mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING FRED DOUGLAS MASON, JR.
Elijah E. Cummings (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-6-6

I wish to commend a great American who has devoted more than five decades of his life to the continuing struggle of our nation's working families for greater opportunity, empowerment, and social justice. On June 16, Fred Douglas Mason, Jr who retired in April as President of the Maryland-District of Columbia AFL-CIO and its 384,000 members, will be honored at a dinner in his honor. We would be remiss if we did not recognize the contributions and struggles of Fred Mason and all the other hard-working Americans who forge our steel, build our automobiles, care for our families in times of illness or injury, teach our children, and contribute their sweat and toil to enriching our lives in so many other ways. Fred Mason's career, both on the assembly lines of Baltimore and as a union organizer and leader, exemplified the strong and resilient character of the Americans he served during the last 52 years. Fred personally experienced the heartbreak that wreaked havoc on the economic and social order of our Greater Baltimore community--as Bethlehem Steel, General Motors, General Electric, Proctor and Gamble and other manufacturing corporations abandoned their Baltimore operations, leaving nearly 100,000 working families to reach deeply into their hearts, pull themselves together, and chart new courses for their lives. Fred Mason also knew the empowering strength of education that provides needed skills and justifies a living wage, a health care plan and a secure retirement. Throughout his career, he worked tirelessly to expand the job training and tuition assistance that has allowed so many of his brothers and sisters to build better lives. From his earliest days as a student at Morgan State College (now University), Fred Mason also understood that an integrated America, both racially and socio-economically, is a stronger and more prosperous nation. And although he will be laying down the gavel as President of the Maryland-DC AFL-CIO, I am confident that Fred Mason will carry on in the cause of universal civil and human rights. I hold this conviction because, like Fred Mason, I, too, am a son of labor and a civil rights worker. And like Fred Mason, we all must understand that the civil rights movement of our own time is not limited to issues of race or gender or freedom of conscience--as critically important as those struggles remain. The civil rights movement of our time, , is also about whether parents can afford to feed and house their children--and provide those children with the education and health care that they need and deserve. The choice is ours. Will America once again become a nation of opportunity for everyone willing to work hard? Or will hard-working Americans continue to be squeezed past the breaking point by policies, enacted from afar, that devalue our people, our economy and the nation that we love? , this is the message that Fred Mason has live
IN RECOGNITION OF DR. CHRISTOPHER J. QUINN
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to congratulate Dr. Christopher J. Quinn on his selection as President-Elect of the American Optometric Association (AOA). Dr. Quinn will be installed as the AOA's 96th President during the 120th Congress of the House of Delegates this year. prgtoken Dr. Quinn's long-standing involvement with the AOA exemplifies his dedication to the association and the greater medical community. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 2008 and is a liaison trustee to the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and the American Academy of Optometry. Throughout his career, Dr. Quinn has also been a member of the AOA Federal Relations Committee, the AOA State Government Relations Committee, and has also served as an AOA representative to the American Medical Association's Resource Based Relative Value Upstate Committee--Health Care Professionals Advisory Committee. prgtoken In addition to his experience with the AOA, Dr. Quinn is past president of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is an adjunct professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, State University of New York, New England College of Optometry, University of California at Berkeley and The Ohio State University. He is also the owner and president of Omni Eye Services in New Jersey. prgtoken , I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in congratulating Dr. Quinn as President-Elect of the American Optometric Association and thanking him for his commitment to his patients and the field of optometry.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-6-6

just a little less than 2 weeks ago, President released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2018, which would begin October 1. He named his plan ``A New Foundation for American Greatness.'' While unveiling this budget, Director Mulvaney, the OMB Director, declared that ``We are no longer going to measure compassion by the number of programs or the number of people on those programs, but by the number of people we help get off of those programs.'' prgtoken When I read this and looked at the budget, I was reminded of the story of the two hikers who got to the top of a mountain. They stood near a big cliff and one hiker said: It is a beautiful vista. prgtoken The other hiker said: I am so exhausted from hiking all the way up; I wish I could get down quickly. prgtoken The first hiker then said: Let me help you with that. And he shoved him off the cliff. prgtoken That is what this budget does. It doesn't help people get off programs through education and training; it shuts down the programs. It shoves people off the cliff. prgtoken In this budget, millions of struggling, rural, middle-class, low- income, and working Americans are thrown off the cliff. They are thrown out of these programs as these programs are just struck down, not because programs have served their purpose and are no longer needed but because the President wants to do two things. He wants to build a lot more in terms of the military, and he wants to give a tax giveaway of some $6 trillion in the budget, with most of it going to the very richest Americans. This is not an ``America first'' budget; this is a ``billionaires first'' and a ``rural and working Americans last'' budget. prgtoken We see this vision implemented through dramatic cuts to food stamps, children's healthcare, job training, after-school programs, scientific research, and other anti-poverty programs. One program after another designed to help American families who are devastated will be eliminated, all in the name of building a wall, building more missiles and more bombs, and giving this massive, massive giveaway of the Treasury to the privileged and powerful. prgtoken Now there is good news. The good news is that I think we are going to have a bipartisan coalition we can build to defeat this budget. Even some of our colleagues in the House Freedom Caucus, who often talk about slashing government spending and eliminating programs, are saying that this proposal and its impact on rural Americans and rural America is draconian and unacceptable. It is not often that you hear folks throughout the entire political spectrum come together to say the same thing--that this budget is shortsighted and ill-conceived--but that is where we are now. prgtoken This budget tells us a lot because a budget is an expression of values. When President placed this budget before us, we gained insight into his values. What we quickly learned is that President doesn't place valu
CONDEMNING VIOLENCE AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTERS OUTSIDE THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today in support of H. Res. 354, which condemns the violence, on American soil, against peaceful protestors outside the residence of the Turkish Ambassador to the United States and calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. prgtoken On May 16, 2017, the President hosted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey for an official meeting at the White House to discuss counter-terrorism cooperation and bilateral issues. prgtoken That evening, over two dozen protestors peaceably assembled outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C to voice their opposition to Turkish Government policies. prgtoken It was not long before unprovoked violence erupted, when pro-Erdogan supporters and individuals from the Turkish Embassy grounds pushed past District of Columbia police officers to brutally attack the peaceful demonstrators. prgtoken These Turkish officials violated the First Amendment rights of United States citizens, and multiple armed Turkish officials beat, kicked, and choked unarmed demonstrators. prgtoken Multiple video recordings show the violence with which these demonstrators were attacked. prgtoken The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the Department of State confirm that the demonstrators did not instigate the violence. prgtoken Two armed Turkish officers attached to a security detail were detained at the scene for physically assaulting Federal agents but were later released and allowed to leave the United States because they held diplomatic immunity. prgtoken , it is beyond dispute that the life of President Erdogan was never in any danger. prgtoken It must be noted that immunity for diplomatic personnel and certain other foreign officials is a core principal but so is the constitutionally protected right to protest peacefully and freely in the United States. prgtoken , this is the third instance of violence perpetrated by members of Turkish President Erdogan's security detail on United States soil. prgtoken In 2011, a brawl erupted in the halls of the United States Nations General Assembly between members of Turkish President Erdogan's security detail and United Nations security officers, resulting in one United Nations security officer being hospitalized due to serious injuries. prgtoken In 2016, members of Turkish President Erdogan's security detail engaged in unwarranted violence against journalist reporting on an event at the Brookings Institution. prgtoken On May 21, 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson affirmed that violence outside the Turkish Embassy was ``outrageous'' and ``simply unacceptable.'' prgtoken It is imperative that the right to assembly, peaceful protest, and freedom of speech are not abridged because they are the bedrock of democracy. prgtoken For this reason, the United States Secret Service and the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State should review this incident and confirm with the Turkish National Police th
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-6-6

we are all united in support of a strong and effective VA that is able to provide topnotch services and support to the veterans who have served our country nobly. None of us can be satisfied with the current state of the Department, and I share the frustration of constituent veterans who are unable to get the basic care and treatment they need, from widows and families who have lost loved ones while under the care of the VA, and from dedicated VA employees who are frustrated with the waste and inept management that prevent them from providing the care they believe our veterans deserve. The revelations about the continuing problems at the District of Columbia VA medical center should serve as a new wake-up call that immediate attention is needed to make the VA right. prgtoken I supported the nomination of Dr. David Shulkin to be VA Secretary and gave him my full support to make changes to the organization to address the management problems and lapses in care that plague the VA. There is no question that the VA needs reforms that will make it more responsive to the needs of our veterans, and more accountable when it does not adequately serve them. prgtoken The VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act attempts to address these issues by making it easier for management to discipline and remove VA employees. It is essential that managers have this authority to remove employees who violate their duty to care for our veterans. It is also important that our removal process be implemented in a fair and impartial manner. The House bill failed to provide those protections, and I appreciate Senator Tester's work on this issue and his efforts to improve the bill that the House passed. I am concerned, however, that some provisions in the bill weaken the worker protections that are necessary to avoid arbitrary or politically motivated disciplinary actions. Our Nation's civil service protections are intended to allow Federal workers to do their jobs free of intimidation or political interference. Employees can be disciplined or removed, but only with due process that exposes the full facts of the case. Reforms that rely on fear of arbitrary discipline or removal are not truly reforms, but will create a toxic environment within the agency. While I have concerns about some of the provisions of this bill, we must provide veterans the care and support they need from the VA. prgtoken I admire the dedication and commitment of our Federal workers at the VA, many of whom are veterans themselves. Most care deeply and go the extra mile to serve those who have served. I know that Secretary Shulkin prgtoken recognizes the enormous talent in our Federal workers, and I believe he should strive to create a stronger team by rapidly filling the 45,000 vacant civil service positions currently at the VA and by building on the strong sense of purpose that motivates our VA Federal workforce and cares for our veteran
NATIONAL REPUBLIC DAY OF AZERBAIJAN
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-6-6

I rise today to recognize the National Republic Day of Azerbaijan commemorating Azerbaijan's 99th year of independence and democracy. In 1918, Azerbaijan became the first democratic and secular Muslim country in the world. However, in 1920, the country was absorbed into the Soviet Union. After seven decades, Azerbaijan prevailed over the forces of communism to restore the country's independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan's National Republic Day highlights the nation's significant contributions to global stability, and religious tolerance. prgtoken As an unwavering U.S. ally, Azerbaijan has provided vital resources for U.S. and NATO forces and fought side-by-side with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The United States is grateful for Azerbaijan's security contributions in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq as well as the country's commitment to global nonproliferation efforts. prgtoken As a tolerant and secular Muslim-majority nation, Azerbaijan is dedicated to religious pluralism and ensuring the right of religious freedom. Azerbaijan is home to a thriving Jewish community and since the early 1990s, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Israel have grown in the fields of intelligence sharing, security coordination and economic development. prgtoken I commend Azerbaijan for their participation in the international community as a member of the United Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). prgtoken Azerbaijan is a strong partner of the United States in a strategically important and complex region of the world. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Azerbaijani people on their National Republic Day.
CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-6-6

I was absent during rollcall votes No. 286 and No. 287 due to my spouse's health situation in California. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 354--Condemning the violence against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence on May 16, 2017, and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, as amended. I would have also voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 355--Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Manchester, United Kingdom, on May 22, 2017, expressing heartfelt condolences, and reaffirming unwavering support for the special relationship between our peoples and nations in the wake of these attacks, as amended.
CONGRATULATING THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CAMARILLO ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-6-6

today I rise to congratulate the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo on the occasion of their 50th anniversary as a remarkable afterschool institution servicing the youth and families of the City of Camarillo. prgtoken Since 1967, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has had a profound impact on the community with an exemplary goal of educating our youth to become socially responsible citizens. The Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has become an extraordinary asset to our community as a whole. prgtoken Holding true to its mission, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo cares for each and every student that comes through their doors regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. They develop each student's full potential to become productive, responsible, and caring individuals. For over five decades, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has accomplished this goal through dedicated staff and volunteers to whom we owe an insurmountable debt of gratitude. prgtoken Since its founding, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has aimed to keep our young kids off the streets through supervised, quality afterschool programs and services. Today, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo serves approximately 400 kids every day and over 4,000 kids each year. These kids have the opportunity to participate in sports programs in its gymnasium, arts programs in its performance theatre, and academic programs in and outside its technology lab, giving kids a truly holistic development experience that will empower them and instill confidence. prgtoken Furthermore, the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has a youth employment program that connects its teens with job opportunities in the community. In doing so, they act as a collaborative relationship builder, mentoring teens and facilitating a connection with potential employers where they can utilize the skills and knowledge they have obtained through the organization. prgtoken Every child deserves a great future, and the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo has succeeded in creating a positive, fun, and safe environment for our community's youth to reach their fullest potential. For these reasons, it is my sincere pleasure to honor the Boys and Girls Club for its exceptional 50 years of service to our community's youth and developing our future leaders.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-6-6

it is fitting that today, June 6, the anniversary of D-day in Europe and the Battle of Midway in the Pacific, we are talking about our country's veterans in the debate that is going on in the Senate. The brave men and women who have served our country deserve the very best care our Nation can give them. That is why I rise today in support of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which I believe will pass by a voice vote in the Senate later this afternoon. prgtoken This bipartisan bill will help improve the quality of care our veterans receive by reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs and making it easier for the Secretary of the VA to fire poorly performing employees. The legislation will allow the VA to hold its employees more accountable. It will also create new protections for whistleblowers-- those who report wrongdoing. And it would ensure that any employee who is terminated has an adequate opportunity to appeal their dismissal. prgtoken For years, the VA has been plagued by reports of inefficiency and long wait times. I might say that often we find those reports are true, but that is completely separate from the quality of medical care that is given through the VA healthcare system. If you talk to almost any veteran, they are very pleased with the quality of that medical care. It is the administrative stuff getting in the way, and that is what there has been such an outrage about. prgtoken Well, this VA bill is going to help the VA get rid of the bad actors while protecting the good ones. I want to make it clear that the vast majority of VA employees perform their work admirably in an often thankless environment. These dedicated public servants work hard to provide the day-to-day care our veterans deserve, and they should be protected. That is why, while I believe it is important to hold poorly performing employees accountable, I also believe that it is important to protect the rights of the employees who may have been wrongly terminated, especially at the lower levels, by giving them the opportunity to appeal a supervisor's decision to fire them. This bill we are going pass does that. It is supported by dozens of veterans service organizations, the Office of Special Counsel, the Secretary himself. So I urge our colleagues to join me and join so many of us in voting in favor of the bill. prgtoken I would also say that on this very famous day, this anniversary, June 6, I have been to the beaches of Normandy, I have been to Omaha Beach. As a matter of fact, while there, it is impossible to walk into that cemetery on the cliff overlooking the beach--it is impossible to walk into that beautiful, beautiful American cemetery and not become very, very emotional, realizing what happened in 1944. prgtoken I felt so strongly about this that at one point I wanted to put on my jogging shoes and run the 4 miles of that Omaha Beach. I wanted to reach back into time, having been