mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONSCIENCE AGENDA
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-1-12

. Madam , and still I rise, to quote Maya Angelou, ``Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.'' prgtoken I rise today as a proud descendent of enslaved people, a proud descendent of the foundational mothers and fathers of this country. They are foundational because they helped to build the infrastructure that allowed this great country to become the great Nation that it is. prgtoken There were many others who contributed to this country, but they by the millions contributed, and their lives were sacrificed such that we might have the great Nation that we have today. prgtoken I rise today to talk specifically about a conscience agenda. A conscience agenda is one that I believe can be embraced by all people of good will. A conscience agenda. prgtoken I have before you and me some of what would be included in a conscience agenda, and I will give a brief explanation about each. I will set the stage by explaining some of what Dr. King called to our attention with reference to this question of the conscience. prgtoken In speaking to a group of clergy and laypeople concerned about the Vietnam war on February 6, 1968, in Washington, D.C Dr. King concluded his speech with some very powerful language that addresses the role that conscience plays in doing some things and taking certain positions. prgtoken Dr. King's final words were: ``On some positions cowardice asks the question, is it safe?'' prgtoken I will add parenthetically here, is it okay for me to do this or will I be harmed in some way physically? Cowardice will ask you, is it safe to do this? prgtoken He goes on to say: ``Expediency asks the question, is it politic?'' prgtoken Does it make good political sense to do what I am about to do? prgtoken He further indicates: ``Vanity asks the question, is it popular?'' prgtoken If I do this will I have a parade in my honor? prgtoken Will there be people who will celebrate what I am about to do or what I am doing? prgtoken Dr. King concludes with this: ``But conscience asks the question, is it right?'' prgtoken He goes on to say: ``And there comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.'' prgtoken I am not sure that it is safe, politic, or popular to take a position on all of these issues, and I am not sure that it is not safe, nor politic, nor popular, but I do say this: Conscience tells me that I should do this. prgtoken There is a moral imperative to bring these issues before the Congress of the United States of America, and I do so because conscience tells me it is the right thing to do. prgtoken I believe that as a matter of conscience we should have a Slavery Remembrance Day. I understand that this day is one that ought to be commemorated. Unlike many other days that we celebrate, we must commemorate this day. There can be some celebration of the lives of those who were lost to sl
HONORING KATHLEEN KLINE-HUDSON
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-1-12

today I rise to honor Kathleen Kline- Hudson, an extraordinary public servant upon her retirement, and to pay tribute to her dedication and devotion to community planning over the past 3 decades that have helped shape and mold Livingston County, Michigan into the thriving, vibrant place it is today. prgtoken Nearly 32 years ago, with the ink barely dry on her Master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan, Kathleen Kline- Hudson was hired as a ``principal planner'' with the Livingston County Planning Department. By 2009 she had risen through the ranks to become its director, a position she has held for the past 13 years. All this at a time when the county was experiencing unprecedented growth and transforming from a collection of predominantly rural areas to a bustling bedroom community at the crossroads of the region's major expressways. prgtoken A self-proclaimed data nerd, Kathleen thrived on organizing critical information about that growth into tables and graphs and analyzing what the changes meant for Livingston County. She created data books and detailed community profiles that now serve as historical documentation of the county's trajectory. Three times--in 2000, 2010, and 2020--she helped lead the effort to ensure every resident was counted in the decennial census, serving on the Complete Count Committees, revising census tracts based on population and housing units, and ultimately crunching the numbers that came in to plan for the county's future. She helped draft Livingston County's first master plan in 2002, and its second in 2018, which won statewide and national awards. prgtoken But Kathleen Kline-Hudson has not been a simple observer of Livingston County's trends, or a mere chronicler of its past. A county resident, her devotion to her work as a land use planner has always been rooted in her abiding love for the place she calls home and her passionate advocacy for creating more diverse, equitable, and accessible communities. She served as a founding director of the Livingston County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, helping the organization obtain nonprofit status and break ground on its first local home. She facilitated a grassroots committee focused on affordable housing, reviewed all proposed developments along the M-59 corridor, and coordinated the opening of Fillmore and Lutz County Parks, to name just a few of her many accomplishments and contributions to the betterment county. prgtoken As she now closes this chapter as a county planner, my wish is that her personal planner will be filled with quality time with her cherished family and friends, the traveling adventures she so loves, kayaking, hiking, biking, and Michigan-themed crafting. Kathleen Kline- Hudson charted a course of excellence for Livingston County that will not be forgotten.
CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE AND SPIRIT OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-12

. Madam , Buffalo and western New York have had our fair share of challenges over the last year: prgtoken A racist mass shooter murdered innocent people at a local grocery store. prgtoken A blinding blizzard took the lives of dozens of our neighbors 2 weeks ago. prgtoken And what should have been an exciting Monday night football game turned into a nightmare for Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin and his family. prgtoken Our community is grateful Damar is recovering at home with his family now. prgtoken Today, I rise to celebrate the people and the spirit of Buffalo. We are more than neighbors, we are family. We are a family that sticks together, works together, and rallies around our teams and one another in good times and in bad. prgtoken Madam , I am proud of the way Buffalo works through our struggles, and prouder still to call this place with a big heart home. Our best days are immediately in front of us. prgtoken Go Bills.
CONGRATULATING THE KAPUSINSKI FAMILY
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-1-12

I rise today to congratulate the Kapusinski family for their hard work and dedication that has enabled 70 incredible years of business for Huletts-on-Lake-George. prgtoken On the east shore of Lake George, this family-owned and operated small business has provided welcoming vacations for those wishing to explore the incredible beauty that Lake George and the Adirondacks has to offer. prgtoken In 1953, George and Margaret Eichler purchased property in Huletts Landing, New York, after falling in love with the quiet oasis on Lake George. They wanted to share this quaint vacation spot with those who want to appreciate time with their families. There is nothing more important than family time together. prgtoken I am proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of three generations of the Kapusinski family. Their contributions to Huletts Landing and the Lake George area have been instrumental in the lives of many. prgtoken Their demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit is a trademark of upstate New York and the North Country. prgtoken I look forward to witnessing 70 more years of their strong business in the Lake George region. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate the Kapusinski family for 70 years of successfully operating Huletts-on-Lake-George.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-1-12

I rise in support of H.R. 22. prgtoken This administration's war on American energy has sent energy costs through the roof. While this administration has continued to shift blame for the rising prices, President is draining our Strategic Petroleum Reserve meant for emergencies by selling off some of these reserves in a Band-Aid solution for his policy failures. prgtoken Since May of last year, the administration has sold off 1 million barrels of oil per day until after the midterm elections. Thanks to President 's actions, our oil reserve is now at the lowest point in 40 years. Yet, this administration has no plan to unleash American energy production to replenish our emergency oil supply and reduce prices. prgtoken To make matters even worse, while the administration is selling off our emergency oil reserve at an unprecedented rate, some of these barrels prgtoken of oil have gone to Communist China. That is right. Our emergency oil supply is now in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken We are exporting a total of 300,000 barrels of oil per day to China. In part--because of the administration--China, not the U.S has the largest government-controlled stockpile of oil in the world. prgtoken With this legislation, House s are delivering on our promise to restore our Nation's energy security and better protect our national security. This legislation stops the administration from selling any more of our emergency supply to the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken House s will continue to stand up to China and stop the administration from ceding our energy security to our enemies.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Pat Fallon (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-12

I rise today as a co-sponsor of Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. prgtoken China should not be the beneficiary of the administration's foolhardy abuse of the SPR. It was at 695 million barrels, and it goes down to 371. That is halved, while the Chinese Communist Party has in reserve nearly a billion. prgtoken This is foolhardy. This is an excellent piece of legislation, and I urge swift passage. Let's put America first.
CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-12

. Madam , today, I congratulate my alma mater, the University of Georgia, on their dominating victory over the TCU Horned Frogs in Monday's national championship. prgtoken Last year, the Bulldogs ended a four-decade-long national championship drought. This year, they became the first team in the playoff era to win back-to-back titles. prgtoken Coach Kirby Smart has built an incredible program with incredible players, several of which are from Georgia's 14th District. prgtoken Ladd McConkey, a graduate of North Murray High School in Murray County, Georgia, has started as wide receiver for two seasons at UGA. During his time as a Bulldog, he has amassed over 1,300 total yards and 15 total touchdowns, two of which came on Monday night. prgtoken Ladd is not the only outstanding player from Georgia-14. Tate Ratledge of Rome, Smael Mondon, Jr of Dallas, Cole Speer of Calhoun, CJ Washington of Cedartown, Jonathan Washburn of Ringgold, and Cade Brock from Darlington School have all made our district proud. prgtoken Go Dawgs.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-1-12

I rise to speak in favor of the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. prgtoken Under the administration, we have seen a continuous assault on American energy that has killed jobs, increased our dependency on foreign energy sources, and caused energy costs to soar. prgtoken In an attempt to lower energy prices, the administration has sold millions of barrels of petroleum from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, depleting our own supply and helping China to build the world's largest crude oil reserve. prgtoken This must stop. I call on all my colleagues to join me in voting for this legislation to stop the Secretary of Energy from selling any more petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2023-1-12

I thank the chairwoman for yielding. We are proud of you, and I look forward to working with you. prgtoken You guys have got to be kidding me. Seriously? prgtoken You were in control. You had the House. You had the Senate. You had the Presidency. If you thought there were any good bills or good ideas to stop this or bills that were better than anything we are putting forward, why didn't you do them? You had the control. prgtoken You didn't need us for a whole lot of other things. You voted and rammed through things that we didn't want, rammed things through that were radical, and yet, this commonsense type of legislation, nothing happened. You can't be serious. That is a bad argument. prgtoken Since there has been one-party rule in Washington--ic rule-- s were forced to watch President drain more than 250 million barrels, nearly 40 percent--40 percent--of our petroleum reserve. This puts our national security at risk. It puts the American people at risk. prgtoken For our military, what will they do if they need the petroleum reserve? prgtoken For Americans, what will they do when natural disasters strike, and their town needs the petroleum reserve? prgtoken For our rescue and emergency personnel, what will they do if they need the petroleum reserve? prgtoken Why would anyone ever vote against this bill? prgtoken Maybe if you want to lower gas prices temporarily for political gain, you would oppose this bill. prgtoken Make a choice. Do what is right. Vote for this bill.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Troy Balderson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-1-12

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I am honored and blessed to be able to serve with you. prgtoken Instead of supporting American energy producers and reversing their disastrous energy policies, the administration decided to drain our energy reserves to the lowest levels since 1983. prgtoken So who benefited from this decision to drain these reserves? prgtoken The Chinese Communist Party now has the largest government-controlled petroleum reserve in the world. In fact, this administration transferred 900,000 barrels from our stockpile to a subsidy of the Chinese Communist Party-owned China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. prgtoken H.R. 22, sponsored by Madam Chair McMorris Rodgers, bars the Secretary of Energy from selling any of America's petroleum reserves to an entity affiliated with the CCP or any entity that intends to export it to China. prgtoken Energy security is national security. House s are fighting to ensure one of our greatest geopolitical challengers, China, does not benefit from this administration's misguided energy policies. prgtoken I urge passage of H.R. 22, the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF C. LEE BUTLER
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of C. Lee Butler of Savannah, Georgia. prgtoken Lee was born in Chicago in 1926 and graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, in 1944. prgtoken Five days after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served on the Italian front in World War II. While in law school at Northwestern University, Lee met and married Betty Stanley. Lee and Betty have four children, Darsey, Julia, Malcolm, and Margaret. prgtoken In 1970, Lee founded his own business, the Fiduciary Services Corporation, now the Fiduciary Group, a successful investment management firm. Lee served at Memorial Medical Center and on the board of St. Joseph's Hospital of Savannah. prgtoken He was a member of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church since first coming to Savannah in 1957. prgtoken On behalf of myself and the entire First District of Georgia, we are sorry for the loss of this great American.
RECOGNIZING CONSTITUENTS FROM INDIA
Richard McCormick (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-12

. Madam , I rise on this occasion to appreciate my constituents, especially those who have immigrated from India. We have a very large portion of my community that is made up of almost 100,000 people who have immigrated directly from India. prgtoken One out of every five doctors in my community are from India, they represent some of the best citizens we have in America. We should make sure that we streamline the immigration process for those who come here to obey the law, pay their taxes, and be the most creative and productive in society. prgtoken Although they make up about 1 percent of American society, they pay about 6 percent of the taxes. They are amongst the top producers, and they do not cause problems, they follow the laws. They don't have the problems that we see other people have when they come to the emergency room for prgtoken overdoses, depression, and anxiety because they are the most productive, most family-oriented, and the best of what represents American citizens. prgtoken God bless my Indian constituents. I look forward to meeting with the ambassador. God bless Dr. Kulkarni as she finishes her appointment as Consulate General of India to Atlanta.
STEEL INDUSTRY IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE
Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-1-12

I rise today to recognize one of my district's leading industries that continues to grow and provide good- paying jobs to hardworking Americans. prgtoken According to the World Steel Association, more than 6 million people work in the steel industry across the Nation. In Mississippi County, Arkansas, thousands of men and women are employed at steel mills and are some of the highest paid workers in my district. prgtoken The steel industry is the backbone of our Nation's infrastructure whether it is used to build roads, freight rail, prgtoken schools, or even green energy projects. Steel is at the heart of it all, and its growth will only continue. prgtoken In 2017 alone, the American Steel and Iron Institute found that the industry was responsible for $520 billion in economic output, and that number continues to rise. prgtoken Recently, U.S. Steel announced the biggest capital investment in the history of Arkansas right in my district, bringing with it 900 new jobs. prgtoken As the chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I will fight for policies that support the growth of the steel industry and promote exports of American steel. I am committed to working with the industry to get our steel on the market at home and across the globe.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-12

I thank the chairwoman for yielding. prgtoken I want to speak in support of Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. prgtoken , the majority is wasting no time in making good on our commitment to the American people to reverse this reckless agenda that the administration has followed. prgtoken s understand that energy policy is foundational to a thriving and dynamic national economy, and for too long, we have watched as ' energy policy was kind of an experiment for their radical agenda. Unfortunately, they hurt the American people in the process. prgtoken Interestingly, in July 2020, Senator Cornyn and I had a bill to allow filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve while prices were at historic lows. It was blocked by the . They wouldn't even consider it. prgtoken Today, we have an opportunity to protect America's resource and refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve so it can be used as it was originally intended, to protect our people at times of crisis.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE FROM CHINA ACT
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-1-12

I just want to clarify, Russia and Iran-- well, Iran is part of OPEC, so they are not the ones buying out of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. As a matter of fact, President went to OPEC to ask them to increase their production instead of doing American oil. prgtoken , I also want to say, 2015--to finish the sentence--it was a controlled Congress in 2015, it was also the administration worked together in a bipartisan way to unleash American energy or give them a worldwide market for American energy, and when you threw in President 's administration and a regulatory environment that made sense, we had record production of energy. We did ship it throughout the world. We also had record low prices here in America. prgtoken The problem we are facing today is because of President and the in Congress' war on American oil. That is the problem we are here to address. prgtoken The price of gasoline hit over $5 a gallon in the height of this war on oil, $4.80 a gallon in Kentucky when it was just over $2.20 when President took office. American families are hurting because of this, small business owners are hurting because of this, and they continue to struggle. prgtoken Instead of taking action to meaningfully unleash America's energy potential, President opted to release supplies from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. What we need to do is get back to unleashing American energy, not sending out of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. prgtoken Even worse, President 's abuse of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve has reduced our stockpile by more than 250 million barrels, jeopardizing our ability to respond to supply disruptions posed by natural disasters and other true emergencies. This includes selling millions of barrels of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to adversarial countries, including China. prgtoken By prohibiting our strategic reserves from being sold to China, this legislation is a significant step toward restoring our energy security and providing needed relief for hardworking Americans. prgtoken We have the ability to produce, we need to move forward, and we need to ban SPR from going to China and we need to move forward on American energy.