mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GUN VIOLENCE
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2018-2-26

I thank Representative Evans for yielding to me. prgtoken , I proudly represent the Sixth Congressional District of South Carolina in this august body. This past week, I spent a significant amount of time throughout the district meeting with faith leaders as well as other community-based organizations. And one of the things I kept hearing came from people who are particularly interested in whether or not this Congress will do anything to respond to this horrific problem that we have with guns. prgtoken Of all the things that I find myself talking about, the one thing that bothers me most is the fact that we seem to be no longer safe in our most sacred institutions. prgtoken I often quote Alexis de Tocqueville, who came to this country way back in the early 1800s seeking what he called the magic of this great country. He said that he went throughout the country looking at our institutions--educational institutions, legislative bodies--trying to find the magic of this great country. Alexis de Tocqueville said that he could not find it in any of these places. He said that it was not until he went into our churches and prgtoken synagogues that he found the real magic of this great country. He said that he came to the conclusion that, in spite of all of the difficulties and challenges we had as a country, that America was great because Americans are good. prgtoken And he went on to surmise that, if Americans ever cease to be good, America will cease to be great. It is kind of interesting that he came to that conclusion by visiting our places of worship. And tonight I want to remind the American people that that sacred institution has been violated time and time again. prgtoken And on this question of gun violence, we remember the Emanuel 9: nine soulful Bible study pupils in the basement of their church, once again reestablishing the goodness of Americans. They had that goodness violated by a young man with a gun who sat among them for a full hour before opening fire, killing nine of them. prgtoken Now, when we think about that incident and we ask ourselves how could such a thing happen, one of the things that we do know is that this young man was able to purchase a weapon, although under the law he was not eligible to make the purchase; but because of a loophole that we have in the law, a loophole that I have taken to call the ``Charleston Loophole,'' which says simply that, if the background check is not completed within 3 days, the purchase can proceed to conclusion. prgtoken Now, the fact of the matter is, this gun was purchased in West Columbia. I don't know whether or not this young man had enough sophistication about the law to give the wrong information about his address. but what we do know is that the wrong address was keyed in; and because it was keyed in, there was difficulty trying to get the information that was needed. prgtoken By the time they found out the problem, the 3 days had expired, and th
GUN VIOLENCE
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-2-26

coming behind the gentleman from Mississippi, we have someone who knows a little bit about weaponry. She herself has a background. She was the police chief in Orlando. And since she and I are in the same class, I have learned a lot from her. prgtoken And coming behind the gentleman from Mississippi, who laid some things out here, is someone who has run a police department, and she couldn't be a better person for us to have come. from the State of Florida (Mrs. Demings), from the 10th District.
HONORING THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER MADISON ON THE ORGANIZATION'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Mark Pocan (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2018-2-26

I rise today to congratulate the Urban League of Greater Madison as the organization celebrates its 50th Anniversary. prgtoken Since its founding on February 20, 1968, the Urban League of Greater Madison has championed the educational and professional advancement of the city's African-American population. In the earliest years of its operation, the organization excelled at developing programs to provide skills training and job placement, more than tripling the number of employees of color working for the City of Madison. prgtoken Over the last fifty years, the Urban League of Greater Madison has maintained exceptional programming, despite a number of challenges. Through the development of partnerships with community leaders and local businesses, the Urban League of Greater Madison has continued to enhance its operations and has expanded its outreach in minority and immigrant communities. prgtoken In recent years, the Urban League of Greater Madison has been at the forefront of fighting for equality in our community with its vision to make Greater Madison the ``Best in the Midwest'' for everyone to live, learn, and work by 2020. Last year, the organization launched a campaign to place 1,500 low-income job seekers into career pathway employment by 2020, continuing its long legacy of advocating for economic justice and opportunity. prgtoken Through its efforts to pursue education, employment, and empowerment, the Urban League of Greater Madison has remained committed to fighting for progress and our future. It is my honor to now recognize the Urban League of Greater Madison in celebration of its 50th Anniversary and I wish them many more years of success.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2018-2-26

I wish to celebrate the diamond jubilee birthdays of the Honorable Wilma and Wellington Webb. prgtoken Wilma and Wellington Webb embody the best of Colorado. Through a long and distinguished career, they have made history, improved our communities, and set an example of leadership for our State. prgtoken Wilma Webb's life is defined by service to others. Her career began as a community organizer registering voters, assisting impoverished families, and fighting for equality in education. In 1980, she joined the Colorado House of Representatives, where she was reelected for six terms and served a total of 13 years. During her tenure, Wilma sponsored many substantive bills and became the first African American to serve on the powerful joint budget committee, which writes Colorado's multibillion dollar annual budget. After 4 years of tireless advocacy, she pushed through legislation to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday in Denver through events like the annual ``Marade.'' President Clinton later appointed her to serve as the regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor. prgtoken Her husband, Wellington Webb, likewise displays an example of public service. Mayor Webb has served in the Colorado House of Representatives, the Carter administration, and Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies. In a historic election in 1991, he became the first African-American mayor of Denver. Over two terms, Mayor Webb dedicated himself to improving Denver's parks and open spaces, strengthening public safety, championing inclusive economic development, and expanding access to high-quality education for our children. Like his wife, Mayor Webb's leadership has left an indelible mark. We see it throughout our city, from the Denver International Airport to the expanded Denver Art Museum, the Blair-Caldwell African- American Research Library, and the many buildings that bear his name. prgtoken As individuals, Wilma and Wellington Webb are exceptional examples of public service. Together, they have formed an extraordinarily powerful force that has left Denver and Colorado more prosperous, inclusive, and just. On this day of celebration, I join Coloradans across our State in sharing my deep gratitude and admiration for the legacy they created and the years of contributions that lie ahead.
Parkland, Florida, School Shooting (Executive Session)
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-2-26

it is with a heavy heart that I bring a report to the Senate from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. The teachers and staff of the school returned to work today, which is less than 2 weeks after a former student walked on to the campus with an AR-15 and opened fire on all three floors of a classroom building. prgtoken I have spent time the past couple of weeks in Parkland, visiting with some of the families. Those of us who are parents can only imagine the grief and anger that they are feeling, just like the grief and anger after every one of these massacres. I have also spent time meeting with some of the courageous students who have turned this tragedy into a call for action. As I have suggested to them, their hope gives me hope. Their determination gives me all the more determination. These students have told us over and over that they don't plan to stop until Congress and the State legislators around the country start enacting commonsense gun reform. They have said that they are not going to stop, and neither am I. prgtoken What happened at that high school shouldn't happen anywhere in this country. It shouldn't have happened in Columbine. It shouldn't have happened in Newtown. It shouldn't have happened in Orlando. It shouldn't have happened at the Ft. Lauderdale airport or Parkland. It shouldn't happen, period. Now it is up to us to make sure that it never happens again. prgtoken This Senator grew up on a ranch. I have always had guns. I have hunted all my life. I still hunt with my son. An AR-15 or a SIG Sauer MCX, the gun that was used at the Pulse nightclub, is not for hunting; they are for killing. Yet, despite these horrific events, these devastating tragedies are occurring throughout our country over and over, and Congress refuses to act. Why is it that we can't enact the most commonsense measures to protect the people we represent? prgtoken We need a comprehensive background check on the purchase of a weapon, a commonsense background check that would not only include if there is a criminal record or if someone has been adjudicated mentally incompetent but all the other myriad reasons, all the other things surrounding mental health. Was the shooter on the terrorist watch list? Had Omar Mateen, the shooter, been on the terrorist watch list, he would have been caught. He was the shooter in Orlando. We need to get assault rifles off the streets. prgtoken Protecting our fellow citizens should be a top priority. If making it more difficult for someone to walk into a store and purchase a weapon of war will do that, why can't we get that done? Why? I will tell you why. Because there are folks who are more concerned about an A-plus rating from the NRA than they are about providing those commonsense solutions to the problems. prgtoken I want to read something that appeared in a national magazine, reprinted in the paper that is published in Bro
MILITARY INJURY SURGICAL SYSTEMS INTEGRATED OPERATIONALLY NATIONWIDE TO ACHIEVE ZERO PREVENTABLE DEATHS ACT
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-2-26

I rise in strong support of the MISSION ZERO Act, H.R. 880, and I would like to thank Chairman Burgess, Ranking Member Gene Green from Texas, and Mr. Hudson from North Carolina for sponsoring this legislation with me. prgtoken The MISSION ZERO Act will assist the Department of Defense in assigning trauma surgeons to our civilian trauma centers. It will help fill the gap that we currently have in care recently examined by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. prgtoken The MISSION ZERO Act will establish grant initiatives for eligible trauma systems to incorporate full military trauma teams or individual military trauma providers into our hospitals--the ones that have busy emergency rooms. prgtoken This mutually beneficial partnership will allow civilian doctors and nurses and care providers the chance to learn more about military best practices and will give our military trauma care providers the opportunity to utilize their cutting-edge expertise without leaving the military. prgtoken I have seen this initiative in action already back home in Tampa at Tampa General Hospital, located just a few miles down the road from MacDill Air Force Base, which is home to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and the 6th Air Mobility Wing, which is also home to the 6th Air Medical Group. prgtoken Since about 2011, they have had an ongoing partnership to do just what this bill provides: create a lot of energy and shared expertise in the civilian trauma center at Tampa General Hospital and bring in the military specialists so they can continue to hone their caregiving and craft. They use nurses, surgeons, and all sorts of specialists. prgtoken The initiative allows military and civilian medical teams to work in the most intense trauma environments--that is, our level one trauma center--and take very good care of folks all across central Florida. These partnerships are vital for continued training for our community and our military. prgtoken I think Dr. Burgess and Mr. Gene Green from Texas are doing a great service by replicating this in other trauma centers across the United States. prgtoken The MISSION ZERO Act is endorsed by the American Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, and the Trauma Care Association of America. prgtoken Again, I thank Dr. Burgess, Ranking Member Gene Green from Texas, Mr. Hudson, and all my Energy and Commerce colleagues, and I urge everyone here in the House to support this important bill.
HONORING COMMANDER PAUL BAUER
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-2-26

I rise with a heavy heart to pay tribute to Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer, who gave his life to protect the city he loved. We use the word ``hero'' far too often, but in this case, that word is fitting. Commander Paul Bauer is a true American hero, and his loss is a tragedy. prgtoken On February 13, Commander Bauer was at an ``active shooter'' training session in downtown Chicago, but he didn't hesitate to help out his fellow officers when they were pursuing a fleeing suspect. Commander Bauer was shot several times by the suspect and died from his wounds. Commander Bauer's story is a reminder to us all that our heroes serving in blue risk their lives every day, and even routine calls can turn into tragedy in an instant. prgtoken A 31-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department and the commander of the 18th Police District in the Near North Side, Paul Bauer was a pillar of that community. Last year, he was commended by the city council for a charity holiday party he helped host for underprivileged kids. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said it best: ``This department didn't just lose an exemplary police officer. The City lost a piece of itself.'' prgtoken Last week, when the charges were announced against the alleged shooter, an impromptu memorial developed outside the Thompson Center. People brought flowers, left crosses, and displayed signs reading, ``RIP CDR Bauer.'' One woman on her lunch break even left a plush stuffed dog that she hoped would make it in to the arms of Paul's teenage daughter. It was a tremendous show of love, respect, and gratitude. prgtoken A few years ago, I gave a commencement address and asked the students to think about what they wanted people to say about their lives. I asked them, ``What will you be remembered for? What service did you render to your community? Your nation? You world?'' The great thing about living in America is we can choose the answers to those questions. Commander Bauer will be remembered for is his service to his community. He gave what Lincoln called, ``the last full measure of devotion'' and did so for the people and city he loved and served, but he will be remembered for so much more. A friend described Paul as ``every bit the good guy he's being made out to be,'' but also added: ``You can't capture his goodness.'' What a beautiful legacy. prgtoken For all Paul Bauer's professional accomplishments, the highlights of his life were his family. Paul met his wife, Erin, met at a fundraiser for a Chicago police officer who was also killed in the line of duty. The Friday following Paul's death, February 16, would have been the couple's 16th anniversary. Together, Paul and Erin raised a bright and wonderful 13-year-old daughter Grace. Paul's family will carry on his legacy of love and his devotion to service and community. prgtoken Commander Bauer was the quintessential officer, a role model in his department and his bravery inspires the
CONGRESS MUST CONTINUE TO WORK TO PROTECT DREAMERS
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-2-26

earlier today, the Supreme Court rejected the administration's appeal to leapfrog the judicial system in an attempt to end DACA. Today's decision is a victory for Dreamers and the entire Nation. But our work in Congress must continue until we pass the Dream Act to protect Dreamers once and for all. prgtoken This decision tells us what we have already known all along, that ending DACA would be detrimental to our community and for our economy. With the loss of revenue, if we end DACA, it means that critical public programs like Social Security and Medicaid will take a big hit. We know that the Dreamers will bring in $460 billion in economic output over a decade. prgtoken Dreamers are our sisters, our brothers, our cousins. They are owners of grocery stores, taxi drivers, members of our Armed Forces. We cannot afford to sit idly by I urge you to bring a clean Dream Act to the floor.
REMEMBERING MAURY DUANE GEIGER
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-2-26

on February 18, 2018, New Hampshire lost one of its finest lawyers and humanitarians, Maurice Duane Geiger. He was 83 years old. prgtoken Some might ask why, as a Senator from Vermont, I would call the Senate's attention to a resident of our neighbor to the east. In fact, Maury Geiger not only had close ties to Vermont where, in 1982, he cofounded the Rural Justice Center in Montpelier, he was in every respect a global citizen. Over his long career, he worked to improve access to justice in Haiti, Bangladesh, Rwanda, and several other countries. prgtoken I met Maury Geiger years ago and will never forget going with him, my wife, Marcelle, and my staff member Tim Rieser to visit the national penitentiary in Port au Prince, Haiti. A more squalid example of a corrections facility would be hard to imagine. It was overflowing with thousands of impoverished men of all ages, sweltering in the heat and humidity, crammed into cement rooms with nothing to sleep on but the floor, with little food and vulnerable to AIDS, tuberculosis, and other dangerous diseases, and the vast majority had never been formally charged with any crime. Some had languished there for 2 or more years, far longer than any sentence they would have received if tried and convicted. Almost none had lawyers. prgtoken After first laying eyes on that unforgettable scene of inhumane neglect, Maury returned to Haiti year after year, determined to do whatever he could to help improve the lives and protect the rights of those caught up in Haiti's corrupt, dysfunctional justice system. It was that same passion for justice that took him to the courts and jails of rural America and to distant places like Addis Abba and Tbilisi. prgtoken As his obituary describes, Maury was born into poverty, and that experience, and his mother's guidance, shaped his character. He served as a naval aviator and then at the Department of Justice. He was as patriotic and as fierce a defender of the Constitution and Bill of prgtoken Rights as anyone I have known. He became one of our country's first experts in court administration, and he worked throughout his life to teach others about the fundamentals of a modern justice system. prgtoken Maury loved his work, and he cared passionately about fairness. He devoted his life to fighting for justice at every opportunity. Knowing what it means to be poor, Maury did not hold himself above anyone. He was not the least bit impressed by wealth or titles. He loathed the self-importance of so many government officials and the abuse of power, especially when it was at the expense of those without power, which is so common in places like Haiti where inequality is glaring and the rule of law barely exists. He was known for his irreverence, just as he was for his wonderful, dry sense of humor. prgtoken Over the years, I have met countless accomplished people, many of them of the highest integrity. Maury Geiger could match any of the
Honoring Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-2-26

this month, Ohio laid to rest two remarkable public servants, Westerville Police prgtoken Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli. Together, these men dedicated decades of their lives to the police force, giving the ultimate sacrifice to keep their fellow Ohioans safe. prgtoken Officer Joering and Officer Morelli were doing their jobs, responding to a desperate 9-1-1 call when they were tragically shot and killed earlier this month. In the days since their passing, we have heard stories of their incredible service to their community, their fellow officers, and their families. prgtoken Both men were married with children. Officer Joering was 39 and had three young daughters. His pastor, Reverend Hammond, spoke to the local news about Officer Joering's dedication to his family. He said that Officer Joering would do anything for his daughters. He let them style his hair. He let them paint his nails. Reverend Hammond quipped: ``I heard he drew the line at makeup.'' prgtoken Officer Morelli was a 30-year veteran of the Westerville police force. Westerville is a Columbus suburb. He had two children. His daughter is getting married this summer. His colleagues remembered his infectious smile and his passion for life. Westerville Police Chaplain James Meacham said Officer Morelli ``went to heaven and partied.'' prgtoken These two heroes were laid to rest 10 days ago with services at St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville, drawing thousands of Ohioans and fellow officers to pay their respects. Thousands of people waited in line in the cold and rain to enter the church. Officers from around the country came to honor these men, as they so often do. The church parking lot filled with patrol cars from Illinois, Texas, West Virginia, Michigan, and so many other States. They had to use a TV at a gym next door as an overflow room to accommodate everyone. After the services, a long procession of police vehicles wound its way through Westerville. Ohioans lined the streets, waving American flags and wearing blue ribbons pinned to their raincoats. prgtoken The tribute to these officers won't end with that memorial service. In times of tragedy, Ohioans always rise to the occasion. A donation page for the families set up by the local Fraternal Order of Police has raised more than half a million dollars. The city of Westerville will honor Officers Morelli and Joering with a permanent memorial in First Responders Park. The Westerville City Council voted unanimously to retire Officer Joering's K-9 partner, Officer Sam, and send him home with Officer Joering's family. They were there last week to take Sam home. One of Joering's daughters wore Sam's badge around her neck. Otterbein University, the local 4-year, private, distinguished university very nearby, will offer full-tuition scholarships to each of the three Joering girls. prgtoken While none of these gestures can ever repay them or their loved ones for their servi