mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING LIBERTY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-6-23

I love this Nation, and I stand on the premise of the Declaration of Independence. Even though my ancestors did not benefit at the origins of this Nation, I am a patriot. prgtoken I remind my fellow colleagues of the Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken Our Founding Fathers understood that this Nation would grow and would breathe life into these words and breathe life into democracy. The Constitution began with: We the people of United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. prgtoken This is a living document that ensures that we safeguard America and, particularly, that we safeguard its citizens and our children. prgtoken This Pride Month, I wish all of those who are in our wonderful community of LGBTQ a wonderful existence and recognition of their individual liberty. I am so grateful that this Nation allows everyone to have a seat at the table. prgtoken , s for their vigorous celebration of Juneteenth, which is legislation that I introduced and fought for, for over a decade. I am so amazed at the celebrations from east to west and north to south, understanding the ancestors of African descendants didn't get free in Texas until June 1865. prgtoken All of us, no matter our backgrounds, were having celebrations. Members, s and , were joining in on the liberty of Juneteenth. That gives me hope as we move to discuss the response to H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, and find ways for repair and restoration. It gives me hope. prgtoken As I mentioned, this Pride Month is about liberty and empowerment for all people. I stand here on the floor of the House with such excitement and exhilaration that I have standing on the foundation of this very book that covers the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. That is why it is so important to fight for democracy and to recognize the sovereignty of this Nation. prgtoken , I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in fighting for the release of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan, and many others who are held as hostages, and those who went to volunteer to fight for democracy in Ukraine who are now held. prgtoken I raise my voice for Brittney Griner today, a young woman born and raised in Houston, Texas, a graduate of Nimitz High School whose family in Houston is in desperate need for us to pay attention to the very vile way that she now is being held as a hostage in Russia. prgtoken I ask the Russian people and Mr. Putin to release these people, release them from th
JOSEPH HART'S PASSING LEAVES A VOID
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , local journalism is the lifeblood of our democracy and the backbone of our communities. I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a constituent who dedicated his career to that very American public service. Joseph Hart, an award-winning local journalist who spent his career telling the stories of our community, most recently as executive editor of the Delaware County Daily Times, tragically passed away this week. prgtoken He leaves behind a void in the hearts of his colleagues and readers across PA-5 who have relied on his insightful and dependable reporting for decades. prgtoken Joe grew up with the Delco Times, starting as an intern 40 years ago and rising to executive editor in 2020. His friends and colleagues describe an incredible friend, mentor, and journalist, calling him kind, witty, principled, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, professional, and passionate. prgtoken In the words of retired Delco Times editor Phil Heron, ``The institutional knowledge Joe had of the county, you can't replace that. He was the walking encyclopedia of Delco politics.'' prgtoken Our hearts go out to Joe's family, friends, and his team at the Delco Times as they mourn this tremendous loss.
PAYING RESPECTS TO DAVID FINGER THE CHIEF OF LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS AT THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I rise today to pay my respects to Dave Finger of the National Volunteer Fire Council who passed away on June 3rd following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. prgtoken Prior to joining the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) as its Chief of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs in 2005, Dave served as the lead staffer on first responder issues for the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Dave worked closely with my staff and the staff of my three fellow co- chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus sharing input on legislation pending before the House Science Committee that benefited our nation's fire and emergency services. prgtoken As NVFC's Chief of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Dave represented the interests of our nation's volunteer firefighters on Capitol Hill. His efforts played a critical role in the passage of federal legislation that not only advanced the health and safety of our nation's volunteer firefighters, but all firefighters and emergency services personnel. prgtoken Dave was the embodiment of collaboration. While his primary focus was always on advocating for the volunteer fire service, he understood the importance of working together with the other national fire organizations to advance a common agenda. Tributes from his colleagues expressed appreciation for his passion, integrity, and character. Cerebral in nature, he possessed a depth of knowledge and insight on the issues he championed. There was never a time when he walked into a meeting with Members of Congress or their staff unprepared; he was the consummate professional. prgtoken Dave was only forty-four when his life was cut short by cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Allison, and their two children: Vivienne, 7, and Sullivan, 2. He also leaves behind many friends and thousands of firefighters across the nation who owe him their deep gratitude for the work he performed on their behalf throughout his career. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of my fellow Co-Chairs of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus, I extend my sympathies to Dave's family and to his colleagues at the National Volunteer Fire Council and throughout the fire and emergency services community for the loss of their loved one and friend.
JOSEPH WOODROW HATCHETT UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE AND FEDERAL BUILDING-- Continued
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-6-23

I would like to honor a longtime member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee staff, Colin McGinnis, as he moves on to a new, well-deserved chapter: retirement. prgtoken He will be spending more time with his beloved wife Claire--and with the first person he visited upon retirement--his 95-year-old mother Barb, at her peaceful lake home in Minnesota. prgtoken Colin is a lifelong public servant. He spent 33 years working in Congress. Even when he briefly left this institution, he remained in service, working for the Orthodox Relief Service. prgtoken To say the least, Colin's career is unparalleled. Colin grew up in Morris, MN, and attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN. He went on to earn his masters of divinity from Yale University--and we saw those divinity school values woven throughout his career. prgtoken Colin's congressional career began in service to his home State. He worked for Representative Jim Oberstar, Representative Bruce Vento, Representative Terry Sabo, and the former Carleton College professor, Senator Paul Wellstone. In each office, he made a positive difference for Minnesotans. prgtoken Colin was serving as chief of staff to Senator Wellstone at the time of his tragic death in 2002. It was a catastrophic loss for Minnesota and for our country. And for his staff, it was a heartbreaking personal tragedy. Colin took care of his colleagues and got them through an unimaginably difficult time. He was a rock for the office and led with composure and grace while grieving a mentor he met while he was a student at Carleton, then later worked with for a decade. prgtoken In 2008, Colin became the acting staff director of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee under Chairman Dodd. He led the committee through one of the worst financial crises in U.S. history. prgtoken As always, Colin stepped up. It was a scary time. The economy was in freefall. We had never seen anything like that in our lifetime. Colin was the steady hand that Senator Dodd and the committee needed. He was a trusted and an invaluable adviser to Chairman Dodd, Chairman Johnson, and to me. prgtoken For the last 9 years, Colin has served as the committee's policy director. I remember when I first took over as ranking member on the committee, meeting with the staff in our hearing room on the fifth floor of Dirksen in late 2014. I didn't know anyone yet, and these talented public servants were experts in their field. Many had spent years working for the committee. prgtoken Frankly, I was a little nervous. And at the end of the meeting, of course it was Colin who came up to talk to me, reassure me, break the ice. He could not have been more kind and welcoming. prgtoken Colin's many, many accomplishments with the Banking and Housing Committee include his instrumental work on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action--the administration's diplomatic success to limit Iran's nuclear program--the b
KEEP KIDS FED ACT OF 2022
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I rise in support of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which provides vital funding to ensure our children are fed healthy meals over these next few summer months--and that schools and daycares are supported throughout the school year. prgtoken As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, no child should go hungry. Yet far too many children struggle with hunger in this country. This is a tragedy. For more than 22 million children who rely on school breakfast and lunch programs, summer vacation means worrying about when they will eat next. prgtoken We all know that hunger can have lifelong consequences for children-- making it more difficult to learn . . . play . . . and connect with kids their age. Kids who go hungry during summer often start school behind, which can lead to serious health concerns like developmental delays . . . chronic illness . . . and mental health issues. They are at higher risk for anemia, asthma, diabetes--and more likely to experience anxiety and depression. prgtoken So, I am pleased that we have reached a bipartisan agreement on extending school meal waivers until the summer's end and continues to support schools and daycares throughout the year. These child nutrition waivers are a lifeline to schools, children, and hardworking families across the country. prgtoken During the pandemic, school meals were a lifeline to students-- providing them with healthy meals whether they were attending school in person or virtually. They have been a critical component of our nation's response to this pandemic. But schools continue to face a variety of challenges, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, serving meals safely, and rising food prices. Waivers have been vital this school year to support school nutrition. And extending the waivers is the path forward to ensure all children have access to nutritious school meals over the summer months that they need to learn and thrive. prgtoken As I have said from the start--failure is not an option. And we need to get a deal across the finish line. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children do not go hungry. School meal waivers have given stability to hundreds of children who prior to this program, likely did not know where their next meal was coming from. prgtoken I am disappointed that House s insisted on an offset. We need to feed children in this country--and that should never be up for debate. prgtoken With that, I am proud of this bill and the impact I know it will have--providing school workers . . . parents . . . and caregivers with the security of knowing that the children they care for will be fed through the summer. prgtoken So, I am voting in favor of this critical legislation--and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING SKEEK FRAZEE
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2022-6-23

I rise today to recognize and congratulate a great Mainer, Skeek Frazee. prgtoken Skeek is retiring this month after 12 dedicated years of constituent service to the people of Maine's First District. prgtoken I believe the great majority of us who work in this institution do so because we want to make life better for our neighbors. Skeek exemplifies that spirit. prgtoken For over a decade, she has committed herself to some of the most challenging and sensitive cases that come through my office. She has fought for asylum seekers and refugees who have lived through horrors in their home countries. It is no exaggeration to say that new Mainers can build thriving new lives because of her help. prgtoken She is known across the country for her work advocating for survivors of military sexual trauma bravely seeking benefits that they deserve from the VA. prgtoken Beyond her considerable skill as a caseworker, she has also mentored countless interns; been an unfailingly generous, hilarious, and kind colleague; and become a treasured friend to so many of us in and outside of our office. prgtoken Skeek, the people of Maine are infinitely better for having you as an advocate, a neighbor, and a friend. We will miss you dearly, and we wish you the very best in your next chapter.
LGBTQI+ DATA INCLUSION ACT
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-6-23

I thank Mrs. Maloney, who is the chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, and the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus for their work and support for the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. prgtoken As we celebrate Pride Month and remember the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall riots, we recognize the progress, lived experience, and suffering of the LGBTQI+ community. prgtoken In many ways our Federal Government is falling short on the promise to craft and implement inclusive public policy, in part, because we lack the necessary data to address the issues affecting the LGBTQI+ community. prgtoken While some data is currently collected and Federal agents have made progress, far too many LGBTQI+ individuals remain overlooked in many Federal data collection efforts. prgtoken As the Center for American Progress has calculated, more than five in six LGBTQ adults cannot be identified by existing questions in non- experimental survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau such as the American Community Survey and the Census, which only accounts for cohabitating same-sex couples. prgtoken That is why I introduced this legislation, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act, to ensure we have robust and accurate data. prgtoken The bill would require Federal surveys to include data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations of sex characteristics on a voluntary basis. Again, let me emphasize what the Chair emphasized, this bill would only collect voluntary, self- disclosed data. prgtoken An individual will not be required to disclose this information, nor would this information be used in a manner that would adversely affect any individual. prgtoken It would ensure that lawmakers and Federal agencies have the comprehensive data they need to address the LGBTQI+ issues. prgtoken We cannot craft policies that remedy the disparities faced by these individuals, particularly people of color, in issues of discrimination, unemployment, healthcare, housing instability, and more if we do not have the adequate and correct data. prgtoken We have seen how the pandemic has impacted many Americans, and we are still learning how the LGBTQI+ community were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This is just one of many areas that our Federal Government lacks knowledge in how to respond to these issues. prgtoken In many ways, the tireless work of LGBTQ organizations in gathering this information has provided a better scope of the problems and disparities than the Federal Government itself. prgtoken The LGBTQI+ community deserves to be visible and heard so public policy can better reflect their needs. It is critical to close the data gap that often invalidates their lives. prgtoken Perhaps more importantly, this bill comes at a time when State legislatures across this country have introduced more than 300 anti-LGBTQ bills that target youth and their families. This bill would force those individuals focused on denying rights to
WE MUST REPEAL THE WEP AND GPO
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-23

I rise today on behalf of older Americans in my district to call for the repeal of the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset. prgtoken For far too long, the WEP and GPO provisions have wrongfully penalized our Nation's public servants who have paid into Social Security by working second or even third jobs. That means that public servants in my district, like Fran, a retired schoolteacher from San Jacinto, are seeing their Social Security cut because of bureaucratic red tape. She wrote to me and told me that her Social Security benefits have been reduced by $500 per month. Fran deserves better. prgtoken Our Nation's retired teachers, police officers, and firefighters deserve better, too. After a lifetime of hard work and paying into Social Security, there is no justification for them to miss out on their earned income in their golden years. We have an obligation, a responsibility, to take care of them and ensure they receive the benefits that they have earned through years of hard work. prgtoken We must pass the Social Security 2100 Act to finally eliminate the WEP and GPO provisions, strengthen Social Security, and give our Nation's seniors a much-needed increase in benefits. This repeal is long overdue. Our seniors cannot afford to wait any longer for the fairness, relief, and peace of mind that they deserve. In Support of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act
EXPANDING BENEFITS FOR VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXINS
Kaiali’i Kahele (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-6-23

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of the Honoring our PACT Act. prgtoken The PACT Act will finally expand benefits and comprehensive healthcare for millions of veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while serving their country. prgtoken Included in this bill is the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, championed by my dear friend, the late Congressman Mark Takai, who served his country admirably as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard and as Hawaii's First Congressional District Representative. prgtoken The United States conducted 43 nuclear tests on Enewetak Atoll, located in the Marshall Islands. In the 1970s, U.S. servicemembers risked their lives to clean radioactive material from Enewetak Atoll. prgtoken Without the PACT Act, veterans who served at Enewetak are not eligible for much-needed benefits. prgtoken I am honored to continue Congressman Mark Takai's legacy by proudly casting my vote for the Honoring our PACT Act to ensure that we improve on our sacred obligation to care for our veterans and their families.
JOSEPH WOODROW HATCHETT UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE AND FEDERAL BUILDING-- Continued
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2022-6-23

. If I could say one thing, Senator Cornyn, if you give me a minute here. prgtoken The leadership you have shown is admirable. It really is. You come from a gun culture. I come from a gun culture. We know the challenges in a gun culture. I said: To a group of people, it is not enough; to other people, it is too much. Anything is too much because it is the camel's nose under the tent they are afraid of. We protected the Second Amendment. And we attacked the problem we have been identifying, which is mental illness. And you brought that to the forefront, took it. We put our money where our mouth is. prgtoken I think this is a great piece of legislation for us to start protecting the children of America. And I thank you again for that.
FAREWELL TO JULIE NICKSON
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-23

I rise today to acknowledge my chief of staff, Julie Little Nickson, who, after 22 years of service in the House and 20 years in my office, will soon be departing the Hill. prgtoken Let me take a moment to acknowledge Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who Julie worked for prior to coming to my office and for her gracious help with Julie's transition to my office. prgtoken Julie joined my staff in 2002 and quickly distinguished herself as a skilled manager and leader of Team Lee. She undoubtedly got to know many district constituents and hit the ground running. prgtoken Her keen understanding of the intersection of policy, politics, and procedure has helped drive so many accomplishments through the decades. She has also ensured that my constituents understand the relationship between our work in Washington, D.C and their daily lives. prgtoken From her work advancing my efforts as coauthor of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, back in 2003 to the development and enactment of the historic American Women Quarters act in 2020, Julie has been the strategic guiding force propelling my agenda. She makes sure that the inclusion of staff is prominent in everything I do and that staff is recognized and is central to her work. prgtoken She has been the key and steady leader of my work to prevent the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of course, that work grew and expanded to include numerous efforts to end our forever wars and rein in unchecked executive war powers, including my work to repeal the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs. prgtoken As my chief of staff during my time as both the chair of the CPC and later when I chaired the Congressional Black Caucus in 2009 and 2010, Julie helped build coalitions and advanced our policy and communications agenda forward. This was really not an easy task, but as always, she rose to the occasion. prgtoken Her two decades of appropriations experience has helped me deliver significant resources to my congressional district over the years, including from major infrastructure and transit projects, critical research and healthcare funding, and so many projects that have helped improve the lives of my constituents. prgtoken Her knowledge of both domestic and international Federal spending programs and policies has helped me champion and support the growth of vital human needs programs along with domestic and international health and development. prgtoken As a manager, Julie has always led by example with her deep commitment and mission-driven approach to the work. She has helped and led, shaped, and developed numerous staff, interns, and many fellows over the years, and they have soared in their professions and what they do after they leave my office. prgtoken In a very determined yet congenial way, she has made sure my district staff and D.C. staff work together as one seamless staff, reflecting the values and commitment to public service and constituent casework as Team Lee. prgtoken I ha