mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY ACT OF 2021
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-6-28

I thank my dear friend, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; and my good friend, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for their generous remarks, for their leadership, and for bringing yet again a bipartisan bill to the floor of the House, which many people think we can't do, but we, in fact, do do. prgtoken I also want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), my good friend, for being my partner in this legislation for 3 years now. prgtoken Our legislation, the Global Health Security Act, reaffirms the United States' commitment to promoting global health security. prgtoken Prior to COVID-19, there was a dearth of leadership and strategy around U.S. planning for a global health security emergency. Now, as we start to emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we understand just how important planning is. prgtoken COVID-19 has underscored not only the need for a robust Federal response, but also the importance of investing in global health security and pandemic preparedness throughout the world. Diseases do not stop at national borders. prgtoken I am honored and pleased the House Foreign Affairs Committee has coalesced around this legislation, which offers a bipartisan solution that addresses deficiencies in the current pandemic response effort. It also demonstrates, I think, a commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable approach to global health security moving forward. prgtoken The bill establishes a Global Health Security Agenda Interagency Review Council overseen by a National Security Advisor, whose membership includes the heads of agencies relevant to carrying out the Global Health Security Agenda. prgtoken It establishes a U.S. Coordinator for Global Health Security responsible for coordinating interagency responses. prgtoken It requires the President to develop a global health security strategy with specific and measurable goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics to improve U.S. leadership on global pandemic preparedness. prgtoken Finally, it establishes an international Fund for Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness. prgtoken , I also appreciate both Chairman Meeks' and Ranking Member McCaul's willingness to work to strengthen this bill as it passed through the committee during our markup. We made improvements, with their suggestion, in elevating the participants of the interagency review council in a manner commensurate with the scope of the work. We strengthened the scope of the global health security strategy with lessons learned; and we added a multilateral Federal fund. prgtoken These improvements are consistent with the administration's National Security Memorandum on United States Global Leadership to Strengthen the International Response. This statutory framework is not overly prescriptive, and it does not prejudge the outcome of the current response framework offered by this administration. prgtoken and ic Presidents alike have recogni
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEMENCY HOME RULE ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , today, I introduce the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give the District of Columbia exclusive authority, like the states and territories have, to grant clemency to offenders prosecuted under its local laws. prgtoken While District law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency (D.C. Code 1-301. 76), it has been the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that the president, and not the mayor, has the authority to grant clemency for most offenses prosecuted under D.C. law, particularly felonies prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for D.C. in the D.C. Superior Court. Under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. convictions, like federal convictions, are submitted to DOJ for the president's consideration. prgtoken Whether or not DOJ's view is correct, my bill would remove all doubt that the District, and not the president, has the authority to issue clemency for local offenses. The District, like the states and territories, should have full control of its local criminal justice system, the most basic responsibility of local government. Since the D.C. Council has the authority to enact local laws, District officials are in the best position to grant clemency for local law convictions. My bill would provide clemency authority to the District and would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system. prgtoken This bill is an important step in establishing further autonomy for the District. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-6-28

today we are considering H.R. 2225, the NSF for the Future Act; and H.R. 3593, the DOE Science for the Future Act. Both are tributes to the thoughtful bipartisanship of the leadership and the staff of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, on which I have the honor of serving. prgtoken Last Congress, the Science Committee found itself in the remarkable position of discussing dueling bipartisan proposals to essentially double the science budgets, which, needless to say, represents a big change from years past. prgtoken Out of that shared commitment to the future came the thoughtful and bipartisan NSF for the Future Act and the DOE Science for the Future Act. These bills, which represent significant and overdue increases to the budgets for the NSF and the DOE Office of Science, are crucial to ensuring that our Nation maintains its leadership in the science that will continue to change the world. prgtoken H.R. 2225 was specifically written to ensure that the NSF will have the funds to accept a much larger fraction of the qualified research proposals that it receives every year, which is the single most important thing that we can do to ensure the health of the science it supports. prgtoken H.R. 3593 contains aggressive but feasible budget profiles for the existing programs of DOE's Office of Science. It has specific language to reexamine opportunities to expand these programs into new areas under these more ambitious but now, hopefully, realistic budget growth scenarios so that next-generation projects in fields like nuclear fusion, bioinformatics, energy storage, basic energy research, and much more can now be contemplated. prgtoken As the only Ph.D. physicist in Congress, I urge my colleagues to support these bills, which I am proudly cosponsoring, to provide our scientific researchers with the support that they need to lead us into the future.
HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE WILLIAM WHITMORE
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of George William Whitmore, who passed away on January 1, 2021. George was a veteran of the United States Air Force, a husband, friend, and a man who loved adventures with nature. prgtoken George was born on February 8, 1931 in Fresno, California to Raymond and Jean Whitmore. His father was a Marine during WWII and became a stockbroker when he got out of the service. His mother worked for Pacific Gas & Electric. During the Great Depression, the family moved to the Central Valley. George attended Salinas High School and decided to study at University of California, San Francisco earning a degree in 1954 as a Pharmacist. During his spare time, George enjoyed climbing and later decided to join the Air Force in the medical evacuation unit as an aeromedical evacuation officer. prgtoken After the Air Force, he decided to continue working as a pharmacist, but in the summer, he would spend his time hiking and climbing. George climbed the Andes in Peru and El Capitan at Yosemite with his friends, Warren Harding and Wayne Merry. He served in leadership roles for the Sierra Club, and served as a Chairman for the Tehipite Chapter based in Fresno, California. prgtoken George helped establish the Kaiser Wilderness in 1976 and the California Wilderness Act of 1984, which added 1.8 million acres into the National Wilderness Preservation System. He helped protect lakes and block dam projects and highways and also helped prevent Walt Disney Co. from developing a proposed ski resort at Mineral King in the 1960s and '70s. It was stopped after sustained opposition by the Sierra Club and other preservationists, and the valley subsequently became part of Sequoia National Park. prgtoken George battled cancer with his wife Nancy by his side. He and Nancy were together for over 40 years and were each other's best friend. George never lost his love for adventure. He enjoyed visiting with friends and he still participated in the Sierra Club meetings, continuing to educate people on the importance of preservation. prgtoken He is survived by his wife, Nancy, niece Caroline and husband Bob, nephew Randy and his wife Betty. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of George William Whitmore for his service and contributions to the environment that surrounds us. I join his family and friends in celebrating George's life.
REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-6-28

nearly two decades ago, Congress passed a resolution authorizing military force against the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. That resolution--aided in its passage by deeply flawed intelligence that we now know had no basis in fact authorized the use of force for two express purposes: to defend the national security of the United States against the continued threat posed by Iraq and to enforce all relevant UN Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. It has been 18 years since Saddam Hussein was deposed. It has been a decade since the United States declared a formal end of operations in Iraq. The Iraqi government is a regional partner and the UN Security Council resolutions referenced have been fulfilled. prgtoken In short, there is no virtue in allowing the 2002 AUMF to lay dormant but active. The only possible outcome is for a future administration to wield it as a legal loophole to bypass the need to confer with Congress before engaging in military operations. Each of us here prgtoken understands that the nature of modern warfare has changed--it is murkier, dirtier, and involves a variety of state- and non-state actors. prgtoken But that fact should not compel Congress to forfeit its constitutional responsibility to directly authorize the use of force. It should not preclude any administration from receiving direct authorization from the Congress to engage in global conflicts. prgtoken Earlier this year, the House Foreign Affairs Committee had a productive hearing where each of the three expert witnesses testified that this AUMF is not necessary. It does not enhance our national security. It does not make Americans any safer. It does not make the mission of our men and women in uniform any easier. To repeal this resolution would not tie the hands of the current administration or any future administration in their responsibility to preserve the national security of the United States--it would instead ensure that it could not be manipulated to take us into a war that Congress did not authorize. prgtoken If we fail to act, we run the risk of opportunistic legal interpretations leading to a slippery slope until our country finds itself on a permanent war footing. Congress did not authorize that in 2002. We shouldn't tacitly authorize it by failing to act. Let's do our jobs--we owe it to the American people and to our men and women in uniform.
SALUTING DAVID WALLACE DOUGLAS
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I rise today to salute David Wallace Douglas, an author, environmental champion, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. prgtoken He continues his family tradition of service. His grandfather was Vice President of the United States for Franklin Roosevelt. He was perhaps the most impactful Secretary of Agriculture in American history. He was an inventor and a businessperson, and the extended clan continues that tradition today. prgtoken I became acquainted with this extraordinary individual because we shared a passion for safe drinking water and sanitation. I worked with him on our Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act and the subsequent Paul Simon Water for the World Act. David was an invaluable ally and a mentor for me. prgtoken It should be noted that David is a Renaissance man. He is the author of three books and has written widely in publications featuring environmental, religious, and developmental issues. He is the conscience of the United States for preserving our natural heritage. He was a tireless champion of respect for science and public servants like in the EPA, the Park Service, and international development when they were prgtoken under assault in the last administration. prgtoken He has created nonprofit NGO advocacy infrastructure to support his various missions. From 1986 to 2020 he founded and led Waterlines, which provided technical help and funding for over 1,000 water projects in rural communities in 15 developing countries around the world. prgtoken In 2005 David founded the D.C.-based Water Advocates, the first advocacy organization devoted to increasing American support for affordable and sustainable drinking water and sanitation. prgtoken He has two other time-limited advocacy organizations to further elevate national and global attention to WASH. prgtoken Most recently, David is fighting to focus attention on safe water and sanitation for hospitals, which impacts some 2 billion of the planet's poorest citizens. Try to imagine treating patients in a clinic where there is no safe clean water to wash your hands. You can't. prgtoken David has a gift for creating organizations for a specific time, to concentrate efforts and get the job done and move on. Some become captive of organizations. Not David. He is currently wrapping up efforts with the promise of spending more time in the great outdoors and with his family. prgtoken However David spends his time, wherever he goes, whatever he does next, we are deeply indebted to him for his leadership and vision. The world is better for his service and for his example.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-28

I rise in support of the NSF for the Future Act, a bipartisan bill to revitalize one of the most important pillars of our Federal Government's investments in innovation, the National Science Foundation. prgtoken I certainly want to recognize the great work of Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their leadership in developing this forward-looking legislation. I was so proud to help usher it through my Subcommittee on Research and Technology. prgtoken The commitment to bipartisan collaboration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders has resulted in a carefully crafted bill that provides a much-needed infusion of funding and addresses needs across the agency's portfolio. prgtoken The NSF for the Future Act has been endorsed by nearly 50 organizations, including the AFL-CIO, American Society of Civil Engineers, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and higher education institutions across the country. prgtoken The bill puts forth a suite of sweeping proposals, from scaling up preK-12 STEM education research innovations and modernizing higher education student training to funding more research infrastructure and expanding opportunities to participate in NSF-funded projects. prgtoken The NSF for the Future Act also supports the evolution of the NSF by ramping up support for use-inspired and translational research through the creation of a partnership-driven, solutions-oriented directorate. prgtoken The National Science Foundation plays a pivotal role in our research ecosystem. As the only Federal agency charged with supporting fundamental research across all scientific disciplines, we cannot risk undermining or diminishing this function. Our capacity to innovate will be constrained if we choke off the flow of fundamental research dollars. prgtoken As members of the Science Committee, we know all too well what is at stake and what we are doing to conduct our due diligence here today. We have held hearing after hearing to explore the challenges and opportunities for advancing NSF's mission through a comprehensive reauthorization bill. prgtoken We heard from the NSF's director and chair of the National Science Board that the agency is poised to take on an infusion of funding and an expansion of its mission to deliver the benefits of research to the American people. prgtoken We heard from stakeholders all across the country in academia and from the private sector and innovation policy experts that the NSF is an essential asset that has been squeezed by flat budgets for too long. prgtoken Yes, here today is a bipartisan effort to commit to doubling scientific research funding in this country. We all remember the headline we got several years ago that diminished the funding for this agency, that gave us the projection of a lost generation in scientific research, yet here today we are committed to action because innovation is the great propellor of this Nation. prgtoken The challenges--the unique challen
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE ACT
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-28

I thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their extraordinary bipartisan leadership on these bills. These two bills recognize the urgency of Federal scientific investment. prgtoken Over the past few decades, Federal spending on R&D flatlined as a share of our economy, and it has fallen in absolute terms. Meanwhile, global competitors jump-started their economic growth through such investments that spur innovation. prgtoken Maintaining our leadership in research and development is arguably more important than ever. Now is the time to be bold in our vision of what is possible. We shortchange the Nation every year when we refuse to fund a rich portfolio of research opportunities. prgtoken I want to talk about the NSF for the Future Act. It is part of the remedy, and it strikes the appropriate balance of expanding popular and effective projects and programs while expanding the Foundation's role and mandate to new areas of evolving technologies. prgtoken The approach to the creation of a new directorate outlined in the bill sets an appropriate benchmark as we engage with the Senate, and it has received overwhelming support from the academic, scientific, and business communities. prgtoken We need to make sure we get this right. prgtoken The bill would allow NSF to improve the speed and scale of its core mission to advance basic and fundamental research while promoting innovative solutions to the challenges we face as a nation. prgtoken We must support this effort, the NSF bill, as well as the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act. I strongly urge my colleagues to support these two pieces of legislation. I commend the committee for its excellent work.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF VALLE DEL SOL
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Valle del Sol Community Health, which the organization celebrated in 2020. For the past fifty years Valle del Sol has inspired positive change by empowering people to live healthy, productive lives. prgtoken Founded in 1970, Valle del Sol's original mission was to make behavioral health and social services more available and accessible to the Latino community and other underserved populations. Today, Valle del Sol's services range from primary health care to substance abuse treatment and youth leadership programs, all with a focus on providing culturally competent and holistic care. Valle del Sol has now grown to eight locations across the Phoenix area and 50 school and community co- locations to provide services to people where they learn, work, and live. prgtoken The coronavirus pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to Valle del Sol, which they quickly rose to meet. The amazing team at Valle del Sol has been working tirelessly for over a year to test and, now, vaccinate high-risk individuals and frontline workers against COVID-19. Their work helps protect not only their patients, but the entire Phoenix community. prgtoken I wish to congratulate Valle del Sol and thank them for their work to make our community healthier, happier, and more empowered. I look forward to continuing to work with this outstanding organization.
CBC SUPPORTS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2021-6-28

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding to me. I thank her for the tremendous leadership she has given as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. I appreciate her work, and I appreciate her friendship. prgtoken Madam , I woke up this morning to several headlines, one of which came from a little town in my congressional district, Summerton, South Carolina. prgtoken Those who have studied a little bit of our history will know that Summerton is a little town that started our Nation on the road to Brown v. Board of Education. It was Briggs v. Elliott, the first case to challenge segregated schools in this country, and that case became one of five that have become known as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. prgtoken But that is not why Summerton, South Carolina, was in the news today. It was in the news today because that little town's entire water system has failed. All the people in that town have been subjected, over the last several weeks, to poison in their water system. prgtoken People were getting sick. Nobody knew what was causing it. People were being diagnosed with all kinds of things, like swimmer's ear when they had never been in a swimming pool. prgtoken Today, the estimated cost of fixing their water system is more than the entire budget of the town. prgtoken Summerton is just one example of what is happening all over this country. Little towns like Summerton, rural communities, schools, childcare centers, you name it, the people in that little town need their infrastructure fixed. prgtoken Now, that is traditional. prgtoken But I will tell you something else about the little town of Summerton: Scott's Branch High School, the school where Brown v. Board of Education started, that is what the school was, Scott's Branch High School; it is still there. It is the third building, but the school is still named the same. Less than 34 percent of the students in that school district are connected to the internet. prgtoken Now that means in that little school that challenged segregation years ago because they were not being adequately educated--and I can talk all night about this--kids walking 9.4 miles to school every day one way and 9.4 miles back home. They weren't suing to integrate the schools, all they wanted was a school bus. These are the basic things. And you look at that school district today, they want to be connected to the internet. prgtoken And we have colleagues in this place who tell us that they are all for an infrastructure bill so long as it confines itself to traditional infrastructure issues like roads and bridges. prgtoken Well, we need roads and bridges, but we need water and sewerage. We need to deepen our ports, fix our rail systems. The greatest country on Earth needs to do something about its rail system. prgtoken And I remember when rail was not traditional infrastructure. Of course, I wasn't around, but I remember from my studies when rail was not traditional