mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING ROBERT ``BOBBY'' SILVERSTEIN
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-1-23

I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Robert ``Bobby'' Silverstein, who was a champion for people who experience disabilities and who made an incredible impact throughout his career. prgtoken During his time working for both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Bobby held a number of leadership roles where he helped develop legislation to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. This includes serving as staff director and chief counsel for the Subcommittee on Disability Policy on what is now known as the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. During his tenure, Bobby worked to build bipartisan consensus and helped negotiate critical pieces of bipartisan legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act--ADA. prgtoken Bobby made a profound impact on countless families across the country, including my own. My son Ben experiences physical disabilities and because advocates like Bobby worked to pass critical legislation like the ADA, Ben had the opportunity to go to school, to learn, and make friends in our community. prgtoken But my family's story is not unique. Across the country, in the more than three decades since the ADA was signed into law, people who experience disabilities have been more fully included in their communities and have received the support that they need to thrive at home, in school, at work, and in all aspects of their lives. prgtoken As we mark Bobby's legacy, we also recognize that we have more work to do to build on his incredible efforts. And we must follow his example of working to build consensus and make a difference for the American people. prgtoken While Bobby passed away in November, the impact that he has made in the lives of millions of people will live on in our democracy. I am profoundly grateful for the work he has done and will continue working to honor his legacy and ensure that Americans who experience disabilities are fully included in every aspect of our society.
Monterey Park Shooting (Executive Calendar)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-23

today the thoughts of the Senate are with the people of Monterey Park, CA, as they heal from this weekend's tragic and terrible shooting. What should have been a weekend of joy and celebration within the AAPI community as they celebrate the Lunar New Year, turned into another occasion of grief and mourning. prgtoken I spoke yesterday with the sheriff of Los Angeles County and assured him that the Federal Government is ready to provide whatever assistance they need right now. While first responders are still investigating the causes of this incident, it is clear that the prevalence of guns in our country have made tragedies like this one too frequent. While the Senate passed bipartisan gun safety legislation last year--and that was a very welcome move--more should be done. prgtoken My thoughts are with all the families and the loved ones of the victims of this insidious attack. I thank all the first responders and even the private citizens who responded quickly to stop the shooter and prevent even more lives from tragically being cut short. 118th Congress prgtoken , I want to also welcome our new colleague from Nebraska and wish him the best. prgtoken Now, this week, for the first time in the 118th Congress, both Chambers gavel into session to begin anew the work of serving the American people. It is a new era here in Congress, an era of divided government where both parties will have to demonstrate they can work together to solve our Nation's problems. begin the 118th Congress with an open hand of cooperation, and I urge my colleagues to respond in kind so we can hit the ground running. prgtoken We have a lot of difficult and important work ahead of us, perhaps none more important than working together to raise the debt ceiling and protecting the full faith and credit of the United States. In America, when it is time to pay the bills, we have followed through on our obligations without any exception. prgtoken In the months to come, I expect we are going to hear a lot from our colleagues about the debt ceiling. So let me begin by making a few things perfectly clear at the onset. prgtoken First, few issues require more bipartisanship, cooperation, and serious-mindedness than making sure that America is able to pay its debts on time. At stake is the health of our economy and the very stability of the global financial system. Should the U.S. default on its debt, the consequences could be severe, and it is going to affect just about every average American family. This is not some esoteric issue that is just abstract and way up there in the clouds. It is going to affect all of us. prgtoken Listen to what could happen if we default: Interest rates will go up on mortgages, on car loans, on credit cards; pensions, the money people have put aside, will lose billions, so will IRAs and 401Ks, in all likelihood. Home values will dec
TRIBUTE TO CHERYL L. MASON
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2023-1-23

today I would like to honor the 30 years of public service and career of a distinguished American and champion for veterans, servicemembers, and their families: Mrs. Cheryl L. Mason. prgtoken As the Department of Veterans Affairs' Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, Chairman Mason helped deliver thousands of veterans and their families appeals on their earned benefits and VA services, ensuring they received timely decisions, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Chairman Mason's lifelong commitment to serving veterans, servicemembers, and their families is no surprise given her background. She is the daughter of a U.S. Navy World War II veteran and a proud military spouse, serving her country alongside her husband Brett during his nearly 21 years in the U.S. Air Force. prgtoken Like many military spouses, Chairman Mason experienced a few breaks in her professional career due to relocations. However, she never let that stop her from working, whether it was as an LBJ intern on Capitol Hill for Congressman Bob McEwen, for the Department of the Air Force, in academia, or in private practice as an attorney. In fact, her experience served as a catalyst for her to become a champion for the military spouse community, where she went on to assist VA, the Department of Labor, Defense, and the Hiring Our Hero's Program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to reduce military spouse unemployment and underemployment. prgtoken After decades of public service, Mrs. Mason was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn-in as the Chairman of prgtoken the Board of Veterans' Appeals in November of 2017. She is the first woman and military spouse to hold this position. prgtoken During her time as Chairman, Mason demonstrated strong leadership to the veterans and communities she served. From hiring 65 new veterans law judges to increase both hearing and decision capacity, to expanding use of remote work during the pandemic that resulted in record-setting hearings, she delivered on her commitments. prgtoken As the top on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee since 2017, it was a great honor to work with Chairman Mason and the Board of Veterans' Appeals to spearhead landmark laws such as the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which reduced the claims backlog from 472,000 cases to 96,000 cases in 4 years, and the VA Tele- Hearing Modernization Act, which VA was able to quickly implement as a result of Chairman Mason's efforts. prgtoken Cheryl has also been an outstanding champion for the hiring of veterans, military spouses, and caregivers at VA and in the executive branch. And as a PREVENTS ambassador, she has done great work in developing and distributing a holistic public health approach to suicide prevention, working locally and nationally to end suicide. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize Cheryl's 30 years of outstanding service and top-notch commitment to serving our military men
Welcoming John Peter Ricketts (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-23

I want to begin by welcoming our newest Senator from the State of Nebraska, Pete Ricketts. prgtoken I don't know him well, but I am sure I will come to know him. I certainly know his family. They have made their impression on the city of Chicago by purchasing the historic franchise the Chicago Cubs. They have made major investments in the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois in that pursuit. Best of all, they have virtually guaranteed that Wrigley Field is going to stay in Wrigley Field--exactly where it should be. It is one of the cathedrals of baseball in America, and the Ricketts family has made a commitment to it, which is certainly satisfying to devout baseball fans like myself. prgtoken I hope the time of the new Senator will be productive and gratifying. Work in this body can sometimes be slow and frustrating, but with patience, good things can happen.
REMEMBERING JAMES ``JIMMY'' DEAL
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-1-23

today I rise to recognize the life and legacy of my dear friend, James ``Jimmy'' Deal. Jimmy devoted his life to protecting others and remained fiercely loyal to his friends and family to his last breath. While I am incredibly sad to lose my friend, I am so grateful to the Deal family for sharing him with the rest of us and allowing him to devote so much of his time and energy toward keeping others safe. prgtoken Jimmy was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. After graduating from San Jose State, Jimmy was determined to protect others from crime and violence, and so he took an assignment as a special agent at the Las Vegas office of the newly formed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. prgtoken Though moving to Las Vegas was a significant milestone in Jimmy's career, the most important moment was a chance meeting with another Federal employee, Cathy Liance, who was also working in his building. Cathy and Jimmy were married after Jimmy started work at the Secret Service. Soon, the Deals filled their household with children Jennifer, Jessica, and David. Jimmy's career with the Secret Service would take the Deals all over the country, but they eventually made Reno, NV, their home. prgtoken Jimmy served with the Secret Service for nearly 30 years, including several years when he was assigned to President Gerald Ford's protective division after Ford faced multiple assassination attempts. After 9/11, Jimmy shifted his focus and became an early leader within another new Federal Agency, the Transportation Security Administration. Having spent nearly his entire adult life in Federal law enforcement, Jimmy saw how his experience and knowledge would be valuable for the new Agency. Jimmy took the role of Assistant Federal Security Director and provided a guiding hand in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport's safety and security protocols. At the airport, Jimmy was a leader in raising awareness about human trafficking, and he worked with agencies in Nevada to assist victims of human trafficking to escape. He continued this important work until his sudden passing. prgtoken My husband Paul and I will truly miss Jimmy and will remain grateful for his friendship and his lifelong commitment to serving people and protecting the public. To Jimmy's mother Urania and to Cathy, Jennifer, Jessica, David, and the grandkids Dylan and Casey, I hope you all keep Jimmy's boundless love and spirit with you always and take pride in what he accomplished.
TRIBUTE TO LOURDES E. ``ALFIE'' ALVARADO-RAMOS
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-1-23

I rise today to celebrate Alfie Alvarado- Ramos, the Director of Washington State's Department of Veterans Affairs, who will retire on January 31, 2023, after serving Washington State and our veterans for over 29 years. Alfie's impressive career is marked by many well-earned accolades, but most of all by her dedication to serving Washington State and the Nation. prgtoken Throughout her military service, Alfie's service has been recognized with awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Order of Military Medical Merit, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Meritorious Service medal. After 22 years, she retired from Active Duty in August 1993 as the command sergeant major of Madigan Army Medical Center and Troop Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. prgtoken She has also proven herself a distinguished and passionate leader in the management of medical services delivery and human resources management, especially for our veterans. Alfie is an alumna of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program, the University of Washington Executive Management Program, and holds a master's degree in healthcare administration, and a licensed nursing home administrator. prgtoken As director of Washington State's Department of Veterans Affairs, Alfie was a member of Governor Jay Inslee's executive cabinet and chaired the Washington State Military Transition Council. In this capacity, she has helped the agency lead statewide efforts for the seamless transition of servicemembers and their families to Washington State's communities. As a leader in our State, she has been honored with many well-earned local, State, and national awards, including the Governor's Distinguished Management Leadership Award and the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary's Leadership Award. prgtoken Alfie's extraordinary commitment to servicemembers and veterans is unmatched. Anyone who has worked with Alfie, as I have been honored to do for many years, knows her tireless dedication and relentless drive to improve services for members of the military, veterans, and their families. From mental health to education and training, military spouse employment, to emergency funding for State veterans homes in the depths of the COVID pandemic, Alfie has been an incredible partner. prgtoken Although there are so many stories I could share about the way Alfie has fought for veterans in Washington State, there is one in particular that I will never forget. Back in 2013, the State of Washington, thanks to Alfie's leadership, secured Federal funding for a veterans home in Walla Walla. Unfortunately, through a series of bureaucratic mishaps, our State was in danger of losing that funding--that is, until Alfie stepped in. She called to let my office know about the problem and was absolutely furious the Federal Government would pull the rug out from under those veterans who needed care the most. I couldn't have agreed mor
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-1-23

. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023; further, that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
TRIBUTE TO DOUG BIBBY
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-1-23

. . I rise today to honor the career of Doug Bibby, president of the National Multifamily Housing Council--NMHC--on the occasion of his retirement. For the past 30 years, Mr. Bibby has been a positive force in the housing sector, working to support families' pursuit of safe and affordable housing across this country. prgtoken More than two decades ago, Mr. Bibby became the president of the National Multifamily Housing Council, one of the Nation's leading associations representing the multifamily housing sector. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bibby has led with empathy, clarity, and dedication. Early in his presidency, he outlined goals for the council and the apartment industry at-large, highlighting the benefits of this housing option for families. With that in mind, Mr. Bibby made housing affordability and safety a top priority through legislation, partnerships, and programming. His leadership was essential during the pandemic as he helped advocate for passage of bipartisan legislation that led to over $50 billion in rental assistance going to households in need amidst the crisis. prgtoken At the helm of the council, Mr. Bibby formed their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitment strategy, recognizing its significance to the future of the multifamily industry. He took on the role of mentoring the next generation of leaders as a top priority. In addition, Mr. Bibby was committed to introducing a pipeline for new talent to enter the industry, which led to the formation of NMHC's Emerging Leaders Program. prgtoken Mr. Bibby left a productive, positive and enduring mark on the apartment industry, a sector that provides homes for almost 37 million Americans and contributes $3.4 trillion to the economy annually. His legacy will be felt for generations to come. Having delayed his well- deserved retirement more than once, I commend him for his many years of dedication and wish him the best in this next chapter of his life. I congratulate him and wish him a well-earned, enjoyable and fulfilling retirement.
Introductory Statement on S. 24
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-23

I rise today to introduce the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act, which would establish a new Federal grant program to increase capacity for comprehensive supportive services paired with housing as a way to address our country's homelessness crisis. prgtoken As we have seen with the growing diversity of our homeless populations--individuals with mental health conditions or those struggling with addiction, people who simply could not keep up with increases in rent, families with children, and veterans--our Nation's homelessness crisis is not going away on its own without coordinated efforts at every level of government. prgtoken According to the data released in December from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are approximately 582,500 homeless individuals, including families with small children, in the United States. Nearly 30 percent of this population is in California, with approximately 172,000 homeless people sleeping on the streets on any given night. prgtoken In a nation as prosperous and wealthy as ours, we can and we must do better to address the issue of homelessness. prgtoken That is why I am introducing the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act, which would authorize a new Federal funding stream of $1 billion per year, subject to annual appropriations. Grantees must serve individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by providing housing paired with a comprehensive set of services and must prgtoken provide a 25-percent match for any Federal funds received. prgtoken Because each individual and every community is unique, the grant program would be flexible in order to work in any region or for any homeless population. prgtoken This bill is based on a model that has proven to be effective and supports the great work already being done across the country, allowing local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations to expand their capacity and ensure a greater reach by putting Federal dollars where they will be most effective. prgtoken I am proud that this legislation is supported by a wide coalition of local governments, housing, health, and child welfare organizations, including the mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, National League of Cities, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Counties, National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the National Housing Conference. prgtoken Supportive services such as mental and physical health care, substance abuse treatment, education and job training, and life skills such as financial literacy are critical components. Paired with intensive case management, supportive housing models make a difference. prgtoken We have seen the success of such partnerships in San Francisco, where the GLIDE Foundation provides critical services that meet an individual's basic needs, including meals, crisis intervention and prevention, childcare an
RECOGNIZING THE 1973 VASTER MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-1-23

in the past half century, Arkansans have played millions of basketball games, most of which have disappeared into a blur of fond memories and forgotten scores. For many of the residents of Jefferson County, however, one game still stands out from the rest: the 1973 State overall championship final between the Vaster High School Pirates and the Little Rock Central High School Tigers. prgtoken In that game, the Pirates represented a small rural community of only a few hundred, against the Tigers of Little Rock, a city of a quarter million. The Tigers were taller, better ranked, and were defending champs. Vaster, on the other hand, had overcome great odds just to get to the championship final, and few thought they had a chance. The Pirates could have made a halfhearted effort that March day and met expectations. But that is not what makes a great game and not what the Pirates had in mind. prgtoken When they took the court, Vaster's coaches and players were intent on shattering expectations, and that is exactly what they did. Far from being blown out, the Pirates went toe-to-toe with the Tigers. Central would take the lead, only for Vaster to wrest it away. The Pirates made the Tigers fight for every pass, point, and inch of progress. And you better believe they made Central sweat. This climactic battle between two great teams ended in a one-point Tiger victory, after Vaster missed a free throw in the last 12 seconds of the game. prgtoken Fifty years later, that game still fills many Arkansans with pride. It remains proof that extraordinary effort, commitment, and drive, even by teenagers on a basketball court, can inspire and make a difference years later. That is why I would like to honor the great coaches, players, and staff of the 1972-73 Vaster High School Pirates: head coach Herbert Pryor, assistant coach Andrew Carr, Cleveland Allen, Eric Biley, Samuel Biley, Jr Reddic Borkins, Jimmy Dade, Carl Evans, James Evans, Tommy Evans, Roy Franklin, Jimmy Gladney, Homer Jackson, Melvin Jackson, Charles Petty, Rodney Ryce, Thomas Tarty, Ronnie Grice, Rodney Crawford, and Jacob Jones. prgtoken The State of Arkansas and the U.S. Senate salute you on this 50th anniversary of your great game.
TRIBUTE TO ASHLYN SPECTOR
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-1-23

today I wish to recognize Ms. Ashlyn Spector, a Knauss Sea Grant fellow on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. prgtoken Ms. Spector's scientific expertise has informed the committee's efforts in a meaningful and professional way. She has worked on several pieces of legislation that are important to improve the safety and economic security of the Nation, including the TORNADO Act. Her contributions will help improve data management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, promote Federal partnerships with our Nation's historically black colleges and universities and increase Federal coordination on floods and wildfires. prgtoken I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Spector for all of the fine work she has done and wish her luck in the years to come.