mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTRODUCTION OF THE PROMOTING FAIR AND EFFECTIVE POLICING THROUGH RESEARCH ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-6-18

. Madam , today I am introducing the Promoting Fair and Effective Policing Through Research Act. prgtoken We are a nation in mourning. Our shared anguish over the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Botham Jean and countless other black men and women at the hands of police has spurred a growing chorus of Americans to demand not only justice, but meaningful and lasting change. prgtoken Cities across the nation are grappling with how to respond. A number of officials have committed to sweeping reductions in police department funding and embraced a move toward innovative approaches to providing public safety. Others are calling for more resources for police departments and advocating for procedural reforms. prgtoken I am heartened that we, as a nation, are engaging in a substantive discourse about the role of policing in American society. This day is long overdue and has come at too high a cost, but we must seize this opportunity. We must dig deep to examine how the history and culture of policing in America has brought us to this tumultuous place. And, in our search for solutions, we must be guided by evidence grounded in data and scientific research. prgtoken First and foremost, we must have a national database on police use of force, and I am glad to see this included in the Justice in Policing Act. We must explore the legacy of policing and the root cause of the racial disparities we observe. We must assess the organizational influences on policing--such as recruitment, training, and performance evaluation. We must examine promising practices for promoting accountability and fostering community trust. We must study the influence of technology and big data on vulnerable populations and work to root out any biases. Finally, we must establish meaningful partnerships between law enforcement and researchers to empower jurisdictions to tailor proven solutions to meet their needs and the needs of the communities they serve. prgtoken The bill I am introducing today directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund social and behavioral research on policing policies, including the causes, consequences, and mitigation of police violence. NSF is directed to support collaborative partnerships between social science researchers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations. The bill also provides for a National Academies study to identify research gaps related to law enforcement policies, collect promising practices, and make recommendations for advancing research and implementation of proven solutions. prgtoken This bill would also address research and standards for biometric identification technologies, including facial recognition technologies. If we allow inaccuracies or biases to persist in these systems, then when deployed in high-impact situations, like decision making in the criminal justice system, those biases will disproportionately harm communities of color. I
HONORING AUBRI ESTERS
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-6-18

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring and celebrating the life of Ms. Aubri Esters, an outspoken and beloved activist. prgtoken Aubri was a voice for the unheard. She was unabashed in sharing her story and her lived experiences to advocate for the wellbeing of those most marginalized, including other transgender individuals, people with disabilities, people with substance use disorders, and trauma survivors. prgtoken In addition to serving on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Harm Reduction Commission, Aubri co-founded the organization SIFMA Now!, a coalition dedicated to building public support for supervised consumption sites and other life-saving harm reduction efforts. Whether on the ground working directly with impacted communities or in the Massachusetts State House advocating for progressive health policies that center those most vulnerable, Aubri was committed to saving lives. prgtoken On Thursday, June 11th, our community lost a true activist leader, table shaker and accomplice in the fight for health care justice. Aubri will be missed dearly, but her legacy lives on in the policy she helped to create, in the hearts of her fellow activists, and in the minds of policy makers who she engaged and enlightened. prgtoken Madam , I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the life of Aubri Esters and her contributions to the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District. We remember Aubri with tremendous gratitude for her life-saving advocacy. May she forever rest in power.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THERESA CARRANO ARGENTO
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-6-18

. Madam , it is with the heaviest of hearts that I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of one of the pillars of New Haven's Italian-American community and my dear friend, Theresa Carrano Argento. She lived a long, full life and our community will not be the same without her. prgtoken One of six children, Theresa grew up in the Wooster Square neighborhood of New Haven. Her father owned a ``specialty market,'' selling imported fruit from California--pears, oranges, and cherries, all individually wrapped in color-coded paper. Her mother was an immigrant from Italy. When the stock market crashed, her father nearly lost the store. Instead of folding as so many others had, her father found work, as did she and her siblings, and her mother was left to run the family business. It was from these early life lessons that Theresa learned the true strength of family and community. prgtoken Theresa dedicated most of her adult life to preserving and celebrating the community and its members' shared Italian heritage. She was a founding member of the Saint Andrew's Ladies Auxiliary, the women's branch of one of New Haven's Italian-American Societies and an organization she led for decades before stepping down only a few short years ago. She was also a dedicated communicant of St. Michael's Church, Connecticut's oldest Italian church, organizing and supporting fundraisers and even serving as its bookkeeper for a time. She worked to revive the Columbus Day celebration in New Haven and was a constant presence at Wooster Square's annual Cherry Blossom Festival. She was a member, and often served in the leadership, of most of the Italian- American clubs and organizations in the community. Theresa understood the importance of preserving and sharing that culture and those traditions with new generations. She was, in a word, remarkable. prgtoken Theresa was a matriarch in the Wooster Square community, much like my own mother, Luisa. They were, in fact, great friends and it was a friendship that remained strong until my mother's passing just two years ago. Both Theresa and my mother were forces of nature in their own rights, and when they got together, there was no stopping them. It was at their feet that I learned the importance of community and it is on their shoulders that I stand today. I would not be who I am today without their influence so I will be forever grateful for their guidance and support. prgtoken Theresa was an extraordinary friend, mentor, and community leader. I like so many others consider myself fortunate to have known her. She was so much more than a friend--she was family. I am heartbroken at her loss, but I know her memory will live on. I extend my deepest sympathies to Theresa's daughters, Nettie and Francis, as well as her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Throughout her life, she touched the lives of many and hers is a legacy that will continue to inspire both those who knew her
JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-6-18

we are in the midst of one of the greatest public health crises in our Nation's history. Over 2 million Americans have been infected by the COVID-19 virus. Over 115,000 Americans have died. Sadly, infections are still trending upward in many States. And what is the response of the majority in the U.S. Senate to this public health crisis? This week, the majority leader, Senator McConnell has scheduled a vote on his family friend and former intern, Justin Walker, to be a judge on the DC Circuit, the second highest court in the land. prgtoken Colleagues, let's be honest. You cannot say with a straight face that Justin Walker, a 38-year-old with no practical courtroom experience and a few months' time on the district court bench, is the best person for the job of DC Circuit judge. He is not, and we know it. So why is he getting this nomination? I believe there are two main reasons: because Justin Walker is a protege of Senator McConnell and because he is an outspoken critic of the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken Justin Walker has made clear that he is willing to toe the party line of hostility to care. Before he was confirmed as a district judge last October in a party-line vote, he called the NFIB case that upheld the ACA's constitutionality an ``indefensible decision.'' And in March, while he was a sitting judge, he cracked jokes about his opposition to the ACA at his ceremonial investiture. prgtoken These comments apparently put him on the fast-track for a promotion to the DC Circuit. I find it astonishing that Senate s have rubberstamped so many nominees who have written articles or spoken publicly about their hostility to the ACA, nominees like John , Steven Grasz, James Ho, David Porter, Neomi Rao, Mark Norris, Michael Truncale, and Sarah Pitlyk, not to mention Chad Readler, who filed the brief for the Justice Department in the Texas v. U.S. case that called for striking down the entire ACA, including its protections for Americans with preexisting conditions. Chad Readler was nominated to the 6th Circuit within a day of filing that brief. prgtoken It is a pattern. And right after the vote on Justin Walker, Senator McConnell wants to vote on yet another nominee with a record of outspoken hostility to the ACA; 5th Circuit nominee Cory Wilson of Mississippi has repeatedly spoken, written, and tweeted criticisms of the ACA. In one of Wilson's newspaper columns, he wrote ``for the sake of the Constitution, I hope the Court strikes down the law.'' In another column, he described the ACA as ``big, intrusive government'' and as ``perverse'' and ``illegitimate.'' And he has tweeted negatively about the ACA more than 30 times. prgtoken Justin Walker's and Cory Wilson's public statements clearly show that they have already made up their minds about the Affordable Care Act's merits and its constitutionality. And yet, they have been unwilling to recuse thems
IN HONOR OF MR. ANDRE MOSES WHITE
David Scott (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-6-18

. Madam , I rise today to honor Mr. Andre Moses White of Atlanta, Georgia, who passed away on June 9, 2020. prgtoken Mr. White was the third of seven children born to Moses and Lucille White. He was raised in Tampa before relocating to Tallahassee and graduating from Lincoln High School. He then enrolled at Florida A&M University and earned a BS in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education. After graduating from FAMU, White was drafted by the Denver Broncos as a Tight End. He also played for the San Diego Chargers and was one of the first African Americans to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. prgtoken After a knee injury brought his football career to a close, White returned to Tampa to serve as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Officer for Hillsborough County. While there, he most notably launched the fight to remove the confederate flag from the County Seal. This was eventually accomplished in 2016. Mr. White's career also included following in his father's footsteps and operating Moses White's Cozy Comer BBQ restaurant, serving as the road manager for Marvin Gaye, and starting The Georgia Sentinel, a progressive news outlet for Atlanta's African American community. prgtoken Mr. White was a member of numerous organizations, served on the board of Wayfield Food Stores, and was the President of the Moses White Foundation. Mr. White will be forever remembered as a dedicated servant from whom many in the community sought council. His wife of 55 years, Joyce White, died on April 2, 2020. He is survived by his siblings, 4 children, and grandchildren. prgtoken Madam , I ask that you join me in offering our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the White family and friends. He will be greatly missed. prgtoken May God continue to bless the family of Mr. Andre Moses White.
HONORING DEBRAH MARRIOTT ON HER RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOWER COLUMBIA ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-6-18

. Madam , I rise to honor Debrah Marriott on her retirement as Executive Director of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership at the end of this month. prgtoken Throughout her career, Debrah has been a steadfast champion for protecting and advocating for the Lower Columbia River. Debrah has led the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership since its inception, and there is no doubt that the river's habitats and water quality are improved today because of Debrah's leadership, particularly her work on the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act. prgtoken As Co-Chair of the Congressional Estuary Caucus, I have relied on Debrah's expertise for years. Her thoughtful perspective and extensive network through the National Estuary Program have been invaluable. Most recently, she and her staff helped inform my work on the bipartisan Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act. Last year, I had the pleasure of joining Debrah at the groundbreaking of the Steigerwald Reconnection Project, a 960-acre habitat restoration project on the mainstem of the Columbia River that will help salmon, wildlife, and the larger ecosystem flourish. Projects like Steigerwald and countless others along the Columbia River would not exist without Debrah's commitment to collaboration with regional partners. I appreciate her dedication to the ecological benefits of a project, and also her commitment to supporting the region's economic, social, and cultural needs. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Debrah joined me for a virtual panel discussion earlier this month on how to revitalize our coastal communities. prgtoken Debrah's tenacity and dedication to protecting our lands and waters has created an incredible legacy of conservation for our region. I thank Debrah for her more than 25 prgtoken years of dedicated service to Northwest Oregon and congratulate her on her retirement.
Equality Act (Executive Session)
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-6-18

reserving the right to object, I would just like to observe that it was just over 20 years ago that this Chamber and the analog Chamber across the way in the House of Representatives passed almost unanimously a statute called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It was sponsored in the House by then-Representative Schumer, and it was sponsored in this Chamber by Senator Edward Kennedy, and signed by President Bill Clinton into law, who, upon its signing, referred to religious liberty as our first freedom--those are his words--and he later pointed to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as one of his proudest accomplishments as President of the United States. Its cosponsors in this body included Senators Feinstein and Murray and Leahy. It was bipartisan is my point, to put it mildly. prgtoken Yet, today, this short time on the legislation that is offered on this floor now, that has not gone through the normal process of committee referral, debate on the floor but would be passed now, without any further discussion, guts key provisions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This is coming on the heels of a Supreme Court decision just 2 days ago that rewrites entire statutes in American law and in its 33 pages has nearly nothing to say about religious liberty or religious believers in this country. In fact, the only thing that the opinion does say of any consequence is this: How [the courts'] . . . doctrines protecting religious liberty interact with Title VII [as rewritten by the court] are questions for future cases. prgtoken Now, I respect, very much, my colleagues across the aisle and their passion for this issue and their sincerity in this cause. I would only ask that the rights of well-meaning, sincere religious believers not be steamrolled and overlooked and shifted to the side as part of this process. We should be able to come together and stand together in the effort to see all people be given their constitutional rights and have their constitutional rights protected. prgtoken The effects of this bill is forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions, forcing doctors and nurses to perform abortions against their will, and forcing faith-based hospitals and clinics to perform abortions. H.R. 5, this bill here, would supersede existing restrictions on abortion, including funding, including health and safety standards, and other regulations that the States have passed. prgtoken It would force faith-based adoption agencies, some of which have been helping birth mothers find a safe and loving and permanent home for more than 100 years--it would force them out of business. It would coerce those who don't want to speak or who hold different beliefs into adopting this set of practices and principles and beliefs at work-- these doctors, these nurses, and these faith-based agencies. prgtoken I submit to you that this is not the way to find consensus in America. This shunting aside
HONORING THE FAMILY LEGACY OF McCLARD'S BAR-B-Q
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-6-18

. Madam , I rise today to honor the near-century- old legacy of McClard' s Bar-B-Q in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Founded by Gladys and Alex McClard in 1928, the fourth generation of the McClard family, represented by owners Scott and Shannon McClard, keeps its doors open today. prgtoken In the last century, McClard's has been a cultural icon of the Hot Springs area, gathering long lines of customers outside its doors on Albert Pike Road. Known for barbecue pork, ribs, tamales, and infamous barbecue sauce, the barbecue joint is a local favorite, even noted to be a favorite of President Bill Clinton's during his upbringing in Hot Springs. prgtoken The restaurant's leadership recently made the decision to sell the family-owned spot following a brief closing during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it has reopened this week under new ownership, the McClard family is still actively involved in the restaurant's progress in the community. prgtoken Not only does McClard's Bar-B-Q boast of some of the best cooking in the Southwest Arkansas area, but the restaurant holds 92 years of Arkansas culture, history, and memories. Theirs is a story of the American dream, and I look forward to seeing this place continue to be a place of joy for Fourth District residents, just as it has for nearly a century. I take this time to thank all generations of the McClard family for their years of hard work and their diligence in creating the most loved of Hot Springs traditions.
NOMINATION OBJECTION WITHDRAWAL
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-6-18

I previously notified the Chamber of my objection to the nominations of Marshall Billingslea, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and Christopher C. Miller, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. On June 12, 2020, I received two letters: one from the Department of State, which contained a copy of recent correspondence between the administration to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, CIGIE, requesting that CIGIE investigate specific allegations into the conduct of the State Department Inspector General, State IG, Steve Linick, and another separate letter from the White House Counsel concerning the removal of Intelligence Community Inspector General, IC IG, Michael Atkinson. Without making comment regarding the veracity of the allegations made against Mr. Linick, I believe that these letters fulfill the President's requirement to provide Congress reasons for the removal of the IC IG and the State IG, as required by the Inspector General Reform Act. It is for this reason that I withdraw my objection to both Mr. Billingslea and Mr. Miller. prgtoken The letter from the White House Counsel regarding the removal of the IC IG repeats a previous letter from the White House which stated that the President had lost confidence in the IC IG. However, the White House Counsel enclosed with that letter a transcript of President providing his reasons for removing Mr. Atkinson to the press and has informed me that those reasons represent the President's official explanation of Mr. Atkinson's removal to Congress. I believe that this transcript and its transmittal to Congress has fulfilled the statutory notice requirement of the Inspector General Reform Act. It is for this reason that I withdraw my objection to Mr. Miller. prgtoken Here follow my comments to the President, including my actions and rationale: although the Constitution gives the President the authority to manage executive branch personnel, Congress has made it clear by law that should the President fire an inspector general, there ought to be a good reason for it. No such reason was provided when the President informed Congress of the removal of Mr. Atkinson on April 3, 2020. Thus, in a bipartisan letter on April 8, 2020, my colleagues and I reminded the President of his requirement under the statute to provide reasons for removing an IG. On May 15, 2020, the President notified Congress of his intent to remove Mr. Linick. This notification also lacked reasons for the removal spurring my solo letter on May 18, 2020, again reminding the President of his requirement to provide reasons. prgtoken After a delay, and a personal call with the White House Counsel, I was promised a response to my letters that would fulfill the statutory notice requirement. On May 26, 2020, I received a respo