mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-3-4

I rise to speak on Russia's ongoing and illegal occupation of Ukraine. prgtoken Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Ukraine where I saw firsthand the effects of nearly 5 years of Russian occupation, aggression, and hostilities suffered by the Ukrainian people. prgtoken Since Russia's illegal seizure of Crimea in March of 2014 and their subsequent invasion of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region the following month, over 10,000--10,000--people have been killed and many more have been wounded or displaced in the fighting. Hiding behind so-called pro- Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, the regime of Vladimir Putin has indiscriminately targeted both civilian and military targets, across the line of contact, in flagrant violation of the Minsk ceasefire and the law of war. In fact, shelling was occurring just 1 day prior to my visit to the Eastern Front. prgtoken The Eastern Front, even saying it now, before my colleagues in the Senate, the phrase seems almost surreal and harkens back to a bygone era in which the Cold War dominated our political landscape. prgtoken The first time I visited Ukraine was in 1989--1989--as part of an agricultural exchange program. The Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse, and the spirit of independence, freedom, and self- determination was gaining steam. My gracious Ukrainian hosts didn't want to discuss farming. It was an agricultural exchange, but they didn't want to discuss farming. They wanted to know what it was like to be an American. They wanted to know what it was like to have freedom and be independent. prgtoken Just like the oppressive yoke of authoritarianism dominated Ukraine in 1989, it once again threatens a people who have fought hard to create a nation of laws accountable to its people and as champions of human dignity, free markets, and democratic values. With our help, Ukraine has managed to hold the line against the Russian aggressors. Our security assistance, in the form of intelligence-sharing, special operations capacity-building, and, most recently, the delivery of Javelin anti-tank weapons, has enabled the Ukrainian Armed Forces to deter further Russian advances into free Ukraine and has caused the Russian military forces in occupied Donbas to pull their tanks farther away from the frontline. prgtoken Unfortunately, Russia has found other ways to attack Ukrainian interests. In November of 2018, just a few months ago, Russian naval vessels opened fire and captured three Ukrainian ships along with 24 sailors in international waters just south of the Kerch Strait. Demonstrating his contempt for the international rules-based order, Vladimir Putin is using his naval supremacy in the region to slowly strangle the Ukrainian economy, which relies, in part, on steel and grain shipping from ports in the Sea of Azov. While our military aid has been successful in assisting Ukrainian efforts along the line of contact in Donbas, future military
Tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia (Executive Session)
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-3-4

I am from Georgia. Last night in Georgia, Alabama, and throughout the Southeast, one of the worst tornadoes went through that has ever gone through in history. prgtoken Twenty-three Alabamians were killed last night; a number of homes in Georgia were wiped out and ruined. I don't think we had a death, but they had 23 in Alabama. The tragedies we are having in the Southeast continue to rise. prgtoken In a few weeks, we are going to ask the Senate to pass a disaster bill to reinstate some of the agricultural money for the last 2 years for our pecan crop, our blueberry crop, and others. prgtoken On behalf of the people of Georgia, I just want to say that we are having a tough time. Our agricultural community is in the most difficult time it could possibly be. We are going to ask the Senate to work with us to find appropriations that would make sense to bring back those pecan and blueberry farmers in Georgia, Alabama, and prgtoken South Carolina and to deal with the agricultural emergency we have had. prgtoken We also say a prayer of thanksgiving for the great opportunity we have to live in the Southeast but also recognize that we are now ground zero for tornadoes and those types of death-defying acts that are taking place. We want all of the people in Georgia and Alabama to know that our prayers go out to them. We will do everything we can to make them right. prgtoken Thank you. prgtoken . prgtoken .
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN JON ``JR'' RODGERS
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-3-4

today I honor one of my constituents, CAPT Jon ``JR'' Rodgers of the U.S. Navy, who is retiring in June after three decades of dedicated service to our great Nation. JR has spent the last 2 years of his career serving the U.S. Congress as the Navy's Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs. In this role, JR maintained oversight of the Navy team that provides Members and committees of Congress with information concerning the programs of the Department of the Navy. prgtoken JR's Tennessee roots run deep. The son of an air traffic control chief, he began life in Humbolt, TN, married his beautiful wife Sherry Masters from Celina, TN, and plans to return to our great State once his naval service has ended. prgtoken This patriot's naval career began by enlisting as a nuclear trained electronics technician until receiving an NROTC scholarship to Cornell University. He graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in agriculture engineering technologies and received his commission as a surface warfare officer in 1990. JR continued his education by attending the National Defense University, graduating with honors from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces with a masters of science degree in national resource strategy. He also attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI, with a masters of arts in national security strategy. prgtoken His sea duty assignments include tours on the USS England, CG 22, and the USS Bonhomme Richard, LHD 6, as a plank owner, where he received the Surface Navy Association's Arleigh Burke award for Operational Excellence. He also served as executive officer aboard the USS Cleveland, LPD 7, during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as part of Amphibious Task Force West. prgtoken More recently, JR commanded the mighty USS Makin Island, LHD 8, the first Navy ship with hybrid electric propulsion, where he completed a successful deployment to 5th and 7th Fleet. He also commanded USS Ponce, AFSB 15, as the Navy's first dedicated afloat forward staging base permanently deployed to Fifth Fleet. prgtoken JR's overseas experience is just as impressive. He served as the U.S. European Command J3 chief of staff and branch head for the crisis action group during Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector. He commanded Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Six, where he led over 600 Active and Reserve sailors on worldwide security missions that included the USNS Comfort Theater Security Cooperation missions throughout South America. He served as commander Task Unit Northern Arabian Gulf on the Iraq Al Basrah, ABOT, and Khor al-Amaya, KAAOT, oil terminals point defense mission, Panama and Suez Canal Embarked Security Team transits, and Operation Vigilant Mariner in Rota, Spain. prgtoken I want to thank JR for his almost 30 years of loyal service to this Nation. He has made a lasting and significant contribution to the U.S. Navy and our Nation. I wish him, his wife, and their da
RECOGNIZING THE SCHLARMAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL TEAM
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-3-4

. Madam , I rise to congratulate the Danville Schlarman High School girls' basketball team on winning the 2019 Illinois Class 1A championship. Schlarman defeated Lanark Eastland 62- 36 in the final. The win capped a 31-2 season and the Hilltoppers' second consecutive state title. prgtoken The tremendous amount of hard work and dedication the team put forth during the season was apparent in its dominant victories during the state playoffs. A 17-point win in the semifinals was the team's smallest margin of victory in postseason play. During the past two seasons, the Hilltoppers have posted a combined 62-3 record. prgtoken Head Coach Keith Peoples molded a team with both a high-powered offense and a stingy defense. The Hilltoppers scored 80 or more points seven times and yielded 20 or fewer on seven occasions. The 2018-19 team was led by four standout seniors--Destiny Dye, Janiah Newell, Anaya Peoples, and Sydney Gouard--along with junior Capria Brown. prgtoken It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the entire team, which also included CeCe Damilano, Tannah Ceader, Taylor Fowler, Suzette Semersheim, Lauren Barnette, McKaylee Allen, and Emma Bogen. Coach Peoples was assisted by Jerry O'Neill, David Gouard, and Ollie on, and team managers were Ana Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Stimac, and Molly Deboard. prgtoken Madam , the players, coaches, and entire school community should be very proud of their accomplishments. I wish the graduating seniors all the best in their future endeavors and good luck to those who will return for a chance to make it three in a row next season.
CONGRATULATING ABIT MASSEY
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-3-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. Abit Massey for his invaluable contributions to the poultry industry and his extraordinary impact on the state of Georgia. prgtoken Mr. Massey was recently inducted into the Poultry Industry Hall of Fame after serving as president of the Georgia Poultry Federation for 49 years. Often referred to as ``a living legend'' and the ``dean of the poultry industry,'' he has worked tirelessly to improve research and advocacy in the industry for nearly five decades, making countless improvements and helping to shape poultry in Georgia and beyond. Thanks in large part to Mr. Massey's leadership, the poultry industry has continued to flourish, and Georgia remains the top producer of poultry in the entire country. prgtoken Prior to working in the poultry industry, Mr. Massey served as head of the Georgia Department of Commerce, where he founded the Department's tourist division and built the first welcome station. prgtoken Mr. Massey has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to not only the poultry industry, but also the University of Georgia and the state of Georgia as a whole. By supporting academic programs and advanced research, Mr. Massey has inspired prgtoken students and leaders in our communities to work to enhance the quality of life all across the state. prgtoken I want to congratulate Mr. Massey on his recent award and thank him for his profound impact on the great state of Georgia. He will go down in history as one of the most respected and influential leaders in Georgia, and his contributions will benefit countless generations to come.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-3-4

I have a request for one committee to meet during today's session of the Senate. It has the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committee is authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Monday, March 4, 2019, at 5 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Status of the Global Magnitsky Investigation related to the Khashoggi Murder.''
REMEMBERING JESSIE CHARLES MADDIX
Michael Cloud (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-3-4

. Madam , I rise today in remembrance of Jessie Charles Maddix, a World War II veteran who dedicated his life to protect his community. prgtoken Mr. Maddix was born on May 19, 1923, in Hudson, Michigan. He served along the coast of North Carolina in the U.S. Coast Guard. prgtoken One of the more memorable moments during his time in the Coast Guard happened in 1944 during an Atlantic hurricane. He participated in a mission that involved a search and rescue of the liberty ship, George Ade. Prior to the storm, a German submarine had torpedoed George Ade off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. prgtoken According to the survivors, the hurricane's winds reached beyond 100 miles per hour, and unfortunately, both ships disappeared amidst the colossal waves. Mr. Maddix was one of the survivors who withstood the storm after floating above the surfaces for more than 50 hours. prgtoken Later in his life, Mr. Maddix researched his Native American heritage and became a Chippewa Elder. He traveled to the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Pow Wow several times in his 90s. prgtoken Mr. Maddix's friends and family will remember him for his adventures and service to our nation in the Coast Guard. My heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones during this time.
Declaration of National Emergency (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-3-4

despite what you hear inside the beltway, the challenges along our southwest border are real, and the people of Texas feel that impact every day along the 1,200-mile common border we have with Mexico. prgtoken Last week, for example, the Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley Sector arrested 1,300 illegal immigrants in a single day--the second time in 2 weeks they exceeded that number. In the same time period, the Laredo port of entry seized $2.3 million worth of cocaine and marijuana. Sadly, a father and son traveling from Guatemala nearly drowned while attempting to cross the Rio Grande but were saved thanks to the efforts of the Border Patrol. In a small town just north of Eagle Pass, a group of 90 undocumented immigrants--many of whom were women and children between the ages of 1 and 17--were apprehended after crossing the Rio Grande River. That was all in Texas last week. prgtoken Last year alone, 400,000 people were detained coming across our southwestern border--400,000. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied children and family units were detained as well. prgtoken These stories have become so common, somehow we have become anesthetized to the human emergency and crisis occurring along the border. Frankly, I do not understand why our ic friends have become completely apathetic when it comes to border security or dealing with what President himself called a humanitarian crisis. prgtoken A few weeks ago, we know President declared a national emergency over this crisis, which would allow some funding to be shifted from other areas to support our Border Patrol missions. This decision was met with a great deal of pushback, some of which I believe is warranted and some of which I believe is not. I would like to explain what I think is warranted and what I think is not. prgtoken For those, like some of our colleagues across the Capitol, including some of the Texas ic delegation--they call this a fake emergency. I couldn't disagree more. Just ask the folks who live along the border and deal with this each day. The scenes I describe are not isolated incidents; they are happening daily, weekly, monthly, and at a scale and volume that, frankly, are overwhelming the ability of officials and people along the border to deal with. prgtoken Let's rewind to 2014. I alluded to this a moment ago. When President was President, we saw an unprecedented number of Central Americans coming across the border claiming asylum. That year, 68,000 family units were apprehended at the southern border--``family units'' meaning at least one adult and at least one child. That is what President called a humanitarian crisis. prgtoken Today, not much has changed except for the numbers, and it has gotten worse, not better. In the last 4 months alone, there have been nearly 100,000 family units apprehended at the border. These are people arriving en masse by the thousands, sometimes called a c
Remembering Boris Nemtsov (Executive Session)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-3-4

on Sunday, February 24, thousands of people marched in Moscow and in cities across Russia to remember Boris Nemtsov, a Russian statesman and friend of freedom who was gunned down in sight of the Kremlin walls 4 years ago. prgtoken These people were honoring a Russian patriot who stood for a better future--a man who, after leaving the pinnacle of government, chose a courageous path of service to his country and his fellow Russians. Boris Nemtsov was a man who walked the walk. When others were silent out of fear or complicity, he stood up for a future in which the Russian people need not risk jail or worse for simply wanting a say in how their country is run. prgtoken Sadly, since Mr. Nemtsov's assassination, the risks of standing up for what is right have grown in Russia. With every passing month, ordinary citizens there become political prisoners for doing what we take for granted here in the United States--associating with a political cause or worshipping God according to the dictates of one's conscience. prgtoken Last month alone, in a high-profile case, a mother was jailed for the crime of being a political activist in Russia. She was kept from caring for her critically ill daughter until just hours before her daughter died. Jehovah's Witnesses have been sentenced to years behind bars for practicing their faith. Also, a leader of a small anti-corruption organization was beaten to death with metal rods on the outskirts of Moscow. This was all just in February, and it is not even a comprehensive account of the Russian state's using its powers not against real enemies but against its own people--peaceful citizens doing what peaceful citizens do. prgtoken As for the Nemtsov assassination, 4 years later, justice has yet to be served. It appears that President Putin and his cronies have little interest in uncovering and punishing the masterminds behind Russia's highest profile killing in recent memory. While a few perpetrators who had been linked to the Kremlin-appointed leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, were convicted and sent to prison, Mr. Nemtsov's family, friends, and legal team believe the organizers of his murder remain unidentified and at large. prgtoken I understand that Russia's top investigative official has prevented his subordinates from indicting a close Kadyrov associate, Major Ruslan Geremeyev, as an organizer in the assassination, and the information linking Geremeyev to Mr. Nemtsov's murder was credible enough for a NATO ally to place Geremeyev on its sanctions list. Yet there has still been no indictment. Russian security services continue to forbid the release of footage from cameras at the site of the assassination. Russian legal authorities refuse to classify the assassination of a prominent opposition leader and former First Deputy Prime Minister as a political crime. Despite all of this, they have declared the case solved. prgtoken Given this pattern of deliberate inac
RECOGNIZING HOG TECHNOLOGIES
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-3-4

as chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the value of hard work and the storied American entrepreneurial spirit. It is my privilege to honor a Florida small business that exemplifies what it means to overcome adversity and to succeed as both a company and as a community leader. Today, I recognize Hog Technologies, of Stuart, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Previously known as Waterblasting Technologies until a rebranding effort last year, Hog Technologies has grown significantly since its founding in 1988. Founder and chief executive officer, James P. Crocker, bought a single pressure washer from a friend and began knocking on doors to find work. Since then, Hog Technologies has been a one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial success story that has revolutionized an entire industry. prgtoken After discovering the niche industry of paint removal, James took a leap of faith and bought a 10,000-psi water-blasting machine. Soon, Hog Technologies was being awarded major contracts for their services. After years of success in this field, Hog Technologies expanded to create fully functioning models of a makeshift water-blasting vehicle. In 1997, the Original Stripe Hog was developed, effectively changing the landscape of the hydroblasting industry. prgtoken Today, Hog Technologies holds more than 20 patents, has products operating in 56 countries worldwide, and is a world leader in marking removal and pavement maintenance. Through strong investments in research and development, Hog has a diverse line of products, ranging from rubber and paint removal, to pavement marking equipment and machines, to industrial vacuums and hydro-excavators. In 2012, the team at Hog Technologies calculated that, over a period of 13 years, they have placed more units worldwide than their five largest competitors combined. With international success, they continue to expand by looking to hire 130 new employees over the next 3 years. Hog Technologies is an incredible American industrial success story. Having remained local, Hog Technologies constructs their machines in the United States and continues to support Florida's economy. prgtoken In addition to supporting the local Stuart community, Hog Technologies has financed a large portion of the construction of a home for underprivileged children in India. In 2017, James was awarded the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. Mr. Crocker has also recently followed his creative passion and began authoring children's books that aim to teach children leadership skills. Hog Technologies and their employees are very involved in their community and pride themselves on charitable endeavors. Annually, they participate in the Toys for Tots holiday gift drive and in local parades where they drive their machines through the streets of Stuart. prgtoken Hog Technol