mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACT
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-9-14

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 6021, the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Development Act. prgtoken There are 1,700 small businesses with 18,000 employees in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, yet these businesses are the only ones in the United States that are ineligible for the SBA's Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, and Federal and State Technology, or FAST, partnership programs. prgtoken The SBDC program provides free or low-cost counseling and training services to thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners each year, and the FAST partnership program provides funding to increase the number of Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technical Transfer applications and better prepare applicants for success. prgtoken The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which rely heavily on tourism, has not been immune from the economic devastation resulting from COVID-19. Moreover, it has been trying to rebuild from two catastrophic typhoons that wreaked havoc on the country in October 2018. prgtoken By extending SBA's SBDC and FAST programs to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Congress will extend valuable opportunities for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to receive support from qualified counselors on how to launch and grow their small businesses as well as recover from the economic catastrophes. prgtoken In March, H.R. 6021 was unanimously approved by the House Small Business Committee, and I commend the sponsors of the legislation, Mr. Sablan and Mrs. Radewagen, for raising this inequity to the committee. prgtoken The dedication they have shown to creating greater parity to the entrepreneurs in all territories shows exactly how small business issues are neither ic nor issues; they are American issues. prgtoken , I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the small business owners and entrepreneurs of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by voting in favor of H.R. 6021. prgtoken , .
Wildfires (Executive Session)
Mark R. Warner (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-9-14

I have come to the floor to talk about a different subject, but I want to commend my good friend, the Senator from Oregon, for his comments. We all watched with horror this weekend the images from his State and from those in Washington and California that were literally like something out of Dante's ``Inferno.'' prgtoken I have enormous respect for the Senator from Oregon, and he can count on prgtoken me to be behind him on these proposals. I know they will be reasonable, and I know they will be straightforward. Boy oh boy. If, when we see those images, we are not able to step up with a commonsense, bipartisan, and quick response, then shame on all of us. I commend the Senator for his leadership, and I look forward to working with him.
HONORING THE STATE ACCREDITATION OF MADERA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CENTER
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the state accreditation of Madera Community College, which becomes the 116th campus of the state's community college system. It is the newest college in California. prgtoken In 1958, State Center Community College District began offering classes at Madera High School with 158 students enrolled in 19 evening classes. In 1989, the Madera Community College Center was then relocated and established in a portable building at James Madison Elementary School. prgtoken Throughout the years, the institution has grown and expanded by establishing buildings, laboratories, food services, large instruction classrooms, vocational training courses, certifications and offering more than 360 courses. In fall 2009, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) was established to offer mechanic and welding programs. Recently, the college added the Center for Agriculture and Technology (CAT) which provides laboratory, vocational training programs and various agriculture programs in plant science, agriculture mechanics, industrial maintenance and welding. prgtoken Because of the leadership of then Chancellor Dr. Bill F. Stewart and Vice Chancellor of External Relations Dr. Tom Crow, a donation of 114 acres was made by local landowners to establish the expanded current campus. Today, Madera Community College Center serves more than 6,123 students, with comprehensive and innovative programs in transfer/ general education, occupational education, distance learning courses, online learning and developmental education. The Center continues to provide an affordable, quality education for the residents of Madera County and nearby communities in the San Joaquin Valley. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this historical moment and the success of the Madera Community College. This could not have been possible without the dedication and contributions of their staff, faculty, administrators and community leaders. I look forward to seeing the future achievements and success of our students, the leaders of tomorrow.
IN RECOGNITION OF CHARLES AMBLER'S RETIREMENT
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-9-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. Charles Ambler on the occasion of his retirement from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). UTEP bids goodbye to one of its most notable contributors to the institution's transformation from a regional university to a leader in U.S. higher education. Dr. Ambler joined the UTEP faculty in 1984. As a recent Ph.D. graduate of Yale, he devoted himself to supporting UTEP's mission of ensuring the success of its majority Hispanic and first-generation student body. Concurrently, Dr. Ambler established himself as an internationally recognized scholar of African History, publishing numerous articles and scholarly books focused on 19th and 20th century Africa. prgtoken Dr. Ambler quickly rose through the faculty ranks earning the title of Professor and serving as Chair of UTEP's History Department. In 1996, Dr. Ambler assumed leadership of UTEP's emerging graduate program, a role he played on and off as Dean and Assistant Vice President until 2019. In the mid-nineties, UTEP was limited to a small number of doctoral programs. He recognized the opportunity at hand, created by lawsuits challenging the lack of graduate programs along the United States-Mexico border region, to greatly expand program offerings. UTEP was able to establish itself as a national leader in graduate education and a major producer of Hispanic doctoral degree holders. Altogether, Dr. Ambler understood it was important for these degree programs to not only be of the highest quality, but to focus on the scholarly issues happening along the border region. UTEP's forward thinking led to the development of a doctoral degree program in U.S.- Mexico border history. This innovation was accompanied by similar degrees with a border focus in areas like International Business, Engineering, and Health Science. prgtoken While Dr. Ambler was an internationally recognized African History scholar, he was deeply committed to improving undergraduate education. He regularly taught large sections of undergraduate history and developed strategies to improve the success of UTEP's students. Dr. Ambler's strategies and teaching skills included technology-based learning and contacting students who stopped attending class to invite them back. As a result, completion rates in his section and average scores on standardized tests were higher than in other sections of the same class. prgtoken Dr. Ambler's influence on education, grants, and studentship has gone far beyond UTEP. He has held several prestigious fellowships, served as President of the African Studies Association, and most recently served as Dean in Residence of the Council of Graduate schools. prgtoken Dr. Ambler and his wife Gloria, who recently retired herself after many years of service as a teacher and counselor in the El Paso Independent School District, are vital members of the El Paso community. prgtoken UTEP is a better place due in no small part to Dr. Ambler's 3
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT CHASEN BROWN
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2020-9-15

I rise to recognize Sergeant Chasen Brown for his selfless demonstration of bravery while providing lifesaving first aid to victims of senseless violence on the evening of October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas, NV. prgtoken On that day, Sergeant Brown was suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into a massacre of his fellow citizens. As bullets rained down indiscriminately from above on innocent concert-goers, Sergeantt Brown immediately began delivering critical aid to dozens of wounded victims, saving countless lives while placing his own life in extraordinary danger. prgtoken Bravery, sacrifice, and service to others are not, however, novel concepts to Sergeant Brown. As a gunner for Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, Sergeant Brown has dedicated his career to serving our country. Today, we are lucky to have his service in the Utah National Guard, and our State is safer as a result. For his heroism, Governor Herbert awarded Sergeant Brown with the Utah Medal of Valor, the highest level of recognition for distinguished service. This honor is well-deserved, but the greatest reward is the gift of life that Sergeant Brown protected for the many civilians he saved that night amid terror and evil. prgtoken The great people of the State of Utah and our fellow Americans owe Sergeant Chasen Brown a debt of gratitude for his extraordinary courage under unimaginable circumstances. Thank you, Chasen.
REMEMBERING LEROY JORDAN
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-9-15

I would be remiss not to offer heartfelt congratulations to somebody who, over the last 8 years, has not just been a colleague but has become a friend while standing up at that same 's rostrum when we were in the majority. The gentleman is none other than the House Parliamentarian, Tom Wickham. prgtoken Tom has helped so many people on our side of the aisle. Now, as the other side has taken the majority, you have gotten to witness firsthand what I learned from Tom and the great people who work in the House Parliamentarian's Office during my 6 years in the majority and being able to be up in that chair working directly with him. prgtoken Tom is somebody who I think everybody got to know very well as someone who is actually very fair at administering the rules of this House. But I prgtoken always enjoyed most walking by his office and harassing him if his favorite baseball team wasn't doing that well or if his favorite college football team may have lost to one of the others in the Big Ten. prgtoken An institution like the House of Representatives will move on from all of us who are here now, but this one is a hard one to replace. prgtoken I thank Tom Wickham for his service, and I wish the best to Jason Smith, his successor.
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR THOMAS P. PAYNE
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-9-15

today I would like to take a moment to recognize and honor SGM Thomas P. Payne of Batesburg- Leesville and Lugoff. Just last week, on September 11, the 19th anniversary of the painful attacks on American soil, Sergeant Major Payne received the Medal of Honor, the country's highest recognition of military bravery for his outstanding efforts to liberate dozens of hostages from ISIS captors during a rescue mission in Iraq. prgtoken In his 18-year career in the Army, Sergeant Major Payne has deployed 17 times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Inherent Resolve and to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. prgtoken Thomas ``Patrick'' Payne enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduating from Batesburg-Leesville High School in 2002, and 13 years later, his efforts have saved the lives of many. He holds several awards and decorations including the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal with bronze ``V'' device, and three bronze oakleaf clusters, the Purple Heart, and many, many more. prgtoken Sergeant Major Payne is currently serving as an instructor assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and is stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. I want to thank Sergeant Major Payne for his service; South Carolina is very proud to have such a brave hero.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S VALUES
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-9-15

I give thanks to both the gentlemen from Texas for organizing this Special Order tonight, to all of our colleagues who have spoken tonight, and to my dear friend Congressman Baird for all that he has given for his country. The words that he shared he means from his heart, and he has shown and proven that. prgtoken We organized this Special Order to talk about protecting America's values and protecting our communities. prgtoken There is a lot of outrage. There is a lot of alarm in the country today. And it is justified. prgtoken It was just a couple of days ago, of course, in Los Angeles where two sheriff's deputies, a 24-year-old man and a 31-year-old young mother, were brutally attacked as they just sat in their police cruiser. prgtoken As they were rushed to the hospital, protesters were blocking the entrances and exits to the emergency room, chanting: ``We hope they die. Kill the police.'' prgtoken It is outrageous. It is alarming. prgtoken This is just the latest example, of course, of the violence and vitriol prgtoken going largely ignored by the majority in the House. Unfortunately, it is the predictable result of what happens when leaders make radical calls to defund the police. prgtoken We have widespread unrest in major cities across this country right now. We have violent riots and businesses being destroyed and law enforcement officers being targets of heinous crimes, things that would have been unthinkable even a couple of years ago. prgtoken In Portland, we have leftwing groups that set a police station on fire, besieged a Federal courthouse for weeks on end. prgtoken In Seattle, leftwing activists created an autonomous zone, they said. They evicted police and occupied the abandoned precinct. prgtoken In Chicago, 31 police officers were injured in riots that occurred in July and August. prgtoken In Minnesota and Wisconsin, rioters exploited peaceful protests as a vehicle to incite violence and create chaos. prgtoken Here in the Nation's Capital just up the street, leftwing groups staged a mock execution of the President of the United States and then harassed people as they left the White House. prgtoken The economic fallout from all this, of course, will be disastrous. The human toll will take generations to recover. prgtoken We have seen reports from minority-owned small businesses, for example, in these communities where a person has worked their entire life just to build a business, to build a legacy to pass along to their children and grandchildren, all to have it go up in flames because their city leadership refused to preserve law and order. prgtoken We have seen the President's actions, and we know that he is doing all that he possibly can to restore order in these cities. But, of course, he is being rebuffed by these leftwing mayors at every turn. prgtoken I mean, the Portland mayor has rejected offers of Federal assistance multiple times. The rioters who are actually arrested by local police a
STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY ACT OF 2019
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-9-15

I mentioned in my opening remarks that the underlying bill fails, in part, because it doesn't address the biggest challenge facing low-income families and families of color, namely, the lack of access to high-quality education options that will prepare their children for lifelong success. Unfortunately, this amendment doesn't directly address that problem either, but at least it takes a small step in that direction. prgtoken As more and more communities embrace charter schools and other public school options, one-stop enrollment processes are one way some communities have made it easier for parents to understand and navigate their options. prgtoken As charter school enrollment grew in Washington, D.C to include nearly half of the city's students, the city implemented an open lottery system to provide parents a one-stop portal to apply to multiple schools. prgtoken The system isn't perfect, but that is mostly because the open lottery system doesn't address the fact that there are an insufficient number of seats in high-performing schools to meet demand. I wish we were here debating solutions to that problem today, . prgtoken But in the absence of a real effort to increase the availability of the high-quality education options, I will settle for an effort to facilitate easier selections of these options where they exist. prgtoken I applaud the gentleman for bucking the trend in his party of opposing educational freedom for low-income families and families of color, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. prgtoken , .
IN RECOGNITION OF KAREN HARBIN
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-9-15

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Karen Harbin on her recent election to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). prgtoken Karen is the President/CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union, which has branches in Kentucky's Second District. A Certified Public Accountant, Karen is a past chair of the Kentucky Credit Union League's Board of Directors and is the current Treasurer. She is currently serving a 3rd term as the Governor's appointee to the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions Board. Karen has served on the Federal Reserve Bank's Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council and VolCorp's Asset Liability Management Committee. Passionate about health, Karen chairs her local American Heart Association's Heart Walk and is a member of the Corporate Council of the Shriners Hospital Lexington. prgtoken Karen's vision and decision-making skills will be a valuable addition to the NAFCU Board and credit unions for years to come. I wish her the best of luck in her new role on the NAFCU Board of Directors, and I look forward to working with her.
HURRICANE LAURA RECOVERY IN LOUISIANA
Clay Higgins (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-9-15

my colleagues in Congress should provide, as I was saying, every necessary Federal resource. We must do everything in our power to ensure that southwest Louisiana is not forgotten as we work through the long and difficult recovery. prgtoken I have seen firsthand the best of Louisiana, neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together to rebuild and recover. prgtoken It is what Louisiana does. We stand back up. Our people are resilient. We will rebuild. prgtoken Louisiana, stand strong. You are not alone. You are loved. You are respected. You will never be forgotten. We stand with you as one through this recovery. prgtoken , .
THE MIDDLE EAST
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-9-15

the signing of the Abraham Accords today at the White House represents a very historic breakthrough for peace in the Middle East. I am not saying that this accord alone will bring peace to that troubled region, but this is the first tangible progress toward peace in that area in a quarter century. prgtoken I met Anwar Sadat at the time of the Camp David Accords in 1978, when he was present in the Ways and Means Committee room over in the House of Representatives, and I had an opportunity also to witness, at the White House, the handshake between Rabin and Arafat in 1993. Both events seemed to herald a new peace in the Middle East that, quite frankly, never materialized, and yet we still have peace between Israel and Egypt and between Israel and Jordan. prgtoken Israel has been a country for over 72 years. It is the only democracy in the region. It is a major economic, military, and political power, and, of course, it is our greatest ally in the Middle East. It is overdue for other states, then, and those states that are in that area especially to recognize Israel and pursue normal relations. prgtoken The outdated notion that recognition of Israel's existence should be withheld until somehow Israelis and Palestinians agree on the details of a two-state solution has not worked. The two-state solution hasn't made an agreement more likely, but it has prevented diplomatic interactions that could be a stabilizing force in an unstable region. prgtoken In a polarized time, today's historic accord between Israel and the UAE and Israel and Bahrain is good news that anyone can celebrate. We ought to give President great credit for his leadership in this area. He has delivered in a lot of areas where both and ic Presidents could not deliver in the past. prgtoken .
LAW AND ORDER IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-9-15

I rise today to urge Congress to get back to substantive work in our Nation's Capital. prgtoken The definition of Congress is ``a national legislative body, especially that of the United States, which meets at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.'' prgtoken Last week, I was the only one to physically attend a Transportation Committee hearing on rail workers affected by COVID-19. prgtoken I believe the proper way for Congress to represent our constituents is in person in our Nation's Capital. It is imperative we simply get back to work for our constituents.
CELEBRATING MR. WILLIAM BOSHART'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Mo Brooks (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-9-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. William Harvey Boshart on the occasion of his 100th birthday. prgtoken Mr. Boshart was born in Marshall County, Alabama on September 24, 1920. As a child during the Great Depression, Harvey is thankful he was able to finish his 1933 academic year. The local school system lacked funding to keep schools open but Harvey's teacher, Dr. Collins, finished the school year without pay. Later, in 1934, Harvey worked to support his family at only 14 years old. prgtoken In 1941, Harvey married Nina Hodges, which he considers to be ``the best thing that ever happened to him.'' As newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Boshart lived on a family member's farm in Woodville. Alabama. Then in 1944, Harvey received notice he was drafted to serve in World War II. Thankfully, Harvey was able to spend Christmas with his family, but in January of 1945, Mr. Boshart was officially sworn into the U.S. Navy and began training in California. prgtoken Harvey was first assigned to the USS Menard (APA-201), a Haskell- class attack transport, on which he sailed to Pearl Harbor to train for the invasion of Okinawa, Japan. After months of training and active evasion of Japanese submarine screens, on March 16, Seaman First Class Boshart and the crew reached the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to begin the campaign to retake Okinawa. prgtoken Later in his career, Harvey was assigned to the second USS San Jacinto (CVLS-30), on which President George H.W. served. Once the war and his service were over, Harvey came home to Nina, and in 1947, they bought a farm in Rainsville, Alabama. From 1951 to 1980, Harvey served in a different capacity on Redstone Arsenal. Today, Harvey still lives in the same home he and Nina purchased in 1955, where he takes great pride in cooking and tending to his garden. prgtoken Madam , the Tennessee valley is fortunate to have such an exemplary citizen for 100 years. Harvey Boshart's bright spirit and servants' heart are a blessing to us all. prgtoken I wish Harvey and his entire family the very best as they celebrate Harvey's centennial birthday