mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO ALLISON KENNEDY
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-5-23

earlier this month we lost a treasured consumer, public health and safety advocate. Allison Kennedy passed away on May 10, 2023, after recently suffering a brain aneurysm. She was 36 years old. prgtoken Allison Kennedy served as the Director of Government Relations for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates). She was well known and well respected on Capitol Hill as an ardent and trusted champion for safe roads, safe vehicles and safe road users. During her more than ten years with Advocates, she cultivated a safety legacy that will continue to prevent crashes and save lives for generations to come. prgtoken Allison's untimely passing is a monumental personal and professional loss for the Advocates' team and for all those who work closely with the organization, myself included. She will be remembered as a dedicated public health and safety activist, wonderful colleague, caring friend, cherished daughter, devoted wife and dedicated mother. prgtoken I include in the Record the following obituary and I send my condolences to her husband, Brian, their two young sons, Christopher ``Kit'' and Callahan ``Cal,'' her parents, Erin and Michael, her entire family, and all her loved ones. Allison Elizabeth Kennedy of Burke, Virginia passed to her eternal reward on May 10, 2023, after a brain aneurysm at 36 years old. A devoted mother, beloved wife, and cherished daughter, Allison was full of life and love. Allison was born in Visalia, California on February 16, 1987, to her loving mother, Erin, and adoring father, Michael. At three years old, she moved back to her family's hometown of Vancouver, Washington, where she grew up. However, she frequently liked to remind her husband that she too was a Californian. Although Allison was an only child, she grew up surrounded and supported by her large and loving extended family in Washington, anchored by her Nana and major role model Nita King. Allison had loving uncles and doting aunts. Life for Allison revolved around her family. She loved her grandfather, Jim. beyond words. She especially loved the precious time she spent with her father outdoors or working on household projects together, even FaceTiming her dad 3000 miles away to help her put a table together. She loved traveling with her family, including to the off-road races in Baja, especially with her Uncle David. She excelled in her studies, cheerleading, and mock trial during high school. Her friends Emily Young, Liana Richey, Jessie Cook, and many others made her teens, college years, and early twenties a time of great joy. She attended Washington State University, graduating in 2010. She received her master's degree from American University in Washington, D.C. in 2014. After starting her graduate studies at Washington State University, she b
CELEBRATING AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH AND SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-5-23

I rise today in honor of two celebrations that are incredibly important to my community: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Small Business Month. prgtoken As the Representative of one of the largest and fastest-growing AANHPI communities in the country, I am beyond proud of the contributions our small business owners have made to our thriving southern Nevada economy, which include folks like: Alex Zen who curates Chinatown's Zen D'core, a boutique jewelry shop offering minimalist decor and jewelry; Amy Zhang Warthan, owner of No. 1 Boba Tea, which has proudly served the Las Vegas community since 1998; and leaders like Ken Cheng, manager of Chinatown Mall. prgtoken They have all worked tirelessly to create thriving commercial centers for our small businesses. prgtoken All of this amazing development would not be possible without the support of groups like the Nevada AAPI Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas India Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce, the Korean American Chamber of Commerce, the Sri Lanka America Association of Las Vegas, and so many more. They all work day in and day out to serve our AANHPI businesses across the Silver State. prgtoken From Chinatown to the Las Vegas strip and across the valley, southern Nevada draws its strength in our diversity, and the AANHPI Nevadans are key to that success. prgtoken Thank you to all of the AANHPI Nevadans who put the American Dream on full display by pursuing their passions and growing our small business economy.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO "CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM NEW MOTOR VEHICLES: HEAVY-DUTY ENGINE AND VEHICLE...
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-23

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , when I listened to Ms. Barragan and she talked about the Port of Los Angeles, I was concerned because I don't think we have spent enough time during this debate talking about what I call environmental justice communities. These are communities which, because they are near the port or near places where the trucks predominate or they are concentrated, have such an impact on the local community. That is certainly true in parts of my State as well, in New Jersey. prgtoken We all know that air pollution from the heavy-duty transportation sector has serious negative impacts on everyone's health. But these communities near high-traffic roadways experience higher rates of these serious health effects. prgtoken We have an estimated 72 million people that live near truck freight routes across the United States, and residents of these communities are more likely to be low-income communities and communities of color. prgtoken It should not come as a surprise that my colleagues are once again putting polluting industries over the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations. prgtoken Research has demonstrated that diesel traffic, including traffic located on freight routes, is the largest source of NOX disparity by race in the United States. prgtoken Protecting our most overburdened communities is one of the many reasons why the heavy-duty NOX rule is absolutely critical. prgtoken During his first days in office, President made a commitment to uplifting environmental justice and making it a core tenet of his administration. To continue delivering on his promise, just last month, he signed an executive order that will further embed environmental justice into the work of our Federal agencies. prgtoken The heavy-duty NOX rule is just another example of how far the EPA is delivering for environmental justice communities. Reducing harmful air pollution from the heavy-duty transportation sector will have immense benefits for those living near these high-traffic freight routes. prgtoken I think it is a shame that the s are essentially turning a blind eye to the disproportionate health harms that are faced by these communities from circumstances outside their control. prgtoken We are not going to ignore this, as , so I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution in part because of the terrible impact on some of these communities that are near these freight routes and ports, including those in my home State of New Jersey. prgtoken , .
HONORING THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA LIONS MOBILE SIGHT AND HEARING SCREENING UNIT
Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-5-23

I rise today to honor the Northern Virginia Lions Mobile Sight and Hearing Screening Unit. Since 1976, they have dutifully served our community members--including approximately 550,000 children--across Virginia's Seventh District in the counties of Culpeper, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and the City of Fredericksburg. prgtoken The Mobile Sight and Hearing Screening Unit's primary mission has been to detect vision or hearing impairments that may restrict someone's ability to learn or develop emotionally--and then refer these individuals to healthcare providers. Virginia volunteers have conducted screenings at schools, churches, county fairs, and health clinics across Northern Virginia at no cost to patients. prgtoken Thanks to advances in technology, Lions Clubs are now able to use portable sight and hearing equipment to conduct screenings in our communities. As a result, the Northern Virginia Lions Mobile Sight and Hearing Screening Unit conducted its final mobile screening event on March 29, 2023. The last remaining van is now being sold, and the remaining funds will be used to purchase new portable sight and hearing equipment, which will be distributed to Lions Clubs across Northern Virginia. For the past 47 years, the Northern Virginia unit has admirably exemplified the Lions Club International's motto, ``We Serve.'' prgtoken , I ask that you and my colleagues join me in honoring all the men and women of the Northern Virginia Lions Mobile Sight and Hearing Screening Unit for their years of dedicated, selfless service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 467, HALT ALL LETHAL TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S.J. RES. 11, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY...
Maxwell Frost (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-5-23

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , seniors in America deserve to retire with dignity. They have earned Social Security and Medicare benefits through a lifetime of work. The seniors of today without pensions or generational wealth depend upon their benefits. Yet, they are living in fear that s in this body will take away their healthcare and their means to pay for housing or food. prgtoken The bills we are considering this week have nothing to do with combating those fears. What they actually do is harm the health and financial stability of Americans. They dirty our air, they worsen student debt, and they increase the prison population. prgtoken My colleagues cannot be serious. These priorities and bad policies do nothing to meet the moment. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to come to their senses, and I urge them to stop playing games with our economy. Instead, give the American people some certainty. Give our seniors some certainty. Assure our seniors that you will not cut Social Security and Medicare. It is one thing to say it on the news, and it is another thing to do it in this Chamber. prgtoken Before Medicare, nearly half of older Americans had no health insurance. Today, Medicare is often the only source of healthcare for nearly all seniors. More than 66 million people rely on Social Security to meet their basic needs in a country where most Americans, over 60 percent, can't afford an unexpected $400 bill tomorrow; that is seniors, people with disabilities, children, and more than 8 million veterans. prgtoken proposals to sunset Social Security and Medicare would cause panic and disruption for our seniors at a time when peace and security are critical and well-deserved. prgtoken Let's spend our time this week finally considering ' legislation that guarantees seniors the retirement that they were promised and that strengthens our healthcare. Our elders give us so much: culture, wisdom, and tradition. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues in this body to give back to them and guarantee them what they have earned. Let's do even more. Let's expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
MARKING A YEAR SINCE ROBB ELEMENTARY MASSACRE
Colin Z. Allred (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-23

tomorrow, May 24, marks 1 year since the massacre at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, 1 year since 19 children and 2 teachers were murdered, leaving a community forever scarred and parents all across the country holding their little ones closer. prgtoken I know my heartbreak won't pass new legislation, but like many parents, I am heartbroken. prgtoken I know my outrage won't bring these kids back, but like many Texans, I am still outraged. prgtoken I also know that we don't have to live like this. Last year, we finally ended 30 years of inaction by passing gun violence prevention legislation. prgtoken We can build on that. We can strengthen background checks, pass red flag laws, and raise the purchasing age of an assault-style rifle to 21. All of these policies are overwhelmingly supported by the American people, but we have to work together. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in looking for common ground because I know I am willing to work with anyone to save lives. The people of Uvalde and all Americans deserve no less.
RECOGNIZING ROBERT C. FREEMAN ESQ.
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-23

it is my pleasure to recognize and congratulate Robert Freeman on receiving the 30 Under 30 award presented by Business First of Buffalo to individuals who have impactful careers and accomplishments in their industry. prgtoken Mr. Freeman started his education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, and continued his education there earning a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo's School of Law. During his time at the University at Buffalo, Mr. Freeman was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, and a recipient of the Milton Plesur History Honor Award. prgtoken Mr. Freeman is a partner at Nesper, Ferber, DiGiacomo, Johnson & Grimm, LLP, where he has been since Oct. 2019. There, he focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate law. Some of his previous work experience includes internships with the New York State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, and the Erie County District Attorney's Office. prgtoken Outside of work, Mr. Freeman is actively involved with Saints Peter and Paul's Chapter of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is an on- ice volunteer with the SABAH program. Also, he is a member of the UB Law Alumni Association and sits on the Town of Amherst's Employee Suggestion Merit Award Board. He is a proud recipient of the Father Nelson Baker Service Award and is an Eagle Scout, prgtoken Today, I ask that we recognize and give thanks to leaders in the Western New York Community, such as Robert Freeman for his continued dedication and selfless service to his community.
COMMEMORATING THE LEGACY OF LEE WILLIAMS
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-23

I rise today to commemorate the legacy of Lee Williams, a legendary track and field coach at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School in Fort Worth who died at the age of 71. prgtoken Mr. Williams began his track and field career as a Poly Parrot and then went on to TCU, where he set the school record for the 400-meter run and mile relay and was a member of the first two relay teams to qualify for the NCAA championship. For these accomplishments, Williams was inducted into the 54th class of the Athletics Hall of Fame for TCU just last year. prgtoken Williams went on to begin a legendary career as a track and field coach at Oscar Dean Wyatt. One of his greatest achievements as a coach came in 1998 when his 4-by-100-meter relay team set the national high school record of 39.76, a record that still stands to this day. prgtoken Throughout his coaching career, Williams coached 15 all-Americans and won 15 district championships, four regional championships, and two State championships. He was selected to the Texas Track and Field Coaches Association back in 2019. prgtoken I will end by highlighting Williams' dedication to the success and mentorship of his students on and off the track. He will always be known as a legend. prgtoken I am praying for his wife, Carolyn, his two daughters, and his grandchildren.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELATING TO "CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM NEW MOTOR VEHICLES: HEAVY-DUTY ENGINE AND VEHICLE...
Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-23

I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding. prgtoken , I rise today in opposition to S.J. Res. 11 to overturn the EPA Clean Trucks rule. prgtoken Tens of millions of Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks. Many of them live in low-income communities and communities of color. prgtoken I know. I represent the Port of Los Angeles where I am surrounded by four freeways and trucks everywhere. Now, they do move our economy. They move goods from the port out into the communities, and so we acknowledge that, but we are all too familiar with Code Orange or Code Red air alerts warning us not to go outside. prgtoken Think about this: Our children cannot go outside and play at the local park because of the air quality, because of the pollution. We know that they are at increased risk for premature deaths, childhood asthma, and lung and heart diseases. If you go to a doctor's office in my district, the doctors there stock up on boxes of inhalers for children that they are waiting to come in because of the air pollution that is causing asthma. prgtoken These truck pollution standards were last updated 20 years ago. That is the last time we updated the standards. How long do children need to wait? How long do children need to wait to get clean air? prgtoken It has been 20 years. That is how long our communities have suffered without any help. This resolution basically says too bad. We want you to wait longer for clean air. Whether it is Wilmington, California, in my district, or Wilmington, Delaware, across the country and everywhere in between, our communities just want to breathe. Delay is not acceptable.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 467, HALT ALL LETHAL TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S.J. RES. 11, PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY...
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-23

I give the compliment back to the distinguished gentlewoman from New Mexico. We are alums, and we will leave that for all to find out from where, but I am very proud to stand with her and really to stand with all of those who believe that the scourge of fentanyl must end now. prgtoken , we should not have one more death. I don't think there is any disagreement on this floor that there shouldn't be any more deaths. I also believe that it is important to recognize that there are some things that we come together on. I have never heard a be against border security. I have never heard a be against fighting the scourge of fentanyl taking out children. prgtoken As I have said over and over again, as a senior member on Homeland Security and Judiciary, who has written comprehensive immigration bills to protect Americans and to secure our borders, at the same time as the ranking member and former chair of the Crime Subcommittee, I know what to do with fentanyl. prgtoken I have introduced H.R. 3570. We have to stop fentanyl now to be able to get at the core of our problem. There is no doubt fentanyl comes in mostly from legal points of entry by United States citizens and others. prgtoken It does have other entry points, but the core is to protect the lives of our children. Why couldn't we do our work where we are doing one bill and another bill? H.R. 3570 deals with synthetics. It deals with educational outreach. prgtoken Just last night, I was speaking to a young person who said, Can you get Naloxone to be, if you will, in nontraditional places, clubs? Certainly, it should be in schools. It might even need to be in places of civic mindedness because it is where young people go to save their lives. Then synthetics, fentanyl that is used medically, are being sold online in pills that are misrepresented to our young people, and they lose their life. prgtoken H.R. 3570 takes care of that, fights the scourge of online sales and fentanyl trafficking. There is a pathway of getting to where we want to be, but a schedule I where you are, in essence, doing mandatory minimums that are not stopping, if you will, this horrible traffic. We are indicating we can get to this with enhanced penalties for the actions of the perpetrator so that you don't by mistake get someone innocently doing research or otherwise dealing with this particular drug that we are talking about that can be deadly. prgtoken There are scientists, there are responsible medical professionals, and then there are the devastatingly drastic evil people who try to use this to kill our children. We cannot adhere to that. prgtoken H.R. 3570 looks at it comprehensively. Working with the Judiciary Committee, working with Energy and Commerce, and all our Members, it is important to put forward legislation that can embrace us all. I believe that we have the responsibility to do the right thing.
CONGRATULATING IAM TONGI ON WINNING "AMERICAN IDOL"
Jill N. Tokuda (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-5-23

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Iam Tongi, a proud son of Kahuku, on winning season 21 of ``American Idol.'' A fellow child of the Windward side, a ``keiki,'' ``child'' of Ko'olauloa, Iam is the first Hawaii-born and Pacific Islander contestant to ever win ``American Idol.'' prgtoken Throughout his ``American Idol'' journey, Iam captured the hearts of viewers across the country with his incredible voice and soulful tributes to his late father, Rodney. prgtoken While on the show, Iam not only showcased Hawaii's local music and prgtoken sound, but also the challenges with getting priced out of paradise. Like many ``kama aina,'' ``residents,'' Iam and his family were forced to move to the Mainland because of Hawaii's high cost of living. prgtoken I have shared this with many of my colleagues here: Our children like Iam have become our greatest exports. That is not ``pono''; that is not ``right.'' We must make Hawaii more affordable so that families like Iam's don't have to leave their home. prgtoken Iam's music, his story, and his spirit have inspired millions of Americans across this country. Hawaii is so proud of him. Wherever he goes, I hope he knows Hawaii will always be his home and his ``ohana'' ``family.''
REPUBLICANS' MANUFACTURED DEBT CRISIS
Susan Wild (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-5-23

as we stare down a completely manufactured economic crisis, I sure hope we can come together to avoid a default, but the proposal from the far-right wing of the GOP, one that holds our economy hostage to enact extreme budget cuts, would hurt veterans most of all--veterans in my district, across Pennsylvania, and across the United States. prgtoken Pennsylvania has the fourth highest veteran population, so I am not talking hypotheticals when it comes to how VHA cuts would impact our veterans. prgtoken If they get their way, more than 272,000 Pennsylvania veterans' medical care and outpatient visits would be at risk due to slashed Veterans Health Administration funding. The 29 percent of Pennsylvania veterans who live with disabilities will face more red tape and longer wait times, undermining their much-needed medical care. prgtoken This is not what keeping our promises to those who served us, who protected us, looks like. Our veterans and the American people deserve better.