mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT MARSHALL PRICE
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-6-20

today I rise with great respect and admiration to honor Technical Sergeant Marshall Price. prgtoken After 12 years of active duty, Technical Sergeant Price is medically retiring from the United States Air Force following injuries sustained during his deployments to Africa. Technical Sergeant Price has been a dedicated servant to our Nation since 2005, when he first enlisted at the age of 19, and today we celebrate his service. prgtoken Throughout his notable career, Technical Sergeant Price has been stationed at Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia, Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington, and Hulburt Field in Florida's First Congressional District. Marshall has been an active supporter of our national security interests, participating in various undisclosed missions in both Djibouti and Afghanistan. Additionally, he has earned recognition for his distinguished service from the 9th Special Operations Squadron. prgtoken , on behalf of the United States Congress, and a grateful community, I am privileged to recognize Technical Sergeant Price for his commitment to our country and the sacrifices he has made on its behalf. On his retirement from the United States Air Force, I thank him and his family for his honorable service, and wish them all the best going forward.
ELIMINATE NEW YORK STATE MEDICAID MANDATE
John J. Faso (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-6-20

. I appreciate the gentlewoman's remarks and her strong support for this reform measure. prgtoken I would also point out that a 2015 report from the New York State Comptroller indicated $513 million in improper payments in the Medicaid program were identified. In the same report, the Comptroller questioned an additional $361 million in transactions that would require agency actions to reduce costs or recover funds. prgtoken In the past decade, the Office of Inspector General for the Federal Department of Health and Human Services found 10 specific instances in which New York State received improper Federal Medicaid payments in excess of $50 million, with six of those instances each exceeding over $170 million apiece. prgtoken So there is a lot of room in the New York State Medicaid program to reduce improper payments and outright fraud that we have seen. I know my colleague, Ms. Tenney, from her experience in the State legislature, has seen firsthand what was going on with New York State's Medicaid system. prgtoken Part of the reason this has occurred is because Albany was able to spend someone else's money. The old iron rule of government and the iron rule of family budget is that it is always easier to spend someone else's money. What Albany has been doing for 51 years has been shifting part of its Medicaid responsibility from the State level down to the local level, and so Albany was less responsible. prgtoken This wasn't a or thing, either. This happened under the Governors. It happened under ic Governors. It is true, through the years, New York State has partially reduced the burden that was falling upon the county property taxpayers, but they have never eliminated it. prgtoken Do you know what? The leadership in Albany today shows no signs of ever taking steps to finally eliminate this. prgtoken In Ms. Tenney's district, it is over $167 million a year in property tax relief. In my district, it is over $224 million. In Mr. Collins' district, it is close to $400 million. In Nassau County, it is over $300 million; in Suffolk County, over $300 million; Westchester County, over $200 million. prgtoken All throughout the State of New York, outside of New York City, the property taxpayers are being crushed. They are being driven away. Our jobs and our economy are being driven away, in part, because of Albany's Medicaid mandate. prgtoken We can change it by changing Federal law. That is what we are going to do. We have placed this provision in the healthcare legislation. It is my hope and expectation that it can be included in the final legislation that is passed. But regardless, I know Ms. Tenney, Mr. Reed, Mr. Collins, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Zeldin, and the rest of us will be fighting very hard to make sure that we can finally eliminate this injustice. prgtoken What Albany does is taxation without any representation. In my District, in Ulster County, almost half of their entire proper
HONORING STEVE SHISSLER ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN 26 YEARS OF SERVICE IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-6-20

today I offer my sincere congratulations to my constituent, Lieutenant Steve Shissler, on his upcoming retirement after more than 26 years of service to the Hampden Township Police Department in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. prgtoken Lt. Shissler climbed the ranks of the Hampden Township Police Department, starting as a patrolman, then to Corporal, Sergeant and, ultimately, Lieutenant. He has been in charge of the Department's Criminal Investigation Division for the last several years. prgtoken Lt. Shissler's tireless dedication, professionalism and sacrifice has touched the lives of countless people and challenged all with whom he served to be the best. His legacy of service to our community truly is admirable. prgtoken On behalf of Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District, I thank and congratulate Steve Shissler on his service to our Nation and wish him and his family continued great success in their future adventures.
DAN CZAHOR AND MADISON HEINRICH
Francis Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-6-20

I rise today in recognition of Dan Czahor of Fort Myers and Madison Heinrich of Naples. It has come to my attention that these two students have been selected to represent the state of Florida at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, Massachusetts later this month. The Congress is an event headed by the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists and is an honors-only program whose intention is to motivate the top students of the country, who are interested in a career in science or technology, to achieve their goals. The Academy selects all delegates based on nominations from teachers, proven academic excellence, and leadership ability. Further, their alumni include Nobel Prize winners, top scientific university deans, and other leaders in the STEM field. It is encouraging to know that Dan and Madison are among these five hundred nationally selected students to go to the conference. prgtoken I look forward to the work these two individuals will do in the years to come and wish them the best of luck in their future academic studies.
Early Release (Executive Calendar)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-6-20

last year, a woman named Carol Denise Richardson was released from Federal prison after President granted her clemency. She had been serving a life sentence for possessing and intending to distribute 50 or more grams of cocaine, on top of having an already lengthy criminal record. She had not done anything specifically violent, so, theoretically, we should have been able to release her early and see good results, at least according to the advocates of criminal leniency. prgtoken Unfortunately, nothing good has come from this decision. Now, less than a year later, Carol Richardson is going back to prison. As part of her release, she was put on a 10-year probation, which meant she had to check in regularly with her probation officers, but she did not. She did not tell them she had left her job. She did not tell them she had moved. She did not even tell them she had been arrested. prgtoken Her latest offense, I should say, falls somewhere short of heinous. She was arrested in Pasadena, TX, for stealing $60 worth of laundry detergent so she could buy drugs. prgtoken From everything I have read in the news, it seems clear that Carol Richardson is not a serious, violent menace to society, but it is also clear she was not prepared to reenter society. She still had not kicked her drug habit. She still could not keep and hold a steady job. She still could not meet the most basic requirements of citizenship and basic adulthood. prgtoken But the real question is, Why would she be ready? Why would we expect that of her? She never went through the rehab that could have given her a second chance at life. Instead we just threw her in the deep end and watched her sink. That is why I think this story is worth mentioning, because I believe we should give pause to every advocate of criminal leniency. prgtoken They like to argue that taking people out of prison both heals communities and saves money. But who was better off once Carol Richardson was released? Not her community; she committed a crime within months. Not the taxpayers; they are still paying for prison costs. And here is the thing: Neither was she. She is back in prison yet again. prgtoken But, sometimes, the consequences are worse than this sad story. They are horrifying. Last year, a man named Wendell Callahan brutally killed his ex-girlfriend and her two young daughters. A frantic 911 call from the scene said that the two girls' throats had been slit. prgtoken These murders were an atrocity, and they were completely avoidable. Wendell Callahan walked out of Federal prison in August of 2014 after his sentence had been reduced in accordance with the provisions of sentencing guidelines made by the Sentencing Commission. Callahan's original sentence should have kept him in jail until 2018. If he had been in jail instead of on the streets, a young family would be alive today. prgtoken What the Richardson case, on one hand, and the Callahan case, on th
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-6-20

I rise in support of Ms. Sigal Mandelker, President 's nominee to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. prgtoken Five weeks ago, at Ms. Mandelker's hearing, members of the Banking Committee were moved by her heartfelt story of her parents' escape from the Holocaust. As her father proudly sat behind her, she explained to the committee how, as Holocaust survivors who narrowly avoided death, her parents raised her to never take for granted our safety, security, or freedom. prgtoken It was this that motivated Ms. Mandelker to public service, where she had an impressive career in law enforcement and national security at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security before joining the private sector. prgtoken Like many Americans, she was compelled to action following 9/11 and joined to serve in Justice's counterterrorism and national security mission. Throughout the nomination process, it was obvious Ms. Mandelker would be a strong leader to defend our Nation against terrorism and illicit finance threats. She received bipartisan support from the Banking Committee in a 16-to-7 vote advancing her nomination. prgtoken Also, with bipartisan support, just last week the Senate voted on the Iran sanctions bill and our Russia sanctions amendment. Part of Ms. Mandelker's job as Under Secretary would be directly overseeing sanctions policy on Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, and some 25 other programs. prgtoken In fact, when asked what her top priorities would be in assuming office, she noted that, first and foremost, she will focus on the areas posing the greatest threats--those being North Korea, Iran, ISIS, Syria, and Russia. She also affirmed that she would work closely with the Banking Committee and Congress in carrying out her duties. prgtoken I don't need to stress the importance of confirming Ms. Mandelker's nomination so Treasury can carry out this important mission, especially given that the Senate vote on our sanctions package last week was so strong. The two leaders and many Senators of both parties were able to work together to pass this important, comprehensive sanctions legislation, as they should, to ensure Senate confirmation of this nomination. prgtoken Given Ms. Mandelker's strong qualifications, dedication to service and mission, and bipartisan support from this committee of jurisdiction, I urge my colleagues to support her nomination. prgtoken .
Requests for Authority for Committees to Meet (Executive Calendar)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-6-20

I have come to the floor this afternoon to mark the 40th anniversary of the first oil moving through the Trans- Alaska Pipeline System. In Alaska, we call it TAPS. This is an 800- mile-long engineering marvel that runs from the North Slope of Alaska to tidewater in Valdez. prgtoken Forty years is a good, long history. I recognize that, and so this afternoon, in the interest of time, I will abbreviate the history, but I want to start the story of our pipeline in the late 1960s. Believe it or not, this was a pretty bleak moment for oil exploration in Alaska. Despite great promise, many companies had given up on exploration on the North Slope. By some accounts, at that point in time, there were at least 14 dry holes that had been drilled before ARCO and Humble Oil Company decided they were going to sink just one last well. It was actually an ARCO executive who described it ``more as a decision not to cancel a well already scheduled to go ahead.'' prgtoken That well, Prudhoe Bay State No. 1, would prove to be a game changer for Alaska. We had discovered oil. We discovered oil on the North Slope and a lot of it. We quickly learned that Prudhoe Bay would be one of the largest oilfields in global history, by far the largest ever discovered in the United States. Early estimates, at that time, suggested as much as 9 billion barrels of oil could be recovered from it. We have learned over these intervening 40 years that we so far underestimated that. prgtoken Yet it was not just the issue of discovering the oil. Prudhoe Bay is located in a very remote part of the State, as far north as you can go--a pretty inhospitable area given the climate--far away from population centers in the lower 48. So a lot of challenges needed to be overcome before production could begin. prgtoken Initially, it was like, OK, how do we move significant quantities of oil? How do we transport this oil to market? It was Dan Yergin, in his book ``The Prize,'' who did a great job of describing the various choices that were out there. prgtoken He wrote: ``Icebreaker tankers that would travel through the frozen Arctic seas to the Atlantic were seriously considered. Other suggestions included a monorail or fleet of trucks in permanent circulation on an eight-lane highway across Alaska.'' prgtoken They then ``calculated that it would require most of the trucks in America'' to do this. There was also ``a prominent nuclear physicist recommended a fleet of nuclear-powered submarine tankers that would travel under the polar ice cap to a deepwater port in Greenland--the port to be created, in turn, by a nuclear explosion. Boeing and Lockheed explored the idea of jumbo jet oil tankers.'' prgtoken Obviously, none of those ideas came about, and some probably for very good reason, but after significant study and debate, a pipeline emerged as the best way to transport Alaska's oil. While two routes were considered--one over land, which would run acr
HONORING MR. LARRY CASE FOR HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-6-20

in 1987, Mr. Case began his employment as the Executive Vice President of the Missouri Association of Professional Insurance Agents. In a few years' time, this organization and the Independent Agents of Missouri consolidated to form what is now known as the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents. In March 1992, he became the Vice Present of Membership Services. On October 30, 1997, he was appointed as the Executive Director of Missouri Association of Insurance Agents. Mr. Case was then appointed to the position of Executive Vice President of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents on September 1, 1999. The Missouri Association of Insurance Agents is the oldest and largest association of insurance agents in the state of Missouri. With that long standing tradition, approximately 500 independent agencies that are operated by 4,000 agents, brokers, and their employees are members of the association. In 2002, Mr. Case was awarded the Insurance Person of the Year Award for the significant contributions that he has made to the insurance industry. Mr. Case is passionate about the legislative and regulatory advocacy side of the insurance field and has played an integral part in passing legislation that has helped advance the causes of independent insurance agents in Missouri. He has served in various roles at the national level with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America and the National Association of Professional Insurance prgtoken Agents, not to mention the numerous committees and task forces he has volunteered to serve on during his illustrious career. Additionally, Mr. Case has routinely shared his expertise at the Mid-America Insurance Conference and has earned the respect of many lawmakers, company personnel, and independent insurance agents throughout the great state of Missouri. I ask you to join me in recognizing Mr. Larry Case on his retirement. The commitment he has shown to the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents and to his community for 30 years is a commendable accomplishment.
National Great Outdoors Month (Executive Calendar)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2017-6-20

Montanans can tell you that nothing beats getting outdoors for hunting, skiing, fishing, backpacking--you name it; it is our way of life. In fact, after I graduated from Montana State University, I had to leave Montana to start my business career, but I came back to Montana while my knees were still good so I could spend my time enjoying all that Montana's outdoors have to offer. That is why I am excited that June is National Great Outdoors Month. prgtoken Montana's outdoors have a special meaning for me. In fact, I even proposed to my sweet wife Cindy some 31 years ago next month on the summit of Hyalite Peak, just south of Bozeman. prgtoken The value of Montana's outdoors is simply incredible. In fact, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, there are 64,000 Montanans whose jobs are directly tied to our outdoor recreation industry. In 2012, outdoor recreation generated almost $6 billion in consumer spending in Montana alone. Nationally--taking this to the big picture of our great country--outdoor recreation generates $887 billion in consumer spending each year and provides 7.6 million jobs. prgtoken Folks travel across our Nation, even from around the world, to come visit America's great outdoors. It is all right here in our backyard-- in fact, for me literally. I grew up just about 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park. I went to kindergarten through college just 90 miles away from Yellowstone National Park, and I can tell you, I go back there every year with my family. prgtoken Whether it is hiking in Glacier National Park up in Northwest Montana, fly fishing the Gallatin River that Brad Pitt and Robert Redford made famous with that great movie ``A River Runs Through It''-- which runs right by my hometown--or skiing at Whitefish, Big Sky, or floating down the Madison on a hot summer day, we can take these things for granted. That is why it is so important to recognize the value of the outdoors during National Great Outdoors Month. If you visit one of our national parks or if you go on a white water rafting tour, you are not only getting a great experience yourself, you know you are giving back to our local economy, and you are helping create jobs. prgtoken I want to encourage everyone to recognize National Great Outdoors Month by joining me and getting out there. Don't just talk about it. Get outdoors and experience all that the outdoors has to offer. prgtoken .
WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY ACT OF 2017
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-6-20

I would like to say a few words in support of Representative Kristi Noem's Women, Peace and Security Act (H.R. 2484). Among other things, it highlights the role women must play in peacemaking. prgtoken In the limited time we have, I would just like to highlight the role of one woman who served as a peacemaker, whom I have had the opportunity to get to know--Nuala O'Loan, who served as the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland from 2000 to 2007, and someone who has contributed to our understanding in the Congress as she twice testified at hearings held on the Northern Ireland peace process. prgtoken Baroness O'Loan--she was made a Dame of the British Empire and a member of the House of Lords in recognition for her role in the cause of peace--had the difficult task of looking into how the police handled the Omagh bombing. That bombing, by a splinter group of the Irish Army, was intended to reignite sectarian tension and stop the movement towards peace that was memorialized in the Good Friday Agreement. The bomb was indiscriminate, however, killing both Protestant and Catholic alike, and helped underscore the need for peace. prgtoken In the ensuing years, Baroness O'Loan became known as an even-handed intermediary. Indeed, she was so even-handed that she was criticized by extremists on both sides, and her retirement party was boycotted by hardliners from the Unionist and camps. On the other hand, the average citizen, whether Protestant or Catholic, supported her in her role as Police Ombudsman in roughly equal numbers, something that was borne out by independent polling. prgtoken Nuala O'Loan is but one example of a woman serving as peacemaker. There are many more Nualas around the world, and I applaud Congresswoman Noem for encouraging us to recognize the role these women play in helping bring a little light to the darkness.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF THE LATE HORACE NASH
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2017-6-21

today I rise in memory of Master Sergeant (MSG) Horace Nash. MSG Nash died from injuries he sustained in a car accident on May 13, 2017. MSG Nash was well-known for his devotion to God, family and military service. prgtoken MSG Nash enjoyed playing sports growing up including football, baseball, and basketball. He excelled at all three. MSG Nash graduated from Carthage High School in 1996. The same year he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard. During his 20 years of service, he deployed with Company A 150th Engineer Battalion, served as the Intelligence NCOIC for the 168th Engineer Brigade, and was a member of the 150th Brigade Engineer Battalion. He divided his time between the Mississippi Army National Guard and PECO Foods in Sebastopol where he was employed. prgtoken MSG Nash's sister, Paula Nash-Hogan, says her younger brother's dream was to be in the military and to also serve as a police officer. He achieved both of those goals. ``He wasn't my only military brother, but he was my favorite military brother,'' Paula said. ``I was like his second mom. I am extremely proud. From the scale of 1-10, it would be 100. I love him.'' prgtoken Mississippi Army National Guard SGT Greg Wells, a childhood friend, served with MSG Nash during a deployment to Iraq from July 2004 until January 2006. He says if there was one word to describe MSG Nash, it would be ``tenacious.'' ``He was one of those guys you knew would make a mark in this world,'' Wells said. ``Horace did everything right.'' prgtoken MSG Nash is survived by his wife, Nilah Nash; his mother, Annie Bell Nash; his children, Charmecia Nash, Jawaunya Nash, Madison Nash, Colton Nash, and Katelyn Nash; four stepchildren, Armando, Aveon, Amarion, and Azavier Hayes; three sisters, Shelia Nash, Paula (Stacey) Nash-Hogan, Wanda Dortch; three brothers, Marvin (Jacqueta) Nash, Robert (Ruth Ann), and Deonday (April) Nash; best friends/brothers, Kendall Hall, Desmond Reed, Jr and Mashawn Leflore. prgtoken MSG Nash's devotion to serving our nation will always be remembered.