mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING BRITT VAN
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-12-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the service of Britt Van, a brilliant staffer and someone I am proud to have worked alongside for years. prgtoken Britt departs the New Dem Coalition as Policy Director this month after 5 years and 7 months with the organization. I feel especially fortunate she was on the team during the time I served as Chair of the Coalition. prgtoken During my tenure as Chair, Britt was a driving force in making the New Dems the strong coalition of policy leaders in Congress that we are known as today. She knows every New Dem policy area like the back of her hand and has skillfully guided Members on issues from housing to trade. She also restructured and revived the Coalition's policy task forces, which continue to do important work in finding the best solutions to pressing problems. prgtoken But I am most grateful and proud of Britt's work on behalf of the Coalition on 2 brilliant ideas: automatic stabilizers and the RECOMPETE program. prgtoken With automatic stabilizers, Britt took a very complicated, ``wonky'' idea and made it real and actionable for policymakers across the ideological spectrum. She advanced this idea forward in the months following the COVID-19 outbreak when we discussed how and when to enhance federal benefits during economic downturns, like we saw during the pandemic. While we weren't successful, I am confident policymakers will eventually see the value of automatic stabilizers for federal benefits. When that day comes, we can thank Britt for taking this idea from concept to reality. prgtoken With the RECOMPETE program, Britt helped me bring to life something very near and dear to my heart. When I was growing up in Port Angeles, I saw my community suffer from an economic downturn that fundamentally changed the fabric of my life. The timber industry took it on the chin, and many families were never able to recover. Since then, I've spent most of my adult life trying to find a solution and make sure this doesn't continue happening, a solution to ensure we protect workers and communities and make sure no one gets left behind. Frankly, it's why I came to Congress. And that's why I asked Britt to help me create the RECOMPETE program, which provides communities with a flexible, long- term grant to create jobs and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. prgtoken Britt and I worked on this legislation for many long months, and after many iterations, our RECOMPETE Act was finally passed by Congress and signed into law as a part of the historic CHIPS and Science Act. prgtoken Britt's work with the RECOMPETE Act is just 1 example of how she embodies the model of what a public servant is and should be. She digs down deep into an issue, pours her life and soul into the work, and truly does it in service of a better tomorrow. She believes in the best of government to help people. She believes in the work we do and goes forward--undeterred and bravely--with that work. You
PROVIDING RESEARCH AND ESTIMATES OF CHANGES IN PRECIPITATION ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-12-15

as a senior member of the Committees on the Budget, Judiciary, and on Homeland Security, I rise in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1437 ``Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023'', a resolution that provides funding to continue the operations of the federal government through December 23, 2022, and avoids a wasteful and irresponsible shutdown. prgtoken Passage of this resolution will avoid an inexcusable and unjustifiable government shutdown that would disrupt the lives of millions of Americans who rely on the resources and support provided by the federal government. prgtoken If this resolution does not pass: prgtoken Millions of veterans will lose their healthcare benefits. prgtoken People relying on Social Security will not receive their checks. prgtoken Millions of government employees will lose their wages. prgtoken Millions of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries would lose access to visits and other medical needs. prgtoken Food Stamps will not be sent out, leaving millions of Americans who rely on them at risk of hunger. prgtoken Health insurance coverage to millions of children through the CHIP program will stop. prgtoken All projects created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will pause, and national parks and Smithsonian museums will close. prgtoken In addition to these programs, House have worked tirelessly throughout the 117th Congress to pass legislation that will better the lives of Americans, legislation that has established programs that would also be impacted by a government shutdown. prgtoken Our legislative agenda this Congress focused on lowering the price of health care and prescription drug costs, creating better paying jobs, acting on the climate crisis and making communities safer. prgtoken For example, in this Congress the House has passed and sent to the President the following legislation that has been signed into law: H.R. 5376--Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 prgtoken This historic piece of legislation lowered health care and prescription drug costs for millions. It forces Big Pharma to negotiate lower prices, caps the cost of drugs and insulin for seniors on Medicare, and locks in lower health insurance premiums that will save 13 million Americans an average of $800 a year. And the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy provisions will make clean, secure American energy more affordable. H.R. 1319--American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 prgtoken This law helped pull the economy out of the pandemic. It put vaccines in arms, money in pockets, and reopened the American economy. H.R. 3684--Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act prgtoken This law enacted a historic investment to rebuild our roads and bridges and bring clean water and high-speed internet to more communities and created millions of union jobs. S. 2938--Bipartisan Safer Communities Act prgtoken The enactment of this bill expands backgr
HONORING THE SERVICE OF ERIK PETERSON
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-12-16

. Madam , today I honor the career and service of one of my constituents. Erik Peterson has honorably served the people of Orange County, the State of California, and the United States of America for years. prgtoken A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Erik was first elected to the Huntington Beach City Council in 2014. He was reelected to the Council in 2018, and then served as the Mayor of Huntington Beach 2019 and 2020. As a Council Member, Erik served as the Director of both the Orange County Sanitation District and the Southern California Association of Governments. prgtoken Erik isn't just a dedicated public servant, but he is also a job creator. In 1999 he founded Intec Network Solutions, an electrical contracting company that specializes in keeping communities across California safe with commercial fire alarms and security. prgtoken He and his wife, Brandi, call Huntington Beach home and have raised their two sons there, actively participating in and contributing to their community. prgtoken People like Erik are at the heart of successful communities, and he has made Huntington Beach a better place with his service in both business and government. On behalf of all Orange County residents, I congratulate him on a job well-done and thank him for his years of commitment to Huntington Beach.
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN H. MOON SR.
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-12-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of my friend and longtime community leader, John Moon Sr. of Pasadena, Texas, who passed away on December 7, 2022. prgtoken John was born on August 19, 1937, in Van Buren, Arkansas, to Benjamin and Alma Moon. He married the love of his life, Rose A. Moon, on August 16, 1958. They had two sons: John Moon Jr. and Randall Moon. prgtoken John became a Certified Public Accountant at the age of 21, one of the youngest in Texas history. He was soon hired by Texas Eastern Transmission and relocated his family to Houston. Several years later, he accepted an opportunity at the Houston Research Center and eventually became a bank owner. prgtoken In 1970, John was invited to join the Rotary Club of Pasadena. Since that time, he has never missed a meeting. John was the epitome of a Rotarian, serving the community with leadership and compassion. prgtoken In 1973, John was named ``Outstanding Young Man of the Year'' by the Pasadena Junior Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 20 years later, he was named the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce's ``Citizen of the Year'' and was eventually inducted into the Pasadena Hall of Fame. John's devotion to his community was truly remarkable. Over the years, he held positions on the County Industrial Commission, Sam Houston Parkway Transportation Corp San Jacinto River Authority, and County Economic Development Council. prgtoken John's civic and philanthropic work for Pasadena and Counties remains unmatched. He exemplified the Rotary motto, ``Service Above Self.'' prgtoken Madam , it is a privilege to honor my friend, John Moon Sr. I know this is something he would have cherished. My most sincere prayers are being sent to his family and friends during this difficult time.
TRIBUTE TO HONOR ANTHONY S. FAUCI, M.D.
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor the work of Dr. Anthony Fauci who is retiring from public service after dedicating nearly six decades to improving the health and wellbeing of the American people and saving countless lives. prgtoken As former President declared, Dr. Fauci is ``a once-in- a-century public health leader.'' As Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, Dr. Fauci has managed and overseen an extensive multibillion dollar research portfolio on HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, malaria, Ebola, Zika, and Covid-19. He has advised seven Presidents and is respected and admired globally, especially for his work as one of the principal architects of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). prgtoken As the author of more than 1,400 scientific publications and as the 44th most-cited living researcher, he has made seminal contributions to the study of HIV, rheumatology, and immunoregulation. He is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Science, the George M. Kober Medal of the Association of American Physicians, and the Mary Woodard Lasker Award for Public Service. He also has received 58 honorary doctoral degrees from universities in the United States and abroad. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. prgtoken Beyond his scientific genius, Dr. Fauci has served our Nation with compassion and bravery. During the 1980s and 1990s, he personally cared for HIV-infected patients and for the first time, brought patient voices into the drug development process. In 2014, Dr. Fauci helped treat and notably hugged a nurse who had recovered from the Ebola virus, and he has treated Covid-19 patients on a near-daily basis. As Dr. Fauci has carried on with his noble work on Covid-19, he has been subjected to personal attacks and death threats that have required security protection for himself and his family, but he has retained his unswerving commitment to the wellbeing of the American people. prgtoken I have served on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for 28 years, with jurisdiction over the National Institutes of Health. From that position, I have benefited from Dr. Fauci's trusted testimony and expertise. His steady hand and scientific integrity have guided Congress for decades and his advice will be deeply missed. My work has been consistently shaped by Dr. Fauci's advice and it's been the privilege of a lifetime to serve with one of the greatest public servants of our country. prgtoken Madam , I ask the entire House to join me in thanking Dr. Anthony Fauci for his extraordinary service and in wishing him every blessing in the next chapter of his life. He is a good and great man and we are a stronger, healthier nation because of him and his work.
REMEMBERING ROBERT SIMKO
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my longtime constituent Robert Simko, a true renaissance man and a beloved member of the Lower Manhattan community. prgtoken Mr. Simko, co-founder of Lower Manhattan's long-running local news outlet The Broadsheet, passed away on November 10, 2022 at the age of 68 after a years-long battle with a cancer that has been linked to exposure to toxic dust that hung over Manhattan in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. prgtoken An accomplished photographer, publisher, musician, mechanic and watchmaker, Mr. Simko was an admired figure in the Battery Park City Community and a beloved husband, father, brother and uncle. prgtoken Born in 1954 in Bayonne, New Jersey, to John, a bus driver, and Florence, a nurse, Robert was the middle child of 5 siblings. He took up the accordion at a young age and later the piano. prgtoken In college, he developed 2 other passions that lasted the rest of his life--photography and working on cars. After transferring from Rutgers University to the Rhode Island School of Design, he studied photography under Aaron Siskind and other leading photographers. prgtoken Following his graduation, Mr. Simko moved to New York City, settling 1st in Tribeca and then in Battery Park City at the brand-new Gateway Plaza, when it was surrounded by empty fields and Brookfield Place was under construction. prgtoken Mr. Simko started working in New York as an assistant to photographers Arnold Newman and Burt Glinn, cataloging and printing their portraits of world leaders and celebrities. prgtoken In the 1980s, Mr. Simko was recruited by Clay Felker to work as a photographer at Adweek magazine, where he began both his career in journalism and a lifelong partnership with a reporter named Alison. prgtoken He and Alison married in 1987. Their daughter Lucy was born in 1989 and their son Theo was born in 1997. That same year, Mr. and Mrs. Simko launched The Broadsheet, initially titled The Battery Park City Broadsheet. Since 1997, the Broadsheet has continued to cover Lower Manhattan in print, on its website, and as the 5-day-a-week Broadsheet Daily. prgtoken A success from its 1st issue, the Broadsheet quickly became a fixture of the community and build a voice for the budding neighborhood. Mr. Simko's commitment to his beloved neighborhood and Lower Manhattan was legible in every edition. prgtoken When the terrorist attacks on September 11th shook the world, our city, and his neighborhood, Mr. Simko stayed until late afternoon to capture the second plane's fireball, the burning towers, and the ash- covered neighborhood following the towers' collapse. He, his wife Alison, and his team felt a sense of mission to quickly resume publication and write about conditions in the aftermath and the future of the community. prgtoken When delivery workers were unable to enter Battery Park City, Mr. and Mrs. Simko personally delivered the Broadsheet to neighborhood lobbies.
JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Mark R. Warner (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-12-19

this explanation reflects the status of negotiations and disposition of issues reached between the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on prgtoken Intelligence for the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. prgtoken The explanation shall have the same effect with respect to the implementation of this act as if it were a joint explanatory statement of a conference committee. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the explanatory statement for the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 be printed into the Record.
Turkey (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-19

a few days ago, in front of a townhall in northern Turkey, President Erdogan threatened a missile strike on Athens. Greece is afraid of our missile. They say that the Typhoon Missile will hit Athens. prgtoken Then he addressed the Greek people directly and said: It will, unless you stay calm. prgtoken This is a NATO member directly threatening to target Athens, a city of 3 million civilians. According to the United Nations, an intentional attack on civilians--an intentional attack on civilians--is a war crime. prgtoken I come to the floor today to condemn the recent actions of the Turkish President, which are not only disturbing, they are totally unacceptable. For years, Erdogan has pursued repressive, anti- democratic policies at home and abroad, from criminalizing insults of Turkey and freedom of expression, to the suppression of dissent and political opposition figures. Erdogan has jailed and silenced so many pro-democracy and human rights activists that at one point, there were more lawyers and journalists in Turkish jails than anywhere else in the world. prgtoken His government continues to try to hide the truth about the Armenian genocide, prosecuting writers and historians. In 2008, one of the journalists who wrote about the genocide was assassinated on the streets of Istanbul. prgtoken As violent as Erdogan's tenure has been at home, his foreign policy has been absolutely awful. On the eve of Baku's war in Nagorno- Karabakh, Turkey sold Azerbaijan $77 million of military equipment that was used to attack innocent Armenians. prgtoken It is no surprise that Erdogan met in Tehran this summer with the Russian and Iranian Presidents, some of the world's most brutal dictators. Just look at the leaders he collaborates with. It is because he shares their world view, and you can see this clearly in the way he approaches the region. prgtoken Five decades after Turkey's illegal occupation of Cyprus, Erdogan is still stoking divisions on the island. Last year, he proposed reopening the Cypriot town of Varosha in an attempt to spread Turkish influence. That is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that was condemned by the European Union. This September, Erdogan threatened to reinforce the already 40,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus with more land, naval, and aerial weapons, ammunition, and vehicles. Clearly, Erdogan looks at Putin's illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine and is taking note. That is what makes President Erdogan's recent comments about launching missile attacks on Greece so disconcerting. prgtoken We have seen Erdogan challenge Greek sovereignty repeatedly. This summer, he sent fighter jets over the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. His threats to strike Athens fit a pattern of Turkish claims to what is Greek territory. He has said Turkish forces may land in Greece ``suddenly one night.'' prgtoken He seems to be increasing his illegal autocratic behavior in th
SALINE LAKE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE GREAT BASIN STATES PROGRAM ACT OF 2022
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-12-19

I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 1466. prgtoken The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 1466) entitled ``An Act to authorize the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a regional program to assess, monitor, and benefit the hydrology of saline lakes in the Great Basin and the migratory birds and other wildlife dependent on those habitats, and for other purposes.'', do pass with an amendment. Motion to Concur
STATEMENT ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-19

I rise to introduce the Health Enterprise Zones Act of 2022. prgtoken The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the severity of inequities in the U.S. healthcare system. Latinos and African Americans experienced the highest death and infection rates during the pandemic. prgtoken But inequitable access to quality, affordable healthcare is not unique to the past 18 months. Centuries of structural and systemic racism continue to result in poorer health outcomes in communities of color. Historically, these communities are underserved by health professionals, which both causes and further exacerbates health disparities. prgtoken That is why I am proud to introduce The Health Enterprise Zones Act of 2022, which uses a market-based approach to incentivize increased health provider participation in structurally disadvantaged areas. prgtoken This bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to designate health enterprise zones based on measurable and documented health disparities in areas with poor health outcomes. prgtoken These zones would be eligible Federal grants for projects to reduce health disparities and provide healthcare providers employee tax credits, a 10 percent Medicare reimbursement bonus, and student loan repayment. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Anthony Brown for introducing the House companion, and I look forward to working on this bill into the next Congress. I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to achieving health equity.
Anti-Semitism (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-19

let me start by wishing Jewish Americans everywhere a happy start to Hanukkah. prgtoken I celebrated the first night with my family up in New York, and I hope my colleagues who observe Hanukkah were able to do the same. prgtoken The story of Hanukkah is, among many things, a story of perseverance in the face of unspeakable hatred. It is also a lesson that hits home this year for many Jewish Americans targeted recently by anti-Semitism. prgtoken After decades of hard work, it is terrifying to see today that anti- Semitism is on the rise in America. We must do everything we can to stomp it down. prgtoken No matter what our faiths may be, of course, I urge all Americans of goodwill to take a stand against the forces of bigotry and intolerance. prgtoken There are many out there who are trying to use their platforms to make anti-Semitism more acceptable in our country, and we must oppose them at every turn. prgtoken I have faith that the forces of intolerance will lose in the end, just as they did in the days of Hanukkah when Judah Maccabee led the Jewish people against an oppressive majority. prgtoken But the fight is long, and all of us must do our part. So as we continue observing the Festival of Lights, I say to colleagues and to Jewish Americans across the country: Chag Sameach, happy holiday. prgtoken And thank God that, in this country, freedom of religion and tolerance is part of our watch word, unlike it was in the old days of Judah Maccabee.
Tribute to Richard C. Shelby (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-12-19

I came to the floor to speak on another topic, but I want to join in the comments of the leader about Richard Shelby of Alabama. prgtoken We became friends under different political circumstances when he served in the House of Representatives. It has been my honor to count him as a friend and to have the occasion to travel with him and Annette, his wife, in the past. I am going to miss my friend. prgtoken I wish you well, and I am sure you have got some football to watch in Alabama when you get home.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-12-19

had there been a recorded vote, I would have voted no on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 1109, Candace A. Bond, of Missouri, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. prgtoken Had there been a recorded vote, I would have voted no on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 1108, Shefali Razdan Duggal, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. prgtoken Had there been a recorded vote, I would have voted no on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 2455, Bijan Sabet, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic.