mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Amazon Union Drive (Executive Calendar)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-4-12

on Friday, Amazon, one of the world's largest corporations, successfully crushed the most recent union drive at one of their warehouses, where workers were organizing for a voice on the job. prgtoken Let's be clear: This was never a fair fight. prgtoken Amazon is perhaps the world's most powerful corporation. It would not be raking in profits without the hard work and dedication of its hundreds--hundreds of thousands of American workers. Yet Amazon unleashed all that corporate power to fight those same workers. prgtoken They harassed employees with anti-union propaganda. They sent misleading text messages, websites, and fliers. Workers reported they didn't even get enough time for bathroom breaks in the warehouse. That is how intense the company's pressure is. And yet, when they are able to use the bathroom during this union fight, even there workers are hit with anti-union propaganda fliers on the stall doors. prgtoken Amazon demanded the U.S. Postal Service install a mailbox onsite at the warehouse so they could monitor employees mailing their union election ballots. It is all part of a pattern for Amazon. prgtoken In 2019, Amazon fired a Staten Island warehouse worker who called for unionization. prgtoken Amazon monitors employees' online communications. Last fall we learned the company planned to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for new software to monitor ``threats'' like unions. Amazon isn't alone. This union busting is standard operating procedure for most companies. prgtoken A growing number of Americans want to join unions. A recent poll found that about half of Americans would like to join a union if they could. Millennials are the most pro-worker, pro-union generation since World War II. The Center for Economic Policy and Research reported that 75 percent of new union members are under the age of 35. prgtoken I talked to one of those union workers at the end of last month. I spoke to Kate from Zanesville, OH, who joined UFCW--United Food and Commercial Workers--not too long ago. We talked about the work she and I and others did to save her future pension in the rescue plan, how her union had helped her learn about retirement security and helped her fight for her retirement security. prgtoken So if all those workers, especially young workers, want to join a union, if they want to have a voice on the job, they want to have more control over their work lives, why aren't more union drives successful? prgtoken Pretty important question to ask, pretty obvious answer--because corporations have so much power. prgtoken One union organizer told a reporter for the Huffington Post: When people hear there's an election, they think everybody gets to vote, there's a secret ballot, and so on. What they don't understand-- prgtoken What the public doesn't understand about union elections-- is that the company has access to the workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has en
Ramadan (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-4-12

today marks the first day of Ramadan. For the second year in a row, Muslims around the world will be celebrating Islam's holiest month in the midst of this pandemic. prgtoken Traditionally, Ramadan is an opportunity for families to gather in prayer and break bread together after a day-long fast, but I know many people of the Muslim faith will not have that opportunity this year. It is a painful reminder of all the sacrifices all of us have been called to make since the beginning of this pandemic. prgtoken For all of those who observe, may this holy month be a time of peace for you and your loved ones, and I hope you will be able to break bread together soon.
TRIBUTE TO BARBARA ROGERS
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-4-12

I rise today to recognize my constituent and extraordinary Federal employee, Ms. Barbara Rogers of Chevy Chase, MD, who is retiring from Federal service. prgtoken For nearly 20 years, Barbara has worked for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's, CDC, Washington office, advising Agency leadership on critical policy issues, including environmental health and public health preparedness. A graduate of the George Washington University Law School, Barbara prosecuted environmental enforcement cases at the U.S. Attorney's Office and served for 8 years as counsel to committees of both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. She brought this invaluable experience to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, ATSDR, a Federal public health Agency that protects communities from the harmful health effects related to exposure to natural and manmade hazardous substances. When ATSDR joined CDC's Washington office in 2002, Barbara took on CDC's environmental portfolio in Washington, DC, and helped shape CDC's rapidly growing preparedness work in the era following the attacks of September 11. prgtoken Barbara has served as a CDC liaison to Congress, educating policymakers and staff to better understand the Agency on a variety of important matters, including in response to congressional oversight on CDC's laboratories and, more recently, on COVID-19. Barbara's widely sought sage advice and diplomatic skills, combined with a powerful intellect and attention to detail, have been a critical asset to CDC in the Agency's interactions with GAO and Congress. prgtoken With Barbara's retirement, her CDC colleagues will miss her warm friendship and wonderful sense of humor. CDC will lose a public servant with a moral and ethical grounding, who has been a fierce advocate for CDC and public health. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Barbara Rogers for her outstanding service to our country and extend to her our very best wishes for an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement.
CONGRESSIONAL TEACHER AWARDS
Vern Buchanan (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-4-13

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of outstanding public school teachers in Florida's 16th Congressional District. prgtoken I was once told that children are 25 percent of the population, but they are 100 percent of the future. prgtoken And it's true. The education of a child is an investment, not only in that student, but in the future of our country. prgtoken Therefore, I established the Congressional Teacher Awards to honor educators for their ability to teach and inspire students. prgtoken An independent panel has chosen the following teachers from Manatee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough counties to receive Florida's 16th District's 2021 Congressional Teacher Award for their accomplishments as educators: prgtoken Tammy Merrell for her accomplishments as a teacher at Samoset Elementary School. prgtoken Carol Mays Davis for her accomplishments as a teacher at Lincoln Memorial Academy. prgtoken Jeramiah Bowman for his accomplishments as a teacher at Braden River High School. prgtoken Kari Johnson for her accomplishments as a teacher at Fruitville Elementary School. prgtoken Judi Robson for her accomplishments as a teacher at Sarasota Middle School. prgtoken Jeanette Marks for her accomplishments as teacher at Sarasota Military Academy. prgtoken Timothy Mays for his accomplishments as a teacher at East Bay Senior High School. prgtoken On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, I congratulate each of these outstanding teachers and offer my sincere appreciation for their service and dedication.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2021-4-13

I would like to take a moment to recognize the remarkable life of Dr. David Wherry. prgtoken Born in Pawnee City, NE, he was the son of the former Nebraska Senator Kenneth S. Wherry, who served as the minority leader here in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Dr. Wherry attended Doane College in Crete, NE, before enrolling at the U.S. Naval Academy. prgtoken He then chose to go into the medical profession. prgtoken Little did he know the major impact he would have in this field. prgtoken After graduating from George Washington University with his medical degree and completing his surgical training, he was commissioned as a Medical Corps officer in the U.S. Air Force. prgtoken He then moved overseas for his residency, taking a position as a surgical doctor at the 7559th USAF Hospital in Burtonwood, United Kingdom. prgtoken He spent more than 2 years there before returning to the United States to become a teacher at George Washington University and later also at Georgetown University. prgtoken After years of teaching, Dr. Wherry returned to Active Duty during Operation Desert Storm and retired in 1993 as a colonel. prgtoken Following his years of service to our country, he returned to teaching and academic research. prgtoken Dr. Wherry became renowned in the medical world as a leading innovator in minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the gallbladder. prgtoken In his research in this area, he published over 50 manuscripts, 3 book chapters, and produced 2 films. prgtoken Additionally, he helped found laparoscopic cholecystectomy courses for servicemembers and trained thousands of military surgeons. prgtoken I want to note that Dr. Wherry was one of the first doctors in the United States to perform colonoscopies, making him a leading expert in this procedure that is performed on so many Americans and is vital in helping to detect and catch diseases like colon cancer. prgtoken International work was important to him, and he was successful in helping bring humanitarian aid to hospitals in the Philippines. prgtoken He also collaborated with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USUHS, and with the University of the Philippines/ Philippine General Hospital in bringing surgical residents to do scientific research at USUHS as well as arranged exchanges between medical students for training purposes. prgtoken He wanted to share and expand on his work by collaborating with others, so he helped found the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. prgtoken He was a member of the Societe Internationale de Chirurgie and International Biliary Association. prgtoken On top of all of these efforts, he continued to be a senior surgical consultant to the medical division of the U.S. Department of State. prgtoken His work and dedication to improving surgeries around the world and for our military men and women has been recognized by the State Department and the Department of Defense. <
Honoring State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-4-13

a short tribute and then maybe about an 8- or 9-minute speech that I have. prgtoken Today, I want to pay tribute to Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith, who courageously gave his life in the line of duty this past Friday. prgtoken Sergeant Smith, a 27-year Iowa State Patrol veteran and a tactical team leader, put himself in harm's way on behalf of his fellow Iowans last week, and it cost him everything. prgtoken Sergeant Smith is being remembered as a dedicated father, a loyal public servant, a man of God who left a positive impression on everybody he encountered. prgtoken I mourn for his family, fellow troopers, friends, and the entire Independence, IA, community at this tragic loss.
COMMEMORATING NATIONAL BORINQUENEERS DAY
Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican, PR) \u2014 2021-4-13

. Madam , the history of Puerto Rico is rich with examples of men and women from all walks of life, whose accomplishments inspire us today and draw the attention of the world to our Island. But one group stands out as an institution whose efforts enrich the enduring legacy and might of the U.S. military, and has left an indelible mark on all Puerto Ricans and in the history of our nation and the world. The 65th Infantry Regiment is this institution. prgtoken After the change of sovereignty as result of the Spanish American War of 1899, a military unit was recruited from the Puerto Rico residents and organized into the ``Regimiento de Voluntarios Puertorriquenios''. In 1908 was reorganized into a Regular Army Unit of the U.S. and in 1920 was given the numerical designation of 65th Infantry, United States Army. However, what best identifies the regiment is not its numerical designation, but the name chosen by its members while en route to the battlefields of Korea in 1950; Borinqueneers. prgtoken Organized at the dawn of the 20th Century, the Borinqueneers matured in the service of Puerto Rico and the nation, secured the Panama Canal during WWI, was baptized by fire during the liberation of Europe in WWII, and was tempered by the conflagration of the Korean War. In the hilltops and valleys of that besieged land their valor and courage, as exemplified by men like SFC Modesto Cartagena the most decorated Hispanic soldier of the Korean War, secured their place in history. In 1960, the colors of the 65th Infantry Regiment were transferred to the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, where their successors continue to serve and preserve the history and honor of the regiment. prgtoken For 121 years the Borinqueneers never wavered in their resolve to give its best in the service of Puerto Rico and the nation. Overcoming the social norms of its time and without full representation in the U.S. Congress, as deserved by all American citizens, the Borinqueneers persevered and are an inspiration to all of us. prgtoken Today, April 13, 2021 as we commemorate the first National Borinqueneers Day--an initiative that I am proud to have led along with Senators Scott and Rubio, and Representative Murphy--I call on this body and all the citizens of our great nation to be inspired by their example and work together to overcome the challenges that we face.
RECOGNIZING JUDGE BYRON RYDER, JUDGE LINDA GRANT, AND SYDNEY COHEN
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-4-13

. Madam , I would like to recognize Sydney Cohen of Hawaiian Springs Water for her substantial efforts in providing life-sustaining resources to Central Texans during a time of great need. prgtoken Madam , I would also like to extend my recognition to Judge Byron Ryder and Judge Linda Grant for their display of servant leadership during Texas' winter freeze. They worked tirelessly for their communities and went to great lengths to secure the water bottles provided by Hawaiian Springs Water. The residents of Leon and Freestone County have strong leaders, and for that, I am grateful.
Biden Administration (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-4-13

in all honesty, sometimes it is hard to figure out exactly what the policy goals are that the administration is striving to achieve. prgtoken Take the so-called COVID-19 relief bill that was signed into law just last month. Despite the fact that every pandemic relief bill that became law last year received broad bipartisan support, this bill did not. In fact, not a single voted for it. prgtoken The administration is preparing to rinse and repeat this strategy with a new misleading label, calling it infrastructure. But the reason why s didn't vote for the COVID-19 relief bill, while we did for every single one last year, was because only about 10 percent of the bill was actually dedicated to the goal stated by the proponents. Only about 10 percent of the massive $1.9 trillion bill was related to the pandemic, and less than 1 percent was related to our vaccination efforts. prgtoken As I said, now the administration is preparing a rinse-and-repeat strategy with a new misleading label: ``infrastructure.'' prgtoken If one of the surveyed questions on ``Family Feud'' was, ``Name something that is considered infrastructure,'' I would bet the top two answers would be roads and bridges. The other popular answers would probably include: airports, railroads, ports, tunnels, and waterways. But our ic colleagues are broadening that definition in ways that really are not accurate. prgtoken Just as they tried to brand things like environmental justice funding as ``pandemic relief,'' they are now getting very creative with the definition of ``infrastructure.'' In fact, the President's infrastructure plan has a lot in common with his COVID-19 relief plan. prgtoken First of all is the pricetag. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates this plan would cost $2.65 trillion. That is trillion with a ``t.'' prgtoken For reference, the last major infrastructure bill that became law in 2015 was widely described as the largest package in more than a decade. That overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation totaled just over $300 billion, one-ninth of the cost of this new plan. prgtoken But there is another similarity between these two massive proposals, the long list of unrelated progressive or liberal policy priorities. Only about 5 percent of the spending in this colossal infrastructure plan is directed toward roads and bridges. prgtoken So where does the rest of the money go? For starters, this proposal would provide $174 billion for electric vehicle chargers, far more money than would go toward the roads and bridges Americans drive on every day. There are roughly 280 million cars on the road, the vast majority of which are internal combustion engine driven. Yet rather than provide for the vast majority of travelers, this would favor $174 billion for electric vehicle chargers. prgtoken This proposal includes a whopping $400 billion to support caregiving for elderl
INFRASTRUCTURE
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-4-13

on one final matter, $865,000 dollars-- $865,000. That is roughly the cost of every new job the White House claims their so-called American Jobs Plan would create, $865,000. prgtoken This is how the math shakes out if you use the most favorable estimates that the administration itself prefers. Figures reported by Bloomberg News come out to about $865,000 per job. Other analyses have found numbers actually north of $860,000. prgtoken Here is where the number comes from. The White House has tried to claim their spending plan would create 19 million jobs over the next decade. That is completely false. The Washington Post Fact Checker gave multiple Pinocchios for this false claim. prgtoken Nineteen million jobs is one estimate of the total number of jobs the entire country would add over the next decade, from all sources--all sources. The same estimate says we are on track to add more than 16 million of those same jobs without the bill. prgtoken So this proposal to tax, borrow, and spend $2.25 trillion would only create 2.6 million new jobs. And remember, these are the rosiest-- rosiest--best-case estimates that the White House itself has been pushing. prgtoken Now, I know a whole lot of Kentucky entrepreneurs and business owners who create more than one job if we gave them $865,000 to invest and expand. prgtoken , I am sure you represent a lot of smart people who could turn an $865,000 investment into more than just one job. prgtoken The awful arithmetic just underscores how disappointing the proposal is. When the American people think of infrastructure, they think of honest-to-goodness public works projects that truly invest in the public good--things that build our Nation's backbone. And when Congress tackles real, tangible infrastructure issues in a smart fashion, there is big, broad bipartisan support. prgtoken The 2015 highway bill, the FAST Act, was a huge bipartisan lift that Senator Inhofe and former Senator Boxer hammered out together. I was proud to play a major role in that accomplishment myself. It was the first full 5-year highway bill that Congress had passed in 20 years. And it won 83 votes in the Senate and about the same percentage over in the House. prgtoken Even more recently, in 2018, the Senate passed America's Water Infrastructure Act, 99 to 1--the new investments in water infrastructure across the country to create jobs, grow the economy, and ensure that American families get the safe drinking water they deserve, 99 to 1. prgtoken Just last year, another water infrastructure package came out of the EPW Committee unanimously and cleared the Senate in a package that passed 92 to 6. prgtoken So there is bipartisan appetite for smart infrastructure bills that are built the right way. The Senate has proven that over and over again. There isn't much appetite for using the word ``infrastructure'' to justify a colossal--colossal--multitrillion-dollar slush fund fo
Honoring Officer William F. Evans (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-4-13

on Good Friday, another Capitol Police officer lost his life defending this building and all those in it. prgtoken Officer Billy Evans was killed when an individual rammed Officer Evans with his car at the barricade Officer Evans was manning. Another Capitol Police officer, Officer Ken Shaver, was injured in the attack. prgtoken We talk about how police officers leave their homes each day not knowing what they will face. Good Friday's attack was a reminder of how true that is. prgtoken We can only be thankful that despite the ever-present risk that they will not make it back to their homes, men and women like Officer Evans and Officer Shaver still choose to serve--to put themselves on the frontlines facing evil and danger so that the rest of us don't have to. prgtoken I know the officers of the Capitol Police have had an unthinkably difficult few months. I hope they know how grateful we are for their service. prgtoken Today Officer Billy Evans lies in honor in the Rotunda, a fitting tribute to a man who lived and died to protect those who serve in this building. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Evans' two children, Logan and Abigail, with his mother Janice, and with all those who mourn this brave man. May his memory be eternal.