mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE KATHLEEN K. SEEFELDT FOR ARTS EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-5-9

I rise today to recognize the awardees of the 25th annual Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards. prgtoken The Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence are based on significant or distinguished contributions to the arts in the Greater Prince William County area. The Seefeldt Awards are sponsored by the Prince William County Arts Council--a membership organization established during Seefeldt's tenure as Chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors whose mission is to foster the creation, production, and appreciation of the arts through advocacy and education. Ultimately, the Awards seek to sustain their namesake's legacy of public service and support for the cultural arts in the Greater Prince William County area. prgtoken First, I would like to recognize Jordan Exum, this year's awardee for Outstanding Volunteer in the Arts. Ms. Exum has selflessly served the Greater Manassas and Prince William County area as Gallery Director of The ARTfactory, where she plays a key role in fulfilling the organization's vision of enriching the community through the arts by connecting local and regional artists through the ARTfactory's gallery and exhibitions. prgtoken Similarly, this year's Seefeldt Awardee for Outstanding Individual Artist, John Hartt, has connected the Prince William County Community through his vibrant and thought-provoking artwork. Mr. Hartt has amassed an extensive and distinguished career as a graphic designer, and certainly accomplished his goal of wanting to use his art to make others smile. prgtoken While individual support of the arts is important, it is also important to have the support of our business community. Understanding that artistic enrichment is a key component of leading a healthy life, this year's Outstanding Business Supporter of the Arts, UVA Community Health, has been a steadfast supporter of the arts in the Greater Prince William County area. prgtoken Likewise, it is paramount that we have enthusiastic and passionate support for the arts at the school level. Sarah Weaver, this year's Outstanding Arts Educator, has been a consistent ally of the arts for more than a decade as she served the Manassas County Public Schools community in several roles, including as Fine Arts Department Chair at Osborn High School. prgtoken Next, I would like to recognize Gainesville Community Choir as this year's Outstanding Arts Organization awardee. I commend the Gainesville Community Choir for the community-building work they do to develop and support musical excellence. Their commitment to community, musical excellence, passion, and integrity are exceptional. prgtoken Finally, I would like to acknowledge Denise McCall of DM Visual LLC as this year's Outstanding Patron of the Arts. Ms. McCall's support of the arts through her generous patronage as Director and Founder of DM Visual LLC, alongside her consistent volunteering as member of the Prince William County Arts Council, makes her an asset
HONORING THE CALIFORNIA RANGELAND TRUST'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-9

I rise today to honor and commend the California Rangeland Trust, upon celebrating its 25th anniversary serving the land, people, and wildlife of California. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the critical work the California Rangeland Trust has accomplished to preserve rangeland, support hardworking ranchers, and protect our environment for future generations. prgtoken Originally founded in 1998, by a group of innovative ranchers from the California Cattlemen's Association, the California Rangeland Trust is dedicated to conserving working ranches and protecting the wide range of natural resources inherent to rangeland. The Trust has helped permanently protect 371,504 acres of privately-owned rangeland, working with California ranching families to preserve our state's wildlife habitat, local food supplies, and air and water quality. prgtoken The California Rangeland Trust has a rich history of working alongside state, regional, and national leaders to prioritize environmental conservation. In 2004, the Trust played a vital role in establishing the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, an association of agricultural-focused land conservation organizations. The Trust was also a founding member of the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition, a partnership of over 100 leaders in the agricultural community, committed to preserving California's working landscapes. prgtoken Since its founding, the California Rangeland Trust has been a trailblazer in environmental stewardship and has consistently advocated for family ranchers. Rangeland is critical to California's ecosystem and the California Rangeland Trust is a consistent leader in protecting rangeland and the diverse natural life and resources it sustains. prgtoken On behalf of the constituents of California's Eighth Congressional District, I would like to congratulate the California Rangeland Trust upon its 25th anniversary and extend my sincere gratitude for its generations of service and environmental stewardship to the California community.
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CALLS FOR GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-9

let me express my appreciation to the gentlewoman from Florida for her grand leadership and the gentleman from Illinois. They have been dynamic. I acknowledge our chair, Congressman Horsford, of the Congressional Black Caucus, who had a very powerful morning this morning, and as well continues to lead us in the right direction. prgtoken I was late today because I could not leave the pain of Texas without standing with those in a press conference in the Mickey Leland Federal Building to express both our outcry, our pain, and our outrage. prgtoken Last evening, MSNBC had a headline show that said the ``Lone Star Hate.'' I stand here today to say there are good people in Texas. There are people who are demanding that there be action in the aftermath of the worst couple of days that we have had in a long time. prgtoken The parents of the Uvalde children waited 13 hours in the State legislature just to be heard on raising the age of those who could purchase weapons of war. In the midst of that, a family who simply wanted their baby to sleep was slaughtered and murdered, in the midst of that, by a person shooting an AR-15. A veteran explained to me that that is an M16, a weapon of war, which maims and kills the enemy so that they cannot rise, not be taken care of, and not move away from other gunfire. prgtoken Of course, though not by guns, in Brownsville, Texas, some eight or so people were killed who were simply trying to make sure that they had a peaceful place to be. prgtoken I come here today to insist on my own State taking a stand to ensure that the people who are crying cry no more. prgtoken The individual who killed the people in the mall in Allen, Texas, family members removed him from their house. He was tattooed with huge Nazi and white supremacy insignia. prgtoken My bill that I introduced, H.R. 61, indicates that white supremacy is hate, it is a hate crime, and I amended the hate crime bill to ensure that if you die because of white supremacy, they get an enhanced sentence due to hate crime legislation. prgtoken He only lasted 3 months in the United States military. We have to do a better job communicating about individuals--not brave soldiers who have PTSD, but individuals like this who didn't even last because of his views and attitudes and behavior. He obviously hated viciously, but he was able to get an AR-15. prgtoken After Uvalde, the State of Texas, the Governor's office, established a DPS task force that was supposed to monitor social media. Why wasn't this individual monitored, with all of his hate? prgtoken Underlying all of that are guns. That is what we spoke about today, guns. We asked the State of Texas, the legislature, my friends, and those who work with s, we asked them to be sure to move this bill to raise the age to 21. The Uvalde parents waited 13 hours. It came out of committee. It has to go to the House and Senate. prgtoken I stood there today and asked for universal backgrou
TESTING, RAPID ANALYSIS, AND NARCOTIC QUALITY RESEARCH ACT
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-9

. Madam , I am prepared to close and yield myself the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , this is another example of how the Science Committee can successfully follow our history of bipartisan work for the well- being of our country--two freshmen coming together for something that is important. prgtoken Madam , I also will mention that Representative Caraveo is not just Representative Caraveo. She is Dr. Caraveo. She comes with significant expertise to this body and especially to the Science Committee. We are grateful to her constituents for sending her to us. prgtoken She, like Mr. Collins, has only been here several months, but she has already shown leadership, a focus on law enforcement and health, and a real willingness to work on a bipartisan basis to solve problems that face our country. prgtoken Madam , I thank Representatives Collins and Caraveo for their hard work, and .
TESTING, RAPID ANALYSIS, AND NARCOTIC QUALITY RESEARCH ACT
Yadira Caraveo (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2023-5-9

. Madam , I thank Ranking Member Lofgren for yielding time. prgtoken Today, I am proud to stand in strong support of the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality Research Act that I introduced with my colleague from Georgia, Representative Mike Collins. prgtoken In recent months, criminals have turned to xylazine, a common animal tranquilizer, to make fentanyl. If injected, this drug can have horrible side effects, including large wounds at the injection site. prgtoken As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the horrific impact of the drug crisis on our families and communities. prgtoken Addictive, dangerous substances like opioids have wreaked havoc in Colorado, where we are now losing approximately 2,000 Coloradans a year to fentanyl and meth overdoses. These numbers are likely to worsen with the emergence of xylazine. prgtoken Our bipartisan legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to make it easier and faster to detect drugs containing xylazine and novel synthetic opioids. It also supports the development of safe handling processes to protect law enforcement officers and forensic chemists from this dangerous substance. prgtoken This effort will ensure our first responders have the support that they need to detect, identify, and better understand synthetic opioids and ultimately help save American lives. prgtoken At a time of deep division in our country, I am encouraged by the bipartisan support to address this next wave of the drug crisis. prgtoken I thank Representative Collins for working with me to introduce this bill and Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren for their help in bringing it to the House floor. I also thank Senators Welch and Cruz for spearheading this effort in the Senate. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF KIM HOSEN
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-5-9

I rise to commemorate the life and work of Kim Hosen. Kim was a dedicated environmentalist who made significant contributions to the protection and preservation of the natural habitats in Prince William County, Virginia. prgtoken Kim was the founding Executive Director of the Prince William Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural resources of the region. Kim's tireless efforts led to the protection of approximately 300 acres of land, creating the Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, and establishing the Bluebell Festival, which celebrates the acquisition of this area, which now attracts nearly 1,000 people annually. Additionally, Kim initiated the Wildlife Garden, which showcases what is possible for backyard habitats, and launched the Merrimac Farm VA Master Naturalist Chapter. I was proud to partner with her to fight for an environmentally just solution to coal ash pollution at Possum Point. prgtoken Kim was instrumental in establishing 40 miles of scenic by-ways all located in the Rural Crescent. She also led the effort to rewrite the Environment and the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Chapter of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, further demonstrating her unwavering commitment to protecting the unique habitats and quality of life for all residents of Prince William County. prgtoken Her consistent, reliable, and knowledgeable voice for the environment and healthy communities made her an invaluable resource for Prince William County Planning Commissioners, the Board of County Supervisors, and residents who sought her expertise on how to best protect the natural resources of the area. prgtoken Kim's contributions were recognized throughout her career. These include the Conservation and Environmental Education for Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2004, Conservationist of the Year from Ducks Unlimited in 2006 and 2015, Influential Women Award from Prince William Living in 2015, Native Plant Champion from Plant NoVA Natives in 2016, and the Certificate of Appreciation from the Committee of 100 in 2022. prgtoken Kim's legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the natural habitats she helped protect. Her commitment to preserving the environment and educating future generations will continue to inspire others to follow in her footsteps. Kim will always be remembered as a remarkable environmentalist who made a lasting impact on the world around her. She is survived by her two sons, Eli and Jake. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends and our entire community. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the life of Kim Hosen and in sending her family our sincere condolences.
Gun Violence (Executive Session)
Cory A. Booker (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-9

. We cannot profess to be a nation of freedom if we cannot free our society from fear, if we can't free our society from violence. We cannot profess to live up to our values if the very Nation founded for--one of the reasons being common defense, but we can't defend our children. prgtoken Last week, I introduced with Senator Warren the Firearms Safety Act, which would implement Federal safety regulations for firearms because right now guns--the most lethal of all consumer products--are the only products that aren't even subject to consumer safety regulations. prgtoken Look, I want to end with the truth. A police officer who arrived at the shooting in Allentown recounted discovering a young boy beneath his mother's lifeless body who died protecting this child. He shared with anguish the haunting encounter of finding a young girl also crouched in a prayer-like position. As he searched for signs of life, he turned her head to the side only to find the horror of her face missing. In her final moments on Earth, the position of that girl was in prayer--was to pray. And we in this country--only in America--our response is only thoughts and prayers? prgtoken We need to be the prayer answerers. We need to be the ones who respond when people call out for help. prgtoken How will we respond to this national nightmare? prgtoken What will we do to this uniquely American problem? prgtoken Will we show American might? Will we show American strength? Will we show American healing? Will we show American community? Will we show American love for our children or will we repeat this national nightmare over and over again? prgtoken When the shots ring out, people run, people hide, people pray. It is time that we in America answer those prayers with action.
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CALLS FOR GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-9

I rise today to discuss the terrifying regularity of gun violence across this country. prgtoken The tragic shooting in Allen, Texas, is part of a near-daily pattern of gun-related tragedies in America. This year alone, there have been almost 200 mass shootings in our country, more mass shootings than we have had days in the year. prgtoken I feel for the Allen, Texas, community and empathize with the pain that too many American families understand. I also feel for the survivors of gun violence that have to relive their own trauma every time another shooting occurs and watch as s fail to act. Over 4,800 lives have been lost at the hands of gun violence this year. It is sickening because it is stone-cold preventable. prgtoken Every time a shooting rips apart a community, all we can offer are thoughts and prayers with hollow solutions that only kick the can down the road. No more thoughts. No more prayers. Action. prgtoken No, this is not God's divine order. This is s too cowardly to stand up and solve the damn problem. We have got to talk about guns. We have got to talk about guns. We have got to talk about guns. Unfettered access to guns, compounded with other challenges, is what creates these horrific scenes of death and devastation. prgtoken s must gather the courage to work with us and make our streets safer instead of hiding behind antiquated interpretations of the Second Amendment because the majority of Americans want gun reform legislation because they want to live. prgtoken have come together to offer a ban on assault weapons that s have yet to bring to the floor or even consider. AR-15s shred anything in their wake. They are not used by hunters. They were designed to be used by snipers. prgtoken Last Congress, and s passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This legislation supports red flag laws, enhances background checks for those under 21, cracks down on gun trafficking, disarms convicted domestic abusers, invests in violence prevention violence and mental health initiatives, and funds school safety programs. President signed this valuable legislation into law, but it is not enough to save the lives of our children. We can and should be doing more. prgtoken The House majority is playing games, wasting precious time bringing legislation to the floor that has no chance of being signed into law. If they cared about the life of every child, then they should deal with the public health epidemic of gun violence because everyone's child is worth a life. prgtoken We need an assault weapons ban, stronger background checks on gun ownership, gun storage. It must be stated that instead of working on these policies, some s choose to inflame our gun violence epidemic with toxic, racist, or bigoted rhetoric. prgtoken The Allen, Texas, shooter reportedly espoused white supremacist ideology before his attack. The shoot
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-9

. Finally, , I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m Wednesday, May 10; following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Gorordo nomination, postcloture, and that all time be considered expired at 11:30 a.m.; that following the cloture vote on the Wright-Gallo nomination, the Senate recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; that if cloture is invoked, notwithstanding rule XXII, at 2:30 p.m the Senate vote on confirmation of the Wright-Gallo nomination; that upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate resume consideration of the Shogan nomination; that there be 10 minutes, equally divided, prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination; and that upon disposition of the Shogan nomination, the Senate resume consideration of the Gupta nomination and the Senate vote on confirmation at 5:30 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
RECOGNIZING THE PITTSTON KIWANIS CLUB ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-5-9

today I recognize the Pittston Kiwanis Club on its 100th anniversary. For a century, this organization has been an integral part of the Pittston community, dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through service projects and leadership programs. prgtoken The Pittston Kiwanis Club was chartered in 1923, and since then its members have served as beacons of hope and positivity for the people of Pittston. Kiwanians are known for their generosity, creativity, and passion for making a difference. They supported community causes through their events such as golf tournaments, purse bingos, and more, all to support numerous service projects. prgtoken The Pittston Kiwanis Club's service projects are varied, but all are focused on making a difference in the community. The Pittston Kiwanis Club supports the Pittston Library, YMCA youth programs, Care and Concern ministries, and NEPA Inclusive. The organization provides holiday parties for residents of Heavenly Manor Personal Care Home and replaces flags and holders on the graves of 1,200 veterans each year for Memorial Day. The club has also been picking up litter from Oak Street in Pittston Township several times each year for the past 30 years. Additionally, it has participated in Kiwanis International Projects such as Iodine Deficiency Disorder and Maternal Neonatal Health. prgtoken One of the most significant contributions of the Pittston Kiwanis Club to the community is its Service Leadership Programs. These programs, which includes the Pittston Area Key Club for high school students, K-Kids for elementary students in the Pittston Area, and Builders Club for students ages 12-14 at Martin Mattei, give children and young adults the opportunity to serve their schools and communities, and develop lifelong leadership skills. prgtoken For 100 years, the Pittston Kiwanis Club has been improving the world one child and one community at a time. Its commitment to service, leadership, and community has been an inspiration to all. I am honored to recognize the Pittston Kiwanis Club's many achievements and would like to congratulate its members on this important milestone.
WILDFIRE SEASON
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-5-10

I would like to highlight a potential catastrophe that may befall the Western United States in this upcoming 2023 fire season. Indeed, it is underway. A total of 196 fires have already burned a total of over 50 acres so far, and it is going to be much, much more than that since it is on the heels of wintertime when they are easier to contain. prgtoken The worst wildfires in the West are due to overgrowth and neglect of our Federal lands that are overpopulated with trees. They get too hot for conventional firefighting methods. When this occurs, fire retardant dropped prgtoken from aircraft is our best and sometimes only option. prgtoken Dropping retardant from aircraft ahead of advancing wildfire helps our firefighters who are on the ground in harm's way to maybe not get enveloped in fire and be able to do their jobs. It allows us time to organize evacuations and eventually contain and put the fire out. prgtoken A radical environmental organization is suing to have an injunction put on the use of fire retardants until firefighting agencies complete a yearslong permit process to use fire retardants. prgtoken It is ridiculous and amazing how out of touch they are to take away the tool of fire retardant dropped from aircraft to help put fires out in the West. prgtoken Congressman Panetta and I are working on a bill that we are introducing called the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act. We need this sort of thing. We need that protection.