mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-8-3

I rise today to introduce legislation with my colleague from Montana, Senator Tester, that would extend an important program to fund Teaching Health Centers, which support the health and well-being of families in rural and medically underserved communities. I am pleased that Senators Cochran, Manchin, Daines, , and Boozman, have joined us as cosponsors. prgtoken In the background of the health care debate, there is another crisis that looms. We are facing a severe shortage of doctors. By 2025, we will need more than 100,000 new primary care doctors to meet the growing demand for health care services across the Country. The shortage is especially critical in rural and underserved communities, which are often those that have been hit hardest by the opioid epidemic. The most significant shortages are in family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and dentistry. prgtoken These shortages have reached crisis levels in many places. In clinics and health centers in Aroostook County, Maine's northernmost county where I grew up, I hear stories about vacancies forcing Mainers to travel many miles simply to see a primary care doctor or dentist. prgtoken For the past six years, one program, the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Program, has worked to fill these gaps. This program helps to train medical residents in community-based settings, including low-income, underserved rural and urban neighborhoods. For example, since 2011, the Penobscot Community Health Care Center has trained 31 residents and served more than 15,000 dental patients in Bangor, Maine. prgtoken We need to meet people in the communities in which they live and work. This program is training the next generation of physicians, and has produced real results. When compared with traditional Medicare graduate medical education residents, those who train at teaching health centers are significantly more likely to practice primary care and remain in underserved or rural communities. The numbers speak for themselves: 82 percent of Teaching Health Center, or THC, residents choose to practice primary care, compared to 23 percent of traditional Medicare Graduate Medical Education residents; and 55 percent of THC residents choose to remain in underserved communities, compared to 26 percent of traditional Medicare GME residents. prgtoken Teaching health centers are serving Americans from coast to coast. A total of 742 THC residents are serving in 27 states and the District of Columbia. The program is competitive, and trains the best of the best. For each residency position, THC programs receive more than 100 applications. In 2017, THC residents and faculty will provide more than one million primary care medical visits to underserved communities. prgtoken Teaching Health Centers have demonstrated a record of success, and it is imperative that we support them. Our legislation woul
FDA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017--MOTION TO PROCEED
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-8-3

I wish to express concern with section 709 of H.R. 2430, concerning over-the-counter, OTC, hearing aids. prgtoken I have a daughter who has worn hearing aids since she was a toddler. I have firsthand experience with the kind of expertise needed by providers to ensure that those who require a hearing aid have their specific and unique medical needs met. prgtoken I believe that everyone on all sides of this issue desire the same thing, and I appreciate Chairman Alexander working with me to get a study relating to this matter. I believe that we are all working, in sincerity, towards a goal of providing those who would benefit from hearing aids with access to safe and effective products that will help them live the kinds of lives which they choose and desire. That being said, I am concerned about a policy which will create a division between a healthcare provider and a patient who needs that provider's expertise. prgtoken Thank you.
TRICKETT WENDLER RIGHT TO TRY ACT OF 2017
Ron Johnson (Republican, WI) \u2014 2017-8-3

in about 5 minutes, I am going to be asking for consent to pass the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Belina Right to Try Act of 2017. prgtoken I wish to take a few moments, though, to tell the story of how that right-to-try bill, which has been passed by 37 States, obtained that name. I believe it was probably March of 2014 that I met Trickett Wendler, a young mom with three children, who came to Washington, DC, with a group of other individuals advocating for those patients and their families with people suffering from ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease--an incurable and devastating disease. prgtoken A week before meeting Trickett, I met with the Goldwater Institute, which was talking about its right-to-try legislation. They were beginning to pass through State legislatures. Just mentioning the fact that I supported the right to try brought tears streaming down Trickett Wendler's face. Unfortunately, Trickett Wendler lost her battle to ALS on March 18, 2015. She has inspired something that I think is going to give so many thousands--maybe tens of thousands, maybe millions--of Americans hope when they face a similar type of disease, where there is no hope, where there are no further options, other than potentially an experimental drug that has been proven safe, according to the FDA. prgtoken In our press conference announcing the introduction of this bill, we had met Matthew Belina, a naval aviator and lieutenant commander--one of the finest among us--also stricken with ALS. We had little Jordan McLinn, a little boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and his mother Laura was speaking at that press conference. Remarkably, a man also stricken with ALS, Frank Mongiello, his wife Marilyn, and their children asked to speak. He made such an impression on our gathering, which encapsulated that press conference, particularly his speech in a video that I showed to my colleagues, which resulted in so many cosponsorships of this bill. prgtoken These are real people facing their mortality with no hope. This right-to-try piece of legislation will give those individuals and their families hope. prgtoken I want to truly thank my lead cosponsor from across the aisle, Senator Joe Donnelly, who is in the Chamber here today, and also Senator King and Senator Manchin, who decided not to play any politics whatsoever and also were willing to cosponsor a bill offered by somebody who was in a tough reelection fight. I want to thank my 43 cosponsors, particularly Senator McConnell. As leader, he was one of the first cosponsors who helped me to get those other 42 cosponsors. I want to particularly thank Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, who have worked so cooperatively with me and my staff to make this moment possible. I would like to thank Vice President , who also met Frank Mongiello and became a real advocate for this, and President , who after meeting these typ
TRIBUTE TO MARK BRAUDIS
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-8-3

every week, I have been coming to the floor to talk about the wonderful people in my State. A lot of people have visited Alaska. If you haven't and you are watching on TV, we really, really want to welcome you to come. It will be the trip of a lifetime; I guarantee it. prgtoken What we like to do when we talk about our Alaskan of the Week is talk about someone who has made a real impact, someone who doesn't get a lot of attention, someone who has made an impact on his community or country, and let people know we are thinking about them, let people know we are proud of them. Before recess, I want to do that for a couple of Alaskans today, and I would like to start by talking about a gentleman who has gotten a little press lately in Alaska, but I want the country to hear about it. It is really a remarkable story--Mr. Mark Braudis. prgtoken Let me tell you a little bit about Mark. Mark came to my attention through a recent column by Charles Wohlforth in the Alaska Dispatch News. prgtoken Mark is originally from Pennsylvania. When he was just 17 years old, he joined the Navy, like a lot of Alaskans. We have more vets per capita than any State in the country. He was deployed in 1972. prgtoken Mark said: When I was in high school, everyone had long hair and were anti-government. That's not the way I was. I was for God and country. If my brothers were over there in Vietnam, I wanted to stand with them. prgtoken So he went. When a lot of people were avoiding service, he went. prgtoken When Mark got out, he couldn't find a job, so he began to hitchhike across the country into Canada and other places, and he wound up in the magical place we call Alaska. Mark arrived in 1976. After leaving once and coming back, he got a job as a taxi driver--a good job. He met and fell in love with one of his passengers, a beautiful woman named Helen. They went on to have seven children--Stephen, David, Kelly, Jared, Michael, and Jenny. Helen was a great mother. prgtoken Then, unfortunately, as sometimes happens in families in certain circumstances, tragedy struck their family. In 2007, Helen was walking down a busy road and was hit and unfortunately killed by a car passing by. prgtoken Faced with unspeakable grief, Mark knew he couldn't fall apart. He had seven kids between the ages of 6 and 16, and he had to take care of them. One of them was in third grade at the time and couldn't stop crying over the loss of his mom. The school called often, and Mark-- still a taxi driver--left work to pick him up. The hours of tending to his kids began to rack up. He couldn't pay the rent. His kids and he had to eventually live in a homeless shelter. prgtoken A social worker wanted to put the kids up for adoption, but Mark refused. They had lost their mother, they had lost their home, and they weren't going to lose their dad. The family needed him, and they were a team. prgtoken Eventually--and this is so great; it h
PRIVATE CORRADO PICCOLI PURPLE HEART PRESERVATION ACT
David Perdue (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-8-3

this legislation is important because it will offer the Purple Heart the same types of legal protections currently in place for the Medal of Honor and help put an end to profiteering off of the sacrifice of our great American heroes. prgtoken I would like to thank those Senators who have cosponsored this bill, as well, and the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee for persisting to get this bill on the floor. prgtoken There is no higher honor that we have in the Senate than to honor our veterans and the people who put their lives on the line every day for their country.
90TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOY SCOUT TROOP NO. 533
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-8-3

it is my great pleasure to pause and recognize the accomplishments of Boy Scout Troop No. 533 from my home State of Indiana. For the past 90 years, Boy Scout Troop No. 533 in Munster, IN, has been instilling the values of respect, honesty, and leadership in young Hoosiers that have had a lasting impact on our State. I am very proud of troop No. 533 for all of their service over the past 90 years and applaud their dedication to bettering their community. prgtoken Boy Scout Troop No. 533 was formed in 1927 by Munster native Mr. Muary Kraay when he was in eighth grade. Since its founding, troop No. 533 has been active in their community. During World War II, the Boy Scouts organized parades and rallies for war bonds, planted community gardens, practiced blackout drills, and participated in wartime recycling programs. On June 14, 1947, when President Coolidge dedicated Wicker Park in Highland, IN, troop No. 533 was there to welcome him. The Boy Scouts also had a crucial role during the September 2008 flooding of the Little Calumet River. In anticipation of the flood, troop No. 533 assisted in filling sandbags, and after the flood, they assisted in yard cleanup and regraveling driveways. Over the past 90 years, Boy Scout Troop No. 533 has produced over 100 Eagle Scouts, one of the highest levels of honor a Boy Scout can achieve. prgtoken I would like to thank Boy Scout Troop No. 533 for their 90 years of outstanding public service. On behalf of all Hoosiers, congratulations on your 90th anniversary.
REMEMBERING HORACE MERRILL
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2017-8-3

today I wish to honor the life of Horace Sellers Merrill of Micaville, AL, who passed away on February 17, 2017. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant who worked faithfully for the citizens of Alabama. He was committed to bettering his community and State through his public service and involvement in the community. prgtoken Mr. Merrill began a career with the Dixie Mines Mica Mining Company in the late 1950s before entering Alabama politics. In 1964, he was elected circuit clerk of Cleburne County, a position he held for 12 years. Following his term as circuit clerk, Mr. Merrill was elected probate judge and chairman of the Cleburne County Commission, where he served for 6 years. prgtoken Mr. Merrill will be remembered for his leadership in completing the Alabama welcome center and rest area on Interstate 20, as well as his efforts to utilize the Dyne Creek watershed to service the citizens of Cleburne County with a countywide water system. prgtoken Outside of his professional career, Mr. Merrill was a very active member of his community. He served as president of the Lions Club, the Jaycees, and the local Athletics Boosters Club. In his earlier years, Mr. Merrill was an accomplished athlete. He lettered in both baseball and football and then attended Southern Union Junior College on an athletic scholarship. He later served as the announcer for Little League and junior high football games in Cleburne County and helped organize the first youth baseball program in Heflin. prgtoken Additionally, Mr. Merrill was a longtime member in the Cleburne Baptist Association, serving as an officer and pastor of several churches. A member of Heflin Baptist Church for more than 50 years, Mr. Merrill served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, church training director, and sanctuary choir member. prgtoken Horace's many accomplishments and contributions to the State of Alabama will long be remembered. He touched the lives of many over the years, and he will be greatly missed. prgtoken I offer my deepest condolences to Horace's wife, Mary, and to all of their loved ones as they celebrate his life and mourn this great loss.
FDA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-8-3

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Inhofe), the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Isakson), and the Senator from Arizona (Mr. McCain). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven) would have voted ``yea.''
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINNESOTA-DAKOTAS KIWANIS DISTRICT CONVENTION
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-8-3

today I wish to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Minnesota-Dakotas Kiwanis District Convention. prgtoken Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to serving the children of the world. With a motto of ``One Child and one Community at a time,'' Kiwanis members dedicate more than 18 million volunteer hours and invest more than $107 million in projects that strengthen communities and serve children. These projects include helping shelter the homeless, feeding the hungry, mentoring the disadvantaged, caring for the sick, developing the youth as leaders, building playgrounds, raising funds for pediatric research, and much more. prgtoken Today the Minnesota-Dakotas District of Kiwanis has over 4,000 members. With a club slogan of ``Serving the children of the World,'' the chapter supports a range of programs, including Kiwanis Kids-- elementary students--Builder's Club--middle school students--Key Club-- high school students--and Circle K--college students. In addition, the chapter supports Aktion clubs for adults with disabilities. These programs allow our youth and adults to build character, leadership skills and learn more about themselves and their communities. prgtoken I congratulate the Kiwanis International Minnesota-Dakotas District of Kiwanis International on their 100th convention and thank them for their leadership and dedication to children and to their communities. May they continue to thrive for the 100 years to come.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-8-3

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc prgtoken with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; and that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record.
TRIBUTE TO SPENCER M. HOULDIN
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-8-3

today I wish to recognize Spencer M. Houldin of Roxbury, CT, as he nears the end of his term as the 112th chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, also known as the Big I. Spencer was installed as chairman of the Big I in September 2016, becoming the youngest person to serve as chairman in the association's 120-year history. Throughout his term, even when he and I disagreed, Spencer was always a thoughtful and dedicated advocate for independent insurance agents. prgtoken Prior to becoming the chairman, Spencer often served as a leader in the independent agency system. He chaired the Big I national Government Affairs Committee in 2009 and served as the president of the Connecticut Big I association in 2004. In these leadership positions, Spencer consistently promoted an environment where independent agents, in both Connecticut and across the country, could both thrive in their business and represent their customers with the highest quality of care. prgtoken Spencer has consistently served his community in Connecticut. He resides in Roxbury, CT, with his wife, Carol, and two sons, Chandler and Carter. Spencer is president of Ericson Insurance Services in Washington Depot, CT, where he has 25 years of experience as a personal insurance advisor, working alongside his brother Peter. He currently sits on the board of the Western Connecticut Health Network, which is comprised of Danbury Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, and New Milford Hospital. He has been involved with the health network in various capacities over the past 20 years. He recently cochaired a $72 million capital campaign for Danbury and New Milford Hospitals. In July 2017, Litchfield Magazine named Spencer one of Litchfield County, Connecticut's 25 most influential people. prgtoken Today, I am pleased to join Spencer's colleagues from across Connecticut and prgtoken the Nation in congratulating him as he finishes his term as chairman of the Big I.
TRICKETT WENDLER RIGHT TO TRY ACT OF 2017
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-8-3

I want to talk about what a great moment this is. I want to thank Chairman Alexander for all his help, Ranking Member Patty Murray for all of her help, and to my colleague the Senator from Wisconsin, Mr. Johnson, for all he has done to spearhead this effort. prgtoken This gives folks a shot. It doesn't provide any guarantees, but it allows folks to be able to take their care into their own hands, to make judgments, and to decide: I want to take a shot at this. prgtoken For me, it was a wonderful family from Indiana who, by the way, this morning they are at Legoland down in Florida because their young boy is in good health, is getting along, but time is ticking. Young Jordan McLinn has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. His mom Laura and Jordan met with me and said: All we want is a shot. We don't want a guarantee. We want a chance to try to make Jordan better. That is what this Right to Try Act does. That is why I am so proud of all our colleagues coming together to support this, and to all the families Senator Johnson mentioned, we are so proud of you. We are so grateful to you for your advocacy because it was your words, your examples that have helped to get this done. prgtoken I want to say to everyone in Indiana and everyone in America how grateful we are that this Right to Try Act has passed, and to Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray, thank you for working together to make this happen. prgtoken .
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 88TH REGIONAL SUPPORT COMMAND
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2017-8-3

today I wish to honor the 100th anniversary of the 88th Regional Support Command. I am humbled to recognize the men and women who are bravely fighting for our country's freedom. prgtoken The 88th Regional Support Command, RSC, began as the 88th Infantry Division, ID. Organized in August 1917 at Camp Dodge, IA, the members of the ``Cloverleaf Division'' fought among the Allied Forces in the Alsace Campaign. They returned home following the war, and the Army demobilized the unit in June 1919. prgtoken Three years later, the 88th reformed within the Organized Reserve, with headquarters in Minneapolis and subordinate units elsewhere in Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota. The 88th ID mobilized in 1942 to serve the United States in World War II. It was one of the first units comprised solely of drafted soldiers. Despite a lack of experience, the 88th quickly gained a reputation as an effective unit of well-trained soldiers, which the Germans referred to as the ``Blue Devils.'' prgtoken The 88th ID fought on the front lines during the 1944 Italian campaign. Its arrival provided much-needed relief to the allied soldiers fighting on the Italian front. Led by Major General John E. Sloan, the 88th was the first division to enter the newly liberated Rome. After 100 straight days of activation, the Blue Devils were finally scheduled to receive a much-needed respite from the war. However, MG Sloan quickly instituted a training regimen that kept his soldiers in fighting condition, and they were ordered to head north to combat the Germans and provide support for American soldiers in Northern Italy. prgtoken For 344 days, the 88th Infantry fought to protect our American values during World War II. At the beginning of the war, MG Sloan promised, ``the glory of the colors will never be sullied, as long as one man of the 88th still lives.'' Although many lives were lost, the 88th Infantry Division was deactivated in October 1947, having fulfilled MG Sloan's promise. prgtoken In April 1996, the 88th ID was redesignated as the 88th RSC. Headquartered in Fort McCoy, WI, the 88th RSC provides logistical and administrative support for Army Reserve soldiers. Whether they are providing training logistics, equipment maintenance or medical support, the members of the 88th RSC are making a difference for servicemen and servicewomen from Wisconsin all the way to the Pacific Coast. prgtoken Today the 88th ID lives on through the 88th Regional Support Command. Having fought in the Vietnam war, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the soldiers of the 88th RSC continue to support the more than 55,000 U.S. Army Reserve soldiers, families, and civilians across the United States. I am proud to recognize 100 years of their remarkable service and accomplishments.