mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING FIREMAN SECOND CLASS MARTIN DAYMOND YOUNG
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-5-19

Navy Fireman 2nd Class Martin Daymond Young, born on May 11, 1920, was one of nine children who grew up in a busy household in the tiny Dukes community in Hancock County, KY. His family said their goodbyes when he enlisted in the Navy in the summer of 1940 and he headed to the South Pacific--to Pearl Harbor. prgtoken Sadly, Daymond Young was one of the 429 crew members who perished aboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941. He was 21 years old. The tragedy of his death was even more unbearable for his family because he was buried in a mass grave among scores of unidentified shipmates. prgtoken His siblings and particularly his twin sister, Daisy, did all they could to keep his memory alive for their children, who remember a photo of Daymond in his Navy uniform that was always proudly displayed in her home. All of his nieces and nephews looked up to him even though most had never met him. prgtoken Beginning in 2015, new dental, anthropologic and mitochondrial DNA analyses were employed to identify those who had fallen at Pearl Harbor, eventually certifying Daymond's remains in 2019. His family members wanted to bury him on what would have been his 100th birthday, May 11, 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic made travel and a public ceremony impossible. So, finally, on May 15, 2021, the remains of Daymond Young returned to beautiful Hancock County, KY, where he was buried alongside his ever-devoted sister Daisy. Among those welcoming him were his nephew, Layman Hawkins, of Lewisport, KY, and the many relatives and residents who knew him only by his legacy of sacrifice for his country. prgtoken The tragedy of war, the unanswered questions of forensic science, and even the restrictions of a pandemic were ultimately unable to separate the remains of this honorable sailor from his loving family and the community that refused to forget him. Likewise, we are honored to remember him, and to this returning sailor, we say, ``Welcome home. Fair winds and following seas.''
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-5-19

as the disasters pile up left and right from these early months of the Presidency, one might be called the Tail of Three Pipelines--three separate pipelines, three separate challenges, united by one consistent theme. In each case, the foolishness and weakness of the administration has led to the disaster. prgtoken First, President began his administration by killing the Keystone XL Pipeline on day one. This decision was a gift to the radical environmentalist nonprofit industry in Washington, DC, and destroyed thousands of good, high-paying, blue-collar, American jobs, including many jobs in my home State of Arkansas. prgtoken Second, last week Russian-affiliated hackers attacked the Colonial Pipeline--an artery that supplies nearly half the fuel for the east coast--causing widespread gas shortages across the Southeast. prgtoken Instead of making the hackers feel the full wrath of the U.S. Government, the administration called the attack a private sector concern. Colonial then paid the hackers over $4 million in ransom, presumably with administration foreknowledge and acquiescence, if not explicit support. This payment, of course, will only encourage further such attacks on American companies. prgtoken Third and finally, yesterday the administration announced it will waive major, legally mandated sanctions against the Russian Nord Stream 2 Pipeline into Germany. This refusal to implement sanctions approved by Congress directly benefits by design the Russian company building Nord Stream 2 and its CEO, who--you won't believe it--is a former Communist, East German Stasi officer and longtime crony of Vladimir Putin. prgtoken President 's decision to cave on Nord Stream 2 is just the latest show of weakness towards Russia by this administration, which is strange, coming from a party that spent the last 4 years all chesty and boastful, pretending they were Jack Ryan in a Tom Clancy novel. prgtoken Nord Stream 2 will serve as a noose around the neck of Europe's energy supply. It will allow Russia to squeeze the sovereign nations of Eastern and Central Europe into submission. prgtoken You may think I am exaggerating, but Russia has used energy as a weapon of foreign policy many times in the past. In 2009, for instance, Russia shut off the flow of natural gas to Europe during a dispute with Ukraine, causing energy shortages in the dead of winter. Russia has reduced or shut off gas to Austria, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Slovakia whenever those countries have refused its demands or otherwise displeased the Kremlin. prgtoken Nord Stream 2 will deepen Europe's addiction to Russian gas and make it ever more dependent on the dealer. All of Europe could suffer, but Ukraine would be hurt the most of all. If the Nord Stream 2 pipeline comes online, Russia could bypass Ukraine entirely. This would not only cost Ukraine's economy billions of dollars in transit fees, it wo
STANDING WITH ISRAEL
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-5-19

. Madam , author and avid golf fan P.G. Wodehouse once remarked: Golf ``is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies is the man who will serve you faithfully and well.'' prgtoken Fittingly, I rise today to recognize Grace Christian School of Staunton, whose golf team won its first Virginia Association of Christian Athletics State championship. prgtoken The Warriors shot an 18-hole total of 355 in the championship tournament at the Club at Ironwood to overcome its closest competitor by 32 strokes. prgtoken Caleb Maas led the Warriors with an impressive 86, while Preston Fitzgerald and Maddie Helmick each shot a pair of 87s, with Isaiah Farlow carding a 95. prgtoken Maas, Fitzgerald, and Helmick were also named to the all-State team for their performances throughout the season. prgtoken Madam , I congratulate the athletes, coaches, and staff on an excellent season. I wish them all the best of luck moving forward. And keep hitting them straight.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3233, NATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL COMPLEX ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3237, EMERGENCY...
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-5-19

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I want to thank my good friend, the distinguished chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, for his excellent work on this bill; and I want to thank his ranking member and negotiating partner. I think they, frankly, moved us in the right direction toward agreement. prgtoken We continue to have concerns. It is a long, legislative process. Obviously, we will have to pass something through the Senate as well. So it is my hope we can build upon their work and continue to move forward. prgtoken We are not prepared at this time to provide huge support for this bill. We think it can continue to improve. But that doesn't take anything away from my appreciation and admiration for the gentleman from Mississippi for his good work. We will continue to try and work with him and others and get to a place we can all come to agree. prgtoken Madam , .
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF JASON PHELPS
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-5-19

. Madam , it is my great honor to recognize my constituent services director, Jason Phelps, of New Hartford, New York, for 20 years of outstanding service to the people of upstate New York. prgtoken Jason began his service as an intern for former Congressman Sherry Boehlert in Washington, D.C and, after a short time working for a nonprofit, became a member of Boehlert's Utica staff, where he dedicated himself to veterans' case work. Jason has worked for five different Members of Congress in the Mohawk Valley and has served countless veterans across the region. prgtoken No matter how complex the case, Jason is always ready to jump in to assist our veterans. From cutting through VA red tape, to making sure a veteran and their family receives the Purple Heart they earned through their service, Jason approaches each case with determination and compassion. prgtoken Not only is Jason an amazing veterans' advocate, he is also a role model and an inspiration to the many staff and interns he has worked with in all these offices throughout the years. prgtoken Jason, thank you for your many years of service to our brave veterans and for also being the guiding light for our staff and our community. We all look forward to working with you for many more years to come.
ALS AWARENESS MONTH
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-5-19

. Madam , I rise to recognize the importance of ALS Awareness Month and continued Federal support of funding towards a cure for ALS. prgtoken ALS a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. prgtoken This devastating disease can affect anyone, anywhere, at any age, and, still today, is always fatal. prgtoken Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS, which is why ALS has been designated a service-connected disease. prgtoken Not only is there no cure for ALS, but there is also no effective treatment to halt or reverse the progression of the disease. prgtoken Patients typically live 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. prgtoken President announced an initiative to leverage a $50 billion investment over the course of his presidency through a new HHS program, called ARPA-Health. prgtoken This investment would bring focus, scale, and innovation to combat devastating diseases like ALS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cancer. prgtoken Madam , the need is urgent, and I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting these investments. Our response must meet the moment.
REMEMBERING VICE ADMIRAL JOHN CURRIER
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-5-19

I rise today to honor the memory of a devoted veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, VADM John Currier, who passed away in March of 2020. I would like to take the time today to reflect on his service, courage, and tenacity as the hangar at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City is dedicated in his honor. prgtoken Born and raised in Westbrook, ME, Vice Admiral Currier began his career in service as a police officer. Further expanding his devotion to serve, Vice Admiral Currier commissioned from Officer Candidate School as a naval aviator in 1976. He was first assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, where a few years later, his skills and commitment to protect were tested. prgtoken On a snowy late October evening in 1980, the Coast Guard received a distress call from the TERRY T a burning and sinking fishing vessel in 30 foot seas. Winds were gusting over 60 knots and visibility was cut to three-quarters of a mile from heavy rain, according to reports. Currier, unfaltering in his duty to be Semper Paratus, was able to maneuver his aircraft into position based only on voice commands by the hoist operator. He had rescued eight of the crew when two men were swept off the deck and were in the water. He was able to fly the aircraft into position in order to get the rescue basket beneath the drowning crew members and brought them on board. prgtoken Vice Admiral Currier was awarded the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, but his accolades and awards for rescue missions do not stop there. The Alaska Air Command SAR Pilot of the Year Award, American Helicopter Society, Fredrick L. Feinberg Award, and the Naval Helicopter Association SAR Aircrew of the Year, all have been awarded to Vice Admiral Currier for various hazardous rescue missions throughout his career. prgtoken During his career, Vice Admiral Currier stood the watch at six Coast Guard air stations, from Alaska to Florida. He was designated as an aeronautical engineer in 1982, and after a few years in Alaska, Vice Admiral Currier was assigned to Air Station Traverse City in 1985. prgtoken Other assignments have included deputy program manager for the Coast Guard and Navy HH-60H/J joint helicopter acquisition at the Naval Air Systems Command, and chief of SAR operations and directory of auxiliary for the Ninth Coast Guard District. Vice Admiral Currier then served as commanding officer of Air Stations Detroit and then Miami, which was then the world's busiest air-sea search and rescue unit. An alumnus of the University of Southern Maine, he held a master's in business administration from Embry-Riddle University. He was a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College and held a level III acquisition program manager certification. prgtoken Subsequently, he was assigned as Pacific area chief of operations, then area chief of staff, and was appointed commander of the 13th District, which covers the Pacific Northwest. He assumed th
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3233, NATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL COMPLEX ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3237, EMERGENCY...
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-5-19

. Madam , I rise in support of the rule and the underlying bills. January 6 was an unprecedented event that exposed the real threat to the beating heart of our democracy: our Capitol and all of us who work in it. prgtoken Shortly after the insurrection, I expressed the need to form a 9/11- style commission, not only to get to the bottom of this and who was responsible for it, but also to ensure that it never happens again. This is exactly what these bills do, Madam . prgtoken The security of our Capitol and our democracy is not a partisan issue. However, the other side of the aisle has attempted to turn this into a sideshow, Madam , into a circus. I submit to you that the attempted murder of our Vice President, the attempted murder of our , and the attempted murder of any one of us is not a sideshow, it is not a circus, it is a real threat to everyone across this great land. prgtoken Taken together, these two critical bills will help us finally recover from the January 6 insurrection. We must ensure that these sacred Halls will never again be overrun by racist thugs against our democracy.
NATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL COMPLEX ACT
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-5-19

I rise in support of H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act. prgtoken On January 6, 2021, our democratic republic came under direct attack in an attempt to block the certification of as the duly elected President of the United States of America. and others sought to subvert the will of voters when they incited violent rioters to invade the U.S. Capitol with the hope of overturning a legitimate election. Criminals and domestic terrorists, many espousing racist and hateful ideologies, desecrated the sacred center of the people's government. This was terrifying and infuriating for those whose lives were in danger and for the millions of Americans who watched in horror. I am grateful for the actions of the U.S. Capitol Police and DC Metropolitan Police officers who put their lives on the line to protect this institution and the people who work here. I also mourn for the lives that were lost. prgtoken Many questions remain about the actions of those involved and the security response that day, as well as in the days prior to and following the violent attack on the Capitol. The country deserves answers. This independent, bipartisan commission will investigate and report the facts surrounding the events of January 6. It will provide a full and fair accounting of the mistakes made and lessons learned. And, importantly, the commission will recommend steps that Congress and the federal government can take to prevent future violence and strengthen our democratic institutions. prgtoken Our Nation is resilient, and the Constitution will endure because of the commitment of those who have sworn to support and defend it. In keeping with my oath, I look forward to acting on the findings of the National Commission so the country emerges stronger from this dark chapter of its history.
NATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL COMPLEX ACT
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2021-5-19

the balance of my time. prgtoken At the outset, let me salute Mr. Katko for his agreeing to work in a bipartisan manner so that we can get this bill to the floor and adopted today. prgtoken , we are here today at a unique moment in American history. Trust in our government's ability to share information and coordinate at all levels to keep our democracy secure was severely shaken by the January 6 attack. prgtoken We need a bipartisan commission with experts who put country ahead of party to come together, just as the commission did, to lay out the facts and proposed solutions to make us more secure. prgtoken When the chairman of the 9/11 Commission issued their final report, they concluded a message to the public. It asked that each of us remember how we felt on that day of the attack. It asked that we recall the grief and sorrow. prgtoken This moment is no less historic, no less important, no less momentous, and it requires the same common action, both as Congress and as a country. prgtoken I, too, salute the brave men and women of the Capitol Police who put their lives on the line on January 6 protecting this citadel of democracy, and it is in their spirit that I ask that you vote in support of this legislation. prgtoken , .
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-5-19

I am fortunate enough to live in Baltimore, and I say that because I can commute every night to home, which is a real pleasure, to be able to be with my family in the evening. My wife Myrna and I normally take a morning walk before I start the day, and I can get the morning report from my neighbors as to what is on their minds. prgtoken So, this morning, you might be surprised to learn that the major topic of discussion was the Brood X, also known as the cicadas. These are the cicadas that appear every 17 years. Now, I must tell you, that became our subject because we were all trying to avoid stepping on them as we were walking. prgtoken Most of us would describe world events of the past calendar year as unprecedented, and this characterization is not wrong. For public health, for the economy, and for our democracy, the year 2021 has indeed brought us challenges previously unimaginable. However, 2021 also marks a predictably predictable natural phenomenon: the emergence of what is known as the 17-year cicadas. Reliably, every 17 years, these insects emerge in the Mid-Atlantic in droves. People greet their visits with equal amounts of scorn and excitement. Some of that is depending upon age. prgtoken I hope that we can use this 17-year marker to celebrate the scientific contributions of an unappreciated Marylander and reflect more broadly on the history of the relationship between humans and the natural environment in the Mid-Atlantic, especially the Chesapeake Bay. prgtoken Maryland sees the highest concentration of cicadas on the east coast. Scientists estimate that in some places, we have more than 25 or 30 cicadas per square foot or more than 1 million per acre. In addition to this astonishing quantity, male cicadas will perform a mating song that, in large groups, can reach the same decibel level as a lawnmower. prgtoken The cicadas' visits last only a matter of weeks for the purpose of mating, molting, and laying eggs that will eventually burrow into the ground and repeat the process in another 17 years. prgtoken In the words of prominent Maryland scientist Benjamin Banneker, ``If their lives are short, they are merry,'' noting that ``they still continue on singing till they die.'' prgtoken Benjamin Banneker's original handwritten document describing the cicadas in 1800 is at the Maryland Center for History and Culture in Baltimore. He accurately predicted the next 17-year cycles. Over the course of his life, he witnessed four 17-year cycles of cicadas. Benjamin Banneker may have prgtoken been the first scientist to observe and record the 17-year lifecycle of cicadas. prgtoken Banneker was born in 1731. His father, Robert Bannaky, was a formerly enslaved Black man. His mother Mary was a free woman of mixed racial heritage. prgtoken Banneker demonstrated a keen interest in the sciences after his maternal grandmother taught him to read and write, and he continued his education at a Quaker school
STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS
Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2021-5-19

I rise today in solidarity with my Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters. prgtoken Asian Americans continue to experience violence, harassment, and discrimination. Across our country, our AAPI communities live in fear of being targets of deadly violence and racist slurs, simply because of who they are. prgtoken As we work to invest and rebuild our communities, we must make one thing clear: Hate and racism have no home here, not in our policies, and not in our hearts. prgtoken Yesterday, we passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to send to the President's desk. Today, we passed a resolution condemning the horrific shooting in Atlanta. prgtoken We are making progress, but we must never lose sight of the work that lies ahead to combat the hatred and violence against the AAPI community and root out racism against our brothers and sisters.
NATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL COMPLEX ACT
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-5-19

I rise today, as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, in strong support of H.R. 3233, Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Katko's bill to form a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the January 6 domestic terrorism attack on the United States Capitol. prgtoken On January 6, the world witnessed an attempted insurrection against our government to overturn the will of the American people. I know that because I was right here in this House Chamber that day as doors were barricaded and Members and staff were forced to evacuate. The mob that stormed our Capitol, resulting in the death of a Capitol police officer, tore down the American flag and desecrated the seat of our democracy. These lawless thugs, led by members of extremist groups like the Oath Keepers, and Proud Boys, and Stop the Steal, attempted an insurrection. In the end, they failed. We gathered back together here, uncowed, and the electoral college was certified. prgtoken , but true healing cannot come without a serious investigation and real accountability. I am very proud that last night, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, 29 and 29 s, came together to endorse this legislation, putting aside politics to get to the bottom of what happened that day. prgtoken This bipartisan commission, modeled on the 9/11 Commission, will undertake an investigation into the facts and what caused the attack. prgtoken , this legislation will help us deter further would-be extremists, and provide the law enforcement homeland security community with the tools needed to protect the Capitol and our country from future attacks. prgtoken I thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Katko for their extraordinary leadership and months of hard work together on the bill, the way governing should occur. prgtoken , I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in support of securing and protecting the very foundation of our democracy.