mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WELCOMING RABBI BARRY BLOCK
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-1-10

today I rise with my friend John Boozman, former Member of this House and now a Senator from Arkansas, to welcome today's guest chaplain, my dear friend, Rabbi Barry Block of Congregation B'nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas. prgtoken Realizing his love for reformed Judaism at a young age, Rabbi Block earned his master of arts in Hebrew letters from Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion before being ordained 3 years following completion of his degree. prgtoken Having devoted much of his life to the church, Rabbi Block found his way to Congregation B'nai Israel in my hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2013, after serving over 20 years at Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas. prgtoken He has served Reform Judaism nationally and regionally as a member of the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and chair of its resolutions and nominating committees and as president of the Southwest Association of Reform Rabbis. prgtoken He is the loving father of his two sons, Robert and Daniel. prgtoken I want to thank Rabbi Block for his gracing us with a wonderful opening prayer and wish him, his family, and his congregation continued success in our community of Little Rock.
WEAPONIZATION OF LANGUAGE
Steve King (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-1-10

it is my honor to be recognized to address you here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. prgtoken I come to the floor today, , because this is the 1-year anniversary of the date that a disparaging misquote in The New York Times was posted, January 10 of 2019, this being January 10 of 2020. prgtoken I am hopeful that this new year we have, 2020, will bring about some clarity of vision on the part of my colleagues, the American people, and I don't know that I have as much hope for the press. But this day, a year ago today, I was misquoted by The New York Times. The Times alleged that I had used three terms and asked, why does that language become offensive? prgtoken Well, the truth is that it was a 56-minute telephone interview, a call on my cell phone. I didn't have a way to tape it. But I have a practice over the years, I have done interviews with any kind of media I can think of, and if I don't have a means to tape what I say to them, I make it a point not to repeat anything, say anything that I haven't already said to the press. That way, there is nothing new out there for them to take and manipulate it in the article. prgtoken When that phone rang that morning on the 5th of January, 2019, if that is a prgtoken Friday morning, about 8:35 in the morning, I took the call. I would have preferred to have done it in the office, but sometimes you need to get some work done and move on to other things, and that was part of the incentive. prgtoken The reporter for The New York Times told me that he had been assigned by his chief editor to write an article about how it is that the immigration policy that I have advocated for at least since the first days I came to this Congress and years before that, so sometime around 2000 or so, that that immigration policy of build the wall, end birthright citizenship, enforce the rule of law, end the sanctuary cities, and the list of other things that have been part of what I have championed along the way here in this Congress, he was assigned to write an article about how it was that our President had adopted my immigration positions and gotten elected on those immigration positions, and now the national debate was surrounding the very topics that I had talked about for so long. prgtoken So we embarked upon a 56-minute interview. He didn't have a tape, and I didn't have a tape. I know he didn't have a tape for a couple of reasons. One of them was that, on an occasion or two, he asked me to carefully repeat the statement I had made so that he could type it down and get it accurate. That told me that was one he is going to quote. It wasn't the one of controversy, however. prgtoken Then the second piece of it was that we asked him on the telephone the following week: Do you have a tape? prgtoken His answer was: Why do you want to know? prgtoken In that phone call, he would not answer the question as to whether he had a tape. We found out later o
RECOGNIZING OFFICERS OF UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-1-10

in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I rise today to recognize the officers of the United States Capitol Police force for their heroic actions to save lives as part of their highly trained and committed service to this congressional community throughout 2019. prgtoken When they heard the radio call about an unresponsive individual in a car, two officers responded and ultimately saved the life of a man who had suffered a heart attack. prgtoken Officers administered tactical combat casualty care to the victim of a shooting and helped get that person to a hospital. prgtoken Three officers saved the life of a man who, shockingly, had a heart attack during his visit to this Capitol Building. prgtoken These are only a few occasions in an impressive list of heroic actions. We owe our gratitude to all of the officers of the United States Capitol Police force for the hard work they do here. prgtoken I thank all of the police force for going the extra mile; not only protecting and defending us here in the congressional community, but for all they do in all of our communities.
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2019
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican, WA) \u2014 2020-1-10

this motion is the last opportunity to amend the bill, and it does so without delay in passage. prgtoken We all agree that PFAS chemicals that present health risks to the public should be cleaned up as quickly as possible, but it should be done according to the best available science. prgtoken The majority often likes to claim that they are the party of science. Unfortunately, this bill ignores science and facts for scoring political talking points by grouping together an entire class of PFAS chemicals. Some of these chemicals are essential to lifesaving medical devices; others provide for cutting-edge technologies in aerospace that are critical to our national security. prgtoken By ignoring scientific evidence, this bill would kill innovations that could help further lift people's standard of living and save lives. prgtoken I understand and share frustrations for slow cleanup of the dangerous PFAS chemicals. In my own district, Fairchild Air Force Base and Airway Heights, Washington, are dealing with PFAS. However, we just passed bipartisan legislation based on science through the NDAA that will ensure that affected communities are cleaned up quickly. This bill would ignore those efforts. prgtoken It is unprecedented that Congress would unilaterally classify chemicals under CERCLA. By doing so, Congress will designate communities like Airway Heights a Superfund site, significantly harming their ability to attract new investments and hurting property values. prgtoken Instead of trying to score political points, we should be proud of the bipartisan achievement of the NDAA and continue to work to clean up our communities and get results. prgtoken This amendment is a good faith effort to improve this legislation in a way that enhances its efforts to protect all Americans from harmful chemicals. prgtoken Section 5 of H.R. 535 seeks to guarantee protection of vulnerable populations from potential PFAS dangers in their drinking waters. It states that the new rules ``shall be protective of the health of subpopulations at greater risk.'' prgtoken The Safe Drinking Water Act already identifies pregnant women as an at-risk group. However, there is not just one. When it comes to pregnant women who are at risk, there are two people at risk: the pregnant woman and the unborn child. prgtoken The science is clear. Technology today allows us to look inside the womb. We see the baby's development day by day, week by week. That person is the most vulnerable population that should be protected. prgtoken This motion to recommit is simple; it is clear; it is direct. It clarifies that the protection of vulnerable populations must include any unborn child. prgtoken Yesterday, Chairman Pallone recognized the potential harm these chemicals can have on child development. Today, Pelosi reiterated the importance of protecting expectant mothers. By rejecting this amendment, you would be further denying the science of the development of a chi
CONGRATULATING BRIAN HINTZ ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
Kenny Marchant (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Brian Hintz on his well-earned retirement from the Grapevine Police Department after more than twenty years of dedicated service. prgtoken Brian is a hardworking and highly respected Senior Officer at the Grapevine Police Department. He has honorably served as an officer in the state of Texas since beginning his distinguished career with the Midland Police Department in August of 1990. During his time in Midland, Brian served as a K-9 officer along with his K-9 partners, Lex and Rio. prgtoken In 1999, Brian joined the Grapevine Police Department where he has served for more than two decades with the K-9 unit. Attaining the rank of Senior Officer, Brian has received numerous recognitions throughout his career, including the 2014 Medal of Valor and the 2016 Life Saving Award. Furthermore, Brian, along with his K-9 partners Darby and Brinkley, have won numerous K-9 competition awards, advancing to the United States Police Canine Association Nationals. Brian's commitment to service is apparent through these outstanding achievements, and his dedication to continuing his law enforcement career is demonstrated through the 6,791 training hours that he has accumulated. prgtoken Madam , it is an honor to recognize the exhaustive work that Brian has contributed to the City of Grapevine and the state of Texas. I applaud his work and ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Senior Officer Brian Hintz for his many years of service.
HONORING VIC POWER
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-1-10

I rise today to recognize Mr. Vic Power, who retired as the owner of Kevin Barry's Irish Pub in Savannah on December 31, 2019. prgtoken Kevin Barry's Irish Pub was not only a stalwart of locally owned business in downtown Savannah, but also an excellent representation of Irish heritage in our city. prgtoken Although Irish individuals have been calling Savannah home since its founding, the Irish potato famine in the mid-1800s caused an influx of migration to Savannah. By 1860, one in three White households could claim Irish heritage. prgtoken Today, Savannah has one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the prgtoken world. This is why it is fitting that, when Kevin Barry's Irish Pub opened in Savannah in 1980, it was the first Irish pub south of Washington, D.C to offer live music 7 days a week. prgtoken With its live Irish music, cozy interior, topnotch customer service, and quality food, it quickly became a mainstay. In 2016, Kevin Barry's even won an award for being the most authentic Irish pub outside of Ireland. prgtoken With Mr. Power's retirement, Kevin Barry's will be sorely missed. prgtoken We congratulate Mr. Power on his retirement. We thank him for letting all Savannahians and visitors, alike, enjoy Kevin Barry's for the last 40 years.
HONORING CHARLES HOWARD BRADSHAW
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Madam , I rise to honor Charles Howard Bradshaw, a Fire Department Chief and business owner in Henry County, and his wife Sherri, who died on December 13, 2019. Mr. Bradshaw was a tremendous contributor to Henry County and his presence will be missed. prgtoken Mr. Bradshaw was president of Triangle Electric Corporation, a privately-owned and operated business since 1965, but had also long served as a first responder. In the 1980s, Mr. Bradshaw was employed with the Fieldale Police Department. Since 2007, he had been Chief of the Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department. In 2010, he was honored as Outstanding Firefighter for the month of May and Fire Officer of the year. prgtoken In addition to his business and first responder activities, Mr. Bradshaw served on the Henry County Building Board of Appeal. prgtoken In 2010, he was recognized for his many years volunteering with Henry County by receiving the Jack Dalton Community Service Award. prgtoken Charles and Sherri Bradshaw are survived by their daughter, Ashlee Bradshaw (James Hill); son, Michael Bradshaw (Crystal Beckett); sister- in-law, Barbara Bradshaw; grandchildren, Hunter, Logan, Lauren, Rylee, Nikole and Jordan; nephew, Jonathan Bradshaw (Elisha); and several other nieces and nephews. prgtoken Henry County and the Commonwealth of Virginia were fortunate to have a great volunteer, leader, and businessman in their community. I offer my condolences to the Bradshaw family, the volunteers of the Horsepasture Fire Department, and the people of Henry County on their loss.
HONORING THE LIFE OF NEEDHAM SLADE HURST
Susan W. Brooks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Needham Slade Hurst, a renowned Hoosier business executive and dedicated community leader. His passion and drive for excellence led him to successes as a student, army officer, and business executive. Needham's philanthropic and community service helped to uplift the lives of countless fellow Hoosiers. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Needham's immense contributions to the State of Indiana. prgtoken Born to parents Needham King (N.K.) and Martha Slade Hurst on October 15th, 1933, in Indianapolis, Indiana, young Needham was brought up to be industrious in his work, kind and fair to others, and to be charitable to his fellow citizens. In 1938, his father founded the N.K. Hurst Company. The company began as a distributor of coffee, tea, sugar and other food commodities to local grocers throughout the State of Indiana. In 1947, they began packaging edible dry beans, a product that has become so popular over the decades that it has made the Hurst's Beans name a nationally known brand, synonymous with the highest of quality. As the years went by, young Needham showed himself to be an exemplary student at Broad Ripple High School. It was during his time at Broad Ripple that he would meet and fall in love with fellow student Mary Lou Beesley. prgtoken After graduation from Broad Ripple High School in 1951, Needham matriculated at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. It was during this time in his life that Needham and Mary Lou would marry in 1954. In 1956 he departed from Indiana University having earned both his Bachelors of Science in Business and a Masters in Business Administration. Having been a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corp while at Indiana University Needham then went on to answer his country's call to duty, joining the United States Army in 1956. During his time in the Army, Needham served in the Quartermasters Corp, while stationed at Fort Lee in Petersburg, Virginia. By the time of his honorable discharge from the United States Army in 1958, Needham had risen through the ranks, ultimately attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. prgtoken Later in 1958, Needham and Mary Lou returned to Indianapolis to settle down and raise their children, son Rick, and daughter Cathy. Upon his arrival back in Indianapolis, Needham began his career at the family business, N.K. Hurst Company, where he initially worked in sales. In the succeeding years Needham would ascend to the position of Company President, working hand in hand with his brother Bill Hurst to grow the family business. Under the leadership of Needham and Bill, the N.K. Hurst Company expanded its operations becoming a nationwide distributor of coffee, tea, sugar and other food commodities. It was also during this time that the company became a major supplier of these food commodities to the United States Military Commissary Network. Having
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2019
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-10

I thank the gentleman for yielding and congratulate him on his important amendment. I hope this important study will be part of that legislation. prgtoken , I am pleased to come to the floor to join our colleagues, the distinguished chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the former chair, Mr. Upton, in their bipartisan support of this legislation. prgtoken I salute Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, a crusader in this urgent mission to protect our communities from PFAS chemicals. prgtoken I also thank Mr. Tonko, the chair of the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken The list goes on and on, and I will name some more. prgtoken Last year, our Members worked relentlessly to pass bold legislation to tackle the PFAS crisis. We salute the Members whose bills were included in the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act agreement reached by the House. prgtoken Unfortunately, at the end of the year, the Senate GOP refused to join the House to secure full, robust protections against PFAS chemicals, and key provisions were cut from the NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act. The Senate GOP obstruction is why we are here today. prgtoken We are also here today because our distinguished chairman, Mr. Pallone, promised that we would have a chance to vote on robust legislation after the first of the year. I thank the chairman. prgtoken PFAS chemicals are a serious public health threat, contaminating the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. These forever chemicals--which do not break down easily--are exposing millions of Americans to liver disease, asthma, thyroid dysfunction, multiple forms of cancer, and further health threats. prgtoken Today, nearly all Americans, including newborn babies, expectant mothers, and children, have PFAS in their blood; and up to 110 million people may be drinking tainted water, including, as our colleagues from Michigan have indicated, the challenge in their State indicated by the leadership and demonstrated on the floor in a bipartisan way on this issue. prgtoken Our colleague from Hoosick Falls, New York, Mr. Delgado, has been a champion on this issue. Their contamination from a plastics factory raised the level of PFAS chemicals in residents' blood to 100 times the national average, Mr. Shimkus. prgtoken In Chincoteague, Virginia, near Maryland, where I grew up, contamination from NASA Wallops Flight Center forced the local community to find an entirely new drinking water supply. And we thank Congresswoman Luria for her leadership in all of this. prgtoken And Mr. Pappas, also with Annie Kuster, has a situation in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where contamination from Pease Air Force Base poisoned the drinking water of thousands of residents, including children and infants. prgtoken Mr. Chair, before we won the majority, we had a hearing. It really was about a number of issues, environmenta
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-1-10

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken First of all, the Constitution does not provide for a trial in the House of Representatives, period. prgtoken However, , the minority continues to make the analogy of what is done in the House: impeachment, analogous to an indictment, making a charge and determining that there is probable cause. prgtoken Secondly, in the Nixon administration, there was a ic Congress, and there was discussion back and forth. Guess what? The President's witnesses came forward. prgtoken What happened in this case? The President said nobody can testify to the Congress. I believe that was obstruction of justice, but that is for the Senate to decide--certainly, obstruction of the Congress. prgtoken In the Clinton administration, the same thing happened. Witnesses came forward, including, I believe, the Chief of Staff of the White House. So it was a very different situation. prgtoken In addition, in both the Nixon and Clinton administrations, the minority shoves aside the fact that there were special prosecutors that had depositions of all the witnesses and were available in the United States Senate at the time of the trial. So the Senate had full information. prgtoken Thirdly, the gentleman does not either remember or assert, Mr that the Judiciary Committee said to the White House counsel that you can participate. There is time for you to come down. There is time for you to call witnesses. There is time for you to make your case. Mr. Cipollone, the White House counsel, notified the committee they were not interested. Why were they not interested? Because, in my opinion, their expectation is they were going to go to the Senate and have the case dismissed without any evidence being adduced. prgtoken , I think that is unfortunate, but those are the facts. That is what happened. If you make a further analogy of the grand jury, the defendant plays no role in the grand jury, none, zero, zip, no counsel, no witnesses in the room. The jury decides if there is probable cause to believe that X committed an offense worthy of going forward. That is what happens. There is no participation. prgtoken There was participation here. The President had opportunities here. All the s participated and could cross-examine the witnesses that did, in fact, come forward in the Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Reform Committee, Intel Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and Financial Services Committee. prgtoken I would hope that would happen in the Senate. If you want to know the truth, , that is what ought to happen. prgtoken If it is just presenting information that is not relevant in this trial, i.e ``I did a good job on the economy. I did a good job on foreign policy. I did a good job on protecting our borders.'' That is the President's argument in a political sense. I understand that. But that is not legally relevant information as to whether or not he abused his power in particular i
SWEEPING ACTION TO ADDRESS PFAS CONTAMINATION
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2020-1-10

today the House took sweeping bipartisan action to address PFAS contamination that has proliferated across communities in America. These forever chemicals have been linked to negative health effects, including cancer, impaired child development, and even infertility. prgtoken Granite Staters have already seen the harmful consequences of PFAS contamination, and I am pleased that the legislation we passed today will safeguard communities, clean up contaminated sites, and protect public health. prgtoken Importantly, the bipartisan bill we passed today includes language I authored to turn off the tap for new PFAS chemicals being approved by the EPA. Enough is enough. There are already too many dangerous PFAS chemicals in our environment, and the last thing Americans need is more of these forever chemicals. prgtoken The PFAS Action Act also included a bipartisan amendment offered by my good friend and colleague Chris Pappas and myself, which would authorize significant grant funding to public water treatment facilities to safeguard our drinking water. prgtoken , I urge the Senate to take up this important bill.