mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING YELE SOWORE WITH DUE PROCESS RIGHTS
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam , this morning, hardworking families across northern New Jersey woke up, made breakfast, and wished each other good-bye before leaving for work or school. prgtoken But our thoughts are with one family that was unable to be together this morning, this Sowore family from Haworth in Bergen County. That is because Yele Sowore, a husband, father, and neighbor, remains in Nigeria awaiting the outcome of his pending trial. prgtoken For months, members of the New Jersey delegation, including Senator Menendez and Senator Booker, have been closely following Mr. Sowore's case and working together with the Haworth community to advocate on behalf of our neighbor and friend. prgtoken We were relieved when, in December, after months of detention, Mr. Sowore was finally released on bail. But we continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to follow its own laws and to do the right thing: providing Yele with the due process rights he deserves. prgtoken I want to recognize Yele's family, especially his wife, Ope, who has dealt with a trying situation with extraordinary courage and determination. prgtoken As Representative of the Fifth Congressional District, I am very proud to stand beside Yele's many friends and neighbors throughout north Jersey whose hope is that he will soon be able to be reunited with his family. We are thinking of him, praying for him, and I will not stop working until he comes home.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Donna E. Shalala (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico have suffered greatly in the last few years, from fiscal calamity to a monster hurricane to the Earth shaking and continuing to shake. prgtoken I have seen the suffering personally. These disasters have resulted in many Puerto Ricans leaving the island, and many are children or young adults who are still in school. prgtoken This amendment increases funding to conduct a study on the impacts that these young people face when they have to disrupt their education. prgtoken The truth is, we don't know the best way to help children who have to leave their homes to pursue their education in another State or have to miss weeks of school because their school building is structurally unsound after an earthquake. But we need to. We need to know the best way to make sure that all children can reach their full potential and are able to cope with whatever trauma they may have faced. prgtoken Ultimately, this amendment will save us money because we will have future natural disasters where children will have to move away from their schools or pause their education. Unfortunately, there will be more Marias and more Katrinas, and there will be more wildfires. prgtoken We need to make sure that we are serving both children and the taxpayers. We should spend our money in the most impactful way possible. The study will guide us on the most effective policies and the most effective way we can use disaster funds to help our children. prgtoken I thank my distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon, for her work and her support on this amendment, as well as Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Congressman Alcee Hastings, and Chairman Jim McGovern. prgtoken Madam Chair, I support the underlying bill. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and .
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Nita M. Lowey (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, the balance of my time to close. prgtoken Madam Chair, this emergency supplemental is critical to help Puerto Rico get back on its feet and build a better future. prgtoken In a demonstration of unprecedented hostility to Puerto Ricans, President has turned his back on the island. This Congress must not do the same. prgtoken With this legislation, Madam Chair, we can feed the hungry, repair damage, rebuild roads, restart schools, and keep the lights on. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote for this critical assistance. It is absolutely essential. I do wish more of my colleagues had visited the island, seen the tarps on the homes instead of roofs, tried to get back through those roads that are so slushy, walking through, driving through, and talking to the people. It is essential that we pass this critical assistance. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
RECOGNIZING THE INCOMING 2020 OFFICERS OF THE OCCOQUAN-WOODBRIDGE- LORTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam , I rise to recognize the incoming 2020 officers of the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department. OWLVFD is located in Prince William County Virginia, 25 miles from our Nation's Capital. The OWLVFD goes on an average of 20,000 runs per year, aiding 80,000 residents in a 27 square mile area. Incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1938, the OWLVFD is comprised of committed community members who volunteer their time, energy, and financial resources to ensuring the safety of the families and property in and around Woodbridge. During its 80-year history, the Department has continued to expand and there are now three stations staffed by approximately 250 volunteers who serve and protect an ever- growing local population. From their bravery in action, to their presence with the youth in the community, OWLVFD is readily available for the families of Woodbridge. It is with great honor I enter into the Record the names of the following Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department Officers: Department Chief--Rick Michael Department President--David Williams Executive Vice President--George Smith Membership Secretary--Scott Shaw Treasurer--Debra Haight prgtoken Board of Directors--Jonathan Baldwin, Mike Clark, Anna Smith, Rebecca Barnes, Michele Bauer, Melissa Payne, Zachary Wessolleck, Kevin Lewis Election Officer--Sabrina Brandon Ricks Sergeant-At-Arms--Thomas Hubbard Assistant Chiefs--Kurt Bolland, Ernest DeSantis, Steve Godin, Wayne Haight, Ryan Williams Rescue Chief--Edward Craig Fire Captains--Kody Perry, Justin Witt Rescue Captain--Sandra Williams Fire Lieutenants--Mark Chandler, Jonathan Baldwin EMS Lieutenants--Melissa Westphal, Sybil Meeley, Michael Yankaskas, Mark Powers. While a new executive board has been elected and new officers sworn in, the mission of OWLVFD remains the same. The volunteers of the OWLVFD continue to put themselves in harm's way for the benefit of the residents of the area and have educated and mentored the youth in Woodbridge, not only teaching fire safety education, but also strengthening community relations. Madam , I ask that my colleague join me in recognizing the men and women of the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department for their service to our country and steadfast commitment to their community and in congratulating the newly elected officers and board members. I thank them for their dedication and to all I say: ``Stay safe.''
HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF JACK CREIGHTON
Denny Heck (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam , my heart is at half-mast after the passing of a business leader from my home state, Jack Creighton. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was also a mentor and a friend. Jack had an impressive resume. President and CEO of Weyerhaeuser, Interim Chairman and CEO of United Airlines, national president of the Boy Scouts of America, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army-- those are just a few of the highlights. If I were to list all his career accomplishments, board memberships, prgtoken foundation involvements, and community projects, that list would take up more space in the Record than I am permitted. But those who knew Jack--as I was so fortunate to have--understand that there was so much more to him than his resume. Simply reading through his list of accomplishments, impressive as it is, misses the essence of Jack's contributions to our society and the many people whose lives have been enriched and improved because of him. I am one such person. Several years before I first ran for Congress, I co-founded a company that provides professional learning and training services to Fortune 500 companies. As the company grew, Jack became the chairman of the board. I had ongoing involvement in the management and operations of the business, as I was also a board member. The truth is that I learned much more than I contributed. Sitting next to Jack every meeting was like going to graduate school for business. But beyond his vast knowledge and business acumen, Jack brought something else to our board meetings, something that has stayed with me ever since, something I hope to emulate: his compassion. Jack cared deeply for the employees of the company and always looked out for their interests. ``We have to take care of our people,'' he frequently said. To Jack, a successful business wasn't measured merely by impressive numbers on a balance sheet; it was about the people. The most effective way to invest in the success of a company was to invest in the success of the people who comprise it. Madam , I ask that the House join me in honoring the life and contributions of Jack Creighton, and in sending condolences to his wife, Dr. Jan Creighton, and the entire Creighton family. I will remember Jack as a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. Knowing him has made me a better person. While he is no longer with us, his example remains and will continue to inspire those who knew him, because Jack knew that a successful life is not measured merely by impressive lines on a resume. It is about the people. And the most effective way to make the world a better place is to invest in the success of the people who comprise it.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5687. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, its entire electrical grid was destroyed and millions of its citizens were without power. It took years to rebuild a lot of that infrastructure and just when it was getting repaired, it was struck by another natural disaster, another huge earthquake on January 7. That led to yet another round of power outages and even more suffering and deaths in Puerto Rico. prgtoken This bill will provide desperately needed disaster relief that will allow the island to rebuild its infrastructure and revitalize its economy. Puerto Rico is home to 3.2 million U.S. citizens, and when disaster strikes, Congress has a duty to step up and provide all the support our fellow Americans need. prgtoken I want to thank Chairwomen Velazquez and Lowey for their passionate work on this bill and their help for Puerto Rico. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill. It is desperately needed.
CLARIFICATION OF CHANGES TO THE ALTERNATIVE FUEL MIXTURE CREDIT CONTAINED IN H.R. 1865
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam , in December Congress addressed a number of expired or expiring tax provisions, commonly known as ``tax extenders,'' by passing H.R. 1865 as part of year-end, FY'20 spending measure. prgtoken For the most part, these tax provisions were simply extended seamlessly through 2020, which I viewed as a wasted opportunity to create real certainty around these provisions for taxpayers. prgtoken Additionally, one provision extending a fuel excise tax credit known as the Alternative Fuel Mixture Credit (AFMC) contained modifications prohibiting the blending of certain categories of fuels in order to claim the credit. These fuel categories had been part of the AFMC and the related Alternative Fuel Credit since both were created in a Surface Transportation bill in 2005, and they had also been extended multiple times since then in past tax extenders bills. The intended purpose of these provisions was to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil and to encourage cheaper, cleaner burning fuels (whether for transportation or other uses). prgtoken One of the longstanding fuel categories eliminated in H.R. 1865 was liquified petroleum gas. Since enacted, the AFMC had provided a credit to taxpayers for mixtures of liquefied petroleum gas, including propane, and taxable fuel. The modification in H.R. 1865 eliminates the credit for any mixture that includes any type of liquefied petroleum gas. prgtoken Madam , I have long been an opponent of retroactive tax increases, and there are currently several taxpayers in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service over whether they can properly claim the AFMC on past tax returns. prgtoken I will note that the subsection of H.R. 1865 that eliminated the longstanding classes of fuels from the AFMC also contained ``no inference'' language stating: ``Nothing contained in this subsection or the amendments made by this subsection shall be construed to create any inference as to a change in law or guidance in effect prior to enactment of this subsection'' (enactment occurred when H.R. 1865 was signed into law on December 20, 2019). prgtoken The Congressional intent of this ``no inference'' language is unambiguous--this provision should ensure a fair day in court for taxpayers in legitimate disputes with the IRS over the AFMC.
MERRILL'S MARAUDERS
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-2-7

earlier this week, I had the honor of meeting Gilbert Howland and Bob Passanisi at a reception honoring Merrill's Marauders of World War II. prgtoken During the war, Gilbert and Bob volunteered for a mission that was described as only dangerous and hazardous. These brave men, and approximately 3,000 others, answered the call of duty and were deployed to Northern Burma to fight behind enemy lines. prgtoken Only nine of these selfless volunteers are still alive today, and they deserve to be honored for their bravery, their sacrifice, and their love of country. prgtoken Pennsylvania had more Marauder volunteers than any other State, and one volunteer, Russell Hamler, from Pittsburgh, is still with us today. prgtoken I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 906, the Merrill's Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act, introduced by Representative Pete King of New York. I would like to encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and honor the legacy of Merrill's Marauders.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding me the time. prgtoken Madam Chair, we are in a situation where we absolutely have needs in terms of disaster victims, whether it is Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and other States that have been impacted by disasters. prgtoken We have had hundreds of billions of dollars in damages in those States in just the last 4 years. It is extraordinary. I had the chance to travel to many of those States and territories to see firsthand the impacts, and I wanted to be very clear. Virtually what everyone said on both sides of the aisle, they are right in terms of what the disaster victims are going through. prgtoken But I do not agree in what folks are prescribing the strategy to be. We don't need to stand here and see who can out-Puerto Rico the other. It is not a money problem. I have been through this with millions and millions of people. We have policy problems. There are literally tens of billions of dollars in the bank today that we are unable to get to disaster victims. prgtoken Dumping more money on top of the existing more than $40 billion in the Disaster Relief Fund, and the billions and billions of dollars available today for Puerto Rico under the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program, that doesn't solve the problem. prgtoken There is an amendment coming up later today by our Members from Texas to put more money into a fund because some of the agencies have had trouble even getting law changes interpreted out. prgtoken This isn't the solution. I want to thank everybody for coming here and trying to solve the problem for disaster victims. But when you investigate this, I assure you, every single one of you will come back and understand that this is a capacity problem. Getting the bureaucracy in both the territories, the States, and also at the Federal level, getting the dollars to the disaster victims, that is why we are having problems today. prgtoken I want to say this again. There are tens of billions of dollars available. President approved individual and public assistance for disaster victims of the earthquakes in Puerto Rico. We have got to make sure that the money is actually getting to the right people. prgtoken Dumping additional money on top of the tens of billions of dollars doesn't solve the problem. We need to focus on real solutions and not stand here and practice politics with one another. prgtoken I urge rejection to this bill. Let's take a step back and fix the policy problems.
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5687. prgtoken While this bill is being sold as an appropriations bill for Puerto Rico, it has more than $16 billion in unnecessary tax breaks which are largely unrelated to the recent earthquakes that hit the island. prgtoken Also included in this bill are more than $4 billion in new emergency appropriations, much of that for disasters that haven't happened yet. prgtoken And finally, this bill is premature, as Puerto Rico has funds from previous bills that have not been used. prgtoken Over the last 3 years, we have allocated more than $40 billion for Puerto Rico disasters, and less than half of that has been spent. And we have all seen recent press reports about warehouses in Puerto Rico full of water, diapers, and food that have not been distributed to residents in need. prgtoken As for the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the Federal Government has not completed the required studies and reporting on the extent of the damage. prgtoken While I, too, have been frustrated with the amount of time it takes the Federal Government to distribute funds after a disaster, appropriating funds before we know what is truly needed is not the answer. prgtoken There are billions in the FEMA Major Disaster Relief Fund that are already available and can be used toward earthquake response and recovery efforts now, while we wait on a full and accurate report on the damage and estimated cost. prgtoken When disasters strike, it is our job to ensure that the Federal Government helps those in need. We also have a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used in a fiscally responsible manner. prgtoken Unfortunately, including tax breaks related to disaster recovery and funds prgtoken for disasters that haven't even occurred yet is not a good use of taxpayer funds. prgtoken Again, when funds are needed, we will be there, just as we have been there repeatedly for Puerto Rico for the last several years. But at this time, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' prgtoken Madam Chair, .
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Tom Rice (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, I am not here to cast aspersions on disaster relief. I live in a coastal area in South Carolina that has been hit by three storms in the last 5 years: Joaquin, then Matthew, then Florence. prgtoken I was a tax lawyer before I got here. I didn't know that much about disaster relief, and, unfortunately, I have had to learn way more than I ever wanted to. But one thing that concerns me, and concerns me greatly, is the haphazard way in which disaster relief is granted. prgtoken And just to understand the order of magnitude that we are talking about here in relief for Puerto Rico, the request of the Governor in Puerto Rico amounts to, just for the two hurricanes--I don't even know what it is for the earthquake; I don't know if they have made an official request yet--but for the two hurricanes, Maria and the other one, amounts to $94 billion. They have been awarded $39 billion, allocated or announced, and they have received, obligated, $20 billion. prgtoken Now, there were 476,000 applicants approved by FEMA in Puerto Rico. So, if you look at the amount that the Governor requested, $94 billion, that amounts to $200,000 per FEMA applicant, $200,000, roughly. The amount that has been allocated or announced, $40 billion, divided out, it is just under $100,000 per FEMA applicant. And then the amount that has actually been paid works out to--and I have got that exact number here--$41,816 per FEMA applicant for these two storms. prgtoken And there is, remaining, a tremendous amount of money that has already been allocated that hasn't been paid out yet. And there was disaster money that was made available in the appropriations bill in December for storms that occurred last year plus any storms that occurred within 60 days thereafter, and so these earthquakes are also allowed to access that money. prgtoken So I don't know that we really need to be rushing in to allocate another $5 billion in aid when there is so much money that is already available to be used for this disaster. I hesitate to do this, but I want to point this out just to show you the order of magnitude. prgtoken After Hurricane Florence, the Governor of South Carolina requested $1 billion. Puerto Rico has requested $94 billion. prgtoken The most affected counties in my district were Marion, Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield. Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro are three of the poorest counties in the State. Marion County is 57 percent African American; Dillon County is 51 percent African American; and Marlboro County is 51 percent African American. The average number of people in poverty is 30 percent. The average household income is around $30,000-- just so you know the quality of life of these folks. prgtoken There were 14,000 houses flooded, water inside the house. Five thousand of those, for some reason, were approved by FEMA. Even though they excluded two-thirds of the people who were damaged in this storm, we were still only awarded $14,000 per FEMA
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020
Dan Crenshaw (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-7

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, I rise today to support the people from the great State of Texas. prgtoken It has been 2\1/2\ years since Hurricane Harvey. Many of my constituents are still struggling to finance their rebuilding. And it is not as if Texans simply waited on Federal aid. We passed a local bond for $2.5 billion to address recovery and future prevention. Additionally, many took out SBA loans, a low-cost loan to get themselves back on their own feet. prgtoken Here is the problem: My constituents never thought that taking out an SBA loan, a loan that they would be paying back, would prevent them from also receiving other Federal aid. prgtoken This problem of dual benefits was addressed in law recently by my friend Representative Garret Graves from Louisiana, but the fix came too late for some. Many victims of disasters who would be eligible for Federal aid such as CDBG-DR are not able to access that aid. prgtoken This amendment will not be able to provide the estimated nearly $3 billion that the Texas General Land Office believes would be needed to help all of those affected, but my amendment will solve this problem for some of the most vulnerable people who unfairly fell through the bureaucratic cracks. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment, and .