mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE LIVES OF IDAHO NATIONAL GUARDSMEN
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2021-2-23

along with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch, Representative Mike Simpson, and Representative Russ Fulcher, I rise today to honor the lives and service of CW4 Jesse Anderson, CW3 George ``Geoff'' Laubhan, and CW3 Matthew Peltzer. These three fallen Idaho Army National Guard personnel were participating in a routine training flight when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Boise on February 2, 2021. prgtoken Chief Warrant Officer 4 Anderson, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Laubhan, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Peltzer answered the call of duty to serve our State and our Nation with honor, distinction, and courage. prgtoken CW4 Jesse Anderson, of Boise, was a senior instructor pilot. He had served in the Idaho Army National Guard since 2008, and he first joined the U.S. Army as an aviation warrant officer candidate in 2000. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Anderson is survived by his wife and four children. While in the Idaho Army National Guard, CW4 Anderson served as a UH-60 A/L pilot in command, UH-60 A/L instructor pilot, C-12 fixed wing pilot, C-12 operations officer, company and battalion aviation standardization officer, and medical evacuation pilot. He served in multiple deployments, including two deployments to Afghanistan. He also participated in local search and rescue operations, wildland fire fighting missions in California, and civil support operations in Guatemala. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Anderson earned a long list of awards and decorations for his honorable service that include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, the Master Aviator Badge, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the California Achievement Medal, the Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon, and the Idaho Service Ribbon. prgtoken Chief Warrant Officer 3 Laubhan, of Boise, was an instructor pilot, who is survived by his wife and two children. In January 2010, CW3 Laubhan enlisted in the Idaho Army National Guard as an AH-64 attack helicopter repairer with D Company, 1st Battalion of the 183rd Aviation Regiment. He went on to serve as an AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk pilot, a UH-60 instructor pilot, and a medical evacuation pilot while with the battalion. His service included deploying in 2019 as a Black Hawk pilot to Guatemala in support of Operation Beyond the Horizon, and he is credited with flying a lifesaving mission in support of Idaho search and rescue operations. He also flew in support of wildland firefighting operations in California. The awards and decorations he earned for his admi
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR--Continued
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-2-23

it is a real honor to be down here with my friend and the chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Stabenow, and I appreciate her cooperation in working so very hard and providing the leadership to get Secretary Vilsack confirmed. prgtoken The nomination hearing was held a few weeks ago by the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to vet the former Secretary and now future Secretary Vilsack. The timing was unusual, but it displayed the bipartisan nature of the committee. The committee was not officially organized, so the chairwoman and I, because we didn't want to set a precedent and didn't have any precedent in that situation, led the hearing together. I trust, in going forward, that the chairwoman will continue to work with me and our minority members on the committee to assist the Agriculture Committee in a truly bipartisan way. We have the example of her and Senator Roberts in the great job that they did in working as a team. prgtoken Secretary Vilsack is no stranger to the Department of Agriculture, in having served as the Secretary from 2009 through 2017. He has an excellent reputation of putting rural America at the top of his agenda. I am a strong believer that past performance is indicative of future performance, so I am confident that Secretary Vilsack will be successful this go-around. prgtoken I look forward to strengthening my working relationship with the Secretary so we can find success in supporting those who work at the Department and assisting those whom the Department serves. Whether that success is borne from the Secretary's utilizing existing authorities or through new legislation, I trust that the Secretary will work with Congress as the agriculture community tackles new and existing challenges and works to build on countless past successes. prgtoken The Department must continue to work with all producers in order to provide them with certainty and with predictability. Farmers and ranchers find themselves in a curious position and curious times in battling COVID, natural disasters, and turning the tide of a few tumultuous trade seasons. The Secretary must ensure that this administration works with producers of all regions and all commodities and that the Department does not make the hard work of farmers and ranchers more difficult by throwing up obstacles as opposed to opening doors of opportunity. prgtoken I look forward to Secretary Vilsack's coming back to the committee in a few weeks to discuss his plans in depth for the Department as was agreed to at his hearing. I believe the discussion will help the committee have a clearer picture of the Department and the work that lays before us. I will be voting to confirm Tom Vilsack, former Secretary and future Secretary. I urge others to do so as well. prgtoken Again, thank you to the chairwoman for her collegiality and cooperation. prgtoken .
DANGER OF GENDER IDENTITY POLITICS
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2021-2-23

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. prgtoken The Equality Act. prgtoken Madam , equality for who? prgtoken Where is the equality in this legislation for the young girls across America who have to look behind their backs as they change in their school locker rooms just to make sure there isn't a confused man trying to catch a peek? prgtoken Where is the equality for women who have been sexually assaulted? prgtoken Under this legislation, their crisis counselor may be ``Alexis'' who was actually born ``Alex.'' And they will have to talk to him about their assault. prgtoken Where is the equality for parents who want and deserve the right to raise their children, free from government overreach? prgtoken Under this proposal, Congress seeks to replace mom and dad with bureaucrats. This isn't hyperbole. In Ohio, a mom and dad had their child removed from their custody because they didn't allow their daughter to undergo gender transition. Removed from their custody. prgtoken And so here we are. The left will lay down the rights and security of millions of Americans, particularly young women, at the altar of gender ideology. prgtoken Following the lead of liberal indoctrination camps, also called colleges and universities, my colleagues on the left are committed to advancing this radical ideology, the rights and sovereignty of individual States be darned. So much for Federalism. prgtoken The power-hungry left will not slow down until every school, every church, every workplace, every State, and every community adheres to the left's definition of gender. prgtoken You disagree? prgtoken They will find you. They will imprison you. Or as we have seen, they will even take your children. And let's make sure the American people know this is only the beginning. prgtoken The Equality Act requires doctors to perform abortions, and they are going to use your tax dollars to pay for them. prgtoken Once the left codifies their ideology, they will come for your speech. It is already happening in Canada, where you can be fined and imprisoned for misgendering someone. prgtoken Madam , they won't stop there. Nothing will ever satisfy the left until there is complete and total compliance. prgtoken Madam , Scripture says, when speaking of those who have turned their back on God, who have traded the truth for a lie: Professing to be wise, they became fools. prgtoken I can think of no better description of the so-called Equality Act, or inequality act, than this. The utter foolishness is astounding. Up is down. Wrong is right. Left is right. Boys are girls and vice versa. prgtoken Madam , for the sake of our sons and daughters, for the sake of parental rights, privacy, decency, and so much more, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this horrendous legislation.
COLONEL CARLYLE ``SMITTY'' HARRIS POST OFFICE
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-2-23

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for allowing me to speak today in support of H.R. 208 to designate a post office for Colonel Carlyle ``Smitty'' , my friend. prgtoken Madam , he served with one of our colleagues and friends here, Mr. Sam Johnson, and was in the Hanoi Hilton with him for much of the time they shared together. I have this long speech written, but I want to talk about who Carlyle Smitty is. prgtoken He is Smitty to all his friends. You would never know that he was a lawyer; you would never know that he was a pilot; you would never know that he was a retired colonel. He is such a gentleman and such a role model for our entire community. His family are key people in the Tupelo area. prgtoken Smitty was shot down and spent almost 8 years in the Hanoi Hilton. During that time, he had learned many, many years ago, from a sergeant, about a tap code they used to communicate in World War II. Being one of the first 10 or 12 prisoners in the Hanoi Hilton, they would separate them so that they couldn't communicate. And Smitty taught this to all the other members when they came in so that they could communicate when they were separated and segregated as prisoners. prgtoken You would think that 8 years serving in the Hanoi Hilton that you would be bitter, that you would hate humanity, that when you were tortured, you would want to be tortured or be mean to others, but not Smitty . Colonel is a gentleman of all gentlemen. He took it, and now he uses his faith and all the strength that he gained from all those years being away from the people and the things that he loved, and he is not necessarily happy about it, but he is so content with his life, and he passes on the lessons that he learned. prgtoken I think back when I went to the governor's mansion many years ago, and I had my--at the time--17-year-old son. Smitty spent about 2\1/2\ hours on the tour bus with my son talking to him about life, about what it meant to be a man. prgtoken Madam , there are not enough words to describe what Smitty has done for this Nation. He is a true hero, just like our former colleague and friend, Sam Johnson, was. These guys gave their best to this Nation during the Vietnam war during their captivities, but he continues to give to his community even today.
HONORING THE LIFE OF LUKE LETLOW
Pat Fallon (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-23

. Madam , I never had the privilege and blessing to meet Luke Letlow in person and to share our hearts and enjoy the blessed gift of fellowship. But to be honest, I still feel a bond and a connection and a friendship with Luke because we were both married to beautiful, successful women, and we certainly outkicked our coverage; we both had two children; and we both chose public service and eventually ran for Congress. prgtoken Luke left this world far too early, only 41. The scourge of an evil virus whose growth across the globe was fostered by the nefarious denial and negligence of a Communist regime in Beijing. prgtoken COVID-19 has claimed millions, 500,000 here at home, and it stole Luke from us. Luke Letlow, a man in his prime who had everything to live for, is now gone. And it shouldn't be that way. prgtoken He should be with us today. He should be with us here, voting, visiting, talking, learning, and leading. But COVID robbed our country and this Chamber of Luke Letlow. prgtoken This same scourge, Madam , crossed my path 3\1/2\ weeks ago, and it damn near killed me. I experienced the worst pain in my life. I had bacterial and viral pneumonia, along with the virus thriving in my body at the same time. I thought I was going to die. Prayers and terrific American medical care spared me. So I am not going to hold back, and I am just going to talk frankly and from the heart. prgtoken I am consumed today, right now, this very moment, with why. Why is Luke gone? Why was I spared? Why are 500,000 Americans dead? I don't know. But I do have a strong belief that we all have a purpose, and everyone in this Chamber has a purpose the Almighty has for us, and we just don't know what it is yet. prgtoken I feel, now that I have been gifted bonus decades, I want to know what I should do with those years. How should I lead my life? The bottom line is, we all should ask ourselves that question and exercise the power that we have within each of our souls to be kinder, to be gentler, to be more understanding, to smile when somebody walks on an elevator. It costs us nothing to do these things. We should live for others. And above all, we should love and never be ashamed to be vulnerable and love thy neighbor. prgtoken We want to honor Luke Letlow? You want to honor his legacy and his life? Then live and love and be joyous and be kind. Live for others with all of your hearts. I am not the least bit ashamed to say that I am going to try. prgtoken That is what we are here for, and that is our purpose. Let's acknowledge the bounties and the blessings and the very gift of life itself because life is short, and it is delicate, and it is fragile, and it is fleeting, and it is also so very beautiful. prgtoken Luke, we are praying for you. We miss you; we love you; and we are going to be there for Julia and your kids.
RECOGNIZING PARRY McCLUER HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-2-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Parry McCluer High School boys' basketball team that won the Virginia Class 1 State championship this weekend. prgtoken After trailing by 8 in the first quarter to Altavista, the Fighting Blues lived up to their name and battled back--leading by 2 at halftime. In the locker room, Coach Cartolaro told his team to go out and attack in the third quarter. And attack they did. Quickly outscoring 10-2, the Blues opened up their lead and never looked back. When the final buzzer sounded, Parry McCluer had pulled off a 17-point victory, securing the school's best-ever boys' basketball championship and closing the season with an impressive 12-1 record. prgtoken I applaud Coach Cartolaro and the entire team for their fortitude and perseverance these past few months. They overcame every obstacle presented to them and brought home the trophy to Buena Vista. prgtoken Congratulations to the Blues. This achievement is well-deserved and their community is proud of their hard work.
HONORING THE LIFE OF LUKE LETLOW
Stephanie I. Bice (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-2-23

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for yielding. prgtoken I rise today as the president of the 117th Congress freshman class to express our profound sadness that we all share for the loss of our friend and colleague, Luke Letlow. prgtoken Luke was a great American who was committed to serving his country and the people of his home State of Louisiana. Sadly, Luke was taken from us way too early. prgtoken I never actually had the chance to meet Luke. He was elected on December 5, which was the last day of the second week of New Member orientation. prgtoken But as the freshman class president, I felt it my duty to make sure that he felt included by texting him, connecting him with other Members, and making sure that he had all of his needs met as he joined this 117th freshman class. prgtoken Our entire class looked forward to being sworn in together on January 3, and we were devastated by the news of his passing on December 29 of 2020. We all know that Luke would have been a tremendous addition and someone who would have made a positive impact on this great Nation. prgtoken I join with all of my colleagues in sending our thoughts and support to Luke's family, including his wife, Julia, son, Jeremiah, daughter, Jacqueline, and I am keeping them all in my prayers. prgtoken It is interesting to see In God We Trust above the 's chair because one thing I do know is that Luke trusted God.
Nomination of Xavier Becerra (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-2-23

today, the HELP Committee considered the nomination of Xavier Becerra, our former House colleague, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and tomorrow the Finance Committee will take their turn at examining his record. prgtoken It is hard to think of a nominee more notorious for actively seeking out ways to undermine religious freedom and our religious liberty. His contempt for those whose beliefs differ from his own is well documented, and, in many cases, his positions on those issues are far more radical than those held by the majority in his own party. prgtoken He supports abortion up to the moment of birth, and, in 2003, actively opposed the partial-birth abortion ban. He cosponsored legislation that would have forced religious employers to provide insurance that covers the morning-after pill, in spite of their mainstream and sincerely held religious beliefs. Bear in mind I said the legislation would have forced--not an option--forced religious employers to provide insurance that covered the morning-after pill. prgtoken In fact, Mr. Becerra has been so antagonistic toward fundamental constitutional principles that you could almost forget he doesn't have the public health experience most Americans would expect the Secretary of Health and Human Services to possess. In fact, he has no meaningful experience in healthcare at all--zero, none, not in public health or large-scale logistical operations or in any other area that might be helpful as we navigate our way out of a global pandemic. That is right. He has no healthcare experience. prgtoken This lack of experience, combined with his desire to destroy those who disagree with him, places him among the most unqualified and dangerous nominees ever to come before the Senate for consideration, and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing his confirmation.
HONORING GARY CREED
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-2-23

. Madam , I rise in honor of Gary Creed of Shawsville, Virginia, who passed away on January 28, 2021 at the age of 74. Gary was a member of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors for several terms who worked hard for the people of the county. prgtoken Gary was the son of Melvin Lewis and Ada Mae Moore Creed. He was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2001 as the representative of District C. He promoted the Meadowbrook Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library and the Meadowbrook Community Center, supported first responders, and successfully pushed to reduce the merchants capital tax, a move that eased a burden on local businesses without depriving the county of revenue. Gary served as Chairman of the Board in 2004. He retired in 2017. In the town of Elliston, part of District C, a park currently under construction has been named after him in honor of his service. prgtoken Gary was a longtime employee at the Shelor Motor Mile auto dealership and had also worked as an auctioneer and real estate developer. He loved the sport of basketball and coached Amateur Athletic Union girls basketball. prgtoken Gary is survived by his wife, Linda Creed; son Tim Creed and wife Barbara; daughter Niki Shumate and husband John; brothers Wilford Creed and Clyde Creed; sister Elizabeth Brammer; granddaughters Bridgette Bradley and husband James, Karalee Boggess and husband Mark, Karli Shumate, and Lauryn Shumate; and great-grandchildren Jaxon, Jacob, Holt, Boone, and Allie. I offer them my condolences on their loss. Our system of government depends on citizens such as Gary Creed, who take on the tasks of local government in order to improve their communities.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-2-23

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
Budget (Executive Session)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-2-23

I rise tonight and, again, it is my privilege to come before the Senate, as I have since my very first year here, to celebrate Black History Month in a particular way by paying tribute to a number of Pennsylvanians. prgtoken I am honored again to have the opportunity to highlight the extraordinary leadership of Pennsylvanians who dedicate their lives to improving their communities and who wake up every day to rededicate themselves to that effort. This year I am grateful to be able to recognize three honorees--Glynis Johns, Justan Parker Fields, and Dr. Ala Stanford--and to recognize each of these individuals in a very personal way in terms of their work in their communities in Pennsylvania. Each of them are having a remarkable impact in their communities. prgtoken The theme of this year's recognition is ``Bending the Arc: Celebrating Catalysts for Change.'' We know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr spoke of ``bending the arc'' on many occasions, but, most notably, in his address at the conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 in March of that year, when he said: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. prgtoken Our late and beloved colleague here in the Congress, Congressman John Lewis, carried that same spirit with him. He lived it, and he believed that we will get there someday, get there to a better day for justice. Congressman Lewis also said: We will redeem the soul of America, and in doing so, we will inspire people around the world to stand up and speak out. prgtoken We know that justice, of course, takes hard work. In the face of adversity and exhaustion, to be the voice that stands up and speaks out, as John Lewis suggested, is not a decision that a person makes once and then just follows a well-worn path. It, of course, requires perseverance. It requires hope and faith. prgtoken Dr. King reminds us that justice is the--to use his words--is the ``fierce urgency of now.'' Dr. King and Congressman Lewis understood that while the arc of the moral universe does bend toward justice, this is not something to which one can attach themselves a path that you can follow passively. To bend that arc toward justice requires strenuous exertion that often gets you enemies before it makes you any friends. It does not bend on its own but bends only--only--under the weight of acts of courage and the hard work of those who have committed themselves to the struggle for justice and equality. prgtoken President , as well, in his work every day of his Presidency, did work to bend the arc on issues of racial, economic, and global justice, and he continues to do so in his years as a former President. Congressman Lewis not only gave all of us words to live by and inspiration, he also gave all of himself to the cause of justice. But his example, the example of John Lewis, still serves as an inspiration for the next generation of leader