mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-6-6

today we remember Robert F. Kennedy, whose life was brutally, savagely cut short 50 years ago. prgtoken Robert Kennedy was a Presidential candidate, a U.S. Senator, a Member of this Chamber, an Attorney General, a naval officer, a father, a son, a husband, and a brother, but more than all of that, he was a beacon of hope amidst turbulent and difficult times in our Nation, and he was an inspiration to generations of Americans. prgtoken Speaking at his brother's funeral, our former colleague Senator Ted Kennedy said that Robert Kennedy ``need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.'' prgtoken I was inspired by his efforts to right wrong, heal suffering, and stop war--inspired enough that when I became a U.S. Senator and was assigned an office that happened to be the former office of Robert F. Kennedy in the Russell Building, I proudly pointed out to visitors that here, in my office, once sat the great Robert Kennedy, who did in fact see wrong and tried to right it, suffering and tried to heal it, and war and tried to stop it. prgtoken In May 1968, I was in sixth grade. I was an 11-year-old out in Oregon, and Bobby Kennedy, as we affectionately refer to him, was campaigning in my State. He was going very quickly from community to community, delivering speeches in one high school after another. My sixth grade teacher announced that he was going to give a speech at David Douglas High School--my future high school, except I was only in sixth grade, and I had never set foot in the halls of that high school. He was going to give a speech the next night. prgtoken My father was a mechanic. He worked very hard. He was off in the evening, quite happy to settle in, watch the national news, read the newspaper, and reflect on the news of the day. prgtoken I came to him, and I said: I understand Robert Kennedy is giving a speech, and we can go see him. prgtoken My father said: It is the end of the day, Son. I just don't feel like going out again. prgtoken At that moment, I wish so much that I had said: I think I will go down to that high school, find my way down to that high school I had never been to, and see him speak, but I didn't, and it is one of the things I have regretted all my life. prgtoken When he was campaigning in Oregon and going from high school to high prgtoken school, he went also to some iconic places. prgtoken Here he is in the surf near Fort Stevens. Fort Stevens is a place I used to camp as a kid. It has a historic shipwreck, the wreck of the Peter Iredale. Now it is pretty much rusted into the sand and disappeared, but I can imagine Robert Kennedy walking and seeing that wreck as he was on this beach. prgtoken He went out to Baker County, OR. This is an iconic photo of him on the runway, with the mountains in the backgroun
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2018
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-6-6

. I rise today in support of H.R. 8--the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018. As the most senior Texan on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and former chair of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I am pleased to support this bill which represents a bipartisan effort to authorize critical water infrastructure projects and develop our nation's future water resources. prgtoken Our ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water infrastructure are vital to our nation and its global competitiveness. Water infrastructure forms a critical backbone in support of our overall infrastructure needs and H.R. 8 will ensure that the United States can provide not only basic water resources for its people, but also promote commerce along our nation's waterways. prgtoken One element of the WRDA bill that I wish had been addressed is the full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). The HMTF was established to cover the operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses of our waterways and harbors. As Harbor Maintenance Taxes (HMTs) are collected, it is the responsibility of Congress to appropriate its spending for dredging and other O&M activities. A sufficient amount of HMT revenue is collected each year to meet our nation's annual authorized harbor maintenance needs. It is critical that we remain open to the idea of fully utilizing the HMTF for harbor maintenance purposes. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I look forward to working with Congress to continue authorizing these important projects and sticking to a two-year authorization cycle. Doing so will ensure that we are able to advance water resources development projects in a timely manner and provide the predictability and support that is so desperately needed.
PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-6-6

such time as I might consume. prgtoken , the chairman is correct: the protection of our neighborhoods, the protection of our young people, the securing of our schools, the stopping of gun violence, the safeguarding of this Nation, are important responsibilities of this Congress, and certainly of the Nation itself. So I join with that commitment of safeguarding our neighbors and friends and families and our children. prgtoken So I would certainly like to say of the Senate amendment dealing with the Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2018, it does provide additional resources to help local jurisdictions prevent and fight crime in their communities. It would authorize the Attorney General to establish and implement a program to be known as the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program within the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice, thereby providing a formal authorization for the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which is currently implemented by DOJ. That is an absolutely positive step to protect our neighborhoods. prgtoken Thirty percent of the funding awards under this program would be, however, allocated to fighting gang-related crime. prgtoken While I support authorizing this program, I would like to highlight two major concerns with this Senate amendment. prgtoken First, a substantial portion of the funding under this bill would be dedicated to anti-gang task forces. I support preventing and fighting crime no matter who the perpetrator may be, but I must caution against targeting groups of young people who are not engaged in crime, or who are standing around, or who may be, in essence, said to be engaged in crime, or may be from particular neighborhoods or ethnicities or backgrounds. prgtoken I think all of our children deserve a chance to grow and become contributing citizens. I would want to make sure that we get the gangs and that we get those who are the deadly ones that are killing and maiming, and those names, we know, have been cited, but I also want to make sure that we give our children a chance. prgtoken However, under the current framework, focus is placed on identified subsets of individuals or organizations responsible for increasing violence. This creates a danger where innocent young people will likely become targets, whether by virtue of clothes color or mere acquaintance of someone in light of the various talk, if you will, about gangs like MS-13, which I will acknowledge are in all of our communities from east to west and north to south. prgtoken Let's get the bad guys. Let's make sure we help our children not be destined to be the bad guys. prgtoken We must not use law enforcement as a means to target individuals based solely on their ethnicity or national origin. Far too often, the rhetoric that we are fighting gangs may be laced with bias toward difference. prgtoken That is why I wanted to offer an amendment at the Rules Co
WELCOMING RABBI AARON KRUPNICK
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-6-6

it is my honor to welcome our guest chaplain, Rabbi Aaron Krupnick of Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, New Jersey. prgtoken The congregation has been part of our South Jersey community since 1920, when it was originally founded in Camden City. prgtoken Now it offers a spiritual home for hundreds of Jewish families in South Jersey. prgtoken Rabbi Krupnick came to our community in 1994 from Montgomery, Alabama. There, he helped lead interfaith services with leaders like Martin Luther King, III, and Rosa Parks. prgtoken As you heard in his prayer, he often discusses patience, understanding, kindness, compassion. prgtoken In a world where religion too often creates so much conflict, Rabbi Krupnick focuses on togetherness. He knows there is more that connects us than divides us. prgtoken I have been fortunate enough to attend services and seder at Beth El. I have witnessed firsthand how the community is welcoming, loving, and supportive of all. prgtoken , today I am honored to welcome Rabbi Krupnick to the House of Representatives and I thank him for his offering of this morning's prayer. prgtoken His compassion, his teachings, his strong leadership have helped foster a vibrant Jewish community in our region, and I know it will stay that way for years to come.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-6-6

I was a senior in college at Georgetown University when I received a chance opportunity that literally changed my life. Paul Douglas, a great Senator from my home State of Illinois, hired me on as an intern in his office here in the U.S. Senate. I was just a kid from East Saint Louis, IL, the son of an immigrant mother, who was suddenly surrounded by Senators debating some of the most profound questions in our Nation's history. prgtoken I used to come to the Gallery of the Senate as a student and observe the proceedings of the Senate, never dreaming that there would be a day when I would actually stand on the floor of the U.S. Senate. I couldn't believe my good fortune as a visitor to watch people like Mike Mansfield, Everett Dirksen from my State, Paul Douglas from Illinois, William Fulbright, Margaret Chase Smith, and so many others come to the floor and speak in debate. prgtoken I remember sitting right there as a college student and watching. Through the door came Bobby Kennedy, and not far behind was his brother Ted Kennedy, both of them serving in the U.S. Senate in those days. It was an important occasion, I remember, on this one day because Bobby Kennedy was about to give a speech on Vietnam. His wife and Ted Kennedy's wife were seated in the Gallery just above them. I was just over here, I am sure with my mouth wide open, saying: I can't believe this moment that I am here to witness. prgtoken I remember the moment today because today is the 50th anniversary of the day an assassin's bullet ended Bobby Kennedy's too-short life. prgtoken For millions who remember him and many millions more who weren't even born in 1968, the death of Robert Kennedy remains a painful and haunting loss. What we miss is not simply the man; we miss his intelligence and wit, his compassion, his fierce commitment to justice and democracy, and his deep faith that Americans could come together to overcome difficult times and make our Nation stronger and better. prgtoken Just 2 months--2 months--before Bobby Kennedy was murdered, America lost another apostle of peace and justice. The evening that Dr. Martin Luther King was murdered, Bobby Kennedy was in Indianapolis, IN, to give a speech. Breaking the news of Dr. King's death to a stunned crowd, Bobby Kennedy begged his listeners to not resort to violence. He said: We have to make an effort in the United States, we have to make an effort to understand, to go beyond these rather difficult times. What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black. prgtoken Listening to his words, one can hear echoes of President Lincoln's first inaugural ad
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2018
Kurt Schrader (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-6-6

I first want to thank Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, Subcommittee Chairman Graves, and Ranking Member Napolitano, and their staffs for working with us on this amendment. prgtoken The amendment simply provides communities with the certainty that the Army Corps has the authority to help them mitigate any detrimental impacts to municipal water supplies that may happen due to a Corps construction project. It is a commonsense amendment, and I am glad to offer it. prgtoken , .
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3249, PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8, WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT...
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-6

I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding. prgtoken Since the beginning of this Congress, we have had more infrastructure weeks than I can count, but we have yet to take up a comprehensive infrastructure bill. America desperately needs that. prgtoken The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that for the next 10 years, we need $4.6 trillion of infrastructure funding just to keep pace. Over $2 trillion of that is not funded. prgtoken So, for example, 53 percent of our public schools need funding to make repairs. More than 18 million Americans drink from water systems that fail to meet Federal lead tests. Forty percent of rural America and those on tribal lands lack broadband access. prgtoken The President has designated week after week as Infrastructure Week, but this House majority has yet to consider a serious infrastructure proposal. When it comes to infrastructure, the President and this GOP majority has been all talk, no action. America deserves better. We have to fix our roads and highways, water infrastructure, schools, transit systems, and VA facilities. We have to have key principles for this infrastructure. prgtoken First, we have to create millions of new jobs through investments in 21st century projects. We also need to emphasize public investment over corporate giveaways and the selling of public goods. We need to embrace 21st century clean energy jobs, including expanding solar and wind power, promoting energy efficiency, and modernizing the energy grid. prgtoken We also need to ensure that investments are not paid for at the expense of Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. We need to not weaken or repeal existing environmental laws. prgtoken H. Con. Res. 63, which embodies all of these principles, is supported by more than one-third of the House, with 157 cosponsors. We need to bring this proposal up rather than considering partisan appropriations bill that cut funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency and repeal protections that keep our waterways clean without offering a meaningful opportunity for debate.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2018
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-6-6

I want to thank the chair of the committee and the ranking member and all of the staff for their support and work on this important amendment. It is a simple amendment to the Water Resources Development Act. prgtoken Today, as a result of action taken by the Congress in the previous WRDA bills, the Army Corps of Engineers has the authority to accept funds from non-Federal interests to update rules that govern the operations of reservoirs owned and operated by the Corps. Unfortunately, there are a number of facilities that are regulated but not owned by the Corps of Engineers, and previous WRDA bills have failed to provide similar authority to accept funds to update the operations manuals. These manuals are very important as it relates to flood control issues. prgtoken Although the Corps regulations specify that water operations manuals, including flood-control curves, should be reviewed and updated regularly, the reality is the Corps does not do this because they have got budget constraints. prgtoken A Government Accountability Office report released in July 2016 found that the Corps-owned projects for revisions to water control manuals are often a lower priority than other operations and maintenance activities, such as equipment repairs, sediment removal, or levee repairs. As a result, the Corps oftentimes does not get to funding these revised water control manuals. This is important. We have floods all across the country, and it is important that these get updated. prgtoken Non-Corps section 7 projects have an even lower budget priority. The Merced Irrigation District in central California, which I have the honor to represent, is the owner of such a facility called New Exchequer Dam, an important reservoir that has served for decades and decades to provide water supply, flood control benefits for the people of the San Joaquin Valley. prgtoken The Merced Irrigation District wants to improve the spillway and water storage of Exchequer Dam and Reservoir, and it is going to fund all of the improvements. But it has been prevented from doing so for years because the Corps doesn't have the funding to review and to revise the project's water control manual. As a matter of fact, the last time it was updated was over 30 years ago, which is of concern. prgtoken So Merced offered--guess what--to pay for the process, but the Corps said, well, they can't do that because they are not legally able to accept the funds. prgtoken That doesn't make any sense. So this amendment would resolve this by giving the Corps the authority to accept funds to update operation manuals from the owners of all of section 7 private facilities that are, in fact, regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers. prgtoken So, for the good folks of eastern Merced County, this amendment will provide an opportunity for the Merced Irrigation District to explore the raising of the spillway gates at New Exchequer Dam, therefore increasing flood cont
TRIBUTE TO SCOTT GINGER
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-6-6

today I am honored to recognize one of Nevada's most dedicated and exceptional educators, Mr. Scott Ginger of Green Valley High School, who has served thousands of students with the utmost dedication. Mr. Ginger, as his current and former students continue to call him, has remained committed to his students' success for 29 years. He began his career at William E. Orr Middle School in 1989 and moved to Green Valley High School 2 years later, where administrators, faculty, students, and families have revered him. He has won the Green Valley High School Golden Gator Award 17 times and has been inducted into the Clark County Teachers' Hall of Fame. prgtoken Nevadans who know Mr. Ginger are eager to highlight his impressive skills as a speech and debate coach, a role that has given him and his forensics team at Green Valley High School the county championship 24 consecutive times since 1995 and the State championship a record 16 times. In 2018, the National Speech and Debate Association named him Nevada Educator of the Year. Although a very skilled competitor, Mr. Ginger has always emphasized that speech and debate are primarily ``a vehicle to build character, to be ethical, to be kind, to think big picture and think about others.'' Students who were fortunate to learn from Mr. Ginger agree. Those in the professional world claim Mr. Ginger's classroom lessons still help them keep calm and collected when speaking in public. Most importantly, those students also give Mr. Ginger credit for their ability to make lasting connections and friendships. prgtoken The sense of community belonging that Mr. Ginger has given his students is perhaps his most important legacy. He has allowed some of his most talented students to teach within the classroom and has provided an opportunity for former students to come back and speak about the multiple benefits they have reaped from forensics. Thus, a community of skilled debaters prgtoken has grown in southern Nevada, including those who have become leaders in a variety of fields all across the country. No matter where their career paths lead them, Mr. Ginger's former students will always remember and cherish the life lessons they learned in his classroom. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Scott Ginger for his 29 years of service as an educator in the Clark County School District. I admire Mr. Ginger for his incredible ability to inspire and shape the lives of his students and for encouraging cooperation and a sense of community that should be held as a model for all classrooms in our Nation. I celebrate Mr. Ginger's impact in Nevada, and I am proud of his work to enhance young Nevadans' ability to succeed and thrive.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2018
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-6-6

. Mr. Chair, I would like to recognize the leadership of Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and my friend and colleague, Mr. Larsen. prgtoken , the amendment I have at the desk today will help start a Federal process in providing additional flexibility for storage of native and San Juan-Chama water to benefit the Middle Rio Grande region. prgtoken The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority has been working for more than 5 years to obtain congressional authorization to increase storage in Abiquiu Reservoir by about 35,000 acre-feet. This will provide greater and much-needed flexibility for water operations to support municipal, agricultural, and environmental purposes. prgtoken This amendment starts that process by expediting the feasibility study for Abiquiu Dam. According to the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the added storage will also provide opportunities to benefit acequias in northern New Mexico, many of which have the oldest water rights in the Rio Grande basin, but do not have any ability to store water for use in drought years; management of operations in the Middle Rio Grande for Endangered Species Act compliance; and for the Rio Grande Compact compliance for the State of New Mexico. prgtoken This project is supported by the Bureau of Reclamation, the Corps of Engineers, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management. WildEarth Guardians, the Nature Conservancy, the Audubon New Mexico, the city and county of Santa Fe, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Rio Arriba County, and the Rio Chama Acequia Association. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .