mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN HONOR OF NEW CITIZENS
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-6-29

it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate the individuals who will take their oath of citizenship on July 4, 2017. In true patriotic fashion, on the day of our great Nation's celebration of independence, a naturalization ceremony will take place, welcoming new citizens of the United States of America. This memorable occasion, coordinated by the League of Women Voters of the Calumet Area and presided over by Magistrate Judge Andrew Radovich, will be held at The Pavilion at Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana. prgtoken America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. The oath ceremony is a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America. prgtoken On July 4, 2017, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Adriana Solis, Dhanwant Singh, Syneth Lorana Gardner, Roberto Diaz, Virginia Reformina Wilson, Khalid Javed, Maria Wiederhold, Glendie Mallen, Liljana Stojceska, Oliver Cadikovski, Gagandeep Khatra, Hernan Ezequiel Barenboim, Jose Lauro Sanchez Ruvalcaba, Sambath Cheakhun, Mariel Claudia Lopez, Sabine Marie Helene Shive, Maria del Rayo Tirado, Mary Madhulatha Vennamalla, Ding Lin, Aurelia Ruiz, Alanoud Hashem Mahmoud Alshurafa, Yan Zhu, Guadalupe Juan Ramirez, Aleksandra Gardijan, Nevenka Nanic, Brenda Beatriz Medina, Maria de los Angeles Garduno Hernandez, Woo Young Yang, Lucy Amparo Perdomo Lopez, Marjan Risteski, J. Guadalupe Gama Macias, Delroy Anthony Roomes, Sonali Shukla, Erlinda Treyes Alvarez, Ma Dolores Serrano del Real, Gelma Ordaniza Hogue, Damaris Mituki Kariuki, Ravi Nigam, Jayesh Shantilal, Minnie Marchan Damico, Teresa Bautista Alcala, Mico Mileusnic, Mathy Bukassa McKinney, Israel Jacinto-Contreras, Norielyn Langres Heitzmann, Genevieve Blayee, Manuel Angel Corazzari, Martin Gonzalez, Hannan Hassan Sheikh, and Emilio Soria. prgtoken Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country ``. . . of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peac
HOW TRUMPCARE WILL EXACERBATE THE TRANSPORTATION BARRIER
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2017-6-29

America is a global leader in health care innovation and discovery. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, we've made great progress in making sure more Americans have access to health insurance in recent years. We must recognize that much work remains to ensure all Americans have practical access to health services. Financial and structural barriers continue to exist for countless Americans, particularly those in rural and under resourced communities where distance to a hospital is long and the concentration of health professionals is sparse. Health care access presents a problem for people in rural areas where distance is a taxing obstacle. People in suburban and urban settings, while they may live closer to a doctor or hospital, can still have trouble with transportation. Often, households share one vehicle between many family members if they own one at all. Low-income neighborhoods are often subject to unreliable public transportation. Birmingham is the only city in my district with a public transportation system but it faces many challenges that the city is trying to rectify. For the disabled, obese, or chronically ill, the lack of reliable transportation options lead to missed appointments and overall lower health outcomes. Patients miss doctor's appointments simply because they do not have transportation to get there. Without transportation access, patients may wait for a medical emergency just to be able to see a doctor. In rural parts of Alabama, the problem is worse among minorities. Throughout the nation, 55 percent of African American and 60 percent of Hispanic survey respondents reported that transportation was a major barrier to medical treatment, compared to 38 percent of white respondents. Eligibility requirements vary, but each state has a ``non-emergency medical transport'' benefit for people with Medicaid. It covers a certain number of rides for medical care per month. Some states contract with local companies to provide rides for citizens who otherwise would have no way to receive regular medical attention. These are just some of the benefits millions of beneficiaries will have no access to if care becomes law. The Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid and reforms to the individual insurance market has helped to lower the uninsured rate for African Americans. Between 2013 and 2016, the uninsured rate for African Americans declined from 18.9 percent to 11.7 percent. However, African Americans still have higher uninsured rates than whites (7.5 percent) and Asian Americans (6.3 percent). Repealing the ACA and cutting Medicaid programs reverses the progress America has made to make healthcare more accessible and affordable in recent years. One's access to quality health care should not depend on where they live, what their race is, or how much money they have. This country should uphold the values it claims to have and ensure that healthcare is not a preferenti
MARKETPLACE CERTAINTY ACT
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2017-6-29

I am expressing sentiments for myself and on behalf of Senators Wyden and Murray, as a fair reading of the Affordable Care Act, ACA, makes clear, S. 1462, the Marketplace Certainty Act, is not necessary to provide a permanent appropriation for the payment of cost-sharing reductions under the ACA. The ACA already prescribes that such payments are to be made from such a permanent appropriation pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1324. This is because an essential component of the ACA's system for ensuring the availability of affordable health insurance coverage is its two-part package of subsidies: tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Whereas the premium tax credits make it more affordable for an individual to purchase health insurance, the cost-sharing reductions make healthcare more affordable by reducing the often daunting costs, such as copayments and deductibles, that even those with health insurance must pay to obtain healthcare, ACA, sections 1401, 1402, 26 U.S.C. 36B, 42 U.S.C. 18071. The ACA directs the Secretary of the Treasury to ``establish'' a single, integrated ``program'' to ``make advance payment'' of both subsidies to insurance companies, who are accordingly mandated to reduce individuals' premium payments to insurers, and their cost- sharing obligations to healthcare providers. To assure insurers and covered individuals that these equally essential funds will both be available, the act provides that requisite payments are to be jointly made from a permanent appropriation, 31 U.S.C. 1324, rather than be subject to the year-to-year whims of the annual appropriations process. prgtoken Despite the fact that the current permanent appropriation in section 1324 plainly covers these cost-sharing reduction payments, pending litigation brought by the House leadership--which is currently being held in abeyance in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals-- and the current administration's mixed signals as to whether it will continue to make these payments required by law, could generate instability in individual insurance markets. S. 1462 removes all basis for any further questions about what is already clear from a fair reading of the ACA as a whole: both subsidies are to be funded from the same permanent appropriation. In addition, the amendment includes provisions that will strengthen the existing subsidy provisions, and, in light of developments since the ACA was enacted in 2010, make insurance more affordable for beneficiaries and help stabilize State- level individual insurance markets.
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS RESPONSIBILITY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-6-29

I rise in opposition to H.R. 3003. This bill before the Chamber today, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, is another attack on the immigration communities and communities of color in my home State of Texas and communities throughout the country. prgtoken This misguided legislation would strip critical Federal funding for our local police agencies, such as COPS grants, that do not comply with Federal immigration detainers. Doing so would only undermine the public safety in our communities in Houston and County. prgtoken Our local law enforcement officers for Houston Police Department and County sheriffs are responsible for protecting the people of our great city and county and upholding our local laws. prgtoken They are not, nor should they be, de facto Federal immigration agents. The U.S. Constitution is clear that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the Federal Government and not the States or local governments. To require local police officers to enforce Federal immigration law would not only violate our 200-year tradition of federalism but will tear apart the local trust our police and sheriffs have built with the immigrant community and communities of color over the years. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to let our local law enforcement protect our families and our homes and not be immigration agents.
Remembering Arthur J. Jackson (Executive Session)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-6-29

we lost another great American this month with the passing of Arthur J. Jackson. He received the Medal of Honor in 1945 for his service in the Pacific theater of World War II. His name may not be as familiar as it once was. In retirement, he lived a quiet life. I didn't want to let his death pass without paying tribute to him, his family, and the extraordinary acts of courage with which he defended our country. Although, to be sure, ``extraordinary'' doesn't really describe the half of it. prgtoken It was September 1944, and Private Jackson, a 19-year-old Ohio native, was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division on the island of Peleliu. Their mission sounded simple enough: Take the island as quickly as possible, inch ever closer to retaking the Philippines, and ultimately defeat Japan. prgtoken Simple it wasn't. His platoon was hailed by a steady stream of fire from a heavily fortified position. To charge forward would be to march toward certain death, and that is exactly what he did. He attacked a pillbox, holding about 35 enemy soldiers, and as his Medal of Honor citation reads, ``[P]ouring his automatic fire into the opening of the fixed installation to trap the occupying troops, he hurled white phosphorus grenades and explosive charges brought up by a fellow Marine, demolishing the pillbox and killing all of the enemy.'' prgtoken The enemy fire continued unabated, his cover was light at best, and yet Private Jackson proceeded to storm one position after another-- wiping out a total of 12 pillboxes and 50 enemy soldiers. It was a stunning act of bravery. I can only imagine the pride of President Truman when he pinned the Medal of Honor on Private Jackson's uniform. I can only imagine the awe of his fellow Americans as they showered him with ticker tape in a New York City parade to celebrate. prgtoken Yes, Arthur Jackson was one of the greats, and like with many great men, his career had a somewhat tragic ending. After a stint in the Army, he rejoined the Marines and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in September 1961. It was only months after the Bay of Pigs and just over a year from the Cuban Missile Crisis. Tensions were high; suspicions were too. prgtoken On one night, then-Captain Jackson discovered a Cuban busdriver in a restricted part of the base. He wasn't supposed to be there, nor was he authorized to be there. The man had been identified as a spy for Fidel Castro's regime but was allowed to keep his job for the time being. Captain Jackson and a fellow officer escorted the man to a back gate to see him off the premises, only to discover the gate was locked. While the other officers went off to find tools, Captain Jackson pried the lock open, and, suddenly, the man lunged at him, aiming for a sidearm. Captain Jackson fired back in self-defense and killed the man on the spot. prgtoken Instead of reporting the man's death, however, he and some of his fellow
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3004, KATE'S LAW, AND PROVIDING FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM JULY 3, 2017, THROUGH JULY 10, 2017
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-6-29

I rise today to speak in strong support of Kate's Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. prgtoken This Saturday, July 1, marks 2 years since the tragic death of 32- year-old Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant who had seven prior felony convictions and who had also been deported five times. prgtoken Kate's death is a clear reminder that we must do more to stop the abuse of our immigration laws by criminals who repeatedly flaunt the rule of law by illegally reentering the United States. prgtoken Kate's Law puts in place new guidelines for stiffer penalties for criminal aliens who continue to reenter the United States illegally. Kate's Law is desperately needed to protect the residents of the State of Texas. prgtoken Nicodemo Coria-Gonzalez--who had been deported five times to Mexico for crimes, including three DWIs--reentered the United States illegally and was charged with committing multiple sexual assaults and kidnapped a woman solely for the purpose of setting her on fire. prgtoken Current policy enables criminals to roam American streets--no matter prgtoken where they come from--with little fear of arrest and deportation. Kate's Law imposes stronger consequences and is an important step in restoring law and order. It will protect American lives. prgtoken Sadly, there are local and State officials in our great Nation who put the interests of criminal aliens before the safety of American citizens. These officials should take the time to meet with the families of the many victims of these criminal aliens, like I have. They will see the resulting tragedy of sanctuary city policies. prgtoken To rein in such States and localities, we need to pass the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, which will impose consequences on State and local jurisdictions that ignore Federal immigration law by refusing to work with Federal immigration officials to remove criminal aliens from the United States. prgtoken In the first month of the administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued over 3,000 detainers. These are orders for local authorities to keep criminal aliens in custody for 48 hours to enable ICE agents to come and get them for deportation. Remarkably, 206 of these detainers were declined by sanctuary city jurisdictions. In other words, local authorities deliberately ignored ICE's detainer request and released these dangerous individuals onto American streets. prgtoken These weren't just petty criminals, folks. Their crimes included homicide, rape, assault, domestic violence, indecent exposure to a minor, sex offenses against a minor, aggravated assault with a weapon, vehicle theft, kidnapping, driving under the influence, hit and run, and sexual assault. prgtoken Passing the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act is common sense, as it cuts off certain Federal Department of Justice grants to these sanctuary cities. Our bill redirects these funds to States and localities that are cooperat
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-6-29

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn, to then convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business being conducted, on the following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Monday, July 3, at 6 p.m Thursday, July 6, at 9 a.m. I further ask that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, July 6, it next convene at 3 p.m Monday, July 10; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; further, that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Rao nomination; finally, that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the postcloture time on the Rao nomination expire at 5:30 p.m Monday, July 10.
Tribute to Solomon ``Sol'' Atkinson (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-6-29

every week I have been coming down to the floor of the Senate to talk about a special Alaskan, someone in my State who, through their hard work and community service, whether to their neighbors or to their country, makes Alaska a better place for all of us. We call these people the Alaskans of the Week. Learning about these individuals and sharing their stories with my Senate colleagues, Alaskans, and Americans who watch what we do here or who are in the gallery, is probably one of the best parts of my week every week. prgtoken Like most of my colleagues, I will soon be going home for the Fourth of July. We will celebrate this very special holiday with our families and our communities. Some of us will go to barbecues or march in parades or attend other community gatherings. Some of us will gather in spots across our State and watch fireworks. Personally, I will be with my family catching king salmon at my family's ancestral fish camp up on the Yukon River, one of my favorite places in the entire world. prgtoken Regardless of where we are, all of us will certainly feel a swell of pride for our country. We will remember the hard-fought battles that brought us independence, and we will remember those who have served and sacrificed to keep our country the land of the free and the home of the brave. They are the heroes among us, and Alaska is chock-full of these heroes. prgtoken Today I want to recognize one of them, a very special hero who is our Alaskan of the Week--Solomon Atkinson, who spent nearly his entire adult life serving our country with honor and dignity and now serves his community in Alaska tirelessly. prgtoken Let me tell you a little bit about Sol and his illustrious career in the military. Sol was born in 1930 to and Elizabeth Atkinson in Metlakatla, AK. prgtoken Metlakatla is on Annette Island on the Inside Passage, where so many Americans take cruises to see the glaciers and the whales. It is home to the only federally recognized Indian reservation in our State. prgtoken Sol could have continued to live in Metlakatla, where he was a commercial fisherman as a young man, but, like so many patriotic Alaskans, he chose to leave his home and join the military. Sol joined the U.S. Navy, and for 22 years--from 1951 to 1973--he had by anybody's standards a remarkable patriotic military career. prgtoken In 1953, Sol volunteered for the Navy's legendary Underwater Demolition Team and was deployed to the Pacific, including Korea. Some history buffs will know and recall that the Underwater Demolition Team, the UDT, was the precursor to the present-day Navy SEALS--frogmen, as they liked to call themselves. In fact, Sol was on the very first Navy SEAL team created by President Kennedy in 1962, and I have a copy of the SEAL Team One plank owners certificate, commissioned on January 1, 1962, with Sol's name proudly displayed. prgtoken So Sol became a Navy SEAL--the first Navy SEAL, literally.
HONORING WILBERT AUSTIN
Bill Flores (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-6-29

I rise today to honor General Joe Hanover of Woodway, Texas, who passed away on May 22, 2017. prgtoken Joe was born in McGregor, Texas, on February 10, 1918. He grew up in a farming community and attended grade school in Wheelock before graduating from Franklin High School in 1938. prgtoken Wheelock was a special place to Joe because it is where he met the love of his life, Lucille, in the first grade. prgtoken During his high school years in Franklin, Joe became interested in engineering, an interest that would guide much of the rest of his life. Upon graduation from high school, Joe went to Texas A&M University in College Station, where he would go on to earn a bachelor of civil engineering degree in 1940. In 1941, he married Lucille and started his engineering career by working for the Texas Highway Department in Hearne. prgtoken World War II interrupted Joe's early career and family life, as he was called prgtoken into Active Duty in 1941. He was commissioned into the U.S. Army 10 months prior to Pearl Harbor and still carried his original orders to report to Camp Wallace, Texas, until the day he passed away. prgtoken During his service in World War II, George served in the European theater, notably in Belgium and France. He served in the 54th Coastal Artillery, a division that had 3,000 African-American soldiers in it. prgtoken At the conclusion of the war, Joe was given command of a German prisoner of war camp in Marseilles, France. In an interview with the local newspaper, Joe was quoted as saying: ``I started as a commander of Black soldiers, fighting against the world's greatest racist, Adolph Hitler, and finished as the commander of a prison holding German soldiers who had tried to carry out Hitler's plans.'' prgtoken Joe's enlistment lasted 5 years, and he was given orders to go home in February 1946. He also joined the Army Reserve, from which he retired in 1971 with the rank of brigadier general. When he returned to the United States, he went back to work for the Texas Highway Department, embarking on a career that would last for more than 35 years. prgtoken Joe worked on numerous projects throughout the State and is best known in College Station for overseeing the completion of the University Drive overpass. On the 50-year anniversary of the opening of that structure, the City of College Station declared March 21 of each year going forward to be Joe Hanover Day. prgtoken Texas A&M played a large role in Joe's life, and he was known for his great love of the university. He regularly attended Fightin' Texas Aggie sporting events, especially baseball and football games. When recounting the best days of his life, Joe would routinely tell you that the day he married Lucille and the day he was baptized were the two greatest days of his life. prgtoken , Joe Hanover fought in service of our country and worked tirelessly to better the Bryan-College Station area. He is loved by our community and certainly le