mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING JENNY DO
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-13

. Madam , I rise today in memory and in honor of Jenny Do, who passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the age of 56. She was a talented artist, attorney, and activist who was beloved and deeply respected in my district. prgtoken Jenny fled Vietnam as a child refugee. She came to this country to begin a new life and pursue her education. She earned a legal degree and became very involved in issues affecting the Vietnamese American community. She served in numerous organizations, including the notable Friends of Hue Foundation, to provide services to improve and implement sustainable solutions in impoverished communities. She sat on the City of San Jose's Art Commission and was committed to raising prgtoken awareness about Vietnamese arts, culture, and social issues. As the founder of Ao Dai Festival and Green Rice Gallery, she curated many well-received exhibitions around the Bay Area. prgtoken With almost 20 years of legal experience, Jenny was an attorney specializing in worker's compensation cases. She was a fearless advocate for everything she believed in and was willing to help anyone that needed support. prgtoken Jenny battled cancer for 15 years and established a support network for Vietnamese American cancer patients. She shared her experience living with cancer over the years and her resiliency was an inspiration to many. prgtoken In 2017, Jenny led the efforts to combat the devastating flood of Coyote Creek and made sure the impacted community received assistance from all levels of government. She established a training program to increase disaster preparedness amongst Vietnamese Americans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenny was at the forefront of the community mobilizing efforts to distribute more than 40,000 sets of PPE equipment to healthcare workers. She also led efforts to distribute food to the homeless and elderly throughout the Santa Clara County. prgtoken Jenny Do touched people from all around the world and was an extraordinary human being. She was a beacon of light and a role model for many. I was honored to see her work firsthand throughout San Jose and am thankful for her tireless commitment and service to the community. Jenny will be greatly missed. Please join me in honoring her and sharing my deep condolences with her family and our community that mourns her loss.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-9-13

while returning to Washington, DC, on September 12, my flight was temporarily grounded by inclement weather, delaying my return to Washington, DC. As a result, I was unable to attend the vote on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 986, Salvador Mendoza, Jr of Washington, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. prgtoken I would have voted yea on the confirmation had I been able to attend the vote.
EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS' FUND
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-9-13

the balance of my time. prgtoken S. 4785 is bipartisan legislation that would extend the $5,000 special assessment that provides funding to help victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography, and human trafficking, through services, programming, and treatment tailored to their specific needs. prgtoken Each of us should make every effort to support programs that help rescue survivors of these reprehensible crimes and provide them with the resources they need to become whole again, while also holding perpetrators accountable for the harms they cause. prgtoken I urge all my colleagues to support S. 4785, and .
EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS' FUND
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-9-13

I rise in support of S. 4785, bipartisan legislation that would extend the authorization of the $5,000 special assessment for the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund. prgtoken Human trafficking is one of the greatest ongoing threats to human rights in the world--and in this country. prgtoken An estimated 25 percent of human trafficking victims are reportedly in my home state of Texas, with Houston being one of the largest hubs for human trafficking in the country. And although some populations are at greater risk of victimization than others, human trafficking spans all races, ages, genders, and every socioeconomic status. prgtoken In 2020, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified more than 16,000 victims of human trafficking, who likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem. prgtoken In that same year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 21.7 million reports, most of which were related to child sexual abuse material, online prgtoken enticement, child sex trafficking, and child sexual molestation. prgtoken Victims who have been exploited or abused sexually or trafficked, whether for labor or sex, require and deserve victim-focused, culturally informed responses from well-trained providers and law enforcement, that direct them towards emergency and long-term services critical to sustaining them as they heal. prgtoken Funding and grants--from the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund to develop, expand, strengthen, and provide these victim services and programming--derive from the mandatory special assessment, which is imposed on perpetrators convicted of human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation, and child pornography. prgtoken Because it is our duty not only to ensure victims and survivors of these ghastly crimes are not re-victimized but also to provide them with services that help them successfully re-integrate into society, we must extend the authorization of the $5,000 special assessment. prgtoken I support S. 4875 and encourage my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken We must also continue to shape legislation to improve upon the U.S. antitrafficking response--as well as other legislation and programming aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and protecting victims and survivors--particularly our children and youth. prgtoken That is why I introduced H.R. 7566, the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act, to ensure schools are safe havens for students. prgtoken It is my hope that my bill, which was ordered to be reported favorably by voice vote, will be brought to the floor for consideration soon.
Ukraine (Executive Calendar)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-9-13

I rise today with my colleague from the great State of Ohio, Senator Portman, to share with the Senate and the country some of the things that we learned from our recent trip to Ukraine. prgtoken I first want to thank Senator Portman. He comes to the floor every week--never gives up, whether things are good or bad--to talk about what is happening in Ukraine. prgtoken President Zelenskyy was incredibly grateful--that was the first thing he wanted us to report back to the Senate and to the country-- incredibly grateful for all America has done to stand with Ukraine. prgtoken We know that this is a country that has given its all. Sometimes we wonder in our own country: What would we put on the line for democracy? Are we going to vote? Or things like that. The people in this country have put their very lives on the line every single day: ballerinas donning camo and going to the frontline; exhausted workers at a nuclear plant trying to protect not just Ukraine but all of Europe in what is the biggest nuclear powerplant in Europe and which supplies 20 percent of Ukrainian energy; the cellist playing beautiful melodies in the bombed-out remnants of a town square to remind people that no matter what Vladimir Putin did to their country, no matter what he did with his inhumane barbarism, culture and love is there in Ukraine, and it is not going away. prgtoken Senator Portman and I visited the mass grave in Bucha, and in Irpin we saw many, many apartment buildings that were completely blown apart from the bombs. prgtoken We saw firsthand the strength of the Ukrainian people and their leaders. But just as Vladimir Putin has shown his true colors with the bombing and the shelling near a nuclear powerplant, the people of Ukraine have shown their colors in a brilliant yellow and blue. Over the past 6 months since the invasion, their bravery and humanity consistently shine through. prgtoken We had, together, traveled to Ukraine. And the last group of Senators who visited before the war started was Senators Shaheen, Murphy, Blumenthal, Cramer, and Wicker. We witnessed the incredible resolve of the people back then, and it has only grown stronger. prgtoken In our meeting with President Zelenskyy for over an hour and with Defense Minister Reznikov and the President's Chief of Staff, we heard, time and time again: the helpfulness of the HIMARS. In fact, the Embassy staff told us that they went to a takeout place in Ukraine and that the people who worked in the restaurant didn't even know they were with our Embassy but knew they were American, and they gave them their bag of food, and on the bag was written the words ``Thanks for the HIMARS.'' That is how the people of Ukraine are focused day in and day out on what is happening in their region. prgtoken We also, of course, talk about the counteroffensive, and I know Senator Portman will talk in detail about what is happening. And we know the fight is not over. Russia
RECOGNIZING THE WOMEN WHO SOAR
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-9-13

. Madam , it is my honor today to recognize the accomplishments of Mary Kraft, Sylvia Waller, and Polly Letofsky who will be honored by the Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation as ``Women Who Soar.'' prgtoken Each year, the Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation recognizes three women in the Denver Metro Community who inspire our community and are blazing the path for future generations. prgtoken Mary Kraft has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' because in the face of a multitude of struggles, she harnessed innovation and technology to advance her farm's capabilities. Her and her husband used an innovative approach to nurture their Blue Toothed cows--growing the herd from 200 to 6,000. Mary held the first leadership role by a woman and eventually became President of American Agriculture at the Colorado Livestock Association. prgtoken Sylvia Waller has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' by challenging and changing the standard of beauty. At the age of 62, she became the first African American in 32 years to be crowned Mrs. Colorado. Sylvia believes beauty has no age, shape, or color, rather it is found in the heart and spirit. Sylvia is a passionate Volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer's Association, using her personal experience as a caretaker for her father who suffered from dementia to help promote services for individuals and families dealing with the disease. prgtoken Polly Letofsky has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' because of her efforts to support authors who self-publish their work. She founded My Word Publishing which disrupted the publishing world by helping authors professionally self-publish their books while maintaining 100 percent of their rights. Since its inception, Polly's business has grown into a publishing library of 750 books and representing authors from 14 countries. prgtoken From using innovative methods in farming to creating a publishing house for self-publishing authors, this year's recipients have made a lasting impact on those around them and in our community. It is leaders like these three women who will allow us to achieve a more prosperous and inclusive future and I congratulate them all on being recognized as ``Women Who Soar.''
ABORTION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-9-13

shortly after the news leaked that the U.S. Supreme Court was ready to overturn Roe v. Wade, Leader McConnell acknowledged that a Federal ban on abortion was now ``possible''--his words. Well, later today, the senior Senator from South Carolina is going to make good on Leader McConnell's warning by introducing a radical bill to institute a nationwide restriction on abortions. prgtoken Proposals like the one today send a clear message from MAGA s to women across the country: your body, our choice. Rather than expanding women's rights, MAGA s would curtail them rather than give individuals the freedom to make their own healthcare choices. They hand that power over to radical politicians. prgtoken And let me add this. s are twisting themselves into pretzels trying to explain why they want nationwide abortion bans when they said they would leave it up to the States. Even the senior Senator from South Carolina said a few months ago that ``if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade,'' it would mean that ``every state will decide if abortion is legal and on what terms.'' And yet here he is, introducing a bill to restrict abortions nationally. prgtoken For the hard right, this has never been about States' rights. This has never been about letting Texas choose its own path while California takes another. No, for MAGA s this has always been about making abortion illegal everywhere. prgtoken The contrast has become clear. While want to protect a woman's freedom to choose, MAGA s want to take that right away with proposals to ban abortions, to punish women and doctors for carrying out abortions, and even to push bans with no exceptions for rape or incest. prgtoken We are seeing it play out across the country. It is chilling-- chilling--to the bone. Every single American should stand in opposition against these radical MAGA views.
Introductory Statement on S. 4833
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-13

I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senator Padilla to preserve the enduring legacy of California's giant sequoias: the Save Our Sequoias Act. I thank Senator Padilla for working with me on this important bill, as well as the bipartisan sponsors of similar legislation in the House. prgtoken The Save Our Sequoias Act would charge a dedicated group of Federal, State, local, and Tribal land managers known as the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition with developing wildfire resilience projects to help save these magnificent trees. prgtoken The bill would also provide Federal Agencies with narrow, targeted authorities to implement these projects quickly and protect our remaining sequoias, as well as create a strategy to enhance sequoia reforestation. prgtoken Giant sequoias are one of the most iconic plants in the world. The sequoia known as General Sherman is the largest tree on Earth at more than 100 feet in circumference and 275 feet tall. prgtoken Sequoias grow quickly, producing a 50-foot tree's worth of wood each year, yet can live to be thousands of years old. They are also remarkably fire-adapted, with spongy bark that can be up to 2-feet thick. prgtoken Perhaps most importantly to me, these incredible trees only grow in my home State of California. Just being around these trees is a humbling experience. Their immensity puts them in a class by themselves, and it is no wonder that they have been the source of reverence and amazement. prgtoken For many years, sequoias were considered nearly immune to the effects of wildfires, but unfortunately devastating fires in recent years have overwhelmed even their potent defenses. Officials have estimated that 20 percent of all mature giant sequoias have been destroyed just since 2020. prgtoken Scientific research has additionally suggested that without significant action, another 20 percent could be lost in the next 3 years. This would be a staggering tragedy and demands action. As former President Theodore Roosevelt himself put it, ``A grove of giant redwood or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral.'' prgtoken The vast majority of giant sequoias live on Federal land, and I thank President and his administration for using existing authorities to try to save these magnificent trees. Nevertheless, Congress can and should enact legislation to protect sequoias long into the future. prgtoken Our bill would accomplish this goal by first codifying the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, an existing group of public land managers with jurisdiction over sequoia groves, and requiring it to develop a strategy to make sequoia groves more resilient to wildfire. It would also provide congressional support for the Administration's current actions under an emergency declaration to expedite sequoia wildfire resilience projects. prgtoken Federal agencies should not be reliant on emergency authorities,
HONORING GEORGE THOMAS NOLAN
Colin Z. Allred (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-9-13

. Madam , I rise to honor the life of George Thomas Nolan of Garland, Texas. Mr. Nolan passed away on August 12, 2022, and leaves behind a legacy that his family should be proud of. prgtoken Mr. Nolan was born on December 24, 1940, in Bay Shore, New York. Like myself, he was raised by a single parent. He joined the Army as a young man in the 1950s and served as a helicopter mechanic in Germany. He later went on to be a mechanic and shop steward at several airlines. prgtoken Later, he suffered a loss no parent should suffer. His daughter, Cari died, at the age of 38. After this tragedy, Mr. Nolan poured himself into community work, registering voters, knocking on doors and working to promote ``fairness and equality.'' prgtoken He devoted his golden years to strengthening Medicare. prgtoken I was so honored to meet Mr. Nolan as part of my work to lower prescription drug prices. I even had the pleasure to invite him to join a roundtable with Pelosi on that subject this year. prgtoken Mr. Nolan was a great North Texan, a loving family man and a patriot. prgtoken He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Bobbye Nolan, and his son, Tim J. Nolan. He prgtoken is also survived by his daughter-in-law Laurie Stone and grandchildren, Leah, Emma, and Nathan, as well as his first grandchild and daughter of Cari, Abigail Slider.
CELEBRATING THE CITY OF HOLLISTER
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-13

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the founding of the city of Hollister, California. For the last 150 years, the city of Hollister has been shaped by the people who call it home. Hollister is a strong and vibrant community that serves as the San Benito County seat and is an integral part of the fabric of the Central Coast. prgtoken In 1868, the San Justo Homestead Association purchased the San Justo Ranch from Colonel William Welles Hollister, a major landholder for whom the town would be named. The Homestead Association divided the San Justo Ranch into plots to be auctioned to settlers and set the boundaries of what would then become the city of Hollister. On August 6, 1872, residents submitted a petition to the Monterey Courthouse for a town charter. Hollister held its first election for the city's Board of Trustees just eleven days later, on August 17, 1872. prgtoken Hollister is a strong and resilient community. On October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake left much of the downtown area in ruins and caused millions of dollars in damages. But Hollister took the disaster in stride and rebounded. The community of Hollister has more than doubled since the earthquake, and it boasts a vibrant downtown, including many civil society groups such as the San Benito County Historical Society and the Hollister Downtown Association. prgtoken Famed for its wineries, ranchlands, and the high-quality 75 different vegetable, vine, and orchard crops it produces, Hollister continues to be a regional center for agriculture. As it was when it was founded, Hollister's verdant fields, vineyards, and pastures augment the natural beauty of the Central Coast. The region is renowned for its breathtaking vistas, from Pinnacles National Park to Hollister's picturesque hills. These unparalleled views attract thousands of visitors every year who come to appreciate all the beauty that Hollister has to offer. prgtoken Madam , it is my pleasure to ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the city of Hollister for 150 exceptional years and in wishing Hollister continued success in the years to come.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-13

I rise to speak in support of the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which I introduced today. prgtoken America's truckdrivers are on the frontlines of keeping goods and our economy moving. More than 70 percent of goods across the United States are shipped by truck. prgtoken Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting supply chain crisis exacerbated longstanding challenges for truckers, including long hours away from home and time spent waiting--often unpaid--to load and unload at congested ports, warehouses, and distribution centers. prgtoken As our Nation makes historic investments in our port and supply chain infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we should also improve wages and working conditions for essential workers and ensure they are paid for all of the hours they work. prgtoken However, for more than 80 years, Federal law has denied truckers guaranteed overtime pay benefits that are afforded to nearly all other professions. This means that if a truckdriver experiences delays due to congestion or weather, they are often not paid even though they are working. prgtoken The motor carrier exemption is exacerbating trucking workforce challenges. Additionally, research suggests that when truck labor rates are fair, there is less driver fatigue, fewer regulatory violations, and lower crash rates. prgtoken That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to repeal the overtime exemption for motor carriers. prgtoken I want to thank Senator Markey for co-leading this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this bill that will ensure that trucker compensation reflects the fact that these jobs are essential.