mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Opportunity Zones (Executive Calendar)
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-5-1

I thank Senator Ernst for allowing me the opportunity to talk about opportunity zones. prgtoken So much has happened since President has been elected that I think has brought opportunity. The economy is obviously booming. In the State of Indiana, for instance, we have 156 opportunity zones in 83 different cities and 58 counties. That is a lot in one State. This is investment into these areas that need jobs. Capital investment is hard to measure. Thank goodness it has come along and has been an opportunity that we in the Hoosier State have taken advantage of. prgtoken We are one of the lowest unemployment States in the Union. I am from Dubois County, from the town of Jasper, which supports the lowest unemployment rates in our State--a State of enterprise, a State of commerce. Workforce development is probably the most critical issue that faces our State, but we do a lot of other things well. We live within our means. We addressed infrastructure back in 2017 by repairing roads and bridges and by doing a lot of things well. prgtoken We have 80,000 jobs in our State that need one simple thing, and that is proper training. prgtoken When I went to school back in the seventies--it dates me a little bit--I took industrial arts. You had a shop class. You had a welding class. You had practical training that led you into good-paying jobs. Somewhere along the way, we kind of almost stigmatized that pathway called career and technical education. We have schools like Ivy Tech. When I was a State legislator, there were 19 different programs, and we were spending nearly $1 billion a year, but we were not providing proper training for high-demand, high-wage jobs. prgtoken In our State, we are shipping out twice as many 4-year degrees as we use. Something is not right. I just spoke with an online college, which is another issue I want to mention. The cost of these 4-year degrees has gotten way out of hand. Many graduates spend $80,000, $90,000, $100,000. They take on that debt and have jobs that are not marketable. prgtoken We need to pay attention to the simple things that most States need by reorienting the focus of education and providing proper training for jobs that prgtoken in many cases pay more than 4-year degrees, those that start in the neighborhood of $40,000 to $60,000 and have good benefits and potential wages of over $100,000 a year. In our State and in most States across the country, those are the jobs that need to be filled. prgtoken In my own company, 80 jobs can't be filled because, really, there needs to be a better curriculum at the high school level, one from which you get basic skills taught rather than the misguided approach of overemphasizing 4-year degrees. There is nothing wrong with that, and everyone should aspire to that, but the market doesn't necessarily need it. It will pay more for a lot less education, and you will not be walking away with the debt that so many students do in t
RECOGNIZING MILTON ``WOODY'' WOODSIDE
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-5-1

I rise today to remember the life of Mr. Roy Kent Hodnett who passed away at the age of 98 on Friday, April 26. prgtoken Known throughout Glynn County in the First Congressional District as a gentleman with a caring personality, he brightened the day of everyone around him. prgtoken He served in France during World War II directly after D-day, earning the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Victory Medal. When he came home to the United States, he stopped in St. Simons Island while vacationing, fell in love with the area, bought a home that same weekend, and started raising a family. prgtoken While there, he built one of the most successful companies in the area, Hodnett Cooper Real Estate and Vacation Rentals. prgtoken Through all of this, Mr. Hodnett's passion was with his family and his community. For him, the key to a successful business was having a wife of 75 years who has stood beside him and believed in him. He also mentored and advised countless young people, helping them to find their own paths through life. prgtoken I am proud to have had Mr. Hodnett spend so much of his life in the First Congressional District of Georgia. His family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
Missouri Flooding (Executive Calendar)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-5-1

we have been stuck for some time now on having an appropriations bill that meets the disasters that have occurred recently in Missouri and, before that, in the Carolinas and Georgia, and other places. I want to continue to work hard to get that done, but I want to talk a little bit about the effects of what has happened in the State of Missouri as part of what has happened with floods this spring. prgtoken We have seen catastrophic and, in some cases, historic flooding both on the Missouri and the Mississippi Rivers over the last couple of months. Along the Missouri, there was this unusual thing, and I actually never heard the term before, a ``bomb cyclone.'' It is a wind event that also produced lots of rain in Nebraska in the Northern Plains on frozen ground. All of that water had no place to go except run off, and it was the equivalent of 8 inches of rain in a place from which we usually don't get water. There had been significant rain over the last few days of March. That created another flood. On the Mississippi, we have seen significant rains there. While they haven't set a record, they have certainly consistently ranked the Mississippi crests among the seventh highest flood levels that river has ever been from some of the locks. There are locks north of St. Louis. You can navigate the river without locks south of St. Louis, but in the area from the Canton Lock and Dam to the Winfield Lock and Dam on the Mississippi, there are significant problems waiting to happen over the next few weeks. prgtoken After the rains occurred in Northwest Missouri and in Iowa and Nebraska, in our State and Kansas, much of the water is still there. The floods have stayed up so high for so long that it is difficult to really evaluate the damage that has been done. Unlike a tornado, which we have some familiarity with, where you can go in quickly and evaluate what happened, you can't do that nearly as quickly with a flood. prgtoken We do know there has been at least $25 million in damages to public infrastructure and costs of emergency measures experienced statewide. There have been 215 road closures statewide, with 46 roads that continue to be closed as late as the third week in April. Interstate 29, north of St. Joseph, has been closed since March and is expected to stay closed until probably June. prgtoken This is obviously a very disruptive set of circumstances for people who would normally use those roads and bridges all the time. One of the major class 1 roadways has been damaged. That roadway was just raised in 2011 to deal with the flood in 2011. An ethanol plant was knocked offline. Electric substations have been damaged. Grains stored in bins from last year's harvest have been destroyed. Livestock have been lost. Many farmers will not be able to get crops in the ground this year because it will be too wet once the water goes down--until it is too late to successfully plant the crops. So thousands
CLIMATE ACTION NOW ACT
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-1

let me first commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania, for quoting me. I do think we should lead as a nation in the world. I support the United States leading the world on the international challenges we face. But, again, this amendment has nothing to do with reducing our emissions. prgtoken We should be a leader on the bipartisan approach to solutions to this crisis, like boosting research, innovation, and technologies. prgtoken , .
Opportunity Zones (Executive Calendar)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-5-1

I appreciate the words my colleague from Ohio has started with and shared and the work done by this Chamber not only to cut taxes and grow our economy for businesses and entrepreneurs around the country but for individuals, small towns, and families. prgtoken I live in a town of about 3,000 people. It is a little, tiny town. Growing up, we had two stoplights, and thanks to some of the oil and gas development that took place around our town several years back, we now have a third stoplight. It is big time now. The reason it is, is because we allowed innovation to flourish. We allowed technology to develop new ways to develop our energy resources, but while the policies in the field and in commerce have advanced, sometimes the policies in this place have grown stale. That is why I was excited to support the tax cuts of last Congress that have energized our economy, that have created new opportunity for American workers and families, and that have led to billions of dollars being brought back into the United States from overseas. prgtoken Of course, one of the provisions many of my colleagues have talked about today is the Opportunity Zones Program that was established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. When we were getting the Opportunity Zones Program up and running, as a cosponsor of that legislation, my office heard complaints that there might not be enough money for the investments that would be utilized within these opportunity zones. In fact, we heard from people who were saying that no one would be interested in starting a business in struggling American communities. Other critics complained it would be too tempting to pick only census tracts that were already well-positioned for growth. What I am hearing and seeing in Colorado have proven both of those criticisms wrong. prgtoken Clarity is the compass to navigating any new venture. Treasury has been actively working to make sure its regulations best position the Opportunity Zones Program for success. prgtoken Real estate investments have experienced early success with this program; however, we need more than just real estate investments to make all of America and all of Colorado prosperous. Operational businesses and other entities will support the long-term successes of these communities as well--not just real estate, the operational side. prgtoken With its second round of regulations recently released, operating businesses received much awaited, positive news from the Treasury. Industries like clean energy, new breweries, or other capital-heavy businesses received the clarification they need for opportunity zones to succeed. These critical tax provisions--those for accelerated depreciation--will encourage money to come off the sidelines and will translate into large investments in our communities. prgtoken While we are still in the infancy of the Opportunity Zones Program, Colorado already has roughly 40 projects in the works. The Office of E
MICROSOFT TECHSPARK
Denver Riggleman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-5-1

I rise today with some great news for the residents of my district, the Fifth District of Virginia. prgtoken Southern Virginia was selected as Microsoft's newest TechSpark community. The goal of the TechSpark program is to accelerate economic growth through expanding broadband connectivity, career pathways in digital transformation. prgtoken This $5 million investment has a potential to be a game changer for southern Virginia, and this project partners perfectly with the work I have been doing in Congress providing rural broadband and increasing economic opportunities in Southside Virginia. prgtoken Private investment is always encouraged and preferred, but we also need to use private-public partnerships to expand access to broadband. prgtoken Communities in my district are in desperate need of broadband access, and this investment in South Boston will be an example of how we can encourage innovation and spur economic growth that will help families around this country.
Specialist Blake Kelly (Executive Calendar)
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2019-5-1

I rise today to continue my tribute to Nebraska heroes--the men and women who have given their lives defending our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of these Nebraskans has a powerful story to tell. prgtoken Today I will reflect upon the life of Nebraska Army National Guard SPC Blake Kelly. Blake was a typical smalltown Nebraska boy. Born and raised in Shelby, NE, which has a population of just over 700, Blake lived next to the city park. His parents, Randy and Patty, have lived in the same house for 44 years. prgtoken Blake's early life was filled with football, track, lifeguarding at the local swimming pool in the summer, band major duties, and playing the drums. In fact, he met his future wife, Christina, at band practice in 1997. He loved to play the drums, and the neighborhood, well, always knew when he was practicing. prgtoken When he was old enough to cruise around Shelby, his dad, Randy, bought him a 1976 Dodge Charger. Every smalltown Nebraska boy needs a car. Blake knew everyone around town and everyone knew him. He was always happy and eager to help someone solve a problem. prgtoken In high school, one of his teachers encouraged him to join the National Guard. For Blake, this was an opportunity to spread his wings and go to college using the Guard's tuition assistance program. prgtoken In 2000, between his junior and senior years in high school, he went through Army basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. Before graduation in 2001, he asked Christina to marry him. After becoming engaged and graduating from high school, Blake attended advanced training at Fort Knox, in Kentucky, that included Ranger training. He returned home in September 2001 just as life in the United States was changing forever following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. prgtoken Shortly after, Blake enrolled at Southeast Community College in Beatrice to study animal science. There he became interested in rodeo and joined the school's rodeo team. The year 2002 was a busy one for Blake, filled with school, National Guard training with the 1st Squadron, 167th Cavalry, known as the Cav, and wedding planning. He and Christina tied the knot on September 7, 2002, just as the Cav was preparing to deploy to Bosnia. prgtoken At that time, early Active-Duty Army resources were devoted to fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the United States still had significant commitments to peacekeeping operations in the Balkans. The Cav's mission was an ideal one for the National Guard and a critical element in our national security. prgtoken The Cav arrived in Bosnia in January 2003, and just before Blake left Nebraska with the unit, Christina learned that she was pregnant. In Bosnia, Blake delved into the mission at hand. He was always ready and eager to serve, and he connected well with the local population. Unit chaplains needed help, and so he embraced his Catholic faith even more deeply by becoming a Eucharistic minister and actively suppo
CLIMATE ACTION NOW ACT
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2019-5-1

the balance of my time. prgtoken I don't believe we have any other speakers on our side, so I will conclude my comments and then be happy to hear from the chairman of the committee. prgtoken I think we have had a good debate here, a thorough debate, and at the end of the day, it is important to remember America is actually leading, through new innovation and technology in the energy sector, the reduction in emissions. Again, we are leading as a country. prgtoken You look at other countries, competitors of ours like China, wouldn't have to begin making reductions until 2030, so they can keep adding emissions-spewing power plants. They could do all kinds of things until 2030. Meanwhile, we are supposed to shut down our economy in a lot of ways if you go down certain paths. prgtoken We don't think we should take that bargain. We don't think we have to take that bargain. Instead, s believe we should continue to rely on our great innovators in America to develop even new technologies to reduce emissions and produce power like we have done in the energy sector, as my friend from Texas described. prgtoken And like my friend from Arizona described, there are companies around prgtoken the world that are figuring out how to remove carbon from the atmosphere and use it for another purpose. s led the effort on tax credits to say let's incent you to put carbon into other use or into the ground, and we will even give you a bigger incentive to put it in the ground. prgtoken We should be doing more in the area of advanced battery research, like is being done at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory across the river from Oregon, and get to where we can harness the renewable intermittent power sources to more firm power; and the same with streamlining hydro, with pump storage. prgtoken There is a lot we can do working together to make sure we have a safe, secure, reliable grid that is adequate to make all this seamlessly work together because, at the end of the day, we want to make sure we don't have riots in the streets because you have driven up costs too high, like they are having in France today. We want to make sure that we are creating the jobs and technology here, because if somebody is going to lead this effort internationally, it should be us. prgtoken , this bill is going nowhere after this vote today, and I would urge opposition. prgtoken , .
A FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF CLIMATE ACTION
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-5-2

it was an honor to preside over the House during the debate on H.R. 9 yesterday to uphold our commitment to the Paris climate accord, our first real piece of climate legislation in over 9 years. It may have been an honor, but it was jarring to listen to my colleagues in denial. prgtoken For decades, Americans have seen with their own eyes rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and temperature increases, all terrifying prospects for our children and grandchildren, yet s are defending the administration's action to undercut and isolate the United States as the only country to withdraw from the climate accord, placing us firmly on the wrong side of history. prgtoken In contrast, I am thankful that today's action demonstrates that are on the side of protecting our children's future. H.R. 9 is a first step towards a future of climate action and climate justice, a Green New Deal for clean energy jobs, rebuilding and renewing our infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and environmental justice. prgtoken We can't afford to wait, and neither can the planet.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-5-2

last year was an abject failure in addressing the climate crisis. In both policy and real-world emission reductions in the U.S. and globally, we fell short. We cannot afford another year like it, and yet, 2019 is off to an ominous start. prgtoken The consequences of inaction on climate change are both dire and familiar. The lives and livelihoods of millions across the country and billions around the world are at risk. prgtoken Climate change is a national security threat, a food security threat, a housing issue, a transportation issue, an infrastructure issue, an immigration issue, a jobs issue, an energy issue, a financial issue, and a public health issue. prgtoken We cannot, in good conscience, claim to be adequately representing the people of our districts and our country and the world if we ignore or deny the dangers that climate change poses to the American public and the world. prgtoken I stand here in strong support of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, to reverse the shameful and dangerous course of the last 2 years and meet the challenge of climate change head-on.
CLIMATE ACTION NOW ACT
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-2

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I commend him for his leadership. prgtoken This issue of infrastructure resiliency is so important. We are now discussing doing major infrastructure legislation to rebuild America in a way that is making it safer, by promoting commerce and improving the quality of life by decreasing the amount of time people have to spend in their cars. By increasing broadband and all of the things that enable people, whether it is healthcare, education, or commerce, the infrastructure is so central to that. prgtoken When we talk about infrastructure, we have to talk about resiliency; and when we talk about climate change, we have to talk about infrastructure. So this is a very important amendment, and I rise to support it. prgtoken I thank the gentleman for sharing his New Jersey experience in terms of the need for resiliency in this very wise amendment. prgtoken I also want to rise in support of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. I commend Chairwoman Kathy Castor who is the chair of our House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and also the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Engel, for his leadership on this important issue which is under the jurisdiction of his committee. They bring vision, they bring values, and they bring the voices of Members and the American people to make a difference. prgtoken We thank our freshman Members, in particular, who have carried the priorities of their communities to Congress to demand climate action now. And I think it is very appropriate that the gentleman in the chair is on the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and has been a leader in the private sector, now in the public sector, on this important issue as we go forward. prgtoken It is time, , to end denial about this and start listening to the facts. This is about science, science, science. An overwhelming number, 86 percent, of Americans know that this is a crisis. They know that human behavior has an impact on it, and they want us to act. prgtoken We all have stories from our communities. prgtoken One of my constituents wrote: My daughter has developed asthma. It wrenches me to see her used as a canary in a coal mine. We are literally choking on the denial and inaction. prgtoken Another writes: Green jobs are guaranteed local jobs and will put people to work. Survival is now poised to become a viable economic sector. prgtoken Let me just say that this is about jobs, jobs, jobs. It is very important for our country to be preeminent in the world on the green technologies, and this legislation is in recognition of that. It is about public health, about clean air and clean water, the air our children breathe and the water they drink, and it is about environmental justice in that regard as well that all children will be able to live in a safe, clean environment in which they can thrive. prgtoken It is about our national securit