mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO JASON SUSLAVICH
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-6-24

I rise today in appreciation of a lifelong Rhode Islander and a healthcare trailblazer, Dr. Al Puerini. We wish him well in the next chapter of life. prgtoken Al Puerini was born, raised, and trained in Rhode Island. After graduating from his beloved Providence College and training in family medicine at Brown University, Al began his practice in Cranston, RI, in the early eighties. He excelled in his work. He soon began teaching family medicine at Brown's Warren Alpert School of Medicine and was elected a fellow at the American Academy of Family Physicians. prgtoken But his revolutionary work began in the mid-1990s, when Al helped to found and then lead the Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation as it embarked on an important mission: to reimagine the way we deliver healthcare. Al and his RIPCPC colleagues combined the talents of over 150 primary care physicians and over 200 specialists and negotiated new contracts with local health insurers. Instead of following the fee-for-service treadmill that encourages doctors to shuffle as many people through their offices as possible, these new contracts rewarded providers for the health of their patients. They also aimed to increase collaboration and communication among specialists, providers, and hospitals to improve health outcomes. prgtoken As these contracts proved effective, Al and his board decided to think bigger. In 2014, they joined with Care New England to help form Integra Community Care Network, the largest accountable care organization, ACO, in Rhode Island. The Affordable Care Act's accountable care organizations take the principle Al had pursued for years--paying providers based on the health of their patients--and put it to use in the Medicare Program. At Integra, primary care providers, hospitals, specialists, extended care providers, and others all work together to achieve more coordinated, accountable care. As someone who fought for ACOs in the ACA, I was thrilled to see Rhode Islanders step up to that challenge. prgtoken Integra now serves more than 1 in 10 patients in Rhode Island. It has been a national success. Beyond Medicare patients, it works with major private insurers and Medicaid. It has earned a 95-percent quality rating from the Federal Government and saved over $20 million in healthcare costs since 2015. Integra now stands a model for ACOs across the country. prgtoken Even as he built a new national model of care, Al never stopped serving his patients, his community, and his beloved alma mater, Providence College. He maintained his Cranston private practice for over three decades. He was recognized as Rhode Island's ``Top Doc'' twice over that span. He was named a Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians Physician of the Year in 2017. And he sustained a passion for sports medicine, which he cultivated as the Friars' head team physician from 1988 on. He even earned a spot in the Providence College Hall of Fame
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY RELATING TO ``NATIONAL BANKS AND FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS AS LENDERS''
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , we know it is expensive to be poor in our country; that we live in a country with a system that continues to put profit before our people, and it must stop. prgtoken In my home State of Michigan, communities that are more than a quarter Black and Latino have 50 percent more payday lenders than anywhere else in the State. These lenders target our communities, the most financially vulnerable communities. Payday lenders in Michigan are 62 percent more common in low-income Census tracts compared to statewide average. prgtoken That is what folks mean when they say that we need to abolish structural racism in our country. prgtoken You cannot justify loans of 100 percent APR or higher as providing access to credit when they trap borrowers in destructive cycles of debt and ruin their credit. World Business Lenders offered loans of upwards of 268 percent of APR, despite the fact that its rent-a-bank partner was regulated by the OCC. They found a way around the rules, and that is unacceptable. prgtoken OCC's rules leave States like our State of Michigan no ability to enforce their own State rate caps, giving predatory lenders free rein to exploit our neighbors with outrageous APRs. prgtoken Repealing the true lender rule is the first step toward protecting borrowers from predatory lenders, and I am proud to support it.
GROWING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ACT OF 2021
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2021-6-24

today has been great day for the American people, a great day for our democracy and for bipartisanship. Some of you may know that just hours ago, over at the White House, a determined group of s and , led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Senator Rob Portman, Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Susan Collins, and a number of others, announced a deal on an infrastructure package with the White House that represents the largest investment in infrastructure in a generation. prgtoken This is a big accomplishment that I will talk about in a few moments, but I also want to bring attention to something that happened earlier today on the floor here that may just go overlooked because of the other important news of the day. prgtoken By a vote of 92 to 8, this Senate passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act, introduced by my friend and colleague from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, the chair of the Agriculture Committee, and my friend and colleague from Indiana Senator Mike Braun, who is my cochair of the Climate Solutions Caucus. prgtoken This bill, the Growing Climate Solutions Act, is a great example of how we can bring everyone to the table to find common ground on solutions that will protect our environment, help create jobs, and combat climate change. prgtoken It will help farmers and foresters in Delaware, in Michigan, in Texas, across our whole country, and we will benefit from changes in the way that they care for their land or forests, and it will help them to participate in carbon credit markets. It will provide a framework for rewarding America's farms and forests, and those who tend them, for climate-smart practices. prgtoken This is a commonsense, broadly bipartisan bill that will help us create a more sustainable future for our communities, our country, and our planet, with our farmers and our agriculture community taking the lead. prgtoken It reminds me of another signature moment that happened just at the very end of last year when, in December, the bipartisan Energy Act of 2020 was passed. Senators Murkowski and Manchin shepherded that into law late last year, and it modernizes our country's energy policies across a dozen different major areas. prgtoken Each of these bills--the Growing Climate Solutions Act and the Energy Act of 2020--were, in part, fostered by the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. Founded in 2019, this caucus has held more than 30 events and meetings, including many focused on natural climate solutions such as the Growing Climate Solutions Act. prgtoken Every Member, all 14 Members, of this bipartisan caucus cosponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act, and I applaud Senators Stabenow and Braun for building a significant coalition here in the Senate to support it, a coalition that ranged from some of the most engaged and active environmental groups to the American Farm Bureau, one of the strongest voices for America's agricultural community. prgtoken Ou
HONORING REVEREND RONALD V. MYERS, SR., M.D.
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-6-24

I rise to pay tribute to the Reverend Dr. Ronald Myers, who was one of the real reasons that President prgtoken was able to sign into law Juneteenth as a national holiday. prgtoken Reverend Myers was founder of numerous medical and cultural organizations and a committed physician, serving the poorest Americans through clinics in Tchula, Belzoni, Yazoo City, Indianola, Greenville, and Tupelo, Mississippi. prgtoken Doc was also a jazz musician, composer, and human rights activist. The New York Times stated: ``There aren't many doctors like Ronald Myers, a jazz-playing, Baptist-preaching, family practitioner whose dream has always been to practice medicine in the kind of place most other doctors wouldn't even stop for a tank of gas.'' prgtoken In 1994, a group of community leaders from across the country gathered at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, to work for greater national recognition of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery. Dr. Myers was elected chairman of this advocacy effort, which led to the establishment of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and his recognition as the leader of the modern Juneteenth movement in America. Doc was instrumental in the passage of 45 of the 49 State and District of Columbia pieces of legislation naming Juneteenth as a day of observance in this country. prgtoken Working with the Congressional Black Caucus, which included Illinois Senator and Representative Danny Davis, he sought legislation to recognize Juneteenth independence, hosting the annual Juneteenth prayer breakfasts. prgtoken He established the Washington Juneteenth National Holiday Observance and the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of Enslavement, which includes the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust ``Maafa'' Memorial Service. prgtoken Dr. Myers organized the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters and the Fellowship of Creative Christian Jazz Musicians. Under his leadership, the Washington Juneteenth congressional event was held by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Juneteenth America, Inc and the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters. prgtoken An accomplished jazz pianist, trumpeter, and composer, Dr. Myers performed across the country promoting ``June is Black Music Month!''-- Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz--``Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!'' prgtoken For over 20 years, he met with State politicians, local Juneteenth organizations, and community leaders. prgtoken Charles Taylor, author of Juneteenth, said: ``Doc would give a copy of my Juneteenth book to every Governor who made Juneteenth a holiday or observance. He even gave Sarah Palin a copy when she was the Governor of Alaska after her State recognized Juneteenth.'' prgtoken At an award ceremony at the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, founder Rabbi David Baron said: ``Reverend Dr. Ronald V. M
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1520
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-6-24

once again, I object to the Senator's request for reasons I have previously stated. But in addition, on Tuesday night, Secretary of Defense Austin released a statement stating that he had received the Independent Review Commission's recommendations and that the administration will work with Congress to remove the prosecution of sexual assault and related crimes from the military chain of command, a recommendation I agree with. I made that clear for weeks now. prgtoken And this statement makes it clear that the argument before us is not about removing sexual assault or crimes connected to sexual misconduct from the chain of command. The argument is about removing felonies like barracks larceny, destruction of government property of a significant value, and crimes that have been handled by the military chain of command effectively for years and years and years. prgtoken In addition, Secretary Austin notably praised the comprehensive nature of the IRC's assessment across all four lines of effort, not just military justice reforms, but, as importantly, prevention, climate and culture, and victim care. prgtoken The necessity to approach this issue in a holistic and comprehensive manner is vitally important if we want to actually reduce the incidence of sexual assault in the ranks. We would be naive to believe we can simply prosecute ourselves out of this problem. That isn't how this will work. prgtoken Accountability is important, but it must be part of a larger reform, and I hope we can all agree that it is far preferable to prevent a sexual assault than simply to prosecute one. prgtoken Finally, I want to highlight Secretary Austin's statement that the Department will need new resources and authorities to implement these recommendations. It must work with Congress to secure additional authorities and relief where needed, as well as additional personnel, funding, and sufficient time to implement them. prgtoken And so, as I have said a number of times already, I intend to include the administration's recommendations that derive from the President's Independent Review Commission in the markup of the defense bill, subject to amendment. prgtoken Colleagues who have dedicated themselves for many years to issues of national defense and are knowledgeable of the UCMJ will have an opportunity to make amendments, to make suggestions, to debate this bill in detail, and then the result will be reported to the floor of the Senate, and all Senators will have such an opportunity. That is what we have done traditionally, particularly when it comes to significant changes in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. prgtoken And with that, I would reiterate my objection to the Senator from New York's request.
LGBTQ BUSINESS EQUAL CREDIT ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , in the United States, there are 1.4 million LGBTQ businesses contributing more than $1.7 trillion to the American economy. We have a vested interest in sustaining and strengthening these businesses with equal access to credit, which is the beating heart of the American economy. prgtoken As a former New York City Council Member, I partnered with the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to establish the nation's largest municipal certification program for LGBTQ business enterprises, enabling those businesses to enjoy equal access to a $25 billion pool of government procurement. prgtoken The legislation before us, H.R. 1443, builds on a foundation laid by several statutes and regulations. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits credit discrimination, including but not limited to sex discrimination. A new interpretive rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) clarifies that the ECOA's prohibition against sex discrimination applies to sexual orientation and gender identity. Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which exists to enable and enhance the enforcement of the ECOA, requires financial institutions to report information about the race, ethnicity, and sex of credit applicants who serve as principal owners of small businesses. My legislation would expand the 1071 reporting requirements to include not only sex but also sexual orientation and gender identity. It would enable anti- discrimination enforcement where none might exist. prgtoken Even though the United States has made substantial strides toward LGBTQ equality, the mission is far from accomplished. Seventy percent of the LGBTQ community remains unprotected by anti-discrimination laws. When it comes to credit, according to the Williams Institute, more than 7.7 million LGBTQ adults live in states that offer no protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. prgtoken It is often said that knowledge is power. Knowledge affords us the power to detect discrimination that might otherwise go undetected. Take, as an example, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which is analogous to the legislation before us. Both the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and Iowa State University reviewed data from the HMDA and found that same-sex couples were denied loans at higher rates than heterosexual couples, despite having comparable creditworthiness. It also found those same-sex couples paid higher fees and interests. The lesson of the HMDA is that sunlight can be a powerful disinfectant against discrimination. prgtoken H.R. 1443 would make credit more accessible, credit laws more enforceable, and creditors more accountable. It would represent a triumph of transparency in the service of economic opportunity for all, regardless of who you are and whom you love.
HONORING THE LIFE OF JODY HUBBARD
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Jody Hubbard, a former Encinitas city councilmember, who passed away on June 7, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. prgtoken Jody's life-long dedication to the environment pushed her to serve her community, first as an engaged citizen, then as a Planning Commissioner, and finally as an elected City Council Member and Deputy Mayor of the City of Encinitas from 2018 to 2020. She led the fight for city transportation projects, including a new protected bike lane along Coast Highway 101. She leaves a personal legacy of popular spaces where people walk, run and bicycle safely, including the Coastal Rail Trail and Leucadia Streetscape. prgtoken She was an avid bodysurfer and cyclist, especially around her community of Cardiff by the Sea, along the scenic northern coast of San Diego County. She had an infectious smile and was a crucial member of the Encinitas community. prgtoken A Southern California native, Jody started her career as a certified public accountant with large public accounting firms followed by fifteen years as a chief financial officer and vice president of finance in the construction and mortgage industries. She then began her own business to provide long-term care planning to serve families in providing for the care of parents and grandparents. prgtoken Jody Hubbard will be long remembered by her mother Joanne, her many friends, and everyone she touched.
TRIBUTE TO DAN SEWELL
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-6-24

I rise today to recognize the career and service of a proud Ohioan, Dan Sewell, who will retire at the end of June, bringing an end to his 44-year career in journalism. prgtoken Dan spent 39 of those years with the Associated Press, serving Americans, both by bringing them the news and by telling their stories--in Buffalo, Miami, San Juan, Atlanta, and Chicago, where he has worked as a writer, editor, assistant bureau chief, and most recently in our home State, in Cincinnati, OH. prgtoken A native of Middletown, OH, Dan graduated from Edgewood High School. He got his start in journalism as a student journalist at Ohio University's student newspaper, The Post. That is where Dan and I first met, when he interviewed me as the youngest member of the Ohio State Legislature. prgtoken Journalists like Dan play a vital role in our democracy--they ask tough questions, they challenge special interests and uncover corruption, and they connect Americans with their communities and with the world. Whether it was the Grenada Invasion in 1983, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, or the mass shooting in Dayton's Oregon District in 2019, Dan has done vital work on the frontlines, covering stories that matter to people. prgtoken Not only has he made a difference through his writing, Dan also teaches as a part-time instructor of journalism at Miami University in Oxford, OH, helping mentor the next generation of journalists. prgtoken Dan is a devoted husband to Vickii, father of five, and grandfather of nine, and plans to spend time with them during retirement. And he will have more time to partake in his favorite hobby--attending Cincinnati Reds' games. prgtoken On behalf of grateful readers in Ohio and around the country, I thank Dan Sewell for nearly four decades of service in journalism, doing work that is important to the fabric of our communities and our country.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-24

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
REMEMBERING FATHER RAY DOHERTY
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-6-24

there are some people who leave an indelible mark on your life, from the moment you meet them. On June 7, the Saint Michael's College community lost one such person with the passing of Father Raymond Doherty. As an alumnus of Saint Michael's College, I was shaped by the academic experience and lasting tight-knit community that a small college provides and will always feel a deep connection to the school. As a fellow alumnus, Father Doherty was a prgtoken pillar of the Saint Michael's community and played a fundamental role in guiding and molding not only the College but its students for decades. prgtoken Raymond J. Doherty was born and raised in Newton, MA, and in 1948 he enrolled as a student at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT, a journalism student and skilled pitcher on the varsity baseball team. Upon his graduation in 1951, Father Doherty served his country as a staff sergeant and combat correspondent in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean war. prgtoken In 1953, Father Doherty returned to Vermont and joined the Society of Saint Edmund at the Edmundite Novitiate in Putney, where he took his first vows in 1954. Father Doherty was ordained into the priesthood in 1958 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Burlington, VT. As an Edmundite priest, Father Doherty spent the subsequent decades working throughout Vermont, New England, and across the South during the civil rights era, where he preached, served the community, and worked to further the cause of social justice. prgtoken Although his assignments pulled him to different corners of the globe, his home was always Saint Michael's. After many terms as a member of the staff and Campus Ministry at Saint Michael's throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Father Doherty returned permanently to Saint Michael's in 1985. His career at Saint Michael's spanned a variety of roles in the admissions office, athletics department, and as campus chaplain. Until his passing, Father Ray, as he was affectionately known, remained deeply involved on the Saint Michael's campus and in the surrounding community. prgtoken He leaves behind a life and legacy that should be an inspiration to many. Father Ray, through his compassion, humility, and commitment to serving his community, exemplifies what it means to be a Vermonter and a true leader. He led by example and inspired his students and those around him to strive to understand and address the needs and circumstances of all, to lead with grace, and to tirelessly work to improve the lives of others. prgtoken Father Ray once told me that when the time came for him to be called home, he hoped to fall asleep here and wake up there. That stuck with me. It is a comfort to know that wish came true. Like the extended Saint Michael's College community, I will miss Father Doherty. His legacy will live on in the students he taught, the lives he impacted, and the words he preached. Father Ray will be deeply missed.