mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise today to speak on three very important topics: first, today's celebration of Constitution Day; second, the signing of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act; and finally, tonight's vote on the Opioid Crisis Response Act. Constitution Day prgtoken , today marks 231 years since the Founding Fathers signed a charter that would forever alter the course of human history: the U.S. Constitution. This document serves as the foundation of our government, and we rightly celebrate its anniversary each year with Constitution Day. prgtoken The Constitution establishes guiding principles that have served the American people very well. The separation of powers, the rule of law, and our system of federalism work together toward the goal of preserving liberty. They have worked to secure individual rights against encroachment by the government. prgtoken The Framers of the Constitution recognized that the government derived its power from the people themselves. The Constitution overturned the prevailing wisdom that men are made for governments, declaring instead that governments are made for men. These principles and our Nation's dedication to them are core to our American ethos. Today, they set our country apart as a symbol of freedom and prosperity across the globe. prgtoken The Constitution is the culmination of centuries of human progress. We have a charge to fulfill its promises. We have a duty to uphold its principles. May we commit ourselves today and every day to defending the truths so eloquently and essentially articulated in the Constitution of our United States. Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018 prgtoken , before , I would like to address the passage of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018, an important piece of legislation that was signed late last week by the President. Senator Wyden and I introduced the bill on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, and it passed unanimously--a great example of how both parties feel about relieving Americans from the burdens of job-killing tariffs. prgtoken The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill was designed to help both importers and producers by suspending or reducing burdensome tariffs that unnecessarily increase manufacturing and operating costs for American companies. A Miscellaneous Tariff Bill has not been enacted since 2010, and our businesses and manufacturers have been forced to wait too long for Congress to act. prgtoken I am pleased that we were finally able to end that wait. I am also pleased to report that this is the first MTB, or Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, to be enacted in the new process set out in the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016. This new process was crafted to provide a robust consultation that is consistent with both House and Senate rules and that would be transparent and open to all. prgtoken The International Trade Commission and the D
RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICERS AND INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HOUSE AND RECIPIENTS OF THE HOUSE EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARD AND...
Gregg Harper (Republican, MS) \u2014 2018-9-17

Ranking Member Robert Brady and I wish to recognize today a special group of dedicated and outstanding employees of the Officers (Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer) and of the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives, and congratulate those who have reached the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the recipients of the House Employee Excellence Award and the Officers' and Inspector General's Team Player Award. prgtoken The House's most important asset is its remarkable and steadfast employees, whose work is essential to keeping the operations and services of the House running efficiently and effectively. The employees we acknowledge today are commended for their hard work, dedication, professionalism, and teamwork; support of House Members, their staffs, and their constituents, and for their contributions day- in and day-out to the overall operations of the House. These employees, whose work is often performed behind the scenes, possess a wide range of responsibilities and skills that support the legislative process, ensure the security of this great institution, maintain our technology and service infrastructure, and contribute to more efficient and productive House support operations. These devoted employees have accomplished many great and important things in a diverse range of activities, and the House of Representatives, its Members, staff, and the American public is better served because of them. prgtoken We recognize and honor the following individuals for 25 years of loyal service to the House. Collectively, these employees have provided 450 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives: prgtoken Chinetta Adams, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Wendy Benson, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Richard Cooper, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Christopher Fischer, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Julia Gaines, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Kirsten Gullickson, Office of the Clerk; Joyce Hamlett, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Donald , Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Eric Johnson, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Teresa Johnson, Office of the Sergeant at Arms. prgtoken Jennifer Maas, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Anthony Myers, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Michael Nash, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; James Robertson, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Doris Rogers, Office of the Clerk; Lester Snyder, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Clyde Springfield, Jr Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Daniel Tilson, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. prgtoken We also recognize and congratulate the House employees receiving the House Employee Excellence Award. This is a merit-based award, given to one employee from each of the House Officers' and Inspector General's organizations. Selected employe
CELEBRATING THE BOROUGH OF WANAQUE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise today to celebrate the Borough of Wanaque located in the County of Passaic, New Jersey, on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. prgtoken The original occupants of Passaic County were the Lenape Indians, who were attracted to the land for its diverse natural resources and abundance of freshwater sources, which they utilized for fishing, hunting, and navigation. Wanaque is the name given to the valley by the Lenape and has been translated as ``valley of sassafras.'' In 1697, Dutch settlers began to settle within the region and included such families as the Beams, Sloats, Van Dines, Vreelands, Van Wagoners, Ryersons, and many others. Like the Native Americans, they were drawn to the region for its natural resources, and they established settlements along the Passaic River, which was navigable to Manhattan and was used as a trade route until the incorporation of the Erie Railroad in 1836. The growth of industry in Passaic County was directly connected to the presence of its rich natural resources. The activities of the early Dutch settlers centered on farming. Sheep were also raised and their wool was spun and woven into cloth. Timber was cut from the surrounding forest and hauled to newly constructed sawmills and gristmills to be made into lumber for houses. prgtoken The Boroughs of Wanaque and Ringwood were originally part of Pompton Township, a since defunct township. Pompton Township was originally formed in 1797, from portions of Saddle River Township and Franklin Township in Bergen County, and incorporated on February 21, 1798. When Passaic County was formed in 1837 it included Pompton Township. The borough of Pompton Lakes was formed in 1895 and was the first municipality to split from the township. The township was divided on February 23, 1918, into the three boroughs of Bloomingdale, Ringwood, and Wanaque, with the remaining portion passing to Pompton Lakes. This ultimately ended the existence of Pompton Township. prgtoken The early settlements in the Wanaque Valley were induced by the presence of rich mines of iron ore discovered in the early part of the 18th Century. For this reason, Ringwood has been referred to as the birthplace of the American iron industry. Cornelius Board, a Welsh miner who entered the Wanaque Valley in 1737, may have been the first to mine ore in the area. In 1740, he built a forge along the Ringwood River (the present-day Wanaque River), which marked the beginning of the Ringwood Iron Works. Later that year the Ogden family bought property from Board, built their first iron furnace, and established the Ringwood Company. The forests provided wood for the manufacture of charcoal, which was in turn sold to the iron mines. prgtoken After 1763, a dozen highly productive mines were opened in the area, and many forges and furnaces were located throughout the Wanaque Valley. Peter Hasenclever acquired the property for the London Company and made improvements to enlarge th
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2018-9-17

it seems very arbitrary to me to exclude potentially 85 million Americans from the protections this bill would provide when there is such a clear Federal nexus to act in this area. prgtoken According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 58 percent of workers insured in self-insured plans are actually in ``partially insured'' plans. The reason this matters is that some States may attempt to regulate these plans, believing they can, and then have their State laws challenged in the courts and preempted. prgtoken Why not take the commonsense approach our bill does and simply ban the use of pharmacy gag clauses--an egregious practice that prevents pharmacists from telling their customers prgtoken they could purchase their prescriptions with less money by paying out of pocket rather than using their insurance. prgtoken We have the support of 40 medical and consumer groups for this bill, and this legislation is action we can take right now to help lower the cost of prescription drugs for some consumers. It has widespread bipartisan support. It came out of the HELP Committee unanimously, and it is supported by the administration. I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment offered by the Senator from Utah and a ``yes'' vote on the underlying bill.
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-9-17

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Tuesday, September 18; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 6157; finally, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings.
RECOGNIZING THE BICENTENNIAL OF MARTINSBURG, INDIANA
Trey Hollingsworth (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise today to recognize the Bicentennial of Martinsburg, Indiana. prgtoken Martinsburg was founded in the wilderness of southern Indiana less than two years after the Hoosier State joined the union. Over the course of 200 years, the inevitable forces of time and nature have changed Martinsburg, but fortunately much remains the same. prgtoken Martinsburg is still a town that prides itself on being a friendly place to grow up and a good place to raise a family. It is still a town that knows that small-town values of decency, hospitality, and hard work are worth protecting. prgtoken It is a town that remembers and treasures its heritage. Members of the namesake Martin family still live, work, and worship here. In fact, since 1859, residents have been able to shop or just visit at Billy Martin's Store. Today, they boast that they are the oldest operating store to be passed down from father to son in the entire state of Indiana. prgtoken It is a town that understands that when disaster strikes, the only way to rebuild is to rebuild together. Many of the homes and storefronts look different today than in the old pictures because while the tornado may have destroyed homes, it did not destroy this community. prgtoken Martinsburg is not just part of the fabric of our Hoosier history, but also our American history. Each year, millions of visitors to the Smithsonian have the opportunity to see the orange school bus that carried rural children to school in Martinsburg during the 1930s and '40s. prgtoken Much has changed, but the spirit and values that have made this community great for two centuries have not. Martinsburg is truly a magnificent addition to Washington County and the state of Indiana. I am honored to represent this town and its people on the 200th anniversary of their founding. Here's to the next 200 years of friendship, fellowship, and community in Martinsburg, Indiana.
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION (KET)
Harold Rogers (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise today to celebrate Kentucky Educational Television's (KET) 50th Anniversary. Since 1968, KET has impacted the lives of countless Kentuckians through its advocacy and broadcasting of educational programs. KET has long-served as a successful educational platform for the arts, theater, history, politics, health and STEM fields. In 1989 , KET introduced one of the first interactive distance learning program services, giving Kentuckians the opportunity to advance their education via network broadcasting. KET is now one of the largest public television networks in the country with more than 25 programs, reaching over one million people each week. prgtoken I applaud KET's commitment to raise awareness of pertinent issues across the Commonwealth and challenges in our rural Appalachian region. While many media outlets have been slow to produce comprehensive coverage of the nation's deadly opioid epidemic, KET has led the way by shedding light on the long history of addiction in Kentucky and the multi-faceted pledge for rehabilitation and recovery. It is because of these efforts, including in-depth reports, community forums, and annual coverage of the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, that KET recently received the national Mental Health America Media Award for its Inside Opioid Addiction Initiative. Thanks to KET's broadcasting efforts, more people across Kentucky have rallied together to become part of the solution to the drug abuse crisis and we are making significant strides to save lives across the state. prgtoken As part of this Golden Anniversary celebration, I also want to commend KET for bringing Kentuckians together and promoting healthy debates about vital issues for the state. For decades, great journalists like Al Smith, Bill Goodman, Bill Bryant and many others have set the stage for state and federal legislators to discuss how key policies impact our daily lives, while also providing civic awareness during elections, spending countless hours on the air, sharing election results from all of our 120 counties. In addition to educational programming and news coverage, KET has also used its platform to extend immense compassion through local partnerships to benefit those most in- need. prgtoken As KET celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first broadcast, I join my fellow Kentuckians in sharing my appreciation for every minute of broadcasting excellence that has been used to educate our children and our families. KET has made a significant impact in our state and it is an honor to support this organization's continued work.
RECOGNIZING MIKE ANDREW LEPRINO
Mike Coffman (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-9-17

I rise today in recognition of Mike Andrew Leprino. Mike passed away on August 30th, and leaves behind a legacy of hard work, generosity, and community service. He truly lived the American dream. His loss will be greatly felt in our community, as well as across Colorado, California, and the United States. prgtoken Mike was the son of Italian immigrants who came to the United States in 1914. Eventually settling in Colorado, the Leprino's opened a small Italian grocery store in 1950 where they sold a variety of cheeses, in the style of their native Italy. While chain grocery stores competition caused their small business to close, the Leprino's did not despair, instead they came up with a new way to thrive by entering the newly booming market of cheese for pizzas. Soon their new company, Leprino Foods, began to grow exponentially. prgtoken Mike was a pillar in the Denver community. A banker, developer and community servant. Some of the greatest treasures and neighborhoods in our state were built and funded by Mike. He gave back relentlessly to his state and country, something that he also instilled in each of his children. prgtoken , I can think of no better example of the American dream, than that of Mike, and his parent's before him. They always remained optimists and Mike is someone who from humble beginnings built an enviable legacy in our state. We can all take a lesson in hard work, determination, and the entrepreneurial spirit from Mike Leprino. He is preceded in death by his wife Joan, son Michael, sister Ange Testa, and brother Lou. Mike is survived by his wife Suzy, daughters; Laurie Leprino, Nancy Leprino, and Mary Leprino. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, sister Marie Videtto and brother Jim Leprino. Those of us who were fortunate enough to know Mike and his indomitable optimism and spirit will miss him.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALLENTOWN JCC
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-9-17

I congratulate the board of directors of the Jewish Community Center, or JCC, in Allentown, PA as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Community leaders and JCC members will gather on October 4 through 6 to celebrate and honor this remarkable institution in the Lehigh Valley. prgtoken For 100 years, the JCC of Allentown has served as the beating heart of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Through its early childhood and afterschool programs, sports, wellness, and cultural activities, the JCC enriches the lives of generations of Lehigh Valley families of all backgrounds and heritage. prgtoken Many JCC members are first introduced to the JCC community in preschool. Eventually, they are old enough to attend a JCC summer camp, where they may learn to swim, play basketball, cook, or act in theatre. As adults, these members may take their own children to a community Seder, attend the Jewish Film Festival, or practice a healthy lifestyle of weekly gym sessions. Eventually, many members will participate in the Friendship Circle and Silver Sneakers programs at the JCC. prgtoken If you take a drive through Allentown's historic downtown area, it is difficult to miss a building called Alliance Hall on the corner of 6th and Chew Streets. Today, the building is occupied by the Allentown Health Bureau. A century ago, however, the 19th century Victorian mansion standing at this location served as the first Allentown JCC. prgtoken In 1918, the leaders of the Allentown Jewish community--among them successful local entrepreneurs, high-skilled professionals, and survivors of pogroms overseas--were searching for ways to support younger Jewish immigrants as they integrated into American society and aspired to fulfill the opportunities offered by the American dream. They purchased the Victorian mansion, turning it into a focal point for the Jewish community and especially its youth. prgtoken The facility was so popular that, within a decade, it was clear the JCC would need more space. David Levy, Allentown's first Jewish architect, graciously donated his services to design a new, larger building on the same site. That building would be called Alliance Hall, and from 1928 to 1954, it reliably served the JCC's ever-expanding membership. The JCC flourished and inevitably had to relocate, one last time, to where it resides today at 22nd and Tilghman Streets in Allentown's West End neighborhood. prgtoken Most importantly, since 1918, the JCC of Allentown has been the place where all community members feel welcomed, engaged, and part of the JCC family. Today it serves over 2,000 members, and I am honored to congratulate them on the 100th anniversary of the JCC's establishment.
SUBSTANCE USE-DISORDER PREVENTION THAT PROMOTES OPIOID RECOVERY AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES ACT
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-9-17

that is why we have had so much support for this amendment. prgtoken The bill is so large, some people have had trouble seeing the significance of it. Let me quickly mention two aspects of it: One is money, one is moonshot. prgtoken Some people say: Where is the money? This is not a money bill. This is an authorization bill. The money bills are in the Appropriations Committee, and they have been generous. prgtoken In March, the Congress addressed $4.7 billion in the omnibus appropriations bill toward opioids. In the bill--which we should approve tomorrow for the next fiscal year--there will be another $3.8 billion. So that is $8 billion within a few months for the opioids crisis. prgtoken The second is moonshot. Some people say this needs a moonshot. It does need the energy and resources of a moonshot, but, unfortunately, this isn't a crisis that we can assign to a Federal agency in Washington and say: Let's fix it in 10 years. What we can do is everything we can think of to do to create an environment so that doctors, nurses, judges, patients, parents, and everybody in communities that are affected by the opioid crisis can deal with it there, and we do our best to do that. prgtoken For example, Senator Portman's STOP Act addresses fentanyl and other synthetic, illegal drugs being mailed into this country through our Postal Service from China. Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than an opioid pill, 50 times more dangerous. There is a 70-percent increase in deaths from overdose by fentanyl in our State of Tennessee. prgtoken Here is what I think is the Holy Grail of this crisis; that is, finding a non-addictive pain medicine or treatment. One hundred million Americans live with pain; 25 million Americans have chronic pain. They need help. They need something other than an addictive pain medicine-- something that works. Dr. Francis Collins at the National Institutes of Health and Scott Gottlieb at the Food and Drug Administration have advanced research and created fast tracks, and we have provided hundreds of millions of dollars to find that Holy Grail. prgtoken A third is to reduce the prescriptions of opioids that can be diverted, so you can reduce the chance that you might get a 60-pill bottle of opioids, use 12, take it home, put it in your medicine cabinet; then your teenager picks it up and takes it to a party, and someone is hurt or overdoses. We authorize the Food and Drug Administration to require manufacturers to sell opioid pills in blister packs of, say, three or seven. Already, two dozen States have established their own limits. In Tennessee, it is a limit of three days. prgtoken What are the next steps for this piece of legislation, the Opioid Crisis Response Act with 72 provisions? We are already working with the House of Representatives. We are working very well with them. I appreciate the leadership of Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer in creating an environment where we can mov