mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH AND SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-6-23

. And still I rise, . I am grateful for the time and the opportunity to share some of my thoughts and views about crucial issues, to share them not only with my colleagues here in Congress but also with the people of our great country. prgtoken And still I rise today to talk about Juneteenth. I believe Juneteenth is a very special time in the history of our country, and I would like to say a few words about Juneteenth. I would also like to talk about Slavery Remembrance Day. prgtoken For those of you who are tuning in, please know that I will speak about Juneteenth, and I will speak about Slavery Remembrance Day, but I will also speak about a day that occurred before Juneteenth. prgtoken As you know, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Prior to signing the Emancipation Proclamation, President Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862. April 16, 1862, is the day it was signed. prgtoken This is an important piece of legislation because the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act impacted Washington, D.C. The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act would accord compensation for slaves who were freed--human beings held in bondage, human beings who had been kidnapped, likely, or they may have been born into slavery. Some people were born into slavery and lived their entire lives as slaves and died as slaves. prgtoken These human beings, the genesis of which was persons who were kidnapped from the Continent of Africa, for our purposes today, as we talk about slavery here in the United States, these human beings were kidnapped, brought to this country, sold, forced to work, and forced to be separated from their families. Children were sold at the auction block. They went to one plantation, and their mother and father went to another. prgtoken This is what slavery was about: kidnapping, rape, murder. prgtoken These are true words, words that we don't like to hear because, in this country, we have reviled the enslaved and revered the enslavers. prgtoken Let's go back to the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, which impacted Washington, D.C as I indicated. This act was to free slaves. It would free them. It brought with it compensation. prgtoken A reasonable and prudent person would believe that the compensation would be accorded the slave, the person who had been working at the mercy of a person known as a master. Slaves had masters. prgtoken This act, one would assume, would compensate the slave upon the slave being freed. That was not so, my dear friends--not so. prgtoken The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 compensated the master. The person who owned the slave received compensation for allowing a person to have the liberty that God has accorded all of his children. Some have been denied the liberty, but it was a birthright for every person ever born, the right to be free. prgtoken Thi
SUPPORTING FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS
Dina Titus (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to recognize the 40 brave Nevada Bureau of Land Management wildland firefighters who have selflessly offered their support to battle the raging fires in Canada. prgtoken , I include their names in the Record. Anderson, Truett, Southern Nevada District; Arroyo, Omar, Carson City District Office; Atwater, Trevor, Carson City District Office; Brunjes, Bailey C, Southern Nevada District; Chatham, William A, Carson City District Office; Daniels, Aaron Lee, Carson City District Office; De Raedt, Nick Peter, Carson City District Office; Drake, Lauryn Emily, Carson City District Office; Duenas, Kevin Gerardo, Carson City District Office; Engdahl, Alyssa Grace, Carson City District Office; Esh, Heidi, Carson City District Office. Evers, Tommy, Carson City District Office; Fonseca, Alex, Southern Nevada District; Giordano, John M, Carson City District Office; Henderson, Theodore A, Carson City District Office; Hucks, Roman B, Carson City District Office; Kalb, Jonathan Matthew, Carson City District Office; Kavle, Henry James, Winnemucca District; Kelly, Kevin, Carson City District Office; Koski, Christine Marie, Carson City District Office; Kracaw, Will A, Winnemucca District. Li, Ren X, Carson City District Office; Livie, Nathan David, Carson City District Office; May, Wyndham F, Carson City District Office; McGovern, Nicholas B, Southern Nevada District; Mini, Daniel Raymond, Carson City District Office; Monson, Victor Charles, Carson City District Office; Mortimore, Jennifer Lee, Carson City District Office; Murphy, Ayden Patrick, Carson City District Office; Quenga, Kevin, Carson City District Office; Richmond, Levi Robert, South Nevada District. Rodriguez, Roberto, Carson City District Office; Satterfield, Nathan Robert, Carson City District Office; Shoemaker, Don, Carson City District Office; St Cyr, Andrew T, Carson City District Office; Stephenson, Karl Joseph, Battle Mountain District; Tartaglia, Vincenzio Cesidio, Carson City District Office; Wadsworth, Justin Allen, Carson City District Office; Wagner, Lane Nicholas, Carson City District Office; Williams, Joshua David, Carson City District Office; Whipple, Tyler Jeffrey, Southern Nevada District.
HONORING DANA GERSHON
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to recognize and honor the leadership of Dana Gershon, whose term as Board President of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) comes to an end on June 30th. She has helped to navigate and grow the organization despite a tenure that coincided with COVID. She is a dedicated, tireless, and passionate advocate for women, children, and families who has represented the organization to world leaders including President , Vice President , and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Dana has guided the organization through our Jewish values of b'tzelem Elohim, we are all created in G-d's image; kavod ha bri'ot, respect and dignity for all and tzedek tirdof, the pursuit of justice. These values inform her perspective, inspire her efforts, and drive her work to ensure everyone has the full range of health care, enough to eat, and a safe place to call home; in which we can all each achieve financial security while caring for our health and family; in which every young person is affirmed at school, gets unbiased information about their health, and is safe; that no matter who we are or where we are from, we all can access education, economic opportunities, and a court system committed to justice for all; and in which our democracy is strong and stable. prgtoken Dana has been a leader and trusted partner of mine, organizing grassroots advocacy efforts for critical legislative priorities, including the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Package, the Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (WISE) Act, the Violence Against Women Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, the assault weapons ban and countless other initiatives that would enhance equity and social justice. prgtoken Dana Gershon has been a social justice activist and leader in the Jewish community since high school. A graduate of Combined Jewish Philanthropy's (CJP) Acharai program, Dana held a number of leadership positions during the nearly twenty years that she and her family lived in Boston: she served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Rashi School (the Boston area Reform Jewish Day School) from 2010-2012 and was Co-Chair CJP's Boston-Haifa Connection. Dana was instrumental in the founding of Parents at the Center in Haifa, Israel, early intervention for underserved children and their families. She has been a Director on the national board of NCJW since 17, and is a member of the Executive Council of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. prgtoken Dana's work has been expansive and impactful and I thank her for her collaboration and best in her future endeavors.
WE MUST FREE JAMSHID SHARMAHD
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to demand the release and safe return of Jamshid Sharmahd. prgtoken Mr. Sharmahd, a U.S. national and the father of one of my constituents, was unlawfully arrested and imprisoned in Iran 3 years ago in retaliation for simply doing his job as an independent journalist. prgtoken Following a sham trial that was condemned by international human rights groups, Mr. Sharmahd was sentenced to death. Mr. Sharmahd was convicted in an Iranian court of ``corruption on Earth,'' a nonsense charge designed only to imprison and execute political dissidents. prgtoken He deserves to be reunited with his daughter in Ontario, California. prgtoken , I call on the State Department and the White House to do prgtoken everything in their power to free Mr. Sharmahd and ensure his safe return.
HONORING THE LIFE OF IRA SHARP
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to recognize the life and achievements of Ira Sharp, who passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023. He is survived by his wife Rose Ann Sharp, daughter Elizabeth Sharp, son Andrew Sharp, daughter-in-law Carine Harambillet Sharp, grandson Samuel Sharp as well as his sisters, Jacqueline Schroeder, Barbara Jensen, and Sally Harman, as well as their families. prgtoken Mr. Sharp received a bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis before earning a J.D. at Columbia Law School. After law school, Mr. Sharp became a practicing attorney before moving to D.C. to take over a then struggling family business. For the next two and a half decades, Mr. Sharp would use his expertise and perseverance to transform the company into a thriving business, later selling it to a Fortune 1000 company. prgtoken As a resident of the California 49th Congressional District, Mr. Sharp was an active member of the community. He was appointed to the San Diego County Civil Service Commission as well as sat on several Del Mar City Council committees and the Del Mar School District Independent Citizens Oversight Committee. Additionally, Mr. Sharp contributed to the Del Mar Foundation, the Rancho Santa Fe ic Club, and the Chairmen's RoundTable, a group that provides mentorship to businesses in San Diego County. prgtoken Mr. Sharp's true passion was advocacy for gun violence prevention. Following the Parkland Shooting in February of 2018 and the birth of his grandchild, Mr. Sharp along with his wife Rose Ann Sharp founded NeverAgainCA. Mr. Sharp then went on to create SafeStorageCA in 2019, where he brought together elected officials and gun violence prevention groups. The impact of Mr. Sharp's work can be seen in the passage of AB 452, which requires California public school districts to send students home with information about the importance of safe firearm storage, as well as the passage of AB 893 and SB 264, which ban the sale of firearms and ammunition at the Del Mar and Orange County Fairgrounds. prgtoken More recently, Mr. Sharp spent time as a board member for the Brady Campaign, a national nonprofit whose mission is to ensure that every community is safe from the epidemic of gun violence in our country. prgtoken Ira Sharp's tireless advocacy is a reminder of the immense impact an individual can have on their community and the importance of collaborating with others to make our community a safer place. It has been an honor to celebrate Ira Sharp's remarkable life and his success which continues to inspire.
HONORING THE U.S. ARMY'S 54TH COAST ARTILLERY REGIMENT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to honor the soldiers who served during World War II in the United States Army's 54th Coast Artillery Regiment. The 54th was the U.S. Army's only all-Black heavy artillery regiment and it shared the mission of defending the central coast of California from enemy attack. prgtoken This historic regiment defended the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Harbor, and Monterey Bay, in addition to the millions of tons of cargo and munitions coming out of the port. Further down the coastline, the 54th defended coastal oil terminals at Morro Bay and Port San Luis. The Monterey Bay was particularly vulnerable to Japanese invasion due to its gently inclining shoreline and ready access to a major coastal highway. prgtoken Activated at Camp Wallace, Texas on February 10, 1941, the 54th was comprised of Black soldiers from Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Despite that these troops were armed and clothed with used weapons and secondhand uniforms dating to World War I, they did not complain and served with pride and distinction. prgtoken After completing their training at Fort Fisher in late February of 1942, the 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion of the Regiment were ordered to Fort Cronkhite in San Francisco, California. Until April of 1944, these two battalions rotated along the Central Coast shoreline batteries and manned the coastal artillery weapons at Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grover shortly after Pearl Harbor Attack on December 7, 1941. prgtoken Additionally, many soldiers of the 54th were former Negro Baseball League players. While stationed in Pacific Grove, the soldiers formed a community baseball league. They named it the Twilight League because all the lights in the seaside town were turned off at sunset for increased security from the Japanese. prgtoken On April 19, 1944, the 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion were relieved from duty on the Western Defense Command as the threat of Japanese attacks on the West Coast diminished. prgtoken Although they have since disbanded, the legacy and influence of the 54th Regiment lives on in the memory of our Central Coast communities. Many troops returned to the Central Coast after the Allied Powers emerged victorious and were active, integral members of our community. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the U.S. Army's 54th Coast Artillery Regiment in honor of their lasting impact on the Central Coast and our Nation's history. We are forever grateful for their service and bravery in World War II and in the defense of our coastline. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here today.
ALFREDO AND JANE CALVO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
Chuck Edwards (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to congratulate two of my constituents, Alfredo and Jane Calvo, who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 30 this year. prgtoken They will be spending this milestone anniversary with their family: Al, Michael, Kari, Leigh, and their young grandson, Tucker. prgtoken Jane served in the Henderson County PTA, the North Carolina General Federation of Women's Clubs, and spent 16 years of her career as a staffer for one of my predecessors, the Honorable Congressman Charles Taylor. Jane has also worked for the Social Security Administration. prgtoken Alfredo was a volunteer soccer coach at Flat Rock Middle School and East Henderson High School and served in the Social Security Administration for more than a decade. prgtoken , please join me in congratulating Alfredo and Jane Calvo on their 50th wedding anniversary. Here is to many more.
CONDEMNING USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO HOUSE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-6-23

since President took office, there have been 5.2 million illegal crossings of our southern border. prgtoken Now, because of President and his administration's failures to secure our southern border, our schools and children are suffering from the effects of rampant open borders. prgtoken When taxpayer-funded facilities in New York were used to house illegal immigrants, President was silent. Even when the mayor of New York City said: ``The President and the White House have failed this city,'' President was silent. prgtoken Well, House s won't remain quiet. prgtoken We denounced this wasteful abuse of our schools by passing H. Res. 461, which condemned the use of public schools and facilities to house illegal immigrants. We sent a clear and direct message to the American people and the President that this should never be allowed.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL U.S. METALCASTING WEEK
Rudy Yakym III (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-6-23

I rise today to highlight the importance of National U.S. Metalcasting Week and to highlight the significant contributions made by the metalcasting industry to our nation's economy and security. Metalcasting, an essential manufacturing process, plays a pivotal role in various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, defense, agriculture, infrastructure, and many others. This week-long celebration provides us with a unique opportunity to recognize and appreciate the achievements of this vital industry. prgtoken Metalcasting is the process of pouring molten metal into a mold to create intricate shapes and components used in a wide range of applications. From the engine blocks that power our vehicles to the turbine blades that generate electricity, metalcasting is at the heart of modern industrial production. It enables the creation of complex and durable metal parts that are essential for countless industries, fostering innovation and progress. prgtoken One cannot understate the economic significance of the metalcasting industry. According to the American Foundry Society, metalcasting contributes over $44 billion to the U.S. economy annually and employs over 200,000 skilled workers. These jobs are spread across the nation, supporting local economies and providing stability for communities. The industry's direct and indirect impact cannot be ignored, as it contributes to our nation's prosperity and competitiveness on the global stage. prgtoken Moreover, metalcasting plays a critical role in national security. Defense systems, such as tanks, aircraft carriers, and missile guidance systems, rely on the durability and precision of metalcast components. The industry's ability to produce advanced materials and components that meet the stringent requirements of our armed forces is essential for maintaining a strong national defense. prgtoken National U.S. Metalcasting Week serves as a platform to raise awareness about the technological advancements and environmental achievements of the industry. Over the years, metalcasters have embraced innovation and sustainability, adopting cleaner and more efficient processes. By reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and recycling materials, the industry is actively contributing to environmental preservation and sustainability goals. prgtoken Furthermore, Metalcasting Week provides an opportunity to showcase the critical role of education and workforce development in sustaining this industry's success. It allows us to celebrate the skills and craftsmanship of metalcasting professionals while inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in this field. By investing in training programs and promoting STEM education, we can ensure a pipeline of talented individuals to support the continued growth of the metalcasting industry. prgtoken National U.S. Metalcasting Week is a time to celebrate the achievements of an industry that is vital to our nation's economy, security,
MIDDLE CLASS BORROWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2023
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2023-6-23

. Mr. Chair, I rise in favor of my amendment, which will require the Government Accountability Office to make its report on the findings and conclusions of its study of the Federal Housing Finance Agency's loan-level pricing adjustment revisions publicly available online. prgtoken My commonsense amendment will provide transparency for the administration to answer to the American people. prgtoken The latest FHFA fee change could result in thousands of dollars in additional fees for lower risk homeowners over time, while encouraging and rewarding financial irresponsibility. This is a gross overreach and will ultimately contribute to the growing inflation problem we have in this country. prgtoken Raising housing costs at a time when mortgage rates are at their highest, thanks to the -Pelosi spending spree, will make housing less affordable and will result in higher mortgage costs and reduced access to credit for most borrowers. prgtoken 's agenda of equity over equality defies common sense and will endanger the stability of the housing market. The majority is fighting tooth and nail to protect middle-class home buyers from 's new socialist tax, which puts homeownership out of reach for the middle-class American. prgtoken Borrowers with excellent credit should not be punished for doing right and be forced to bear more financial burdens due to the fiscal irresponsibility of others. prgtoken Unelected bureaucrats in Washington should not have the ability to impose these un-American regulations on hardworking middle-class families. I am glad this bill puts an end to business as usual here in the swamp. prgtoken I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Davidson) for his leadership to block 's new socialist tax to force middle-class borrowers to subsidize risky loans. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of my amendment, as well as the underlying bill, and .
ISSUES OF THE DAY
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-6-23

I thank the gentleman for his comments and for promoting this good work in his district, and I thank him for his public service. prgtoken , I rise today to discuss an important piece of legislation that I am working on here in the people's House. prgtoken The Ouachita Mountains inside the Ouachita National Forest stretches some 220 miles from my district in central Arkansas to eastern Oklahoma. prgtoken For 50 years now, I have sought refuge and pleasure in visiting a remarkable corner of the rugged Arkansas Ouachita National Forest mountains called Flatside. It is named for a sandstone outcrop that dominates the forest below. prgtoken , you can see in this photo on one very cold February day with a blanket of snow on the ground that I was looking west from the top of Flatside toward another high point in the wilderness area called Forked Mountain. prgtoken My guide that day was my good friend of now 50 years and longtime neighbor in Little Rock, Don Hamilton. prgtoken Don is a longtime member of the Ozark Society, a former board member for the National Wildlife Federation, and a tireless advocate for wilderness areas in our Nation. prgtoken At the time of this photo, I was a Senate staffer, and Don was urging me to persuade my then boss, U.S. Senator John Tower, a from Texas, to cosponsor Arkansas Senator Dale Bumpers' Arkansas Wilderness Act. prgtoken This act would establish the 10,000 acres of public U.S. forestland around Flatside as one of nine new wilderness areas and the only one in the Second Congressional District. prgtoken With Senator Tower's endorsements and the tireless work by Senator Bumpers and my Second District predecessor, Congressman Ed Bethune, Flatside did, in fact, join the U.S. Forest Service wilderness rolls in 1984 when it was signed into law by President Reagan. prgtoken At that time, the Flatside area was anticipated to be larger, encompassing the additional U.S. Forest Service lands that I am addressing on the House floor today in my new legislation. prgtoken Over the ensuing years, the Forest Service and advocates were never able to craft a strategy whereby those acres left out of the 1984 designation could be included. prgtoken When I joined Congress in 2015, I set about to design an approach that would expand Flatside to its originally contemplated size. prgtoken First, I introduced the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, which passed in both the House and Senate in 2018 and was then signed into law by President in January of 2019. prgtoken This bill added what I called the Bethune Woods acreage to Flatside. prgtoken Thanks to Congressman Bethune for his years of hard work on this area. prgtoken This 640-acre addition had been coded by the U.S. Forest Service as wilderness and managed that way but had never been formally added to the boundaries of Flatside. prgtoken As a companion measure, Senator John Boozman of Arkansas and I included in the fiscal