mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DESIGNATING THE OUTSTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN NORTH OGDEN, UTAH, AS THE MAJOR BRENT TAYLOR VET CENTER OUTSTATION
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-2-5

on November 3, 2018, this country lost a true American hero: MAJ Brent Taylor of Ogden, UT, who gave the ultimate sacrifice while deployed in Afghanistan. prgtoken As North Ogden's mayor, Major Taylor died as he lived: going above and beyond the call of duty to his country, to his State, and his family. prgtoken Major Taylor, who is pictured here with his family, began his military service in 2003, following the attacks of September 11. He joined the Army National Guard just 3 days after becoming engaged to his wife Jennie. prgtoken During his time in the National Guard, Major Taylor distinguished himself in multiple specialties, including intelligence and military police. In 2006, he received a commission as a second lieutenant from the Brigham Young University ROTC, while graduating as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Major Taylor was continuously ready to take up the call to arms and deployed four times on missions to Iraq and to Afghanistan. He held a variety of roles in those deployments, including platoon leader, combat adviser, and chief of staff to the Special Operations Advisory Group. prgtoken Throughout his distinguished tours of service, he also received several awards for courage and for leadership, including a Bronze Star in honor of his ability to calmly and safely lead those he was assigned to lead through multiple miles of treacherous territory and a Purple Heart for the wounds he received during an explosives attack on his vehicle. prgtoken His love of his country and his State was also very evident, perhaps most evident beyond the circumstance in which he wore the uniform. Major Taylor gave his time and his energy to his community, serving tirelessly as a member of the North Ogden City Council, from 2010 to 2013, and then as the mayor of North Ogden, after being elected to that post in 2013. He was known for being a hands-on leader and someone who was attentive to and constantly beloved by every member of his community. prgtoken After being reelected as the mayor of North Ogden in 2017, Major Taylor took a leave of absence from the mayor's office and headed back to the battlefield, deploying once again to Afghanistan. When he announced his leave of absence to the people of North Ogden, he told them he felt called to serve his country and that ``service is what leadership is all about.'' prgtoken Major Taylor faithfully served his church and his family too. He had a deep love of God and of his church. He was a devoted husband to Jennie and a loving father to their seven children, pictured here: Megan, Lincoln, Alex, Jacob, Ellie, Jonathan, and Caroline. prgtoken Following his tragic passing, in an attack on November 3 of this last year, Major Abdul Rahmani, an Afghani pilot with whom Major Taylor worked, sent a letter to Major Taylor's wife Jennie, describing the great impact Major Taylor had on his life. He said: ``Your husband taught me to love my wif
DESIGNATING THE OUTSTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN NORTH OGDEN, UTAH, AS THE MAJOR BRENT TAYLOR VET CENTER OUTSTATION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-2-5

I am incredibly disappointed that we could not include my amendment today. prgtoken I believe this is an important issue and that it must be clarified. Ultimately, because of the many other critical provisions included in this bill related to foreign policy in the Middle East, I will support this bill today, but I also understand it is unlikely that the House of Representatives will address this bill in its current form. prgtoken I am sending a letter to the House of Representatives explaining my concerns with title IV, and I encourage them to adopt the provisions of my amendment that I attempted to put forward today. prgtoken With that, I would also like to yield some time to my colleague from Michigan.
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2019-2-5

. I am just saying that this is a piece of legislation that has been worked on for quite some time. It is a piece of legislation that basically does an awful lot for an awful lot of people all over this country. prgtoken Every one of us has something in this that is good. Land and water conservation is basically reauthorized permanently. It is something that we worked hard on. prgtoken I appreciate all of the hard work, and thank you so much, . Cloture Motion
COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-2-5

. Madam , this February we recognize and celebrate the 41st commemoration of Black History Month. prgtoken This month we celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the history of our great nation, and pay tribute to trailblazers, pioneers, heroes, and leaders like the 44th President of the United States and First Lady, and Michelle , respectively; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; U.S. Senator Blanche Kelso Bruce; U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland; Astronauts Dr. Guion Stewart Bluford, Jr. and Mae C. Jemison; activists, intellectuals, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs like Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, James Baldwin, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Gwendolyn Brooks, Shonda Rhimes, Ava Duvernay, and Oprah Winfrey, just to name a few of the countless number of well-known and unsung heroes whose contributions have helped our nation become a more perfect union. prgtoken The history of the United States has been marked by the great contributions of African American activist, leaders, writers, and artists. prgtoken As a member of Congress, I know that I stand on the shoulders of giants whose struggles and triumphs made it possible for me to stand here today and continue the fight for equality, justice, and progress for all, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. prgtoken The greatest of these giants to me are Mrs. Ivalita ``Ivy'' Jackson, a vocational nurse, and Mr. Ezra A. Jackson, one of the first African Americans to succed in the comic book publishing business. prgtoken They were my beloved parents and they taught me the value of education, hard work, discipline, perseverance, and caring for others. prgtoken And I am continually inspired by Dr. Elwyn Lee, my husband and the first tenured African American law professor at the University of Houston. prgtoken Madam , I particularly wish to acknowledge the contributions of African American veterans in defending from foreign aggressors and who by their courageous examples helped transform our nation from a segregated society to a nation committed to the neverending challenge of perfecting our union. prgtoken A few years ago about this time, I was honored to join my colleagues, Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran, in paying tribute to surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the 555th Parachute Infantry, the famed ``Triple Nickels'' at a moving ceremony sponsored by the U.S. Army commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. prgtoken The success of the Tuskegee Airmen in escorting bombers during World War II--achieving one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups, and being in constant demand for their services by the allied bomber units--is a record unmatched by any other fighter group. prgtoken So impressive and astounding were the fea
CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION OF DR. ELSIE M. TAVERAS, M.D., M.P.H.
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-5

. Madam , Dr. Elsie M. Taveras, M.D M.P.H. is Chief of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics and Executive Director of the Kraft Center for Community Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, Conrad Taff Professor of Pediatrics in the Field of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School, and Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. prgtoken Dr. Taveras is a board-certified Pediatrician, clinical epidemiologist, and childhood obesity researcher, whose focus of research is understanding determinants of obesity in women and children and developing interventions across to prevent obesity and chronic diseases, especially in underserved populations. prgtoken Dr. Taveras has published over 190 research studies in her career thus far and has been cited by the Institute of Medicine, World Health Organization, White House Task Force Report on Childhood Obesity, and the USDA-HHS Dietary Guidance Development Project for Birth to 24 Months and Pregnancy. prgtoken Dr. Taveras received the Public Health Leadership in Medicine Award from the Massachusetts Association of Public Health for her extensive work improving health and health care in community-based settings. prgtoken Dr. Taveras was named Executive Director of the Kraft Center for Community Health, a national center devoted to improving health outcomes for underserved patients, families and communities developing and implementing culturally-competent interventions related to substance use treatment, cancer care equity, obesity prevention, and community health training.
OATH CEREMONY ON FEBRUARY 8, 2019
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2019-2-5

. Madam , it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate thirty individuals who will take their oaths of citizenship on February 8, 2019. This memorable occasion will be held at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana. prgtoken America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. Oath ceremonies are a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America. prgtoken On February 8, 2019, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Mahmooda Mohammed, Alice Nyambura Ngatia, Nicholas Ngugi Kiraki, Barbara Lucio, Riste Trajanovski, Janette Magallanes, Tehmina Talib, Birute Arnold, Chantal Mutabazi, Ainka Faustina de Coteau, Ian Frederick Griffiths, Huy N. Huynh, Brenda Berenice Avila Rosales, Rodrigo Garcia, Elisabeth Navarro, Ristana Lazaroska, Elva Lucero Madrigal, Audrey Corinne Kaucoud Behinan, Chulida O'Donnell, Jose Efrain Aguilar, Sohaib Aleem, Moshe Michael Abudraham, Pablo Ernesto Bernaschina, Mayra Mercado-Estrada, Mary Teresa Duffy, Norma Lizeth Cruz, Adriana Bell, Faustin Kagesera, Marisol Bosio, and Hugh Gong. prgtoken Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country ``. . . of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peaceful protest should they choose to do so. prgtoken Madam , I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals who will become citizens of the United States of America on February 8, 2019. They, too, are American citizens, guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them.
WEST METRO CHAMBER 2019 VILLAGE AT BELMAR
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-2-5

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Village at Belmar for receiving the 2019 Large Business of the Year Award from the West Metro Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken Village at Belmar is a locally owned and operated community designed to provide an unparalleled lifestyle experience for seniors. Our innovative Village, with more than 300 residents, was conceived and inspired by Phil prgtoken Shapiro, Tom Finley, and Susie Reimer. With more than sixty years of combined senior living development, marketing, management, and ownership experience, the three of them co-founded Ascent Living Communities based in Denver. prgtoken Their philosophy is ``meaningful connections'' which is demonstrated through their dedication to maintaining a presence at the community through engagement with the associates, residents, and their families. Village at Belmar is a thriving community and is always seeking ways to continually improve in order to provide an elevated quality of life for those they serve in the greater Lakewood and Jefferson County area. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Village at Belmar for this well-deserved recognition.
Introductory Statement on S. 340
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-2-5

over the past few years, the national headlines have been dominated by stories about the high cost of pharmaceuticals. We have seen jaw-dropping examples of companies raising the cost of their products overnight, pricing too many families out of the prescription drugs they need to survive. Just last week, House and Senate Committees charged with oversight of the pharmaceutical industry heard heartbreaking testimony from family members of those dependent on insulin who have been forced to ration their treatment because the annual cost of insulin has nearly doubled since 2012. That is appalling, and putting Americans into that kind of situation is unacceptable. prgtoken Lawmakers across the political spectrum, including President , agree that Congress needs to act to rein in these spiraling prescription drug prices. Pharmaceutical companies should be compensated for their important work developing lifesaving treatments. But when companies engage in predatory practices at the expense of consumers, we must act. That is why today I am reintroducing the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, bipartisan legislation to end inappropriate delay tactics that are used by some brand-name drug companies to block competition from more affordable generic drugs. I am glad to be joined by Senators Grassley, Klobuchar, Lee and 24 other Senators of both parties in introducing this bill today. prgtoken The first delay tactic addressed by the CREATES Act involves the withholding of drug samples that generic manufacturers need to gain regulatory approval. Federal law requires generic competitors to prove that their low-cost alternative is equally safe and effective as the brand-name drug with which they wish to compete. Unfortunately, some brand-name companies are preventing generic manufacturers from obtaining the samples they need to make the necessary comparison. This simple delay tactic misuses regulatory safeguards as a weapon to block competition. prgtoken The second delay tactic addressed by the CREATES Act involves the development of shared safety protocols. For some high-risk drugs, Federal law requires a generic drug manufacturer to join the brand-name drug manufacturer in a single, shared safety protocol for distribution of the drug. Despite this requirement, some brand-name companies are refusing to negotiate shared safety protocols with potential generic competitors, again undermining those competitors' ability to gain FDA approval for their generic versions of such drugs. prgtoken The CREATES Act allows the FDA more discretion to approve alternative safety protocols, rather than require parties to develop shared safety protocols. Any safety protocol approved by the FDA must meet the rigorous statutory standards already in place. prgtoken These exclusionary practices thwart competition and deny consumers the benefit of lower drug prices. Recognizing the effect the
STATE OF THE UNION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-5

later this evening, in front of a joint session of Congress, President will report on the state of our Union. As is tradition, the President will that say the state of our Union is strong, but the American people know the truth. Unfortunately, it is not. prgtoken The American people know that the economy is failing the middle class and those struggling to get there. In 's economy, multinational corporations and the already-wealthy were given a tax cut, while American workers were left behind. The Federal Reserve reports that over 40 percent of Americans would have trouble covering an emergency of just $400. Forty percent of working Americans, middle- class Americans, are just one medical bill, one unexpected car accident, one missed paycheck away from financial uncertainty. The state of the economy--failing the middle class. prgtoken The President will say that the state of our Union is strong, but the American people know that the state of the healthcare system is failing American families. After 2 years of relentless sabotage by the administration and congressional s, premiums are higher than they should be, copays are higher than they should be, and for the first time in 8 years, fewer Americans have health insurance than the year before. The state of the healthcare system--failing the middle class. prgtoken The President will say that the state of our Union is strong, but the American people know that the state of the administration is in chaos. No administration has had as much Cabinet turnover as the administration in over a century. Key positions are unfilled or uncovered or covered by individuals in an acting capacity--the Chief of Staff, the Attorney General, the Defense Secretary, the Interior Secretary, the OMB Director, and the EPA Director. Of the 705 top positions in the government, in close to one-fifth, the President hasn't even nominated somebody. The state of the administration-- chaos. prgtoken The President will say that the state of our Union is strong, but the state of the foreign policy is woefully backward. It is inside out. Our allies are alienated and criticized. Our adversaries are emboldened and praised. Dictators and strongmen are given license by this administration, while our NATO allies receive harsh words. American values--free speech, free elections, freedom of the press, humanitarian rights, civil rights--go undefended in the dark corners of the world. The state of the foreign policy--woefully backward. prgtoken The state of the Union is not strong. The state of the economy--failing America's middle class. The state of the healthcare--failing American families. The state of the administration--chaos. The state of the foreign policy--woefully backward, inside out. prgtoken These are not the total extent of our Nation's challenges, but even on these four met
TRIBUTE TO PV. 2 GARY JOHN BORBA, II
TJ Cox (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-5

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Pv. 2 Gary John Borba, II who lost his life too soon at the age of 23. Born in Hanford on July 6, 1995, Gary joined the United States Army on October 20, 2017 and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. prgtoken Gary was a young man full of life, hope and aspirations. He was someone full of character who enjoyed spending time with his family and making people smile. prgtoken Above all Gary was someone who brought joy to the lives of those he surrounded. He prgtoken had a passion for the outdoors, guns, hunting and aspired to become a police officer upon completing his service in the Army. prgtoken Gary tragically lost his life on January 19, 2019 at the Fort Campbell base in Kentucky serving our nation. His dedication to the United States and willingness to serve is something we shall never forget. prgtoken He leaves behind his devoted wife, Araceli Borba, his mother Carol Elliot, father Gary J. Borba, Sr stepfather Corey Elliot, sister Madison Borba, brother Mathew Borba, his half-brothers Branden Borba and Jacob Borba, and half-sister Brigitte Borba. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the service and life of Gary John Borba, II. May he rest in peace and may we always remember the sacrifice he made for our country.
NOMINATION HOLD
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-2-5

today I am placing a hold on the nomination of Elizabeth Darling to be Commissioner on Children, Youth and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services. prgtoken Since Ms. Darling has been renominated by the administration in the 116th Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services gave the State of South Carolina a green light for religious-based discrimination in its State-contracted foster care agencies. Adults who can provide safe, loving, and nurturing homes for foster kids will be denied that opportunity on religious grounds. prgtoken I am also concerned about the slow implementation of the Family First Act, which the Finance Committee passed on a bipartisan basis in the last Congress. A big part of that law has been delayed, and the latest information I have heard regarding my concerns is that there are ``robust conversations'' happening behind the scenes. I expect that to improve going forward. prgtoken For these reasons, I will object to any unanimous consent request concerning the nomination of Ms. Darling at this time.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK AND VANESSA IAQUINTA
Linda T. Sánchez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-5

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate National School Counseling Week, and to honor a treasured member of my community and school counselor at Norwalk High School, Vanessa Iaquinta. Ms. Iaquinta has dedicated over 20 years to empowering students and serving as a role model, mentor, and advocate to students and their families in our community. She always goes above and beyond what is expected of her to serve the students at Norwalk High School. prgtoken In addition to her role as a counselor, she has taken on many leadership roles. Ms. Iaquinta leads the AVID program, which serves over 200 students and has been immensely successful under her guidance, achieving an inspiring 100 percent college acceptance rate. She also serves as the counselor for the Project Lead the Way, which offers students interested in the medical field the opportunity to take classes and field trips to help them achieve their college and career dreams. prgtoken Ms. Iaquinta developed class presentations to help students create four-year plans, discuss graduation and college requirements, and provide other resources to support students in planning for post- secondary school. She also organized the other counselors to provide evening appointments for parents who otherwise would not be able to meet with counselors to discuss their child's academic performance and progress. Ms. Iaquinta truly cares about students and wants them to succeed. She has contributed to Norwalk in many ways, and works hard to bring new ideas and programs to the school that will benefit the students. prgtoken Norwalk High School is a special place because of dedicated professionals like Ms. Iaquinta, and I couldn't be more proud to honor her today. If more people were like Ms. Iaquinta, the world would be a much nicer place. In honor of National School Counseling Week, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking all the school counselors who are making a positive impact in the lives of our students.