mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING ADVENTIST HEALTH HOWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital for its recent five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This rating reflects the hard work and dedication of Adventist Health Howard Memorial's staff and their commitment to high quality, patient-centered care. prgtoken In 1925, members of the Willits Development Association discussed the need for a community hospital. This group included Charles S. Howard, the owner of a nearby ranch and the racehorse Seabiscuit. In 1926, Charles Howard's 15-year-old son died in an automobile accident, and the family felt a lack of emergency equipment and access to hospital facilities contributed to his death. Charles Howard donated substantial funds toward the construction of the Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital to be built in honor of his son. The hospital admitted its first patient in 1928. prgtoken Of the more than 4,500 hospitals rated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) this year, Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital is one of only 407 hospitals to receive a five-star rating. This rating is based on the hospital's performance across seven metrics of quality, including patient experience and readmission rates. prgtoken In addition to this rating, the hospital recently received a Planetree Gold Certification which reflects ``Excellence in Person- Centered Care''. It is an evidence-based certification program that provides a framework for healthcare providers to improve overall health and well-being by engaging patients, families, staff, and the wider community in tailoring prgtoken medical care to meet the needs of individual patients. prgtoken Madam , Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital's receipt of these prestigious designations showcases the high standard of care provided by this important rural, critical-access hospital. Please join me in congratulating the leadership and staff responsible for these achievements.
AWARD DORIS MILLER WITH MEDAL OF HONOR
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-2-4

I rise today during Black History Month to recognize the life and legacy of Doris Miller. prgtoken Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia during the attack at Pearl Harbor. Once the attack began, Miller left his role in the kitchen to rescue shipmates and provide cover fire. prgtoken News hit Waco, Texas, where I was a little girl, that said he helped to stop the U.S. invasion by the Japanese. Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroics, though his actions unquestionably merited the Medal of Honor. prgtoken I recently attended a ceremony at Pearl Harbor with the Acting Secretary of the Navy to announce the naming of the future aircraft carrier in his honor. This will be the first aircraft carrier named for an African American sailor. It is appreciated, but it is not the Medal of Honor. prgtoken I have introduced H.R. 5549, the Doris Miller Medal of Honor Act of 2020. This bill would waive the statute of limitations to upgrade Miller's Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor.
COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , this February we recognize and celebrate the 42nd commemoration of Black History Month. prgtoken This month we celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the history of our great nation, and pay tribute to trailblazers, pioneers, heroes, and leaders like the 44th President of the United States and First Lady, and Michelle , respectively; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; U.S. Senator Blanche Kelso Bruce; U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland; Astronauts Dr. Guion Stewart Bluford, Jr. and Mae C. Jemison; activists, intellectuals, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs like Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, James Baldwin, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Gwendolyn Brooks, Shonda Rhimes, Ava Duvernay, Oprah Winfrey, and Super Bowl LIV winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes and National Football League Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, just to name a few of the countless number of well-known and unsung heroes whose contributions have helped our nation become a more perfect union. prgtoken The history of the United States has been marked by the great contributions of African American activists, leaders, writers, and artists. prgtoken As a member of Congress, I know that I stand on the shoulders of giants like Shirley Chisolm, John Conyers, John Lewis, Ronald Dellums, and Barbara Jordan whose struggles and triumphs made it possible for me to stand here today and continue the fight for equality, justice, and progress for all, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. prgtoken The greatest of these giants to me are Mrs. Ivalita ``Ivy'' Jackson, a vocational nurse, and Mr. Ezra A. Jackson, one of the first African Americans to succeed in the comic book publishing business. prgtoken They were my beloved parents and they taught me the value of education, hard work, discipline, perseverance, and caring for others. prgtoken And I am continually inspired by Dr. Elwyn Lee, my husband and the first tenured African American law professor at the University of Houston. prgtoken Madam , I particularly wish to acknowledge the contributions of African American veterans in defending from foreign aggressors and who by their courageous examples helped transform our nation from a segregated society to a nation committed to the never-ending challenge of perfecting our union. prgtoken Several years ago about this time, I was honored to join Congressmen John Lewis and former Congressman Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran, in paying tribute to surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the 555th Parachute Infantry, the famed ``Triple Nickels'' at a moving ceremony sponsored by the U.S. Army commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. prgtoken The success of the Tuskegee Airmen in escorting bombers during World War II--achieving one of the lowest loss records of all the
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-4

in 1974, after the House Judiciary Committee voted to approve Articles of Impeachment against President Nixon, Chairman Peter Rodino, of my home State of New Jersey, a lifelong Newark resident of my home city who had been thrust into the high-profile position only the previous year, returned to his office and called his wife. When she answered the phone, this chairman, this longtime Congressman broke down in tears and cried. prgtoken Forty-six years later, our Nation has found itself under similar duress, and I agree with my fellow Newarker--impeaching a President is a profoundly sad time for our Nation. It is a painful time. No matter what party, if you love your country, then this is heartbreaking. prgtoken When we think about our history as Americans, so many of us have reverence for our Founding Fathers and our founding documents. They represented imperfect genius. We talk about the Declaration of Independence. We hail the Constitution. These documents literally bent the arc of not just our own history but human history for democratic governance on the planet. While these were milestones in the path of our Nation's relatively brief existence, the governing document that came between the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution is often overlooked--the Articles of Confederation. prgtoken With the benefit of hindsight, it is easy to view the development of our Nation as preordained, inevitable--as if it were an expected march toward the greatness we now collectively hail, that this was somehow a perfectly plotted path toward a more perfect union. But it wasn't. prgtoken In 1787, as our Founders gathered in Philadelphia, our fledgling country was at a crisis and at a crossroads. Its future, as in so many moments of our past, was deeply uncertain. prgtoken You see, when the Framers designed our system of government in the Articles of Confederation, you can say they overcompensated. With the tyranny of King George III fresh in their minds, they created a government with powers so diffuse and decentralized that nothing could really get done. Instead of one Nation, we were operating essentially as 13 independent States. The Federal Government could not tax its citizens. It could not raise money. It lacked a judiciary and an executive branch. prgtoken So when our Framers arrived in Philadelphia that hot summer, they would have to thread a difficult needle, providing for a strong central government that represented the people and one that also guarded against the corrupt tendencies that come when power is concentrated, as they well knew was so in a monarchy. prgtoken Our democratic Republic was their solution. The Nation needed a powerful Executive, yes, but that Executive needed guardrails, and his power needed to be checked and balanced. So the Framers created what we now almost take for granted--three coequal branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and judicial branches. Ea
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-4

the majority leader can come up on the floor and repeat his talking points, but there are some salient points that are irrefutable. prgtoken The first, this is the first impeachment trial of a President or impeachment trial of anybody else that was completed that has no witnesses and no documents. The American people are just amazed that our friends would not even ask for witnesses and documents. prgtoken I thought the House did a very good job. I thought they made a compelling case. But even if you didn't, the idea that that means you shouldn't have witnesses and documents, when we are doing something as august, as important as an impeachment trial, fails the laugh test. It makes people believe--correctly, in my judgment--that the administration, its top people, and Senate s are all hiding the truth. They are afraid of the truth. prgtoken Second, the charges are extremely serious. To interfere in an election, to blackmail a foreign country to interfere in our elections gets at the very core of what our democracy is about. If Americans believe that they don't determine who is President, who is Governor, who is Senator, but some foreign potentate out of reach of any law enforcement can jaundice our elections, that is the beginning of the end of democracy. prgtoken So it is a serious charge. s refused to get the evidence because they were afraid of what it would show, and that is all that needs to be said. prgtoken . prgtoken .
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-2-4

as we think back over these last weeks, when we have sat together on the floor considering evidence and sitting in judgment as jurors and judges, spending countless hours deliberating, I often think about what I will remember from these days on a very personal level. prgtoken It has been a historic event, but in some ways, the human element strikes prgtoken me as the most memorable. I will remember vividly the bravery of dedicated public servants who had everything to lose and nothing to gain by telling the American people the truth about and his scheme to corruptly use power for his personal benefit. Their courage, their grace under pressure, their dignity, and unshakeable honesty should be a model for all of us. prgtoken I will remember, for example, LTC Alexander Vindman, whose video appeared before us, a man who was brought to the United States at the age of 3 and grew to love this country so much that he put his life at risk in combat and then his career at risk by coming before the Congress. prgtoken I will remember Fiona Hill, the daughter of a coal miner and nurse, who proceeded to get a Ph.D swear an oath to this country, serving in both and ic administrations, warning us not to peddle the ``fictional narrative . . . perpetrated and propagated,'' as she said, ``by the Russian security services themselves'' about this supposed Ukrainian effort to meddle in our election. I will remember very vividly Ambassador William Taylor, West Point graduate and decorated Vietnam war veteran, who testified that he thought it was ``crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.'' prgtoken I will remember the whistleblower who came forward to express shock and alarm that the President of the United States would attempt to extort a vulnerable, fledgling democracy to help him cheat in the next election in exchange for the foreign military aid they so desperately needed to fight their adversary, Russia, and our adversary, Russia, attacking and killing their young men and women. prgtoken I have met some of those young men and women who came to Connecticut to the Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital, so badly injured they could barely talk, and the stories of their suffering and hardship came back to me, as I sat on the floor here, and their courage and their bravery and strength also will stay with me. prgtoken I will remember the moment that we raised our hands and took an oath to be impartial, all 100 of us--99--at the same time, in a historic moment when the weight of that responsibility shook me like a rock. I will also remember the shame and sadness that I felt when this body-- supposedly, the greatest deliberative body in the history of the world--voted to close its eyes, to put on blinders to evidence, witnesses, and documents; firsthand knowledge, eyes and ears on the President, black and white--documents don't lie--that were necessary to
JOIN US TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF HEALTHCARE
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-4

as I walked over to the floor, I left a group of workers in my office who were scared to death that we were going back to the days that people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart issues, must fear being denied coverage, or have premiums too high that they could not afford. prgtoken Tonight, House are bringing more than 80 patients, doctors, and healthcare advocates from across the country as guests to the State of the Union to shine a light on our fight to improve the ``State of Healthcare.'' prgtoken We must stop this disastrous lawsuit that strikes down protections for people with pre-existing conditions, but also would eliminate every last protection and benefit provided by the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken At the same time, House have passed 11 bills to lower prescription drug prices, protect people with pre-existing conditions, and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. prgtoken We are ready and willing to work with anyone who will come to the table. Please work with us to improve the State of Healthcare in this country.
RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-4

I swore an oath to defend the Constitution, both as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and as a U.S. Senator. At the beginning of this impeachment trial, I swore an oath to keep an open mind, listen carefully to the facts, and, in the end, deliver impartial justice. prgtoken After carefully listening to the arguments presented by both House managers and the President's lawyers, I believe the facts are clear. President stands accused by the House of Representatives of abusing his power in an attempt to extort a foreign government to announce a trumped-up investigation into a political rival and thereby put his personal interest ahead of national security and the public trust. prgtoken The President illegally withheld congressionally approved military aid to an ally at war with Russia and conditioned its release on Ukraine making an announcement the President could use to falsely discredit a likely political opponent. prgtoken When the President's corrupt plan was brought to light, the White House engaged in a systematic and unprecedented effort to cover up the scheme. The President's complete refusal to cooperate with a constitutionally authorized investigation is unparalleled in American history. prgtoken Despite the extraordinary efforts by the President to cover up the facts, the House managers made a convincing case. It is clear the President's actions were not an effort to further official American foreign policy. The President was not working in the public interest. What the President did was wrong, unacceptable, and impeachable. prgtoken I expected the President's lawyers to offer new eyewitness testimony from people with firsthand knowledge and offer new documents to defend the President, but that did not happen. It became very clear to me that the President's closest advisers could not speak to the President's innocence, and his lawyers did everything in their power to prevent them from testifying under oath. prgtoken No one in this country is above the law--no one, not even the President. If someone is accused of a crime and they have witnesses that could clear them of any wrongdoing, they would want those witnesses to testify. In fact, not only would they welcome it; they would insist on it. All we need to do is use some common sense. The fact that the President refuses to have his closest advisers testify tells me that he is afraid of what they will say. prgtoken The President's conduct is unacceptable for any official, let alone the leader of our country. Our Nation's Founders feared unchecked and unlimited power by the President. They rebelled against an abusive Monarch with unlimited power and, instead, created a republic that distributed power across different branches of government. They were careful students of history. They knew unchecked power would destroy a democratic republic. They were especially fearful of an unchecked executive and specifically granted Congress
IOWAN OF THE WEEK--KRISTI MYERS
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2020-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Kristi Myers from Des Moines on this year's World Cancer Day. prgtoken Kristi is the mom of a smart and talented daughter, Audrey, and the wife of a wonderful partner, Dan. She works as a high school English teacher at Central Academy, and I hear she's a student favorite. Kristi is forever a Chicago Cubs fan, which speaks to her constant optimism. Kristi is a beautiful soul with a generous heart. prgtoken And Kristi is another thing--a cancer survivor. She's fought and beaten cancer three times, and she is supported by her community making sure she'll be a fourth-time survivor. She's survived Hodgkin's lymphoma, a brain tumor, breast cancer, and is now fighting a second brain tumor. I am in awe of Kristi's strength, and the love and support of her family, to stand up to cancer four times over. On this World Cancer Day, I want to honor Kristi's fighting spirit, thank her family and our community who have helped support her, and make sure that we remember all those who have cancer on this day. prgtoken Cancer doesn't know age or gender; it doesn't care about your race or how much money you have. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it impacts us all. Everyone in Iowa knows someone with cancer, and that's why I'm committed to providing research and development funding for all types of cancer--across the board. As a mom, I'm committed to making sure that moms across Iowa have a fighting chance. prgtoken Kristi, and all cancer fighters in Iowa, need our support. Today, on World Cancer Day, it is important we remember that cancer affects us all. I'll keep fighting for more funding and research, and I know that Kristi will keep fighting too.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2020-2-4

it is my distinct honor to recognize a beloved member of my hometown of Farmington, WV, as well as a very dear lifelong friend to me and my family: Alice Priester, who celebrated her 100th birthday on February 2, 2020. prgtoken Particularly what comes to mind when I think of Alice is our bond with the coal miners of our great State. She and I have both lost loved ones to accidents in the coal mines. Every day, as I fight for these brave souls who perform this dangerous work, I am also thinking of the family members like Alice, who also depend on safety standards, fair wages, and precautions. She and her late husband Paul have one son, Fred, who is also involved in the coal industry. I carry this heritage with me no matter where I am but especially when I am in Washington. prgtoken The women in my life who raised me are the most important people in the world to me. Even those not related by blood are considered as good as family in tight-knit communities like Farmington, and Alice is an inspiration to me and so many others. Having defeated cancer twice, Alice is one of the strongest, most inspirational people I have ever had the pleasure of calling a dear friend. When she is not cheering on the WVU Mountaineers, Alice is very involved with our church, helping with funeral dinners and driving her neighbors and friends to town and church functions. She also has had a history of involvement with the volunteer fire department and fundraising, and she treats her neighbors as family. prgtoken From her days working at the local mine's company store to her retirement from the dining hall at Fairmont State University, Alice has showcased an unparalleled work ethic and zest for life that truly represents the very best of what it means to be a West Virginian. prgtoken Alice while you weren't born here, you certainly are a West Virginian in your heart and soul. In West Virginia, if you are hungry, you will be fed. If you are lost, someone will not only give you directions but will offer to drive you to your destination. I am so deeply proud of the people of my home State and the values that make us stand out from the rest of the Nation. Gayle and I are so deeply appreciative of your very dear friendship, your generosity to the Farmington community, and your warm, welcoming hospitality. prgtoken Alice, as your family and friends honor you, please know that you have provided so much happiness and wisdom to the lives of those around you throughout the years. It is my wish that the memory of your special 100th birthday remains with you just as your guidance and influence will remain in all the lives you have touched. Again, it is with the greatest admiration that I send to you my best wishes.