mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
UNITE AMERICA
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I appreciate my colleague from Arizona (Mr. Biggs) for leading this tonight and for what he has been standing up for. prgtoken I just have to say that I am really grieved by the strife we have in this country, especially trying to exit out of this Wuhan virus situation and the horrific things we saw happening in Minneapolis. That was the moment when we saw George Floyd being abused and ultimately killed by that. prgtoken There was unity among 99.9 percent of the population of the people in this country saying that is wrong. We had a moment to learn from that, to build upon that. prgtoken Indeed, it seemed to be a short moment. Peaceful protests immediately followed. We agree with those. And then that has been co-opted by these forces coming out of the ground that have been looking for an opportunity to divide us, divide our Nation, whether it is antifa or other groups that are forming and now seeking political power with this. It is now beyond racism. It is something completely different. prgtoken The violence that we are seeing, the mayhem, the destruction, the vandalism has nothing to do with the good conversation we should have been having in that spirit of unity that I think most Americans felt in that window of time right after the George Floyd killing. prgtoken How are we going to come out of this? How are we going to have a good conversation about how we can improve things with law enforcement but not impugn law enforcement for what they are doing? They are out there every day trying to find the balance between how to defend the public, how to defend their own life when they knock on a door or walk up to a car--they don't know what is going on inside there--and also being a good ambassador for somebody who they just need to talk to. prgtoken How are we going to find this balance again amidst all of this mayhem, amidst all of this violence? Well, certainly, the signal needs to be sent that we are not going to tolerate the violence, the mayhem, the destruction, the vandalism. Severe penalties need to be coming down upon those who we already have on camera or other ways to identify in anything going forward. prgtoken I just came from Lincoln Park about 10 blocks east of here, and they have to put fencing and have guards out there for the statue of Abraham Lincoln, who is shown there putting a hand up for a slave depicted in that statue, an emancipated slave. He is still wearing the chains. He is looking up at Mr. Lincoln, who is lifting him and going to take him to a better place. prgtoken Yet, that is being misinterpreted in 2020 as something that is hateful. That same statue was paid for by emancipated slaves back then who were inspired by what Mr. Lincoln had done. prgtoken They even have a fence around Mary McLeod Bethune right next-door because they are afraid that might get vandalized because there is indiscriminate vandalism happening to any statue, to any memorial, to any monument just because
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PTSD AWARENESS MONTH
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-6-26

I rise today to recognize June as National PTSD Awareness Month, and this Saturday, June 27, as PTSD Awareness Day. prgtoken We need to do more to defy the stigmas surrounding mental health. PTSD treatment is a crucial tool that helps many individuals, particularly our Nation's veterans, process, cope, and treat emotional and mental trauma. prgtoken Sadly, many of the men and women who have served in the United States military return home with injuries and scars, but sometimes, it is the invisible scars that hurt the most. Many struggle privately with PTSD and feel there is no outlet. prgtoken PTSD Awareness Month is not only an opportunity to raise awareness about this, but it is also an opportunity to raise awareness about treatment options. prgtoken The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of resources to help those suffering from PTSD. Those seeking treatment should know that telemedicine may be an option as well, ensuring our veterans receive timely healthcare no matter where they live. prgtoken , I thank our Nation's veterans for their service, and I encourage those who are struggling with PTSD to pursue treatment.
HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. JACK ALEXANDER THOMPSON OF MONTGOMERY, AL
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Jack Alexander Thompson from Montgomery, Alabama. Jack Thompson passed away on Sunday after a full life of eighty-eight years. He was an upstanding citizen of our state and a respected member of the Montgomery community. prgtoken Jack Thompson was an Alabamian through and through, as he was born in Colbert County in 1932 and remained in the state his entire life. After graduating from Colbert County High School, Jack Thompson married his sweetheart, Ruth Hester, at the age of twenty. Jack and Ruth were married for sixty-seven years and raised four wonderful children, which led to the additional joy of having grandchildren prgtoken and great-grandchildren. As a student, Jack dedicated his studies to agriculture, which is evident that it played a big role in his life for as long as he lived. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture from Auburn University and his master's in animal science from the University of Tennessee. If it was not clear before these degrees, it was clear afterwards--Jack was going to make a difference in agriculture and better the lives of many people along the way. prgtoken For the following thirty-one years Jack worked for the Auburn University Extension Service, where he engaged with 4-H students, Cattlemen, and Agronomy farmers in Montgomery, Elmore, and Limestone counties. After retiring, Jack went on to own a farm in Athens, Alabama and served as the Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture before assuming the role of Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries for four years. Jack also combined his two passions, agriculture and Auburn University, and lobbied for financing to construct the Ag and Industries Thompson Bishop Sparks Diagnostic Lab on Auburn's campus. This was quite the undertaking, but Jack got it done, and he went on to do much more. prgtoken As a volunteer, Jack Thompson's list of service roles is incredible. He was president of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce; Campaign Chairman of the United Way; president of the Limestone County Cattlemen's Association, a lifetime Director of the State Cattlemen's Association; a lifetime member of the Athens Industrial Development Association; and was a board member at the Salvation Army. Jack also worked with 4-H kids in coordinating with state, district, and local steer shows and managed livestock for what is now the Alabama National Fair. prgtoken Jack Thompson is now survived by his four children; David Thompson, Keith Thompson, Susan Woodham, and Janice Thompson. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Ann Thomas, and his eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. prgtoken It is with a heavy heart for the family of Mr. Jack Thompson and the community of Montgomery, Alabama that I recognize the life of Mr. Jack Thompson. His legacy will live on well into the future.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SMSGT JEAN J. HAMILTON
Adam Kinzinger (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the life and service of Senior Master Sergeant Jean J. ``JJ'' Hamilton who passed away on May 10, 2020. Jean enlisted into the Air Force in 1960 and remained for twenty-eight years, dedicating his career to serving our country. prgtoken While in the Air Force, Jean was a flight attendant with the Presidential Fleet, serving five Presidents, many dignitaries, and Heads of State. As a Noncommissioned Officer in charge of the VC-137 and VC-135 Flight Attendants of the Presidential support program and as a Flight Examiner, Jean was responsible for over 100 Flight Attendants operating both Air Force One and Air Force Two. Additionally, Jean served in the U.S. State Department as Special Assistant to Secretary James A. Baker in the George H.W. Administration. prgtoken Throughout his service, Jean attended the NCO Leadership School, NCO Academy, and the Senior NCO Academy to further his military career. Due to his hard work, leadership, and dedication, Jean received numerous awards while in the Air Force. Jean was honorably discharged on August 1, 1988. prgtoken Aside from his military service, Jean was a true family man who dearly loved his wife Mea, children Orlando and Yvonne, and all of his family and friends. He also loved to serve others and was a faithful member to Pastor John A. Cherry, at From the Heart Ministries. Jean served as a chef for the Christian school and was on the Ministry of Helps Committee. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the 16th District of Illinois, I want to express my condolences, but encourage family, friends, and the community to celebrate the life of Jean Hamilton and his service to this great nation.
UNITE AMERICA
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs) for yielding me the time. prgtoken Lawlessness has broken out across our Nation. It is absolutely outrageous, and it has to be stopped. Mobs are taking over parts of the city of Seattle. They took over a police precinct. prgtoken Just last Saturday, people were shot, and one man was killed. Criminals are looting stores and businesses all over the Nation, including in Arizona in the upscale Scottsdale Fashion Square. Protestors are throwing bricks at police officers. They are throwing water bottles at police officers. And I have seen them shine flashlights right up close into the police officers' eyes and call them all kinds of names. Rioters are burning the flag, the American flag. And the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial have been defaced. prgtoken Madam , a few days ago, St. Serra, the patron saint of peace, was torn down in San Francisco. prgtoken Francis Scott Key's statue was torn down. prgtoken The statue of Ulysses Grant, who was the general for the Union was torn down by thugs in San Francisco. prgtoken And then we saw the other night how they were trying so hard, these criminals, to tear down the statue in Lafayette Park. And they almost had it torn down, if it wasn't for the administration sending in the National Guard to stop. prgtoken And do you know what they wrote and spray-painted on that statue, that Federal statue? ``Killer scum.'' prgtoken Does any of this show tribute to George Floyd? No. prgtoken Does any of this help? Absolutely not. prgtoken Now, I was really surprised to see that one of our colleagues, Congresswoman Norton, who is a nonvoting Member but represents Washington, D.C has introduced legislation to have a statue of Abraham Lincoln taken down, a statue that was funded by the freed slaves. prgtoken What has our country come to? We need to return to a semblance of civility in our country. And so that is why I call on -run cities to clamp down on these criminals. No more autonomous zones. No more looting. No more destructing statues. Let's bring back law and order. prgtoken That is why I stand with President and his calls to arrest and prosecute criminals. Let's stop the lawlessness. Let's try to heal our country.
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Andy Harris (Republican, MD) \u2014 2020-6-26

I hope America is watching what is going on on the floor today, and they are paying careful attention to this debate. prgtoken We hear speaker after speaker from the other side of the aisle say things like, ``It has been done before.'' The majority leader: ``Clear precedent.'' prgtoken Yeah, there is clear precedent. We know the person who was in the Chair just before comes from the State that actually was the clear precedent: In prgtoken 1847, when retrocession occurred. You know, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say this isn't politics. This is about getting voting rights. This is about things like this. I would suggest that perhaps the people watching go to Wikipedia and see what the history is about the support for retrocession back to Maryland. prgtoken , because, you see, this is not Congress's land. This is Maryland's land. Maryland gave it to the United States for the sole purpose of a permanent, Federal enclave. The nerve of hundreds of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle thinking it is their land. It is Maryland's land. And if you want voting rights, it is simple: Do exactly what occurred in 1847 and give the land back to Maryland. prgtoken But, whoa, wait a minute. That is not what this debate is about, because retrocession has been proposed many times with no supporters. In fact, the majority leader was in Congress when these bills were proposed. If what he really wants is voting rights, he should have cosponsored the bill. prgtoken , you know that if retrocession occurs, every single resident--except those ones in the White House--because of the amendment to the Constitution they actually get three electoral votes under this proposed legislation, every single one of those residents would have representation in Congress. And, yes, Eleanor Holmes Norton could sit in Congress representing people from the State of Maryland. prgtoken This is a pure political ploy. That is why none of my colleagues from Maryland are going to vote against this bill today. That is why none of my colleagues from Maryland have put in a retrocession bill. That is why all of my hundreds of colleagues across the aisle are going to pretend this is Congress' land. This is not. prgtoken The Constitution is clear. If this land is given back to Maryland, Maryland has to accept. prgtoken Well, the argument is that Maryland doesn't want it back. That is interesting. I sat in the Maryland legislature with my colleague, who is sitting across the aisle right now. If our representatives from Maryland are so concerned about getting voting rights, it is very simple. Go to their colleagues in the Maryland General Assembly, fully controlled by the , and say: ``Let's take it back. Let's give those 700,000 people voting rights.'' prgtoken , that is the correct approach. Don't steal this land from Maryland.
NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 3094, offered by our colleague from Florida (Mr. Soto). prgtoken A little over 4 years ago, on June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, became the scene of the worst terrorist attack on American soil since September 11, 2001. prgtoken Forty-nine Americans died and 53 were injured that terrible night at the hands of an ISIS-inspired coward who turned on the very country where his parents had sought refuge from the violence in Afghanistan. Instead of gratitude, he unleashed hatred and violence upon this country that had sheltered his family and made it possible for him to be born into a land of freedom and opportunity. prgtoken The poisonous political ideology that infected and animated him in his attack--and to which he pledged allegiance just before the attack-- is a familiar nemesis to the founding principles of our country. prgtoken This craven and wanton attack reminds us of the threats of Islamic extremism both at home and abroad: that they are real, that they are malignant, and that they are deadly. prgtoken In the aftermath of this terrible attack on the patrons of the Pulse nightclub, its owner established a nonprofit called the onePULSE Foundation to memorialize those who died in this mass murder, known simply as ``the 49.'' The foundation worked quickly to establish a memorial in Orlando, but recently began working with Orlando's mayor to launch a design competition for a permanent memorial and museum slated to open in 2022. prgtoken This bill would redesignate the Pulse Memorial in Orlando as the National Pulse Memorial. The bill makes clear that this memorial will not be a unit of the national park system, and a designation as a national memorial does not require any Federal funds to be expended. prgtoken The House's action on this bill today complements the United States Senate's resolution passed on June 11 of this year honoring the victims of this outrage, as well as the State of Florida's designation of June 12 as Pulse Remembrance Day. prgtoken I urge adoption of the measure, and .
HONORING THE ROTARY CLUB OF WAYNESBORO
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize the Rotary Club of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania for its century of service. Chartered on April 22, 1920, the club has marked 100 years of dedication to the Waynesboro community. prgtoken During its many years of service, the Rotary Club of Waynesboro has been instrumental in a number of important community achievements, including the organization of a summer youth baseball organization later known as Waynesboro Little League, the initiation of a dental education program in Waynesboro Schools, and the introduction of a community-wide Easter Seals program, among many additional accomplishments. Its long record of service has left a profound legacy in Waynesboro and Franklin County. prgtoken On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I thank the members of the Rotary Club of Waynesboro for their tireless commitment and hard work to continue the legacy of this outstanding organization. As the club celebrates its 100th anniversary, I look forward to its many years of service to come and wish these Pennsylvanians every continued success.
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-6-26

I rise to talk about how for over 200 years lawmakers have come from every State in the Union to work and live in this District. prgtoken The city was not meant to be a prize of conquest like the ancient walled cities of Europe. It was not meant to be the hub of trade like the early American cities. Above anything, it was meant to represent a center of the federation created by our Constitution. prgtoken The city is tied to the idea of the American Republic, a living piece of collaboration, the star on the map representing the 50 stars on the flag. prgtoken With the creation of a 51st State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, a State the size of a small county, that collaboration will be gone. The majority believes it is a small price to pay for two Senators. prgtoken s need assurances that the interests of our constituents will be reflected in this new State that will have undue influence over the Nation's Federal Government. prgtoken So, my motion contains reasonable additions to H.R. 51 that will require the President to ensure certain amendments to the State constitution are incorporated before granting statehood. These provisions reflect the entirety of the Nation's views, not just those of cities controlled by . prgtoken There is provision that prohibits the former capital from being a sanctuary city. These are provisions that prohibit taxpayer funds being used for political campaigns. These are provisions to protect Americans' Second Amendment rights. These are provisions that provide full funding for law enforcement, that prohibit the destruction of our national monuments, that prohibit the creation of so-called autonomous zones. prgtoken Since early entry of new States into the Union, Congress has required that constitutions of the new States reflect certain considerations before granting admission. Nevada and West Virginia were required to prohibit slavery. Various Western States were required to prohibit polygamy. prgtoken These requests do not violate the Supreme Court's equal footing doctrine, but the idea of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth containing wholly within it the entirety of the Federal Capital does, in fact, violate this doctrine. prgtoken A State with a controlling influence over the Nation's Federal Government and Capital is simply not on equal footing with the other 50 States. It is above them. prgtoken A vote for the majority's design for D.C. statehood is a vote for D.C.'s superiority. The Founders recognized the status of Washington, D.C. House s do not support deviation from their vision. prgtoken However, if the insist on creating this new State, it is only fair that it be established as a State with policy values that more closely reflect the rest of the country. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this motion to recommit, and .
CELEBRATING MOSS BROTHERS TIRES
Dan Bishop (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , today I rise to celebrate Moss Brothers Tires, a fourth-generation tire business in West Rockingham, North Carolina that has been in operation for more than 100 years. prgtoken Moss Brothers was founded as general store by G.W. Moss in 1917. Through skillful management, G.W. Moss helped the business survive the Great Depression and even loaned money to members of the West Rockingham community who were in need. prgtoken Moss Brothers was converted to a tire store over 30 years ago and now serves an estimated 50-75 customers each day, including from neighboring counties and into South Carolina. Moss Brothers is currently owned by Will Moss, G.W.'s great-grandson, who continues the family tradition of hard work, dedication and commitment to community. prgtoken I salute Moss Brothers for their longstanding service to Richmond County. Here's to another 100 years.
PROTECTING YOUR CREDIT SCORE ACT OF 2019
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I want to rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5332, the Protecting Your Credit Score Act of 2019. prgtoken Although I will not be supporting the gentleman from New Jersey's legislation, I want to make sure that people know that I consider him a friend, and I thank him for his efforts to try to bring reform to the credit reporting industry. prgtoken There are some good ideas in this bill, such as the one-stop-shop approach for consumers to freeze and unfreeze their credit for all three nationwide bureaus that we have just talked about, as well as access to credit reports and scores. prgtoken But even this idea is taken too far in the bill, and it leaves too many unanswered questions about exactly how it is going to be carried out. prgtoken Now, it is really unfortunate that a bipartisan compromise was not reached. I know the ranking member and his staff worked tirelessly on this with the gentleman from New Jersey and his staff. prgtoken But there are a few other points I want to make. You know, it is a chief priority for committee s to protect consumers' personal information. That is something that both sides have brought up. prgtoken Yet, we are preparing to vote on a bill that still makes Social Security numbers the primary way to identify a person, despite the fact that we know Social Security numbers threaten consumers' personal information. Worse yet, the bill will mandate furnishers to match all nine Social Security digits. prgtoken Another concern with this bill is the creation of yet another ombudsman at the CFPB to deal exclusively with consumer reporting agencies. This provision is unnecessary and duplicative. The CFPB already has an ombudsman to deal with consumer-facing issues. There is no logical reason why the proposed authorities cannot simply be given to the existing ombudsperson. This is simply another move by the to expand the statutory authority of the unaccountable CFPB. prgtoken Madam , I urge opposition to this bill.