mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF JASON TERRELL
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Jason Terrell, who passed away on Tuesday, June 9, after a long battle with cancer. prgtoken Jason was born on July 10, 1974, in Indianola, Mississippi. Shortly after graduating high school, Jason joined the United States Marine Corps and fought our nations enemies during Operation Restore Hope Somalia. He went on to obtain the rank of Corporal, and later joined the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Jason not only patrolled Mississippi highways, but also served as an expert marksman for the Mississippi Highway Patrol SWAT team. When Sargent First Class Terrell was not patrolling Mississippi highways, he was hunting, fishing, or worshipping at First Baptist Church of Vardaman. prgtoken Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Tara Winter Terrell; daughter, Maddie Terrell; mother, Beverly Charlotte Mitchell; step- father, prgtoken Howard Mitchell; step-mother, Linda Terrell; two brothers: Brian (Lisa) Terrell and Billy (Shanin) Vowell; as well as many other friends and extended family members. prgtoken Jason's life was one of service, grace, and love for his family and community. He will be greatly missed by all whom he encountered.
RECOGNIZING FIRE CHIEF AND EMERGENCY COORDINATOR STEVE LANDIN
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor the career and service of Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator, Steve Landin. Chief Landin has retired after 30 years of service as a member of the City of Laredo's Fire Department. prgtoken Chief Landin is an individual who showed true leadership and poise under great pressure. Since first becoming emergency management coordinator in 2005 and eventually Fire Chief, he helped lead the City of Laredo through three federally declared disasters as well as the ongoing pandemic. In addition, despite these difficult circumstances, he also managed to be a devoted family man and example for his community. prgtoken I have personally worked with Chief Landin over the years and witnessed first-hand the important work he has done for our area. Through his efforts, he helped ensure that Laredo's Fire Department was amongst the best in the country. In addition, he has set the standard for future fire department leaders. prgtoken Chief Landin's service to the City of Laredo will never be forgotten. He cared deeply about the people he was serving and consistently showed what it meant to always put the safety and well-being of others first. The dedication that he showed to us all should be a constant reminder of how we should be in our daily lives. prgtoken However, Chief Landin's service to others is not over. He will now be working for Webb County as its new Emergency Management Coordinator. Once again showing his commitment to others and devotion to our community. prgtoken As we move forward, let us take the time to appreciate the service of heroes like Chief Landin and all the individuals who risk their lives each day to keep us safe. However, in the words of President John F. Kennedy, ``As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.''
Justice in Policing Act (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-6-22

the American people are crying out for major, significant changes in policing in this country. Being killed by the police is now the sixth leading cause of death for young men in America. Young Black men are 2.5 times more likely than White men to be killed by police, while Black women are 1.4 times more likely than White women to be killed by police. prgtoken As hundreds of thousands of Americans of all ages and colors take to the streets to demand change, we need legislation that rises to the moment. So introduced a bill 3 weeks ago that would bring strong, comprehensive, and lasting change to police departments across America: the Justice in Policing Act. prgtoken Our colleagues in the House are expected to pass that bill this week. However, here in the Senate, our colleagues have responded to our comprehensive proposal with an approach that is piecemeal and halfhearted. The longer you look at the policing reform effort, the more obvious are the shortcomings and deficiencies. prgtoken The bill does nothing--nothing to reform the legal standards that shield police from accountability for violating Americans' constitutional rights. The bill does nothing-- nothing to encourage independent investigations of police departments with patterns and practices that violate the Constitution. The bill does nothing--nothing to reform the use of force standard, nothing--nothing on qualified immunity, nothing on racial profiling, and nothing on limiting the transfer of military equipment to police departments. prgtoken The bill doesn't even truly ban choke holds or no-knock warrants. It leaves major loopholes when it comes to choke holds and only requires more data on no-knock warrants. More data would not have saved Breonna Taylor's life. Allowing police to use choke holds whenever they say that deadly force is necessary is not going to save lives. prgtoken We need a bill that achieves genuine police reform. The proposal comes across like a list of suggestions. prgtoken I would repeat this important warning: If we pass a bill that is ineffective and the killings continue and police departments resist change and there is no accountability, the wound in our society will not close; it will fester. This is not about making an effort or dipping our toes in the water. It must be about solving a problem that is taking the lives of too many Black Americans. prgtoken This is not a time for studies or commissions or tinkering around the edges. prgtoken This is not a debate about tax policy or transportation policy. It is a matter of the constitutional rights of the American people, and it is truly a matter of life and death. prgtoken Unfortunately, Senator Scott's bill is deeply and fundamentally flawed. It would not have prevented the death of George Floyd or Breonna Taylor or Ahmaud Arbery or Michael Brown or Eric Garner, and if it w
RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK
Donna E. Shalala (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was established on August 1, 1945 as the ``Colored only Beach'' in Miami, Florida. Today, the civic, social, and environmental characteristics of the park hold national, state, regional, and local significance in the history of civil rights, highlighting the achievements of local African American communities and providing an opportunity for the public to explore various environmental phenomena unique to the park. prgtoken The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was added to the national register of historic places in 2002, added to the State of Florida Heritage Trail in 2006, included as a major stakeholder to the Virginia Key master plan in 2010, and added to the City of Miami's Historic and Environmental Preservation List in 2013. In 2006, the Miami City Commission approved the Virginia Key Beach Park master plan, which included the restoration of the park and the creation of a museum. The museum will showcase the history and contributions of the communities the park has served, the natural environment of the park, and the creation of a Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation. prgtoken The history of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park highlights the contributions of civil rights leaders from our communities. Today, the park is a model of social engagement opportunities through the incorporation of the public shoreline, green space, and the various amenities on Virginia Key.
IN MEMORY OF EARNESTINE ``WARNET'' DAVIS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Earnestine Davis, a beloved resident of the city of Detroit. prgtoken Earnestine Warnet Davis was born on January 18, 1951 to the late Dulcy B. Smith and Hubert Lee Lockett in Detroit, Michigan. Earnestine, affectionately known as ``Warnet'' or ``Net'', was the eldest of five children. She embraced the role of leader and ``big sister,'' often helping her mother with caring for her younger brothers and sisters. prgtoken Upon graduating from Detroit's Mumford High School, Warnet moved to Miami, Florida to live with her late father, Hubert Lockett, and his wife, Dale Lockett, to attend Miami Dade Community College. In 1969, she married the love of her life, Michael Davis, Sr who preceded her in death. They returned to Detroit to focus on raising a family. Warnet and her husband were blessed with five beautiful children: Desmond Michelle, Michael, Dulcy Marquita, Leigh Christine, and Robert Trevor- Blair Davis. prgtoken Determined and strong-willed, Warnet did not let the challenge of raising a large family deter her from accomplishing her life's goal of becoming a nurse. After the passing of her husband Michael, Warnet reenrolled in college. Focused and driven, Warnet juggled raising her children with long hours of study and hard work to realize her dream. In 1986, Warnet graduated with two degrees and with Honors from the distinguished Nursing Program at Highland Park Community College. Warnet's passion for the healing arts drove her to focus on passing her state licensing exams to obtain her professional licensing to become a License Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN). Succeeding in her goal, Warnet enjoyed a long career in nursing, specializing as a psychiatric care nurse attending to those with mental illness. Her love for her career was evident to all who knew her. prgtoken Even while managing a busy career, Warnet made the most of her time spent with family. She was known as the life of the party and took joy in organizing large family gatherings at her home. She held a keen appreciation for the preciousness of life and always went out of her way to bring family together. This sensibility extended into Warnet's strong spiritual life. She served as a deaconess at Park United Presbyterian Church in Highland Park, Michigan for many years, where she organized numerous community events. prgtoken Please join me in tribute to Earnestine Warnet Davis, a generous soul who will be missed by her family and community.
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-6-22

this past Saturday, June 20, we marked the 20th commemoration of World Refugee Day. Since 2000, World Refugee Day annually shines a light on the struggles of displaced people all over the globe and encourages us all to redouble our efforts to help them. prgtoken We are currently experiencing the most severe refugee crisis in recorded history. There are almost 80 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, of which more than 30 million are refugees and asylum- seekers. Every 2 seconds, someone is forced to leave his or her home because of conflict or persecution. That means that, since I began speaking, roughly 20 individuals have become newly displaced. prgtoken These numbers are staggering and difficult to comprehend, but try to imagine for a moment what it means to be a refugee: to watch your home torn apart by conflict; to become the target of violence and oppression; to fear so greatly for your life and the lives of your loved ones that you choose to leave everything you know behind and take a dangerous journey to a place where the language and the culture are unfamiliar, where you have no support system, where you may struggle every day to make ends meet. prgtoken This nightmare is the reality for almost 80 million human beings around the world. The situation has only worsened since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of refugees are in low and middle-income countries, where weak health systems are already struggling to provide the basics of care. According to the International Rescue Committee, just 34 conflict-affected and fragile countries could see between 500 million and 1 billion COVID-19 infections, leading to between 1.7 million and 3.2 million deaths over the course of the pandemic. Furthermore, refugees and displaced persons tend to live in precarious conditions that make them even more vulnerable to the coronavirus. They often live in crowded housing situations with little access to basic hygiene services, the perfect breeding ground for infectious diseases to spread. For instance, there are about 850,000 Rohingya refugees living in congested camps in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. As the coronavirus began to take hold there in March, experts warned that the lack of sanitation and capacity for social distancing in these refugee camps would create the ``perfect storm'' for transmission of the disease. prgtoken Additionally, many refugees are employed in informal industries with little to no options for sick leave, restricted access to public health services, and have few, if any, resources to weather the financial burden of quarantine measures. Many are forced to defy stay-at-home orders to find ways to support their families, risking their health and that of their loved ones to provide basic shelter and food. prgtoken Take, for example, the story of Orlando, a member of an indigenous community in Venezuela who is among the 4.5 million Venezuelan migrants and
INTRODUCTION OF THE COVID-19 HOSPITAL LOAN FORGIVENESS ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise to introduce the COVID-19 Hospital Loan Forgiveness Act to provide immediate, vitally needed relief to hospitals and health care providers who are under water as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Our nation's hospitals have invested heavily to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic. They canceled tens-of-thousands of elective surgeries and non-emergent patient tests at the government's request to help ensure adequate hospital capacity, preserve gear and equipment, and reduce the risk of unnecessary patient spread. This major shift has put some of America's hospitals on the brink of financial disaster. prgtoken Without further support, hospitals will face another financial crisis just months from now as the government begins to withhold Medicare payments for services provided after the pandemic fades and until the loans are repaid. While the $175 billion provider grant program, designed to provide support to all providers, is helpful, much more support is needed, prgtoken This legislation will provide Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments loan forgiveness to ensure the additional financial support hospitals and other providers direly need. Forgiveness would be for health care related expenses or lost revenues that are directly attributable to coronavirus. And, just like the requirement in the provider grant program, providers electing to have their advance payment loans forgiven would be obligated to abstain from balance or surprise billing any patient for COVID-related treatment. prgtoken The bill outlines: forgiveness would be for health care related expenses or lost revenues that are directly attributable to COVID-19, providers electing to have their advance payment loans forgiven would be obligated to abstain from balance billing any patient for COVID- related treatment, and criteria for transparency and accountability of the loan forgiveness, including no executive compensation. prgtoken Hospitals across my district have shared that in the absence of more financial support, including this forgiveness, it is possible some hospitals will be forced to close or significantly scale back operations. This would be a tragic consequence, especially if the country is hit with another round of the viral epidemic in the near future. and fellow Ohioan Representative Bob Gibbs for his bipartisan work on this, and our growing list of bipartisan cosponsors--we look forward to working with the Senate to further action on hospital loan forgiveness.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BIGGS
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the 95th birthday of George Washington Biggs, and recognize his service as a veteran of Army Air Corps and Air Force. As a Tuskegee Airman and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, he is an exemplary American and Arizonan to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. prgtoken A native of Nogales, Arizona, Mr. Biggs joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 and trained at the Tuskegee Institute, the all-black flight training school in Alabama. He was one of two Arizonans to graduate from the program. After training during World War II, Mr. Biggs re- enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a non-commissioned officer and subsequently received direct commission as an officer in the newly formed United States Air Force. He went on to achieve the rank of major and flew B-47 and B-52 bombers in the Korean and Vietnam wars. prgtoken Since retiring from the military, Mr. Biggs has lived and worked in Nogales for the U.S. Customs Service. He has raised a family and since retired. In 2007, Mr. Biggs and other Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian recognition awarded by Congress, for the group's ``unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.'' prgtoken I believe that Mr. Biggs' character and actions truly embody what it means to serve one's country. Not only did he fly in multiple wars, he rose above expectation and obligation as a pilot and an officer. In addition to his time in the Army Air Corps and Air Force, his integrity, modesty, and principled character are values that we can all learn from and should strive to emulate. prgtoken I would like to express my personal appreciation for the service of George Washington Biggs, and my hopes that he has a happy 95th birthday.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF MR. ANDREW JAMES
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life and express sadness over the passing of Mr. Andrew James. Mr. James was a chronically homeless man who spent nearly 20 years suffering on the streets, vulnerable and struggling with mental illness. He was able to find hope, treatment, and housing security through the help of The Lord's Place. The staff that worked with him at The Lord's Place described him as a ``gentle soul, showing nothing but kindness to all he met, despite being treated unjustly while on the streets.'' prgtoken After receiving assistance through The Lord's Place, Mr. James flourished. He was placed in a supportive housing program and was connected to mental health care, but it was the connection to others that made all the difference in his life. He loved others and they certainly loved him too. prgtoken Mr. James passed away with dignity, in his own home on May 15, 2020. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all who were lucky enough to know Mr. Andrew James. He will be dearly missed.
HONORING JOYCE SMITH
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor Joyce Smith, who is retiring as Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. prgtoken NACAC, founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 14,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education. prgtoken Ms. Smith has served NACAC for 33 years, including 22 years as CEO. She has been in the college admissions profession for more than 40 years. prgtoken Under her leadership, membership has increased from approximately 6,000 members in the mid-1990s to more than 14,000 college counseling and admission professionals today; attendance at NACAC's signature event, the annual national conference, has more than doubled in 20 years from 3,518 attendees in San Francisco in 1997 to 7,934 attendees in Boston in 2017; and the National College Fair program hosts 95 fairs throughout the U.S. annually, with nearly 200,000 students each year gaining exposure to more than 1,700 colleges, universities, and other postsecondary programs. prgtoken Madam , Ms. Smith has worked tirelessly on behalf of students around the country and world, helping to ensure they reach their academic dreams and fulfil their potential. The profession and the college application process are constantly changing but Ms. Smith has led the association with distinction. prgtoken Our students and our colleges are better because of Ms. Smith's leadership. prgtoken Please join me in wishing Ms. Smith the best in her retirement.
CELEBRATING LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-6-22

. Madam , I rise today to join my LGBTQ+ family, friends, colleagues, and constituents in celebrating the many hard- earned gains that have been made for equality in our nation and around the globe. We have come a long way in the last several years: from the passage of the Equality Act in the House last year, to same-sex marriage being legalized in twenty-nine countries, and now the Supreme Court holding that the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits sex discrimination, applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. prgtoken This Pride Month, as our nation reckons with its long history of racism and police violence, we must remember that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights goes hand-in-hand with the fight for racial equality. On June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, the police rounded up and arrested LGBTQ patrons and forced them into police cars. Fed up with police harassing and brutalizing the gay community, other Stonewall Inn patrons started an uprising outside the bar. Among them were Marsha P. Johnson, a black drag queen and Sylvia Rivera, a Latinx drag queen, both pioneering activists who were key figures in resisting police violence that night, alongside other transgender and queer activists. The LGBTQ+ rights movement as we know it today was born out of these brave people resisting police mistreatment. prgtoken This year would have marked the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Pride parade, and 51 years since the Stonewall riots. While we cannot march and gather this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can continue to celebrate our progress and our shared history in the LGBTQ+ community. I'm particularly proud of the role my district has in the LGBTQ+ community, with the Pride Parade stepping off just blocks from my Chicago District office, to the historic Andersonville neighborhood, and to being the home of so many historical institutions like the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, the Baton Show Lounge, the Test Positive Aware Network, and the Leather Archives and Museum. prgtoken Despite our many advances, LGBTQ+ people, and disproportionately Black trans women, still face hatred, discrimination, violence, and police harassment and brutality around the country and globe. Over one- third of Black trans women who interact with law enforcement in the U.S. are assumed by police to be sex workers, leading to harassment, abuse, and mistreatment. Since 2013, about 111 out of at least 157 transgender and gender non-conforming victims of hate killings have been Black trans women. And just last week, we lost two Black trans women, Riah Milton and Dominique ``Rem'Mie'' Fells, who were brutally murdered. They were the 13th and 14th trans women in the U.S. to be killed this year alone. And the violence extends to the transgender community overall, including right here in Chicago. Last month, Selena Reyes-Hernandez was killed by an 18-year old man who shot her in her home on t