united in the support, maintenance, and control of a joint free public library. prgtoken In 1987 the cornerstone was laid for an addition to the Library largely financed by Edythe and Dean Dowling, which became the Dowling Wing. In addition to the generosity of the Dowlings, many members of the community contributed to this addition which doubled the size of the Library. In 2006, the latest addition of the Library was completed. prgtoken , I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating the Morristown & Morris Township Public Library's
TAX REFORM
Paul Mitchell (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-10-12

. Madam , I rise today in support of our framework for tax reform to put American workers and businesses first. prgtoken I come from Michigan, and the last time our tax system was updated, Steve Yzerman was the captain of the Detroit Red Wings. Hockeytown is rebuilding, and it is about time our Tax Code was rebuilt. We have the opportunity to reform and reduce taxes for American workers and the small businesses that create jobs for those workers. prgtoken America's nearly 30 million small businesses are the engine of our economy, employing nearly 60 million workers, half of the United States workforce. But our current Tax Code is a monstrosity. When combined with State and local taxes, small businesses pay up to 50 percent of their income to the government. prgtoken Polling indicates that small- and mid-size businesses would use their tax savings to invest in their businesses: opening new locations, upgrading equipment, and increasing hiring and wages. prgtoken Tax reform is about rewarding work and prosperity for all Americans. Let's get on with that work.
DR. CHRIS KIRKPATRICK WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2017
David P. Roe (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today in support of S. 585 the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. As Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, protecting whistleblowers at VA is of paramount concern to ensure that we provide high quality healthcare and benefits to our nation's veterans. prgtoken This bill authored by Senator Johnson of Wisconsin was named in honor of Dr. Christopher Kirkpatrick, a former VA doctor who served our veterans at the Tomah, WI medical center. Many of us know that the Tomah VA medical center has been a facility plagued with the overprescribing of opioids to our veterans. Dr. Kirkpatrick was a brave patriot who blew the whistle on these over prescriptions and the harm that was being done to veterans, however, instead of commending him for coming forward, VA fired him on trumped up charges, which ultimately led to him taking his own life. prgtoken In my opinion, the corrosive culture within this facility and VA's actions toward Dr. Kirkpatrick left a chilling effect not only in Tomah, but across the Department. I believe that these actions made whistleblowers feel questioned and worried that they would be punished instead of being lauded and encouraged to come forward. prgtoken It is because of brave whistleblowers like Dr. Kirkpatrick that my Committee has been able to expose issues and scandals across the VA. It is because of whistleblowers that we were able to uncover the manipulation of wait times at the Phoenix Medical Center; the falsifying of records in the Philadelphia Regional Office; the fact that a VA employee participated in an armed robbery in Puerto Rico and stayed on the job following their arrest; and many more egregious behaviors at the Department that put veterans in harm's way. prgtoken I have confidence that Secretary Shulkin is committed to protecting whistleblowers, so that we never again lose another talented doctor, like Dr. Kirkpatrick. The best way to help him in this mission is to send a clear message to all VA employees, at every level in the Department, and within every level of management, that there are stiff penalties for those who retaliate against the men and women who are brave enough to come forward and protect veterans. prgtoken S. 585 builds off of our work this Congress that started with the passage of the bill I championed, the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which provides the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the tools he needs to hold poor employees accountable. I am pleased that the bill before us today would make needed changes to our outdated civil service laws for all Federal Government employees, which have become so archaic and complex that they tend to put the rights of retaliators above the rights of whistleblowers. prgtoken The bill before us would also provide needed reforms to information regarding VA employees who die by suicide, additional penalties for accessing a veteran's medical record, and o
DR. CHRIS KIRKPATRICK WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2017
Rod Blum (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-10-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I oppose the motion to recommit. prgtoken This bill addresses critical flaws in how the Federal Government addresses whistleblower retaliation. prgtoken The consequences for whistleblower retaliation are very real. There is a chilling effect of whistleblower reports or unjust termination. In some cases, like that of Dr. Kirkpatrick in the Department of Veterans Affairs, the consequences are literally life and death. prgtoken We have the opportunity to send this bill to the President for a signature today and fix this now. Why wait? And at what cost to Federal employees, veterans, and taxpayers? prgtoken I support the gentleman from Maryland's effort to pass this provision which I previously cosponsored myself, but let's not let one good bill get in the way of another. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to oppose the motion to recommit and support the underlying bill, and .
HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE
Stephen Knight (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-10-12

yesterday, I, along with my good friend, Marcy Kaptur, reestablished the NASA Caucus. prgtoken Last week, I spoke about the 50th anniversary of my father's absolute airspeed record flight that happened on October 3, 1967. Two weeks ago was the 70th anniversary of the Air Force. On Saturday, we welcome the anniversary of supersonic flight. prgtoken For years, there was a thought that there was a barrier present to stop aircraft or inhibit flight controls. Many believed attempting to pass through this barrier would be fatal. prgtoken Well, on October 14, 1947, Captain Charles E. ``Chuck'' Yeager was dropped from a B-29 at about 45,000 feet and quickly accelerated through that invisible barrier we know as the speed of sound. prgtoken The first man to achieve Mach 1, we know that as something simple today, but for the last 70 years, it was because of one man that we get to do this. prgtoken General Yeager retired in 1975 as a brigadier general, after 34 years of flying, for the Army Air Corps and for the United States Air Force. What he achieved that day was something that many men didn't think would happen. prgtoken There were about two or three pilots at Muroc or the Army air field out at southern California that were trying to do it, but absolutely there was only one that did it. Captain Yeager, flying the Bell X-1, that he renamed Glamorous Glennis after his wife, was the man who achieved that. prgtoken I am proud to represent the men and women of Edwards Air Force Base with my good friend, Leader Kevin McCarthy. And I understand what they do on a daily basis from the F-35, to the F-22, to all of the aircraft that happen out there at Edwards, to all of the flying expertise that they have on a daily basis. I am very proud of them. I am proud of what Edwards Air Force Base means to the country, and I am proud of what they mean to the history of this Nation. But I am most proud of the men and women because on a daily basis they create history. For that, I am most proud.
OVERCOMING PROBLEMS WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-10-12

. Madam , I want to commend President 's decision this week with executive orders to do some of the work we have been unable to do so far in the House and the Senate, helping people overcome the problems with the ACA, the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken One of the measures he put forth was association health plans to allow employers' employees to form health plans that suit them--indeed, to associate with their type of business, their type of industry on a small scale in their neighborhoods. It makes perfect sense, if you want to give people more choices. prgtoken Also, short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans, which allow people to have, if they are in between jobs, instead of limiting it to just 3 months, perhaps just a little longer. In the interim, while they are in between jobs, they have choices that they could afford with the elements in the plan they would like. prgtoken Finally, health reimbursement arrangements, which make it where employees--if they want to provide benefits to their--employers to their employees, that they can reimburse for more issues in their plan, such as helping them pay for their premiums, if that is how the employee wishes to have that. prgtoken Flexibility is what we need; choices are what we need; and then Congress needs to be able to accomplish something in the Senate so we can bring it back and give this to the American people.
NATIONAL FARMERS DAY
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-10-12

I am proud to represent the people of west Texas, home to 14 million acres of farmland, making it one of the largest agriculture production regions in the world. prgtoken I have spent a lot of time with these plowboys and cowboys over the years, and I can tell you this: these men and women don't work our land and our cattle for the money, and they certainly don't do it for recognition. prgtoken But today is National Farmers Day. Let's pause and pay tribute to the American farmer. prgtoken Farming was man's first profession. Farming saved and sustained our first colony at Jamestown. Farming helped fund the Revolution, securing the very freedoms we have and cherish today. prgtoken Farming has allowed us to feed and clothe our own people, and that food and fiber independence has contributed to America being the most powerful, most prosperous, and most generous Nation in the history of the world. prgtoken God bless our farmers.
HONORING THE DISCOVERY OF HERNANDO DE SOTO'S 1539 ENCAMPMENT AND THE LOST NATIVE AMERICAN TOWN OF POTANO
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-10-12

it is fitting on National Farmers Day that I am able to rise and honor a true Florida legend, Mr. Bud Adams of Fort Pierce, Florida, and his contributions to the Florida cattle industry. He is an icon in Florida and the Nation's cattle industry. prgtoken Mr. Adams was a pioneer, a wildlife photographer, but more than anything else, he was a true American pioneer and cattle rancher. He was a real American cowboy in Florida, and they are known in Florida as Florida crackers. That name is derived from the sound of a bullwhip when it is used to round up and herd cattle. prgtoken After a stint in the Navy during World War II, Mr. Adams returned home to work and grow the family ranch. For the past 80 years, you could find Mr. Adams on horseback surveying the land and the cattle that they raised. He was a strong advocate for conservation and was nationally recognized for his leadership in preserving the land for future generations. prgtoken Even more so, Mr. Adams is known for creating the Braford breed of cattle, which is a cross between the Brahman cattle and the Hereford cattle, a heat-tolerant, heavy-beef-producing cow, ideal for the Florida climate. Mr. Adams was rightfully proud of this breed and went on to help found the United Braford Breeders Association. prgtoken Additionally, Mr. Adams was a proud member of the Florida Cattlemen's Association. He served as the president in 1958, and, for the last 59 years, he was always willing to offer a helping hand to the new Florida Cattlemen's leadership. prgtoken Mr. Adams will always be remembered for the impact he had on the Florida cattle industry and his willingness to nurture future generations of Florida cattlemen. He will be greatly missed.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO LOCAL SOUTH FLORIDA ARTIST, XAVIER CORTADA
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise to pay tribute to a constituent and local South Florida artist, Xavier Cortada, and congratulate him on his inaugural art exhibit titled ``Florida Is'' at the Hibiscus Gallery at Pinecrest Gardens. prgtoken Throughout the years, Xavier's passion has been to generate awareness for our environment and global climate change through his art work. prgtoken His work is included at my alma mater, Florida International University, where he serves as Artist-in-Residence. prgtoken His current exhibit ``Florida Is'' truly allows viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of Florida's natural beauty. prgtoken His exhibition will be available until November 15th at Pinecrest Gardens where visitors will have the opportunity to connect with his incredible art while walking around the garden. prgtoken , I would once again like to congratulate Xavier Cortada and invite my fellow colleagues to celebrate our nation's artists and their endeavor to change the world through the power of art.
NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS AWARD
Leonard Lance (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today in recognition of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace in New Providence, New Jersey, and the Woodland School in Warren, New Jersey, for being named Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education. prgtoken New Providence is in Union County, and Warren is in Somerset County, New Jersey, both in the district I have the honor of representing. prgtoken The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in levels of achievement. prgtoken The Academy of Our Lady of Peace and the Woodland School were cited as exemplary high-performing schools, as measured by State assessments and national tests. prgtoken This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work and dedication of the faculty and staff in creating schools where students master challenging content. These are among our youngest students, infectious in their enthusiasm because of the excellent schools they attend. prgtoken I commend Joel Castillo, principal of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace; and Jeffrey Heaney, principal of the Woodland School, for all of their hard work. I also commend the faculty, parents, and the communities in general. prgtoken This prestigious award is noted throughout the country, and certainly the United States Department of Education is to be commended for presenting these awards. prgtoken The Academy of Our Lady of Peace and the Woodland School are proud examples of academic excellence and worthy of this national distinction.
RECOGNIZING THOSE AFFECTED BY INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER
Darrell Issa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today to bring attention to Breast Cancer including one of the rarest, but most lethal forms, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, or IBC. prgtoken One in eight women in the United States are diagnosed with Breast Cancer every year, and too many women die because of late diagnosis. Any opportunity to raise awareness is an opportunity to save lives. prgtoken October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although IBC is not the most common form of breast cancer, it is one of the most aggressive. It is critical that we recognize the severity of IBC and the importance of education and prevention efforts. prgtoken IBC is not commonly known as it accounts for only 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases. However, it is one of the most aggressive and deadliest forms of the disease. This form of cancer does not display the early symptoms ordinarily looked for by medical professionals. Since it is one of the rarest forms of Breast Cancer, many nursing and medical programs do not train students on IBC screening, leading to misdiagnosis and increased fatalities. The patients who start to show symptoms of this disease tend to be correctly diagnosed at stage 3, leaving little to no time to seek treatment. prgtoken The courage of women battling Breast Cancer and IBC should not go unnoticed and they deserve our continued support for continued research efforts to seek for prevention and treatment for this deadly disease.
ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF REQUIREMENTS ACT, 2017
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-10-12

I want to start by first recognizing one of our own, who has been a superb representative for Puerto Rico in these very difficult times. You rarely see somebody with the talent, the energy of the representative of Puerto Rico here in Congress. Miss Gonzalez-Colon has been, frankly, a hero, and I just wanted to mention that, because she has really made all of us understand the situation, and she has done so with great dignity and great passion and great brilliance. I just had to say that. prgtoken , let me first thank the chairman for being incredibly accessible and engaged. Florida has gotten hit rather hard, as you know. This bill totals $36.5 billion. $18.67 billion of that goes directly to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, and it also ensures that our National Flood Insurance Program has the resources that it needs to pay the claims, also an important grant food and aid loan eligibility to Puerto Rico, which is crucial. prgtoken So far, , Florida has received $740 million for assistance for individuals through FEMA, and is working through over 608,000 applicants. Think about that. prgtoken As we continue to recover, again, I look forward to continue working with the chairman, who has been phenomenal. prgtoken Specifically, we are going to have to deal with the agricultural impact of this storm, and again, particularly on the citrus industry, that has been devastated by this storm. prgtoken This is an important bill. It is an important bill. I want to thank the chairman for bringing it up so quickly. We must pass it. I look forward to working with Chairman Frelinghuysen and with all our colleagues through this process, because we are going to need more assistance as the days and the months go. prgtoken So this is an important bill. I urge your support.
HONORING STAFF SERGEANT RYAN McCARTHY AND STAFF SERGEANT CHAD HICKEY
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-10-12

I rise today to honor two valued members of Missouri's defense community, Staff Sergeant Ryan McCarthy and Staff Sergeant Chad Hickey. They are both stationed out of Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri's Fourth District, and these soldiers are exceptional representatives of their base, their State, and their service branch-- the United States Army. prgtoken Both men recently received top honors at the Association of the United States Army's Annual Meeting and Exposition, where they were recognized for their leadership, excellence, and achievements. prgtoken Staff Sergeant McCarthy, who is right here, was named the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year by AUSA. A combat engineer with more than 9 years of service, McCarthy has served multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. His dedication and leadership represent the best ideals of our Army and America's fighting forces. prgtoken Another Fort Leonard Wood soldier, Staff Sergeant Chad Hickey, pictured here, was named Drill Sergeant of the Year. Hickey received the honor after winning a grueling fitness, endurance, and combat- readiness competition prgtoken against the Nation's top drill sergeants. prgtoken The fact that Staff Sergeant McCarthy and Staff Sergeant Hickey are both from Fort Leonard Wood is no surprise. The men and women stationed there serve with strength, seriousness, and purpose, setting an example of military leadership for the entire Army. prgtoken To Staff Sergeants McCarthy and Hickey, and to all of the soldiers stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, I wish to extend to each and every one of you and your families our gratitude and congratulations.