mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MISSING PERSONS AND UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS ACT OF 2019
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-12-16

as a senior member of the Judiciary, Committee and a member representing a state on the nation's southern border, I rise in strong support of S. 2174, the ``Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019,'' sponsored by the senior senator from Texas, Sen. Cornyn, and Sen the next Vice- President of the United States and the first woman and person of color to win election to that high office. prgtoken I support the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act because it is bipartisan legislation that will help prevent migrant deaths on the Southwest border and will help border counties and nonprofit organizations locate and identify missing migrants. prgtoken , migrants seeking a better and safer life in the United States who attempt to cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry are often faced with difficult terrain and extremely dangerous conditions. prgtoken The temperature in barren border sections of Arizona's Sonoran Desert, for example, can reach over 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and drop to below freezing in the winter. prgtoken Since 1998, the U.S. Border Patrol has reported 7,505 migrant deaths on the border, most due to dehydration, drowning, and exposure to extreme heat or cold. prgtoken For more than two decades, over one migrant a day has died while attempting to enter without authorization, a misdemeanor offense under Federal law. prgtoken The actual number dead is likely much higher than that, as the statistics only report those who have been positively identified by border patrol agents. prgtoken The bodies of migrants tragically lost during attempted border crossings become increasingly difficult to identify after exposure to the desert for prolonged periods. prgtoken The continuing loss of life on the border is unacceptable and allowing many of the dead to remain unidentified is inhumane, families of border crossers unsure of their loved ones' fate and depriving them of the opportunity unable to say goodbye. prgtoken The legislation before us would create grants for humanitarian and state actors to report and identify missing persons and unidentified remains, including migrant border crossers. prgtoken The bill also provides resources for rescue beacons, which have been used effectively to rescue migrants who are in danger. prgtoken , the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act would authorize the Attorney General to provide grants to various entities to report, process, and identify missing persons and unidentified remains. prgtoken Entities eligible for the grants would include state and local governments, humanitarian aid groups, nonprofit organizations, forensics and toxicology laboratories, and medical examiners' offices. prgtoken This funding will improve reporting of missing persons to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), databases used to identify border crossers who have lost thei
REMEMBERING DR. RICHARD HOWARD
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2020-12-16

I rise today to honor a proud West Virginian, noble veteran, a beloved son, brother, uncle, godfather, great-uncle, and a dear friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. It is a privilege to recognize the life and legacy of a very dear friend to myself and Gayle, Dr. Richard Howard, for his many years of dedicated service to the city of Charleston and beyond. prgtoken Born and raised in Charleston, WV, Richard attended West Virginia University, where he achieved many distinctions as a member of the National Blue Key, Helvetia, Sphinx and president of the freshman class in 1960. He received early acceptance into the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, earning his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1967. Put simply, when Richard put his mind to something, there was no stopping him from doing it at 100 percent. prgtoken That mentality worked in his favor as he joined the U.S. Air Force as a captain, stationed during the Vietnam era at Dover Air Force Base. Following his honorable discharge, Richard returned to Charleston to start his long-tenured career in dentistry. After a year as a partner with a local dental office, Richard set up his own practice as Howard Family Dentistry, later known as a joint venture with his brother as Howard and Howard Family Dentistry. prgtoken There is a lot to be said of someone who bravely serves our Nation, then returns home to continue giving back to the community that made them who they are. When visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell them we have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected and continue to protect our country to this day. I am so deeply proud of what West Virginians have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish to protect the freedoms we hold dear. That is Richard's legacy, and his courage, loyalty, and humility will never be forgotten. prgtoken Richard was deeply involved in the community through the Kanawha Valley Dental Association, the West Virginia Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and was founder and twice-serving president of the Virginia Street Dental Study Club. He was a member of the Beni Kedem Shrine, the Legion of Honor, Shrine Jesters, a 32 degree Mason, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Charleston Symphony, the Charleston Community Music Association, and the West Virginia University Woodburn Circle of Honor. Richard was a major supporter of his church, St. George Orthodox Cathedral, of which he was knight in the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. prgtoken Richard had such a zest for life and was a true renaissance man in every sense of the word. Each challenge he to
NO VOTER FRAUD
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-16

. Madam , I rise today to condemn the treacherous and seditious behavior of some in this Nation who continue to poison the integrity of our democracy. prgtoken The voters have spoken. The recounts have spoken. The electoral college has spoken. will be the 46th President of the United States of America. Over 80 million people voted for --more than any other Presidential candidate in American history. prgtoken won blue States, like New York and California. prgtoken won swing States like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. prgtoken won red States, like Georgia and Arizona. prgtoken is the next President of the United States of America. prgtoken And yet there are some in this country who continue to peddle wild conspiracy theories without a shred of evidence: prgtoken The Governor of Georgia found no evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken The Governor of Arizona--no evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken The -led FBI found no evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken The -led Department of Justice found no evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken -appointed judges throughout the country have found no evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken The Attorney General, Bill Barr, found no evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken The Supreme Court, with six -appointed Justices dismissed the baseless lawsuit that contained not a shred of evidence of voter fraud. prgtoken Madam , was duly-elected as the next President of the United States of America, and yet there are some in this Nation who are behaving like members of the Jefferson Davis Caucus, including a former Member of this Chamber, who suggested that Texas secede. prgtoken Madam , it is time to respect the Constitution. prgtoken It is time to respect our democracy. prgtoken It is time to respect the voters. prgtoken It is time to respect the rule of law. prgtoken It is time to respect the peaceful transfer of power. prgtoken It is time to end this charade. prgtoken It is time to stop providing aid and comfort to an insurrection. prgtoken It is time to stop lying to the American people.
BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-16

as we rapidly approach the end of the session, Senators are working in earnest to finish a bipartisan government funding bill as well as an emergency Federal relief package. prgtoken Over the past several weeks, the bipartisan Gang of 8 came together to provide a framework for an agreement on emergency COVID relief. That framework has been the basis of discussions between the four congressional leaders: Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and myself. Secretary Mnuchin has been in our talks as well, representing the President. prgtoken Yesterday we had two very long and very productive meetings. Our final discussion stretched late into the evening. prgtoken As we race the clock to reach a final accord before the end of the year, we are close to an agreement. It is not a done deal yet, but we are very close. prgtoken Now, for , this has always been about getting the American people the relief they need in the time of an acute national crisis, of an emergency to so many Americans. This has been about delivering a lifeline to Americans who were laid off, through no fault of their own, families struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table, small businesses hanging on for dear life. prgtoken This has been about saving our schools, our healthcare system, and delivering the resources to produce and distribute the vaccine that should finally, finally help our country turn the corner and defeat this evil disease. prgtoken We are on the precipice of achieving these goals. We would have liked to go considerably further, but this won't be the last time Congress speaks on COVID relief. Right now, we must address this emergency over the short term. But make no mistake, we will work in the future to provide additional relief as the country requires, but we need to provide a platform to build on. We need to address this emergency right now. prgtoken At the end of one of the most difficult years in recent American history, a vaccine has given us all a reason for hope. Let's give the country another reason. The finish line is in sight. Everyone wants to get this done. Let's push through the few final meters and deliver the outcome that the American people very much need. prgtoken . prgtoken .
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-12-16

today I introduced the Progressive Consumption Tax Act of 2020. prgtoken We need a tax code that is fair for American families and for employers. We need a tax code that rethinks how our Nation collects the revenue that allows us to build our roads and bridges and keeps our Nation safe. We need a system that values our most vulnerable Americans, small businesses, and makes our U.S.-based businesses more competitive. prgtoken In our recent history, comprehensive tax reform has been out of grasp. Congressional leaders have long called for a 1986-style tax reform in which the tax code would be streamlined and simplified to broaden the tax base and lower income tax rates. The 2017 tax law was a representation of how hard this type of tax reform is. It kept in place much of what makes the tax code complicated and inefficient, did not secure permanent income tax rate reductions for working families, and it increased the deficit by nearly $2 trillion. It is time we take a new approach. prgtoken As we look to the future and work towards the goal of a sustainable economy that works for all, my colleagues and I will need to think creatively about how to raise revenues and provide for the services the government must and can deliver. prgtoken Austere and regressive spending cuts are not the answer to the question of how to set the country on a sustainable path and support working families. Instead, we should look at ways to raise reasonable revenues and make the tax code work better for all. The Progressive Consumption Tax Act should be part of that conversation. prgtoken I introduced versions of this bill in the past to provide an opening for discussion and an opportunity to review legislative language for this type of comprehensive tax reform. Now more than ever it is critical Congress revisit the thinking about comprehensive tax reform that is lasting and progressive. prgtoken The 2017 tax law was constructed with many temporary policies that will require future action on tax policies as these provisions expire. prgtoken While some of those will be years from now, this conversation can never start early enough. We know that good ideas can take time to become mainstream. In a world where about 150 countries now have a consumption tax, it is time the U.S. join this mainstream thinking. prgtoken The legislation I have introduced today is an example of truly progressive, fiscally responsible, pro-growth tax reform could look like. prgtoken It also provides an opportunity for the U.S. to catch up with the rest of the world. All OECD countries except the U.S. have a consumption tax. prgtoken The Progressive Consumption Tax Act would put this country on a level playing field by providing for a progressive consumption tax, or PCT, at a rate of 10 percent. The PCT would generate revenue by taxing goods and services, rather than income. prgtoken The revenues collected by the PCT would eliminate an income tax liability
HONORING SARA BONNEY AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2020-12-16

. Madam , this week, many of us took the opportunity to observe Giving Tuesday by contributing to nonprofit organizations that support those in need and help us build a better community. prgtoken Since 2012, Giving Tuesday has stood as a reminder to each of us to do good and to give what we can to help others in more need than ourselves. I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring an exceptional Iowan who exemplifies the charitable spirit of the people in central and southwest Iowa. Sara Bonney is the Chief Marketing Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Over the last 7 years, Sara has done incredible work to promote the mission of the Community Foundation and make meaningful connections between donors and nonprofit organizations in the Des Moines area. prgtoken Like many Iowans, Sara grew up on a farm in rural Iowa. Her parents were active members in their community, constantly finding ways to give back and volunteer their time. Sara's parents believed everybody has their own gifts--and that it is their responsibility to use those gifts for giving back to others. This is a value that Sara has carried with her and inspired her to pursue a career in nonprofit work and charitable giving, prgtoken The Community Foundation of Great Des Moines has worked with donors and nonprofits in the Des Moines metro area for over 50 years. The Community Foundation has established countless giving funds and grants to support projects and organizations which have addressed their critical needs--spanning from education, fine arts, immigration and health care amongst so many others. prgtoken Over the last year, Sara and her team identified an opportunity to make it easier for donors and nonprofits to connect in a way that would produce more impactful contributions. That led to revamping their website givedsm.org. This website works with nonprofits to list their specific needs. In turn, donors can access their lists. find organizations that align with their values, and make contributions that will have greater impacts on the recipients. prgtoken Givedsm.org is just one of the many projects Sara has worked on in the last 7 years. When asked what inspires her to continue doing her work, Sara cites her amazement at the charitable nature of Iowans. Over the last year, thousands of Iowans have faced extreme hardships due to coronavirus. One might think this would negatively impact the number of contributions received on givedsm.org. However, the Community Foundation has seen an exponential increase in the number of donations they have received through the website. prgtoken As Sara likes to say: when Iowans rise, we rise together. prgtoken Sara's extraordinary commitment to supporting nonprofits in our community has widereaching impacts on people in all walks of life. A lifelong Iowan, Sara hopes her work continues to make Iowa a better home for generations to come. prgtoken We are incredibly
HONORING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BENNIE G. ADKINS (RET.)
Doug Jones (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2020-12-16

it is with sadness and humility that I ask this body to pause for a moment to remember and honor a great American and a citizen of my home State, CSM Bennie G. Adkins, who died of complications related to the COVID-19 virus on April 17, 2020. He was laid to rest with full military honors this morning after a funeral service in the chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. prgtoken Command Sergeant Major Adkins, known to friends and family as ``Bennie,'' received the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony on September 15, 2014, for acts of heroism during the Vietnam war. Although Bennie was recommended for the Medal of Honor at the time, he was instead given the next highest award, the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2002, the Army began reviewing Distinguished Service Cross awards for possible upgrades, and finally, 48 years later, President bestowed a well-deserved Medal of Honor upon Bennie Adkins. prgtoken As we know, the Medal of Honor is the Nation's highest medal for valor in combat. According to a statute passed in 1918, the President is authorized to present this award to ``each person who, while an officer or enlisted man of the Army, shall hereafter, in action involving actual conflict with an enemy, distinguish himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.'' Other legislation authorizes the award within the other military departments as well. prgtoken In the history of this country, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,507 individuals. Fewer than 70 of those recipients are still alive today. prgtoken I point this out because I believe that when these heroes leave Active Duty and come home to live among us in our communities, their very presence in our midst lifts us all up. They inspire and embolden countless other acts of courage and sacrifice, both great and small, many of which we have seen in the recent weeks and months our Nation and our world have been battling the very virus that took Bennie Adkins' life. prgtoken So it is with gratitude and a deep sense of loss that we remember this extraordinary man. prgtoken The facts of the events that led to Bennie Adkins' recognition bear mention. However, as President said when presenting Bennie with the Medal, ``I have to be honest, in a battle and daring escape that lasted four days, Bennie performed so many acts of bravery we actually don't have time to talk about all of them.'' I will, therefore, attempt to summarize, combining information from the citation that accompanied the award, media accounts of the events, and quotes from Bennie's memoir. prgtoken When Camp A Shau was attacked by a large Viet Cong force early on March 9, 1966, then-Sergeant First Class Adkins rushed through intense hostile fire to man a mortar position. Although wounded himself by incoming fire, Bennie briefly relinquished his mortar to a comrade and ran through exploding mortar ro
SURVIVAL CHECKS FOR MIXED-STATUS FAMILIES
Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-12-16

we are close to finalizing a relief package, but I ask my colleagues: Relief for whom? prgtoken A relief package without survival checks is not a relief package at all, nor is a relief package that leaves out millions of immigrants and their families. Any deal that we strike must include survival checks to families and immigrants, and mixed-status families must be included. prgtoken Earlier this year, countless families that I represent were denied stimulus checks, including U.S. citizens whose spouses are immigrants. We even excluded children who may have an immigrant parent. prgtoken How in the world did we exclude U.S. citizen children? prgtoken In this season of sacred holidays, I implore all of us to be compassionate and not punish kids for their parents' status. Families are struggling to put food on their tables and keep roofs over their heads. prgtoken Circumstances are dire. We need to put money directly into working families' pockets. I urge my colleagues that any relief package must include survival checks for everyone, including immigrant children.
PROBLEM WITH OUR PRISONS
Kwanza Hall (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-12-16

. Madam , I rise today to draw attention to the problem with our prisons. Earlier today I included in the Record a hyperlink to an article from Reuters. The article draws attention to private prisons, the death penalty, and Covid. These are longstanding scourges in our criminal justice system. Also on that list of problems but not mentioned in that article are life sentences, the federal sentencing guidelines, and solitary confinement. prgtoken I had supplemented to my earlier statement, and to the article, an appropriations proposal that, were I here during the appropriations process, I would have submitted so that it may be integrated into future appropriations vehicles. I submitted this article, along with troubling Georgia statistics. prgtoken I would also note that I am submitting this statement and article on the same day that I introduced three pieces of legislation: prgtoken The first will seek to eliminate qualified immunity in police misconduct cases. Often times, police officers, when confronted with allegations of official misconduct, will invoke qualified immunity as a shield to liability. It is very difficult for putative plaintiffs/ victims of police misconduct to surmount this privilege. This bill, if enacted into law, would end qualified immunity throughout the nation and make it easier to hold police accountable. prgtoken The second piece of legislation is a constitutional amendment, and concerns forced labor. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery. Unfortunately, a vestige of this practice still remains in the form of forced labor as a function of prison sentences. This proposed constitutional amendment would end this practice. These pieces of legislation are fully drafted and ready for filing. prgtoken The third piece of legislation is one which would expunge all records of nonviolent offenders impacted by the ``war on drugs'' and other various crime bills for any state and local government that is the recipient of federal crime dollars.