mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
225TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARINER'S TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH IN NEW YORK CITY
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 225th anniversary of Mariner's Temple Baptist Church located at 3 Henry Street * 12 Oliver Street (Mariners' Temple Lane) in New York City. The Church's history is deeply rooted with the history of the Nation and this year celebrates a momentous milestone. prgtoken According to history, in 1795, Henry Rutgers, a descendent of Dutch immigrants, donated land on the corner of Oliver and Henry Streets designated for Baptist worship. Located a few blocks from the first White House occupied by George Washington and his wife on Cherry Lane, the first Church at Oliver and Henry Streets was called the Oliver Street Meeting House. The early Church began as a Mission for seamen who docked at the nearby East River and the church became famous. prgtoken Mariner's Church was established as a food and shelter mission for the seamen whose hard work helped New York City develop into a HUB of commerce and culture. The church is one of the oldest sites for Baptist worship in Manhattan offering innovative ministry in response to the great influx of immigration. Mariners' Temple gained the reputation as ``The Mother of Churches,'' launching the First Swedish Baptist Church, the First Italian Church, the First Norwegian-Danish Baptist Church, The first Lettish (Latvian) Church, the First Russian Church and the First Chinese Church as each new arrival of immigrants moved through the Lower East Side. From the 1940s to the 1970s, Mariners' Temple continued to be a spiritual center welcoming all ethnic groups in the neighborhood and establishing supportive missions and classes for Chinese, Latinx and African Americans. prgtoken Today, the church continues to be a beacon of hope for parishioners from all backgrounds. It takes the call to community engagement seriously. Mariner's Temple community is incredibly active, participating in a variety of ministries and programs. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter, Mariners' Temple remains committed to its missions and outreach initiatives. There is a ministry for everyone as Mariners' focuses on the ministries of Prayer, Church School/Christian Education, Evangelism, New Discipleship, Community Outreach, Communications, Sacred Arts Drama & Dance, Health, Wellness and Soul Care. Mariners' Temple is a multicultural Church utilizing small-group-driven ministry to build and strengthen the community. prgtoken Madam , as Mariner's Temple celebrates this historic milestone, its congregation can take pride in an inspiring 225 years of fellowship, worship, and service. I would like to congratulate Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter and past and current members of the church's congregation on this joyous occasion. Mariner Temple Baptist Church embodies the values of charity, inclusion, and integrity embraced by all New Yorkers. I wish them many more years full of growth and prosperity.
CONGRATULATING THOMAS EDISON MIDDLE SCHOOL OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT
Jahana Hayes (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I rise to congratulate Thomas Edison Middle School of Meriden, Connecticut, for being named a National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America. prgtoken Thomas Edison is one of 12 schools in Connecticut and one of only 142 schools in the country to be given this prestigious distinction. Its challenging curriculum, full engineering program, innovative technical supports, and strong family and community partnerships have resulted in high student achievement at the school. prgtoken Thomas Edison started an innovative program that provided every student prgtoken with a laptop to take home. This kind of investment in all students and commitment to reducing disparity pays dividends in student success. prgtoken Even with plentiful resources, success takes staff buy-in, strong leadership, and tireless work. I commend the staff at Thomas Edison for their commitment to their craft and dedication to students. prgtoken But it also takes a community, parents devoted to their children's learning, and students empowered and motivated to go the extra mile. Thomas Edison has implemented a family and community partnership. It has also partnered with the Community Health Center to provide behavioral health and dental health to all students. prgtoken This comprehensive approach to supporting students with wrap-around service makes a difference. Every school in America has the potential to be a school of distinction; we just need to prioritize education. prgtoken Again, I congratulate the Thomas Edison Middle School community for this award and honor.
REVERSING THE YOUTH TOBACCO EPIDEMIC ACT OF 2019
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I am not here to target people of color. I am here to save lives. prgtoken I support this legislation because it closes an effective tax loophole for e-cigarettes and taxes them just accordingly as tobacco. prgtoken It prohibits the manufacture of flavored tobacco and, more importantly, actually prohibits companies from marketing or promoting e-cigarettes to youth under the age of 21. That is an important element. prgtoken It makes sure that the grants that are gotten from those dollars are utilized for outreach and education, for evidence-based smoking- cessation programs. It awards grants to make tobacco-cessation therapies and counseling available to community health centers. prgtoken We have to save lives. People of color die disproportionately through tobacco products, including these flavored cigarettes. prgtoken The NAACP says flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, have driven the youth epidemic and more than half of youth smokers. Organizations like the National Black Nurses Association, African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, Black Women's Health Imperative, and National Hispanic Medical Association all support this. prgtoken Madam , I am here to save lives. That is why I am supporting this legislation. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 2339, the ``Protecting American Lungs and Reversing Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act.'' prgtoken I support this important lifesaving and life-extending legislation because it: prgtoken 1. Closes a tax loophole for e-cigarettes by establishing tax parity with current tobacco taxes, which is a highly effective way to reduce youth smoking. prgtoken 2. Prohibits the manufacture and sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, within one year, and removes all flavored e-cigarettes from the market within 30 days. prgtoken 3. Prohibits companies from marketing or promoting e-cigarettes to youth under age 21. prgtoken 4. Directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prohibit non- face-to-face (online) sales of most tobacco products, including e- cigarettes, thereby blocking a key path for high schoolers to obtain tobacco products, many of which are sold online with limited or no age verification requirements. prgtoken 5. Provides FDA with the authority to collect user fees from all classes of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and increases the annual user fees collected for tobacco products by $100 million. prgtoken 6. Requires the Federal Trade Commission to issue an annual report to Congress on the domestic sales, advertising, and promotional activities of cigarette, cigar, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarette manufacturers. prgtoken 7. Invests in grants for outreach and education for evidence-based smoking cessation programs for individuals in medically underserved communities, including racial and ethnic minorities. prgtoken 8. Awards grants to make tobacco cessation therapies and counseling available at Community Health Centers. prgtoken
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK AND THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I rise today in support of H. Res. 862: 2020 Public Schools Week. prgtoken I was disgusted when President referred to ``failing government schools,'' during his State of the Union Address. prgtoken President is wrong. prgtoken First of all, we call them public schools. prgtoken Today there are more than 50 million kids educated in public schools. Ensuring that our nation's kids are receiving the education they deserve no matter their ability, race, wealth, language, country or origin or needs. prgtoken As a former public school teacher, I know firsthand public schools play for students futures and the future of our country. prgtoken Yet, this administration continues to put public schools under threat. prgtoken And now the President plans to divert $5 million away from public schools to private school voucher programs, as well as turn funding for Every Student Succeeds Act into a block grant program. prgtoken We must continue to support our public schools and those that attend them this week and every week.
REVERSING THE YOUTH TOBACCO EPIDEMIC ACT OF 2019
Bobby L. Rush (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I am proud to rise today in support of H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act. prgtoken This bill would ban menthol products which are primarily used because of decades of predatory advertising by tobacco companies in the African American community and on the African American community, particularly, Madam , African American males, the so-called Kool generation, spelled with a K and not a C. prgtoken Smoking cigarettes, especially menthol-flavored cigarettes, has resulted in approximately 45,000 African American deaths each and every year. Lung cancer, COPD, and heart disease are the leading preventable causes of death for African Americans. Smoking menthol-flavored cigarettes is the primary culprit. prgtoken Earlier this week, Madam , I wrote an op-ed with Nancy Brown, the CEO of the American Heart Association, on the importance of this bill and the ban on menthol flavoring for our kids' health. I am pleased to report that our op-ed was published in The Hill on last Wednesday. prgtoken Madam , I include in the Record my op-ed. [From The Hill, Feb. 26, 2020] No Exceptions When It Comes To Kids' Health (By Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) and Nancy Brown) Imagine a world in which our children are not using tobacco or addicted to nicotine--a world in which tobacco products that appeal to youth cannot be sold, the tobacco industry is prohibited from preying upon youth with their deceptive marketing, and tobacco no longer represents a grave health threat to children. With tobacco and nicotine use among youth at epidemic levels in this country, we must address this public health crisis. The House of Representatives has an historic opportunity to do just that this week by passing the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act, a bill that takes bold action to remove all flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, including menthol, from the market. Until recently, the goal of a tobacco- and nicotine-free generation seemed within reach. Youth smoking rates, which were at 28 percent in 1997, fell to just 5 percent in 2018. But this hard-fought public health success against youth tobacco use is threatened by the skyrocketing popularity of e-cigarettes. More than 1 in 4 high-school students and more than 5 million youth nationwide now report using e- cigarettes, which pose serious health risks to users and could increase the likelihood of traditional cigarette use. An American Heart Association study released last year found that kids who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking traditional cigarettes. The reasons for this surge in youth e-cigarette use is clear. Tobacco companies introduced thousands of products with fruit, cand
REVERSING THE YOUTH TOBACCO EPIDEMIC ACT OF 2019
Yvette D. Clarke (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-2-28

. While it is indeed a health imperative to reduce and eliminate the use of tobacco products in our society, I would like to recognize the inequity, potential harm, and unintended consequences of a ban on menthol combustible products within the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act. prgtoken This bill's purpose is to curb youth tobacco usage by banning flavored tobacco products, more specifically ending the scourge of youth vaping in our Nation and the flavored products used to attract young people to its use. prgtoken However, this legislation has dire, unintended consequences for African American users, the overwhelming majority of which are over the age of 21. prgtoken It does not treat all flavored tobacco products equally, exempting premium cigars preferred by White smokers, yet banning menthol cigarettes. Menthol is the preferred flavor of African American tobacco users, used by 90 percent of Black tobacco users. prgtoken While I would love to assume the best intentions of all parties of this legislation and hope for the best in regard to law enforcement, lived experiences demand caution.
CORONAVIRUS IS A CAUSE OF GREAT CONCERN
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , coronavirus obviously is a cause of great concern for our citizens' well-being and impact on our health system in its ability to deliver service in this country. prgtoken What is disappointing in the last few days, it is once again being turned into a political football by those who oppose everything that this President does, even this morning before a briefing we had to educate us Members. prgtoken Can we please just stop on the bashing and focus on what Americans expect--solutions? prgtoken There is much we don't know. It is a moving target. China hasn't been very forthcoming with information. prgtoken So, in order to provide an abundance of caution, we need to have a deliberate process, and that is what our health officials are trying to provide. prgtoken We don't want an over-panic, but we don't want an under-response either. We need to assure our citizens that proper steps are being taken--and I believe they are--in containing it in this country. prgtoken Working together for solutions and leaving the politics to the Presidential debates and the talk shows and all that is what we need to be doing. It will help us best serve the needs and provide assurances as we learn and understand the breadth of this virus and its reach into our lives in this country. prgtoken It is not . It is not . It is just answers and assurances our citizens expect us to do.
REVERSING THE YOUTH TOBACCO EPIDEMIC ACT OF 2019
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I commend the House Energy and Commerce Committee for including language in the Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) to more appropriately treat premium cigars, which are marketed to and enjoyed by adult consumers. However, a $12 per cigar price requirement is arbitrary, impossible to enforce, and puts states like Pennsylvania at a significant disadvantage. prgtoken Pennsylvania is home to small business premium cigar retailers, importers, distributors, and farmers who grow tobacco used in hand- prgtoken made cigars. The history of cigar tobacco farming in Pennsylvania dates to the 1700s, and today, farmers in the Commonwealth produce the coveted cigar leaf. Numerous premium cigar mail order companies are based in Pennsylvania, due to the state's favorable business climate. In fact, Pennsylvania is second in the nation in premium cigar industry jobs, and my district is home to small businesses who proudly serve their adult consumers. prgtoken The Commonwealth is also one of few states without an additional tax on premium cigars. When I was in the Pennsylvania State Senate, I fought against proposals to impose such a tax, which would have crippled small businesses and hurt consumers. If a price requirement like the one proposed in this bill were enacted, small businesses in my district and across Pennsylvania would be disproportionately impacted, as more products in their humidors would fall below $12 than products in other states that are subject to higher taxes. prgtoken Madam , while I am grateful this bill acknowledges that premium cigars are marketed and enjoyed solely by adults, a $12 price requirement will devastate Pennsylvania's cigar industry. As Congress and the Administration continue to work to address important issues related to regulation of tobacco products, I urge removal of an arbitrary price point that picks winners and losers.
CONGRATULATING TERESA HALEY
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Teresa Haley, who was honored as the Activist of the Year at the NAACP Image Awards last week. prgtoken Teresa is the president of her local NAACP branch in Springfield, Illinois, as well as the first female president of the NAACP Illinois State Conference. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for the Black community in Springfield and issues critical to NAACP members nationwide. prgtoken I have had the pleasure of working closely with Teresa in an effort to bring national recognition to the 1908 race riot site in Springfield by declaring the site a national monument. Ultimately, the riots that occurred at that site played an integral role in the formation of the NAACP in 1909, just a year after the race riots in Springfield. prgtoken I am proud to recognize Teresa's fearless leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to bring this national recognition to Springfield, Illinois. prgtoken Madam , I congratulate Teresa on this prestigious honor. I am very proud of her.
RECOGNIZING DAX WILSON OF BILLINGS
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I rise today to honor Dax Wilson of Billings for his work in engaging his community on the importance of donating blood. Dax's motivation is his mother, Cassidy. After giving birth to Dax, she developed a rare blood disorder which left her in desperate need for blood transfusions. During her treatment, the hospital realized they didn't have enough blood on hand. The shortage led doctors to call hospitals in Kansas City and Denver for help. During his mother's time in the hospital, she received 700 pints of plasma and blood. The donations saved her life, and now Dax is looking to save more. Now a junior at Billings Senior High School, Dax donates blood regularly, but he's always wanted to do more. As a member of the Platinum Program, a high school honors organization, Dax found an opportunity to do just that. A requirement of the program is to complete a community service project. Using this platform, Dax launched ``Drops for Life,'' a program that partners with the local blood donation center to prepare blood drives throughout the community. Starting this March, all three high schools in the area will participate in blood drives organized by Dax's program. Dax says not enough people are aware of how much hospitals and clinics need blood and plasma. He says if people knew one hour spent donating can save up to three lives, more people would give. His efforts have created a wonderful opportunity to support a cause that will help Montanans throughout the state. Madam , for his devotion to promoting blood drives, increasing awareness, and saving lives, I recognize Dax Wilson for his Spirit of Montana.
REVERSING THE YOUTH TOBACCO EPIDEMIC ACT OF 2019
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , my colleague from the Energy and Commerce Committee and I do disagree on this bill. prgtoken Every Member in this Chamber is concerned, and rightfully so, about the rise in youth tobacco use. We all know this: Smoking is harmful, and we must do what we can to prevent use by children and adolescents. prgtoken This is a goal that we share as s and and with President , which is why we have worked together to address the increase in youth tobacco use by making it illegal for anybody under the age of 21 to buy these products. We have done that together. We have passed that. It is now law. prgtoken The use of traditional tobacco products by children has actually declined over the last decade. In fact, the surge in tobacco use in recent years has been caused by one thing, and that is the emerging popularity of e-cigarettes, vaping. The use of e-cigarettes increased from 3.6 million youth users in 2018 to 5.4 million last year. That increase is truly alarming. But that is not what this bill addresses. prgtoken We addressed youth vaping when we raised the age to 21 to be able to buy these tobacco products. Most children were acquiring e-cigarettes through social sourcing. So, what does that mean? This occurs in high schools where kids who are over 18 at that time would acquire the products and then resell them to kids who were under 18. That is what was going on. By moving the legal age to 21, we have closed that loophole. prgtoken We unanimously passed legislation requiring online retailers to verify age at the time of sale and delivery. That bill is still awaiting the Senate's action, but I think it demonstrates that we did come together in a bipartisan way to address this problem. prgtoken Now the legislation before us goes much further than most of us can support, because what it does is make legal products for adults illegal. Now, I am not a smoker, I am not a chewer, I don't do any of that stuff, but I know a lot of people who do. And they use these products as adults, and these flavored products will be banned under this law. So if you do chew, if you do smoke, if you use these menthol cigarettes or menthol chew or something, and you are an adult, this legal product today will be illegal if this bill were to become law. prgtoken Now, meanwhile, the majority have refused to address another issue that is a big problem in my communities and my schools. Marijuana-based products can still be flavored, and they are not covered by this legislation. Now, they will say, oh, that is illegal in America anyway. Well, we all know states like Oregon and others that have passed these rules, nobody is enforcing the law against marijuana, it is Federal. prgtoken But what we do have is literally products named CannaKids grape flavor. Another one over here CannaKids. This is what is happening. They are using these products mixed wi
IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF ROBERT WADE SHIREY
Paul Cook (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-2-28

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and celebrate the life of Robert Wade Shirey, who passed from this life after a prolonged battle with heart disease. prgtoken Bob was born on December 11, 1934 in Pennsylvania to Ophie and Raymond Shirey. Shortly after graduating high school, and wanting to serve his country, Bob joined the Marine Corps. Over the course of his tenure in the United States Marines Bob was stationed in San Diego, San Francisco, Twentynine Palms, and Okinawa, Japan. It was during his time in the Marine Corps that he met his wife Georgia, with whom he has three children, Raymond, Robert, and Renee. Bob was honorably discharged from the Marines on October 15, 1963 and shortly thereafter he went to work for GTE Corp. Over the next several years Bob would graduate from college with a degree in management and spend countless hours volunteering with the Lions Club, the Kiwanis Club, and Little League Baseball. prgtoken I would like to extend my personal condolences to Bob's wife Georgia, his three kids, and his seven grandchildren. It is people like Bob who exemplify what it means to be an American.