mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING MAYOR SANDY LUCY
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-4-5

. Madam , I rise today to honor a woman who has dedicated her life to public service and the people of Washington, Missouri. After being in public service for over thirty years and as the Mayor of Washington, Missouri for almost twelve years, Mayor Sandy Lucy is retiring. prgtoken Over the past thirty years Mayor Lucy has served her community in multiple roles. She was president of Downtown Washington Inc. and a member of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce. Most recently she was the first woman to serve as Mayor of Washington, Missouri. As Mayor she served with professionalism, honor, and integrity. Through her leadership the city has achieved many successes and earned Washington the Great American Main Street Award. Mayor Lucy leaves a legacy that will be cherished by the community for years to come. prgtoken Madam , please join me in congratulating Mayor Sandy Lucy on an exceptional career and a well-deserved retirement.
DR. ROBERT McCRORY
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-4-5

. Madam , I rise to honor Dr. Robert McCrory for his admirable commitment to revitalizing the legendary Tater Day Festival in Benton, Kentucky. prgtoken Today this annual tradition in Marshall County will commence, bringing the community together for a weekend of fun, entertainment, and competition. prgtoken Originally started in 1843 when farmers came to town to trade sweet potatoes, this event was unfortunately lagging by the 1960s. Dr. McCrory didn't like that--and nor did he accept it. prgtoken A longtime community leader and a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club, he took a lead role in returning this event to its prior legendary status. prgtoken As head of a committee formed to do just that--Dr. McCrory revitalized Tater Day in a major way. Now, this historic event features sizable crowds that descend on Benton every year for a parade, contests, and tasty potato treats. prgtoken Without Dr. McCrory's leadership, this proud local tradition would not be what it is today. Because of that, I express my sincere thanks to him as Marshall County and West Kentucky's representative in Washington.
Budget Proposal (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-4-5

if a budget is a set of priorities, here are the President's: an expanded Federal Government, a diminished national defense, higher gas prices, and an open border. Those are the priorities reflected in the budget the President released last week, which contained pretty much what you would expect--more taxes, more spending, more borrowing, and, in all likelihood, more inflation as a result. prgtoken Big taxes and big spending have been the agenda for President since he took office. After signing a $1.9 trillion spending spree in March of 2021 that helped create the worst inflation in 40 years, President spent much of last year pushing for still more spending to fund his vision of an expanded Federal Government. prgtoken In his 2023 budget, it is just more of the same. The President's budget would increase average yearly spending by 66 percent as compared to the average of the last 10 years. Sixty-six percent--that is a staggering spending increase. Yearly Federal spending under the budget would average $7.3 trillion. To put that in perspective, the total average spending in 2019 was $4.4 trillion. prgtoken How is the President going to pay for this, if he even can? Taxes, a lot of taxes--``the biggest tax increase in history in dollar terms,'' according to Bloomberg. prgtoken The President, of course, attempts to sell the tax hikes he is proposing as something that won't affect ordinary Americans. That couldn't be more wrong. prgtoken That corporate tax hike that he keeps pushing--one study estimates that 31 percent of the corporate tax is borne by consumers. Another big portion of it is borne by labor, otherwise known as ordinary, hard- working Americans. prgtoken Higher prices, fewer jobs, lower salaries--we can expect to see all that and more if the President hikes taxes on companies. And I haven't even mentioned the fact that a corporate tax hike may end up hurting private pensions in the value of American's 401(k)s. prgtoken Then there are the tax hikes on conventional energy companies, the companies that produce the oil and gas that Americans use to heat their homes and to drive their cars. Increasing taxes on fossil fuel companies to the tune of tens of billions of dollars is pretty much guaranteed to discourage the additional energy production we need to drive down gas prices. Ironically, the proposals to go after traditional American energy production come from the same administration that is releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to deal with high gas prices. You can't make this up. prgtoken Then there is inflation. helped create our current inflation crisis by sending a lot of unnecessary government money into the economy via the so-called American Rescue Plan. The President's budget would essentially do the same thing, which means our already serious inflation crisis could get even worse. prgtoken I mentioned the big spending increases in the Presi
Inflation (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-4-5

the American people are seriously worried about the direction our economy is headed. Just between January and March, the share of people reporting high living costs as the most important prgtoken problem facing our country actually doubled and so did the share of those most worried about the price of gas. prgtoken Consumer price hikes have now set new 40-year records multiple months in a row. More and more American families are feeling the pinch. And 7 in 10 say they do not like how President is handling it. prgtoken It was clear from the start that the administration's war on affordable energy would punish American consumers, and even liberal economists warned that flooding our economy with partisan spending could trigger broad inflation. prgtoken Sure enough, American families have now endured 9 straight months of inflation above a 5-percent annual pace, and the worst effects are being felt in the most vulnerable pockets of our society. prgtoken One analysis of spending on household staples found that cost cutting ``is most pronounced among lower-income Americans.'' prgtoken As the Washington Post reported, ``lower-income workers like [Jacqueline] Rodriguez have seen some of the fastest wage growth of the pandemic era. But those gains are being eroded by the highest inflation in 40 years. . . . `It's outrageous how much everything has gone up,' Rodriguez said. `I go to the supermarket to buy chicken, and I have to make a decision on what meal I'm going to cook based on the prices. . . . Everything is more expensive.' '' prgtoken Another group who especially remain vulnerable are seniors on fixed incomes. One retired teacher in North Carolina recently said it like this: Just surviving day to day has become a big concern of mine--because, how in the world? . . . I'm starting to panic. I'm starting to think, ``How am I going to keep paying for everything?'' prgtoken Many retirees already face health challenges or other hardships so there is simply no wiggle room in their budgets. prgtoken One California man explained that cancer was the reason he had to retire in the first place. Now he is ``scraping the bottom of the barrel. . . . I do most of my food shopping in markdown bins and don't buy much else.'' prgtoken One White House official has seemed to endorse the sentiment that inflation is ``a high-class problem.'' A whole lot of low-income Americans and retired Americans could very readily set them straight on that. prgtoken Last autumn, the administration's top spokeswoman scoffed at what she called ``the tragedy of the treadmill that's delayed.'' prgtoken Well, that may be the extent of the pain that inflation and supply chain problems are causing certain affluent people--people like those inside the beltway having to wait a little extra on luxury purchases-- but I can assure the President's team that many Americans are hurting a lot worse than they are. prgtoken The
CONGRATULATING VMI'S CLUB BOXING TEAM
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-4-5

I, too, want to express my thanks to the gentleman from Michigan for his years of service to this country, to this body, and to the great State of Michigan. prgtoken , I rise today to honor the Virginia Military Institute Club Boxing Team, which recently won the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. This victory marks the program's second national title in seven years, the last of which came in 2015. prgtoken Throughout this year's tournament, the team amassed an impressive 20- 8 record, scoring six knockouts, one technical knockout, nine unanimous decisions, and four split decisions. Of the 14 cadets competing, 5 won individual national championship belts, while another 7 took home silver medals. Each of these national champions and runners-up also earned All-American individual honors for their stellar performances in their respective weight classes. prgtoken The team's coach, Joe Shafer, credited their win to preparation, dedication, and hard work. Coach Shafer said, ``We represented the Institute with a fighting spirit: honoring VMI's history, upholding the passions of our forefathers, and personifying the principles of excellence for VMI.'' prgtoken The cadets certainly showcased the very best of the Virginia Military Institute, and the team should be incredibly proud of their efforts. Congratulations again to these national champions. They made the Commonwealth proud. America's Economic Crisis
TRIBUTE TO ERIC CIOPPA
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2022-4-5

I rise today to honor Eric Cioppa, the superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance, who recently retired after more than three decades of distinguished public service to the State of Maine. Throughout his time at the bureau, Eric's leadership and service have benefited all Mainers and have contributed to the financial health of Mainers. prgtoken Eric joined the bureau in 1988 as a statistician before being named supervisor of the workers' compensation section. I had the pleasure of working directly with Eric when I was commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. In 1998, he was promoted to deputy superintendent and was then appointed to the position of superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance by Governor Paul LePage in 2011, a position to which he was unanimously confirmed, and then reconfirmed in 2017 to serve another 5-year term. prgtoken Throughout his service as superintendent, Eric's work has touched the lives of nearly every citizen in Maine. His tireless commitment to protecting insurance consumers, while also supporting ongoing competition and innovation in Maine's insurance industry, will leave a lasting positive impact on the State. Furthermore, numerous Governors have benefited from Eric's guidance and expertise on a wide range of insurance issues for decades, and his deep knowledge of Maine's insurance industry will be missed by all policymakers. prgtoken Outside of Maine, Eric has been heavily involved in helping to set national priorities and developing new laws and regulations through his longtime service with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, NAIC. At NAIC, he has served as the association's president, vice president, and secretary, among other positions. Attributable to his stellar reputation, Eric was appointed by his peers at NAIC to serve a 2-year term as the State insurance commissioner representative on the Financial Stability Oversight Council in 2018 and was reelected for another 2-year term in 2020. prgtoken Eric has also been an invaluable resource for me on insurance issues going back to my time as commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Throughout my service in the Senate, Eric has continued to provide wise counsel and advice to both me and my staff, and his wisdom and insight will be greatly missed. prgtoken Eric exemplifies the ideal public servant, and there is no doubt that Mainers are better off because of his longtime dedication to protecting and serving the public. I wish him and his family all the best as they embark on their next chapter.
TRIBUTE TO REVEREND KEN DeGROOT AND SISTER MELANIE MACZKA
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-4-5

I rise today to honor the lives, careers, and achievements of Reverend Ken DeGroot and Sister Melanie Maczka. Together, Reverend Ken and Sister Melanie created the Casa ALBA Melanie a community center dedicated to serving the Hispanic population of the greater Green Bay area. Through Casa ALBA Melanie, and their ministerial service, Reverend Ken and Sister Melanie have welcomed members of the Hispanic community to our State with open arms for over 25 years. prgtoken It was 1991 when Reverend Ken first encountered the mission which would encompass the rest of his career. Two young men, fresh off the train from Mexico and at his doorstep, were tired, hungry, and could not speak English. Far from home and looking for a house of worship, Reverend Ken welcomed them into St. Willebrord parish. He decided that night that Green Bay could be the home they searched for. prgtoken They would find they were not alone. Thousands of people from Central and South America already lived in their community, working in a world where they could not speak the language. Today, it is estimated that at least 20,500 Hispanics live in the greater Green Bay area, and about 28 percent of the Green Bay school population is Hispanic. Alongside Sister Melanie, Reverend Ken decided things had to change. They traveled to Mexico, visiting villages, learning the culture and language of the neighbors they had never known they had. When they returned to Green Bay, they knew they could work to better serve the Hispanic community. prgtoken In 2012, Reverend Ken and Sister Melanie established Casa ALBA Melanie and transformed the quality of life for Hispanic families by providing legal assistance, health services, language acquisition, Spanish GED lessons, financial assistance, and, perhaps most importantly, a safe haven for Green Bay's Spanish speaking residents. prgtoken This year, Casa ALBA Melanie celebrates its 10-year anniversary and with this great celebration comes a change in leadership. Reverend Ken, who has served as chair of the development committee and the finance committee, and Sister Melanie who has served as executive director, will both retire from the impactful organization they helped guide over this past decade. Their work is an inspiration to all people seeking to create a more equitable and welcoming America. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Reverend Ken DeGroot and Sister Melanie Maczka for their leadership at Casa ALBA Melanie and throughout the greater Green Bay community.
REPORTING EFFICIENTLY TO PROPER OFFICIALS IN RESPONSE TO TERRORISM ACT OF 2021
Pete Aguilar (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-4-5

I want to thank my colleague from New Jersey for yielding some time. prgtoken I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1540, the REPORT Act. I first introduced the bill, as my colleague mentioned, after the 2015 attack in San Bernardino, a community that I have been proud to represent. This attack tragically took the lives of 14 people and wounded 22. If not for the work of our first responders, more innocent lives would have been lost that day. prgtoken The REPORT Act would ensure that lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are better prepared to detect, prevent, and respond to future incidents of terrorism. prgtoken If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General and the FBI, would submit this unclassified report to Congress whenever an act of domestic terrorism occurs in the United States. prgtoken By requiring the executive branch to share their findings with Congress, we, as representatives of our local communities, can act on the recommendations for changes and practices or law to prevent attacks and to protect all communities. prgtoken I appreciate my colleague from Texas talking about other incidents, and we know that incidents of mass violence continue to happen across our country, including the moment of silence that we had on the floor last evening. prgtoken If we can work together to prevent one such incident from taking place, , if both parties can unite to save one innocent life, this legislation will have been a success. prgtoken I appreciate the Homeland Security Committee staff for working to get this done, and my colleague from Texas and my colleague from New Jersey for leading this effort. prgtoken I ask my colleagues for an ``aye'' vote.
Remembering Thomas Horace Porter (Executive Calendar)
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-4-5

I come to the floor today to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Thomas Horace Porter, my good friend and a man who could put a smile on my face even in the toughest times, on one of the most painful days of my life, while I was recovering at Walter Reed. prgtoken Among the peer visitors at Walter Reed Hospital, two of the most beloved were Tom and his wife Eleanor. prgtoken Tom was a gentle giant--a tall, smiling, then-74-year-old veteran who showed up at my bedside while I was still sedated to talk with my husband and mother and who came to visit again soon after I regained consciousness. prgtoken As a young Army lieutenant in the Korean war, Tom had lost both his legs in a landmine explosion. His heroic actions saving his men on that day earned Tom both the Silver Star in addition to the Purple Heart for his combat injuries. prgtoken During his months of recuperation back in the States, Eleanor--or El, as we all know her--an Army second lieutenant herself, had been one of his physical therapists. prgtoken The couple ended up married for more than 50 years. Tom continued to serve our Nation--this time as a civil servant, achieving the rank of Senior Executive Service in the Department of Agriculture. When Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom began and the wounded began flooding the wards at Walter Reed, Tom and El decided that they needed to help. They became peer visitors, and for the next 7 years, during twice weekly visits, they changed the lives of countless veterans who passed through that hospital, my own included. prgtoken When I was at Walter Reed, Tom made it his mission to talk with injured troops about the full lives they will lead after their devastating injuries. prgtoken A lot of the wounded warriors around me were really young, just 19 to 24 years old, lying in their hospital beds with limbs missing, burns to their faces and bodies, skulls crushed and encased in protective metal cages or helmets. They were all facing a future none of them had planned for. Like them, I had always assumed I would either die in combat or come home. The third option of coming home severely injured was never something that occurred to the majority of us. prgtoken Tom would walk in with that big smile of his and say: Hey, I was like you. Lost my legs at 22. But I recovered and I have had a full and regular life. I courted El after I lost my legs, and she and I have been married for 50 years and have wonderful kids and grandkids. prgtoken He reassured them that they could still have the lives they dreamed of, and his words had weight because he was living proof that that was possible. prgtoken He would wink and joke: Listen, having an amputation is better than having a puppy. Trust me, you won't have any trouble getting the ladies. prgtoken And then he would answer any questions they had because he knew they needed to hear from someone who had already journeyed on the road they were abou
DHS ILLICIT CROSS-BORDER TUNNEL DEFENSE ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-4-5

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his consistent leadership as he serves as chair and ranking member of a number of subcommittees of the Homeland Security Committee. He has been not only an effective manager here on the floor, but he has been a very effective Member and effective leader on so many issues. prgtoken , I rise to support H.R. 4209 from my colleague and friend from Texas (Mr. Pfluger). prgtoken After years of service on the Homeland Security Committee and any number of times going to the border, I would like to first describe and acknowledge that the southern border is many things. prgtoken It is a lifeline to desperate people who are fleeing horrible, violent situations that include the decapitating of their sons and daughters or their husbands and even wives. With the violence of some of the oppressive states in Central and South America, where young boys are recruited right out of their homes for gangs, gang warfare, those families are intimidated and frightened if they do not give their boys to these major gangs and cartels. prgtoken We have had any number of a series of the flow of massive influx of migrants from the region. Many may come out of desperation for economic reasons, but many come with credible fear. We expect that that may even occur as early as the next couple of months. I implore my colleagues to respond to that desperation in a unified, committed, and dedicated way of and s reminding themselves that the Statue of Liberty may be along the New York shore, but people view this place as a refuge. prgtoken As a resident of Houston, I can attest to the fact that Ukrainians, Afghans, Africans, Haitians, and, yes, those from South and Central America, and as far away as Southeast Asia, are now congregating at the southern border. I, too, was in Del Rio when the massive movement of human beings flowed for desperate reasons. prgtoken This DHS Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel Defense Act is what we need as it relates to the known cartels and persons who are desperate to do evil and to bring the goods that will destroy our young and others who are addicted into the United States. prgtoken This is the way. They have proudly said that we build tunnels with lights, air-conditioning, in whatever manner to make them palatable to be able to block, if you will, our law enforcement from achieving their goals. prgtoken As the first Member of Congress to bring a human trafficking hearing to Houston, which is known as the epicenter of human trafficking, this is vital legislation to stop the scourge of human trafficking, of bringing young children and young women. prgtoken We already know that at the Ukrainian borders in different countries, there is trafficking of young kids who are not killed by Putin; that they are trafficking children and women in that crisis situation. They have no moral compass. prgtoken This bill, which strengthens DHS' efforts to identify and remediate