mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON'S SEVENTH DISTRICT
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-3-15

I rise today in recognition of our wonderful public schools across the country. prgtoken Every child, , has the right to pursue opportunity, and through our public schools our country makes that opportunity a reality every day. Education imparts practical and invaluable skills that kids carry with them for the rest of their lives, teaches our children to become engaged members of our society and our democracy, and public education is a great equalizer, having remained a means of mobility for generations of families. I know this firsthand, . I came to the United States when I was 16 years old by myself to go to college and take advantage of all the opportunities that an American education had to offer. prgtoken For much of our Nation's history, our public schools have served this essential purpose of helping students and their families to thrive. And public schools, which serve all students, regardless of who they are, are the only institutions where the vast majority of our kids can access these benefits. prgtoken It is those schools and the teachers, professionals, and staff who serve in them--and I use ``serve'' very deliberately, because it is a service to be in our public schools, where teachers could earn so much more elsewhere but choose to be in the public schools because that is the place where they can help the most kids. It is those schools and those amazing successes in my own district that I want to celebrate today. prgtoken Monserrat is a teacher at Concord International Elementary School where almost 80 percent of the students are from low-income families and more than half are English language learners. Last year, Monserrat created a writing lesson using both Spanish and English. Before this lesson, most of the kids wrote at a kindergarten or a first grade level, but by the end of that lesson, every single one of her students was able to write a complex complete sentence. And over the next year Monserrat's second graders became ambassadors for Concord International, giving tours of their school in both Spanish and English. It is clear that her investment in her students opened doors to achievement for these Seattle public school students. prgtoken Another story comes from Shorewood High School in Shoreline, Washington. Emily, a leader on her school's robotics team, wasn't interested in STEM until she got to high school because no one encouraged her to pursue it when she was younger. It wasn't until she learned about the lack of representation of women and girls in STEM that she realized that something needed to change. And last summer, Emily launched the Full STEAM Ahead Club, an all girls' mentoring group that encourages middle school girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The youth mentors showed girls how important it is to engage in STEM fields early, and they work every day to expand girls' perceptions of what they can achieve, which is to say, anything.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4061, FINANCIAL STABILITY OVERSIGHT COUNCIL IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4293, STRESS TEST IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2018-3-15

. Madam , I thank my good friend for yielding me the time. prgtoken Madam , this rule fails to make in order four significant measures to address the gun violence epidemic that is plaguing our Nation. prgtoken In addition to closing the gun show and internet sale loopholes in the background check system, lifting the prohibition on Federal research into gun violence, and creating a process to prevent dangerous individuals from having firearms, the amendment includes my legislation to close the Charleston loophole, which allows gun sales to be completed even if FBI investigations are still going on to determine the outcome of a background check. prgtoken The tragic consequences of this loophole were demonstrated on June 17, 2015, when a hate-filled gunman opened fire at the historic Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine and injuring three others. In that fateful instance, the shooter attempted to buy a firearm on April 11 and was initially delayed due to possible red flags in his criminal record. prgtoken Despite the investigation not being completed in 3 days, he was allowed to purchase the weapon. The FBI later discovered the shooter would not have been allowed to purchase the firearm due to his documented history of drug abuse had they been able to complete the background check. prgtoken Madam , the consequences are too great to allow loopholes like these to persist. We have laws on the books to prohibit dangerous individuals like the shooter in Charleston from buying weapons, but these loopholes prevent them from being enforced. Thousands of weapons are sold each year through the Charleston loophole alone. In fact, I read that over 6,000 such weapons have been sold through this loophole. prgtoken I appreciate that many of my colleagues have signaled they are supportive of improving the background check system, but no amount of improvement will protect the American people if all the loopholes are allowed to exist. prgtoken For almost 3 years, the people of Charleston, South Carolina, and across the country have been demanding a vote from this House on closing the Charleston loophole. They have yet to get one. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to allow this body to take a vote on closing this loophole and giving the American people the protections they need and deserve. I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question and a ``no'' vote on the rule.
TRIBUTE TO MARK PETERSON
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-3-15

I want to join with Members of Congress and congressional staff in celebrating Mark Peterson's 30 years of service and retirement from the town of Normal. Mark has honorably served the people of Normal, IL, since 1988 and as its city manager since 1998. prgtoken He has served on the governing boards for a variety of public and community organizations, including the MetCom Emergency Communications Center, the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, the Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network, the McLean County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee, the Community Development Corporation, the BN Advantage Leadership Council, and Connect Transit. prgtoken Mark was instrumental in the planning and successful redevelopment of Uptown Normal, including the Children's Discovery Museum, as well as Uptown Station and its new rail platform, waiting area, bus bays, and related development at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center and the Hyatt Place Bloomington-Normal Hotel. prgtoken Under the administration of Mark Peterson, the Shoppes at College Hills grew into a thriving modern retail center. The Constitution Trail also grew to nearly 50 miles of recreational trail through the cities of Normal and Bloomington, providing the community with an outstanding linear park. prgtoken Mark oversaw a period of tremendous growth in the town of Normal, while maintaining an AAA bond rating and serving as independent confirmation of the town's fiscal health and stability. He also cultivated fruitful partnerships with members of the Illinois congressional delegation, but most importantly, Mark has been a loyal leader and community servant for the residents of Normal and will continue to be an admired citizen of the community. prgtoken Mark's commitment to the town of Normal can be seen in every corner of the city, and that work will not be forgotten.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION FAIRNESS AND REFORM ACT
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2018-3-15

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the inimitable chair of our committee is absolutely right: there are . This is a bipartisan piece of legislation. But it proves what I was trying to say earlier, and that is that I and many other people believe that we need to make some changes to Dodd- Frank. This is just not one of them. prgtoken , .
HONORING THE MEMORY OF KAHU MELVIN KAUILA CLARK
Colleen Hanabusa (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-3-15

I rise today to honor an extraordinary man, Melvin Kauila Clark, who passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2017. A talented artist, Native Hawaiian traditional healer, celebrated leader of the community health center movement, and a personal friend of mine, Kauila will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives he has touched. Kauila grew up in Wahiawa on the island of Oahu and graduated from Leilehua High School in 1963. Kauila went on to earn a bachelor's degree in drawing and painting from Graceland University and a master's degree in clay and sculpture from the University of Puget Sound. He became an internationally acclaimed artist and potter, with his works exhibited in 53 countries and museums, including in the Smithsonian here in Washington. I always admired Kauila's pottery because they reflected who he was so well. His pieces were big but also delicate, reflecting both the strength of his character and the gentle kindness of his heart. Kauila's willingness to share and donate his pieces to raise money for the communities around him demonstrated his wonderful generosity of spirit. In Hawaii, Kauila will be fondly remembered as a Native Hawaiian traditional healer who shared his wisdom with all who sought it. He rightfully believed that the diverse communities of the United States could learn much from traditional indigenous knowledge of balance and harmony. Unsurprisingly, even though Kauila was a kahuna, a ``keeper of secrets,'' one of the select few certified to hold that title, he preferred to be called kahu, or ``priest.'' A passionate advocate of the community health center movement, Kauila has dedicated much of his life towards ensuring that Americans of all backgrounds across the country receive culturally competent, patient-centered health care. Kauila and I got to know each other over the course of his work on healthcare with the Waianae community, since Kauila and I were both part of the hanai family of Auntie Agnes ``Aggie'' Kalaniho'okaha Cope, who first founded the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Care Center. Kauila continued Auntie Aggie's work by serving as board director of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for twenty-seven years. Kauila dedicated much of the past nineteen years to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). Over the course of his distinguished service, he served on the Consumer/Board Member, Finance, Farmworker Health, Membership, Health Center Governance, Nominating, and Screening Committees at various points in time. Between 2005 and 2008, Kauila was treasurer for NACHC. Kauila became chair-elect of NACHC in 2009, board chair in 2011, and immediate past chair in 2015, the first Native Hawaiian to hold those positions in NACHC. In everything he did, Kauila thought about his sons, whom he loved deeply. We used to talk about his sons and how they were growing up. I especially remember one conversation in whi
ALLOW STATES AND VICTIMS TO FIGHT ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017-- MOTION TO PROCEED
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-3-15

since the s jammed through a massive corporate tax cut in December, hardly a day goes by that we don't read about a corporation using the savings to purchase its own stock. The average citizen may ask: What is that all about? prgtoken Well, when a company purchases its own stock, it is sort of artificially making less stock, buying it back, and raising the price of the shares. Why do they do that? There are two reasons, both to benefit the corporate CEOs but not the workers. First, corporate CEOs have a lot of the stock themselves, so they make money; second, they look better when the stock price goes up. But the stock price isn't going up because the company has sold more goods, been more productive, bought new machinery, or found a new product. The stock simply goes up because they have decreased the number of shares. It is a scam in a certain sense, helping corporate CEOs, helping shareholders--80 percent of the shares are held by the top 10 percent, so it doesn't really help average Americans, and that is including 401(k)s--but it doesn't help the worker. prgtoken We have heard many claims from our friends: Pass this tax bill, and the workers will benefit. Well, unfortunately, now we see who is really benefiting. Just as we predicted, it is the corporate CEOs and the wealthiest of Americans. prgtoken Just recently, the total amount of share buybacks surpassed $220 billion this year. According to the market data firm, TrimTabs, share buybacks in 2018 averaged $4.8 billion a day--a day--double the pace for the same period last year. prgtoken For a few weeks, right after the President passed his tax bill, what happened? They had these companies announce bonuses for average workers. Very few Americans saw those bonuses--a lot of hoopla, but not much else. The bonuses--not wage increases, not new hires, but one-time annual bonuses--anyone who gets them, God bless them; there have just been so few. Those bonuses are being overwhelmed by a deluge of corporate share buybacks, which do not benefit the average worker, but benefit the CEOs and the heads of the companies. prgtoken According to an analysis by JUST Capital, only 6 percent of the capital allocated by companies from the tax bill has gone to employees, while nearly 60 percent has gone to shareholders--again, to the corporate CEOs who own those shares, the wealthiest of Americans who own the vast majority of shares. Ten times more capital is going to shareholders than to workers. prgtoken So this bill, which is poorly structured and aimed at the wealthy, ain't working. The more Americans see it--you know, there was an initial thrust: Oh, we like the tax bill. At first, it was unpopular as we talked about it here on the floor. Then, with these bonuses and the stock market going up, popularity went up a little. Now it is flattening out and even heading down. In the last three polls, fewer people liked this tax plan, and th
Introductory Statement on S. 2561
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-15

I rise today with my colleague, Senator Capito, to introduce the Stopping Suspicious Orders of Opioids Act. prgtoken In 2016, the opioid epidemic caused more than 42,000 deaths in the United States. prgtoken In 2017, this epidemic was declared a public health emergency. prgtoken Now, more than 400 State, local, and Tribal governments have filed suits (some consolidated, some individual) against opioid manufacturers and distributors for their alleged roles in fueling and perpetuating this devastating crisis. The U.S. Justice Department, or DOJ, has filed a statement of interest in these lawsuits, which are currently pending. prgtoken As our Nation struggles to effectively address the opioid epidemic, one thing is clear: there is no silver bullet. prgtoken Yet, it is also clear that law enforcement can play a critical role in preventing and reducing overdose deaths. prgtoken That is why we must ensure that law enforcement has and uses the necessary tools to hold opioid manufacturers, distributors and others accountable when they fail to properly disclose to the Drug Enforcement Administration, or the DEA, opioid orders that are suspicious because of their size, frequency, or patterns. This simple disclosure could prevent millions of prescription opioid pills from ending up on the black market. prgtoken Unfortunately, current law has inadvertently created a standard that is too high for DOJ to meet in order to take immediate action against those who fail to make these disclosures to the DEA or who fail to adequately protect against diversion. prgtoken For instance, the DEA has told my staff that under current law, in order to immediately stop a drug manufacturer or distributor from distributing opioids, a pharmacy from dispensing opioids, or a practitioner from prescribing opioids, it must prove that the distribution, dispensation, or prescription of the drugs directly resulted in an immediate and substantial likelihood that death, serious bodily harm, or abuse of a controlled substance occurred. prgtoken For this reason, the bill Senator Capito and I are introducing today would change the standard in current law to make it easier to immediately stop potentially dangerous shipments of prescription opioids. It would allow DOJ to take action when it can demonstrate that an opioid manufacturer or distributor's lack of control over a prescription opioid would likely result in the drugs winding up in the hands of someone other than the intended recipient or on the black market. prgtoken This change will compel opioid manufacturers and distributors to be more vigilant in their efforts to report and stop the delivery of suspicious orders of opioids as well as to protect against diversion. In the absence of such vigilance, our bill would allow DOJ to immediately stop the delivery of opioids. prgtoken Our bill further ensures that bad actors are held accountable by establishing backstops and consequences for when o
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROBERT C. SWEENEY
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-3-15

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Robert C. Sweeney--a bold and courageous community leader, a pioneer for New Jersey workers, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by the entire State of New Jersey, particularly our brothers and sisters in labor for whom he tirelessly advocated throughout his entire life. prgtoken Bob was committed to fighting for the working men and women of New Jersey. For twenty-five years, Bob served as President and Business Manager of Local 399 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers in South Jersey. As the longest- serving business manager in the history of the ironworkers, Bob fought vigorously to defend the labor movement and New Jersey's dedicated workforce. Bob's unflinching values and passionate leadership continue to live on through the steadfast work of his sons--Robert Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney, and New Jersey AFL-CIO Vice President Richard Sweeney. prgtoken , I am deeply grateful for Bob Sweeney's invaluable contributions to our community and our state, and I am confident that his memory will serve as an inspiration for our future generations.
IN RECGNITION OF THE HONORABLE MICHAEL T. VOUGH, RECIPIENT OF THE GREATER PITTSTON FRIENDLY SONS' ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-3-15

I rise today to recognize the Honorable Michael T. Vough, who will receive the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick's Achievement Award. He will be honored by the Friendly Sons during their annual Saint Patrick's Day celebration on March 17, 2018. prgtoken Judge Vough is the only son of the late Henry and Mary Noci-Vough. He is a graduate of Pittston Area High School and the University of Scranton. In May 1989, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law. prgtoken In 1991, Judge Vough founded the Law Office of Vough & Associates, which served over three thousand clients throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and employed a staff of ten. prgtoken From 1992 to 2012, Judge Vough worked as an Assistant District Attorney for Luzerne County. As Assistant DA, he prepared, evaluated, and prosecuted all criminal cases from commission of the crime through sentencing. He prosecuted over 1,500 cases resulting in plea or trial; represented the Commonwealth in over 150 jury trials; and had a 100 percent conviction rate in seventy homicide cases. Of these seventy homicide cases, nine resulted in first degree murder convictions. He participated in three death penalty jury selection cases and had an overall 99.8 percent conviction rate in his twenty years of service with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office. prgtoken On January 3, 2012, Judge Vough was sworn in as judge of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Since 2012, he has presided over thousands of criminal and civil cases. He currently serves as the Criminal Court Division Administrator and has previously served as the Co-Civil Court Division Administrator. prgtoken He is married to Cindy Forlenza Vough, and they have four children, Michael, Matthew, Nicholas and Jessica. prgtoken It is an honor to recognize Judge Michael T. Vough as he accepts the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons' Achievement Award. I am grateful to him for his service to the people of Pennsylvania. I wish him all the best this Saint Patrick's Day.
ALLOW STATES AND VICTIMS TO FIGHT ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017-- MOTION TO PROCEED
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-3-15

I am here to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's monumental campaign for President. Kennedy's brief, tragic run at the Presidency has had an enduring impact on so many generations of Americans. The reason, I think, is because Robert Kennedy had the courage to challenge a divided nation to face up to its failings, to challenge a divided people to acknowledge their own contributions to our Nation's ills, to challenge us to step back from the stale, cheap politics of the moment, to challenge us to do better by each other. prgtoken History may not repeat, but it often rhymes. Conditions are different now, but a lot of the anxiety that swept through the country in 1968 echoes the anxiety of today, especially the economic anxiety felt by millions of Americans who are working harder than ever but feel opportunity slipping away from themselves and from their children. prgtoken Too often, our political and business leaders refuse to see this. Instead they hide behind macroeconomic statistics, using them as a shield to dismiss the concerns of the American people as faulty, wrongheaded, or even as nonexistent. prgtoken Robert Kennedy understood that America's national economy is not the same as the economic well-being of its people. In 1968, in a speech at the University of Kansas, he spoke eloquently about the differences between them, and here is what he said: [Our] Gross National Product counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for the people who break them. It counts the destruction of the redwood and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and counts nuclear warheads and armored cars for the police to fight the riots in our cities. It counts Whitman's rifle and Speck's knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children. Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it can tell us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans. prgtoken Consider three stats: corporate profits, the stock market, and unemployment. prgtoken Today, corporate profits are up--corporate profits that count gun sales for manufacturers whose weapons are used to massacre children in our schools and our streets. Corporate profits that count r