mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING ARNOLD AND LORLEE TENENBAUM
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , I rise today to honor the lives of Mr. Arnold Tenenbaum, who passed away on March 24, and his loving wife, Mrs. Lorlee Tenenbaum, who passed away just 5 days later on March 29. prgtoken Mr. and Mrs. Tenenbaum were pillars in the Savannah community and committed their lives to serving others through their work with United Way, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, food banks, and more. prgtoken Mr. Tenenbaum was a renowned businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader, and Lorlee joined alongside him in giving back to their community through serving on numerous boards and spearheading projects to promote Savannah's bright future. prgtoken Arnold was influential in both his business ventures, leading Chatham Steel Corporation, and his pursuits to better the lives of youth in his community through his efforts to improve public education in Savannah. prgtoken Devoting their lives to helping others and always bringing positivity to every room they entered, they greatly impacted the culture of Savannah. prgtoken The Tenenbaums loved others deeply and were loved by many, including their four amazing children. prgtoken I am proud and thankful to have had such an honorable couple dedicate their lives to serving their community in the First Congressional District of Georgia, and I am grateful for the lasting impact they made on Savannah. prgtoken My heart goes out to their family and friends and the entire Savannah community during this most difficult time.
UYGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY ACT OF 2020
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , the last several months have made it clear to the entire world that the Chinese Communist prgtoken Party, or the CCP, has little regard for human life. When faced with a decision, they have chosen and will continue to choose to preserve their own power over helping their own people. prgtoken Rather than alert the world to the true dangers the coronavirus posed to the world, they instead lied and orchestrated the worst coverup in human history, exposing the Chinese people and the entire world to a virus that has killed over 350,000 people, including nearly 100,000 innocent Americans. Another 5.5 million have been infected worldwide, and those numbers only continue to climb. prgtoken This atrocity is far from the only example of the CCP prioritizing its power over human life and liberty. At this very moment, the CCP's rubber-stamp legislature is working to dismantle Hong Kong's freedoms. Under the guise of national security legislation, the CCP plans to expand its police state to Hong Kong and fundamentally change Hong Kongers' way of life, freedom, and autonomy. prgtoken The CCP is showing the world that they are willing to tear up the international commitments they made to preserve freedom in Hong Kong. prgtoken We can no longer stand idly by while the CCP consolidates its power at the expense of freedom around the world. The ultimate example of what the CCP is willing to do in the name of national security has been clear for some time, and that is the cultural genocide of the Uyghurs and other ethnic minority Muslim groups in western China. prgtoken Over the last several years, these ethnic minorities have been rounded up and forced into concentration camps where they are brainwashed with state propaganda and forced to do grueling work as part of their ``reform.'' prgtoken They live under a complete Orwellian surveillance program, an apparatus tracking their every move. Some have been tortured and killed. Others have been disappeared from their families, never to be returned, with no explanation from the CCP. prgtoken That is why I stand today in strong support of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. prgtoken The goal of the Chinese Government is to completely eradicate an entire culture simply because it doesn't fit within what the Chinese Communist Party deems ``Chinese.'' They want to remove the cultural, religious, and ethnic identity the Uyghurs have and indoctrinate them so that they love the Chinese Communist Party more than their family, their culture, or their religion. In total, 1 to 3 million Chinese citizens have been subjected to the state-sponsored cultural genocide. prgtoken Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called this the ``stain of the century,'' and he is absolutely right. prgtoken That is why we can't sit idly by and allow this to continue. As I have said before, our silence will be complicit, and our inaction will be our appease
IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF FINDLAY BEING NAMED THE TOP MICROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , I rise to recognize Findlay, Ohio for being recognized as the Top Micropolitan Community in the United States for the sixth year in a row. The issuing magazine, Site Selection, announced the 2020 award by describing Findlay as ``being propelled into superstar status.'' prgtoken In order to be considered a micropolitan city, the area must have a population ranging from 10,000 to 50,000. Over 550 of these cities were evaluated on business growth and economic sustainability. Findlay was able to secure this award for the sixth year in a row because of their focus on residential developments in 2019 that met Site Selection's criteria. prgtoken Fostering a cooperative environment between businesses and local government has allowed for continued economic growth in Findlay. Over the past six years, 1,000 new jobs have been created in Findlay alone. This success would not be possible without the partnership and cooperation between the Findlay government, the Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development office, the Hancock County Commissioners, and the entire Findlay community. prgtoken Madam , Findlay has routinely served as an example of what a strong community and a commitment to its prosperity can do by implementing their renowned ``Findlay Formula.'' This formula continues to pay dividends and serves as an example to cities across the country. prgtoken I congratulate Findlay for another year as the Nation's top-ranked Micropolitan Community.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Rob Woodall (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , my chairman is exactly right. We just came out of the Rules Committee just about an hour ago, and we did report this rule that does make in order a motion from the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary to concur in the Senate amendments. The Senate amendments do take a small step forward in making the underlying language better than it used to be, but we had an opportunity in the Rules Committee to consider other amendments. prgtoken We had an amendment by Mr. Gosar, for example, that asked for additional certifications from the Attorney General. We had a bipartisan amendment from Mr. Davidson and Ms. Lofgren that would have gone even further in protecting civil liberties. I regret the rule we have today makes neither of those in order. prgtoken It comes as no surprise to any of us that we have some very successful House work product that we could have added here, and we made the decision to accede to the Senate language. prgtoken As I mentioned, just over an hour ago, Dr. Burgess, who sits on the Rules Committee, and I were there. prgtoken Madam , with the chairman's indulgence, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) for any statement he may have.
SURVEILLANCE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-5-27

October 2001, under the shadow of 9/11, with the House office buildings evacuated because of the threat of anthrax, a bill authored by Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner and the White House was brought before the House. It was called the USA PATRIOT Act. prgtoken Now, who could, in the shadow of 9/11, vote against anything called the USA PATRIOT Act? Well, I did, as did 66 other Members; 3 s, 62 , and 1 Independent, because of the unbelievably, unconstitutionally broad powers that would be granted for surveillance of all the American people in myriad ways. prgtoken Now, there wasn't even a copy of the bill available. I came to the floor, and I said: Can I have a copy of the bill? They said: Sorry, there is only one. It is on the side. I said: Well, it is not the Senate. I can't filibuster, but I will make it a long day with the adjournment votes. Get me a copy. They printed out a copy, it was hot off the Xerox. I got rushed on this side by Members of the Judiciary Committee who ostensibly authored the bill to try and find out what the heck was in it, but people still voted for it. The abuses that have come under this are myriad and well-documented. prgtoken Now, I credit Zoe Lofgren for trying to amend the most egregious section, 215, and my colleague, Ron Wyden from Oregon. Senator Wyden almost succeeded in the Senate, short one vote. And Zoe tried on the last reauthorization and this one to amend that. Unfortunately, she was pressured by and forced to, since otherwise they would block her amendment, to water down her revisions to section 215. prgtoken Now, Senator Wyden is opposed, as are others. What is section 215? Unbelievably broad, warrantless, intrusive, internet searches of everything you look at, browse online. For what purpose? Who knows? What are they going to do with that information? Well, maybe they are going to apply an algorithm and find something. They gather so much data, they don't know what to do with it. prgtoken What is the legal standard? A presumption of relevance to an investigation. Isn't that a laughable standard? You could presume relevance to virtually anything in the world at any time. prgtoken So this bill, even if that amendment should pass, even if the bill comes up today--it is questionable whether it will. We now have government by tweet on that side of the aisle. prgtoken says jump; they jump. And last night, said he is against this, even though it has a special provision in the bill for President because of the Carter Page abuses. prgtoken It says the ``Attorney General,'' in quotes--by the way, that means any senior official in the Justice Department--would have to sign off on targeting Federal officials or candidates for office. prgtoken First off, why should those people be exempt if they are engaged in terrorist activities or presumptive relevance of terrorist activities? prgtoken But, again, ``Attorney General,'' with this la
LAW ENFORCEMENT SUICIDE DATA COLLECTION ACT
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act, a Senate companion to bipartisan legislation that I authored and introduced to address the mental health needs of law enforcement officers across the country. prgtoken Every day, our officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities. They work long shifts and respond to dangerous calls in order to keep crime off our streets and keep our citizens safe. This critical work does not come without a cost. Law enforcement officers often experience post-traumatic stress from their work environment. prgtoken According to multiple studies, officers are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than in line-of-duty-related homicides or accidents. Suicide has become the number one cause of deaths for Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers around the country. In fact, in my hometown of Chicago, the officer suicide rate is 60 percent higher than the national average. prgtoken Despite these sobering statistics, there is no Federal Government program to track the number of officers who attempt suicide or lose their lives to suicide every year. My legislation creates a data collection program within the FBI to track law enforcement suicides at the local, State, and Federal levels. prgtoken By providing accurate and detailed information, this bill would help police departments implement more effective suicide prevention and post-prevention programs. These intervention programs will save lives. prgtoken It is our turn to bring the brave men and women who fight for us the care they need and deserve. prgtoken Madam , I am grateful to Chairman Nadler for his support of this important mission and for prioritizing this piece of legislation and bringing it to the House floor. I thank the committee staff and Hannah from my own staff for her extraordinary work on this measure. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to support the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection bill today.
AZERBAIJAN'S 102ND REPUBLIC DAY
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , May 28, 2020 marks Azerbaijan's 102nd Republic Day, the day on which the country became the first Muslim- majority secular democratic state. Since regaining its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has proven itself a partner of the United States particularly in its commitment to regional stability and security cooperation. prgtoken As someone who has traveled to Israel nineteen times and championed the cause of the U.S.-Israeli friendship since first coming to the House, I applaud Azerbaijan's commitment to ensuring that the Azeri and Israeli people remain good friends. Indeed, home to a thriving Jewish community of around 30,000, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries with a predominately Muslim population that is a staunch supporter of Israel. prgtoken Azerbaijan is also committed to regional security and stability. With its dedication to countering terrorism and nuclear proliferation, its support for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and its contributions to UN and NATO peacekeeping missions, Azerbaijan continues to contribute to the stabilization of the region. prgtoken Madam , although friends will have difficult conversations at times, those discussions are based in honesty and respect. Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the people of Azerbaijan on their Republic Day.
CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATION HONORING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Each May, Americans commemorate two historic anniversaries: the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. First proposed as a ten-day celebration in 1977, this month celebrates the heritage of Americans who come from Asian and Pacific Island countries and territories. Since the first Asian and Pacific Islanders made the journey to America in 1843, they have enriched the fabric of this great nation with their own unique contributions. I am honored today to tell the stories of two Asian Pacific Americans who live and work in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. prgtoken Asian Pacific Americans represent a diversity of cultures, experiences, and countries. Throughout American history, these men and women have contributed to the growth and progress of the nation. The story of Asian Pacific Americans has not been without pain, however. During the construction of the transcontinental railroad, thousands of Chinese immigrants worked under dangerous conditions, endured abusive labor practices, and received unfair compensation. During World War II, people of Japanese ancestry were removed from their homes, imprisoned, and held in desolate places without trial. Even today, Asian Pacific Americans endure hate and discrimination simply due to their heritage. Asian-owned businesses have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic due to intolerance and xenophobia. As Americans, we must reject and condemn such discrimination and embrace the many differences that make this community a hub of culture and diversity. prgtoken Today, I am proud to celebrate a community of Asian Pacific Americans that make up part of the incredibly rich and diverse heritage of Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. It is my honor to recognize two members of this community in particular: Victoria Huynh and Ching Hsia. prgtoken Victoria Huynh is the Vice President of the Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS), headquartered in Georgia's Sixth District. Victoria's upbringing in a Vietnamese refugee household fuels her passion for community building, strategic planning, and policy work with immigrants and refugees in Georgia. She serves as the Advisor of the CPACS' Advocacy Department and co-chairs the Asian American and Pacific Islander Complete Count Committee, which is working to ensure a complete count for Georgia's Asian Pacific American population in the 2020 Census. Not only does Victoria serve on my Sixth District Complete Count Committee, but she also helped organize one of the largest ``Get Out the Count'' Census events in the entire state. prgtoken Ching Hsia is the Assistant Principal for the Chinese Cultural School and Vice President of the Chinese Community Federation of Atlanta. She immigrated to the United States with her parents and siblings when sh
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 6172, USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-5-27

. Madam , about the process, let me just say, I hear from my friends. They like to talk about the 230 years of tradition as though the House has never made any changes to the way it operates in these last 230 years. That is just simply not true. So many of our most basic functions have changed drastically since the first Congress, from the way we vote to the way we count a quorum. prgtoken If a legislative body does not have the ability to respond to the challenges it faces, then how can it survive and how can it be functional? prgtoken The challenge we are facing today is not permanent. I could argue that the House has made several more sweeping and permanent changes than this before. For one, the way we vote today looks nothing like how our predecessors voted in 1789. Now we cast our votes in the Chamber by electronic device. prgtoken Our predecessors recognized that the House needed to advance with technology. For decades, they called on the House to implement a more efficient and advanced voting system. They were afraid we would seem archaic compared to foreign and State governments. Does that sound familiar? prgtoken Right now, we are watching as legislatures in our States take responsible action to respond to this pandemic by implementing remote voting procedures and as parliaments around the world advance to meet this challenge head-on. What are we doing? We are struggling to even come up with an agreement that we need to do something--something. Anything. prgtoken But voting electronically is not the only change we have made in response to technological advancements. Now, our floor proceedings are broadcast on C-SPAN. Members grappled with questions of how broadcasting the House would fundamentally change this body, but the desire for accountability and transparency won the day. prgtoken Change is not always bad. And, of course, there were safeguards attached to this that preserved the integrity of the House: Proceedings cannot be tampered with and cannot be used for political reasons and so on. prgtoken Other changes we made over the years include the provisional quorum after 9/11. And that is not the only time we made changes to our quorum requirements. prgtoken Other changes were deciding when a quorum is required. For decades, Members raised points of order that a quorum is not present during debates. The House has even expanded the 's ability to adjust the numbers of the whole House to account for those living, incapacitated, or resigned. prgtoken How we count a quorum today is not the same as how we counted a quorum in the first Congress. We have made changes to our quorum rules as recent as 15 years ago. prgtoken Here is the deal: What we are facing today doesn't have to prevent us from legislating. We should not be afraid to adapt and respond to these challenges and to do so in a safe manner. If anything, we have 230 years of precedent of us adapting to the changing world around us. There is nothi
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-5-27

and still I rise, as I rise today, , to speak the truth about the circumstance as it relates to African Americans in the United States of America. prgtoken I rise to say, , that Black lives do not matter as much as White lives. If Black lives matter as much as White lives, Mr. George Floyd would still be breathing. If Black lives matter as much as White lives, Ahmaud Arbery would have finished his jog. If Black lives matter as much as White lives, Christian Cooper wouldn't have been falsely accused. prgtoken Black lives do not matter as much as White lives. Why? Because we tolerate hatred, bigotry, and invidious discrimination. We tolerate it. And because we tolerate it, we allow it to be perpetuated. prgtoken We in this country have the power to do something about the racism that exists as it relates to Black people. We have tolerated it since 1619 and the arrival of Black people in the Americas. But it is time for us to do something about it. prgtoken We have had the opportunity to do something. prgtoken When the Chief Executive Officer of this country is a racist and a bigot, we should do something about that. And we had the opportunity to, but we did not. We tolerated it. And there were some who went so far as to almost justify it with some of their commentary about the comments that were being made: Oh, he is just a jerk. prgtoken Black lives matter, and we ought not tolerate it to the extent we have. prgtoken I believe that we in the Congress of the United States of America have a duty to do what has been done in the past. We declared a war on poverty. We declared a war on drugs. Why not declare a war on racism? Why not decide that, here and now, we are not going to allow racism to continue in this country to the extent that people lose their lives? prgtoken What happened to some of the persons who have lost their lives as of late is almost predictable, because we have seen circumstances similar occur and we have not taken aggressive action. prgtoken The officers in the Floyd case should not only be arrested; they ought to be prosecuted. I was a magistrate. I know probable cause when I see it, and there is probable cause to arrest and prosecute those officers. prgtoken Black lives matter. And those who have not allowed the Black Lives Matter movement to continue, to become the movement that could make a difference in the lives of people in this country, have some responsibility because they fought the very movement that was going to make a difference in the lives of people, may have saved some lives of people. prgtoken So I rise today, , to say that we in Congress have some responsibility to the people we serve; and a part of that responsibility is to assure them that they can go jogging and return home, that if they are arrested by the police, they won't be suffocated to the extent that they lose their lives. We have to make sure that we tell this country, in no uncertain terms, that Black lives do matte