mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EQUALITY ACT
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-5-17

there are hard votes and there are easy votes. The hard votes involve competing values and difficult tradeoffs; the easy ones give us a chance to express our core American values loudly and clearly. prgtoken H.R. 5 is the right vote, and I thank Representative Cicilline for his hard work and his heart in bringing this piece of justice to us. prgtoken In most States, same-sex couples can be denied service in restaurants, fired from jobs, and evicted from homes with no legal recourse. In other words, they can be mistreated or discriminated against, and their government won't stand up for them. prgtoken H.R. 5 will end that. This bipartisan legislation will ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing, employment, credit, public accommodations, and so much more. It says that we don't care who you love, but we do care that you are treated with decency and respect. prgtoken This legislation takes us the next step in a long American tradition of expanding civil rights and protections. It affirms that, in this country, there is no ``us'' and ``them,'' it is just us. prgtoken This is a historic day. I am proud to be a part of it. Let's cast aside old prejudices and cast a vote for justice and equality.
EQUALITY ACT
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-5-17

it is a fundamental precept of our beautiful country that we have equality for all. But, sadly, in this Nation, we have not had equality for every person until now. prgtoken Two-thirds of the LGBTQ community have faced discrimination, and this is simply wrong, and it is simply un-American. prgtoken I thank Mr. Cicilline for bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. prgtoken How ironic that my LGBTQ constituents can get married to each other but still, in 29 States, can be discriminated against in their jobs, in public education, and even in their jury service. prgtoken This is wrong; this is un-American; and today's bill, the Equality Act, rights this wrong that has been so long in coming. prgtoken I congratulate everybody. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues to send a strong bipartisan statement: This is America; everybody has equal rights in all areas.
COMMIT TO REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
Lizzie Fletcher (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-5-17

I rise today in support of the women of this country, for their health and for their rights. prgtoken In this Congress, in this House, we have worked to ensure women's access to healthcare, to protect women and men with preexisting conditions, to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. But in State houses across the country, women's access to their most basic healthcare is under attack. And it is not just their healthcare that is under attack; it is their equality. prgtoken The law passed in the Alabama State House this week is the most extreme and dangerous since Roe v. Wade, banning abortion at any point in pregnancy and threatening doctors with life in prison. prgtoken It is not just this Alabama law; it is laws in Georgia, Mississippi, and my home State of Texas, and the efforts of the current administration that result in a dramatic reduction in women's access to reproductive healthcare and basic family planning services and a denial of their reproductive rights. prgtoken Doctors and public health leaders agree that the cost of these laws will be women's lives. We cannot let that happen. prgtoken As we work to protect our care, we must support the women of this country and their right to safe, affordable, nonjudgmental reproductive healthcare. We must commit to reproductive justice.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE HEAD START PROGRAM
Albio Sires (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , today I recognize the significant contribution of the Head Start Program in promoting school readiness and overall success for some of the most vulnerable children in our communities. On May 18, 2019, Head Start will celebrates its 54th year of strengthening children and families and this year, the Early Head Start program also celebrates its 25th anniversary. prgtoken In New Jersey alone, there are currently twenty-six Head Start Programs and twenty- prgtoken nine Early Head Start Programs, with over 15,000 combined funded slots for these two programs. In addition to providing academic programming, Head Start also provides critical health and nutrition programs, as well as support services that help many families work their way towards economic stability. prgtoken I am proud to support the important work of Head Start in providing children and families within the 8th District of New Jersey every opportunity to succeed.
EQUALITY ACT
Max Rose (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-17

due to a death in my family, I had to miss votes on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted: ``nay'' on rollcall No. 210, McKinley Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 987; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 211 Harder Amendment No. 6 to H.r. 987; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 212 Wexton Amendment No. 21 to H.R. 987; ``nay'' on rollcall No. 213 Motion to Recommit for H.R. 987; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 214 Final Passage for H.R. 987; ``nay'' on rollcall No. 216 Motion to Recommit for H.R. 5; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 217 Final Passage for H.R. 5. personal explanation
EQUALITY ACT
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-5-17

I want to strike a bipartisan note and invoke a President who made America truly great, Abraham Lincoln, who served in this body and spoke of government of the people, by the people, and for the people--all the people. prgtoken In 1964, our predecessors in the House stood here and voted 333-85 to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The vast majority of and the vast majority of s voted for it, and we changed America by bringing down the walls of racial and ethnic discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. prgtoken Our predecessors rejected the familiar hysterical arguments that equal rights for African Americans in restaurants and hotels and at lunch counters meant discrimination against the religious rights of the owners of the restaurants and the motels and lunch counters, which is precisely the argument that was made back in that day. prgtoken Today, we legislate equal rights under the exact same act for millions of Americans in the LGBT community. This is a triumphant and glorious moment for the House of Representatives and for the United States of America. prgtoken But our friends who now occupy the seats of Lincoln's party tell us that children will be able to get surgery without their parents' consent. This is false, and this is propaganda. prgtoken Every State in the Union requires parental consent before their minor children get surgery, and nothing in this act will affect any of the States' laws in any way with respect to parental consent. prgtoken Let's honor Abraham Lincoln. Let's honor the best traditions of the United States of America. Let's bring down the walls of discrimination against all Americans. Let's pass the Equality Act.
EQUALITY ACT
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-17

I thank the distinguished chair, and I thank my good friend, David Cicilline, for his extraordinary leadership on this incredibly important legislation. prgtoken The words, ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,'' were eloquent in their articulation but incomplete in their application. prgtoken As the legendary Barbara Jordan once observed, those words did not originally apply to African Americans; they did not apply to people of color; they did not apply to Native Americans; they did not apply to women; they did not apply to members of the LGBT community. prgtoken We have come a long way here in the United States of America, but we still have work to do. prgtoken If you truly believe in liberty and justice for all, support the Equality Act. prgtoken If you truly believe in equal protection under the law, support the Equality Act. prgtoken If you truly believe that everybody is created equal and that we are all God's children, then support the Equality Act. prgtoken Love does not discriminate, and neither should the law, regardless of sexual orientation and regardless of gender identity. It is time to support the Equality Act, and let's continue our Nation's long, necessary, and majestic march toward a more perfect Union.
EQUALITY ACT
Katie Hill (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-17

I can't believe that we are standing here and having a man tell me what kind of protection I need in sports. This is fear-mongering about trans women playing in sports. Are you kidding me? prgtoken I don't know if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle realize that they have met trans people, but they have. They definitely have. I have met many, and this motion reflects nothing more than the prejudice of my colleagues. prgtoken My staff has put together a lot of talking points for you today, but it is much simpler than that. The Equality Act ensures that LGBTQ women and girls who are lesbian, bisexual, or transgender will all have the same opportunities as their peers in sports, in housing, and in jobs. prgtoken The discrimination that trans individuals face just trying to live their lives every single day is something beyond what most of us could ever imagine. prgtoken Through my work and the issue of homelessness, I saw trans women disproportionately affected by discrimination at every single stage of their lives. They have higher rates of poverty, higher rates of sexual abuse, higher rates of homelessness. prgtoken And I can tell you, no trans person is trying to game the system to participate in sports. That does not happen, and that is a sad scare tactic that has no place on the floor of the people's House. prgtoken State schools and athletic organizations across the country have found for many years that letting LGBTQ student athletes, including girls and women who are transgender, participate in sports does not harm women's and girls' sports in any way. prgtoken As an athlete, athletic success is based on so many factors, like individual ability and strength, and those abilities vary widely for people who aren't even trans. It has nothing to do with whether someone is transgender or not. In fact, major advocates for women and girls in sports, such as the National Women's Law Center, the Women's Sports Foundation, Women's Leaders in College Sports, and others, support trans-inclusive policies and oppose efforts to exclude transgender people from participating in sports. prgtoken This is not a new concept. Trans people have participated in sports for years. Stop the fear-mongering. This is 2019, and we are not afraid of the boogieman that you are trying to create. We are ready to move forward and tell all of our constituents, all of our communities, all Americans that they matter equally. prgtoken You, my colleagues, are on the wrong side of history, and we will be waiting for you on the other side when we reject this amendment and pass H.R. 5. prgtoken , from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas).
MORAL ARC OF THE UNIVERSE BENDS TOWARD JUSTICE
Alan S. Lowenthal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-17

if we hold true to the idea that America prgtoken stands for equality, equity, and diversity, then equal rights must apply to and be protected for all Americans. prgtoken No American should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Yet, despite the historic accomplishments toward equality over the past decade, LGBTQ Americans still face systemic discrimination. prgtoken We know the fight for equality is always on the right side of history, and today's passage of the Equality Act is a much-needed step forward in that fight. prgtoken Today's vote allows us to see the moral arc of the universe, as Martin Luther King, Jr said, bend toward justice.
LGBTQ AMERICANS DESERVE THE EQUALITY ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , the LGBTQ community cannot wait any longer for their full rights and equal protection to be guaranteed across this country. prgtoken We must pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act. prgtoken Only 29 States have laws explicitly barring discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Only 20 States have these protections for gender identity. That is unacceptable. prgtoken Being able to be your true self should not depend on where you live. Your protections and equal rights should not depend on where you live. prgtoken All LGBTQ Americans deserve nothing less than full rights and equal protection under the law, and that is exactly what the Equality Act will do. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this historic civil rights bill to guarantee full equality for all. It will be on the floor later.
EQUALITY ACT
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2019-5-17

I thank the chair for yielding the time, and I want to thank my friend, colleague, and fellow New Englander, Mr. Cicilline, for his courage, his perseverance, and, frankly, his political talents at moving this bill forward and bringing us here today. And I am not going to cry in my minute. prgtoken I am proud that my home State of Maine is among the 21 States that has already enacted these protections. For almost 15 years, Mainers have stood against bigotry to provide equal access to housing, employment, and public establishments for our LGBTQ community. prgtoken And, guess what. The sky did not fall when we passed protections, and, in fact, our State is a better, more inclusive place because of it. Having guaranteed civil rights for our LGBTQ neighbors means we value the health, safety, and dignity of every Mainer. prgtoken But LGBTQ Mainers should have the same rights they enjoy in our State when they are outside of our State. This Congress must stand together in recognizing the humanity and the civil rights of all LGBTQ people, wherever they may live or travel. prgtoken The Equality Act will ensure LGBTQ citizens have equal access to employment, education, housing, credit, and all public services--public services which their tax dollars fund, by the way. prgtoken It is time to extend these civil rights to everyone, no matter who they love or how they identify. I urge my colleagues in the House to recognize that we must equally protect all members of our community under the law. prgtoken Let's pass the Equality Act.
EQUALITY ACT
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-17

the balance of my time. prgtoken , this morning, we have heard phantom fears about the allegedly harmful effects of the Equality Act on religious freedom and women's rights. If these fears had any basis in reality, the Equality Act would not have been endorsed by more than 500 civil rights, women's rights, religious, medical, and other national and State organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Episcopal Church, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, the National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, the Rabbinical Assembly, and the United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society. prgtoken It has also been endorsed by dozens of business associations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. prgtoken , the time has come to proclaim liberty and equality throughout the land. prgtoken , I now commend the bill to the judgment of the House, and I commend the House to the judgment of history. prgtoken , .
EQUALITY ACT
John Lewis (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2019-5-17

I thank my friend from New York for yielding. prgtoken I thank David, my friend and my brother, for his leadership. prgtoken Today is May 17. On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision. I remember that decision. I was 17 years old. I thought I would be attending the segregated school. It never happened for me. prgtoken Today, on this day, we have an opportunity to send a message now, to help end discrimination in our country and set all of our people free. Announcement by the Pro Tempore
EQUALITY ACT
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , I rise to support H.R. 5, the Equality Act. prgtoken I have to stop for a second and take in this momentous occasion, for I have the honor of being on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, speaking in favor of a bill that I have worked on for the past 5 years that will finally give full legal equality to the LGBTQ community here in America. This is truly historic. prgtoken I want to thank Chairman Nadler, who has been an unwavering ally in support of LGBTQ rights throughout his career, and thank Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, and our whip, James Clyburn, who have all showed tremendous leadership in helping to get this bill to the floor. prgtoken I want to acknowledge and thank my LGBTQ Equality Caucus co-chairs, who have shown extraordinary leadership, not just in blazing a trail for future LGBTQ leaders, but in being friends and partners in this fight to get where we are today. prgtoken I also want to thank our colleagues in the Senate for their extraordinary leadership. And, most importantly, we wouldn't be here today without the determined efforts of the advocates and allies in the civil rights and LGBTQ rights community who banded together to fight for the common values of dignity and equality under the law. prgtoken Throughout my life, I have seen, firsthand, the struggles that many in my community have faced in achieving the American Dream. The right to live freely, without fear of persecution or discrimination, is one many in the LGBTQ community felt was an impossibility for so long. prgtoken The fact that we are here today about to vote on this legislation, which has the bipartisan support of 241 Members of the House is, in and of itself, an achievement. It was not easy to get here. prgtoken It was only 4 short years ago that the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, finally allowing members of the LGBTQ community to marry in every State. prgtoken Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the law of the land until 6 years ago, and today, the administration is forcing the men and women in our Armed Forces back into the closet and taking steps to target the LGBTQ community in a variety of ways. prgtoken The forces working against progress are strong, but together, we are stronger. We have made great strides in fighting for LGBTQ rights under the law, but make no mistake, there are many people in this country, including in this administration, who are actively working to undermine our hard-fought gains. prgtoken That is why it is so significant that we have such strong and diverse support for the Equality Act. prgtoken And I don't just mean 241 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. Look at the 47 bipartisan sponsors in the Senate, the more than 200 businesses in every State in the country who have endorsed the bill, and the dozens of associations, advocacy groups, civil rights groups, and faith groups that back it. prgtoken The Equality Act has the support of a majority of the American people
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF UCLA
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-17

. Madam , today I rise to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of California, Los Angeles. What was once the largest teacher training school in the state was rechristened the Southern Branch of the University of California, developing into the full-fledged university, nestled in the hills of Westwood, with the global reputation it enjoys today. prgtoken With 14 Nobel Laureates, 13 MacArthur Fellows, nine National Medal of Science Winners, three Pulitzer Prize winners, a Fields Medal, and an A.M. Turing Award, UCLA's academic credentials are rivaled by few. And, with 117 NCAA team championships and 261 Olympic Medals, the UCLA Bruins are in the highest echelon of collegiate sports, with the likes of Jackie Robinson, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Michelle Kwan, and Troy Aikman wearing the Blue and Gold. prgtoken Along the way to such a historic milestone, each successive class of students and their professors, doctors and researchers have lit new paths, bringing new discoveries to the fore and making groundbreaking accomplishments in almost every field. prgtoken The first node on the Internet in Leonard Kleinrock's laboratory in Boelter Hall; Coach John Wooden's almost uninterrupted streak of 10 NCAA men's basketball championships and his Pyramid of Success-- building blocks in the pursuit of excellence; the first diagnosis of AIDS in the United States; and the first confirmation of the existence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milkey Way Galaxy by Andrea Ghez--UCLA has played an important role in shaping the course of history, advancing our understanding of the natural and man-made worlds, and setting standards time and time again for academic and athletic excellence. prgtoken Not only is the UCLA community proud of the accomplishments of its students and athletes while they attended this important institution, but also of the achievements of alumni as they pursue careers in every field. prgtoken UCLA has contributed many of this country's most dedicated public servants, including my predecessor, Congressman Henry Waxman, whose 40- year record in the U.S. House of Representatives saw passage of numerous consumer and patient protections; Ralph Bunche, who helped negotiate an end to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War; and Tom Bradley, the first African American mayor of Los Angeles. Legendary actress and comedienne Carol Burnett, Academy Award-winning director Dustin Lance Black, Academy Award-winner Tim Robbins, film composer John Williams, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jim Morrison are only a few of the Bruins who have left their mark on the entertainment industry and the collective consciousness of American culture for the past century. prgtoken Given all that has happened in the first 100 years of UCLA's existence, I eagerly look forward to what UCLA will accomplish in its next hundred. With the launch of the UCLA Grand Challenges Initiatives in 2013, UCLA has set admirable goals a
RECOGNIZING CAPE MAY COUNTY AS A COAST GUARD COMMUNITY
Jefferson Van Drew (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-5-17

I appreciate being allowed to speak to the Members of the House. prgtoken On May 8, 2015, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft proclaimed Cape May County a Coast Guard Community, an honor claimed by only 18 cities and only one other county in the entire Nation. prgtoken The designation, which is confirmed by the United States Coast Guard and the United States Congress, is in recognition of a strong and special relationship between the people of Cape May County and the local Coast Guard personnel, making Coast Guard men and women and their families feel a sense of community in their home away from home. It is an invaluable contribution to morale and service excellence. prgtoken South Jersey is honored to have Cape May and the Coast Guard as part of its community. prgtoken Most of all, we should remember all that they went through during the recent shutdown. Our Coast Guard should never have to suffer through that set of circumstances ever again. That is why we have sponsored legislation to protect our Coast Guard in the future.