mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO MR. CLINTON HAVRAN AND MRS. DEBORAH ORR
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-5-22

I rise today to recognize the bus accident that took the lives of four people in Biloxi, Mississippi, on March 7, 2017. prgtoken Tragically, a tour bus from Austin, Texas found itself lodged on train tracks in Biloxi, and was subsequently struck by an oncoming train. Although passengers started to disembark from the bus, several could not make it off in time. prgtoken Today, , I stand to honor the lives of two of those individuals who were taken from us in the accident: Mr. Clinton Havran of Sealy, Texas, and Mrs. Deborah Orr of Bastrop, Texas. Clinton and Deborah were both pillars in our community. prgtoken Clinton served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1963, and subsequently had a long and distinguished career as a professional truck driver with Central Freight Lines and Steinhauser's of Texas. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Annie Mae Havran, his children, and his grandchildren. prgtoken Deborah, or Debbie as her friends knew her, was known for her spirit and kindness. Debbie was a Jill-of-all-trades, and held jobs as a nursing assistant and assembly worker, among others. She actively volunteered in her community--with several organizations that work with needy children and as the Activities Director at the Bastrop Senior Center. Debbie is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Tim Orr, as well as her children, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. prgtoken I join their family, their friends, and the people of Bastrop and Sealy in rejoicing the lasting impression Clinton and Debbie left on us all. As our community grieves and continues to come together in this time of sorrow, I ask that we honor their memory by working together to ensure accidents like this do not happen in the future. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues in the House offer their love and support for Clinton, Deborah, and their loved ones.
RECOGNIZING MILITARY CAREGIVERS
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2017-5-22

I want to talk about something very near and dear to my heart: the efforts to eradicate polio. prgtoken Truly, , we are this close to ending polio. Once a widespread global epidemic, it is now only endemic in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. prgtoken When I was district governor of Rotary just a few short years ago, we were reporting 17 to 18 cases per year. And I am so excited that we have only had 2 reported cases this year. prgtoken There is one organization that has led this charge, though many have helped, but Rotary has led this since 1979, literally vaccinating over 2.5 billion people in 122 countries. prgtoken As a former Rotary district governor, I spent some time this past weekend at Fort Hays State University celebrating Rotary and all we have done, including the celebration of international students and the peace awards that they receive through our scholarships. prgtoken There is no cure for polio. It is preventable by a very simple vaccine. It is vital that we aid these last handful of countries, get us over the finish line with these resources, and end our fight against polio so we can tell future generations: Like smallpox, polio is no longer in this country.
TRIBUTE TO HUNTER HOEPTNER
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2017-5-22

I rise today in tribute to and memory of Hunter Hoeptner of prgtoken Jackson County, Oregon, who passed away on May 9, 2017. prgtoken A resident of Eagle Point, Oregon, Hunter was a proud graduate of Eagle Point High School. Throughout school he displayed his tremendous leadership skills and commitment to serving others, even as a young man. Hunter served as class president at Eagle Point High and logged more than 100 hours of community service. He also led on the wrestling mat, where he won the Class 5A 160-pound State Championship for the Eagles in 2014. Long after graduation, he continued volunteering with the local youth wrestling program, inspiring others with his passion for the sport he loved. prgtoken That same tenacity and commitment to serving others motivated Hunter to serve his country in the Oregon Army National Guard. prgtoken He was assigned to Second Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion-- 186th Infantry Regiment, where he rose to the rank of Specialist and was preparing to attend Army Helicopter School. prgtoken Hunter's character left an impact on his fellow soldiers, and the local community. Over 100 military personnel attended Hunter's memorial service, which was complete with a military flyover. prgtoken Hunter's family, friends, neighbors, and total strangers touched by his story packed the stands of Eagle Point High School's football stadium to celebrate Hunter's life. At just 21 years old, this young man's life exemplified that of a community leader, star athlete, and American soldier devoted to serving others. prgtoken , on behalf of the United States Congress, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Hunter's mother Lorelei and his father Kurt for the loss of their son.
Stop Act (Executive Session)
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-5-22

. Thank you, . prgtoken I say to the Senator, I appreciate what he is doing. I am a supporter and one of the cosponsors of his bill. This fentanyl problem is just devastating communities all over the country, including in my State of Florida. prgtoken What was surprising to me to find out was that fentanyl is so much more addictive and so much more lethal than so many others of these drugs that ultimately lead to a person becoming addicted so badly that they just crave fentanyl. prgtoken I appreciate very much what he has spoken about and given leadership to. I just want him to know there are a lot of us who are trying to raise the flags of awareness of this situation before it is too late.
National Drug Court Month (Executive Session)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-5-22

the United States' relationship with China is one of our most complicated and consequential in the world. The United States must maintain a constructive partnership with China to address global threats ranging from climate change to North Korea's nuclear program. While our interests are often at odds, our relationship with China must be built on respect, not rebuffs--on tact, not tweets. prgtoken On the campaign trail, President 's rhetoric about China was as caustic as it was hollow. He claimed that climate change was a ``hoax perpetrated by the Chinese.'' He contended that we could not ``continue to allow China to rape our country.'' He declared China was ``our enemy'' and that he would direct the Treasury Department to label China a currency manipulator on his first day in office. He said he would not honor the ``one China policy'' without extracting concessions from the Chinese on trade. None of these threats materialized when assumed office, of course. When rhetoric met reality, retreated. prgtoken Even while he railed against China during his campaign, simultaneously extolled his deep financial ties with the country. He credited the Chinese for much of his own personal fortune, saying, ``I've made a lot of money with China,'' and ``I do great with China, I sell them condos, I have the largest bank in the world from China, the largest in the world by far. They're a tenant of mine in a building I own in Manhattan.'' prgtoken is the only President in modern history who has not divested his financial holdings or established a blind trust, and his financial entanglements with China have grown since his inauguration. Earlier this year, China gave the Organization preliminary approval for 38 trademarks, paving the way for the President and his family to develop a host of branded business from hotels, to insurance, to bodyguard and escort services. On the very same night that Ivanka and Jared Kushner dined with Chinese President Xi at Mar-a-Lago, China granted Ivanka 's company three new trademarks. All of this points to the very real possibility that and his family are using the Presidency to increase their personal profit, in violation of the Constitution, and that the-Chinese are accommodating them. prgtoken Governor Terry Branstad is far from an ideal choice for the U.S. Ambassador to China. His record on labor rights is deeply troubling, including his decision earlier this year to sign into law a bill that dramatically scales back the rights of workers to bargain collectively for their health insurance, evaluation procedures, and supplemental pay. prgtoken However, in an administration that has put forward few qualified candidates for public office, Governor Branstad possesses some of the experience required for this critical diplomatic post. Governor Branstad has worked with the Chinese and with Chinese President Xi specifically for seve
FREE RAIF BADAWI AND ALL PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE IN SAUDI ARABIA
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-5-22

June 17 will mark the fifth anniversary of the arrest of Raif Badawi, a human activist and writer who created the website ``Free Saudi Liberals.'' He is a prisoner of conscience sentenced to 1,000 lashes, 10 years in prison, and a 10-year travel ban for exercising his fundamental right to freedom of expression. prgtoken He was convicted of violating Saudi Arabia's draconian information technology law and ``insulting Islam.'' prgtoken Since his imprisonment in 2012, Raif's case has garnered international attention and outrage. For the courage he displayed as a free-speech advocate, he has won many awards, including the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Prize in 2014, the PEN Pinter International Writer of Courage Prize, and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2015. prgtoken His writings were a breath of fresh air in a country that ranks 168 out of 180 in Reporters Without Borders 2017 World Press Freedom Index. prgtoken In January 2015, Raif received the first 50 of the 1,000 lashes ordered by the so-called court that sentenced him. Try to imagine what that means, what it would feel like to have someone whip you 50 times in a row, what it would do to your body, and how it would cut you up and make you bleed. The lashing was carried out in public in front of a mosque as men stood around and cheered. It was barbaric. prgtoken A week after the first session of flogging, a doctor advised prison authorities that Raif's wounds had not healed enough for him to undergo the second round of this brutal punishing. To date, the lashings have not continued, but they could resume at any time. prgtoken Last year, Raif had to resort to a hunger strike to get access to healthcare. It has been 5 years since he has seen his wife, Ensaf, and his three children. They are growing up, and he is missing it because he dared to write what he thought. prgtoken I am sorry to say that Raif is not an isolated case. Reporters Without Borders has identified another 10 journalists and citizen journalists detained in Saudi Arabia. prgtoken Waleed Abu al-Khair, a prominent human rights defender and Raif's lawyer, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for ``harming the reputation of the state by communicating with international organizations'' and other supposed crimes, like ``insulting the judiciary and questioning the integrity of judges'' and ``disobeying the ruler and seeking to remove his legitimacy.'' prgtoken Many other human rights defenders are in prison for doing things like setting up human rights organizations without permission and calling for protests. All of the founders of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association have been wrongfully put on trial or imprisoned. prgtoken , I understand that Saudi Arabia is an ally of the United States, but we also know that Saudi Arabia's human rights record is terrible. According to our own State Department, ``The most important human rights problems include citizens' lack
WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE: NATIONAL SECURITY
Stacey E. Plaskett (Democrat, VI) \u2014 2017-5-22

. Madam , I thank the Congressman so much for his comments. prgtoken I think it was very interesting that the gentleman was saying that the American people and people that he spoke with over the weekend want the truth. I think that is what we all here in Congress want. We want the facts. We want to hear specifically what has happened so that the people of the United States can make a decision about what happens next. prgtoken I am not here to ask for impeachment or ask for any rash decision, but I am asking that the American people be able to see a transparent Congress and a transparent process that allows them to then speak to us as Members of Congress as to what they would like. prgtoken Several months ago, almost 2 months now, several colleagues of mine and I wrote a letter to the Department of Justice, to the Acting Attorney General, requesting that he institute a special counsel, a special prosecutor, in this matter. We are grateful that that has happened. But a special counsel cannot replace an independent, outside commission and vigorous congressional investigation. prgtoken The appointment of a special counsel speaks to the urgency of investigating the connection to Russia's interference in our election and the gravity of the President's abuse of power in trying to shut down the FBI Director; but the American people need to understand that, while a special counsel could bring charges against those individuals who were, in fact, if the facts prove to be so, in collusion with the Russians, it cannot do anything to the President except bring a report to this Congress for this Congress to act on. prgtoken This Congress needs to remember that we are a separate branch of government than the White House. This Congress seems to be acting as if it is part of the White House, an extension of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, when, in fact, this Congress stands alone. prgtoken We have a separate set of rules, a separate power, and a separate responsibility than the President of the United States. As such, Madam , it is important that we demonstrate to the American people that we are acting that way. A special counsel within the - controlled Justice Department cannot replace a truly independent, outside commission, because it is the commission which would then be able to make a decision about our President. prgtoken I say it is our President because we all respect the Office of the President, and we want the world to know that we respect and hold in reverence the individual who holds that and hold him accountable for that position that he holds. An independent, outside commission, as special counsel, Director Muller's actions will still be subject to review and approval by the President -appointed leadership of the Justice Department. prgtoken Congress must act to create an independent, outside commission that is completely free of the administration's meddling. A special counsel cannot be used as a pre
STRENGTHENING CHILDREN'S SAFETY ACT OF 2017
John Conyers, Jr. (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-5-22

. I commend the gentlewoman for her consistent understanding and explaining why mass incarceration is at the base of all of the debate that is going on. prgtoken I am hoping that more and more people who listen to these discussions that we have here in the House of Representatives will begin to understand that mass incarceration is not the answer to our problems. As a matter of fact, they compound the problems. prgtoken I salute the gentlewoman for her tenacity and understanding and explaining this situation to everyone who can listen to our discussions here.
CONFIRMATION OF TERRY BRANSTAD
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-5-22

I rise in opposition, understanding that the vote has been taken but wanting to speak on the record about the nomination of Governor Terry Branstad to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. prgtoken This is a critical diplomatic post today, perhaps more than at any time in our history. It has certainly been increasingly important through every administration as China's expansionist views of the world grow, as China's economy becomes more and more dominant in East Asia, and as China, by not playing fair on economic issues, has caused, with the acquiescence of many, many American companies, far too many jobs to move there. prgtoken We have seen sort of a new business model for American business that has been around now for a quarter of a century--something that economic history never showed us before--where companies shut down in places like Willowick or Toledo or Dayton or Springfield, OH, and move overseas. They are getting tax breaks to do it. They build plants there and sell those products back into Ohio or into Oklahoma or into the United States in the other 48 States. Unfortunately, China has been part of that, while U.S. companies have acted, in many cases, irresponsibly, and China has played into it. prgtoken We have serious issues with China, from their currency manipulation to trade cheating that hurts the American steel industry to their dismal, documented record on human rights and religious freedom. On all of these fronts, we need to take a firm position with China. We need an ambassador who will advocate for American workers, for American businesses, and, yes, for American values. I don't believe Governor Branstad will be that ambassador. prgtoken When it comes to putting American workers first, Governor Branstad's record, frankly, is appalling. How can he advocate for American workers and for expanding the rights of working people around the world when he fought against it at home in his home State of Iowa? As Governor, Terry Branstad waged war on collective bargaining rights. He recently signed legislation that takes away the right of public employees to bargain for fair wages and for healthcare rights that they have guaranteed for 45 years--rights that were enshrined by a law signed by a former Governor. prgtoken When the State Department measures labor rights in countries around the world, they look at whether a country's laws allow workers to organize and engage in collective bargaining. China's results have always been poor. They have been criticized for deplorable working conditions. How can our country--how can the United States--lead by example when it comes to ensuring that hard work pays off when the man representing us in Beijing, when the man representing us at the negotiating table is taking away workers' rights in our own country? Don't think for a moment that the Chinese will not remind the American Ambassador of what he has done with workers'
CHILD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2017
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-5-22

let me also congratulate Mr. Schiff and Mr. Bishop. And as was indicated on the floor, thank you very much, Mr. Conyers. prgtoken This is the kind of bill that is corrective and effective. This bill would allow a more effective and comprehensive criminal background check, which will help identify the integrity and accountability of the organizations that sponsor these programs. prgtoken Many of us have worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Boys and Girls Scouts, and many other organizations that really work to help children. These nationwide criminal background checks are more reliable than background checks that only search criminal histories in a few States. prgtoken Many States currently limit the ability of organizations to access their database and, thus, force organizations to depend on private companies to perform background checks of employees and volunteers. If anybody has been on the board of a nonprofit dealing with children, you realize that you want to put most of your resources investing in the programs to help these children. H.R. 695, however, would alleviate this burden of expense and allow organizations to access the FBI's more robust system. prgtoken In the Child Safety Pilot Program, which we implemented over 10 years ago, it demonstrates the effectiveness of nationwide background checks for youth-serving organizations. The program has effectively exposed applicants who use aliases, incorrect dates of birth, and other identifiers, some of whom have serious criminal backgrounds. That is the preventative way to protect our children, by ensuring a very healthy, robust vetting of individuals who want to engage with our children. prgtoken H.R. 695 would allow organizations to access the FBI's comprehensive background check system and to create a more accurate determination of individuals who want to work with children. Volunteers we welcome, but we want to ensure that those volunteers are there to take care of our children, to help our children, and improve the lives of our children. H.R. 695 is a very important contributor to that effort.
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-5-22

as we end Police Week, I wish to pay tribute to the police officers across the country who serve their communities with steadfast dedication. In particular, I rise to honor three brave New Jersey law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. prgtoken In 1962, President Kennedy first proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and he proclaimed the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. These designations pay special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and includes a number of events that brings together thousands of law enforcement professionals and families to our nations' capital. prgtoken On this Police Week, I reflected on the nearly 400 new names inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Of these names, at least 139 were killed last year, and roughly 250 were earlier deaths that had slipped through the cracks of history. The total number of names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will increase to more than 21,000, dating back to the first known officer fatality in 1791. prgtoken It is a deeply upsetting fact that, on average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 58 hours. We can and should do better than this, and we owe it to these brave men and women to give them the necessary tools and training to protect themselves. Those who protect us deserve to be protected as well. prgtoken In honor of National Police Week and in recognition of the supreme sacrifice made by these officers, I will now read the names of the three law enforcement officers from New Jersey who were killed in the line of duty in 2016: Sean Cullen, trooper, New Jersey State police; Nikeelan Semmon, senior corrections officer, New Jersey Department of Corrections; and Frankie Williams, trooper, New Jersey State police. prgtoken Today my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these brave officers. I sincerely hope that we rededicate ourselves to doing everything we can to support all law enforcement officers across the country. We owe them, prgtoken along with all those who serve our country, the deepest debt of gratitude.
FUND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-5-22

. Madam , in our increasingly competitive world, the importance of education beyond our K-12 system has only grown. As we address this reality, it is vital that we recognize the importance of career and technical education, in addition to colleges and universities. prgtoken That is why I am proud to be the lead on the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This bill, which passed the Education and the Workforce Committee last week unanimously, will increase funding for career and technical education by 9 percent over the next 6 years to modernize these initiatives and to ensure students have the skills employers are looking for. prgtoken Through investing in our citizens and our economy, this bill will help hardworking families across the country join and stay in the middle class. I am proud to work with my colleagues from both parties, including Congressman Thompson from Pennsylvania, to build a more promising future for millions of Americans, and I hope this bill will soon receive consideration on the House floor.