mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GUN VIOLENCE
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-2

let me say a word about gun violence because in the city of Chicago, which I am honored to represent, it breaks my heart what is happening in that city. prgtoken Not last weekend but the weekend before, there were 37 shootings in the course of a weekend. Seven people died. This weekend, 9 people were killed and 26 others wounded by gunfire. This is the beginning of the summer months. I am afraid that it tells us we still have a massive challenge ahead of us. We have to do more at every single level. prgtoken Let's start with what the HEAL Initiative is doing and bring some hope to the lives of folks, give them an opportunity for a decent- paying job, let them have an affordable place to live that is safe from gunshots and other threats to a family. prgtoken We have to work on this together to deal with the criminal justice system. We learned the hard way that simply putting tougher sentences down for something like crack cocaine is not necessarily the answer. In fact, it can backfire, as it did, we learned, over the last 20 years. We have to have sensible criminal sentencing guidelines that punish wrongdoing, of course; keep dangerous people off the street, of course; but give people a chance to rebuild their lives. Many of them will be able to do it. Let me also say that we have to have effective prosecution. prgtoken We lost one of our best Chicago policewomen just last year. Her name was Ella French. Ella French was a lovely, young, respected police officer who was sitting in a car with her partner. A fellow came up with a gun, shot her in the back of the head--unfortunately, killed her--and then shot her partner in the head, too, and blinded him in one eye. His name is Officer Yanez. I met him at the South Side Irish Parade. prgtoken Well, the tribute to Ella French, who lost her life in the line of duty, was like something I have never seen before in Chicago. They went to a high school prgtoken in the southern part of the city and took the chapel and set it aside for visitors to come pay their respects. The Presiding Officer wouldn't believe the lines that went on for blocks, men and women in uniform and everybody else--myself, my wife, folks in the city--paying their respects to Ella French. She was an extraordinary person. prgtoken The gun that killed her was a straw purchase gun. What does that mean? Somebody went into a Federal gun dealer and said: I want to buy a gun. They looked and checked, and that person had no criminal record. The person bought the gun, turned around, went outside, and handed it to a convicted felon, who then turned around and killed this policewoman. That is a straw purchase. prgtoken Unfortunately, for too long, we have treated that as a bookkeeping crime, a misdemeanor, nothing serious. It is serious. Straw purchases are a way to avoid the prohibition under the law of a person with a criminal record buying a gun. We ought to treat it as a serious matter. prgtoken
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-5-2

I want to begin by responding to a particularly disgusting comment made over the weekend by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. As the Russian Army continues slaughtering civilians, Foreign Minister Lavrov did what many others who now reside in the dustbin of history have done before him--resort to anti-Semitism to defend his nation's action. prgtoken As the highest ranking, Jewish elected official in the United States, I take particular umbrage at what Mr. Lavrov said. Asked on Italian television yesterday to defend his nation's invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Lavrov repeated the deranged conspiracy that Ukraine is dominated by Neo-Nazis and dismissed President Zelenskyy's own Jewish heritage by saying: I believe Hitler also had Jewish origins. prgtoken He also added: We have been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves. prgtoken I have only one word for this: ``sickening.'' It is sickening. Mr. Lavrov's comments are just sickening and deserve to be condemned by all who oppose the dangers of anti-Semitism. They tap into the very old and very poisonous notion that the Jewish people themselves were the architects of the worst human atrocities in modern history even when they were aimed at Jews themselves. prgtoken Mr. Foreign Minister, you are fooling no one. The war crimes committed by Russia are as plain as day for the world to see. And to justify Russia's violence with appeals to anti-Semitism is sickening; it is dangerous. It is chilling to see Russia's top diplomat--he should not be called a diplomat after saying that. It is chilling to see Russia's top foreign policy person so casually spread disinformation about the history of the Holocaust in order to advance Mr. Putin's political and military agenda. prgtoken I condemn Mr. Lavrov's comments in the strongest possible terms, and every individual who wishes to guard against the poisons of anti- Semitism should do the same. prgtoken Now, , over the weekend, Pelosi led a delegation of House Members to Ukraine and met with President Zelenskyy to pledge our country's support for the Ukrainian people. prgtoken We have the obligation to demonstrate that support by approving another round of Ukrainian emergency funding. Now that President has made a formal request for $33 billion, our appropriators are hard at work turning the request into legislation. It is my hope that a bipartisan agreement can be reached very soon and that the Senate can begin processing this aid package on the floor as early as next week. prgtoken Quickly approving this emergency funding for Ukraine is essential to helping the people of Ukraine in their fight against Russia. Again, I expect both sides to work quickly, decisively, and with bipartisan cooperation to get this aid out the door and onto the President's desk, just as we did for the first round of aid back in March. prgtoken I wi
REMEMBERING ROBERT ``BOB'' EDGAR ROSE
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-5-2

today I recognize Robert ``Bob'' Edgar Rose, who passed away on February 14, 2022. Bob served as Nevada's 26th Lieutenant Governor and as chief justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his invaluable contributions to the State of Nevada. prgtoken Bob grew up in Livingston, NJ. After law school, Bob moved to Nevada to clerk for the Nevada Supreme Court. He then went on to practice law in Reno before serving as chairman of the Nevada ic Party and as Washoe County district attorney. In 1974, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. During his decades of service to the State of Nevada, Bob made a difference in every role in which he served. prgtoken As Lieutenant Governor, Bob worked to safeguard the rights of all Nevadans. He strongly advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment to ensure equality under the law for women. Despite political backlash at the time, Bob cast the deciding vote to send the amendment to the Nevada Assembly in 1977. Although Nevada did not ratify the amendment until 2017, Bob was recognized for his early leadership in this fight for equality. This important vote may have cost him the chance to be Governor, but Bob believed in doing what was right. Following Bob's term as Lieutenant Governor, Governor Richard Bryan appointed him to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas. prgtoken In 1988, Bob achieved his lifelong dream of winning a seat on the Nevada Supreme Court. During his 18 years on the bench, he led efforts to modernize and improve Nevada's judicial system. Bob helped establish the Nevada Judicial Assessment Commission and the Jury Improvement Commission. Additionally, he pushed the court to mandate a statewide seminar on standardized practices for domestic violence cases. Nevada became the first State in the country to require such judicial training. In recognition of his many accomplishments and contributions, the Nevada Supreme Court awarded Bob the first Legacy of Justice Award in 2009. prgtoken At every opportunity, Bob demonstrated his strong commitment to justice. I know that his courage, integrity, and dedication to the rule of law will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with Bob's wife, Jolene, and with his family and friends during this time of loss.
REMEMBERING JAMES K. JACKSON
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-5-2

I also rise today to remember and honor the distinguished service of James Jackson. prgtoken For decades, James devoted his time and talent to helping Congress understand complex international trade and economic policy issues. I am thankful to have been a beneficiary of James hard work. During the 115th Congress' when Senator Crapo and I served as chair and ranking member of the Senate committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee undertook a substantial effort to consider, and ultimately enact, legislation that reformed the process for screening foreign investment in the United States. As Senator Crapo noted, we relied on James' thoughtful analysis and expertise throughout the consideration of that important legislation. James briefed staff. evaluated proposed legislative language. and provided comprehensive. detailed analysis and reports during consideration of the bill. After it became law, the committee continued to rely on James to evaluate the executive branch's implementation of it. prgtoken I join Senator Crapo in offering my sincere condolences to James' friends and family and his colleagues at CRS. They are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
TRIBUTE TO RALPH WHITE
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-5-2

as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I would like to recognize an outstanding public servant, Mr. Ralph White, who has dedicated his career to providing bidders for government contracts with an inexpensive and expeditious means to seek accountability within the government contracting process. Mr. White will retire on May 29, 2022, after a distinguished, 39-year career in public service, including serving 33 years at the Government Accountability Office--GAO--where he is currently a managing associate general counsel for the procurement law division. prgtoken As a Senate staffer during the beginning of his career, Mr. White was instrumental in the drafting of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984, which establishes statutory authority for GAO's bid protest function, under which thousands of bid protests are filed each year. Since joining GAO in 1989, Mr. White handled bid protests as a writing attorney/hearing officer, as an assistant general counsel leading a team of GAO attorneys, and since early 2010, as a managing associate general counsel leading GAO's bid protest forum. Since becoming a managing associate general counsel, Mr. White has successfully led GAO's procurement law division through numerous large and complicated bid protests and has been recognized by the government contracting community as a preeminent legal mind in this field. In recognition of this expertise and knowledge, he is regularly sought out to speak and provide insights into the bid protest process throughout the government, academia, and industry. Throughout his tenure, Mr. White has managed the resolution of protests that have touched upon nearly every aspect of federal procurement spending. In addition, Mr. White has received numerous awards during his GAO career, including GAO's Distinguished Service award in 2013 and the General Counsel's Award in March 2010 for outstanding leadership on several initiatives relating to GAO's bid protest process, as well as contributions to many significant bid protest decisions. prgtoken Thanks to the dedication and expertise of Mr. White, our government contracting process provides bidders with an inexpensive and expeditious means to report violations of procurement law and regulation, to the benefit of all that value transparency, accountability, and functionality in government.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.A. SPRINKLERFITTERS LOCAL NO. 704
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-5-2

I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of U.A. Sprinklerfitters Local No. 704 of metro Detroit. Functioning under different names and charters over the past century, the Local has supported the employment of its members, while simultaneously bargaining for higher wages and better benefits. prgtoken In May of 1907, Sprinklerfitting tradesmen in the Detroit area came together in their first effort to organize. They were rewarded for their efforts with a charter by the United Association of Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Steamfitters of the U.S. and Canada--U.A.--as Local No. 358. Initial optimism quickly dimmed, as the Local faced opposition from surrounding contactors and companies. Disbanding and reorganizing twice, the Local reemerged as Local No. 669 in 1915 and was granted a new charter by the U.A. It would operate under this charter for another 32 years. prgtoken Within its first 7 years of formation, leaders from Local No. 669 had successfully argued for 2 consecutive years of wage increases and the addition of a local U.A. auxiliary office location to better serve the craftsmen of the region. This sense of unity was in no small part responsible for helping the local weather the economic devastation of America's Great Depression, which stifled progress across the country's economy for nearly a decade. Membership in Local No.669 protected the wages and working conditions of sprinklerfitters in Detroit throughout the economic crisis. prgtoken Passage of the New Deal legislation by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt provided work opportunities in the form of public projects, supporting the sprinklerfitters of Local No. 669. In 1941, as the United States formally announced their entrance into the Second World War, factories in Detroit quickly pivoted to join the efforts turning the city into the ``biggest war boomtown of them all.'' Among the projects undertaken by Local No. 669 in this time was the outfitting of the Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti. In 1947, Local No. 669 once again reorganized, taking on the charter of Local No. 704 with jurisdiction over sprinklerfitting work in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland Counties, with nearby Washtenaw joining a decade later. Local No. 704 continued to enjoy positive growth throughout the 1950s and 1960s, increasing their number of journeymen and apprentices, along with increased benefits and wages. prgtoken This progress would begin to falter as the local headed into the 1970s and companies began moving factories to ``right to work states,'' decreasing one of their core contract bases. Despite the auto flight, members of Local No. 704 remained well employed and worked on a variety of local projects, including the Pontiac Silverdome and Detroit's Joe Louis Arena and Renaissance Center. Although they faced low employment in the first half of the decade, by the end of the 1980s, Local No. 704 had helped build, along with many other projects
IN RECOGNITION OF THE LONG BRANCH FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY 1OTH ANNUAL LIBRARY CHAMPIONS
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-5-3

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Senator Cory Booker, Veronica Buffaloe-Stubbs, Peggy Cadigan, Sergeant Kimberly Leavy and Monmouth Medical Center as they were recognized as Library Champions by the Long Branch Free Public Library on April 29, 2022. prgtoken Each year, the Long Branch Free Public Library recognizes those who are committed to the success of the library, and libraries in general, with its Library Champions Dinner and Awards. These individuals and entities promote library programs and resources and support its objectives. Senator Booker, Veronica Buffaloe-Stubbs, Peggy Cadigan, Sergeant Kimberly Leavy and Monmouth Medical Center are truly deserving of the Library's Champion distinction. prgtoken As a United States Senator from New Jersey, Senator Cory Booker continues to advance legislation that directly impacts our state and residents. In addition to introducing and supporting legislation benefitting children, immigrants and veterans, Senator Booker co- sponsored the Build America's Libraries Act. His efforts to advance underserved populations, improve library access and internet prgtoken connectivity for all individuals, and support community improvements embody the mission of the Long Branch Free Public Library. He has also recognized the value of libraries, and the Long Branch Free Public Library in particular, supporting the New Jersey State Library's IMLS Leadership Grant and nominating the Long Branch Free Public Library twice for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. prgtoken A Long Branch native currently residing in Neptune, New Jersey, Veronica Buffaloe-Stubbs is an active member of both communities and recognizes the importance of civic engagement. Ms. Buffaloe-Stubbs is the founder and CEO of A.S.T.E.P. (After School Tutorial Educational Program), a tutoring, enrichment and mentoring program for local students and volunteers her time with the Second Baptist Church of Long Branch, the Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, the Girl Scouts of New Jersey, and the Long Branch Elks Lodge No. 742, among others. She is also a 30-year employee of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and has previously worked as a youth counselor for the Monmouth County Juvenile Detention Center, substitute teacher and a certified nurse's assistant/home health aide. prgtoken Throughout her library career, Peggy Cadigan demonstrated a remarkable commitment to her profession and the community. Recently retired from the New Jersey State Library after nearly 20 years as Deputy State Librarian for Innovation, Ms. Cadigan previously served as a Reference Librarian and a Junior Library Assistant at the Ocean County Library. Her knowledge and experience were well-regarded in the field. She gave valuable presentations throughout the United States and to remote audiences abroad and served as a consultant for the libraries of Dubai. Her vision, encouragement and support has helped other librarie
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-3

Americans across the country today woke up to a rare occurrence in the history of our American democracy. prgtoken The highest Court in our land is preparing to eliminate a federally protected constitutional right--a woman's right to choose. I am an amateur historian, but I can't think of a precedent in history where the Supreme Court has taken away a constitutional right after it has been in place for 50 years. Women in America may soon live in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents. prgtoken Let me be clear. The leak of the majority draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization is a breach of the Court's confidential deliberations. But the opinion which--draft opinion, which has been authenticated by the Chief Justice, is very real. prgtoken It is a peculiar political event this afternoon. Senator McConnell, the leader, who has focused more of his energy and efforts on reshaping the Federal judiciary to reflect his political point of view, was virtually silent on the issue of this Alito draft opinion on the Dobbs case. He couldn't be pinned down as to whether he would acknowledge it or even say something good about it. Supposedly, it was the answer to his political prayer. prgtoken He went so far in trying to reach this goal as to protect a vacancy on the Supreme Court for almost 10 months. Antonin Scalia died while was still President, in his last year of his second term, and McConnell--Senator McConnell made the argument that he did not have the authority, since he was a lameduck President, in Senator McConnell's words, to fill the vacancy. prgtoken So the Supreme Court was there with 8 members for 10 months until Senator McConnell's political prayer was answered again and was elected President and could appoint a Justice of Senator McConnell's political liking. So he has been very successful in his approach to filling vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court with people who agree with his political philosophy. prgtoken Now, one of them, Justice Alito, is about to hand down an opinion which eliminates Roe v. Wade, a position which is consistent with Senator McConnell's belief that has been stated on the floor many times. And yet, when he was asked today whether he was in favor of this opinion, he refused to even answer. He wanted to focus on prgtoken who leaked this opinion. Well, of course, that is an important question. The Court is working on it right now with the Chief Justice turning his U.S. Marshal on the case. prgtoken But he would--Senator McConnell insisted on avoiding even taking a position on this draft opinion that has now been spread across America. It makes no sense at all. prgtoken Women across America are grappling with the very real concern and, yes, you could say fear, that they may lose access to reproductive freedom and choice in a matter of weeks. If true, this decision will end a 50-year g
RECOGNIZING MR. RALPH WHITE FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO)
Adam Smith (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-5-3

. Madam , as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I would like to recognize an outstanding public servant, Mr. Ralph White, who has dedicated his career to providing bidders for government contracts with an expeditious means to seek accountability, and to maintaining a high rate of effectiveness in the bid protest process. Mr. White will retire on May 29, 2022, after a distinguished, 39-year career in public service, including serving 33 years at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), where he is currently a Managing Associate General Counsel for the Procurement Law division. prgtoken As a Senate staffer during the beginning of his career, Mr. White was instrumental in the drafting of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984, which established the authority for GAO's bid protest function, under which hundreds of bid protests are filed each year. Mr. White joined GAO in 1989 as a writing attorney/hearing officer in the Procurement Law division and was promoted in 2010 to lead a team of attorneys as an Assistant General Counsel. Since becoming a Managing Associate General Counsel, responsible for GAO's bid protest decision- making authority, Mr. White has successfully led GAO's Procurement Law division to resolve numerous large prgtoken and complicated bid protests with a consistently high effectiveness rate and has been recognized by the government contracting community as a preeminent legal expert and trusted mentor. Mr. White is regularly sought out to speak and provide insights into the bid protest process throughout the government, academia, and industry. Throughout his tenure, Mr. White has managed the resolution of protests related to nearly every aspect of federal procurement spending. His exceptional professionalism, integrity, and dedication have been recognized by numerous awards throughout his GAO career, including GAO's Distinguished Service award in 2013 and the General Counsel's Award in March 2010 for outstanding leadership. prgtoken Under Mr. White's leadership, the GAO bid protest process has increased public confidence in the transparency, accountability, and functionality of the U.S. federal acquisition system. We thank him for his commitment and service to the Nation.