mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CBC SUPPORTS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I thank Chair Beatty for yielding. And I know brevity is the soul of wit, so I will express my thoughts as succinctly as I can. prgtoken I am honored to be the co-chair of the CBC Special Order hour and to serve under the dynamic leadership of the CBC chair, Joyce Beatty, who is a force to be reckoned with. I thank the gentlewoman for affording me the honor to co-chair the CBC Special Order hour. prgtoken I echo what our majority whip said, that we cannot afford to take an obsolete view of infrastructure. Infrastructure is about more than roads and bridges. It is about the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. It is about access to the internet, especially in a world of remote learning and telehealth. It is about safe, decent, affordable housing, which is a human right. prgtoken Abraham Maslow spoke about a hierarchy of needs, and the highest need we have is self-actualization. And in order to actualize ourselves, we have to meet our most fundamental needs, our need for employment, housing, transit, and education. That is what we mean by infrastructure. prgtoken Infrastructure is not simply physical, but it is social and human. It is that which enables us to become the best version of ourselves. prgtoken The component of infrastructure that matters most to me is affordable housing. I would not be where I am today were it not for affordable housing and the stability that it gave me and my family. For me affordable housing is not simply brick-and-mortar, but it is the foundation on which we build a better life for ourselves and our family. prgtoken It is often said that the south Bronx is the poorest congressional district in America, but I think of the south Bronx as the essential congressional district. Because it is home to essential workers who put their lives at risk during the peak of the pandemic so that the rest of the city and the country could safely shelter in place. prgtoken And I believe deeply that the essential workers of America, the essential workers of New York City should be able to afford to live in a city that cannot survive and succeed without them. prgtoken Now, the American Jobs Plan proposes hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding for affordable housing, but just as important as the dollar amount is how those dollars are spent. If we simply invest those dollars in expanding housing supply without expanding housing subsidy, then we run the risk of creating housing that leaves behind the lowest income Americans. We run the risk of creating the appearance rather than the reality of affordable housing. prgtoken When the subject of affordable housing is raised, the question that often comes to mind is: Affordable for whom? prgtoken We need deep affordability. We need real affordability. And the best path to deep affordability--to affordability for all Americans--is housing vouchers for all. Housing vouchers ensure that you pay no more than 30 percent of your income
CBC SUPPORTS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and, more importantly, I thank her for her leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus and her leadership on the Committee on Financial Services. prgtoken Madam , we are slowly recovering from the economic mess that we inherited after the last administration. The number of jobs, up. Unemployment, down. Initial claims for unemployment insurance, down. The economy is going in the right direction, but, clearly, not fast enough. prgtoken That is why the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan are so important. The American Jobs Plan will create funding for the traditional infrastructure, like roads, bridges, tunnels, rail, public transit; also investments in ports. prgtoken It also proposes significant investment in broadband. And we have heard how important broadband is because it connects families and businesses to the internet, and connects students to the internet. Those students who did not have connectivity could not take advantage of educational opportunities for over a year, and if they don't get connectivity, they will be disadvantaged going forward. prgtoken We need to have universal broadband, and the investments in the American prgtoken Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan will go a long way towards universal access to broadband. prgtoken We even have electric charging stations for people who are not inclined to buy electric cars if they can't charge those cars on the highway. And people are not building charging stations along the highway because there are not that many electric cars. prgtoken The American Jobs Plan will have funding for electric charging stations so that more people will be inclined to buy electric cars. And not surprisingly, as soon as that happens, all of the restaurants up and down the highways will have charging stations so people will be inclined to hook up; and while they are waiting, they will go in and take advantage of the restaurant. prgtoken Madam , those are just some of the investments in the American Jobs Plan. prgtoken It also includes school construction. There is an article recently in Virginia that told the story that about 50 percent of the schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia are over 50 years old. That sends a disappointing message to students when they are going into old schools. It gives the impression that education is not important. We need to improve our schools, and we can do that with the funding in the American Jobs Plan. prgtoken Madam , we have funding to improve housing, that we have heard, and many other projects. Creating millions of jobs, good-paying jobs--mostly union jobs--where they are guaranteed to be able to negotiate a decent wage and equal pay for equal work. But those jobs will go unfilled unless we also pass the American Families Plan, which has funding for childcare and early childhood education and improved child nutrition so parents can actually go to work; job training and
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO ``OIL AND NATURAL GAS SECTOR: EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW, RECONSTRUCTED, AND...
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-6-28

it is imperative that we work together to reduce harmful methane pollution as soon as possible. That is why I strongly support S.J. Res. 14 which will get America back on track in controlling methane pollution and leaks. prgtoken Methane is a highly potent gas that, pound for pound, traps more than 80 times as much heat on our planet in the short term as carbon dioxide. Plugging methane pollution leaks is good for our public health, as it can reduce the risk of asthma, heart attacks, and premature deaths. Reducing methane pollution is good for the climate, it's good for business, and it will create thousands and thousands of jobs across America. That's why there is broad consensus from energy companies, local communities, the tourism industry, labor groups, environmental organizations, environmental justice leaders, and faith leaders on methane pollution control. prgtoken In fact, in 2019, when my Select Committee on the Climate Crisis was doing our broad outreach to develop recommendations for solving the climate crisis, this was an area where we reached broad consensus, as a wide range of stakeholders and scientists told us reducing methane pollution would be needed to help save our planet. prgtoken Adopting today's resolution will restore common-sense safeguards to limit methane pollution from oil and gas production, as we reverse the Administration's misguided efforts that stopped them. Restoring these safeguards is one of the recommendations we included in the Select Committee's Climate Crisis Action Plan. It's a modest and straightforward step in the right direction, but it's a very important one. prgtoken Controlling dangerous methane pollution has broad support. A recent Morning Consult poll found that an overwhelming majority of Americans-- including 81 percent of s--support congressional actions requiring oil and gas companies to regulate, check for, and fix methane leaks. prgtoken And it is more important now than ever. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the various shutdowns around the globe, carbon dioxide and methane emissions surged in 2020, including the largest increase in methane emissions recorded since record-keeping began nearly four decades ago. prgtoken Furthermore, we know that fossil fuels are playing an outsized role in this crisis. According to an analysis published by scientists from NASA and Stanford last year, fossil fuel-related methane emissions in the United States contributed approximately 80 percent of the total increase of methane for North America from 2006 to 2017. Stopping methane and other pollution from oil and gas production is an important step in solving the climate crisis. Even major oil companies--from BP America to Shell to ExxonMobil--support federal regulation of methane pollution. Building on the examples of Colorado, Wyoming and Ohio, a nationwide standard is crit
HONORING OUR PROMISES THROUGH EXPEDITION FOR AFGHAN SIVS ACT OF 2021
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-6-28

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , H.R. 3385, the Honoring our Promises through Expedition for the Afghan SIVs Act--or the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act--proposes a small, but impactful, change to expedite the issuance of special immigrant visas to those who served side by side with American troops in Afghanistan, and whose lives are at risk as a result. prgtoken The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program allows individuals who worked for or on behalf of the United States prgtoken Government or for the NATO International Security Assistance Force in support of the American mission to seek lawful permanent residence to the United States. To qualify, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and pass rigorous background checks; a process that, on average, takes 3 years. prgtoken Additionally, every applicant who is found to be eligible for a visa must complete a medical examination before they are approved to come to the United States. However, in the capital city of Kabul, there is only one clinic certified by the United States Government to provide these mandatory examinations. prgtoken The already high demand for services was worsened by the deteriorating security conditions and a new outbreak of an intense third wave of COVID-19. It is now nearly impossible for applicants to schedule this mandatory life-changing appointment while in Afghanistan. prgtoken The HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act would allow the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to quickly respond to these emergency conditions in Afghanistan by authorizing a blanket waiver of the medical examination requirement for people who are otherwise eligible for special immigrant visas. prgtoken Once safely in the United States and removed from the threat of violence, those eligible people must complete the required medical examination within 30 days. To ensure compliance, Afghan special immigrants would be admitted to the United States as lawful permanent residents on a conditional basis. Conditions would be removed only when the Secretary of Homeland Security confirms that the examination has been completed and the individual is not inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds. prgtoken , I am proud to join Mr. Crow of Colorado, and I thank him for championing this issue and working across the aisle to build consensus and awareness for the importance of this legislation. I also thank Ranking Member Jordan for his collaboration and support in the drafting process. prgtoken As we draw down our military presence in Afghanistan, many who served alongside our troops continue to face increasing threats because of their service to our country. We must do right by these people, and H.R. 3385 is an important first step. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
HONORING AND RECOGNIZING SYLVIA COPELAND-MURPHY
A. Donald McEachin (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I rise today to honor and recognize my Constituent Services Director, Rev. Sylvia Copeland-Murphy, for her devoted service to her church, Oak Grove Baptist Church, in Suffolk, Virginia, where she has served as the Assistant Pastor for the last 18 years. prgtoken Sylvia was born and raised in Suffolk, Virginia. She was one of seven children in her family and attended public school in the Suffolk area. Sylvia has dedicated her life to serving as a voice for the underprivileged through her work on housing assistance, with Oak Grove Baptist Church, and as Constituent Services Director for Virginia's Fourth Congressional District. prgtoken I was blessed with the opportunity to meet Sylvia on the campaign trail in 2016. She has an infectious, kind personality that draws people towards her, and has been an irreplaceable member of my team. prgtoken Through her work at her church, Sylvia has supported her community by leading youth groups, women's ministries, and workshops. These initiatives showcase Sylvia's deep care for her community and her devotion to Oak Grove Baptist Church. I knew early on that her dedication to supporting her community would be a great asset to my office. prgtoken With Sylvia's support, the first congressional office in the city of Suffolk opened and she continued to serve her community through her role as a caseworker, and eventually, as Constituent Services Director. Her compassion, diligence, and organization made her a natural fit for the position, one of the hardest jobs in any congressional office. Through her particularly impressive background in housing and devotion to her community, Sylvia has been able to provide immeasurable support to the people in Virginia's Fourth Congressional District. prgtoken Sylvia has a knack for finding the source of a problem and fixing it. With her passion, empathy, and intelligence, Sylvia is a powerful leader and successful advocate for her community. Sylvia's dedication to public service has left a lasting impact on the lives of the parishioners of Oak Grove Baptist Church and the Suffolk community. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rev. Sylvia Copeland-Murphy for her service to her community and Oak Grove Baptist Church.
URGING THE ADMINISTRATION TO FACILITATE ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN INDIA
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-28

I thank my good friend for yielding. I want to thank my colleague and co-chair of the House Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, Mr. Chabot, for joining with me in introducing this resolution. prgtoken Mr. Chabot and I introduced this resolution recognizing the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on India and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives about the need to provide the maximum possible assistance to India. prgtoken The House has a long, bipartisan record of supporting and strengthening the relationship between the United States, the world's oldest democracy, and India, the world's largest democracy. prgtoken I also want to thank Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul for working with us on this important resolution, and thank my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee for passing this resolution unanimously. prgtoken The COVID-19 outbreak in India requires a global response. We know that the COVID epidemic is not limited by international borders, and the pandemic will not end anywhere until it ends everywhere, as the chairman pointed out. prgtoken This is particularly true with regard to variants and we are aware of the delta variant that is now spreading. prgtoken Until we can vaccinate the world, there will be millions, billions of opportunities for this virus to infect; where it infects, it replicates; where it replicates, it mutates and poses the risk of developing a strain that, unlike the strains we have dealt with so far, evades the vaccines that we have developed. prgtoken We have been working in a bipartisan manner to address the devastating effects of this second COVID-19 wave in India. Official testing results indicate that India has seen more than 340,000 daily infections and over 4,000 daily deaths. But many public health officials believe these numbers understate the matter, and that perhaps upwards of 2 million people a day have been infected in India. prgtoken Of course, we have seen a slight abatement in those horrific numbers, but the problem remains. prgtoken I want to thank the administration and commend them for organizing so many parts of the U.S. Government, the CDC, HHS, USAID, the State Department, in getting materials to India that will help vaccine production, provide rapid COVID testing and, most importantly, oxygen support, particularly, oxygen concentrators and, of course, PPE to help save lives. prgtoken This resolution is part of the ongoing effort of the India Caucus to help India at this time of need. Earlier this year, we sent a bipartisan request to the President requesting that we increase our assistance to India in battling COVID-19, particularly focusing on the raw materials necessary to manufacture vaccines and oxygen concentration equipment. prgtoken By early May, the United States had provided over $100 million worth of medical supplies, including that oxygen support, and PPE, rapid diagnostic tests, and therapeutics
IN MEMORY OF PRITAM GREWAL
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Pritam Singh Grewal, one of North Jersey's most compassionate community leaders. Raised in India, Pritam immigrated directly to the Fifth District in 1972 and dedicated himself to our community ever since. He was truly an unselfish and deeply caring man who made an impact on everyone who crossed his path. prgtoken As a founding member of Glen Rock's Sikh Gurudwara, Pritam helped build a safe space for North Jersey's Sikh community to come together and worship. Having personally visited several times, I can attest to the special atmosphere he instilled in this important Glen Rock establishment. prgtoken Pritam always felt a calling to promote quality education throughout his community. He taught mechanical engineering at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and later partnered with his brother, Amarjit, to establish the Grewal, Harchand Singh and Jagir Kaur Memorial Scholarship of Ramapo College, in memory of his late parents. prgtoken Pritam was also widely known throughout Hackensack University Medical Center where prgtoken the trauma team took care of him after an accident in 2012. He even has an award named in his honor, the Pritam Singh Grewal Good Samaritan Award, to recognize outstanding staff at Hackensack who share his sense of compassion and dedication to service. prgtoken A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Pritam cared deeply about his family. He was loved and cherished by many people including his spouse Paramjit Kaur Grewal and his children Shivpreet and Balpreet. I join them not only in their grief and in celebration of Pritam's incredible life. prgtoken While Pritam is no longer with us, his spirit, legacy, and impact on North Jersey will live on forever. I know his loving family will continue to honor him by leading the kind of life that he did--one grounded in compassion, service, and an understanding of the importance of lifting up one's community.
CBC SUPPORTS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I thank the Congressional Black Caucus. I want to recognize and say how much we appreciate and how much Congress has benefited from the bold leadership of our chair, Joyce Beatty. I thank her for hosting, with the Congressional Black Caucus leadership, this Special Order hour. prgtoken Madam , I rise to speak on the urgent infrastructure issue that needs and deserves the attention and the action of this body. Our water infrastructure in the United States is in serious need of repair. prgtoken Families in Michigan and across this country are struggling to get safe and clean drinking water because of lead pipes in their homes and communities, not to mention the contamination of our water system sources. prgtoken I am from Michigan, and the Great Lakes weigh on my mind constantly as the largest body of freshwater in this country. prgtoken A 2016 study found that there were more than 6 million lead service lines across the United States, serving 15 to 22 million Americans. This is a crisis. prgtoken Madam , I have lived through and witnessed the Flint water crisis in Michigan. I saw where the people, the United States citizens of this country, prgtoken their drinking water was poisoned, and because of that, we saw them getting sick and being hospitalized. prgtoken I am sad to say, not only did it happen in Flint, but it is happening all over our country. This issue disproportionately affects communities of color and the poor. prgtoken We have an opportunity, a once in a generation chance, to rebuild our infrastructure and to build back better for the American people. The Americans Jobs Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure framework both tackle our water infrastructure problem. prgtoken These proposals will replace lead pipelines across this country. It is an action that is long overdue. prgtoken This is an investment that could not come soon enough. I want this Congress to know that the Federal investment in public water infrastructure projects--it is embarrassing to say--under our watch has fallen from 63 percent of our overall investment in 1977 to just 9 percent in 2014. Let me repeat that. We invested, at one time, as a government, 63 percent in our water, and now it is down to 9 percent. This is unacceptable. prgtoken Let's pass a comprehensive infrastructure package to rebuild our water infrastructure, fix our roads and bridges, and invest in electric vehicles while creating good-paying jobs and positioning ourselves for the future. prgtoken This is a public health issue; it is a racial justice issue; and it is an economic justice issue. Access to clean water is a basic necessity for human life. prgtoken I am grateful to stand with my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus and call for our Nation's investment in infrastructure. This is our power, and this is our message. We must get this done.
CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS PARK
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , today I rise to commemorate the centennial of Frederick Douglass Park in Indianapolis. This historic park honors the memory and legacy of legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Located in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood on the east side of Indianapolis and maintained by the City of Indianapolis's parks department, the Frederick Douglass Park has been an integral part of our city for generations by bringing our community together. prgtoken The park's history reflects America's civil rights journey. It opened in 1921 in the Jim Crow era to serve Black citizens, as they were excluded or intimidated from visiting other recreational spaces in Indianapolis. Black Hoosiers embraced the park, organizing and advocating for its maintenance and improvement. Frederick Douglass Park is well known for its role in cultivating Black golfers, and it has hosted professionals such as Ted Rhodes, Charlie Sifford and Tiger Woods. Today, it is visited and appreciated by Hoosiers of many different backgrounds. prgtoken Frederick Douglass Park continues to play an important role in Indianapolis, and in celebration of its 100 years, our community is planning a series of events including a golf-tournament, festival, and movie night. The City of Indianapolis will additionally announce a $19.5 million investment into Frederick Douglass Park, updating it for its second century through the construction of a new family center that includes educational, fitness, and community spaces. prgtoken Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this incredible park and its rich history in my district.