mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise to give thanks to the men and women who keep us safe. prgtoken Yesterday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a day to be grateful for the officers who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities. prgtoken Created in 2015, this day allows us to voice our appreciation to law enforcement officers for their service. prgtoken National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day has become increasingly more important in light of the growing negativity towards officers. prgtoken According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund there are more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in the United States. Law enforcement officers don't enter this career because of the recognition that they may receive, they choose this career because of their passion for public service. prgtoken These officers knowingly put their lives on the line every day because they know protecting and preventing crime creates a safer world. prgtoken A simple way to show our law enforcement we care is to thank a police officer. So, if you see a police officer, please thank a police officer. prgtoken , I want to give my most sincere thanks to the men and women of law enforcement for the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to the rule of law they display every day.
FULFILLING OUR COMMITMENT TO AMERICA
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-1-10

this week, we will take historic steps to reverse the crises created by President 's administration and fulfill our Commitment to America. prgtoken For the past 2 years, the administration has chosen to appease the radical left that continues to undermine American families. Now, it is time to turn the page. It is time to return to serving the American people. prgtoken Pennsylvania families need results. They do not need empty promises. That is why on day one we voted to stop IRS agents from going after small businesses who are simply trying to follow the law. That is why we will vote to keep American oil from being sold to the Chinese Communist Party. That is why we will vote to support our law enforcement and send the clearest message yet that s will never allow the far left to defund the police. And we will vote to save the lives of unborn children by finally passing the Born Alive Survivors Protection Act. prgtoken These pieces of legislation are the beginning of enacting our Commitment to America. It is time to build an economy that is strong; it is time to fortify a Nation that is safe; and it is time to deliver a government that is accountable. That is our commitment to Pennsylvanian families. That is our Commitment to America.
HONORING WALTER RAYMOND BOWERS
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today to honor a 95-years-young Walter Raymond Bowers from Jacksonville, Florida. prgtoken Walter was born March 16, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida, as an infant and was raised by his maternal grandmother, Sadie Perry. prgtoken When he was 17, Walter joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific theater during World War II where he earned the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, one star; the World War II Victory Medal; the American Campaign Ribbon; and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, five stars. prgtoken After the war, Walter was assigned to the USS Pine Island and participated in Operation Highjump, which established the Antarctic research base known as Little America IV. prgtoken At the rank of boiler technician III 3rd class, Raymond Bowers was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 19, 1948. Just one week later, on July 26, 1948, he married Mary Dopson, the love of his life and mother of their three children: Walter, Jr Margaret, and Paul. prgtoken Walter returned to Jacksonville and enlisted in the Naval Reserves where he served for 8 more years. He then began working for the city of Jacksonville road department where he spent 20 years of faithful service. prgtoken Walter and Mary both surrendered their lives to Christ in 1950, which led him to a new calling, one of a real ministry. prgtoken Walter joined A.B. Wainwright, and for 18 years they were planting and pastoring Pentecostal churches all across Jacksonville. Even after his professional retirement in 1968, Walter continued this ministry by planting a new church in Jacksonville's Dinsmore community. He started Wayside Assembly of God in 1973 where he served as senior pastor for more than 32 years. prgtoken His commitment to our Lord Jesus, his family, his community, and his country have contributed to this incredible legacy. May God continue to richly bless Walter for his amazing life of selfless service.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-1-10

last Congress, I served as the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee. Chairman Jordan and I have already been working to ensure that the intelligence community and the Department of Justice, including the FBI, are not violating the civil rights of law-abiding Americans. prgtoken Sadly, we already have very troubling evidence to begin our investigation to ensure that our intelligence community and law enforcement agencies are not violating Americans' constitutional rights. Some of this information is similar to what has been publicly disclosed by the Twitter files, which is a small portion of the information that we have that is gravely concerning about the improper use of government authority that this committee will be focusing on. prgtoken This subcommittee is about protecting rights, a task that everyone in this body just took an oath to protect last week. Our committee will be assisting this subcommittee. We look forward to working with Chairman Jordan on this important issue, and we know that this is important to the American people.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MRS. CATHY MORGAN RICHARDSON
Diana Harshbarger (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise to recognize Mrs. Cathy Morgan Richardson, a beloved pillar of the community in Hamblen County, Tennessee. Cathy passed away on October 28, 2022, after a life of faith and left a legacy of love for her family and her community. prgtoken Cathy was born in Morristown, Tennessee, and graduated from Morristown Hamblen High School West. After graduation, she worked in accounting at Laminate Specialty Plastics, then went on to a 30-year career as an employee in the office of Hamblen County's Circuit Court Clerk. She was an election official, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and a member of the Hamblen County Party and the Women's Club of Hamblen County. prgtoken Cathy was a God-fearing woman who praised the Lord every single day of her life. She was known for making everything fun and adventurous and often was the life of the party at her church events. She loved music and enjoyed hearing her daughter, Kaylan, sing and play the piano. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Morristown and was known for her smile and for encouraging others with love from her heart. She was full of Jesus and full of joy and it was contagious to her family, her friends, and her church. A frequent volunteer, she organized many events for her church and her local Women's club and was nicknamed the Event Planner Extraordinaire. She brought light and laughter to every person she met and in every corner of her existence. She had the gifts of hospitality, decorating, organizing, energizing, and encouraging. prgtoken Her legacy of love includes being married to Mike, her husband of 40 years; her daughter, Kaylan, her son, Channing and his wife, Kristen; and her grandchildren Cade, Christian, and Crew. prgtoken , Cathy Morgan Richardson was a source of joy, faithfulness, and support for many in Morristown, Tennessee and I honor her life and her service to her family, her Lord and Savior, her church, and her community.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2023-1-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H. Res. 12, a resolution establishing the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. prgtoken This select subcommittee is modeled on the famous Church Committee, which investigated the American intelligence community in the 1970s and uncovered and exposed a wide variety of abuses, including many directed against American citizens. prgtoken Similar to the situation that confronted America in the 1970s, in recent years we have witnessed abuses of the civil liberties of American citizens committed by the executive branch. prgtoken The select subcommittee will operate as a select investigative subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee and will be tasked with studying and reporting on the executive branch's authority to collect information on or otherwise investigate citizens of the United States. prgtoken It will investigate how executive branch agencies work with and exchange information with the private sector and other government agencies to facilitate action against American citizens; how executive branch agencies collect, compile, analyze, use, or disseminate information about citizens of the United States; the laws, programs, and activities of the executive branch as they relate to the collection of information on citizens of the United States; and any other issues related to the violation of the civil liberties of American citizens. prgtoken , it is undeniable that, in recent years, the executive branch of the Federal Government has abused its authority and violated the civil liberties of American citizens, often for political purposes. There are many examples to point to, ranging from a father being labeled a ``domestic terrorist'' for confronting a school board over the sexual assault of his daughter, to the Federal Government's role in suppressing information on Twitter, to the Department of Homeland Security's plans to create a Disinformation Governance Board, and to the revelations regarding the FBI's abuse of its Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act authority. prgtoken All these examples and many more demonstrate how prevalent such abusive actions have become. prgtoken , the American people deserve to have confidence in their government. They deserve to know that the broad powers granted through the Federal Government to the FBI, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to the intelligence agencies are not being abused. They deserve to know that the executive branch is not positioning itself as the final arbiter of what constitutes truth. They deserve to know that they will not be labeled a domestic terrorist for advocating for their children in front of a school board. prgtoken , it was Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis who stated that ``sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.'' At the end of the day, that is the purpose of the select subcommittee. It will bring abuses by th
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 11, Establishing the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken As a member of the China Task Force in the 116th and 117th Congresses and a member of the House Intelligence Committee, this committee is long overdue, and I commend McCarthy for putting this together. A clear and dedicated focus on issues surrounding the strategic competition between the United States and China has never been more important. prgtoken I would make three observations. prgtoken One, make no mistake about it, , China has a plan to replace us, and they are working on it every single day in technology, national security, and in economics. The longer we go without addressing those issues, the further we fall behind. prgtoken Number two, look at the allies that Xi Jinping and the CCP align themselves with, Putin in Russia, who is a war criminal, and Iran. You talk about the unbreakable bond they have with Russia as it relates to the Ukraine conflict; they would want nothing more than to see the West lose in this conflict. prgtoken Number three, I hope this select committee looks at how we can use our economic power in the United States in the trade space working with our like-minded allies in the Indo-Pacific region: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and Indonesia. We have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to the economic power we should be using in the region. prgtoken Finally, China continues to exploit democratic norms and standards throughout the region, engages in economic manipulation of the global marketplace, and threatens global peace and security efforts. This select committee is more important than ever to ensure the United States does not continue to delay our focus on the true needs of our strategic competition with China. prgtoken I strongly support this select committee, and I urge adoption of the resolution.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

in order to enforce our laws, we give terrifying powers to such agencies as the FBI, the IRS, and the CIA, among others. The misuse of these powers to effect political outcomes would be fatal to freedom, and it is the hallmark of any dictatorship. This, our Constitution, was written to prevent whoever is in power. prgtoken Now, in recent years we have watched the IRS target individuals because of their political beliefs. We have seen a glaring double standard in the enforcement of our laws by our Justice Department based on the political beliefs of their targets. We have seen their powers used to intimidate citizens into silence, whether the Tea Party or parents questioning their school boards. prgtoken Most alarmingly, we have seen the use of the FBI and our intelligence agencies to suppress political viewpoints disagreeable to those in power or to manufacture or propagate one of the greatest scandals in American history: the Russian collusion hoax. prgtoken Now, when a government can interfere with the elections that govern it and when agencies can act independently of the outcome of these elections, then democracy will die. prgtoken This select committee is designed to get to the bottom of these alarming allegations, and I would hope the would be just as eager to sort this out as the s. After all, it was not that long ago that these powers were turned against the left and could be again if we do nothing. prgtoken As Madison warned: Democracy alone is not enough to protect our liberty, for in a pure democracy, 51 percent of the people can vote any time to throw the other 49 percent in jail. That is why we have a Constitution which limits the powers of government through checks and balances like this Congress and like our Bill of Rights, and it is why each of us takes an oath to support and defend it. prgtoken Let us all honor that oath today.
UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today in support of the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, which will work to unleash American energy dominance. prgtoken In an election-year gimmick, President raided oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, depleting it to its lowest level in decades and allowing it to be sold to a company affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken Selling off American oil to the Chinese Communist Party for its own strategic use poses a direct threat to our national security. The petroleum reserve is our insurance card. It is to be used to protect our great country during national emergencies or weather events. Depleting it is dangerous, and restocking it at higher prices is foolish. prgtoken Let's restore some sanity here. Protect America and end the foolish practice of sending oil to our enemies that would hate us for free. prgtoken , I urge the House to pass this important legislation this week to stop this reckless, America-last practice from happening again. Congratulating the Alleghany High School Girls' Cross-Country Team
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-1-10

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership. prgtoken , I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 11, establishing a bipartisan Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken In 1946, a great Wisconsinite, George Kennan, argued that dealing with the Soviet threat was the greatest task our diplomacy has ever faced and probably the greatest it will ever have to face. prgtoken Today, due to its aggression and its economic strength and our unique economic entanglement with it, the Chinese Communist Party represents an even greater test for American diplomacy. prgtoken As Secretary of State Anthony Blinken put it last year: China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and increasingly the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to do it. prgtoken The threat posed by the CCP is not abstract. The CCP's aggression is not limited to Taiwan, the South China Sea, Hong Kong, or even Xinjiang, where two successive administrations, and ic alike, have determined that the CCP is engaging in genocide. prgtoken We see this aggression here at home where the party has stolen American intellectual property, technology, and industrial capacity undermining our economy and good-paying American jobs. It is here at home where the party's extraterritorial totalitarianism prgtoken terrorizes Chinese students studying at our universities and targets Americans of Chinese descent. And it is here at home where thousands of Americans are poisoned each year by fentanyl precursors manufactured in China and distributed thanks to a complex Chinese money laundering network. prgtoken It is time to understand the urgency of the threat. It is time to reclaim our economic independence in key areas. prgtoken The select committee will expose the CCP's coordinated whole-of- society strategy to undermine American leadership and American sovereignty while working on a bipartisan basis and with the committees of jurisdiction to identify long overdue, commonsense approaches to counter CCP aggression. prgtoken I stress working on a bipartisan basis because that is the only way we are going to be successful over the long term. The CCP doesn't pose a danger to just s or . It is a threat to all Americans. prgtoken , I commend my colleague for his work on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. That is one of the most consequential and significant pieces of legislation that we passed on a bipartisan basis in recent years. It is up to us to ensure that it is fully implemented, and there is much work to be done on that front. prgtoken We need to have a united front here in Congress to counter the Chinese Communist Party, and in so doing, at every step along the way, we must make sure that we are drawing a distinction between the party and the Chinese people with whom we have no quarrel and who are oft
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-10

I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding. prgtoken Last week, as I fought as one of the 20 conservative Members to secure victories for the American people by dismantling this institution's broken system and restoring this people's House as it should be, part of the status quo here in Washington, which we fought to change, is politicians making empty promises of government accountability. prgtoken But believe me in this, , when we vowed accountability is coming, we meant it. Establishing the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hands the House a powerful tool to uncover the two-tiered justice system that is rotting our Republic. prgtoken It is no secret that alphabet agencies have been dangerously weaponized against the American people. As an alarming example, the FBI has coerced citizens to relinquish their Second Amendment rights and has used Big Tech companies as private-sector proxies to silence Americans' free speech. prgtoken It is time to thoroughly investigate our Government agencies' atrocious behavior and abuse of power in disregarding and destroying America's precious freedoms, and this select subcommittee will have the teeth to do just that. prgtoken I thank McCarthy and Chairman Cole for their invaluable support in bringing this resolution to the floor for a vote. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for this resolution so we may deliver transparency, answers, and, yes, accountability to the American people as we have promised.
PRIORITIES FOR SOUTH TEXAS
Monica De La Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise to share my priorities for south Texas. prgtoken It is an honor to stand in the people's House. Being here as a single mother and the granddaughter of a Mexican farmworker shows that all things are possible in America through faith and hard work. prgtoken That is why I am proud that my first vote is to protect small businesses in south Texas from IRS overreach, which disproportionately hurts low-income Americans and communities like mine. The last thing we need is 87,000 IRS agents harassing south Texans. prgtoken Families are struggling. Single moms are struggling. Our Border Patrol lacks resources. After a century of one-party control in my district, we still have entire counties without doctors. prgtoken I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner to address these challenges during my time here; to promote prosperity for all Americans, regardless of their race, gender, or creed; and to keep the American Dream alive for the next generation, so help me God.
NEIL M. LARIMER
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-10

on behalf of a grateful Nation and the Citizens of the Twenty-Fourth District of Texas, the 2022 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Neil M. Larimer, Colonel, United States Marine Corps, of Southlake, Texas for the honorable service he performed while in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued service to his community. prgtoken Mr. Larimer was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956, serving as an artillery officer with the Second and Third Marine Divisions during the Vietnam War. He saw combat while in convoy operations in South Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat ``V'' device indicating valorous actions in combat and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a roadside bomb blast. His other decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Parachutist Badge. prgtoken The selflessness Mr. Larimer demonstrated in the U.S. Marine Corps continues with his service to his community. He has volunteered on the Executive Swimming Committee for the Amateur Athletic Union and as a Lector with his local Catholic church. prgtoken Mr. Larimer's service is consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Marine prgtoken Corps and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.