mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO FORMER REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT FREEMAN ``BOB'' SMITH
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-12-3

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to the life of former Representative Robert Freeman ``Bob'' Smith. prgtoken I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and former colleague and offer my deepest condolences to his friends and family. prgtoken I served with Bob in Congress for a decade. He spent his life serving Oregonians in various roles, including president of the Public Lands Council, and in the Oregon legislature as House and subsequently Senate Minority Leader. He dedicated his life to his community, his constituents, and all Oregonians. prgtoken Growing up in Burns, he worked as a rancher. His experiences provided a deep knowledge of the needs and concerns of rural Oregonians, and he was one of their fiercest advocates. Bob was also a man of principle. He retired from Congress in 1995, yet ran again in 1997 because his successor, a member of his own party, had lied about his military service, among many other problems. He won, and when he returned to Congress for what would be his last term, he was elected Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, placing him in a powerful role championing policies important to rural communities. prgtoken Make no mistake, Bob and I had policy disagreements, but we were always friends and worked together often. One of my fondest memories is when Bob and I worked alongside former Senator Mark Hatfield to designate the Newberry Crater as a Monument in order to protect the area from energy development. Though we came from different sides of the aisle, this designation effort was just one example of how we were able to come together as Oregonians to protect the people, resources, and great outdoors that make Oregon home. Bob is missed, but his life of service and inspiring legacy lives on.
NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2020
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-3

I thank the gentleman from Hawaii for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 1049, the National Heritage Area Act. I thank Chairman Grijalva and the staff of the committee for their longtime support and effort here. And I thank Ranking Member Bishop for recognizing the value of this legislation and working with us on this. prgtoken The national heritage areas connect us, and perhaps more importantly, future generations with the voices and places that have shaped who we are as Americans. These sites deliver more than just a significant economic return; they help us reveal the diverse and sometimes hidden gems of our cultural heritage and fill us with a sense of place that brings our complex history to life. prgtoken For the first time, this bill establishes a standardized set of criteria for the designation of new national heritage areas and a rigorous process for existing national heritage areas to ensure accountability. prgtoken H.R. 1049 has 221 cosponsors, and strong bipartisan, and wide geographic support that speaks to the value of this program locally and nationally. Members recognize what heritage area investment means to their given communities and regions, and similar proposals have been introduced and championed by both the and administrations. prgtoken The National Heritage Area, or NHA, program is one of the Department of the Interior's most cost-effective initiatives, relying on public- private partnerships in which every Federal dollar is matched with an average of $5.50 in other funding. prgtoken For my part, I greatly appreciate the good that the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Corridor have done for my district and for upstate New York. prgtoken I commend the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and the National Parks Conservation Association for their hard work on this critical legislation. prgtoken I also want to thank my friends, our former colleague, Charlie Dent, and Congressmembers McKinley and G.T. Thompson, for their hard work on this legislation and continued support for heritage areas. prgtoken While the ranking member cited staff on both sides, I would endorse that. I also add to the compliments my legislative person, Emily Silverberg, for the outstanding work she has done and her longtime dedication and devotion to the effort. prgtoken H.R. 1049 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
INDIAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2020
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-3

I stand here today in support of the legislation before us, the ``Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act,''--the Senate companion to my bill in the House. prgtoken For too long, lack of access to credit and community development have hampered the entrepreneurial spirit of Native American tribes. Yet, across the country, Native American entrepreneurs are ready to start new businesses, create jobs, and lift up their communities. prgtoken My bill is a first step to change that. It updates and provides new resources to the Department of Commerce's Office of Native American Business Development. It ensures the Department of Health and Human Services is using Native American labor and industry products when appropriate. And, it authorizes the Administration for Native Americans to provide key financial assistance to Native American community development financial institutions. prgtoken I want to thank my friend Congresswoman Haaland for co-leading this bill with me, and Senator Hoeven, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, for introducing and shepherding this bill in the Senate. prgtoken The American people and Native communities, should be reassured that there is bipartisan commitment to improving lives in Indian Country. prgtoken I urge my colleagues, to vote yes and join us in empowering the Native American entrepreneurs and communities who are building solutions for a better tomorrow.
iIN HONOR OF DR. ANN ALBRIGHT
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-12-3

. Madam , I rise today to honor Dr. Ann Albright, and to celebrate her extraordinary contributions to the diabetes community in light of her retirement. prgtoken While I am saddened to see Dr. Albright leave the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I know we are all eternally grateful for the time she has spent--both at the CDC, and throughout her career--as a national leader in the fight against diabetes. prgtoken While at the CDC, she led the development and implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program--the nation's top program working to prevent and delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. prgtoken Dr. Albright's innovative approach to diabetes prevention translated a well-established preventative care study into a successful, nationwide program. Her work to expand access to diabetes care was unparalleled--she also spent time working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish and implement Medicare coverage for the National DPP lifestyle intervention program. prgtoken Prior to her time at the CDC, Dr. Albright served as Chief of the California Diabetes Program for the California Department of Health Services. She also served as President of Health Care and Education for the American Diabetes Association, Senior Health Policy Advisor in the Office of the United States Surgeon General and led the Secretary of Health's Diabetes Detection Initiative. prgtoken I'm among the countless people who have been lucky enough to work alongside Dr. Albright as we search for innovative ways to treat and prevent diabetes. We appreciate her compassion and dedication in all her professional and community roles. Her spirit and energy have helped thousands of people across our country, and I know she will be sorely missed. prgtoken I join with Dr. Albright's colleagues, peers, and all those she has served throughout her career to thank her for her outstanding efforts to better the lives of others, and I wish her many happy years of retirement.
BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-12-3

. Madam , I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in permitting me to speak on this. prgtoken Madam , I am excited that this bill is finally making it to the floor. We have watched the support build while we have watched the case become ever stronger. prgtoken As has been referenced by my colleagues, across the country, there are thousands of big cats--``exotics'' they are referred to--in terms of tigers and lions who are often kept by private owners in unsafe and abusive conditions. They are shown often bred by unlicensed exhibitors in basements or backyards. Not only does this cause suffering among these exhibit wild animals that are not meant to live under these conditions, but it does, as has been referenced, pose a risk to community safety. prgtoken Since 1990, there have been almost 380 dangerous incidents involving captive big cats in 46 States and the District of Columbia, leading to some traumatic injuries--and even death. prgtoken Too often, as has been referenced, it is the first responders who answer calls involving these animals, exposing police and fire to unnecessary risk. They are trained for public safety, not to deal with these huge and occasionally dangerous animals. State law is completely inadequate. It is a patchwork on this issue. Some ban private use. Others allow it with no questions asked. This is cruel and dangerous. Today, we are voting on a bill to change that. prgtoken Madam , I appreciate my friends, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Quigley--people who have spent time advancing this issue, and finally, it is before us. It will restrict private ownership of big cats, reduce breeding, and help minimize abuse. prgtoken As has been referenced and needs to be emphasized, this is narrowly focused on privately owned animals with appropriate exemptions for zoos and universities and sanctuaries. It can improve the lives of big cats and protect communities when things go wrong. These cats were never meant to be in captivity. Unlicensed ownership and breeding is bad for the animals. It is bad for the community. It doesn't advance conservation or education. prgtoken Madam , I hope that we will both vote today overwhelmingly to end the exotic trade on big cats and focus our efforts on real, meaningful conservation efforts at home and abroad. I think we were all just horrified by what we saw with the television series, ``Tiger King.'' Sadly, one would think that that would be enough to motivate the action. prgtoken Having worked on this issue over the years, I had some opportunity to be familiar with some of the players. This is something that I hope now is finally going to end, and it can today with our vote.
MARIJUANA OPPORTUNITY REINVESTMENT AND EXPUNGEMENT ACT OF 2019
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-12-4

I rise today in strong support of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019 or the MORE Act. This landmark legislation is long overdue. It will descheudule marijuana, provide expungement for previous offenders, clarify that those previously convicted of marijuana related offenses would be eligible for federal benefits, and will establish an excise tax system on marijuana to invest in communities disproportionately affected by our failed marijuana policy. prgtoken I have been working on this issue since I was first elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1982. In this Congress, I have sponsored the CARERS Act to provide legal certainty for those using medicinal marijuana allowed under state law and the Fresh Start Act which provides a pathway for expungement for these types of offenses. prgtoken The history of marijuana as a Schedule-I drug is one full of bias and discrimination. This policy has served its racist purposes, targeting communities of color and disproportionately incarcerating people of color. prgtoken The War on Drugs has been a resounding failure, especially regarding cannabis. About 700,000 Americans each year are arrested for cannabis related offenses. Despite similar usage rates, there are nearly four Black Americans arrested for a cannabis-related offense for every white American. In my district, the situation is even worse. According to a 2013 ACLU study, in Shelby County, 83.2 percent of people arrested for cannabis offenses were Black, which the report cited as one of the highest county-level statistics in the nation. These arrests and convictions have long term impacts. Those with criminal records are limited from receiving federal benefits including SNAP, housing benefits, and Pell Grants. Our policy is exactly backward. We should be supporting those susceptible to substance abuse, not punishing them. prgtoken This bill rights an historic wrong and invests in the communities most harmed. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. I thank Chairman Nadler for his leadership on this important issue.
COVID-19 AID PACKAGE
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-12-4

look, we all know this pandemic is not over--it is far from over--and Congress has to do its job. Families, seniors, small businesses are suffering, and they need Congress to act now before we leave town. prgtoken When we were all home over the Thanksgiving holiday, we all saw the same thing: the heartbreaking images of people, people who never have had to seek help, standing in lines for food, millions of people out of work. prgtoken Small businesses, well, they are closing. We are losing small businesses every single day, and now Federal unemployment benefits are set to expire. prgtoken Look, families are falling into poverty as a result of our inaction. prgtoken The people who are hurting are represented by and s. The people who are hurting are in every district across this country. prgtoken We worked to get to a solution. In this House, we passed, twice, legislation that would provide that relief, but, at this moment, we need to come together as and s. prgtoken The people who are hurting are represented by and s. The solution has to come in a bipartisan form. So let's set aside our differences. Let's find common ground. Let's pass a COVID relief bill now.
HONORING ZEENATH HUSSAIN
Andy Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-12-4

I rise to honor my retiring director of constituent services, Zeenath Hussain. It may not be common to speak on the floor of this House about a staffer, but Zee is truly an extraordinary public servant and human being. prgtoken In 2004, Zee answered an ad for a staff assistant position in my dad's, Sandy Levin's, district office. Over the years, she built an incomparable network of relationships with officials in an astounding array of Federal agencies and an unmatched mastery of how to solve virtually any constituent problem. prgtoken Even after 16 years of service, in a pandemic causing untold suffering and chaos, Zee listened to each constituent attentively, leveled with people when necessary, and comforted and reassured every family member. prgtoken In addition to her tireless work for constituents, Zeenath took care of everyone around her, mentoring generations of congressional staff, dispensing advice about life, and cooking to-die-for Indian meals for the office and anyone who happened by. prgtoken Zee, I reluctantly admit you have richly earned the right to retire from your job, but I hasten to add that there is no retiring from friendship or from love.
THE CORONAVIRUS IS EXPLODING
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-4

the coronavirus is exploding, our hospitals are bursting, and many parts of our economy are hurting. It is no wonder why Fed Chair Powell and so many other economists are warning about the long-term damage that could be done if we don't pass another stimulus package soon. prgtoken We passed the CARES Act earlier this year, and that did keep our economy afloat and our poverty rate flat, prgtoken but because of the pandemic, we are experiencing over 1 million cases a week and 2,000 deaths a day. prgtoken Because of that, we are finding ourselves in more self-induced economic comas, just like we are seeing in my State of California and my district on the central coast of California. prgtoken We can't wait any longer for another economic package. That is why and s of the Problem Solvers Caucus worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to come up with a targeted and temporary package of close to $1 trillion to meet our most pressing needs. It is a compromise that can be a way to ``yes'' for both Houses and both sides to come together. prgtoken , it is going to be a dark winter, so it is our obligation to our constituents to come to the table to negotiate and pass a pandemic relief package to help us get on the road to recovery this spring.
MARIJUANA OPPORTUNITY REINVESTMENT AND EXPUNGEMENT ACT OF 2019
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-12-4

this vote on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2020 is a historic moment for the millions of Americans caught in the tentacles of the failed ``war on drugs''. In the midst of growing national dialogue on unjust law enforcement practices, the MORE Act first and foremost centers racial justice and comprehensively addresses cannabis prohibition. I am pleased that the MORE Act has remained a critical component of House ' plan for addressing systemic racism and advancing criminal justice reform. We owe it to the American people to pass this bill and I strongly support this legislation. prgtoken In 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to establish a comprehensive federal drug policy. As part of that bill, Congress placed a broad range of drugs among five Schedules, based on the relative harms of those drugs. Cannabis was placed--temporarily, it seemed--in Schedule I, while a commission studied the plant to make an informed recommendation about how it should be treated. Two years later, the commission recommended that marijuana be removed from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. However, for the past 50 years, that recommendation has been ignored, resulting in a decades- long war on cannabis that has damaged tens of millions of American lives. prgtoken This racially motived policy has led to one of the most shameful episodes in criminal justice and race relations in America: the deliberate targeting of Black Americans for selective application of our cannabis laws. Too often, cases of low-level cannabis possession escalate to police violence, and Black Americans regularly face mistreatment at the hands of police because of cannabis. prgtoken More than 99 percent of the American population will soon live in a state where cannabis is legally accessible to some degree yet arrests for cannabis possession continue in huge numbers. In 2018, the highest number of arrests were for drug offenses, with cannabis arrests accounting for more drug arrests in the U.S. than any other drug class. At almost 700,000, police made more cannabis arrests than all violent crimes combined. prgtoken More concerning than the sheer number of arrests, is the racially biased enforcement of cannabis laws that is so evident in the stark disparity in arrest rates between Black and white people for cannabis possession. Despite similar rates of use, on average, Black people are almost four times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana. This difference can reach more than 20, 30, 40, or even 50 times at the county level. prgtoken People of color are often robbed of their dignity in perpetuity, because having a felony conviction can impact the ability to get an education, secure gainful employment, or vote. Ironically, as the emerging cannabis market blossoms, the cards are frequently stacked against the very people most victimized by the ``war on drugs,''
IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF KAREN BIRD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALLIANCE OF DEDICATED CANCER CENTERS
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-12-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the retirement of Karen Bird, Executive Director of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers (ADCC). As Executive Director, Karen represented the country's leading cancer centers whose one and only mission is to defeat cancer. She worked tirelessly to communicate to Congress and the Administration the importance of the ADCC member institutions and what they do to improve patient treatment and to drive innovative cancer research. Thanks in large part to Karen's efforts, patients now have greater access to lifesaving treatments such as CAR-T cell therapies. prgtoken Prior to her work at the ADCC, Karen was Chief Financial Officer at the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where she succeeded in working with both physician leadership and senior executives to grow new ventures and programs. She developed a finance department that was considered best in class and was able to help Dana-Farber respond quickly to the 2008 financial crisis with an integrated financial forecasting model that encompassed endowment, research, and patient care. prgtoken Perhaps most importantly, Karen has generously served as a role model and mentor throughout her career, ensuring that the pipeline of talent in finance and especially for women--was amply filled and abundantly qualified. prgtoken It is a great honor to represent Karen Bird and her lifetime commitment to advancing our nation's understanding of the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survival of cancer.
MARIJUANA OPPORTUNITY REINVESTMENT AND EXPUNGEMENT ACT OF 2019
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-4

I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas for yielding. prgtoken The failed war on drugs first began almost 50 years ago, when Richard Nixon declared drug abuse public enemy number one. At the time there were less than 200,000 people incarcerated in America. Today, there are 2.3 million, disproportionately Black and Latino. Many of those who have been incarcerated over the years were imprisoned for nonviolent drug offenses, including possession of marijuana. prgtoken The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. We have ruined lives, families, and communities. It is a stain on our democracy. prgtoken The possession of marijuana is done in equal, if not greater, numbers by White Americans when compared to Black Americans. Yet in community after community after community, Blacks and Latinos make up approximately 75 to 80 percent of the arrests and prosecutions. prgtoken How can that be? prgtoken Marijuana use is either socially acceptable behavior or it is criminal conduct, but it can't be socially acceptable behavior in some neighborhoods and criminal conduct in other neighborhoods when the dividing line is race. That is why we must pass the MORE Act, decriminalize marijuana in America, and bring to light the principle of liberty and justice for all.