mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING SANDRA NOE
Frank J. Mrvan (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , it is with great respect and admiration that I rise to celebrate Women's History Month and recognize Sandra Noe, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels in northwest Indiana. prgtoken Sandra has worked with Meals on Wheels for 36 years to combat senior isolation and hunger. prgtoken As the demand for services increased over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, Meals on Wheels rose to the challenge and delivered over 1,700 meals daily, provided over 750,000 wellness checks, and celebrated its nine-millionth delivery. prgtoken Madam , as we recognize Women's History Month, please join me in thanking Sandra and everyone at Meals on Wheels for the extraordinary services they provide to northwest Indiana. prgtoken Let us recommit to continuing to support their invaluable work and recognize this month and every day the invaluable ways that women continue to provide healing and promote hope, not just in caregiving, but in all aspects of our society.
HONORING THE LIFE OF INGEBORG HEUSER
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life of Ingeborg Heuser, who passed away after a lifetime in the arts. prgtoken Ingeborg immigrated to the United States from Germany after World War II, arriving to El Paso in 1953 as the wife of a servicemember. prgtoken As a classical ballet dancer, she opened her first studio that year and became ballet director of the Texas Western Civic Ballet. Over the next 47 years, she would establish and direct Ballet El Paso, Ballet of the Americas, and the University of Texas El Paso ballet. Thousands of students passed through her studio doors, and countless audience members were exposed to a wide range of classical ballet through her service. prgtoken Her cross-border collaborations with companies in Europe, Mexico, and Latin America contributed to the exchange of international artistic endeavors, including the first U.S.-Mexico repertory exchange in 1977. prgtoken Madam , we have lost one of El Paso's shining stars, a trailblazer of the arts for our region. I ask you to join me in paying tribute to the life of Ingeborg Heuser. May her legacy and commitment to the arts continue to be an inspiration to us all.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-7

in just a few moments, this body will take an important vote to continue moving forward on the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act. These vital reforms will help set the Postal Service on a more stable financial footing so that this trusted public service can continue delivering to every single community in the United States. prgtoken Millions--millions--of Americans are counting on the Postal Service to deliver essential mail, including medications, important financial documents, and other critical supplies. We have all seen firsthand how veterans and seniors, small businesses, rural residents, and others who rely on the Postal Service face serious hardships when the Postal Service is focused on cutting costs by making changes to delivery service. prgtoken This bill will help address the most significant financial burdens on the Postal Service by reversing an unnecessary requirement to prefund every cent of healthcare benefits that every postal employee will eventually use in retirement no matter how far off that retirement may be. By eliminating this aggressive prefunding requirement--I may add, something that no other business in America is forced to do--along with integrating postal retirees' healthcare into Medicare, like so many other private employers, this bipartisan, commonsense legislation will save the Postal Service more than $49 billion over the next 10 years. prgtoken The bill also requires the Postal Service to deliver 6 days a week and improves transparency and accountability for Americans by requiring the Postal Service to publicly post weekly performance data on its website. prgtoken This legislation has been 15 years in the making, and tonight, we will get one step closer to making it a reality. prgtoken I am grateful to my colleagues who have shown strong, bipartisan support for this legislation, including my colead, Ranking Member Portman from Ohio, and the 28 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle who have worked with us to make this a reality. Our cosponsors have played an important role in helping to build additional support for this critical bill. prgtoken Certainly, there is still more work to do to ensure even greater long-term success for the Postal Service and its customers, but tonight--tonight--the Senate will take a substantial step to continue advancing this incredibly important bill. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in taking this meaningful action to protect the future of the Postal Service and the essential services that it provides to our communities all across our country. prgtoken . Cloture Motion
NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-7

I rise today in honor of Women's History Month to recognize the extraordinary achievements of past generations of women and to pay tribute to the vital role they have played in the political, economic, and social development of this Nation. prgtoken Women's History Month provides a special opportunity to reflect upon the numerous contributions made by women who touch all aspects of our society--from government, to business, the arts and sciences, the military, and much more. I look upon the courage our predecessors displayed with great admiration, and I continue to be inspired by those who blazed the trail for women like me. prgtoken I am reminded of how incredibly proud I was to see the Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act, which I coled with Senator Susan Collins, enacted in December 2020. This law establishes a long-overdue, permanent museum to collect, study, and create programs that celebrate the contributions and experiences of women. The Women's History Museum will be established on or near the National Mall, and I look forward to hearing about the site when it is announced later this year. prgtoken However, it is with sadness that the past year brought with it the loss of a number of pioneering women, including the First Lady of Television Betty White; Sarah Weddington, who represented ``Jane Roe'' in the landmark Roe v. Wade case; authors bell hooks, Beverly Clearly, and Joan Didion; and prgtoken Motown vocalists Mary Wilson and Wanda Young. Although these icons are no longer with us, their contributions will live on, and their accomplishments have shattered glass ceilings for future generations of women. May we honor their work and memory with a commitment to empower and support future women leaders. prgtoken But the future is bright. In the 117th Congress, we have reached a new high-water mark for women in politics, as more women are now serving in elected office than ever before. There are now 148 women serving in Congress: 124 women in the House of Representatives and 24 women in the U.S. Senate. Just last year, the Senate confirmed Janet Yellen to be the first female Treasury Secretary. Just recently, President nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the Nation's first Black woman as a Supreme Court Justice. prgtoken These are exciting times for women indeed, and much progress has been made. Yet we still have a lot of work cut out for us. We must come together to address the ongoing pandemic, which has had devastating consequences for the health of our country and economy. The pandemic has also uniquely harmed women and girls--especially women of color. A disproportionate number of women have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic and are often unable to maintain work commitments with children learning from home while schools are closed. This unequal harm endured by women during the pandemic reminds us that the march toward equality is yet to be done. We must cont
CONGRATULATING MEMPHIS LAWYER LUCIAN PERA
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Lucian T. Pera, a Memphis lawyer and specialist in legal ethics and media law, who has just been named the winner of this year's American Bar Association Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award. The award is named in honor of Michael Franck, the late director of the State Bar of Michigan and long-time champion of improvements in lawyer regulation in the public interest. Mr. Pera, a partner in the Memphis office of the law firm Adams and Reese and a former President of the Tennessee Bar Association, has written extensively on ethics issues, including in a column for the magazine of the ABA's Law Practice Division. He has recently served as Chairman of the ABA's Center for Professional Responsibility, and has served as the ABA's Treasurer, on its House of Delegates, and as a member of the Board of Governors. He is recognized nationally for his work on ethics in the legal profession as well as media law and transparency issues in government, particularly in Tennessee, where he also served as President of the Tennessee Open Government Coalition. A graduate of Princeton University and Vanderbilt University Law School, Pera will receive the Franck award at a ceremony in Baltimore on June 3. Mr. Pera is an outstanding lawyer and upstanding citizen, and I commend him for receiving this prestigious award.
RACIAL HEALTH DISPARITIES
Shontel M. Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) and also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres) for hosting this Special Order hour. I would like to thank my sister Chair Beatty and all my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues for their continued work to shine a spotlight on racial health disparities. prgtoken Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.'' Madam , what was true in Dr. King's time continues to be true in our own. Communities of color have long experienced inadequate access to healthcare, housing, healthy food, and economic opportunity. prgtoken These inequalities independently, and working together, increase the prevalence of a host of dangerous health conditions, including diabetes, asthma, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. prgtoken One of the most shocking examples of health inequity is our Nation's maternal and infant mortality crisis. Infants born to Black mothers are nearly twice as likely to die compared to those born to White mothers. Continuing after birth, minority Americans face far higher rates of illness and death from an array of conditions. prgtoken And what does this lead to, you might ask? Well, I am glad you did. Black Americans have a life expectancy that is 4 years--I repeat, 4 years--shorter than White Americans. prgtoken The COVID pandemic's disproportionate impact on minority Americans exacerbated and exposed these disparities and the underlying inequalities driving them. Black and Brown Americans have faced far higher rates of hospitalization and death during the pandemic, and a growing body of research confirms what we have suspected--no, what we have known, what we have known for years--and that is there is an undeniable link between historical racism and the present-day medical health problems Black Americans face. prgtoken Health disparities that disproportionately impact Black Americans, from heart disease to maternal and infant mortality, are not merely an aberration. No, they are a direct result of structural, systemic, and institutional racism that has been passed down from generation to generation. prgtoken To build a healthier America for all, we must address the generational injustices that drive the racial inequities we continue to see today. That is why I was proud to declare racism as a public health crisis as a county council member, and that is why I am proud to work today with my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues to improve health outcomes for minority Americans and to address injustice in healthcare and throughout our society. prgtoken As Dr. King said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. That is our power and our message. prgtoken Madam , from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), my friend.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-3-7

today I am introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act, which will make critical updates to ensure this important program can effectively serve even more households across the country. prgtoken Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than 7 million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The Department of Energy estimates that these upgrades help each household save $283 in energy bills annually. Those energy savings free up limited financial resources for essentials, like groceries and medicine. prgtoken In addition to traditional services like attic and wall insulation, the program also provides services that help with home health and safety measures, such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. prgtoken An independent study of the Weatherization Assistance Program by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that children in weatherized households miss less school, improving educational outcomes. Adults miss less work, increasing both their own incomes and their contributions to the economy. Families also reported experiencing fewer flu and cold symptoms and emergency room visits, decreasing costly medical expenses. prgtoken The Weatherization Assistance Program also helps boost our economy. The program supports over 8,500 jobs for energy experts and contractors, while increasing our national economic output by $1.2 billion. prgtoken The program is a win-win for all involved. That is why, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have led my colleagues in supporting strong funding for it every year. And that is why I am introducing this bill--to ensure it continues to work for years to come. prgtoken This bill, which is cosponsored by Senators Collins, Coons, and Shaheen, will help expand the program to many more low-income households that are currently unable to receive weatherization services because their homes are not structurally sound. The bill will authorize a Weatherization Readiness Fund, providing $65 million a year for 5 years to repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to serve. prgtoken At the same time, it will raise the amount of funding allowed to be spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs, and it will raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent on renewable energy upgrades in each home. These provisions are essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over the past few decades. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense legislation.
RECOGNIZING SILVERDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , I would like to take a moment to commemorate Military Appreciation Day in Kitsap County organized by the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce on March 5, 2022. prgtoken Here in Kitsap County, we have a lot to be thankful for. Kitsap County has a vibrant history as a military community. This rich history began in September 1891, when 190 acres of the Pacific Northwest wilderness was purchased for the first Naval Station Puget Sound in Bremerton, Washington. Today, this presence has grown to include Naval Base Kitsap--Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton and Naval Underseas Warfare Center, Keyport. prgtoken Part of what makes this area special is not just the physical presence of our Naval Base, but the tens of thousands of military members and veterans who call it home. Members of the military aren't just fighting for the freedom of our community. They are family members, friends, and neighbors who are making a difference in it, too. prgtoken In addition to those serving in uniform, our community is home to thousands of Department of Defense civilian employees who serve our country each day and ensure the readiness and safety of our service members. prgtoken Veterans and service members are also a critical part of our local economy, doing everything from creating small businesses to bringing their unique work ethic and skills to employers looking to fill jobs. That's why today is a great way to go beyond saying thanks and turning our words into deeds. And that is why events like today's Military Appreciation Day are so important. prgtoken Madam , I applaud the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce and the Military Affairs Committee for hosting Military Appreciation Day to honor those that do and those that have served our nation.
Introductory Statement on S. 3767
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-3-7

today I am pleased to introduce, along with the Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Casey, the Junior Senator from Delaware, Mr. Coons, the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Booker, the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, and the Senator from New York, Mr. Schumer, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022. prgtoken The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act became law as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016. This legislation, which I was proud to lead, responded to the need for Federal, State, and local governments and regional partners to come together to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration activities within the Delaware River Basin. The legislation also created a nonregulatory grant program for which appropriations have flowed through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has done an excellent job of working with the Fish and Wildlife Service to administer the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund under the authority of this act. prgtoken In just a few short years, this program has grown tremendously. To date, the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund has awarded more than $25 million to projects that support recreation, water quality, water management, and habitat. Grantees have matched that investment by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1--an impressive total conservation impact of over $70 million. prgtoken This program is a great example of how when the government--at all levels--works with diverse suites of nongovernment stakeholders, we can achieve meaningful results on the ground that improve the lives of people and wildlife alike. prgtoken For example, the program has funded several diverse projects in Delaware, including installing pollinator gardens at places of worship, removing a dam in White Clay Creek, improving fish passage in the Brandywine River, and restoring wetlands at our national wildlife refuges. These restoration efforts protect the species we love, clean up our drinking water, and provide a boost to local tourism. prgtoken The legislation I am introducing today would reauthorize the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act and make some minor improvements to allow even better results on the ground throughout the Delaware River Watershed. This reauthorization has clear benefits for our environment and economy--a win-win for Delaware and our region. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important legislation this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill I am introducing today appear in the Record following my statement.
JEREMY CHAVEZ, JR.
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Jeremy Chavez, Jr. for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. prgtoken Jeremy Chavez, Jr. is a student at Arvada High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. prgtoken The dedication demonstrated by Jeremy Chavez, Jr. is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Jeremy Chavez, Jr. for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.
ENCOURAGING SECURE SUPPLY CHAINS FOR CRITICAL MINERALS
Michael K. Simpson (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-3-7

. Madam , I rise today on behalf of myself and Congressman Russ Fulcher to express grave concern with the vulnerability of supply chains and the long-term implications if we do not act now to develop a secure supply chain of critical minerals. In light of the aggression shown by our adversaries, supply chain security is more important than ever. prgtoken Our Nation is at a crossroads--Russia has invaded Ukraine. At the same time, China continues to use economic coercion to control global markets and shape countries' political decisions. With Congress' support, this Administration must take drastic and targeted measures to ensure our nation takes the right path to advance U.S. competitiveness and maintain a strong position in domestic and foreign markets, including critical minerals production. prgtoken Critical minerals are vital to the emerging technologies that will underpin the future economic well-being and prosperity of this Nation. In recognition of these important minerals, under President , the Department of Interior developed a list of 35 critical minerals, a process that Congress later codified. That list, just last week, expanded to 50. Our home state of Idaho is rich in many of these minerals--some of which are fundamental to energy and national security applications--such as antimony and cobalt. prgtoken Antimony and cobalt serve as critical components in grid storage batteries, and other electrification implements essential to providing reliable energy sources to American homes and businesses. In addition to its energy contribution, antimony serves as a critical component of ammunition, armaments, and other national security platforms. Although these minerals serve as essential components in highly utilized U.S. products, 53 percent of antimony comes from China, and another 23 percent comes from Russia. Most cobalt is sourced from the ic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the Chinese government has subsidized companies that engage in non-transparent practices, dominate the industry, and undermine the prosperity and rights of the Congolese. prgtoken Aside from mineral production, Idaho is responsible for cutting-edge mineral research. We are proud to be the home of the Idaho National Lab, the nation's premier nuclear energy laboratory, whose research is paramount to any future clean energy strategy. Unfortunately, the Administration chose to remove uranium from the critical minerals list, which leaves the nation's nuclear fleet even more reliant on Russian fuel. prgtoken As tensions rise with Russia and the potential of additional sanctions loom, China will look to take advantage of the void left by Russia's isolation in the market. While we need to take strong actions on Russia, the reality is that we source many of our raw minerals from them. As we tighten our grip on their financial system and exports, we must prioritize domestic sourcing and reduce our reliance on countries