mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GI BILL NATIONAL EMERGENCY EXTENDED DEADLINE ACT
Barry Moore (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-5-17

. Madam , today I rise and I am proud that two of my bills, the Colonel John McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act, and the Overseeing the GI Act of 2021, were included in the GI bill. prgtoken Members of our military and their families have sacrificed so much in their service to our country. As a grateful Nation, we have a responsibility to take care of our heroes and their families. My bill, the Colonel John McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act, secures in- State tuition benefits for the survivors and dependents for eligible veterans under the Dependent Educational Assistance program. prgtoken This bill is named after the U.S. Army Colonel John McHugh, who was tragically killed in 2010 in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. His family currently resides in my district. Like many Americans, Colonel McHugh dreamed of building a bigger and better life for his family, and we owe it to them, and the millions of families like the McHughs, to help them realize this dream. prgtoken The second bill, the Overseeing the GI Bill Act of 2021, provides much-needed oversight for the VA's digital GI Bill project by requiring the VA to submit a series of base-level reports to ensure the VA is on track. prgtoken These reports will provide Congress with the critical information needed to perform proper oversight over these IT upgrades and ensure that they are using taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively. These bipartisan developments bring us closer to securing long overdue support for our veterans and their families, and I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for lending their support to take care of our veterans and their families. prgtoken Madam , I appreciate and thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost for their leadership.
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-5-17

over the past week, the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas has launched more than 3,000 rockets at civilian targets in Israel. Violent mobs have taken over the streets of Jerusalem, and even seasoned veterans of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have expressed shock at the intensity of the violence. prgtoken This isn't normal. This isn't the Middle East version of the Resistance. This is terrorism. Still, pro-Hamas activists have flooded the media with Instagram-friendly content condemning Israel for defending itself and questioning the legitimacy of Israel's very existence, which is an argument that in any other context would bring all hell down on the person foolish enough to say it out loud. prgtoken The level of denial and misinformation about what is happening in Israel and why it is happening is appalling. Nearly every single member of the United Nations Security Council embarrassed themselves this weekend by embracing a generic draft statement condemning the violence but refusing to acknowledge the hundreds of Hamas rockets that started it. prgtoken The U.N. has a shameful history of ignoring threats and violence against Israel, but rarely in recent memory has the Security Council so blatantly regurgitated anti-Israel propaganda while Israeli civilians cower in fear under persistent rocket fire. prgtoken Thankfully, the U.S. mission blocked the statement's release, but I think it is important--important--to inject a little reality into the ongoing discussion. prgtoken First, we must acknowledge that Israel has the absolute right to defend itself, no matter the state of their relations with the Palestinian Authority. There is a world of difference between a state- sponsored terrorist attack on a civilian population and action taken to stop that attack. We have a responsibility to counter the dangerous argument that because Hamas currently lacks the weapons capability to win this battle, Israel must stand by and allow terrorists to slaughter civilians. prgtoken Second, I would encourage all of my colleagues to join me in making it clear that the United States is and will remain Israel's closest friend and ally. We will continue to assist with the development and production of advanced missile defense systems like the Iron Dome. We will not step away from that obligation simply because celebrity influencers would rather witness a slaughter than a proportionate response to mass terror. prgtoken Last, it is important to acknowledge that this violence is a symptom of a much more serious disease. Hamas terrorists may be the ones launching rockets at civilians, but it is Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terror, that is paying for it. That is right, --it is Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, that is footing the bill for these attacks. When we provide assistance and support to Israel, we are not just prgtoken protecting an ally; we are containing the
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-5-17

I spoke recently about how the President's ``skinny'' budget is disappointing, dangerous, and a disservice to our men and women in uniform. China actively seeks to outpace the U.S. military, and in some cases, they are succeeding. This isn't a 5- or 10-year problem; the threat is right now, today. prgtoken Unfortunately, the military is not the only area facing active challenges by China. Today, I am going to discuss a few at-risk areas that are critical to the stability of our Nation. prgtoken It is no secret that the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, wants to replace the United States as the world's top power. The American people need to be aware of how the Chinese Communist Party is coming after us, not just with missiles and military might but with plans to subdue the American spirit. prgtoken The repressive CCP uses economic espionage to advance its agenda to weaken our arsenal of democracy. A significant part of what has made the United States a global powerhouse is the strength and resilience of our private sector companies. Whether it is in the technology, healthcare, or energy sector, American innovation is unrivaled. It is what has made us the greatest economy in the history of the world. prgtoken China's leaders know this, but rather than go head-to-head in honest competition, they have settled for stealing our intellectual property. Chinese businesses, at the instruction of their government, lure American companies in. They offer cheap labor. They promise prgtoken an ``exchange of ideas,'' but they really want to steal our valuable intellectual property. prgtoken As President 's Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, said, China's strategy is to ``rob, replicate and replace.'' China robs American companies of their intellectual property, they replicate our technology, and then China replaces U.S. firms in the global marketplace. prgtoken This theft isn't exclusive to just one industry. They will go after whatever they can to get their hands on it--wind turbines, airplane designs, underwater drones, chemicals, or artificial intelligence technology. According to the Department of Justice, between 2011 and 2018, more than 90 percent of the Department's foreign economic espionage cases involved China. prgtoken By stealing this critical knowledge, the Chinese have given themselves a leg up on other nations. They are using it to expand their military and economic power. Their goal is to surpass the U.S. economy and gain monopoly control over every major industry. We cannot allow that to succeed. prgtoken Even more alarming is what China is doing from within our own universities. The American people may not be familiar with Confucius Institutes, but they should be. Confucius Institutes currently operate at 55 American colleges and universities. While they claim to harmlessly promote Chinese language and culture, they actually serve as a beachhead for the Chinese Government wit
HONORING RUSSELL EUGENE GWALTNEY
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-5-17

. Madam , I rise in honor of Russell Eugene Gwaltney, who died on March 12, 2021 at the age of 81. Russ was a local legend in his youth who later served his hometown as a career law enforcement officer who honorably fulfilled his professional duties. prgtoken Russ was born in Roanoke, Virginia on August 21, 1939, to Charles Wesley Gwaltney and Florence Gay Gwaltney Boggess. His father passed away before he was born, and his mother, a cashier, raised him in Salem. prgtoken His first calling in life was as a marbles champion. The game was popular in his neighborhood, and his older brother Charlie taught him to play at the age of four or five. He grew in skill, amassing a collection of marbles he won from other players. Russ lost to Charlie in the semifinals of a 1948 tournament sponsored by the Salem Recreation Department. As he recalled to the Roanoke Times in 1993, ``When he beat me, he made me want to get better.'' Russ did, winning the town championship in 1949 and then the 1952 National Championship held in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Salem showered its national marbles champion with laurels upon his return. Although interest in marbles declined, he stayed involved in the game as an adult and helped with the national tournament. prgtoken In the following years, Russ graduated from Andrew Lewis High School and served in the United States Navy. After starting his policing career in Newport News, he moved back to Salem and began his 34 years with the Salem Police Department, which he served as a uniformed officer, detective, and member of the SWAT Team, rising to the rank of captain. He concluded his career as chief of police in Dublin, Virginia. prgtoken Russ is survived by his wife, Rita Woodyard Gwaltney; son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Katy Gwaltney; daughter and grandson, Renee' Moore and Phoenix Moore; and brothers Charles Thomas Gwaltney and Douglas MacArthur Hawkins. I offer them my condolences on the loss of this good man, who earned a unique fame in Salem as a boy and then returned it with a career of faithful service in law enforcement.
NATIONAL ESTUARIES AND ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH ACT OF 2021
Bill Posey (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-5-17

I'm pleased to rise in support of H.R. 2533, The National Estuaries and Acidification Research (NEAR) Act. prgtoken I want to thank Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Brian Mast for working with me to advance this important legislation. prgtoken I also want to thank the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for their valuable input. prgtoken The NEAR Act is a national proposal with a very special personal connection. People in my district--the 8th district of Florida-- understand in a very deep way, the economic and environmental importance of the ocean and our estuary--the Indian River Lagoon. prgtoken This bill focuses on estuaries--those wondrous nurseries and homes for sea life. prgtoken Unfortunately, the Indian River Lagoon, and other valuable estuaries throughout the country, are being threatened by ocean acidification, along with other stressors. prgtoken Scientists tell us that when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, about one third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater, creating carbonic acid. prgtoken Shellfish and other marine organisms don't do well in acidic waters. We know that. prgtoken We have over a decade of research on the impacts of acidification in the open ocean. Unfortunately, we don't have the same kind of knowledge about acidification in estuaries and waters near our shores. prgtoken We need to deepen our investment in research in our estuaries so we can protect and restore our estuaries and defend our environment and coastal economy. prgtoken The story of my district and the Indian River Lagoon plays out along our entire national coastline. More than half of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas. prgtoken Five years ago, Congresswoman Bonamici and I cofounded the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus to preserve and restore our estuaries. Coastal watershed counties provide an estimated 69 million U.S. jobs and contribute an estimated $7.9 trillion to the GDP annually. prgtoken The National Academy study authorized by the NEAR Act is a great step toward filling in the gaps in our knowledge of how acidification affects our estuaries--both environmentally and economically. prgtoken , when we take care of our environment, we take care of ourselves, and therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in taking this important step toward understanding how ocean acidification affects our precious estuaries and support this bill today.
RURAL STEM EDUCATION RESEARCH ACT
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-5-17

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 210, the Rural STEM Education Research Act. I thank Ranking Member Lucas for introducing this important bill. prgtoken Every State in the country is filled with students who have an incredible curiosity for STEM and the potential to make important contributions in these fields. But too often, students are left behind and are unable to fulfill their vast potential simply because of where they live. prgtoken Students in rural areas have long faced obstacles to receiving a high-quality STEM education. Lack of broadband access, for example, has long been a barrier. prgtoken Schools in rural communities often struggle to access the equipment and facilities needed to provide students with hands-on STEM experiences. Research shows that hands-on experiences help inspire scientific curiosity and a love of STEM in students. prgtoken Teachers are trying their best, but they have limited resources and support. To make matters worse, the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to remote learning have further exacerbated these inequalities. prgtoken Students and teachers in rural communities have worked hard to adapt, but they need help. We have an opportunity not just to recover from what was lost during the pandemic but to ensure a better STEM education future for rural students. prgtoken The Rural STEM Education Act provides for research and development to increase access to STEM education opportunities in rural schools and to provide teachers with the resources they need to teach more effectively. prgtoken The bill also directs NIST to develop a prize competition to advance research and development in support of expanded broadband access. prgtoken This bill further provides for assessments of Federal investments in rural STEM education to be conducted by the National Academies and the Government Accountability Office. prgtoken This bill is an important step toward improving STEM education in rural communities across America and will help build a 21st century STEM workforce that will help the U.S. remain a global leader in science and technology. prgtoken , I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 210, and .
THE TRAGEDY OF THE TULSA GREENWOOD MASSACRE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-5-17

. Madam , you saw the bustling town. You saw the bustling town. This is a charred Negro who suffered in the Tulsa riots. prgtoken Yes, I am like Emmett Till's mother, Let the world see it. This is what happened to an innocent Black person. prgtoken By the way, the dead included children. Tulsa Historical Society. This is America. And this is a story that we failed to tell. This is what happened. prgtoken We have more stories to tell. We believe that a picture is worth a thousands words. We can never, never overcome that burned, charred body. prgtoken I showed you what Tulsa looked like, the Black Wall Street, and the burned-out ruins of Greenwood. Tulsa, Oklahoma library--they even got it in the library. I don't know how many people have seen it. It is a wasteland, a literal wasteland. Smoke is coming up. People's homes are gone. Wealth is gone. People were never to be presented with any relief. None. I don't even think they got a thank-you--not even a thank-you. prgtoken So our resolution condemns violence and destruction perpetrated against the African-American community of Greenwood. Our resolution has a rejection and active opposition to the false ideology of white supremacy and condemnation of all groups. Our resolution believes in promoting tolerance and unity, and taking action to ensure governmental policies and action to promote tolerance and unity. prgtoken Our resolution is calling for all Americans to celebrate the ethnic, racial, and religious diversity that has made the United States great. Our resolution encourages all persons of the United States to reflect upon the history of the United States as an imperfect but committed journey to establish a more perfect union. Our resolution is recognized as a commitment of Congress to acknowledge and learn from the history of racism and racial violence in the United States. prgtoken Our resolution lays the groundwork for moving to H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals, because we can see it in real life. prgtoken So this is part of the Tulsa that never got acknowledged. prgtoken Madam , let me show you additional fires so you can see the buildings going up in smoke. We are not making it up. All of these buildings--brick buildings--were burned to the ground. prgtoken Can you imagine someone who survived the post-traumatic stress, the horrors of their life, the willingness not to live anymore, and the giving up of hope? prgtoken People wonder, oh, those lazy Negroes and colored people who worked for over 250 years in bondage. prgtoken Finally, I am going to put the picture of the slaves, the individuals. So this is the story we tell tonight. We don't even tell it with a sense of vengeance. We tell it with a sense of dignity, respect, and honor. The courage of those people, and the genius of those people--they weren't even freed slaves for 100 years and look what they created. prgtoken There is a story on CNN: ``My great-grandmother sur
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-5-17

I have a request for one committee to meet during today's session of the Senate. It has the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committee is authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Monday, May 17, 2021, at 6 p.m to conduct a closed hearing.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE TULSA GREENWOOD MASSACRE
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-5-17

. Madam , first, let me thank the gentleman from New York for organizing this very important Special Order and for his tremendous leadership on so many issues on behalf of his district, the Congressional Black Caucus, and on behalf of all Americans. prgtoken Let me first send my deepest condolences to Chairwoman Joyce Beatty and her family on the loss of her beloved husband, Otto Beatty, Jr a devoted partner, beloved father, grandfather, and community leader. Our hearts are broken this evening as we think about Congresswoman Beatty and her family, and just know we are praying for her and her community and her family. prgtoken This is a Special Order tonight that I want to thank again Congressman Ritchie Torres and the Congressional Black Caucus for organizing this to mark 100 years since the horrific tragedy of the Tulsa Greenwood massacre. prgtoken In one of the worst acts of racist violence in United States history, a White mob ransacked a prosperous African-American neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From May 31 to June 1, 1921, an estimated 300 Black men, women, and children were murdered. The mob destroyed 35 square blocks of Greenwood and burned down over 1,000 Black-owned businesses, churches, and homes. prgtoken During a time when lynching African Americans was commonplace, the alleged--mind you, alleged--assault of a White woman by a Black man was enough to incite a massacre of unimaginable proportions. A thriving Black community became the target of animosity and racial hatred by its neighbors. prgtoken Now, a grand jury placed the blame for the massacre entirely on the Black prgtoken community. No White person was ever held accountable for these crimes. This is an example, mind you, of the horrors and the experience of living as a Black person in America then and now. prgtoken In 1997, the Oklahoma Legislature established a commission to study the Tulsa race riots of 1921. It was charged with the responsibility of developing an historical record of the massacre through identifying witnesses and gathering testimony and records. The commission not only corrected the record, but also recommended reparations for the survivors and their descendants. To date, they have not received any-- mind you, any--direct compensation. prgtoken Up until recently, the silence in Tulsa, in Oklahoma, and in the United States about this massacre was an intentional effort to whitewash our Nation's racialized past. But we must remember these stories. We must tell the truth about our past. prgtoken I introduced H. Con. Res. 19 to establish a National Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission to usher in this moment of truth to begin to examine and lift up to the public as the historical record of the history and legacy of slavery and how it is manifested today in systemic racism as it relates to African Americans. prgtoken But telling the truth is not enough. We must pass H.R. 40, sponsored by Congresswoman Sheila Jacks
VA EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COUNSELOR MODERNIZATION ACT
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-5-17

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I am pleased to support Representative Lamb's bipartisan legislation, the VA Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor Modernization Act, which is cosponsored by Representative Mann. prgtoken This bill would help the Department address diversity and equity issues within VA's workforce. It removes a portion of a 1997 law that limits the number of VA counselors who can advise employees on equal employment opportunity issues, provides alternative dispute resolution, and helps process formal complaints. prgtoken VA's workforce has roughly doubled in size since the 1997 law was enacted, and VA requested for the limit to be removed to allow the Department to hire additional counselors to support the needs of a large and still growing workforce. prgtoken Our Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee recently held a hearing to examine important steps to address workforce diversity and inclusion at VA. At this hearing, the subcommittee, once again, learned how important these counselors are. This bill builds off that oversight and will assist VA's efforts to support its workforce, which serves veterans every single day. prgtoken , I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and .