mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING ALONNA K. RUBIN
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-9-24

today I rise to honor the service of Alonna K. Rubin, President and Founder of Families In Arms, a non-profit dedicated to help children with autism and their families. prgtoken Mrs. Rubin received her B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication in 1995. She went on to get her M.S. in Education in 1997. Married to David in 2000, they welcomed their first son, Jack in 2001. When Jack was diagnosed with Autism at age two, Alonna resigned from her teaching position and became a full-time advocate for her son. She immersed herself in Jack's therapies, and worked alongside specialists to ensure effectiveness of therapies and strategies. In 2005, David and Alonna were blessed with another little boy, Carter. Since 2008, Alonna has been Co-President of her local school district's Special Education PTA and was an instructor with The Long Island Institute of Professional Studies, teaching ``Assisting Students With Autism in the Classroom'' for several years. Alonna has been a guest lecturer for Touro College, ``Identifying and developing Programs for Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities'', as well as giving presentations for Superintendent's Conference days for various school districts on Special Education and Autism. Alonna is the founder of Families in Arms, Inc along with her father and co-founder Ric Mango. prgtoken The mission of Families in Arms is to give families of children with Autism, the opportunity to create memories that go far beyond the walls of therapy. 1 in 59 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism. Early intervention is the key to helping children with Autism begin to make the greatest strides. Children with Autism typically begin therapy at or around the age of two, often times between 25-40 hours per week. prgtoken Families In Arms works to help these very special children and their families step out beyond the walls. Studies show that declarative memory in children with Autism is unharmed, untouched and often stronger than your average person. Children with Autism will always remember the hard work they put in every day for their entire lives. They will never forget the special moments they create with the people that love them the most. prgtoken Families In Arms assists families to alleviate financial strain and provide relief so that they are free to create memories that last a life-time.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2018-9-24

I take this opportunity to honor the work of Ms. Adrienne Arsht on the occasion of the 5-year anniversary of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council. Throughout her career, Ms. Arsht has worked in and called home New York, Miami, and Washington, DC. Today, she tirelessly dedicates herself to promoting artistic, business, and civic growth in these three cities. prgtoken In 2013, Ms. Arsht founded the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council to broaden the understanding of regional transformations with a focus on high-impact work that shapes the conversation among policymakers, the business community, and civil society. The center focuses on Latin America's strategic role in a global context with a priority on pressing political, economic, and social issues that will define the trajectory of the region now and in the years ahead. Its work provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic economic and political changes defining the 21st century by informing and galvanizing its uniquely influential network of global leaders. prgtoken In 2013, the Ambassador of Spain to the United States presented her with the prestigious Spanish diplomatic honor, Order of the Cross of Isabella the Catholic, for her contributions toward Spanish-speaking countries. Earlier this year, Ms. Arsht was awarded the distinguished Order of San Carlos of Colombia by direction of President Juan Manuel Santos to recognize her deep commitment and support of Colombia. prgtoken Ms. Arsht serves as executive vice chair of the Atlantic Council. In 2017, she founded the Adrienne Arsht Center for Resilience to explore the intersection between people and the geopolitical events that affect them. From natural disasters and displacement, to global pandemics and terrorism, the Center for Resilience helps individuals, communities, and societies navigate the global changes that define the 21st century. prgtoken Ms. Arsht has also been an ambassador for the arts in the United States. She has contributed to the preservation and sustainability of multiple artistic institutions in the cities she calls home. In Miami, she secured the financial footing of the city's performing arts center, prompting its board to rename it the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in 2008. Her contributions to the Lincoln Center in New York City were recognized with the dedication of the Adrienne Arsht Stage in Alice Tully Hall in 2012. In Washington, DC, she created the Adrienne Arsht Theater Fund at the Kennedy Center to support a wide variety of musical productions. Ms. Arsht was awarded the Carnegie Hall 2017 Medal of Excellence, recognizing her visionary and outstanding contributions to cultural and nonprofit institutions nationally. prgtoken Adrienne Arsht is a philanthropist at heart and an extraordinary business leader who serves our country and advances international understand
HONORING EMMA HARTLEY, GULF COAST HEART WALK WARRIOR
Steven M. Palazzo (Republican, MS) \u2014 2018-9-24

I rise to honor an impressive Gulf Coast philanthropist, Miss Emma Hartley of Gulfport, Mississippi. prgtoken My district is nicknamed ``Mississippi's Fighting Fourth,'' earned for Mississippi's spirit and the residents who call her ``home.'' Most Mississippians have a warrior spirit, a tenacity, a willingness to do whatever it takes to live and nurture each other with compassion and intentional care. These qualities embody one of Mississippi's youngest and most determined warriors--ten-year-old Emma Hartley. prgtoken Emma was born August 2, 2008, missing a heart valve. Less than 24 hours after her birth, Emma underwent the first of what would become many surgeries. Perhaps it was an innate fighting spirit and a purpose to persevere for the sake of loving others that brought Emma and her heart safely through that first critical surgery. Perhaps she knew then that she would need to grow strong and develop a voice to encourage others to face tough battles with a smile. Perhaps it is simply that God has big plans for this little girl. What is known is that Mississippi's Gulf Coast is blessed by Emma's heart, beating now for over 10 years, and Emma's desire to make a difference in the lives of those facing similar health challenges. prgtoken Emma has outlived the expectations of many of her doctors, and she will soon undergo her fifth surgery. Before age 18, she is likely to face several more; but, she endures each procedure with courage and grace. From an early age, Emma participated with her mom, Lisa Northrup, in fundraising efforts such as Rock Your Scar, the March of Dimes, Mended Little Hearts, and the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. Now, with the support of family, friends, and her church, Emma champions her own efforts, working hard to raise funds, give speeches, and boost awareness of these causes in her local communities. prgtoken Crafting and creating artwork, two of Emma's hobbies, are incorporated into her philanthropic efforts, too. For one of her fundraisers this year Emma sold handcrafted wood signs, some of which were ordered from far away. Also, Emma's artwork has been reproduced in awards given to the top Heart Walk high achievers. prgtoken This year's Gulf Coast Heart Walk was on September 22. Emma offered the opening prayer to start the event. Mississippi is fortunate to have such a brave, talented, ambitious, and inspiring warrior, like Emma Hartley.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SERGEANT COLIN GEORGE DRAKE
Sean P. Duffy (Republican, WI) \u2014 2018-9-24

I rise today to commemorate and honor the life and service of Sergeant Colin George Drake from New Richmond, Wisconsin. prgtoken As a member of the U.S. Army, Sergeant Drake embodied the best qualities of all Americans. He was loyal to his country, respected by his battalion, and loved by his family and community. Sergeant Drake committed his life to help others. He enlisted in the United States Army as a Behavioral Health Technician and voluntarily served on two consecutive deployments to Kuwait in 2012 and 2013 as a member of the 785th Medical Detachment, Combat Operational Stress Control, in Madison. Sergeant Drake faithfully served his country until his death on June 1, 2018. prgtoken Sergeant Drake's exemplary service will always be remembered. His family, his home State of Wisconsin, and his country are eternally grateful for his sacrifice. It is my honor to pay tribute to him and I urge my colleagues to join me today in honoring the life of Sergeant Colin Drake for the sacrifice he made for this country and for our freedom.
HONORING CHRIS MAZDZER FOR WINNING A SILVER MEDAL IN THE 2018 WINTER OLYMPICS
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-9-24

I rise today to recognize Chris Mazdzer, who made history at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeong Chang. prgtoken Hailing from our very own Saranac Lake, New York, Chris is an American Olympian sensation. Chris made his debut in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and then again in the 2014 Sochi games, where both times he finished 13th in men's singles luge. But it was not until 2018 that Chris made history and finished with an incredible silver medal win, Team USA's first ever medal in that event. Chris trained tirelessly at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, and I know he has inspired the next generation of athletes from across our region. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am proud to congratulate Chris Mazdzer for his well-earned silver medal, and honor him for showing the world just what the North Country has to offer.
Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act (Executive Calendar)
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-9-25

this week, the House of Representatives will pass and send to the President the most important copyright reform in decades. The name of the bill, which passed this body by unanimous vote last week, is the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act. prgtoken As the Senate was considering the bill, my good friend from Tennessee, Senator Alexander, asked to rename the bill in my honor. I was touched by this kind gesture from my good friend and by the willingness of my colleagues to agree to this suggestion. It wasn't necessary though. prgtoken We are also adding to the bill the name of the retiring House Judiciary Committee chairman, Bob Goodlatte, in recognition of all he has done to get this bill across the finish line and to improve our Nation's copyright laws. prgtoken The Music Modernization Act was years in the making. It was the result of countless hours of hard work and many late nights by staff, stakeholders, and Members of this body. My friend from Tennessee, Senator Alexander, did an outstanding job last week here on the floor explaining the need for the bill and how it will improve the music marketplace. I will provide a brief summary at this time. prgtoken Our current music licensing laws are badly out of date. Too often, songwriters don't get paid when their songs get played, and even when they do get paid, they don't get paid at a fair market rate. This has made it increasingly difficult for songwriters to make a living doing what they love and has harmed our entire music industry. Some have even left the field of writing songs. They have given up, and I really lament that. prgtoken Songwriters are the lifeblood of American music. In order to have a great single or a great album, you first have to have a great song. You need the music. You need the lyrics. And you need them to fit together in a way that makes you feel something, that tugs at your heart and your heartstrings, that makes you feel excited or peaceful or nostalgic. prgtoken Songwriting is an art. I know this because I have done it myself. I have written dozens of songs over the years, and I even earned a gold and a platinum record. I know firsthand how small the royalties are, even when your song is a success. It is time to change that. The Music Modernization Act will do so. prgtoken The heart of the bill is the creation of a mechanical licensing collective to administer reproduction and distribution rights for digital music. One of the driving forces in recent years of the decline in songwriter royalties has been the transition to digital music. This may seem a bit surprising as one might think that the availability of millions of songs at the click of a mouse will lead to more royalties, given that more music than ever before is now available instantaneously. prgtoken The problem is that these big digital music companies, like Pandora and Spotify, with their catalogs of millions of songs, simply don't have
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-9-25

I have 6 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: General Robert B. Abrams, USA, to be General, and to be Commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea, and Vice Admiral Craig S. Faller, USN, to be Admiral, and to be Commander, United States Southern Command. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources prgtoken The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 3 p.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Bonnie Glick, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator, and Michael T. Harvey, of Texas, and Mark Montgomery, of Virginia, both to be an Assistant Administrator, all of the United States Agency for International Development. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Every Student Succeeds Act: States Leading the Way.'' Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 3 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Health Care in Rural America: Examining Experiences and Costs.'' Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, August 01, 2018, at 2.30 p.m to conduct a closed hearing.
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD L. BARR
Todd Rokita (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-9-25

it is a great privilege to rise and pay tribute to fellow Hoosier and American patriot Richard L. Barr. For ten years, Rick has tirelessly worked to engage, educate, and empower fellow citizens to take part in the American political process. He is the definition of an American Citizen-Statesman. prgtoken A lifelong Hoosier and Hendricks County resident, Rick is a man of deep civic conviction rooted in his love for American history and family. He is a dedicated husband, a loving father of 3, and a devoted grandfather of 4. It is Rick's love and concern for his children's and grandchildren's futures that drives him to volunteer so much of his time for the American cause. prgtoken As a founding member and current leader of the Indy Defenders of Liberty-West, Rick has utilized his leadership role to educate the public so that his fellow citizens are informed citizens. He spends hours researching issues and the historical context of those issues to invite knowledgeable speakers to the organization's monthly meetings. In addition, under Rick's direction, IDOL-West has also served the community by hosting several non-partisan candidate forums and many public meetings focused on local, state, or federal issues. I can personally attest that the relationships Rick cultivated, locally and statewide, have been successful in activating citizens. Oftentimes, my office has received calls or visits from constituents at Rick's suggestion. prgtoken Rick Barr is a good man and a good citizen. He is faithful in his belief that America is worth his time promoting limited government based on the United States Constitution. prgtoken Today, I am honored to acknowledge Rick Barr for his leadership, generosity, and dedication to our community, state, and country. I am proud to call him my friend.
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-25

I wanted to come to the floor and talk for a few minutes about the unfortunate circumstances we find ourselves in as a result of the failure of the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee to submit a letter that she received from--in this case, we now know--Dr. Ford to the background investigators, who are bipartisan, who would have investigated this matter during the normal course of the confirmation process in a way that protected the anonymity and confidentiality of Dr. Ford, as well as the nominee. prgtoken As the Presiding Officer knows, having been a longtime member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, frequently during the course of a background investigation, we will learn things that Senators will want to ask the nominee about, but some of them are so sensitive and, frankly, some of them involve allegations we just don't know whether there is any basis to them or not. So they are handled in a particularly careful manner by the background investigators, and they are not generally made available to Members of the Judiciary Committee staff because they are so sensitive and potentially embarrassing. Frankly, we just have to get to the bottom of them, but we want to do so in a way that is respectful of both the person making the accusation as well as the nominee. prgtoken Unfortunately, none of that happened here because we now know that the ranking member, our friend Senator Feinstein, sat on this letter for some 6 weeks. Then, after the hearing, after all the thousand-plus questions for the record, after being able to examine not only the nominee for 2 days--over a long period of time--having gone through an FBI background investigation, as well as a bipartisan background investigation by the Judiciary Committee staff, this letter comes out in a way that, frankly, puts Dr. Ford in an uncomfortable position but also has consequences in terms of the nominee. prgtoken Many of us saw last night Judge Kavanaugh talk about the impact of this accusation that he denies ever occurring, its impact on his children, on his marriage, and on his reputation. This is not something any of us should welcome or take lightly, especially when there is an alternative, which would have protected Dr. Ford and the nominee and allowed us to get to the bottom of this accusation before it would ever have the potential of becoming public. prgtoken I just don't buy this idea either that if you are a man, you are on one side of this argument when it comes to accusations of sexual misconduct, or if you are a woman, you are on the other side. All of us have mothers. We all have fathers. Many of us have brothers and sisters. Many of us are fortunate enough to have daughters, as I do. I want to make sure my daughters, my wife, and my sister are treated with the dignity and respect that they are entitled to were they to be so unfortunate as to be caught up in a situation where they were a victim of sexual misconduct by a
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2017
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-9-25

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of S. 791, the Small Business Innovation Protection Act of 2017. prgtoken As small-business entrepreneurs continue to expand both here and abroad, they must have the tools they need to protect their intellectual property. However, the process for obtaining intellectual property protections both in the U.S. and abroad can be daunting, even for the most experienced small-business owner. prgtoken We must ensure that small-business owners have the tools they need to protect their innovative ideas and products, as intellectual property protections are essential to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. prgtoken Small-business owners often do not have the resources to protect their ideas and products, especially when they are competing in the international marketplace. Most simply cannot afford to retain attorneys to guide them through the difficult process of obtaining intellectual property protections, which leaves them vulnerable to their innovative ideas and products being stolen both here in the United States and internationally. prgtoken This legislation addresses this issue by developing a partnership between the Small Business Administration, the SBA, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, USPTO, giving entrepreneurs the full breadth of knowledge of a Small Business Development Center system and the USPTO. prgtoken The bill utilizes existing resources at both agencies to better assist small-business owners and expand their outreach efforts to provide small businesses with the resources they need to address intellectual property issues. prgtoken Considering the important role that small-business entrepreneurs play in our global marketplace, it is our responsibility to ensure that they have the resources they need to better protect their intellectual property. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and . House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, September 20, 2018. Hon. Steve Chabot, Chairman, Committee on Small Business, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Chabot, I write with respect to S. 791, the ``Small Business Innovation Protection Act.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions within S. 791 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of S. 791 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our com