mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-11-15

I have had the privilege to know and to work with many distinguished leaders in Kansas and across the country over the years, and today, I would like to recognize one of those individuals, Richard Felts. Rich currently serves our State as president of the Kansas Farm Bureau, a position he has held since 2014. prgtoken Next month, Rich will step down from this role. He will be greatly missed, as he has always been a champion for agriculture and for preserving the rural way of life we so care about in our great State. prgtoken For the past 8 years, Rich has advocated for Kansas farmers and ranchers, bringing their challenges here to me and the rest of the congressional delegation and fighting for policies that support farmers and ranchers who support agriculture in our State and cross the United States. prgtoken His passion for serving the agriculture community comes from his upbringing in smalltown Kansas and the lessons he learned from his parents who farmed before him. prgtoken Rich has dedicated his life to serving Kansans, and throughout the years, I have always known him to be an example of true servant leadership and dedication to improving the State he loves. Rich's calm guidance and heart for others have been especially felt when disasters strike Kansas farmers and ranchers. When wildfires, floods, and drought plagued our State, he could always be counted on to be a consistent and steady voice of advice and empathy for those suffering. prgtoken When the COVID-19 pandemic caused devastating supply chain issues for our agriculture community and when they faced challenges and economic fallout from international trade wars, Rich remained a reassuring and inspiring example of leadership. At each of these points, I knew I could rely upon Rich's advice and counsel when responding to the challenges facing our farmers and ranchers and the communities they live in. prgtoken His insight will be sorely missed; although, I doubt that we will not rely upon him in the future, despite his retirement as President of Kansas Farm Bureau. We will still be calling upon him for that advice. prgtoken Before he became President of Kansas Farm Bureau, Rich served as vice president on the board of directors of the farm bureau. Throughout his life, he has served on the county farm bureau board as a county 4-H leader, on Montgomery and Kansas State Extension Council, as chairman of Southeast Kansas Grain, and as chairman of the Farm Bureau Mutual Holding Company and subsidiary insurance service companies. prgtoken Rich embodies the traits we hope to instill in our children and grandchildren: a heart for service, selfless desire to invest in others, deep love for one's State and country, and passion for making the world a better place. He passed these lessons on to his own daughter, who grew up with a passion for helping others and who followed in his footsteps by serving as the president of the local Montgomery Count
RECOGNIZING THE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF DAVID RALSTON
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-11-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the leadership and service of David Ralston, who recently announced that he would be ending his tenure as of the Georgia State House of Representatives. prgtoken David has been since 2010 and has overseen some of the most historic legislative accomplishments in our State's history. prgtoken He attended Young College and North Georgia College, where he earned his bachelor's degree with honors. He then went on to graduate from the University of Georgia School of Law. An attorney by trade, Ralston started his career in public service in 1992 when he was elected to the Georgia State Senate. prgtoken In 2002, David was elected to the Georgia State House of Representatives and was chosen as in 2010. During his term as , he presided over the enactment of landmark legislation, including the State's first-ever income tax cut in 2018. prgtoken In the wake of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, he led the effort to create and pass the State's hate crime law. Earlier this year, he was one of the greatest proponents of the legislation, saying that this bill was his ``only priority'' for 2022. The bill was a complete revamp of the State's mental health care services and passed with unanimous support. prgtoken He has been heralded as fair, thoughtful, and level-headed by those on both sides of the aisle. While he will still serve in the Georgia State House of Representatives, his presence on the dais will be missed. prgtoken A committed public servant, statesman, and a dear friend, I thank David Ralston for his leadership and for being a great suitemate when we served together in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
RECOGNIZING NICK AYERS
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-11-15

. Madam , I rise today to honor Nick Ayers for his service to Kentucky's Second District. Prior to joining my D.C. congressional office, the Chesapeake, Virginia, native had great work experience in congressional offices. While he was working on his degree in Public Administration at George Mason University, Nick interned in Congressman Bruce Westerman's office. Following his college graduation, Nick joined Congresswoman Diane Black's office as staff assistant and worked his way up to legislative correspondent. prgtoken In March 2019, I welcomed Nick to my team as a legislative correspondent. In this role, he did an excellent job effectively communicating to constituents and responding to their inquiries. His strong knowledge of policy earned him a promotion to legislative aide. Nick met with constituents and researched the issues in his portfolio, including veterans, postal services, science, space, technology, fisheries, and federal budget policy issues. prgtoken I want to thank Nick for his work serving Kentucky's Second District as a legislative correspondent and a legislative aide. I wish him the best as he excels in this next chapter of his career on Capitol Hill.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rand Paul (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-11-15

the Constitution is the guarantor of our liberties. So it should come as no surprise that those who crave power to rule over their fellow men always seek to suspend the Constitution by declaring and perpetuating emergencies. This is the trick that always seems to work: Declare an emergency, and exempt yourself from the constitutional restraints on power that are necessary for the preservation of a free society. It is a strategy that has existed since antiquity. prgtoken As our Founders enshrined in the Constitution a system of checks and balances, so too did the founders of the Roman Republic. But when the crisis emerged, the Romans dissolved the restraints on power. That is how the Roman Republic died and how Caesar became dictator for life. prgtoken There is a touch of Caesarism in the COVID national emergency. The President told us that the pandemic is over, yet the national emergency remains. prgtoken When the Senate last voted to terminate the COVID national emergency in March, the White House issued a veto threat. At the time, the White House said: Although we have made tremendous progress in combating the virus, the virus continues to pose a risk to the American people and our healthcare system. prgtoken Caesar could not have said it better himself. The administration demands credit for how it wielded extraordinary powers, but it can never claim total success, for doing so would rob the administration of the power it so craves. prgtoken Have we forgotten what emergency powers look like? They look like lockdowns, where livelihoods and lives are destroyed. They look like a travel mask mandate. They look like robbing children of a full education. They look like the closure of places of worship. They look like a vaccine mandate for those working in large companies and the military. They look like an eviction moratorium in which the CDC claims the power to destroy contracts and effectively seize private property. prgtoken When was the last time you heard the President tell the country it was time to relax emergency powers? prgtoken His actions validate the argument made in Robert Higgs' classic work ``Crisis and Leviathan.'' Higgs demonstrated that governments justify the exercise of extraordinary powers during an emergency; but when the crisis ends, even if government gives back some of the powers, it will never voluntarily relinquish all its newfound authorities. prgtoken We are free from these monstrous policies only because the courts forced the President to abide by the Constitution. In restoring the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, the Supreme Court held that ``even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten.'' It bears repeating. prgtoken The Constitution doesn't go away. We don't dissolve the Constitution just because there is an infection out. The rights you were granted under the Constitution, the rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution, remain
HONORING THE JOSEPH FAMILY OF UTICA
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2022-11-15

I rise today to honor the Joseph family from Utica, New York, and their dedicated and honorable service in defense of our great Nation. prgtoken During World War II, five of the Joseph brothers served in our Armed Forces, rising to the challenge to democracy and freedom and defending all free people's rights across the globe. prgtoken The Joseph brothers served in all branches of the military across multiple fronts, in harm's way constantly. Sadly, none of the brothers could return home for their mother's funeral, as she died when they were deployed across multiple fronts and theaters of combat. prgtoken While it is impossible to comprehend and appreciate what they all went through, all just young men coming of age literally under enemy fire, I want to provide this body and this country with a small snapshot of what each Joseph brother endured and did for their community, State, and our country. prgtoken Seaman Second Class Edward Michael ``Chick'' Joseph, having served in the United States Navy during World War II, receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy on November 28, 1944. Ed, otherwise known as ``Chick,'' earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze battle stars, World War II Victory Medal, and foreign awards of the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze battle star. prgtoken Torpedoman's Mate Second Class Joseph Edward Joseph, honorably discharged from the United States Navy on January 4, 1946, serving in World War II aboard the USS Aulick. On November 29, 1945, six Japanese planes attacked the Aulick in the Leyte Gulf while on antisubmarine patrol, with 31 men giving their lives in defense of their ship, comrades, and country, 64 being wounded, and 1 sailor missing in action. prgtoken Anthony Joseph, United States Marine Corps, World War II, died in 1945, sadly, due to cancer. prgtoken Louis Joseph, United States Merchant Marines, World War II, serving in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean theaters, visiting 31 countries, islands, and territories. Two of the ships Louis served on were sunk, with one sinking causing Louis to spend 17 days adrift in a raft. Louis' unit earned the Presidential Unit Citation with two battle stars. Louis used his brother Joseph's identification to enlist initially in the Coast Guard, as he was underage to serve his country. prgtoken John G. Joseph, United States Coast Guard during World War II, also served as a corporal and auto equipment operator in the United States Army during the period immediately after World War II, serving from December 1945 through December 1948, having been separated from Fort Slocum in New York. prgtoken I have been fortunate enough to know many World War II veterans and to hear firsthand their actions and experiences. Sadly, members of our Greatest Generation are dwindling in numbers, and
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-11-15

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
HONORING PASTOR REGINALD BUCKLEY
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2022-11-15

. Madam , I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Pastor Reginald M. Buckley. prgtoken Pastor Buckley was born in Jackson, MS, to the Rev. and Mrs. Horace L. Buckley. He is a product of Jackson Public Schools and completed his undergraduate education at Tougaloo College. A recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon fellowship, Pastor Buckley entered graduate school at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1994 and completed the Master of Arts Degree in English Literature in 1996. prgtoken In 1998, he was called to serve as the senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Danville, Illinois, and ministered there for nine years. During his tenure there, he served as Secretary and 2nd Vice Moderator of the Wood River Baptist District Association, the oldest continuous Baptist district association in the nation. Pastor Buckley accepted the call to return to Jackson, MS, and serve as the executive pastor of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in 2007. After serving for seven years, he assumed the role of Senior Pastor in January 2015. He has served as the Dean and the Executive Director of the Congress of Christian Education for the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Baptist Seminary. prgtoken A W.K. Kellogg Fellow and a member of the inaugural class of the Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, Pastor Buckley is committed to the causes of community development, social justice, and equity. As executive director of the Cade Development Corporation, he helped to lead in the development of an 81-unit senior citizen apartment complex, which opened in 2012 in the Virden Addition community. Pastor Buckley has served on the board of directors for the Hinds County Economic Development Authority, the Mississippi Baptist Seminary and Bible College, and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Program for Research on Faith, Justice and Health at the University of Houston and the Board of Directors for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Pastor Buckley has also been inducted into the Tougaloo College Hall of Fame, is a recipient of the Tougaloo Meritorious Leadership award, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Pastor Buckley is married to Lecretia A. Buckley, Ph.D. and they are the parents of two children, Jonathan and Anna. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor Reginald M. Buckley for his dedication and passion for his community and the State of Mississippi.
TRIBUTE TO TODD HAUGEN
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-11-15

today I rise to honor and pay tribute to Todd Haugen, a Minnesota legend who is retiring on November 18 after 42 years as a local radio host in Bemidji. prgtoken A proud graduate of Bemidji State University, Todd did not always intend to become a radio host. He graduated with a major in geography with no radio experience, originally hoping to pursue a legal career and only taking a part-time gig as an afternoon radio DJ to earn some more money. Todd figured that any job where he got to meet and interview Barbara Mandell, one of the biggest country singers in the country, couldn't be half bad. But he fell in love with his part-time pursuit, drawn to the critical role that local radio stations play in keeping communities informed. prgtoken Todd has been a staple on local airwaves since 1980 when he first joined the team at KB101. With the exception of 6 months in 1985, Todd has remained at KB101 throughout his entire career, where he has hosted the morning show for almost four decades. prgtoken For generations of families in the Bemidji area, Todd's voice was as integral to their mornings as their breakfast and coffee. Commuters counted on him for weather updates, students looked to him for the score of high school sports games, and the entire community depended on him for honest news reporting and candid interviews. prgtoken Through his daily Chatabout public affairs show, Todd has interviewed countless local elected officials and leaders, highlighting the issues that matter the most to his listeners, from city council agendas and school board meetings, to public safety guidance and flu season tips. As Todd says, public service and helping people is the best part of his job. prgtoken But not all of Todd's conversations were so serious. Throughout his four decades in local radio, he also got the chance to show off his light-hearted side, participating in cow milking contests, riding elephants, and even introducing a wrestling match--all for the enjoyment of his listeners. prgtoken Todd's engaging and entertaining work has won him a record six National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Awards, a National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Heritage Award, and two National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation--NABEF--Service to America Awards. He has also been a two-time finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Small Market Personality of the Year. prgtoken Todd's service to his community has gone beyond just keeping them informed and entertained on the radio. prgtoken He has done so much to give back, from hosting Hubbard Bemidji's annual Radiothon To End Child Abuse since the event's inception in 1988 to serving on the local school board this year to fill a vacancy. After all Todd has done for Bemidji, he deserves the chance to spend more time with his wife and his two daughters and to finally turn off his alarm clock. prgtoken Todd, even though Bemidji w
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S. 4524, SPEAK OUT ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-11-15

. Madam , I rise in support of H. Res. 1464, the rule providing for consideration of S. 4524, The Speak Out Act. prgtoken I commend you and Rules Committee Chairman McGovern for providing this rule to allow The Speak Out Act to be brought before us for debate and a vote, as it reflects our priorities for the American people. prgtoken Our ic Party Caucus deeply believes in women's rights, from reproductive rights to workplace rights, including the right to engage in one's career without being subjected to sexual harassment or abuse that impairs lives and livelihoods. prgtoken By bringing this rule to the House, and allowing consideration of The Speak Out Act, our leadership emphatically asserts that women's rights are American rights; that the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace is a priority of , and that those rights must not be deterred. prgtoken The Speak Out Act would limit the judicial enforceability of predispute nondisclosure and nondisparagement contract clauses relating to disputes involving sexual assault and sexual harassment. prgtoken This bill is critical to ending the culture of silence that quiets the voices of survivors of sexual harassment. Ending the cycle of abuse starts with eliminating the power that perpetrators have over their victims. prgtoken Currently, companies can sue workers for breaking an NDA. The threat of legal retaliation is daunting enough to keep workers from coming forward with stories of abuse. prgtoken These NDAs have become commonplace in many industries. Harvard Business Review has estimated that over one third of the U.S. workforce is bound by NDAs. prgtoken These NDAs not only appear in settlements after a victim of sexual harassment has raised their voice, but also have become routinely included in standard employment contracts that are used at the time of hiring. prgtoken Typically, NDAs work to provide confidentiality and protection, but they have increasingly been used to protect power dynamics that enable abusers to continue their dangerous and disgusting behavior. prgtoken One in 3 women has faced sexual harassment in the workplace during her career, and an estimated 87 to 94 percent of those who experience sexual harassment never file a formal complaint. prgtoken The reality is that many of these women have no voice because the system rewards male manipulators and penalizes women who challenge the status quo. This is institutionalized abuse. prgtoken The Speak Out Act can change this reality by preventing employers from enforcing nondisclosure or non-disparagement agreements (NDAs) in instance's when employees and workers report sexual misconduct. prgtoken In the wake of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, our country has become acutely aware that men in power frequently leverage that power abusively to exploit women. prgtoken Sexual abuse and harassment can destroy a victim's financial security, mental health, and career path. <|p