mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HASSON REDDICK FIRST ROUND NFL DRAFT PICK
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-5-1

right now, the NHL playoffs are going on but my Philadelphia Flyers are sitting in the penalty box, and as NBA teams seek the title in the NBA playoffs, sadly the Sixers have fouled out. But Philadelphians fear not! Hasson Reddick, a proud member of the Temple football team gives us all something to cheer for--because not only did he graduate already but he was picked in the First Round of the NFL DRAFT at number 13--lucky number 13. I want to extend my congratulations to Hasson Reddick. Hasson Reddick graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a degree in Criminal Justice in December 2016. As you know, the NFL draft was in the City of Philadelphia last week and Line Backer Hasson Reddick was a first round draft pick at number 13. Hasson Reddick grew up in Camden, New Jersey. His mom is an educator at a Head Start in New Jersey and always stressed the importance of getting a good education. Education was always her top priority for her son. Hasson Reddick's father would practice football with his son early in the morning every day. Hasson Reddick started as a walk-on at Temple and was a part of the team for his entire collegiate career. Hasson Reddick is the true embodiment of perseverance. He is an example of persistence, keeping at a dream and not taking the word ``no'' for an answer. Hasson Reddick has not only made his family and friends proud but he has made the City of Philadelphia and the City of Camden proud. Congrats again, way to set a wonderful example for our neighborhoods.
Government Funding Legislation (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-5-1

late last night, due to the hard work and diligence of the staffs of the Appropriations Committees on both sides of the aisle in both Houses, the staff of the leadership, and so many others, we were able to come to a bipartisan agreement on a bill to fund the government through September. Most importantly, this agreement takes the threat of a government shutdown off the table. It is also a good agreement for the American people. prgtoken The bill ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to fund an ineffective border wall; it excludes over 160 poison pill riders; and it increases investments in programs that the middle class relies on, like education, infrastructure, and medical research. prgtoken It includes a permanent extension for health benefits for miners. Here, I want to praise--and I can't give enough praise--to the Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, who was relentless even after disappointment after disappointment, at holding the Senate's feet to the fire and making sure this was done. Many miners can rest easy tonight--people who have worked so hard all their lives and had so much disappointment--because of Joe Manchin's work and what we put into the bill. prgtoken There is also funding to shore up Puerto Rico's Medicaid Program, and $2 billion to help States like California, West Virginia, Louisiana, and North Carolina recover from recent natural disasters. prgtoken The bill also includes a significant increase in NIH funding, which deals with cancer research and the Cancer Moonshot that both President and Vice President pushed for and continues onward, and a restoration of year-round Pell grants that will benefit about 1 million students. College is often the ladder up for a lot of students, and this will help them stay on that ladder. prgtoken And the bill includes significantly increased funding for infrastructure, as well as funding to combat the scourge of opioid abuse which affects all parts prgtoken of the country--urban areas, suburban areas, rural areas. It affects the poor, the middle class, and the rich. prgtoken Good news: It protects 99 percent of the Environmental Protection Agency's budget so their quest to keep our water and air clean will be able to continue. It increases funding for clean energy research as well. That is one of the great hopes for jobs in this country, as our Senator from Washington, Maria Cantwell, constantly reminds us. prgtoken For my home State of New York, I was particularly pleased the agreement supports critical programs that are greatly needed and very popular in my State, like the Community Development Block Grant Program, which so many smaller cities depend on; the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to get pollution out of all the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie being on the shores of New York; and the vital TIGER Grant Program, which has done so much to support infrastructure, road building, and highways throughout my St
TELL ME IT ISN'T SO
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-5-1

a few of us were at the United Nations this morning and this afternoon, and what we heard most was the importance of empowering women in developing countries who have experienced violence, sexual violence. Tell me it isn't so that the President of the United States has discontinued Let Girls Learn, fostered and supported by Mrs which is an important key element of the Peace Corps, which is attempting to help these girls learn and empower them. prgtoken Tell me it isn't so that the President of the United States, not recognizing the Constitution and freedom of speech, is trying to expand or change the libel laws that if you don't like what they say about you as a politician, you can undermine and you can charge First Amendment privilege, First Amendment press, and others with a violation of those laws. prgtoken Tell me it isn't so that America is going back on her values and her commitment to helping people around the world, particularly vulnerable women and children, and, of course, denigrating the First Amendment and the freedom of the press. Tell me it isn't so.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. STAN GOOCH AND THE IMPACT HE HAD ON BOY'S BASKETBALL IN MICHIGAN
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-5-1

I ask the United States House of Representatives join me in recognizing Mr. Stan Gooch, of Grand Blanc, for his tremendous, lasting impact in the field of basketball in the Flint area, as well as the State of Michigan as a whole. Anyone who knew Stan will tell you that he was much more than a coach to our community. He was a man who loved his players and truly loved the game of basketball. As the Member of Congress representing the Fifth District of Michigan, I am honored to recognize his life and to have represented Stan. In 2008, Stan was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame after building a legendary basketball program over the span of 41 years, retiring in 2000. Throughout his four decade-long career, he established himself as a genius coaching high school basketball and was recognized and respected for his skills by colleagues. During his career, he led his Flint Central basketball team to three straight Class A State Championships, from 1981 to 1983. This success, many of his fans believe, is attributed to a coaching system of `organized chaos.' Former players saw him as ``one of the greatest high school coaches in this area.'' Not only was he inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, Stan's stellar career gained him entrance into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. It is worth noting, though, that he went beyond simply being his players' coach. He established himself as a mentor to several of the young men he coached, staying in their lives even after high school. He was also responsible for molding some of these high school students into successful, professional athletes. For these and many other reasons, I feel compelled to honor the life of Stan Gooch. I hope that his legacy, as a coach and a man, will never be forgotten.
GULF OF MEXICO OIL DRILLING MORATORIUM
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-5-1

in conclusion, we can't have oil drilling, not only for our national security and the testing and training of our most sophisticated weapons systems in the Gulf off of Florida, but also we couldn't stand it if we had another oil spill that would do to us what the last one did. It was a spill way far west off of Louisiana, but it drifted to the east and blackened the sugary white sands of Pensacola Beach and Destin Beach, and there were tar balls as far east as Panama City Beach. Because of that, we lost an entire season of our guests, our tourists. They did not come to the Gulf Coast of Florida, not just in the Florida panhandle but all the way south down the Gulf to Naples and to Marco Island--a $60 billion per year tourism industry for Florida's economy. We can't suffer that kind of shock again. prgtoken So whether it be the degradation of the environment, the messing up of the training and testing of our U.S. military and their largest testing and training range, or the devastating economic loss to Florida of its tourism industry--for all those reasons, we need to pass this legislation. It will be coming forth in a bipartisan fashion. prgtoken , .
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2017-5-1

there is no place on this planet like the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park. prgtoken For over 100 years, families have flocked to Glacier National Park to experience the breathtaking views, unique wildlife, and the pristine landscapes that can't be found anywhere else on earth. prgtoken In fact, last year, more than 2.3 million people visited Glacier National Park to hike above Lake McDonald, bike across the Continental Divide, and experience the Going to the Sun Road. prgtoken Today we mark the next chapter of the distinctive history of Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park have collectively become the first transcontinental National Parks to secure ``dark sky'' status. prgtoken To achieve this prestigious status, Glacier National Park has retrofitted nearly 30 percent of its light fixtures and is committing to continue to identify ways to limit artificial light within the park. prgtoken By achieving this status, Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks have provided the public with even more reasons to explore the outdoors in northwest Montana and southwest Alberta. prgtoken Not only do dark skies play an important role in outdoor recreation and late-night stargazing, but they are critical to wildlife migrations and habitats within the parks. prgtoken This wouldn't be possible without Glacier Park superintendent Jeff Mow. prgtoken Their leadership has ushered Glacier National Park into a new era and provided millions of folks around the world with the opportunity to fall in love again with our great outdoors. prgtoken Thank you again for your outstanding work.
U.S. TERRITORIES INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT OF 2017
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-5-1

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 1366, legislation that will close a loophole in our securities laws and better protect the investors and retirees of the U.S. territories. prgtoken The Investment Company Act of 1940 governs investment companies, such as mutual funds, closed-end funds, and ETFs. Its purpose is to protect investors and provide oversight of these companies. In doing so, it regulates various transactions among affiliates, sets leverage limits, outlines recordkeeping requirements, and describes how securities may be redeemed. prgtoken These matters sound technical, but they provide fundamental protections to most U.S. investors. I say ``most'' because, due to a historical artifact, all funds located in and sold only to residents of U.S. territories are exempted. prgtoken The reason is, in 1940, territories like Puerto Rico were considered to be too distant from Washington, D.C. Obviously, modern air travel makes that a nonissue today, as regulators routinely travel to Hawaii and Alaska to conduct oversight. In addition, many of these financial products are now traded electronically, truly eliminating the need to visit in person. prgtoken The consequence of exemption falls squarely on the residents of U.S. territories. Investment companies can sell products to them without the important oversight, disclosure, and conflict-of-interest requirements to which mainland companies are subject. prgtoken As a result, many investors and retirees have been subject to investment losses, some resulting from behavior that would have been prohibited if the 1940 act applied to the island's investment companies. prgtoken To address this matter, H.R. 1366, the U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act, applies the 1940 act to currently exempt investment companies that are located, organized in, and sold to residents of these territories. prgtoken I would like to point out that this bill is identical to legislation that passed the House last Congress twice with overwhelming bipartisan support. prgtoken In order to permit investment companies to comply with the legislation, it provides for a 3-year compliance period, with an option, at the approval of the SEC, for an additional 3 years. This time period balances the need to bring the investor protections of the 1940 act to the territories with enough time for affected entities to fully understand and comply with the 1940 act. prgtoken It is important to note that if investment companies need further relief from any specific requirement of the 1940 act, they are able to request such relief through the SEC under existing law. Earlier this year, past SEC Chair White testified that the exemption should be removed. prgtoken I want to thank Congressman Duffy and Congressman MacArthur, two of my colleagues from the Puerto Rico Task Force, for cosponsoring this bill. I also want to thank Puerto Rico's new Member of Congress, Jennif
HONORING RETIRING BURBANK MAYOR HARRY KLEIN
Daniel Lipinski (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-5-1

I rise today to honor Mayor Harry Klein who is retiring after serving the City of Burbank as their mayor for 26 years. Mayor Klein was first appointed mayor in 1991 after the previous mayor resigned due to health concerns. He was subsequently elected to six consecutive terms starting in 1993. He has been a resident of Burbank since 1964 and raised three children in the community. He now has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. As the Mayor of Burbank, Harry has been especially active on infrastructure issues, a priority for the residents of Burbank. He was instrumental in paving sidewalks all throughout the community. He also prioritized the installation of street lights in Burbank, significantly increasing the walkability and safety of the city. Mayor Klein has represented the interests of the residents of Burbank very well over these 26 years. He personally answered his constituents' phone calls and did his absolute best to solve whatever problems they had. In his city of 29,000 he knows many residents by name and will speak with them on the street whenever he can. Just recently I witnessed the love that residents have for Harry as they greeted him at Opening Day at Burbank American and Burbank National Little Leagues I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mayor Harry Klein for his public service and congratulate him on his achievements. He is well deserving of praise for the energy he has dedicated to improving the lives of the residents of Burbank. I wish him the best in his retirement.
Tragedy at the University of Texas (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-5-2

first, I would like to offer a brief word on some tragic events that occurred in my State over the last few days. prgtoken Yesterday, at the University of Texas in Austin, a man wielding a knife began attacking students on campus. He injured three and tragically killed another. My prayers are with the entire UT community, particularly the friends and families of those injured and the student who lost his life. prgtoken This was a senseless act of violence, and it is abhorrent. We don't yet know the details for why this deranged individual acted the way he did. Local officials are still gathering details about the case. prgtoken I am grateful to the University of Texas police for quickly apprehending the suspect and stopping further loss of life and injury. I offer them and the rest of the law enforcement community in Austin, around the State, and around the Nation my support as they seek justice and continue to protect, in this instance, one of the State's flagship institutions of higher learning.
TRIBUTE TO HENSON MOORE
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-5-2

Today I wish to honor Congressman Henson Moore and recognize his years of service, including his leadership on the Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Commission. prgtoken Raised in Hackberry, LA, Henson moved to Baton Rouge where he graduated from Baton Rouge High School and later Louisiana State University, LSU. He also received his law degree in 1965 and master's degree in 1973 from LSU. Henson honorably served in the Army from 1965 to 1967 and, in 1974, was elected to Congress where he represented Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District for 12 years. prgtoken In 1987, Henson was named commissioner of the Panama Canal Consultative Committee by President Reagan. In 1989, he was named Deputy Secretary at the Department of Energy and, in 1992, was named White House Deputy Chief of Staff for President George H.W. . prgtoken Following his retirement as president and CEO of American Forest and Paper Association in 2006, Henson and his wife, Carolyn, returned to Baton Rouge. prgtoken Henson's public service and involvement with numerous for-profit and nonprofit boards has earned him many noteworthy honors and awards, among them the Secretary Gold Medal, U.S. Department of Energy, induction into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame, induction into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction, and the chancellor's Sesquicentennial Service Award. More recently, he was honored as the 2011 LSU Alumnus of the Year. Henson also served as chairman of the Forever LSU Campaign, the most successful fundraising effort in the university's history, and in 2014 was named chairman of the Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Commission. prgtoken Fought on January 8, 1815, the Battle of New Orleans was the final major battle of the War of 1812 and a decisive victory for the United States. As chairman of the Bicentennial Commission, Henson planned and ran a number of activities throughout the New Orleans area. The commission and chairman were all volunteers; they received no money in exchange for their work, and there was no State money used for this commission. In his address on the bicentennial, Henson joked, ``When the Legislature created the Bicentennial Commission, it had the foresight to prgtoken provide no money and no staff but a lot of obstruction.'' The bicentennial commission was tasked with commemorating a significant moment in both U.S. and Louisiana history. Under Henson Moore's leadership, that mission was achieved. prgtoken I would like to honor and congratulate Henson for his work on both the bicentennial commission and for his service to our country and the State of Louisiana.
National Charter Schools Week (Executive Calendar)
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-5-2

I am here today to celebrate the 18th Annual National Charter Schools Week and thank the students, parents, and teachers from charter schools across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education. Senator Bennet of Colorado and I introduced a resolution marking this event, which the Senate approved yesterday. prgtoken Let me tell you my favorite story about charter schools. It was 24 years ago, 1992. I was in my last month as U.S. Secretary of Education, and as my last official act, I wrote a letter to every school superintendent in the country asking them to consider replicating the early success of the State of Minnesota in creating charter schools. There were about a dozen of them then, and they were created by the ic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota. That was consistent with what President George H.W. and I had been encouraging, which was what we called start-from-scratch schools--schools that gave teachers more freedom and parents more choices. We thought that could improve education in the country and might lead to what we call new American schools. prgtoken The first charter schools were created in the State of Minnesota nearly a quarter of a century ago, led by the ic-Farmer-Labor Party, and there were about a dozen of them. Since then, there has been broad bipartisan, mainstream support for charter schools. prgtoken Let's remember that charter schools are public schools. They are simply public schools which are freer from government rules, Federal rules, State rules, and union rules and which give teachers more freedom to teach the children who are presented to them and parents more freedom to choose those public schools. prgtoken Some of those who supported the creation of charter schools include Albert Shanker, the late head of the American Federation of Teachers. In 1997, President Clinton said: We need 3,000 charter schools by the year 2002 in the No Child Left Behind legislation, supported charter schools. President was a strong supporter of charter schools while he was in office. His first U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, called himself a ``strong supporter'' of charter schools. President 's second U.S. Education Secretary, John King, founded a charter school and ran a system of charter schools. Secretary Betsy DeVos, the current Secretary of Education, has spent most of her life as a strong supporter of charter schools. In 1994, 1998, 2001, and 2015, the U.S. Congress supported charter schools by large margins and in a bipartisan manner. Over 44 States and the District of Columbia have created an environment through their laws for charter schools. prgtoken In 30 years, public charter schools have grown from a dozen in Minnesota to more than 6,900 today. Today, charter schools are serving over 3.1 million students. Over 6 percent of all public school students in America today now attend charter schools,