mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO DAVE SHOJI
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-4-27

today I wish to congratulate retiring University of Hawaii women's volleyball coach Dave Shoji on an outstanding 42-year career. prgtoken In 1975, at just 28 years old, Dave Shoji tallied his first win as head coach of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. Since then, he has gone on to compile one of the most decorated resumes in collegiate volleyball history. In fact, there has been no such thing as a losing season during Dave's tenure with the Rainbow Wahine. In 2013, he earned the title of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's alltime winningest coach. In 2016, he became just the second coach in NCAA history to win 1,200 matches. prgtoken He departs the university with an astonishing record of 1,202 wins, 204 losses, and 1 tie, including 4 national titles, 25 conference championships, and more than 30 postseason national tournament appearances. prgtoken Coach Shoji leaves the confines of the Stan Sheriff Center with a legacy much larger than the numbers. prgtoken It is fitting that Coach Shoji's tenure began just a few short years after the enactment of title IX, a law now named for Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy Mink who championed its passage. Title IX seeks to ensure equal opportunity and prohibit sex discrimination in higher education. It is most widely known for expanding opportunities for women in collegiate athletics. Coach Shoji's tenure at the helm of Rainbow Wahine volleyball has clearly demonstrated the value of opportunity for young people--not just young women--in Hawaii. His teams have been examples of what can be achieved through hard work, professionalism, and teamwork. That example has led many local players to aspire to 1 day don the green and white Wahine jersey, play in front of sold-out crowds, and look to Coach Shoji in the center of the huddle during a nail-biting set. Parents were always hopeful, too, that they would witness their daughter's transition from girl to woman in the care of Coach Shoji and company. prgtoken During his tenure, Coach Shoji's has coached 86 All-American selections, 35 conference players of the year and, 175 all-conference picks. His players' successes extended beyond the court. More than 100 players have earned all-academic conference recognitions under his guidance. prgtoken Over the past 42 years, Coach Shoji has built a reputation for excellence built on hard work, integrity, and love for the game. He has helped shape countless student athletes and brought pride to their families and legions of fans. Coach Shoji has set the standard for those who follow. prgtoken Hawaii extends our warmest aloha and mahalo nui loa to Coach Shoji for his passion and commitment to not only the sport of volleyball but the State of Hawaii. ``Let's go 'Bows!''
DISTRICT SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-4-27

I rise today to recognize the talent and hard work of the youth in New Jersey's 12th District. prgtoken This past weekend, a group of East Brunswick High School students were recognized as the best team from the Northeast in the We the People competition. Competing against more than 1,200 students, this team demonstrated knowledge of constitutional principles in both historical and contemporary contexts. prgtoken This weekend, students from John Witherspoon Middle School of Princeton and West Windsor-Plainsboro South High School will come to Washington to compete in the final round of the 2017 National Science Bowl. prgtoken To all of these students: The guidance of your teachers, Alan Brodman, Bill Merritt, and Sunila Sharma, and your hard work is evident, and New Jersey's 12th District is very proud of you. prgtoken It is an honor to represent a district that continues to emphasize the importance of STEM and civic education, and encourage our Nation's youth to thrive.
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PROMISE TO DRAIN THE SWAMP AND 100 DAYS
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-4-27

we are quickly approaching President 's first 100 days in office, and the swamp he pledged to drain now has been stocked with Wall Street's finest. prgtoken President made a big jobs promise to working people across this country in his campaign. But hundreds of steel workers in places like Lorain, Ohio, are being terminated due to continuing Korean and Chinese imports being dumped into this marketplace. prgtoken The President seems to have a raft of bankers from Goldman Sachs advising him on the global economy, but where is his trade team that is supposed to protect workers like I represent in the State of Ohio? prgtoken This is the backdrop to the 2018 budget the President has chosen to send up to Congress. His 2018 budget rewards Wall Street--anybody surprised--and hurts Main Streets in places like Lorain and Ohio and Pennsylvania and Michigan and Indiana and Wisconsin, the States that carried him into the Presidency. prgtoken Vice President once said: ``Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.'' prgtoken Well, President 's budget apparently doesn't value the people of the Great Lakes States because it zeros out the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency that are trying to help us clean up water, the source of all life. prgtoken Look what he is doing to job training programs, to Meals on Wheels, to afterschool care, programs that the middle class cares about and are vital to life: slash, slash, slash. More bankers in there from Goldman Sachs and Wall Street. prgtoken To make matters worse, the administration has a total disregard for ethics, as they clearly violate the Emoluments Clause of our Constitution. prgtoken President and his children have still failed to fully divest their assets and put them in true blind trusts to prevent real and dangerous conflicts of interest. prgtoken How about the number of patents that China has just granted to the family, including Ivanka ? How about that? When the President has changed his position on China from what he said in the campaign and now it is a little bit different and the patents just got approved after sitting on the shelf for a decade, does that strike anyone as unusual? prgtoken The administration is not draining the swamp. This President is filling it with broken promises to the American people who are depending on him and his administration to make a difference for people who need attention across this country.
NORTH KOREA
Ro Khanna (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-27

I rise out of a concern of this administration's policies to North Korea. I urge the administration to look at recent history. prgtoken From 1994 to 2002, North Korea was not developing plutonium and there was no threat of medium- or long-range ballistic missiles. That was under President Clinton's leadership because President Clinton had come up with a deal to buy the medium- and long-range missiles from North Korea. prgtoken Then what happened? prgtoken President came and disregarded both deals and put North Korea under the axis of evil, even though they had no relationship to 9/11. It was a mistake of foreign policy. prgtoken We know the solution to North Korea. We know they have an army of 200,000. They have 15,000 places of nuclear weapons. There is not a militaristic solution. The solution is to go back to the direct diplomacy that President Clinton had and to have South Korea engage in that diplomatic solution. prgtoken There is an answer to North Korea. We cannot play games with this issue when President Clinton showed the framework.
THE FCC AND NET NEUTRALITY RULES
Tulsi Gabbard (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-4-27

yesterday the new -appointed FCC Chairman announced his mission to undermine the net neutrality rules that we fought so hard to put in place. prgtoken In 2015, over 4 million people submitted comments calling on the FCC to keep the internet open and fair. However, the FCC's new Chairman, who used to work as counsel for Verizon, wants to turn the internet into a system of pay-to-play fast lanes for Big Money and people who can afford it, leaving everyone else behind in the slow lane. prgtoken This hands the levers of access over to big ISPs at the expense of students, prgtoken small businesses, entrepreneurs, independent content creators, and millions more. prgtoken In today's digital age, maintaining open and equal internet access is essential to breaking down barriers in education, media, expanding access to jobs and employment, driving innovation in health care, and so much more. prgtoken We must stand strong in opposition to the FCC's attack on fairness, equality, and net neutrality.
END HUNGER NOW--SNAP WORKS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-4-27

the House Agriculture Committee has held 21 hearings during the past 2 years on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. The committee has heard over 30 hours of testimony from over 60 experts, both liberal and conservative, from all across the country. We have heard from academics, advocacy groups, Federal and State government officials, charitable organizations, and even a few people who have relied on SNAP for food assistance. prgtoken All of our witnesses have confirmed what we know to be true: SNAP works. It is a powerful program that helps to alleviate poverty and food insecurity, and it is worthy of our support. prgtoken Today I would like to share with my colleagues a few of the most important takeaways from the 21 hearings I participated in as ranking member of the Nutrition Subcommittee. prgtoken First, SNAP benefits should not be cut. Forty-two million Americans, including working families, veterans, seniors, children, and the disabled, struggle to put food on the table. In the richest country in the history of the world, I find that unconscionable. SNAP is a vital tool that helps struggling Americans get back on their feet, and participation has steadily declined as economic conditions have improved. prgtoken Second, the current SNAP benefit is inadequate. On average, SNAP households receive about $225 a month. The average benefit per person is about $126 per month, which works out to be a meager $1.40 per person per meal. You can't buy a Starbucks coffee for that. prgtoken Pamela Hess with the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, said it best during her testimony before the Agriculture Committee: `` . . . people can't parent well and raise happy, healthy children who are ready to learn, and you can't work well if you are hungry, if you are wondering where your next meal is coming from. . . . `' prgtoken Cutting this meager benefit would be a rotten and heartless thing to do, especially as so many in our country continue to face incredible hardships. prgtoken Third, SNAP does not discourage work. The majority of people on SNAP who can work, do work. Almost 70 percent of SNAP recipients aren't expected to work because they are kids, they are elderly, disabled, or caring for a young child or disabled family member. More than half of SNAP households with at least one working-age, nondisabled adult do work while receiving SNAP, and more than 80 percent work in the year before or after receiving benefits. prgtoken Under current law, able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs, are limited to 3 months on SNAP out of every 3 years if they aren't working. I don't agree with that provision, but I have come to learn that some of my colleagues want to shorten that time that these very vulnerable adults can remain in the program. Make no mistake, such a move wouldn't help people find jobs; it would only make them hungry and more vulnerable. prgtoken
REMEMBERING DR. ROLANDO ALUM, SR.
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-4-27

today I wish to honor the memory of the late Dr. Rolando Alum, Sr of West New York, NJ. At the age of 104, Dr. Alum passed away on March 27, a month ago today, leaving behind a legacy of community service and a family full of achievements. I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Dr. Alum personally. He was my constituent from when I first served in the New Jersey State Assembly over 25 years ago to when I became U.S. Senator. I could not be more impressed with the accomplished life of Dr. Rolando Alum, Sr and his embodiment of the American spirit. prgtoken Dr. Alum was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. He began his career as a professor and dean at a local technical college, educating his students on literature and grammar. He then went on to become a dentist, treating patients with whom who he would keep in touch throughout his life. In 1961, Dr. Alum and his family fled Cuba in pursuit of liberty and a better life after the Castro brothers turned the island-nation into a Soviet-modeled totalitarian country. prgtoken When Dr. Alum came to the United States, he decided to settle and raise his family in Hudson County, NJ. His first job was at a cardboard box factory in Essex County. Wanting more for his family, Dr. Alum worked tirelessly to become a successful research scientist for a pharmaceutical company, eventually joining a research team that included a Nobel Prize winning doctor. At his company, Dr. Alum established important quality control measures and developed influential drugs. prgtoken The light of Dr. Alum's life was his family. Rolando and his pre- deceased wife, Sara, raised a truly exceptional family by any measure. I have worked side by side with his oldest son Roland Alum, Jr on many civic and community engagement activities to better the State of New Jersey. Dr. Alum's youngest son Luis is an accomplished attorney and a leader in New Jersey's legal community. Rolando's grandson, Alexander, is the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Puerto Rico. Janelle, Dr. Alum's granddaughter, is a school teacher in my hometown of Union City. With such a successful family, I have no doubt that Dr. Alum was proud of each and every member of his family. prgtoken One of Dr. Alum's dreams was to one day see democracy in Cuba. Fearing violence from the Castro regime, Dr. Alum, like countless other Cubans who fled from the Castro regime, never returned to his native land. As a U.S. Senator of Cuban descent, I have dedicated my entire career to fighting for the Cuban people and will continue to work towards bringing freedom to Cuba. prgtoken Dr. Rolando Alum, Sr was a model U.S. citizen and is a testament to what Cuban Americans, Latinos, and immigrants contribute to our great country.
For-Profit Colleges and Universities (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-4-27

we know what open season means when it comes to these students. Gilbert Caro of Chicago can tell us. He was profiled in the Chicago Tribune article that I mentioned. Gilbert received his master of business administration degree from DeVry University. It is possibly the second largest for-profit college in the United States. prgtoken He took on nearly $100,000 in debt for his master of business administration degree. He believed that debt was worth it because it was going to unlock the door to a high-paying job and financial security. prgtoken Do you have any idea what Gilbert Caro is doing now with his DeVry master of business administration degree? He is a prison guard in Joliet, IL. prgtoken While Gilbert has a good job, he certainly didn't need $100,000 in debt to be a prison guard. It is far from what he was promised by DeVry when he signed up. Gilbert, like so many other students who go to for- profit colleges, was lured in by an amazing marketing campaign, flashy advertisements and empty promises. prgtoken In 2016, DeVry University, a for-profit school, agreed to a $100 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission for misleading ``prospective students with ads that touted high employment success rates and income levels upon graduation.'' prgtoken DeVry is not alone. For-profit college giants like Corinthian and ITT Tech collapsed after they were caught engaging in similar deceptive, disgusting practices. The predatory practices of these and other for- profit colleges have left tens of thousands of students across the country, just like Gilbert Caro, with worthless degrees and a mountain of debt. prgtoken In fact, during the early part of this century, when for-profit colleges acted with near impunity, just the students from the for- profit colleges and universities accounted for 47 percent of all student loan defaults. Ten percent of the students coming out of high school went to for-profit colleges, and 47 percent of the student loan defaults were those same students--10 and 47. Why? Because they were overcharged for worthless degrees. That is why. prgtoken The University of Phoenix students held almost $35 billion in cumulative debt. When I look at their flashy advertising and the commercials about how life is going to be perfect if you sign up at the University of Phoenix, it is hard for me to imagine how many of those students are burdened with debt they will never be able to repay. prgtoken We also know what open season means for the for-profit college industry and its executives and investors. Between 1998 and 2008, enrollment at for-profit colleges exploded by 225 percent--a lot of advertising, a lot of marketing, a lot of recruiting. With it came exploding profits for these schools. prgtoken By 2009, the seven largest publicly traded for-profit college companies were worth a combined $51 billion--2009, $51 billion. prgtoken In 2010, the University of Phoenix alone enrolled nearly
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-4-27

today I wish to pay tribute to a great Pennsylvanian and a great American: Neil Smit. Neil has made extraordinary contributions to our country through his service as a Navy SEAL, his leadership and innovation in the business world, and his dedication to community service. prgtoken Neil has served as a leader in the business community for decades with Comcast, Charter Communications, AOL, Pillsbury, and Nabisco. His notable career began serving his country as a member of the elite Navy SEAL Team Six. He retired from Active Duty as a lieutenant commander. He has never lost his commitment to his country and his comrades. In the private sector, he has worked on behalf of veterans by championing Comcast's pledge to hire veterans and to help Active-Duty servicemembers transition from the military to the civilian workforce. prgtoken In all of his roles, Neil has always exemplified the best traits of a leader. During his time as CEO of Comcast Cable, Neil led his team to innovate and develop game-changing products and businesses that benefited consumers. prgtoken His devotion to his community is evident in his role with the executive committee of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's board of trustees. Neil is also a member of the board of visitors for Nicholas School of the Environment at his alma mater, Duke University. He also serves as chairman of the executive committee and is a member of the board of directors of C-SPAN. prgtoken Neil's life of service and leadership is an inspiration to many, and we thank him for his service to our great country.
SENATE RESOLUTION 147--COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1992 LOS ANGELES CIVIL UNREST
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-27

I wish to introduce a Senate resolution to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest. prgtoken On March 3, 1991, an African American named Rodney King was driving on a Los Angeles interstate when officers attempted to pull him over for allegedly speeding. By the time he pulled over and exited his car following a high-speed chase spanning 8 miles, there were multiple LA police department units on the scene. prgtoken King was tasered two times, and camcorder video footage recorded by a civilian witness--George Holliday--from his nearby apartment balcony depicted the brutal beating of King by four officers who surrounded him. The officers struck King repeatedly until he was bloodied and disfigured with a fractured cheekbone, 11 broken bones at the base of the skull, and a broken ankle. The video footage shows King being struck by batons over 50 times, prgtoken Holliday's video was sent to news outlets and aired around the world. It shook the Nation and raised outcries about excessive force by police officers. But even before the videotape had become public, community leaders in Los Angeles had highlighted on numerous occasions the use of excessive force by LAPD officers. prgtoken In fact, in the immediate aftermath of the Rodney King beating, then- Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley formed prgtoken the Christopher Commission to thoroughly examine thousands of excessive force complaints made against LAPD officers in the late 1980s. So when--a year later on April 29, 1992--the four LAPD officers caught on tape were acquitted after standing trial for using excessive force against Rodney King, the entire Nation was in shock. The verdict appeared completely incompatible with the brutal videotape footage that flooded our TV screens at the time. prgtoken When the verdict became public, hundreds gathered at the Los Angeles County Courthouse to protest, and a national debate immediately began over racial injustice and excessive use of force by police against racial minorities. Shortly thereafter, at the intersection of Florence and Normandie in South Central Los Angeles, the public's frustration boiled over and violence erupted, setting off a flash point that the police simply could not quell. Looting, vandalism, and physical attacks became rampant, and I will never forget the image of Reginald Denny being dragged out of his semi-trailer truck to be severely beaten in the middle of the street. prgtoken From then on, the unrest overtook the city, including neighborhoods like Koreatown, Hawthorne, Compton and Long Beach. The city, quite literally, was on fire. For 6 days, the city was in a state of emergency. prgtoken All told, there were more than 60 individuals who lost their lives amid the looting and fires, and thousands of individuals were injured or arrested, while countless more lost their businesses and places of employment. Over 3,600 fires were set and over 1,100 buildings in Los
HONORING JOHNSON CHAPEL
Juan Vargas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-27

I rise today to honor the Johnson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and its pastors for 100 years of teaching, preaching the Gospel, and making strides in our community. prgtoken The Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church was founded in 1915 by John Fair, James Craig, Roxie Graves, Cora Martin, Ed Ackers, and Nancy Craig. It was formally established in 1917 with Reverend S.E. Edwards as its first pastor. Originally a small congregation meeting in a house on State Street, the church is now highly regarded within the community and has relocated to a significantly larger building on Hamilton Street in El Centro, California. prgtoken The African Methodist Episcopal Church was formed out of the Free African Society, established in 1787. African Americans faced unending discrimination while trying to practice their faith in American Methodist churches. Some churchgoers went as far as pulling African Americans off their knees as they prayed. Black members of St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church split off to create their own African congregation. Wanting to avoid discrimination and obtain religious autonomy, many black Methodists began to switch over to African Methodist Episcopal churches. prgtoken Currently, the A.M.E. Church has membership across twenty Episcopal Districts in thirty-nine countries, on five continents. Although the church was founded by people of African descent and heritage, it is open to people of any background or race. They place emphasis on the plain and simple gospel and tirelessly work to spread the word of Jesus Christ. prgtoken The Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church has been led by thirty-one dedicated ministers over the past 100 years. They have worked to improve the church and build a community around it. Not only does the church take care of their own members, they have also provided educational programs and outreach to benefit youth in their area. prgtoken I would like to recognize the Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church for their 100 years of dedicated teaching and service within our community.