mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUPPORTING AMERICA'S INNOVATORS ACT OF 2017
Bruce Poliquin (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-4-6

the responsibility of those of us in Congress is to create a predictable and streamlined set of regulations, such that we have an environment for the private sector, for businesses to invest, to grow, and to hire more of our constituents. And when that happens, , the folks in America live better lives with fatter paychecks and better futures. prgtoken Now, we all know that small businesses need more help than large companies when it comes to dealing with the regulatory environment because they don't have the firepower, the horsepower, the manpower to deal with these complex regulations. prgtoken When you start a small business, one of the most important ingredients is access to capital. You need investment funds, whether you are starting a bakery in Lewiston, Maine, or an auto body shop in Oxford, Maine. Now, that is why H.R. 1219 is important, and I want to congratulate Congressman Patrick McHenry for bringing this to the floor. prgtoken By increasing the number of investors capped from 100 to 250 individuals who are qualified to make these investments to help small businesses, it will provide more money, more funding, more capital for small businesses and startups to grow, to start, and to create more jobs for folks back home. prgtoken Government is in the business and should be in the business to help our families, not hurt them. That is why I encourage all of my fellow colleagues here in the House, s and , to support this good, commonsense bill.
HONORING PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO VETERANS
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to praise a school in my district that is going the extra mile to ensure that our heroes are given the resources and opportunities they deserve. prgtoken On April 22, Paul Smith's College in my district will hold the grand opening of their Veterans Resource Center--a project made possible through grants from the Holder Family Foundation and the Fred L. Emerson Foundation. This center will provide vets on campus with an important recreational resource and place to study, as well as house the Paul Smith's College Veteran's Club. Paul Smith's has a proud tradition of service with our Armed Forces dating back to when the campus was first built during World War II and was used as a U.S. Army Signal Corps training center. prgtoken Since then, the school has upheld their commitment to our servicemembers, working with several organizations to ease the transition from service to academia for our veterans. prgtoken , I am pleased to speak on the House floor today to recognize the special work being done for our heroes by Paul Smith's College.
SUPPORTING AMERICA'S INNOVATORS ACT OF 2017
Trey Hollingsworth (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-4-6

. Madam , I also rise in support of H.R. 1219. I absolutely believe that the time has come for us to modernize how capital gets to our small businesses. prgtoken Prior to Congress, I have a history in business, so I fundamentally understand that having a better mousetrap is not enough. Small businesses need capital, need access to more capital in order to grow and get their innovations out to market. They also need access to these sophisticated, accredited investors so that they can get the advice that they need in order to get those better mousetraps out to the people who need them, want to buy them, and want to use them to better their lives. prgtoken Fundamentally, everybody can agree that we want Americans to have more economic opportunity, and many Americans find that economic opportunity by starting small businesses or by being a part of small businesses, by investing in small businesses, by working for and with small businesses. prgtoken Whether it is a startup in New Albany, Indiana, or a small company growing in Franklin, Indiana, these businesses need access to capital to realize the dreams of their founders, the dreams of their investors, and the dreams of their employees. prgtoken Quite simply, H.R. 1219 provides them with the access to more accredited investors, enabling them and empowering them to bring their innovations to market. I am excited to be a cosponsor of this important legislation, and I thank all of my colleagues in the Financial Services Committee, as well as, hopefully, on the floor later today, for their support of this important legislation.
RECOGNIZING APRIL 3-7, 2017 AS NATIONAL RETIREMENT PLANNING WEEK
David P. Roe (Republican, TN) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to recognize April 3- 7 as National Retirement Planning Week. prgtoken Saving for retirement is one of the most important steps that Americans can take to build a better future for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, all too often, saving for retirement remains a distant goal that is put off in exchange for more immediate needs. The Government Accountability Office reports that 29 percent of Americans aged 55 and older have no retirement savings, and no traditional pension. With this in mind, it must be a national priority for us to communicate the importance of retirement planning. By encouraging more Americans to adequately prepare for their retirement years, we can significantly enhance retirement security in the United States. prgtoken Recognizing this week as National Retirement Planning Week is an important step to help raise awareness of this need, and I commend the members of the National Retirement Planning Coalition for their efforts to educate Americans about the importance of retirement planning. I wish them all the best as they continue this valued campaign.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL HAIN OF NITTANY MEDIA
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to recognize Michael Hain, general manager and chief technology officer of Nittany Media, for being named Independent Tech Executive of the Year by Cablefax magazine. prgtoken Michael was a second-generation executive. Nittany Media is a locally owned and operated cable provider that has served rural Pennsylvania since 1957. They are credited with bringing the internet to some very rural areas as early as 1997. prgtoken His parents, Harry and Anna Hain, founded the business, and Michael has been actively involved since he was a child. He climbed his first cable tower at age 3 during a neighbor's barbecue. Michael told a news outlet: ``When the other kids were going down to the river fishing, my dad and I were going up to the mountain with an inch-and-a-quarter mast with an antenna. And we were fishing too; fishing for a distant signal.'' prgtoken A love for cable runs deep for Michael Hain. prgtoken On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I extend my sincere congratulations to Michael Hain of Nittany Media for this outstanding achievement.
MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF JAIDEN BARTEE AND TORI PEREZ
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-4-6

I ask that you join me today as we remember the lives of Jaiden Bartee and Tori Perez, ages 5 and 6 years old, who, as they stood with their mothers waiting for the schoolbus on the morning of March 30, were struck down and taken from this world far too soon by a passing truck. prgtoken , Members, there is no Scripture, no words, no thought poignant enough to address the loss of these mothers, of the Buckingham County, Virginia, community, of humanity of these two lives; but in what is the best effort that I can make, I ask that all of my colleagues and these Members of the Virginia delegation who join me to join in a moment of silence to recognize these two young people.
RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GUS MACHADO
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise to recognize Mr. Gus Machado and celebrate his career. Gus moved to the United States from Cuba with his family in 1949, and has become a symbol of the American dream for many. Through hard work and determination, Gus has built several successful car dealerships. He has managed to stay in business through a recession that had a significant impact on car sales, and worked diligently to avoid downsizing his workforce and keep others employed. Throughout his career in car sales, Gus has acted as an honorable man with the best interests of the community at heart. For the past seven years, Gus Machado's businesses have received the Blue Oval Certification status from Ford Motor Company. Additionally, in 2013, one dealership received Ford Motor Company's highest honor, the President's Award. Gus has proved himself to be dedicated to improving his community. In 2008, he founded the Gus Machado Family Foundation, which provides children with backpacks full of school supplies. The Foundation also works to keep children healthy by providing them with immunizations. Gus is deeply involved with the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC, an organization dedicated to promoting freedom and democratic ideals in the communist country of Cuba. Although he prgtoken has lived in Florida for most of his life, Gus remembers his native Cuba and has not lost sight of the importance of allowing the Cuban people the same basic rights and freedoms we take for granted in the United States that are stifled under the Castro regime. For his successful businesses, involvement in the community, and unfailingly optimistic outlook, Gus Machado is an excellent inspiration for Miami and Florida. It has been a privilege to know him and his family, including the love of his life Lilliam, who has become a dear friend of mine. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on his work to date and wishing him continued success.
REINING IN THE RADICAL ISLAMISTS
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-4-6

it is always a privilege to be in this last bastion of civility. Sometimes it hasn't been all that civil, but it has been a place where the rules were supposed to be enforced. prgtoken I know there are all kinds of wild allegations being thrown around. People seem to enjoy throwing them at this White House, but I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to the President this week. This has been a very big week, as an article by Kaitlan Collins from The Daily Caller points out: our President hosting three foreign leaders this week in what could be a big moment for foreign policy. Well, this was dated April 2. prgtoken One guest that he invited that I am so grateful that President invited was the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. It has been my privilege with some of our other colleagues, and I have had other occasions alone to visit with him in Cairo. I am just so grateful he was invited because Egypt is doing everything it can. The leaders of Egypt right now are doing all they can to try to prevent an international caliphate that is dominated and enforced by radical Islam. prgtoken In years past, when I brought up that there are some radical Islamists who are wanting to create a new Ottoman Empire--and I think it is an indictment of some of our schools, both secondary and college level, that more people are not familiar with world history. So I referred some reporters to a map. Go look at a map, look at where the Ottoman Empire was, look at what countries were included in that empire, and look at what the Islamic State is trying to do, what al- Qaida had tried to do, and what radical Islam, with really Muslim Brotherhood playing a powerful role in trying to create part of that caliphate, you look at what they have done, advances made, and it is very clear that those who wanted a new Ottoman Empire that many thought was over 100 years or so ago, we would never see the rise of radical Islam controlling so much of north Africa and Europe. prgtoken Then, of course, during World War II, radical Islamists raised their heads. They had something in common with Hitler. Many don't realize that radical Islamist leaders were allied with Hitler because they shared what? A common hatred for Jewish people. They both wanted Jewish people annihilated. They wanted a genocide. They wanted them wiped off the Earth. In the early days, the United States, to our discredit, did not do enough to help the prgtoken Jewish people who were the target of that genocide, both by radical Islamists but largely led by Hitler himself. prgtoken So when that great June uprising in Egypt that was completely peaceful by the Egyptian people--the only real violence was instigated by the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Muslim Brotherhood continues to this very day to plot and to strategize to try to take back over the country of Egypt. With over 90 million people or so in Egypt with such a critical location, the Nile River running through Egyp
TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND CAREER OF SECRETARY WILLIAM T. COLEMAN, JR.
Bill Shuster (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to honor the distinguished life and career of William T. Coleman, Jr a fellow Pennsylvanian, who passed away on March 31, 2017 at the age of 96. Coleman served our Nation as the fourth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, from March 7, 1975 to January 20, 1977. He was nominated by and served under President Gerald R. Ford. Ironically, just one day after the passing of Secretary Coleman, the Department he once led marked its 50th anniversary of operation. President Ford nominated Coleman, a fellow , to serve as Secretary based in part on his expertise in transportation law. During his tenure at the Department, he worked to strengthen the long-term viability of the U.S. rail industry, oversaw the opening of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's automobile test facility at East Liberty, Ohio, established the Materials Transportation Bureau to address pipeline and hazardous materials transportation safety, and opened the United States to flights of the Concorde aircraft. As Transportation Secretary, William Coleman was beloved by Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. My father served on the Public Works and Transportation Committee during Secretary Coleman's tenure. The two were good friends, even though they didn't agree on every issue. On one occasion, the previous Congressman Shuster gave the Secretary a particularly difficult time during a committee hearing. Afterwards, my father received a bottle of wine from the Secretary and a note that said, ``I hope we're still friends.'' Although it never crossed my father's mind that they wouldn't be, Secretary Coleman's gesture is one small example of why he was so well respected. By the time William Coleman was sworn in as the Secretary of Transportation, he had already made his important and indelible mark on U.S. history. Coleman was the second African American to serve in a cabinet-level post, following Robert Weaver, who served as housing secretary under President Johnson. Appropriately enough, his oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, with whom Coleman had previously worked alongside to help end discrimination and secure greater equality for all Americans. For example, they worked together--Coleman writing legal briefs for Marshall--on Brown v. Board of Education, the case which ultimately ended the doctrine of ``separate but equal'' and segregation in our public school system. This alone would have been an exceptional achievement for an African American from the Germantown area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who attended a segregated elementary school. However, Coleman also later argued against a law that prohibited interracial couples from living together, and soon after, the Supreme Court ended all prohibitions against interracial marriage in the United States. Coleman was the first African American to serve as law clerk
GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Billy Long (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to recognize and thank College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri, for their dedication to honoring Gold Star Families in Missouri by building Missouri's first memorial dedicated to those individual families. prgtoken A Gold Star family is one that has lost a loved one in military service. prgtoken The Gold Star memorial on College of the Ozarks campus will honor Gold Star Families of Missouri. This memorial preserves the memory of the fallen and stands as a stark reminder that freedom is not free. College of the Ozarks feels that it is their duty to honor all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Building this memorial is the college's way of honoring those families that sacrificed everything in the name of freedom. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing College of the Ozarks on their outstanding dedication to this country by honoring Missouri's Gold Star Families.
HONORING THE PERRY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to recognize the Perry Technical Institute, a technical school serving the students of the Yakima Valley in Washington's Fourth Congressional District. prgtoken Since its founding, Perry Tech has focused on educating and preparing students for real-world employment in fields such as welding, instrumentation, carpentry, machining, and manufacturing. These programs provide students practical experience as well as skills in time management, goal setting, and financial literacy. prgtoken A recent study of economic mobility conducted of nearly 700 technical schools from around the Nation ranked Perry Tech number one for having graduates move from low income into the top 20 percent of earners. With an astoundingly high job placement rate of 93 percent, it is clear that Perry Technical Institute is providing its students with the skills they need to excel in the workplace. prgtoken Please join me in celebrating Perry Technical Institute's success.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SID MARTIN BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-4-6

I would like to take this time to recognize the Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute, a leading biotechnology incubator headquartered in Alachua, Florida, in conjunction with the University of Florida, in my home district. The Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute focuses on promoting the growth of innovative, early-stage bioscience and biotechnology companies and technology-based economic development in and around my district. prgtoken Over the past 20 years, this institute has worked with more than 100 startup companies in biotechnology, biomedicine, and bioagriculture, and it has created over 200 high-tech jobs. The survival rate of the companies in this program have a 93 percent survival rate, creating a successful business community in north central Florida area. prgtoken Their dedication to these causes has not gone unnoticed. Recently, Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute was awarded the Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year award for 2017, the highest award given by the International Business Innovation Association. This institute was named Incubator of the Year among more than 7,500 incubators worldwide. This is the second time the Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute has received this award, and, additionally, they have also been awarded Technology/ Science Incubator of the Year. prgtoken I would like to congratulate them on their accomplishment and thank them for their positive and meaningful contributions to Florida's Third Congressional District.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-4-6

93 percent of Americans support the legalization of doctor-prescribed medical marijuana--93 percent. But despite this widespread public support, marijuana remains classified as a schedule I drug, the same as LSD or heroin. prgtoken This harms low-income communities each year, it turns thousands of citizens into felons, and it punishes people who are sick and looking for medical help. prgtoken I think of Rayann, a young lady in my district with juvenile refractory epilepsy. She has seizures every day. Other treatments failed, but medical marijuana helped improve her condition. I thought of her when I worked on, and passed, Florida's Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. prgtoken Marijuana must be moved to schedule III, which will make it easier to conduct research into its medical uses. It will allow businesses to work with banks instead of looking over their shoulders in fear of a Federal raid, and it will keep States from being at odds with Federal law. prgtoken Today I am proud to introduce legislation that will reclassify marijuana as a schedule III drug. I look forward to working with my colleagues. America is watching, and now we must act.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL BEER DAY
Dave Brat (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-4-6

I rise today to pay tribute to National Beer Day. On April 7, 1933, prgtoken the Cullen-on Act, named after the legislation's sponsors, went into effect and for the first time since 1920 the purchase, sale, and consumption of beer and wine with an alcohol content of 3.2 percent, was legal. prgtoken Fast forward 76 years to 2009 when one of my constituents, Justin Smith, sparked the idea of celebrating National Beer Day on April 7th. In March of this year, Justin's efforts eventually lead to our Governor Terry McAuliffe recognizing National Beer Day in Virginia. National Beer Day has grown to such prominence that it was recently featured as a clue on Jeopardy. prgtoken The impact that craft brewers have on the Virginia economy is substantial. According to the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, the Commonwealth of Virginia had 142 breweries and nearly $1 billion in economic impact in 2016. The craft brewing industry is growing rapidly in Virginia and given current trends, will continue to do so. In 2016, Virginia craft brewers took home 13 medals from the Great American Beer Festival proving that Virginia's craft brewers are plenty in number, but also in quality. prgtoken Craft breweries such as 1781 Brewing Co, Battlefield Brewing Co Beer Hound Brewery, Extra Billy's Smokehouse and Brewery, Far Gohn Brewing Co Final Gravity Brewing Co, Kindred Spirit Brewing, Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, Midnight Brewery LLC, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Steam Bell Beer Works, Strangeways Brewing, The Answer Brewpub Co and Willow Spring Brewery are located in my district. prgtoken I'm delighted to have so many craft brewers supporting the local economy, providing jobs, and promoting the safe consumption of beer in my district.
SUPPORTING AMERICA'S INNOVATORS ACT OF 2017
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2017-4-6

. Madam , I rise today in support of the Supporting America's Innovators Act of 2017. prgtoken Far too often, during my travels throughout Minnesota's Sixth District, I hear frustrations from small-business owners and entrepreneurs about the difficulties they face gaining access to working capital. prgtoken With Dodd-Frank's one-size-fits-all regulation being imposed on the banks and credit unions that drive America, our Nation's job creators struggle to grow existing businesses and to even start new ones. prgtoken Today's small business is tomorrow's big business, and if our entrepreneurs and job creators are to succeed, we must remove the roadblocks currently standing in their way. prgtoken Companies that started in a garage are now Fortune 500 companies and global giants that provide goods and services across the globe. These include many brands and companies we all use each and every day such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and even Minnesota's own, Medtronic. They all started with a dream, a lot of hope, and necessary access to tools, resources, and, most importantly, working capital. prgtoken Not only does the limited access to working capital affect our State and local economies, it impacts opportunities and jobs for hardworking Americans. Small businesses are responsible for nearly 70 percent of new jobs in this country. This legislation will help put Americans to work. prgtoken The Supporting America's Innovators Act updates current law to increase the number of individuals who are able to invest in and support startups and small businesses across the country. This bill will help jump-start capital formation for local businesses and entrepreneurs, enabling Main Street America to not just survive but to, once again, thrive. prgtoken I want to thank Congressman McHenry for introducing this bill that received, again, near unanimous support in the committee, and I encourage all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important legislation.