mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM ACT
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-12-11

I have long supported juvenile justice programs, and I have long supported runaway and homeless youth programs. During the 20 years I served as the top on the Judiciary Committee and in my current role as the vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I have championed bipartisan reauthorizations and supported funding for these programs, overcoming the House of Representatives, which zeroes out juvenile justice programs in its appropriations bills year after year. These programs make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the children and teens they serve. The two programs are funded separately in separate appropriations subcommittees, and their reauthorizations have traditionally moved separately. prgtoken I am pleased the Senate today passed the long-debated Juvenile Justice Reform Act. This legislation makes needed, comprehensive, and long overdue updates to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. It mandates research to study, identify, and address disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system and separates young offenders from adult jails and prisons. It also reauthorizes funding for key juvenile justice programs. Funding for these vital programs is key to preventing youth from coming in contact with the juvenile justice system and ensuring youth have the opportunity to get the help they need to avoid repeating the cycle. Reducing recidivism is not just the moral thing to do; it saves future State and Federal dollars. prgtoken The Grassley substitute amendment, which passed the Senate this evening, reauthorizes the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act at a lower level than I support, and a lower level than is supported by the providers and advocates in the field who know firsthand what the actual needs are to help these youths. It also fails to make important programmatic improvements that Senator Collins and I have been working on for years. These improvements include provisions to prevent and respond to human trafficking--to which runaway and homeless youth are particularly vulnerable--by requiring staff training to identify when a child entering their program has been a victim. Training program staff to identify young victims of trafficking helps ensure staff refers children and teenagers to appropriate services and takes steps to prevent their further traumatization. These young people have experienced major, unimaginable trauma, and we need to make sure they receive the right counseling and treatment to help them recover. Our reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act also includes important nondiscrimination language to ensure all youth who try to access programs can do so regardless of their faith, race, or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, these improvements will have to wait. prgtoken While we have much to celebrate with the passage of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, I am disappointed that some Members on the other s
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BENJAMIN C. PALACIOS
Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Democrat, GU) \u2014 2018-12-11

I rise today in memory of an outstanding Soldier and a very dear friend, retired Command Sergeant Major Benjamin C. Palacios who passed away on November 9, 2018. prgtoken Affectionately known as Ben, Command Sergeant Major Palacios was born on November 11, 1950 on the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas. He later moved to Guam where he graduated from George Washington High School and was drafted into the United States Army in 1969. prgtoken Ben spent the next thirty-four years in exemplary service in the Army as an armor Soldier. His duties have included diverse assignments ranging from Tank Commander to Command Sergeant Major of some of the premier organizations in the United States military. He served as the Operations Sergeant in several Armor Battalions including an assignment as a Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 50th Armored Division, New Jersey Army National Guard in 1988. In 1991, Ben deployed to Saudi Arabia in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the 3-69 Armor Battalion Command Sergeant Major. In 1994, Ben served as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd Vanguard Brigade in the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and in 1996 he was selected to be the 24th Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major. Following this assignment Ben served as the Command Sergeant Major for the Third Mobile Armored Corps at Fort Hood in Texas and was subsequently selected to serve as the United States Army Forces Command's Command Sergeant Major in July 1998. Ben's illustrious Army career culminated in one of the most prestigious assignments as the command sergeant major of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea and 8th United States Army in the Republic of South Korea. prgtoken On his retirement in 2003, the Republic of South Korea awarded Command Sergeant Major Palacios the Order of National Security Merit Gwanbok Medal on behalf of the President of South Korea. Ben was the first enlisted soldier to receive this prestigious medal since the end of the Korean War. prgtoken Ben's most prestigious awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Republic of Korea Order of National Security (Gwangbok) Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Some of these he was awarded more than once. prgtoken Since 2003 Ben has remained engaged in Guam and the Pacific region working for companies associated with improving the United States security posture and contributing to the local community. One of his most devoted efforts was as a member of my Veterans Advisory Council which I founded to assist my advocacy on behalf of veterans residing in Guam. His dedication and personal efforts at improving services, support, and benefits for the U.S. military veterans living on Guam was greatly appreciated and a welcome improvement to the quality of life of all veterans. prgtoken I appreciated his warm, wel
PREMATURITY RESEARCH EXPANSION AND EDUCATION FOR MOTHERS WHO DELIVER INFANTS EARLY REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-12-11

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. prgtoken I also want to commend the Subcommittee on Health and the Committee on Energy and Commerce for its outstanding work under the leadership of Dr. Burgess. prgtoken , I am going to speak about sickle cell, a bill that has been worked on and passed. Of course, sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by affected red blood cells that mutate into the shape of a crescent or sickle. And as such, these cells are unable to pass through small blood vessels. It is a recessive- genetic condition that occurs when a prgtoken child inherits two sickle cell genes, or traits, from each parent. prgtoken The consequences and complications of this disease are extreme. The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, whom we have worked with for many years on this legislation, have studied and reported that common complications with this disease include early childhood death from infection; stroke in young children and adults; lung problems similar to pneumonia; chronic damage to organs, including the kidney, leading to kidney failure; damage to the lungs, causing pulmonary hypertension; and severe, painful episodes. In fact, pain episode are a hallmark of sickle cell disease. prgtoken , I am pleased that we are at this juncture in passing S. 2465, a bill designed to help improve, treat, prevent, and conduct research on sickle cell disease and to include other blood diseases for surveillance and data collection. prgtoken While this legislation includes other blood diseases, its original intent and its continuing focus is to put major emphasis on sickle cell disease and issues related to it. prgtoken , I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Michael Burgess, and Representative G.K. Butterfield, Senator Tim Scott, and Senator Cory Booker for their tireless support and efforts to bring this bipartisan and bicameral bill to fruition. prgtoken There has been a great deal of back and forth on this bill. Therefore, I want to thank, again, Dr. Burgess, the chief cosponsor and advocate. I want to commend the leadership on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Chairman Greg Walden and Ranking Member Frank Pallone. prgtoken , I want to highlight the work of my colleague and friend, Representative G.K. Butterfield, who carried the bill for this legislation in the Committee on Energy and Commerce. prgtoken Our staffs did outstanding work, and I commend all of them, especially my Health Subcommittee staffer, Dr. Caleb Gilchrist. I want to acknowledge and thank our advocate organizations, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the American Society of Hematology, and other organizations, hospital providers, families, and those infected with the sickle cell disease. prgtoken , those who say that Congress does not work and is not working, I tell you, when we pass legislation of this sort, it tells me that America is on the right track and we
MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING THE LIFE OF DON KRZYSIAK
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-12-11

today, I rise to honor the life of Don Krzysiak. prgtoken Don and his family are longtime members of the Bay City community. Sadly, he passed away on Friday, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lois, and their children, Tom, Donnie, and Melanie. prgtoken Don founded Krzysiak's House Restaurant in 1979, with just a handful of employees, and grew it into the successful Bay City business that it is today. In fact, the very first event after I announced I was running for Congress was at Krzysiak's. He welcomed me with open arms and made me feel welcome in the neighborhood. prgtoken I remember always buying paczkis from Don on Fat Tuesday. Every year, prgtoken all the money he made from those sales was donated to the Salvation Army. prgtoken Don was not just a small-business owner, but also an important part of our community. He helped people struggling to find employment and supported people coming out of jail trying to start a new life. prgtoken Everyone who knew him at the family restaurant described him as more than a boss, but everybody's friend. He loved to spend time with his family and in his neighborhood, and he loved to listen to polka music. prgtoken Before opening the restaurant, he served in the U.S. Army. His commitment to our country will always be remembered. prgtoken Mid-Michigan lost a great friend and a bright spirit this week. The entire State of Michigan, the Bay City community, and I, personally, will miss him. prgtoken Thank you, Don, for everything you have done. prgtoken , I ask that the House join me in a brief moment of silence in Don's memory.
ADVANCED NUCLEAR FUEL AVAILABILITY ACT
Gene Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-12-11

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 6140. This bill is an effort to accelerate the availability of high-assay low-enriched uranium, the fuel needed for most advanced nuclear designs. prgtoken There is no existing commercial market for this fuel, so in order to ensure that the fuel is available for advanced reactors once they are licensed and ready to begin producing electricity, the Federal Government will need to coordinate efforts among agencies, and with the commercial nuclear sector, to ensure that high-assay low-enriched uranium can be licensed and safely transported. prgtoken You wouldn't buy a lawnmower if you couldn't buy gas to run it. Similarly, we need to develop a domestic market for fuel needed to power these advanced nuclear reactor projects that are coming onto the market in the next decade. prgtoken s on the Energy and Commerce Committee, both Representative Flores and Representative McNerney, for developing this thoughtful proposal. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and .
CELEBRATING REVEREND DR. F.N. WILLIAMS' 90TH BIRTHDAY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-12-11

I want to take this opportunity to honor a great force in our community in Houston, Texas, in Acres Homes. This coming Sunday, he will celebrate 90 years of age, but decades in the ministry, Reverend Dr. F.N. Williams, whose father preceded him in the ministry, whose sons have gone on into the ministry. prgtoken He is a pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Acres Homes, one of the oldest churches in our State. prgtoken He is a warrior. He is a fighter for civil rights and civil justice. He was there on the front lines when the Honorable Barbara Jordan was elected and Mickey Leland. But even before that, he was one who would lead the community on addressing their rights and the right to stand against inequality. prgtoken He was a friend of President George H.W who happened to represent Acres Homes before we had the 18th Congressional District, which I represent. They had a relationship. They fought against drugs in that community. prgtoken And, as well, he believes in education. He believes in young people. He has a church that reaches those who are in need. prgtoken So tonight, this evening, I am delighted to honor his beloved wife and his family members, but to say to him: I salute you on your 90th birthday. Reverend Dr. F.N. Williams, you are deserving and, yes, you are a great American.
PRIORITIZE ISSUES THAT MATTER
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-12-11

I recently asked my constituents about their priorities, and we received more than 2,400 responses. Their top issues? Healthcare, gun safety, and the environment. prgtoken It is worth noting that on each of these issues this Congress has not only not made progress, we have moved backwards. On healthcare, this Congress spent months fighting a failed fight to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and now the administration continues to cynically sabotage the law to weaken protections for pre-existing conditions and increase premiums. prgtoken On gun safety, this Congress sits idly by as senseless gun violence and mass shootings claim lives across the country. In fact, the only gun legislation we passed this year, concealed carry reciprocity, actually weakened our gun laws. prgtoken On climate, this Congress has not only not listened to the science that tells us to reduce emissions, and instead the administration, President , recklessly withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. prgtoken It is time Congress put the interests of the American people first. In the coming new Congress, we have a new opportunity for progress. Let's listen and prioritize the issues that matter most to our constituents and our country: affordable healthcare, the safety of their children, and a sustainable planet.
TRIBUTE TO HEIDI HEITKAMP
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-12-11

I join my colleagues in thanking Senator Heidi Heitkamp for her service to her State and our Nation. prgtoken I remember one of the first conversations Senator Heitkamp and I had after she joined the Senate. I told her: ``I would really like your support on a bill to help the kinds of mom-and-pop stores that are the heart of so many small towns in your state and mine.'' prgtoken I was about to give her my ``elevator pitch'' on the Marketplace Fairness Act. It wasn't necessary. prgtoken Heidi said: ``Uhm, Dick, you know the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision that makes the Marketplace Fairness Act necessary. I'm the petitioner in the case. `Quill v. North Dakota?' That's me. I was the North Dakota tax commissioner who started that lawsuit.'' prgtoken As I was quick to learn, helping Main Street, mom-and-pop stores stay in business in the age of Amazon is just one of many causes that Heidi Heitkamp had been working on, tenaciously, for years before she was elected to this Senate. prgtoken Heidi Heitkamp came to Washington with a to-do list. She worked doggedly, with and s, to whittle down that list. prgtoken It was clear from the day she arrived here that she meant to use her new position as a U.S. Senator to right as many old wrongs and fix as many intractable problems as she could. prgtoken She leaves knowing that she made a difference in the lives of countless people, in North Dakota and far beyond. prgtoken She has been a champion for Native Americans, whose voices are so rarely heard in the halls of power. prgtoken The first bill she sponsored in the Senate created a new and long overdue Commission on Native Children, to try to rectify the conditions that cause one-in-three Native American and Alaska Native children to live in poverty, with suicide rates 2.5 times the national average. prgtoken Like so much of her work here, that was a bipartisan effort. Her partner in that case was Lisa Murkowski. prgtoken When the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized in 2013, it was Heidi Heitkamp who pushed successfully to close a loophole that allowed non-Indians who commit sexual assaults on Indian Reservations--very often--to go unpunished. prgtoken Her commitment to ``make a better future'' for Native children--and all children--is what motivated Heidi to become my partner on a bill to increase and improve the treatment of childhood trauma, the root of so much suffering and violence. prgtoken We are proud that our trauma bill was included in the new law to combat the opioid epidemic. It will save lives. prgtoken Heidi has said that her proudest achievement as a U.S. Senator was when she was able to help a Korean war veteran receive the Purple Heart and other medals. prgtoken The man, Corporal Andy Shaw, was a Native American elder who had served in World War II, was wounded in a gunfight in South Korea at the start of that conflict, and spent nearly the entire Korean war as a POW, but never r
VOTER SUPPRESSION
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-12-11

I want to talk about a troubling development, which is called voter suppression, and its use as a tool in political combat today. President wrote the playbook on sham claims of voter fraud, and now, sadly, my friends on the other side of the aisle are putting that playbook to use. prgtoken During the 2016 Presidential election, then candidate warned that the election would be rigged. Once in office, the President then made unsubstantiated assertions that there were more than 3 million illegal votes cast in the United States, just coincidentally the margin of popular advantage his opponent, Hillary Clinton, had over him. prgtoken The President then established a so-called election integrity commission that alleged substantial evidence of voter fraud, found none, and had to be disbanded. That purportedly independent commission was headed, by the way, by Kansas Secretary of State at the time Kris Kobach, a known proponent of voter fraud conspiracy theories that then justified voter suppression on a large scale. prgtoken The President used his bully pulpit to claim that midterm ballots were massively infected and called for a halt to vote counts in legally mandated recounts in Georgia and Florida. prgtoken Here is what is really going on. When an election is too close to call, rather than encourage the democratic process to play out by counting every vote, s are flipping through 's voter fraud playbook to sow distrust in democratic processes. prgtoken In Florida, for example, Governor Rick Scott, now Senator- elect, undermined confidence in the State's own recount process by making his own unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and filed lawsuits against and called for investigations into certain ic-leaning counties. prgtoken In Georgia, Secretary of State Brian Kemp refused to step down from his role overseeing his own election to be Governor of the State. Under his management, more than a half a million people were purged from voting rolls in July of 2017. That election was decided by just tens of thousands of votes. It makes a difference. prgtoken In North Carolina's Ninth Congressional District today, the State Elections Board is investigating whether a local GOP operative illegally collected absentee ballots and altered votes or never submitted them. It may yet lead to, frankly, the decertification of that election and a new special election to be called. prgtoken In Wisconsin and Michigan, the GOP-controlled, lame duck State legislatures have pushed through a series of measures that would strip the incoming ic Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State of key authorities and restrict access to early voting. prgtoken We have seen this before. It is part of a pattern, unfortunately, of voter suppression: purging voter rolls; difficult voter I.D. restrictions; eliminating early voting; outdated and insufficient voting machines; and long line
HONORING KATHY NICKEL FOR HER TIRELESS SERVICE IN ADDRESSING THE OPIOID CRISIS
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2018-12-11

I rise today to recognize our Brookings Fellow, Kathy Nickel. I am sad to say that her last day in my office is today, December 14th. I thank Kathy for her work on addressing the opioid crisis. Her service to the people of New Hampshire and the United States of America is truly appreciated. prgtoken Kathy, like many of us, is personally affected by the opioid epidemic. Her desire to make a positive impact in our nation's struggle with this ``disease of the brain'' brought her to Washington from her home in Oxford, Ohio. An accomplished employee for the Environmental Protection Agency, she brought a passion and perspective that is greatly needed here in Washington. prgtoken As you might expect, Kathy was a wonderful liaison to families and community leaders prgtoken grappling with the crisis at home. The compassion she embodied brought people together not in grief but with the hope that this crisis can be solved, together. I was proud to have her represent me at a national conference on drug misuse in correctional settings and Kathy demonstrated her ability to bring people together. prgtoken But, she will also leave an important legislative legacy for my office. She crafted legislation that would improve the delivery of medication-assisted treatment in correctional settings. Through her work on this issue, Kathy went above and beyond merely crafting said legislation--she brought together disparate stakeholders to champion the bill. The Corrections Public Health and Community Re-entry Act will be one of my top priorities for the next Congress. prgtoken Moreover, she started what will be an important issue for the 116th Congress to consider--whether to eliminate a half-century old prohibition on the use of Medicaid in a correctional setting. Her work on uncovering the negative impacts to what is known as the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion may prove transformational. Few fellows can say they have personally crafted such impressive legislation. prgtoken Kathy was a fantastic team member. Her kindness and positive attitude will be missed in our office. I wish her the best of luck in her next endeavor with the EPA. I thank her again for her dedication and service.