mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Flooding in Illinois (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-6-11

Saturday morning, I was in Alton, IL. This picture here is what we saw. You have to look closely to understand what I am looking at here. These grain elevators are in downtown Alton, IL, and this is the Mississippi River, which has now risen to the point that it is just below this red line. I know this red line a little bit because it marks the 1993 flood level of the same Mississippi River, so we are almost there. We were hoping over the weekend that the river would crest and that Alton and so many other communities in the Midwest would be spared further flooding. prgtoken The interesting thing is, when I went down there to talk to the people engaged in the recovery effort and trying to help fight these floodwaters, there was an insight I was really surprised to hear. I asked them what is different about this flood, because we get lots of floods in the Midwest. The difference with this flood, according to those who have done the research, is this is a flood of longer duration than any flood we have seen since 1927. prgtoken When I spoke to the mayor of the town of Alton, IL, I said: So this comes and goes? He said: It never goes, Senator. We have had six floods in the last 10 years that were supposed to be breaking historic records. prgtoken So let's step back for a minute and take an honest look at this, if we can, and realize that we are living in a little different world this year than we did just a few years ago. The extreme weather events, which we hear reported every single day, suggest that something is going on beyond just changes in the weather. When we see rainfall and snowfall in the upper Midwest, which is now responsible for this flooding situation here, we have to ask ourselves the obvious question: Is this just a one-off event, or are we seeing the new normal? And if this is the new normal, are we prepared for it? prgtoken When these floodwaters hopefully recede in the very near future, there will be a lot of repair work to be done. There is a lot of damage to homes, businesses, and families. But then there will be a big question: What do we do next? If this is the new normal in our weather patterns, if we are in fact seeing a change in our climate around prgtoken the United States and around the world, how will we respond? My first concern, of course, is my home State of Illinois and the folks who are kind enough to let me serve them in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken I want to do everything I can to work with the Army Corps of Engineers, which is a critical part of flood protection for the Midwest. These earthen levees you will see along the shorelines of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers have been sorely taxed by these floodwaters. When they are drenched and soaked over long periods of time, they tend to weaken. We count on the Army Corps of Engineers and the good people locally to step forward and help us fortify these levees. We need to continue to do that, maybe even more so be
RECOGNIZING THE 2019 BEST OF RESTON AWARD RECIPIENTS
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-6-11

. Madam , I rise to recognize the recipients of the 28th Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service. These awards are the result of collaboration between Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and are presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better place. prgtoken I have been proud to represent this community since my days as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The level of civic engagement celebrated by these awards is a testament to the community spirit of Reston. I have often said that civic engagement is a key indicator of a healthy community and tonight's event proves that Reston continues to be one of the healthiest communities in all of Northern Virginia! That is due in no small part to the actions of those honored here this evening and I extend my congratulations to all of tonight's honorees. I also wish to thank John Thomas and Kerrie Wilson of Cornerstones and Charlene Wheeless and Mark Ingrao of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for their tireless efforts on behalf of others and in making our community one of the best places in the country in which to live, work and raise a family. prgtoken It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the recipients of the 2019 Best of Reston Awards: prgtoken Bob Schnapp--Feeding Families--One Green Bag after Another prgtoken Mike and Ellen Jennings--Expertise that Makes a Difference--It's Their Thing prgtoken Omicron Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity/OKK Foundation, Inc.--The Colors of Their Service are Purple and Gold prgtoken Maggie Parker--Passion that Leads to Lasting Success prgtoken Roz Rakoff--An Essential Community Kindness Connector prgtoken Kurt Rose--A Sparkling Gem of Community Spirit prgtoken Synergy Design & Construction (Mina and Mark Fies)--Constructing Better Lives by Design prgtoken The 2019 Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Legacy Award--Entrusting Our Community's Future Recipient: Touching Heart (Helen and prgtoken Taylor Yi)--Generations Inspiring Gifts of Love from Open Hearts prgtoken Madam , I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2019 Best of Reston honorees for their tremendous contributions. l thank Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for continuing this wonderful tradition, and I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals, businesses, and organizations for lending their time and energy to the betterment of our community.
THE NEWTOWN QUAKER MEETING
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-6-11

I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of young citizens from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who are actively living out their faith and making our community a better place. prgtoken Earlier this year, members of the Newtown Quaker Meeting helped raise $1,665 for the Mercer Street Friends' Community Schools through a lasagna dinner held at the Newtown Friends Meetinghouse. The youth collected voluntary donations, served the meal, and cleaned up after dinner. prgtoken This exemplary act of community service is the norm, not the exception, for young members of Newtown Quaker Meeting. prgtoken Previously held lasagna dinners have raised funds for Penndel Food Pantry, Heifer International, Haiti Relief, and Save Darfur, among other organizations. By serving simple meals twice a year, they have now raised over $28,000 for charity over a 10-year period. prgtoken , I applaud the work of these children, their parents, and congregants of the Newtown Quaker Meeting. I would like to particularly thank members of the Children's Religious Education Committee of Newtown Meeting, including Sarah Buxton, Eileen Grant, and Kelly Lake for all of their work. In Memory of Malcolm Crooks
SGT. FIRST CLASS WILL D. LINDSAY TRIBUTE
Scott R. Tipton (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-6-11

. Madam , I rise today to honor Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay from prgtoken Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. He and Spc. Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban. prgtoken Sgt. Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran Richard Lindsay and World War II veteran Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted into the Army in 2004, ultimately getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones and Sgt. Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan and this final deployment to Afghanistan. prgtoken As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sgt. Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Awards, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sgt. Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years. prgtoken I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife Sarah, his four daughters and his parents Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sgt. Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community. prgtoken Madam , Sgt. Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure. Sgt. Lindsay was a true American hero from one of the most rural areas in Colorado who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great nation and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.
Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-6-11

for nearly 2 years Special Counsel Mueller's investigation captivated Washington. Most of the media reporting focused on speculation and false allegations of a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and the Kremlin. This reporting was fueled by critics eager to all but guarantee the President's guilt. After a very exhaustive investigation--and, of course, millions and millions of taxpayer dollars being spent by the Mueller investigation-- many of those same critics still can't accept that Mueller and his investigative team of ic donors found no collusion or crime. prgtoken The continuing political noise over the last 2 years, however, risks drowning out critical siren warnings of another real threat--self- interested and surreptitious foreign influence in our political discourse. Mueller's team indicted dozens of Russians for a scheme to sow discord in American politics through our social media and the release of hacked emails. However, not enough attention has been paid to foreign interests secretly enlisting American cutouts to directly influence our laws, our public policies, and, most importantly, public opinion to destroy our social cohesion. prgtoken This is a very serious problem that should send shivers down the spine of anyone in government who meets with lobbyists. If lobbyists or public relations firms are pushing policy preferences at the behest of foreign powers and foreign interests, we ought to know about it. prgtoken This week I introduced legislation to strengthen and also fine-tune enforcement authorities to better expose clandestine foreign influence campaigns. My bipartisan bill, the Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act, will encourage greater compliance with a very often ignored requirement for lobbyists working on behalf of foreign entities to tell the U.S. people who they are working for. It accomplishes this by creating critical updates to one of our Nation's oldest lobbying disclosure laws. prgtoken Way back in 1938, Congress first passed a bill to accomplish a way to expose this foreign influence in America, particularly within our government. That bill passed in 1938 is called the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The bill was meant to unmask Nazi propaganda and identify foreign attempts to influence Congress and the American public. Until recently, however, this Foreign Agents Registration Act has been seldom used. prgtoken Now--get this--only 15 violators of this act have been criminally prosecuted since 1966, and 1966 was the date when this law was last updated. Of course, now I am trying to update it again. About half of these prosecutions, of the 15, stem from the work of Special Counsel Mueller's investigation, though that is not due to the lack of foreign influence efforts to affect our Federal decision making. prgtoken As part of my oversight efforts, I first raised concerns about the shoddy Foreign Agent Registration Act en
Flooding in Illinois (Executive Calendar)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-6-11

I rise for the swift passage of bipartisan legislation I am leading with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand known as the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. prgtoken I will never forget the images of the brave men and women running into danger to save lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks. I never had the privilege or honor of going to New York City prior to September 11, 2001, but I will never forget my first visit after September 11, 2001, going to Ground Zero, watching the firetrucks, with their flag, heading to Ground Zero to continue to work, and now that has become absolutely emblazoned in the minds of the people of this country. prgtoken The work they did wasn't just for those in Manhattan who suffered incredible loss but the work they carried forth for our country--they became symbols of our security, symbols of our freedoms, symbols of our country's willingness, effort, and tenacity to fight back. prgtoken This legislation would ensure that all 9/11 first responders and survivors who have been injured by the toxins at Ground Zero would receive their full compensation through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund now and into the future as more and more become ill with 9/11-related cancers. prgtoken When I visited Ground Zero, I will never forget that smell--a burning, acrid odor. These men and women didn't just visit it once but time and again to carry out the cleanup of Ground Zero. Unfortunately, thousands of first responders and survivors, including many who reside in my home State of Colorado, now suffer from illnesses and diseases from the toxins they inhaled day after day during the recovery efforts at Ground Zero. prgtoken It is unacceptable for this Congress to fail these heroes and their families. It is unacceptable to fail the families and heroes of September 11. There is no time to waste as Congress debates this issue. More and more people are becoming ill, more and more people are suffering. Today people such as Lou Alvarez came to Washington, DC, postponing a chemotherapy treatment to advocate for his fellow heroes. prgtoken The fund expires at the end of this year if we do not act. These men and women have already been forced to reduce their compensation. We have seen a reduction of their compensation for 9/11 first responders due to the impending insolvency. prgtoken Jon Stewart, a longtime advocate for the 9/11 responders, testified today before the House Judiciary Committee, expressing the urgency of making sure these first responders receive the care they deserve. He testified before members of the committee in the House about the need to act now because time is of the essence. He said that these men and women ``responded in 5 seconds. They did their jobs, with courage, grace, tenacity, humility . . . 18 years later'' it is time for Congress to do its job. prgtoken That is what I hope my colleague
Net Neutrality (Executive Session)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-6-11

I don't think the answer to the question is going to be a surprise to my friend from Massachusetts. I will only say this, and I will try to do it briefly. I have been amazed, over the last 1\1/2\ years and even longer, at the intense, overblown rhetoric about this issue of net neutrality and the hyperbole we have heard on the floor of the Senate and elsewhere. prgtoken About 1\1/2\ years ago, the FCC voted on the Restoring Internet Freedom Order. It went into effect. It repealed what most of us considered a heavyhanded approach based on a law that took effect back in 1934. prgtoken When the FCC implemented this new restoring internet freedom order back a year and a half ago, I was just astounded by what was being said by my friends on the left. One Senator warned that this was practically the end of Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon. Another cautioned: They want to get rid of the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality rules so that . . . Internet Service Providers can indiscriminately charge more for internet fast lanes, slow down websites, block websites, make it harder and maybe even impossible for inventors, entrepreneurs. prgtoken One tweet from my friends on the ic side said: ``If we don't save net neutrality, you'll get the internet one word at a time.'' That quote got three Pinocchios from even the Washington Post. prgtoken These things never happened. As a matter of fact, people on the other side of the issue who actually have taken the position of the Senator from Massachusetts have admitted that ISPs are delivering on consumers' expectations. They are not throttling websites. prgtoken As a matter of fact, here is what has happened since the FCC order went into effect a year and a half ago: Broadband providers large and small have deployed fiber networks to 5.9 million new homes--the largest number ever recorded. More Americans are connected at higher speeds than ever before. Capital expenditures have rebounded from the slump they suffered when the internet was subjected to title II. prgtoken This should surprise no one because the internet has thrived during ic and administrations and during ic majorities on the FCC and majorities on the FCC when we have taken the light-touch regulatory approach. prgtoken The issue seems to be title II regulation of rates. I would simply say to my brothers and sisters on the other side of the aisle that we can pass a law tomorrow afternoon providing Americans with all the protection they want from blocking, throttling, and preventing paid prioritization. What we will not do and what this President will not sign is legislation authorizing the Federal Government to set internet rates in the old 1934 Bell System of title II regulations. For that reason, I do object.
REMEMBERING DR. MARY PAULINE FOX
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-6-11

my privilege to pay tribute to Dr. Mary Pauline Fox, a pioneer of public health in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 87. Mary's remarkable life included more than four decades of service to eastern Kentucky communities, and the full effect of her legacy will continue to be felt throughout the region for years to come. prgtoken Mary began her exceptional career at the age of 19, graduating from Union College in Barbourville, KY. A trailblazer in her time, she then attended the University of Louisville's medical school as one of only five women in a class of 100. Mary also holds the distinction as one of the early women to participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. prgtoken Soon after beginning her career as a doctor, the Kentucky Department of Health appointed Mary as a regional director, and for the next 7 years she oversaw healthcare delivery in 20 eastern Kentucky counties. Afterward, she served as the director of the Pike County Health Department for more than two decades. Mary only agreed to retire from her position after funding was secured to build the current health department facility located in Pikeville. To this day, that facility continues to operate in the same building, which now bears her name. prgtoken Even at the end of her career, Mary refused to slow down. In coordination with the U.S. Department of State, she was part of the first public health group in our country invited to China. She remained committed to her community, giving sought-after lectures on public health issues throughout the Commonwealth. prgtoken As a healer and a teacher, Mary made our Commonwealth a better place. Elaine and I commend her for her lifetime of service to others, and we send our condolences to her family and friends.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-6-11

I came to the floor last week to talk about the challenges facing farmers right now. While the broader economy is thriving, a combination of low commodity prices, protracted trade disputes, and natural disasters and weather-related issues have left many farmers and ranchers struggling. prgtoken In my home State of South Dakota, farmers and ranchers are dealing with the aftermath of severe winter storms, heavy rainfall, bomb cyclones, and spring flooding. Planting is behind schedule, and many farmers will not be able to plant at all this year. Yet, while the news has generally been tough for farmers and ranchers lately, there are a couple of recent happenings that are worth celebrating. prgtoken Japan's announcement that it was lifting age limits on U.S. beef imports is a win for America's ranchers, who will be able to substantially increase their sales to Japan. Also, the administration's move to lift the ban on the year-round sale of E15--15-percent ethanol- blended fuel--went live in the Federal Register yesterday. This is great news for corn producers in South Dakota and around the Nation. prgtoken I have been advocating for higher blends of ethanol for more than a decade, and I have spent a lot of time advocating for the year-round sale of E15. Year-round E15 is a win-win-win-win situation. It is a win for consumers and for our economy. It is a win for the environment. It is a win for our Nation's energy security. It is also a big win for our Nation's agriculture industry. prgtoken Year-round E15 will not only provide consumers with a cheaper alternative at the pump, but it will keep gas prices lower. Plus, the year-round sale of E15 means more ethanol can be sold each year, for gas stations will have a greater incentive to sell E15 now that they will no longer have to go through the costly process of reworking and relabeling E15 pumps at the start of the summer's driving season and then of converting them back in the fall. Increased demand will fuel further growth in the ethanol industry, which already supports hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and contributes tens of billions of dollars to our economy. prgtoken Year-round sales of E15 are also a win for our environment in that ethanol is a cleaner burning fuel than is regular gasoline, which means fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than one-third. Biofuels like ethanol are key to there being a lower carbon energy future, and the next generation of advanced biofuels will further lower emissions. prgtoken Another major advantage to ethanol is that it diminishes our dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol is a homegrown fuel, and the more we are producing here at home the less we have to rely on unstable countries or far-off sources to meet our fuel needs. prgtoken Finally, of course, the year-round sale of E15 is a big win for our Nation's corn producers. America's farmers don't just feed our