mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND RECOGNIZING MR. DANIEL ``DANNY'' HERNANDEZ, OUTSTANDING CITIZEN
Juan Vargas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today to honor the late Mr. Ray Daniel ``Danny'' Hernandez, an outstanding Chicano advocate in the 52nd Congressional District. prgtoken Mr. Hernandez was a committed and respected community leader who believed in the power of community to invoke equitable and long-term change. He worked tirelessly to uplift, empower, and serve our Latino/ Chicano, multicultural and other diverse communities. Mr. Hernandez was one of the founding members of the Chicano Federation's Latino Leadership Institute in 1985, whose mission is to establish the next generation of Latino civic leaders. prgtoken Mr. Hernandez made valuable contributions to organizations including San Ysidro Health, the National City Chamber of Commerce, La Maestra Community Health Centers, MANA de San Diego, and Project New Village. He was the Director of Community Relations for San Ysidro Health and, over the years, provided extensive contributions in developing a wide array of outreach, community awareness, and promotional programs to provide access to high quality and affordable healthcare. Mr. Hernandez also supported the advancement of Latinas and assisted MANA de San Diego to increase membership, create awareness of their programs, and connecting the organization with donors. 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. Ray Daniel ``Danny'' Hernandez. He is survived by his wife, Leticia Ibarra, and his sister, Christine Rosa Maestas. Furthermore, I would like to formally extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Hernandez for his unwavering commitment to providing equitable and accessible resources to our region throughout his nearly 45-year long career as an advocate and leader. His legacy will continue, as he inspired many.
IMMIGRANTS MUST BE TREATED HUMANELY
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today to discuss the importance of treating immigrants in a humane way. prgtoken In a hearing in the Homeland Security Committee recently, we discussed an incredibly offensive collector's coin called a challenge coin being sold online. prgtoken It depicted a Border Patrol agent on horseback chasing a Black Haitian migrant with a whip. The coin celebrated the incident, and it was claimed to be circulating with Border Patrol agents. prgtoken It disgusted almost everyone in the hearing, except for a prominent MAGA who laughed about it. No one should find the abusive treatment of human beings funny. prgtoken It is a national embarrassment. These migrants are trying to better their lives and the lives of their families. prgtoken We need to have an effective immigration policy in this country, but we also need to make sure all migrants, regardless of status, are treated humanely and fairly.
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-28

I would like to address recent events in Pakistan. In evaluating those events, some would say that America should root for whichever political leader styles themselves as more pro-American and has been easier for us to deal with on this or that bilateral issue. prgtoken I would say--and I think the State Department agrees--that what comes first is our dedication to democracy and the rule of law. Imran Khan was difficult for us to deal with; Prime Minister Sharif is somewhat easier. The question is democracy and the rule of law. prgtoken The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that there should be provincial elections in Punjab and later on in another province. That is the rule of law. prgtoken I believe that supreme court has ruled that its initial ruling is final and unappealable, and the supreme court has ordered that the funds be released as are necessary to hold those provincial elections. prgtoken America stands not with this policy or that policy or a government that will agree with us on this issue or that issue. America stands for democracy and the rule of law. America also stands for human rights and the right of free speech and the right to express one's opinions. I, of course, have been concerned about some of the terrible disappearances, some of the abuses of human rights, some of the substantial evidence of torture. prgtoken We need human rights and democracy in Pakistan. We need the rule of law. America stands not with its short-term bilateral concerns but with our dedication to democracy and human rights. prgtoken Most important of all, Pakistan has national elections set forth in October, and nothing is more important for Pakistan than that those elections be timely, legitimate, fair, and that whoever wins the elections be allowed to govern. War in Ethiopia, Tigray
RECOGNIZING WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY
Emilia Strong Sykes (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today to recognize Workers Memorial Day, a day where we honor workers who have lost their lives, endured injuries, or become ill due to unsafe working conditions or exposure to chemicals in the workplace. prgtoken Mary Jones--some know her better as Mother Jones--was a champion of workers' rights during the industrial revolution. She reminded us to ``pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.'' prgtoken That is what we are going to do today and every day, not by just simply remembering these workers who sacrificed their safety, health, and lives because that is simply not enough. We must continue to fight for safe jobs for all. prgtoken I am proud to stand with unions to protect workers' rights. Nearly every health and safety protection that working people across our Nation have, can be traced back to the work of unions. prgtoken I can say with confidence that you cannot find a harder working group of people than those in Ohio's 13th Congressional District. We are resilient, dedicated, and determined, and we deserve strong workplace standards to protect the health and safety of our neighbors, coworkers, and families. prgtoken I will continue to stand with unions in the fight for dignity in the workplace so all Ohioans can feel safe and secure when they go to work each day. prgtoken , I thank all of my colleagues in advance for remembering and recognizing April 28 as Workers Memorial Day.
HONORING SUSANNAH SCARONI'S WIN AT THE BOSTON MARATHON
Nikki Budzinski (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise to honor Susannah Scaroni, a graduate from the University of Illinois, for winning the 127th Boston Marathon and a successful World Marathon Majors season. prgtoken Susannah was born on May 16, 1991, in Burns, Oregon. Growing up Tekoa, Washington, a car crash would leave her paralyzed at the age of five. Susannah would persevere with the support of her community, eventually graduating from Tekoa High School in 2009 and coming to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. Susannah would graduate from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) with a bachelors degree in food science and human Nutrition in 2014 and earn a master's degree in Nutritional Sciences in 2022. prgtoken Throughout her education, Susannah would represent the United States in international competition and race in major marathons. Susannah has competed in the last three Paralympic games, earning a gold medal in the 5,000-meter race and a bronze in the 800-meter race in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Susannah would win the Los Angeles Marathon early in her career, however, coming short of winning a world major until recently. prgtoken After battling through a career-threatening back injury six months prior, Susannah would win the 2022 Chicago Marathon in October and the New York City Marathon in November. Her streak of wins would only end in Tokyo due to missing the marathon after contracting strep throat, but she would bounce back in April. After competing in the Boston Marathon eight times, with several bronzes being her best accomplishment in years prior, favor would shine her light on Susannah. She would win with a time of 1 hour 45 minutes 45 seconds, holding a lead of five minutes on the previous winner. prgtoken With the six recent World Marathon Majors now passed, Susannah has won three out of the six, and medaled in four. I am both proud and honored to recognize my fellow Fighting Illini graduate on today.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today to commemorate National Infertility Awareness Week, founded in 1989, to salute the parents, doctors, researchers, and others for the extraordinary progress over the last four decades to destigmatize infertility and bring awareness to the many barriers people face when trying to start and build their families. prgtoken Most Americans are not aware that approximately one in five Americans are impacted by the disease of infertility. The disease affects both men and women of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic statis; it knows no barriers and impacts millions of individuals. prgtoken Through the revolutionary contributions of research scientists and considerable medical advancements, fertility treatments have vastly improved since the first successful IVF pregnancy and live birth occurred in 1978. Such advancements include early infertility detection through detailed and data-driven testing, advanced egg-freezing technology, and progressive procedures that allow young cancer patients to preserve their fertility prior to undergoing lifesaving chemotherapy treatments. Organizations like RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association, advocate for millions of individuals and couples in this country who need medical assistance to have a family. Other groups, such as the Military Family Building Coalition (MFBC), have focused on raising awareness for active-duty service members and their spouses facing unique challenges with family building. They are actively working to bring awareness to these unique challenges and advance laws and policies that will help our servicemembers sacrificing for our country achieve their dream of building or expanding their own family. There are also organizations such as the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, who stand up to voice on the importance of affordable fertility preservation options for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, in the absence of comprehensive and reliable fertility preservation and family building healthcare coverage, the option of having children may not otherwise be available for millions of Americans without the financial assistance of organizations like RESOLVE, AFP, and MFBC, and countless other worthwhile organizations. prgtoken Since 1978, and because of extraordinary medical advancements and steadfast advocacy organizations, millions of Americans have been able to receive life affirming treatments that have resulted in the delivery of babies. And while advancements have been a substantial step forward for family building, significant medical, financial, and health equity barriers still exist for others who require medical assistance to combat infertility. prgtoken During this National Infertility Awareness Week, I am calling on my colleagues in Congress to do more to remove many of the barriers that currently exist for those experiencing infertility challenges in their pursuit of having a child. The ability to have
DISAPPROVING THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RELATING TO ``PROCEDURES COVERING SUSPENSION OF LIQUIDATION, DUTIES AND ESTIMATED DUTIES IN ACCORD WITH PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 10414''
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-4-28

``Here Comes the Sun.'' It is more than a great tune. It is about a great renewable future, but our colleagues refuse to see through the dark smoke of fossil fuels and fossilized thinking. They just blindly follow at every opportunity to try to reduce progress on addressing the very real climate crisis. prgtoken President is both enforcing our trade laws and maintaining our commitment for more solar power by giving American companies a reasonable time to adjust their supply chains away from China and without an unreasonable disruption of installing more solar panels all across this country. prgtoken This temporary tariff pause ends in only about a year. That is just not soon enough for those who are determined to disrupt our move to a clean energy future. I must say, this is a truly anti-business move because it penalizes companies that have relied in good faith on the President's order. It also, as my colleague from Oregon has just shown, will kill a number of good-paying union jobs across this country. prgtoken Despite ice mass in Greenland and Antarctica melting at an average of about 420 billion tons every year, already raising sea levels in the Gulf of Mexico, opposition in fighting climate change remains frozen in the past. prgtoken Trading fossil fuel and fossil power for the power of the Sun by getting as many solar panels as soon as possible is one way that more and more American families and American businesses can make their contribution to their own lower energy bills. It can help us respond to the climate crisis that is already engulfing America with wildfires and intensified weather, like tornadoes and floods and droughts in different places, and, of course, hotter and hotter and hotter temperatures. prgtoken At this dawn of a new clean energy era, now is not the time to eclipse solar. In Texas, we are already number two in the country among the States for solar capacity, creating thousands of new jobs and providing clean energy and lower energy bills to thousands of families. Austinites know that solar power saves them on their energy bills and saves them when storms disrupt the grid. prgtoken , I hope my colleagues will see the light and see the power of solar and join us in voting ``no'' on this misguided proposal.
CELEBRATING AMERICAN LIBRARIES WEEK
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today in celebration of American Libraries Week. prgtoken This is a perfect time to thank our local libraries and the employees who keep them open to the public to ensure access to reading and learning. prgtoken While extreme MAGA s are banning books and bashing librarians, House are protecting and recognizing their public libraries. We are putting people over politics. That is why I am proud to honor my local library, the Houston Public Library. prgtoken , they have announced that with local support, our library will no longer charge late fees on overdue books or other borrowed items. This is one of the many efforts that they are making to make sure that libraries are more accessible. prgtoken In honor of public libraries, I am reintroducing my bill, the More Social Workers in Libraries Act, today. Public libraries are vital community hubs, and this bill will reinforce America's social worker talent pipeline by creating a paid social worker internship in public libraries across the Nation. prgtoken Libraries are for learning. They are for seeking resources and finding job opportunities. We need to lift them up and not bash them.
QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS NEEDED
Susan Wild (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-4-28

I am a mother myself. My children are now 27 and 30 years old, but I distinctly remember how challenging it was to have children in a two-parent working family. prgtoken I was a lawyer before I came to Congress, and I distinctly remember the panic when I had to bring my very active toddler son to court with me because his preschool was suddenly closed. prgtoken I really feel for people who have ongoing issues finding affordable, reliable childcare. prgtoken More than 38,000 children in Pennsylvania are waitlisted; 1,600 classrooms have closed; and hundreds of childcare positions remain unfilled. In my district in the Lehigh Valley, more than 1,500 children are waitlisted, and Carbon County is classified as a childcare desert. prgtoken The childcare crisis isn't just hard on parents. It is hard on childcare providers, too. Early childcare workers in my district make just $28,000 to $32,000 compared with their elementary school peers making $52,000. prgtoken The Childcare for Working Families Act introduced yesterday on a bicameral basis would help open more care providers and lower costs for parties, capping costs at 7 percent of a family's income. prgtoken Putting money back in parents' pockets, raising wages for hardworking care providers, and giving kids more quality early childhood education--that is working for people.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK
Steven Horsford (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today to commemorate National Infertility Awareness Week, founded in 1989, to salute the parents, doctors, researchers, and others for the extraordinary progress over the last four decades to destigmatize infertility and bring awareness to the many barriers people face when trying to start and build their families. prgtoken Most Americans are not aware that approximately one in five Americans are impacted by the disease of infertility. The disease affects men and women of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic status; it knows no barriers and impacts millions of individuals. prgtoken Through the revolutionary contributions of research scientists and considerable medical advancements, fertility treatments have vastly improved since the first successful IVF pregnancy and live birth occurred in 1978. Such advancements include early infertility detection through detailed and data-driven testing, advanced egg-freezing technology, and progressive procedures that allow young cancer patients to preserve their fertility before undergoing lifesaving chemotherapy treatments. Organizations like RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association, advocate for millions of individuals and couples in this country who need medical assistance to have a family. Other groups, such as the Military Family Building Coalition (MFBC), have focused on raising awareness for active-duty service members and their spouses facing unique challenges with family building. They are actively working to bring awareness to these unique challenges and advance laws and policies to help our servicemembers sacrificing for our country achieve their dream of building or expanding their families. There are also organizations, such as the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, that stand up to voice the importance of affordable fertility preservation options for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, without comprehensive and reliable fertility preservation and family-building healthcare coverage, the option of having children may not otherwise be available for millions of Americans without the financial assistance of organizations like RESOLVE, AFP, MFBC, and countless other worthwhile organizations. prgtoken Since 1978, and because of extraordinary medical advancements and steadfast advocacy organizations, millions of Americans have received life-affirming treatments that have resulted in the delivery of babies. And while advancements have been a substantial step forward for family building, significant medical, financial, and health equity barriers still exist for others who require medical assistance to combat in fertility. prgtoken During this National Infertility Awareness Week, I am calling on my colleagues in Congress to do more to remove many of the barriers currently existing for those experiencing infertility challenges in their pursuit of having a child. The ability to have children and the timing of building a fam
DISAPPROVING THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RELATING TO ``PROCEDURES COVERING SUSPENSION OF LIQUIDATION, DUTIES AND ESTIMATED DUTIES IN ACCORD WITH PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 10414''
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 39. This resolution is another attack on President 's climate goals that will harm American jobs and existing domestic solar projects. This is an unnecessary rush to insert ourselves into agency rulemaking before Congress has the full picture. prgtoken This resolution would overturn a Administration regulation that placed a two-year moratorium on tariffs on solar panels and cells from four Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This rule was put in place to ensure the American solar supply chain has adequate volumes of solar panels and cells to meet domestic demand. H.J. Res. 39 clearly ignores the fact that the Department of Commerce has been studying the way China may be manipulating solar markets in Southeast Asia to avoid U.S. tariffs during the two-year duty moratorium. The Department of Commerce is almost set to release a final report with their findings in May. It is irresponsible for Congress to overturn the Administration's rule without seeing the result of that investigation on the full scope of China's role in these markets. prgtoken I am proud of the historic investments in domestic clean energy manufacturing made under unified ic control in the last Congress. are building toward the goal of solar panels and cells being American made, American built, and union installed. Congressional s have long been hostile to investments in clean energy and s are using this resolution as an opportunity to slow down our economy as it transitions to a clean energy economy. H.J. Res. 39 jeopardizes existing projects which would mean the loss of jobs for the hard-working Americans who design, construct, and install solar. We have seen historic investments in community solar projects in Minnesota's Fourth District. This resolution puts those projects, and the jobs they create, in danger. prgtoken , let me be clear, H.J. Res. 39 is an attack on President , our transition to a clean energy economy, and domestic manufacturing goals.
RECOGNIZING SONDRA MYERS' LIFELONG CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-4-28

I rise today to recognize Sondra Myers to celebrate her retirement after nearly two decades as the founding director of The University of Scranton's Schemel Forum. Sondra is also the co-founder of Scranton's Interdependence Day, which promotes reaching out to neighbors and the world community to show that working together for security, economic and social justice, and preservation of the earth is essential. prgtoken Sondra has been instrumental in bringing the world to Scranton, and her impact on the community cannot be overstated. prgtoken Before joining The University of Scranton, Sondra served in various leadership roles, including as a special assistant to the chairman for partnerships at the National Endowment for the Humanities, cultural advisor to Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey, and senior associate at the University of Maryland's Democracy Collaborative. She has also held numerous positions in academia, including director of the President's Millennium Seminars at The George Washington University and senior advisor on civic affairs to the president of Connecticut College. prgtoken Sondra has written, edited, and co-edited several books on democracy and civic engagement, presented programs in several countries, and organized and moderated symposia on culture and public policy for academic institutions and cultural organizations throughout the United States. Her impact on the national stage is evident through her appointments by Presidents and Carter to the Commission on Presidential Scholars and the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, respectively. prgtoken Sondra's leadership and expertise have been invaluable to the University of Scranton. Under her guidance, the Schemel Forum has become a highly popular program that brings renowned speakers to Scranton to engage in dialogue on a wide range of topics. Sondra's commitment to promoting cultural understanding and learning has enriched the community, and her legacy will continue to inspire scholars for generations. prgtoken Sondra's contributions to the arts and humanities are immeasurable, and her dedication to public service, is truly admirable. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on her retirement and wish her many fulfilling and enjoyable years ahead with her husband, Morey, and family.