mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RED RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BOUNDARY MODIFICATION ACT
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2022-12-12

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte), my friend, and Chairman Grijalva for helping us on this. prgtoken I rise in support of this bill, H.R. 6427, the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Modification Act. I urge my colleagues to support it, as well. prgtoken As has been explained here, it is a straightforward bill that addresses a very simple problem. For years, the Red River Wildlife Refuge in northwest Louisiana, my home turf, has been a boon for hunters and outdoorsmen and other recreationists. Just last year, it hosted over 209,000 visits. That is greater than the population of Shreveport, Louisiana, which is the largest city in my district. prgtoken Thousands of these visitors went to the refuge for the express purpose of hunting and fishing. The refuge truly has contributed to Louisiana's status as a sportsman's paradise. This is a sentiment that we in Louisiana hold so dear, we print it on every license plate. prgtoken The refuge's stated goal is to provide for the restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitat, including migratory birds, as has been explained here, that all come within the Red River Valley ecosystem. However, the refuge's current structure is insufficient to meet the goals set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, especially for migratory waterfowl. prgtoken As we stand here today, the refuge can only support about one-third of the birds it is intended to support. So my bill would help address this deficiency by modifying the refuge boundary to include a 3,300- acre tract of privately owned land for the purpose of eventually incorporating the tract into the refuge. This boundary modification would not alter the authorized acreage of the refuge, and it would still keep the refuge well within its current authorized use and size. prgtoken The Fish and Wildlife Service anticipates this tract would dramatically increase the number of migratory waterfowl the refuge is able to support. The bill will also benefit the local economy through partnerships with agricultural producers, greater access by the public to hunters and other recreationists, and greater waterfowl distribution throughout the region, as populations radiate from the refuge. prgtoken We spent a tremendous amount of time speaking with all the stakeholders on this issue and collecting their feedback. State and local support for this legislation includes all of the State senators and representatives who represent the area, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Forestry Association, several members of the local Caddo Parish Commission and nearby landowners. prgtoken This bill is pro-conservation, pro-hunting, pro-agriculture, and pro- outdoor recreation, so we believe it truly is a win-win-win. prgtoken I thank the chairman, the ranking member, the gentleman from California, and all the Natural Resources Committ
Tribute to Patrick J. Leahy (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-12-12

. Today, I come to the floor to pay tribute to the President pro tempore of the United States Senate. He is the longest serving Senator currently serving in this institution, and he is my friend from Vermont, Senator Pat Leahy. prgtoken As many of you know, the Senator from Vermont also happens to be a talented photographer. His photos have been published in the New York Times, USA TODAY, and elsewhere. Senator Leahy has also appeared in front of the camera in Batman movies. But this shutterbug was bitten by the political bug, and he certainly made his mark in Vermont politics. prgtoken At age 34, he became the youngest and very first elected to the U.S. Senate from the Green Mountain State, and today, he is Vermont's longest serving Senator, having put his name on the ballot two dozen times during his political career. prgtoken A year ago in November, my friend and colleague announced that he would not seek reelection to a ninth term. At the Vermont statehouse, he happened to be there to announce his very first Senate campaign. It was at the Vermont statehouse that he did that, and Pat, at that time, recalled the words of Edmund Burke, the Dubliner who served in the House of Commons during America's Revolutionary War. The words that Burke imparted to the electors of Bristol in 1774 inspired Pat Leahy's approach to public service. prgtoken Burke said: Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment. prgtoken Burke also said a representative ought to have ``the most unreserved communication with his constituents.'' prgtoken Now, in my mind, that still is the essence of representative government. prgtoken Although we serve on different sides of the aisle, find ourselves on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum, and hail from different regions of the country, Pat and I are called to serve our constituents. prgtoken Pat Leahy and I have battled together in the trenches countless times over the years. He is a worthy adversary and, countless times, a trusted legislative ally. It takes grit; it takes grace; it takes gravitas to score victories and stick to the courage of one's convictions. prgtoken Indeed, Pat and I have more in common than might meet the eye. He is a dyed-in-the-wool liberal from New England, with a law degree from Georgetown. I am a Midwestern conservative and lifelong family farmer. As Senate colleagues, we share an abiding respect for this institution of the Senate. We value bipartisanship. For decades, we have earned the public trust of the voters of Vermont and Iowa. That tells me that Vermonters and Iowans prioritize hard work and constituent service. prgtoken At his announcement last November, Pat shared that he and his wife Marcelle made the decision together and that it was, to quote his words, ``time to put down the gavel.'' prgtoken First, I want to say how much Barbara and I cherish our friendships. Barbara and I celebrated 68 years of marriage las
RECOGNIZING REPRESENTATIVE FRED KELLER
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-12

. Madam , throughout his career, Fred Keller has had many titles. prgtoken He's been a CEO, State representative, Congressman, and deacon. But the title that I know Representative Keller is most proud of is ``grandfather.'' prgtoken Madam , I rise today to recognize and to thank a man whom I have had the privilege of calling a fellow legislator and a friend. prgtoken For the past 4 years, I have been proud to work alongside Representative Fred Keller. One of the great joys of my time in Congress has been joining alongside Fred Keller and other Members of Congress in a morning prayer group. prgtoken Through his actions and through his deeds, Representative Keller has set an example of what it meant to serve his constituents faithfully and with their best interests at heart. prgtoken Throughout his career, Fred has been a champion of conservative values, defending life, fighting for our students, and always working tirelessly to hold government accountable. prgtoken There has been no greater advocate for his district and no greater champion of liberty than Representative Fred Keller. prgtoken Madam , this body will miss having Representative Fred Keller among us in the 118th Congress. In Remembrance of Kurt Keilhofer
REMEMBERING DON YOUNG
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2022-12-12

it is nice to be here on the floor on a Monday evening and to hear final passage by unanimous consent of a bill to recognize and honor the life of our former Congressman Don Young. Don passed in March unexpectedly after 49 years in service, and it is always hard to figure out appropriate ways to recognize the life of a true public servant, as Congressman Young truly was. So the Alaska delegation--Senator Sullivan and myself at the time--really reached out to try to find those ways that might be appropriate means of recognition. prgtoken We can name buildings, as we are doing in this legislation, renaming a Federal courthouse in Fairbanks after Congressman Young. We can rename institutions, as we are doing in this bill and in recognizing the Alaska Job Corps Center now as the Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center. prgtoken And you can also do it through naming of monuments. And we have certainly a fair number of mountains, lakes, rivers in the State of Alaska that are pretty extraordinary, but it just didn't seem appropriate and fitting that a regular mountain should be renamed after the Congressman. prgtoken I had an opportunity to serve with him for many years. For, really, all of my life I think he has been my Congressman. I have known his softer side and certainly his rough and more explosive side. prgtoken And so as we were looking for something that might be fitting, we looked not only at mountains, but we looked at mountains that continue to blow their top to this very day and selected a volcano on the Aleutian Islands that is currently named--I believe it is pronounced Mount Cerberus, and we have, through this designation, designated this volcano in the Eastern Aleutians after our former Congressman--fitting tribute to a giant of a man and one that I think of every day. I know Alaskans think of the contributions that he has made. prgtoken So in this simple resolution recognizing and honoring the Congressman, whether it is institutions, buildings, or volcanoes, Don Young's name will live for quite some period of time. prgtoken So I am pleased to actually be here on the floor with my friend and colleague Senator Sullivan to recognize this evening.
ANDREW GOMER WILLIAMS POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mike Kelly (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-12-12

. He also volunteered serving on the Board of Directors of the Civil War Orphans' Home that was located on Butler's Institute Hill from 1867 until moving to Mercer, Pennsylvania, in 1905. prgtoken Outside of his legal practice and his Civil War-related activities, Mr. Williams served one term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and 4 years in the Pennsylvania State Senate. He also served for 20 years as the choir director of Butler's First Methodist Church and rose to the rank of Grand Commander, Knights of the Templar of the State of Pennsylvania in the Masons. prgtoken After a full life devoted to his Nation, his church, his community, and--most importantly--his family, Andrew Gomer Williams died in his North McKean Street home on April 6, 1923, from pneumonia at the age of 83 at 10:40 that morning. Fittingly, for a man who had been a soldier in the Civil War, his funeral and burial were held on April 9, the same day, only 58 years earlier, that Robert E. Lee had surrendered his Confederate Army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at a place called Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. prgtoken Now, the finish to this speech is not mine. But I think it is so relevant as to where we are today. Allow me to conclude my speech today the same as it began with the eloquent words spoken at Gettysburg by Andrew Gomer Williams well over a century ago. prgtoken Mr. Williams said: We have met again on this field after so many years to perpetuate the memory and render our faint and feeble tribute of praise to the valor of those Pennsylvania soldiers. prgtoken Especially at this time in our history, these are the heroes we should be naming buildings and Post Offices with. It has taken a long time to get to this point. prgtoken Madam Chair, I thank you for working together on this. prgtoken I do hope people listen to these words. These are the true heroes of America. These should be the examples that we all try to live by today. In a country that is getting too far apart and needs to get back together, this guy is a hero. This guy deserves as much time as we can give him.
NDAA (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-12-12

the Senate gavels in today with our annual defense bill still unpassed, with less than 1 week remaining of government funding, and less than 2 weeks left until our hard stop for the holidays on December 23. That is the bad news. But the good news is that both sides have a clear understanding of what it takes to finish our work on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken First, Senators Inhofe and Reed and their House counterparts have passed out a strong bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act. The Senate should turn to it as soon as possible. prgtoken But, of course, Congress authorizing the tools, training, and equipment that our Armed Forces need will accomplish very little if we fail to then provide the actual funding. prgtoken Both sides know what it would take for the Senate to pass a full-year government funding bill into law. There is no mystery here. A funding agreement would need to fully fund our national defense at the level written into the NDAA without--without--lavishing extra funding beyond what President even requested onto ' partisan domestic priorities. In other words, do not go beyond what the President asked for earlier this year on the domestic side. prgtoken Our ic colleagues have already spent 2 years massively-- massively--increasing domestic spending, using party-line reconciliation bills outside the normal appropriations process. prgtoken So, clearly, our colleagues cannot now demand even more--more-- domestic spending than President even requested in exchange for funding the U.S. military. Funding our national defense is a basic governing duty. prgtoken The Commander in Chief's own party does not get to demand a pile of unrelated goodies in exchange for doing their job and funding our Armed Forces. prgtoken If House and Senate ic colleagues can accept these realities in the very near future, we may still have a shot at assembling a full- year funding bill that will give our military commanders the certainty they need to invest, plan, and stay competitive with rivals like China. prgtoken If our ic colleagues can't accept those realities, the option will be a short-term, bipartisan funding bill into early next year.
Vote on Montgomery-Reeves Nomination (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-12-12

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Braun), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch), and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch) would have voted ``Nay.''
BRENNIK SAPP AWARDED FOR HIS GOOD DEEDS
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-12-12

. Madam , I rise today to applaud Brennik Sapp of Liberty Elementary School for his commitment to helping his community. prgtoken When Brennik was an infant, he spent 12 days at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City when he was diagnosed at birth with Hirschsprung's disease. This is an intestinal disease that is present at birth and that can lead to death. prgtoken Thanks to the excellent doctors at the hospital, Brennik's life was saved, but he will always have to manage life with the disease. prgtoken Brennik did not let this disease deter him. Rather, he made it his mission to help other children who have chronic illnesses. prgtoken Last year alone, Brennik raised over $2,000 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. This money was used to buy books for children who are undergoing hospitalization and treatment. prgtoken Brennik's selflessness did not go unnoticed by his community. The American Legion recently awarded Brennik with the Good Deed Award, which is gifted to youth who serve as an inspiration for their community. prgtoken I thank Brennik for everything that he is doing for children across Iowa. I am proud to represent youth who are making a difference in their community.
TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT LEBARON M. KING
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-12-12

I rise today to recognize CMSgt Lebaron M. King for his dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force and the Senate as a legislative defense fellow. Lebaron has served as a vital part of my team since January 2022. He has been a trusted adviser on issues relating to the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security. prgtoken Lebaron enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May 2001. His continued service is a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of every servicemember to protect our Nation and defend our freedoms. prgtoken His effort and passion distinguished him as a valuable member of my legislative team. His determination helped lead to passage of a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Air Force as an independent military branch. As the son of a retired USAF master sergeant, I am proud to have someone like Lebaron on my staff who understands the significance of maintaining America's air superiority. prgtoken He also spearheaded an initiative to better support military spouses through the introduction of the Military Spouse Hiring Act. This important legislation would address underemployment for military spouses by amending the Tax Code to incentivize businesses to hire military spouses. prgtoken When he was promoted to the rank of chief master sergeant in September of 2022, Lebaron's character and consistent display of the knowledge, leadership, and devotion were recognized and rewarded. I am confident he will continue to serve our country honorably. prgtoken I am especially grateful for his support of the people of Arkansas. Both in the Nation's Capital and while visiting the Natural State, he spoke with and listened to the concerns of Arkansas' veterans and their families, then worked tirelessly to ensure their concerns were heard and issues were resolved. prgtoken We have been very fortunate to have Lebaron join our office this past year. I also want to thank his mother, Mrs. Maxine King-Green, and his beloved family, Mrs. Rosemary, Gloria, Cynthia, and Davetta for their support of Lebaron's time in uniform. Having grown up in a military family, I understand service in the Armed Forces is a family affair and is impossible without their sacrifice and unconditional support. prgtoken Lebaron, thank you for your continued service to the U.S. Air Force and for all your heartfelt, committed work as a member of my staff. It was our privilege to have you as a part of our team, and our office will always welcome you. I know that you will remain an asset to our military and veterans prgtoken in addition to any other endeavors you pursue, and I wish you and your family the best.
Kids Online Safety Act (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-12-12

this year, those of us at the Consumer Protection, Public Safety, and Data Security Subcommittee have spent hours working through how we deal with social media and hold them to account. And it has been a heartbreaking task of investigating thousands of pages of reporting testimony and other evidence that really has proven to us there is a devastating impact from social media on our Nation's children and teens. prgtoken This past February, Senator Blumenthal and I introduced the Kids Online Safety Act after a series of hearings that exposed Big Tech's disregard for the safety of their underage users. prgtoken The bill provides kids and parents with the tools and transparency that they need to stay safe and requires social media companies to make those platforms safer in the default settings. It also requires independent audits to ensure that these companies are, indeed, addressing the risk to underage users. prgtoken I am appalled that this is necessary, but the committee has a mountain of proof to show it is time for Congress to do something to hold these platforms to account. And we can't wait. We really cannot afford to wait any longer because as bad as things are here in Washington, they are really worse for the kids and teens who have been pulled into these platforms. prgtoken Depression, self-harm, and suicide in teens increased at an alarming rate between 2010 and 2020. There are a limited number of plausible explanations for why this has happened, but I would remind my colleagues that the 2010s ushered in the golden age of social media. This is when social media transformed from a novelty into an almost mandatory activity, especially for teens. So it is no coincidence that it was a good decade for Silicon Valley but a very dark decade for our Nation's children. prgtoken Between 2011 and 2016, as social media became popular, sleep deprivation among U.S. teens increased by 17 percent. We also know that teens who are heavy users of social media sleep about an hour less per night than their friends who are not using social media. And as I am sure many of my colleagues know, sleep deprivation is a significant risk factor for depression among adolescents. Between 2011 and 2018, the rates of teen depression increased by more than 60 percent. Between 2011 and 2015, emergency room admissions for children and teens for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric issues rose by 28 percent. prgtoken Before 2010, suicide by young people had stabilized and declined for decades; but, over the next decade, the teen suicide death rate increased by 62 percent. And now, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 10 and 24, only behind unintentional injuries like auto accidents. prgtoken Think about that. This is what is happening to our children. It is not my stats. It is not your stats. These are stats that are coming from research, from surveys, from medical research on
SALINE LAKE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE GREAT BASIN STATES PROGRAM ACT OF 2021
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-12-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of S. 1466, introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley and led in the House by my colleague, Representative Blake Moore. prgtoken This bill will direct the U.S. Geological Survey to establish a program to assess and monitor the hydrology of saline lakes and associated ecosystems in the Great Basin States in the West. prgtoken Saline lakes in the Western United States are shrinking and becoming saltier due to prolonged drought and other effects of climate change. These shrinking lakes are exposing harmful dust that threatens the public health of neighboring communities while harming local economies and eliminating essential migratory bird habitat. prgtoken This program will help inform and support coordinated management and conservation actions to benefit saline lakes. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and .
JUDGE JAMES PEREZ POST OFFICE
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-12

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 5949 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 615 North Street, in Santa Ana, California, as the Judge James Perez Post Office. prgtoken Judge James Perez was born in Metcalf, Arizona, on April 27, 1926, and was the first Latino judge appointed in Orange County. prgtoken In July 1932, his family moved to Santa Ana, California, where he attended Santa Ana High School and worked in the tomato fields in southern California until he was drafted into World War II. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1946 as a technical sergeant. prgtoken Upon returning home, he enrolled in the University of Southern California, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. In 1955, he continued his education, earning a law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. prgtoken In December 1966, Governor Pat Brown appointed him to be a judge of the Orange County Municipal Court. Nine years later, Governor Jerry Brown elevated him to the Orange County Superior Court. After serving as a superior court judge for 11 years, he retired in 1987. In 1994, he was asked to come back to fill in on a part-time basis. prgtoken Madam , I encourage my colleagues to join me in celebrating the doors that Judge Perez opened for the Latino community by naming a post office in Santa Ana, California, after him. prgtoken Madam , .