mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF BALLET WEST'S THE NUTCRACKER
Ben McAdams (Democrat, UT) \u2014 2019-12-4

. Madam , this December, Utahns and visitors to my state are breathlessly waiting for the curtain to go up on the 75th anniversary of a beloved holiday tradition--Ballet West's performance of ``The Nutcracker''. This season's $3 million production restores the original choreography by Ballet West's founder Willam Christensen--or Mr. C--as he was fondly known to dancers and audience members alike. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 99. prgtoken Willam Christensen was known as a champion of American ballet, who headed important companies in Portland, San Francisco and Salt Lake City. He was born in 1902, in Brigham City, Utah. In San Francisco, in 1944, Christensen staged the first complete American production of ``The Nutcracker.'' In 1951, Mr. C. moved with his ailing wife to Salt Lake, seeking a better climate for her health. He began teaching ballet at the University of Utah and founded what would become Ballet West in 1968. His production of ``The Nutcracker'' soon became a Utah holiday sensation. Many an aspiring young Utah male or female dancer traces the start of a career from being on stage in ``The Nutcracker'' party scene, where the story unfolds of young Clara's dream journey into the magical land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Thousands of Utah children and their parents and grandparents have been transported from their seats in a darkened theatre to a place with waltzing snowflakes and a marvelous dancing bear. prgtoken When Ballet West performed ``The Nutcracker'' at the Kennedy Center in December of 2018, the Washington Post's dance critic wrote: ``This is not only a beautifully danced and gorgeously designed production. It's also historic. The result is a fine balance of textural spectacle and elegant dancing.'' prgtoken The dancers, musicians, stage crew and artistic directors of this marvelous company have provided many Utah audiences with priceless holiday memories. It is my honor to congratulate them on this 75th anniversary, together with a wish for 75 more years of successful performances.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-12-4

I have just come on the floor and have to chuckle about my friend from Texas in his deciding that it is the minority in the Senate that is holding up legislation that needs to be brought up when we have been coming to the floor every day after Senator McConnell has indicated he is probably the Grim Reaper and after we have indicated very clearly that he has turned this into a legislative graveyard. So I have to smile when I hear the words from my friend. prgtoken Let me set the record straight before I talk about what I came to the floor to talk about. prgtoken Amazingly, the House of Representatives, even with the challenge that it has in front of it--that it didn't ask for, that it didn't welcome, that was brought to it by the continued abuse of power and other actions of the President of the United States--is fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities. It has passed over 300 different pieces of legislation and has sent them over to the U.S. Senate. It is my understanding that 250 of those bills are bipartisan bills; yet we can't get any of them to be taken up on the floor of the Senate. prgtoken We come to the floor every week. I am involved in efforts every week to say: Let's pass the bill that will protect people's pensions. People who have worked their whole lives and are close to retirement or are already retired in my State who have put money in pensions are getting 50, 60, 70 percent cuts in their pensions because they got caught in the financial crisis. When Wall Street collapsed, the big banks were bailed out, but when it came time to bail out the pensions that were invested in those big banks--or the IRAs or 401(k)s--somehow, we couldn't get the support to do that. I prgtoken would love to see that brought up. It could be brought up any day. It could be brought up today, and--bingo--we would pass it. prgtoken The other thing that we could be doing is passing legislation the House sent us months ago. There is legislation on preexisting conditions. Everybody says we don't want people to lose their preexisting conditions coverage on their healthcare. Great. Let's pass the legislation that came over from the House in order to protect that. Let's make sure that it happens. prgtoken There is the Violence Against Women Act, which has been waiting for over 200 days, and there are the efforts on gun safety--things we all agree to. There are issues on gun safety and background checks, and well over 90 percent of the American public agrees with it. This legislation came over from the House months ago, but we can't get any action on the Senate floor. There is legislation that deals with carbon pollution and the climate crisis. It goes on and on and on. prgtoken There are over 300 different pieces of legislation that have been passed by the House while it is also having to address what is clearly a constitutional challenge that is very serious for our country. We have not had that
SUPPORT FOR VETERANS IN EFFECTIVE APPRENTICESHIPS ACT OF 2019
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-12-4

when I travel across Michigan, one issue comes up regularly in my conversations with business owners, workers, and families, and that issue is the need to close the skills gap. prgtoken There are good-paying jobs available all across my State but not enough workers who have the specific skills needed to fill them. That is why one of my top priorities in the Senate is to expand access to quality skills training programs, like registered apprenticeships, that are connected to today's in-demand jobs. prgtoken Effective apprenticeships are good for business. They are good for workers in both urban and rural areas in Michigan, as well as all across our country. prgtoken I have also heard from veterans, like Rick Donovan in Oakland County, about how there is a lack of apprenticeships available for veterans who qualify for them to use their GI benefits. prgtoken The GI bill offers veterans an approved apprenticeship, additional financial support for housing, and other training materials as they progress through the program. Unfortunately, only a small portion of apprenticeship programs registered by the Department of Labor are also approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. prgtoken In Michigan, for example, there are over 1,000 registered apprenticeship programs but only a couple hundred in which veterans can use their VA educational assistance in connection with that program. This is simply unacceptable. Veterans should have access to as prgtoken many opportunities as there are available. prgtoken That is why Senator Capito and I introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure veterans' interests are not falling through the cracks between Federal agencies as they pursue apprenticeships to launch their career. Our Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act takes three commonsense steps to expand opportunities for veterans to use their financial assistance for quality training programs that lead to good- paying jobs. prgtoken First, the bill will ensure that every program applying to become a registered apprenticeship is proactively thinking about ways to support veterans. Programs would need to provide written assurance to the Department of Labor that they are aware of GI bill assistance and are committed to taking the steps necessary to enable benefits to use these benefits as apprentices. prgtoken Second, the bill will clarify that skills and training that veterans gain during their military service would be a factor into how they are placed in the program. Many veterans may qualify for advanced placement with higher apprenticeship wages due to their unique experiences while bravely serving our country, and our bill will recognize those skill sets. prgtoken Third, the bill will improve coordination between Federal agencies. It would direct the Department of Labor to notify the VA of newly registered apprenticeship programs. It is a simple, straightforward action to actively update new apprenticeshi
HONORING THE SERVICE OF MAYOR C. BRUCE ROSE
G. K. Butterfield (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2019-12-4

I rise today to honor my friend of more than 40 years, Mayor C. Bruce Rose. prgtoken Tomorrow, the city of Wilson, North Carolina, will pause to observe Bruce Rose Day and will rename the Headquarters Fire Station to the C. Bruce Rose Headquarters Station, recognizing 60 long years of continuous service to our city. prgtoken , Mayor Rose graduated from Charles L. Coon High School and received an associate degree in applied science in fire science technology from Wilson Technical Community College. He also proudly served our country in the United States Army for 2 years. prgtoken Mayor Rose served for 30 years with the Wilson Fire Department, 7 of which he served as fire chief. He attended fire schools throughout North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Maryland, including the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Executive Development Course of Chief Fire Officers in Emmitsburg. prgtoken Mayor Rose is a life member of the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs and served on its board of directors for 4 years. He is also a life member of the North Carolina Association of Retired Fire Chiefs and served, by appointment of Governor James B. Hunt, on the North Carolina Fire Commission. Mayor Rose received the 1999 Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. prgtoken Mayor Rose continued to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the city of Wilson as he was elected mayor, beginning in 1992. He has been proud to celebrate the progress of the city through events such as ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings and presentations of proclamations. He speaks at community events, works to bring industries into the city, and has worked diligently to see the city community thrive. prgtoken He is especially proud of the Whirlygig project, which is bringing economic development to our city. prgtoken Under his leadership, an $18 million surface transportation project is now in progress in the eastern section of our city, which is the African American community. The city invested $2 million into this project; the North Carolina Department of Transportation invested $6 million; and, with my assistance, the city received a TIGER grant, under Secretary Anthony Fox, of $10 million for the project. prgtoken During his tenure, Mayor Rose has been involved in several projects and prgtoken initiatives, such as creation of the Buckhorn Reservoir and Greenlight Community Broadband, which is a municipal broadband, and it is successful. prgtoken He has been Wilson's longest serving mayor, after serving 27, nearly 28, consecutive years and eight consecutive terms. prgtoken Mayor Rose is a lifetime member of Wilson First Pentecostal Holiness Church, where he served as deacon and Sunday school superintendent. prgtoken He is married to Rebecca Davis Rose. They continue to be active in our community and involved in church functions throughout the city. Mayor Rose, , is father to four children and one delightful g
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2534, INSIDER TRADING PROHIBITION ACT, AND RELATING TO CONSIDERATION OF H. CON. RES. 77, DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(C) OF THE WAR POWERS...
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-12-4

the Rules Committee met last night and reported House Resolution 739, providing for consideration of H.R. 2534, the Insider Trading Prohibition Act, under a structured rule, which makes in order two amendments. prgtoken The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services and provides for one motion to recommit. Lastly, the rule makes the motion to discharge H. Con. Res. 77, if offered by Representative Gabbard from Hawaii, in order on December 11 and that the resolution be debatable for 20 minutes. prgtoken , I am pleased we are here today to provide for consideration of H.R. 2534, the Insider Trading Prohibition Act, which will establish a statutory prohibition on insider trading. prgtoken For millions of hardworking Americans, investing in the stock market is an important tool to save for retirement, send their kids to college, or save for a downpayment on a home. The foundation of an efficient market is rooted in fairness and transparency, that all investors have access to the same information so they can make reasonable and prudent investment decisions. prgtoken Insider trading erodes the foundation of fairness and transparency. When company insiders, or market participants with insider knowledge, use nonpublic information to trade stocks, bonds, or other types of securities, not only do they unfairly gain a financial advantage over families saving for their futures, but the insiders also erode trust in our Nation's financial system. We cannot allow insiders to take advantage of the folks who play by the rules. prgtoken Current law on insider trading has been largely developed by the courts based on the antifraud statute in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, yet there is no specific law prohibiting insider trading. This lack of clarity in the law, combined with recent court decisions limiting the ability of the SEC to prosecute insider trading, has opened the door for bad actors to profit at the expense of average investors. prgtoken Insider trading is wrong and undermines our economy. It is time for Congress to act and provide a clear legal standard for insider trading. prgtoken This bill passed the Financial Services Committee on a voice vote in May, showcasing the importance of finally codifying a prohibition on insider trading. Since the markup, the sponsor of the legislation, Representative Jim Himes from Connecticut, has negotiated with Ranking Member McHenry to address any outstanding issues and incorporate feedback from the SEC. prgtoken The text of the bill we are considering today incorporates many of the suggestions from Mr. McHenry and other s. Discussions between Mr. Himes and Mr. McHenry, which concluded late yesterday, have resulted in the McHenry amendment, which enjoys the full support of Mr. Himes and Chairwoman Maxine Waters. prgtoken I understand adoption of this amendment, which m
VOTE EXPLANATION
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-12-4

I was absent but had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 369 the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 347, Eric Ross Komitee to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. prgtoken , I was absent but had I been present I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 370 the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 353, John L. Sinatra, Jr to be United States District Judge for the Western District of New York. prgtoken , I was absent but had I been present I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 371 the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 478, Sarah E. Pitlyk to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. prgtoken , I was absent but had I been present I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 372 the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 381, Douglas Russell Cole to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. prgtoken , I was absent but had I been present I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 373 the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 459, R. Austin Huffaker, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama. prgtoken , I was absent but had I been present I would have voted no on rollcall vote No. 374 the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 460, David B. Barlow to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah.
REMEMBERING HARRISON DILLARD
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-12-4

I rise today to honor a Cleveland native, a Buffalo soldier, and an Olympic legend--on Dillard. Mr. Dillard died last month at the age of 96. His life included service to our country in World War II, four Olympic gold medals, and world records. prgtoken He grew up racing up and down the streets of our shared hometown of Cleveland with friends. When Mr. Dillard was 13, he saw his hometown hero, a gentleman named Jesse Owens, in a parade. He ran home and told his mother: ``I just saw Jesse Owens, [Mom], and I'm going to be just like him.'' prgtoken She humored her son. Think about how many people say that to mothers in Cleveland and other places. She humored her son like all mothers do, but on Dillard was serious. He and his friends would take old cars seats and put them in the street and jump over them for practice. prgtoken When he enrolled at Jesse Owens' alma mater, Cleveland's East Technical High School on the east side of our city, Owens himself gave on a new pair of running shoes. Jesse Owens was one of the most famous athletes in the country. He won world records, one gold medal, and stood up to Adolph Hitler. Jessie Owens gave on Dillard a new pair of running shoes. prgtoken Mr. Dillard joined the Army after high school. He served in a segregated unit. Just for younger people who don't know this history, we segregated our Armed Forces in this country, even in World War II. Just to add a little more to that history with those soldiers who came back from serving their country, they came back to a segregated country. They had fought for human rights. They came back, and they didn't have those human rights. Think about that. prgtoken After the war, General Patton saw on Dillard in an Army track meet, and Patton said--pardon my language on the Senate floor: ``[That man] is the best Goddamn athlete I've ever seen.'' prgtoken on Dillard proved him right. He represented our country at the Olympics in London. He brought home two gold medals in the 100-meter race. He achieved his childhood dream. He matched Jesse Owens' Olympic record time of 10.3 seconds. That was in 1948. He would later write in his autobiography: ``I could finally say that I was just like [Jesse Owens].'' prgtoken Plenty of people tried to hold on Dillard back because of the color of his skin. He recalled how, after his military discharge, he was refused food at a restaurant. Again, he served his country, he came back to his country, and he was refused food in a restaurant because of the color of his skin. It is shameful how we treated veterans and fellow citizens in this country. It is a testament to Mr. Dillard's tenacity and talent that he achieved so much in the face of a society that was so often set up to hold him back. He ended his career by serving the city that raised him. He worked for the Cleveland public school system. prgtoken Now, I met on Dillard once. Actually, I met h
ECONOMIC JUSTICE ISSUES
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-12-5

. Madam , I rise today to discuss the basic and dire human right that so many of us take for granted, the right to a safe and stable home. prgtoken Last week, families across this country gathered around in their dining rooms to give thanks and break bread, but many families in my home district were not sitting around for a holiday dinner. Instead, they were facing an indescribable tragedy. The day before Thanksgiving, a fire broke out in a 25-story public housing building in the Cedar- Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis where I grew up. Five people lost their lives. And more than a week later residents are still in the hospital recovering from their injuries. prgtoken After the brave men and women of the local fire department cleared the scene and controlled the blaze, we discovered an almost unbelievable reality. These homes were not equipped with sprinklers. You see, these buildings are so old that it is exempt from laws that require such lifesaving equipment. prgtoken And that isn't the only egregious safety issue that our public housing residents are forced to endure. prgtoken There has been a ban on building new public housing since the 1990s. In fact, the Cedar-Riverside building that sustained the fire was built in the 1960s. And the Federal Government has been underfunding the repair and maintenance needs of the homes for years. In Minnesota, the backlog of repair needs totals over $300 million. So not only are these homes half a century old, they are practically being held together with little more than hope and masking tape. prgtoken Make no mistake, we, as lawmakers, bear responsibility for the deplorable conditions of our public housing and for the deplorable and unsafe conditions that millions of Americans are living in today. This is our fault. The Federal Government has all but abandoned public housing. prgtoken We cannot continue to pretend that we can't see the crumbling buildings in our districts. We can't continue to ignore the hundreds of thousands who experience homelessness because of waiting lists for housing assistance. And it goes beyond the homeless population. prgtoken Millions of Americans are living every single day in fear of eviction. Twelve million Americans are paying more than half of their income in rent, and about 6,300 people are evicted every single day. prgtoken How can we in Congress call ourselves leaders if we continue to ignore this crisis? prgtoken I, for one, refuse to continue down that path. It is time for a bold and progressive solution. prgtoken I will be introducing legislation that ensures every public housing unit in this country is equipped with sprinklers, so that we never see another devastating tragedy like the one that befell the residents of my district. And we will be demanding accountability from HUD, requiring the agency to report on exactly how many units are not fitted with sprinklers and how much money the agency needs to fix this glaring hazard. Bu
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF COACH JOHN McKISSICK
Joe Cunningham (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2019-12-5

I rise today to honor the life of longtime Summerville High School football coach, Hall of Famer, John McKissick, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day. prgtoken Coach McKissick was the greatest high school football coach our country has ever seen. In fact, he held the record for the most wins of any football coach anywhere at any single level. Over the course of his 62-year career, he led the Green Wave to 10 State championships and 621 wins. prgtoken Coach McKissick was a mentor and a father figure to thousands of student athletes. In total, he coached over 5,000 young men throughout his career. prgtoken I had the honor of attending his funeral earlier this week, and I got to meet several of his former players, many in their fifties, sixties, seventies, and even eighties, who all told me about the incredible impact he had on their lives. prgtoken He famously told his players that it is not about the Xs and Os; it's about the Jims and the Joes. He called his players his boys. He treated them like family because they were, and that feeling was mutual. prgtoken It is impossible to imagine high school football or Summerville without him, but his amazing legacy will live on forever. prgtoken May God bless his family, his friends, former players, and the entire Summerville community. prgtoken Thank you for everything, Coach.