mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-12-14

. I think, perhaps, I wasn't clear. I didn't talk about Dr. Gupta's position on reproductive rights for women. I talked about the role of the Office of Global Women's Issues. prgtoken When I supported Kelley Currie, who was nominated by President to be the head of the Office of Global Women's Issues, I didn't ask what her position was on choice; I asked her what she was going to do if she took that role. And she had an excellent history of working on issues that matter to women and foreign policy, and because that is not the Agency that is charged with women's reproductive health in our government, I didn't think that should be the basis on which I judged whether she was the appropriate person to take over that role. prgtoken And, sadly, what seems to have happened is that because Dr. Gupta personally says she is pro-choice, all of the anti-choice organizations have made her nomination an issue. prgtoken So I would ask my colleague: Have you sat down with Dr. Gupta? Have you asked her what she would do in her role if she is approved to be the head of Global Women's Issues and whether that was something that she was going to talk about or work on?
TRIBUTE TO JAMIE BERRY ON HER LIFE AND WORK
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and work of my constituent and friend Jamie Berry, who died on November 9, 2022, after a valiant two-year battle with ALS. After exchanging many letters with Jamie, I had the privilege of meeting her on October 6, 2022, at her home in San Jose, California. Her mother, a fierce protector and loving caregiver, asked me to visit Jamie who was by then unable to leave her home. I found a beautiful woman unable to move, but who had a clear voice to tell me her hopes, fears and dreams. Jamie was a great inspiration to me, and she knew that I would continue her work to raise funds for the treatment and a cure for ALS. prgtoken Jamie was diagnosed with ALS in 2020. Prior to her diagnosis, she excelled in her sales career, helped run her family's business, and loved to ride ATVs and camp at her family's ranch near the Almaden Quicksilver mines. After her diagnosis, she put all of her energy and determination into her advocacy for ALS patients and their families. Through her superb leadership, infectious humor and kind heart, she recruited a large group of friends from across the country to help her advocate for ALS patients. During my Health Subcommittee hearing on the ACT for ALS legislation on November 4, 2021, I quoted Jamie: ``With ALS, a piece of you dies every single day. We are simply asking for a fighting chance to live the lives we were meant to live.'' prgtoken Thanks to Jamie, the Act for ALS became law on December 23, 2021. prgtoken Madam , I ask the entire House to join me in extending our most sincere condolences to Jamie's family, especially her beloved husband Jason, her adored daughter Chloee, her devoted mother Deborah, her sister Lesha, and her many relatives and friends. Jamie was a fervent and effective advocate and her work will live on as a testament to her life of love and courage.
HONORING PHILIP DAVIS
Frederica S. Wilson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today, as the first Bahamian American elected to Congress, to honor and welcome Philip Davis the newly elected Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Bahamas. prgtoken Philip Edward ``Brave'' Davis was born on June 7, 1951, in Nassau, Bahamas, the oldest of eight children born to Dorothy and Brave Edward Davis. Mr. Davis received his primary education at the Old Bight All Age School on Cat Island while living with his grandparents. After returning to Nassau, he went on to receive an education at the Eastern Junior & Senior Schools, and at St. John's College in New Providence. prgtoken Prime Minister Davis is perhaps best known now as a politician, serving as Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, and Member of Parliament for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. However, he entered politics late in life. Professionally, he is known both locally and internationally as an acclaimed Corporate and Human Rights lawyer, a highly distinguished legal educator, a passionate sportsperson, a sponsor of many sporting activities, and a Toastmaster. prgtoken After a brief stint in banking, he articled as a Law Clerk in the Law Chambers of Wallace Whitfield & Barnwell. His appointment as Queen's Counsel, the highest possible honor which is conferred on those practicing law in the English legal system anywhere in the world, came in recognition of both his highly successful legal practice, but also his contribution to legal education. A leading litigation lawyer, Philip `Brave' Davis has an impressive record in the Courts of Appeal, with perhaps more appearances before the UK Privy Council than any other Bahamian lawyer. prgtoken A former Member of the Council of Legal Education for CARICOM, he has made an unprecedented contribution to legal education in the Caribbean region. Mr. Davis twice served as Vice-President of the Bar Council before becoming President of the Bahamas Bar Association in 1995. Since 2002, he has been Managing Partner of the law firm which bears his name: Davis & Co. prgtoken In 1970 Mr. Davis became a Member of Toastmaster Club 1600, a nonprofit organization established to develop leadership skills through listening, thinking, and speaking. He served as its President in 1979, and as Division Governor of Toastmasters for The Bahamas in 1989. A keen sportsman interested in baseball, softball, swimming, and athletics. Mr. Davis served as Vice-President of the Bahamas Swim Federation from 1986 to 1990 and was President of the Sea Bees Swim Club from 1980 to 1990. prgtoken Mr. Davis has the love and support of his caring wife, Ann-Marie Davis. They have six children who have inherited their father's passion for sports, hard work and patriotism, which led them to represent the Bahamas at the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games. prgtoken During the last administration of the Progressive Liberal Party, from 2012 to 2017, Mr. Davis ran a super-ministry, the Ministry of Works.
REPLACEMENT OF BUST OF ROGER BROOKE TANEY WITH BUST OF THURGOOD MARSHALL
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-12-14

they remained heroes and patriots, and I believe this is the minimum that we can do to give to those hurting families still, those children that I met, those grandchildren that I met that wondered what happened to their families. prgtoken Here we, as a Nation, will recognize that time of their lives when they never gave in to tyranny and never gave up their belief in the values of this Nation. prgtoken Again, we remind ourselves that democracy is precious, and it is not free. We must fight for it at every turn. Those who were held hostages as American citizens fought at every turn. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to support S. 2607, as well as S. 5229. They both represent the best of what America is, and they both represent telling our story, our history, and honoring it. This is a great democracy, and we must show it every day.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION--Continued
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-12-14

I do know that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle support high-quality charter schools because they are an important part of many States' public school system, which is why I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to vote against the resolution. prgtoken I want to be clear: This resolution will cause unnecessary chaos, undermine simple accountability measures to ensure that our Federal funds are well spent and delay funding from supporting new, high- quality charter schools and the students that they would serve. prgtoken Earlier this year, after responding to over 25,000 comments from charter schools, parent organizations, and others, the administration issued their final rule laying out various criteria for Federal charter school grants. This is a common step in administrating the charter school program--one the previous administration took as well. And the latest rule included some commonsense ideas to increase community and parent involvement, to strengthen the fiscal transparency to make sure that taxpayer dollars are being used properly. prgtoken The goal of the rule is simple: to help make sure our Federal dollars support high quality charter schools. Passing this resolution now would upend a balanced rule that is a result of months of careful work from the Department of Education. prgtoken The administration has already used this rule to issue 12 awards now, totaling $65 million across 11 States, and it is currently now in the middle of a grant competition, which charter school management organizations are now applying for. prgtoken So let's not disrupt the plans of Mississippi and Tennessee and Georgia and the other States that have already received awards under the new rule and that were counting on that funding. That is not fair. It is not good for schools, teachers, parents, or students. prgtoken So I hope no one here wants to see our schools disrupted, accountability prgtoken weakened, or learning undermined, which is why I am here today to urge everyone to join me in voting against this resolution and to work with me and the Department of Education to continue to support high-quality charter schools, while improving oversight and transparency of our Federal funds. prgtoken .
Tribute to Richard C. Shelby (Executive Calendar)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2022-12-14

I am going to take the prerogative as President Pro Tempore to speak because I know the distinguished leader has already spoken, and I, of course, would have yielded to him had he not. prgtoken It is always hard to say goodbye to friends, especially one as good as Senator Shelby, and one with whom I will walk out of here arm in arm. prgtoken But I would say that we have to think about the time when this body and Nation are as divided as ever, Senator Richard Shelby's tenure exemplifies a commitment to cooperation and fairness. prgtoken I have seen that not only in his public life, and what we see on the floor, but I see it in meetings we have in his office or my office, quiet meetings between the two of us, knowing we will always keep our word. prgtoken And so I would say at the conclusion of the 117th Congress, the Senate will lose a skilled leader and a true Senator of his word. That has been the way with our decades of service together. prgtoken Senator Shelby's legacy, one marked by his intellect, his integrity, will undoubtedly persist in this body and throughout the country. prgtoken My great mentor when I came here as the junior-most Member of the Senate was Robert Stafford of Vermont. Senator Stafford was Mr. from Vermont, and he took me under his wing, and he said to me: Patrick, always keep your word, but you find you will be the best Senator if you learn to work across the aisle. You can work with people of integrity, both s and , and you will find, among both parties, you will develop close friendships. prgtoken But more than a fellow Senator, I am proud to consider Senator Shelby one of those great friends. prgtoken The reference we have seen before to distinguished s and --of course, we are all called distinguished Senators, but we consider in my family, in my house, some more distinguished than others but for different reasons. And a devotion to public service is ingrained in Senator Shelby's character. prgtoken After he obtained his juris doctorate, Senator Shelby served as the Birmingham city prosecutor--I always like Senators who have been prosecutors--and an Alabama State senator. prgtoken I never got elected--or the opportunity to be elected as State senator. prgtoken But he began in 1978 his congressional career by serving Alabama's Seventh District in the House of Representatives, and for the last 36 years, Senator Shelby tirelessly served Alabamians in the Senate--a person when they think of whom they look to, they look to him. prgtoken And he has been fortunate to serve with some very good Senators from his State that have been friends of mine, a couple on the floor today. prgtoken He built an impressive resume. He served on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Intelligence Committee and the Banking Committee and the Rules Committee. And on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Shelby fought to allocate Federal dol
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION--Continued
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-12-14

10 years ago today, when I first heard the news, I couldn't believe it. Then, as I heard the details and learned of what had happened in Connecticut, I thought to myself, This is the moment. This shooting is so outrageous and horrible, this is the moment when finally America will come to grips with the reality of gun violence. prgtoken What I am referring to, of course, is the Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was 10 years ago today that 20 beautiful little children and 6 teachers and staff were murdered in a classroom at this grade school. I thought, This was it. All of the gun violence and all the gun deaths notwithstanding, this will do it. It is the tipping point. America will come to the honest reality that gun violence is unacceptable and will do something about it. prgtoken Other nations have done something. Other nations have had incidents like this, maybe even fewer victims, and they have decided to change their nation's laws. They have done so, and they made their nation safer because of it. prgtoken We are gathering here this morning at the request of Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut to remember what happened 10 years ago. Senator Murphy was with the families of Sandy Hook, as was Senator Blumenthal, when they learned of the children's fate. prgtoken Can you imagine being the parent of one of these little kids and being asked to wait in a building across the street while they looked at the remains of these children and tried to identify them with their parents? I don't know if I would ever recover from that as a parent or a grandparent. prgtoken Senator Murphy and Senator Blumenthal tried to give the families comfort. I can't imagine that assignment. They both have brought much more than sorrow to this cause. Since that shooting 10 years ago, they have brought a fierce resolve to do something about it and to end the horrific carnage of gun violence in America. prgtoken This has been an important year for gun safety in this Congress. After the racism-fueled mass murders at a grocery store in Buffalo, NY, after the slaughter of 19 little children and 2 teachers in their elementary school in Uvalde, TX, Congress passed the most significant gun safety law in 30 years: the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. And the Senate did something that hadn't been done for 7 years: We actually confirmed a Director for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. That is a position the gun lobby had fought to keep open and unfilled for 7 years. We have a man on the job now. So we have made some progress, but we have a lot more to do. The American people want us to do more. prgtoken It is hard to say, in this great Nation that we have been blessed to live in, that we are the only--only--Nation on Earth that accepts these horrifying levels of gun violence on a daily basis and mass shootings. A mass shooting is a shooting where at least four and sometimes more people are shot or killed. <|
HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF COACH ART VENEGAS
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-14

. Madam , I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of Coach Art Venegas. prgtoken Coach Venegas is regarded as the premier collegiate women and men's throwing coach in the Nation and is world-renowned for his coaching expertise with elite world champion athletes. prgtoken Born in Tepic, Mexico, Venegas moved to California when he was age 11. He entered the world of track and field while attending St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, where he was a shot put and discus performer. prgtoken Following his 1970 high school graduation, Venegas became a standout at Cal State Northridge, where he was a four-year letterman in the hammer throw and earned Division II All-America honors in 1974. prgtoken Prior to his legendary career at UCLA, Venegas coached at Long Beach State (1980 to 81) and at his alma mater, Cal State Northridge (1976 to 79). At Long Beach State, Venegas coached Bill Green, hammer thrower and former U.S. record-holder (255-0 ), who placed fifth at the 1984 Olympics. He also coached 1984 Olympic Trials shot put finalist Mike Smith (64-10). prgtoken As an assistant, and later, as head coach at UCLA, his efforts contributed to 21 consecutive wins against the University of Southern California. He also led the UCLA Women's Indoor Track and Field team to its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title in 2000, and to a consecutive NCAA title in 2001. prgtoken After 31 years of coaching at UCLA, Venegas contributed his time and talents to training the nation's top throwers at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. prgtoken Additionally, because of his expertise on throwing, he is a sought- after speaker and has delivered remarks to the 11th World Congress of the International Track and Field Coaches Association in Barcelona, Spain. In 1987, he was the featured speaker at the International Amateur Athletic Federation European Coaching Congress. He has also worked with the British and Spanish national teams. prgtoken In recognition of his extraordinary career, Coach Venegas was inducted into the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022. prgtoken Outside of work, Art Venegas is an honorable man who takes great pride in Hispanic Heritage. He is always willing to help younger coaches new to the game and especially see other minorities through the coaching ranks. prgtoken He is devoted to his wife, the former Marlene Estrada, and their two children, Jessica and Yvette. prgtoken Madam and colleagues, please join me in acknowledging the long career and accomplishments of Hall of Fame Coach Art Venegas.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-14

I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider calendar No. 861, Musetta Tia Johnson, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces for a term of fifteen years to expire on the date prescribed by law; that there be 10 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form on the nomination; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record, and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1948, VA EMPLOYEE FAIRNESS ACT OF 2021; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S. 3905, PREVENTING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN FEDERAL ACQUISITION ACT...
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-14

first of all, my good friend from Pennsylvania and the gentleman from Texas--you know, I am always open to working on these sometimes difficult rules that we have in our Congress. I respect the opinion, but I have a different perspective. What we are doing today is keeping the lights on. prgtoken With all due respect, the last time the s were in charge of the Congress the lights went off. That is prgtoken not good for anyone. It is not good for the American people, and it is not good for the world economy. prgtoken What we are trying to do here in the House is make it a little bit easier for the arcane rules that, I think, most of us would agree to in the Senate to make it easier for the bill to come back over and, hopefully, have an agreement, a bipartisan agreement, on longer spending in an omnibus. prgtoken With all due respect, we have something that we have here in these Chambers: a disagreement. The tone, I think you can tell, of my voice is very different. But I do think the things that both gentlemen have brought up are real issues. prgtoken Immigration is a real issue. We have tried, many of us, to come up with something that is bipartisan that leads to solutions to a difficult situation that multiple administrations and Congresses have struggled for; that has a long history in this country when it comes to immigration, the benefit and the challenges around that; and being able to make sure that the beneficiaries of immigration are consistent with treaties that we have signed around the world, and principles, but also to American citizens. prgtoken On the other issues, those are all real issues. What we have here in front of us today in these resolutions are laws that will actually help the American people, too, and, lastly, will continue to keep the lights on by funding government. prgtoken , .