mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NORTH KOREA DIPLOMACY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-3-22

I wanted to come to the American people because I truly believe that when it comes to the national security of this Nation, we are of one belief, one faith, and singularly committed to the security of each and every American. I know that because our hearts break when any of our men and women fall in battle while wearing that uniform. prgtoken I have spent a lot of time with families who have lost loved ones throughout the wars that have occurred during my tenure in the United States Congress. I have been to the veterans' cemetery. I have joined my neighbors on Memorial Day. I have held my own Memorial Day commemoration for at least the last 5 years. Neighbors have come out from all over the community to honor those who live and served our Nation, but those who have fallen as well. prgtoken I believe it is important, then, to evidence in your congressional work as well as evidence in this country, through the leaders who are serving this Nation, being truthful as well as diplomatic. I have no quarrel with the issues of diplomacy. General Leave
TRIBUTE TO MARY ANNE SCIUTO
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-3-22

today, I wish to recognize Mary Anne Sciuto for more than 38 years of service to the Federal Government. As Boston's first full-time congressional liaison, Mary Anne will retire at the end of March from her post as district congressional lead at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Boston district office. prgtoken Mary Anne's expertise, combined with her eagerness to assist the people of Massachusetts, has been an invaluable resource to me and my staff. Throughout her venerated career, she has assisted countless immigrants and refugees and has made the difference for individuals and families who dream of making the United States their home. Though navigating our Nation's immigration system can be a long and complicated process, Mary Anne is widely known for her patience and compassion. She has continually provided my office with important advice and training to ensure that we best meet the needs of our constituents. While she will be sorely missed, her legacy of helping and mentoring so many during her long career will live on. prgtoken My staff and I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mary Anne for her years of dedicated service and wish her well as she embarks on this next chapter in her life. prgtoken Congratulations, Mary Anne, and thank you for the enormous contributions you have made to the community, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America.
TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-3-22

although I support the inclusion of a $2.7 billion increase for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery, this funding only nibbles at the edge of the problem. This is a national crisis. It must be reflected in a real plan to meet the crisis, including funding priorities. No matter how many fighters or tanks we have, America will not be strong abroad if vast segments of our own population are dying here at home--more than in traffic accidents, more than from major diseases--from opioid and drug abuse. prgtoken This bill is a fair compromise, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' despite some of the major provisions that are not in there that break our hearts. prgtoken The American people are counting on us to run our Nation's ship of State. Let's do that today. General Leave
TRIBUTES TO THAD COCHRAN
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-3-22

I wanted to pay tribute to my colleague Thad Cochran as he retires from the Senate after almost 40 years of service. prgtoken Former Senator Margaret Chase Smith once said, ``Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be complete dedication to the people and the nation.'' Senator Thad Cochran brought that dedication to the Senate every day. During his tenure, Senator Cochran has served as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, using those positions to help the people of Mississippi. The Senator's commitment to help alleviate the poverty in the Mississippi delta is well documented. prgtoken As Senator Cochran ends this chapter of his life, I wish him well and thank him for the decency and courtesy that he consistently brought to the Senate. We are better for it.
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. ALFRED NYHOLM LARSEN
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise to recognize the distinguished life and distinguished career of 98 year-old Mr. Alfred Nyholm Larsen of Bellingham, Washington. prgtoken Mr. Larsen is a World War II, U.S. Navy veteran who served in the United States, Europe and Asia. prgtoken Mr. Larsen also worked under the ACTION program which oversaw federal volunteer programs such as Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). prgtoken He created the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, which is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the country for individuals 55 or older. prgtoken He is a proud father of four and is spending his retirement in his home state of Washington. prgtoken I would like to thank and recognize Mr. Larsen for his commitment to the state of Washington and his service to this country.
RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PLYMOUTH REGIONAL SENIOR CENTER
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise today to offer my sincere congratulations to the Plymouth Regional Senior Center on its 25th anniversary. prgtoken The Plymouth Regional Senior Center gives people across Grafton County a place to come together and share experiences, and it provides valuable resources and programs that help our elder citizens maintain their health and wellbeing. I remain committed to doing all I can to ensure that seniors in the Granite State have the resources and support they need. prgtoken On behalf of my constituents across New Hampshire's Second Congressional District, I thank the Plymouth Regional Senior Center for the great service it provides to the Granite State and congratulate the Center again on 25 years of operation. I look forward to our continued work together in making New Hampshire an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise today in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This type of cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. prgtoken Each March, we raise awareness about this terrible disease and spread the word about the importance of getting screened. If you are 45 years or older, please get yourself screened early. prgtoken The disease poses an especially high risk to African-American men and women who have the highest rate of death and the lowest survival rate among all Americans. This is why I am proud to support funding for programs like the Colorectal Cancer Control Program, which was established specifically to address disparities in screening rates and to improve access to underserved populations. prgtoken Along with the Affordable Care Act, which requires the coverage of screening tests, we can provide the healthcare that Americans need to stay cancer free.
TRIBUTE TO COURTLIN La'SHAWN ARRINGTON
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2018-3-22

today I rise to honor the life of a young student leader and bright light in the Birmingham community, Courtlin La'Shawn Arrington. Courtlin was a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and a senior at Huffman High School who passed in a tragic act of gun violence on March 7, 2018. Courtlin was an outstanding student, with an engaging personality and a big heart. I speak for Birmingham when I say that we are devastated by her loss. Courtlin was a part of our community and she will be greatly missed. Courtlin was born on April 17, 2000 to Tynesha Tatum and Courtney Arrington at Cooper Green Hospital in Birmingham, AL. She was educated in the Birmingham City School System and was a graduating Senior at Huffman High School. Courtlin had dreams of becoming a nurse. According to her family members, nursing was a family career and Courtlin had dreamed of being a nurse since she was very young. Just a few months shy of graduation, Courtlin planned to work as a nurse's assistant until she earned her RN. The faculty, students and staff of Huffman High School remember Courtlin as a constant source of enthusiasm, intelligence, and beauty both inside and out. They believed there was no limit to what she may have achieved. Her sister Tamera Tatum said Courtlin never had any doubt that she would become a nurse after graduation, and that whatever she put her mind to, she was able to achieve. Courtlin had the same unstoppable attitude. She believed that anything was possible with the right attitude and hard work. Before her tragic death, Courtlin was on the road to living her dreams, and had even received acceptance letters from several colleges. Outside of the classroom, Courtlin was more than a dedicated student and aspiring nurse. To her friends, she will be remembered as an exceptional, loving person who cared deeply about the people around her. Courtlin was a beloved sister to her siblings, brother and sister Gera'Mich and Tamera, lovingly known as the ``Trio 3.'' Courtlin and her siblings cherished their time together, with Courtlin often taking on a motherly role in the group. She was fun, she was caring, and when she needed to, she kept her brother and sister in line. Courtlin relied heavily on her faith, confessing Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very early age. She relied on her faith in God to carry her through both the good and bad in life and she enjoyed visiting various churches in the greater Birmingham area. One of her favorite churches to visit was The Rock Church where Pastor Mike McClure taught her the importance of her Christian duties. She exhibited those teachings in wanting to help others. She believed her passion for nursing to be her life's ministry. For the community of Birmingham, Courtlin's passing hits especially hard, pushing students and adults in the area to demand something better. Courtlin's family hopes her death will bring change--change in school safety measures and
TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise today in support of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2018. While no bill of this size is ever truly perfect, the legislation contains a number of provisions that support important programs that Americans rely on. prgtoken The bill invests in critical priorities like child care; transportation and infrastructure; medical prgtoken research; opioid abuse; veterans' health insurance and much more. Community Health Centers, which provide essential help all throughout my district will receive an extra $135 million increase over last year's total to expand addiction prevention and treatment services. Also, children's providers will get a boost in their reimbursement rates under the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Protecting the health of our children should be one of our first priorities as Members of Congress and I am glad to sec this bill do so. prgtoken That National Institute of Health will also receive a $3 billion boost in funding, allowing new research that could lead to cures for ailments and disease that have gone untreatable. The bill also includes $500 million to drive the development of alternative pain medicine, so that people may choose a pain management treatment that does not involve the risk of opioids. prgtoken While I am disappointed that this bill does not address DACA recipients, I will continue to push my colleagues to come together to address this pressing issue. President 's campaign promise to deport 2 to 3 million people is contrary to the values that make this country great. Not only will his empty promise separate families, but it'll negatively affect the future of our economic stability. Our country depends on the hard working young men and women who are pursuing their dreams to become doctors, engineers and members of the Armed Forces. We are stronger as a nation when we embrace immigrants and their contributions to our communities and shouldn't vilify them. prgtoken I am also pleased to see that the bill does not include any funding for construction of new sections of a border wall. Texas has seven hundred miles of border with Mexico and trade with Mexico drives much of our economy in the region. While border security is essential, and this bill addresses that with money for refurbishment of existing structures and fencing, the President's proposal would simply amount to a large waste of money.
TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY P. CAMPBELL
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-3-22

today I wish to recognize and extend my sincerest congratulations and happy birthday wishes to Dorothy P. Campbell, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on March 23, 2018. prgtoken Dorothy was born in Langdon, NH, on March 23, 1918, to Frank and Frances Pelton. On October 4, 1936, Dorothy married Rodney H.J. Campbell, and together, they raised 11 children in the same town where Dorothy was born. Dorothy is extremely proud of her 32 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren. prgtoken Dorothy spent several years as a homemaker before beginning work as a spinner in a local mill. Dorothy also drove a school bus before her retirement. Today Dorothy spends her free time playing cribbage, completing puzzles, reading, and crocheting. In the last 10 years, Dorothy has crocheted nearly 160 blankets for each of her family members and for several charities. As an active member in her community, Dorothy is involved in the Congregational Church, the Langdon Community Club, and the Warren Pond Grange. prgtoken I hope you join me, Dorothy's friends and family, and many people in the town of Langdon and across the Granite State in wishing Dorothy Campbell a very happy 100th birthday.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1625, TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND PROVIDING FOR PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 23...
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-3-22

I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), the chairman of the Rules Committee and my friend, for the customary 30 minutes. prgtoken , I first want to thank the distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee for his thoughtfulness in the aftermath of the passing of our dear friend, the former chairwoman of the Rules Committee, Louise Slaughter. We appreciate his support. We appreciate the support of all the members on the Rules Committee, especially for the ic staff, but we are truly grateful for all of his consideration and for all of his remembrances of our friend. We want him to know it means a great deal to all of us, so we thank him. prgtoken I also want to take this opportunity to once again wish the chairman of the Rules Committee a happy birthday. I had the honor to be with him at 1:30 in the morning yesterday and to wish him happy birthday then. So we will wish him happy birthday again at 9:30 in the morning, and we wish him many, many more. prgtoken , you know, here we are, and I am kind of at a loss for words. There is really not a lot to say. We are here, yet again, facing another manufactured and totally avoidable crisis. prgtoken You know, what on Earth will it take for the leadership of this Congress to actually step up to the plate and start governing? prgtoken Because this process that is bringing us this bill today, I don't think, represents good governing. prgtoken We have seen five continuing resolutions. We have seen two government shutdowns in less than 6 months. It is mind-boggling. It takes my breath away. prgtoken , s control the House, they control the Senate, they control the White House; but the truth is that it turns out that they can't govern. Governing is hard work. It takes skill. It takes compromise. It is not all press conferences and it is not all tweets. It takes leadership. prgtoken So I would encourage our colleagues to cut the nonsense and get down to business. We can't keep on embracing processes like the one that we are seeing unfold today. Give the American people the certainty they deserve, fund this government the right way. But this process that brings us this omnibus today, I think, is disappointing not just to , but to a lot of s as well. prgtoken Now, as lousy as this process was to get here, there are some things in this agreement that we can be enthusiastic about. We are encouraged by increases in spending for domestic priorities, like infrastructure, education, medical research, and support for our veterans, among other things. These are things that are of great importance to Members on the ic side. prgtoken We are pleased that the negotiators on our side of the aisle worked diligently to remove poison pill riders, and they fought to limit the construction of the President's stupid border wall. prgtoken Our enthusiasm is tempered because of what else might be in the bill,
IN MEMORY OF MR. LARRY VINCENT GREEN
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-3-22

today, I would like to honor the memory of a devout public community leader, Council Member Larry Vincent Green. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green was born on May 16, 1965 in Houston, Texas. He was raised in the Hiram Clarke community along with his older brother, David Alan Green and his younger sister, Melanie Gail Green. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green earned his Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Houston and a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green was a tenacious and successful trial lawyer for over 25 years. He was an advocate for those who had been discriminated against and successfully won several high profile cases on behalf of his clients. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green was devoted to education. He left Houston in 2007, and joined the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in Washington, D.C. Working alongside the CEO, he raised unprecedented federal and philanthropic support for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and its member institutions. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green was a longtime community advocate as well as former CEO of Houston Works USA, the leading provider of services focusing on job placement, continuing education, and vocational training to more than 1 million individuals annually. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green was sworn into office as the first Council Member of the newly formed District K, spanning from the edge of the Texas Medical Center to Fort Bend County in January 2012. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green worked tirelessly during his first term to bring over $20 million worth of economic development projects to District K including a police station, neighborhood reconstruction, a senior citizen center, and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone in two of the district's neighborhoods. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green continued to spearhead and support several efforts such as insuring the inclusion of women-owned businesses' in Houston's affirmative action contracting program, as well as the countless projects of Rebuild Houston overseen by the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Council Committee, of which Council Member Green was Chair. prgtoken Council Member Larry Green devoted his life to improving the community through his efforts as a Member of the Houston City Council, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and several other well-known national and local organizations. prgtoken Finally, , Council Member Larry Green will be missed dearly by his brother, David Alan Green and his sister, Melanie Gail Green; as well as the constituents of District K and his other family members and friends. May he rest in the peace he has earned through his devotion to the community.
TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-22

first of all, let me thank our ranking member for yielding, but also for her tireless work day and night to really help shape this bill to be, in many ways, a bipartisan bill. prgtoken Also, I thank all of our ranking members. The input that they received from all of us and our staff and the phenomenal work that they have done has just been amazing in spite of the circumstances. So I just have to thank them and Leader Pelosi for all of their very diligent work. prgtoken Almost 6 months after the deadline, though, for the fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill, this 2,232-page omnibus was released late last night. Now, less than 24 hours later, we are about to vote on a bill that really no one has had the time to read. I don't know who in this body has read this bill. We would have had to read 100 pages per hour to get through this bill. prgtoken Does anybody here read that fast, 100 pages per hour? prgtoken What kind of informed decisions are we making with this last-minute rush for a vote? prgtoken This is no way, , to run a government. prgtoken However, yes, this omnibus has some really good provisions in it. It eliminates hundreds of poison pill riders ranging from efforts to defund Planned Parenthood to dismantling of critical labor and consumer protections. I am very grateful for that. prgtoken Many good provisions include a new competitive grant which we have been working on for years for computer science funding for young girls and people of color. We include increases in job training, education, and family relief, as well as for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. My State has the highest number of students coming to HBCUs; so I am very grateful for those increases. prgtoken Even with these increases, , the omnibus bill still falls so far short of what we need to just return to the funding levels before the sequester 8 years ago. Adjusted for inflation, we are still way below the 2010 levels for domestic spending. What is worse, while underfunding our needs here at home, this bill includes an increase in $80 billion in defense. This includes the overseas contingency fund which really is a slush fund for the Pentagon to fund these wars off- budget. prgtoken We know that the Pentagon doesn't need this excessive increase in funding to ensure our national security.