mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING LIEUTENANT VEDA FLEETON
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I rise today to honor Lieutenant Veda Fleeton of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for her 25 years of service. The calling to be a peace officer is one of the highest vocations of public service. An individual who accepts this calling is worthy of the highest respect and honor from their community, the State, and our nation. prgtoken Lieutenant Fleeton's career with the California Highway Patrol began on November 6, 1995, and after successfully completing her Academy training, she reported to the East Los Angeles Area as a CHP officer. She was later assigned to the Southern Division, where she excelled in connecting with the public in her many roles. As part of the Southern Division Recruitment Unit, she was dedicated to recruiting the best candidates to protect and serve our communities. While at Southern Division, she also contributed to the Public Information Unit through her interactions with the news media and to numerous Dignitary Protection details where she provided security for top-level dignitaries from around the world. Lieutenant Fleeton also dedicated her time and skills to the Southern Division Background Investigative Unit, a temporary assignment that occurred during her road patrol tenure at Baldwin Park that began in 2003. Within this unit, Lieutenant Fleeton conducted thorough and comprehensive backgrounds for hundreds of applicants who were later chosen to begin their careers with the State highway patrol. Because of her deep engagement with the community in these assignments, Lieutenant Fleeton received multiple accolades for her hard work. prgtoken Lieutenant Fleeton was promoted to Sergeant on August 1, 2007 and was assigned to the Morongo Basin Area, later transferring to Rancho Cucamonga Area. As Sergeant, she focused on providing her field officers with invaluable direction and guidance. On July 1, 2013, Lieutenant Fleeton was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Santa Fe Springs Area for two years before transferring to the San Gorgonio Area. In March 2016, Lieutenant Fleeton was appointed Lieutenant Commander of the CHP's Inland Communications Center in Fontana, where she provided unwavering leadership and guidance to over 75 dispatch and Transportation Management Center (TMC) personnel, including the Riverside and San Bernardino County Freeway Service Patrol programs. Lieutenant Fleeton's unequivocal passion to mentor and develop field officers shined throughout all these roles. prgtoken Lieutenant Fleeton officially retired from her service with California Highway Patrol on November 17, 2020. For her remarkable accomplishments and 25 years of commitment to public service as a peace officer in the greater Inland Empire, it is my honor to recognize Lieutenant Veda Fleeton on this day.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I rise in support of this legislation. prgtoken To be clear, this package is nowhere near enough. House passed three times more relief in May; our colleagues did nothing. We passed more than double this 2 months ago; our colleagues did nothing. prgtoken This package is not commensurate to the magnitude of the crisis we face. We need to do more, including vital aid to State and local governments and help for our restaurant industry, but this is a start. prgtoken This legislation includes important funding for vaccine distribution, schools, small businesses, and a desperately needed extension of unemployment insurance. prgtoken I am pleased that this legislation also extends clean energy tax credits, provides disaster tax assistance, helps prevent tragic flame jetting accidents, and provides help for the hardworking men and women in my district and across this country. prgtoken Madam , this is not enough, but it is a start. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2020-12-21

I thank the chairwoman for yielding and her kind remarks. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues support H.R. 133. prgtoken The Defense portion of this bill continues to focus on the well-being and morale of those in uniform. For example, the bill provides an additional $116 million for upgrades to childcare facilities and directs the military services to present innovative ideas to address the serious backlog for childcare. prgtoken However, I must also share my concerns over DOD and its lack of compliance with many congressionally directed reporting requirements. For example, last year, the committee directed the Department to submit a report on its contracts for advertising services with socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. The report was 5 months late. prgtoken The Department has also habitually redirected funding in contravention of congressional intent. One DOD official referred to these transfers of billions of dollars as anomalies. I refer to them as habitual abuses. I hope in the future it will recognize Congress' constitutional prerogatives. prgtoken , finally, since it was mentioned, this will be my last floor statement after nearly 44 years of working in the House. I want to thank all of the wonderful staff who have made what successes we have enjoyed possible. prgtoken I also want to thank my parents, John and Helen Visclosky, and my sister, Annamarie Visclosky, who believed in me when I was an unemployed, young former staffer and made my incredible life journey possible.
HONORING KATHRIN (KATE) SEARS
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Kathrin (Kate) Sears for her outstanding career in public service as Marin County's District 3 Supervisor. prgtoken Kate has been a resident of Southern Marin for most of her life, and it is the place where she developed the principled values that have guided her private and public careers. prgtoken She earned a bachelor's degree in Asian studies at Carleton College in Minnesota, a master's degree in Chinese studies at the University of Washington, a doctorate in political science from the University of Michigan, and a law degree from Harvard University. In 2005, after working as an attorney in a private practice for 16 years, Kate joined the Consumer Law Section of the California Attorney General's Office. In 2011 Governor Jerry Brown appointed Kate to the Marin County Board of Supervisors after the heartbreaking death of Charles McGlashan. She was reelected in 2012 and 2016. prgtoken Throughout her tenure on the Board of Supervisors, Kate represented the residents of Marin, its renowned public lands and the environment with passion and skill. She worked to improve public transportation, strengthen services for older adults, and increase affordable housing opportunities. Kate has helped to plan and implement key Marin initiatives including Bay WAVE and Drawdown: Marin. As Chair of Marin Clean Energy, Kate worked to develop energy efficiency programs and expanded electric vehicle charging stations in Marin. prgtoken From Angel Island to Muir Woods, Kate has also fought for Marin's parks and open spaces. I am proud to have worked with her to find compromise in resolving community issues, including through the Muir Woods Parking Reservation System. prgtoken Kate is a champion for the people and places of Marin County and leaves an appreciable legacy as she retires from the Board of Supervisors. Madam , I respectfully ask that you join me in honoring Kate for an accomplished tenure, and extend to her best wishes in her future endeavors.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

I rise today in strong support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 that funds our government and provides desperately needed relief to American families. I'm proud to support many of the provisions in this legislation, understanding that no compromise is perfect. Frontline workers, including public health workers, firefighters, and other essential workers employed by state and local governments continue to need our support. prgtoken The bill before us today provides a lifeline to those who are struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it has caused. It extends critical programs first authorized by the CARES Act including $300 per week in additional unemployment benefits, a second round of direct payments of up to $600, $284 billion for additional small business loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, and $13 billion in nutrition assistance for Americans facing hunger. It also provides $25 billion to help renters pay their rent and stay in their homes. I'm deeply disappointed that the Administration and the Senate Majority Leader would not allow restaurants and their workers to receive our help. With over 300 bipartisan cosponsors on the RESTAURANT Act, these businesses and their workers should have been in this legislation. prgtoken In addition to pandemic relief, the bill funds the government through the remainder of the fiscal year, avoiding a costly government shutdown before the holidays, and invests in critical priorities, including clean energy, affordable housing, public schools, and broadband. I'm proud to have secured $100 million for the electrification of Caltrain, $8.9 million for environmental conservation of the San Francisco Bay, $33 million for construction of the Linac Coherent Light Source upgrade (LCLS-II) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and $85.2 million for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at NASA Ames. prgtoken Our country is in the midst of the worst public health crisis in a century, and I'm proud to say that the on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, which I have had the privilege to lead, have stepped up to the challenge by securing provisions that include the following: prgtoken Provide billions to ensure the free, timely, and equitable distribution of safe, effective vaccines and more resources for a national testing strategy: prgtoken End surprise medical billing. No patient will face an unexpected, expensive bill just because they are caught in a web of providers. prgtoken Assist doctors and public and rural hospitals survive the pandemic by stopping planned Medicare and Medicaid cuts. prgtoken Provide three years of funding for critical public health programs including Community Health Centers, Teaching Health Centers, the National Health Service Corps, and the special diabetes programs. prgtoken Restore Medicaid coverage for the citizens of the freely associated states living in the U.S to who
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-24

after months of stalemate and several long nights of tough negotiations, I am very pleased that we were finally able to find a compromise on a $900 billion pandemic relief package. America has been confronted with unprecedented challenges this year due to the pandemic, but with vaccine distribution in motion, a new incoming administration, and a long overdue relief package on the way, I believe we can go into the new year with hope for a better future. prgtoken As Chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee, I played a key role in negotiations that resulted in the inclusion of $25 billion in emergency rental assistance, an extension of the eviction moratorium, a $9 billion Emergency Capital Investment Program to provide low-cost, long term capital investments to Minority Depository Institutions (MDis) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFis) that are depository institutions, and $3 billion to the CDFI Fund for financial and technical assistance grants to CDFis. prgtoken I also strongly advocated for the inclusion of another round of stimulus payments, which can total up to $600 per person, $1,200 per couple, and $600 per child, to support households struggling during the pandemic, and a restart of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to ensure our small businesses are able to remain open. In total, small businesses will receive $284 billion through the PPP, with an additional $20 billion reserved for businesses operating in low-income communities and $15 billion for live music venues, movie theaters, and museums. These businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and this support is long overdue. prgtoken In addition to the new round of stimulus payments, I have fought to extend help to the unemployed. This pandemic relief package provides an extra $300 per week in federal dollars to all those who qualify for unemployment insurance, including gig workers and individuals who have exhausted their state benefits. prgtoken I recognize that more relief is needed and more work must be done to provide additional relief, but this bill represents a necessary step in the right direction. Emergency Rental Assistance prgtoken This bill will prevent evictions for millions of people who are behind on their rent and provide much needed relief for ``mom & pop'' landlords by creating a new $25 billion emergency rental assistance fund that will be implemented by the Department of the Treasury. The bill also provides a temporary extension of an eviction moratorium through the end of January 2021. These are critical measures that will stave off a massive wave of evictions that we were otherwise expecting to sweep across our country after the end of this month when the CDC eviction moratorium is currently set to expire, and help landlords maintain safe and healthy housing for residents. Not only are evictions devastating for households in terms of the immediate and long-term co
TRIBUTE TO THOMAS J. ``TONY'' FITZGERALD, III FOR HIS LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-24

. Madam , I rise today on my own behalf and on behalf of Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Jackie Speier, Jimmy Panetta, Eric Swalwell, Ro Khanna, Jerry McNerney and Jared Huffman to honor the extraordinary leadership of Thomas ``Tony'' Fitzgerald, III, as he retires from his position as the Director of the Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (PAVAHCS), an office that he assumed on June 25, 2017. He ably filled the enormous shoes left by former Director Lisa Freeman, and oversaw the delivery of health care to more than 93,000 veterans at the VA's Palo Alto facility. The PAVAHCS serves eleven Congressional Districts and ten counties, and has three inpatient facilities in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Livermore, and outpatient facilities in seven other cities. prgtoken Mr. Fitzgerald earned his Bachelor's degree from American InterContinental University, and is a graduate of the Leadership VA program, and a member of the American Hospital Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives. prgtoken Mr. Fitzgerald served his country throughout his long and productive career. He was a medical non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army for 16 years, and began his career with the VA in 1988 as a psychiatric nursing assistant in Chicago. Throughout his career he has been an ardent advocate for Veterans, their families and staff. He earned increasingly responsible positions with the VA and he moved to California and began his service with VA Northern California in 2000. prgtoken Tony Fitzgerald's accomplishments while at PAVAHCS make a very long list. Among some of the highlights are increased Veteran trust scores; high patient satisfaction scores; approval for an additional Fisher House; robust union partnerships; the hiring of 1,080 new employees in fiscal year 2020; and oversight of the largest construction portfolio in VHA's history ($2.6B). prgtoken Mr. Fitzgerald has earned many honors including the Top Environmental Excellence Award and the Secretary of VA Alternative Dispute Resolution Award. prgtoken Madam , we ask the entire House of Representatives to join us in thanking Tony Fitzgerald for his extraordinary service to our country, and in wishing him every blessing in his well-earned retirement.
SUPPORT FOR $2,000 PAYMENTS FOR AMERICAN PEOPLE
Kwanza Hall (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-12-24

. Madam , I rise today to address this make-or-break moment for the American people. For many months, House have been urging for a stimulus package that is commensurate to the problem that Americans face. prgtoken Since the beginning of the pandemic, 315,000 Americans have died, as a result of the Administration's mismanagement of the federal response to COVID-19. It has especially impacted the African-American community and other communities of color. Millions of jobs have been lost, countless small businesses have closed, and many others hospitalized. For the sake of controlling the virus we have all quarantined, as we eagerly await a vaccine. But this administration, aided by Congressional s, have failed to deliver. prgtoken In the closing days of this 116th Congress and in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, leaders from both parties were able to forge a compromise. It was not ideal--but it was something. I was proud to support this legislation. I was proud to support the agreement because it provided another round of $600 in economic stimulus checks and another $300 per-week in unemployment benefits, and it supports small businesses, which are the engines of our economy. It also provided funds to support local school districts and provides much- needed funds for coronavirus testing and vaccine distribution. I was also proud to help secure this legislation because it provides tens of billions in rent relief and an extension of the eviction moratorium. prgtoken Which is why the posturing coming from the current occupant of the White House on Tuesday night is so disconcerting. prgtoken On Tuesday night, after many months of sitting on the sidelines, and being completely absent from the negotiations that forged this compromise, the White House cast severe doubt on the deal we reached. prgtoken Now, the White House is proposing $2,000 payments. But make no mistake and as I said on Sunday night, mere moments after the deal was announced, the $600 payments were not enough and must only be a down- payment. The $1200 stimulus checks in the CARES Act from earlier this year was an important factor in controlling the economic fallout from the initial onset of the coronavirus, and I am disappointed that tonight that this Congress will not now act as we did in the Spring. The situation is more dire now and calls for more--not less--economic stimulus. prgtoken I fully support $2000 payments for our people and for Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. I've thought deeply about this and heard from so many resilient Georgians. Our people are so resilient but many of them are on their last leg. We cannot fail them in this critical hour. To delay, or worse, to risk doing nothing would be a grave mistake. prgtoken We must ensure that this recent posturing from the White House does not jeopardize the deal we secured on Sunday and which we passed on Monday. I fully support the Unanimous Consent request f
SERVING THE 24TH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
Kenny Marchant (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-12-24

. Madam , I rise today to address this chamber for the final time. It has been the highest honor of my life to represent Texas's 24th district in Congress over the past sixteen years. This district is a snapshot of what makes our country great. It has people from all walks of life and all different backgrounds, working hard for their families and building a vibrant local community. prgtoken I have worked to bring that Texan work ethic to Washington and accomplished a great deal. We made our tax code simpler and fairer for middle class families. I worked across the aisle to improve access to quality health care and encouraged the building of affordable housing so that more people can call communities like ours ``home.'' prgtoken There are so many people I would like to thank for their support. My wife Donna, my children Matthew, Luke, Kenny Junior, and Dallas, and my eight grandkids whom I am excited to spend more time with. My great staff, who have worked tirelessly on behalf of our district. And of course, the people of Texas's 24th District who entrusted me with this role. I end my time in Congress with pride and the knowledge that America's best days still lay ahead. God bless you all and God bless our great country.
IN RECOGNITION OF VIRGINIA PENINSULA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-12-24

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS. This year marks the centennial of the VPAR and commemorates 100 years of hard work and dedicated service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the surrounding region. prgtoken The Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS is known for their vision of being the voice for real estate on the Virginia Peninsula. In December 1920, the VPAR was founded and organized as the Newport News Real Estate and Insurance Exchange. Throughout the long history of mergers and transition, 1990 marks the year the organization took on the name Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS. VPAR has grown from only 19 members in 1920, to more than 1,200 members today, marking 100 years of prosperity and growth. prgtoken From the beginning, VPAR has been a voice for real estate on the Virginia Peninsula. VPAR supports the areas of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Isle of Wright County, and York County, and provides public policy and advocacy, education and training, and industry resources to real estate professionals throughout the Virginia Peninsula. The missions and goals of VPAR are strong and steadfast. The organization stays true to their important mission of supporting fair housing and strives to make home ownership achievable for all. prgtoken Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS use community outreach and engagement as a key tool to support the region, and they devote hundreds of volunteer hours each year to contribute to the overall success and prosperity of their community. This engagement and care for the community has greatly improved and strengthened the region's economy and standard of living. This care and engagement speaks directly to the kind of organization that the VPAR is, and is why the VPAR has been, and will continue to be successful. prgtoken Therefore, Madam , I ask that you rise with me to commemorate the centennial prgtoken of the Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS. I want to thank the VPAR for their 100 years of dedicated service to the community, and I wish them God's blessings as they continue their excellent work for the entire region and the Commonwealth of Virginia.