mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1319, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to support the rule and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. prgtoken The COVID-19 pandemic has cost the lives of over 500,000 Americans-- more than all the casualties of World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam war combined. Millions more have been infected and are recovering from the virus. Our economy has lost more than 10 million jobs. Countless businesses have failed or are at risk of failing. So our job today in Congress is to move quickly to address the physical, emotional, and financial health of all Americans. We can accomplish all three of these priorities through passage of the American Rescue Plan. prgtoken I want to touch on a few of the provisions included in this package. First, our State and local governments, firefighters, police, transportation workers, and healthcare providers have been on the front lines of the pandemic, supporting their communities by developing testing capabilities, supporting vulnerable populations, and now deploying the vaccines as quickly as possible. prgtoken I am glad this bill includes $350 billion for State and local governments all across the country. prgtoken We also need to work quickly to extend expiring unemployment programs, which expire on March 14. We saw what happened when Senator McConnell paused last year, and Coloradans are still struggling to receive the benefits they are owed. prgtoken This legislation will invest $130 billion to support K-12 schools as they work to return to in-person learning and help students catch up. It will also include $40 billion in rental and housing assistance. In the last month, Colorado has seen a record amount of requests for rental assistance. prgtoken The time for action is now. President is laser focused on delivering relief to all Americans, and I am proud of his leadership so we can provide this needed assistance as we vaccinate more people each day. America needs this, America wants this, and they are going to get it.
HONORING DR. CAROLYN PASS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , Dr. Carolyn Pass was born in Lake Wales, Florida. She earned a B.S. in microbiology from the University of Florida and an M.D. from the University of Miami. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the George Washington University. prgtoken Her leadership spans more than 35 years beginning with serving as the president of the Minority PreProfessional Association at UF. As a medical student, she was a student health policy mentee in the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy's office. Also, she served as president and regional council member of the Student National Medical Association. In her senior year she was awarded the highest honor bestowed at the University of Miami by being inducted into Iron Arrow Honor Society. prgtoken Dr. Pass' dedication to community began in 2001 when she opened her primary care practice in Lake Wales. Before going into solo practice, she suffered from congestive heart failure and recuperated at home for 18 months after giving birth to her third child. prgtoken Her dedication to providing quality care to her patients continued to flourish as she rose through the ranks of leadership at Advent Health Lake Wales. While on staff for the past 20 years, she's served on every committee and has been elected three times as chairman of medicine. Currently, she is serving as the first Black female chief of staff. prgtoken Dr. Pass' specialties include internal medicine, wound care and hyperbaric medicine. prgtoken Her passions are her three lovely children. Alexandra is a graduate student, and Nicholas and Christian are in college.
HONORING TWO RIVERS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL 7TH GRADERS, TEACHERS AND THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , February is Black History month. This month, and every month, let us celebrate the Black Americans who built this nation, amplify the voices of those who continue to fight for a more just society, and recommit to taking real action. We must remember that Black History is American History as we reflect on the people who have strengthened our nation. prgtoken This past year, the fight for racial justice was especially important in wake of unspeakable tragedies like the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. People of all ages protested from coast to coast, calling for justice, saying enough is enough, and demanding change. I was particularly inspired by a group of young students led by Social Studies Teacher Nicole Clark, English Language Arts Teacher Monica Powell, and Inclusion Specialist Courtney Legg at Two Rivers Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. During their recent school showcase they presented their ``resistance poems'' which I have shared with my colleagues in an e-booklet and posted to my website at: https:// delauro.house.gov/sites/delauro.house.gov/files/documents/ TwoRiversPoems.pdf. prgtoken As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ``our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.'' During these unprecedented times, where we are also struggling to combat a pandemic that is disproportionately affecting communities of color, we must have the courage to make meaningful change. It is clear that the young authors of these poems certainly have that courage. I was particularly inspired by their words, and I am confident that my colleagues in the Congress were as well. prgtoken It is through their dedication and commitment of young people--and that of so many others before them--we are able to continue this fight for equality, justice and opportunity today and for many years to come.
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2021
Joe Neguse (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-2-26

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I want to say, first, I appreciate the gentleman's remarks on this amendment. My friend from Utah, I know from our work together last Congress and this Congress and from our bipartisan work on the Congressional Wildfire Caucus that the gentleman is sincere in his intent that he, too, wants to help address the climate crisis and the threat that it poses to our communities, and I thank him for that. prgtoken However, to that end, I would encourage the gentleman and his colleagues to continue to work with us across the aisle on opportunities to create clean, green, well-paying jobs for all Americans. Ultimately, I will be opposing the gentleman's amendment because I don't believe it is in the best interest of this particular legislation. prgtoken As we have heard over the course of the debate this morning and yesterday, of course, on the bill, the various areas that are protected in this bill were included at the request of local communities who want to see these lands protected for future generations. prgtoken One example, perhaps the most salient in my view, is the Thompson Divide region in my bill, the CORE Act, which has faced years of pressure to develop certain mineral interests that local stakeholders, including the ranching community, oppose. prgtoken The largest individual withdrawal area in this bill actually surrounds the Grand Canyon, a region with few identified critical mineral resources, but one that I believe we can all agree is of enormous importance to the American public. That importance, that value of the Grand Canyon, as well as every area included in this bill, is ultimately why we are here today. prgtoken It is why my colleagues have gone through years of painstaking work developing a consensus with those local communities to identify those lands of such exceptional value that they believe and the communities believe should be protected for future generations. prgtoken The bottom line is this: We believe that some places should be set aside permanently from extraction because some landscapes, like the Grand Canyon, are simply too special to be mined, drilled, or excavated. prgtoken , with that, I respectfully oppose the gentleman's amendment, and .
COVID RELIEF
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-2-26

I rise in support of the American Rescue Plan. We cannot grow numb to the pain and devastation the COVID pandemic brought this past year. prgtoken , 500,000 Americans are dead. Millions have lost their jobs and can't find meaningful employment. Children, including my own, have had to adapt to online learning. Millions of small businesses are struggling to keep the lights on. prgtoken Folks in Colorado want to get this done. In fact, over 70 percent of Americans want to get this done, and there prgtoken are very few things more bipartisan than that. They want it fixed, and they want it fixed now. prgtoken This bill is the first step to building back better. It will support vaccine distribution and research and provide relief to small businesses, schools, and Coloradans who are out of work. So let's get this done. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the American Rescue Plan.
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2021
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-26

my amendment (Garamendi No. 6) to the ``Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act'' (H.R. 803) would adjust the Congressionally designated boundary of the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area to include approximately 62 acres of adjacent publicly owned land in unincorporated Solano County. prgtoken I thank Rules Chairman McGovern (D-MA) for making my noncontroversial amendment in order and Natural Resources Chairman Grijalva (D-AZ) for including it in the en bloc #1 amendments today, offered by Congressman Neguse (D-CO). prgtoken My amendment is identical to H.R. 1230, which I introduced on February 23, 2021, at the request of the City of Rio Vista. It would include the decommissioned United States Army Reserve Center (Rio Vista), U.S. Coast Guard Station Rio Vista, Beach Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant (City of Rio Vista), and Sandy Beach County Park (Solano County) in the National Heritage Area. prgtoken Two of these parcels--the decommissioned United States Army Reserve Center and Beach Drive Wastewater Treatment Plant--are owned by the City of Rio Vista but technically outside the city limits. As such, it appears these parcels were omitted inadvertently when the National Park Service prepared the legislative map for the then-proposed Delta National Heritage Area in 2010. Including these parcels within the National Heritage Area's boundary supports the City of Rio Vista's proposed redevelopment of the decommissioned United States Army Reserve Center, now owned by the City. prgtoken In March 2019, Congress enacted into law (Public Law 116-9) my legislation with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) designating the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as California's first national heritage area. The Delta is a crown jewel of our state and an iconic working landscape, which my family has been fortunate to call home for over 40 years. It is the most productive watershed in the western United States and among the most ecologically important in the Western Hemisphere. prgtoken Together, we must safeguard the Delta and the historic communities that make it such a special place, including Rio Vista. Expanding the Delta National Heritage Area will ensure that the proposed redevelopment of the decommissioned Rio Vista Army base and similar projects on the adjacent publicly owned land are eligible to apply for the $10 million in federal grant funding available until 2034. prgtoken I urge all Members to support my amendment and the underlying bill, which I will work to enact into law before California's Delta Protection Commission completes the management plan for the National Heritage Area.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1319, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , I rise in strong support of this bill and of the 1.4 million first responders, teachers, transit workers, sanitation workers, and other public servants already laid off from State and local governments across this Nation. We must act before more people lose their jobs, and before more lifesaving programs are cut. prgtoken Madam , the State and local funding included in this package will provide many local governments dedicated support for the first time since this pandemic struck. It can be used to administer vaccines, increase testing, and save countless jobs by replacing lost revenue. prgtoken For New York City, which last month projected a $10.5 billion loss in expected tax revenue, this money would mean it can continue to provide vaccines and food assistance and reopen schools safely. Hundreds of local officials told us the relief in this bill will mean recovery instead of recession and cannot come fast enough. Taken together, this could be the light this-- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired. prgtoken The Chair would again remind all Members to heed the gavel.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1319, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , over half a million Americans have been killed by a merciless virus. That is about the population of New Haven, Connecticut. Now, also picture wiping out Grand Rapids, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio; or McAllen, Texas. prgtoken Ten million Americans are unemployed right now. Nearly one in four households have experienced hunger this year. These are horrible statistics, but there is good news building on this floor right now. prgtoken President promised help is on the way, and here it comes, the American Rescue Plan, a real plan to crush the virus, put money into people's pockets, allow our States and counties and cities to continue to provide the services that are necessary. prgtoken No wonder up to 80 percent of Americans want all of us--all of us--to vote ``yes'' tonight. Let's give it to them.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-26

I rise in strong support of this legislation. The American people are hurting, half a million people are dead, tens of millions have gotten sick. Millions have lost their jobs, businesses have shut down, many closed forever, and kids can't go to school. Families are without food and behind on their rent. prgtoken This bill provides direct payments to Americans and helps small businesses and restaurants. It provides crucial funding for State and local governments, funding for vaccines, childcare, and critical funds to get our kids back safely to school. prgtoken , I urge everyone to vote for this bill, the American people are counting on us.
COLORADO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2021
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-2-26

I would like to begin by thanking Chairman Grijalva, Congresswoman DeGette, and the committee staff for working with me on this amendment and for the continued leadership on this bill. prgtoken The amendment incorporates environmental justice communities like mine into this space. It would require a report on permits by providers serving environmental justice communities. prgtoken This measure, first introduced last Congress by the soon-to-be first Native American Cabinet Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, Congresswoman Haaland, is an important step in identifying and removing barriers to access our public lands. Communities of color, low-income communities, indigenous communities, and those most impacted by pollution and climate change often have the least access to our national parks and Federal lands. prgtoken My 13th District Strong is an environmental justice community, an area that the State calls the epicenter of the asthma burden due to corporate polluters. Folks in my district deserve the same opportunity to enjoy clean air and public lands as anyone else so they don't grow up like me, thinking that sulfur dioxide and rotten eggs was just how the air smelled. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to please support this amendment.
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. MICHAEL HAND
Brendan F. Boyle (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize Michael Hand before the United States House of Representatives in recognition of his retirement as Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC). Mr. Hand, a Philadelphia native, has led a remarkable career defined by his ardent and diligent service to union members nationwide. prgtoken Originally from the River Ward section of Philadelphia, commonly called the Flat Iron, Mr. Hand earned his start in the labor community as member of Local Union 1050, serving on its Executive Board in numerous capacities for nearly 30 years. Prior to being appointed to his leadership role at the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Mr. Hand served as one of the EASRCC's Senior Area Managers, expertly assisting the organization and its 40,000 members in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C West Virginia, and 10 North Carolina counties. prgtoken Throughout his accomplished and lengthy career as a skilled carpenter, Mr. Hand was involved in construction projects at some of Philadelphia's most well-known institutions, including at the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia International Airport, Luken Steel, the Philadelphia Convention Center, and Liberty II, among others. prgtoken While Mr. Hand no longer resides in Philadelphia, he continues to selflessly give back to our community through his involvement with the ``Carpenters Who Care'' program, that helps carpenters struggling with addiction, and through his volunteer work with the Center of Support for Children's Advocates and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals (SPCA). prgtoken I wish Mr. Hand and his family the best in their future endeavors. Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincerest appreciation to Michael Hand for his extraordinary contributions to our society.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MR. RUSS THYRET
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Russ Thyret, who passed away at the age of 76 on February 12, 2021 at his home in Valley Village, California. Over the course of thirty years, Russ rose through the ranks at Warner Bros. Records culminating in his serving as the Burbank-based label's Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2001. His wife, Rebecca, said that Russ' message for his Warner family and for all who he had known over the years, ``he wants us all to be happy and to be good to each other.'' prgtoken Mr. Thyret, the son of a Glendale, California policeman, began his career in the music industry managing an independent retail store on the Sunset Strip. He joined Warner Bros. Records shortly thereafter, working at the company's Burbank home office in a national sales role during the time Warner/Elektra/Atlantic (WEA) Corporation opened branch operations throughout the country. In the mid-70s, Russ was selected to serve as Vice President and Director of National Promotion during the time Warner Bros. dominated the charts and became the dominant record company on the West Coast. prgtoken Russ was named Board Chairman at Warner Bros. after a period of uncertainty after the departure of several senior executives. He sought to strengthen the record label with his unique business strategy and his undying passion for music. During his years heading the company's promotion department, Russ led a small army of promotional personnel who worked to ensure records were played on the air on local, national, and international airwaves. Mr. Thyret and his staff delivered countless hits by legendary artists such as: Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, Chaka Khan, R.E.M ZZ Top, Depeche Mode, k.d. lang, John Fogerty, Madonna, and Prince. ``Thyret was a man of great instinct and heart,'' as stated by Jackie Sallow with Warner Records. Russ will always be remembered for his personable spirit, tenacious mindset, and kind heart. In 2001, Mr. Thyret ended his tenure after the completion of the AOL Time Warner merger. He summed up his time with the company stating, ``My strongest ambition has always been to serve the artists well, and I leave Warner Bros. hoping I have accomplished that. I was in awe of Warner Bros. Records the first day I walked in the door, and in so many ways, I leave even more in awe. It will forever be a magical memory.'' prgtoken Mr. Russ Thyret will also be remembered for his love of his family, horses, fishing, and his great Labrador Retriever. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Alvarez and his son Russ Thyre, Jr.
REINTRODUCTION OF THE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY EACH YEAR AS ``RARE DISEASE DAY''
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2021-2-26

. Madam , I am pleased to reintroduce this resolution with my colleague Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. Our resolution supports the designation of Rare Disease Day on the last day of February. I am pleased that this resolution has been endorsed by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and am thankful for its leadership on these critical issues over many years. prgtoken Nearly one in ten Americans live with one or more of the roughly 7,000 known rare diseases. More than half of those struggling with rare diseases--defined as affecting less than 200,000 people--are children. Sadly, many rare diseases and conditions are serious, life-threatening, and lack effective treatments. These are not just statistics: I am sure most of us know at least one family member or friend who has been affected by or struggled with the unique challenges of rare diseases. prgtoken Moreover, as we observe Black History Month, it's important to know that African Americans and other minorities are especially vulnerable to rare diseases, including Sickle Cell Anemia and Sarcoidosis. These diseases and conditions--including Thalassemia and Hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis--disproportionately affect African Americans. Despite these unique obstacles, African Americans have an inspiring tradition of both combatting rare diseases and improving medical science. prgtoken One great example is Dr. Charles Drew, an African American scientist who helped found the modem ``blood bank,'' which helped dramatically expand blood transfusions. A faculty member at Howard University, Dr. Drew's pioneering work in blood transfusions took place against the backdrop of segregation and discrimination. During his time overseeing the Red Cross's blood plasma donation program, Dr. Drew was prohibited from donating his own blood because of the color of his skin. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Drew's work improved the practice of blood transfusions, which is now a lifeline for many individuals struggling today with rare diseases. The examples of Dr. Drew and countless other researchers, physicians, nurses, activists, and prgtoken patients underscore the importance of bringing additional awareness to rare diseases. prgtoken Despite the many challenges, some progress has been made. More than 840 drugs and biologics have been approached by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of rare diseases. However, Congress must do more to combat rare diseases. In addition, more work needs to be done to bring attention to the needs of those who struggle with rare diseases, and to celebrate their courage. That's why Rep. Hudson and I are reintroducing this important resolution. Each year, many individuals with rare diseases and their loved ones celebrate Rare Disease Day to share their stories and educate communities of researchers, health professionals, governments, and community organizations about how rare diseases affect them. prgtoken In