mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REINTRODUCTION OF THE WILDLIFE VETERINARIANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT OF 2019
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-4-4

. Madam , I rise today to reintroduce the Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act of 2019. This bill will provide incentives for students to pursue wildlife and zoological medicine and increases the number of positions available at wildlife and zoological facilities. prgtoken Wildlife and zoo veterinarians are the primary source of essential health care and management that is required for animals in both their natural habitat and in captivity. These physicians preserve natural resources and the lives of animals, while also protecting human health by preventing, detecting and responding to exotic and dangerous diseases. prgtoken With the intensification of globalization and climate change, along with the growing interaction among humans, livestock and wildlife, the threat posed by emerging infectious diseases to humans and wildlife continues to increase. Controlling pandemic and large-scale outbreaks of disease has become more challenging over the years, yet there has never been a time where this is a more pertinent issue. prgtoken We must take preventative measures to ensure the well-being of both animals and humans. In spite of these threats to public health, the United States faces a shortage of positions for wildlife and zoo veterinarians. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), less than one percent of AVMA members identify themselves as wildlife or zoological veterinarians. prgtoken On average, veterinarian graduates owe $143,000 in student loans. Relatedly, salaries for wildlife and zoological professionals are relatively low compared to those who practice companion animal medicine, ranking second to the bottom for salaries paid to veterinarians as a whole. Lower salaries, combined with high educational debt and the small number of positions available, discourage students from becoming wildlife or zoo veterinarians. The number of internships, practical training programs, and formal education programs specializing in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine are also insufficient. prgtoken My bill directly addresses the aforementioned issues, by doing the following: prgtoken Create new positions for wildlife and zoo veterinarians. prgtoken Limit the amount of educational debt for veterinary medicine students, while providing incentives to study and practice wildlife and zoo veterinary medicine through a scholarship program and a loan repayment program. prgtoken Help schools of veterinary medicine develop curricula and training programs specializing in wildlife and zoo veterinary medicine. prgtoken Develop affordable and well qualified opportunities for individuals to become wildlife and zoo veterinarians, spur job growth, and promote public health policy across the nation. prgtoken Madam , as you know, wild animals play a very critical role in our natural resources and contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. The number of endangered species has only increased. Inv
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
Xochitl Torres Small (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2019-4-4

. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman; the authors of this bill, Representative Bass and Representative Fitzpatrick; and the tireless advocates who have worked to bring this bill to the floor today for the safety and justice of all survivors of violence and abuse. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, please support this bill, and .
HONORING THE LIFE OF SHERIFF'S DEPUTY PETER JOHN HERRERA
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-4-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of a father, son, and public servant, Sheriff's Deputy Peter John Herrera, who passed away at the age of 35 on Sunday, March 24, after being fatally shot at a traffic stop. prgtoken A lifelong El Pasoan, Sheriff's Deputy Herrera proudly served the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. His leadership was exemplary. He was widely commended by his fellow officers for always wearing his badge with pride. He was the epitome of a public servant who loved his community and demonstrated it every day. prgtoken He was highly respected, supported, and loved by many as a devoted father, husband, brother, and friend. The community of El Paso mourns his untimely death, but we are endlessly thankful for his unwavering service and contributions to our community. It was a privilege to stand alongside so many El Pasoans last week as he was laid to rest. prgtoken Sheriff's Deputy Peter Herrera's memory will live on among us for dedicating his life to protecting and serving with integrity and purpose.
DANIEL RYLEY
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-4-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Daniel Ryley for receiving the Arvada Young Professional Leadership Award. Daniel Ryley has recently been named the Executive Director of the Arvada Economic Development Association and is receiving this award for his innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arvada community. He founded Drynkware, a reusable drink stirrer that is both functional and stylish and helps reduce the use of plastic straws. The professional accomplishments and community leadership demonstrated by Daniel Ryley is exemplary of the type of positive impact that can be made on the City of Arvada. He serves as Chair of the Community Leaders of Hope Advisory Committee with Extended Hands of Hope, a Human Rights organization that houses and empowers survivors of human sex trafficking. I extend my deepest congratulations to Daniel Ryley for winning the Arvada Young Professional Leadership Award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and leadership in his future accomplishments.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2019
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-4-4

. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership in presenting the important amendment to the Violence Against Women Act. I thank the distinguished chairman of the committee for his leadership in bringing this VAWA reauthorization to the floor. I commend Karen Bass, the author of the legislation, the chair of the subcommittee of jurisdiction, and I want to recognize and acknowledge the work of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee over the years in terms of ending violence against women. prgtoken Again, we take an oath to protect the American people. Nearly 25 years ago, Congress honored that oath when we enacted the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act. It united our communities and our country in a fight against domestic violence in America. prgtoken Today, we honor that oath once more by passing strong, bipartisan, long-term VAWA reauthorization that will save lives. prgtoken Again, I want to salute Karen Bass, a champion for women's safety and security as chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and the many champions of VAWA in the Congress who have made today possible. Again, I acknowledge Congresswoman Jackson Lee. prgtoken We thank all of the survivors, victims, and advocates who have shown the generosity of spirit to tell their stories. Nothing is more eloquent or effective than the stories which show that this is not a legislative fight or an issues fight. It is a personal fight about America's families. prgtoken I commend Congresswoman Torres Small for this important amendment that recognizes and ensures that all provisions of the bill comply with current immigration law. This isn't a bill about immigration, but I wanted to make that assertion, and I thank the gentlewoman, Congresswoman Torres Small for this amendment. prgtoken We are pleased that the bill is bipartisan. There should be nothing partisan or political about ending the scourge of domestic violence and sexual assault, which one in three women faces today. prgtoken Madam Chairwoman, with this bill, we are reinforcing what we did 25 years ago, and what we did in 2013. We are making it stronger with the legislation prgtoken today, with lifesaving updates that reflect the voices of victims and survivors and the input of experts. prgtoken With this bill, we are empowering law enforcement and making new investments in prevention. We are improving lifesaving services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We are supporting survivors with protections against discrimination in the workplace and supporting their financial security. prgtoken We are closing dangerous loopholes in our laws that right now allow those who have been convicted of stalking or dating violence to obtain firearms. These are commonsense reforms that will save lives and that no one should object to. prgtoken We are strengthening protections for Native American women because every
Tax Reform (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-4-4

rather than spend time yesterday on a terribly destructive rules change, Leader McConnell could have focused the Senate on an urgent matter that this Chamber has failed to act on: disaster relief. prgtoken In a few moments, Senator Leahy and I will ask unanimous consent to have a vote on a new version of the emergency disaster relief that couldn't get through the Senate earlier this week. Our new amendment offers this Chamber a path forward from this week's impasse. It is a plan that meets everyone's needs. It doesn't say only aid this or only aid that; it recognizes prgtoken all American citizens deserve to be helped when disaster strikes. prgtoken The amendment Senator Leahy and I will offer provides $16.7 billion in relief for Americans struck by natural disasters last year and in the last 2 years. It includes $2.5 billion in new funding--funding that the bill from the side that failed, offered by Senators Shelby and Perdue, did not have--$2.5 billion in new funding for the recent flooding in Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. We all agree these communities need assistance now. This amendment also crucially includes aid for our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico and other territories. It doesn't say to pick one or to pick the other. It says to do both. prgtoken All of us in this Chamber should agree that we must do something now to help all Americans in need. This amendment offers our friends--those who have said we need aid in the Middle West--the opportunity to do just that. So, if this Chamber wants to help families in Nebraska, in Iowa, in Missouri and if we want to help the families of Texas and of Florida, this amendment is the path forward. It is the key to moving forward. This is the solution that has the ability to pass the House. This is the option that has enough support to reach the President's desk. The of the House has said the original bill wouldn't even have been put on the floor. This bill will. prgtoken Now, some will say and, I know, my dear friend from Alabama--and he is my good friend--will say that the President will not sign this. Well, I have something else to say. If my colleagues on the other side pass this measure, the President will dare not veto it. That is my prediction. We all know the President has huffed and puffed about vetoing bills in the past. He has said he would veto ``this,'' and he has said he would veto ``that.'' Yet, in most instances, when the s in the Senate have stood up, he has caved. In this case in particular, he will not want to veto legislation that helps Nebraska and Iowa and Missouri and Texas and Florida. So let's not play this game. prgtoken We all know what happened. There was a bipartisan agreement. President went to the lunch and said: No aid for Puerto Rico. That is why we are in this mess, but we can change that. It is time to call the President's bluff. Elections have consequenc
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-4-4

I rise today with solemn responsibility. I carry the legacy of the history of the Jewish people, a history of persecution, of discrimination, of scapegoating, but also a history of perseverance and survival. The embodiment of that perseverance is the establishment of the State of Israel, the home of the Jewish people. prgtoken , I strongly condemn the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, economic warfare against the State of Israel, and there is no one in this Chamber--no one--who would question my commitment to opposing BDS or fighting anti-Semitism or supporting our ally, Israel. But I also strongly reject what my colleagues are doing here today. prgtoken My colleague, my friend from Texas, is right. There has been a long and bipartisan history of support for Israel, and it has been so strong because of that bipartisanship. prgtoken This is not a motion to commit about BDS. We have seen this play out before. The last time this resolution came up, my colleagues introduced a resolution condemning BDS and anti-Semitism and supporting Israel, and we all voted for it until it was time to actually go on the record, and almost every one of them voted against it. prgtoken This is about politics. This is about trying to drive a wedge into this Caucus where it does not belong. That is what they are trying to do today. prgtoken , the Jewish community also has a history of standing up against atrocities like the humanity crisis in Yemen. My colleagues are trying to block us from standing in support of our human rights and American values to condemn what is happening there. That is what this is about. That is why I am opposed to it, and we should all oppose it. prgtoken from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader, for his comments.
Tax Reform (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-4-4

I am sorry that the s objected to the earlier legislation we brought up, which would have helped the Midwest. It had money in it. Of course, we are not, by any means, asking for billions more for Puerto Rico in this amendment. In total, this amendment would add $3.2 billion, of which only $462 million is for Puerto Rico. The rest is for the Midwest floods, Alabama tornado, Florida, California, Georgia and other states. prgtoken I think it is unfortunate we have reached an impasse on the emergency disaster supplemental appropriations bill. prgtoken For months, I urged Senate leadership to take up and pass H.R. 268. For nearly 3 months, it wouldn't. During those 3 months, American communities suffered, and new disasters struck the Midwest and the Southeast. The new criticism from the leadership was, with the ' pushing for more comprehensive aid to Puerto Rico in H.R. 268, that they must not care about the American communities that have been affected by more recent disasters. prgtoken But I would remind the Chamber that it was the leadership that rejected my amendment to H.R. 268 that would have accommodated all of these other communities. prgtoken I would also remind the Chamber that the administration has not asked for one dime for Hurricanes Michael and Florence, the Alabama tornadoes, or the Midwest flooding. To the administration, it is as though they never happened. prgtoken I have always stood with victims of disaster around this country. When my own State of Vermont was devastated by Tropical Storm Irene, Members of this body came to me, not as s or but as concerned American citizens looking to help, just as I always have, whatever State it might be. Red State, blue State, or purple State, I have always voted to support them, and today this Vermonter is here to stand with all the American communities affected by recent natural disasters. prgtoken I have not given up on finding a path forward. Today Leader Schumer and I offered a substitute that would provide $2.5 billion in new funding to address the needs of communities affected by the 2019 disasters, such as flooding in the Midwest and tornadoes in Alabama. It would also accommodate the needs of the American citizens--remember that they are Americans--in Puerto Rico and other Territories by including increased funding for the community development block grant and grants to help rebuild damaged water systems. It also includes Medicaid funding for the Northern Mariana Islands and cost match waivers for the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. prgtoken Finally, it mandates that HUD speed up the release of billions in previously appropriated CDBG funding which the administration has unnecessarily withheld from disaster-stricken communities in Puerto Rico, in Texas, in Louisiana, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in Florida, in South Carolina, in
REMEMBERING HARRIS LLEWELLYN WOFFORD, JR.
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-4-4

today I wish to remember and pay tribute to former Senator Llewellyn Wofford, Jr. and his life of dedicated service to our country and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. prgtoken lived a life of service, committed to advancing civil rights and ending injustice. Early in his career, went to India to study nonviolence and the teachings of Gandhi. The lessons he learned during that time would become indispensable as got to know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and became involved in the civil rights movement, helping to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights legislation since reconstruction. prgtoken When John F. Kennedy was running for President in 1960, was an adviser on his campaign. Days before the election, Dr. King was unjustly imprisoned, and Wofford urged Kennedy and his team to call Coretta Scott King to comfort her and demonstrate his commitments to civil rights. Once Kennedy was elected, Wofford served as Special Assistant to the President for Civil Rights and chairman of the Subcabinet Group on Civil Rights. He urged the President and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to pursue civil rights legislation. Wofford would join Martin Luther King and others in the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights marches in 1965 in support of voting rights for African- Americans. prgtoken While serving in the Kennedy administration, Wofford worked with R. Sargent Shriver on the creation of the Peace Corps, eventually leaving the White House to serve as the Peace Corps' special representative to Africa and director of operations in Ethiopia, as well as associate director. He would also play a role in the creation of Volunteers in Service to America, a domestic version of the Peace Corps. prgtoken In 1991, when former Pennsylvania Senator H. John Heinz was killed in a plane crash, my father, Governor Robert P. Casey, turned to Wofford to fill the vacancy. went on to win a special election and served until 1994 when he narrowly lost reelection. While in office, he worked to pass the National and Community Service Act, creating AmeriCorps, the Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. would go on to serve as the head of AmeriCorps. prgtoken If one tried to sum up Wofford's life in one word, it would be service. He truly believed that through service every individual could contribute to the betterment of his or her community, State, country, and the world. Wofford's friend, Martin Luther King, Jr said ``everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.'' Today we honor Wofford's life of service which will continue to inspire Americans to serve one another and our Nation.
PASSING OF MS. BESSIE M. SWINDLE
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-4-4

. Madam , I would like to honor the life and legacy of a distinguished member of my Houston staff, a constituent, and more importantly a dear friend who passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2019 in Houston, Texas. prgtoken Ms. Bessie Swindle was born June 5, 1939 in Loreauville, Louisiana, relocating to Houston, Texas as a young adult where she went on to become a pillar of the Sunnyside community. prgtoken Over the course of more than fifty years, she used her skills as a community organizer to make a difference in Houston. Prior to serving as an outreach coordinator in my Houston office, she founded and served as president of the Cloverland Civic Club, representing 400 homeowners in the neighborhood, sponsoring fundraisers, aiding needy families, and raising money for scholarships. prgtoken She was involved with several organizations and used her voice to represent Sunnyside residents as a Parent/Teacher Association member, Troop Leader for Girl Scouts of America San Jacinto Council, President of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church ``55 Plus'' Club, Community Liaison for former County Precinct 7 Constable Michael Butler and Constable Perry Wooten, member of Mayor Bill White's Phone Tower Commission, and member of the City of Houston Police Officers Civil Service Commission. She also served as president of Southeast Coalition of Civic Clubs and Precinct Judge for County Voting Precinct 271. prgtoken During her distinguished lifetime of service, she was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including Parent of the Year from James H. Law Elementary in 1975, the Mayor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 1996, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Award in 1999, the Sir Knight Dennis Armelin Humanitarian Award in 2004, Mayor Bill White's proclamation of Bessie M. Swindle Day in 2007, the naming of the Bessie Swindle Community Center in Sunnyside, Houston, Texas in 2009, as well as the street naming of Bessie Swindle Way in 2010. prgtoken It is eminently clear that Ms. Bessie M. Swindle was no ordinary community servant. She used her influence to constantly stand up for those who needed her assistance--and she made a difference. Ms. Bessie Swindle will be greatly missed for her wit, wisdom, and willingness to work hard. Her contribution will never be forgotten. prgtoken I would like to send my condolences to Ms. Swindle's family, friends, and all those who will miss her dearly. I hope that, even in this sad time, Ms. Swindle's record of unselfish dedication to her city and community will serve as a bright light for those who dare to follow in her footsteps. prgtoken Ms. Bessie M. Swindle is survived by one daughter: Jackie Swindle. She is also survived by four brothers, one sister, and many beloved nieces and nephews.