mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING AMERICAN POW'S WHO DIED AT HIROSHIMA
Niki Tsongas (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-5-24

I rise today to bring to your attention a unique monument that is about to be installed in my district on Memorial Day. On May 28th a ceremony will be held at the Centralville Memorial Park in Lowell, Massachusetts to place a memorial stone in honor of the 12 American Army and Naval aviators who died as POWs from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Participating in the remembrance will be Mr. Shigeaki Mori from Japan, a Hiroshima survivor (a hibakusha) who has devoted nearly half his life to identifying these men and notifying their families of their fate. prgtoken One of the POWs was 19-year-old Navy Airman 3rd-class Norman Brissette from Lowell, Massachusetts. He was among the 12 American airmen who survived the downing of four planes while on missions over Hiroshima and Kure on July 28, 1945. At the memorial ceremony, the Brissette family and friends will be joined by the family of another Hiroshima POW Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Ralph J. Neal from Corbin, Kentucky. Both families were featured in the documentary film, Paper Lanterns, about Mr. Mori's quest to honor the memory and bravery of these American POWs. prgtoken Mr. Mori was eight years old when he survived the bombing of Hiroshima, then a military city. His elementary school became a temporary hospital and soon a crematory. As an adult, haunted by the horror and doubting the official number of 800 dead, Mr. Mori sought to find out how many people had died at his school. The actual number was 2,300. During his research, he also discovered that 12 American POWs were among the 100,000 who perished in Hiroshima. prgtoken The Americans were prisoners of the Kempeitai and held in Hiroshima's Chugoku Military Police Headquarters near the atomic blast's epicenter. Mr. Mori has spent decades identifying these Americans and locating their surviving family members in the United States. With the family's permission, he had the names of each of the 12 airman inscribed in Hiroshima's Register of the Names of the Fallen Atomic Bomb Victims. In July 1998, Mr. Mori placed a memorial plaque to the men on the building that was their prison. It is the only memorial in Hiroshima dedicated to the Americans killed there. prgtoken On May 27, 2016 President became the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima. After the ceremony, the President hugged a tearful Mr. Mori and thanked him for his work on behalf of the American POWs. The image of President and embracing Mr. Mori has come to define friendship and reconciliation between the United States and Japan. prgtoken I welcome Mr. Mori and his wife Kayoko to my district and thank them for their dedication to peace and to making a world free of nuclear weapons. As President said at Hiroshima, ``we have a shared responsibility to look directly into the eye of history and ask what we must do differently to curb such suffering again.'' This is what the Moris have done.
CAROLE ONDERDONK, REST IN PEACE
Jared Polis (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-5-24

today I rise to pay tribute to a pillar of our community, Carole Onderdonk of her adopted city of Eagle, Colorado. prgtoken Carole Onderdonk was a graduate of Upsala College and Fordham University, eventually becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a gifted craftsperson. As a social worker, she became a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable, and truly believed she could make a difference in the world. I'm told that her positivity inspired her friends and family to be their best selves. prgtoken I've known Carole for almost 20 years, and represented her in Congress until they redistricted her part of Eagle County out of the 2nd Congressional District. She always considered me her honorary representative anyway, and I knew the progressive cause could always count on her passionate advocacy. prgtoken Carole was one of our favorite volunteers in Eagle County, and she carried within her a passion for improving the lives of others through the power of activism and political action. Her dedication to making a positive impact will be sorely missed. prgtoken Carol was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and valued member of our community.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019
Adam Smith (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-5-24

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I, too, want to thank all the people who worked to put together this product. As always, our committee, I think, was a fine example, both of how to legislate and how to do it in a bipartisan way, starting at the committee process, starting with the chairman's mark. prgtoken As the chairman has mentioned, just about everybody in this House has contributed to this product, either in committee or once we got to the Rules Committee with the amendments that they offered. prgtoken It took an extraordinary amount of work on behalf of the Members, but, most importantly, on behalf of staff to sift through all of those amendments, to reach agreements where they could, to set up reasonable debate where they couldn't, and they did an outstanding job. prgtoken This is the best staff I have ever worked with. They do an amazing job. prgtoken And we all have to remember the baseline reason why we are doing this. As the authorizing bill for the Department of Defense, this is the bill that sets the policy that helps the men and women who fight and serve to protect our country. So it is an incredibly important task. prgtoken I want to particularly thank the chairman. It has been a great working relationship this year, as always. I think we have an excellent product. I look forward to getting it passed today and going to conference with the Senate. prgtoken , .
Venezuela (Executive Calendar)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-5-24

we are considering today the nomination of James ``Randy'' Evans to be Ambassador to Luxembourg. I opposed Mr. Evans' nomination in committee, and I will again oppose his confirmation on the floor. prgtoken My concerns with Mr. Evans center around his tenure on the Georgia State Election Board from 2002 to 2010. In March of 2005, Georgia passed a controversial new law requiring voters to show a photo ID in order to cast a vote. prgtoken Despite the fact that both Federal and State judges prohibited the law from going into effect, the Election Board made a decision in 2006 to send a letter to 200,000 voters with the false impression that the law would be in effect for the upcoming election. Appropriately, this action caused an uproar, and multiple voices accused the Board of defying the injunction in a deliberate attempt to mislead voters and possibly suppress minority turnout. The board subsequently mailed out a clarification letter, but the damage had already been done. prgtoken During his confirmation process, Mr. Evans unfortunately presented conflicting accounts of his involvement in this effort to suppress voter turnout. He first said he could not remember the details of how the letter was sent or who wrote it. However, other board members who served during that time period, as well as summaries of election board meeting minutes from 2006, clearly reflect that Mr. Evans and the board as a whole appeared to play a central role in drafting and distributing the letters. prgtoken These conflicting accounts trouble me. The right to express one's vote at the ballot box is fundamental to our democracy. Throughout our Nation's history, various actors have sought to systematically deny different groups of people this core right. prgtoken Those representing the United States abroad must embody and embrace our fundamental democratic values and ideals. I am not convinced that Mr. Evans will do that. One cannot be advocating for democracy and human rights and suppressing votes here at home. I do not think he has demonstrated the judgment I would expect from our Ambassadors, and for this reason I will urge my colleagues to reject sending Mr. Evans to Luxembourg as the U.S. Ambassador. prgtoken Because my colleagues are here on the floor, although I have time reserved to speak on North Korea, I will yield, because I think they have an important action to take place.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-5-24

right now, in a small town in West Virginia 90 miles outside of our Nation's capital, dedicated employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are diligently searching through millions of firearms sales records at the National Tracing Center. They are busily responding to urgent requests from detectives and agents to trace firearms found at crime scenes throughout the country. By the end of the day, they will likely have completed more than 1,000 requests, providing law enforcement with information that can lead to arrests, prosecutions, and ultimately justice for victims of violent crime. prgtoken The tracing center plays a critical and unique role in keeping our communities safe. It is the only crime gun tracing facility in the country. Its sole purpose is to help track down and hold criminals accountable. prgtoken One would expect Congress to fully and unequivocally support this mission. Yet, inexplicably, Congress has done the opposite. Relenting to pressure from the gun lobby, Congress placed archaic hurdles on crime gun traces, prohibiting the ATF from digitizing or electronically searching through firearms records. prgtoken These restrictions were born out of an unfounded fear that can only be described as a conspiracy theory: that allowing records to be electronically searched would lead to firearms--presumably to include my own--being seized by the government en masse, in clear violation of both the Second and Fourth Amendments. prgtoken This unworldly fear is having a very real-world impact. In an era when an electronic trace could be completed in an instant, the ATF is instead forced to locate individual records by visiting Federal firearms licensees or searching by hand through the records housed at the National Tracing Center; these National Tracing Center records currently number 800 million, and are prgtoken growing by an additional 2 million each month. prgtoken Some of these records have been damaged by flooding and mold. Countless more have been relegated to rented shipping containers in the parking lot, as the floor of the tracing center is structurally unable to support the weight of so many thousands of boxes. Other records are stored as images on microfilm, forcing ATF employees to reel through up to 10,000 records on a single roll to find the one desired firearm. prgtoken Tracing requests are processed every single day, 24 hours a day, so that when a homicide detective finds a firearm believed to have been used in a murder, the detective can determine the chain of custody for that firearm, which may lead to a suspect. prgtoken I asked the ATF about the impact of these restrictions on crime gun traces at a recent hearing of the Judiciary Committee Acting Director Thomas Brandon stated that in these criminal investigations, ``time matters, [and] getting accurate information can develop the critical lead.'' He testified that if the ATF were able to e
Memorial Day (Executive Session)
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-5-24

from Texas for his inspiring words and for his devotion to Texas veterans and to American veterans across our country. prgtoken As we approach Memorial Day, this is a time to honor our fallen soldiers and to reflect on the enormous sacrifices the men and women in uniform have made for us who were killed while serving this Nation. prgtoken , I rise to recognize the service and ultimate sacrifice of four Hoosier servicemembers who gave their lives in defending our country in the last year. The sacrifices of Ryan Lohrey, Jonathon Hunter, Mark Boner, and Clayton Cullen will not be forgotten. prgtoken In July 2017, we lost Navy Corpsman Ryan Lohrey. He died with 15 other servicemembers when a military refueling aircraft crashed in a soybean field in Mississippi. He was 30 years old. prgtoken Born in Anderson, Ryan was described as selfless and patient and humble. He played football at Shenandoah High School in Middletown, where he graduated in 2005. Two years after graduation, Ryan joined the Navy and served our country in deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. During his service, he earned a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle. prgtoken Last August, Army SGT Jonathon Hunter was killed in Afghanistan. Jonathon was born in Columbus. He was a man of faith who loved his country and his family. Before joining the Army, Jonathon played football at Columbus East High School and then pursued his dream of becoming a music producer before enrolling at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. prgtoken He left college to join the Army. He was 23 years old and just 32 days into his first deployment when he and a fellow soldier were killed in a suicide bombing attack on a NATO convoy in southern Afghanistan. Jonathon was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart as well as a Bronze Star. prgtoken In January, we lost SFC Mark Boner of the Indiana Army National Guard. Mark was born in Fort Wayne. After graduating from Elmhurst High School in 1993, he answered the call to serve his country. prgtoken Mark enjoyed being at the lake, and he was a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He served in the Army and in the Indiana National Guard. Mark had completed tours in both Iraq and Kuwait and died at Fort Hood, TX, where he was training for his third deployment for his country. He was only 43 years old. prgtoken Also in January, we lost another Hoosier: Army 1LT Clayton Cullen, of Bicknell. Clay graduated from North Knox High School in 2011, where he played soccer and served as student body president. After high school, he earned a degree from Indiana University and was in the school's ROTC program. prgtoken Clay was 25. He died when the helicopter he was aboard with another servicemember crashed at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA. prgtoken Each of these courageous men has left behind family, friends, and loved ones who miss them every day, miss them more tomorrow, and even more t
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-5-24

I had an unavoidable family commitment and so I missed Roll Call vote number 207 regarding the ``Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act (H.R. 4830).'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes.'' prgtoken , I missed Roll Call vote number 208 regarding the ``Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4451).'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes.'' prgtoken , I missed Roll Call vote number 209 regarding the ``Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act (H.R. 3832).'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yes.''
Memorial Day (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-5-24

last week, Pope Francis released an unprecedented document detailing what is wrong with our financial system. That the Pope thought it was that important to weigh in tells you a lot about where we are as a nation. prgtoken We have an economy, the Pope noted, that defines success by corporate profits and measures time in quarterly earnings reports. That is not how families think. Washington may think that way, corporate CEOs may think that way, but families mark time in school years, in 30-year mortgages, and in years left to save for retirement. That is why the Pope called our current financial system ``an inadequate framework that excludes the common good.'' prgtoken Right now, working families are struggling in this country. The economic statistics may look rosy, but they mask serious problems that hold too many workers back and prevent entire communities from sharing in that growth. prgtoken The Pope warned last week that ``work itself, together with its dignity, is increasingly at risk of losing its value.'' Work is increasingly at risk of losing its value. Our economy simply doesn't value work the way it should. prgtoken Over the past 40 years, the link between productivity and wage increases has eroded. Profits have gone up, CEO compensation has gone up, worker productivity has gone up, but wages have been stagnant. Workers simply don't get the help they should in compensation. Workers simply don't share in the wealth they create for stockholders and the wealth they create for executives and the wealth they create for CEOs. prgtoken Wages have ticked up a tiny bit recently, but, looking at the long run, they have been largely flat. Think about this: If there are 100 people in the Galleries, if they are average--maybe they are, maybe they aren't. If there are 100 people in the Galleries, 44 of them can't afford an emergency expense of $400. Think about that. If they are a $15-an-hour worker and their car breaks down and it costs $600, what do they do? They go to get a payday loan, and we know what happens when they do that. Forty-four percent of American adults can't afford an emergency expense of $400. prgtoken This is even more troubling: One in four renters in this country spends at least half their income on housing. If one thing goes wrong in their lives--if their child gets sick--they are unlikely to have sick leave or vacation days. So if their child gets sick, they either send their child to school sick or they stay home with their daughter or son and lose a day's pay. And if they are spending 50 percent of their income on housing, what happens? They are likely to be evicted, likely to be foreclosed on if they own their home and then their lives really spiral down. prgtoken In light of all that, this Congress thought the best thing to do was pass another giveaway to the big banks because Wall Street hasn't done enough. This body can't help itself. They fall all over themselves. The
CENTENNIAL OF THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-5-24

today I wish to pay special tribute to the American Legion Department of Michigan, which this year is celebrating its 100th convention. prgtoken When the American Legion was chartered by Congress 1919, its members were veterans of what was termed the War to End All Wars: World War I. They served alongside people like John F. Roehl, a former major in the Air Service and chief inspector for the Detroit Department of Health, first commander of American Legion Post 1 in Warren; Captain James Wilson, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and received a citation for bravery in action from General John Pershing, first commander of Post 36 in Kalamazoo; and Lilly Larson of Ishpeming, who served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and today is the namesake of American Legion Post 114 in Greenwood. prgtoken Today's American Legion members have served on many fronts and in many capacities. However, they share a few key attributes with the American Legion's very first members. They all have a deep and profound love for this country. They all have served in uniform with honor, and they all are dedicated to continuing to serve their communities, their country, and their fellow veterans. prgtoken They do this in as many ways as there are American Legion posts in big cities, small towns, and rural areas across Michigan and across this country. prgtoken Post 44 in Marquette sponsors a youth hockey team, which gives area young people a chance to stay active and involved during those months when the snow is a bit too deep in the Upper Peninsula to play American Legion baseball. prgtoken Post 459 in Grand Rapids teams up with organizations including the Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County to raise funds to support children who are victims of abuse and to build communities where all young people are respected and safe. prgtoken Post 202 in Detroit has a strong focus on connecting young people in southeast Michigan with educational and service opportunities, including Boys State, Student Trooper, JROTC, and college scholarships. prgtoken Post 68 in Paw Paw hosts an ``All Gave Some . . . Some Gave All'' golf outing to raise money for items like Trackchairs, so that wounded Michigan warriors can continue to enjoy the active, offroad life so many people in our State enjoy. prgtoken Whether they are finding housing for homeless veterans, connecting separating servicemembers with employment opportunities, supporting military families, or inspiring the next generation of patriots, every day, American Legion members are doing all they can to build stronger communities and a stronger country. prgtoken Their hard work and dedication is a testament to their organization and to the values that have been the foundation of the American Legion from the beginning: love of country, respect for continued service, promotion of a strong national defense, and devotion to their fellow servicemembers and veterans. prgtoken For a centur
RECOGNIZING MARION COLEMAN
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-5-24

I rise today to recognize Marion Coleman in honor of her being named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow for her work as a traditional African- American quilter. prgtoken Marion first learned to sew from her grandmother and her great aunts in her home state of Texas. The love of quilting she garnered from her family inspired her to pass the quilting tradition down to the next generation through teaching. She began making quilts professionally in 2002 with her piece York in the Corp of Discovery, a quilt about the only African-American in the Lewis and Clark expedition. She went on to receive awards for her pieces, Neighborhood Watch and Ruby Bridges. These pieces all evoked narratives of the African-American experience. prgtoken Her professional career has taken her throughout the United States and around the world. In 2012, she was a guest artist at Quilt Week in Yokohama, Japan, and in 2013, her work was exhibited in the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem through the Art in Embassies Program. In 2016, her work was added to the Nelson Mandela Gateway Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. prgtoken While Coleman's narrative quilt work has received national and international acclaim, she has been committed to helping her local community. Marion regularly spends time volunteering with local female detainees, and in 2008 she started the Minerva Project with the Alameda County Arts Commission. Through this project, Coleman taught female youth detainees how to quilt, and she led them in a creative exercise that emphasized the qualities of courage, strength and wisdom. prgtoken The National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship is the nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts, it is only fitting, then, that Marion Coleman is one of nine fellows selected this year, joining the ranks of former honorees such as B.B. King and Mavis Staples. prgtoken Marion Coleman has made an indelible mark on the quilting and fiber folk arts community. Her extensive body of work, and her commitment to education throughout the community is well deserving of the National Heritage Fellowship Award. I am honored to represent Marion Coleman, and I am grateful for her numerous contributions to the East Bay.