mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. BENJAMIN ``BENJIE'' SANTIAGO ON BEING SELECTED AS THE 2021 GUAM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Michael F. Q. San Nicolas (Democrat, GU) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Benjamin ``Benjie'' Santiago on being selected as the 2021 Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Teacher of the Year. Dr. Santiago is an exemplary teacher whose commitment to service and devotion to community have and continue to inspire our youth, foster great leadership, and expand opportunities for our island students to lead successful lives. prgtoken The Teacher of the Year Program is the oldest and most prestigious national honors program focused on recognizing excellence in teaching. Providing a platform for highlighting both the extraordinary work and dedication of educators across the country and the importance of quality education in the futures of our youth, island, and nation, this program has uniquely directed community accolades to outstanding teachers in Guam since 1969. Following a rigorous nomination, evaluation, and observation process, Dr. Santiago was awarded the honor from among six finalists. prgtoken Dr. Santiago first discovered his passion for teaching when he took on roles as an instructor at cultural dance academies and a local fitness organization. Embracing his calling to help others on their personal paths of achievement, he navigated an extensive teaching career that has resulted in what is now 25 years with GDOE: In 1993, Dr. Santiago earned his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Guam. He then went on to earn his master's and doctoral degrees in education and educational leadership from the University of Portland and Argosy University respectively. Today, Dr. Santiago celebrates over 15 years of service to students and colleagues as a cultural dance and journalism teacher at Agueda I. Johnston Middle School. prgtoken As demonstrated by his countless achievements, Dr. Santiago has consistently gone above and beyond his duties within the school system. In addition to collaborative curriculum and intervention development for holistic student success, Dr. Santiago has served as an in-house mentor for new teachers, coordinated cultural events for his school community, and successfully trained a school choir to earn 3 gold medals in a CHamoru language competition. Further, he is a trailblazing force that has created curricula for Cultural Arts and Dance for all secondary grade levels, introduced a new method to simultaneously teach cultural dance to both face-to-face and online learners amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and developed a new CHamoru language program with support from local government agencies. Most impressive, however, is his personal undertaking to establish deeper understanding and awareness of cultural concepts as an inherent part of Guam's public education. prgtoken On behalf of the People of Guam, I would like to extend a sincere congratulations to Dr. Benjamin Santiago. His combined approach to advocate for both students and culture both challenges the traditional definitions o
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-3-15

I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 37, which we are now considering and which we will vote on at 5:30. prgtoken This is a resolution that would use the CRA process to undo the CDC guidance requiring use of masks on transportation: planes, buses, trains, and some transportation hubs. prgtoken I think this is an issue that should be discussed, and, possibly, to use a medical metaphor, a scalpel should be used to make it just right. Unfortunately, the CRA process is a meat cleaver, and this is not the kind of thing we should be using a meat cleaver against. prgtoken If S.J. Res. 37 passes, it could lead us to be extremely vulnerable if there were a resurge in coronavirus cases, as we are seeing in other nations like Germany. prgtoken Let me explain. The CDC imposed a mandate to wear masks on transportation in February of 2021--again, planes, buses, trains, and train and bus stations, as well as airports. prgtoken We all know that the CDC has recently examined the caseload of COVID- 19 in the country and dropped their mask recommendations for most of the Nation. About 98 percent of the American population now live in communities where there is no mask recommendation, thank goodness--not even indoors. That is great. prgtoken But in some parts of the country, some parts of my Commonwealth, infection rates are still so high that the mask recommendation for wearing indoors is still one that the CDC strongly recommends. prgtoken The CDC mandate, with respect to masks on transportation, was set to expire on March 18, Friday. On Friday, March 18, it was set to expire. After the CDC dropped the recommendation about wearing masks indoors, the CDC decided to extend the mask requirement on transportation for 1 month, from March 18 to April 18. prgtoken Why did they do that when they were dropping the mask recommendation indoors for much of the country? Well, the reason was pretty obvious, and they explained it. prgtoken Here is the problem with transportation: You might board a bus, plane, or train in an area with low infection but pass through areas of high infection and end up in an area of high infection. So transportation is a little bit different than what should the rules be in an indoor venue in my hometown of Richmond or in communities in Connecticut, where the Presiding Officer lives. prgtoken So what the CDC said is, we are going to take an additional month, and we are going to analyze the science around closed spaces-- transportation venues--and we are going to look at this issue of traveling from one community to another, and then we will come up with a best recommendation and best guidance with respect to mask mandates in transportation. That sounds very reasonable to me, very reasonable to extend the mask requirement by 1 month. prgtoken I would argue to my colleague Senator Paul--this is his resolution-- we should be weighing in with the CDC and giving them best guidance-- and, obviously, they are considerin
Nomination of Shalanda D. Young (Executive Calendar)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-15

I rise in support of Shalanda Young's nomination to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. prgtoken Ms. Young has done an exemplary job serving as OMB's Acting Director for the past year. She is a dedicated public servant and a proven leader. prgtoken She has played a key role in the administration's efforts to help the Nation recover from the pandemic. She has worked closely with Congress to pass the historic bipartisan infrastructure package, and she is truly committed to making the Federal Government work better for the American people. prgtoken I have absolutely no doubt that Ms. Young is the right choice to lead the OMB going forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm Shalanda Young to be the Director of OMB.
DESIGNATION OF EL PASO COMMUNITY HEALING GARDEN NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , I rise today in strong and enthusiastic support of my bill, H.R. 4380, the El Paso Community Healing Garden National Memorial Act. prgtoken My bill will designate the El Paso Healing Garden at Ascarate Park in El Paso, Texas, as a national memorial, and help ensure that our entire country honors the 23 innocent lives we lost in prgtoken the attack on El Paso on August 3, 2019. prgtoken I rise today for my legislation, but I also rise in memory of the 23 souls who were killed by a domestic terrorist. I rise for the 22 other victims who were injured in the attack. I rise for their loved ones-- their families, friends, and for an entire community rocked by white supremacy. prgtoken On the morning of August 3, 2019, a 21-year-old gunman drove more than 11 hours and hundreds of miles to get to El Paso. He used an AK-47 and opened fire at a busy Walmart while families were shopping for groceries, getting their prescriptions filled, and buying school supplies for their children. He killed couples, grandparents, siblings, brand new parents. His youngest victim was just 15 years old. It was the deadliest targeted attack on Latinos in modern American history. prgtoken The weapon he used wasn't just intended to kill--an AK-47 rips flesh, bones, and arteries to shreds. Most of the survivors from the attack don't just live with the scars that we can't see in front of us, but they live with unbelievable physical agony, and they also have to shoulder the financial consequences of ongoing surgeries and medical care, even years later. prgtoken When he turned himself in, the domestic terrorist confessed to police that he drove to El Paso to slaughter Mexicans and immigrants. He published a screed online just before the massacre, and in it he cited the anti-immigrant Great Replacement theory and xenophobic hate speech, claiming that he was combating what he called the ``Hispanic invasion of Texas.'' prgtoken This is the same language, these are the same theories, the same hate and racism that we still hear today from rightwing public figures and the former President, whose favorite scapegoats are still vulnerable immigrants. prgtoken These people should have seen that their words have power. Unfortunately, however, instead of learning from this tragedy, racists and supremacists have grown more emboldened. And why wouldn't they? They are radicalized nightly by a national media outlet disguised as ``news'' that runs unchecked, their talking points openly parroted by leaders here, in the Halls of Congress. prgtoken Our safe, loving, welcoming community, a community of good will, is seen as a threat by people with hate in their heart. The language of hate draws a target on the backs of the most vulnerable. On August 3, El Paso paid the price. prgtoken El Pasoans, however, came together in the immediate aftermath of this shooting and we did what we do best: take care of each other, stand united, stand in love. We represent the be
UKRAINE
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-3-15

I want to add one more quotation to the very stirring and powerful words that my colleague from Ohio has just given us. prgtoken Decades ago, President John F. Kennedy went to Berlin, and in a statement of resolve and commitment that mobilized the world, he said then, ``I am a Berliner.'' And he spoke for America. prgtoken Today, we are all Ukrainians. Just as he said that he, as an American, was a Berliner, today, we are Ukrainian. prgtoken My colleague from Ohio is absolutely right that this fight is ours and there are actions we can take--not just words--that will make a difference: actions that should not and will not involve American troops or an escalatory response, actions that will be in the best tradition of the United States, going back to our own Revolution when we overcame a more massive British force. We didn't need to defeat them; we simply needed to survive. And by surviving, George Washington understood that the British would be defeated. prgtoken And so we can enable resilience and resolve of the Ukrainian people to defeat the Russians, if we give them what we need, if we give them more of what we have been giving them. And today, truly, this bell tolls for us; and it is the world's fight, not just the Ukrainians'. prgtoken I thank my friend and fellow Senator from Ohio for leading us on this trip, and I hope that our colleagues, a few of them may have heard us tonight at this hour--but I hope they will come to the floor and that we will continue this conversation because it is a debate that really unites all of us across the aisle, as did the resolution which passed overwhelmingly. prgtoken .
INTRODUCTION OF THE UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ACT OF 2022
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , today, I introduce the Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2022, a version of which I have introduced in seven previous Congresses. My bill would establish and expand prekindergarten programs in public and public charter schools for three- and four-year-old children. The prekindergarten years are critical for children's brain development. prgtoken My bill seeks a breakthrough in public education by providing funding for states to add prekindergarten for children at three and four years of age, like kindergarten programs for five-year-old children now routinely available in public schools. This bill would eliminate major shortcomings of unevenly available day care and, importantly, would take advantage of the safe facilities required in public schools. prgtoken My bill provides federal funds to states, which must be matched by at least 20 percent of a state's own funds, to establish or expand universal, voluntary prekindergarten in public and public charter schools, regardless of income. The classes, which would be part of a full-day program and run throughout the entire school year, must be taught by teachers who possess equivalent qualifications to those teaching other grades in the school. The funds would supplement, not supplant, other federal funds for early childhood education. The unique moneysaving aspect of my bill is that it uses the existing public- school infrastructure and trained teachers to make early childhood education available to all, saving billions of dollars in implementation costs. prgtoken The success of Head Start and other prekindergarten programs, combined with new scientific evidence on the importance of brain development in early childhood, virtually mandates the expansion of early childhood education to all children. Early learning programs mainly have been available only to the affluent, who can afford them, and to some low-income families in programs such as Head Start, which would be unaffected by my bill. My bill provides a practical way to universal, public preschool education for the majority of families. The goal of the bill is to afford the benefits of early childhood education to the working poor, lower middle class and middle class, most of whom have been left out of this essential education for their children. prgtoken We cannot afford to allow the most fertile years for childhood development to pass unenriched. My bill responds to the great needs of parents who seek early childhood education, as well as to today's brain science, which shows that a child's brain development begins much earlier than had been previously understood. prgtoken Considering the staggering cost of day care, the inaccessibility of early childhood education and the opportunity that early education offers to improve a child's chances of success, schooling for three- and four-year-old children is overdue. The absence of viable options for families demands our imm
TRIBUTE TO CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER DONALD R. CRUTCHFIELD
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-3-15

a native of Ohio, Don joined the Army in 1998 and has worked at every echelon since, from the 516th Personnel Services Battalion; multiple brigades; III Corps; Office of the Vice Director of the Army Staff; Headquarters of the Department of the Army; and the Army General Officer Management Office. In every assignment, he was known to his colleagues as a dedicated leader and an expert of his craft.
GUAM NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-3-15

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 2899, introduced by my Committee on Natural Resources colleague, Delegate San Nicolas. prgtoken , H.R. 2899 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designated areas within the island of Guam as national heritage areas. The study would cover the entire island of Guam and identify areas of natural, historic, and cultural importance that reflect the traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that represent distinct and nationally significant aspects of the American story. prgtoken I congratulate Delegate San Nicolas for his strong advocacy in promoting this legislation on behalf of his constituents, and I urge support from my colleagues on this legislation. prgtoken Madam , .
HONORING DEVIN WILCOX AND HIS SERVICE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Frederica S. Wilson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , I rise to honor the service and accomplishments of Devin Wilcox, my outstanding legislative assistant who's transitioning from my office to pursue a new opportunity. Devin joined my staff in 2019, after working in the private sector as a policy analyst. Since then, Devin has blossomed into an extraordinary policy wonk and leader. prgtoken Devin has been instrumental in my work to demonstrably change the lives of Black men and boys and improve our nation's infrastructure. Devin's legislative and political acumen were instrumental in building support for my recently enacted Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act. Devin also worked closely with transportation stakeholders on my priorities that were included in the Infrastructure Jobs and Investment Act. prgtoken Additionally, Devin has created pipelines for diverse students to access coveted internship, fellowship, and employment opportunities on Capitol Hill. Understandably, he has earned the respect of his colleagues and stakeholders alike. prgtoken Devin was born and raised in Florida City, Florida. He's a product of the Miami-Dade County Public School system and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University in 2014. prgtoken On behalf of Florida's 24th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Devin Wilcox for his extraordinary accomplishments, commitment to public service, and for being a trailblazer.
IN HONOR OF PETE J. STILIANESSIS
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-3-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Pete J. Stilianessis in celebration of his decades of work as a father, police officer and leader in the law enforcement community. I am proud to have such a committed and hardworking individual here in the great State of New Jersey. A native son of Passaic County, Pete Stilianessis dedicated his life to the safety and security of our neighborhood. I wish him well as he retires from the New Jersey State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association. prgtoken Born in Paterson, New Jersey to Jerry and Maryellen Stilianessis, Pete's story is one that begins with a love for public service. The son of a former marine, his mother's active duty in the United States Marine Corps would motivate Pete to do the same. Traveling the world as a machine gunner, Pete displayed his action-oriented personality. Most notably, he would answer the call to serve in the Gulf War and contribute his efforts in Iraq. A ``Task Force Ripper'' during Operation Desert Storm, Pete served as squad leader during ground combat operations liberating Kuwait City on February 27, 1991. Awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Kuwait Liberation Medal and two prgtoken Bronze Stars, Pete is a decorated veteran and a man worth our respect and admiration. prgtoken Following his career in the military, Pete would enter law enforcement. First a Corrections Officer with the Passaic County Sherriff's Department, then a police officer with several municipalities, Pete would eventually decide that his greatest aspiration was to serve as a New Jersey State Trooper. Graduating from the New Jersey State Police Academy in 1993, Pete would formally begin his storied career as a State Trooper. prgtoken Starting as a ``Road Trooper'', Pete would quickly ascend the ranks to reach Detective. Assigned to work on the Counter Terrorism Unit, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration, Pete carried out intricate and high level international and domestic investigations. Working both as an undercover agent and lead investigator, Pete worked in Central and South America in addition to operations here in the United States. prgtoken As the President of the New Jersey State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Pete advocated for his brothers and sisters in uniform. Embodying the principal of service over self, Pete traveled both to our State Capital of Trenton and Washington, D.C. to fight for improved benefits and funding. I know, he will be missed by so many as he retires from law enforcement. As he transitions into this new phase of life, I thank him for all his hard work. prgtoken The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to working with and recognizing the efforts of individuals like Mr. Pete J. Stilianessis. prgtoken Madam , I ask that you join our colleagues, friends, family, and the residents of New Jersey in recognizin
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 963, FORCED ARBITRATION INJUSTICE REPEAL ACT OF 2022, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2116, CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF...
Bill Johnson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-3-16

. Madam , for my colleagues to continue to advance this narrative that there are some 9,000 permits out there waiting to be drilled demonstrates the naivete of the oil and gas industry and it is just, frankly, disingenuous. prgtoken And to make the statement that Vladimir Putin is responsible for the skyrocketing cost of gasoline, what a joke. Gasoline was going up before Russia ever invaded Ukraine because of President 's policies. prgtoken Madam , I rise to oppose the previous question so we can immediately consider H.R. 6858, the American Energy Independence from Russia Act. I was proud to work on this legislation with Ranking Member Rodgers and the Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken Madam , we all saw it today, President Zelenskyy pleading with the United States and the West to do more to punish Russia for these atrocities and halt Putin's assault on innocent Ukrainians. prgtoken It is obvious that the United States and Europe need to do more. But sadly, more, much more, could have been done before this invasion, and I believe it could have all been avoided. prgtoken Madam , you will hear a lot today that energy security is national security. Well, ain't that the truth. prgtoken Our European allies, after years of rushing to green, weather- dependent, unreliable energy, and shutting down their own energy resources, have come to learn this the hard way. Their green priorities led them to greater and greater dependence on Russia, to the point that they could do virtually nothing as Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. prgtoken Let's not make the same mistake here in America. We can't make our energy supply and the energy supply of our allies dependent on some of the worst people in the world. prgtoken This legislation would put us on a better path. It would restart the Keystone XL pipeline; reopen our Federal lands and waters to access our abundant natural resources; and it also includes a provision, legislation that I authored, to cut the red tape and unleash American liquefied natural gas exports, which our allies in Europe are currently clamoring for; ultimately, to get out from under the boot of Putin's energy dominance. prgtoken There is still time to make things right, Madam , so I am urging this Chamber to consider H.R. 6858 immediately.