mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EQUALITY ACT
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , I rise in opposition to H.R. 5. prgtoken Madam , H.R. 5, the so-called Equality Act, should really be called the ``Forfeiting Women's Rights Act.'' prgtoken According to multiple experts, lawyers, and organizations, H.R. 5 would indeed prohibit, in all circumstances, under penalty of Federal law, any acknowledgement of the reality of biological sex; would allow anyone at any time to declare that he or she identifies as the opposite sex, without any medical or psychological diagnosis. prgtoken It would erase women and girls' rights by requiring facilities, such as schools, churches, dormitories, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, to allow biological males who identify as women in women's bathrooms, women's and girls' shelters, women's and girls' showers, and in women's locker rooms. prgtoken This will indeed violate women's privacy and can ultimately violate their safety. prgtoken The danger to women when biological men seek to claim female identity should seem obvious, but it is being ignored by proponents of this bill. prgtoken H.R. 5 puts women at risk by promoting a Federal law that would overrule any restriction on gender identity claims and abolish the protections of biological sex-specific practices and spaces. prgtoken H.R. 5 will eliminate women and girls' sports by requiring that men and boys be allowed to compete in women's and girls' sports. This is already happening. prgtoken H.R. 5 will also require doctors to provide sex change surgeries and sex change hormones to adolescents without parental consent and without a medical or psychological diagnosis. This could permanently sterilize young girls. prgtoken H.R. 5 denies constitutional religious protections by totally eliminating the bipartisan Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was supported by so many back then, and this is being done for the first time ever since the act was passed. prgtoken Congress should only pass laws that protect women, not threaten, silence, or abandon them. prgtoken In fact, H.R. 5 puts everything that women have worked so hard to gain, opportunities and protections, at risk. prgtoken I believe that in our society, laws should seek to protect the safety and privacy of every woman and girl.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-5-17

I do want to ask about the appropriations process because I know the gentleman from Maryland had talked earlier this week about a desire to have the entire appropriations process completed by the end of June. He also talked about a robust amendment process. prgtoken I would just ask the gentleman, as we look at this week, the concerning trend that we have been talking about a few weeks now, when amendments came out of the Rules Committee this week, 26 amendments came out that were offered by , and only 1 amendment was allowed by a . prgtoken As the gentleman from Maryland talks about a robust appropriations process, I would hope he would pay closer attention to fairness in that robustness, because 26 amendments allowed and only 1 amendment allowed is surely not a fair process. It might be considered robust, but in a hyperpartisan sense. prgtoken So I hope as we get into the appropriations process the gentleman, and especially the leadership from the Rules Committee, would take into account that this is a process where the House should be able to come together and offer their ideas and let the will of the House prevail, but at least allow for that debate here on the House floor on as many amendments as possible in as fair a way as possible. prgtoken , .
MOURNING THE PASSING OF STEVE YOUNG
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , I rise today with a heavy heart, as the city of Kennewick and the greater Tri-Cities community mourns the loss of Councilman and former Mayor Steve Young. prgtoken Steve held the distinction as the second longest-serving mayor in the long history of the city of Kennewick, serving the people for nearly a decade in that role. But his service went far beyond those years. prgtoken Outside of his continued service as a councilman, Steve's footprint stretched far and wide, across not only the city of Kennewick and the Tri-Cities but the entire State of Washington. prgtoken His vision, his advocacy, and his passion for serving the community will continue on through the many contributions he provided for the Tri-Cities. prgtoken The long list of community organizations, nonprofits, and local and State boards on which Steve served rightly demonstrate just how passionate he was about serving his community. prgtoken My deepest condolences go out to Steve's wife, Anita. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and the entire Young family. prgtoken May my friend rest in peace. We will miss him.
FALLEN OFFICER REMEMBRANCE--NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2019
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , earlier this week, the 38th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service honored the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice upholding the rule of law and protecting the people of our great nation. Last year, Mississippi lost five officers in the line of duty. I'd like to honor them as we remember their service and sacrifice. Please join me in honoring: Police Officer Emmett Paul Morris prgtoken Emmett Paul Morris, 61, lost his life in the Line of Duty May 17, 2018, in a vehicle crash. He served with the Raleigh Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Dean King Morris; daughter, Candice Lea Morris; son, Paul Scott Morris; three step sons; and twelve grandchildren. He served with the Reservoir Police Department prior to his service with Raleigh Police Department. Corporal Walter Zachery Moak prgtoken Walter Zachery Moak, 31, lost his life in the Line of Duty September 29, 2018, by gunfire. He was employed with the Brookhaven Police Department for three years and had previously worked for the Wesson Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriffs Department. Zach devoted his time to his family and enjoyed working with and helping people in his community. Patrolman James Kevin White prgtoken James Kevin White, 35, also lost his life in the Line of Duty September 29, 2018, by gunfire. He was employed with the Brookhaven Police Department for 3 months and was previously employed with Lawrence County Sheriffs Department, where he worked for many years. He was a soldier in the Army National Guard and served his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. James was a Purple Heart recipient. He is survived by two children. Patrol Officer LeAnn Simpson prgtoken LeAnn Simpson, 23, lost her life in the Line of Duty November 24, 2018, in a vehicle crash. She worked with the Philadelphia Police Department for 15 months. She was also a U.S. Army veteran joining the U.S. Army at the age of 17. She is survived by her parents, James and Wilma Simpson-McMillan, three sisters and four brothers. Police Officer Robert McKeithen prgtoken Robert McKeithen, 58, lost his life in the Line of Duty May 5, 2019, by gunfire. Officer McKeithan was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He had served with the Biloxi Police Department for 24 years and was planning on retiring by the end of the year. He received the Medal of Valor when he risked his life to save four children during Hurricane Katrina. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was deeply involved in his community. He is survived by his wife, daughter, stepdaughter, and two stepsons. prgtoken Ronald Reagan once said, ``there can be no more noble vocation than the protection of one's fellow citizens.'' May we remember these brave officers, their service to protecting our communities, and the sacrifice they made for the people who call
EQUALITY ACT
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , there are some fundamental principles that we all ought to be able to agree on: Don't hurt other people; respect the right of doctors to do no harm; respect the right of parents to protect their children. prgtoken Now, the bill before us today could have affirmed the right of every adult to declare their own gender consistent with these principles. Unfortunately, it violates these principles in the most fundamental ways. And this isn't speculation. Many States have already adopted similar laws, so we can see, firsthand, the result of them. prgtoken This bill harms people in so many ways: destroying safe spaces for women, undermining women-owned businesses, intimidating the free exercise of conscience. But let me concentrate on one aspect, the destructive impact it has on women's sports. prgtoken Wherever these laws are imposed, biological males have begun to dominate women's competitions. Listen to 16-year-old Selina Soule of Connecticut. She tells the story of qualifying for the prestigious Middletown Invite. prgtoken She says this: ``Eight of us lined up at the starting line . . . but when six of us were only about three-quarters into the race, two girls were already across the finish line. . . . What just happened? Two boys identifying as girls happened. Fair is no longer the norm. The chance to advance, the chance to win has been all over for us. . . . I missed the chance to compete in the New England Championship this past season because of this.'' prgtoken And she goes on to say: ``The CAAC won't listen to my voice, but I hope Congress will. . . . H.R. 5 will endanger women and girls of all ages by opening up every sports team in the country to any male who self-identifies as female. This policy will take away our medals, records, scholarships, and dreams.'' prgtoken And we know this will happen because it already has. And we know it is the intent of the bill because Congressman Steube offered an amendment: ``Nothing in this act may be construed to require a biological female to face competition from a biological male in any sporting event.'' The voted it down on a party-line vote. prgtoken Sorry, Selina, but if you are looking for fairness from this majority, you have come to the wrong place. prgtoken Now, this bill could have protected the professional judgment of doctors, but it doesn't. At our hearing on May 1, Mr. Cicilline said: ``What H.R. 5 does is to ensure that transgender people, including young people, are not denied care because of their gender identity.'' prgtoken Well, what is care for gender identity? Cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, and surgery. Refuse to provide it on the self-diagnosis of a child and you have just broken the law. prgtoken Indeed, Johns Hopkins University, which pioneered sex reassignment surgery, stopped the practice because they saw the long-term harm it did to their patients. prgtoken And w
TRIBUTE TO TOMMY TICE
Steve Womack (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-5-17

I rise today to honor one of Arkansas' most successful football coaches, Tommy Tice of Huntsville, Arkansas, who retires this month after 42 years in coaching and athletic administration. prgtoken Coach Tice coached more football games as a head coach than anyone in Arkansas history: 454 games. He had a combined record of 288 wins, 160 losses, and 6 ties, an overall winning percentage of 63 percent. prgtoken He was selected head coach of the Arkansas All-Star football game six times. He had a State championship, 13 conference titles, and 19 playoff appearances. prgtoken An Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee in 2016, Coach Tice has been a teacher and mentor to dozens of coaches throughout the State of Arkansas. prgtoken He is one of my best friends, and I can't think of anyone more impactful on student-athletes than Coach Tommy Tice. I congratulate him on a remarkable career, and I wish him well in his retirement.
COMBATING BDS AND ANTI-SEMITISM
Jackie Walorski (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , I rise today to stand with America's friend and ally Israel against a rising tide of anti-Semitism and the dangerous Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, or BDS movement. prgtoken BDS is a form of economic warfare aimed at marginalizing the world's only Jewish state. This radical agenda rejects Israel's right to self- defense and seeks to destroy its economy. prgtoken The House must stand with Israel and pass H.R. 336, the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East prgtoken Act. This commonsense bill would combat the BDS movement by supporting State and local governments that choose not to contract with companies that discriminate against Israel. prgtoken It already passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. Sadly, Pelosi refuses to allow a vote. prgtoken I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 336. This week, I signed a discharge petition to ensure it gets a vote on the House floor. prgtoken Madam , s and must send a strong signal against anti-Semitism and the anti-Israel BDS movement. We need a vote on H.R. 336.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF JASON DOMBKOWSKI
James R. Baird (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-5-17

I rise today to recognize Jason Dombkowski, who is retiring after 25 years of faithful public service with the West Lafayette Police Department. Jason has been the Chief of Police at the department for 11 years, serving his fellow officers and community with integrity and professionalism. prgtoken He received his master's degree in Technology, Leadership, and Innovation from Purdue University, and has completed the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, the FBI National Academy at Quantico, and the U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Protection Programs, among others. prgtoken In addition to his remarkable career, Jason remains a steadfast pillar in the community, known for his commitment, leadership, and service. He serves on the YWCA board, and has been a board member for the Red Cross, Lafayette Crisis Center, the Lafayette Catholic Diocese Bishop's Review Board. prgtoken He also volunteers with the ``Shop With a Cop'' program and coaches a youth flag football team. prgtoken He and his wife, Cristie, have four children, and reside in West Lafayette. prgtoken Congratulations on your retirement, Jason. I know you will continue to serve our community well in your new capacity, and I wish you the very best.
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-5-20

I come to the floor to speak about two different subjects. One of them will be just 1 minute, and that deals with the fact that May is National Foster Care Month. I want to mention a couple of things about foster care because of my work in that area for the last 25 years. prgtoken I have often heard from young people that they wish someone had helped their parents so that they could have stayed together as a family. We can work in Congress to improve the foster care system, but, ultimately, kids need a family. prgtoken That is why I was proud to support the Family First Prevention Services Act. This bill will help families to stay together by funding proven services and support for parents. As the implementation process continues on this new piece of legislation, I will work to ensure that this legislation succeeds for families across the country, because for two-and-a-half decades I have been hearing from these young people in foster care: I would like to have a home, and I would like to have a mom and dad.
S. 820
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-20

one of the favorite parts of my job is welcoming Texans to Washington to talk about issues that they care passionately about. Something I have noticed, though, is that it doesn't matter if they are here to talk about healthcare, taxes, infrastructure, or fever ticks. The same question always seems to come up. They say: Judging by what I see in the news, it looks like nothing ever gets done around here; is that true? prgtoken I always remind them that compromise and agreement is not exactly clickbait. So while some of the bills we are working on may not consume Twitter feeds, there is a lot of great work being done here on a daily basis. prgtoken One example of that great work came last Thursday when the Senate passed the Debbie Smith Act of 2019, a major bipartisan achievement that would support victims of sexual assault across the country. prgtoken I would be negligent if I didn't acknowledge the Presiding Officer's contribution to that great effort in the Senate Judiciary Committee, for which I am grateful. prgtoken The namesake of this bill is an incredibly brave woman whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the years, and I admire her tremendously. Debbie Smith is a fierce advocate for survivors of sexual assault and a champion for victims' rights, and she has become one of the most prominent voices in the fight to eliminate the rape kit backlog. prgtoken Sadly, Debbie's advocacy was born from a personal tragedy. In 1989, she was at home doing laundry when a stranger broke into her home. He blindfolded her, abducted her, and took her to a wooded area behind her home where he robbed and repeatedly raped her. prgtoken She reported the crime to the police and went to the emergency room for a forensic exam, but as days, months, and years passed, no answers came. She anxiously waited for her attacker to be identified and brought to justice, but it would end up being years before she saw that justice being done. Like millions of others across the country, Debbie's case became part of the long list of those frozen in time because of the debilitating rape kit backlog. prgtoken Though exact numbers are difficult to estimate, some experts estimate that hundreds of thousands of rape kits remain untested in the United States--a fact that should upset each and every one of us. Each of those untested rape kits represents a victim who is waiting for answers, who has to wonder each day who their attacker was, when will they show up again, and where are they now. Each piece of DNA evidence holds the key to apprehending a violent criminal and finally providing victims with some peace of mind. prgtoken For Debbie, it took 6\1/2\ years before the identity of her attacker was discovered. She has made it her mission in life to ensure that no other woman has to agonize for that long. The Debbie Smith Act was originally signed into law in 2004 to provide State and local crime labs the resources they need
TRIBUTE TO CADET COLONEL SHELBY PETERSON
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-5-20

today I have the honor of recognizing Civil Air Patrol Cadet Colonel Shelby Petersen of Kalispell. Cadet Colonel Petersen is the first Montanan since 2004 to receive the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, which is the Civil Air Patrol's highest cadet honor. prgtoken The Spaatz Award is given to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education. The selection process is extremely rigorous, and only 5 out of every 1,000 cadets earns the award. Cadet Colonel Petersen joined the Civil Air Patrol at the age of 12, following in the footsteps of her older brother. From day 1, her goal was to become squadron commander and win the Spaatz Award. She has thrived as a member of the Flathead Composite Squadron, receiving 18 promotions and achieving her goal of becoming the squadron commander. I had the pleasure of meeting Cadet Colonel Petersen in March 2018, when she was selected to participate in the prestigious Civil Air Patrol Leadership Academy. There, cadets spend a week in Washington, DC, and gain greater insight into the inner workings of government through meetings with Members of Congress, the State Department, and the intelligence community. She is an outstanding young Montanan who understands what it means to put service before self. prgtoken As squadron commander, she has taken a keen interest in mentoring younger cadets and pushes them to set and meet high expectations for themselves. In fact, her final assignment as a Civil Air Patrol cadet is cadet commander for this summer's Civil Air Patrol boot camp. prgtoken Cadet Colonel Petersen is currently finishing her senior year at Glacier High School in Kalispell and upon graduation will enlist in the Marine Corps to continue her service to our country. I congratulate Cadet Colonel Petersen on winning the Spaatz Award, and I thank her for her service. I know that she will continue to make her community and Montana proud.
TRIBUTE TO CHRISTOPHER E. O'CONNOR
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-5-20

today I am proud to recognize in the Record the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, OCLA, Christopher E. O'Connor, in honor of his upcoming retirement. Mr. O'Connor recently received the VA's Exceptional Service Award for his long record of service to our Nation's veterans. prgtoken Mr. O'Connor has advised four VA Secretaries, four acting VA Secretaries, and their legislative teams as prgtoken they have worked with Congress to make a stronger and more effective department for America's veterans. He has provided continuity in the Department's communication with Congress during the shift of executive administrations. prgtoken Most recently, Mr. O'Connor worked with our committee on the VA MISSION Act, which is a major reform in veterans' healthcare. He also helped inform Members of Congress about the need to modernize the department's antiquated electronic health records system, and he played a key role as the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act made its way through Congress. prgtoken Under his leadership, Mr. O'Connor and his team prepared VA's senior leaders to successfully participate in more than 400 congressional hearings. Their office also coordinated thousands of informational briefings to Members of Congress, committee staff, and personal staff that advanced VA's message and priorities. prgtoken Upon his upcoming retirement, Mr. O'Connor leaves the Department with an important legacy. In 2017, Mr. O'Connor spearheaded the Congressional Fellowship Program, which places VA employees in a yearlong fellowship position in the office of a Member of Congress. prgtoken Today, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. O'Connor for his service to our country and his steadfast commitment to advocating on behalf of veterans throughout his career. Congratulations to Mr. O'Connor on his lasting legacy of advocacy for veterans, and I wish him the best in his retirement.