mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUPPORT FOR THE GABRIELLA MILLER KIDS FIRST RESEARCH ACT 2.0
Jennifer Wexton (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-4-21

. Madam , I rise in strong support of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, a bipartisan bill that I introduced on Friday, April 17th. If enacted, this bill would make great strides to fund the fight against childhood cancer, birth defects, and other rare pediatric diseases. prgtoken Cancer is the single leading cause of death among American children of any disease. The U.S. is rapidly approaching 16,000 children diagnosed with cancer annually, and the incidence of childhood cancer has been steadily increasing over time. Additionally, one in 33 babies born in the U.S. are affected by a birth defect, and birth defects are the leading cause of death among infants. These pediatric diseases are still poorly understood, and additional funding is greatly needed to augment existing research to promote new discoveries for children affected by them. prgtoken In an effort to uncover new insights into the biology of pediatric disease, Congress passed the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act in 2014, which established a Ten-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund within the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Common Fund. The law authorized $12.6 million in funds annually for pediatric disease research through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program, commonly known as Kids First. Since the original law was enacted, Kids First has sequenced more than 20,000 samples from childhood cancer and structural birth defect cohorts. Most recently the program initiated the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Center--a comprehensive integrated data resource for research and patient communities meant to advance discoveries. prgtoken The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 builds off the important progress made by the 2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act by providing a new source of funding for the Kids First Research Fund. Specifically, the bill would redirect civil monetary sanctions levied against pharmaceutical manufacturers by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. By diverting penalties from pharmaceutical companies that break the law, the bill would sustain Kids First's critical childhood disease research for generations to come. prgtoken The 2014 law and the bill I introduced Friday is named to honor 10- year-old Gabriella Miller who passed away from an inoperable brain tumor. She was a fierce advocate for childhood cancer research, and her efforts to boost awareness of pediatric cancer helped raise funds for children's cancer charities. I would like to thank Gabriella's mother and my constituent, Ellyn Miller, for her tireless advocacy on behalf of children with cancer through Smashing Walnuts. I am honored to have worked closely with Ellyn on the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0. prgtoken I introduced this bill to find treatments and cures so that our nation's children will have a fighting chance t
REINY MONTELONGO
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-4-21

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Reiny Montelongo for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. prgtoken Reiny Montelongo is a student at Mandalay Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. prgtoken The dedication demonstrated by Reiny Montelongo is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Reiny Montelongo for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.
VIOLA GARCIA
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-4-22

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Viola Garcia for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. prgtoken Viola Garcia is a student at Oberon Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. prgtoken The dedication demonstrated by Viola Garcia is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Viola Garcia for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
HONORING THE LIFE OF PASTOR JOSEPH OWES
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-22

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to announce that on April 2, we lost Pastor Joseph Owes of Pomona, California, to complications with COVID-19. Pastor Owes devoted 20 years of his life to providing hope and inspiration to the people of Pomona. prgtoken A Georgia native, Pastor Owes spent his formative elementary and junior high school years in the South, experiencing desegregation firsthand. As difficult as those times were, they taught Pastor Owes to ``outlast the enemy'' and forgive quickly. He immersed himself in football, earning an MVP award and 27 college scholarship offers. Eventually he landed on Texas Southern University, where he majored in mechanical engineering. After graduating, Pastor Owes worked hard in sales and management for five Fortune 500 Companies and married the love of his life, Michele Lipkins, in 1986. Together they raised four loving children. prgtoken Eventually, Pastor Owes found his way to preaching in 1989 and completed his ministerial training, receiving his ordination under the leadership of his mentor and friend, Pastor Reuben L. Monmouth II. Pastor Owes used his talents of bringing people together to start a church inside a maximum-security prison in Texas. There he mentored trustees and helped prepare them for the outside world. He later established a church and Christian School in Southwest Houston. prgtoken In February of 2000, Pastor Owes accepted an assignment to pastor From the Heart Church Ministries of Pomona, serving as a pillar of inspiration and guidance for the community. During the economic crash of 2009, he was instrumental in bringing badly needed service to the Pomona Valley, using his church to host food banks and health fairs, and provide job and financial literacy workshops for those struggling with foreclosures. I was fortunate to have met him and partner with him in providing these services to our community. prgtoken Pastor Owes enjoyed the outdoors and working with his hands to create things like slingshots and bow and arrows. He often played racquetball, rode his bicycle, and participated in competitive bowling with his sons. His friends and family called him the ``Grill Master'' as he often cooked large meals for his loved ones. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family and having all the children and grandchildren together under one roof. prgtoken For his exemplary life, Madam , it is an honor to recognize Pastor Joseph Owes. His decades of service and contributions to our community are worthy of admiration, and his memory will live on through the countless lives he has impacted. Pastor Owes is survived by his wife of 22 years, Michele, their four children, six grandchildren, and a host of other family and friends. May he rest in peace.
INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC ROLE OF VICTORY GARDENS
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-4-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor Earth Day by introducing a resolution recognizing the historic role Victory Gardens have served in strengthening our country's food security, health education; and community morale through the worst of times, including World War I, II and their current importance as we battle the current Coronavirus pandemic. I want to thank my dear colleague and proud son of Nebraska, Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry, for partnering with me on this valiant endeavor. prgtoken America faced many challenges head-on during World War I and World War II, and even the youngest and oldest citizens across the country could participate. Millions came together to strengthen food security by planting Victory Gardens. Again today, we find ourselves facing a new enemy, an invisible enemy--COVID-19. Its devastation is broad and indiscriminate. Life as we have known it is forever changed. But as we seek comfort and higher purpose, the call to reignite the patriotism of Victory Gardens rings loud. Let us unite once more to strengthen community while we are apart and help supplement troubled food chains to defy and delay insecurity. The harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables in our own backyards would have an indelible impact for our families and neighbors. prgtoken This challenge presents a ripe opportunity to educate our children on the value of mother-Earth, as we implement home schooling lessons with schools shuttered. Investments, whether time, effort, or financial, in Victory Gardening will help teach our young citizens the fundamentals of healthy and nutritious food, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with cultivation. We must not let this opportunity or duty go to waste. prgtoken While we continue to combat the devastating effects of COVID-19, I urge citizens across our great nation to raise their spades and seeds, and join me in planting Victory Gardens. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
RECOGNIZING MR. CALEB LYDICK
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-4-22

. Madam , I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to my constituent, Mr. Caleb Lydick, for his heroic actions on April 7, 2020. prgtoken On the afternoon of April 7, Missouri State Highway Patrol and deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of a shooting on eastbound Interstate 70, near the 175-mile marker, in Montgomery County, Missouri. The initial investigation indicated the driver of a passenger car had fired shots from a moving vehicle, striking and disabling another vehicle also traveling eastbound, causing that vehicle to come to a rest near the 175-mile marker. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. prgtoken Troopers subsequently learned that, after the victim's vehicle came to a stop, two tractor-trailer drivers parked their trucks around the van to shield it from additional gun fire. I later learned that Caleb Lydick, of Springerton, Illinois, was one of the courageous drivers who placed himself, and his truck, in harm's way to protect the disabled van. Caleb's actions that day were both courageous and selfless, and I am grateful for the men and women, like Caleb, who rise to the occasion in a moment of danger. prgtoken Madam , I thank Caleb for his bravery and wish him safe travels as he continues his essential work.
RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-4-22

. Madam , I rise today to commend Harmony Public School for their efforts to protect our hospital heroes on the front lines fighting the coronavirus. prgtoken As COVID-19 has rocked our communities and pushed our hospitals into overdrive, our healthcare professionals have faced a critical shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as face masks and rubber gloves. PPE provides critical protection for our doctors and nurses, shielding them from diseases like coronavirus and other biohazards. prgtoken Seeing our heroes needing help, Harmony Public School used their 3-D printer to create 2,000 plastic face shields over the course of six weeks, using modern technology to help medical professionals working to save lives. prgtoken On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, we send our sincerest thanks to the men and women at Harmony Public School for doing their part to help our community during these challenging times.
HONORING THE MILITARY SERVICE OF BUTCH, GUY, CLOYD, AND PETE STAFFORD
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-4-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor the military service of Butch, Guy, Cloyd, and Pete Stafford. These brothers served our country for a combined 73 years. prgtoken Raised in the Bell Orchard community of Guilford County, North Carolina, the Stafford brothers farmed and worked the land, attended Jesse Wharton and Rankin Schools, and were members of Hillcrest Baptist Church. It didn't take long after turning 18 for any of these brothers to begin their service to our country. prgtoken Cloyd served eight years in the National Guard, Pete served 21 years in the National Guard, Butch served 22 and a half years in the Navy, and Guy served 21 and a half years in the Navy. prgtoken It's not often that you come across a family so devoted to service to America, which represents a piece of history larger than any one person. It shows a powerful belief and dedication to our country's bedrock principles of service, selflessness, and sacrifice. I'm thankful for their devotion to the United States. There's no question that the Stafford brothers set an example and passed down a legacy to their children and grandchildren that will live on for generations to come. prgtoken Please join me in gratitude for the Stafford brothers, who honorably served their country and have continued to be steward citizens in our community.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken I rise today in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and the Health Care Enhancement Act, which provides nearly $500 billion for economic recovery and public health efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. prgtoken The cornerstone of this legislation is the support for small businesses through the PPP, the Paycheck Protection Program. These PPP loans, which can be completely forgiven, are essential for small businesses to continue paying their employees and cover operating costs. prgtoken To illustrate how crucial this loan has been to the 30 million small businesses in this country, the SBA supported more loans in the first 14 days of the PPP than it did in the last 14 years. In total, more than $340 billion has been provided to more than 1.6 million American small businesses. prgtoken An additional $60 billion is provided in this bill for another key source of assistance for small business: economic injury disaster loans and grants. Borrowers can get loans at low interest rates and then repay them over a long period of time, up to 30 years. prgtoken This legislation also provides $100 billion for critical healthcare initiatives. These funds will support our heroes on the front lines and allow us to deploy more tests so we know where the virus is having the most impact. With this information, we can begin safely reopening our communities and restarting our economy. prgtoken While it took much too long to get this bill to the floor today, I want to thank my colleagues for coming together to deliver results for the American people whose health and livelihoods depend on it. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in voting on this measure to continue supporting our Nation's small businesses, their hardworking employees, and our critical healthcare workers.
PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF H. RES. 935, ESTABLISHING A SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , such time as I may consume for a quick response to my friend. prgtoken I recall that we requested oversight committees for TARP. That was not allowed by then- Pelosi. We requested oversight committees for the stimulus package in 2009. That, too, was not agreed to by Pelosi. So we find this new need for oversight refreshing, but somewhat questionable. prgtoken Madam , I also remind my friend, there are eight existing committees, all of which, by the way, the control, all of which they chair. prgtoken We have confidence in the eight existing committees to do their job. We don't see the need for a ninth. prgtoken Madam , I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock), my great friend.
RECOGNIZING THE SELFLESS AMERICANS WORKING ON THE FRONTLINES TO BATTLE THE CORONAVIRUS
Bill Posey (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to all the brave men and women of this country who are risking their own lives every day to help our nation get through this terrible coronavirus pandemic. They are our emergency first responders, doctors, nurses, grocery store employees, members of the postal service and those who work in the shipping and delivery industries. Their continued service throughout this crisis means life or death for some patients fighting off this disease, and it also means that our families can continue to have the food and products we all need to survive. prgtoken Our local newspaper, Florida Today, recently highlighted the efforts of fifteen Brevard County nurses as they rushed to aid Americans suffering from COVID-19 in the town of Taunton, Massachusetts, a hard- hit community just south of Boston. These brave nurses, currently on staff with Rockledge Regional Medical Center, answered the call for help and volunteered to go for two weeks to treat seriously ill COVID- 19 patients. Since being there, they have vowed to stay as long as they are needed. prgtoken Madam , I would like to recognize the selfless acts of nurses Jennifer Nelson, Lorraine Blake, Tandy Beck, Allison Salidino, Betty ``Joanne'' Crespo, Deidra Gansel, Jill Barrett, Amanda Tebault, Lisa Colon, Arlene ``Solly'' Salzwedel, Kris Smith, Nora George, Linda Fleming Dutton, Kara Ehrhardt and Gena Gillespie. These are real life heroes. ``When I first walked into ICU, I thought, `Oh, my goodness. What is this?' It looked like, to coin a phrase, a war zone,'' Nurse Arlene ``Solly'' Salzwedel was quoted describing the situation saying in Taunton. ``The housekeepers do not come in to clean the rooms at all. That's the job of the nursing staff. So not only are you the patients' nurse, you're their cleaner. You're their spiritual support system, even though they're intubated and heavily sedated.'' prgtoken Andy Romine, President of Rockledge Regional Medical Center, said originally thirty nurses had volunteered to go to Massachusetts, but our own needs in Brevard County required some to stay and care for patients in our own community. ``Our organization is very proud of them for their willingness to put their safety at risk to care for others-- their courage and selflessness is a source of pride for us,'' said Romine. Since then, forty-five other nurses have traveled to Boston to treat the surging cases of COVID-19 putting their lives at risk. prgtoken I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in saluting these brave nurses, and all of the selfless Americans who are risking their lives every day to help the American people overcome this serious coronavirus pandemic.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for his service. prgtoken Before I begin, I want to thank all of us for spending the time to be here today. prgtoken Madam , I want to say to the families who are battling this virus or to the families who have lost a loved one, if we would all pause to think about that, not only did they lose a loved one, but they couldn't even be near them or with them in their time of need. I want them to know, from a and side, for the entire Congress: You are in our prayers, and you will stay in our prayers. prgtoken I also want to give a sincere thank-you to all of the essential workers on the front lines of this crisis, not from the leader, but from a very grateful nation. prgtoken For the medical professionals, the doctors, the nurses, the receptionists, we thank you for going to work. We know the fear that it brings; we know the fear that it brings when you go home to your families; and we are grateful. prgtoken To the farmers who make sure we have food grown in America that is safe and the truck drivers who drive through the night to replenish the stores that we walk in and keep our distance to have the food; to the postal workers, the warehouse workers, the clerks inside those stores who every day go to work, you are making a meaningful and measurable difference in the lives of our entire Nation. prgtoken We will be forever grateful for those who kept us safe, kept us healthy, and kept us fed. They deserve a government that strives to meet that very same level of dedication. prgtoken That is the promise I will make: that we will bring the same dedication that you bring to help others that you don't even know, and we should rise to that occasion. This is a commitment we make to every American. We will fight this virus together until we defeat it together. prgtoken We did not ask for this virus. We did not invite it. It came from a distant land. But together, we will defeat it, not only for our country, but for the world. prgtoken To do that, Congress must act, and we will continue to act even if some in this body want to play politics. Even if we get something held up, we will stay at the table until we bring people together. prgtoken We want to put people before politics. Our entire effort will be bipartisan. After all, public health and a strong economy are not a or issue. prgtoken Unfortunately, Madam , we watched the other side within our own of the House interject politics where it did not belong: into an oversight body of our necessary relief funds. prgtoken Now I want everybody to understand what the CARES Act did, the CARES Act that got held up for more than a week. Yes, at the end of the day it changed from that one Sunday night. Kennedy Center and others got some more money, but it didn't change for what the work was going to be done, for the people who needed it. prgtoken Yes, some people, unfortunatel