mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING MANALAPAN TOWNSHIP
Andy Kim (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-6-15

I rise today to honor Manalapan Township as they celebrate the 175th anniversary of the township's incorporation this week. prgtoken Previously a part of Freehold Township, in February of 1848, the New Jersey State Legislature founded Manalapan Township as a separate town, which is now part of New Jersey's 3rd District. The town received its name from Lenape Indian words ``manel'' for drinking and ``paune'' for bread, which meant good land to settle upon for Indigenous peoples. Manalapan originated as a rural farm town within our state, and over many years, held a major role within the agricultural industry, growing grains and a wide variety of vegetables. prgtoken During the American Revolution, Manalapan served as a crossroad for one of the sites of the Battle of Monmouth, which occurred on June 28, 1778 and involved 30,000 British and Continental troops. On the 200th anniversary of the Battle, in 1978, the State of New Jersey opened the 1,520 acre Monmouth Battlefield State Park, a majority of which is in Manalapan Township. Every year to commemorate the occasion, the town also holds a reenactment of the Battle, which was a notable part of the Revolution. prgtoken Throughout these major events, the town has grown past its original humble beginnings. With only 1,910 people calling it home at the time of its incorporation, Manalapan quickly rose to have the population of over 39,000 residents that exists today. Known by many as a safe community with many local draws like excellent schools and convenient access to metropolitan areas, the town has become a destination for many families to build their lives and have a place to call home. prgtoken We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Manalapan Township over the course of their 175-year history. I look forward to all they will continue to accomplish and many more years of notable milestones.
HONORING SANDY TORRES FOR HER WORK AND SERVICE
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-6-15

I rise today to honor the service and the work of Sandy Torres for a lifetime of commitment and service to Santa Ana Unified School District. prgtoken Sandy was born and raised in Orange County, and Sandy attended local Santa Ana schools. She started working at Madison Elementary School when she graduated from college in 1982. prgtoken , 40 years later, she is still there, working and helping children learn to become good citizens. prgtoken She has been a three-time recipient of the Madison School Employee of the Year Award and was recognized last year as a classified employee of Santa Ana Unified. prgtoken , I am honored today to nominate her as my Congressional Woman of the Year. prgtoken We thank Sandy for a lifetime of service, and we honor her commitment.
HONORING GEORGE MARABLE AND THE DLV LOUNGE
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-6-15

I rise today to praise Mr. George Marable of Montclair, New Jersey, and his DLV Lounge. prgtoken For more than 50 years, Mr. Marable's DLV Lounge was an iconic jazz club in Montclair, New Jersey, and it showcased some of the most talented jazz musicians in the country. prgtoken However, the DLV Lounge was more than an entertainment venue. As one musician said, it was central to the local Black community. It was the home of the Montclair Blues and Jazz Festival, and students from Jazz House Kids would perform there. It was a place where local artists could jam with nationally recognized artists. Every night, Mr. Marable would greet his patrons and musicians alike from his swivel barstool. prgtoken It was not only a home for jazz, it was a home for Black culture. prgtoken Unfortunately, the DLV Lounge closed last year, but Mr. Marable and the DLV Lounge will not soon be forgotten. It was a place we could all go and feel a great community. Mr. Marable is a great man, and we appreciate all that he has done for our community.
Nomination of Nusrat Jahan Choudhury (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-6-15

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Her historic confirmation will be an important step forward in this Senate's efforts to bring greater professional and demographic diversity to the Federal bench. prgtoken Ms. Choudhury is a seasoned litigator who has dedicated virtually her entire career to defending the civil rights of all Americans. She attended Columbia University and Yale Law School before clerking for Judge Denise L. Cote on the Southern District of New York and for Judge Barrington D. Parker, Jr on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Following her clerkships, Ms. Choudhury began her career at the American Civil Liberties Union--ACLU--in New York, where she focused on racial justice and national security issues for nearly a decade. Since 2020, she has served as the legal director of the ACLU in my home State of Illinois, specializing in issues including prison reform, civil rights, and government transparency. Ms. Choudhury has spent the vast majority of her time in practice litigating in Federal court, and she has tried three cases to verdict. Her courtroom experience and commitment to ensuring equal justice under law will serve her well on the Eastern District of New York. prgtoken She will also bring important diversity to the bench as the first Bangladeshi American and first Muslim woman to serve as a Federal judge. prgtoken The American Bar Association rated Ms. Choudhury ``well qualified'' for the district court, and she has the strong support of her home State Senators: Mr. Schumer and Mrs. Gillibrand. prgtoken I support Ms. Choudhury's nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DAVID M. BARTLEY
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-6-15

. Madam , I wish to call attention to the passing of the former speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, David Bartley. prgtoken Bartley was one of the most talented and gifted legislators I have known. His legislative prowess brought about Chapter 766, so that the mentally and physically challenged might be guaranteed a sound public education. His measured approach to public life meant that he led through developing consensus and forging historic legislation. prgtoken Bartley went on to serve as president of Holyoke Community College, where he brought the college to new heights of widely acknowledged academic achievement. He was also a very successful secretary of administration and finance who oversaw the State's finances. prgtoken Born to a very modest background, Dave Bartley brought acclaim to the city of Holyoke that he loved, and it returned its highest regards to him. prgtoken Well-read and well-rounded, Bartley was a Renaissance man and a really good guy. To his wife, Bette, and children, Myles, Susan, and David, our best during this difficult time. prgtoken The United States of America thanks Bartley.
CONGRATULATING QUEER IN CANTON
Emilia Strong Sykes (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-6-15

I proudly represent Ohio's 13th Congressional District, and this Pride Month I rise to recognize Queer in Canton as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week. prgtoken Queer in Canton was founded in 2020 by Abby Henry and Curstynn Marks, two young, dedicated, and inspiring people who saw a gap in resources available to queer people in Canton and Stark County, and they resolved to make a change. prgtoken Queer in Canton works to cultivate the LGBTQ+ community in Stark County and create a more equal community in Canton and beyond. prgtoken During the second annual Stark Pride Festival last weekend, Abby announced that after 2 years of fundraising, Queer in Canton has successfully raised the $20,000 they needed to open Stark County's first community center to support those who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. prgtoken This community center will offer LGBTQ+ residents a safe place to call home, a space where the queer community can socialize, access resources, and have the freedom to be their authentic selves. prgtoken Once again, congratulations to Queer in Canton for this monumental achievement and for their advocacy this Pride Month and beyond. They are truly making a difference in Ohio's 13th Congressional District and making it the best place to live, work, and raise a family, no matter who you love or how you identify.
Pride Month (Executive Calendar)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-6-15

I am thrilled to join people across Washington State and across the country in recognizing Pride Month. prgtoken Pride is an opportunity every year for people across our country and across the world to mark the progress we have made and the work left to do and celebrate the LGBTQ community. It is a joyful, beautiful thing, and it stands in stark contrast to the bigotry some voices on the far right have been fanning. prgtoken It is impossible to watch a Pride parade today without seeing just how far we have come as a nation; and, unfortunately, it is also impossible to follow the news without seeing a reminder of how far we still have to go and how hard a bigoted minority of people is fighting to pull us back. prgtoken Some far-right provocateurs have been twisting the most basic mundane gestures of inclusion into so-called controversies through blatant distortions and demonization. I mean, imagine calling for an investigation into a private company because they just sent their product to a trans person with a massive online audience. prgtoken Imagine being outraged because a company cares about having a diverse, equitable, inclusive workplace. prgtoken Imagine getting worked up because of rainbow logos or a Pride sale or an adorable little rainbow baby onesie. prgtoken I have a news flash for everyone who is trying to act like companies selling their products to every community they can is something new or some new nefarious conspiracy. Get this: Gay and trans people drink beverages; they eat food; they buy things. And for suddenly everyone to be outraged over some cute baby clothes? You know what? LGBTQ have families, too. They are parents and aunts and uncles and grandparents. Where have you been? prgtoken They are queer; they are here; and they have been for years. Get used to it. They are not going anywhere. prgtoken And let's be clear: These attacks on the LGBTQ community are not just ridiculous, they are dangerous, because we are not just talking about a handful of far-right voices complaining about companies. There is a truly insidious and ugly effort to demonize and ostracize and erase the LGBTQ community and our trans friends, neighbors, and loved ones in particular. prgtoken Far-right lawmakers across our Nation and across different levels of government are spewing some of the most hateful rhetoric, peddling some of the most bigoted conspiracies, and passing some of the most hateful LGBTQ laws I have seen in a long while. prgtoken Over the past few years, these far-right politicians have taken books with LGBTQ characters off the shelves. They have demonized drag performers with dangerous rhetoric. They have investigated parents for helping their kids get the care they need and blocked kids from that care. It is extreme, cynical, and hateful to a degree that is even hard to believe. prgtoken Far-right legislators are happy to ignore the First Amendment to ban books and keep kids away from th
Tribute to Kent Salazar (Executive Session)
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2023-6-15

in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, there is a stunning 13-mile-wide crater that was created by a collapsed supervolcano. What is now known as the Valles Caldera National Preserve is home to a deep grassy valley, volcanic cinder cones, crystal-clear trout streams, and some of the best elk habitat in North America. The Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but for many, many decades most New Mexicans could only peer into its edge from the side of a road. The entire Caldera was privately owned. That has since changed. prgtoken In 2000, we used the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase the Valles Caldera, but it took nearly a decade and a half after that to see truly meaningful public access. prgtoken One New Mexican deserves an enormous amount of credit for unlocking the Valles Caldera and its scenic hiking trails, elk hunting, and its trout fishing. That New Mexican is Kent Salazar. prgtoken As a member of the New Mexico Game Commission, Kent sought to undo a system that allowed wealthy and out-of-state hunters to purchase greater access to elk hunting than everyday New Mexicans or Americans. In the face of big money opposition, Kent pushed to establish a fair and equal lottery system that honored the principle of ``one person, one chance,'' and he succeeded. prgtoken I have personally harvested two elk in the Caldera thanks in part to the changes that Kent made. Then, after President appointed Kent to lead the Valles Caldera Board of Trustees, he quickly became a champion for transitioning the Valles Caldera to a National Park Service managed preserve. prgtoken This change has expanded public access and made it possible for many more New Mexicans--and for visitors from around the world--to experience this incredible landscape. It also protected the public's fair access to both hunting and fishing, and none of this would have been possible without the determination, leadership, and vision of my friend, Kent Salazar. prgtoken A lifelong New Mexican, Kent has dedicated himself to the idea that the outdoors are for everyone, not just for those with wealth or family connections. And from an early age, Kent found that time spent outdoors brought him a sense of renewal. And ever since, he has worked to make sure that all New Mexicans and all Americans can build a connection with nature. prgtoken For 20 years as a public administrator, Kent worked to make our land and air and water safer and healthier at the city of Albuquerque's Environmental Health Department. prgtoken An avid hunter, angler, and outdoorsman, Kent also breathed new life into the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. prgtoken The legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold founded the organization that became the New Mexico Wildlife Federation more than a century ago. But when Kent took the reins, the organization had no staff and no real driving mission. Even so, Kent saw the incredible p
COMMEMORATING JUNETEENTH NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-6-15

. Madam , beginning tomorrow there will be thousands and thousands of events, commemorations, and activities all over America celebrating Juneteenth, which will be June 19. There will be many of those in the district that I represent, at Malcolm X College and also at the JLM Center. prgtoken I look forward to participating with many of my constituents as we remember and recall but project the future, prgtoken and that is what Juneteenth means. We look back to go forward. prgtoken Happy Juneteenth to all of the constituents in my district and throughout America.
China (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-6-15

the threat that China poses is widely recognized. Recent events laid bare the Chinese Communist Party's interest in spying on Americans. The Chinese military is growing more aggressive in the Indo-Pacific, especially toward Taiwan. And China is aligning itself with other adversaries like Russia, whose war against Ukraine China has helped support. prgtoken We need to make the right decisions now to ensure that the United States is able to counter China from a position of strength, which brings me to the majority leader's current China proposal. Last month, the leader launched an initiative are calling China Competition bill 2.0. While this proposal has some laudable goals, a lot of s are rightly skeptical of this initiative. Leader Schumer's last China initiative massively ballooned in cost, and now it is being implemented by the administration as a vehicle for advancing progressive policies. prgtoken I am not alone in fearing the ' latest initiative will turn out to be just more of the same. If are serious about competing with China, one thing they should be doing is making passage of a robust National Defense Authorization Act a priority. prgtoken Unfortunately, the NDAA has not exactly been a priority for the leader over the past 2 years. In fact, last year, Senator Schumer refused to bring the bipartisan Senate Armed Services Committee-passed bill to the floor. This critical legislation was allowed to languish for months before a negotiated bill with the House and the Senate finally passed in December of last year. prgtoken Our national security should not be an eleventh-hour concern. prgtoken I am encouraged that the Senate markup of the NDAA is occurring next week and that the majority leader is inclined to bring it to the floor in July. And I hope that holds. prgtoken China has made investment in its military a priority. Over the last 10 years, China's defense budget has doubled. This year, it will increase by more than 7 percent for the second year in a row, not counting any additional defense funding that China hides. It comes as no surprise that China is outpacing our military in modern capabilities like hypersonic missiles and has amassed a larger Navy. prgtoken Recent U.S. war games positing a U.S.-China conflict following an attack on Taiwan have had grim results, showing enormous military and economic costs on both sides. These war games also made clear that the United States would run through its inventory of munitions, especially for long-range strike, in a matter of weeks, blunting our ability to sustain a protracted conflict. prgtoken The United States, along with our allies and partners, need to maintain a credible deterrence to ensure that the cost is prohibitively high and the odds of success are extremely slim for China to attack across the Taiwan Strait or further attempt to assert any absolute control within the s
Germany (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-6-15

as I have discussed all week, the war in Ukraine has forced some of America's closest allies to sober up and start investing more seriously in their own defense. prgtoken Germany is exhibit A. Yesterday, Germany's Government released a comprehensive security strategy--another important step forward for a key member of the transatlantic alliance--but, as I mentioned at the Munich Security Conference, questions remain about whether the encouraging changes in Germany will be sufficient or enduring. prgtoken Some of these questions are being answered. Germany's national security strategy is an incremental shift. It is the product of a rather divided government, like our own, reaching difficult consensus, except with three different, sometimes internally divided political parties rather than just two. prgtoken But just consider where our German allies were before Putin's escalation. Europe's most powerful economy had let a major portion of its military fall into literal disrepair. German military spending reached barely halfway--halfway--to NATO's member target of 2 percent of GDP. And the country's precarious reliance on Russian energy was actually only increasing. prgtoken But as Ukraine dug in for a fight last February, Germany changed course. In the last 18 months, Berlin has made major contributions of key lethal capabilities to the Ukrainian cause and is on track to provide even more. The new German security strategy is clear-eyed about the Russian threat, and in light of hard-learned lessons, it prioritizes reducing dependence on foreign energy and integrating economic and security policy. prgtoken As Foreign Minister Baerbock put it this week: We paid for every cubic metre of Russian gas twofold and threefold with our national security. prgtoken None of us should want to make the same mistake when it comes to Beijing, and in this regard, Germany's strategy indicates incremental progress toward a more realistic understanding of the challenge a revisionist power and systemic rival like China poses not only to neighbors but to the West as well. Germany's governing coalition continues to debate its approach to the PRC, and answers to how Germany plans to manage it are still forthcoming. prgtoken The world will want to know how Germany will balance growing realism about Beijing's behavior with its stated desire for economic partnership with China. They will want to know what Germany is prepared to do to assist vulnerable Asian countries that are the most threatened by the PRC's military aggression, espionage, and economic or diplomatic pressure. Of course, these same questions can still be asked about our own government's approach to the PRC. prgtoken More broadly, I am encouraged that Germany's strategy explicitly recognizes robust defense as a pillar--a pillar--of German security. prgtoken I have criticized Germany's slow pace of defense spending to meet urgent needs, but I am encourage
BLIZZARD OF REGULATION
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-6-15

there has been a lot of discussion going on this week about regulation. As we go home for this 3-day weekend, I encourage my colleagues, as they get around their district, whether they run into people who are in farming, in manufacturing, in banking-- particularly in the nursing home field--to ask those folks about the difference between regulatory rules that they live under today and 30 years ago. How many more man-hours are they spending every week filling out government forms that does nothing to make their bank or farm or manufacturing facility run better. prgtoken I think you will find them saying that they never would have gone into business in the first place if they knew about this blizzard of regulation, that they could not have swallowed it all at once but had to take a drip, drip, drip over 20 years. prgtoken In any event, I encourage my colleagues to get out to a different group that they normally don't deal with, the businessmen and -women-- the farmer, manufacturer, nursing home, banker--and they will find out that our country is unquestionably poor because of the sea of people we have filling out paperwork every week.