mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF KARRIE WILSON WEATHERS
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-8-2

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Karrie Wilson Weathers, 91, of Eggville. Mr. Weathers took his final flight Friday, July 29, 2022. He was born at home in Eggville on February 1, 1931, to the late Denver and Louie Weathers. He graduated from Mooreville High School in 1951 where he was a basketball all-star. Karrie joined the U.S. Air Force serving in the Korean war. He retired after 25 years of service as a Master Sergeant. prgtoken After active duty, he became a partner with his brother, Dudley Weathers at Weathers Auto Supply. He started Capital Auto Glass in 1966. Karrie also served as Lee County Tax Assessor, retiring after 16 years. Dedicated to serving others, Karrie was a member of the Lee County Shrine Club and a founding member of The Flying Fez. He enjoyed flying children to the Shriner's Hospital in Galveston, Texas. He was also a 50 year member of the Tupelo Masonic Lodge 318, a founding member of the Tupelo Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), a 33rd- degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a founding member of the Tupelo Veterans Memorial Park. prgtoken He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a private pilot for over 30 years. In Karrie's own words, he enjoyed flying out of ``Eggville International Grass Airfield!'' He was a member of Auburn Baptist Church. Karrie leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Barbara Finley Weathers; three children, Steve Weathers, Julie Weathers Watson (Woody), Mark ``Winky'' Weathers (Roxy); eight grandchildren, LeAnna Hill (Todd), Brittiany Weathers (Daniel), Luke Weathers (Wendy), Erin Tullos (Adam), Hannah Treece (Nick), Emily Weathers, Tyler Weathers (Meagan), and Katie Weathers Gazaway (Mason); seven great- grandchildren; and a sister, Juanita Weathers Franks Knight (John). He was preceded in death by his parents, Denver and Louie Weathers; his brother, Dudley Weathers, and a great-granddaughter, Sophie Gazaway.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-8-2

in just a few minutes--in fact, maybe I should say finally in just a few minutes--the Senate will vote once again on the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act. prgtoken Thousands of veterans who answered their call to serve after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 suffered the consequences to their health with exposure to open burn pits. Many of these veterans are simultaneously experiencing a battle with the VA--a battle with their health conditions and now a battle with the Department of Veterans Affairs--to gain access to healthcare and the benefits that they desperately need and, in reality, earned and deserve. prgtoken For more than 2 years, I worked with my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, its chairman Senator Tester, our colleagues in the House and Senate, multiple VSOs, veterans across the country, and veterans in Kansas and their families on how we can provide toxic-exposed veterans the healthcare benefits that they deserve. prgtoken Chairman Tester and I made a commitment to each other to get to this point today, and we have had a couple of procedural hurdles. But, despite that, I am pleased that we have still brought this bill to the floor in a bipartisan manner. Our veterans have waited long enough, and it is time to pass the Heath Robinson PACT Act. prgtoken Not only will this legislation provide long overdue healthcare and benefits to the 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans who were exposed to burn pits, but this legislation will deliver care for all generations of veterans, including Vietnam veterans and those who served in Southeast Asia suffering from the exposure to Agent Orange. prgtoken No legislation is perfect. Is this bill the way I would draft it if I were the only person writing the bill? It is not. It is a legislative process that involves a give and take, and we will still have more work to do once the legislation is signed into law. prgtoken I remain committed to working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, with our veterans service organizations, with individual veterans and their families, and with my colleagues prgtoken here in the Senate, both and ic, to make certain that this legislation is effective for veterans and the unintended consequences from this legislation are addressed. prgtoken Once we pass legislation, the work continues because it then has to be implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs. I know from experience that that is a challenge, and this bill in particular--with the magnitude, the number of veterans affected, the amount of resources necessary, the demand for care that will arise under this legislation, and the demand for benefits that arises under this legislation--will make its implementation a significant challenge. But we are ready and able to make certain that the intended results--while there has been a lot of d
HONORING 3RD ARMORED DIVISION'S COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE SECTION
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-8-2

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the great work that 3rd Armored Division's Gregory Hagen, Gerald Euchler, Craig Carlson, David Evans, Donald Wood, Thomas Lykens, Denis McMahon, Jesse Weiss, Joan Mercier, and Sharon Mack did to protect our strategic naval assets during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. prgtoken In March of 1991 these soldiers, who belonged to 3rd Armored Division's Counterintelligence section, identified three Iraqi naval sites that had yet to be exploited. In coordination with U.S. Naval Intelligence, the sites were investigated properly, and revealed the official Iraqi naval minefield locations, which were unknown to U.S. forces. These plans led to the demining and safe passage of both civilian and military ships in Iraqi waters. prgtoken Due to the decisive action of these soldiers, untold lives were saved as well as the prevention of loss of naval assets. Their actions exemplify the honor and courage of our service members. We should applaud their efforts.
VOTE EXPLANATION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-8-2

due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to be present today for votes on amendment No. 5186 and 5187 to S. 3373, the Honoring our PACT Act, and to the underlying bill. I offer this statement in the Record in support of all three. prgtoken Amendment No. 5186 to S. 3373, offered by my good friend from Pennsylvania, Mr. Pat Toomey, closes an important budgetary loophole by preventing $390 billion in baseline discretionary spending from being reclassified as mandatory spending under the legislation. I support this amendment, and I would encourage my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken Amendment No. 5185 to S. 3373, offered by my good friend from Tennessee, Mrs. Marsha Blackburn, would expand care under the Veterans Community Care Program to include toxic-exposed veterans. This expanded care program is essential to ensure that toxic-exposed veterans receive the full range of support that they need. I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment. prgtoken Finally, S. 3373, the Honoring our PACT Act, creates a presumption that veterans who suffer from certain health conditions, and who were exposed to toxic substances as part of their military service, are eligible to receive Veterans Administration healthcare. This important bill will provide much-needed care to our veterans, including lifesaving early detection and treatment of certain illnesses. I support the passage of the PACT Act.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-8-2

today I have the distinct honor of recognizing Dr. Doug Reisig of Missoula County as Montanan of the Month for his distinguished career as an educator and for his devotion to Montana students, parents, and the community. prgtoken Doug was born and raised in the great State of Montana. He earned his master's degree from the University of Montana and his PhD from Montana State--``Go Cats!'' Doug taught at Billings West High School before accepting a job at the St. Ignatius School District. It was in St. Ignatius that he met his lovely wife, Mary Jo. Doug and Mary Jo have been married for almost 43 years and have raised two wonderful daughters, Megan and Callie. They are now the proud grandparents of four grandsons. prgtoken Doug has been a teacher, building administrator, and superintendent for 46 years, serving as the superintendent at Hellgate Elementary for the past 34 years. Prior to his retirement, he received the G.V. Erickson Award from the School Administrators of Montana for his contribution to the betterment of education in our great State. prgtoken Since Doug took over as superintendent, the school has seen a 33- percent increase in enrollment. He also oversaw the construction of the new middle school. prgtoken During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, under Doug's leadership, Hellgate Elementary was a leader in delivering meals to children in need, and he went the extra mile by selflessly donating his increase in salary to the Family Resource Fund. With Doug's direction and precautions in place, both Hellgate Elementary School and Middle School were in session 5 days a week during the 2020 and 2021 school years. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize Dr. Doug Reisig for serving the State of Montana as an educator and for his dedication to ensuring Montana students have a bright future ahead. prgtoken Congratulations on your retirement, Doug. You make Montana proud.
AFGHANISTAN
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-8-3

today, I come to the floor to urge President to turn his attention to his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan 1 year ago. I want to direct the Commander in Chief to reflect on a series of commitments he made to the American people before and during his reckless exit. prgtoken On August 19, 2021, President promised U.S. troops would remain on the ground until every American who wanted to leave Afghanistan was evacuated. prgtoken On August 26, 2021, President promised to hunt down and avenge the deaths of 13 servicemembers killed in action by ISIS-K in Kabul. prgtoken In a speech to the United Nations on September 21, 2021, the President promised his administration would hold the Taliban accountable to protect the rights of Afghan women. prgtoken The Commander in Chief failed to uphold his word on all three fronts, and American security and prosperity have suffered as a result of his broken promises. prgtoken Today in Afghanistan, Americans who want to come home remain left behind, and the administration's lack of transparency concerning both the number and desire of Americans trapped in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is alarming. prgtoken The President and members of his Cabinet repeatedly claimed that the number of Americans who wanted out of Afghanistan was roughly 100. That number was spouted from September 2021 through the beginning of this year--the same number over and over again--even though we would hear reports on the television that 40 more Americans were out, 200 Americans were out, and yet the number remained the same. How many Americans remain in Afghanistan? The number they kept using was 100. prgtoken There is no way around it: President broke his promise to the Americans who remain and their families anxiously awaiting their return. prgtoken Americans have lived and traveled abroad with assurances that the United States would come to their aid in the event of a conflict. No matter how far away, the United States is expected to have the backs of its citizens. Our withdrawal from Afghanistan was a cut-and-run approach that greatly damaged that guarantee. prgtoken If the world's greatest superpower cannot locate and extract its own citizens from the clutches of seventh-century thugs, then far greater tests of our sovereignty, security, and prosperity will only loom larger. prgtoken As we approach the anniversary of the haphazard withdrawal, there is an open wound hurting our ability to deter the actions of our adversaries. prgtoken President promised vengeance on the terrorists who killed 13 Americans--including 1 from my hometown of Red Oak, IA--at Hamid Karzai International Airport. prgtoken He told the American people: The United States will never rest. We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down to the ends of the Earth, and we will--you will pay the ultimate price. prgtoken Again, the Commander in Chief's rhetoric does
NATO (Executive Session)
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-8-3

today, I rise and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden to join NATO. This is probably one of the easiest votes I will ever make in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken I have listened to arguments about Asia, somehow that it comes in here. Look, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Certainly, we need to look at what is going on in Asia, pay attention to what is going on in Asia, but what we are talking about here is the defense of the North Atlantic. prgtoken This organization was put together many years ago. It has grown over those years to be 30-strong. And now we are going to add two more. prgtoken I have characterized NATO as the most successful political and military alliance in the history of the world; certainly the most powerful alliance in the history of the world. And today we have the opportunity to expand the alliance by including Finland and Sweden. prgtoken Over the years, we have added various countries, and debates could be had about those countries as to whether or not they are sufficient to join NATO and be part of the article 5 ``an attack on one is an attack on all'' alliance. But on Finland and Sweden, there really is little, if any, argument. These are two very successful countries. prgtoken This accession process is an important chance for the United States to demonstrate leadership in NATO--we have over the years, and we will continue to do so--and the United States' commitment to its modernization and to its future. prgtoken The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has carefully consulted and coordinated with our NATO allies, the Governments of Sweden and Finland, and with the administration to ensure this process could move as efficiently as possible. I can tell you that, personally--and others have done the same over recent years and particularly over recent months, have pressed Finland and Sweden to change their view as to prgtoken whether or not they should remain neutral and instead move into the NATO alliance. prgtoken On February 24, we all know the world shook. Things changed dramatically. After Putin's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, Sweden and Finland, I am sure, woke up and said: You know, that could be us next, but it won't be us if we join NATO. So their polling in their country changed dramatically on February 24 as to whether or not NATO membership was appropriate for them. They have now enthusiastically said that NATO is appropriate for them, and we have shown in this body bipartisan support for Finland and Sweden joining NATO. prgtoken Finland and Sweden will make model members of the NATO alliance. Both have strong and capable militaries in place now and are already net contributors to the security alliance. As was pointed out earlier by Senator Collins here, they have been very active in NATO, even though they are not members of NATO, by participating in various drills that have taken place and also by participating i
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-8-3

I am on the floor today with Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire to join in a colloquy regarding what is happening in Ukraine. This is the 20th time in so many weeks that I have come to the floor to talk about the illegal, unprovoked, and brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. prgtoken Today, I look forward to being with my colleague Senator Shaheen, a member of the Ukraine Caucus and someone with whom I have traveled to Ukraine and also to the border of Ukraine and Poland to meet with the refugees. prgtoken Senator Shaheen is going to talk, I think, a little about how we got to where we are and what we do going forward. I was also recently made aware of the fact that we are going to take up the NATO ratification vote today. And this is to have the United States approve the addition of Sweden and Finland to the NATO alliance. This is great for the alliance. It is great for the United States. And I believe it is also-- otherwise, they wouldn't be interested--very good for the people of Finland and Sweden. prgtoken They add a lot to the NATO alliance. They are militarily and economically in a position to be valuable contributors. They also, in the case of Finland, share the largest land border with Russia of any country. They have understandable concerns with what they see happening in Ukraine. prgtoken I just believe it is very much in our national security interests and the interests of people I represent to have, in addition, even further strengthening of the NATO alliance through the addition of these two partners. prgtoken Vladimir Putin thought he was going to split NATO apart when he began his invasion of Ukraine, I believe. And today, he is finding just the opposite has happened. NATO has come together in ways we have never seen. And we now have, again, the addition of two very strong members of NATO who are longtime allies of the United States and will add significantly to the NATO alliance. prgtoken With regard to Ukraine, let's start with a little history. Ukrainians have faced adversity from Russia for hundreds of years. This is not new to them. Russia's oppression of Ukraine is not a 21st century issue. For 300 years, under the brutal rule of the Russian czars, Ukrainians were subjected to repeated efforts to stamp out their language, their culture, and their identity. prgtoken In January of 1918, Ukrainians got their first taste of national freedom. While Russia was dealing with the chaos of the Bolshevik Revolution, Ukraine declared its independence from the Russian Empire. Unfortunately, this freedom was short-lived. Just a few years later, the Bolsheviks conquered Ukraine and subsumed it into the Soviet Union. prgtoken As an unwilling member of the Soviet Empire, Ukrainians suffered horrific atrocities at the hands of their Soviet overlords. In 1932 and again in 1933, the Stalinist regime confiscated grain harvests across Ukraine and imposed a premeditated manmade famine again
TRIBUTE TO NIELS HANSEN
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2022-8-3

today I rise in recognition of the leadership and accomplishments of Wyoming Rancher and Public Lands Council President Niels Hansen. prgtoken This is Niels' final year as a member of the Public Lands Council executive council. He will be honored on Friday, August 26 at their 2022 Annual Meeting Banquet hosted in Cody, WY. Niels has served on the PLC's executive council since 2016. He also served as Wyoming's delegate to the PLC's sage grouse task force. Niels is a consistent and strong voice for ranching and the western way of life. His work has had a tremendous impact on public land policy, both nationally and in Wyoming. prgtoken Niels is the third generation operator of PH Livestock. Located in the high desert near Rawlins, WY, the ranch's need for proper management and resource conservation is paramount. Niels' great uncles, Peter and Jim Hansen, came to Rawlins from Denmark in the early 1900s to start their own ranches. His father joined them in 1927 and later took over for Jim. Niels and his sister Anna, were the first born in the United States and continue the legacy of their family and their land. prgtoken As Niels describes, ``We do not try to maximize anything, but we try to optimize everything. We work to operate in balance with nature by making any adjustments needed to keep the ranch producing a consistent, predictable manner while protecting the land where we live.'' prgtoken Niels built a reputation as someone who brings stakeholders together to find the best possible solutions. PH Livestock operates on the Bureau of Land Management checkerboard that is spread throughout southern Wyoming. He brought the agriculture industry, energy industry, and Federal and State agencies to the same table to address the challenges of maintaining and improving the land. prgtoken Niels has worked with the University of Wyoming and the BLM for over 20 years to monitor and collect data on his land. This data builds the foundation to develop the best practices for the rangeland. Niels constantly shares his dedication and knowledge to advocate for sound policy. He served as chairman of the Wyoming State Grazing Board and president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. Niels has testified in front of congressional committees many times. He testified in 2018, during my time as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Niels promotes cooperation between Federal agencies and landowners. He gives a firsthand perspective of the effects of regulations on the people it impacts the most. prgtoken Niels' ability to build relationships and success in conservation was recognized in 2011 when he was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. PH Livestock received the BLM Rangeland Management Stewardship award in 2000. In 2004, the ranch was a cowinner of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Stewardship Award. prgtoken Niels understands the importance of family and tradition to a success