mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Abby Finkenauer (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2020-7-1

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken I am proud to stand here today as a Congresswoman from Iowa's First Congressional District, but even more proud to stand here today as a daughter of a retired union pipe fitter/welder. prgtoken And you see I brought something with me today of my dad's. You can see right here it is a sweatshirt actually that he welded in. And you can see right here it has got these tiny little holes from the sparks of his welding torch. prgtoken And I kept this sweatshirt actually with me when I was in the State House in Iowa for 4 years to remind me every single day of who I was fighting for and also to give me hope when the s in Iowa went after worker's compensation and collective bargaining in my State, making it harder for folks just like my dad. prgtoken Today, I see Congressional s doing the same thing, pushing an amendment to gut Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections that will make life harder for working families like the one that I grew up in. prgtoken And you see, I brought this with me today not because I need a reminder of who I am or where I come from, but clearly, my colleagues across the aisle in this body today need a reminder of the working men and women who have sacrificed day in and day out to provide good lives for their families who don't complain when they get burned from the sparks of a welding torch, who don't complain when they have to wring sweat out of their belt at the end of a hard day's work, which I have seen my father do more times than I would like to count. prgtoken You see, what they have done right now with this amendment and the proposals that they have shown us this year are going after, again, the families like the one that I grew up in. What they have done with amendments like this is to try to drive down wages and take away opportunities. prgtoken This amendment is outrageous. Without Davis-Bacon how many more workers busting their tails every day will see their paychecks go down and not up? How many more kids like me are going to go weeks without seeing their father or their mother? How many more families will be forced to leave their hometowns just to make ends meet? prgtoken s are trying to cut off access to healthcare right now in the middle of a pandemic, and now they are trying to eliminate fair wage protections in the middle of an economic crisis. prgtoken This is outrageous, and quite frankly, it is disrespectful. Working families are already struggling to get by. Millions have lost their jobs, and millions more are worried about their job security. And now in the middle of this crisis we are going to take away wage protections? Again, this isn't just outrageous, it is disrespectful, and quite frankly, it is heartless. prgtoken Please join me in defeating this amendment, voting ``no'' and actually showing working men and women across the country who really has their back.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-7-1

I rise to address a glaring inequality in the law--one that leaves our servicemembers with fewer protections from discrimination than civilians. On June 15, the Supreme Court issued a momentous decision--welcomed by Members of both parties--extending civil rights employment protections to LGBTQ individuals in workplaces across America. That decision, however, does not apply to servicemembers. That means our servicemembers, who often come from communities that have for generations bravely sacrificed for the United States, currently enjoy fewer statutory protections than their civilian counterparts. prgtoken Think about what that says about our country: The law treats the people willing to risk their lives to defend our freedoms as second class citizens. It is unconscionable, and it is un-American. In this moment of reckoning on civil rights, we must ensure those rights extend to all of our military servicemembers. prgtoken The push for the desegregation of our troops, for gender integration into combat, and for the repeal of don't ask, don't tell were all met with similar arguments about how increased opportunity for the group in question would hamper readiness, unit cohesion, or otherwise weaken the military. Those arguments have been proven wrong every single time. prgtoken It is, in fact, the lack of protections for these groups that hamper readiness. Without protections, an able platoon sergeant can be stigmatized and driven from the military because he is transgender. His years of experience and the immense investments the military has made in him can be erased with the stroke of a pen. prgtoken Our military has grown only stronger as it better represents our country. But, right now, in the year 2020, people who are willing to make extraordinary sacrifices for our freedoms are being told no simply because of who they are. prgtoken We must do better. And we can. We can make sure the National Defense Authorization Act includes discrimination protections for all servicemembers. prgtoken My amendment with Senator Collins would codify in the law that servicemembers of all races, religions, and sexes are protected from discrimination. It would affirm that Americans of every race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin have the right to join and serve and sacrifice in our military. prgtoken I was proud to have Senator John McCain join me in leading similar legislation to protect transgender troops 3 years ago. The late Senator said: ``Any member of the military who meets the medical and readiness standards should be allowed to serve--including those who are transgender.'' I hope this will be the year that we deliver the results he wanted for our troops. prgtoken Placing language safeguarding this right into the NDAA can help us begin to overcome an unfortunate legacy of creating artificial, blatantly unfair barriers to service by underrepresented groups. It is a legac
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF JAMESTOWN POLICE CHIEF HARRY SNELLINGS
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2020-7-2

. Madam , today I rise to recognize the retirement of Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings. prgtoken Chief Harry Snellings has been with the Jamestown Police Department in Jamestown, New York since 1996. He began as a police officer, was promoted to Sergeant in 2004 and later, Lieutenant in 2009. In 2010, Harry took over as Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety. prgtoken From 2001 to 2009, Harry was a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team (S.W.A.T.), serving as a team leader and a team commander during that time. In 2011, he attended and graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. prgtoken Prior to his service as a police officer, Harry served in the United States Army for twenty-three years and was deployed three times. He selflessly dedicated his life to public service and public safety throughout his career, and has certainly earned his retirement. We applaud his efforts and wish him the best in the next chapters of his life. prgtoken Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to congratulate Chief Harry Snelling upon his retirement.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-7-2

. Madam , in this historical moment, we are all working to find ways to eliminate racial injustice and the disparities it causes. Certainly, people of color must be treated with fairness and respect by law enforcement. But it will take far more than that to begin to make a dent in the race and sex discrimination that keeps far too many people locked out of the American dream. In this context, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or DBE Program, which is reauthorized in this legislation, is essential. As we have over the past decades since the DBE program was originally enacted in 1983, this Committee has received enormous amounts of evidence demonstrating that discrimination continues to plague the industries that make up the surface transportation market. One of the studies referenced in our Committee Report involves the Nashville and the surrounding metropolitan area. The numbers are devastating--especially in prime contracting. Firms owned by African Americans earned 3 cents on the dollar of what we would expect them to earn given their availability in Architecture and Engineering markets. For Asian Americans the number was 18 cents on the dollar and for Hispanic Americans it was 47 cents on the dollar. That is simply unacceptable. In construction contracting, African Americans did better, but Hispanic Americans did much, much worse--and none did as well as white males. In prime construction contracts, African American owned firms earned 55 cents on the dollar of what we would have expected given their representation in the availability for prime construction contracting. Asian Americans earned 25 cents on the dollar and Hispanic Americans earned 1 cent on the dollar. Metro Nashville Tennessee Disparity Study Final Report, Griffin and Strong, P.C August 2018, at 83 through 84. These numbers make clear that minority business owners in this country are trapped in a cycle of discrimination from which escape is close to impossible. We cannot permit this situation to continue.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-7-6

. Madam , due to COVID-19 exposure, I self- quarantined from June 29 to July 3, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 123; NAY on Roll Call No. 124; YEA on Roll Call No. 125; NAY on Roll Call No. 126; YEA on Roll Call No. 127; NAY on Roll Call No. 128; NAY on Roll Call No. 129; NAY on Roll Call No. 130; NAY on Roll Call No. 131; NAY on Roll Call No. 132; NAY on Roll Call No. 133; YEA on Roll Call No. 134; YEA on Roll Call No. 135; NAY on Roll Call No. 136; YEA on Roll Call No. 137; and NAY on Roll Call No. 138.
RECOGNIZING ARKANSAS STATE VETERANS HOME IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-7-6

. Madam , today, I recognize Sarah Roberson and the staff at the Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Sarah and the staff have been restoring hope and happiness to our veterans through creativity and compassion. prgtoken Sarah Roberson and the team have quickly developed new ways to bring joy to our veterans during the current public health crisis due to COVID-19 by dedicating their time to connecting veterans to their families via virtual chat, promoting outdoor activities including golf cart rides, gardening, and long walks. prgtoken Sarah has also made sure our veterans have the ability to vote by assisting veterans with registering, transferring, and applying for absentee ballots. prgtoken This initiative has shined a light on how creativity and compassion encourage positive attitudes and can unite a community even amidst a public health crisis. prgtoken I congratulate Sarah Roberson and the team at the Arkansas State Veterans Home for their efforts in lifting the spirits of our veteran community.
HONORING THE LIFE OF GREGORY ALLEN THOMPSON
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-7-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. Gregory Allen Thompson. prgtoken Born In Ft. Benning, Georgia, Gregory was a valued father, businessman, and patriot. He graduated in 1982 from Columbus High School. Gregory received a Bachelor of Science in Communications from National Louis University. His patriotism inspired him to serve in the United States Air Force. He also worked as a Civil Service Employee. Gregory served as Chief of the United States Air Force Art Program at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Gregory worked in the U.S. State Department as a Security Officer for over 15 years. Gregory was the owner of Made to Measure, Custom Tailor clothing business and remained part-owner and partner with Howard Wallace. He was a dedicated member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Arlington. prgtoken Gregory has served our nation with distinction. This record is testament to his civic engagement, attentiveness, and hard work for which our country is forever grateful. Gregory was a valued father and friend to those who knew him.
TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF ALLISON ENDERT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-7-6

. Madam , I rise today to honor the tragically shortened life of Allison Endert, who died on June 15, 2020, while taking an afternoon walk in Seabright, California. prgtoken Allison was born in Eureka, California, in 1977. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she developed a deep love and respect for the beautiful Santa Cruz area, its mountains, its ocean and the spirit of its people. prgtoken Allison was a true public servant. At the time of her death she was an analyst on the staff of Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty. Prior to that she served as an analyst for then County Supervisor Neal Coonerty, and as Assemblyman John Laird's District Director. She used her exceptional talents as effective vehicles to make a difference in the lives of people. She was justly proud of helping to establish the Nurse-Family Partnership, which connects first-time mothers to nurses to ease the transition to parenthood, and of being a key partner in the Twin Lakes Beach Project. She loved Hawaii, music concerts, being an ardent supporter of her daughters' schools, and her great delight was watching them play sports. prgtoken The people who knew and loved Allison have expressed their feelings about her in many loving words. They say that she had moral clarity and was incredibly talented. She had a passion for public service and always tried to find ways to make lives better. She was a bright light who was always committed, friendly, caring, and loyal, and radiated compassion. She was a great listener with a deep commitment to social justice. She held herself and others to very high standards, she did what she said she would do, and always did it well. She adored her family and they came first in her life. prgtoken Allison's dear friend and mine, Les Gardner, said of Allison, ``She was pure of heart. The most incredibly kind and principled young woman I have ever met. Life did not change her. When she died she was the same kind, young principled girl I knew so many years ago. A testament to her life is how many people she touched and are now mourning her loss.'' prgtoken Madam , I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Allison Endert's partner, Andy Tatum, and her two daughters, Molly Endert-Tatum and Lucy Endert-Tatum. She also leaves her mother, Kathy Huntley, two stepfathers, two brothers and a sister. Our community and our country have lost a shining star, one who contributed greatly and would have done even more, had she been given the time.
HONORING BILL FINE
Joseph P. Kennedy III (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-7-6

. Madam , I rise today to honor and celebrate the career and accomplishments of a leader in the New England media industry, Bill Fine. prgtoken For half a century, Bill lived and breathed broadcast journalism. A graduate of Boston University's College of Communication, he began his career as a sports anchor in the 1970s. Over the ensuing years, he worked his way up the ranks of WCVB until earning a promotion to the helm of the station in 2005. prgtoken As president and general manager of WCVB, he steered the broadcaster towards a number of awards, including six Gabriel Awards as the ``Nation's Best Television Station'' and the prestigious Service to America Award in 2014 for its contributions to the Greater Boston community following the Boston Marathon bombings. prgtoken But more than just a leader in business, Bill was a leader in his community. Not satisfied with simply informing the public through WCVB's programming, he spent long hours advocating for the causes he held dear and supporting organizations that strengthened neighborhoods across our Commonwealth. prgtoken In the years that I've gotten to know Bill, he's been a constant presence in the Boston community, willing to lend a hand whenever needed and often before being asked. While I am certainly excited for him and his next chapter, he will be missed by all of those who have worked with him through the years. prgtoken To Bill and his wife, Gail, enjoy retirement.
COMMEMORATING THE ACA AND PASSAGE OF THE FAIRNESS IN SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
Joe Neguse (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-7-6

. Madam , 2020 commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, historic legislation which has greatly expanded access to healthcare for tens of millions of Americans. For those with pre-existing conditions, and for so many hardworking middle- class families, the ACA truly is a critical law that has provided access to life-saving care. prgtoken As the President and my colleagues champion the dismantling of the ACA--destruction of progress for millions of citizens with, indeed, no proposal to take its place--I am honored to instead collaborate with my ic colleagues to ensure we are building and improving upon the victories of the ACA. prgtoken That's why I'm proud to champion the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, which included my bill the Fairness in Social Security Act--legislation to ensure Social Security recipients continue to receive the Affordable Care Act tax credits for which they are eligible. Without this legislation, countless citizens will have the same experience as a constituent of mine, who suddenly and unfairly owed 27 thousand dollars to the IRS. For people with disabilities, veterans, and countless others, this bill will mean the difference between having access to healthcare or not. prgtoken And that's the bottom line of so many provisions within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act: without them--and without the ACA as a whole--the lives of our nation's most vulnerable citizens will be at-risk. prgtoken Now, as our nation faces unprecedented health and economic crises, is the time to improve our healthcare system, not dismantle it. I look forward to working with each and every member on both sides of the aisle who share that goal.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF DR. THOMAS ELY OF TENNESSEE
Mark E. Green (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-7-9

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. Thomas Ely for his distinguished career in the medical profession and recent election as the 124th President of the American Osteopathic Association. Tennesseans across our great state are proud to join me in celebrating his accomplishments and election to the highest leadership role in the osteopathic profession. prgtoken Dr. Ely's career has been marked by dedication and tireless leadership in the medical field. As a fellow Tennessean, he served his patients with care and represented our great state for over 30 years as a delegate to the AOA House of Delegates, as well as serving as the President of the Tennessee Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA). prgtoken His desire to help others led him to join the United States Army, where he served honorably for 20 years, and where he received many honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. Even after retiring from service, he eagerly answered the call to support our troops during Operation Desert Storm. It is the sacrifices of brave men and women like Dr. Ely that has built our country, and we are forever indebted to his service. prgtoken I am honored to have worked alongside Dr. Ely in the medical profession. On behalf of the United States Congress, I wish to commend Dr. Ely for his service, and I congratulate him as he continues his lifelong career of serving others, now as the President of the American Osteopathic Association.
RECOGNITION OF MR. KENT D. FARMER'S RETIREMENT FROM RAPPAHANNOCK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-7-9

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Mr. Kent D. Farmer's retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Mr. Farmer will retire on August 1, 2020. prgtoken Mr. Farmer has served as president and CEO of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative since 2004 and has been with REC for a total of 41 years. The Rappahannock Electric Cooperative serves a wide range of Virginia, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Farmer is leaving a positive legacy with the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative that will not be forgotten. His strong leadership and genuine care and concern for local citizens has contributed to many successes during his time with the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. prgtoken I am proud of Mr. Farmer's work with the REC, and I know he will be greatly missed. I have worked closely with Mr. Farmer and the REC, and I am honored to serve them in the First District of Virginia. Mr. Farmer has laid a strong foundation that will serve the REC in years to come. prgtoken Therefore, Madam , I ask that you rise with me in recognition of Mr. Kent D. Farmer's contributions to the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and the First District of Virginia. I wish Mr. Farmer the best of luck in his next chapter, and I look forward to continuing to serve Mr. Farmer and the First District of Virginia.
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF MR. JERRY YUCHIEH WANG
Don Bacon (Republican, NE) \u2014 2020-7-9

. Madam , I rise to recognize the service of Jerry Yuchieh Wang. Mr. Wang is an outgoing Senior Officer in the Congressional Liaison Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), which is the de facto embassy of Taiwan. Mr. Wang is returning to Taiwan for his next assignment in the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan). During his service as the TECRO contact for my office, as well as the House Armed Services Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Wang has been an invaluable resource for my staff and me. prgtoken In 2015, Mr. Wang was hand-picked to serve as a congressional liaison for TECRO. During his five and a half years of service in this position, Mr. Wang's insights assisted Members in gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of the United States' relationship with Taiwan and facilitated visits between U.S. and Taiwanese officials at all levels. prgtoken Since arriving in Washington, Mr. Wang has played an important role in supporting the strengthening of US-Taiwan security cooperation, personnel exchanges, and the provision of critical defense articles as required by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. He was also an integral member of the TECRO team supporting Taiwan's participation in international Organizations and US-Taiwan trade relations. Additionally, Mr. Wang has organized and overseen many Congressional Member and Staff Delegation visits to Taiwan, including my own. prgtoken Mr. Wang has served in Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010. Early in his diplomatic career, he worked in the Department of International Organizations on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) related issues. Mr. Wang received a Master's degree in Political Science from the National Taiwan University. prgtoken Mr. Wang has been a tireless advocate for the universal values of liberty, democracy, and the respect for the integrity of individual rights--values that are shared by the people of the United States and Taiwan. Our world is a better place because of the work of leaders like Mr. Wang. While Mr. Wang secured many legislative victories for Taiwan during his tenure in Washington, D.C he made even more long-lasting friendships. My colleagues and our staff are proud to call him a friend, and we hope to see him back in Washington, D.C. one day.