mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVEN ROGER RUDDER, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RETIRED)
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today to honor a Marine who has served our great nation for over 38 years. From a Cobra Pilot to a General Officer leading the Marine Corps largest operational command, Marine Forces Pacific, Lieutenant General Steven Rudder has made a significant impact on the Marine Corps. He has flown attack helicopters in combat and commanded Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 26, and also was in charge of the Legislative Affairs office for the Marine Corps. During his time with the Legislative Affairs office, he was responsible for ensuring the U.S. Congress had the most up to date information on all Marine Corps ground and air programs. prgtoken He commanded the 1st Marine Air Wing in Japan with Wing deployments to Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia. He also served as the planning officer at the United States Indo-Pacific Command where he led operational planning and further strengthened relationships with our Western Pacific partners and allies. prgtoken As the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Aviation, he aggressively transitioned the F-35B aircraft program to include oversight of the historic F-35B deployment on the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Additionally, Lieutenant General Rudder completed the MV-22 and H-1 aircraft transitions and increased the readiness of Marine Corps Fighter force to 80 percent. prgtoken Lieutenant General Rudder finished his career by commanding Marine Forces Pacific, the largest Marine Corps command with over 80,000 Marines. Under his command, the Marine Forces Pacific reestablished a significant program with the Philippines and entered into several trilateral agreements with Japan and Australia. Lieutenant General Rudder would go on to chair the 20 nation Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium with his Japanese counterpart. He was a key figure in the reestablishment of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps Air Group. prgtoken Ashore or afloat, Lieutenant General Rudder has insured our Marines were ready to fight on behalf of our nation, and on behalf of our nation's commitments to our allies and partners. For his incredible leadership, Lieutenant General Rudder was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun by former Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi. He was also awarded the Guksun Medal, which is also called the Order of National Security Merit, signed by South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol. It was personally awarded by the ROK Commandant and signifies the impact Lieutenant General Rudder has made in the defense of the Pacific Theater of Operations. prgtoken Lieutenant General Rudder's awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat ``V'' Device, the Defense Superior Medal (2 awards) and the Legion of Merit (2 awards). The Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat ``V'' Device is of particular note, as it is our Nation's highest award for extraordinary aerial ac
HONORING GEORGE PUKENAS, ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
Andy Kim (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today to honor George Pukenas, a U.S. Navy veteran who bravely served during World War II, as he celebrates his 100th birthday. prgtoken Petty Officer First Class, George Pukenas, proudly answered the call to protect his country on Landing Ship Tank (LST) 991 assigned to the Pacific Theater for over 3 years until his honorable discharge in 1946. George exemplified integrity and resilience even as his unit suffered heavy trials and losses. In grave circumstances they persevered, enduring numerous attacks and even surviving a typhoon in the South China Sea. prgtoken Earning 5 battle stars while aboard the LST 991, it was through their unwavering dedication that they successfully completed multiple operations. These efforts were later recognized as George earned honors for his commitment to our nation including the Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. prgtoken Not only through his service, but also through the life he built in Roebling, New Jersey, people know George for his commitment to family and community. Starting his career at the John A. Roebling & Sons steel mill, he worked, making submarine nets utilized in WWII amongst other vital materials. Additionally, George used his skills as an accomplished carpenter, to build a home he and his family. He accomplished a great deal through service and work and was still a supportive family man, father of 6 and husband to his beloved late wife of 45 years, prgtoken We are proud to have George call New Jersey's 3rd District home, and to have benefitted from his brave contributions to our country. It is undoubtedly true that George Pukenas is a distinguished member of our community whose actions at home and abroad have had a positive ripple effect that will continue to benefit generations to come. As George continues to enjoy hand-carving, and spending time with his family, we wish him many more years of good health and continued happiness.
HELPING THE RICH AND POWERFUL AVOID TAXES
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2023-1-10

yesterday, after 4\1/2\ days and 15 votes to find a , we started with our business by passing rules. The rules and first day's activities were to help the rich and the powerful avoid taxes. prgtoken The government, like any entity, just like any business, has to have revenue. When people don't pay their fair share, they are cheating. They are committing crimes. They are defrauding their fellow citizens because their fellow citizens either have to pay more money to make up the differences or they don't get services that they otherwise would be provided through the government. prgtoken By revoking all of those monies to the IRS to hire new employees, they are giving wealthy corporations and wealthy individuals, like , who had only one auditor looking at his return, which was not looked at within the time period it was supposed to be looked at under the law, the policy of the government at the time, they are giving those people an open door to continue to make their IRS payments--really not payments but their first offers. That is what they do. It is not filing your return. It is filing your first offer. prgtoken So if they get away with that, which I don't think they will in the Senate, they are depriving the middle class who they said they are trying to support, services and fairness, and the middle class will have to pay more money because it is the wealthy and the higher corporations that get away with fraudulent returns. prgtoken Then they are talking about banning or protesting, through H. Con. Res. 3, violence against pro-life centers, anti-abortion centers. I hope everybody in the House is against violence against those facilities. But there is nothing in there about violence against Planned Parenthood or abortion provider facilities. Both are equally as anti-American and wrong as the other, but there is nothing about that. prgtoken So we are seeing a very slanted agenda, and there is no opportunity to amend that resolution. Even though they talked about an amendment process to give everybody an opportunity, it is really kind of transparency-ish but not transparency and not open. It is not openness; it is open-ish. prgtoken You have got to look closely at what is going on here. There are a lot of things that look good on the front but really aren't fair and right to the majority of the people. Much of what is projected here is to try to maintain the status quo in the name of freedom. It is the freedom of people not to comply with Federal Government laws and regulations. It is the freedom to basically live independent of the law and independent of the Federal government and attempts to starve the Federal Government of the revenue it needs. prgtoken The bill yesterday would increase the debt by over $100 billion. That is not fiscal conservativeness. That is trying to starve the Federal Government.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

there is broad recognition among and s that Congress must adopt a whole-of-government approach in response to the intensifying great power competition between the United States and China. prgtoken The formation of the select committee is the s' response to the China question. However, I do remain skeptical of the true intentions behind the formation of this committee, and I hope my colleagues can approach this topic from a position of strength, not weakness, xenophobia, or fear. prgtoken A specific focus on strategic competition with China could be meaningful if the committee's work remains constructive, but I question why the work of this proposed select committee could not have been done through the current committees of jurisdiction. prgtoken With that being said, to be constructive, the committee should consider perspectives beyond the military domain that include the political, economic, military, cultural, and diplomatic implications of a potential U.S. response. prgtoken leadership should also select Members to sit on this committee who are serious minded about the risks posed by China and not merely anti-China hawks yearning to isolate China through military might. prgtoken Most importantly, it is my hope that the committee will consider meaningful ways that we can promote a rules-based international order that the United States has spent considerable time and resources building up in the post-World War II era. We must leverage our soft- power tools and work cooperatively with our allies and other democratically aligned partners across the globe to achieve our ends. prgtoken Finally, unity at home is just as important to demonstrating the strength of our Nation as it is to project our strength abroad. Our strength is derived from our unwavering commitment to our democratic values, the cohesion of our alliances, the intellect and innovation of our people, and the shared prosperity of every American. What grants us currency with the world is our credibility at home as a reliable partner that provides a robust social safety net for its people and consistently supports democratic ideals. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to take this opportunity seriously. It is not simply enough to demonize and dehumanize our adversaries to align the world behind our democratic ideals. Let's use this select committee to show that we have unity and strength to outrival China and that we are good for more than just fearful rhetoric. prgtoken Until this point, my colleagues have shown an unwillingness to avoid the vitriol that undermines a constructive approach to China, so I plan to vote ``no'' on this resolution. However, I hope we can move forward in a constructive way.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise in support of the creation of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken I rise as a research scientist who has participated in many international collaborations, which included some brilliant Chinese scientists; and I rise also as a businessman who founded a high-tech manufacturing business that now provides over 1,000 good-paying American manufacturing jobs and has kept those manufacturing jobs in America despite having to compete in the world markets with cloned Chinese products for over two decades. prgtoken I have watched with consternation as our businesses' electronic supply chain has been increasingly dependent upon China. prgtoken Now, it was not a stupid thing for our country and the countries of the free world to attempt to help China become a free and open country by integrating it into the international economy and into the international scientific research community and to open our doors to Chinese students and scholars. prgtoken In the years since World War II, that approach has succeeded in turning many previously autocratic countries into free democracies around the world. In fact, in previous years, China took a number of steps toward becoming a free and open country. But in recent years, it has turned back toward autocracy. So it is time to respond to that reality and to take thoughtful action. prgtoken On a personal note, my wife is Korean and is a scientist who has contributed at the highest levels of scientific research and science policy in the United States. The only reason that she is free today is that two generations ago, the U.S. and the free countries of the world stood up against Communism in Korea. But nothing is more self-defeating than the anti-Asian racism that sometimes creeps into the debate in our country. prgtoken The frontiers that we should be defending are not the good old U.S. of A. but the free democracies of the world. prgtoken So, , I rise in support of this new Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, in particular in the clear distinction that it makes, even in its title, between the Communist Party of China and the people of China who are not the enemy.
HONORING NORMA MICHAEL
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today to honor a hero, Norma Michael. This Jackson, Mississippi native was on a mission to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to her neighbors, taking on the task by buying an overgrown lot on her street and planting a garden. The retiree is now feeding the elderly and other residents and hoping to inspire the start of more gardens in the inner city. ``The Lord just said Norma start a garden,'' said Norma Michael. In 2020, across the street from Michael's Powers Avenue home was a lot owned by the state that sat empty for more than 20 years. She purchased it for less than $500 with a vision. ``When I got the property, I was like, well, this will be a mighty big garden for just me,'' said Michael. ``So, I said, `Well, I'll share it with my neighbors.' '' prgtoken The Air Force vet and retiree had no experience planting, and after clearing the lot and much hard work, it's now the ``Sharing is Caring Neighborhood Block Garden.'' In it are rows and rows of corn, tomatoes, greens, beans, melons, strawberries, and more. ``I come out here. I tend the garden,'' said Michael. ``I have one neighbor that helps me to plant things, and I come out in the mornings, and I water and harvest, and then I offer the harvest to my neighbors.'' Ninety-one-year-old Clara Triggs lives just a few doors down from the garden. ``She brings me so many things, and everything she brings is my favorite,'' said Triggs. prgtoken Since starting her garden, she has started a non-profit to try to turn her small garden into something bigger. She has also received donations to help her continue the good work. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Norma Michael for her service in the U.S. Air Force, her community and for being an exemplary citizen in the state of Mississippi.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-1-10

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in permitting me to speak on this. prgtoken , I come to the floor much encouraged, having heard the words of the and the chairman-designate, Mr. Gallagher. prgtoken I was one of those people 25 years ago who was part of the consensus that we could engage Communist China into the world economy. I had an opportunity to travel extensively, meeting with the Chinese leadership at that time. They were saying the right things. I think some of them were sincere. It was an encouraging opportunity. prgtoken But over the course of the last 20 years, it has taken a wrong turn. We have watched the Chinese play a cynical game. They have not lived up to their obligations under the WTO. We don't have a procurement provision, for example. We have watched repression increase, and we have watched this current regime in unprecedented ways exploit opportunities. prgtoken I have legislation to close the de minimis loophole that allows China to import 2 million packages a day, untaxed and uninspected, and Heaven only knows in terms of forced labor, in terms of illicit goods that are coming in here. I have had legislation to try to change that. prgtoken I think this select committee can be a forum to bring us together on a nonpartisan basis to take areas in which there is profound agreement, like closing the de minimis loophole. prgtoken I commend the and the leadership moving forward. I look forward to working with ic leadership on this, to use it as an opportunity to get us back on track, particularly given the insidious nature of the current regime's forced labor. prgtoken We have made great progress legislatively to give us more tools. I think there is a potential for this select committee to build on it and make more progress, and I look forward to working with them. I will support the proposal.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Daniel S. Goldman (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today to make something crystal clear: The primary purpose of this special subcommittee is to interfere with the special counsel's ongoing investigation into a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. prgtoken This is a shocking abuse of power, but it is not just the usual efforts by Members on the other side of the aisle to, once again, do 's dirty work. This time they are trying to protect themselves. prgtoken One of them, a Member from Pennsylvania, had his cell phone seized pursuant to a court order finding probable cause that he committed a crime. Yet, he has indicated that he wants to be on this subcommittee so that he can undermine a criminal investigation into himself. prgtoken My counterparts can dress up the subcommittee with a menacing name, but let's call it what it really is: the committee to obstruct justice. prgtoken The American people don't want that. They don't want yet another front of the war on democracy and the rule of law. prgtoken , I will vote ``no'' and urge everyone to do so.
HONORING MATTHEW DAVID ANDERSEN
Juan Vargas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise today to honor the late Director of the Department of Commerce San Diego Office, Mr. Matthew David Andersen. prgtoken A dedicated public servant, Mr. Andersen spent 37 years committed to developing U.S. commerce on the world stage. Mr. Andersen served as the Director of the Department of Commerce San Diego Office for 25 years before recently announcing his well-deserved retirement. prgtoken Those who had the pleasure to work with Mr. Andersen say that he touched the lives and careers of many and will be dearly missed. A testament to his hard work, Mr. Andersen received the Department of Commerce's Bronze Award for Superior Federal Service in 2015. prgtoken Mr. Andersen was an avid sports fan, loved animals, and enjoyed listening to The Beatles. He is survived by his partner, Brooke Palmer, his sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews. prgtoken On behalf of the residents of California's 52nd Congressional District, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Matthew David Andersen. Furthermore, I would like to formally extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Andersen and his unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of service throughout his decades-long career with the Department of Commerce. He is greatly missed.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-1-10

I thank the gentleman for the time. prgtoken As Ranking Member Nadler from the Judiciary Committee said, H. Res. 12 is a dangerous government attempt to interject extremist politics into our justice system and shield MAGA extremists from legal consequences for their actions, including January 6 and the follow-up and investigations that are ongoing now. He is right about that strategy. H. Res. 12 is both political cover and a political weapon. prgtoken Like any legislation, H. Res. 12 is driven by the motivation of its sponsors, the majority in the House of Representatives. For example, legislative action on climate change is motivated by urgency and our collective health and life, but H. Res. 12 is intended to intimidate, scare, and ultimately cower our public institutions into standing down as our descent into division and fascism continues. prgtoken Power for the sake of power is truly dangerous. H. Res. 12 is just that. prgtoken , I urge a ``no'' vote.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-1-10

I include in the Record an article from The Hill titled: ``Perry won't agree to stay off new House committee investigating January 6 probes.'' [From The Hill, Jan. 8, 2023] Perry Won't Agree To Stay Off New House Committee Investigating Jan. 6 Probes (By Julia Mueller) Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) on Sunday wouldn't pledge to stay off the possible new House committee that would investigate probes into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol despite being a subject of a Department of Justice (DOJ) inquiry into the matter. ``Why should I be limited--why should anybody be limited-- just because someone has made an accusation? Everybody in America is innocent until proven guilty,'' Perry said on ABC's ``This Week.'' Host George Stephanopoulos pressed Perry, asking, ``Doesn't that pose a conflict to you, since you're also part of the investigation?'' ``So, should everybody in Congress that disagrees with somebody be barred from doing the oversight and investigative powers that Congress has? That's our charge. And again, that's appropriate for every single member, regardless of what accusations are made. I get accused of things every single day, as does every member that serves in the public eye,'' Perry countered. Newly elected Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has indicated the majority just sworn in plans to review the work of the House select committee that last year probed Jan. 6 and look into the federal investigations. DOJ investigations seized Perry's phone in connection with the rioting, and obtained email exchanges between Perry and former attorney John Eastman, among others. Perry also introduced former President to Jeffrey Clark, whom considered appointing as attorney general in order to propagate his claims of election fraud during the 2020 presidential contest.