mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 8294, NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Joseph D. Morelle (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-11-19

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I do want to note that we are here to discuss the National Apprenticeship Act, and that is the subject of the discussion in front of the House. prgtoken But I would note, parenthetically, however, the irony in the subject that was brought up by my dear friend from Texas. The President of the United States has not met with his own coronavirus task force in 6 months and has barely spoken in the last 2 weeks while this Nation is engulfed with the virus' spread throughout the Midwest. We have now surpassed 250,000 Americans dead of the coronavirus. One-quarter of one million Americans have lost their lives, and yet there is no discussion out of the White House. prgtoken I would encourage perhaps my colleagues to ask the President if he might meet with Dr. Fauci and the leaders in this country who are on the front lines of fighting this illness. prgtoken I do also note, also parenthetically, that 7 months ago this House passed the $3.4 trillion Heroes Act to address contact tracing, testing, and support for our frontline workers, hospital systems, and State and local governments. We had no action from the United States Senate. prgtoken We came back and, about 6 weeks ago, took up the updated Heroes Act-- $2.2 trillion--again, to try to address the suffering of millions of Americans. Yet, no action from the United States Senate. So I think we have more than stepped up to address the concerns of the American people as it relates to the issue not before the House right now. prgtoken I do understand that the good people of Georgia, my dear friend, will go home in a few weeks, and the great folks in the State of Georgia will perhaps have something to say about the direction of the United States Senate going forward. But I do note that I think this House's record has been exemplary in addressing this. I now get back to the issue at hand. prgtoken Madam , for the purpose of further discussion, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-11-19

I thank Chairman Scott for yielding. prgtoken I rise in support of the National Apprenticeship Act. prgtoken Since the late 1980s, the Dow Jones has gone up 1,400 percent; GDP has gone up 600 percent; enormous wealth has been created; yet workers' wages during the same period of time have gone up only 20 percent or less. Hardworking men and women have been left behind. prgtoken Everyone in America believes, from the most conservative to the most progressive, that if you are willing to go to work every day, you should make enough money so you can have a decent place to live, you can have health insurance, you can educate your children, and you can retire one day without being scared. prgtoken Unfortunately, that American Dream is no longer a reality for many Americans. The National Apprenticeship Act says learn while you earn, because we all know, the more you learn, the more you earn. Yet 60 percent of Americans do not attend college or do not graduate from college. prgtoken We must return to honoring the dignity of work. We must make the skills necessary to be a welder or a plumber or a computer machinist or any skilled worker widely available to any high school student or graduate so that they can pursue noncollege opportunities like apprenticeship programs. There they can acquire the skills necessary to do the jobs that pay the wages necessary to live a decent life. The National Apprenticeship Act does just that. It is the key to the middle class.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-11-19

I rise today to support H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020. prgtoken We are in the midst of our country's worst economic crisis in decades, and to better serve the American people, we must invest in our workforce and invest in the American Dream. prgtoken Registered apprenticeships prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century, and with the evolution of technologies like 5G, Congress and the Department of Labor should be laser focused on encouraging and incentivizing apprenticeships for advanced wireless deployment. By supporting these programs, we can ensure that Georgia remains the best State in the country to live and to do business. prgtoken For decades, the registered apprenticeship program has proven to be an entry into the middle class for many people. Congresswoman Davis' National Apprenticeship Act would support a successful workforce program at a time when our Nation needs it the most. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-11-19

I thank Mr. Scott for yielding me the additional time. prgtoken We all talk a good game in wanting to build this economy and build opportunities for our constituents who do not want to pursue a 4-year degree, but we haven't put financial muscle and know-how behind creating these valued credentials that employees seek. prgtoken In closing, I want to make one point, that this legislation only codifies the standards for programs that have registered for access to the credentials and funding provided for in this bill. Unregistered workforce programs that do not want access to this bill's resources will not need to change their programs. prgtoken We are simply strengthening the known registered apprenticeship system that is in place today with more clearly established programs. Families can sit down at the kitchen table, discuss their futures, and look to the rejuvenated registered apprenticeship system as one of many high-quality pathways to post-secondary education. prgtoken , I urge a ``yes'' vote.
HONORING LESTER SHOFF
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-11-19

I rise today to honor an amazing constituent and patriot from the Central Coast of California, Lester Shoff. prgtoken Raised in Pennsylvania, Lester was drafted into the Army in 1941. In fact, his draft number in the lottery was lucky number 1. Making the rank of staff sergeant, Lester was sent to the South Pacific and faced many of the challenges of serving in World War II. prgtoken He fought for 4 years on close to 10 islands in the Pacific, during which time he turned down a battlefield commission to become an officer. He was shot in the back by a sniper, and he was even stung by a scorpion. prgtoken Although Lester was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, his daughter, Kay, told us that he never liked discussing the war because, when he did, the unemotional Lester would be brought to tears by the memory of two men who died on a mission that he led. prgtoken After serving, Lester moved to Silicon Valley, where he worked for Lockheed and developed glue for the Space Shuttle. He then retired to the Central Coast with his family. prgtoken Madam , some say Lester was lucky; I say that we are all lucky to call Lester an American.
HONORING ERIC BURMEISTER
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2020-11-19

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mr. Eric Burmeister, Executive Director of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund, as this week's Iowan of the Week for the week of September 25, 2020. prgtoken Iowans have been through a lot recently. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also experienced extreme drought, a derecho, and some communities are still recovering from last year's floods. One common issue families are facing as the result of each of those circumstances is a rise in housing insecurity, whether by damage to the home itself or loss of income to pay for housing. For far too many in our state, this basic human need prgtoken is at risk. And if a basic need like housing isn't met, parents will struggle to maintain steady employment and children will not learn as well in school. There is no facet of life untouched by this issue. prgtoken Eric Burmeister and his team at the Polk County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) have been fighting tooth and nail to make sure our most vulnerable neighbors have somewhere stable to call home. Not only does the organization lead local efforts on planning, advocating, and funding for affordable housing in the state's most populous county, its team also finds meaningful ways to help individuals through housing challenges. prgtoken Recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen a dramatic increase in evictions in Polk County and across the state. To combat the issue, Burmeister, along with the PCHTF and Iowa Legal Aid, came up with a new program to help renters avoid eviction. Implemented nearly a month ago, the project is set up just outside Polk County's eviction court to connect tenants with legal assistance and immediate rental assistance. Funded by $800,000 from Polk County's share of federal CARES Act funding, the emergency program provides low-barrier funding that can cover rent through the end of September and as far back as March 15. Burmeister's goal for the program is to provide one more reinforcement in the safety net to help Polk County residents avoid homelessness during the pandemic. Since the program began Sept. 1, it's already helped prevent 61 evictions affecting 149 residents, 77 of them children. prgtoken Eric has been involved in affordable housing advocacy for decades. He came to the PCHTF in 2010 after a thirty-year career in real estate development and finance. A graduate of Drake University Law School, he has represented developers of notable commercial and residential redevelopment projects in the Des Moines metro area, including the historic Kirkwood Hotel, Brown Camp Lofts, and the Newin Dairy Lofts. Burmeister also has a long history of involvement in the Des Moines community, serving in leadership positions with The Polk-Des Moines Taxpayers' Association, The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, and most recently on the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Grand View University where h
CONGRATULATING NED GOLD
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-11-19

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Ned Gold, of Warren, Ohio, who earlier this year was awarded the Boy Scouts of America's highest honor, the Silver Buffalo Award. prgtoken Mr. Gold, who has been in Scouting for more than 70 years, was one of 14 to be honored nationally this year. The Silver Buffalo Award is the distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is awarded for extraordinary service to youth on a national level. prgtoken Ned has spent countless hours contributing to the work of Scouting, including helping to found the Philmont Staff Association, which supports the Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest youth camp in the world, located in Cimarron, New Mexico. prgtoken Additionally, Ned is credited with bringing a 450-piece fine art collection, which includes 65 scouting-themed paintings by Norman Rockwell, out of storage and on exhibit at the Medici Museum of Art in my Congressional District. prgtoken Outside of Scouting, Mr. Gold has greatly contributed to the Mahoning Valley community. I am unaware of any other lawyer who devotes as much pro-bono time in our community as Ned. Through his dedicated work with Trumbull 100, our primary civic organization, Mr. Gold has made significant contributions to the economic development within our community. Ned has also led organized movements in our community to honor our veterans prgtoken and shelter animals through the Animal Welfare League. prgtoken In short, Ned cares for his community and uses his devotion to Scouting's principles for the betterment of our community. I am very proud to have known Ned for many years through my brother Alan, who served as an attorney in Ned's former law firm, and through Ned's son Greg, who was my high school classmate. prgtoken I ask that you all join me in congratulating Ned for receiving this distinguished award and thanking him for his service to the communities I represent.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DAVID M. BARRON
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-11-19

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of David M. Barron, who passed away this month at the age of 79. Mr. Barron was a colleague of mine in Monterey Park, California, a longtime resident of California's 27th Congressional District, and a dedicated public servant. prgtoken Mr. Barron was born in East Los Angeles on September 29, 1941, and was the youngest of four siblings. He attended East Los Angeles College for several years and transferred to California State University, Los Angeles, where he would go on to receive his B.A. in Journalism and Communications in 1965. His passion for journalism led him to work as a writer and editor for the Belvedere Citizen and Eastside Journal for many years after college, and he would later go on to publish the Monterey Park Journal and the West Valley Journal for over 20 years. prgtoken Mr. Barron met his wife at East Los Angeles College and the two married in 1963. They moved to Monterey Park in 1966 where he began his long career in public service to the community. He served on the Monterey Park Planning Commission for several years before being elected Monterey Park City Clerk in 1988, where I worked alongside him as a member of the City Council. Among his many accomplishments as City Clerk, Mr. Barron was credited with bringing electronic touchscreen voting to the city. He retired from his long career as City Clerk in 2013 after 25 years in the role, but was dedicated to continue his service to the community. He then served for six years on the Board of Trustees for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and was a member of the Monterey Park Library Foundation. prgtoken Mr. Barron is survived by his beloved wife Mary Ellen, four children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He leaves behind an enduring legacy of service to Monterey Park and the San Gabriel Valley, and it is my distinct honor to commemorate his life.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-11-19

I rise today to talk about the importance of the National Apprenticeship Reauthorization Act. prgtoken Personally, , I want to say thank you to Susan Davis and, certainly, Chairman Scott for putting this bill up. I am thankful that so many of the priorities are included in this, ones that I have spoken so highly of. prgtoken Last week was National Apprenticeship Week. As many may know, registered apprenticeship programs have literally shaped my life. While my three brothers went to college, I went to the other 4-year school. I did an IBEW apprenticeship program to become an electrician. ``Learn while you earn'' was my life. I understood that, that you could take the knowledge that you learn at night at school in the books and take it right to the job. That is the heart of what an apprenticeship program is. prgtoken I supported my young family. I was able to continue that. I literally went from the construction site to Congress. prgtoken Education is not one-size-fits-all. We hear that. For many, they don't know if they want to go to college, build the college, or defend the college. We need all of those, and that is how important it is. prgtoken The registered apprenticeship system is the most successful Federal workforce training program in the history of the United States. Ninety- four percent of those people will have a job, when they complete their apprenticeship, with a starting wage average of $70,000. It works. prgtoken But it is more than just a paycheck. It is about the dignity of a job, the respect that comes with that. prgtoken In our country, there are so many ways that you can succeed. Whether you are an apprentice in the shipyard, a medical tech, a Ph.D. from Harvard, they are all the same in terms of value to this great country. We need all of them. prgtoken The National Apprenticeship Act invests $3.5 billion in a proven, successful system that has created over 1 million new opportunities. But how important the standards are, particularly in the world that I come from.
RECOGNIZING LANE LOFTON
Joe Cunningham (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2020-11-19

it is with great honor and sincere gratitude that I rise today to recognize Lane Lofton. prgtoken A Mississippi native, Lane grew up in the South with his parents, Lynne and Bill Lofton, and his brother and sister, Will and Lydia Lofton. Not ready to part with his Southern roots quite yet, he attended Samford University in Alabama, where he began his life in politics. prgtoken Lane moved from the Alabama district operations for House Representative Bobby Bright to D.C. in 2009. It was probably the best move ever because it was in Washington that Lane met and married the love of his life, Anna York Lofton. They both have immense love for their two French bulldogs, Duey and Shirley. prgtoken After nearly a decade of service in government relations, Lane interviewed to be my chief of staff about 2 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was at the end of a very long day of orientation, and he was the last interview of the day. I remember saying to myself after he left that we must have saved the best for last. Either that or it was a long day and I was overly tired and easily impressed, although I firmly believe that it was the former. prgtoken The fact is that there is no one else I would rather have by my side over these last 2 whirlwind years than Lane Lofton. prgtoken Together, we entered the 116th Congress with the Nation's longest government shutdown and ended it with a global public health and economic crisis. But no matter the problems at hand, Lane worked diligently every single day to support our office as we passed landmark legislation, fostered relationships across the aisle, and then sometimes he just reminded me to fix my tie. prgtoken A tried and true public servant, Lane has always put the needs of others first, especially the 20-person office that he managed. That team can attest that, every single day, even when Lane had a bad day, he never showed it. He came to work every day with an ear to listen, a voice of reason, and a smile on his face. He sets an incredible example of selflessness in the work that he takes on, and he has been an invaluable mentor for our younger staffers. prgtoken I look forward to watching the future successes that Lane will find in his personal and professional life. I think that his next challenge will be one of his biggest because Lane and his wife, Anna, will welcome their first son in February. I could not be more excited to watch their young family grow. prgtoken Welcome to the No Sleep Club, Lane, and welcome to finding a level of love and devotion that you did not know you were capable of. prgtoken From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service to the Lowcountry and for becoming a lifelong friend.
REAFFIRMING VITAL ROLE OF UNITED STATES-JAPAN ALLIANCE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-11-20

as a member of the U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus and a cosponsor of this resolution, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 349, ``Reaffirming the vital role of the United States-Japan alliance in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.'' prgtoken First and foremost, I wish to thank my colleague, co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus, and fellow Texan, Congressman Castro, for his leadership on this important, bipartisan piece of legislation. prgtoken For over 70 years, the partnership between the United States and Japan has played a vital role in ensuring peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond. prgtoken At the core of this crucial relationship is a deep and shared commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law. prgtoken Over the years, this partnership has benefitted not only our two countries but also the rest of the world. prgtoken From promoting human rights and democracy to combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to improving global health to countering human trafficking as well as assisting the victims of conflict and disaster worldwide, the U.S.-Japan alliance has resulted in so much good for millions of people globally. prgtoken , I am proud to be a leader on this resolution and to voice not only the importance of this invaluable friendship but also draw attention to the significance of this partnership in addressing many of the world's challenges. prgtoken Furthermore, the U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability, and we must continue to prioritize this partnership to further our shared goals of peace and prosperity in the region. prgtoken In the past decade, U.S.-Japan defense cooperation has improved and evolved in response to security challenges, such as the North Korean missile threat and the confrontation between Japan and China over disputed islands. prgtoken I commend the Japanese leadership for deepening defense cooperation with the United States for the past two decades as part of their efforts to ensure a fair balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. prgtoken , it is imperative that the U.S. and Japan continue to collaborate and pursue our shared, positive vision for Asia that offers a better path than authoritarianism, predatory economics and geopolitical competition. prgtoken Japan's importance as a democratic and economic partner cannot be understated nor should it be ignored. prgtoken With uncertainty arising around the world, this alliance is more important than ever before, and I look forward to building on our decades-long partnership by further strengthening our ties and ensuring the safety and prosperity of both nations.