mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FAILURE TO ASSIST UKRAINE IN A TIMELY MANNER
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , it has been 41 days since Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February. That means 2,685 civilian casualties, and more than 4 million fleeing Ukrainian refugees scrambling to the aid of the EU. prgtoken Twenty-five days after watching bloodshed, riots, and tears, the administration finally came to their senses and released a statement to aid $1 billion in funding humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian people, allowing the U.S. to accept 100,000 fleeing refugees; 25 days of watching; 25 days of letting other countries handle it; 25 days of fear. This is 1,081 Ukrainian citizens no longer breathing, lost in those 25 days. prgtoken Silence speaks louder than action. The administration is responsible for this delayed deterrence. prgtoken After striking down a deal with Poland to aid the relocation of MiG- 29 planes for Ukrainian use, the President also hesitated to provide military assistance to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. prgtoken Two weeks of waiting into the invasion, President delayed sanctions on Russian oil after much pressure from the House. Therefore, it ruined any chances of deterrence against Putin's aggression. prgtoken These actions have been shown on the world stage, and the U.S. now appears weaker than ever as a result of this hesitancy. prgtoken We need to bring aid hastily to the Ukrainian people; the help they deserve.
SUSPENDING ENERGY IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-4-7

had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 122, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 123, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 124, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 125. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Baird (Bucshon) Barr (Guthrie) Bass (Beyer) Bilirakis (Fleischmann) Bishop (GA) (Thompson (MS)) Blunt Rochester (Williams (GA)) Boebert (Cammack) Bowman (Evans) Brooks (Moore (AL)) Cardenas (Soto) Castro (TX) (Correa) Cawthorn (Gaetz) Clark (MA) (Williams (GA)) Cleaver (Williams (GA)) Cooper (Correa) Crawford (Fleischmann) Crenshaw (Ellzey) Crist (Soto) Cuellar (Correa) Curtis (Moore (UT)) DesJarlais (Fleischmann) Deutch (Rice (NY)) Doggett (Beyer) Doyle, Michael F. (Evans) Dunn (Salazar) Frankel, Lois (Wexton) Gibbs (Carey) Gohmert (Weber (TX)) Gomez (Soto) Gonzalez (OH) (Armstrong) Gosar (Gaetz) Gottheimer (Pallone) Granger (Ellzey) Harder (CA) (Correa) Harshbarger (Kustoff) Higgins (NY) (Garcia (IL)) Huffman (Stanton) Jackson (Babin) Jackson Lee (Cicilline) Jacobs (NY) (Tenney) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Joyce (OH) (Garbarino) Kahele (Mrvan) Katko (Moore (UT)) Khanna (Correa) Kilmer (Larsen (WA)) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Krishnamoorthi (Beyer) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Letlow (Moore (UT)) Levin (MI) (Garcia (IL)) Long (Fleischmann) Loudermilk (Fleischmann) Maloney, Carolyn B. (Jeffries) McCaul (Ellzey) McEachin (Wexton) Meeks (Jeffries) Mfume (Evans) Newman (Garcia (IL)) Norcross (Pallone) Norman (Babin) Owens (Tenney) Payne (Pallone) Pelosi (Velazquez) Peters (Jeffries) Porter (Wexton) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Roybal-Allard (Pallone) Ryan (Beyer) Schiff (Beyer) Scott, David (Jeffries) Sessions (Babin) Sherrill (Pallone) Simpson (Fleischmann) Sires (Pallone) Stansbury (Garcia (IL)) Steube (Donalds) Suozzi (Beyer) Swalwell (Correa) Taylor (Babin) Thompson (PA) (Reschenthaler) Tiffany (Fitzgerald) Van Duyne (Bice (OK)) Wagner (Guthrie) Wasserman Schultz (Soto) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Wilson (SC) (Rice (SC))
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF KAROLE WHITE
Tim Walberg (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor and celebrate the career of Ms. Karole White, who served as president and CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for over 36 incredible years. prgtoken Karole has dedicated her career to organizations that have bettered Michigan communities and businesses. Under her leadership, MAB grew from a group with minimal resources, to one of the most respected and robust trade associations in the state. prgtoken Karole's leadership helped the MAB integrate into all areas of the broadcasting industry. Her advocacy extended from the smallest high school newsroom to the largest radio stations in the state. Currently, nearly 90 percent of individuals, companies, and organizations affiliated with broadcasting in Michigan have joined the MAB. prgtoken Karole's expertise has made her an essential part of the broadcasting industry, and she has built strong relationships across the field, not just in our state but around the country. When she announced her retirement in January, we knew that the industry was losing one of its greatest advocates. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating her and wishing her well in her retirement. After decades of service, she surely deserves it, and I will always count it a privilege to call her my friend.
REMEMBERING PORT CLINTON, OHIO'S COMPANY C MEMBERS IN HONOR OF NATIONAL FORMER POW RECOGNITION DAY
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , I rise today at the request of members of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society regarding National Former POW Recognition Day which took place on April 9th. The Society notes that this year it ``commemorates the 80th anniversary of the fall of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines and the Start of the infamous Bataan Death March.'' Port Clinton, a small city along Lake Erie in my District, shared 32 of its sons in Company C, only ten of whom returned from the Bataan Death March. I am pleased to include in the Record the history of the March written by Mindy Kotler Smith, a member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society: ``Participating in the historic defense of the Philippine Islands were 32 men from Port Clinton, Ohio. They were members of Company C of the 192nd Tank Battalion, an Ohio National Guard unit federalized in late 1940. The 192nd arrived in the Philippines two weeks before Imperial Japan began its invasion of the American territory on December 8, 1941--within hours of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. ``On Dec. 22, 1941, at Lingayen Gulf, the 192nd earned the distinction of taking part in the first `tank-versus-tank battle' of World War II. But it was Company C, on December 31st at Baliuag, that won the first American tank battle of the war. At a time when victories were rare, Company C was celebrated stateside. ``For four months, on Bataan, American and Filipino forces put up the first significant resistance to Japan's lightning advance though Southeast Asia. Sick, starving, lacking ammunition and without hope of resupply, the American commanders fearing a slaughter surrendered their men to the Japanese on April 9, 1942. ``Within hours, those that did not escape to Corregidor-- the island fortress in Manila Bay--were forced onto the Bataan Death March up the full length of the Bataan Peninsula. The 65-mile trek to a train station in the tropical heat was marked by unimagined cruelty and murder all while food, water, and medicine were withheld by their capturers. For the next 24 miles, they were packed standing into steaming, fetid boxcars. Those still alive were then walked several more miles to a makeshift POW camp that had only two sources of water for some 60,000 POWs. ``Of the 100 men of Company C, only six died in combat or on the March. However, 58 died as POWs of Japan in the following three and one-half years of captivity and slave labor. Of the 32 men from Port Clinton, only 10 returned home. ``One of the Port Clinton tankers who did not return was 25-year-old Sgt. John Robinette. He survived the Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March only to succumb to starvation and disease on November 10, 1942 in a POW camp i
TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF FORMER STATE SENATOR GLORIA TANNER
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , I rise today along with my colleagues, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman Joe Neguse, and Congressman Jason Crow, to recognize the life and achievements of former Colorado State Senator Gloria Tanner, who passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022, at the age of 86. Gloria was a courageous leader who dedicated her life to improving the lives of other Coloradans. She was also a friend and mentor to so many in the Denver community, including all of us.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the service of esteemed activist and public servant, Betty Reid Soskin, upon her retirement from the National Park Service. prgtoken Throughout her life and career, Betty has demonstrated steadfast dedication to advocacy and service. During World War II, she was a file clerk for the Boilermakers Union A-36, an all-Black union auxiliary. Betty continued her community involvement as an active voice in protesting the Vietnam War and writing music about the experiences of the Civil Rights Movement. She also held other esteemed positions like serving as a delegate to the 1972 ic National Convention, legislative aide for a Berkley City Councilmember, and field representative for two California State Assemblymembers. prgtoken In 2000 when the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park was established in Richmond, California, Betty became actively involved in preserving the East Bay's rich history. In 2004, Betty became a ranger with the National Park Service assigned to the Rosie the Riveter Park. In this role, Betty educated thousands of park visitors by sharing her story as a young Black woman working during the war. Betty has worked tirelessly to continue honoring the past and to teach future generations about the wartime efforts. Her voice has been critical in highlighting the experiences of women and African Americans who had participated in the war so that these stories are not forgotten. At 100 years old, Betty was the oldest National Park Ranger in the country. prgtoken Betty has been rightfully recognized over the years for her advocacy and commitment to social justice. Betty was named ``Woman of the Year'' in 1995 by the California State Legislature and was recognized by the National Women's History Project as one of the country's ten outstanding women in 2006. She was formally recognized by President in 2015, even having the honor of lighting the National Christmas Tree that year. Additionally, she was Glamour Magazine's ``Woman of the Year'' in 2018 and recently had a middle school in El Sobrante named after her. prgtoken Betty is a pillar of our community and I am proud to call her a friend. Her leadership and passionate spirit are an inspiration to all who know her. Please join me in congratulating Betty on her retirement and honoring her for her years of dedicated service.
INTRODUCTION OF THE CIVIL WAR DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , on the anniversary of the week of the start of the Civil War, I introduce the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act, which would recognize and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington located in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. The Defenses of Washington, including forts, unarmed batteries and rifle trenches, created a ring of protection for the nation's capital during the Civil War. This bill would redesignate the 22 Civil War Defenses of Washington currently under National Park Service jurisdiction as a national historical park, and allow other sites associated with the Defenses of Washington that are owned by the District or a unit of state governments to be affiliated with the national historical park through cooperative agreements. This bill would also require the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the storied history of the Civil War for both the North and the South, including the history of the Defenses of Washington and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, being assembled, arrayed and conveyed for the benefit of the public for the knowledge, education and inspiration of this and future generations. In 2018, the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on this bill. Although the Department of the Interior opposed this bill, I feel strongly that the Defenses of Washington need additional recognition and should be redesignated as a national historical park. prgtoken The Defenses of Washington were constructed at the beginning of the war, in 1861, as a ring of protection for the nation's capital and for President Abraham Lincoln. By the end of the war, these defenses included 68 forts, 93 unarmed batteries, 807 mounted cannons, 13 miles of rifle trenches and 32 miles of military roads. The major test of the Defenses of Washington came with the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, when Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early, directed by General Robert E. Lee, sought to attack the nation's capital from the north, causing Union forces threatening to attack Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, to be withdrawn. General Early was delayed by Union Major General Lew Wallace at the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864, and was stopped at the northern edge of Washington at the Battle of Fort Stevens on July 11-12, 1864. The Shenandoah Valley Campaign ended when Union Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan defeated General Early at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, on October 19, 1864. prgtoken Nearly all the individual forts in the Defenses of Washington--on both sides of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers--were involved in stopping General Early's attack, and the Battle of Fort Stevens was the second and last attempt by the Confederate Army to attack Washington. prgtoken Taken together, these battles were pivotal to the outcome of the war and the freedom and democracy that the war represented for this country
BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK 2022
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , information can save lives. Even children's cartoons used to say that ``knowing is half the battle.'' prgtoken So, during the fifth Annual Black Maternal Health Week, which runs April 11-17, I want to impress upon our community that research and data could not be more important to our efforts to close the mortality and morbidity gaps between white and Black parents. prgtoken When my fellow members of Congress learn that Black Americans are three-to-four times more likely to die in childbirth than white Americans, they pay attention--even if they're not paying attention to concepts like structural racism, implicit bias, and social determinants of health. prgtoken However, the data also tell us that bias and racism are alive and well in healthcare; or as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr who we lost 54 years ago this week, once said: ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in Health care is the most shocking and inhumane.'' prgtoken Health care is not equal in our country, and it never has been so we shouldn't be surprised when that inequality extends to mothers and their children--and the numbers here don't lie. Unfortunately, we know the truth: maternal health in America is in crisis, and like so many crises, the maternal mortality crisis has hit Black America harder. prgtoken As we've seen from the COVID-19 pandemic, the adage is true: when white America comes down with a cold, Black America gets pneumonia. In maternal care, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from preventable pregnancy-related complications than non-Hispanic, white women--no matter their level of education or socioeconomic status--even though 60 percent these deaths are preventable. prgtoken What's worse is for every mother lost there are hundreds of near misses. And annually, approximately 50,000 women experience severe pregnancy complications which result in serious health consequences. prgtoken However, because we have this data, we've been able to develop policy solutions to address the Black maternal health crisis in America. If we get this work done, we will not only raise the tide for Black women-- who are among the most marginalized and the most vulnerable--we will also improve outcomes and care for all women. prgtoken My work on this issue started when I joined up with then-Senator and the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to introduce our Annual Black Maternal Health Week resolution, something we've done every year since. Then, in 2019, I joined the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, to launch a Congressional caucus focused on Black maternal health. prgtoken As the co-founders and co-chairs of the bipartisan Black Maternal Health Caucus, we developed a solution: the Momnibus. The Momnibus is a package of 12 bills to comprehensively address all aspects of the maternal mortality crisis, with a focus on Black parents using reproductive justice as a guide. It is a
HONORING TODD SCHNUCK
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , I rise today to honor Todd Schnuck, CEO of Schnuck Markets in St. Louis, MO, who is being awarded the Glen Woodard Award for Outstanding Leadership in Public Affairs for the food industry by FMI--the Food Industry Association. prgtoken I know firsthand what a strong advocate Todd is for the food industry. He is in a unique position to be a voice for supermarkets-- spending his career leading the family business that was started in 1939, and now operating over 100 stores in 5 states, employing thousands and positively impacting the lives of millions of people in our great state of Missouri. prgtoken Todd is a distinguished leader and advocate for the industry. Both the company and Todd personally are philanthropic leaders in the St. Louis area and Todd's ability to effectively articulate public policy issues to federal, state, and local elected officials is exceptional. prgtoken Todd and his team have been wonderful partners as we have each worked to advance our shared goal of making life better for families in Missouri. He is a man of strong character, integrity, and faith, qualities I can attest extend to his family as well. I was honored to be able to work with his daughter Margaret when she interned for my office. prgtoken Todd is not just a leader in his professional life, he is also one in our community, and I am grateful to call him a friend. I congratulate Todd on this well-deserved award and I applaud FMI--the Food Industry Association for selecting a person of Todd's caliber for this important honor.
COMMEMORATING WHISPERING MANES THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER OPENING THE MARCH ARENA
Carlos A. Gimenez (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center's opening of a new arena in Florida's 26th Congressional District. It is my honor to recognize individuals and organizations in my district that dedicate their time and resources to helping improve the lives of children and their families that struggle with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. prgtoken Whispering Manes is opening a new arena and dedicating it to Marilyn Fizer March, an advocate and leader for children who suffer from a wide variety of disabilities. The March Arena is in the heart of my district and serves a neighborhood that would not otherwise have access to equine activities. prgtoken Through safe and supervised programs, participants with a wide range of disabilities are given the opportunity to participate in activities that promote physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being. The program aims to promote improvements in core and overall muscle strength, balance, and motor skills. prgtoken I am always proud to recognize individuals and organizations that dedicate their time to improving the lives of children in my district and in the community. I look forward to seeing this new arena provide invaluable services to this community and the constituents of Florida's 26th Congressional District.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2022-4-11

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and include in the Record the words of Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, honoring the life and legacy of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Remarks by Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz: Today we recognize the life and leadership of the global spiritual leader Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, known universally as ``the Rebbe'' and head of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Schneerson arrived with his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, to our shores in 1941 from the Nazi inferno, just as our nation was celebrating our independence on July 4--a bearded, Yiddish-speaking, childless and penniless Soviet emigre. Yet, without the benefit of material resources or political power, only the force of his convictions, a selfless dedication to the Supreme Being and to every human being, the Rebbe resuscitated and guided a demoralized and depleted world Jewry to rebuild and even to flourish after the Holocaust. Though he came to this country with nothing, through his work the Rebbe became the most influential rabbi in modern history. One result of his leadership is the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which, by following his teachings and example, became the world's largest Jewish educational organization. Today there are more than 3,500 permanent Chabad-Lubavitch centers providing educational, religious, and humanitarian programming, serving people in all 50 States, including in my home state of South Dakota, and in over 100 countries around the world. The Rebbe's message to all peoples everywhere in the world community calls for focusing serious concern on the values of education and acts of charity, to provide an education which is imbued with ethical, moral and spiritual values. The recognition that there is ``an Eye that Sees and an Ear that Hears,''--that all humankind is accountable to the Creator who provided us with the only true guide for life. The Rebbe teaches that these moral and ethical values, as enshrined in the Seven Laws given to Noah, must be an integral part of any educational system if humankind is to live in harmony with a fellow human and if humanity is to realize G-ds expectation of her or him. When does this education begin? The moment life starts. When does education end? It never does. The Rebbe always extolled America's unique role and mission on the world stage and had meaningful relationships with several of our nation's leaders who saw him as the moral guide to so many. For the Rebbe, America was a beacon of light with a historic prominence to be utilized in influencing the betterment of all humanity. The Rebbe called America ``a nation of kindness'' and pointed to the words ``In God We Trust'' ensh