mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING NATHAN KIRSCH, MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD WINNER
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-1-10

I rise today to congratulate Whitehaven High School math teacher Nathan Kirsch. He won the Milken Educator Award. This award is given to only 40 early- and mid-career teachers across the United States, and there was only one in Tennessee who won it. prgtoken Mr. Kirsch was surprised with the award at a school assembly Wednesday morning, where the entire student body applauded him for being the only teacher in Tennessee to receive the national distinction, which some have called the Oscar award for teaching. It could be the Nobel Prize for teaching. prgtoken In accepting the award, Mr. Kirsch called it one ``for all of my students,'' past, current, and future. prgtoken The Whitehaven High School community is rightly proud of this accomplishment, and I am, too. prgtoken It is very encouraging that a program known for being an athletic powerhouse is also recognized for its excellence in academics. The principal at Whitehaven, Vincent Hunter, posts the names of the scholars, the ones who have gotten the best scores and the most scholarship offers, on the wall outside of his office--not athletic awards, of which there are a plethora, but academic awards. prgtoken Mr. Kirsch embodies both traditions that Whitehaven has--as a coach of teams and a great teacher who has raised their calculus scores. prgtoken , I congratulate Mr. Kirsch and all the Whitehaven Tigers on this exceptional achievement.
TRIBUTE TO LISA C. WILLIAMS
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to a great humanitarian, a proud military veteran, and a woman some call ``a latter-day Harriett Tubman.'' Lisa C. Williams is a survivor, a fighter and a champion for all who have been sexually exploited. She is an inspiration and an example of how one person can make a tremendous change in the world. prgtoken A U.S. Air Force and Army commissioned officer, Ms. Williams left the service with an honorable discharge and set her sights on helping women and children victimized by sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and intimate partner violence. Drawing from her own experiences to find freedom from a life of trauma and sexual abuse, she founded Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc in 1999. She has worked for more than twenty years to help educate, equip, and empower women to live their best lives, free of violence. prgtoken As the founder of Living Water Learning Resource Center, Ms. Williams has developed a program that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) calls ``one of the most comprehensive, rehabilitative programs for child victims of sex trafficking in the country.'' Over the years, she has helped hundreds of children and young women reclaim their lives from sexual abuse. prgtoken Ms. Williams is an author, an orator, and a thought leader and has taken her message to the White House and the United Nations. She travels the world as a motivational for the Centre for H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel), and hosts the podcast Front Porch Conversations. prgtoken I have grown to know Ms. Williams through her partnership and support of the annual National Health Disparities Conference, which I help coordinate with the Medical University of South Carolina and can attest to her powerful presence and message. prgtoken Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including: O Magazine, Essence, Ebony, Glamour, Black Enterprise, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen. She has appeared in film and television on the award-winning CNN Special Report: Children for Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking, CNN International News, CNN Freedom Project, BBC Brazil, and C-SPAN. prgtoken Ms. Williams has been honored by numerous organizations, including CNN, Ford Motor Company, Porsche USA, YWCA, Glamour, and L'Oreal Paris. prgtoken She earned a Bachelor of Science from Campbell University, a Masters of Arts from Bowie State University and attended a doctoral program at Virginia Tech. Ms. Williams latest endeavor is establishing the Circle of Friends Impact and Circle of Friends Impact Legacy Scholarship Fund endowments at Boston University. prgtoken To honor her contributions, the university will dedicate the Lisa C. Williams Listening Room in her honor at the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground. This room is a safe space for quiet meditation, introspection and contemplation, which is being dedicated on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year. T
MOURNING THE LOSS OF DUSTIN PARKER
Kendra S. Horn (Democrat, OK) \u2014 2020-1-10

I rise today to mourn the tragic death of Dustin Parker. prgtoken At 25 years old, Dustin was a loving father, a hard worker, and a generous member of his community in McAlester, Oklahoma. As a man who happened to be transgender, Dustin helped found the McAlester chapter of Oklahomans for Equality. prgtoken Sadly, Dustin was shot and killed on New Year's Day. While we do not know who is responsible for Dustin's death, we do know that transgender Americans are disproportionately the victims of violent crimes. Last year, more than two dozen trans and gender nonconforming people were violently killed, that we know of. Every death underscores the Nation's need for urgent action to address this epidemic. prgtoken , our country lost a champion for equality. As we continue to search for answers following Dustin's death, we must continue to fight to ensure that all Americans are treated with dignity and respect. prgtoken My prayers are with Dustin's entire family for their loss, and my heart goes out to our communities bearing this pain.
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2019
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-1-10

it is an honor to fight alongside Representatives Dingell and Kildee in protecting our water and environment. I also appreciate Chairman Pallone for working with us on this critical issue to Michigan and the Nation. prgtoken The amendment ensures frontline communities like mine who have been directly harmed by the lack of urgency to address the public health impacts due to environmental injustices have a true seat at the table when it comes to addressing this crisis. prgtoken I grew up in southwest Detroit which houses the most polluted ZIP Code in the State; where the smell isn't normal; where our kids go to schools that don't have clean drinking water, where our parks are closed down, literally, barred away from residents having access to it because the soil is too contaminated; and where so many of our residents live in fear that the polluting industry nearby is killing them. prgtoken Two communities I represent within Wayne County, Michigan, found PFAS contamination. In the recent Metro Times publication, there was a powerful, yet tragic, statement on what residents in 48217 are forced to live with. ``Gone are the fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Residents no longer grow produce because the air and the ground are too contaminated with hazardous substances.'' prgtoken The amendment before us clearly defines disadvantaged, exposed communities and ensures that priority for infrastructure funding to combat PFAS go to these frontline communities like our own 48217 and other neighborhoods. prgtoken If we are not intentional about where we put our resources to address this crisis, then we are not serious about universal clean air and water. This amendment will ensure that we have equitable funding that goes to neighborhoods that have been ignored for far too long. prgtoken I urge you to support the frontline communities amendment and safeguard the health and environmental justice of the neighborhoods that have historically been victim of structural racism and disinvestment. prgtoken , I yield 1 minute the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan), my good colleague and partner in this fight who is the cosponsor of this amendment.
CONGRATULATING STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS NORTH SHORE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-1-10

on December 21, 2019, the Galena Park ISD's North Shore Senior High School football team became back-to- back State football champions. prgtoken It was a hard-fought win, but they won because they worked together as a team displaying much heart and grit on the field. This win was the culmination of an entire year's worth of practice and hard work under the leadership of Coach Kay. prgtoken They took nothing for granted and showed the entire State that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. The North Shore Senior High School football team made all of the North Shore Mustangs and the Galena Park ISD community very, very proud. prgtoken As their Congresswoman, I was not there, but I was watching from afar cheering them on, and I am so happy to share their achievement with all of Congress on this floor of the House of Representatives. prgtoken Congratulations for an amazing win. I know we can do it again, and we will make it a three-peat.
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2019
Andy Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-1-10

my amendment requires, within 5 years, a comprehensive report to Congress by the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, regarding the actions the Agency will take to clean up and remediate PFAS contamination sites once we pass the important bill before us into law. prgtoken I would like to begin by thanking my friend Chairman Pallone and his staff for working with me on this, as well as my fellow Michiganders, Congresswoman Dingell, Congressman Upton, and Congressman Kildee, for their bipartisan leadership on this bill. prgtoken I am proud that this bill includes my bill cosponsored with Representative Khanna, the PFAS Safe Disposal Act, which prohibits unsafe incineration of PFAS. We need to ensure that when PFAS chemicals are destroyed by incineration, PFAS particles are not emitted into the air. The monumental effort of PFAS cleanup will be for naught if PFAS is simply transmitted from water and soil into the air we breathe. prgtoken We in Michigan know all too well the growing threat that PFAS chemicals pose to our communities and our water resources. They have been linked to cancer, damage to both reproductive and immune systems, developmental issues, and changes in liver, immune, and thyroid functions. prgtoken The troubling reality is that both industry and the EPA itself have known about the risks from PFAS chemicals for decades. We know, for example, that industry studies have demonstrated the adverse health effects of these chemicals since as early as 1950. That is 70 years ago. We also know that even though the EPA has recognized the risks of PFAS since at least 1995, the Agency is continuing to allow new PFAS chemicals onto the market to this day. prgtoken By passing H.R. 535 into law, we can finally begin to reverse decades of the EPA's failure and finally deliver the protections impacted communities need in both the short and long term. But after decades of the EPA failing to treat this matter with urgency, we need to make sure that the cleanup process that will be set in place, once we finally designate PFOA and PFAS as hazardous substances, is both timely and effective. prgtoken My amendment is a commonsense transparency and accountability measure that requires the EPA to submit a comprehensive review to Congress after 5 years of cleanup efforts. The report required by my amendment will include the number of sites that have to be remediated, the types of PFAS chemicals present at each site, an analysis of discrepancies and cleanup between Federal and non-Federal contamination sites, and more. prgtoken For the sake of our constituents and after so many years of inexcusable threats to their health, Congress must ensure that EPA's PFAS cleanup efforts are effective. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and .
IN MEMORY OF MR. BENJAMIN ``BEN'' EVANS
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a talented tailor, dedicated husband, loving father, and dear friend of longstanding--Mr. Benjamin ``Ben'' Evans. Sadly, Ben passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2020. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 1:00 pm at New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church located at 795 Maynard Street in Macon, Georgia. prgtoken Benjamin Evans (affectionately known as ``Ben'' to his family, friends, and colleagues) was born in Bibb County, Georgia to the late Clifford Danielly and Fannie B. Evans. He was born on August 5, 1929 and was the eldest of two sons. prgtoken He attended Hudson High School in Macon, Georgia and later joined the U.S. Army. Ben was a veteran, having retired from the military as a Staff Sergeant with 22 years of service. He was always industrious and hard-working. He attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland where he majored in Fashion Design. He loved men's fashion. Having learned the art of tailoring, Ben was so skilled that he could design a suit without a pattern. Known for being one of the best-dressed men in Macon, he loved to design matching outfits for himself and his beloved wife, Lillie Ruth. Ben opened an alteration shop, Genesis, and operated it in Downtown Macon for many years. He also served as the Business Manager and Co-Owner of Gantt's Pre-School and M.A. Evans Academy. prgtoken On June 2, 1982, Ben was joined in Holy Matrimony to the Love of His Life, Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans. They married after a long courtship. He made a dress from memory for his beloved Lillie Ruth and presented it to her as a gift on their first date. prgtoken Ben accepted Christ at an early age where he was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Macon, GA. He later became a member of New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee Board. prgtoken Ben cared about his community, and he was always engaged in organizations that did positive work. He served dutifully as a member of the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans (Life Member), Veterans of Foreign Wars, Homosapien Civic & Social Club, former member of 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia, Inc Bibb County (Post Seat Holder), and former member of the Civil Service Board of Bibb County. Ben enjoyed sewing and loved to listen to music. He had a vast collection of blues and jazz. He loved to attend the annual Tom Bonner Picnic and VFW events and cared about the community. prgtoken Ben accomplished much in his life, but none of this would have been possible without the Grace of God; the love and support of his wife, Lillie Ruth; his children, Chandra, Merita, Gregory, and Jimmy (deceased); his stepson Freeman; and a host of family and friends who will miss him deeply. prgtoken On a personal note, I have been truly blessed with Ben's and Lillie Ruth's friendship and support over the y
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2019
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-1-10

I have great respect for my colleague, but I oppose this amendment because it is really nothing more than a political stunt. prgtoken This bill will protect communities across this country. The drinking water standard in this bill will be protective of the health of populations at greater risk, what we generally call vulnerable populations. prgtoken That requirement was opposed by the s. Mr. Shimkus had an amendment to strike that provision of the bill. He opposed protecting vulnerable populations. I deeply respect my colleague, but he opposed it every step of the way; and yesterday, he withdrew that amendment. prgtoken If s want to protect vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, infants, and children, they should support this bill. prgtoken Let's be very clear: PFAS is an urgent health and environmental threat, period, and no one can deny that. prgtoken The number of contamination sites, nationwide, is growing at an alarming rate, including our military bases--almost 400 military installations in this country. prgtoken Developed in the 1940s, PFAS is a forever chemical. It is in the blood of more than 99 percent of Americans. It poses potential health risks. We know it. EPA has known the risk for decades and allowed this contamination to spread. prgtoken EPA is not going to take care of this problem. Congress needs to act. The longer we wait, the worse the contamination becomes. The time is now to act on the PFAS Action Act. We have got to do it together. The American people count on us. prgtoken The bill is a strong and serious package, and it is supported by some s. It will jump-start cleanups. It will get PFAS out of our drinking water. It will limit PFAS in the air. It will limit PFAS in our rivers and streams. It will drive and require comprehensive testing for PFAS, and it will give our first responders and consumers tools to protect themselves. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this motion to recommit and urge Members to support the underlining bill so we can work together to enact laws that protect the American people. prgtoken , .
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2019
Tom Malinowski (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act, and my amendment to the bill, which gives manufacturers an opportunity to be transparent with consumers and make clear that their products are indeed free of PFAS. prgtoken PFAS chemicals are found in coatings that line products like nonstick pots and pans, waterproof clothing, and grease-resistant and fast-food containers, items that we use every day and rarely think about. We are now well aware of the devastating harm that these chemicals can cause, like growth and learning delays in infants and children, an increased risk of birth defects, weakened immune systems, decreased fertility, and an increased risk of cancer. prgtoken Each year, billions of pounds of these products are dumped into landfills or burned in incinerators, releasing PFAS pollutants into the air, water, and soil, contaminating the food we eat and the water we drink. In my district in New Jersey, there are over 133 contaminated sites, more than 30 of which are schools. prgtoken Right now, consumers have no way of knowing for sure whether products like prgtoken the water-resistant spray that we put on our shoes and jackets or the stain-resistant sprays we put on our furniture, rugs, and carpets are or are not contaminated with PFAS coatings that can harm our health. prgtoken My amendment would alleviate this problem. It will add stain-, water- , and grease-resistant coatings to the list of products eligible for a voluntary label indicating the absence of PFAS, which will allow consumers to make safer and more informed decisions about the products that we purchase. prgtoken We must start holding polluting companies accountable for the chemicals that they are putting into the products that we bring to our homes and give to our children, but we should also be giving companies that do the right thing and that protect consumers a way to be recognized and a way to be rewarded for responsible behavior. prgtoken , I look forward to voting for this legislation, and .
PAYING TRIBUTE TO NICHOLAS FISH
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-1-10

. Madam , I rise to pay tribute to a lifetime of public service. This week, Nicholas Fish, or Nick as his friends called him, passed away. He will be fondly remembered for his commitment to advancing the quality of urban life for all. prgtoken Nick was born in New York City in 1958. After attending the Dutchess Day School as a child in Millbrook, NY, and later St. Alban's School in Washington, DC, he earned his bachelor's degree in 1981 from Harvard and in 1986 he completed a J.D. at Northeastern University. prgtoken Politics and public service were a family business for Nick. His father and grandfather Hamilton Fish IV and III--both served in the U.S. House of Representatives. His great-great-grandfather, Hamilton Fish, served as a congressman, senator, governor of New York and secretary of state to President Ulysses S. Grant. prgtoken Nick continued this illustrious family tradition, cutting his teeth as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, an experience that he would often say fueled his passion for serving others. prgtoken After earning his Juris Doctor, he practiced law in New York City, representing healthcare workers and labor unions. He was appointed to Manhattan's Community Board Five, where he served as Chair for two years. In that capacity, Nick championed the upgrade of the Times Square Hotel. In collaboration with local nonprofits, the hotel was transformed into affordable housing and a thriving community for residents with HIV, previously homeless individuals and employees of New York City's theater district. prgtoken In the mid-1990s, Nick's wife, Patricia, was offered a job at Portland State University and the couple moved west, settling in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland. Although new to the West Coast, Nick and Patricia quickly made fast friends in the community and he continued his pursuit of public service in their new community. He joined the board of the Housing Authority of Portland and worked to raise money for local nonprofits that assisted victims of domestic abuse and vulnerable children. prgtoken In 2008, Nick was elected to the Portland City Council. There he was a steadfast voice for affordable housing. He was instrumental in the creation of a separate city agency dedicated to addressing housing issues and expanding and renovating Portland parks. For 11 years on the Portland City Council, he earned a reputation as a steady hand, helping improve the Council and make local government work for everyone. Known for a steady temperament and sharp policy mind, he often took on the toughest assignments of local government, such as overseeing the city water and sewers bureaus, simultaneously. Even after confronting health challenges, Nick continued his tireless work, serving on the City Council until just a few days ago. prgtoken Today, our nation, the Capitol Hill Community and the City of Portland have lost a dedicated statesman and a consummate