mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING BILL MILLER
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-5-21

I would like to pay tribute to a true legend in South Louisville, KY: Pleasure prgtoken Ridge Park High School Baseball coach Bill Miller. The winningest coach in the history of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, KHSAA, Bill unfortunately passed away after a yearslong struggle with cancer at 68. prgtoken Pleasure Ridge Park High School, or PRP as we all call it, was Bill's home away from home. He spent 50 years of his life there as a student, an assistant coach, and, ultimately, for nearly four decades, as head baseball coach. Working with the students, Bill influenced countless lives and helped prepare young people for adulthood. The school's athletic director Nick Waddell said, ``He was like a father to so many people.'' prgtoken Bill attended the University of Alabama after graduating from PRP, playing baseball and one season of football. Leaving Tuscaloosa, Bill returned to his hometown and to his high school as an assistant coach. Then, in 1980, Bill was named PRP's second head baseball coach. prgtoken For the next 38 seasons, Bill's team dominated baseball in Kentucky winning a record 1,144 games, including six State championships. Baseball was Bill's passion, but it was more than just a game. On the diamond, Bill saw it as his responsibility to help make boys into men. He taught them the values of hard work, of competition, and how to leave it all on the field. prgtoken Two and half years ago, when Bill was diagnosed, he refused to let his disease stop him. He kept coaching and mentoring, even winning his sixth State championship last year. When he couldn't coach, Bill would be there on the sidelines, supporting his team. prgtoken Last month, Bill was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame. Although he wasn't able to attend the ceremony, he recorded a message to his players, his fans, and his friends. Dozens of current and former players, many of whom consider Bill to be a role model throughout their lives, attended the ceremony to honor their coach. prgtoken When he passed away on April 23, Bill was surrounded by his loving family and friends. In addition to all of his players, Bill is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Vickie, and their children, Matt and Megan. Following in Bill's footsteps, Megan is in her 15th season as the head softball coach at PRP. Coach Bill Miller's legacy will continue to be felt by this community, and I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in remembering this remarkable Louisvillian. (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)
NAFTA (Executive Session)
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-5-21

I am here today to discuss new legislation to help Puerto Rico gain a stronger fiscal footing, but before turning to that, I would like to make a few comments regarding the current NAFTA trade talks. prgtoken Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of discussion in the press about potential deadlines for concluding negotiations on NAFTA. While speculation about timelines is natural, let me be clear. As I have said from the beginning of these talks, the most important thing for determining when and how Congress will vote on an eventual North American Free Trade Agreement outcome is the quality of the agreement. prgtoken I understand that the current negotiations are about an existing agreement that American businesses and workers rely on in dealing with two of our largest trading partners. I understand that continuing negotiations means a level of uncertainty about these important relationships will continue to persist. Nevertheless, it is critical that the administration take the time necessary to get these negotiations right. I believe the administration understands that. prgtoken A modernized NAFTA will help American businesses and workers only if it includes strong and enforceable protections for America's creators and innovators, supports cross-border data flows, and maintains and expands market access for American goods and services exporters to the Canadian and Mexican markets. prgtoken The bottom line: Substance is what matters, and we should not allow other considerations to impede achieving our goals. prgtoken I am confident that with continued discussions between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, we can create a strong agreement that will meet the high standards set by Congress in trade promotion authority. I will continue to support the administration in achieving that outcome.
FINDING A COMPREHENSIVE AND COMPASSIONATE SOLUTION TO THE OPIOID CRISIS
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-5-21

I rise today to recognize my bipartisan bill, the Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and Payment Act of 2018, which passed unanimously in the House Ways and Means Committee last week. prgtoken As a member of the bipartisan Heroin Task Force, I am committed to finding a comprehensive and compassionate solution to reverse the tide of the growing opioid addiction plaguing our communities and families. prgtoken With 115 people dying each day--and 635 in my own district in 2016 alone--from an opioid overdose, we must find ways to prevent this abuse from happening in the first place. prgtoken My bipartisan bill requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to evaluate and report on adverse incentives that lead to the overprescription of opioids and underutilization of nonopioid alternatives for postsurgery recovery and the treatment of chronic pain. prgtoken This is commonsense legislation that will enable Congress to identify and eliminate perverse incentives that are fueling the opioid epidemic, the epidemic that is destroying our families and our communities. prgtoken I have personally known individuals in the 22nd District whose lives were taken too early because of this scourge. prgtoken This bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction to helping our families and communities combat this crisis that is tearing families apart. prgtoken , I want to thank my bipartisan cosponsors, Representative prgtoken Suzan DelBene and Representative David McKinley, for joining me in this important legislation.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Harold Rogers (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-5-21

I had a scheduling conflict, and was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 181; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 182;``yea'' on Roll Call No. 183; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 184; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 185; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 186; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 187; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 188; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 189; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 190; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 191; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 192; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 193; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 194; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 195; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 196; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 197; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 198; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 199; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 200; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 201; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 202; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 203; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 204; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 205; and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 206.
HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MRS. CLARENE HELEN VICKERY
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-5-21

I rise to recognize my constituent, Mrs. Clarene Helen Vickery and to congratulate her on an incredible milestone. On May 22, Mrs. Vickery will celebrate her 100th birthday. It is my honor to include this extraordinary woman and citizen of Fairfax County into the Record. prgtoken Born Clarene Helen Dickens in Collins, Mississippi, Mrs. Vickery began her service to her community at an early age, working for the National Youth Administration during the Great Depression. That service continued when she relocated to Virginia, where she founded the Parkwood School and has served as its Director from 1956 to the present time. Since its founding, more than 10,000 students have attended Parkwood School. Mrs. Vickery has been recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education and a Certificate of Recognition from the Fairfax County Health Department for her more than six-decade support of the health and well-being of children. prgtoken Mrs. Vickery has also been a successful business woman and active member of the Vienna, Virginia business community, receiving the Business Person of the Year award from the Greater Vienna Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Grand Marshall of the Vienna Halloween Parade for the Vienna Regional Chamber of Commerce, and in other capacities. prgtoken Her contributions to our community have also extended into her role as a person of faith. Mrs. Vickery was a founding member of the Providence Baptist Church in McLean, Virginia, and served the Vienna Baptist Church as a member for the past 60 years in the position of Sunday School Director. prgtoken One would think that these innumerable commitments to serving her community would be the overriding force in Mrs. Vickery's life and replace all other considerations. But one would be mistaken. Mrs. Vickery is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and her husband ``Vick'' raised four sons; and have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. prgtoken , Fairfax County is one of the best places in the entire country in which to live, work, raise a family and start a business. Our high quality of life is only made possible through the efforts of citizens such as Clarene Helen Vickery. I congratulate her again on joining the Century Club and ask my colleagues to join me in offering their congratulations and in thanking her for her many years of service to our community. I know that she will continue to remain involved in the causes that are dear to her for many years to come.
VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2018
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-5-21

I rise in strong support of H.R. 4958, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2018. prgtoken H.R. 4958 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2018, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. prgtoken The bill increases the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. prgtoken For the brave military men and women serving our country, this will help offset the cost of living in higher cost areas of the country. prgtoken Our nation owes a great debt to these fearless men and women defending our nation. prgtoken Providing cost of living adjustments to keep up with inflation is an effective way to honor their sacrifice. prgtoken Many of our veterans rely on the disability benefits they receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs to merely make ends meet. prgtoken While Social Security benefits are automatically adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation, Congress must pass legislation every year to increase the rates of veteran disability compensation. prgtoken Unfortunately, it requires an act of Congress to make this same adjustment for our nation's veterans. prgtoken Passing H.R. 4958 ensures that our nation's veterans are able to receive the same annual cost of living adjustment of Social Security recipients. prgtoken The community-integrated rehabilitation treatment provided by the pilot program will serve as a vital resource to our veterans as they overcome burdensome health problems. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4958 to show their support and gratitude for the many sacrifices made by our service men and women.
HONORING FRANCES LUCERNA
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-5-21

I rise today to honor and recognize a trailblazer and pionera of community arts and education, and a friend, Frances Lucerna, who was bestowed the title of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Bank Street College of Education on May 10, 2018. prgtoken Frances is the Co-Founder and Artistic Executive Director of El Puente, a non-profit Brooklyn based community and youth development organization that promotes the arts, leadership, peace and social justice. This organization was founded at the height of the gang and drug epidemic in the Williamsburg, Brooklyn community. Frances, a former dancer believed that arts and culture could be spiritually healing and transformational for young people and their families. Since inception in 1983, El Puente has positively transform the lives and future of hundreds of underserved and low-income at risk-youths with its arts, dance and literacy-based after school programs. It has introduced and opened the doors to the theater and film for many young people. In addition, the holistic approach to art combined with academic enrichment programming and activities is unique and has positioned El Puente to be one of the most celebrated Latino cultural organization's in my district. prgtoken Without a high school for participants to further their interest and education in the arts and social justice, in 1993 she championed and founded El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice High School. It was the first school in the country dedicated to human rights and a national model for community based schools serving students from 9th through 12th grade. prgtoken In 2012, Frances spearheaded the development of the Global Justice Institute, El Puente's training, research, and development center, which engages individuals and organizations from around the world in learning about El Puente's social justice practices while creating strategies for sustainable, community-driven change for a more healthy, vibrant, livable community. prgtoken Her advocacy, passion and dedication to strengthening the human condition is immeasurable. She has earned the respect of leaders, both local and global. Although she is the recipient of numerous awards, being conferred the title of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) reaffirms her life's work and significant contribution to society. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Frances Lucerna for a distinguished life of public service and accomplishments. My district is enriched because of her vision and leadership.
SHARING STUDENTS' MARCH FOR OUR LIVES REMARKS
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-5-21

on May 9, I came to the Floor and spoke about the March For Our Lives on March 24 and the nine extraordinarily poised students in Morristown, New Jersey, who spoke at the rally there, which I attended. I include in the Record remarks by Luna Aguilar. I hope my colleagues will read them and internalize the sense of fear in which our nation's students are living every day--and our responsibility as Members of Congress to do something to address this crisis of gun violence. March For Our Lives Remarks by Luna Aguilar Every month, every week, every day we hear about a hate- filled person, usually a white-supremacist man, getting a gun to kill others without mercy. We are here today because the shooting at Stoneman Douglas high school in Florida hurts all of us, and we will not take this anymore! The students who were murdered in Florida, and many more who are killed by gun violence throughout our country, had dreams to fulfill in the rest of their lives. They were robbed of their dreams because our country allows nineteen- year-olds to legally own weapons of destruction, and we let one man kill seventeen innocent lives. Teachers and faculty at schools across the country have given up their lives to protect their students from mass murderers, and now that is their legacy. But they should not have to be mourned as martyrs. They should be remembered as teachers, heroes who educated the future generation. We, as a nation, have decided that we value gun ownership without adequate background checks, without limits, more than the lives of our youth. But we, the youth, the future of our country, are deciding, right here, right now, that our lives are worth more than the right to own an assault weapon. This same outrage should have pushed a change of policy on guns after Columbine, Sandy Hook, Orlando, and Las Vegas. This outrage should have supported the victims of excessive police force in Ferguson. Stephon Clark was shot twenty times in his grandmother's yard while unarmed just two days ago. Are we speaking up for him too? This outrage should be heard in response to the deaths of immigrants at the hands of border patrol agents. African Americans, Latinos, immigrants, members of the LGBTQIA community are all subject to gun violence in our neighborhoods, and we must speak up for them too. This will not be an exclusive fight. We are targeted because of the color of our skin, because of our religion, because of who we are. Undocumented immigrants already fear having their families torn apart by ICE, and they also fear of dying at the hands of an extremist. Marginalized women also fear for their lives. We will not live in fear any longer! We must not succumb to fear and make our schools into
GUN VIOLENCE
Yvette D. Clarke (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-5-21

I thank the gentleman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for his words of wisdom and for his statistical data. prgtoken And just to add to the conversation is that we have not counted those who were injured in all of these gun violence episodes across this Nation, those who have been traumatized by exposure to such carnage that is unfolding right before their very eyes. There are individuals in hospitals right now, as we speak, trying to recover from the most horrific gun violence that has ever hit their communities. We don't know that all of them will heal, and, you know, this should be motivation to everyone in this Chamber to act. prgtoken We are all just a moment away from a tragic occurrence. And as a matter of fact, it wasn't that long ago that our colleagues were set upon at a Congressional Baseball Game practice. It boggles the mind. You have to ask yourself, where is the sanity when individuals who were gunned down at a Congressional Baseball Game practice have not mustered up the courage to bring a bill to the floor? Unbelievable. Unforgivable. prgtoken Having said that, from North Carolina, Alma Adams, the 12th District, who is an advocate as well for commonsense gun measures in this Nation to come and bring her comments at this time.
Santa Fe High School Shooting (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-5-21

on Friday morning there was yet another shooting in a school in America. Another community was torn apart by senseless violence. It was another week when parents must bury their children. We are still learning the tragic details of what happened in Santa Fe, but the basic reality in America remains unchanged: Far too many people are dying from gun violence. prgtoken What we need now more than ever is real, substantive debate on gun violence in America--a real debate about universal background checks, a real debate about protective orders, and a real prgtoken debate on regulating assault weapons, which are often the weapon of choice in the most deadly mass shootings. prgtoken In the wake of Parkland, it looked like President would finally get religion on this issue. He promised a serious debate on gun violence, but as soon as the NRA and their special interest cronies closed ranks around him, he backed off. That seems to be the pattern of this administration. The President says something one day, and then some powerful interest says: Don't do it, and he backs right off. That is not the kind of strength he wishes to show, and he sure hasn't shown it on this issue. prgtoken After this most recent tragedy in Santa Fe, we have heard no new calls for commonsense gun safety from the White House, but this Chamber can still act. I implore my friends across the aisle to take up this debate. We owe it to the people of Santa Fe, TX, to the people of Parkland, FL, and to every other community that lives at the mercy of the gaping loopholes in our gun laws.
CONGRATULATING DIANA DIAZ TAPIA
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-5-21

I rise today to congratulate Diana Diaz Tapia for graduating cum laude from Rutgers University Newark with a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Nonprofit Administration. prgtoken Diana, a resident of Franklin Township and a DREAMer, came to the United States in 2002 from Mexico. Throughout her academic career, Diana has worked hard to achieve her prgtoken goals. Knowing the sacrifice her parents made to bring her to the U.S she has been motivated to pursue her dreams. prgtoken Diana was admitted into the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at New Brunswick High School her freshman year and her academics took off. She graduated in the top of her class and received numerous scholarships that allowed her to attend Middlesex Community College. Among those scholarships were the Karl Burnstein Memorial Scholarship and the Elinor Pavon Oziel Memorial Scholarship. prgtoken While at Middlesex she once again excelled and received the RU-N to the Top, The Dream, US Scholarship as well as other scholarships to help make her dream of a college degree come true. In true Diana fashion, she has already begun classes towards her next goal; a master's degree in Public Administration. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Diana on her recent graduation and wish her the best of luck on her future endeavors.
REMEMBERING REVEREND W.G. HARDY, JR.
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-5-21

on February 2, Portland lost a dedicated man of faith, Rev. W.G. Hardy, Jr. As our community mourns the loss of this great spiritual leader, we also pause to celebrate all he did for our community. prgtoken During the 22 years that Pastor Hardy served as senior pastor of the Highland Christian Center in northeast Portland, he committed himself heart and soul to helping every person who walked through the doors of his church, as well as those who did not. prgtoken Preaching wasn't just a duty for Pastor Hardy; it was a calling that helped Portland be a better place to live. Many will remember Pastor Hardy inviting any and all to come to his church. Often you would see him on the weekends supporting the church's many activities and events. He spent endless hours advocating for those who are homeless, working with nonprofits and local governments to find solutions on mental illness, and developing programs to prevent young people from falling through the cracks. prgtoken Pastor Hardy was justifiably proud that Highland Christian Center hosted the annual ``Keep Alive the Dream'' events, which earned official designation from the National Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. Over the years, I had the fortune of attending this unique program, recognized as the largest tribute to Dr. King in the State of Oregon. prgtoken As a third-generation preacher, Pastor Hardy understood and valued the power of faith. He was steadfast in his advocacy and had the ear and phone numbers of countless city, county, and State leaders. His passion and energy for this work showed in his powerful and poignant sermons. Every time I would see Pastor Hardy, whether after one of his many inspiring services or during a visit to Washington, DC, he always had a smile on his face and an important issue to discuss. prgtoken Through his beloved wife, Ali Hardy, his children, grandchildren, and a host of other loving relatives, Pastor Hardy's life and legacy will last forever throughout Portland. His good work will continue through the leaders he helped lift up and create. While this is a loss for many, the gains he made will be felt by many for years to come.