mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-10-4

it was a week ago today that Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which I serve, were riveted by the compelling and powerful testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. It was a week ago today that Judge Brett Kavanaugh delivered his forceful rejoinder and rebuttal. prgtoken Today I want to take a moment and share with Members of this Chamber and folks who may be watching something else that was happening during this entire hearing that I did not expect. It was powerful and unique and special in my experience as a public servant, and I have heard, as I have listened to other Senators of both parties who were present and with whom I talked to afterward, it was their experience as well: prgtoken This conversation is bigger. It is bigger, it is pressing, and, I would say, it is more important than the question of one Supreme Court seat and one current nominee. It is a question that we, as a country at the highest levels of power, believe victims and survivors of sexual assault and are willing to listen to them, to believe them, and to take action. prgtoken So what was it that happened last Thursday? As I tried to pay attention to the remarkable testimony of Dr. Ford, my phone was blowing up. I got texts, I got instant messages, I got phone calls, I got emails, I got Facebook posts--I got messages in more ways that you can connect with me than I knew was possible. These were stories--powerful stories--stories that friends of mine, people I have known for years or decades, people I barely know or people I hope to get to meet. They were sharing with me stories of assault. They were told by classmates, neighbors, friends, constituents, people who had carried these burdens alone for years. prgtoken These stories are difficult to hear, but it is important that they be heard. It is important to understanding why survivors stay silent, and it is important to understanding why we, as a body and a nation, must get this moment right. They are important to understanding why the President and others are wrong when they say that if a victim's allegations are true, she would have filed a report or come forward decades ago. prgtoken In response to the question, why didn't Dr. Christine Blasey Ford come forward earlier, I have just this experience to share. The texts and emails, the conversations in person and over the phone, with friends I have known for so long and friends I have just met, make it powerfully clear to me that the many ways in which assault and violation happens in our country between people have as many different reasons why they hide them, carry them, and keep them in darkness and quiet and in shame, and each one of those stories reminds me even more powerfully the reasons we must--we must--demonstrate that they are heard. prgtoken One friend from Delaware, a cancer survivor--someone I have spoken about on this floor before because of her survival of a nearly life- ending cancer--confided i
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-10-4

it is another morning in the Senate and another partisan diatribe coming from my good friend--and he is my good friend--the majority leader. Instead of looking at what happened--that a young woman came forward because she felt compelled to, knowing she would risk so much to herself, which, unfortunately, has happened--he seeks to blame somebody else; in this case, the . prgtoken Let's remember that Dr. Ford came forward before Judge Kavanaugh was even nominated. Dr. Ford came forward and called up two people before anyone even knew of her allegations, including, one, a hotline from the Washington Post, according to her testimony. Our colleague--my colleague here--has engaged in a giant Kabuki game. He knows how believable Dr. Ford is. He knows the majority of the American people believe Dr. Ford was telling the truth rather than Judge Kavanaugh. He knows any focus on Dr. Ford would bring more feelings that Judge Kavanaugh is the wrong person for the Supreme Court, but he can't attack Dr. Ford because of her credibility--greater than Judge Kavanaugh's--so he attacks ``,'' increasing the partisan rancor and basically the fundamental lack of getting to the truth in this Chamber. prgtoken I would like to ask the majority leader a few questions based on what he said a few minutes ago. He said this debate has been filled with partisan histrionics. Mr. Leader, are you accusing Dr. Ford of engaging in partisan histrionics when she came forward? prgtoken He said the politics of personal destruction is rampant. Again, Mr. Leader, are you accusing Dr. Ford of engaging in the politics of personal destruction? prgtoken He talked about people being intimidated. Again, Mr. Leader, are you accusing Dr. Ford of intimidating the Senate because she had the courage to come forward? prgtoken He talks over and over about the outrageous smear. Mr. Leader, it is about time you came forward and came clean. When you say ``outrageous smear,'' you are really referring to what Dr. Ford said, but you can't say so because everyone knows that kind of rhetoric would be outrageous. prgtoken It is her testimony that got this whole thing going; her testimony, required by one courageous who said he wouldn't just rush things through, as Leader McConnell attempted to do, and that is why there was a hearing, not any --none. prgtoken I said yesterday, the leader is telling one of the greatest mistruths I have heard on the floor; that have delayed. Again, Mr. Leader, what power do we have to delay? Isn't it true that you set the time and place of hearings--or your committee chairs do--and you set the time and place of when we vote, with no effect from the , no influence by . If you have delayed, Mr. Leader, it is because you have delayed. If there has been delay, Mr. Leader, it is because you have delayed. prgtoken Ultimately, Dr. Ford came forward and won America's heart,
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-10-4

. Judge Kavanaugh also tried to convince us that while he ``liked beer,'' he was basically a choir boy--interested in nothing more than sports, school, and service projects. This carefully painted image has been directly contradicted by Judge Kavanaugh's own words in his yearbook and by many of his high school and college classmates over the past weeks. prgtoken These inconsistencies and contradictions were part of the reason I joined many of my colleagues in calling for a full FBI investigation of allegations against Judge Kavanaugh. I wanted the FBI to examine inconsistencies and contradictions between his testimony and that of others who knew him in high school, college, and beyond. prgtoken Last Friday, Senators Flake and Coons brokered an agreement to hold off on a floor vote for at least a week while a supplemental background investigation could be completed to look into these allegations. But I was disappointed that as the days went by, it became more and more clear that the White House rigged the investigation. The President claimed to want the FBI to do a comprehensive investigation, but that did not happen. prgtoken Our ranking member, Senator Feinstein, wrote to White House Counsel Don McGahn and FBI Director Christopher Wray the day after the investigation began to request a copy of the written directive sent by the White House to the FBI. She got no response. The following day, many other members of the committee also wrote to Mr. McGahn and Director Wray about the supplemental investigation. prgtoken In addition to repeating the ranking member's request for an explanation of the scope of the investigation, we also asked that it be comprehensive. We wanted all serious allegations against the nominee to be investigated. Of course, we would expect, in a comprehensive investigation, that all appropriate witnesses would be questioned. We asked that the FBI ``perform all logical steps related to these allegations, including interviewing other individuals who might have relevant information and gathering evidence related to the truthfulness of statements made in relation to these allegations.'' We got no response. prgtoken Just yesterday, I joined a letter with many of my committee colleagues asking Chairman Grassley to prevent public mischaracterization or selective leaks of the results of the FBI's previous work. We urged him to ``call for a full Senate briefing by the FBI . . . so that all Senators hear the same information and have the same opportunity to question the FBI before any floor vote on the Kavanaugh nomination.'' These are requests having to do with the most recent FBI investigation. We asked for a meeting between the chairman and the minority members ``to establish bipartisan ground rules for public discussion of the information provided by the FBI'' and this most recent, totally truncated and inadequate investigation--those last were my words--but both requests were rejected. prgtoken I
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-10-4

today I recognize a pillar of the community in Reno, NV: Evelyn Mount. For over 41 years, Evelyn has graciously provided Reno residents and families in times of need with the comfort of a holiday meal. This year marks the end of an era in community leadership in Reno, as Evelyn intends to step away from the role of organizing and coordinating her annual food drive. prgtoken Growing up in the small city of Tallulah, LA, Evelyn's family instilled in her the importance of the values of sacrifice and service. Those values have been at the core of how Evelyn has lived her life, putting the needs of others ahead of her own. It wasn't until 1976 that Evelyn and her husband Leon brought this selflessness to Reno, NV. Soon after her arrival, she began work as a telephone operator at the airport. Committed to assisting those in need, Evelyn started collecting food donations in her spare time. Her devotion to the Reno community did not go unnoticed, as employees from other departments quickly contributed to her food collection. To her credit, Evelyn was able to collect more than 200 bags of food to distribute amongst members of the northern Nevada community. Her success prompted the expansion of her operations, which now includes an outreach center and several volunteers. prgtoken Nevadans who know Evelyn have come to understand her sense of duty to community and affiliate the autumn season as ``Evelyn Mount food drive season.'' The sense of community, care, and inclusion that Evelyn has given Reno residents is perhaps her most important legacy. She has inspired countless volunteers to donate their time and money, while providing hope to families who are down on their luck. Because of her, a compassionate community of selfless volunteers has grown in northern Nevada, including some who were once on the receiving end of food donations. Recognizing Evelyn's profound commitment to our community, the city of Reno renamed a community center near Evelyn's home, titling it the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center. This center reminds us all of the difference just one person can make in the lives of many. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in further recognizing Mrs. Evelyn Mount's legacy for a life of humanitarianism and service to her community, for her sense of responsibility to others, and for her fight against hunger in Reno, NV. Evelyn Mount is the epitome of a community leader, and I admire her unparalleled ability to inspire others to donate their time and energy to a cause greater than themselves.
2018 IDAHO HOMETOWN HERO MEDALISTS
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-10-4

today I wish to recognize the 2018 Idaho Hometown Hero Medalists. prgtoken Idahoans who are extraordinarily dedicated to hard work, self- improvement, and community service are honored each year since 2011 with the Idaho Hometown Hero Medal. Drs. Fahim and Naeem Rahim established this award to recognize outstanding Idahoans working for the betterment of our communities. prgtoken Ten Idahoans were selected to receive the award this year. They were honored at a celebration themed Lighting the Future, for those who are inspiring and leading the way for a better tomorrow. Liyah Babayan, a refugee from Azerbaijan living in Twin Falls, is being honored for her efforts to raise awareness and resources to address chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, in refugees, especially children. Christian Colonel, of Pocatello, is a former Major League Baseball player honored for using his understanding of prgtoken alcoholism to reach out to area high school students about the severe impact of alcohol abuse and addiction. Russell Davies, of Chubbuck, who is president of PTSD Veteran Athletes, is being honored for his extraordinary commitment to veterans and the local community. Pocatello small business owner and former police officer Nicolas Garcia is being honored for his charitable activities in the community that include sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner to provide food and fellowship to others, donating generously to Highland High School Hispanic Awareness Leadership Organization, support for local law enforcement, and many other community efforts. prgtoken Peggy Elliott Goldwyn, of Sun Valley, who is the founder of the Family of Woman Film Festival, is recognized for her mentorship of young women, using filmmaking to raise awareness about issues affecting women and children, and creating opportunities for other filmmakers and storytellers who stand up for women's rights. Thirteen-year-old Alexander Knoll, of Post Falls, is receiving the award for his human rights advocacy, international speaking and app invention, including an app to help people with disabilities navigate public spaces by providing information about wheelchair ramps, disabled parking, braille menus, and more. Carrie Madden, of Idaho Falls, who lost her daughter, McKenzie, to domestic violence, is being honored for turning the loss of McKenzie into a nationwide movement that brings recognition to this violent epidemic that impacts families nationwide. prgtoken Retired Lieutenant Colonel Reginald R. Reeves, an Idaho Falls attorney and executive director of the Sun Valley Charitable Foundation, Inc is recognized for his service to others in many capacities, including his facilitation of donations of food and other goods to those in need and providing pro bono advocacy for Active military and veterans and service to others in other capacities. Lesli Schei, of Chubbuck, is being recognized for her outstanding leadership and tireless effort
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Jon Kyl (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-10-4

this is the first time I have had the opportunity to address my colleagues on the Senate floor since I was appointed to fill the seat of our late friend and colleague John McCain. prgtoken I appreciate the opportunity to speak on a matter of great importance, both to this body and to the people of the United States of America; namely, the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. prgtoken I would like to address this in five general areas, beginning with a couple of preliminary areas of discussion. prgtoken The first concerns my work right after I came to the Senate in 1995 to try to adopt a constitutional amendment for the victims of crimes. We called it a crime victims' rights amendment. I had become acutely aware of the problems crime victims faced, especially those who have suffered some kind of sexual assault. Through personal interviews and discussions with victims, victims' rights groups, with prosecutors and others, with research and a great deal of reading and hearing from victims' groups, law enforcement, and others, I became convinced that the only way we could guarantee the rights of these victims and bring justice to them would be through the adoption of the constitutional amendment doing so. prgtoken I worked with Senator Dianne Feinstein. The two of us joined together in this effort, and we spent countless hours and many months trying to persuade our colleagues that this was the way to proceed. prgtoken Eventually, we were able to get legislation through the Senate, which established a Federal law rather than a constitutional amendment. This Federal law--which is now embodied in 18 U.S.C. 3771--has provided some support to victims of Federal crime and, as importantly, a template for States to develop their own statutes and constitutional amendments to provide rights to victims. prgtoken As a result of all of this, I am well aware of the issues like the delay or nonreporting of assaults by crime victims, and I very much appreciate the need to be lenient in evaluating the testimony of such victims. prgtoken Rights, like the need to attend proceedings and to address the court at the time of sentencing and to be notified of these rights, were included in the statute we got adopted. Those rights are now part of a majority of the States in the Union, either in statute or the Constitution. prgtoken The recognition of the rightful role of victims in our criminal justice system cannot only help provide courage and closure to victims of sexual assault, it thereby also helps prosecutors gain critical testimony for their cases so that more of the perpetrators could be brought to justice. prgtoken There are some insensitive people who are not aware of the difficulties faced by victims of sexual abuse, and you have heard some of them speak publicly. What is not true is that all men are ignorant of the problem. prgtoken Senator Feinstein and I met many men
2018 IDAHO HOMETOWN HERO MEDALISTS
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2018-10-4

this week I have the honor of recognizing Leland Paul Cade of Golden Valley County for his impact on the surrounding central Montana region. prgtoken Leland was born in 1925 on the Cade homestead just North of Lavina, MT. He was the third child of five. Leland often recalls the days of having no car and having to harness a team up to the wagon. Years later, he recalled what a challenge it was for a kid from a homestead that had no electricity or running water to learn to use flush toilets with paper on a roll and faucets with hot and cold water. prgtoken Leland graduated from Lavina High School in 1942. Directly after graduation, Leland enlisted in the Army, where his main job was to be a horse trainer. After being discharged from the Army, Leland attended Montana State College in Bozeman, graduating in 1950 with a degree in agriculture. He went on to work as an extension agent for the next 16 years. Later he went and worked as the editor for the Montana Farmer- Stockman, located in Billings. During this time, he continued his commitment to education and improving the farm and ranch economy throughout Montana and the West. prgtoken Leland has published 11 books on the homestead era. His recognition of the homesteaders on the eastern Montana plains has helped educated a great many people. Along with his publications, Leland also helped found the Museum of the Northern Great Plains in Fort Benton. prgtoken Leland Cade is truly a son of Montana, born and raised on that short grass prairie north of Billings, a testament to all that embodies Montana. I congratulate Leland on his lifelong commitment to agriculture and education.
Calling for the Release of Pastor Andrew Brunson (Executive Session)
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-10-4

I know that the Presiding Officer has been present in the Chair a few times when I have given this speech. It is not a prepared speech. It is an update on a travesty of justice that is continuing in Turkey. prgtoken Today is October 4. On October 7, 2016, a man named Andrew Brunson, a Presbyterian minister from my State of North Carolina, up near Black Mountain, was arrested by Turkish authorities. prgtoken Pastor Brunson has been a missionary in Turkey for about 20 years. In 2016, there was an illegal coup attempt. The people associated with it should go to prison because there should not be violent changes of power in nations. They have an election process, and they should honor it. I have no problem when there is evidence of people who have been associated with an illegal coup going to prison, but I have a real problem with a man who for the last 2 years has been in a Turkish prison and went 19 months without an indictment. He was held without charges for 19 months. Over the last couple of months, we finally got him into house arrest. prgtoken Then they put together an indictment that is truly something that I don't think could keep someone in an American jail overnight. I read it and felt so strongly about it that I decided to go to Turkey and be in the courtroom for 16 hours when he sat through his nearly 12-hour hearing. prgtoken I was in that courtroom for the whole time, a courtroom just outside of Izmir. It was the second time I was there. I was there 2 months earlier to visit him in prison and to let him know that the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Congress knows he is there and we are not going to forget him. We had nearly 70 Senators sign on to a letter to that effect. prgtoken The reason I do this speech is to remind the American people about Pastor Brunson and to remind them about other Americans and Turkish- Americans who are in prison, suggesting that they were a part of trying to overthrow President Erdogan's government. prgtoken It will be 2 years on the 7th of this month. That is 727 days that he has been held in prison. prgtoken But what I want to talk about is kind of related to a subject we are discussing on the floor in another matter, and that is unsubstantiated allegations. This man has over 11 unsubstantiated allegations. What does that mean? prgtoken Somebody says: I saw somebody do this. prgtoken Yet they produce nobody else that can actually corroborate it, in other words, saying: Yes, I remember that happening; I agree with that testimony. prgtoken There were 11 different allegations. Many of the people who testified wouldn't even show their faces. They were on a video screen with digital blocking and with their voices hidden. Some of them we now know are in Turkish prisons themselves. prgtoken None of the allegations have been corroborated by a single person. Yet this American, this man who was bringing the word of God to the people who wanted to hear it--he wasn't forcing it on