mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ARIZONA PBS
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2018-3-1

I rise to recognize the outstanding contributions made by Arizona PBS and to celebrate its long history of service to the children of the City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona. prgtoken Arizona PBS is dedicated to supporting students, families and educators with content focused on national, common core and state standards. prgtoken Since 2010, the Arizona PBS Educational Outreach team has reached nearly 750,000 families and more than 60,000 teachers and teachers-in- training across the state through large-scale events and special community development workshops. prgtoken In addition, Arizona PBS provides educational assets through the Arizona PBS LearningMedia online portal in English, Spanish and Navajo, as well as professional development services to help guide individuals into careers in early childhood education. prgtoken I am especially grateful for PBS's efforts to help families from diverse backgrounds to prepare their children to enter kindergarten by providing free online apps and games as well as off-screen activities for early learning. prgtoken Last month, Arizona PBS launched a 24/7 children's channel, Arizona PBS KIDS, featuring an array of programming to help young children master important skills, ranging from reading and basic math and science to problem solving and emotional skills. This new channel is available over the air and online to educate, entertain and inspire children of all backgrounds across Arizona. prgtoken In closing, I want to recognize an event held in my district on February 17, 2018 in which PBS invited children and families to the heart of downtown to celebrate education, community and exploration. prgtoken , I also want to once again pay tribute to the outstanding work of Arizona PBS in helping to mold the young minds and future leaders of our great state.
ECONOMIC GROWTH, REGULATORY RELIEF, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-3-1

I come to the floor to share my deep concern over what appears to be the administration's intention to go to war with North Korea. prgtoken North Korea may have bent over backward to appear conciliatory during the recently concluded Winter Olympics in South Korea, but the Kim Jong Un regime has not stopped its dangerous activities--far from it. North Korea is a serious and ever-worsening threat to its people, to our allies and partners in the region, and to the United States, but the responsible course of action is to use all tools of American statecraft to reduce those threats. prgtoken We have an obligation to American families, servicemembers, and our allies to say, unequivocally, that we did everything in our power to curb North Korea's dangerous behavior without resorting to armed conflict. Instead, I fear that the administration is beating the drums of war. prgtoken While the North Korean regime was all smiles during the Olympics, its malign behavior continued. Engineers race to perfect a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korean laborers around the world--modern-day indentured servants--sent paychecks home to the regime, helping fund its illicit military programs. Illegal ship-to- ship transfers of refined petroleum products continued. North Korea's army of cyber warriors grew ever more capable. North Korean military officers reportedly continued to assist and empower Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons program in Syria, and the Kim regime's thugs made no efforts to scale back rampant human rights abuses. prgtoken Many smiled as the North Korean regime won a gold medal in propaganda at the Olympics. All the while, it got ever closer to its ultimate goal of perfecting a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States of America. We missed an opportunity to engage in talks with North Korea, and we did that at our own peril. prgtoken While we must continue to ratchet up pressure on North Korea, other elements of President 's approach threaten to make an already bad situation even worse. prgtoken First, we are all too familiar with the President's reckless rhetoric. Promising ``fire and fury'' does not minimize tensions. Threatening to ``totally destroy'' North Korea only increases the prgtoken chance of deadly miscalculation. Boasting about the size of a nuclear button only makes the United States less safe. How does think Kim Jong Un would react if he believed his rule were under immediate threat? Would Kim restrain himself? prgtoken Second, contradictory statements from the administration cause confusion that dampens the prospect of a peaceful solution. Is the administration open to talks with North Korea? We certainly should be. If we are, what are the preconditions, and should we even have any? We hear different thoughts on different days. President routinely undercuts his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and with it,
Congratulating Team USA and the Minnesota Olympic Athletes (Executive Calendar)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-3-1

I rise today to congratulate Team USA and to recognize the contributions of so many Minnesotans at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea. prgtoken I am happy to be joined here by my Senate colleague from Minnesota, Senator Smith. Why are Senator Smith and I here today? We are here because we had an incredible Olympics, with Minnesota really leading the way when it came to the gold medals. prgtoken Of course, our State is no stranger to the Olympics. We have sent athletes to compete in women's basketball and cycling. But it shouldn't be a surprise that it is the Winter Olympics where the bold northern State really shines. We have a couple of things going for us. The weather is kind of cold. There is snow, so people are able to practice. We also have a great athletic program at our high schools, and we have a lot of team spirit, which is especially helpful in the teams we were a part of that won the gold, including men's curling and women's hockey. prgtoken Of the 243 athletes who were on Team USA, 23 have ties to Minnesota, making it the third highest represented State. These athletes competed at the highest level and showed the world just what our State could do. If Minnesota were competing as a country, it would be tied for 12th, globally in the number of gold medals won. But we are not a country; we are a proud State. This success is something all Minnesotans can celebrate. prgtoken , here are some examples for you. Winning a gold medal was a first for Afton native Jessie Diggings and a first for the United States. Her road to the Olympics started on the cross-country skiing trails that cover Minnesota. Jessie worked to keep spirits high in training and during the Olympic competition. She put glitter on her cheeks as a reminder of what made her fall in love with cross-country skiing as a little girl. Her relentless energy and drive were on full display. She and her teammate, Kikkan Randall, became the first Americans to bring home a gold in cross-country team history. It is no surprise that they voted Jessie to be the flag-bearer for the closing ceremony. prgtoken Jessie and Kikkan weren't the only American women to bring home gold. The women's hockey team won their first gold medal since 1998. prgtoken It is no coincidence that the ``State of Hockey'' sent some serious talent. The American team included six current or former Gopher College players and two current or former Minnesota Duluth players. From Warroad to Minnetonka, the Minnesotans on Team USA brought pond hockey toughness and the experience that comes from growing up on the ice. This gold medal will help inspire the next generation of hockey players in Minnesota. prgtoken I want to make a special note of our incredible goalie, Maddie Rooney. If anyone stayed up--which I did--to watch that shootout at the end, she showed such poise and such grace under pressure. prgtoken I also want to make a little note of Warroad
RECOGNIZING MS. KRISTY BAXTER FOR HER INTERNSHIP WITH THE UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-3-1

I rise today to recognize an exceptional young Australian who is currently interning in my Washington D.C. office. Kristy Baxter came to our office as part of the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme (UCWIP) and has been a valuable contributor to our efforts on behalf of New York's Tenth Congressional District. prgtoken UCWIP has worked with congressional offices to foster strong ties and understanding between the United States and Australian governments by bringing the best and the brightest from top Australian universities to intern on Capitol Hill. I am proud to have personally hosted 14 Australians since 2003--each bringing their own unique outlooks on policy and desire to contribute. prgtoken Kristy, a student from Deakin University, studying a Bachelor of International Studies, has interned in our office since January and has quickly proved herself to be a highly valuable member of our team. Over the past weeks, it has been a pleasure to see her swiftly develop into an increasingly confident and pro-active individual. Her innate curiosity to learn, matched with her willingness to work hard, saw her tasked with researching Medicare and the healthcare industry, tax havens and financial secrecy as well as attending foreign affairs briefings on difficulties with post-conflict transition in Colombia and the involvement of the U.S. intelligence community in Sudan. Kristy is an exceptionally calm and affable presence in the office and encounters everyone she meets with respect. Through prgtoken hard work, dedication and ability to learn from those around her, Kristy became a tremendous asset to our office and the Tenth Congressional District. prgtoken My team has learned a great deal about the current political situation in Australia as Kristy's fascination with America continues to grow. She is an absolute pleasure to have in the office and I offer her my thanks for a job well done. I wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.
REMEMBERING JOHN TUNNEY
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-1

today I wish to honor a former Member of this Chamber, Senator John Tunney, whose seat I now hold. prgtoken Senator Tunney passed away on January 12 in Brentwood, CA, at the age of 83. His family and friends will gather on Monday to celebrate his life. prgtoken The son of a world heavyweight boxing champion, Senator Tunney was born in New York in 1934. After graduating from Yale in 1956, he went on to study law at the University of Virginia. prgtoken While attending law school, he was roommates with Senator Ted Kennedy, and the two became lifelong friends. prgtoken After graduating in 1959, he began his career in public service as a JAG lawyer in the Air Force. He was eventually stationed in California, where he settled after leaving the military. prgtoken He first ran for Congress in 1964, winning a House seat representing Riverside and Imperial Counties. After three terms in the House, when he was only 36 years old, John challenged Senator George Murphy in 1970. prgtoken It was highly contested election. Senator Murphy shared the ballot with his good friend, then-Governor Ronald Reagan, who was seeking reelection. prgtoken Despite the Governor's popularity, Senator Tunney was able to win and by a wider margin of victory than the Governor. That campaign would serve as the inspiration for Robert Redford's movie, ``The Candidate.'' prgtoken Ever the statesmen, Senator Murphy went to Sacramento to meet with Governor Reagan immediately after the election. The two pledged to work together for the betterment of California. prgtoken That willingness to reach across the aisle allowed Senator Tunney to be an effective legislator during his career in the Senate. prgtoken A champion of civil rights and environmental causes, he passed several major bills, including the Noise Pollution Act in 1972 and an extension of the Voting Rights Act in 1975. prgtoken He also authored the landmark Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, commonly referred to as the Tunney Act. The antitrust bill gave the Justice Department oversight of corporate mergers and acquisitions. prgtoken Senator Tunney also played a key role in keeping the United States out the Angolan civil war, pushing to end the Pentagon's covert operations there. prgtoken As a freshman Senator, he authored more than 38 bills, a record few of us here today could claim in our first term. prgtoken That success can be attributed in part to the talented staff he hired, including future Congresswoman Jane Harman and Hadley Roff, who later served on my own staff. prgtoken Despite his successful record, Senator Tunney lost his reelection bid to S.I. Hayakawa during the anti-incumbent wave that followed Watergate. prgtoken Upon leaving office, he continued to practice law, becoming a partner at Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney in Los Angeles. prgtoken He also served on the boards of several nonprofits, including Living With Wolves and UCLA's Hammer Museum. prgtoken After retiring,
Congratulating Team USA and the Minnesota Olympic Athletes (Executive Calendar)
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-3-1

. Thank you, . prgtoken Thank you, Senator Klobuchar, for organizing this colloquy on the Olympic contributions of Minnesotans. I was proud to work with you on this resolution honoring our Olympians. While I have not yet given my first floor speech--which I plan to do in a couple of weeks--I couldn't pass up the opportunity to come down and talk about our State's amazing athletes. prgtoken As I am sure Senator Klobuchar knows, as you have just heard from her, once a Minnesotan can walk, you can bet that his or her parents will try to get them on skis, skates, a sled, or maybe even on the curling rink. That early start--not to mention the fact that Minnesotans are the hardest working and most resilient people I know-- helps explain why 23 of our athletes took part in this year's Winter Games. As Senator Klobuchar said, that is the third most of any State in the country. And, boy, did they steal the show. Minnesotans brought home gold medals in women's hockey, women's cross-country skiing, men's curling, and a bronze medal in women's downhill skiing. prgtoken I want to talk about Afton, Minnesota's own Jessie Diggins, who carried the Olympic torch for Team USA at the closing ceremony. As Senator Klobuchar said, Jessie began skiing at 4 years old and started racing against high schoolers at age 11. She earned her spot on the Olympic cross-country team and was the only woman to compete in all six women's cross-country events--and compete she did. prgtoken Along with her teammate, Kikkan Randall, Jessie won the first Olympic Gold Medal ever for the United States in cross-country skiing--and in dramatic fashion. Jessie came from behind during the final stretch of the race, inching out her competitor as they crossed the finish line. prgtoken I am amazed, but not all that surprised, by the accomplishments of my fellow Minnesotans. I am so happy to be able to join Senator Klobuchar in prgtoken saying we are glad the whole world had the chance to witness what we see every day in our jobs as Senators from Minnesota--Minnesotans doing amazing things. prgtoken .
Gun Violence (Executive Session)
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-3-1

on Friday, I visited Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, which is located in Howard County, MD, between Washington and Baltimore. I wanted to talk to students about the tragic Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, FL, which left 17 students and faculty members dead. This is the deadliest high school shooting in American history. I went to Wilde Lake because one of their own teachers, Laura Wallen, was shot to death in September 2017, and her former boyfriend is now on trial for her murder. prgtoken I was extremely impressed by the passion of these students. They had a great deal of interest in the subject matter; they were extremely articulate; and they asked great questions. I found it extremely encouraging for the future of Howard County, MD, and this Nation. These students are rightfully concerned about their safety and the safety of their classmates. It has been 2 weeks since a disturbed young man invaded Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. prgtoken The reaction seems to be like clockwork after each shooting. There is bipartisan shock, anger, and horror. Predictably, the question comes out: Will this time be different? The answer for the leaders in Congress has always been ``no'' as the outrage and call to act quickly falls back to NRA talking points versus reality. This time, the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the students in Maryland and across the country are not taking ``no'' as the final word. This time, the survivors are leading the way and are speaking out in a forceful way like we have not heard before. prgtoken Students like Ryan Deitsch, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, want to know why these students--the children--need to be the ones to speak out ``just to save innocent lives,'' he said. He wants to know why the adults cannot be the adults and do what is necessary to protect children. prgtoken I think the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have had a clear, articulate message that this carnage needs to stop. They want to feel safe in their schools again. Armed with their cell phones and their stories, they have taken up the banner of hashtag ``never again'' and are changing the face of this debate to make this country safer from gun violence. prgtoken Alex Wind, another survivor from Stoneman Douglas, laid out the larger problem of why students are mobilizing: We're marching because it's not just schools. It's movie theaters, it's concerts, it's nightclubs. This kind of stuff can't just happen. You know, we are marching for our lives, we're marching for the 17 lives we lost. And we're marching for our children's lives and our children's children and their children. prgtoken So what can we do? prgtoken There are several pieces of legislation that are ready to go. The and some s have been willing and ready to act. Leader Mc
GALLERY ON THE GO
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-3-1

I rise today to recognize and applaud Gallery on The Go, Inc. for receiving the 2018 Commerce City Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. prgtoken The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award recognizes a company or entrepreneur that demonstrates a pioneering spirit and development of a business start-up, new product development, or a company/product with growth in new markets. In October 2011, Maria Borrego, a Commerce City resident and Adams City High School graduate, co-founded the mobile painting planning party, Gallery on The Go. She was joined by Mandy Thomas in 2014 and today are a staff of four full-time and two part time employees. They have now expanded to over 160 Independent Gallery Guides in 30 states, serving over 35,000 painters in 2017. prgtoken In addition to expanding across the country, Gallery on The Go is also committed to giving prgtoken back to the community. They have given over $105,000 in donations, fundraising painting parties, and free events to benefit a variety of non-profits within the Commerce City community. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Gallery On The Go, Inc. for this well-deserved recognition by Commerce City.
HONORING MR. MICHAEL MILONE
Elizabeth H. Esty (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-3-1

I rise today to honor my friend Michael Milone and recognize his longtime service as Cheshire Town Manager. Michael will retire this coming June, and the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is honoring Michael at its awards dinner in my hometown of Cheshire, Connecticut for his service to our community over the past three decades. prgtoken A longtime Cheshire resident and public servant, Michael joined the town's government finance department thirty years ago, and his expertise in financial management has proven invaluable to our town and its elected leaders. He stepped up to become Town Manager almost twenty years ago, and his long-term vision has supported Cheshire's success and ability to embrace the future. As a Town Councilor myself from 2005 to 2008, I had the pleasure of working closely with Michael, and I can testify to his dedication to the public, commitment to fiscal prudence, and knack for solving problems creatively. prgtoken Michael's leadership and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed in Cheshire--or outside our town. Money Magazine and Connecticut Magazine regularly laud Cheshire as one of America's best small towns. Although our state has faced its share of economic challenges, under Michael's commitment to fiscal responsibility, Cheshire has maintained a top credit rating from national rating agencies. Michael has also shared his time and expertise with the next generation of leaders as a lecturer at the University of New Haven. Michael's legacy for our town will live on well after his retirement, and his commitment to responsible leadership sets a tremendous example for our town's--not to mention our state's and country's--future leaders. prgtoken , Michael Milone has exemplified the best of what public servants bring to their roles. It is fitting and proper that we honor Michael here today, and I consider myself lucky to count Michael as a friend and mentor.