mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO ALEX RAY, LISA MURE, SUSAN MATHISON, AND STEVE RAND
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-3-22

I am honored to recognize Alex Ray and Lisa Mure of Holderness and Susan Mathison and Steve Rand of Plymouth as March's Granite Staters of the Month. The group of friends started a nonprofit, Common Man for Ukraine, that has raised more than $2.6 million for Ukrainian children impacted by Putin's unconscionable invasion of Ukraine. prgtoken Following the onset of the war, the group wanted to figure out how they could help the Ukrainian people. Through their membership with the Plymouth Rotary Club, Alex and Steve connected with Rotarian leaders in Poland, which was already seeing an influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict. And then Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa jumped into action. Within just 2 weeks, the four friends were on the ground in Poland and Ukraine meeting with Ukrainian and Polish Rotary Club leaders about the needs of local displaced person camps, orphanages, and safehouses for displaced children. prgtoken When the group returned to New Hampshire, they began to raise funds, with the first donation being $500 from the Plymouth Rotary Club. Since then, they have raised more than $2.6 million to purchase 750 tons of food for their partners in Poland. The NH Fisher Cats AA baseball team also hosted a benefit game to raise funds. prgtoken The group has not let up in their efforts over the past year. They have visited Poland and Ukraine three more times to evaluate the changing needs on the ground in coordination with their Rotarian partners. In addition to packing warehouses with essential goods, they also delivered those relief supplies themselves to safehouses and orphanages for children impacted by the war. This past Christmas, they brought personal solar lanterns, food, generators, and presents to 21 Ukrainian orphanages, so that the children could experience literal and symbolic light throughout the various power outages. When the Granite Staters arrived with the supplies, the children excitedly came outside in the cold to greet them, and they were able to share Christmas greetings and carols despite the language barrier. The four volunteers bravely returned to Ukraine on the war's February anniversary to deliver supplies to 14 additional orphanages and safehouses. prgtoken The work that Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa have done with their nonprofit organization is an incredible testament to the impact that Granite Staters can have, even across the world, when they are helping others. They refused to stand by during a devastating war and the subsequent refugee crisis, instead boldly finding a way to directly help Ukrainian children. Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa embody the Granite State spirit of taking on a challenge directly in order to make a real difference, and I know that they will continue to make New Hampshire proud through their work in Poland and Ukraine.
CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Frank J. Mrvan (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2023-3-22

. Madam , it is with great admiration that I rise to celebrate Women's History Month and its 2023 theme: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. prgtoken This year, I recognize a woman who tells the stories of Gary, Indiana: Ms. Dorothy Leavell, the editor and publisher of the Gary Crusader for more than 50 years. prgtoken Throughout her career, Dorothy remained grounded in her purpose to serve as an advocate for the African-American community. Under her leadership, the Crusader Newspaper Group became a voting member of the National Newspaper Publisher's Association, a federation of the African American-owned newspapers in our Nation. prgtoken Madam , as we celebrate Women's History Month, please join me in recognizing the dedication, perseverance, and contributions that Ms. Dorothy Leavell and so many other extraordinary women have made to improve our communities through the stories they tell.
RECOGNIZING HISTORIC VICTORIES IN THE IDITAROD
Mary Sattler Peltola (Democrat, AK) \u2014 2023-3-22

I rise today to honor the winner of this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race, also known as the Last Great Race. This year's winner, Ryan Redington, finished the 1,000-mile race from Willow to Nome with his team of six dogs in 8 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes, and 58 seconds. prgtoken This win means a lot to Ryan, his family, and all of Alaska. Ryan's grandfather, Joe Redington, Sr was there at the very beginning of the modern Iditarod race and to this day is known as the ``father of the Iditarod''. He competed in seventeen races--finishing his last at 80 years old. With Ryan's victory, the Redington family has brought the Iditarod trophy home. prgtoken I also want to highlight this year's second and third place finishers, Pete Kaiser and Richie Diehl. For the first time, all 3 top finishers of this year's race are Alaska Natives from rural communities. The spirit of mushing is truly alive and well across the state. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating the achievements of Ryan Redington, Pete Kaiser, and Richie Diehl, as this year's Iditarod champion, and second and third place finishers.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ADVANCED CAPABILITIES PILLAR OF THE TRILATERAL SECURITY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE UNITED STATES
Gregory W. Meeks (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-3-22

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I thank the chairman and his staff for working collectively on this bipartisan bill at this very important time. Clearly, making sure that we are working collectively together with one voice on this serious issue is of utmost importance to all of us in the United States of America. prgtoken The administration, in coordination with Australia and the U.K recently formalized the trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS, which aims to strengthen shared defense priorities in the Indo- Pacific. This new security framework represents an important step forward to the United States and the Indo-Pacific, and for strengthening our shared capabilities in the strategic competition defining our world today and for years to come. prgtoken Within this broader AUKUS agreement, Pillar 2 advances military capabilities with the intent of developing and enhancing joint capabilities between Australia, the U.K and the United States to improve security and interoperability in the region. One aspect of this pillar is improving and synchronizing processes related to arms exports and sharing of sensitive defense technologies between participants. This includes encouraging and advising our partners on how to strengthen the regulatory frameworks to enable closer cooperation while maintaining appropriate safeguards. prgtoken H.R. 1093 requires the State Department to report to Congress on its efforts toward implementation of the advanced capabilities pillar of AUKUS, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations and improvements necessary in partner country regulations to enable secure and successful implementation. prgtoken As the United States looks to build on this important shared security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom within the AUKUS framework, I am proud, again, to co-lead this bipartisan initiative with Chairman McCaul to ensure we move forward in a meaningful way. prgtoken As we engage in strategic competition, sharing our defense technologies and capabilities in a safe, secure, and regulated manner with our partners is absolutely critical. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues, all of my colleagues, and s, to support this bill, and .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2023-3-22

, first of all, I am largely sympathetic to the intent of this. I think all of us are exhausted by COVID. Fortunately, we are really coming out of it. It has been exhausting, so I am ultimately hopeful that the administration--when this public health emergency is ended, which we expect will be very, very soon, that the vaccine mandate will go with it. prgtoken Secondly, I am a big fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd's, so that is a pretty persuasive argument, but I don't regard him as infallible. prgtoken Third, Vermont is a tourist State as well. Our skiing is a little tougher for, you know, tougher folks. You have that soft powder out there in Utah. But tourism really matters to us. prgtoken So the concerns the Senator from Utah is expressing--I am sympathetic. Let me state the reason for my objection. prgtoken This public health emergency is going to end. The administration is actively, day in and day out, in the process of taking the steps that are going to unwind this. prgtoken My view is that this is an area where Executive responsibility has to be carried out in an orderly way, not just to address this question of ending the vaccine mandate, but there are other matters that are affected if this public health emergency is abruptly ended that may do harm to Vermont. prgtoken Let me just be very specific. The telehealth provisions that were in legislation that allowed us to get access to healthcare should not end when the public health emergency ends. The necessity of trying to make some adjustment for premium assistance for folks who were able to get access to healthcare--it has really made a difference for people in Vermont. I don't want them to just go off the cliff. prgtoken So these are all separate and distinct issues. But if we have a process where each legislator picks out an area within the public health emergency that he or she believes should be taken out, you are taking away the capacity for an orderly transition from the public health emergency to the post-COVID non-public health emergency. prgtoken So, as sympathetic as I am to the points that the Senator from Utah makes, including about the vaccine at this point, because of my concern about the collateral consequences of stripping the administration, in effect, of the capacity to have that orderly unwinding, I object.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-3-22

most people run from battle, but our servicemembers run toward it. They watch their brothers and sisters get wounded. They miss births and funerals, school plays and college graduations. Then they come home bearing the wounds of war--both visible and otherwise. prgtoken They will always do their job defending our country no matter the sacrifice. So they deserve to know that they have the moral support and legal backing of this great Nation. prgtoken But for more than 20 years, Washington has failed to give them that. One of Congress's most solemn duties is deciding when and how we send Americans into combat by debating and passing the authorization for use of military force, documents that set the legal framework for military action that are supposed to define the mission of our Americans whom we send downrange. prgtoken But, lately, too many in these Halls have shrugged off that duty, hiding behind outrageously outdated AUMFs that were used to launch the Gulf and Iraq wars, all the way back in 1991 and 2002. prgtoken Scared of the political risks that come with bringing these wars back into the spotlight, staring down upcoming election days, Congress has shirked its responsibility to our troops, stretching, skewing the original intent of these documents. prgtoken In doing so, we have left our troops without a clearly defined mission. And now they face an increasing risk that a future Commander in Chief may improperly interpret the law to send them into armed conflicts that these AUMFs were never intended to authorize. Our troops deserve better than that. prgtoken If we choose to send our finest into battle, then we here in these Halls need to debate and vote to do so based on current conditions. prgtoken Enough of being more worried about the political consequences than about our troops in harm's way. And until we muster up the courage to ask and answer the tough questions that will actually tell our servicemembers what they are fighting for, we won't be living up to their sacrifices. prgtoken Instead, we will be leaving them in an endless loop, refusing to even look for an off ramp. prgtoken Look, I know guys and gals, buddies whom I served with in Iraq who did six, seven rotations between Iraq and Afghanistan. They went in knowing that they would probably be back in a couple of years, living the hardships of combat deployments over and over again, risking the unimaginable, sunup and sundown, year in and year out, tour after tour, all because their country said that it needed them to. prgtoken They deserve more from us than to be forced to wonder whether the same outdated AUMF that has already sent them overseas half a dozen times will be misused once again to put them in harm's way without Members of Congress even having a conversation to decide whether such sacrifice is warranted. prgtoken This shouldn't be hard. Anyone who claims the mantle of patriotism can't keep demanding such sacrifices from
HONORING PAUL CHEVALIER, USMC SERGEANT MAJOR
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-3-22

I rise in recognition of Marine Corps Sergeant Major Paul Chevalier, a distinguished leader within the New Hampshire Veteran community who passed away earlier this month. A Vietnam Veteran who began his service in 1954 and proudly served his Nation in uniform until 1985, Paul's return to civilian life saw him take up the cause of championing his fellow Veterans throughout his professional career. This selfless dedication to our state's greatest heroes was emblematic of Paul's passion for our armed forces and his tireless commitment to providing those who defended our freedoms with the care and benefits they deserve. prgtoken Paul's advocacy on behalf of Veterans saw him rise to the position of Post Commander for New Hampshire, where he became a trusted partner for local and state lawmakers looking to address VA issues and prevent Veteran homelessness. His candor and experience won him many friends, including former Senator John McCain who counted him among his most ardent supporters during his 2008 Presidential run. Those who were fortunate enough to know Paul in life will continue to honor his legacy by carrying on the important work he undertook at the VFW and working to ensure our Veterans have access to the programs and benefits that will help them lead healthy, productive lives. prgtoken Paul's absence will be felt across the state, and his memory will serve as the onus to reflect not only on what we have done to serve our Veterans, but how we can best care for and empower them in the years to come. I commend Paul for his lifelong dedication to our state's heroes and extend sincere condolences to his widow Cathy, his family and loved ones. On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I thank Paul for his legacy of service that will live on in the next generation of Veterans to take his place.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE PAT SCHROEDER
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2023-3-22

. Madam , Colorado mourned one of its finest public servants this week when we lost former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder. prgtoken Pat was a pioneer for women's rights, and she was the first woman ever elected to represent the State of Colorado in the U.S. House. For 24 years, she fought tirelessly in this Chamber to expand the rights of women, families, and children across this country. prgtoken She cofounded the Congressional Women's Caucus, and she was the first woman ever selected to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. She championed legislation to protect pregnant workers and women in the military, and she was the driving force behind the Family and Medical Leave Act. prgtoken What made Pat so unique, though, wasn't just the brilliance that she had or her passion for public service. It was her razor-sharp wit. prgtoken Pat could trade barbs with anybody at a moment's notice on any subject. She could disarm her most harsh critics with humor and grace, and she had prgtoken an unrivaled ability to light up almost any room she walked into. We can all agree there will never be another Pat Schroeder. prgtoken I am grateful for the time I got to spend with her and for the friendship and mentorship she provided to me over the years. prgtoken This is something that doesn't happen very often: Pat was elected to Congress when I was in high school; I never voted for anybody for Congress except for Pat Schroeder and myself. prgtoken She is a giant whose shoulders we all stand on today, and she will be missed by everybody here, by everybody in the First Congressional District of Colorado, and by millions of people whose lives have been made better because of the legacy of Pat Schroeder. prgtoken Madam , I thank you for helping me honor the memory of Pat Schroeder by observing a moment of silence.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-3-23

I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 67, on the Lee amendment No. 22, to provide for the termination of authorizations for use of military force after 2 years. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted nay. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 68, on the Rubio amendment No. 4, to require a certification. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted nay. prgtoken I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 69, on the Risch amendment No. 43, to provide for a delayed, conditional repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted nay.
PARENTING HYPOCRISY
Josh Harder (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise today because, frankly, I am angry. prgtoken This week, D.C. s' hypocrisy is on full display. At the same time they push a bill they claim supports parents, they are slashing funding for critical programs that countless parents depend on. prgtoken My daughter Lillian just turned one, and as one of the few people in this Chamber who has changed a diaper recently, I am tired. prgtoken s can't claim to be the party of parents when, in the same breath, they are gutting childcare and education funding. They can't claim to be the party of parents when they focus more on banning books than teaching kids to read. prgtoken Our kids really are struggling right now. It is time Congressional s put aside their political tantrums and actually do something to help. Better yet, get out of the way and let us parents get it done.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. MICHAEL ALLEN
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise to celebrate Dr. Michael Allen, who passed away on February 25, 2023, in Santa Monica, California. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and a distinguished professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). prgtoken Michael Allen was born on April 1, 1941, in East Sussex, England to Frederick ``Jack'' Allen and Ena Muriel Allen. As a young boy, Michael excelled in school, becoming one of the top students at his grammar school and eventually enrolling at Wadham College, Oxford University. After receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees at Oxford, Michael made his way to the United States, teaching at Ohio University. In 1970, he received his doctorate at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he also met his wife, Elena. That same year, Michael received a job offer to serve on the faculty at UCLA. prgtoken Michael quickly distinguished himself as a professor and scholar. While his teaching focused on the range of English literature from the Anglo-Saxons to Milton, his research focused on the philosophical, theological, and mythological issues raised by fifteenth century Italian Platonists. Throughout his time at UCLA, Michael served as a faculty lecturer with the UCLA Travel Study program. He also took on many leadership positions at UCLA and wrote or edited approximately 21 books. By the time he retired in 2012, Michael had received many prestigious honors, including the Eby Award for Undergraduate Teaching, UCLA's top teaching honor. prgtoken Michael dedicated his life to academia and his family. He was a sought-after lecturer, enthralling audiences with engrossing lectures and discussions on philosophical and literary topics. He inspired generations of UCLA students as he made past worlds and perspectives come alive through his lectures, courses, and books. He loved hiking, botany, cooking, traveling, literature and most of all, his family. Michael was an inspiration to so many people and touched so many lives with his intellectual curiosity and love of storytelling. His loss will be felt by his friends, family, and the many communities he has affected. prgtoken Michael is survived by his wife, Elena; sister, Patricia; sons, Ben and Will; daughters-in-law, Claudia and Melanie; three grandchildren, and a dog. May his memory live on in his many contributions to his community and family.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-3-23

. So, , before I finish the rest of the business, I just want to explain to everyone what happened. prgtoken A few moments ago, we entered into an agreement that puts the Senate on a path to repeal the Iraq AUMFs by early next week. By filing cloture today, we set up a vote for this coming Monday. If cloture is invoked, we will hold votes on additional amendments before final passage. prgtoken This has been a good process here on the floor. I was asked by several of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to have a reasonable amendment process and then we could move the bill forward. I think we did, on a vote that got 70 votes--or 70 total votes, or close to 70, on cloture last week. We have 11 amendments, and I think just about every amendment that was asked for as of today was accommodated. prgtoken So this is a good thing, and I hope it can be a model for the future. We in the majority will allow amendments. Sometimes those votes are tough to take, but at the same time, the minority will not just be dilatory and allow us to move forward. That is what happened this week on AUMF, and I hope it portends good things to come as we work together to make this country an even better country. prgtoken Now back to other business.