mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE 15TH AMENDMENT
Steven Horsford (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , from California again for her tremendous leadership and for reminding us about the history that brought us to this day, the fact that it was the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery; that it was the 14th Amendment that granted us citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to freedom; but it was the 15th Amendment, which was the last of the Reconstruction Amendments, which was designed to guarantee Black men the right to vote. prgtoken As the gentlewoman rightly noted, Black women were a significant part of that effort, despite the fact that they weren't included in those initial rights until the 19th Amendment was passed. The fact is that we have come so far and made so much progress with the Voting Rights Act and know that this body, we passed H.R. 4, but we can't get agreement with our colleagues on the other side and the colleagues in the Senate to pass the Voting Rights Act. prgtoken Fifty-five years after the initial Voting Rights Act was passed, to reauthorize that in this body shows just how much of a struggle we have, whether it is with our voting rights, whether it is with legal protections, or whether it is with the values that are reflected in the budget that we are deliberating this week that the President will submit. prgtoken Madam , I thank the gentlewoman very much for her words of wisdom and know that, with the gentlewoman in this fight, we will continue to make progress and people will be heard.
CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOMESTRETCH
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , it is with great pleasure that I recognize the 30th anniversary of Homestretch, a Falls Church organization dedicated to empowering homeless families in Northern Virginia to secure permanent housing and to attain the knowledge, skills and hope they need to achieve lasting economic self-sufficient. prgtoken Homestretch has assisted substantially in the efforts of Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church to end homelessness by providing housing and comprehensive services to over 1,000 homeless families with over 3,000 homeless children since its inception in 1990. prgtoken The organization contributes to the goals of One Fairfax by equipping families to escape homelessness and poverty permanently through programs that help them acquire skills and education, reduce debt and repair credit, enter lucrative career paths and restore their health. prgtoken Furthermore, Homestretch significantly contributes to the economic empowerment of homeless parents with children in Northern Virginia by launching them into such careers as nurses, chefs, teachers, accountants, realtors, dental assistants, pastors, commercial drivers, social workers, business analysts, pharmacy techs, master plumbers, restauranteurs, and auto mechanics. prgtoken In addition to its wide array of services for homeless families, Homestretch also provides quality early education for homeless and low- income children through its licensed preschool, Kidstretch, and ensures the educational success for youth in their program through its dedicated collaboration with the Fairfax County and Falls Church City Schools. prgtoken Homestretch has achieved unparalleled success in equipping homeless families to secure and maintain long term employment and permanent housing, with 90 percent families completing the program by moving into permanent housing that they can afford on income they earn; and with 95 percent of its graduates never returning to homelessness. prgtoken The organization enjoys deep community support with over 800 volunteers over 1,400 donors each year and demonstrates that dramatic transformation of lives is possible, given the right structure, support and opportunity. prgtoken I commend Homestretch's staff on their organization's 30th anniversary, I am sincerely grateful for their tireless efforts to improve the lives of many of Northern Virginia's most vulnerable families and for giving them the tools to succeed.
IN RECOGNITION OF MARK REITER
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , I rise today to honor a friend and a giant in the recycling industry--Mark Reiter. prgtoken Mark was born and grew up in the Bronx--the South Bronx as he would say. Mark was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan. He later became a Nationals fan as a result of spending most of his life in Washington, D.C.; but make no mistake about it, Mark was a New Yorker through and through and never let you forget it. prgtoken Mark originally came to Washington to work for the late Bella Abzug. Mark would often entertain people with stories about those years working in her office. Representative Abzug was proud of Mark and his tireless devotion to environmental issues, as well as his commitment to others, especially those who were less fortunate. Later, Mark worked for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, helping shape our nation's environmental policy at its earliest stages. While he was a reliable , many of his friends were very reliable s. He knew how to get things done by working with others, understanding others, and of course, caring for others. prgtoken One of Mark's great accomplishments was the enactment of the Superfund Recycling Equity Act (SREA), which provided environmental clarity for recyclers facing potential liability under Superfund. Because of SREA, recyclers today conduct due diligence to ensure their materials are used again in an environmentally responsible manner. SREA was a monumental achievement for responsible recycling and Mark was instrumental in its enactment. prgtoken Mark was fiercely loyal and devoted to his family--his brother, nephews, nieces, and their children. Mark would visit them often wherever they lived and generously help whenever needed. He was very proud of them all. He often spoke of his admiration of his parents and how their hard work enabled him to succeed in ways they could never have imagined, especially as they were recent immigrants to this great country. Mark never forgot where he came from and the sacrifices his parents made for him and his older brother Eli. prgtoken Mark helped so many colleagues from his beginnings on Capitol Hill through his long successful career at the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. Many of his colleagues have gone on to great careers of their own as a result of Mark's tutelage and deep caring for them. I know because I am one of those colleagues who learned so much and was helped by Mark over the years. prgtoken Mark was also a man of faith. His Jewish faith helped him become a caring man to so many, whether they be family, friends, colleagues or strangers. People were simply people in Mark's eyes. Mark cared about how others were treated in our society and would speak up for them without reservation. He felt he had walked in their shoes before them and wanted life to be better for them. prgtoken Madam , we lost a giant in the recycling industry, the environmental community, and the Jewish community. Mark
RACHEL CRANE MATHER SCHOOL
Joe Cunningham (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , I rise today to honor Rachel Crane Mather, the founder of Beaufort's Mather School. prgtoken Rachel Mather moved to the Lowcountry in 1867 after the Civil War. She was a woman of faith and an educator. Mather hit the ground running as soon as she got to Beaufort and within a year, she opened her own institution. Her hopes and dreams came to life by serving others. prgtoken The book of Matthew, Chapter 11, verse 28 reads ``Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'' Led by faith and perseverance, Mather taught the weary and gave them food, housing, and rest during the southern Reconstruction Era. prgtoken The Mather School was a sanctuary for the young women in the Lowcountry and produced over a century of superior education in Rachel's name. As the matriarch of this institution, we honor the culture and legacy she has left today.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2019
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2020-2-10

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I rise in strong support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. prgtoken Americans are blessed to live in a country where, in most communities, we can find healthy, fresh foods at our grocery stores. That does not just happen. Our Nation's food supply and agricultural industry make it happen. prgtoken As such, the agricultural industry is an indispensable sector of our national economy. Every year, millions and millions of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats enter the United States via commercial shipments from other countries. prgtoken While this flow of agricultural trade is fundamental to our economy and way of life, it does carry with it risk of importation diseases, pests, and compromised products. prgtoken To address this risk, agricultural inspectors in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspect incoming food and agricultural goods at our land, air, and sea ports. prgtoken Additionally, these inspectors interview passengers on incoming international flights to determine whether they are carrying prohibited agricultural items, because even an accidental transmission of a foreign pest or disease into our country could potentially devastate our agricultural system. prgtoken With African swine flu rampant in Asia, accounting for the deaths of millions of pigs as a result of disease, or to control this deadly disease, it is critical that the U.S. have adequate inspection resources in place. prgtoken S. 2107 would help ensure that we have agriculture inspectors in place to perform this critical mission. prgtoken I commend my counterpart in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Gary Peters, and my former committee colleague Representative Filemon Vela for their leadership on this timely effort. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and send this bill to the President's desk.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Denny Heck (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , I was unable to cast votes during the week of January 27th to January 31st, 2020, due to an inability to fly while recovering from an upper-respiratory infection. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 23; YEA on Roll Call No. 24; YEA on Roll Call No. 25; YEA on Roll Call No. 26; YEA on Roll Call No. 27; YEA on Roll Call No. 28; YEA on Roll Call No. 29; NAY on Roll Call No. 30; YEA on Roll Call No. 31; YEA on Roll Call No. 32; YEA on Roll Call No. 33; and YEA on Roll Call No. 34.
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE 15TH AMENDMENT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , let me thank the gentleman from Nevada for his great leadership and the importance of this moment tonight to honor 150 years of the passage of the 15th Amendment, our right to vote, and to be joined by my colleagues, Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, and we thank our chair, Congresswoman Bass. prgtoken The Congressional Black Caucus is the conscience of this Nation and always stands in the gap for the very important leadership on this issue. prgtoken Might I also thank our colleague, whom we are so blessed to have amongst us. I think the gentleman takes the title of singularly being the conscience and the heart of the Congress. That is the Honorable John Lewis, who works with us and has always been our guide as relates to the question of the Voting Rights Act. prgtoken Many of you are reminded of the fact that, as that Voting Rights Act was fought for and rejected and thought it was too dangerous to pass in the 1960s, moving up to 1965, it took the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, when John Lewis, among others, was beaten almost to death and bloodied on that bridge by horsemen from the Alabama State Police. What a bloody and horrific scene. None of us can imagine what John Lewis went through. prgtoken He has continued in his service in the United States Congress to stand steadfast with us and to remind us that it is better to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. When I think of him and this 150th year, I am reminded of how we should stand and fight and be reminded, again, that the precious right to vote can be one that can be quick and fade in the night and be taken away in the twinkle of an eye, as has been attempted over the years. prgtoken President Johnson addressed the Nation before signing the Voting Rights Act, and said: ``The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men,'' and women, ``because they are different from other men,'' and women. prgtoken It is important to remind the Nation of the history of African Americans, the descendants now of enslaved Africans, to remind this Congress that, for nearly 250 years, the peculiar institution of slavery fed into the Nation's booming industries and facilitated its boundless growth. prgtoken We were the economic engine of this Nation--slave, brutal labor. And as this country prospered, enslaved people were denied the fruits of their labor: no workers' compensation, no life insurance, no days off, no weekends. They were brutalized without vote, without presence, without even the dignity of being one person. prgtoken They were denied a voice in America's fledgling democracy and only began to see that change as the attempt came to make a difference by, in 1869, passing the 15th Amendment over impassioned opposition. prgtoken The 13th Amendment had been passed. As my recollection serves me, Presi
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUs) HOMELAND SECURITY PARTNERSHIPS ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-2-10

I rise in support of H.R. 1494 the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act. This legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to strengthen the partnerships between the Department and HBCU's. In turn, this would expose the talented students attending these institutions to more robust recruitment and hiring by the Department along with better cooperation by these institutions in DHS research and testing programs. prgtoken HBCU's and other Minority Serving Institutions have provided a quality education to millions of Americans seeking to gain knowledge and to better their career prospects. Many of the students who are attending these institutions come from diverse backgrounds and are the first in their families to pursue a postsecondary education. It is my strong belief that our federal workforce should be as diverse as possible so that the work our government does can impact all Americans. With the passage of this legislation today, the Department of Homeland Security will take a step towards a more diverse workforce. Mr I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
SUICIDE AMONG VETERANS IS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , this is Damon Clayton, the son of my dear friend, Dearborn Heights City Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton. Today, I rise in honor of his precious life. prgtoken Thirteenth District Strong lost Damon to suicide last week at the young age of 28. prgtoken One friend wrote: ``This man was a friend and a brother to me. We may not have shared DNA, but we shared a common desire to protect.'' He was a U.S. Army paratrooper in Afghanistan and a firefighter/EMT for the city of Ecorse. ``When we lost Damon, we lost a very special blessing from God. This special soul spent his life protecting us.'' prgtoken He said: ``I finish my EMT school in 3 weeks. I would like to finish in honor of him. Damon was a factor in my choice to pursue public safety. I want him to always be remembered.'' prgtoken For me, Damon was dearly loved by so many people, including his parents and his siblings. prgtoken Death by suicide among veterans represents a public health crisis in our country. In 2005, over 5,700 veterans died by suicide, a number that rose to over 6,100 in 2017. prgtoken In Damon's memory, I promise to do everything in my power to get our veterans the healthcare and help that they deserve.
INTRODUCTION OF THE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATIONS ACT OF 2020
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2020-2-10

. Madam , today, I introduce the Increased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2020. This bill would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make publicly available the forms organizations that self-declare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) file with the IRS. Americans have the right to know which organizations are operating under this section of the IRC. prgtoken To be eligible for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4), organizations, often referred to as ``social welfare organizations,'' must be ``devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.'' They can choose to apply for 501(c)(4) status from the IRS, or they can simply self-declare. Previously, organizations seeking to self-declare their 501(c)(4) status were not required even to notify the IRS of their existence. In 2015, however, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act) was enacted into law. Under that law, an organization seeking to self-declare their 501(c)(4) status now must file a notice with the IRS that it is operating under this section. The PATH Act did not, however, make the filed notices, Form 8976, subject to public disclosure. prgtoken The IRS has opined that Form 8976 cannot be made available under the Freedom of Information Act or other disclosure laws. This opinion creates a discrepancy between those organizations for which the IRS must make publicly available information--all Section 50l(c)(3) organizations and 501(c)(4) organizations that applied that for status--and self-declared 501(c)(4) organizations. This discrepancy appears to have been inadvertently created by the PATH Act. prgtoken My bill would correct this oversight and mandate that the IRS publicly disclose any filed Form 8976 upon request, thus allowing the public to know which organizations operate under 501(c)(4), as they do with 501(c)(3) organizations. In the aftermath of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which allows for unlimited expenditure in political campaigns from these ``social welfare'' groups, this bill is especially important to allow for greater transparency. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
ILLUMINATING THE LEGACY OF CURT FLOOD
Wm. Lacy Clay (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2020-2-10

this Black History Month, I ask my colleagues to join efforts to illuminate the legacy of a true American hero, the late Major League Baseball All-Star center fielder Curt Flood. prgtoken In addition to 12 stellar seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Curt Flood struck a blow for dignity and civil rights by challenging a rule which allowed players to be traded against their will. prgtoken He noted in his refusal: ``After 12 years in the major leagues, I do not feel I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent with the laws of the United States.'' prgtoken My great friend Congressman Trone and I are asking Members to join in a letter supporting the induction of Curt Flood into the Baseball Hall of Fame. prgtoken Flood's struggles might have ended his career, but he blazed a trail for the rights enjoyed by players today. It is this type of leadership and lasting contribution we recognize this Black History Month.
PROTECTING AMERICA'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2019
Filemon Vela (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-2-10

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I rise in support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this crucial bill. prgtoken I introduced this important legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives with support from Members of both sides of the aisle. This bipartisan bill authorizes the hiring of additional agricultural specialists, agricultural technicians, and agricultural K-9 teams at our international ports of entry and has the support of nearly one dozen Governors and over 150 agriculture and trade stakeholders across this country. prgtoken , I include in the Record letters from Governors and industry groups addressing their support for this bill. State of Utah, Office of the Governor, Salt Lake City, UT, January 31, 2020. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: I appreciate your work leading the House Committee on Homeland Security. I write today in support of H.R. 4482, Protecting America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019. The bill would authorize funding to hire additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to help conduct Agriculture Quarantine Inspection services at the United States' ports of entry. Utah has a robust agricultural sector, including a pork industry that is an important part of our state's economy. We are genuinely concerned about the potential impact of agricultural pests and diseases, including African Swine Fever. The Fever has not yet impacted the United States, but is wreaking havoc in other parts of the world and would pose a significant threat to the U.S. pork industry. Through regional and national partnerships, we spend considerable effort as a state to detect and combat diseases and prevent outbreaks. However we need the federal government's support to prevent disease transmissions from foreign sources. Thank you again for your work, and please let me know if can be helpful. Sincerely, Gary R. Herbert, Governor.