mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WISHING COACH HERMAN ``BIG MAN'' PITTMAN A HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-11-10

I rise today to extend my sincerest birthday wishes to Coach Herman ``Big Man'' Pittman, who will be celebrating his 90th on Sunday, November 19, 2017. prgtoken As a young man, Herman was a gifted athlete. He displayed great ability to play the game of basketball, and throughout his high school career at Tampa Middleton High School, he played as the team's point guard. Because of his success, he would go on to earn an athletic scholarship to attend Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University (FAMU), where he lettered on the football team, as well as played starting guard on the FAMU Rattler Basketball Team. prgtoken During his time at FAMU, Herman led his team to two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championships. He would go on to make First Team All-SIAC Conference and All-SIAC Tournament Team for two years. After graduating from FAMU with his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Herman joined the U.S. Army, where he was co- captain of the Fort Meade Generals in Maryland. Herman would go on to earn a Master's of Science in Health and Physical Education from Indiana University. prgtoken Herman began his career as a teacher and coach for the Dillard High School Panthers in 1955. He taught physical education and driver's education, and also coached basketball, football, and track during his tenure of 37 years. He also coached at Deerfield Beach High School, making a total of 18 years of coaching. His career as a basketball coach, record of conference participation shows seven Conference Championships, as well as being voted Outstanding Coach of the Conference five times. His teams won six District Championships and were runners-up two times. His teams also qualified for the state tournament seven times, having won four state titles, they qualified for participation in the National High School Tournament held at Tennessee State University in 1959, 1963, 1965, and 1967. His coaching records and contributions earned him the title of ``One of the Winningest and Most Outstanding Coaches in the Nation.'' prgtoken For Herman's outstanding contributions and commitment to youth and other service involvements in Broward County, he has been awarded numerous honors. The Community and School Board have likewise renamed the Dillard High School Gymnasium as the ``Herman Pittman Gymnasium.'' prgtoken As an educator, Herman once stated, ``I feel I'm out here trying to educate a child for life. I try to teach them to be able to make adjustments in a changing society. I do the same thing in the classroom that I do on the basketball court--you have to teach young people how to live.'' This is something that Herman has been committed to his entire life. prgtoken Outside of teaching and coaching, Herman has continued to dedicate his time to serving in a wide array of organizations that include: Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Fraternity, First Baptist Piney Grove Church, ``Meals on Wheels,'' The Kiwanis Club of Cen
CONGRATULATING WAYNE FARMS
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-11-10

I rise today in recognition of Wayne Farms, a poultry company based in my home of Hall County. While attending this year's National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, Wayne Farms received 10 distinct awards for success in employee safety. prgtoken More than a year ago, Wayne Farms began carrying out an initiative called ``Zero Accident Culture'' to further prioritize the safety of its 10,000 employees. Through organized efforts, the company was able to set and meet goals that paved the way for an even more secure atmosphere for its team members. prgtoken Since its inception, the Zero Accident Culture initiative has brought down the number of injuries within the company, leaving employees with a safer environment to work in each day. prgtoken Wayne Farms' leadership in workplace safety signifies the commitment that poultry producers have made not only to improving the quality of their food, but also to improving the work environment that they welcome their teams into each day. prgtoken I congratulate Wayne Farms on the strides they've made in workplace safety. I wish them the best as they continue to contribute to our community in northeast Georgia
VOTE EXPLANATION
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-13

I was necessarily absent for the votes on confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 159 and the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 254. prgtoken On vote No. 270, had I been present, I would have voted nay on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 159. prgtoken On vote No. 271, had I been present, I would have voted nay on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar No. 254.
Russia Investigation (Executive Session)
Al Franken (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-11-13

I thank Senator Leahy, my good friend. prgtoken New developments in the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the election have, once again, raised concerns about the accuracy of statements made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions during his appearance before the Senate. In light of the Attorney General's failure to tell the truth about not just his own interactions with Russian operatives, but also the extent to which he knew about Russian contacts by other members of the campaign team, I call upon Attorney General Sessions to return to the Senate Judiciary Committee and provide us with a complete and accurate accounting of the facts. prgtoken There is no question that Russia--a hostile foreign power--meddled in our election. Russia carried out this attack in order to undermine confidence in American democracy, to damage Hillary Clinton's campaign for President, and to help . Our intelligence agencies have confirmed this to be true. But in order to keep our country safe and prevent an attack like this from happening again, the American people need to understand what happened, including whether members of the campaign either participated in the Russian operation or turned a blind eye to it. We need to get to the bottom of this, and to do that, we need to know the truth. prgtoken Regrettably, Attorney General Sessions, our Nation's chief law enforcement officer, seems to have a real problem telling the truth about both his own interactions with Russians and those of the larger campaign team. At his confirmation hearing in January, when I referenced a breaking report from CNN that there had been a ``continuing exchange of information during the campaign between 's surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government,'' I asked him, ``If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?'' This was a simple, straightforward question: ``What will you do?'' The implication was, would you recuse yourself? But rather than answer that question, then- Senator Sessions said: ``I didn't have--did not have communications with the Russians.'' That, of course, was not true. It was later revealed that Attorney General Sessions had met with the Russian Ambassador at least three times during the campaign. Only after two of those meetings were uncovered and disclosed--7 weeks later--did Attorney General Sessions announce his recusal from the Russia investigation. prgtoken After he was confronted with the truth, the Attorney General began to subtly change his story. His first answer, under oath before the Judiciary Committee in January, was that he ``did not have communications with the Russians.'' But after his meetings with the Russian Ambassador were exposed, Attorney General Sessions began to qualify his explanations. In a prgtoken statement issued
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARDS YEMEN
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-11-13

I want to thank the gentleman from California for yielding me the time and for his leadership to bring before this House the critical issue of U.S. policy towards Yemen. prgtoken Most importantly, I want to thank him for his determination to provide this House with at least 30 minutes to debate the complicity of the United States through its support of the Saudi-led forces in the civil war in Yemen in one of the greatest humanitarian crises taking place on this planet. prgtoken I personally believe that the House should be considering Mr. Khanna's original resolution, H. Con. Res. 81, but leaders made that impossible by threatening to put forward a rule that would have blocked the right of Congressman Khanna to ever call his privileged resolution up for debate. prgtoken , according to the United Nations, Yemen is suffering the fastest growing cholera epidemic ever recorded. At the same time, Yemen faces the world's biggest food emergency. prgtoken Saudi Arabia has blocked Yemen's ports and airports. Just last week, it sealed the country's borders. As a result, the people of Yemen have been cut off from nearly all humanitarian aid during this horrific famine and cholera epidemic, and the ability of humanitarian agencies to provide relief has been significantly impeded. prgtoken The U.N. has called the Saudi closure of Yemen's borders to aid deliveries catastrophic. Even the International Committee of the Red Cross was forbidden to cross the northern border with a delivery of chlorine tablets to prevent cholera. prgtoken We learned today from the Saudis that two smaller southern ports and one Red Sea port will be open soon, although we don't know what that means, but the main port, where over 80 percent of Yemen's food supplies enter, will remain blockaded and closed. prgtoken , it is well documented that the Saudi-led coalition and Saudi forces, in particular, have carried out a ruthless, brutal bombing campaign that deliberately targets hospitals, schools, food markets, and civilian population, including children. The World Food Programme has warned that hundreds of thousands of children will be on the brink of starvation if the blockade lasts for even 2 weeks. prgtoken That deadline of death and starvation will arrive next Tuesday, just 2 days before we, here in the United States, sit down to enjoy our Thanksgiving with our family, friends, and loved ones. prgtoken Will the Members of this House spare a thought for the children, mothers, and fathers of Yemen as we sit down and feast in the warmth and comfort of our own homes? Or will this Congress finally, after more than 2\1/2\ years of sheer horror, send a clear message to Saudi Arabia that its actions are intolerable? prgtoken , Saudi Arabia's actions, thus far, and the coalition it leads in the Yemen civil war may very well rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the United Nations. prgtoken It is past time for
IN RECOGNITION OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY HISTORY COMMISSION AND THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2017 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2017-11-13

I rise to commend the Fairfax County History Commission and to congratulate the recipients of the 2017 Achievement Awards. prgtoken The Fairfax County History Commission was established in 1969 to help identify, document, record, and preserve the county's rich historic past. Fairfax County was founded in 1742 by Lord Thomas Fairfax and his cousin, William Fairfax and is celebrating its 275th anniversary. Earlier this year, the current Lord and Lady Fairfax traveled from the United Kingdom to participate in the celebration of this milestone. Each year the Commission bestows awards to local residents or organizations that have contributed to the preservation of our history. It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the following 2017 award recipients: prgtoken The 2017 Distinguished Service Award is being presented to Melanie Manikas and Mary Ellen Zavaleta in recognition of their efforts in preserving, researching and maintaining the history of Burke, Virginia by involving the Cherry Run Elementary School fourth grade classes of 2015 in creating, composing and executing a video on this topic. The documentation and preservation of this information in an enlightening and entertaining video will be helpful for historians, students and the general citizenry of Fairfax County for generations to come. prgtoken The Nan Netherton Achievement Award is being presented to Nathaniel Lee for his research, documentation, authoring and chronicling of the history of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in his book, ``The Iron Road of Franconia''. This railroad connected the area of Franconia, Virginia to the remainder of Virginia and Washington. Its existence encouraged connections to multiple areas outside Northern Virginia--allowing the growth of commerce, dissemination of communication and passenger travel to points beyond Fairfax County. prgtoken The Mary Fehringer Award is being presented to the Bull Run Civil War Round Table (BRCWRT) for their 25th Silver Anniversary Commemorative Publication. This fine catalogue documents their twenty-five years of educational contributions to Fairfax County and beyond via their monthly, well-attended (100+ guests) meetings. In addition, the Bull Run Civil War Round Table has been host to over 293 lectures and 128 tours, and has assisted in the placement of over 70 historical marker/ kiosk panels, which were supported by BRCWRT or authored by its membership. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the Fairfax County History Commission for their extraordinary efforts to preserve and protect the history of Fairfax County and in congratulating the recipients of the 2017 achievement awards. Their dedication will ensure that the history of Fairfax County is available for generations to come.
VETERANS CRISIS LINE STUDY ACT OF 2017
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2017-11-13

I rise in support of H.R. 4173, the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017. This legislation would create a five year study in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) on the Veteran Crisis Line. prgtoken A troubling 2016 study published by the VA reported that in 2014, 20 veterans died by suicide each day. These numbers are heartbreaking and unacceptable, and we must do more to support veterans' access to mental health services. prgtoken Launched in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line is a subsection of the suicide prevention lifeline, and is a resource created to connect veterans with professionals trained to address their specific needs and prevent suicide. Men and women who have served and their families can reach out for help on this toll free hotline, online chat, or text. H.R. 4173 aims to study the efficacy and outcomes of this resource, pinpointing how the hotline is helping our veterans, and how we can improve it to better address the troubling suicide rates among our nation's heroes. prgtoken Veterans are owed the best care and upmost respect when they return from duty and I am deeply troubled by their increased likelihood of suicide. H.R. 4173 will help build our arsenal to combat mental illness and develop resources for the men and women who have selflessly served our nation. I support H.R. 4173 and I urge my fellow members to lend their support as well.
Blue-Slip Courtesy (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-13

I rise today to highlight the importance of the Gateway Project and express my continued frustration with the administration's approach to infrastructure and this critical project. The current Hudson River tunnels were built in 1908 and are rapidly deteriorating, a problem that was made far worse by Hurricane Sandy. Time is running out, and we must quickly build new tunnels under the Hudson River before the current tunnels have to be closed for repairs. prgtoken The closing of either tunnel without a new tunnel in place would be devastating because it would essentially shut down the Northeast Corridor, the transit route from Boston to Washington that produces over $3 trillion in economic output, a full 20 percent of the national gross domestic product. The importance of this project cannot be overstated. prgtoken Unfortunately, despite repeated campaign promises to focus on infrastructure investment, President has proposed severe cuts to infrastructure programs, including the Capital Investment Grant Program. That cut is significant because it was the likely source of funding for the Gateway groject. In addition to proposing to cut the funding needed for the Gateway Project, the Department of Transportation has been unresponsive to a number of important interim actions that are necessary to advance this critical project. prgtoken Given the lack of focus on infrastructure investment by the current administration and the continued roadblocks the administration has erected in front of the Gateway Project, I must oppose the nomination of Mr. Derek Kan to be Under Secretary of Transportation.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-13

I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 270, on the nomination of Derek Kan, of California, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. Had I been present, I would have voted nay. prgtoken , I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 271, on the motion to invoke cloture on Steven Gill Bradbury, of Virginia, to be general counsel of the Department of Transportation. Had I been present, I would have voted nay. (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)
TAX REFORM
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-11-13

from the great State of Texas. He has consistently done a very great job in leading these efforts for the Congressional Black Caucus, as well as our chairman, Cedric Richmond. prgtoken , this is an interesting time that we are in, obviously, in the country, and it is a rather challenging time I would like to let prgtoken you know, last year this time, on November 14, 2016, I was sworn in. So I have been here for 1 year, . In that 1 year, when I stood in this well of this House, I talked about the importance of putting country first and moving America forward. prgtoken I said at that particular time that I thought it was extremely important that we work together, and all my colleagues, at that time, from Pennsylvania, stood with me, and s alike. I talked in this well of the House on November 14, 2016, about the need to concentrate on the people first; that I thought it was extremely essential that we understood that we should talk about the issues that are most important to people and not what is important to us; that we now are in a governance mode, not a political mode. prgtoken There will be time to have discussions about political next year, but this particular time we need to put people first. prgtoken , our country has not seen bipartisan tax reform since 1986, and that was when President Reagan was President of the United States, and Tip O'Neill was of this House. prgtoken I think it is safe to say, the U.S. Tax Code is in need of major facelifting. But let me make it very clear when I say the way the Party and the administration are going about tax reform is all wrong. prgtoken One of my main priorities in Congress is to help keep moving the city of Philadelphia forward. The tax bill impedes our ability to move our city forward. At a time when older cities and suburbs are pressed for funding, this destructive tax plan is yet another way the Party is taking resources from our cities. prgtoken What do I mean by this? prgtoken On Friday past, , I joined with the mayor of the city of Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney; the city council president, Darrell Clarke; Congressman Bob Brady; and HELP USA to hold a press conference to call attention to how our neighborhoods would be hard hit by this tax plan. prgtoken We stood in front of what used to be a school building in Philadelphia, but has now been transformed into a supportive housing facility that will soon house 37 veterans and individuals aged 55 and older. It is these kinds of investments and transformations that will move our neighborhoods forward that are at stake under the GOP tax plan. We have a lot to lose under the tax plan. prgtoken , you may recall that the President, at that time, Candidate , went to the city of Philadelphia and asked, specifically targeted to the African-American community: ``What do you have to lose?'' That is what
NOMINATIONS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-11-13

the Senate will continue its progress in confirming the President's nominees. Last week we confirmed multiple nominees to a number of Federal agencies. Soon they will get on the job for our country. prgtoken This week we will start by considering two nominees for the Department of Transportation. Later today, the Senate will vote to confirm Derek Kan to serve as the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. Mr. Kan has experience in a wide range of transportation matters, from Amtrak to ride-sharing platforms. His career in both the private and public sectors will serve him well as he works to develop important policies related to our Nation's infrastructure. I will be supporting Mr. Kan's nomination, and I would urge all Senators to join me. prgtoken Next, we will consider the nomination of Steven Bradbury to be general counsel of the Department of Transportation. During Mr. Bradbury's service at the Justice Department in the administration, he advised the executive branch on various legal and constitutional questions. I am grateful that he has chosen to serve our Nation once again. prgtoken Next up will be David Zatezalo to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health and, then, Joseph Otting to be the Comptroller of the Currency. Finally, we have two more talented and qualified nominees to serve as Federal district court judges, Donald Coggins and Dabney Friedrich. prgtoken Thoughtful consideration of President 's nominees is an important responsibility of the Senate, and we will continue to move swiftly so they can get to work for the American people. I look forward to considering each of them this week, and I would urge all of our colleagues to join me.