mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO ALESSIO ``AL'' GIZZI
Todd Rokita (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-11-27

I rise today to honor the life of Alessio ``Al'' Gizzi. Al passed away on November 25 from natural causes at the age of 97. prgtoken Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Al lived nearly his entire life in Connecticut. As a part of the ``Greatest Generation'', he enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought during World War Two. Eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant, he saw action in the Pacific, and served until the war's end. prgtoken After his discharge, Al moved back to the Hartford, Connecticut area, joining the Teamsters Union and working as a deliveryman and route salesman for Mother's Pies and later for Table Talk Pies. He retired in 1983, but never one to enjoy the idleness of retirement, he rejoined the workforce and spent seven years at the Cigna Insurance Company in Bloomfield. prgtoken It was after his discharge that he married Roslyn Ann Guglielmetti, his wife of sixty-nine years. They were together until her death in 2014. They had one son, John. Al also leaves behind a sister, Mary, two nieces, a nephew, and two grand-nephews. prgtoken I knew Al through his son John. John, currently the White House reporter for Newsmax, is a master of politics, wit, and wisdom. He is a friend and quite literally my mentor. My first paid job in Washington, D.C. was that of his intern at the Human Events newspaper. John has been a fixture at White House press conferences and events, and is respected by everyone who has worked with him. I know Al counts John as one of his life's best accomplishments. prgtoken John's incredible strength will get him through this difficult time, and I ask everyone to keep John and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
LINDSAY ADAMS
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-11-27

I rise to recognize Lindsay Adams for being nominated as a finalist for the Illinois State Board of Education's 2019 Teacher of the Year Award. prgtoken Ms. Adams teaches chemistry, physics, forensic, and unified sciences at Gallatin County High School. Last year, Ms. Adams made a documentary about the total solar eclipse that she and her students tracked as it passed over North America, for which she was nominated for a Mid- America Emmy. Her willingness to engage her students exemplifies the qualities of an excellent teacher. prgtoken As a former teacher, I understand the important role that teachers play in our community. I am confident that, with educators such as Ms. Adams, our youth are in good hands. prgtoken , I wish to applaud Ms. Adams' well-deserved nomination for the Illinois State Board of Education's 2019 Teacher of the Year Award and wish her and her students the best in their future endeavors.
INF and New START Treaties (Executive Calendar)
Jon Kyl (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-11-27

today, along with several other colleagues from the Senate, I wrote to the President on the subject of the possible extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START. prgtoken Several people have been encouraging the President to begin studying whether we should extend New START, which expires in 2021. That is a couple years from now, but obviously, if one is going to consider renewing something of this import, it is good to be thinking about it early. In this regard, we offered to the President suggestions of things that he should take into consideration in determining whether to extend New START with Russia and whether to begin negotiations with the Russians. We suggested three things that he should consider in deciding whether to proceed with these discussions. I am going to discuss one of them in great detail, but the first two are also important because they represented factors that were considered by the Senate at the time that it ratified the first START agreement. prgtoken The Senate declared in the New START resolution of ratification that ``the United States is committed to proceeding with a robust stockpile stewardship program and to maintaining and modernizing the nuclear weapons production capabilities and capacities that will ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of the United States' nuclear arsenal at the New START treaty levels.'' That was our commitment. That is what we said in the resolution of ratification, and President had written a letter to the Senate confirming that it was his intention, as long as he was President, to follow this program of work. prgtoken Regrettably, what we posited as an underpinning requirement for participation in New START has not been maintained as the years have gone by. The infrastructure and weapons capabilities that were pledged at the time that the Senate gave its consent to the treaty have been significantly delayed prgtoken or reduced in scope, and the result of this is a risk that the symmetry that potentially existed between Russia and the United States as a result of the New START treaty will be changed and that the United States will be disadvantaged with the continuation of the New START limits. prgtoken Another consideration that we brought to the President's attention was also referred to in the resolution of ratification of the New START treaty--and this was in 2012, by the way--we said that the President should ``pursue an agreement with the Russian Federation that would address the disparity between the tactical nuclear weapon stockpiles of the Russian Federation and of the United States in a verifiable manner.'' We did that because even at the time that New START was ratified, the Russians had a 10-to-1 advantage in tactical nuclear weapons over the United States, and the New START treaty didn't do anything about that. It dealt only with strategic weapons. prgtoken We raised the issue with the Ru
TRIBUTE TO LARRY COTTER
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2018-11-27

today, on the occasion of his retirement, I would like to honor Lawrence P. ``Larry'' Cotter, a very special Alaskan who, for years, has given his heart and soul to our fishing industry, one of Alaska's most vital cultural and economic industries. prgtoken Larry began working in Alaska's commercial fishing industry in 1974, when he was a seafood processing worker in Juneau. He then spent 8 years as a labor organizer and representative for seafood processing workers and longshoremen. Additionally, Larry served on the advisory panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for 6 years and then as a voting member of the council for an additional 6 years. The time of Larry's service on the council was during the transition years when foreign fishing was being phased out, our U.S. domestic fishing and processing capabilities were stepping up to replace the foreign fleets, and allocation issues among U.S. fisheries interests were first coming to the forefront. prgtoken These were difficult, challenging, and exciting times in Alaska's fishing industry, and Larry was on the frontlines for all of it, helping to shape the most sustainable, best managed fisheries in the world. prgtoken Until recently, Larry has served as founding CEO of the Community Development Quota--CDQ--Group, known as the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, or APICDA, which has provided jobs and scholarships for thousands of Aleutian and Pribilof Island residents, and has helped develop the workforce and build infrastructure throughout the region. prgtoken Larry is my friend and a great Alaskan. His leadership in the seafood industry has helped make Alaska the ``superpower of seafood.'' prgtoken Thank you, Larry, for your tremendous contributions to our sustainable fisheries. Enjoy your retirement, and best of luck in your continuing endeavors.
Tribute to Orrin Hatch (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-11-27

I am here to give thanks. Just a few days ago our country celebrated a national day of Thanksgiving. We celebrated food, fellowship, and freedom with family and friends. By any measure we are a people endowed with an abundance of blessings. As Americans, we have every reason to be grateful to share the prosperity of economic freedom, religious liberty, and self-government. prgtoken Today, I come to the floor to extend my gratitude for one of the most distinguished public servants ever to serve in the U.S. Senate. It is my distinct privilege to stand here today to pay tribute to my good friend and colleague from Utah, Orrin Hatch. prgtoken He is a man widely known for his integrity, character, and temperament. He is devoted to his family, his constituents, and his country. With overwhelming support from the good people of Utah, he has served his State and all of America in the U.S. Senate for 42 years. prgtoken In those four decades of service, he has brought honor, humility, humor, and heart to this institution of the U.S. Senate. He has honed his legislative experience on a broad range of public policies. In fact, none of his peers have led more laws to final passage than my friend Senator Hatch. He has built successful bipartisan coalitions to enact laws that make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans. prgtoken As former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and currently the senior member there, he is a champion of religious liberty and the rule of law. He is an advocate for entrepreneurship and free enterprise, as well as a champion of intellectual property rights, which includes being the lead Senate sponsor of the Music Modernization Act. He is just old enough to know when laws aren't keeping up with technology. Thanks to his tenacity, the new law will help ensure songwriters, artists, and creators that they will be fairly compensated for their works. prgtoken Like so many Americans, Senator Hatch is a man of humble beginnings. He embraces the promise of prosperity and opportunity that makes America the beacon of the free world, and that brings me to the basis of my remarks today. From his decades of service and the chairmanship at the helm of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hatch has shouldered some pretty heavy lifting in the legislative trenches to advance free and fair trade laws to foster economic growth and opportunity. prgtoken As we all know, America is home to at least 320 million people. That is a fraction of the world's population, and yet America leads the world in economic output. Thanks to an amazing bounty of natural resources and an economic foundation that rewards ingenuity, productivity and creativity, our country, the United States, produces goods and services that consumers around the world want to buy. prgtoken Senator Hatch and I share a core philosophy: lowering taxes and trade barriers as a winning formula for prosperity. To paraphrase a philosop
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PELHAM BATESVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT--FIRE DISTRICT
Tim Scott (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-11-27

today it is my pleasure to honor the Pelham Batesville Fire Department, as the fire district celebrates its 50th anniversary. Since 1968, the district and fire department have dutifully provided fire and rescue services to a large area of upstate South Carolina, including parts of Greenville County, Spartanburg County, and Greer. prgtoken Time and again, the PBFD has remained vigilant and steadfast in their commitment to providing the best emergency services to the community. True dedication and generosity are characteristics frequently used to describe this department; once, PBFD firefighters pitched in to just to pay for gas to drive the trucks to the next emergency. Today, the future of the department looks bright, as it grows at an unprecedented rate and now includes four stations. I look forward to hearing of their continued success. prgtoken Congratulations on 50 years, Pelham Batesville Fire Department and district, and thank you for your continued services to the upstate.
AMENDING THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE WATER RIGHTS QUANTIFICATION ACT OF 2010
Brian J. Mast (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-11-27

I thank the chairman for yielding me time to speak in support of this act named after our friend, Frank LoBiondo. I thank the gentleman also for his time as chairman of the full committee. prgtoken As a Representative of Florida, the State with the second largest coastline in the country, I do have a profound respect for the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, and as a veteran as well. It has been an honor to work on such a bipartisan committee, which likewise has been filled with members who support the Coast Guard across a diverse set of evolving mission sets. prgtoken Every hour of every day the Coast Guard protects America's waterways. They promote a healthy environment, they ensure the safety of mariners, they enforce our laws, they keep us safe from piracy, and they keep us safe from smugglers. prgtoken Day in and day out I have had the opportunity to see some of their work firsthand. Recently I met with a search and rescue team in Pollocksville, North Carolina, as they worked tirelessly on behalf of communities impacted by Hurricane Florence. I see my local Coasties in places like Fort Pierce. I see them saving mariners young and old, those lost at sea. There is no doubt that their selfless heroism and their decisive work saved many lives in the Carolinas, just as it did in Florida's Panhandle after Michael and across the Nation, wherever disaster befalls us. prgtoken I am proud to support this bill, which also authorizes $10.6 billion to strengthen and support the U.S. Coast Guard in its invaluable defense of our waterways and of our homeland. prgtoken I am especially glad to see the inclusion of my bill, the Jupiter Island Land Transfer Act. This provision will finally resolve a decades-old conservation issue in my district and transfer four critical acres of unused Coast Guard property to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge to ensure the endangered turtles will continue to thrive. By protecting this land, we are doing our part to help ensure that the natural beauty of the Treasure Coast is maintained and continues to be the driver of our economy for many decades to come. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the brave and hardworking men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard and their indispensable work by supporting the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act.
Tribute to Orrin Hatch (Executive Calendar)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-11-27

I would like to thank the senior Senator from prgtoken Utah who is retiring at the end of this session of Congress. prgtoken Senator Hatch has faithfully served the public for 40 years in the U.S. Senate, constantly using the interface of public policy and the free market to find the best outcome for the American citizen. prgtoken If the responsibility of Congress is to pass legislation that improves the lives of Americans, Senator Hatch has met this responsibility. As two examples, when I was a doctor--before entering politics--treating patients, Senator Hatch helped me take better care of my patients. Let me give these examples: The Hatch-Waxman Act leveraged the free market to increase the availability of generic drugs, which means more affordable medicines. The second example I will give is the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, creating the Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, which gave greater access to healthcare for Americans in need. That benefited me as a doctor taking care of my patients. As a Senator, it was an honor to work with him this past year to reauthorize the CHIP program and to continue efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable. prgtoken On a personal note, shortly after joining the Finance Committee, Chairman Hatch sent me a letter welcoming me to the committee and making his office available to help in any way his office could. prgtoken If there is a defining characteristic of Senator Hatch, it is that he listens. Whether it is to fellow Senators, the people of Utah, or the people of the United States, Senator Hatch listens and works to find a mutually beneficial outcome. prgtoken This happened when the Federal Government came after the Volks construction company in Prairieville, LA, for a record violation occurring well beyond the government's legal authority. The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals stepped in and unanimously ruled to stop the government overreach, but the administration issued a rule to permit the practice, despite the DC Circuit Court ruling. Knowing this was an important issue for companies in my State, as well as in the rest of the country, Chairman Hatch worked with me to lead legislation to permanently protect businesses from this kind of government abuse of power--again, using the free market or protecting the free market from government abuse. prgtoken Another example I will give is during tax reform, when Senator Hatch listened to colleagues' concerns and ideas about how to improve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to give our companies the tools to succeed. The final product was better for it. He worked with me to strengthen and preserve the historic tax credit, which is instrumental in over 780 restoration projects in Louisiana. When you go to New Orleans and see all of these old buildings now shining once again in glory, they were probably helped by the historic tax credit, leveraging $2.5 billion in private investm
MIRACLE MOUNTAIN
John R. Curtis (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-11-27

in Utah, wildfires are disastrous events that don't just cause property damage. They can substantially disrupt the lives of families and have, unfortunately, become far too common in the West. prgtoken Last month, Mayor Ellis of Elk Ridge reached out to me with a remarkable story from his community. In September, the Bald Mountain fire threatened Elk Ridge, nearly claiming countless homes. However, instead of burning into the sea, the fire suddenly halted, stayed behind the mountain, and spared the community. prgtoken Mayor Ellis told me that after this remarkable event, many locals began to refer to the peak as ``Miracle Mountain.'' He then asked if we could commemorate this event by naming the mountain, and I happily took up the task. prgtoken , I am proud to sponsor legislation, the Miracle Mountain Designation Act, supported by the entire Utah House delegation and Governor Herbert to name this mountain ``Miracle Mountain.'' prgtoken , I hope this bill, once passed, will memorialize an event of great significance in this community.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Gregg Harper (Republican, MS) \u2014 2018-11-27

on behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the Board of Trustees for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership, it is with great gratitude that we honor Rex Buffington for his many years of distinguished public service. prgtoken Rex Buffington was appointed executive director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership when the center was established in 1988 to promote and strengthen public service leadership in America. prgtoken As executive director of the Stennis Center, Rex has been responsible for development and delivery of programs aimed at attracting young leaders to public service and providing current public service leaders with opportunities to further develop their leadership skills and capabilities. Participants in Stennis Center programs range from students in high school to Members of Congress. prgtoken Prior to his work at the Stennis Center, Rex served as press secretary to Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi for 12 years. As the Senator's chief spokesperson, speechwriter, and communications director, Rex coordinated activities and strategies aimed at achieving the Senator's mission and legislative agenda. prgtoken I am so honored to serve as chairman of the board of trustees for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership. I have seen what Rex has done firsthand, and it has been a privilege to work directly with him. prgtoken Rex is an encourager of every person that he comes in contact with. He knows better than anyone the legacy of Senator John Stennis who served Mississippi and our Nation with great distinction for over 41 years as a U.S. Senator, ultimately becoming President pro tempore. prgtoken President Reagan once called the Mississippi Senator ``an unwavering advocate of peace through strength.'' prgtoken Senator Stennis had a passion for fostering leadership and promoting public service, two objectives that Rex has carried forward during his time serving as executive director. prgtoken The USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier, the only one not named after a President, has the two-word motto adopted by Senator Stennis that he had: Look Ahead. prgtoken Senator Stennis would be proud of the work that Rex Buffington and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership continue to do, and he would be proud of the great work that Rex has done. prgtoken We are all very proud of the great work that he has done over these years of distinguished service to Mississippi and to our Nation. We congratulate him on a job well done, and we wish him the best as he looks ahead.
Business Of The Senate (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-11-27

the Senate returned from our Thanksgiving recess and got back to work. prgtoken Since the election earlier this month, there has been plenty of prognostication about what the new Congress will bring, but I would rather focus on the one we are still involved in, and this Congress has more business to complete before the end of the year. Even after two historic years of accomplishments for the American people, there are still important items left to check off our list. prgtoken Yesterday evening, we voted to advance the nomination of Stephen Vaden, the President's choice, to serve as general counsel for the Department of Agriculture. prgtoken Mr. Vaden has strong legal credentials, both public and private sector experience, degrees from Vanderbilt and Yale, and he comes with an upbringing in agriculture. He grew up on his family's farm in Union City, TN--and according to the Tennessee Farm Bureau, it shows. As my friend Senator Alexander referenced yesterday, that organization wrote that Vaden has ``a passion for agriculture that can't be taught, but that is necessary for the job'' of general counsel. prgtoken It is hardly surprising, then, that this nominee received bipartisan support at the committee level, including the support of the ranking member. prgtoken What is surprising? The fact that since clearing the committee, Mr. Vaden's nomination has languished for 351 days, waiting for Senate to end their obstruction--long, even by the standards of this Congress. So I hope that each of my colleagues will join me in turning the page and voting to confirm Mr. Vaden later today. prgtoken Following the Vaden nomination, we will turn to consideration of Karen Kelley to serve as Deputy Secretary of Commerce. She is a graduate of Villanova. She has built a 35-year record of expertise in investment, management, and financial strategy. prgtoken She currently serves as Undersecretary--a position to which she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate--and oversees the Department's statistical programs through the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Ms. Kelley is already acting in the role to which she has been nominated. prgtoken Through this service, Ms. Kelley has earned the respect and esteem of her colleagues at the Department. Secretary Ross has said he is thankful to have such a qualified individual fill the position. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will join me in voting to advance her nomination today with a strong bipartisan vote. prgtoken As we look over the record of this 115th Congress, a number of accomplishments were made possible with significant bipartisan support--from landmark opioid legislation to major improvements in veterans' medical care and services, to our tremendous progress on appropriations and a lot more. prgtoken Our remaining work will require more of that bipartisan spirit when it comes to closing out appropriations, confirming more nominees, and other s