mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2017
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-5-10

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today and stand with the overwhelming majority of Nevadans who wholeheartedly oppose our State becoming the dumping ground for the rest of the Nation's nuclear waste. prgtoken Based on the Department of Energy's own studies, Yucca Mountain is unfit as a repository site for nuclear waste because of the impact it would have on national transportation. We are talking about shipping up to three loads of radioactive waste per week to Nevada by rail or truck for over 50 years. prgtoken Here is a map of what the proposed routes would look like. Dangerous waste would go through 329 congressional districts across this country. prgtoken To the Members representing these districts: Do you consent to high- level radioactive waste barreling down your highways and your train tracks? Are you prepared to face your constituents at home and tell them that you voted to put their safety at risk? prgtoken Yucca Mountain would also jeopardize our national security and the readiness of our Air Force by compromising military activities at the Nevada Test and Training Range, the largest air and ground military training space in the contiguous United States. prgtoken Instead of spending billions more in hard-earned taxpayer dollars on this ill-conceived project, let's work on converting the site into something that will keep our families safe and still create jobs. prgtoken My bill, the Jobs, Not Waste Act, which I offered as an amendment to H.R. 3053, would prohibit DOE from moving forward with its plan until a number of other job-creating alternatives for Yucca Mountain are considered. It is an innovative and forward-thinking solution to repurpose this site for something useful. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge Congress to stop wasting time and taxpayer money on Yucca Mountain and finally realize just how dangerous and costly this project will be. It is past time we identified viable alternatives for this project while finding a safe, long-term repository in a State that consents to its siting.
REMEMBERING DR. T. BERRY BRAZELTON
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-5-10

today, it is my privilege to honor the work and achievements of Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, who dedicated his life to understanding the development of infants and young children and improving their lives, on what would have been his 100th birthday. Dr. Brazelton passed away on March 13, 2018, in Barnstable, MA. prgtoken Known as America's pediatrician, Dr. Brazelton's pioneering work in child development changed earlier concepts that parenting needed to be a rigid process. In addition to the clinical aspects of his work as a practicing pediatrician, he was also a scientist who observed, analyzed, and learned about the nature of babies and children and their interactions with their parents. His observations led to newfound understandings of how infants develop, including the importance of the parent-child relationship during the first stages of life. Dr. Brazelton also developed strong connections to the parents of the children with whom he worked. He was among the first researchers prgtoken who used video to observe parent-infant interactions, and his teachings provided parents with the security and skills they needed to understand their babies. Throughout his career, Dr. Brazelton worked with tens of thousands of parents and children, published more than 30 books on pediatrics and child development, and founded the Brazelton Touchpoints Center at Boston Children's Hospital. prgtoken Dr. Brazelton's work and influence extended past the research lab and his pediatric practice. He created Touchpoints, professional training programs that equip family-facing providers with the skills they need to empower parents and families through research-informed family engagement practice. Dr. Brazelton and I shared a commitment to advancing the health and safety of children, and his approach to child wellness helped to inspire much of my work on this critical issue. Dr. Brazelton was credited for putting the practice of natural childbirth and breastfeeding back at the forefront of childrearing practices. His research contributed to the removal of lead from gasoline in the United States, the enactment of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and many more policies aimed at expanding the rights of children. prgtoken Dr. Brazelton was more than just a clinician and scientist. His constant curiosity and charisma allowed him to cross many disciplines. He was a writer, a mentor, and a lover of the arts. He was loved by his wife, the late Christina Lowell Brazelton, and is survived by his children, Christina, Catherine, Pauline, and Thomas III, and his seven grandchildren. prgtoken Dr. Brazelton's research and findings garnered him many accolades and awards, including the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2013. However, the advances he made in science's understanding of the importance of the first years of life; the improvements in clinical care of infants, young children, and their parents; and the policies based on his scien
VOTE EXPLANATION
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-5-10

yesterday, May 9, 2018, I was in Terre Haute, IN, to attend the funeral services for police officer, Rob Pitts, a veteran of the Terre Haute Police Department and a Hoosier hero who was killed in the line of duty while serving his community. As a result, I was unable to vote. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted in support of the confirmation of Kurt Engelhardt to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, and I would have opposed cloture on the nomination of Michael Brennan to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.
Fuel Efficiency Standards (Executive Calendar)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2018-5-10

I was filling up my Chrysler Town & Country minivan with gas last weekend, and I noticed the price in Delaware is up to about $2.80 a gallon for regular gas. That is up by close to $1 above what it was not that long ago. prgtoken I remember that the first time I bought gasoline in Delaware, I was right out of the Navy. I served in the Vietnam war as a naval flight officer, and I moved from California to Delaware. I drove my car to a gas station right in the middle of a gas war. prgtoken I actually benefited from the gas war in 1969 in Texas. I was driving from Pensacola, FL, to the San Diego Naval Station. I filled up my Volkswagen Commandeer for less than $2 during the gas war in some little town in Texas. prgtoken Fast forward to, I think, 1970 through 1974, and we are having a different kind of war. It is with OPEC. They are putting the squeeze on us and much of the rest of the world by reducing the amount of oil they are bringing out of the ground and driving up prices. prgtoken Then we had an oil blockade, and things really got interesting for a while. I am not sure who was President then, whether it was Gerald Ford, who was succeeded by Jimmy Carter. But somebody--maybe it was and s--finally said: You know, we have to be smarter than this. We continue to be dependent on foreign oil. They can put a blockade in place and essentially make it difficult for us to get oil and pay the prices that they want. prgtoken So , s, the President, and Congress, working together, decided we should increase the fuel efficiency of our cars in this country. We hadn't done that for quite a while. They put in place fuel efficiency standards for cars. We stepped up the mileage requirements for a period of years, and after several years, that target level stopped. We reached a ceiling; I think it was like 27 miles per gallon, as I recall. But after that, the CAFE standards stayed right there for years, maybe for a couple of decades. prgtoken We kind of revisited the issue, I want to say in 2007, and said: You know, that doesn't make much sense. Why don't we begin to increase fuel efficiency again? We did so with bipartisan legislation. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Ted Stevens, and I, along with others, worked on it and passed legislation to increase--not dramatically, but for a while, for a number of years--fuel efficiency standards for cars, light trucks, and SUVs. prgtoken When we fell into the great recession in 2007, 2008, 2009, we saw the auto companies--a couple of them, Chrysler and I believe GM--going into bankruptcy. They got a huge bailout from our taxpayers, from the government. I was one of the people who sponsored and supported that. But in return for their getting that kind of help, they agreed to a prgtoken more rigorous increase in fuel efficiency standards going forward. prgtoken There is going to be talk tomorrow in the White House about whether we should continue
CALIFORNIA'S WATER SUPPLY
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-5-10

we just heard a few moments ago a colleague of ours, Congressman Charlie Dent, who has served with great distinction and honor, a classmate of mine. prgtoken I simply want to say that he is a role model for all of us in terms of how to legislate in a thoughtful and deliberative fashion, and to reach across the aisle in a way that I think is conducive to getting things done. He certainly is a great example of how we should all reflect in terms of our work here every day. prgtoken We will miss him, and we wish him the best of luck in his next endeavors. prgtoken , I also want to talk about the challenges that we face in California as it relates to our water needs. prgtoken The San Joaquin Valley, that I have the honor and privilege to represent, is one of the largest agriculture regions in the entire country, and, therefore, the world. We grow half of the Nation's fruits and vegetables, 70 percent of the world's almonds, 50 percent of the world's pistachios, the number one dairy State in the Nation, and the number one citrus State in the Nation. prgtoken The list goes on and on and on, over 300 commodities that we have the ability to grow because of an incredible Mediterranean climate, and water, which is the crucible, because we like to say in the Valley that: Where water flows, food grows. prgtoken Clearly, the ability to have water reliability is so essential to ensuring that we can continue to maintain our agricultural production, which every night puts food on America's dinner table and, therefore, allows American consumers to have the healthiest, the best, nutritious quality of varieties of food and food products at the most economical cost to them and their families anywhere in the world. prgtoken We are so good at it, in producing food, not only in California, but around the country, American agriculture, that I think sometimes Americans take it for granted, because less than 3 percent of our Nation's population--as in California, less than 3 percent of our State's population--is directly involved in the production of food and fiber. prgtoken I sometimes feel that the majority of Americans believe that their food comes from a grocery store. Well, it doesn't. I mean, you get it at the grocery store, or you get it at your favorite restaurants, wherever that may be. prgtoken But before that food gets to the grocery store, or before it gets to those restaurants, it comes from farmers and ranchers and dairymen and -women across this great land of ours, and certainly California plays a key role. prgtoken We have had difficult, difficult drought periods in California. We had a 6-year prolonged drought that reminded us that the climate continues to change. What impacts we, as people, have on the change of that climate is debated. But clearly we know that we have an impact, and it continues to change. prgtoken Therefore, to be responsible, we have to plan to ensure that we have adequate water supplies to maintain o
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2017
Dina Titus (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-5-10

that is in Washington. It is not in Oregon. If you don't even know where Hanford is, I am not sure you really understand what took place there. prgtoken I would just say: The law of the land, that is a great argument. You forgot about that argument when you tried to repeal Care 60 times and have done everything you can to roll back Dodd-Frank. So law of the land is a pretty weak, specious argument. prgtoken This is not just about the safety of Nevada. This is about doing what is right, finding a policy that will work, that is based on consent, that the experts say is the way to go, that has a chance to get out of the Senate and really move us forward so we do quit wasting time, so we do quit wasting money, and we find a real solution to prgtoken an issue that does affect the entire Nation. prgtoken That is why it should be consent based. That is why I think we should support this amendment and oppose the underlying bill. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2017
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-5-10

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I think we can agree on one thing. The status quo is not acceptable. Dispersed around the country in wet pools, in insecure casks--right. We need to deal with that. This is not the perfect solution, and it is destined to fail in the Senate. prgtoken Why do we commission blue ribbon commissions of experts--are we the experts?--and then ignore their advice? They made four major points: the solution must be adaptive, it must be staged, it must be consent- based, and it must be transparent. prgtoken This bill assumes we are going into Yucca Mountain, which has been proven to be geologically unstable and unsuitable. Therefore, this amendment should be adopted. The bill should fail.
HONORING STEVEN MOULDS
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-5-11

I rise today to honor Steven Moulds, who has been named Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 2018 Grower of the Year. Mr. Moulds is an individual who has made a lasting impact on our community through his viticulture work, expertise and personal commitment to public service. prgtoken Mr. Moulds was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Palo Alto and Los Altos in California. He graduated from Los Altos High School in 1962. He studied at Foothill College and graduated from San Jos State University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1972. In 2005 he graduated from Napa Valley College with an Associate of Science in Viticulture. prgtoken Mr. Moulds began his public service journey as a Peace Corps volunteer in Porcupine, Honduras in 1964. His involvement with the Peace Crops established a foundation for his work as a social worker and his continued volunteerism. From 1964 to 1976 he worked with migrant farm workers in Irony, California, helping them remove barriers to employment. prgtoken In 2000; after working in commercial real estate, Mr. Moulds and his wife Betsy purchased eleven acres in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley appellation where he planted Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. He is focused on producing high quality grapes and maintaining strong partnerships with winemakers. prgtoken In addition to growing his own grapes, Mr. Moulds is active in our wine community. He is a Board Member and past President of Napa Valley Grape growers, a Board Member of the Napa Valley Farm worker Foundation and a previous Board Member of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley appellation. His philanthropic efforts include founder and sustaining member of NorteAmericanos Para Orocuina, Board Member and President of the Board of Peninsula Center for the Blind, and Board Member and President of San Jose Repertory Theater. prgtoken , Mr. Moulds has been recognized as the Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 2018 Grower of the Year. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Steven Moulds here today.
RECOGNIZING MS. TARA LYNN JONES
John Lewis (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-5-11

I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Tara Lynn Jones, a warm and dynamic spirit. It is hard to believe that this young woman with her beautiful smile and passion for her community is no longer with us. prgtoken Born and raised in Maryland, Ms. Jones graduated from La Reine High School before attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry. Tara continued her education at George Washington University and received a master's degree in public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics and a certificate in public management. prgtoken , throughout her career Tara seamlessly moved between the business world and public service. Many remember her work as the Director of Neighborhood Services when Ms. Jones worked to connect residents to health, economic, and social justice services and programs in Washington, D.C. She continued to apply this experience in building coalitions, developing national media campaigns, and coordinating effective events across the country. prgtoken I, along with many of my colleagues--especially those of us who serve in the Congressional Black Caucus--truly learned to appreciate and respect Tara's unique gifts and skills when she served as the Vice President of Public Affairs for BET Networks. During a challenging and pivotal time in our nation's history, Ms. Jones used her platform to bring together young people, corporations, media, and policy makers to address the key, core civil rights and social justice matters of the day. prgtoken At every opportunity, Ms. Jones built bridges and made new friends. She was a communicator and a convener whose faith inspired a deep passion for service and mentorship in the Capital City Chapter of Links, Inc Destination DC, and ColorComm. In recent years, Tara continued to employ her expertise on a global scale as the founder of the Tara Jones Group, LLC, which incorporated brand marketing, strategic solutions, and business development with increasing diversity and inclusion. prgtoken As an active, engaged member of the National Urban League, and in particular during her tenure as President of the Washington Thursday Network, Tara continued the mission of integrating the necessary pursuit of opportunity, equity, equality, and justice into both her personal and professional life. prgtoken , Ms. Jones truly dedicated her life to serving others-- she managed to be everywhere and everything to everyone she met. As one who knew and worked alongside the late and great, Whitney Young, Jr who served as the executive director of the National Urban League during pivotal years of the Civil Rights Movement, I can say that she epitomized his spirit and continued his legacy. prgtoken Tara Lynn Jones was a thoughtful, loving, and kind young woman who leaves behind a legacy of excellence as she joins her beloved brother Edward V. Jones, Jr. During this difficult time, I extend my deepest condolences to Tara's loving paren
HONORING THE CAREER OF MR. TONY COROALLES
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-5-11

I rise to celebrate the career of Mr. Tony Coroalles who is retiring on May 31, 2018. Tony's 15 years of service establishes him as the longest serving City Manager in the history of the City of Calabasas in Los Angeles County. prgtoken Tony was born in Havana, Cuba in 1952 and immigrated with his family to San Francisco when he was young. Tony grew up in San Francisco and received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of San Francisco. In 1974, Tony enlisted in the United States Army and after 27 years of service earned the rank of Colonel before he retired from the military in 2001. When Tony was selected as the City Manager of the City of Calabasas, he described his experience in the Army as instrumental in preparing him for the job. prgtoken Tony once stated about his military service, ``I ran all the Army bases in Alaska--I was essentially the city manager for the Army in Alaska. I did that for a little over two years . . . Before that, I had done the same thing in a smaller installation . . . I had two tours in the Army in city management.'' prgtoken After Tony's retirement from the military in 2001, he worked as the Assistant General Manager for the Department of Recreation and Parks in Los Angeles. Tony managed all of the parks and open spaces in the city of Los Angeles as well as the 1,200 full-time employees and 4,000 part- time employees of the department. prgtoken When Tony was hired as the City Manager of the city of Calabasas, then Mayor James Bozajian said that the city council chose Tony not only for his experience, but for his ``ideas and his sense of direction'' for the city of Calabasas. Focusing on delivering quality services to the city's residents, Tony oversaw the installation of a new `smart' irrigation system which saves money by actively responding to weather conditions, as well as the construction of separate senior and civic centers. These new structures and systems, along with improving the city's roadways and streetscapes, has not only improved service delivery in the Calabasas community, but brought it closer together. prgtoken Tony and his wife Patty will be moving to Lake Oconee, Georgia to be closer to members of their family. I would like to thank Tony for everything he has contributed over the course of his career with the city of Calabasas.
HONORING THE PERMIAN BASIN HONOR FLIGHT
K. Michael Conaway (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-5-11

I rise to recognize the 93 Veterans from West Texas who will be visiting Washington, D.C. this week, sponsored by the Permian Basin Honor Flight. On behalf of a grateful state and nation, we welcome these heroes to the Nation's Capital. prgtoken The Veteran on this Honor Flight are: Clinton Adams, Robert Allen, Audie Baker, Jaromir Bechyne, Paul Becker, Billy Brown, Floyd Burks, Billy Busby, Mario Castillo, Randal Chance, Floyd Chaney, Thomas Chapman, Walter Chorney, Walter Clarkson Jr Charles Cotton, Walker Dunn, Jeffrey Durgin, Louis Fathree Jr Jerry Flippin, Gilbert Flores, George Friday Jr Richard Galloway, Wade Gamblin, Joseph Gassie, Johnny Griffis, Jesus Haro, Eddie Hatch, Pedro Hinojos, Herman Hooper, Joe Jackson, Fredrick Johnson, David Jones, Gene Jones, Velton Jones, Ralph Kennedy, Alfred Knapp, Clayton Kuhlmann, Conrad Lee, Walter Lewallen, Jerry Lewis, Terry Lowe, William Martin, Gary McGowan, William McKnight, Douglas Miller, Ricardo Molina, D. Moore III, Ramon Mota, Chritiaan Niessing Jr Hector Olivias, Terry Penkert, James Poague II, Fredrico Ramierez, Andres Rios Jr Gonzalo San Miguel Jr Donald Satterfield, Robert Schoff Jr Carl Selinger, Dennis Sever, Paul Singleterry, Floyd Smith, Tommy Smith, Albert Stanford, Jesus Tarin Jr Michael Tarpley, William Taylor, James Washburn, Mark Webb, James Witcher Jr Harold Wynne, William Young, Pablo Carrasco, Jimmy Boggs, Roy Proctor, Jerome Suriff, Bobby Welborn. prgtoken , I am humbled to have the opportunity to meet these brave men and women who exemplify the best of our country. Their sacrifice and commitment to the duty to our nation can never be fully repaid, and I hope that when they visit our nation's monuments in Washington, D.C the gratitude and respect we have for them will truly be reflected. prgtoken Colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and their families for their exemplary dedication and service to this great nation. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the local communities, all of the volunteers, and Mr. Jeremy West and Mr. John West for their extensive work in organizing this Honor Flight. This trip would not have been possible without all the financial and emotional support of the people who have put in so much hard work and personal time to make sure this trip could be possible.