mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING LAURENCE M. BLOCH
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today to remember an important mentor, advisor and my quasi-brother/father, Laurence M. Bloch, whom the world knew as ``Larry.'' Larry, a Memphis native and longtime real estate investor and contributor to humanitarian causes, passed away on February 23 in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 87. A font of sage advice, Larry was constantly there for me and for many others who loved him for the caring individual he was. After graduating from Christian Brothers High School in 1949, Larry went to the University of Michigan, and led a group of Wolverines fans traveling by train with the team to the 1951 Rose Bowl where Michigan beat the California Golden Bears 14 to 6. Larry graduated with a degree in economics in 1953 then served two years in the U.S. Army before returning to Memphis where he was involved in the millinery business before settling into the real estate investment business. He remained an avid Michigan fan his whole life and used to tape every game. Known for his disheveled salt-and-pepper hair and socks- less and tie-less style, and for riding his bicycle like Albert Einstein, he also drove around town in a Lincoln Continental with coach doors. He celebrated healthy eating habits as a prophet of whole grains and fiber. An investor with a keen eye for good deals in Memphis' downtown, he had the good sense and good fortune to own the property kitty-corner from The Peabody on Union Avenue that was torn down to create AutoZone Park. A patron of the arts, he also supported the Memphis Crisis Center, Meals on Wheels and the Church Health Center among his charitable causes. As a cat lover, another of his charitable causes was The House of Mews, where he was for a while the top cat. A charming story teller, he provided useful advice and helped many people solve their problems. Larry liked: long walks, telling stories, giving advice, peanuts, cashmere sweaters, everything else cashmere, trains, maize and blue signs, a studied careless appearance, salads and, more than anything, Cheryl and his grandsons. Larry didn't like: being photographed, zoos, recognition, Ohio State or work hours extending two hours either side of lunch. I was fortunate to have had him as a good friend and will miss him greatly. Much of what I am and have been is because of Larry Bloch. I thank Larry. I want to extend my condolences to his daughter Cheryl, to his grandsons Nick and Alex, to his sister Joyce whom he loved, and her family, and to his multitude of adoring friends. Larry Bloch led an exemplary life.
QUADRENNIAL HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEW TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT OF 2019
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-5-14

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken The Department of Homeland Security's mission is complex and diverse. Not only is DHS charged with preventing terrorism, but it is the lead Federal agency for emergency management, cybersecurity, and border, maritime, and transportation security. prgtoken Given the breadth of DHS' responsibilities, it is essential that its limited resources be aligned with its missions to meet the ever- challenging threat landscape. As such, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, or QHSR, which DHS is mandated to carry out every 4 years, is critical to ensuring that the Department is positioned to effectively carry out its multifaceted mission. prgtoken To date, DHS has issued two such reviews, as we have heard. Unfortunately, the Department's third is 16 months overdue. This legislation seeks to make refinements to the law to address weaknesses identified by the Government Accountability Office in the prior two reviews. prgtoken GAO, for example, emphasized that documentation of the review process is essential to ensuring the repeatability of the review process. Accordingly, H.R. 1892 requires that DHS retain and, when requested, provide to Congress certain documentation related to the QHSR. prgtoken H.R. 1892 also seeks to ensure more robust consultation with Homeland Security stakeholders, including State and local governments and academic institutions. H.R. 1892 ensures that DHS undertakes and documents a risk analysis to inform its policy positions. prgtoken This House unanimously approved this measure in both the 115th Congress and the 114th Congress; however, the Senate has, indeed, failed to act on the bill on both occasions. prgtoken Enactment of this bill will help chart a thoughtful path on how to align its resources with its mission and make the Nation more secure I urge the passage of H.R. 1892.
IN HONOR OF HELENA SCHWARZ
Brendan F. Boyle (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today with bittersweet sentiment and thanks to my Legislative Director, Helena Schwarz. prgtoken Helena has spent her career focusing on public service. Working in the Maryland Legislature, and eventually here in the U.S. House of Representatives, she has always found ways to support policies and people she believes in. prgtoken Helena joined my office more than four years ago after serving in the office of my colleague, Congressman Sarbanes from Maryland. During her tenure on ``Team Boyle'' she has been a steady hand that provided guidance to the legislative team and substantive policy advice to me. She is thorough, dedicated, and always willing to advocate for policies in which she believes. prgtoken A Michigan native, Helena quickly adapted to the City of Brotherly Love. In her time here, she's worked tirelessly to elevate the voices of blue-collar workers and the shrinking middle class, and to ensure that all Americans have a fair shot at achieving the American Dream. The people we serve in my district have greatly benefited from her service to this institution. prgtoken Helena will still be part of the important policy debates we have ahead of us, as she leaves to lead an advocacy effort focused on America's infrastructure agenda. prgtoken I wish her the best of luck on this venture, and I look forward to seeing her package on the House floor in the future.
VOTE TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2019-5-14

about 6 months ago, this country went through a historic election that shattered records that go back almost 100 years. It was the largest voter turnout for a midterm election since 1914. It elected a new majority in the House of Representatives by over 10 million votes. prgtoken If you drill down below those top lines, what you will see is that the biggest driving issue for American voters, who turned up in record numbers last November, was, in fact, the issue of healthcare. prgtoken If you drill down even further, what you will find is that the cost of prescription drugs was the biggest concern that people had about the security and stability of their healthcare. And why not? prgtoken Recent polling by Kaiser showed that 79 percent of Americans feel that prescription drug prices are unreasonable. Eighty percent believe that pharmaceutical company profits are to blame. One-third of Americans said they haven't taken their medications as prescribed because they have trouble affording it. prgtoken Again, the stories, in terms of the disparity of pricing in the U.S. versus other parts of the civilized, developed world, are just rampant. Obviously, we pay the highest prices here in this country, and the next highest country, Switzerland, pays 25 percent less than U.S. patients do for comparable medications. prgtoken This week, the new majority in the House of Representatives is going to be taking up H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, which we will be voting on either Thursday or Friday. This bill, which listened to patients all across the country and stakeholders who have been trying to endure these ridiculous costs, will do a number of things. prgtoken Number one, it will end pay-for-delay, which will prohibit brand-drug manufacturers from paying off generic companies that produce a competing generic drug. In other words, they are maintaining their exclusivity by paying off generic manufacturers, which are designed to create a stronger marketplace and lower prices for American patients. prgtoken It also ends the practice of parking by generic drug companies. Again, once you apply to the FDA for a generic drug, you can get 180 days where you exclude anyone else, any other generic manufacturer, from competing with a similar medication. prgtoken The FDA has estimated that these practices cost American patients $3.5 billion in higher drug costs every year. prgtoken We will be voting this week, finally, to stand up to special interests, to listen to what experts and people who are close to this market are telling us about ways of trying to widen the marketplace to create more competition, and to, ultimately, lower the drug costs for American patients that are killing State Medicaid budgets and are also killing employer-based health plans. If you listen to what they are saying, that is where the cost driving is the most acute. prgtoken This past week, in the State of Connectic
GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today in honor and commemoration of the many victims and survivors of gun violence and to commemorate National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Nevada's Third Congressional District. prgtoken On average, 100 Americans are killed by gun violence every day and nearly 13,000 gun homicides occur each year. Americans are 25 times more likely to be killed with guns than people in other high-income countries. prgtoken Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories, and protecting the public's safety in the communities they serve. prgtoken Representatives and law enforcement officers know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe. prgtoken In January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, a teenager who marched in President 's second inaugural parade and was tragically shot and killed just weeks later, should be now celebrating her 22nd birthday. To honor Hadiya--and the 100 Americans whose lives are cut short and the countless survivors who are injured by shootings every day--a national coalition of organizations has designated June 7, 2019, the first Friday in June, as the 5th National Gun Violence Awareness Day. prgtoken The idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya's friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange; they chose this orange for two reasons: hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods and orange symbolizes the value of human life. prgtoken Anyone can join this campaign by pledging to Wear Orange on June 7th, the first Friday in June in 2019, to help raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors. prgtoken We renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our children safe. prgtoken I encourage all citizens to support their local communities' efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives.
REAUTHORIZING BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-5-14

I rise today in strong support of the brave prgtoken men and women who place their lives on the line to protect our communities. They deserve every ounce of support from their government. prgtoken I introduced H.R. 2379 to permanently authorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program at $30 million every year. Our bill will help struggling law enforcement agencies maintain the necessary lifesaving bulletproof vests for each of their officers. prgtoken Making this important grant program permanent is one of the most sensible policies Congress can pursue. According to the Government Accountability Office, more than 3,000 law enforcement lives have been saved by armored vests since 1987. prgtoken But vests are costly, and they wear out. Thankfully, this Federal program has ensured our Nation's police officers are equipped with the latest technology to keep them safe. prgtoken For the last two decades, the program has awarded more than 13,000 jurisdictions a total of $467 million in matching Federal funds to help purchase more than 1.3 million vests. prgtoken , we know that having well-staffed, well-trained, and properly equipped public safety departments is critical to ensuring our communities are safe. The importance of sustained Federal funding on this front cannot be overstated. prgtoken I am proud the House of Representatives is considering this legislation during National Police Week, as was just mentioned. We mourned the loss of 158 law enforcement officers in 2018 who died in the line of duty, three of whom served in New Jersey. At 53, this was the deadliest year for law enforcement officers being shot. prgtoken Ensuring more vests are in the field, which can help reduce the statistics, is our goal. prgtoken , I would like to take a moment to recognize the three officers from New Jersey who died while serving in the line of duty. prgtoken First was my friend from New Jersey, Tamby Yagan of the Paterson Police Department. With 13 years of service in his hometown, Officer Yagan died in an automobile crash while on duty on April 22, 2018. prgtoken Lieutenant Christopher Robateau from Jersey City passed on January 5, 2018, after being struck by a vehicle. prgtoken New Jersey State Police Trooper Robert Emmet Nagle passed on November 26, 2018, because of 9/11-related illness. prgtoken , I grieve for their families, as do you, and their loved ones. I know this House does, too. prgtoken Our Nation's local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers constitute both the first and last lines of protection for the American people. These officers deserve our support, and I am committed to ensuring that they have the resources needed to protect the public's safety. prgtoken Congress has renewed the program five times, most recently in 2016. The current authorization expires next year. prgtoken I especially thank Congressman Peter King from New York, who is always there on the firing line for our police officers. On ever
INTRODUCTION OF THE BANNING SMOKING ON AMTRAK ACT OF 2019
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , today, I introduce the Banning Smoking on Amtrak Act of 2019. My bill would simply codify Amtrak's internal policy prohibiting smoking, including of electronic cigarettes, on its trains. This bill is modeled on a bill I got enacted as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-254) that clarified that the smoking ban on airplanes includes electronic cigarettes. prgtoken Although Amtrak implemented its own internal policy banning smoking on its trains in 1993, that policy could always be repealed, though Amtrak has not indicated it would do so. My bill would make the ban a matter of federal law and put Congress on the record in support of protecting people from secondhand smoke. prgtoken Smoking bans have been a critical tool in protecting people from the effects of secondhand smoke, known to increase the risk for serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases like coronary heart disease, lung cancer and emphysema, among others. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the tobacco epidemic to be one of the biggest public health threats in the world, killing more than seven million people a year. While more than six million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use, around 890,000 non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke are also killed every year. prgtoken Under my bill, smoking would be banned on Amtrak trains in the same manner as airline travel. According to the WHO, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. Even short-term exposure can potentially increase the risk of heart attacks. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
REAUTHORIZING BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2019-5-14

I rise in support of H.R. 2379, which will permanently reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program. prgtoken I want to particularly thank Mr. Pascrell, as well as Mr. King, for taking the lead on this very important legislation. prgtoken In 1997, I co-authored the original legislation to create the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program with the gentleman who originated the idea for this legislation, and who was the original cosponsor, our good friend, former colleague, Representative Frank LoBiondo, from the State of New Jersey; he had been active over the last 22 years in having the act reauthorized, which is why I strongly support this bill to add permanence to it. prgtoken As has been mentioned during the debate, there have been over 13,000 jurisdictions who have been helped. I represent the First Congressional District in Indiana, and in Fiscal Year 2018 the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program provided $80,738 to local law enforcement in Northwest Indiana. This assisted in the purchase of about 200 new vests for officers who are protecting our communities. prgtoken , I stand here to reiterate my strong support for this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support it.
THE BAJRAKTARIS--50 YEARS IN AMERICA--A STORY OF STRUGGLE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TRIUMPH
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise to honor an extraordinary Albanian- American family and my constituents, the Bajraktaris, and their journey of struggles and triumphs. Long before they came to the United States, this family earned its place in history books with acts of great bravery and generosity. The Bajraktaris originally hail from their hometown of Vranoc, located on the outside of Peja, a city in Kosova. Throughout history, they were locally recognized leaders who led more than 40 villages in the struggle for the freedom of Kosova. prgtoken Empires came and went, but the Bajraktaris remained. Their famous family towers and homes were burned down at least five times by various groups such as the Ottomans, the Serbs, the Montenegrins, the Fascists, the Nazis and then by the Communists. Each time they stood up to the invaders, chased them out, and rebuilt their communities. They were proud of their freedom, their Albanian heritage and tradition, and they were proud defenders of their homeland. prgtoken This is the context in which, Harry Bajraktari, a well-known Albanian-American leader, was born and grew up. Throughout his life, Harry was inspired by the stories of struggle for the survival of the Albanian nation and the perseverance of his ancestors. prgtoken In 1969, the life of his family reached a turning point. Facing political oppression by the Yugoslav government and economic hardship, his parents, Mete and Ziza Bajraktari, decided to journey to the United States of America, together with their four children, including Harry, and his siblings, Nurija, Litafete and Hateme. prgtoken They traveled by train to Italy, where they applied for political asylum in the United States. After nine months away from home, their application was approved, and on February 24, 1970, the Bajraktari family arrived in New York. They had no money and spoke no English. Through their new community, they found help from other families and friends who had previously immigrated to the United States. At the beginning, they lived at the home of Musli and Hysen Mulosmani and their family, who hosted them with generosity in The Bronx, NY. prgtoken Over the last 50 years, I can personally attest that the Bajraktari family have achieved the American Dream. They have been hard-working and dedicated, and they have made the most of the opportunities that their new homeland has had to offer. Still, like many immigrants, life was not easy. Mete Bajraktari worked as a maintenance worker during the day and his wife Ziza as a janitor during the night. Through sacrifice and determination, Mete and Ziza strived to give their children a chance for a better life. prgtoken Their sacrifices soon paid off. At the early age of 20, my good friend, Harry Bajraktari, exhibited extraordinary entrepreneurial skills and spirit, when he began to purchase real estate in The Bronx. Alongside his uncle, Rrustem Gecaj, they founded Bajraktari Realty and, in the following decad
BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS ACT OF 2019
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-14

such time as I may consume to say that my good friend, Congressman Courtney from Connecticut, is, unfortunately, unable to join us to speak in support of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act due to an illness. The gentleman from Connecticut has been a steadfast advocate for the blue water Navy veterans and the veterans in his district, and I want to express my gratitude to him for pushing the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the House to right this wrong and ensure veterans receive the benefits they are owed. prgtoken , .
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUDGE DAMON J. KEITH
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , it is with great honor that I rise today to recognize the Honorable Judge Damon J. Keith for his leadership and tremendous contributions to the civil rights movement, and to honor his memory. prgtoken Born on July 4th, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan--a fitting birth date for a man who upheld the rights so cherished by our nation--Damon Keith was the youngest of six children born to Annie and Perry Alexander, a Ford factory worker. Keith was a proud graduate of the Detroit Public School System, graduating with honors from Northwestern High School in 1939. Keith was the first of his family to attend college and from there he went on to serve in the military before graduating from Howard University Law School in 1949. Judge Keith returned to Detroit to begin his legal career, earning an LLM from Wayne State University. prgtoken Damon Keith worked in his own private law practice until 1967 when he was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Judge Keith served as Chief Judge from 1975 to 1977 before he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. prgtoken Judge Keith's career is distinguished by his tireless defense of the U.S. Constitution. He decided several important cases that advanced civil rights in the State of Michigan. His legacy in the civil rights movement includes deciding cases against segregating schools, employment and housing discrimination, and federal wiretapping policies. Key among these cases are a 1970 decision ordering desegregation of Pontiac schools, a 1971 ruling that Nixon and AG Mitchell violated the federal constitution by wiretapping students in Ann Arbor, and lastly a 2002 ruling that deportation hearings held in private are unconstitutional--an opinion in which he famously wrote, ``Democracies die behind closed doors.'' He was also instrumental in upholding the rights of local workers across the state. In 1973, Judge Keith ordered Detroit Edison to pay $4 million to black employees who were victims of job discrimination and ordered the company to create an affirmative action program. He also ordered the union to pay $250,000 for failing to protect their workers from discrimination. His tireless work and fight to advance the quality of life for all people are memories and values we will forever cherish and continue to uphold. prgtoken It is a great privilege to recognize a gentleman who contributed so much of his life to fight for human rights and civil equality for human beings. This is in recognition of a great prgtoken loss to our state and a tribute to Judge Keith's surviving family as we honor his legacy.