mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNUAL OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK
Barbara Comstock (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-9-21

last weekend we recognized National Suicide Prevention Week in Northern Virginia. prgtoken The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention National Capital Area chapter hosted their 10th annual signature fundraising event, Out of the Darkness on Saturday, September 16th in Fairfax County, Virginia. Over the past ten years, Out of the Darkness has been vital to the rehabilitation of the human spirit here in Northern Virginia, and has been an integral part of the changing attitude towards suicide prevention and mental health awareness, allowing individuals from all backgrounds and stages of grief to come together in support of each other. The success of this year's walk, bringing together over 860 attendees and raising over $90,000, attests to the meaningful impact of this chapter in support of Northern Virginian neighbors and their families. prgtoken We have lost 1,122 precious lives, perhaps more, due to suicide in the last 12 months in Virginia, including children and veterans. The National Capital Area chapter's extensive work in providing community resources, including crisis numbers for the Veteran Combat Call Center, Veteran's Crisis Line, Suicide Prevention Line, and a texting option, have immensely benefited those who are seeking immediate assistance and support. These services are crucial, and especially helpful to those who are fearful in seeking assistance, and I thank you for all your efforts in supporting these programs. prgtoken Out of the Darkness was supported by a variety of partners in prevention from across Fairfax County that shared resources to people and their families in various stages of grief, including the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid and the Department, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Virginia Professional Firefighters & Paramedics--IAFF Local 2068, IAFF Financial Corporation, Fairfax County Employee Advisory Council, Fairfax County Live Well Program, Interstate Van Lines, Shirley Contracting, 29 Diner Restaurants, JV's Restaurant, Austin Grill, Everymind.org, Trevor Project, Divine Elements Healing Home, Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychological Services, Abiding Hope Counseling Services, Yava Yoga, David J. Cobb Foundation, Youth for Tomorrow and many other local community businesses and elected officials. prgtoken I thank them again for working to support the lives of Fairfax County families as well as those in the surrounding region. I am pleased to represent the National Capital Area chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and its partners in the 10th District, and I wish them the best as they continue to bring awareness to suicide prevention and behavioral health. prgtoken , on behalf of Virginia's Tenth Congressional District, I ask that you join me in recognizing the positive impact of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention National C
IN RECOGNITION OF DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Patrick Meehan (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-9-21

I rise today to honor Delaware County Community College on its 50th Anniversary. prgtoken Since its establishment in 1967, Delaware County Community College has educated thousands of students from southeastern Pennsylvania, giving them the skills they need for good-paying middle-class jobs in the modern economy. The college awards degrees in fields as diverse as accounting, carpentry, computer-aided drafting and nursing--and its distinguished faculty has always provided a first-class education to its students. prgtoken , as Delaware County Community College celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding, it's also celebrating a transition: Dr. Jerry Parker will retire after 40 years of service to the college, including 14 as President. He'll be succeeded by Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, who will be the first woman and the first African-American to lead the college. prgtoken I congratulate Dr. Gates Black on her appointment, I thank Board Chairman Michael L. Ranck for his service to our community, I wish Dr. Parker the best in his retirement and I hope Delaware County Community College enjoys another prosperous 50 years of educating hardworking Pennsylvanians
RECOGNIZING PROFESSOR BETTY TSAI
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-9-21

I would like to recognize Betty Tsai, a retired Bucks County Community College professor who started the Salute to Mothers Scholarship. The scholarship allocates funds for women who are attending Bucks County Community College while raising at least one child. This year is the tenth anniversary of the creation of the Salute to Mothers Scholarship, and it has raised over 120,000 dollars to date. prgtoken This scholarship is vital to providing mothers with greater career opportunities, and encouraging women to participate in our workforce. It is only available to mothers who possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and are enrolled in at least six credits for the upcoming semester. I appreciate the philanthropy that recognizes the struggles of balancing family and school, and thank Betty Tsai for her work to that end
HONORING THE CROATIAN SONS LODGE NUMBER 170
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-9-25

it is my distinct honor to congratulate the Croatian Sons Lodge Number 170 of the Croatian Fraternal Union on the festive occasion of its Golden Member banquet, which took place on Sunday, September 17, 2017. The Croatian Fraternal Union held its gala at the Croatian Center in Merrillville, Indiana. Traditionally, the celebration entails a formal recognition of the Union's Golden Members, those who have achieved fifty years of membership. This year's honorees who have attained fifty years of membership include the following individuals: Janet C. Ashby, John Karl Bednash, Dianna K. Davis, Kathleen Greenya, Joseph Michael Jandura, Georgene A. Labash, Darlene Lass, Richard Louis Mostak, Judith Ann Murovic, Roberta Ann Nicksich, Sheryl Lee Niksic, Margaret Milos Nye, Linda L. Rayakovich Skafish, Rosemary Spieth, Marilynn Svetanoff, Geraldine M. Toth, Joseph A. Vukovich, Susan L. Wardrip, and Suzanne Wellington I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Lodge President John Miksich and all members of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge Number 170, for their loyalty and radiant display of passion for their ethnicity. The Croatian community has played a key role in enriching the quality of life and culture of Northwest Indiana. It is my hope that this year will bring renewed prosperity for all members of the Croatian community and their families.
RECOGNIZING PJM INTERCONNECTION
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-9-25

I would like to take this moment for the Senate to recognize and honor the work of the PJM Interconnection and its 600 employees in Valley Forge, PA. This month, the company celebrates the 90th anniversary of its founding, as well as the 20th anniversary of its formation as an independent grid operator. prgtoken PJM is a world-class institution that oversees the largest power grid in North America. PJM performs the critical function of keeping the lights on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for more than 65 million people in all or portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and the District of Columbia. prgtoken PJM began in 1927 when three utilities realized the benefits and efficiencies possible by interconnecting to share their generating resources and formed the world's first continuing power pool. Since then, PJM's work has been dedicated to ensuring that reliable electricity is available at a reasonable price. prgtoken In 1997, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PJM as the Nation's first fully functioning independent system operator. ISOs operate but do not own transmission systems in order to provide open access to the grid for nonutility users. prgtoken Since that beginning of three utilities, PJM has grown to more than 1,000 members. Those members represent transmission owners, generation owners, consumers, and residential and commercial customers in each of its 13-state region. prgtoken PJM has three simple goals: keeping the lights on, administering the buying prgtoken and selling of electricity through wholesale electricity markets, and assessing and planning for the future needs of the electric grid. PJM has devoted itself to those goals as an industry technology innovator, operating similar to a stock exchange and developing electricity rates through a bidding process that aligns supply with demand. That PJM model is one that has been emulated not just across the country, but around the world. prgtoken As the work of PJM has reached a global scale, I am especially proud that this company continues to call Pennsylvania home and remains an integral part of our economy and electric grid infrastructure. For the last 90 years, PJM has worked to develop groundbreaking changes in electricity and technology to improve the lives of all Americans. Together with a grateful Commonwealth and a grateful nation, I take this opportunity to thank them for their last nine decades of innovation and wish them well for another 90 years of excellence and beyond.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO ROOT OUT RACISM
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-9-25

back in March, the Congressional Black Caucus met with President to deliver a 130- page policy document which highlighted a host of issues facing the black community in America. From voting rights to criminal justice reform, and economic justice to education and the workforce, there are many areas of society that still experience elements of institutionalized racism and discrimination against people of color and other vulnerable segments of the population. prgtoken The undermining of the Voting Rights Act in the wake of the Shelby County Supreme Court decision paved the way for countless states, including Texas, to adopt discriminatory voting laws that were aimed at disenfranchising entire segments of the population. Participation in our elections and the inalienable right to vote are fundamental pillars of our democracy. Our democracy does not function properly without the successful and unimpeded participation of the voting public. Yet, these discriminatory voting laws have been found to do exactly that, while disproportionately affecting minority populations, the elderly, and the poor. prgtoken The criminal justice system is another area that is ripe for reform as we consider the fact that African Americans make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population, yet account for 37 percent of prison inmates. In some instances, harsh mandatory minimum sentences condemn relatively minor criminals to a life behind bars. In other examples, we see non- violent drug offenders facing decades in prison over a crime that is better addressed by health professionals, not the criminal justice system. The use of private prisons in states such as Texas has also created a dangerous profit motive behind keeping individuals incarcerated. These toxic conditions are a recipe for disaster that has propelled the United States as the world leader for its prison population rate. prgtoken , there is much that we can do as a nation to root out any last remnants of racism in our country and address many of these issues. However, it requires the participation and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholder, regardless of party affiliation or background. Restoring Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act through legislation would help address many of the discriminatory voting laws that we have seen emerge, thereby restoring full access to voting for every American. Eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing and treating non-violent drug offenses as a health issue instead of a criminal matter would help reduce the prison population while giving law-abiding citizens a well-deserved second chance. These are tangible steps that we can take today to lessen the racial disparities that exist in our society. I encourage each of my colleagues to work cooperatively to achieve this end. The American people demand it, and we will be a better nation for it.
THANKING THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-9-25

. Madam , I rise today to thank my home team, the Seattle Seahawks, for joining nearly 200 NFL players across the country who exercised their First Amendment right to protest during the national anthem. I fully support their right to do so. prgtoken These players used their platform to draw attention to the racial and social injustices of our time and to condemn the racism and divisive rhetoric coming from President . prgtoken Athletes practice unity in a way that few others do, coming from every walk of life and pulling together to model unity every single game. prgtoken Let us be very clear: these protests are not about disrespecting the flag or our country's brave men and women in uniform. They are about the oppression of people of color, the number of black men gunned down by police, and the school-to-prison pipeline. These protests are about speaking out about unacceptable behavior and rhetoric and fighting for justice. prgtoken I thank our players and the Seahawks for addressing these issues with unity, compassion, and truth. I thank Colin Kaepernick for starting this important conversation.
CONGRATULATING BROOKLYN CHINESE-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION'S EIGHTH AVENUE SENIOR CENTER
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-25

today I rise to congratulate Brooklyn Chinese-American Association's Eighth Avenue Senior Center on over two decades of service to Brooklyn's seniors. prgtoken For seniors living in the Sunset Park, Borough Park and Bay Ridge neighborhoods, the Eighth Avenue Senior Center has provided life prgtoken changing support and services. From daily meals and medical screenings, to a variety of social events and activities, the Center undoubtedly enhances the quality of life for so many of our seniors. prgtoken During the celebration, the Annual Millennial Roundtables will gather seniors aged 84 and above for an opportunity to socialize with each other. Together, the seniors who take part in this cherished tradition have a combined age of over 1,000 years. prgtoken I would like to send my deepest gratitude to all those who support and work with BCA's Eighth Avenue Senior Center. Thanks to your hard work, we can all take pride in the many accomplishments this community hub has achieved over the last two decades. My best wishes for a successful event.
THE AMERICAN LEGION 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-9-25

I stand in support of H.R. 1235, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, which I introduced along with my colleague from Kentucky (Mr. Barr). prgtoken People in Kentucky think that they invented basketball. It was actually invented in Massachusetts. But I want to thank him personally, as well as professionally, for the good work that he has done in helping to bring about this day. prgtoken As the Hall of Fame celebrates its 125th anniversary of the invention of basketball, this commemorative coin symbolizes all the sport has accomplished since its humble beginnings in a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts. This truly American game continues to be played by men and women at every level and on every continent. prgtoken In December of 1891, a physical education professor named Dr. James Naismith created a game with a simple objective: throw a round ball into a peach basket that was suspended 10 feet above the ground. While only one basket was made available during those first games, it would soon become quite popular with students. prgtoken Thanks to the network of YMCAs throughout the country and the game's success on various college campuses, the sport soon became a national phenomenon. By 1894, basketball was being played around the Nation and in dozens of countries around the world. prgtoken During the 1920s and 1930s, teams like the Original Celtics and the New York Renaissance carried professional basketball to the national conscience for the first time. prgtoken Internationally, popularity of the new sport from America led to the formation of the International Basketball Federation, which was pivotal in adding basketball to the Summer Olympic Games in 1936. Eventually, the National Basketball Association was founded in 1946, and continues to enjoy great success. prgtoken The Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1959, despite the lack of any physical structure. They would get their first home on the campus of Springfield College in 1968, just a short way from the game's first site. prgtoken Thousands of visitors came to the campus to see memorabilia and be inspired by the stories of the sport's early days. As the game skyrocketed in national popularity in the 1980s, with icons like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, the Hall of Fame found the need to expand. As the mayor of Springfield at the time, I helped to ensure a location on the banks of the Connecticut River. prgtoken In 1985, the Hall reopened with a three-level museum with hundreds of pieces of memorabilia and displays. The admiration for the sport forced the Hall to expand once again, in 2002, with a state-of-the-art structure just steps away from the old facility. prgtoken Today, the Hall welcomes 6 million visitors annually. They are dazzled with its interactive displays and exhibits. As of this year, the Hall has inducted 365 of the greatest players, coaches, and referees. Players
CONFIRMATION OF NOEL J. FRANCISCO
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-9-25

I could not support Noel Francisco's confirmation to serve as the 47th Solicitor General of the United States. I do not believe Mr. Francisco can serve as a check on this administration and this President. prgtoken Created in 1870 and colloquially referred to as the ``10th Supreme Court Justice,'' the Solicitor General represents the U.S. Government before the Supreme Court. The Solicitor General culls through thousands of cases a year and selects which cases the Department of Justice will appeal. Although the Solicitor General is the third highest ranked office in the Department of Justice, it is the Solicitor General alone who selects and approves every appeal. This heavy responsibility requires that the Solicitor General use sound legal judgment and resist pressure from and maintain independence from the President and Cabinet- level members. prgtoken History contains examples of Solicitors General who deferred to the President while constructing legal strategy and Presidents who were directly involved with shaping legal arguments. President Eisenhower personally wrote handwritten notes on his Solicitor General's briefs before they were submitted to the Supreme Court. President Eisenhower's notes softened the Solicitor General's tone regarding the expediency of desegregation after the seminal Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education. prgtoken At this unique time in history, we cannot have a Solicitor General who will serve as a rubberstamp for this administration's policies. President has shown a disregard and contempt for not only the rule of law but also for our constitutional separation of powers. prgtoken Frederick William Lehmann, Solicitor General during the Taft administration said that ``the Government wins its point when justice is done in its courts.'' As acting-Solicitor General, Mr. Francisco defended the President's travel ban before the Ninth Circuit, in which he argued that Presidential authority regarding immigration is ``largely immune from judicial control.'' prgtoken Mr. Francisco's lead in defending President 's Executive orders are deeply concerning. We need a Solicitor General that can say no to the President and resist positions advocated by the administration's hardliners when they fall outside of defensible legal boundaries. I do not believe Mr. Francisco can act as an independent check, and I could not support his confirmation.
HEALTHCARE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-9-25

on healthcare, last night we began to see reports of a new version of the Graham-Cassidy bill. Faced with stern resistance from several Members of their own caucus, it appears that the authors of the legislation have tweaked the bill in an attempt to gain the support of the holdouts. Despite sending more money to the States of those Members, this new bill, if anything, is worse in many ways than before and, in the long run, will still result in a net cut for every single State in the country. prgtoken It still contains a massive cut to Medicaid, it still defunds Planned Parenthood, and it actually further weakens consumer protections, and almost completely does away with protections for those with preexisting conditions--even worse than in the first version. prgtoken The S&P has just come out with a study that estimates that Graham- Cassidy would result in 580,000 lost jobs and $240 billion in lost economic activity by 2027. That is not a ic propaganda machine, that is Standard & Poor's; down the middle, 580,000 jobs lost and $240 billion in lost economic activity if Graham-Cassidy is enacted. prgtoken Under the latest version, States would be able to lift the regulation that caps out-of-pocket costs, meaning insurance companies could offer barebones policies with sky-high deductibles and copays. prgtoken Under the latest version, States could do away with lifetime limits, meaning insurance companies could cap the amount of coverage you receive for a given illness. Imagine the parent of a child suffering with cancer being told your policy only covers 4 months of treatment; you are on your own after that--devastating to too many families in this country. prgtoken Under the latest version, States could remove the benefit of getting preventive services at no cost, such as birth control, cancer screening, and immunizations. Under the latest version, States could opt out of the preexisting condition without even applying for a waiver. So even more so than in the old bill, preexisting conditions are not protected. prgtoken States just have to submit a plan that allows for adequate and affordable insurance. In other words, the new Graham-Cassidy makes it even easier and even more likely that States will allow insurance companies to discriminate against Americans with preexisting conditions. Again, that parent of a child aching with cancer is in real jeopardy. Maybe they can't even get insurance at all. prgtoken In short, the new Graham-Cassidy tells every American with potentially high medical costs, you are on your own. If you have diabetes, cancer, congenital illness, or asthma, Graham-Cassidy says that you are on your own. It eviscerates the protections that make healthcare affordable for those who need it most. prgtoken It is no wonder that it is so unpopular with Americans. Recently, even though the bill has just been introduced, a majority of Americans say they don't like it. The more they le