mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-7-24

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 25; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the House Message to accompany S. 2073 and, notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motion with respect to the House Message ripen at 2:15 p.m and the mandatory quorum call be waived; further, at 11:30 a.m the Senate proceed to executive session and vote on confirmation of the Way nomination pursuant to the order of July 23, 2024; that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate resume legislative session.
HONORING JOHN CARLSON, JR.
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-7-24

. Mr , I rise today to honor John Carlson, Jr an esteemed member of our wildlife and conservation community. Mr. Carlson is being honored today for his extensive career in wildlife conservation spanning over 35 years and we thank him for his service. prgtoken Mr. Carlson was born in Chicago, and currently lives in Roseville with his wife Michelle. Together, they have two children, Zachary and Jacob. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt and his Master of Science from Iowa State University in Wildlife Biology. prgtoken Mr. Carlson began his career 35 years ago as a biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. From there, he was promoted to Wildlife Branch Chief and later, to Executive Director of the California Fish and Game Commission. After 21 years serving the Department of Fish and Game, Mr. Carlson went on to spend the next 14 years with the California Waterfowl Association, where he ended his remarkable career as its president. His long career in wildlife conservation is commendable. prgtoken Throughout his career, Mr. Carlson has worked tirelessly to give back to our community. As president of California Waterfowl, he directed and oversaw the fee-title acquisition of lands for habitat protection and public use and education, the acquisition of water for the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, and the establishment of upland habitat cover to benefit nesting waterfowl and other wildlife. His commitment to conserving wildlife by emphasizing the need for sound science when making wildlife conservation-related decisions and his positive approach to work is honorable. prgtoken Mr. Carlson's dedication to service is further evident through his community involvement. He is an Alumni Fellow of Cohort 12 of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, which provides education and training to wildlife conservation professionals. Additionally, he worked as part of the California Department of Fish and Game Leadership Academy, a program for those interested in careers in wildlife conservation. Mr. Carlson's philanthropic work did not stop there. For several years, he mentored a young `student at risk' as part of the Student Buddy Program. We are thankful for his service and wish Mr. Carlson a wonderful retirement. prgtoken , we thank Mr. Carlson for his dedicated service to the wildlife conservation community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.
HONORING THE LIFE OF BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2024-7-24

I rise today to honor the life of Bernice Johnson Reagon. Not only was Bernice a music and civil rights icon, but she was also my longtime friend. After being expelled from Albany State University because of an arrest related to her activism, Bernice helped form the ``Freedom Singers,'' an a cappella group that was part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). I was deeply involved in SNCC. The Freedom Singers helped document SNCC's activities through music. Even in the darkest times, civil rights activists would raise their voices in song. prgtoken In 1973, while teaching a vocal workshop in the District of Columbia, Bernice founded the a cappella group ``Sweet Honey in the Rock,'' with which she performed until 2004. Since its inception, Sweet Honey in the Rock has expressed African American history through song, dance and sign language, earning three Grammy nominations. prgtoken In addition to performing, Bernice was also a music historian who held the title of Curator Emerita at the National Museum of American History. Bernice received a BA from Spelman College and a PhD in History from Howard University and was a professor at American University. In 1989, Bernice was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. Bernice helped change the history of our country through song. prgtoken I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the incredible life and legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 1371, STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ITS BORDER CZAR, KAMALA HARRIS'S, FAILURE TO SECURE THE UNITED STATES BORDER
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2024-7-24

. We have several solutions that we have put forward, including my bill, the American Dream and Promise Act, which would finally provide Dreamers, TPS recipients, and DED beneficiaries with a pathway to citizenship. prgtoken Not only is my bill bipartisan and popular with my colleagues, 207 of whom were cosponsors, but it is popular with the American people. Poll after poll shows that upwards of 70 percent of Americans support permanent solutions for Dreamers because Americans support Dreamers and Dreamers support America. They know that their home is here. They rose to the challenge during the pandemic and served as doctors, nurses, and teachers. They are serving in our military and protecting our communities as law enforcement officers and firefighters. prgtoken The American Dream and Promise Act is a real commonsense solution and not a rhetoric bill. It is not a MAGA waste of time. Enough of this ``pendejada,'' ``foolishness,'' BS, and garbage. Let's move forward. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question and instead support the American Dream and Promise Act, a real solution to provide relief to real people supported by Americans.
CONGRATULATING FORD CHICAGO ASSEMBLY PLANT
Robin L. Kelly (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-7-24

I rise today to congratulate the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant on its 100 years of operation this August. prgtoken For decades, Ford has crafted a legacy of excellence and resilience in Illinois' Second Congressional District. It has weathered economic storms, technological revolutions, and a global pandemic, emerging stronger with each passing year. prgtoken The cars that have rolled off these assembly lines are not just machines. They are testaments to the craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication of countless individuals. prgtoken As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us remember the past with pride, embrace the present with gratitude, and look to the future with excitement and resolve. prgtoken Here is to a century of achievement and to many more years of innovation, success, and Ford toughness. prgtoken On another note: Sheila Jackson Lee, you will be so missed.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Jon Ossoff (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2024-7-24

I rise today to commend Mr. Jack Stone, a distinguished veteran and pillar of the Tifton community, whose lifelong dedication to service and our State are an inspiration to all Georgians. prgtoken Drafted into the Korean war in 1950, Mr. Stone bravely served and displayed exceptional courage and leadership. After his Active-Duty service, he then served an additional 7 years in the Army Reserves. prgtoken Mr. Stone was a leader in working to establish Tifton's Veterans Memorial Park over three decades ago, which has since renamed in his honor as Jack Stone Veterans Park. The park now also features a monument with the names of more than 80 men and women from Tifton who were killed in action serving our country. prgtoken Through his tireless efforts, Mr. Stone not only helped secured funding for the park, but also served as its volunteer curator, ensuring that it remains a place of reverence and reflection for generations to come. He was also instrumental in opening Tifton's Veterans Museum in 2019 and helped secure a U.S. Veterans Administration clinic in Tifton to better serve the area's veterans. prgtoken Mr. Stone has been actively involved in various other community organizations, including the Downtown Tifton Merchants Association and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the Tifton community. prgtoken As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I recognize, commend, and express my gratitude to Mr. Jack Stone for his service to our Nation, his contributions to the Tifton community, and his commitment to honoring our veterans.
SARA FROM GAZA
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-7-24

I rise today to fulfill a promise, a promise I made to a 17-year-old girl named Sara to share her story. prgtoken Sara is a brilliant artist and a loving sister. She was savagely burned and severely injured in an Israeli airstrike, an airstrike that killed her two brothers, Ahmad, 15 years old, and Mohamed, 8 years old. prgtoken Sara and her mother are currently in the U.S. seeking medical treatment, treatment she couldn't access for over a month as her family was trapped in Gaza and denied care. No child should ever have to endure this brutality. prgtoken Sara's mother spoke about Ahmad and Mohamed with love. They were gentle, sweet boys who lit up the room with joy and loved to ride horses with their sister. prgtoken What have we as a Nation done? We are supplying bombs that maim and murder babies. Where is our humanity? prgtoken I carry Sara and her family with me always, and I will press for peace in her name.
Israel (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-7-24

later this afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress. prgtoken It has been 291 days since Israel suffered the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust at the hands of evil Hamas terrorists. The pain of October 7 remains fresh because, to this day, at least 116 Israeli hostages remain in captivity, including women, teenagers, the elderly; including American citizens; including New Yorkers--my constituents. prgtoken Yesterday afternoon, I met with some of the families of the hostages, where I reaffirmed a solemn promise I made months ago and each day since: I am doing everything in my power to ensure their loved ones come home safe and sound. Today is yet another opportunity to fight for just that. prgtoken Even though I disagree with many of Bibi Netanyahu's policies, I will attend the speech because the United States' relationship with Israel remains ironclad and transcends any Prime Minister or President, and we must do all we can to get our hostages home. prgtoken I told the families of the hostages I will continue supporting the administration and all negotiators as they push Hamas to agree to a deal that will release the hostages and bring relief to Gaza. The negotiators have agreed on a framework, and now is the time to close the deal. prgtoken Later today, I will also meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu during a bipartisan, bicameral meeting of the congressional leadership. I promised the families I would relay their message directly with the Prime Minister: Do all you can to bring the hostages home now. prgtoken Many of the families I met with yesterday were the very same families I met with during my trip to Israel just a few days after the October 7 attack prgtoken where their loved ones were captured. I can only imagine what the last 8 months have been like for these courageous souls, not knowing if their loves ones are even alive. prgtoken I was particularly glad to meet with some of the families from New York, including the family of Itay Chen, who was murdered on October 7 and whose body is still being held hostage. I also met with the family of Omer Neutra, who remains in captivity and whose family will be attending the speech as my guests. prgtoken Omer was serving as a tank commander near Gaza when he was taken, but back home he had his whole life ahead of him. He is a student athlete, a Knicks fan, the captain of his school's basketball team, and was set to attend Binghamton University, one of the finest universities in the country, after his service. And there are many, many just like Omer whom we still need to bring home. prgtoken There is simply no time to waste with a deal within reach. Yesterday, another hostage family member told me the tragic story of her family. Her mother and brother were both taken captive by Hamas on October 7. Today, her mother is home, released in the November hostage deal, but her brother is dead, murdere
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2024-7-24

. Mr. Chair, the Interior bill we are considering today includes 92 poison pill riders in the base bill that cripple environmental protection, undermine climate change policies, add to the national debt, and include discriminatory riders targeting millions of American citizens that have already proven so divisive in earlier markups. I object to the inclusion of any more. prgtoken This amendment would block the EPA from implementing air pollution regulations for lime manufacturing plants. The EPA rule will reduce emissions of toxic air pollution by nearly 900 tons per year from hazardous air pollutants such as dioxin and mercury. prgtoken EPA initiated this rulemaking as required by a court case to comply with their 8-year technology review timeline required under the Clean Air Act. prgtoken As a result of the lawsuit and subsequent emissions data collection, EPA found four pollutants that were unregulated in proposed reasonable standards to achieve better air quality and public health. prgtoken EPA worked closely with the Small Business Administration and included regulatory flexibilities to address small business concerns. prgtoken EPA balanced industry concerns alongside their duty to protect public health and the environment in this rule, and they were statutorily required to update. prgtoken The rule is important to the people who live in communities next to these facilities, to the workers at these facilities, and it is critical that this rule go into effect and not be a political pawn in the appropriations process. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and .
MOURNING THE LOSS OF CEDRIC PAUL HUNTLEY
Gabe Amo (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2024-7-24

like Mr. Magaziner previously, I recognize and stand with Rhode Islanders who are in mourning for a giant in our community, Mr. Cedric Paul Huntley. prgtoken Cedric, or Mr. Ced, as he was known, was a convener of communities and a staunch advocate for peace. prgtoken As the executive director of the Nonviolence Institute and throughout all of his youth development work, he led with heart and he led with compassion, striving to end the cycles of violence that tear families and neighborhoods apart. prgtoken In this effort, he lived by example. You could always find Mr. Ced spreading the gospel of kindness, whether it was strangers he had just met or loved ones he had known for years. prgtoken Above all, Cedric believed in service to others. His legacy lives on through his work in State government and our school systems and through his work as a small business owner and as a champion for Rhode Island's charitable causes. prgtoken Last week, we came together for Cedric's memorial service and procession. prgtoken Today, it is my privilege to speak his name into the Congressional Record on the House floor, the people's House, so that his legacy may live on for generations to come.
Nominations of Adam B. Landy, Kashi Way, and Rose E. Jenkins (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2024-7-24

I come to the floor today to again voice my strong support for the nominations of Adam Landy and Kashi Way to serve as judges of the United States Tax Court. The Senate will be voting on their nominations soon, Mr. Way's in just a few minutes and I believe Mr. Landy's later this afternoon. prgtoken The U.S. Tax Court is the judicial backbone of the Federal Tax Code. Americans rely on the Tax Court to dispute tax bills before they need to pay them. It is key to making sure taxpayers are heard in a timely manner and an essential way to protect fairness in our tax system. prgtoken The nominees for these positions have never been controversial. And as I am about to make clear, both these nominees have the right experience and the qualifications for the job. prgtoken Adam Landy has served as a special trial judge on the Tax Court since 2021. He also has several years of experience at the Office of the IRS Chief Counsel in Baltimore, San Francisco, and in the private sector. prgtoken Kashi Way is a senior legislative counsel with the Joint Committee on Taxation staff. During his 18 years at the joint committee, Mr. Way had a major impact on just about every piece of energy tax legislation that has gotten any traction in the Congress, as well as a host of other tax bills. This committee and our staff will be sorry to lose Mr. Way on the joint committee, but he is, in my view, going to make an excellent Tax Court judge. prgtoken These two Tax Court nominees have experience in both the public and private sector. Their broad experience will be invaluable to take on the role as Tax Court judges. prgtoken I would also like to reiterate my strong support for the nomination of Rose Jenkins to serve on the Tax Court. She is a qualified nominee and will make an excellent judge. I will be working with my colleagues to ensure we can bring her nomination to the floor for a final confirmation vote as soon as possible so she can get to work for the American people. prgtoken , and let me just close by way of saying, I think it is particularly important--I see a number of my colleagues on the Finance Committee here--that we continue to work in a bipartisan way on this and that we make this experience more bearable and understandable for the citizens who are a part of it. And I think these nominees will help to do that. prgtoken So I close by saying, in my view, there is no question that these nominees are highly qualified for the roles that they are nominated to fill. We have worked on these in a bipartisan way. I support each of them. And when the Senate votes on their nominations, I urge my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken . prgtoken , I would ask unanimous consent that the scheduled vote occur immediately.
CELEBRATING THE TOWN OF ROCKLAND'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-7-24

I rise today in honor of the Town of Rockland as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. prgtoken Originally part of the neighboring Town of Abington, Rockland was first settled by the Europeans in 1673. Before the settlers came to Massachusetts, the region that would later be known as Old Abington was first named Manamooskeagin by Native Americans local to Southeastern Massachusetts. prgtoken The Town of Rockland was incorporated on March 9, 1874, after separating from the Town of Abington. Rockland got its name from the area's rocky geography that would later be critical to the town's growing industry and economy. Rockland's topography made it less conducive for farming but ideal for mills and manufacturing. Early in the town's history, Rockland was a major lumber producer for local shipyards along the North River. Later, during the Civil War, Rockland saw an economic boom due to the town's growing shoe industry. Rockland's shoe production reached its peak in 1865, when 2,800 men and women were working to produce millions of dollars' worth of shoes. It is believed that Rockland's factories provided shoes for half of the Union Army during the Civil War. prgtoken Known for its strong manufacturing history as well as its extensive involvement in lumber and sawmills, Rockland continued to experience industrial development through the 1900s, but production declined during the Great Depression. However, Rockland saw significant growth following World War II, and the town's population nearly doubled throughout the 1950s. prgtoken Today, Rockland is home to nearly 18,000 residents as well as the Rockland Trust Company, one of the 100 largest banks in the U.S. Although the former mills and industrial buildings are no longer used for manufacturing, they have found a new purpose. The vacant buildings have been revitalized by a growing community of artists in Rockland and the buildings now serve as a meeting place and creative space for local artists to come together. prgtoken , I am proud to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Town of Rockland, and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the important role that the Town of Rockland has played in our country's history and wishing the town and its residents the best of luck in the years to come.
RECOGNIZING THE 100th BIRTHDAY OF AURELIA GONZALEZ LOPEZ
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-7-24

I rise today to honor and celebrate the 100th birthday of Aurelia Gonzalez Lopez. prgtoken Aurelia was born July 25, 1924, in Buenavista, Mexico. She migrated to the United States in 1990, establishing a new life in the City of Pomona for the last 34 years. Raising her family is one of her proudest accomplishments. She had 12 children with her husband, and now her family has expanded to 43 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. prgtoken On behalf of the 35th Congressional District, I congratulate Aurelia on this incredible milestone. It is my honor to represent people like her who bring so much to family and neighbors. I am grateful for her 34 years of residency in my district I hope that she enjoys much happiness in the coming year.