mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING BRUCE PLATZMAN
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Bruce Platzman, a passionate entrepreneur and community leader who, as CEO and President of the furniture manufacturing company Affordable Interior Systems (AIS), has improved lives both locally and nationally over the last three decades. prgtoken Beginning his career as a salesperson, Bruce has been a worker in the furniture industry for over 35 years. In 1989 Bruce co-founded AIS and has been the driving engine for its rapid growth, ushering the company into the 21st century as a strong leader in the industry. Under his leadership, AIS has prioritized working with local groups, such as prgtoken Veterans agencies, on a regular basis. From customer service to product development, Bruce has never wavered in his commitment to making AIS a company that serves and centers people. prgtoken Bruce's passion for giving back isn't limited to his work with AIS. He serves on the board of directors at Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Mass Econ, and the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and is also a board member of the North Central MA Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. prgtoken Madam , Bruce's commitment and love for our community doesn't stop there. At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bruce led the AIS launch of Sew the Masks, a nationwide initiative to make and distribute high-quality facemasks. The program amassed almost 1,000 volunteers from 45 states and resulted in the donation of over 600,000 facemasks to first responders, frontline workers, and people in need. prgtoken The impact of Bruce's leadership cannot be understated. He has shown, time and time again, remarkable initiative and commitment to both Central Massachusetts and this country. Although Bruce is stepping back from his duties as CEO and President, I know he will continue to put forth his unwavering commitment to supporting and nurturing the communities he loves for years to come. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the United States Congress and all the people in whose lives Bruce has made a difference, it is my great honor to thank Bruce Platzman for his service to the people of Massachusetts and to congratulate him on his retirement.
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN PATSY MINK OF HAWAII ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX
Ed Case (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I rise today to join so many others in honoring the life and legacy of U.S. Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink and the 50th Anniversary of her signature stamp on our nation, Title IX. prgtoken Born in Paia, Hawaii, Congresswoman Mink was a true pioneer in so many areas: the first female elected class president at Maui High School, the first Japanese-American woman admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1953, and the first woman of color ever elected to this body. prgtoken She experienced many firsts throughout her life but spent her career ensuring that she would not be the last. She is best remembered as the principal author of Title IX, where she fought successfully to end the gender discrimination in academics and athletics in federally funded education that she and so many others had endured. prgtoken A half century later, we see the results of her labor with nearly three million young women participating in high school sports across the country and 1.1 million female college graduates every year. For this, we owe her an immense amount of gratitude. prgtoken But it would be a true mistake to remember her only for this one singular accomplishment, for over her long and productive career she fought endlessly on so many fronts to end poverty, discrimination and injustice, advance the inherent right of all peoples and realize a more perfect union. And, as a true keiki o ka aina, child of the land, she always stayed true to her roots and her Hawaii home. prgtoken Mahalo nui loa, or thank you very much, on behalf of a grateful Nation and home.
BRING HOME ILLEGAL DETAINEES IN RUSSIA
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , for 126 days now, Brittney Griner has been wrongfully detained by Russia. prgtoken Every single day that goes by is a lifetime for her wife, Cherelle, her family, friends, and teammates on the Phoenix Mercury. prgtoken As mayor of Phoenix, I was so lucky to watch her develop and grow as a professional athlete and also as a respected leader in the Phoenix community. One of the best basketball players of our generation, she has won gold medals representing the United States twice at the Olympic Games. Like many WNBA players, she needed to supplement her income by playing professional basketball in Russia, and she was proud to do so. prgtoken But, now, Brittney finds herself a prisoner of the Russian Government. Her legal hearings continue to be delayed without good reason. It is unacceptable. prgtoken It is time for the House to speak with one unified voice and call for Brittney's safe return and to show support for every American wrongfully detained in Russia.
LGBTQI+ DATA INCLUSION ACT
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I thank the chairwoman for yielding. prgtoken I rise in strong support of the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. I will say it is troubling for me to hear of the ongoing effort by our colleagues to cancel the LGBT community. prgtoken Efforts are underway to be sure that you are not allowed to speak about members of the LGBTQ community, the ``Don't Say Gay'' laws that are percolating in State legislatures and that have been passed in some; efforts underway to ban books that include depictions of members of our community; and now, today, an effort to oppose collection of data so you can pretend we don't exist. prgtoken We are not going to tolerate that because LGBTQ+ members have existed in this country for a very long time, and for far too long, Federal surveys have failed to collect critical data on our community. prgtoken But we know even with the limited data that we have that the LGBTQ community is facing many, many great challenges. LGBTQI+ people face higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and housing insecurity and have worse physical and mental health outcomes than their peers. That is a fact. prgtoken These adverse experiences are not just a consequence of who they are, but they are a consequence of the way the LGBTQI+ community is treated in our country and in society. prgtoken They are disparities that are a result of a society where discrimination, rejection, harassment, even bullying of LGBTQI+ people is still common. They are the result not of our identities, but of how society treats members of our community. prgtoken Unfortunately, we are in particularly perilous times for our community because in the last year alone, State legislatures have enacted more than two dozen anti-LGBTQI+ laws. Is it any surprise that our community still has so many obstacles to overcome? prgtoken While we know of some of these obstacles, we lack clear, comprehensive Federal data on our community and our experiences. The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act will change that. prgtoken Good policy comes from good data. If we are going to better serve the LGBTQI+ community, we need to be represented in Federal studies and surveys so that we can better tailor policy solutions and address the most pressing issues facing LGBTQI+ Americans. prgtoken As States move to codify discrimination into law, it is even more critical than ever that the Federal Government collect this data on our experiences so that we will have better data to be able to develop better tools to tackle the many obstacles that face our community. prgtoken You know, the whole purpose of this is a recognition that particularly for LGBTQ+ youth, which seems to be the real target of this effort to cancel, this cancel culture, that they deserve to be treated with respect and kindness and empathy like every other kid. prgtoken It is imperative that we collect data so that young people can understand that they matter, and that when we think about mental health strains a
Introductory Statement on S. 4482
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-23

I rise to speak in support of the Helping People Experiencing Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Act, which I introduced today. prgtoken Housing is a fundamental social determinant of health, and unhoused individuals are often the victims of stark health disparities. Of the more than 580,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States, an estimated 20 percent have a substance use and/or a mental health disorder. Mental health concerns, including substance use disorders, can cause and exacerbate homelessness. prgtoken A lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of homelessness, and we are working to address this issue. Another piece of the puzzle is to ensure housing and social service providers have the resources to work together to ensure access to supportive services. prgtoken That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to provide essential funding and tools for frontline organizations to coordinate health and homelessness services. prgtoken If enacted, it will create a Federal interagency working group to advise grantees on best practices. The grants will invest in programs to build the capacity necessary to combat the United States' dual homelessness and mental health crises. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Madeleine Dean for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to addressing challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID- 19 pandemic.
COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL FEDERAL PELL GRANT DAY
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Pell Grant Program. prgtoken All Americans, regardless of their income, should have the right to access quality education, which is invaluable for accessing good jobs, financial stability, and economic mobility. Throughout my career, I have strongly supported the Pell Grant Program, which provides direct financial assistance to low-income students to ensure they have the same access to higher education and opportunities for success as their higher-income peers. prgtoken Since its creation, more than 80 million students have received a Pell Grant. Today, nearly 7 million students are going to college with Pell Grants, including over 17,000 students in my district who are receiving $71 million to pursue their higher education goals. prgtoken As a recipient of financial aid who couldn't have attended college without help, I understand the need for the federal government to ensure students have access to higher education. I believe that a college education-- prgtoken whether from a vocational school, a community college, or a four-year college--should open doors for students, not weigh them down with insurmountable debt. prgtoken When the program was created 50 years ago with bipartisan support, it could cover more than 75 percent of the cost of earning a four-year degree at a public university. But today, it doesn't even cover 30 percent of the cost. That's why I've fought throughout my career to increase Pell Grant funding in order to help current and future students with the rising costs of higher education. prgtoken Our investment in the Pell Grant is an investment in our children's and our nation's future. As we mark 50 years of the Pell Grant program and recognize the success of graduates who have benefitted from it, I look forward to continuing my support for the program to ensure future students have access to invaluable opportunities without being saddled with burdensome loan debt. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan resolution declaring June 23, 2022, as National Pell Grant Day, as well as to work towards protecting the right for all Americans to pursue a higher education should they choose, regardless of their financial status.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PELL GRANT PROGRAM
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-6-23

today marks the 50th anniversary of the Pell Grant Program, a program that has been the bedrock of our Nation's investment in higher education. prgtoken This bipartisan program has provided direct financial aid to low- income students since 1972, and there currently are 7 million students receiving a Pell grant. In my home State of Illinois, more than 208,000 Pell grants totaling nearly $860 million were awarded in the 2020-2021 academic year. These Federal dollars help provide students and families access to higher education, well-paying jobs, and economic mobility. prgtoken But Pell grants have failed to keep up with the times. When it was created, the Pell grant covered more than 75 percent of the average cost of attendance at a 4-year public college. Today, Pell grants cover less than 30 percent of these expenses. This means that students are forced to take on student loans, exacerbating the student loan debt crisis. Fourty-five million Americans owe $1.7 trillion in student loan debt, which is second only to mortgages as the largest category of consumer debt. prgtoken Doubling the Pell grant would be an investment in our Nation's future and would help ensure students can access higher education. At the same time, the for-profit college industry--an industry with a track record of preying on low-income students--must continue to be held accountable so students and taxpayers are not being ripped off. The for-profit college industry enrolls only 8 percent of all postsecondary students in America, but accounts for 30 percent of all Federal student loan defaults. Too often, students and taxpayers are left holding the bag. prgtoken As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pell grants, I urge my colleagues to support low-income students by increasing these grants to cover a greater amount of college expenses and ensuring the most vulnerable students are protected from fraudulent for-profit colleges.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2022-6-23

like many of my constituents in New Mexico, I am a gun owner. I have a sincerely held respect of law- abiding gun ownership. prgtoken Many of my own most cherished memories involve the responsible use of a firearm to feed my family and to forge memories with my sons and my closest friends. But those same sons grew up doing active shooter drills in their classrooms, something that would have been absolutely unimaginable when I was their age. And just this spring, my son's high school was on lockdown when I arrived, due to a nearby shooting that actually involved students from that high school. That type of experience has become all too common in our country. prgtoken The gun violence our communities are experiencing is appalling, and it is unacceptable. It is evident from the unthinkable mass shootings that we have witnessed in Uvalde and Buffalo and Tulsa and Vestavia Hills and El Paso. And it is evident in the mounting number of gun homicide and gun suicides that have taken tens of thousands of lives each year. prgtoken My home State of New Mexico continues to struggle with one of the highest rates of gun deaths in the country; and in recent years, far too many New Mexicans have lost friends and family members to this epidemic of violence. prgtoken I personally refuse to accept the idea that we are so divided in this country that we can't do something to make this situation better. That is why I join my good friend Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut and a number of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to try and chart a meaningful path forward. Over these past weeks, we have engaged in challenging but productive conversations. We found areas of agreement on real solutions that we can and we will pass here in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Our bipartisan negotiations and the legislation that they have produced prove that we can work together in this body. And they show that when we set aside the vicious politics that have held us back for too long on this particular issue, we can actually create policies that save lives. prgtoken The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes Federal resources to help States and Tribes implement crisis intervention programs. prgtoken New Mexico passed a law to establish one of these programs just last year. The goal was to ensure that deadly weapons were kept out of the hands of those that a court, with due process, determined to be a significant danger to themselves or others. But as of last month, New Mexico had only used our law nine times, primarily due to a lack of funding and resources and training. prgtoken Just last month, on Mother's Day, New Mexico tragically lost two teens, shot and killed by a man who very likely could have had his firearm removed using New Mexico's crisis intervention law. prgtoken The alleged suspect had been issued a temporary restraining order at the request of his former girlfriend and the mother of one of the victims. The restraini
JOSEPH WOODROW HATCHETT UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE AND FEDERAL BUILDING-- Continued
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-6-23

first of all, while Senator Blunt and Senator Stabenow are still on the floor, I want to thank both of them for their extraordinary leadership on this mental health issue. prgtoken I am so pleased that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes robust provisions to deal with community mental health. prgtoken I have worked with Senator Stabenow on the Senate Finance Committee. I know her passion on this issue. We have put together bipartisan working groups that are dealing with a lot of different issues in regards to mental health. A lot of that has to do with pediatric mental health, which is very much engaged in the bill that we have before us today. And a lot of those provisions have been incorporated into the legislation before us. prgtoken But what you have done on these certified behavioral health centers to be able to have the pilot programs and now to be able to expand them to more communities, to have a 24/7 facility that is available that is included in this legislation, that is going to make a real difference in people's lives. prgtoken So I just really want to thank both of you for your tremendous contributions on this issue. Senator Stabenow, I want you to know, through the Chair, I agree with you in regards to Senator Blunt. We are going to miss his personal presence here on the U.S. Senate floor, but we know that we will be able to continue on having his friendship and counsel on so many issues that have affected us. prgtoken And if my friend from Kentucky would allow me just a few more minutes, I would like to make a couple comments about the underlying bill. I know that he is scheduled to speak.
Introductory Statement on S. 4478
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-6-23

today I am introducing the Historic Lighthouse Resiliency Act with Senator King. This legislation would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to partner with State, local, and nonprofit organizations, which own and operate historic light stations, to improve lighthouse resiliency and ensure continued public access to these valuable landmarks. prgtoken Our Nation's historic lighthouses are important parts of communities across the country and our maritime history. They serve as beacons of history, education, recreation, and often are associated with the unique character and identity of a community. Yet these historic structures are facing increased risk for catastrophic damage due to sea level rise, flooding, and aging infrastructure. prgtoken Indeed, in my State of Rhode Island, these historic lighthouses are interwoven in the fabric of our communities and our State's history. Rhode Island was home to perhaps the most famous lighthouse keeper in history, Ida Lewis. During her tenure as the Keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse, Ida Lewis rescued at least 18 people and earned the title of ``Bravest Woman in America.'' Beavertail, Watch Hill, and Castle Hill Lighthouses, just to name a few of the 21 lighthouses remaining in my State, are iconic structures dotting the Rhode Island shoreline. prgtoken These historic landmarks must be protected and preserved for future generations. This bill would allow the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct projects that restore damaged lighthouses and increase their future resiliency to the adverse effects of climate change, including sea level rise and severe weather events. To conduct repairs and other improvements, the Army Corps would partner with public or nonprofit entities that have acquired light stations through conveyance under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Additionally, it would require the Army Corps to conduct an assessment and maintain a database of all lighthouses nationwide. prgtoken Congress has already recognized the importance of preserving these structures and ensuring public access in the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. However, these historic light stations must not only have the appropriate caretakers but must also have the appropriate funding to invest in infrastructure needs. Federal investment in lighthouse resiliency requirements will ensure they are maintained and accessible for future generations. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense legislation.
SOCIAL SECURITY--A SACRED TRUST
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-6-23

this global pandemic has impacted every nation in the world. But here in America, as we have seen, with just over a million people who have passed, 750,000 of them are over the age of 65. prgtoken Those seniors are also the people hurt hardest by inflation, as are all the individuals who are on a fixed income. have a plan. We have a plan to address all of Americans' rising expenses that they are experiencing. We have a plan to address them today, tomorrow, and into the future. It is called Social Security. prgtoken Social Security is the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the number one antipoverty prgtoken program for children. And yet, Congress has not taken any action to expand benefits in more than 50 years. have a plan to expand benefits today, tomorrow, and forever. prgtoken The s have a plan also. Their plan is to end Social Security in 5 years. It is time for us to have this debate in front of the American public, not behind closed doors and let people know where their Member stands. prgtoken , I refer you to this poster behind me. This poster demonstrates that have a plan to increase Social Security benefits. s have a plan to cut benefits 20 percent across the aboard. prgtoken have a plan that will ensure that Americans are able to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. The last time Congress did anything with Social Security, a gallon of milk was 71 cents. We all know what the cost of living is today, but inaction is inexcusable. prgtoken The s call for 20 separate benefit cuts to Social Security, and most importantly, say we are going to get there by raising the age. For every year you raise the age, that is a 7 percent cut in people's benefits. The idea that people would say, Well, people are living longer so we have to raise their age--imagine that. So you are living longer; the s want you to live on less or work until you die. prgtoken The time of reckoning is upon us. President has called Social Security a sacred trust. As you heard Mr. Ruiz say before, the concept of making sure that WEP and GPO is repealed so that teachers and firefighters and policemen can get the benefits they deserve, and also to make sure that nobody who works all their life and pays into a system. These are not entitlements, as they say in their book and in their study plan. These are the benefits that people have paid for out of their pockets; working people, of all races, colors, and creed in this Nation who deserve that sacred trust, that promise that the American people know is theirs in the sacred trust that Social Security represents. prgtoken The s have a plan to end Social Security in 5 years. How about you join us and expand Social Security benefits for people who need them in the midst of this pandemic, in the face of what is happening to our seniors. prgtoken The time to act is