mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PAT WALKER RETIREMENT
Joe Cunningham (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2020-11-12

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Pat Walker and her contributions to bettering the Lowcountry, one meal at a time. For the past eight years, Pat has served as the President and CEO of the Lowcountry Food Bank and helped increase their efforts for food distribution of underserved communities in our district. prgtoken Pat's entire life has been about service to others--from a 30-year career in education as a high school teacher and guidance counselor, followed by her 10 years at East Cooper Meals on Wheels as President and CEO prior to joining the Lowcountry Food Bank in 2012. As her friends and colleagues will tell you, Pat's job is not as much an occupation as it is higher calling. Her legacy to the organization includes exceeding all goals established by Feeding America and expanding into the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina with three food distribution centers along the coast. prgtoken Pat Walker will now get to enjoy a well-deserved retirement and can rest assured that her tenure at the Lowcountry Food Bank leaves a blueprint for further growth. I thank Pat for her service to the Lowcountry. It is leaders like her that make our community a better place for everyone to live.
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND KAZAKHSTAN
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-11-12

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan. This has been a key relationship for the United States ever since Kazakhstan established its independence almost 30 years ago. The Republic of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, oversaw Kazakhstan's emergence as the economic leader of Central Asia, and the United States' key ally in the region, as evidenced in part by the fact that U.S. companies are the largest source of direct foreign investment in Kazakhstan. This is in large part due to the fact Kazakhstan has implemented reform and liberalization policies that have strengthened the bond between our two countries. prgtoken Similarly, Kazakhstan has embarked on a path of political reforms to match its successful economic reforms and is taking an increasingly visible role in global affairs. As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I must highlight the fact that Kazakhstan chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010 and led the U.N. Security Council in 20I7-2018. In 2018, President Nazarbayev visited Washington, D.C in connection with the announcement of an Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Kazakhstan and the United States. The countries agreed to heightened cooperation on political and security issues, including those related to Afghanistan and other defense initiatives, terrorism, extremism, the rule of law, and human rights. prgtoken On November 30th, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be hosting a conference to review former President Nazarbayev's long career and highlight his efforts and accomplishments in establishing Kazakhstan as a global leader in a number of important areas. Perhaps most notably is the former president's unbending dedication to advancing the principles of nuclear nonproliferation, a stance that has made the entire world a safer place for this and future generations. prgtoken I also applaud current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's efforts to prioritize additional political reforms that will increase transparency and make the government more responsive to all of Kazakhstan's citizens. prgtoken Madam , as former President Nazarbayev celebrates his 80th birthday and the people of Kazakhstan approach the celebration of their country's 30th anniversary, I wish all people of Kazakhstan nothing but peace, prosperity, and continued blessings.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ANTHONY ``TONY'' VILLEGAS
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2020-11-12

. Madam , I rise today with an aching but appreciative heart, on behalf of the Kansas City community and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, to honor the memory of Anthony ``Tony'' Villegas. Kansas City has lost a kindred spirit and happy warrior, who dedicated his life to serving his community. prgtoken Scripture tells us, in 1 Peter 4:10, to use whatever gifts we have received from God to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. As a member of the Parish Council for the St. John Evangelist Church in Kansas City, Tony understood this call to service better than most. Tony was blessed with the gift of a loving family, a beautiful marriage that would last sixty-one years, and an unrelentingly optimistic demeanor, and he turned those gifts into a lifetime of public service. He served on several boards and commissions working to strengthen our community throughout his life, including a quarter-century stint on the Board of Public Utilities. Believing that our city was at its best when everyone was given a fair shot, he worked tirelessly to promote inclusivity and unity. During his eight years on the Kansas Human Rights Commission, he worked to eliminate discrimination, segregation, and animus against people of color trying to access public accommodations and affordable housing. And during his tenure as the Commissioner of the Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority, he held fast to his belief that access to safe and affordable housing was a fundamental human right, and he rejoiced every time he helped a family secure a place to call home. Today, families across Kansas City are safe and warm with roofs above their heads because of Tony's unwavering support and enthusiastic advocacy. prgtoken Tony's work did not stop at promoting equal treatment under the law and investing in families' success through affordable housing; he also worked tirelessly to promote equal access to education. As a Board Member and Vice-President of El Centro for eight years, he worked to provide young Latino children with high-quality education. This education has provided the foundation for thousands of students to lead healthier lives, bolster their economic mobility, and advocate for the Latino community through elections and policy initiatives. Through the Academy for Children and various after-school enrichment programs, El prgtoken Centro has created a nurturing environment for young Latino students to appreciate their culture and history while also preparing them to participate fully in Kindergarten and elementary school. Tony also served as a board member of the Hispanic Media Association Scholarship Fund and the University of Central Missouri's Cesar E. Chavez Scholarship Committee. As a result of Tony's impassioned fundraising, these scholarships have been able to award thousands of dollars to deserving Latino students pursuing higher education and working towards a brighter future for themse
ROSIE THE RIVETER CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2019
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-11-12

I rise today to urge this body to pass H.R. 1773, the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act. This bill would honor the American women who joined the workforce in support of the war effort during World War II. prgtoken Millions of women dedicated themselves to strengthening our Nation and answered the call to action by joining the workforce and learning new jobs. Many of these women built the vehicles, the weaponry, and the ammunition that were critical to the war effort. Whether they worked on assembly lines, addressed the troops' medical needs, or tended to ships and farms, Rosies ensured the country continued functioning during the war while often serving as the primary caretakers for their children. prgtoken These Rosie the Riveters rose to the challenge and set a powerful example both to working women and for all Americans. Rosies not only faced gender-based discrimination, but Rosies of color fought racial discrimination, all while manufacturing planes, ships, tanks, weapons, jeeps, and everything else that was needed to defeat the enemy in World War II. prgtoken Today, their example continues to inspire generations to embody the ``We can do it'' spirit. The Rosies are among our Nation's greatest living heroines. They deserve recognition and formal commendation for their service to our country while they are still with us. prgtoken The Rosies who are still alive are in their nineties, and we need to honor them now. The House version of the Rosie the Riveter Gold Medal Act passed a year ago on November 13, 2019, by unanimous consent and with broad bipartisan cosponsorship. The Senate version, S. 892, which I introduced last year, has 76 cosponsors, including 36 s, as well as all 26 women serving in the Senate of both parties. prgtoken This body has already made clear its overwhelming support for the bill. Each State contributed to the war effort, and each State has Rosies awaiting this award. prgtoken I would like to tell you about a Rosie the Riveter from my home State of Pennsylvania. I will just put up a poster of a picture of her. As I said, she is a Pennsylvanian. Her name is Mae Krier of Levittown, PA, Bucks County, Southeastern Pennsylvania. Mae worked in a Boeing factory where she helped make B-17 and B-29 warplanes as a teenager during World War II. Mae is now 94 years old and has been working to recognize and honor her fellow Rosies--not for years; she has been working on this for decades. prgtoken Mae is a patriot. And Mae is now serving her country yet again during another crisis. She has spent the better part of this year making face masks for those who need them. These polka-dot masks are reminiscent of the bandanna worn by the woman in the famous ``We Can Do It'' poster. prgtoken Mae is the embodiment of the ``We Can Do It'' spirit. For over 70 years, from the Boeing assembly line where she worked to her sewing machine today, Mae has devoted herself to the bet
End-of-Year Priorities (Executive Session)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-11-12

on November 9, 2016, I had one of the most memorable experiences of my life. prgtoken I stood on a hotel stage in New York City and, as my party's nominee for Vice President, introduced Secretary Hillary Clinton to address her supporters and the Nation for a concession speech. The polls in the Western United States had just been closed for about 10 hours, and it was a mere 8 hours after news organizations had called the 2016 election for . prgtoken Hillary Clinton had made history. She was the first woman nominee of a major party for President, and she had won the popular vote by millions of votes. prgtoken She was also deeply concerned about the election itself. Candidate had openly solicited help from a foreign adversary to win the election. While the dimensions of the foreign misinformation campaign were not yet fully clear, the Nation's intelligence community had publicly warned that a foreign country was active in efforts to undermine Secretary Clinton's candidacy and create chaos and division in the American electorate. prgtoken But Hillary Clinton was and is a patriotic American. She knew that she was behind by nearly 77,000 votes in the key States of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. She knew that it was highly unlikely that recounts would change any of those three deficits in any appreciable way. prgtoken I watched Secretary Clinton struggle with the war between her personal feelings and her earnest search for what was right for the country, and I struggled with those same feelings. I was proud of Secretary Clinton when she walked to a microphone and said these words: Last night, I congratulated and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans. This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for and I'm sorry that we did not win the election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country. We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America and I always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. is going to be our next president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power and we don't just respect that, we cherish it. prgtoken It takes a strong moral compass to quickly set aside personal disappointment and choose country over your own personal feelings. Hillary Clinton demonstrated leadership that day. prgtoken I take the floor today to ask why won't put the country over his personal feelings, but I particularly want to ask my Senate colleagues: Why won't you ask the President of your party to do the right thing and put the interests of the country over personal or partisan pursuit
RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF MAYOR JACKIE A. MECK
Paul A. Gosar (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-11-12

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Buckeye, Arizona's Mayor, Jackie A. Meck, as he prepares for a much-deserved retirement. A native and lifelong resident of Buckeye, Mayor Meck has dedicated his life to public service. Buckeye and Maricopa County have been well served under his leadership. prgtoken Mayor Meck's retirement comes as he concludes his third consecutive term as Mayor of the City of Buckeye. Three terms is a mere drop in the bucket of the lifetime of work he has given this great city, as he was previously Mayor in 1973 and a two-time member of the city council. prgtoken His dedication to the advancement of his community runs not just through Buckeye, but also into West Valley and all of Arizona. A member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council, Gila River's El Rio Restoration Project Executive Committee, Interstate-1 Coalition, and much, much more, Mayor Meck continues to be an active member of the governmental and non-governmental associations which work for the benefit of Buckeye and its surrounding areas. prgtoken Mayor Meck exemplifies the fierce patriotism and unwavering commitment to country that exists in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District. Under Mayor Meck's tenure, Buckeye has grown stronger and more prosperous. We are grateful for his service to Buckeye, Maricopa County, and the great state of Arizona. Madam , I urge all my colleagues to join me in thanking Mayor Meck for his service to Buckeye and in wishing him a very happy retirement.
HONORING THE LIFE OF CONSTANTINE ``BUZZ'' BELER
George Holding (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-11-12

. Madam , I rise to honor the life of Constantine ``Buzz'' Beler, who passed away last month at the age of 90. For more than half a century, Buzz was a towering figure in the restaurant industry and a beloved pillar of his community. prgtoken The son of Peter and Cleo Hariklea ``Hattie'' Beler, Buzz learned the ropes of the restaurant industry at a young age working at his parents' restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland. prgtoken Buzz went on to attend the University of Virginia where he was a member of the Riding team and a standout in the classroom. Following graduation, Buzz returned home to pursue a law degree at the University of Maryland. prgtoken Buzz did a brief stint in the Army and then spent some time working at a local law firm. Ultimately, though, Buzz found himself yearning to return to the restaurant business. When the Horizon House--a little known eatery in Baltimore--went up for sale in 1965, Buzz and his brother seized the opportunity and opened up the ``Prime Rib.'' prgtoken Their elegant, yet simplistic steakhouse did quite well. A decade later the brothers decided prgtoken to open a second location in Washington, D.C. in 1976. The venture was a smashing success. Over the years, the Prime Rib became a renowned institution--racking up a long list of local and national accolades. prgtoken All the while, Buzz could be found at the steakhouse nearly every night of the week--where he oversaw operations and spent his time chatting up customers. prgtoken Several generations of locals came to admire Buzz for his strong character, impeccable work ethic, and vibrant spirit. Buzz will be remembered as a warmhearted, gracious gentleman who rose to prominence and achieved success the right way. prgtoken Buzz was a dear friend and I will always cherish the memories I have of him. His was truly a life well-lived.
31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE VELVET REVOLUTION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-11-12

Iowa is home to a lot of people who have a heritage from the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. November 17 is coming up pretty soon, and it marks the 31st anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. prgtoken In 1989, the Czech people stood up against Communist rule and, through nonviolent demonstrations, precipitated the nation's transition to democracy. The Velvet Revolution lasted 43 days and in the end ended 41 years of Communist control of Czechoslovakia. Jingling keys became a symbol of the revolution and of the new doors that democracy and freedom from communism would unlock for those great people in Czechoslovakia. prgtoken Now we have two countries--the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. We also have a National Czech and Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids, IA. This museum helps to educate Americans about these events I just talked about and, most importantly, to teach them about the importance of never giving up on fighting for freedom. prgtoken .
NOMINATION OF AILEEN MERCEDES CANNON
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-11-12

I rise today to support the confirmation of Aileen Mercedes Cannon to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Cannon has a distinguished record of public service, during which she has demonstrated a firm commitment to upholding the United States Constitution and respecting the rule of law. She began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Steven Colloton on the Eighth Circuit United States Court of Appeals and has served with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida since 2013. I am confident that she will continue to serve the Southern District of Florida well once she is confirmed to the bench, and I am proud to support her confirmation today.
Appropriations (Executive Calendar)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-11-12

I am pleased to be here today to talk about the 2021 appropriations bill that we filed this week for Labor, for Health and Human Services, and for Education. prgtoken Obviously, with what we have gone through this year, those three agencies have all experienced dramatic challenges--labor challenges, health challenges, education challenges. And while this bill would not specifically be a COVID relief bill, it is a bill that funds these agencies so they can move forward with their normal work rather than have to, in some piecemeal way, try to deal with their normal work while they are trying to work with us on the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID bill. prgtoken This is the largest bill--Labor, Health, and Education is the largest nondefense bill on the discretionary side of the agenda. It is about 30 percent of all the money left when the Defense appropriations is taken off the table. prgtoken There are 11 bills left at that point, but this bill has about 30 percent of all the money. It has a lot of competing priorities, from apprenticeships to biomedical research, to public health and preparedness programs, to childcare and special education. National service and community service are all in this bill. prgtoken We received 8,352 requests from Senators of things they would like to see in the bill. They are not all in there, but we did all we could to take the money we had and move forward with priorities that make sense. prgtoken I am disappointed at this point that our ic colleagues on the Appropriations Committee were unable to support the bill right now, but we have worked together in the past. I hope we can continue to work together to find a way forward. And, frankly, my view is if appropriations bills appear to have a path to the President's desk, that is the thing that brings us together most quickly. prgtoken This bill continues in our sixth year of commitment to robustly and consistently funding medical research at the National Institutes of Health. We provided a $2 billion increase on that research. We target funding toward Alzheimer's, toward precision medicine, premature birth research, the BRAIN Initiative. In my time as chairman, we have actually increased NIH funding by 45 percent in budgets that often had virtually no increase at all. We truly had to work together to prioritize. We have done that. prgtoken My time as chairman is about 6 years, if you are wondering how long it took us to get that 45-percent increase. Six years ago, we hadn't had any increase for 12 years. NIH was about 22 percent behind in buying power where they had been a decade earlier. We made up that 22 percent. And actually, now, we are putting real money on the table in an environment that has never been better and never been more promising in the NIH research area. prgtoken We continue our focus of combating opioids. Between 1999 and 2018, nearly 450,000 people in the United States died from o
RECOGNIZING IDAHO SEWING FOR SPORTS
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-11-12

as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today I am pleased to honor Idaho Sewing for Sports in Grangeville as the Idaho Small Business of the month for November 2020. prgtoken Idaho Sewing for Sports--ISS--is a manufacturer of custom padding and coverings for ski resorts and summer recreation destinations throughout the globe. In 1986, founders Gail and Will Williams returned from a business trip to Canada and found themselves in Grangeville, ID. It was during this stop they were captivated by its natural beauty, lifestyle, and community. As a result of this experience, the Williams decided to relocate their family and business to Grangeville, where it has operated for nearly 25 years. prgtoken ISS has developed a reputation for producing high-quality custom coverings for lift seats, wall and tower paddings, zip lines, and other resort infrastructure. Since its relocation to Idaho, ISS has grown to be one of the largest custom padding manufacturers in America. While the Williams have since retired from the business' day-to-day operations, their son Gunther and his wife Joy now manage the business. prgtoken In addition to operating a successful business, ISS has been integral to aiding the community's COVID-19 relief efforts. As a board member of the Syringa Hospital in Grangeville, Gunther Williams learned that the hospital was experiencing a shortage of gowns and masks. In response, Gunther jumped into action and directed his staff to coordinate with the hospital to develop medical grade gowns and masks. Syringa Hospital supplied ISS with the patterns it needed to produce the gowns and provided surgical blankets to produce masks. Through their heroic collaboration, ISS produced thousands of gowns and masks at cost that were distributed to hospitals and first responders throughout the country. prgtoken Congratulations to Gunther, Joy, and all of the hard-working employees of Idaho Sewing for Sports on being selected as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for November 2020. Your commitment to service and community is humbling, and you make our great State proud. I look forward to your continued growth and success.