mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING AND HONORING ENDY EKPANYA
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-5-17

as National Police Week ends, the 800,000 Texans I work for back home want to say ``thank you'' to all of the Americans who came to Washington, D.C and all those that rose up in hometowns all across America to support our police officers--our sheriffs, our JPs, our consuls--and to join our heroes on that thin blue line. prgtoken In Pearland, Texas, we want to thank all Americans for remembering and honoring one of our own: Pearland Police Officer Endy Ekpanya. In 2016, 145 police officers were killed all across America. Endy, sadly, joined that group. prgtoken Endy was killed at 3:15 in the morning on Sunday, June 12, 2016, end of watch, 339 days ago. He was killed on a nonemergency call by a driver who was high on drugs or booze. She T-boned his car. He was 30 young years old. prgtoken Endy left behind the love of his life, his fiance, Lucy, and his 2- year-old son, Julian. They mourned in front of Endy's flag-draped coffin at his service back home the week of his death. prgtoken Endy's loss brought out the best in Pearland, Brazoria County, in southeast Texas. They shared tears with Lucy and Julian. They swarmed them with love. Every single Pearland police officer left duty on that day to be there, but Pearland was protected by police officers all over southeast Texas rising to the occasion. prgtoken We continue working to ensure the woman who killed Endy goes to prison for a long time. The people of Pearland are building a memorial at their police station with Endy's life on one wall. He will be there with two others who lost their lives in Pearland, Texas: Officer Henry Wendell, Jr end of watch, November 6, 1967; and Officer James Cassidy, Jr end of watch, May 16, 1973. prgtoken I have kept up with Lucy. The last time we talked was early January. I called to tell her that the entire Texas House delegation--36 strong, s and --signed my bill to name the post office in Pearland after Endy. She was happy, but she still felt pain. That was the first Christmas back home with Endy's parents in New York. prgtoken Sadly, losses like Endy are still happening. This week, we learned that a deputy sheriff in Montana was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop; and a police chief was shot in response to a domestic violence incident in upstate New York. And that was just yesterday. This violence against our law enforcement officials must end. prgtoken During National Police Week, we honor these heroes, the ones we have lost, and we say a humble ``thank you'' to their families. We will never, ever forget their sacrifice. We pray for the day that Lucy and Julian can join Endy in Heaven. God bless Endy Ekpanya and all of the heroes who gave their lives on duty.
Venezuela (Executive Session)
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-5-17

I come to the floor today to speak about an emerging crisis in our hemisphere in the nation of Venezuela. It has been covered extensively in the press. I wanted to come today with an update and a suggestion, a request of the administration about a step we can take. prgtoken First of all, I am very pleased that today our Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, scheduled a discussion at the U.N. Security Council with regard to Venezuela. It was not an open press discussion. Again, it showed extraordinary leadership, and I thank her for her work and for doing so. This deserves attention. prgtoken By the way, Venezuela is a country that is blessed with natural resources. It was once Latin America's richest country, but today the people of Venezuela are literally starving, its financial system has collapsed, and there are, as you have seen from the press reports, massive protests in the streets. Its once proud democracy is now in the hands of a dictator, Nicolas Maduro, and his cronies and thugs, who have plunged that nation into a constitutional crisis. They are using violence and bloodshed to suppress and silence citizens speaking out against the regime's corruption and its abuse of political prisoners. prgtoken What the people of Venezuela are calling for is pretty straightforward: free and fair elections as called for under the Constitution of that country, a return to representative democracy--the democracy they once had. They are paying for these requests with their blood and even their lives. According to the most recent reports, dozens of people have been killed, including teenagers. The Washington Post reported yesterday the recent deaths of 18-year-old Luis Alviarez, who was killed by a bullet to the chest, and 17-year-old Yeison Mora Cordero, who died from a bullet to the head. prgtoken There were two reports today in the press of great interest, one from the New York Times and one from the Washington Post. Both documented the plight of members of the national guard who have been tasked with the job of suppressing the protests in the street. The gist of the articles was this: These people who are putting on these uniforms--they didn't sign up for this. They signed up for security. They signed up to protect the people of Venezuela, not to oppress them. prgtoken They, too, are suffering from poor food. There was one article that said that basically breakfast in the morning for the national guard in Venezuela consists of a boiled carrot or a potato, and then they are sent to the streets for hours. Then they come back and maybe have an arepa, which is a corn cake, and, if they are lucky, some butter. They, too, are suffering from this. prgtoken Here is the most enlightening part of this: A lot of their family members--their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, loved ones, husbands, wives, girlfriends, and boyfriends--are on the other side of the protest lines. Their fellow Venezuelans a
National Police Week (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-5-17

I am pleased that the Senate is considering Rachel Brand to be Associate Attorney General. Ms. Brand is a native Iowan, and I am proud to be supporting her nomination here today. She has had a distinguished legal career. In fact, she was appointed to Senate-confirmed positions by both President and President , and both times, she was confirmed by a voice vote in the Senate. prgtoken But it looks like this nomination somehow has become controversial. I don't understand. Ms. Brand has a broad range of legal experience that happens to be a broad range in both the government and the private sector. prgtoken With her previous positions in the White House, the Office of Legal Counsel, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, she has experience that touches almost every part of the Federal Government. As the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy, she was a member of the senior management team of the Department of Justice, working with components and law enforcement agencies throughout the entire Justice Department. Similarly, at the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, Ms. Brand worked with diverse agencies to ensure that privacy and civil liberties are taken into account while carrying out the important mission of protecting the Nation from terrorism. prgtoken During Ms. Brand's tenure in the private sector, she gained extensive litigation management experience that will serve her very well as she oversees the Department's civil litigation components. prgtoken She has seemingly become a little more controversial. Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have said they aren't supporting her nomination because of the work she did with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Those views are utterly ridiculous. So I will take a minute to address these concerns. prgtoken First, when she worked at the Chamber, all of her advocacy was done to represent the views of her client, the U.S. Chamber. Everybody expects that if you hire a lawyer, they are going to represent your views. We all know that we can't assume an attorney personally believes in what they are advocating for on behalf of their client, just ask criminal defense attorneys. prgtoken Furthermore, she was not involved in any policy or lobbying apparatus of the Chamber. Her role there was to bring lawsuits challenging rules that the U.S. Chamber believed were unlawful. At the same time, besides just arguing those lawsuits, she had to file a lot of amicus briefs providing the courts with the views of the business community. prgtoken During her time at the Chamber, she challenged a handful of the thousands of regulations promulgated by Federal agencies. The arguments Ms. Brand made in those lawsuits or amicus briefs were generally that the agency had acted beyond the scope of the authority Congress had granted that particular agency or had failed to follow the reasoned decisionmaking processes requir
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 115, THIN BLUE LINE ACT
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-5-17

I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Buck) for his efforts and leadership on this issue. prgtoken , I rise today because I think it is really important that we talk about law enforcement; we talk about what their role is. These are the peacekeepers. The men and women right here on Capitol Hill, the Capitol Police, they are the ones who prevent chaos, that allow for order to stand here in the Capitol complex. prgtoken In the State of Louisiana, in my hometown of Baton Rouge, back on July 17, we had an extraordinary event. We had five of our law enforcement officers who were responding to a shooter with a long gun; clearly, someone that was dressed and armed in a way to not be helpful to the community. While the rest of us were running away from that shooter, these five men were running toward him. prgtoken As a result of that, Deputy Brad Garafola lost his life, and his wife, Tonja, is right now a widow. prgtoken Matthew Gerald lost his life, and Dechia, his wife, is now a widow. Dechia found out 2 weeks after his death that she was pregnant, and he has never seen that baby. That baby doesn't have a father today. prgtoken We had Montrell Jackson, another Baton Rouge police officer, who lost his life, and his wife, Trenisha, is now a widow. prgtoken We had Bruce Simmons who got shot, and while he did survive, he is still struggling with recovery, and he and his wife, Pam, continue to go through that from the July 17 shooting from last year. prgtoken Nick Tullier was also involved in that shooting, and I have been wearing my ``Pray for Nick'' band now for months. Nick Tullier continues to be in the hospital even today. prgtoken This bill allows for the protection of our officers. It clearly distinguishes that these are the peacekeepers, these are the people who are putting their lives on the line to make sure that we have order, no longer chaos. prgtoken , this is an important piece of legislation, and I urge everyone to support this unanimously.
COMBATING EUROPEAN ANTI-SEMITISM ACT OF 2017
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-17

I rise today in support of H.R. 672, the Combating Anti-Semitism Act of 2017, sponsored by my friend Nita Lowey. I and all of our fellow Co-Chairs of the Bi-Partisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism are original cosponsors. prgtoken Among its provisions, the bill would require the State Department to include in existing annual reports information about the security challenges and needs of European Jewish communities and European law enforcement. This report would also document related U.S. government efforts to partner with European law enforcement agencies and civil society groups. prgtoken H.R. 672 is important and timely. As witnesses testified at a hearing I chaired in March on ``Anti-Semitism Across Borders,'' physical attacks on European Jewish communities, and other forms of anti-Semitic hatred, remain rampant on the continent. Rabbi Andy Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti- Semitism and Director of International Jewish Affairs at the American Jewish Committee noted that even after the deadly anti-Semitic attacks in Paris, Brussels and Copenhagen, ``problems still remain. Governments have taken different approaches, and some only in stop-gap measures.'' Rabbi Baker also emphasized that ``We need to be clear-eyed in confronting and combating anti-Semitism, which manifests itself on both the right and the left.'' prgtoken At the same hearing, Paul Goldenberg, Director of the Security Community Network and Senior Advisor to the Rutgers University Faith- Based Communities Security Program, warned that ``Ever-more connected, extremist groups in the United States are borrowing, adapting and enhancing the tactics and strategies adopted in Europe.'' This is an especially sobering warning, given the man recent anti-Semitic incidents here in the United States. prgtoken Mark Weitzman, Director of Government Affairs for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, emphasized that ``Fighting antisemitism has always been a bipartisan commitment and in today's fractured political world it is more necessary than ever that the U.S. maintain its diplomatic and moral leadership in this issue. . . . we would strongly suggest that the position [of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti- Semitism] even be upgraded, to that of Ambassador, thus demonstrating the importance attached by our government to this issue.'' prgtoken H.R. 672 is an example of such bi-partisanship. It would ensure that the Special Envoy, other U.S. officials, the Congress, and civil society--especially European Jewish communities that their security groups--have key information to act fully and effectively. With the right information, and robust action, the United States can help ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities in Europe and elsewhere.
THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-5-17

the mutual relationship between the United States and Taiwan--enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 and reinforced by the Six Assurances of 1982--has endured, due to our shared beliefs in democratic government, freedom of expression, the rule of law, and a market economy. prgtoken It is my hope that this relationship will continue to deepen and strengthen in all areas. I hope the administration will move expeditiously with a military sales package that will help to guarantee Taiwan's security and freedom for the future. prgtoken The people of Taiwan have great friends in the people of the United States. I know many of my colleagues will join me in expressing our shared desire to work together with our friends on the old and new challenges that Taiwan faces. prgtoken , I wish President Tsai and the people of Taiwan all the best on their first anniversary of her administration.
National Police Week (Executive Session)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-5-17

I rise during Police Week to pay tribute to our police officers around the country--the men and women in blue who serve us every day in Ohio and in every State represented in this Chamber. prgtoken In Ohio, this is a particularly difficult week. Here we are during Police Week, and we are, once again, mourning the loss of a police officer. This happened just last Friday. Last Friday, a gunman took two people hostage in the woods behind a nursing home in Kirkersville, OH, which is a small town about 25 miles east of Columbus. prgtoken The first one to arrive on the scene was the police chief of this small town. His name was Steven DiSario. Chief Steven DiSario confronted the assailant, and he was ambushed by this assailant. He was shot. He was killed. This gunman then went inside the nursing facility, and he murdered two staff members--a registered nurse, Marlina Medrano, and a nurse's aide named Cindy Krantz. Then he took his own life. prgtoken By the way, Police Chief Steven DiSario was 36 years old and had just become the police chief in Kirkersville a month ago. The women who were slain were Marlina Medrano, who had a son, and Cindy Krantz, who had five kids, including a 10-year-old son. Those kids had to spend Mother's Day preparing for their moms' burials. prgtoken On Monday, I went to Kirkersville and saw the memorial there for the officer. I also had an opportunity to meet with some of the officers who were from neighboring communities. There was just one police officer in Kirkersville--just the chief. I was able to express to them the sympathy and the gratitude of the people throughout Ohio. I had brought a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Chief DiSario, and that flag will go to his family as a very small token of the appreciation and gratitude of all of us for their father's and husband's service. prgtoken Chief DiSario had six kids, and his widow, Aryn, is currently pregnant with their seventh child--a child who is never going to know his or her dad. What he or she will know is that he died a hero, that he died a hero in risking his life to protect innocent people. prgtoken That is what police officers do every single day. They keep us safe. They take dangerous criminals and weapons and drugs off our streets. They enforce the law. Even their very presence helps to deter crime and keep our communities safer, but they do it all at great risk--at great risk to themselves and at great sacrifice to their families. prgtoken A little more than a year ago, I did a ride-along in Columbus with Officer Greg Meyer. He is one of those brave Columbus police officers who goes out every day to help keep our communities safe, and we were focused on a couple of issues that night in Columbus. prgtoken One was the drug trade, particularly the opioid crisis we face in Ohio. He was able to show me where much of this activity occurs, and we were able to see with our eyes some of the peop
REMOVING OUTDATED RESTRICTIONS TO ALLOW FOR JOB GROWTH ACT
Bruce Poliquin (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-5-17

I thank the gentleman from Illinois for those kind remarks. prgtoken I am so proud to represent the most honest and hardworking Americans you can find anywhere. Maine's Second Congressional District is, if not the largest, the second largest congressional district east of the Mississippi River. It is about an 8-hour drive from Fryeburg to Madawaska, and you are going to spend about half your time dodging moose and other critters on the road. We are tough, we are rugged, but we need jobs. We need jobs. prgtoken We have had a situation in our State for the past 30 years where many of our paper mills and sawmills and textile mills and leather tanneries have closed. We have a handful left. And right smack in the middle of our State is the great city of Old Town, Maine, just a little bit north of Bangor. Old Town has also suffered the closure of a significant mill--or two, actually. prgtoken Ron Harriman, who is the economic development director of Old Town, reached out to our office and said: Bruce, we have a problem here. We have a terrific piece of property surrounding our airport. We have gone through extensive work and cost to the town to extend utilities to this piece of land. But lo and behold, there is a Federal deed restriction on that land that dates back decades that doesn't allow us to sell the land and develop it for more jobs. prgtoken I don't doubt at the time, , that the Federal Government that was buying up local property across the country, reclaiming it and turning it into agricultural land, I don't question the purpose of that and the good intentions of that; but that was a long time ago. prgtoken We now have a situation where the city of Old Town needs to be able to sell this property in order to attract other investment and other jobs to help our families in central Maine. Removing this deed restriction will allow that to happen. prgtoken I am asking everybody in this Chamber, s and --and I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson)--please support H.R. 1177. There are many times, , when all the government needs to do is get out of the way. This is one example. Let the Federal Government get out of the way. We know how to create jobs in the State of Maine. Let's remove this red tape. Let's let this land be sold for folks who want to create jobs. I would be very grateful for everybody in this Chamber to support H.R. 1177 and let the people of central Maine live better lives with more jobs and more freedom.
Yemen (Executive Session)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-5-17

. It is a critical question, and it is one I have been asking so many stakeholders involved in this issue. No one has presented to me persuasive evidence indicating that a Saudi-led attack on the port would result in defeat of the Houthis-Saleh bloc. No one has presented to me evidence that I find compelling that that action would even force the Houthis bloc to the negotiating table. prgtoken The onus ought to be on those who might take a military action--which would exacerbate the worst humanitarian crisis in the world--to present that evidence. I have asked for it. I haven't received it. prgtoken I think it is just as likely that an attack would push the Houthis, as I alluded to earlier, into further alignment with and dependence on the Iranians, with whom they are allied. That is the exact opposite of what we are trying to accomplish in the region, as the Iranians continue to spread their influence and their terroristic activities across the Middle East. So this is not in the interests, as I see it, based on all the evidence available, of the United States, UAE, or Saudi Arabia, and it would result in both a humanitarian catastrophe and exacerbate the national security situation.