mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING BARRY ``BONES'' PATTON
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2019-5-20

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the musical accomplishments of Barry ``Bones'' Patton. prgtoken When traveling near Winfield in south central Kansas, there are two sounds that one might hear: cattle and bluegrass. prgtoken Winfield--home of the nationally recognized Walnut Valley Festival for bluegrass and acoustic music--is where Barry Patton uses cattle rib bones to create unique music that has put him on the world stage. His exceptional talent earned him the nickname Barry ``Bones'' Patton. prgtoken Refining his craft since the age of 13, Patton told KAKE-TV in a 2006 interview that he'd been encouraged to ``carry that tradition on of bone playing because it's really an old lost art.'' And that's precisely what he's done. prgtoken The art of playing bones finds its roots in ancient history, from Mesopotamia and Egypt to the Roman Empire and ancient Greece. The instrument--often associated with folk music--takes the simple remains of an animal and turns it into a complex rhythm that takes skill and practice to perfect. prgtoken The fact that Patton can play bones well in both hands makes the sound of his music even more impressive. prgtoken Representing the United States at the Fleadh by the Feale music festival in Abbeyfeale, Ireland, Barry ``Bones'' Patton competed in their International Bone Playing Competition and earned the title of best bone player in the world on May 6. prgtoken I want to congratulate Patton on his international recognition and ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating his bona fide success.
REFUGEE SANITATION FACILITY SAFETY ACT OF 2019
Michael T. McCaul (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-20

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of the Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act. prgtoken I want to commend my two colleagues from New York, Representatives Meng and Zeldin, and also Chairman Engel for the good work on this bill. prgtoken Around the world, conflict and humanitarian disasters are causing unprecedented levels of displacement in places like South Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Nigeria, and Venezuela. prgtoken Some of these crises have dragged on for years and even decades. Generations of young people are growing up knowing only life in a refugee camp where conditions can be dire, and even dangerous, for women, children, and other vulnerable populations. prgtoken In these situations, things as basic as lights and locks can make a difference between safe restrooms and bathing facilities in dangerous environments where refugees are vulnerable to sexual violence and other crimes. prgtoken This bill amends the Foreign Relations Act to ensure support for safe sanitation facilities for refugees and displaced persons living in camps around the world. prgtoken The U.S. continues to be the largest donor to refugees and displaced persons around the world, and we will continue to lead, while encouraging other countries to step up and do more. prgtoken In closing, Madam , the United States is a leading donor of humanitarian assistance to refugees around the world. Through the work of UNHCR and NGO partners, we are saving millions of lives every day. prgtoken This bill does not increase those assistance levels but will help ensure that our funding is put to effective use in protecting the safety and dignity of vulnerable refugees. prgtoken Madam , I want to, again, thank Chairman Engel and Representatives Meng and Zeldin for their leadership, and .
THE HONORABLE DAMON JEROME KEITH
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-5-20

. Madam , as the representative of the 30th District of Texas, I'd like to recognize the passing of The Honorable Damon Jerome Keith, Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. prgtoken Judge Damon J. Keith, one of the nation's longest-serving federal judges, was a tireless champion of civil rights and civil liberties. Born in Detroit in 1922, Judge Keith was the grandson of enslaved people. He went on to become the sixth African American in U.S. history to serve on the federal court of appeals. During his time on the bench, he made a series of landmark decisions that changed the social and legal landscape of the country. prgtoken Judge Keith graduated from West Virginia State College in 1943 before serving in a segregated army during World War II. He would go on to receive his J.D. from Howard Law School in 1949, pass the Michigan bar exam in 1950 and earn an L.L.M. from Wayne State University School of Law in 1956. prgtoken By 1967, Judge Keith was on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. By 1975, he was chief judge, and in 1977 he was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to succeed Wade McCree on the federal court of appeals. prgtoken Judge Keith's legacy was cemented when he famously ruled in 1971 that President Richard Nixon's Attorney General John Mitchell had to disclose the transcripts of illegal wiretaps Mitchell had authorized without first obtaining a search warrant. Judge Keith's decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court's landmark decision in United States v. U.S. District Court also known as ``the Keith Case,'' contributed in 1978 to President Jimmy Carter signing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). prgtoken In one of the federal judiciary's longest and most prolific careers, Judge Keith was a fountainhead of regional rulings with national implications. He attacked racial segregation in education, housing and employment; conservative efforts to limit African-American voting; and after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, secret hearings to deport hundreds of immigrants deemed suspicious led by Attorney General John Ashcroft. prgtoken America is a better country because she had Judge Keith to help safeguard our civil liberties. I want to honor Judge Keith for his tireless commitment to providing equality and justice to all.
TRIBUTE TO SETH PRINGLE
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-5-20

I rise today to honor a member of my staff, Seth Pringle, who has dedicated his life to serving his country and the people of Ohio. Not only does Seth serve the people of Ohio each day on our staff, helping Ohio servicemembers and veterans, but he also serves in uniform himself as a member of the Army National Guard. prgtoken This past week was his last in our office for a year. He is heading out soon to deploy with his unit to defend our country overseas. prgtoken Seth earned both a master's and a bachelor's degree from Kent State University. He didn't stop there. He is currently pursuing a master's in national security from the University of Akron while also working for our State and serving his country. prgtoken Seth has worked in our office since 2015. He joined our team as an intern in the Cleveland office. He impressed all of us. He was hired first part time and then as a full-time staff member, serving as a constituent advocate on veterans and military issues. prgtoken Seth has helped hundreds of Ohio servicemembers and veterans navigate the military and the VA's bureaucracy so that they can receive the medals and timely medical care and benefits they earn. prgtoken About a year and a half ago, I joined Seth and members in the community in Cleveland to present long-overdue medals to George Burress, a Vietnam veteran who served as an Army infantryman and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as five other prgtoken well-deserved honors. Mr. Burress had never received those medals due to a paperwork error. Because of Seth's work, we were finally able to present this Ohio veteran with the honors he had earned for serving our country. prgtoken There are so many stories like that one of American heroes finally receiving the honors and the Federal benefits they have earned. So many of those stories are because of Seth's hard work. prgtoken Seth Pringle does so much for the people of Ohio, and at the end of the week, when others might look forward to a relaxing weekend with friends and family, Seth often is headed out for drill with his unit. prgtoken Now Seth's unit is deploying. While we will miss his expertise, his dedication, and his unique perspective in the office this year, we are so grateful for his service to our country. prgtoken On behalf of everyone in my office and on behalf of Ohio's 12 million citizens, we wish Seth Pringle well in his tour overseas--and all of his unit, of course. We thank him for his sacrifice and his service. prgtoken .
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Eric Swalwell (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-20

. Madam , I missed votes Tuesday, May 14, through Friday, May 17. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call Vote Number 203 (Passage of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 204 (Passage of H.R. 2379): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 205 (Ordering the Previous Question): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 206 (Passage of H. Res. 377): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 207 (Passage of H.R. 312, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 208 (Passage of H.R. 375): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 209 (Passage of H.R. 1892, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 210 (Passage of H. AMDT. 221 to H.R. 987 offered by Rep. David McKinley): ``no''; Roll Call Vote Number 211 (Passage of H. AMDT. 225 to H.R. 987 offered by Rep. Josh Harder): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 212 (Passage of H. AMDT. 240 to H.R. 987 offered by Rep. Jennifer Wexton): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 213 (Adoption of Motion to Recommit to H.R. 987): ``no''; Roll Call Vote Number 214 (Passage of H.R. 987, the Marketing and Outreach Restoration to Empower Health Education Act of 2019 or MORE Health Education Act): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 215 (Approval of the Journal): ``yes''; Roll Call Vote Number 216 (Adoption of Motion to Recommit to H.R. 5): ``no''; and Roll Call Vote Number 217 (H.R. 5, the Equality Act): ``yes''.
REMEMBERING DAVID MILES KNIGHT AND BERNER RICHARD JOHNSON III
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-5-20

we have two bits of sad news about long- time Senate employees. prgtoken David Miles Knight, a beloved barber in our barbershop and one of the Senate's master barbers for the last 36 years, lost a lengthy battle with cancer. prgtoken His most noticeable and notable trait was kindness--not just friendliness but actual kindness--and a generosity of spirit. He was always eager to ask about a customer's day or a colleague's weekend and was just as eager to regale those folks with stories about his family-- of Joanne, his wife; of his three sons; of his eight grandchildren; and of his two great-grandchildren. Dave's life was filled with these people--his friends and his family. prgtoken I offer my prayers to them now--to Dave's family, his friends, and his Senate family. He was considered a member of the Senate family and had been here for decades. He was beloved. We miss him. prgtoken Berner Richard Johnson III, a staff member for 30 years, known to all here as ``Bud,'' also passed away last night. He was a victim of a violent crime last week in DC and recently succumbed to the injuries this crime involved. prgtoken Bud was beloved by his Senate family, the softball team he coached, and his many friends and family. I offer my prayers for Diane, his partner; for Bo, his son; and for all who loved him and who will miss him. prgtoken May the memory of these two men be a blessing to their loved ones and a reminder to all of us that life is fleeting and to hold tight to those we love.
Tribute to Sister Jane Gerety (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-5-20

it is an honor and a true pleasure to join Rhode Island's senior Senator here on the floor today to honor the work of Salve Regina University's seventh president, Sister Jane Gerety. Like Senator Reed, I have enjoyed Sister Jane's friendship, companionship, wise counsel, encouragement, and occasional course- correction suggestions over many years. prgtoken She will retire next month, capping a decade of service to her university, to the Newport community, and to Rhode Island. Sister Jane has accomplished remarkable things in her tenure. She established a new satellite campus in Warwick to help working Rhode Islanders take graduate and continuing education courses. She helped establish online study options, bringing the university's many offerings directly to Rhode Island students in their homes. She launched new programs of study, including a master of fine arts and creative writing, experiential learning opportunities in a range of fields, and a doctoral program in nursing. She raised millions of dollars in funding to strengthen Salve's endowments, supporting every facet of university life. She supervised numerous improvements to Salve Regina's beautiful Newport campus, including a $46 million renovation of the O'Hare Academic Building. prgtoken Sister Jane's work has contributed much to the city of Newport and the State of Rhode Island. Newport is home to an array of legendary Gilded Age mansions and other culturally significant buildings set atop cliffs overlooking the shining Atlantic Ocean. Many of these architectural masterpieces now belong to her university and have needed significant upkeep. From the outset, Sister Jane recognized the value of Salve's stewardship of the architectural heritage of Newport, RI. The beautifully maintained campus, replete with the newly dedicated Gerety Hall, named in honor of Sister Jane, is a gem of an asset for the city and for the State. prgtoken Sister Jane's work has extended beyond our State's border. Under her management, Salve strengthened its Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. Today more than ever, the Pell Center is a fitting reflection of its namesake, Senator Claiborne Pell, for whom our democratic ideals held limitless power. The center's academic programs, publications, and forums spread important ideas around the globe, advancing American domestic and foreign policy, cyber security, and diversity in leadership. prgtoken As impressive and praiseworthy as those professional accomplishments is the immediate personal and lasting difference Sister Jane has made in the individual lives of so many around her, including Senator Reed and myself. A prgtoken member of the 2019 Salve class says he will remember Sister Jane en route to ``bring candy and snacks to student athletes for conference games'' and her willingness to meet with any student in her office. Indeed, when visiting Newport, young alums in search of graduate sch
RECOGNIZING RACQUEL ASA IN HONOR OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-5-20

in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, I want to recognize Jan Gautam. Mr. Gautam is identified best as a hands-on executive known for strategic approaches in achieving favorable results for hotel owners, business colleagues, and numerous foundations to which he belongs. prgtoken After completing his master's degree in hospitality management, he pursued employment as a hotel director for Carnival and Hawaii Luxury Cruise Lines, before moving to the hotel industry. prgtoken As founder of GI Hotels Group in 2004, Mr. Gautam tailored a modern approach to hospitality management. After he founded GI Hotels, Mr. Gautam merged this company with Interessant Hotels & Resort Management, where he currently serves as president and CEO. Interessant has become a leading hotel management company within the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and India. prgtoken Additionally, Mr. Gautam has overseen more than $300 million in renovations and $450 million in new development of hospitality projects over the past 5 years. He has achieved recognition and served on committees such as the Asian American Hotel Owners Association as a regional ambassador, Board of Directors with Visit Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Rollins College International Advisory Board, and numerous local chapters to support tourism and governmental interaction. prgtoken And for that, Mr. Jan Gautam, we honor you. prgtoken , .
D.C. STATEHOOD
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-5-20

women who celebrate 100 years of suffrage this year have in common with the residents of the Nation's Capital this: denial of equal rights in their democracy, requiring decades of fighting. prgtoken It took 132 years since the Nation's founding for women to get the vote. prgtoken It has taken 218 years, and still counting, for D.C. residents to achieve statehood, which includes voting rights and all the rights that come with equal citizenship. prgtoken We are grateful that as we move forward to a formal vote on statehood, the House has already endorsed D.C. statehood in H.R. 1. prgtoken Today, women set the pace in our democracy, outvoting men in national elections. D.C. residents yearn to join them in showing that those who are denied their rights know how to use them after fighting to achieve them.
IRAN
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-5-20

I rise to address the Chamber on an issue that is an issue of significant challenge and controversy now, and that is the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. I want to make a couple of points, but let me summarize the points as I then address the current challenge. prgtoken First, I think it would be absolute lunacy for the United States to get involved in another war right now in the Middle East. I think it would be devastating if we were to be in a war with Iran. In particular, it would be not only devastating but also, in my view, unconstitutional for us to be in a war with Iran at a President's say- so if the President were unwilling to have Congress have the debate, pursuant to our article I war powers in this Chamber and in the Chambers of the House of Representatives. prgtoken If this body has a considered debate in view of the American public and determines that we need to be in a war with Iran--or anyone, for that matter--however I vote is irrelevant. The vote of the body would be the vote that would express a political consensus about what America should do. But if the Chamber is unwilling to have that debate or a vote or if the President is unwilling to come to Congress so that the debate can be had in front of the American public, that should tell us something. If we are not willing to have the vote or if the President doesn't want to bring it to Congress, that should suggest that maybe it is not a good idea. prgtoken That is the theme of what I want to talk about today. Why are we in a time of escalated tension between the United States and Iran? There are a number of reasons, but, bluntly, I believe the path to the current level of tension began when President unilaterally walked out of a diplomatic deal. prgtoken I think our country should always prefer diplomacy to war. A President backing out of a diplomatic deal that our allies, our security officials, and the International Atomic Energy Agency said was working, in my view, was a horrible mistake. prgtoken There is a story I have told before in the Chamber, and it is a story I love. It is about one of my two favorite Presidents. One of my favorite Presidents is a , Abraham Lincoln, and my other favorite President is Harry Truman. This is a Truman story. prgtoken After World War II, at one point, President Truman invited the press corps into his office, the Oval Office, and said: I have made an interesting decision today. prgtoken They wondered what the decision was. President Truman showed them that he had redesigned the seal of the Presidency of the United States. prgtoken The seal of the President was very similar to our Nation's seal of an eagle clutching the arrows of war in one claw and the olive branch of peace in the other claw. Prior to the Truman administration, the eagle's face had been turned toward the arrows of war. In the aftermath of World War II, when the United States was trying
RECOGNIZING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-5-20

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Building Safety Month and the men and women of the International Code Council (ICC) for their dedication to public safety and our communities. prgtoken Year round, building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, and others in the construction industry work to ensure the safe construction of buildings. They are dedicated members of the International Code Council, a national standards developing organization, that brings together local, state and federal officials to develop voluntary consensus codes that protect Americans in the buildings where we live, work, and play. The International Codes, the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation, are used by most U.S. cities and counties, and in all 50 states, including the State of Maryland. prgtoken With natural disasters expected to increase in frequency and severity, building codes include important safeguards to protect the public from hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, fires, floods, and earthquakes. In January 2019, the congressionally-established National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) released a study finding that adopting modern model building codes saves $11 for every $1 invested through earthquake, flood, and wind mitigation benefits, with a $4 to $1 wildfire mitigation benefit. These benefits represent avoided casualties, property damage, business interruptions, and insurance costs, and are enjoyed by all stakeholders--from developers, titleholders, and lenders, to tenants and communities. prgtoken This month is Building Safety Month, during which we should recognize the critical role our communities' code officials in assuring us safe, efficient, and livable buildings. Madam , please join me in thanking International Code Council Board President, and my constituent from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, William R. Bryant, as well as ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as they recognize Building Safety Month.