mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMOVING DEADLINE FOR RATIFICATION OF EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , women have been fighting tooth and nail for decades to be recognized as equal under the eyes of the law. While we made significant gains, it is time for a full constitutional equality. prgtoken In 1866, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a free-born Black woman, addressed the National Women's Rights Convention in New York City, and she said: ``Justice is not fulfilled so long as woman is unequal before the law. We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity. . . . Society cannot afford to neglect the enlightenment of any class of its members.'' prgtoken These words still hold true today for our mothers, for our daughters, and for our future leaders. We must take up the mantle of the women who came before us and pass this amendment for a more just future.
REMOVING DEADLINE FOR RATIFICATION OF EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , it has been 97 years since the equal rights amendment was introduced in the 68th Congress and 48 years since the ERA passed the House and Senate. prgtoken In those 48 years, I have had three daughters and one granddaughter. Those four young women are brilliant, precocious, and accomplished, with strong character, great morality, and true nobility. These women are every bit the equal of any man I have ever met, yet our Constitution does not recognize their equality nor prohibit discrimination against them. prgtoken I am very proud that the Commonwealth of Virginia was the 38th State to ratify the ERA. We must permanently remove the deadline for State ratification and provide an essential legal remedy against gender discrimination. prgtoken Does this sound like a political stunt: ``Women shall have equal rights in the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.'' prgtoken No. These words belong in the United States Constitution. There is nothing partisan about recognizing men and women have equal rights under the law. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
PFAS WATER CONTAMINATION
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , PFAS water contamination continues to threaten the purity of our drinking water and the health of our communities, including my own. prgtoken FAS contaminants exist on more than 400 military bases nationwide and threaten the health and safety of those who live nearby. This public health crisis demands our full attention and requires a national solution. prgtoken This 116th Congress has proposed and passed more PFAS legislation than any previous Congress in history, including the PFAS Action Act, which would require the EPA to enforce cleanup of contaminated sites and require a nationwide PFAS drinking water standard. prgtoken Still much work remains to be done. We must stand up for stronger regulations, cleaner water, and healthier communities. prgtoken Clean drinking water cannot be another issue that the Senate majority continues to ignore and add to their graveyard. We have an obligation to address this national health crisis. prgtoken Madam , I urge the Senate, including my own Senators, to prioritize the well-being of our communities and to act swiftly on the passage of the PFAS Action Act.
SERGEANT MICHAEL DelVISCIO
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , I rise today to honor and commend the valiant service of Magnolia, New Jersey resident Sergeant Michael DelViscio, Camden County Town Hall Honoree. Sergeant Michael DelViscio was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1949 and two years later he and his family relocated to Barrington, New Jersey. In 1964 the DelViscios moved to Stratford, New Jersey and in 1967 Sergeant DelViscio graduated from Sterling High School. Following his graduation at the age of 19, Mr. DelViscio enlisted in the United States Army. As a third-generation member of the United States Army, Sergeant DelViscio proudly followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and namesake Mike DelViscio who served in World War I, and his father Frank DelViscio who served in World War II. Sergeant Michael DelViscio honorably enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed during the height of the Vietnam War to South Vietnam on September 1, 1969. He served with the 361st Signal Battalion located in Phu Bai. Upon returning from his one-year tour of duty, in 1970 Mr. DelViscio married his wife Fran and was reassigned to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. There he served out the remainder of his three-year enlistment in Arizona and was discharged on November 3, 1971 with the rank of Sergeant E-5. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his consistent acts of meritorious service during his time in the United States Army. Thereafter, Michael began his Police career with the Borough of Magnolia in March 1973 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1976. In 1991 Michael and two other officers were awarded the Departmental Gallantry Star ribbon and a citation for apprehending an armed suspect that committed a robbery at a local service station. After more than two decades of service to his community on July 1, 2001 Michael retired from his distinguished career with the Magnolia Police Department. On September 19, 2020 Michael and Fran will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They are proud parents of three daughters: Andrea, Karen, and Chrisy, who have all graduated from Sterling High School. He and his wife are the proud grandparents of Mandy, Johnny, Danny, Joey, Jacob, Ryan, Conner, Tyler, Katie, Michael, Ethan, and Sarah. Johnny is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps and has just completed his first year of active duty. Katie, Jacob, and Danny are volunteers at the Magnolia Fire Department. Madam , Sergeant DelViscio is a great American who exemplifies the true meaning of a patriot. I ask you to join me in honoring the truly exceptional service of Mr. Michael DelViscio, of Magnolia, New Jersey.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-2-13

I rise to honor the life and legacy of Marie Greenwood, who passed away late last year at the age of 106 years old. Marie, a teacher by trade, spent her life dedicated to the idea that each child--regardless of their race, gender, or class-- deserves a quality education. Her intellect, compassion, and vigor propelled countless children through the Denver Public School system and towards lives of purpose. Marie's work as Denver's first tenured Black teacher and an integration pioneer increased educational equity in our schools and helped shape Denver into the great city that it is today. prgtoken An only child, Marie was born in Los Angeles in 1912 before she and her family relocated to Denver in 1925. As a Black family in segregated Denver, they faced no shortage of obstacles. Despite being a star student who time and again overcame the bigotry leveled against her, Marie was told by her high school guidance counselor not to apply to college because it would be a waste of her parents' money. Thank goodness Marie did not heed this wrongheaded advice. She went on to graduate third in her class and earned a scholarship to Colorado Teachers College. Marie had set out on a path that would eventually lead to touching the lives of generations of Colorado's students. prgtoken Marie was a trailblazer in civil rights and the ideal teacher. In 1938, she earned tenure in the Denver Public Schools, the first Black teacher to do so. Throughout the 1940s, Marie was involved in local activism that challenged discriminatory policies. In 1955, Marie made history again when she became the first African American in Denver to teach at a segregated school. In the 1960s, she served on a Denver Public Schools committee tasked to study racial inequities in district funding and staffing. All the while, she was a kind and determined teacher who ensured that her students always tried their hardest. prgtoken In retirement, she authored two books, one outlining her philosophy on teaching children facing difficulties and the other her autobiography. In 2001, her legacy was further solidified as the school district named a new elementary school in her honor. She will continue to be remembered by students who participate in the Greenwood Scholars program, which teaches the history of Denver through her life story. prgtoken As the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools, I can confidently prgtoken say that our students would be well-served if Marie was the lodestar for our teachers. Her grace and passion for the profession made a tremendous difference in the lives of our young people, and we are all in her debt. Thank you, Marie. May she rest in peace.
HONORING MISS DAISY ELLIOTT
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , today, I stand here proud to say that I was one who cast my vote for the passage of ERA in America. prgtoken I also rise today to recognize a woman who was so very instrumental to the State of Michigan and its fight for civil rights, Miss Daisy Elliott. prgtoken Miss Elliott was only 1 of 11 women elected to the Michigan Constitutional Convention in 1961. She was key in ensuring that our State's constitution established the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, with the authority to investigate charges of discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin. prgtoken Daisy served in the Michigan Legislature for nearly 20 years as an effective and influential voice of equality and introduced more than 80 bills that were enacted, including the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Daisy Elliott was a fierce advocate for workers, senior citizens, and people of color. prgtoken Today, in honor of Black History Month, I salute and honor Miss Daisy Elliott. Madam , I honor her legacy.
RECOGNIZING ABC LIFE CENTER
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the ABC Life Center, a pregnancy center in Franklin, Pennsylvania in Venango County. prgtoken The Life Center offers pregnant women a wide variety of resources, including no-cost pregnancy tests, consultations for women with unexpected pregnancies, adoption referrals, counseling for women who have had a pregnancy end in miscarriage or abortion, and more. prgtoken The Life Center recognizes that being pro-life means supporting all life. The center itself encourages women by letting them know that their story, their life and their babies' lives matter. The center also dispels the notion that to be pro-life is to be antichoice. prgtoken In fact, pregnancy centers such as Life Center offer a great deal of choices and resources to women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant. prgtoken Pregnancy centers like ABC Life Center encourage and empower women all around the country. I am proud of the work that they do every day to enrich the lives of women and children, and together they help spread the message that life really is a better choice.
HONORING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT FIRST CLASS ANTONIO R. RODRIGUEZ
George Holding (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Sergeant First Class Antonio R. Rodriguez, who gave his life on February 8, 2020 while serving our nation in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. prgtoken Sergeant First Class Rodriguez of A Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group out of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida is a true American hero, one that honorably served the United States for over a decade as an elite Army Ranger. Sergeant First Class Rodriguez deployed ten times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. prgtoken During his tenure in the Army, Sergeant First Class Rodriguez received several awards and commendations. In addition to his Ranger tab, Combat Infantry badge, and Parachutist badge, Sergeant First Class Rodriguez earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO Medal. prgtoken Madam , please join me today in commemorating the life of Sergeant First Class Antonio R. Rodriguez and in offering our condolences and prayers to his wife, Sergeant Ronaleen H. Omega, and to the many family, friends, and comrades as they mourn the loss of this brave hero.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-2-13

on January 24, tens of thousands of pro- life Americans filled the streets of Washington, DC, for the annual March for Life. Unfortunately, I couldn't come down to the floor to talk about the march because the Senate was tied up with the impeachment trial, although I did get the opportunity to meet with some marchers from Rapid City, SD. Now that the floor is open again, I wanted to come down to recognize this year's marchers, including those from my home State of South Dakota, and talk about why they march. prgtoken Every year in this country, hundreds of thousands of babies are killed by abortion--hundreds of thousands. That is not some number the pro-life movement has cooked up. That is straight from the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, formerly affiliated with Planned Parenthood, which reports that ``approximately 862,320 abortions were performed in 2017.'' That is 862,320. Most of us can't even fathom what a number that big looks like, but that is a lot of babies, because, of course, that is what we are talking about--babies, human beings. prgtoken Proponents of abortion try to deny the humanity of the unborn child, but science and ultrasound and common sense all make it very clear that when we talk about unborn children, we are talking about human beings, with their own fingerprints and their own DNA. Human beings deserve to be protected, even when they are small and weak and vulnerable-- especially when they are small and weak and vulnerable. prgtoken Stick around politics long enough and you are sure to hear someone talking about the importance of being on the right side of history. It is a common trope, but it is no less true for that. The truth is, we should think about being on the right side of history. When people look back at us, we want to be remembered for standing up for what is right, not for going along with injustice. prgtoken Abortion repeats a tired pattern. One group of people or society decides that another group of people is less valuable. They advance plausible-sounding reasons why it is legitimate to deprive these people of their human rights, and for various reasons people in that society go along with it. It is a story that has been repeated too many times, and the judgment of history never looks kindly on these societies. prgtoken The United States was founded to safeguard human rights. We haven't always lived up to that promise, but we have never stopped trying. It is time for America to start standing up for the rights of unborn humans. prgtoken Last week, in his State of the Union Address, the President called for a ban on late-term abortions. In 2016, somewhere around 11,000 babies were aborted at or after the 21-week mark in pregnancy--11,000 in 1 year. That is a lot of babies. prgtoken As neonatal science advances, we have been able to save babies born at earlier and earlier stages of pregnancy. Babies have survived after being born at 25 weeks, at 24 weeks, a
COMMEMORATING UTAH WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2020-2-13

I rise to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ballot cast by a woman in the United States under an equal suffrage law. I am proud that this remarkable milestone occurred in my home State of Utah. prgtoken The fight for the right to vote for all Americans, regardless of gender, race, or class, was achieved through efforts, large and small, and through great sacrifice. prgtoken Suffrage is the freedom to vote, to reaffirm the solemn duty of the citizen in a representative democracy. When I vote, I remember the sacrifice of men and women in uniform--of those who have won and preserved freedom for us in the past and of those who preserve it for us today. My vote is a recognition of that sacrifice. It is right and fitting that every American, male and female, has that same privilege. prgtoken Our great State of Utah was settled by pioneers like Brigham Young, who led his people to a new land in search of liberty and freedom from oppression. While the pioneers and settlers of Utah secured freedom of territory, religion, and thought, the voices of women were still not heard when it often mattered most--during the democratic selection of their government leaders. prgtoken Seraph Young, like her granduncle Brigham Young before her, endeavored to chart a different course. In the early morning of February 14, 1870, she became the first woman to vote in the United States of America. On that election day in Salt Lake City, 24 other women joined Seraph Young in casting their ballots. Then, in the next election, 2,000 more women followed their lead and exercised their equal suffrage rights. The voices of the few set in motion a monumental shift in our Nation's history. prgtoken Twenty-four years before the 19th Amendment to grant equal suffrage for women was ratified, Utah once again made history by electing the Nation's first female State senator, Martha Hughes Cannon. Cannon did not hesitate to pursue her own path. After receiving her undergraduate degree in chemistry, she went on to earn degrees in oration, medicine, and pharmacy at a time when few women pursued advanced education. As a physician, church leader, suffragist, and mother, she defeated her own husband at the ballot box to become the first female State senator in U.S. history. prgtoken Soon, we will honor the tremendous contributions Martha Hughes Cannon and all women suffragists have made as we welcome her as a new addition to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. prgtoken The symbols we choose to represent us and our State matter a great deal, and the bronze rendering of Cannon will serve as an enduring tribute to the efforts of all suffragists. prgtoken To all the women who have led and who continue to lead by example, we thank you.
CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONITEAU COUNTY, MISSOURI
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , it is my honor to congratulate Moniteau County, in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, on the 175th anniversary of its founding. prgtoken The territory that now makes up Moniteau County was originally part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. It was organized on February 14, 1845, carved out of territory from Cole and Morgan counties. The name of this county, taken from Moniteau Creek, is the French spelling of an Indian word meaning ``spirit of God'' or ``Country of the Great Spirit.'' The county epitomizes its name as evidenced by the many vibrant churches today in the community. prgtoken Agriculture is our state's leading industry, and Moniteau County is one of our state's leading producers of agricultural goods, known particularly for its beef, ham, and turkey products. prgtoken Moniteau County is a wonderful place in which to live, work, and raise a family. As this historic anniversary is celebrated, I wish the county and its citizens well and many more years of peace and prosperity.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-2-13

. and fellow Senators, I rise in support of Senator Cruz's amendment. prgtoken This is just a continuation of this animosity toward this President. This President did a great service to the United States of America, to the people of America, and to the world by dispatching General Soleimani as he did. prgtoken All of us listened to the intelligence. We had the secret and top- secret briefings on this. In addition to that, those of us on the Intelligence Committee actually got information that was compartmented. They had very clear information, proof to a very high degree that he was imminently attacking--he was imminently planning to attack Americans and American forces. prgtoken This was the right thing to do. It rid the world of a person who really rose to the same level as Osama bin Laden and some of the other people who have done these awful things to Americans. We should congratulate this President----
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2020-2-13

I have great respect for my distinguished colleague from Alaska, and I appreciate his service to our country and his thoughts today. prgtoken I stand in opposition to his amendment because, if there is one thing we don't need right now, it is anything else that would give more authority to the military-industrial complex to start and finish wars without authorization from Congress. prgtoken Anytime we introduce additional ambiguity into a field that is already ripe with ambiguity, given the inherent tension between ambiguities surrounding the inherent article II Commander in Chief power and the article I power that Congress has to declare war, we run into problems. This would open up that ambiguity. prgtoken The legislation we are addressing here, this resolution, is bipartisan. It has as its object to clarify that, for future, offensive action, we need congressional authorization. We have been lied to by the Pentagon for years regarding a war that has gone on for two decades. That is long enough. We don't want to create additional ambiguities. We don't want any more wars without the people's elected representatives being able to debate it.
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020, THROUGH MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-2-13

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn to then convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business being conducted, on the following dates and times, and that following each pro forma session, the Senate adjourn until the next pro forma session: Monday, February 17, at 1:45 p.m and Thursday, February 20, at 2:30 p.m. I further ask that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, February 20, it will next convene at 3 p.m. on Monday, February 24; further, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; further, following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Molloy nomination; and finally, I ask that the cloture motions filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m Monday, February 24.
RECOGNIZING ARIZONA'S BIRTHDAY AND 108TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-2-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize my home State of Arizona's birthday and our 108th anniversary of statehood. prgtoken Since February 14, 1912, the great State of Arizona has welcomed those who wish to experience a life of prosperity, opportunity, growth, and a culture second to none. prgtoken Every year people from all the over the world come to Arizona to experience our State's treasured beauty, and, of course, the five C's. prgtoken I know I speak for all of us who live in Arizona when I say we are incredibly grateful to call the Grand Canyon State our home. Our State motto means ``God Enriches.'' Arizona is proof of that.