mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
OPPOSING BEIJING'S UNILATERALLY MODIFIED USE OF CIVIL AVIATION FLIGHT ROUTES IN TAIWAN STRAIT AND SUPPORTING OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-1-30

I would like to address two issues that are of great concern to the security and status of Taiwan, a long- time great friend and ally of the United States. First, I am deeply concerned about reports that Beijing has modified the use of civil aviation flight routes in the Taiwan Strait without consultation with Taiwan authorities. Such unilateral actions are unacceptable to all that desire stability and peace in the region. Issues related to civil aviation and safety in the Taiwan Strait should be decided through dialogue between both sides. I encourage authorities in Beijing to engage those in Taipei in constructive dialogue, on the basis of dignity and respect. prgtoken Second, I reiterate my support for Taiwan to regain its observer status in the World Health Organization (WHO). As you know, statehood is not a requirement for attendance at the World Health Assembly (WHA)--the decision-making body of the WHO--and so there is no legitimate reason to exclude Taiwan. The People's Republic of China (PRC) is but one nation in the community of many belonging to the WHO and WHA, and should not get to dictate participation to the rest of the body. It is simply not right to treat Taiwan in this way when they contribute so generously to the world, through its role in sectors such as healthcare and international humanitarian aid. Just this month, this House passed H.R. 3320, in support of Taiwan's observer status in the WHO, on suspension by voice vote. This vote is evidence of this body's strong support for Taiwan, which I share and endorse wholeheartedly. prgtoken , I look forward to registering more votes to support and bolster Taiwan's security and status in the world. I am also confident that if we continue to enhance our bilateral relationship, this dynamic partnership that we've built together will continue to thrive in the future, and liberty will increase worldwide.
SENATE RESOLUTION 389--COMMEMORATING THE COMMISSIONING OF THE USS ``OMAHA''
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2018-1-30

I rise this evening to call up and pass a resolution recognizing the commissioning of the USS Omaha. prgtoken This weekend, the USS Omaha is scheduled to be commissioned in the United States Navy as one of our newest Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships. prgtoken As the only triply landlocked State in the union, you may not think of Nebraska when you think about the world's oceans. prgtoken And while we are proud of our heartland heritage, we are equally proud of the ships that have carried the name ``USS Omaha'' to the far corners of the globe. prgtoken Just two years after Nebraska became a State, the USS Omaha, a screw sloop, was launched in 1869, helping to grow our young Nation's navy. prgtoken The second USS Omaha, launched in 1923, served with distinction in World War II, capturing a German blockade runner a month before the war officially began. prgtoken And now this upcoming weekend, we welcome the newest USS Omaha, LCS- 12, which carries the distinction of being among our Nation's newest Littoral Combat Ships. prgtoken She will enter the navy as an agile surface combatant, and one which I know will prove to be a capable tool in our Nation's naval arsenal. prgtoken Though Nebraska may be far from open water that has not stopped countless men and women from our State from answering the call to serve in the United States Navy. prgtoken Their service and sacrifice, both in times of war and peace, have helped ensure that the United States continues to enjoy freedom of navigation around the world. prgtoken For that reason, I am honored to know that now we will once again have another USS Omaha carrying on this proud tradition, and urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this momentous occasion. prgtoken To the crew of the USS Omaha, I wish you well in your mission and all the years of distinguished service to come. prgtoken May you enjoy fair winds and following seas, and know that you have the best wishes of the State of Nebraska behind you. prgtoken Thank you . .
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
John R. Carter (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-1-30

I rise in support of this Defense Appropriations bill which will provide full-year funding for the Defense Department so they can continue to effectively defend our country from an ever-expanding threat which exists in the world today. prgtoken This bill ends uncertainty and ineffectiveness of a continuing resolution, allows the DOD to plan and execute on the things they need to do today, not last year. Our military needs to modernize to face new threats it will face in this world, and they can't do that with a CR. prgtoken This bill also lifts sequestration caps which have, to paraphrase Secretary Mattis, caused more harm to our military than any enemy. Lifting these caps for FY18 is essential towards improving the readiness of our force. prgtoken The world is changing rapidly and so is the nature and threat to our military forces and what they face day and night. We owe it to our servicemen and -women to give them the resources to modernize their capabilities so that they can best face this threat. prgtoken , our military is the greatest natural resource in the country. I am reminded of this every time I visit The Great Place, Fort Hood, in my district. The troops at Fort Hood are currently leading the fight against ISIS and will benefit from this bill, and we owe it to them. prgtoken We sleep every night under the blanket of freedom they provide through their sacrifice. I am proud to support them and hopeful that we will pass this bill so we can give them what they need right now so they won't face the uncertainty of endless sequestration and CRs. I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to support it. prgtoken And it is a current event. Last night, as I flew into Washington, D.C we carried the remains of an American warrior. It is a current event. We are all responsible for it. We need to get this job done.
Honoring Deputy Marshal Christopher Hill (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-1-30

I rise today to speak about two separate matters. The first is a very painful and difficult topic, but I feel it is important to address. prgtoken I wish to recognize, acknowledge, and honor the heroic life and legacy and sacrifice of one of Pennsylvania's finest: Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher Hill. prgtoken On January 18 of this year, Deputy Hill was shot and killed while he was apprehending a fugitive in burg, PA. Christopher Hill lived in York, PA. He was only 45 years old. He was a husband and the father of two young children. He dedicated his life to serving and protecting first his country and later his community. He was an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service. He was a former U.S. Army Ranger who had been deployed to Somalia. In 2014, Deputy Hill was one of the deputy marshals who helped capture a notorious cop killer in Pennsylvania, Eric Frein, who was the subject of one of the largest and longest manhunts in recent history throughout rural Pennsylvania. prgtoken The fact is that day in and day out for a very long period of time, Christopher Hill put his life on the line for the rest of us. He did it as an Army Ranger in Somalia. He did it as a deputy U.S. marshal. I had the privilege of attending the memorial service for him recently. It was extraordinary to hear one after another of the people whom he had served with in various capacities speak about a truly extraordinary individual, a guy who was by all accounts humble and modest but absolutely dedicated with a passion to his family, to his community, and to his country. prgtoken Sometimes it is easy for us to forget the risks and sacrifices that are being taken by the men and women who wear various uniforms that represent the various organizations that defend and protect us. But I want to say to the people of Pennsylvania and to the family of Christopher Hill that we are never going to forget the bravery and the sacrifice and the service he provided for all of us.
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALBERT J. GOMEZ
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-1-30

my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring LTC Albert J. Gomez on his outstanding career as he retires from serving as the West Point field force State coordinator. prgtoken Lieutenant Colonel Gomez--Al--has set a standard of excellence in Idaho leaving a lasting, positive impression in the lives of many. For nearly 20 years, he has been an invaluable asset to our offices. In 2000, the Idaho congressional delegation began to hold annual service academy days. Service academy days are an opportunity to provide information to Idaho's best and brightest young men and women who are interested in attending our Nation's service academies. Al has been instrumental in setting up service academy days from the beginning while juggling deployment and other commitments. He has assisted numerous Idaho students with obtaining an exceptional educational and service opportunities available at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is responsible for incorporating the principle method into the delegation's nomination process, which has made a significant difference in the number of Idaho appointees to West Point. In fact, he is considered the ``secret weapon'' in our delegation responsible for the high success rate of Idaho students receiving appointments to West Point. For Lieutenant Colonel Gomez, his remarkable work has always been about his love for West Point and our country. He is known for his extraordinary mentorship of youth, and candidates are frequently told to listen to Al if they want to be successful. prgtoken As a West Point alumni, Al has clear insight into what it takes to succeed at a service academy and what it means to serve our Nation. He earned his regular Army commission in 1979 and started his career in 1980 as a lance missile platoon leader serving in Germany. His assignments took him and his family to Fort Sill, OK, and Neckarsulm, Germany, which included command of a Pershing II missile nuclear capable firing battery. He served in deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was selected to represent the U.S. Army and provide testimony to the Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces in November 1992. Al continued his military education with a 1994 graduation from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He served as a State Inspector General for both the Idaho and Guam National Guard for nearly a decade before his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2006. As a civilian, he worked for the Idaho National Guard as a special security officer for the Supervisor Human Resource Office before his current position, as the State equal employment manager. prgtoken His strong work ethic and dedication have not only given him a reputation among the delegation of being a go-to-guy when something needs to be done right and quickly, but also have contributed to him being recognized with many honors for
CONGRATULATING SENATOR SLADE GORTON ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY
David G. Reichert (Republican, WA) \u2014 2018-1-30

today I rise to congratulate my dear friend and mentor, Senator Slade Gorton, on recently turning 90 years of age. On January 8th, Senator Gorton celebrated this special day, and I join him in this celebration of a rich life full of achievements and service. prgtoken Born on January 8, 1928, Senator Gorton has dedicated his life to serving my home state of Washington and our country. He started his lifetime of service to this country in the United States military, serving in the Army, as a Lieutenant in the Air Force, and as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. prgtoken Senator Gorton began his career in politics in 1959 when he was first elected to the Washington State House of Representatives. He served in the State House for ten years and was chosen by his peers as majority leader from 1967 to 1969. prgtoken He left that role to serve Washingtonians in a different capacity as State Attorney General for twelve years until 1981. Never willing to give up a fight for what he believed to be right, Senator Gorton argued 14 cases before the United States Supreme Court. During his term as Attorney General, on October 17, 1975, I had the great honor of receiving the Law Enforcement Award of Commendation from Attorney General Gorton as a young Sheriff's Deputy. prgtoken But he wasn't through fighting for the interests of Washingtonians. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1981, dedicating eighteen years to representing Washington on some of the most impactful committees in the chamber including Appropriations; Budget; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Energy and Natural Resources. Well respected by his colleagues, Senator Gorton served in leadership as counsel to the majority leader. prgtoken Following his service in elected office, Senator Gorton has continued to serve the people of Washington and the United States. In 2002, he was asked to be on the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) established by Congress and President . This commission published a report on the circumstances of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country and included recommendations for how to guard against future attacks. prgtoken After an exceptional career in public service, Senator Gorton continues to mentor and educate the rising leaders of the next generation through the Slade Gorton International Policy Center. prgtoken I am privileged to consider Senator Gorton a close friend and am honored to celebrate his accomplishments and distinguished career. As I started my own career in politics, Senator Gorton took the time to share with me his experiences and expertise. I am better for his support and encouragement. He was a wonderful example and influence to me, as I took office, on how to best serve the people from our home state of Washington. I am forever grateful. prgtoken I join with his family, friends, and Washington's Eighth District in c
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FIRST LIEUTENANT CLAY CULLEN
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-1-30

I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of First Lieutenant Clay Cullen. On the weekend of January 20, 2018, Lieutenant Cullen was killed in a training accident while serving in the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. He was an American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. prgtoken Lieutenant Cullen was 25 years old and the son of Robert and Julie Cullen of Bicknell, which is located in Knox County, Indiana. He was an enigmatic young man that left a wave of positive impressions on the people he touched. He attended North Knox Junior/Senior High School where he excelled both in the classroom and on the field. He was named most valuable player of the soccer team while also being an active member of the National Honor Society and the student council. prgtoken After graduating from high school, Lieutenant Cullen enrolled and attended Vincennes University before moving on to attend Indiana University where he served in the National Guard. Upon graduation from IU in 2015, he became a commissioned officer on active duty. prgtoken During his years of service, Lieutenant Cullen received several awards including the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. prgtoken , Lieutenant Cullen served his country to his fullest ability and his service will never be forgotten. Please join me today in commemorating the life of First Lieutenant Clay Cullen for his service to our nation.
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Mac Thornberry (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-1-30

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I appreciate her strong, persistent leadership on behalf of our troops and our Nation. prgtoken , in the days leading up to the most recent government shutdown, we heard a number of Members of both bodies, on the floor and in the press, say that they were opposed to that continuing resolution because of the damage that continuing resolutions do to the military. It is absolutely true that continuing resolutions do erode our fighting capability. prgtoken This is the chance--the bill that the gentlewoman from Texas has brought--this is the chance to do it right. This is the chance to fully fund the military for the rest of the fiscal year and get them out of the CR mess. So all of those Members who came here to the well and have talked to the press and in the other body, who expressed concern about the damage that a CR does, this is the chance to fix that problem by voting for the bill that is before us today. prgtoken , it is another opportunity to remove our troops from the partisan political morass that has seemed to bind them. We just heard in the previous speech everything from healthcare, taxes, funding for housing, the full panoply of issues. Some Members have used all of their desire to get an outcome they want on those other issues as an excuse for not funding our military. prgtoken More recently, we have heard Members who say: Yes, I know the military needs to be funded, they need more money, but I can't support it until we have the outcome I want on an immigration issue. prgtoken So from taxes and healthcare and immigration, it is all an excuse to not fund the military, to keep them hostage, until those other issues are resolved the way that Members want them to be. prgtoken , I just think that is wrong. We need to set our military free of all of the other issues. I may well agree on finding a reasonable solution to the DACA issue. I may well agree on more funding for a number of domestic spending programs. But none of them, however important they may be, should be an excuse for failing to support the military so that when they go out and perform the missions our country asks them to perform, they are fully trained, fully supported, and equipped with the best that this country can offer. prgtoken , I think it is important for all of us, whatever committee we serve on, to remember that the men and women who are out there risking their lives for us, do so unconditionally, whether it is in the mountains of Afghanistan, near the DMZ of Korea, whether they are doing exercises in Eastern Europe or the Middle East, they perform their service unconditionally. Our support for them should be unconditional, too.
RECOGNIZING OFELIA RUDER
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-1-30

I rise this morning in recognition of Ofelia Ruder, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday this May. prgtoken Ofelia Ruder is the executive director of the Cuban Hebrew Congregation, a religious organization in my congressional district that was dedicated to providing a home for Jews coming out of Cuba. prgtoken Like me and my family and so many others, , Ofelia Ruder was forced to flee Castro's brutal tyranny. In 1960, she arrived in the United States, this great land of opportunity, with her husband and two boys. Soon thereafter, sadly, she lost her husband to cancer and was faced with a challenge of raising her two small children by herself. They both eventually became dedicated civil servants working to improve our south Florida community. prgtoken , in the 50 years that Ofelia Ruder has served at the synagogue, she has touched the lives of so many and has been a beacon of hope for all those who know her. Her work has earned her many awards and recognitions for her contributions to our county, to the Cuban Hebrew Congregation, and to Israel. I am very thankful for Ofelia Ruder's service. ``Feliz cumpleanos,'' ``happy birthday,'' Ofelia. Honoring Palmetto Bay Native, Miki Erez
Tribute to William D. Duhnke III (Executive Session)
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2018-1-30

I rise today to pay tribute to a former staff member of mine, William D. Duhnke III, who dedicated over 20 years of his life's work to the Senate. prgtoken Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Bill Duhnke served in the U.S. Navy as a naval officer and at the Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces. Bill received his juris doctorate from Catholic University and a bachelor of arts degree from his home State university, the University of Wisconsin. In 1995 Bill Duhnke joined my personal staff to handle defense, foreign relations, and judiciary policy. He quickly revealed his high work ethic and innate ability to thrive when tasked with the most challenging of assignments. prgtoken After swiftly climbing the ladder in my office, Bill became my staff director and general counsel when I chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and later the Senate Banking Committee, where he was general counsel and staff director. He also served as my staff director when I was the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, when the were in control. prgtoken As a former naval flight officer, Bill always brought a high level of respect and discipline to the workplace. Without hesitation, he was able to spearhead tasks and get things done. Not only was he a trusted adviser, but he was an esteemed manager across Capitol Hill, where he was duly respected. Bill is exceptionally smart and was always well versed on the issues at hand. I would be hard-pressed to recall a time when he was unprepared. I can't think of one. prgtoken I am certain that Bill will continue to operate in this manner in his new role as Chairman of the Public Accounting Oversight Board. prgtoken I have relied on Bill Duhnke's professional advice and leadership for 20 years, and I know he will be an asset as the Board works to improve audit quality and promote public trust in our securities area. I believe SEC Chairman Jay Clayton has made an excellent choice in selecting Bill Duhnke to chair the PCAOB. prgtoken I have no doubt that Bill has stepped into his new leadership position with ease. His intellect and experience ensure his future success in this role, and I am confident that Bill will remain an outstanding leader as he continues on this new path in his career. prgtoken It is my honor to offer my deep appreciation and gratitude to Bill Duhnke for his decades of hard work and dedication to the entire country. I am privileged to have had him on my staff for all of those years. prgtoken . prgtoken .