mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-18

I rise today to recognize Gun Violence Awareness Month. prgtoken All month members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force will be coming to the floor to remember those we have lost and to call upon the Senate to take up H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. prgtoken More than 100 days ago, and s came together to pass legislation which is supported by more than 90 percent of the American people. Since the beginning of the year, more than 6,500 people have been killed and more than 12,500 have been injured by someone using a gun. Yet, the Senate refuses to allow a simple up or down vote. prgtoken On Thursday, activists from around the country will be holding a day of action to call on the Senate leadership to take up universal background checks. No more thoughts. No more prayers. They want action, and they want a vote. prgtoken The Senate should do the right thing. The Senate should pass H.R. 8.
HONORING TUCSON'S NATIONAL HISTORY DAY WINNERS
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Tucson, Arizona's four students who won first place at the National Endowment for the Humanities' National History Day contest. The young history buffs, Sean Choudhry, Elias Rice-Bensch, Zia Rice-Bensch, and Keona Wallen all attend the Accelerated Learning Laboratory in my district. Their website Radium Girls: From Jaw-Dropping Tragedy to Glowing Triumph earned the top prize in the contest that featured more than 3,000 students from across the country. prgtoken National History Day began in the 1970s and is the culmination of a yearlong academic program for students in grades 6 through 12 to engage in historical research. Students produce essays, exhibitions, films, performances, or websites to enter into local and state competitions. State winners move on to compete in the national finals at the University of Maryland at College Park. The National Endowment for the Humanities has been a sponsor and partner of National History Day for more than 30 years. prgtoken The theme for this year's competition was ``Triumph and Tragedy in History'' and more than a half million students submitted entries. On their website, Sean, Elias, Zia, and Keona state, ``The radium girls were young factory workers who unknowingly consumed lethal amounts of radium, often resulting in slow, painful deaths. Despite their tragic circumstances, their desire for change and persistence in court caused revolutionary change to workplace safety regulations and sparked monumental scientific advancements regarding radium and radioactivity.'' prgtoken The students go on to document how radium was commonly used and recommended. At the focus of their website is the story of the women who, at the start of the 20th century, were exposed to high levels of radium in their work as they painted watch dials. Such exposure proved quickly fatal and resulted in physical deformities and cancer. The legal battles that followed were tumultuous and provided minor relief for the women who had been exposed to radium. Their legacy, however, lives on today as workplace protections continue to be a focus on Capitol Hill. prgtoken These four incredible students have demonstrated truly admirable talent and skill in their deep dive into history. I am moved by their desire to shed light on an overlooked and long-forgotten story that still resonates today. I want to congratulate Sean, Elias, Zia, Keona, their families, and the educators who have helped them get where they are today. I expect great things from each of them in the near future and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our district and abroad.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam Chair, first, I am a proud cosponsor of Representative Lipinski's amendment, which would direct an increase of $15 million to Argonne National Laboratory's Leadership Computing Facility. prgtoken The ALCF is a national scientific user facility that provides supercomputing resources and expertise to the scientific and engineering community to accelerate the pace of discovery and innovation in a broad range of disciplines. This money will be well spent. prgtoken A second amendment, offered by myself, instructs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to include accelerator-driven systems in its evaluation of future nuclear technology and fuel. prgtoken There is a bipartisan and bicameral interest in accelerating investment in advanced nuclear reactors, which are walkaway safe and proliferation-resistant and have the potential to burn or minimize nuclear waste. prgtoken One proposed system uses a proton accelerator, a neutron spallation target, and molten salt fuel, but it remains subcritical, thereby greatly reducing the safety and security risks. prgtoken It can, without redesign, burn spent nuclear fuel, natural uranium, thorium, or surplus weapons material, such as surplus plutonium. It operates without the need for enrichment or reprocessing and may be used to produce the tritium needed to maintain our stockpile. prgtoken Madam Chair, s for their support.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam Chair, no one would argue that military readiness and deployability are paramount, but transgender servicemembers do not inherently impact either. prgtoken Every service chief testified that transgender service would not disrupt unit cohesion or readiness and emphasized soldier deployability and not their gender identity. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), chairman of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-6-18

. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment and point out that our country really can't neglect vital investments for the safety and welfare of the American people. prgtoken Our bill funds water resource projects that are critical, including in Texas; supports science and energy technology research activities necessary to build the future and our future competitiveness; and responsibly funds a credible nuclear deterrent and important nonproliferation efforts. prgtoken This amendment will harm all of these. It will harm job creation and reduce protections against flooding and natural disasters that all parts of our country have been facing. prgtoken One can be penny-wise and pound-foolish, and not making these investments will make the costs in the future even greater. prgtoken This amendment will also result in fewer investments in water resource infrastructure and energy research and development programs, all of which prgtoken create good jobs, have substantial returns on investment, and position our Nation for future needs. prgtoken We must continue investing in these areas to ensure our national security on many levels and to remain the global leader in energy and in science. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this amendment, and .
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-6-19

. Madam Chair, one of the areas that has been most gratifying for me has been watching what has happened in a revolution in cannabis policy. prgtoken Starting in 1996 with the State of California, we have watched States across the country have their voters step up to make legalization with medical marijuana and more recently with adult use. prgtoken Additionally, there have been States that have taken action dealing with medical marijuana in a specialized form for children with extreme seizure disorders. So, in total, we now have 47 States that have some form of cannabis that is legal. We are watching the growth of this industry--a multibillion dollar industry. We are watching State after State move forward. Every one of us on the floor of the House who are here now represent areas that have taken action. prgtoken We have had embedded in our legislation protections for medical marijuana, and this would simply extend that same protection to prevent the Department of Justice from interfering with adult use. prgtoken I strongly urge that we build on the legacy that we have had in the past and that we move this forward to allow the Federal Government to start catching up with where the rest of the States are. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-6-19

I take this time to underscore the points that Senator Menendez made in regard to the vote we will have tomorrow here on the floor of the Senate. prgtoken I really want Members to know that we are really talking about the fundamental protection of the checks and balances in our system. I don't think most Members know about the process we use for arms sales and review, but I can tell you that it has been to protect the interest of this country and the legislative branch of government. The requirement is for consultation and notice to Congress before arms sales are consummated. prgtoken Yes, we have a President, and we have Members of Congress who object to sales and want to get further information, and those holds can be lifted after additional information is provided. But I want to remind the Members of this body that it was in the last Congress, with a President, that the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee put holds on sales in this region for good reason--because of the inconsistent policies we had among Gulf States that needed to be clarified before we divided the support for America even more in that region. Senator Corker was right in what he did, and our country is stronger today because of what he did. prgtoken If we allow President to go forward with these arms sales under emergency circumstances, we forever could lose the ability of the legislative branch to weigh in on arms sales. prgtoken Senator Menendez is absolutely right. Today it is a President. This should not make any difference in our respect for the powers of the legislative branch of government and the checks and balances that are necessary. prgtoken Senator Menendez is right about this. It has been the legislative branch of government that has said protection of human rights is an important ingredient. prgtoken Over and over, we find that in the State Department or in the White House they are very transactional, and but for the legislative branch of government, those issues would never be addressed. prgtoken Now we are going to let the President of the United States use emergency powers--which I think almost everybody in this body would say really does not exist--to circumvent the proper review and power of the legislative branch of government. prgtoken And yes, in these arms sales, human rights are a major issue. Senator Menendez points out correctly that American arms have been used to facilitate the aerial attacks against Yemen led by the Saudis and the coalition--and these guided missiles would be a part of that--and they are the leading cause of civilian death in Yemen. Over 1,000 have been killed as a result of the Saudi-led coalition attacks. We have been given assurances over and over--which has not happened--that they will be better at it. prgtoken We also know that there is not a military solution to the Yemen crisis. America's military involvement only ma
HONORING EARLEAN MARSHALL
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2019-6-19

. Madam , I rise today to honor a remarkable person, Ms. Earlean Marshall. prgtoken Earlean Marshall was born on September 14, 1948 in Greenwood, Mississippi to U.S. Army Veteran, Mr. O.Z. Marshall, Sr. and Mrs. Mildred Macy Debro Marshall. She was the eldest of seven children. Her brother John D. Marshall and parents preceded her in death. prgtoken Growing up, Earlean's life journeys would take her to Chicago where her parents also lived. They would later relocate to Mississippi, settling in the Rosebank Community of Holmes County. prgtoken Earlean began her early public-school education at Mt. Olive School in the Mt. Olive Community. She dearly loved Mt. Olive School and would later serve on the Mt. Olive All-Class Reunion Committee. And, then she attended high school at Tchula Attendance Center (TAC) but would later finish high school in Los Angeles, California where she relocated in 1964 to live with her Aunt ``Lovie'' and cousins. prgtoken Earlean graduated from LA High in 1967 and received bachelor's degrees from California State and UCLA. She was very smart where many of her colleagues asked for her assistance. She was well liked by friends, co-workers and neighbors. prgtoken Earlean joined Liberty Baptist Church and was active on the youth usher Board as well as sang in the youth choir. Years later, Earlean joined Holman United Methodist Church in May 20, 1979. She was very active within her church community. She participated on the Holman Church Board, Advisory and Trustee Committee, The Women's Organization, The Holman Mass Choir, and the Usher Board. Earlean was always willing to serve and was very appreciated. prgtoken A business-minded individual, Earlean began her career in retail at Broadway Department Store in California but would later further her career for years in the corporate world as a contractor with TRW, Inc. and with The Boeing Company--The Aerospace & Tech Leader. Her work took her on numerous business travels. prgtoken Following Earlean's lengthy career in corporate America, she returned to Mississippi after her father died and made her home once again in the Rosebank community. She reunited with Rosebank M.B. Church where she would share her beautiful, melodious voice during devotion, served as acting secretary, was mistress of ceremony on numerous occasions, very active in Sunday School, and was a faithful supporter of the church. She remained active until her health began to decline. prgtoken An education advocate and family historian, Earlean often rejoiced in the achievements of her nieces and nephews and other relatives of the family, always encouraging them on achieve greatness. God called her home to rest in His arms with sweet, sweet peace early Monday morning on February 25, 2019. She will truly be missed. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late Earlean Marshall.
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOUNT WASHINGTON COG RAILWAY
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2019-6-19

today, on behalf of the New Hampshire congressional delegation, Senator Maggie Hassan and Representatives Ann McLane Kuster and Chris Pappas, I wish to salute the Mount Washington Cog Railway on its 150th anniversary. Once hailed by famed showman P.T. Barnum as the ``Second-Greatest Show on Earth,'' the Cog Railway remains an engineering marvel and a one-of-a-kind experience a full century and a half after its maiden voyage up New Hampshire's highest peak. prgtoken A railway summiting 6,288-foot Mount Washington was first proposed by New Hampshire native Sylvester Marsh, a retired meatpacker who made a fortune working in Chicago. When he approached the New Hampshire State Legislature for a charter to build his cog-and-rack system, Marsh encountered some skepticism of his innovative design. Legend has it that one lawmaker remarked that Marsh ``might as well build a railway to the moon.'' Marsh got his charter in 1858, and his system found a nickname, ``The Railway to the Moon,'' that it proudly uses to this day. prgtoken Construction began in 1866 at the base of the mountain, and it took engineers and builders 3 years to complete the 3\1/4\ mile track to the peak. It opened to fanfare on July 3, 1869, as the world's first mountain cog railway. One of its passengers that first summer was Ulysses S. Grant, who became the first U.S. President to visit Mount Washington. According to newspapers, the President was impressed with the safety and simplicity of the locomotive's air brake system. prgtoken The Cog Railway's locomotives embraced technology and ingenuity to push passenger cars up the track and slow their descent. The first locomotive, nicknamed ``Old Peppersass'' because of its likeness to a pepper sauce bottle, mounted a vertical boiler on twin trunnions in order to keep it upright as it climbed the steep grade. Old Peppersass was eventually replaced in the late 1800s by a fleet of more modern coal-powered steam locomotives, but it remains preserved and on display prgtoken at base station. Today, under the direction of current owner Wayne Presby, most locomotives are powered by state-of-the-art biodiesel technology. The new trains are faster, quieter, cleaner, and more efficient, but the Cog Railway still uses a couple of steam locomotives for those who want to experience the trip as it was years ago. prgtoken While the locomotives may change with the times, one feature of the Cog Railway has remained a constant: Personnel must maintain a resilient system capable of withstanding extreme and unpredictable weather. Winters come early and leave late atop the Northeast's highest peak, often burying the mountain in several feet of snow. Mount Washington is famous as the site of one of the fastest recorded wind speeds in history: 231 miles per hour in 1934. The Cog Railway weathers torrential rain, heavy snow, blustering winds, and even hurricanes. A severe hurricane battered the mountain in 1938
MORNING BUSINESS
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-6-19

in 1901, superintendent of Joliet Township High School J. Stanley Brown and University of Chicago president William Rainey Harper committed themselves to an historic experiment. They founded Joliet Junior College, the Nation's first public community college with six students as the initial enrollment. Brown and Harper designed the school for students who wanted to remain in the community, but also wanted to pursue a college education. prgtoken The community college system is vastly different than Harper and Brown's initial work today. Community colleges are helping millions of Americans carve a pathway to middle-class prosperity and a chance to fulfill the American Dream. prgtoken Earlier this month, Mike Monaghan, a champion of Illinois community colleges with more than 40 years of legislative and higher education experience, retired from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. During his time there, he worked hard to make sure Illinois has some of the finest colleges in the country. Mike will certainly be missed. prgtoken Originally from Springfield, he earned an associate arts degree from Lincoln Land Community College, a bachelor's degree in political science from Bradley University, and a master's degree in legal studies and administrative law from the University of Illinois at Springfield. prgtoken I have known Mike for decades from our days as staffers in the Illinois State Senate. Mike was fighting for improving education in the State as the principal staff to the State senate's higher education committee when I was legal counsel to the State senate judiciary committee. He also was my neighbor, living a block away from me. I might add Mike also was a precinct captain for a couple of my races, too. prgtoken In 1989, Mike became the Illinois Community College Trustees Associations director of government relations. In this role, he developed a statewide advocacy program and regularly organized trips to Washington, DC, with students. One of his major efforts was the successful implementation of a State insurance program for community college retirees. In 1998, the Illinois Society of Association Executives awarded him with their Government Relations Award for the program. prgtoken Mike's hard work led him to become the ICCTA's executive director in 2005. For the past 14 years, he has continued fighting for resources for community colleges. He earned the Cook County College Teachers Union 2008 Innovation in Education Award for his leadership in promoting community colleges. prgtoken When community colleges are not funded properly, the costs fall on students. When Mike started, some remarked that community colleges were 13th and 14th year schooling and dismissed them as ``Tinker Toy Tech.'' This is certainly not the case today. prgtoken Today, 35,000 students are enrolled at Joliet Junior College, and Illinois has 519,000 students enrolled in community colleges. More and more stude
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2019-6-19

. Madam Chair, I am a strong supporter of H.R. 3055, an appropriations package that makes essential investments in economic development, the rule of law, agriculture, our public lands, the environment, our military servicemembers, and our veterans. prgtoken I rise today to highlight one particular set of provisions in this appropriations package that are critical to prgtoken the communities that I represent, the 10-20-30 formula. prgtoken This formula requires that at least 10 percent of the funds in the designated accounts be spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent for the past 30 years. prgtoken The Census Bureau has labeled nearly 500 counties as persistent poverty counties. They are both geographically and ethnically diverse: largely Black in the Deep South, White in Appalachia, Hispanic in the southwest, and Native Americans all across the West. They are politically diverse as well, with nearly three-fourths of them represented by s, one-fourth by . prgtoken The appropriations bills reported by the Appropriations Committee apply the 10-20-30 formula or similar funding set-asides to 17 different accounts, three more than in fiscal year 2019. Sixteen of these accounts are in the package we are considering today, ensuring persistent poverty counties receive much-needed funds for rural development. prgtoken This 10-20-30 formula has worked well. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the first time it was enacted in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, where it was applied to three accounts. prgtoken In the decade since, thanks in no small part to former Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and former Ryan, 10-20-30 accounts have made thousands of investments in persistent poverty counties, totaling billions of dollars. prgtoken One of these investments was in brownfields cleanup at the Mack Theater in Irvine, Kentucky, which is in Estill County, Kentucky, in the Sixth Congressional District of Kentucky, represented by Mr. Barr. prgtoken Community groups have long sought to restore this theater, which closed in 1993, but previously were unable to address the contamination. Thanks to 10-20-30, the River City Players, a community theater group, is working to reopen the venue, which has the potential to contribute to the revitalization of the entire area. prgtoken In addition to the expansion of the 10-20-30 formula in the bill, I also appreciate the language in the committee reports, which expresses support for new targeted funding for high-poverty census tracts that may not be in persistent poverty counties but are often just as much in need. prgtoken I look forward to working with the Appropriations Committee to build upon this progress to include high-poverty census tracts in fiscal year 2021 and working with my friends Barbara Lee and Stacey Plaskett to ensure all of the necessary communities and territories are included. prgtoken Madam Chair, there are many r