mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 296, AFFIRMING THE UNITED STATES RECORD ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-10-29

I thank Mr. McGovern for bringing this rule up today, and I rise in support of the rule to bring up the Armenian genocide resolution. prgtoken As Judy Chu said--and I just came back from Armenia at the same time--we were at the genocide memorial in Yerevan. I was actually there a few years ago, on the 100th anniversary of the genocide, with our two Armenian Members of Congress, Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier. prgtoken I have to say, it was unfortunate for us. We were proud to be there for the 100th commemoration, but we still were very upset over the fact that the United States had not recognized the Armenian genocide in recent years. And, of course, this has been a goal of the Armenia caucus and the Armenia diaspora for over 30 years that this day, this historic day, would finally occur. prgtoken , I want to thank the of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who has made this day possible. prgtoken This resolution is important. It commemorates the victims of the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks over 104 years after it took place. prgtoken For too long, Congress has failed to recognize the indisputable fact that the Ottoman Turks perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th century. This crime against humanity would serve as the blueprint for other genocides in the Nazi concentration camps and massacres in Poland, Germany, and eastern Europe and, more recently, in Bosnia and Rwanda. prgtoken Today, we will finally acknowledge what historians have documented with clear evidence: that the Turkish campaign of slaughter and forced displacement of millions of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and other religious minorities was, in fact, a genocide. prgtoken The passage of this resolution is an important step in raising awareness and showing the world that we have a commitment to human rights and the dignity of every human life. prgtoken In the words of George Santayana: ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' prgtoken We stand today to show that the House of Representatives will not be complicit in covering up past atrocities in the 20th century nor turn our back when ethnic or religious minorities are threatened in the 21st century. prgtoken We must also urge Turkey to come to terms with its own history and look beyond the thinly veiled facade of denial that covered up one of the most horrific crimes in world history. prgtoken We must urge Turkey to join the rest of the world in recognizing the sanctity of human life, even if it is someone who doesn't look like you, speaks a different language, or attends a different house of worship. prgtoken Turkey has a long history of repressing ethnic minorities, including the Kurds, whom they are killing as we speak. And it doesn't matter whether they are Christians or Muslims; many of the Kurds are their Muslim brethren. prgtoken I am also a strong supporter of the bipartisan Turkey sanctions bill that will also be considered this we
SFC SEAN COOLEY AND SPC CHRISTOPHER HORTON CONGRESSIONAL GOLD STAR FAMILY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ACT
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken This resolution establishes the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program, which will provide fellowships in congressional offices for immediate family members of the Armed Forces who have given their lives in service to this country. prgtoken Members of the Armed Forces do not serve by themselves. They are supported by children, spouses, siblings, and others who often go months or longer without seeing their loved one while that loved one is deployed. prgtoken It is incumbent on all Americans, but particularly those of us who have the privilege of serving in Congress, to support military families, and none more so than our Gold Star families. prgtoken Gold Star families have experienced the worst type of heartbreak, sacrifice, and loss, and they deserve our unwavering recognition, compassion, and support. The Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program is one small way for us in Congress to provide that support. prgtoken This program will offer an opportunity for members of Gold Star families to gain firsthand experience in Congress through a yearlong fellowship in a congressional office. These fellowships can take place either here in Washington or back home in a district office and will allow Gold Star families to both participate in and learn about the democracy their loved one gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect. prgtoken Nothing can ever fill the void left by the loss of a loved one who was killed serving the Nation, but we in Congress should be doing everything we can to help lift up those who have suffered this unfathomable loss. prgtoken , I am proud to support the establishment of this program. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and .
PROTECT AGAINST CONFLICT BY TURKEY ACT
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-29

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Mr. Engel, distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the distinguished ranking member of the committee, Mr. McCaul, for their leadership in bringing this important, bipartisan bill to the floor. prgtoken , as we all know, 3 weeks ago the President unleashed an escalation of chaos and insecurity in Syria when he gave Turkey the green light to attack our Kurdish partners, threatening lives, risking regional security, and undermining America's credibility as a trustworthy ally. prgtoken And then, instead of holding Turkey accountable for its aggression, the President reversed his sanctions in exchange for a so-called cease- fire, which the Turks clearly stated was not a cease-fire. prgtoken Today, and s come together to demonstrate the strong, smart leadership that has sorely been lacking from the White House, as the House passed this tough, targeted sanctions bill to hold the Turks accountable for their attacks on our Kurdish partners. prgtoken We salute Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul once again for their leadership on this PACT Act and on the resolution opposing President 's decision on Syria, including H.J. Res. 77, a bipartisan, bicameral resolution which passed the House on a 354-60 vote. prgtoken Here are the facts: prgtoken Our Kurdish partners freed millions of people and tens of thousands of square miles from the grip of ISIS. Throughout the fight, they sustained nearly 11,000 casualties. prgtoken Until recently, our Kurdish partners protected America's security and the security of the region as more than 10,000 ISIS fighters and tens of thousands of ISIS family members were under their control. prgtoken Yet, in a matter of weeks, the President has put our progress at risk. Even with the death of al-Baghdadi, ISIS remains a serious and resurgent threat. The death of a top ISIS leader does not mean the death of ISIS. prgtoken Scores of fighters remain under uncertain conditions in Syrian prisons and at risk of a jailbreak. Nearly 800 ISIS supporters and family members have reportedly escaped. To say that Turkey and Syria still adequately guard the prisoners is outrageous and dangerous. prgtoken At the same time, more than 250,000 Kurdish civilians have fled their homes because of Turkish attacks. Dozens of civilians, in addition to possibly hundreds of brave Kurdish fighters, have been killed. prgtoken The only winners from the President's disastrous decision in Syria are ISIS, the Syrian Government, Iran, and Russia. prgtoken With these targeted, strong sanctions, America is holding accountable top Turkish officials responsible for human rights abuses, including attacking our Kurdish partners. prgtoken We are penalizing Turkish financial institutions that perpetuate President Erdogan's corruption and abuses, and prgtoken are preventing the sale of arms to Turkey for use in Syria. prgtoken As the House passes this l
AFFIRMING THE UNITED STATES RECORD ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-29

I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 296, Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide. I am honored to have supported this resolution my entire tenure in Congress. Although it should not have taken this long, today is a historic day in that the House is finally acknowledging the Armenian Genocide, recognizing the heroic efforts of many in our government to help the Armenian people, and honoring the victims of this tragedy. prgtoken H. Res. 296 acknowledges the systematic and deliberate annihilation of millions of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire. The resolution recognizes the courage and leadership shown at the time by our ambassador Henry Morgenthau, our government, and the American people who provided relief and shelter to the victims of the genocide. Thousands of victims, mostly women and children, were saved by the people of our nation who gave humanitarian assistance to the refugees. prgtoken Many of the Armenians who fled this crisis immigrated to the United States where they found the freedom and prosperity that our nation provides. The descendants of these genocide survivors have created the strong, vibrant, and patriotic Armenian-American community that our nation is blessed with today. We must honor the sacrifice of their forefathers and reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. prgtoken I would like to thank the many advocates in and outside of Congress who have played an integral role in ths legislation. Our colleagues Congressman Adam Schiff and Congressman Frank Pallone have been tireless advocates for this resolution and should be applauded for their work in getting us here today. The Armenian-American community has stayed committed to recognizing the incredible injustice their ancestors suffered even while many challenged their bearing witness to the truth. prgtoken Armenian-Americans have sought formal recognition of this genocide, not only to help heal their own community, but to ensure genocide never happens again. The Armenian-American community is always first to speak out regarding modern-day crimes against humanity, such as in Rwanda and Darfur. prgtoken , like Armenian-Americans I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, not only to recognize the genocides of the past, but to prevent genocide in the future.
REMEMBERING MORRIS ANDREWS
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2019-10-29

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Morris Andrews, a revered champion of teachers, children, and public education in Wisconsin. prgtoken Morris Andrews was born in Big Rapids, MI, on November 26, 1935. As a talented student athlete, Andrews graduated from Big Rapids High School and went on to play football at Central Michigan University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. He earned his master's degree from Indiana University in physical education. prgtoken Morris taught high school government, coached football, and organized teachers throughout the country. He came to Wisconsin to lead the Wisconsin Education Association Council, WEAC, in 1972, initiating a transformation in the way teachers were valued in the State. Morris brought pride, power, and respectable wages to the teaching profession. prgtoken After the protracted and bitter Hortonville teachers strike in 1974, Morris helped craft a mediation/arbitration law that replaced the right to strike with collective bargaining. This new way of settling public sector labor disputes ushered in decades of labor peace. prgtoken Under his leadership, WEAC set the standard for recognizing the importance of teachers in shaping the future for generations of students. As teachers' rights increased, so did graduation rates and test scores. Wisconsin ACT scores rose to the top of the national charts for decades. Morris also initiated advancements in education that are now taken for granted, including uniform graduation requirements, gender equity in school athletics, universal special education programs, school nursing services, and remedial reading programs for underachieving students. prgtoken Morris never shied away from a fight worth winning. One never had to guess whose side he was on. He knew what was best for teachers, students, and education, and he knew how to get it for them. By organizing and empowering teachers, he shifted the balance of political power in Wisconsin away from well-heeled corporate interests toward K- 12 students, their parents, and the dedicated educators who teach them. prgtoken When Morris began his tenure in 1972, WEAC had 40,000 members and little involvement in State politics or education policy. When he retired 20 years later, he left a 62,000-member powerhouse with a $10 million budget and a staff of 175 that was a major player in the State legislature and at the ballot box. prgtoken Morris didn't rest after his retirement from WEAC in 1992. He remained committed to his passions of organizing and advocacy, providing sage advice to candidates of both parties running for office and speaking assertively for those without a voice. Morris also left an indelible mark on the State through his work on behalf of the Urban League of Greater Madison, Fair Wisconsin, and the campaign to build the Monona Terrace Convention Center. prgtoken There is only one endeavor that surpassed his commitment to
REMEMBERING ELIJAH CUMMINGS
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-29

our Nation mourns the loss of one of the country's greatest leaders, Representative Elijah Eugene Cummings, whose life's work as a fervent champion for civil rights and his beloved community in Baltimore, MD left an indelible mark on our Nation. Congressman Cummings died on October 17, 2019 in Baltimore, MD. He was 68 years old. prgtoken Representative Cummings was born on January 18, 1951, in Baltimore, MD. He was the third of seven children born to sharecroppers, Robert Cummings and Ruth Elma Cummings, who moved north from South Carolina in search of better opportunities for their family. Representative Cummings graduated from Baltimore City College High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from Howard University in Washington, DC, where he served as student government president and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Representative Cummings obtained a juris doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1975. Throughout his career, he received 13 honorary doctoral degrees from universities throughout the country. prgtoken Representative Cummings' career in public service began in 1983 when we was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. Representative Cummings proudly served in this role for 14 years, eventually becoming the State legislature's first African-American speaker pro tempore. In 1996, he was elected to represent Maryland's 7th District in the House of Representatives as a member of the 104th Congress. Representative Cummings focused on legislative priorities that promoted equality and economic development, including: criminal justice reform, lowering prescription drug prices, and combatting the opioid epidemic, among others. As a respected Congressman, he became a ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. prgtoken As the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Representative Cummings was a powerful voice who achieved a reputation as a skilled consensus builder. He understood accountability and protecting those who courageously spoke the truth to protect our Nation. He fought daily to ensure our democracy was not only intact but striving to live up to its promise. At the foundation of his fight was advocacy for justice and equal opportunity for all. prgtoken Representative Cummings made it his personal responsibility to champion civil rights issues, particularly voting rights. His fierce advocacy was fueled, in part, by the words of his mother who on her death bed, implored him to ensure the right to vote was preserved. He would heed her words by delivering his own stirring calls to action. He understood the significance of the right to vote in our democracy and worked tirelessly to oppose voter suppression, condemn discriminatory anti-voting tactics, and launch critical investigations when voters-- particularly people of color--faced
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY AND THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-10-29

it is my honor to come to the floor to speak on an issue that is important for so many Americans. prgtoken Let me start at the outset--before I move to unanimous consent on a specific piece of legislation--by saying that I believe that the change in the Affordable Care Act, which prohibited discrimination against people because of preexisting conditions, is one of the most fundamental changes in health insurance in America. Who among us doesn't have a member of their family or a friend with a preexisting condition? prgtoken There was a time, of course, when because of that, people were denied any coverage or charged exorbitant amounts of money. Overwhelmingly, we understand that if we are going to have a health insurance system that really serves the entire Nation, we cannot allow health insurance companies to pick and choose. prgtoken Prior to the Affordable Care Act's passage in 2010, health insurers used to charge people with preexisting conditions higher monthly premiums or simply deny them coverage all together. Health insurance companies used to impose annual lifetime caps on what they could pay for. These arbitrary limits disproportionately hurt people with preexisting conditions who often needed ongoing intensive medical care, and insurance companies before the Affordable Care Act used to refuse coverage for certain healthcare services that people with preexisting conditions needed--prescription drugs, hospital visits, mental health and substance abuse treatment, maternity and newborn care. prgtoken The Affordable Care Act changed all of that. There are no more denials or higher premiums for preexisting conditions, which is an amazing breakthrough. There are no more annual or lifetime caps on benefits and no more refusals to cover maternity benefits or doctors' visits. prgtoken Ten years ago, every single --I was one of them--voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act, and I would do it again today. It was a law that ensured these protections for people with preexisting conditions really meant something and were enforceable. prgtoken Ten years ago, every single Senate voted against the Affordable Care Act. Since it has been signed into law, House and Senate s have voted more than 100 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Their efforts have failed. There was one most dramatic effort, which many of us can recall happened just a couple of years ago, right here in the well of the Senate when the late Senator John McCain, of Arizona, came to the floor in the middle of the night and cast a ``no'' vote. He believed, and I think he was right--I am sure he was right when he said: You can't be just against something; you have to be for something. The side of the aisle has no alternative to the Affordable Care Act. They are just against it. They don't like it. They don't like the name of it. They don't like Care. They don't like 's adm
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 296, AFFIRMING THE UNITED STATES RECORD ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-10-29

after decades of struggle, this House will recognize the Armenian genocide just in time for it to be seen by the last few survivors of the first genocide of the 20th century. prgtoken We should have recognized that genocide again and again long ago, but we didn't because we were told that we had a great alliance with Turkey. prgtoken Earlier this month, Turkish forces shelled near and deliberately bracketed American bases. Americans fled in unseemly haste. Great ally. prgtoken It has been a great alliance for Turkey. We defended them from communism in the 1940s, defended them from the Soviet Union for decades, and provided them with $23 billion in aid. prgtoken It is critical that we counteract Turkey's genocide denial, because genocide denial is the last act of a genocide--first you obliterate a people, then you seek to obliterate their memory, and prgtoken finally you seek to obliterate the memory of the obliteration--and because genocide denial is also the first step in the next genocide. prgtoken When Hitler's cadres wondered if they could get away with the Holocaust, he was able to assure them: Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians? prgtoken We must recognize this genocide to remove the stain on America's honor because, up until now, we have refused to acknowledge truth and we have been silent, all in an effort at appeasement. prgtoken The fact is that many other countries have recognized the genocide, including Belgium, Canada, Greece, Italy, Argentina, and Germany. And when France had the courage to pass a genocide recognition resolution, they were threatened with a boycott of all their exports. In fact, what happened was a fourfold increase in French exports to Turkey. prgtoken The only thing worse than unnecessary appeasement is appeasing a power that will not actually respond. prgtoken Today, Germany is a great and prosperous democracy, a great ally of the United States. Where would Germany be if, to this day, they denied the Holocaust? prgtoken Turkey will be a great ally of the United States and a prosperous and modern nation only when Turkey recognizes the first genocide of the 20th century. prgtoken , I commend the gentleman for bringing up this rule and for answering the question why this is so important to do this today.