mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her leadership on this legislation. prgtoken Today the committee action agencies, or CAAs, form a network of more than 1,000 organizations that meet the unique needs of communities to help lift low-income individuals and families out of poverty. For decades community action agencies have been central pillars to our communities. They administer programs such as Head Start, to provide quality early childhood education for low-income children and support their families; Meals on Wheels, to support seniors experiencing hunger and isolation; and LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps people keep up with their utilities. prgtoken In fact, it is the only Federal program whose broad mission is to address poverty conditions and allow community action agencies to tailor services for low-income individuals in their communities, and they do this with the goal of giving a hand up, not a handout. prgtoken Community action agencies' work is made possible by the community services block grant, the CSBG. Unfortunately, the CSBG program has not been reauthorized since 1998 creating uncertainty in the program. prgtoken The bipartisan Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022 reauthorizes CSBG for 10 years, the longest period in history, and improves the statute to help CAAs expand their work and reduce poverty across the country. prgtoken This includes increased authorization levels and raising the CSBG program income eligibility thresholds to expand access to their services. This will put CSBG on solid footing so that the program continues to meet the complex and changing needs of low-income individuals and communities without changing local control to this important program. prgtoken I thank the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik), the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier), and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer) for championing this bipartisan legislation. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Jahana Hayes (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise to offer an amendment to protect communities from malicious scams surrounding the community services block grant program. prgtoken The CSBG program is absolutely critical to the empowerment of vulnerable communities. Funding from the CSBG program has helped nine community action agencies in my State serve 107,000 families and 260,000 individuals. prgtoken It has helped over 81,000 households avoid crisis with energy assistance and nearly 17,000 people avoid hunger with emergency or supplemental food and enrolled 5,600 children in early childcare services. prgtoken Additionally, these agencies have helped nearly 11,000 people file their income taxes, returning $8.5 million to my State's economy. prgtoken CSBG programs empower our communities' most vulnerable, which is why they are always offered free of charge. prgtoken However, scammers across the country falsely purport to offer CSBG services for a fee, preying on those in our community when they are most in need of help. We have seen a proliferation of fraud and scams throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when emergency Federal dollars were sent to States. prgtoken These scams are illegal and morally reprehensible. It is our responsibility to ensure our communities are properly informed to combat predatory schemes. It is our responsibility to reinforce guardrails to protect the integrity of these programs and ensure they fulfill their promises to our communities. prgtoken My amendment would require that States provide easily accessible warnings about verified scams as well as information on where to seek recourse should someone believe they are the victim of a CSBG-related scam. prgtoken Making this information available will ensure that CSBG can continue to provide lifesaving services to communities without being subject to greed and mal-intent. This is a simple, commonsense amendment that the Congressional Budget Office has certified as budget neutral. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment and the underlying legislation.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Chrissy Houlahan (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise today in support of my amendment that ensures that States and other eligible entities under the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022 can utilize funds for behavioral health purposes. prgtoken These past 2 years have had a devastating effect on the physical and mental health of people across the Nation, especially those who live in poverty or in under-resourced areas. prgtoken In my district, we have seen hospitals shuttered, families suffer, and young people facing unprecedented mental health challenges. prgtoken By adding explicit language on behavioral health to this bill, we underscore the heightened need for increased resources to reach those that are underserved and most at risk. prgtoken Thankfully, recipients like my home State of Pennsylvania are already receiving funding through this grant program to alleviate the causes of poverty and provide opportunities for employment. prgtoken But the community services block grant program must emphasize that in order for States to truly attack the root causes of poverty, they must address the rising rate of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. prgtoken Just yesterday, the CDC announced that there were more than 100,000 drug overdoses in 2021, a record high, and a 15 percent increase from 2020. This data shows that something must change. prgtoken We all know that for people to participate meaningfully in the workforce and to achieve self-sufficiency, they need the tools, first and foremost, to address their physical, mental, and behavioral health. prgtoken As a prior businessowner, I understand the importance of this firsthand, because America thrives when our workers thrive. prgtoken Community services block grants have been successful in supporting those who are most underserved across our communities for decades. prgtoken Let's, please, build on this mission and ensure that the program meets the needs of our diverse 21st century communities and workers. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.
RECOGNIZING MEDGLOBAL'S HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS TO UKRAINE
Marie Newman (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the selfless and heroic work of the nurses, doctors, and staff of MedGlobal, a humanitarian and health non-governmental organization based in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, on their recent medical missions to Ukraine. To date, MedGlobal, which is headquartered in Illinois' Third Congressional District, has helped train nearly 1,000 Ukrainian doctors in 8 hospitals in Lviv, Ukraine, and brought nearly $1 million worth of life saving medical supplies generously donated by the American people to help Ukrainians in need. prgtoken On March 9, 2022, the MedGlobal team of health care providers departed Chicago, Illinois, and arrived in Warsaw, Poland, the following day. The group brought with them desperately needed medical supplies and medications requested by Ukrainian doctors working at hospitals in Lviv. The team traveled by bus from Warsaw to the Polish- Ukrainian border and completed a nearly 45-mile trek through Ukraine to reach Lviv. After a successful mission, the providers made their safe return on March 13. prgtoken On April 4, 2022, another MedGlobal team deployed from Chicago to Lviv, and over the course of their mission provided training to Ukrainian doctors in mass casualties, chemical weapons, and management of trauma patients. After another successful mission, the team made their safe return on April 10. prgtoken During each trip, Lviv endured multiple bombings from Russian long- range missiles, causing the MedGlobal teams to seek refuge in bomb shelters several times in response to sirens. But this did not deter these individuals from taking the risk to discharge their humanitarian duty and complete their mission. prgtoken Madam , I wish to thank the following individuals who took part in these efforts and recognize their selfless acts of courage bringing vital access to care to Ukrainians caught in the horror of war. The members of the March trip include Dr. Hena Ibrahim, Azeen Ibrahim, Dr. John Kahler, Dr. Riley Jones, Dr. Irina Lelik, Dr. Susan Buratto, and Rita Vaitauskaite, RN. The members of the prgtoken April trip include Dr. Judah Slavkovsky, Dr. Nahreen Ahmed, Dr. Kathleen Galagher, Dr. Christopher Miller, Dr. John Peter McBryde, Dr. Tanya Bucierka, Dr. Mila Felder, Ismail Ajooka, Lauren Cohen, Tonya Sompalli, Erica Havelka, Tim Conley, Scott and Maria Ruden, and Jessica Szotak, RN. The teams were led by my dear friend, Dr. Mohammed Zaher Sahloul, the co-founder and president of MedGlobal and a respected leader in Chicago. Many of these health care providers also call my district home, while others live around the Chicago land region or other states. They reflect the very best of America, and I could not be prouder to represent many of them and recognize their service today.
DON'T MESS WITH WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise in outrage due to recent attacks on women's reproductive rights and now, as we have seen, maybe plans to attack other fundamental rights. prgtoken s are using this leaked opinion as fuel to take their extreme policies even further. I say to my fellow colleagues, if s overturn Roe, they will take aim at other privacy rights, such as same-sex marriage and access to contraception. prgtoken Indeed, in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott now wants to overturn a Supreme Court decision that ensures public education for immigrant children. prgtoken In West Virginia, a white nationalist wants to take aim at Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed racial segregation in public schools. prgtoken I ask you, what comes next? prgtoken Madam , we are fighting to protect a woman's freedom to make her own healthcare decisions. But we will also be fighting the fight of all fights to protect all our freedoms. prgtoken Don't mess with women's reproductive rights.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , last week, I was approached by Larry Martinez who was there when the Community Service Block Grants first started in New Mexico. He told me that my late father worked tirelessly to secure funds so the State of New Mexico could match this new program. He called my late father the conscience of the Senate. prgtoken My father knew that these funds would make a real impact in the lives of New Mexicans, and he was right. It has made a difference. The benefits are undeniable. Instead of a family shivering in the cold in northern New Mexico, we have families using LIHEAP to keep their children warm. Instead of a family being turned out of their home because they couldn't afford rising rent, CSBG provides rental assistance. Instead of a promising young man falling into homelessness or despair without an income, we have CSBG programs helping with career training and job searches. prgtoken One of my favorite programs is Head Start. I started my academic career as a Head Start baby and fell in love with learning, and we know that an investment in our children at the earliest age is the biggest and best investment we can work; and this provides Head Start. prgtoken CSBG touches every aspect of our community because there is not one root cause of poverty. We need to uplift our most vulnerable by meeting them where they are because they have aspirations that we need to help them achieve. The Communities Services Block Grant Modernization Act would strengthen CSBG by increasing its authorization for annual appropriations. The bill would allow the Community Action Network to serve more people by increasing the income eligibility for services. prgtoken We should not kick people off a cliff back into poverty when they can rise into the working middle class. These are changes that will strengthen CSBG and strengthen our communities. We must be the conscience of our communities in the House.
HONORING CANTOR MARTHA NOVICK FOR HER SERVICE
Tom Malinowski (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise today to honor Cantor Martha Novick, who for the last 36 years has filled Temple Emanu-El, in Westfield, New Jersey, with her warmth and her voice. prgtoken Over the years, she has brought hundreds of students to Washington, D.C to introduce them to social justice, advocacy, and action. prgtoken She has performed leading roles for the Metropolitan Opera Association and the National Shakespeare Theatre and has appeared as a soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the Westfield Symphony. prgtoken Cantor Novick is a performer and an innovator, creating the Shabbat Hallelu worship service, which has become a national model, and working tirelessly to find a balance between traditional and modern musical styles of worship. prgtoken We are grateful to Cantor Novick for all she has done and for her commitment to Temple Emanu-El and its greater community in her new role as Cantor Emeritus.
RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF JEFFERSON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise to recognize the Jefferson Union High School District upon the occasion of its 100th anniversary. At inception, the district had one school, prgtoken Jefferson High, which also recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Today, the district encompasses five schools across two cities serving over 4,000 students. The district also offers an adult school program. prgtoken For the first thirty-six years, the district was composed of Jefferson High School but in 1958 Westmoor High opened in Daly City. As the City of Pacifica grew, Terra Nova opened its doors in 1961, followed the next year by Oceana. Serramonte opened in 1970 in Daly City and then closed in 1981, although many classes for the adult school continue at the site as do district administrative functions. Thornton High School, also in Daly City, opened in 1975. prgtoken There were schools serving students before the district existed. San Francisco provided the main high schools, but in 1922 local leaders realized that a nearer site was needed. prgtoken The school district officially commenced operations on June 2, 1922, and the first members of the school board were Matthew Grady, chairperson, Stella Jensen, clerk, Florence Stockton, Adolph Gehrenger, and Roderick McDonald. Mr. Neill O. Best was the head of the school and he had three colleagues, Gilda Belloni, Gladys Lukes, and Barto Molineaux. Over fifty students were in the entering class of the district's first school, and they had their choice of multiple subjects including mathematics, science, athletics/PE, Spanish, dramatics, commercial arithmetic, typing, bookkeeping, spelling, penmanship, civics, free hand drawing, music and vocational guidance. prgtoken Today's district offers classes spanning the range of traditional high school subjects such as English, math, science and social science, but also includes advanced placement instruction for those who want to earn college credits. Oceana offers a food and nutrition elective. Jefferson's website points students in the direction of the Skyline Promise Program, a pathway to free community college. At Terra Nova, students may take ceramics while at Westmoor ceramics and drawing are available. Bands, sports and other offerings keep students throughout the district engaged. The adult school offers classes in work training and technology, English, high school diploma and GED preparation, citizenship test preparation, and art. prgtoken Most importantly, the Jefferson Union High School District is dedicated to serving the individual needs of each student. A robust vocational support system exists and of course college preparation is available to all. The cost of living in our community is high, and rents force many parents to struggle. The district offers students additional services to assist with household stresses. prgtoken On the same day as the celebration of the district's 100th anniversary, the district will also cut the ribbon on a
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , the balance of my time to close. prgtoken Madam , once again, I reiterate that these amendments en bloc contain commonsense proposals that strengthen the underlying bill. I appreciate my colleagues for their contributions and their strong support of improving access to services, combating poverty, and uplifting low-income people in our communities. prgtoken I strongly urge support of the amendments en bloc and the underlying bill, and .
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I thank the ranking member for her leadership. prgtoken Today I stand in opposition to H.R. 5129 because it removes longstanding religious protections for community service providers that receive funds through the community service block grant program. prgtoken Religious providers all around the country provide food for the hungry, healthcare and hospice programs for the terminally ill, and educational opportunities for the less fortunate. This partisan bill will likely prevent certain religious groups from engaging in charity, simply because of what motivates their charity. prgtoken In 2019, the community action agencies partnered with more than 19,000 faith-based organizations around the country. In Indiana, the funds reached 335,000 Hoosiers by providing health services, housing aid, education help, income improvement, and more. If charitable choice language is removed from this bill, religious organizations may be forced to choose between serving their community and honoring their sincerely held faith beliefs. That means more Hoosiers in need. It is shameful to cut religious protections from such an impactful program. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill as it will mean less charity tomorrow for all Americans. We must defend our religious freedom, and this bill is a direct attack on it.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , there are certainly many concerns over this bill. The one that I would like to highlight today is that they are greatly increasing the expansion of eligibility for the bill. prgtoken Now, that doesn't necessarily mean the bill is going to make things more expensive, but you know very well if we are going to bring a whole lot of new areas into the bill, if we don't increase the spending, the areas that are currently part of the community services block grant are going to go down. prgtoken I don't believe the majority party is going to let anybody go down, which means this bill anticipates a significant increase in spending on this program. This is one of many programs that I would argue, under the Constitution, really even should not be a Federal concern. It should be a local concern. prgtoken To double the eligibility to 200 percent and make that permanent is resulting at a time when our spending is just completely out of control, setting up a situation in which there will be dramatic spending on another government program.
THOMAS CECIL HARMAN OBITUARY
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I include in the Record the following obituary for Thomas ``Tommy'' Cecil Harman. Tommy was the loving husband of Bobbie Sue Harman with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 1, 2022. He was the father of Andrea Harman Duncan (Mark) and Jason Thomas Harman (Christina). His six grandchildren, whom he loved and cherished, are Abbie and Austin Duncan and McElson, Madison, Jase, and Jacob Harman. He is also survived by loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, loving nieces and nephews, a special aunt and uncle, and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Layman and Ganelle Harman and brother, Archie L. Harman. Tommy was born on December 6, 1950. He attended Lexington 1 schools and then Clemson University where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in Financial Management. He was employed by the Lexington State Bank from 1973-1995 where he was vice- president, loan officer, and in human resources. He was then President and CEO of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce from 1995-1999 and later head of public relations for Pond Branch Telephone Company (PBT Telecom), which later became Comporium, until his retirement in 2015. Tommy tirelessly served his family, community, and church. He has been a member of Lexington Baptist Church for 50 years where he served terms as a deacon, served on the kindergarten and stewardship committees, was a former church treasurer, former children's Sunday school teacher, and a faithful servant in many other ways. Tommy was the charter president of the Lexington Sertoma Club, where he remained a member and leader for 45 continuous years. He led many fundraising projects including his idea of celebrating ``Big Thursday'' with Carolina and Clemson fans each October. The club has been able to provide funding for speech and hearing projects and help the community of Lexington through this event. Tommy headed up the Lexington Community Committee ``Power Up Lunch'' for businesses from 2003 to 2013. He served several terms on the Board of Directors for the Batesburg- Leesville and Lexington Chambers of Commerce. He was a former member of the Batesburg-Leesville Rotary Club and the Gilbert Ruritan Club. He was also a 1997 Leadership Lexington graduate. Because of his community work, Tommy received numerous awards. Among these are the 2015 State of South Carolina Order of the Silver Crescent, the A. L. Harman award by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and the Lexington Sertoma Club Achievement Award. Tommy loved helping coach his son Jason's baseball and basketball teams. He greatly enjoyed Clemson sporting events with family and friends. He loved traveling and especially enjoyed planning trips. H
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ENERGY CRISIS
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , the energy crisis doesn't just extend to gas and diesel in this country. It also extends to our power grid, shutting down our hydroelectric plants, et cetera. prgtoken We also have in California a nuclear power plant known as Diablo Canyon, which produces just under 10 percent of all of our power in California, slated to be shut down in 2024. prgtoken The California Independent System Operator warns of a critical inflection point to the stability of the grid and would require a shift to--get this--more fossil fuel, which would then require more CO2 to be produced, even though we know CO2 is only 0.04 percent of the atmosphere. prgtoken Summer blackouts were predicted by the California Energy Commission and the ISO just last October in information they released, so this would make a greater reliance on imported electricity from other States. prgtoken The administration needs to do all it can to help have the NRC, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission renew the licenses for Diablo Canyon for at least 20 years.