mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING RUTH PLUMB'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Michael Cloud (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-6-16

today I want to honor Ruth Plumb and recognize a wonderful life milestone, wishing her a very happy 100th birthday. prgtoken Ruth was born in Houston, Texas on June 10, 1923, to Arnold Louis Hillendahl and Henrietta Viola Williams Hillendahl--with a long family history embedded in their Texas community. Ruth's ancestors were one of the five settling families in the area who played an important part in the history of the Spring Branch area of Houston, with even a branch of the Houston Library named for her father Arnold. prgtoken Ruth lived on the Houston family farm until her 1943 marriage to Charles Wolf, who's time in the Navy stationed them right in our district--Corpus Christi Texas and then eventually to Astoria Oregon and San Diego California. After Charles was released from the navy, the couple happily resided in Houston until his death in 1963. After Charles' passing, Ruth remarried 10 years later to John Plumb and the couple resided in Katy, Texas until John's eventual passing in 1978. Ruth relocated to the Spring Branch area of Houston to be closer to family--until she ultimately came back to Texas-27 in the wonderful town of Port Lavaca, where she still lives today. prgtoken Above all, Ruth is known as a faithful member of her community and a dear friend to all--investing in those around her and loving her neighbor as herself. Through her travels, her relationships, and her service, she continues to be a prime example of a life truly well lived--and our district is better for it. prgtoken I'm thrilled to be able to help play a small part in recognizing Ruth and wishing her a wonderful 100th birthday. May God continue to bless her life and bless those around her.
U.S. POLICY STRANGLING CUBAN ENTREPRENEURS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-6-20

last week, I had the privilege of meeting with a delegation of young Cuban entrepreneurs. I was impressed by their vision, dedication, and private-sector experience. prgtoken One had founded her business, Beyond Roots, in 2016. It promotes Afro-Cuban culture through education, product marketing, and artistic and other collaborations. Her company has been recognized as a project with significant social impact, and she hopes to generate positive change in people's lives by promoting a closer connection with their roots. prgtoken Another founded Wajiros Films in 2017. It is an audiovisual creative group composed of young Cuban artists who want to generate audiovisual projects based on the stories, characters, and visual content that reside outside of Cuba's major cities and prominent cultural industries. They want to create visual arts that show the diversity of Cuba. They believe in the right to dream and the right to fight for your dreams. prgtoken I talked with the cofounder and creative director of DADOR, a female- founded fashion brand committed to using the entrepreneurial spirit to make a mark on Cuba's emerging private sector. prgtoken I also met with the cofounder and CEO of TostoneT, an information technology infrastructure company. He created his first enterprise in 2012 and, in 2018, expanded his interests to support academic and business groups traveling to Cuba from the U.K. and other European countries. prgtoken , I could not have asked to meet with a more exciting, innovative, and visionary group of Cuban entrepreneurs. They reinforced what I had learned during my last trip to Cuba in December when I met with several other Cuban entrepreneurs. I came away from my December trip and my conversations with last week's delegation with three main conclusions. prgtoken First, it can be time-consuming, even difficult at times, to navigate the Cuban Government's rules and regulations on the private sector. Overall, Cuba is opening more and more space for private-sector development, especially for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. Cubans, especially young people, are taking advantage of these opportunities to expand existing businesses and create new companies. Innovation and collaboration are happening in every sector. prgtoken Second, each of the entrepreneurs who I met appreciates the support and encouragement they have received from the U.S. Embassy. They noted, however, that they no longer need workshops on how to establish a budget, handle payroll, or devise a marketing plan. prgtoken Third, the greatest difficulty facing small and medium-sized Cuban entrepreneurs is in the financial sector. They all emphasized how U.S. policies are strangling their ability to get financing, set up bank accounts, and market their products outside of Cuba. prgtoken They pleaded for Cuba to be removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list so they can open up bank accounts in the U.K. and Europe, where they have
FOCUSING ON NATIONAL REUNIFICATION MONTH
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-6-20

June 2023 marks National Reunification Month, honoring those who work tirelessly to keep families together across the nation. prgtoken Here we are, recognizing the individuals and continuing initiatives that support keeping families together. prgtoken The topic for this year's reunification is ``Shifting Power and Reconnecting Families All Year Long.'' prgtoken The three important themes during Reunification Month include: prgtoken 1. The fact that we should celebrate parents and children who have successfully reunited and understand how challenging an accomplishment it may be. prgtoken 2. Celebrate child welfare professionals, kin caregivers, and resource families who helped make reunification a reality for parents and children. And lastly . . . prgtoken 3. Inspire parents and professionals who are currently involved in child welfare to see that Reunification Matters and Reunification Happens. prgtoken It is also a good time to commit once more to supporting, enhancing, and intensifying these initiatives all year long. prgtoken By definition, the child welfare system is a collection of programs and services aimed at optimizing children's well-being by ensuring their safety, establishing durability, and aiding their families. prgtoken The operation and provision of child welfare services may vary from state to state, but all states are accountable for adhering to federal and state laws. prgtoken And yet, the stress of involvement in the child welfare system and foster care placement instability can contribute to or exacerbate mental health problems, and a child's unmet physical and mental health requirements have been related to placement instability. prgtoken I want to acknowledge that there are too many, particularly Black and African American children, unnecessarily taken from their homes and placed in foster care. prgtoken Not only are child protective agencies more likely to investigate Black homes, remove their children, and place them in foster care, but Black children are prone to spend more time in foster care and are less likely to be reunified with their families. prgtoken Research tells us that Black children are less likely to be reunified than White and Hispanic children, older children are less likely to be reunified and children with health or mental health issues are less likely to be reunited. prgtoken In addition, more than 200,000 kids entered foster care, and 587,330 of those cases of maltreatment or neglect have been documented nationwide. prgtoken Every child deserves a village of support. prgtoken In Houston, there are well over 2,000 children currently in the foster care system. prgtoken Texas alone response times the hotline to report child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, increased by half a minute, with callers waiting on hold an average of 5.2 minutes, since the January 2022 report. prgtoken Furthermore, research on kinship care has indicated that children placed with relatives have better beh
VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING ACT OF 2023
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-6-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I applaud Representative Schneider, Chairman Williams, Representative McGarvey, and Representative Ellzey for their dedication and commitment to our Nation's veterans. prgtoken Mr. Schneider has been a long-time champion of this legislation to codify the Boots to Business Program. Over the years, the committee has held a number of hearings examining SBA's programs that benefit veteran entrepreneurship, and we have heard from scores of veterans that the program has been a resounding success. prgtoken In fiscal year 2022, nearly 24,000 veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and military spouses received Boots to Business entrepreneurship training. Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage, perseverance, resourcefulness, and leadership to launch a successful enterprise. Many of these qualities are inherent in those that serve our country. prgtoken Despite the skills and expertise, many servicemembers have difficulty transitioning to civilian life. A recent survey conducted by the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families found 44 percent expressed difficulty with transitioning from military life, and 53 percent say they did not know what they wanted to do as civilians. prgtoken It is imperative that we enact this legislation and provide the certainty to veterans that this training will continue to be available to them as they leave the service. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1606, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act, as amended, and .
REAL SOLUTIONS ARE BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS
Wiley Nickel (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-6-20

in such a closely divided Congress, the only real solutions are bipartisan solutions that can pass the House and get 60 votes in the Senate. prgtoken For me, bipartisanship is more than just a buzzword. That is why as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I am working on advancing commonsense, bipartisan legislation. Since January, I am proud to have advanced three bipartisan bills through committee and one through the floor of the House. prgtoken The Equal Opportunity for All Investors Act, which I co-led with Congressman Mike Flood, recently passed on the House floor with 383 votes and would help cut through government red tape and ensure well- qualified and more diverse individuals are able to invest in our private markets. prgtoken The second bill, Improving Disclosures for Investors Act, which I co- led with Congressman Huizenga, is the next step in the decades-long process of modernizing the SEC's electronic delivery rules, while providing strong investor protections. prgtoken The China Exchange Rate Transparency Act, which I co-led with Congressman Meuser, would enable us to learn more about China's exchange rate policies to level the playing field for American businesses and promote domestic manufacturing. prgtoken As we look ahead, I know that we can reach consensus and find common ground on the issues facing the American people. One of those areas is stablecoin legislation. I am proud of the work we have done this Congress on bipartisan stablecoin legislation. prgtoken The most recent draft includes many of my suggestions, like protecting State regulators in North Carolina, adding consumer protections, and ensuring banks can safely hold digital assets in their custody. prgtoken I hope that we can continue to come together, put politics aside, and reach a bipartisan agreement that can pass through committee with support from and s. I stand ready to work with Members on both sides of the aisle to find solutions and get things done for the people of North Carolina's 13th District. Celebrating Distinguished North Carolinians
RECOGNIZING EAGLE SCOUT SAM JONES
Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-6-20

I rise today to recognize an exemplary man, Mr. Sam Jones, and to right a historic wrong. prgtoken , yesterday, on June 19, the second celebration of the national holiday for Juneteenth, Mr. Jones was finally recognized by the Boy Scouts of America, Pacific Harbor Council, as an Eagle Scout, the highest honor you can earn as a Boy Scout. prgtoken This recognition is long overdue. Mr. Jones should have received this honor in 1962 when he was 15 years old. I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize his accomplishments today, 61 years later. prgtoken Mr. Jones was raised in Rochester, New York, by a single mother and joined the Boy Scouts shortly after he turned 11 years old. He earned 25 merit badges and was the first person in his troop to qualify for the rank of Eagle Scout. prgtoken Sadly, when this young man asked the nonprofit that sponsored the troop why he was not going to receive a ceremony for this prestigious honor, he was told, a Scout raised by a single mother didn't match the model Black youth the nonprofit wanted to promote. prgtoken While Mr. Jones could have allowed this setback to affect his future, he continued to serve his country and his community. prgtoken He graduated from the University of Michigan, joined the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, served the Navy for his entire career, and retired in 1991 with the rank of commander. prgtoken He moved to Puyallup, Washington, in 2015 to be closer to his family, and is now a mentor at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood, Washington. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize Mr. Sam Jones on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today as he celebrates the long-overdue recognition of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Nomination of Julie Rikelman (Executive Session)
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-6-20

I rise today in support of the nomination of Julie Rikelman to serve as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. prgtoken Based on a recommendation of a bipartisan advisory committee on Massachusetts judicial nominations in Massachusetts, Senator Markey and I were pleased to recommend Julie Rikelman to the President for this important role on the Federal bench. She received bipartisan support from the Senate during her cloture vote last week, and I expect the same will be true shortly, when we vote on her confirmation to the First Circuit. prgtoken Julie Rikelman is an accomplished lawyer who has significant experience in both private practice and public interest and whose career demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. prgtoken Ms. Rikelman's commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution is informed by her personal experience fleeing religious persecution. In the late 1970s, she and her family came to the United States from Ukraine as Jewish refugees seeking equal opportunity denied to them in the former Soviet Union. prgtoken Ms. Rikelman went on to graduate from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. After law school, she clerked for Justice Dana Fabe on the Alaska Supreme Court and then Judge Morton Ira Greenberg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. prgtoken Following a 2-year stint as a Blackmun fellow at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Ms. Rikelman entered private practice--first, as an associate at Feldman & Orlansky and then as senior associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. In 2006, she joined NBC Universal as litigation counsel before being promoted to senior litigation counsel in 2008 and vice president of litigation in 2011. She has worked on issues related to securities, breach of contract, employment discrimination, intellectual property, and constitutional law matters. prgtoken In 2011, Ms. Rikelman returned to the Center for Reproductive Rights as a senior staff attorney. One year later, she was appointed U.S. litigation director, and, in that role, she argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. prgtoken Ms. Rikelman's exceptional qualifications are bolstered by the support she has received from lawyers in public and private practice, from prosecutors, from defenders, from academics, and from former judges representing a range of political perspectives. prgtoken Whether appointed by s or , her supporters ``share a strong belief that Ms. Rikelman is a lawyer of uncommon talent and ability, broad experience, sound and fair-minded judgment, and unquestioned integrity.'' Her former NBC Universal and Simpson Thacher Bartlett colleagues describe her as ``thoughtful'' and ``open-minded'' and observed that she ``carefully considered every argument without prejudgment and without regard to her personal views.'' prgtoken There it is--fairminded, experienced, thoughtful, and exceptionally talented.
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-6-20

this week marks the 1-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. This disastrous decision has sown chaos and confusion across the country and led to dozens of States restricting or banning abortion care. prgtoken s are obsessed with banning abortion nationwide, and they are using every vehicle possible to advance their radical anti-abortion agenda. prgtoken Tomorrow, my colleagues and I on the Armed Services Committee will begin our markup of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA is an annual bill that sets our Nation's defense policy. Despite our differences, Congress has come together to pass an NDAA on a bipartisan basis every year for the last 62 years. prgtoken While s and may disagree about military policy, we have always kept the readiness of our forces above politics. From combating threats abroad to rebuilding DOD infrastructure at home, we have no shortage of important issues to work through in this year's bill, but right now my colleagues are threatening to derail the bill by injecting anti-abortion provisions into a bill that has nothing to do with abortion. prgtoken After the Supreme Court's disastrous Dobbs decision, the Department of Defense clarified their travel policy to enable servicemembers stationed in States with abortion restrictions to travel in order to receive reproductive care. This updated travel policy in no way, shape, or form authorizes the DOD to pay for abortion care. There is no language in these provisions that pays for abortion. They simply allow servicemembers to access care they would otherwise be able to access but for being stationed in States that do not allow such care. prgtoken My colleagues are hell-bent on outlawing abortion nationwide and exerting control over servicemembers' freedom by preventing their travel to receive healthcare. Amending the NDAA is just one way to impose their will on the Department of Defense. prgtoken In another example, one of my colleagues on the committee currently has a hold on more than 250 general and flag officer promotions within the Department of Defense because he objects to the DOD's travel policy and wants to make a point prgtoken about his displeasure. The Secretary of Defense as well as Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have all testified that these holds impact our national security. prgtoken Radical s are pandering to their MAGA base, and the American people will pay the price. While the s continue their anti-abortion crusade, we should be working to craft an NDAA that addresses the real challenges our servicemembers face and gives them the resources they need to continue protecting our Nation, including access to healthcare. prgtoken That is what I will be focused on when we begin our markup tomorrow, and I urge my colleagues to join us in this im
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Session)
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2023-6-20

. Former Defense Secretary Gates, who, by the way, for those who don't know, was appointed by , said that the Senator from Alabama has made the military ``a pawn.'' That is a guy who served in a administration. We have had Secretaries of Defense from both sides of the aisle who said the Senator from Alabama is hurting our national defense, hurting our national security, is playing politics with our Department of Defense. prgtoken What is his justification again? Well, it is no different than what I already said. He uses different words. He says that the DOD has made-- the Department of Defense--by making these rules, into an abortion travel agency. Those are his words: abortion travel agency. Well, that is not true. prgtoken We have already talked about the travel allowance and the absence without leave and more time to notify. I am sure there are some people--a handful of people in America--who couldn't see the wisdom in that, who would disagree with that. But I will bet you that the vast majority of people in this country, including people who have a different view on a woman's right to choose than I have, would say that women ought to prgtoken have the right, in the Department of Defense, to get travel paid for just like anybody else and to get paid leave and to be able to have 20 weeks to be able to tell their commanding officer that they are pregnant. prgtoken This is an effort to punish women who are seeking reproductive healthcare and forcing them, for reasons I don't understand, to tell their commanding officer the minute that they are pregnant. prgtoken This is reminiscent to me of the States after Dobbs--after the Court overturned Roe v. Wade--that started to look at bills to try to prevent women from traveling from States that had banned abortion to States that had made abortion legal. prgtoken It is kind of a shocking place for us to be in to hear people--a party--embrace freedom and talk about freedom all the time and still live in a place where we are talking about trying to ban Americans from traveling from one State to another or not allowing the Department of Defense to pay money or to use paid leave for women's reproductive healthcare the way they do for anything else. prgtoken I mean, I do believe strongly--I believe strongly in a woman's right to choose, and I believe it should be a decision that is made between a woman and her doctor. Most Americans agree with that. I know that there is profound moral disagreement on this question, and I respect that. But I think it is fair to say that the Senator from Alabama's position on this to not allow paid leave, to not allow paid travel, to not allow women to get 20 weeks before they have to tell their commanding officers that they are pregnant--the vast majority of Americans, I think, would agree that those rules are appropriate. prgtoken By the way, one of the other reasons the Senator from Alabama has objected to this is that
Nomination of Julie Rikelman (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-6-20

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Julie Rikelman to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She is a highly skilled litigator with almost 25 years of experience in private practice, as in-house counsel, and in public interest law. prgtoken After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Ms. Rikelman clerked for Justice Dana Fabe on the Alaska Supreme Court and Judge Morton Greenberg on the Third Circuit. Ms. Rikelman then began her legal career as a Blackmun Fellow at the Center for Reproductive Rights--CRR--litigating reproductive rights cases around the country. In private practice, Ms. Rikelman has handled a wide range of civil and criminal cases, at both the trial and appellate level, including securities fraud, commercial breach of contract, State antitrust law, and election law. As an in-house attorney at NBC Universal, Ms. Rikelman litigated a variety of matters in Federal and State courts-- including defamation, intellectual property, and employment discrimination. In 2011, Ms. Rikelman returned to CRR to take on a more senior role litigating cases, as well as spearheading case strategy. prgtoken Over the course of her career, Ms. Rikelman has proven to be a skilled trial attorney and an accomplished appellate practitioner, arguing multiple appeals, including two before the U.S. Supreme Court. The American Bar Association unanimously rated Ms. Rikelman ``well qualified,'' and she has the strong support of her home State Senators: Ms. Warren and Mr. Markey. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Ms. Rikelman's nomination.