mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2018-2-14

as the Senate takes to the floor to debate a long-overdue, bipartisan solution for Dreamers--young immigrants who came to our country as children--I would like to tell you a story about one Dreamer in my home State of New Mexico to illustrate what is at stake here this week. prgtoken Immigrants have long helped to write the economic, social, and cultural story of my home State of New Mexico and, for that matter, our entire Nation. We are, after all, a nation of immigrants. Over the last centuries, our Nation's foundation and the enduring American spirit were built by the hard work and the dreams of so many striving young immigrants. prgtoken When President made the outrageous decision last fall to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program--DACA--he threw hundreds of thousands of Dreamers deep into fear and uncertainty. Two weeks ago, I was proud to welcome Ivonne Orozco-Acosta, one of the estimated 7,000 Dreamers from New Mexico, as my guest at the State of the Union Address. prgtoken Ivonne's family immigrated to the United States when she was 12 years old. She learned English through middle school and graduated from high school in Estancia, NM. It was during these challenging years of learning that Ivonne was encouraged by her teachers to grow and to learn. Ivonne knows the power that educators hold to create positive change in students' perspective of themselves. prgtoken Ivonne attended the University of New Mexico, where she earned her BA in secondary education with a concentration in Spanish. It is estimated that somewhere between 500 and 1,000 students at the University of New Mexico right now are Dreamers like Ivonne. These are some of our brightest students, and they are our future leaders. Since she graduated from UNM 4 years ago, Ivonne has been teaching Spanish at the Public Academy for Performing Arts, a charter school in Albuquerque, NM. prgtoken Ivonne told me what DACA has meant for her. DACA allowed her to get a work permit, to follow her passion for education. It made it possible for her to buy a home and her first car. It has also given her an opportunity to impact the lives of her students each day and to contribute to our State's economy as a teacher and as a taxpayer. DACA gave Ivonne, in her words, ``a sliver of hope''--hope that she will finally be able to have a permanent home and a place in the only country that she knows how to call home. prgtoken Because of her excellent teaching in the classroom and her incredible passion for her students, Ivonne was just selected as the 2018 New Mexico Teacher of the Year by the New Mexico Public Education Department. That is right; Ivonne has been recognized as the teacher of the year for our entire State. prgtoken Ivonne's commitment to education and to giving back to her community is truly inspiring, and it reminds us just how much is at stake for New Mexico and our country in this debate. Our State already str
HONORING LINDA RUFFING
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-14

I rise today in recognition of Linda Ruffing, who is retiring from her position as the City Manager of Fort Bragg on February 14, 2018. prgtoken Born in Pennsylvania, Linda Ruffing came to California to attend college at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She received a Master's Degree from the University of California, Berkeley, before moving to Fort Bragg in 1992 to work for Mendocino County as a coastal planner. prgtoken Linda began her career at the City of Fort Bragg in 1999 as the director of community development and became City Manager in 2006. In addition to her exceptional character, judgment, ethics and values, Linda has provided critical leadership on many initiatives for the city, including the acquisition of 95 acres of parkland and a site for the Noyo Science Center on the former mill site, which includes prgtoken over 2 miles of coastal trail. Under her leadership, a ban was instituted on foam containers and plastic bags in the city. She also led Fort Bragg to become the first city to allow food waste in yard waste recycling, and in becoming the first Bee City in California. prgtoken As the city manager, Linda has worked with 12 different councilmembers and three different mayors, and gracefully navigated a spectrum of politics, challenges, and crises. She has been responsible for implementing 78 ordinances and managing $33 million in capital improvement projects. Linda leaves the city with a stable and successful management team and a staff dedicated to improving the quality of life for the residents of Fort Bragg. prgtoken In her spare time, Linda serves the public as a Rotarian, an active mentor for the Interact Afterschool Program, and she volunteers for many teen leadership events. She is also the mother of two children, Eli and Jasper Henderson. prgtoken Linda Ruffing has been a dedicated and effective public servant for 26 years, and I hope you will join me in recognizing her many accomplishments and sending her best wishes on her retirement.
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-2-14

I come to the floor to talk about an issue that has occupied this floor, this body, this Congress for some time now: the challenge of how to fix our broken immigration system. As many of us have debated and talked and tried to find common ground and a bipartisan path forward, I wanted to speak about why I have optimism that we can find a bipartisan solution to this challenge. prgtoken I know I am not alone in my optimism about this. One of my very dearest friends in the Senate, someone I respect and admire deeply, someone who knows more about sacrifice and patriotism than anyone I have ever met, believes the same thing. This friend of mine is not just any Senator. It is Mr. John McCain, the senior Senator from Arizona, who also happens to be an American hero and someone who has literally fought for this country and its values throughout his entire life. He is someone whom our mutual friend, former Vice President , calls a ``man of . . . deep conviction, and unmatched character.'' prgtoken John McCain is exactly the person the Senate and this country needs in times like this, when the way forward is unclear, when our disagreements seem too wide, when our instincts are to argue rather than listen. This Chamber and this country need someone who is able to show us a way forward and lead us out of our stubborn, sometimes too partisan fights--someone like Senator McCain. prgtoken As this debate has progressed in recent days, I have been reminded of something I heard Senator McCain say late last year when he accepted the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. When speaking about our country and when speaking about the opportunity he has had here, he said: What a privilege it is to serve this big, boisterous, brawling, intemperate, striving, daring, beautiful, bountiful, brave, magnificent country. With all our flaws, all our mistakes, with all the frailties of human nature as much on display as our virtues, with all the rancor and anger of our politics, we are blessed. We are living in the land of the free, the land where anything is possible. The land of the immigrants' dream, the land with the storied past forgotten in the rush to an imagined future. prgtoken What a country, indeed. Beautiful, brave, and magnificent, as John said, but also challenged by occasional frailty, rancor, and anger that we have seen too much of in this sustained debate over immigration. prgtoken The point Senator McCain made that night in Philadelphia--and the point he has made every day serving our Nation for more than six decades--is that working through our disagreements, our divisions is worth it, not just as Senators but as citizens. prgtoken The whole point is, we may be boisterous and intemperate, which John has certainly also been accused of being a time or two, but we don't stop striving for our ideals, believing in our future, an
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-2-14

like my colleagues from whom we are hearing today, I also rise to talk about the importance of protecting the Dreamers, not just in the State of Nevada but across this country. prgtoken I want to talk specifically about a term that I constantly hear during this debate on how we need to protect Dreamers and at the same time address this issue of ``chain migration.'' I call on my colleagues and President to really stop using that term and to abandon the offensive and misleading term of ``chain migration'' because it paints a picture that does not reflect reality. prgtoken Immigrants cannot sponsor their entire families to come here. Our system of family-based immigration allows American citizens and green card holders to petition for some of their immediate family members to join them in the United States. There are numerous steps families must take to legally immigrate to the United States. It is a long and arduous process that leaves husbands, wives, parents, brothers, and sisters waiting for decades. This system is so broken and slow that many people die before they ever have the chance to be reunited with their loved ones again. prgtoken So this image of immigrants coming in endless chains across our borders couldn't be further from the truth. For instance, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is currently processing visa applications for the siblings of U.S. citizens from 1994. That is 24 years ago. This backlog is painful for many American families, like Fely. Fely is an immigrant from the Philippines who arrived in the United States with her husband and her youngest son back in 1989. Her father was a veteran who served in World War II, earned his citizenship, and petitioned to have Fely join him in the U.S. prgtoken In the almost three decades since then, Fely has worked tirelessly to reunite with her other children. Now at 80 years old, she is still waiting and hoping that three of her children will make it through the backlog to join her at home. Her story shows us that sponsoring even your closest family members is a lengthy and difficult process. Tragically, Fely's struggle is not uncommon. Thousands of Filipino veterans all across this country are in the same situation. prgtoken As a daughter and granddaughter of veterans, I know firsthand that when someone answers the call of duty, family members make sacrifices too. I support Senator Hirono's Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, a bill that would expedite the visa process for Filipino World War II veterans' immediate relatives. We should honor the sacrifices that veterans and their families make by passing this bill, not by forcing them to wait in perpetual limbo. prgtoken Our immigration system reflects our national commitment to the strength and importance of the family unit. Families are support systems. They pull each other up when someone is in need and pull together their resources. Strong families build s
IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. EUNICE L. MIXON
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-2-14

I rise today to recognize the work and service of a distinguished educator, political activist, and dear friend to my wife, Vivian and me, Mrs. Eunice L. Mixon. She was honored as the 2018 Distinguished Older Georgian, a title given by the Georgia Council on Aging to honor a Georgian, of at least 80 years of age, who is a role model for positive aging and has made significant contribution to society through occupational or volunteer efforts. An award reception was held for Eunice at the Georgia State Capitol at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. prgtoken Eunice L. Mixon was born in Tifton, Georgia on April 11, 1931 to the union of the late Robert and Carrie Lastinger. A product of the Tift County School System, she went on to attend classes at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and earn both Master's and Specialist Degrees in Science Education from the University of Georgia. prgtoken Winston Churchill said, ``We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'' Through every stage of her life, Eunice has always given of herself to others. She served as an educator for 30 years within the Tift County School System and at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before redirecting her passion to politics. Her first official post in politics came in 1974 when she became the Tift County campaign chair for former Governor George Busbee. She also served as a delegate to the 1988 and 1992 National ic Conventions, and as a member of the Georgia ic Executive Committee. Over the years, she has helped campaign and fundraise for several political figures including former Georgia Lieutenant. Governors Zell Miller, and Pierre Howard, former Georgia Governors Roy Barnes, Joe Frank , and Sonny Perdue, former Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, former Georgia Secretary of State Max Cleland, U.S. Representative Charles Hatcher, former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton as well as yours truly. prgtoken Eunice's distinguished civil service has been mirrored by her extensive involvement in her community. In conjunction with her professional accomplishments in politics, she served on several boards, including the Georgia Student Finance Commission, Vocational Education Task Force, Advisory Council on Consolidation of Education Programs, Georgia Civil War Commission, Joint Board Liaison Committee, and the Georgia State Bar Disciplinary Board. She has served as the doorkeeper to the Georgia State Senate, and has served on the State Bar of Georgia's Investigative Panel, the Tifton/Tift County Library Board, the Coastal Plain Regional Library Board, the Georgia Student Finance Commission Board, the Heritage Trust Commission Board, the Agrirama Foundation and the State Election Board. prgtoken Eunice received several awards for her extensive work in politics. These include induction into the Tift County Chamber of Co
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2018-2-14

today I wish to honor Paul Reeder, a retired Billings Police Department chaplain, for his unwavering faith, rock-solid dedication, and compassionate heart. prgtoken His words of wisdom have brought comfort, peace, and joy to families all across Billings and the State of Montana. prgtoken Paul was born to John and Ella Reeder during the Great Depression, and as a young boy, Paul helped support his family, working in their garden, raising food, and helping to preserve it each fall. prgtoken Paul took his first job in the ministry in 1955 in Valier, MT, before moving to Havre in 1958 to pastor at the First Baptist Church. prgtoken In 1966, he and his family moved to Great Falls, where he led the Riverview prgtoken Baptist Church. After a few years there, he reached out to other community organizations in the area facing administrative challenges. prgtoken Finally, he, his wife, Mary, and their three children Doug, Karen, and Barbara moved to Billings, where Paul accepted the directorship of Friendship House of Christian Service. He helped coordinate and expand programs there including early childcare, afterschool programs, and nutrition classes. prgtoken Though Paul is retired, he continues to preach one Sunday each month at All Nations Church and still attends morning briefings at the Billings Police Department. prgtoken Paul has built a life around helping others and building stronger communities. prgtoken He is a role model for Montana, and Billings is a better place because of his work.
TRID IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-2-14

my amendment clarifies that this bill is only intended to apply to the source code underpinning algorithmic trading rather than any computer code that exists anywhere in the enterprise. prgtoken The algorithmic source code at a trading firm are its crown jewels. It is basically the core of its existence in its intellectual property. prgtoken It is not merely historical or descriptive like books or records that regulators routinely have access to. Likewise, it is not a broad expression of strategies that a firm might use some time in the future. Rather, it is a specific and prescriptive algorithm that generates a specific outcome based on a specific set of inputs. prgtoken The firms that rely on algorithmic trading have Ph.D. scientists, mathematicians, and economists researching correlations that lead to these relationships between the inputs and outputs. These may be simple but may also be incredibly complex, involving multiple inputs that do not appear related at first glance. prgtoken This complexity, coupled with the fact that they are written largely in computer code, limits the usefulness of prgtoken inspecting source code as an examination tool. It is, rather, the behavior of the firm in the market that represents potential violations of security laws. Manipulative behavior, like frequently displaying or canceling orders, should get the regulators' attention and prompt them to ask the firm to explain it. prgtoken Source code would be and will be a valuable part of any investigation or enforcement action into observed manipulation of the market, but this is not the basis and should not be the basis for casual inspection. It would probably be central to proving the element of intent in an enforcement action because it demonstrates that the algorithm was designed to engage in, for example, manipulative or abusive behavior. prgtoken To this end, it is imperative that the firms achieve archived versions in effect at any given time and log modifications to those algorithms, including who made them, at any time that the code is altered. These should always be available by subpoena. prgtoken Additionally, I believe that most firms would allow the regulator on site to examine the source code on an air gap computer. To treat the source code as ordinary books and records would not limit the regulator to onsite examination, but would allow for staff to request it and that it be made available offsite, which has real dangers. prgtoken Because of the value the firm carries with its proprietary algorithms, it makes sense that the firm would be reluctant to allow any undue access to its crown jewels. It is really, I believe and I think the majority of my colleagues believe, something that should be accessible only by a subpoena. prgtoken My amendment simply clarifies that it is only the algorithmic trading code and related information that should be covered. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and, upon its adopt
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-2-14

watching the pictures today as I came to the floor was deeply moving. Even though there is much that we don't know and a lot of information that we lack about what is happening at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, the images of emergency vehicles and emergency responders and of young people and children evacuating a school after another tragic incident of gun violence brings back memories that are searing and harrowing. Once again, we feel that churning in our stomach, that sense of gut-punch, and a wrenching of hearts that reminds us of how we felt the day of violence in Newtown. Yet another school is victimized by gun violence. prgtoken We are waiting to learn more of the details, but certainly our hearts and prayers go to the victims and their loved ones. Our gratitude goes to the courageous first responders who are on the scene now apprehending the shooter and administering to the victims and survivors. My thoughts and prayers are with those students, emergency responders, parents, loved ones, and the community of Parkland. prgtoken Again, gun violence respects no boundaries. It spares no communities. It victimizes all of us, wherever it happens and whenever, including the gun violence that kills people every day individually, often unpublicized and invisible. prgtoken My heart breaks to hear that one more school is facing this unthinkable horror, that again this harrowing scene plays before the people of America, literally unfolding in real-time. I know that I and all of the Members of this Chamber share the grief and sympathy and heartbreak that community is experiencing today. prgtoken , I want to talk about the Connecticut Dreamers and share their stories and call for this Chamber to take narrow and focused action to prevent their draconian mass deportation and protect them from that kind of very unfortunate outcome. prgtoken The Dreamers who would be covered under legislation, which I hope will pass in the next 24 hours, came here as children. They grew up as Americans. This country is the only one they know. English is the only language many of them speak. They go to our schools. They serve in our military. They support our economy. They believe in the American dream. All of us believe in the American dream, but so do they. They work hard and give back. prgtoken Deporting the Dreamers would be cruel, irrational, and inhumane-- unworthy of a great country. It would break our promise to the Dreamers who came forward when they were told they would be given protected status and would be a violation not only of the American dream but of the promise made by a great nation. prgtoken Gabriela Valdiglesias came to the United States in 2001 from Lima, Peru. She has lived in Connecticut for 17 years. She works for Connecticut Students for a Dream, advocating for her fellow Dreamers. For those workers, she has been working on securing their right to safety, to higher
RECOGNIZING JAMES KISER AS 2018 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Peter J. Roskam (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-2-14

I rise today to congratulate Mr. James Kiser of Darien, Illinois on being named the City of Darien's Citizen of the Year for 2018. After decades of service to his community, Jim is well- deserving of this recognition. Now , you might wonder ``what did he do''? Since joining the Darien Lions Club in 1997, Jim has taken the organization's motto, ``We Serve,'' to heart and is known around town as ``Mr. Lion.'' He served as the Club's President from 2013 to 2014 and has held all 12 positions on the Board of Directors. In this capacity, he coordinated a 4th of July Parade, a Halloween party for children and a charity golf outing that benefitted the community. It is clear that the Darien Lions Club is important to Jim, but his service is not limited to the group's work. Annually, he assists the Darien Chamber of Commerce in planning and setting up Darienfest. In 2005 and 2008, he coordinated the Darienfest Corn Tent, and in 2009, it was the Darienfest Beer Tent. Regardless of the role assigned to him, he finds a way to make his impact felt please join me in congratulating Mr. James Kiser on being named the City of Darien's Citizen of the Year for 2018.