mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO PETER PETRASKO
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-5-16

today I recognize Peter Petrasko, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota. prgtoken Peter is a graduate of O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, SD, and Brown University in Providence, RI. He is currently pursuing his master of data science degree through Harvard Extension School. Peter is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience and has been a true asset to the office. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Peter for all of the fine work he has done, and I wish for his continued success in the years to come.
TRIBUTE TO MASTER SERGEANT JESSE EDINGER
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-5-16

this week I have the honor of recognizing Jesse Edinger of Fort on, MT, for his impact on the Lewis and Clark County and surrounding areas. prgtoken Jesse Edinger joined the U.S. Army directly after graduating high school in 1999. He attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. His first duty station was in Fort Drum, NY, where he served as a military police Patrolman, MP. Shortly after, he received orders to go to Korea. There he was immediately assigned to the United Nations Command Honor Guard, providing a variety of missions. In Korea, he met the love of his life Sunwoo. They married and transferred to Fort Riley, KS, in 2003. Immediately after arriving Fort Riley, Jesse received orders to deploy to Iraq. In Iraq, he completed a wide range of military police battlefield functions and was able to return safely to the U.S. In 2004, Jesse left Active Duty and decided to serve his home State in the Montana Army National Guard. prgtoken After 3 years in the Guard, he was once again called back to Iraq as an MP. He spent a year there and again returned safely to his family. In 2006, he volunteered for the Montana Army National Guard honor guard team and 1 year later was hired as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the military funeral honors team. He worked hand in hand with the State coordinator to ensure fallen veterans received the most professional honors possible. He was one of Montana's first nationally certified honor guard instructors. In 2014, Jesse Edinger once again volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan as a military police investigator. After serving another yearlong deployment, he returned to his military funeral honors position at Fort on, MT, where he became a certified instructor as a casualty notification officer. These officers notify next of kin and assist family members of a soldier killed in action or that has died in the line of duty. Jesse was recently promoted to the rank of master sergeant and has conducted around 1100 funeral honors missions for Montana veterans and soldiers killed in action. prgtoken For 20 years, MSG Jesse Edinger has served his country proudly and has honored the lives of more than 1,000 Montana veterans. His wife Sun also serves in the Montana Army National Guard. Together they have three children. MSG Edinger is the epitome of a military leader, and I am proud to recognize him during Military Appreciation Week.
HONORING TROOPER MATTHEW GATTI
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-5-16

I rise today to honor the incredible life of Trooper Matthew Gatti of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. prgtoken On May 6, 2019, just a week or so ago, while responding to a call for help on Interstate 40 in Tennessee, Trooper Gatti was killed in the line of duty. prgtoken Matthew Gatti will be remembered in west Tennessee and in our entire Nation as a dedicated public servant, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend to all. prgtoken Although just 24 years old, Trooper Gatti had an incredible, an impressive career in public service. He served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office in Jackson, Tennessee, and then began working for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. prgtoken In addition to serving others, Matthew was passionate about hunting, about baseball, about comedy, and he was an active member of his church, Gospel Light Baptist Church, in Jackson, Tennessee. prgtoken Trooper Gatti lived a life that very few people have the honor of living. prgtoken According to those who knew him the best, Trooper Gatti's willingness to serve and his constant sacrifice for others was of second nature to him. prgtoken He exemplified duty and service both on and off the clock, and for that, I am truly grateful. prgtoken Matthew had a deep love for his church, and his strong faith could be seen in everything that he did. His friends described him as a humble gentleman who would say or do anything to lift your spirits. prgtoken Matthew leaves behind his loving wife, Anna; his parents, Christopher and Christy; his sisters, Hannah and Esther; his brother, Joshua; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kimberly and Frankie Lax; and his grandparents. prgtoken Matthew was a blessing to our community, and his life was a service and an inspiration. prgtoken Trooper Gatti died doing what he loved doing: protecting people, protecting his community, and protecting the State of Tennessee. And although his life on Earth has ended, his legacy will live on. prgtoken My thoughts are with his family, with his friends, and with the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. prgtoken I also want to thank all the men and women in uniform who risk their lives each and every day to protect all of us for our safety and for our betterment. prgtoken Matthew Gatti will never be forgotten. prgtoken Madam , from Tennessee (Mr. Green), my colleague.
EXTEND THE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-5-16

. Madam , during this National Police Week, I encourage all my colleagues to cosponsor Never Forget the Heroes Act, H.R. 1327, introduced by Congress Members Maloney, King, and Nadler, which would fully fund and extend the Victim Compensation Fund authorization through 2090. prgtoken There are currently 279 cosponsors, but we need more, and we need action on this important legislation. prgtoken This should not be a partisan issue. It is not a partisan issue. This needs to be an American issue. prgtoken September 11th first responders came from at least 433 out of 435 congressional districts. We lost thousands of Americans on 9/11. We have lost more Americans since 9/11 due to toxic exposure than we did on 9/11 itself. prgtoken Any colleagues out there who haven't cosponsored yet, I encourage you to look at H.R. 1327. prgtoken Chairman Nadler has scheduled it for a hearing on July 11. Please do what you can to get this passed and signed into law.
IN RECOGNITION OF IRENE SCHAFER
Kelly Armstrong (Republican, ND) \u2014 2019-5-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor an outstanding constituent, a friend, and a truly remarkable woman, Irene Schafer. prgtoken May 16 is Irene's 89th birthday, and I can attest that those 89 years have been spent tirelessly serving those around her. Service to her community is who Irene is. prgtoken Irene is active with many civic and leadership groups in Dickinson, including the Dickinson Area Builders Association, Badlands Board of Realtors, Dickinson Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's Charity Ball Committee, Dickinson State University Alumni Association's Yuletyme Committee, AAUW, United Way, Elks Lodge, District 36 GOP, as well as a member of the Post Office Consumer Advisory Committee. prgtoken Even so, Irene was not satisfied with her level of community service. In 2016, Irene founded a new group, the Power of 100 Women, to gather women four times per year to each donate $100 to a deserving nonprofit organization. prgtoken The Power of 100 Women donated more than $15,000 to help open Hope's Landing, a sober-living home in Dickinson for women suffering from addiction. The group donated $10,000 to the Dickinson Backpack Program to purchase 2,000 backpacks for schoolchildren in need. Most recently, the group donated $20,000 to Project H.E.R.O. (Helping Educators Reach Out), a non-profit organization ensuring that children are eating lunch every day. Since its founding, the organization's members have donated over $240,000 to community-serving organizations. prgtoken Irene's mission in life is to build a great community and she is doing that every day through her community service. prgtoken My warmest greetings to Irene on her 89th birthday. Blessings to her and her family on this special occasion.
National Police Week (Executive Session)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-5-16

I have come to the floor to be joined soon by my colleague and cochair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, Senator Coons, to honor the men and women who work for us every day to help protect us every day during Police Week. This is an annual event. It brings law enforcement officers to Washington from around the country and of course including my State of Missouri. prgtoken As it turns out, Police Week is really a bad week to rob a store in Washington with a town full of policemen. Just last week, several would-be robbers came out of a robbery and almost ran into a group of St. Louis area policemen and a New Jersey policeman. They immediately chased down and arrested the perpetrators of that crime. prgtoken Criminals are often not very smart, but you have to be particularly not smart to decide you are going to rob a store in Washington during Police Week. Thank goodness for those who wear blue and work to serve us and protect us every day and even do that when they are off duty and hundreds of miles away from home. So congratulations to those officers for what they did while they are here, and nobody is very surprised by that. prgtoken When Senator Coons and I came to the Senate a little over 8 years ago, we started trying to find a law enforcement caucus to join, and found out there wasn't one, so Senator Coons said to me: Let's just start one, and we did. This is the week. prgtoken We get a chance every year to talk about, specifically, what happens this week. We look for opportunities through the year to, No. 1, honor the people who work here protecting us every day, and, No. 2, to talk about things happening in the country that affect the people who protect us and protect police and sheriff's departments. This is the time of year, frankly, when the tragic loss of family is so evident as we add people to the police memorial. prgtoken Four Missourians were added to that list this year. Deputy Sheriff Aaron Paul Roberts of the Greene County Sheriff's Office--the county I live in--died when his patrol car was swept into the Pomme de Terre River after he responded to a 911 call. Deputy Roberts had served with the Sheriff's Office for about 1 year, but he had previously served with the Willard Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and by his parents. prgtoken In April of 2018, Miller County Deputy Sheriff Casey Shoemate was killed when his vehicle collided with an oncoming vehicle while responding to a structure fire. He had served with that department for about 1 year as well, but he previously worked in two other Missouri police departments. He is survived by his two children, his fiancee, his parents, and his siblings. prgtoken In March of 2018, Clinton Police Department Officer Christopher Morton was shot and killed when he and two other officers responded to a 911 call. As Officer Morton and his colleagues arrived at the scene, a man began shooting at them. The
Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-16

this Sunday, I have the honor of joining some of the most courageous, faithful, and inspiring Texans whom I ever met for the grand opening and dedication of their new church. prgtoken These men and women are part of the congregation at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. For the vast majority of its 100-year history, this small church was adored by members of the community as a place of worship, but it didn't get much attention on the national stage. On November 5, 2017, all of that changed when a deranged shooter opened fire on their Sunday service, killing 26 parishioners--adults, teenagers, children, and an unborn baby. The church became the site of the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. prgtoken This violent attack rocked the entire small, tight-knit town to its core. Every home, every family, and every person felt the impact of the shooter's actions, but what emerged wasn't more of the hatred and anger displayed by the shooter. Instead, Sutherland Springs became a beacon of love and hope. The day of the attack I spoke with Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt and offered my condolences and complete support. Sheriff Tackitt told me about the day's events and said the bloody scene inside the First Baptist Church was horrific, but the response to the tragedy was instantaneous. First responders from the surrounding area, as well as State and Federal law enforcement officials, inundated Sutherland Springs with resources and help. prgtoken In the days and weeks following the attack, the support continued. Folks from across the country made their way to this small town outside of San Antonio to pay their respects, leaving flowers outside the church, singing songs of worship, and extending a caring hand to those grieving. prgtoken I joined the congregation 1 week after the shooting for their Sunday service, and it was an emotional experience, to be sure. I was there to offer what I could in terms of support and hope to this grieving community, but what happened was just the opposite. They were the ones giving me inspiration. prgtoken That day, as the associate pastor pointed out, the church smashed attendance records. It was remarkable to see not only the church community but also complete strangers embracing one another, offering a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold. prgtoken There was perhaps no more moving occurrence than Pastor Frank Pomeroy. He and his wife lost their teenage daughter in the shooting. prgtoken One week after that occurred, he opened that service saying: ``We have the freedom to choose, and rather than choose darkness like the young man did that day, we choose the light.'' prgtoken Coming from a man who lost 26 beloved members of his congregation, including his own daughter, those words are tough to get your brain around. When he was going through what I have no doubt was the toughest moment of his life, Pastor Pomeroy was comforting those of us in the audience a
MARKETING AND OUTREACH RESTORATION TO EMPOWER HEALTH EDUCATION ACT OF 2019
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-5-16

I rise today in opposition to H.R. 987, the supposed Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. prgtoken I wish I wasn't giving this speech. As many of my colleagues know, I have a bipartisan track record here in the House. I have been proud to work with many of my colleagues on a number of issues that impact Kentuckians and people across the country, such as Alzheimer's, the opioid crisis, and workforce development. prgtoken Last Congress, I had 10 bipartisan bills signed into law, and I had two additional bipartisan bills pass the House. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle know that I take bipartisanship and our responsibility to get things done for our constituents very seriously. That is why I am extremely disappointed that I will have to vote against H.R. 987 today. prgtoken Wherever I go in my district, I hear from Kentuckians about how drug prices are simply too high. This an issue that affects everyone, and it is one of the few big issues these days that s and can all agree on. And President has made this a priority. prgtoken As ranking member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have launched, with Chair Diana DeGette from Colorado, an investigation on rising insulin prices. prgtoken I was proud to support bipartisan legislation in the Health Subcommittee and the full Energy and Commerce Committee. Sadly, , have loaded up what was previously a bipartisan drug pricing legislative bill with political land mines that they know we, as s, will never support. prgtoken They made a bipartisan drug pricing bill into an Care bailout bill. They know that this bill is dead on arrival in the Senate and that President will never sign it. prgtoken My colleagues are playing games to score cheap political points in the short term at the expense of Americans across the country who are paying too much at the pharmacy counter. prgtoken I urge my colleagues on the ic side not to make lowering drug prices another partisan fight. I am willing to work with any of my colleagues to fix this problem, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.
Iran (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-5-16

I am down here on the floor to do what I typically do on Thursday, which is talk about an Alaskan who is making a big difference in my State, somebody I refer to as the Alaskan of the Week. prgtoken But, you know, this is the Senate and we have debates, and we are respectful in our debates, and there is no one in the Senate I respect more than my friend from Delaware, Senator Carper--his service in Vietnam and as a captain in the Navy. When he speaks, I listen, and I have respect. But I actually thought, very briefly--it wasn't what I was planning on doing, but I was just listening to someone I respect--I thought I would offer a bit of a counter view for those watching in the Gallery or on TV on what he just talked about. prgtoken It is a really important issue, but I just happen to respectfully disagree with most--not everything, but most--of what my colleague just mentioned. So I am just going to touch on that before I talk about an Alaskan who is doing great work. prgtoken Just listening to my colleague talk about President 's turning his back on Iran, the sanctions that we placed on Iran, which we all voted for here in the Senate, are antagonizing Iran. Foreign Minister Zarif is a moderate. Well, let me just touch on that. I think there is this new narrative that is starting to come out from my colleagues, and, again, I have a lot of respect for my good friend from Delaware, but about this kind of blame America first, blame , as if the generals and admirals weren't advising him, and that Iran is some kind of this new innocent moderate that we are turning our back on and we are sanctioning them and antagonizing them. With all due respect to my colleague on the other of the aisle, this couldn't be further from the truth. Iran is no innocent. Iran is no innocent at all. prgtoken Iran is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world and has been for decades. As for the JCPOA, which my colleague is lamenting, I read that. I certainly dug into that. I have been involved in our broader Iran isolation policy for many years. That was the first major foreign policy national security agreement in U.S. history that had a bipartisan majority of Senators and a bipartisan majority of House Members who were against it--against it, not for it. That did not have support in this body--certainly not in the Senate, not in the House, and not from the American people. prgtoken So as for this myth that somehow this was this great agreement, it wasn't. It was a giveaway--billions to the largest state sponsor of terrorism, where in 10 years they are free to go develop nuclear weapons. This was not a good agreement, and this body said so. A bipartisan majority in the House and the Senate disagreed with President . A partisan minority in the House and Senate, for the first time in U.S. history, on a national security agreement of this magnitude, somehow passed it. prgtoken So there is this myth th
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-5-16

for over 50 years, our Nation has preserved an annual tradition of honoring the brave men and women of law enforcement who make the ultimate sacrifice. This act of remembrance dates back to President John F. Kennedy's designation of a ``Peace Officers Memorial Day'' in 1962, which has evolved over the years to become National Police Week. Police Week now includes a weeklong celebration of our law enforcement officers and recognition for their sacrifices. prgtoken Tens of thousands from the law enforcement community have descended upon Washington this week, as they gather near the National Law Enforcement Memorial to remember their colleagues and their families. The memorial was dedicated in 1991 to honor our local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The long gray walls are curved in a way that makes them appear to go on forever. Over 21,000 names are permanently inscribed into the marble walls as a reminder of the cost of maintaining a free, safe, and civil society. prgtoken On Wednesday, the 38th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service was held right outside on the West Front of the Capitol. During this solemn ceremony, the names of 228 brave men and women were read in honor of their priceless contribution to their fellow citizens. prgtoken Among those being remembered this week are six from my home State of South Carolina. Sergeant Terrence Carraway of the Florence Police Department, Detective Micheal Doty of prgtoken the York County Sheriff's Office, Corporal Dale Hallman of the Saluda County Sheriff's Office, Deputy James Kirk, Jr of the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Farrah Turner of the Florence County Sheriff's Office, and Deputy Jerry Hurd, Jr of the Richland County Sheriff's Office will all be memorialized on those stone walls. Their names will be a perpetual reminder to future generations of the high cost of keeping South Carolinians safe. We honor them, their families, and all of the other brave men and women who died while protecting our communities. prgtoken While every officer deserves to have their story heard, I would like to call attention to Sergeant Carraway and Deputy Turner. On October 3, 2018, Florence County law enforcement executed a warrant on an individual accused of sexual assault on a child. As they arrived on scene, the officers were ambushed by the suspect's father. When the officers got out of their vehicles, the father started shooting at them. The standoff and the shooting continued for 2 long hours. Despite the danger, the officers did not retreat, but continued to fight. After all was said and done, a total of seven law enforcement personnel had been shot. Sadly, both Sergeant Carraway and Deputy Turner were mortally wounded. prgtoken I was fortunate enough to attend Sergeant Carraway's memorial service in Florence. It was a beautiful tribute to a life of service. This man was a decorated police offi
EQUALITY ACT
Stephen F. Lynch (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2019-5-17

first of all, I want to rise in support of H.R. 5, Mr. Cicilline's bill, the Equality Act. prgtoken I rise today as a Christian this bill will extend the legal protections provided by the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution as well as the Civil Rights Act against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. prgtoken And may I say that it is about time. prgtoken This groundbreaking legislation specifically bans wrongful, hurtful discrimination in housing, employment, education, and other business and government sectors based on sexual orientation and gender identity. prgtoken Individuals from the LGBTQ community are our fellow Americans. Many of them are Christians. They are our brothers and sisters. And it is, indeed, shameful that it has taken this very long to provide them with equal protection under the law. prgtoken The Declaration of Independence is, again, a guide. It is instructive as it reminds us: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.'' prgtoken In closing, none of that can happen without equal treatment under the law. ``All'' means all. ``Equal'' means equal. Let's vote for equality.