mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Remembering Kay Hagan (Executive Calendar)
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-11-19

I am reserving the right to object. prgtoken I have a better idea, which I am going to offer to the Senate once again. It is permanent funding for historically Black colleges at the level of $255 million a year. The distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania has stated he doesn't want a piecemeal bill. He wants a more comprehensive bill. I have offered such a bill and introduced it in the Senate. I will describe it in a few moments when I ask unanimous consent to pass it, and it will include not a 2-year short-term fix based upon a budget gimmick, which will have difficulty passing the Senate, but permanent funding of historically Black colleges and minority-serving institutions. prgtoken It will include simplification of the FAFSA, the form that 8 million minority students fill out every year, which in our State is the biggest obstacle to minority students having an opportunity for higher education and a variety of other bipartisan proposals. prgtoken I am ready to pass a comprehensive bill. I offered one before. It was blocked by my ic friends. I am going to offer it again in a minute, and we will see if they agree to it, but I don't think we should pass a piecemeal bill. I agree with the Senator from Pennsylvania. I think we should be more comprehensive, and not only that, we should do permanent funding of historically Black colleges. prgtoken The last point I will make before I object is that the U.S. Department of Education has written all the presidents of the historically Black and minority-serving institutions and said there is sufficient funding in the Federal Government for the rest of the year-- fiscal year--until October 1 of next year. So while we need to finish our work, there is no crisis at the moment, so let's do the job right. prgtoken I will offer, in just a moment, the way to do that, which is permanent funding of historically Black colleges and minority-serving institutions. I object.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON
Austin Scott (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-11-19

. Madam , I want to thank Senator Isakson, as well, for his service to our Nation's veterans and his role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He served our military veterans faithfully for many, many years. prgtoken from Georgia (Mr. Collins), my friend and colleague, one of the men who serves us in multiple capacities, both in the Air Force and as a Member of Congress.
HONG KONG HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2019
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-11-19

in a moment here, as my colleagues gather, we hope to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. prgtoken I first acknowledge all of the people who worked so hard on it--our staffs, obviously, and, in addition, Senators Cardin, Risch, Menendez, and over 50 cosponsors, many of whom will join us here this evening. I also thank Leaders McConnell and Schumer for their support in helping us get here. I thank Chairman Crapo, who has helped us make some important changes at the end that will make the sanctions easier to implement. prgtoken A lot of people have been watching on the news the protests that have been going on in Hong Kong and are wondering as to, perhaps, the depths of what it is all about. prgtoken When the United Kingdom handed Hong Kong over to China, they signed an agreement that is known as the Joint Declaration. It basically guarantees a high degree of autonomy and freedom of the people of Hong Kong. As a result of that agreement, the United States has treated commerce and trade with Hong Kong differently than it has its commercial and trade activity with the mainland of China. What has happened over the last few years is the steady effort, on the part of Chinese authorities, to erode that autonomy and those freedoms. prgtoken The most recent protests really began with a proposal to pass an extradition law that would allow the Chinese Government to basically have arrested and extradite someone in Hong Kong over to the mainland. There was a huge pushback against that, and protests emerged as a result of it. Even though the Government of Hong Kong has pulled out from pursuing that law, the protests have continued because the people of Hong Kong have seen what is coming. They see the steady effort to erode their autonomy and their freedoms. prgtoken The response by the Hong Kong authorities, with its having been under tremendous pressure from Beijing, has been that of violence and repression. So far, over 5,000 people have been arrested in Hong Kong. The youngest has been 12 years of age. The oldest has been 82. Hundreds more have been injured by violence committed by police authorities but also by street gangs--criminals, thugs--who have been empowered and encouraged by the Chinese authorities. prgtoken This effort by China to exert control and remove autonomy continues unabated. Here are some examples. There was a law that was passed that banned wearing masks, and a Hong Kong court ruled that the ban was unconstitutional. The so-called National People's Congress in Beijing today ruled that Hong Kong courts have no authority--no power--to review Hong Kong Government legislation. Under pressure from Beijing, the Government of Hong Kong threatened to cancel the November 24 elections--elections, by the way, that China has been interfering in. China has pushed to ban critics, like Joshua Wong, from running. Seven candidates who are running have been attacked by street gangs during
REMEMBERING THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-11-19

I rise today to remember President Lincoln's famous remarks in Gettysburg, 156 years ago today. prgtoken In the Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln expressed some of the most important American values in just 272 words. At the time, President Lincoln said: ``The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' prgtoken Over the past 150 years, the world still remembers the service of those who fought in Gettysburg, including my great-grandfather. prgtoken We continue to remember and to cherish what President Lincoln said there, and we remain resolved ``that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.'' prgtoken It is my privilege to represent Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the United States House of Representatives and to highlight our region's significant role in American history.
HONG KONG HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2019
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-11-19

just two brief points this evening--the first is that I am proud to join not only as a supporter of this measure but as original cosponsor, and I want to thank the other Senators--Senator Rubio, especially Senator Cardin, and Senator Risch-- for their leadership on this issue, but I want to be clear that we are here today in this Chamber, and what we are doing is possible tonight because of the bravery and the courage of the protesters in Hong Kong. prgtoken Many of them are very young people who are risking their very lives, taking to the streets, standing for democracy, standing for the promises that were made to them by Beijing many years ago and fighting for them now, putting everything on the line. And I just want to say to those protesters that you are making a difference, that your lives have made a difference, and to those who even now are trapped inside PolyU in this siege that the Hong Kong police force has created--this humanitarian crisis that the Hong Kong police force has fostered--what you are doing is inspiring the world. What you are doing has moved this body. What you are doing is changing the world. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for believing in your city, and thank you for believing in Hong Kong. prgtoken The other thing I would say is that, while today is a good day in the struggle to preserve the freedoms of this city and the struggle against a totalitarian regime in Beijing, it is not the last day. Although this step is an important step that this Chamber takes, it is not the last step that this Nation may need to take in order to hold China to its commitments made in 1984, in order to protect the autonomy and the liberty of the city of Hong Kong because, make no mistake, we are in for a long struggle with Communist China. We are in for a long struggle with Beijing. We know what their ambitions are: to dominate Hong Kong, to dominate Taiwan, to dominate the region and, ultimately, to impose their will on the entire international system. We are going to have to stand against that for freedom, for liberty, for our security and our prosperity. prgtoken So there is much to do. There is a long road ahead of us, but today is a good day, and I hope the people of Hong Kong will see that the people of the free world are awake, that they are with you, and we are ready to stand together. prgtoken .
REMEMBERING JIMMY KOIKOS
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-11-19

I rise today to honor the life of James Bill ``Jimmy'' Koikos, beloved coowner of Bessemer's famous Bright Star restaurant. Jimmy passed away on November 16, 2019, at the age of 81. I had the honor of knowing Jimmy, as I frequented the Bright Star many times during his 60 years of running the institution. prgtoken Jimmy was born and raised in Bessemer, AL, just miles from the restaurant. He attended Arlington School and then Bessemer High School, where he played high school football. Jimmy then attended the University of Alabama until 1959, when a visit from his mother changed his plans. She informed him of his uncle's decision to retire, prompting him to move home to manage the Bright Star with his father, Bill Koikos. Jimmy believed in the restaurant, and he knew he wanted to be a part of the Bright Star's continued success. prgtoken Nine years later, Jimmy's younger brother, Nicky, joined him in managing the restaurant. The two brothers went on to work side-by-side as owner-operators of the Bright Star until Jimmy's death. As his brother fondly remembered not long ago, ``He's the heart and soul of the restaurant, and it's going to be hard to replace that.'' prgtoken I will always remember Jimmy for his kindness and ability to make customers feel at home when they visited the Bright Star. He generously greeted each person who entered the establishment. He promised his father he would take care of the restaurant, and that is exactly what he did. prgtoken Because of the hard work of Jimmy and others who spent their lives devoted to the Bright Star, it began to draw national attention. In 2010, the James Beard Foundation honored the Bright Star with an America's Classics Award, distinguishing the restaurant for its timeless appeal and quality food that reflects the character of the community. prgtoken As a huge Alabama fan, Jimmy was always ecstatic when the Bright Star attracted Alabama football coaches like Bear Bryant, Gene Stallings, and Nick Saban. He would also frequent Alabama football practices, bringing along some of the famous icebox pies for the coaches, players, and staff. prgtoken Jimmy even went as far as to ensure that the Bright Star would be taken care of when he was gone, asking a younger relative, Andreas Anastassakis, to move to Bessemer and carry on the legacy of the Bright Star. Anastassakis was honored. prgtoken Jimmy Koikos's legacy will live on through the people whose lives he touched at the Bright Star, in the community and throughout the entire State of Alabama. I offer my deepest condolences to his brother Nick, his prgtoken sister Helen, and all of his loved ones. I am proud to have known him, and I will always think of him when passing through Bessemer to visit one of my very favorite places, the Bright Star.
HONG KONG HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2019
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-11-19

today, brave men and women, boys and girls, are standing up and demanding that the Chinese Communist Party protect Hong Kong's autonomy, protect free speech, and defend human rights. prgtoken Despite these peaceful protests, the Chinese Communist Party is fighting back with brutality and violence. The police brutality that we have seen and the Chinese Communist Party's larger assault on the people of Hong Kong has prgtoken been shameful. Just this past weekend, the Hong Kong police began attacking young, innocent students who were peacefully protesting that brutality. They were attacked with tear gas and rubber bullets. prgtoken These students' college campus was turned into a warzone, where no one was safe. Today, we have the opportunity to tell the world, these blatant human rights attacks and this campaign to bully Hong Kong into submission are not OK and America won't stand for it. prgtoken Last month, I traveled to Hong Kong. I met with many brave men and women who were standing up. I met with the dissidents, the pro- democracy protesters who are speaking out for Hong Kong's autonomy and free speech and basic human rights. Along with them, I dressed in all black to express my solidarity with the peaceful protestors who have taken to the streets. prgtoken Right now, in response to that protest, tear gas, sponge grenades, rubber bullets are being fired at university campuses in Hong Kong. In Xinjiang Province, millions of detained Uighurs and other religious minorities are languishing in concentration camps, and across China, Falun Gong practitioners are captured and murdered so that the Communist Party can harvest their organs. prgtoken Freedom from this brutality and the tyranny of the Chinese Communist Party is the battle cry of the dissidents in Hong Kong. What have they been waving? American flags. What have they been singing? The American National Anthem--reciting quotations from our Founding Fathers who risked everything for freedom in America. prgtoken , I want to thank Senators Rubio, Cardin, Risch, Menendez, and all the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, both s and who have joined together. This legislation the Senate is preparing to pass, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, is important legislation. It is bipartisan legislation. I urge the House to take it up and pass it and pass it promptly. prgtoken The people in Hong Kong are engaged in an existential battle for liberty, and they should know and they will know, by our actions in just a few moments, that the people of America stand with Hong Kong. prgtoken .
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON
Barry Loudermilk (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-11-19

. Madam , I thank Representative Scott for his time here, and I thank him for organizing this. prgtoken This is a moment that I am sure all of us are having mixed feelings. There have been a lot of accolades given here today to Senator Isakson, a lot of talk about his accomplishments, which are absolutely many. prgtoken What a lot of people don't understand about Georgia is we have legends. There are legends from Georgia that, if you go to any history book or you talk to anybody, they will recognize those names as Georgia. prgtoken James Oglethorpe is one of those, the founder of Georgia. Sam Nunn, Zell Miller, John Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King. Of course, everybody knows Vince Dooley, the legendary coach of the University of Georgia. Others, like Tom Murphy, the longest serving speaker of the house in the Nation, who served in the Georgia State House, that I know Senator Isakson served with when he was in the State house. prgtoken I believe that Johnny Isakson is one of those legends, as well. As was mentioned, he is the only Georgian in the history of our State, in the history of this Nation, to serve in both houses of the State legislature and both Houses of the United States legislature, an accomplishment no one else has ever achieved. prgtoken Now, the one thing I know about Senator Isakson is the character of the man, that he didn't accomplish those things because it was a personal goal; it was because of his heart of service. prgtoken One thing that I have been able to consistently and honestly say about Senator Isakson is that he is a statesman. That is something that seems to be lost in the line of politics today, those who are true statesmen. prgtoken There are some things about him and things about statesmen that are common across the board. One is truthfulness. I can tell you that Johnny will tell you the truth, even if it is something you don't want to hear; but, yet, he will tell you in a way that you will appreciate, because he is doing it to uplift you and to make you better, not to draw you down. prgtoken Faithfulness, he has been faithful to his faith, his God, his family, his political beliefs, his party, but, more importantly, this country and the institutions that he has represented. prgtoken Another is trust, that is something that is lacking in modern politics. But I can tell you this: Johnny Isakson has never ever told me something that I ever questioned after that. If he told you he was going to do something, it was going to happen. prgtoken Loyalty is another area. He has always been loyal to those who are his friends, for those he represents, for his nation, and for his State. prgtoken Commitment, he is a very committed person to those things which he believes in. prgtoken Civility is one of those that really is lost today; but, as many have spoken here today, he has not only reached across the aisle, but he has reached across the State to try to bring civility back into politics. prgtoken
Remembering Kay Hagan (Executive Calendar)
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2019-11-19

I rise this afternoon because there is a legislative deadline in front of this body that we dare not miss. Even as I speak, our colleagues in the House Energy and Commerce Committee are considering the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization, or STELAR. For 30 years, STELAR and previous versions of the law have allowed people who live beyond the reach of a broadcast signal to receive broadcast programming nonetheless. prgtoken Some Senators believe that in 2019, STELAR has outlived its usefulness and want it to expire, but other Senators want to extend some of these provisions--at least in the short term--to prevent consumers from losing these broadcast signals; still others want to use the STELAR reauthorization legislation as a vehicle to implement other reforms. prgtoken I have introduced new legislation, the Satellite Television Access Reauthorization--or STAR--Act to move this process forward. The existing STELAR statute expires December 31. So absent congressional action before the end of the year, the provisions included in STELAR that enable nearly 870,000 Americans to access broadcasting TV signals will no longer be the law of the land. These Americans who depend on STELAR are mostly in rural parts of this country, like my home State of Mississippi. They include truckers, tailgaters, and RV drivers, and they include Americans living in very remote areas. prgtoken I say to my colleagues, now is the time for Senators to make their positions clear. Over the course of this year, I have been polling Members to ascertain what this body wants. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I will act according to the majority wishes, but time is running short. Many people point to the fact that the media landscape is changing. There are more options for video content than ever before. New programming is coming out every day that is being streamed through new services. Those are all great things. prgtoken As I said at a June Commerce Committee hearing, we are living in the golden age of television. The Commerce Committee has been working to close the digital divide between rural and urban America to make sure all families can access those choices and all families can be a part of the golden age, but there are still Americans without Internet access and without broadcast signals. They deserve the ability to view basic television services just like everyone else. prgtoken Without the reauthorization of STELAR, many Americans will not be able to watch broadcast news or enjoy access to programming that is available for the rest of the country. They will be on the wrong side of the digital divide, and there will be a wide cultural divide, as they would be cut off from the flow of programs and information. prgtoken If Members of this body are of a mind to move forward with some extension of this statute, we will work with our colleagues in the House. That may include improvem
PLEASANTVILLE NAACP
Jefferson Van Drew (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-11-19

. Madam , the NAACP has been at the forefront in the fight for equal educational, social, economic, and legal rights for African American communities. prgtoken The Mainland-Pleasantville NAACP branch, led by President Olivia Caldwell, has continuously fought for those things, and they recently held their annual Freedom Fund Awards Luncheon. The luncheon honored the people who fought alongside the NAACP and their efforts for equal rights. prgtoken President of Atlantic Cape Community College, Dr. Barbara Gaba, received the education award for furthering educational fulfillment in the African American community. prgtoken I would like to thank Dr. Gaba, President Caldwell, and the NAACP for their resilience in the fight for equality that not only impacts the people of south Jersey, but all Americans everywhere. We all have the same blood flowing through our veins. prgtoken May God bless them.
STREAMLINING NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSE
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-11-19

the staff really worked diligently and tirelessly to get this bill passed as well. prgtoken But the bill itself, after natural disasters in this country, we have been relegated to starting a process to accord various areas in the country that are impacted funding to help them rebuild, to help them restore order to their lives. prgtoken In doing this, we have not codified the methodology by which we would perfect the assistance that is needed. We never codified it. Twenty-six years ago, HUD received the responsibility to respond, but we didn't give any codified rules. prgtoken The HUD OIG indicated that there was a necessity to codify some rules so that we could respond in a timely manner but, also, do it in an efficacious manner such that we would not reinvent the wheel each and every time, which is what we have been doing, reinventing the wheel. prgtoken Well, this bill does that. It codifies the whole process of dealing with management after a disaster. prgtoken FEMA deals with the emergency side of it, in terms of an immediate response, providing persons with someplace to live, providing persons with the necessities of life. But the long-term response is what HUD deals with. prgtoken Under this long-term response legislation that we passed yesterday, HUD now can work with municipalities directly, in some cases. If a municipality has demonstrated that it can handle large sums of money, then funding can go from the Congress to the municipality, as opposed to some other agency within the State and then trickle down to that municipality. prgtoken Houston, Texas, by way of example, has demonstrated that it can handle these large sums of money. They have a great accounting department. Mayor Turner is there, and he has done an outstanding job. prgtoken With this kind of opportunity to get direct funding, people will receive help more efficaciously. They will receive it immediately. prgtoken Also, in small areas of the country, small cities, they will get a better understanding of how they can approach this process and how they can get the funding accorded them in a faster way. prgtoken The bill really is something that has been needed, not only for the hurricanes and the flooding but also for the tornadic activities, for the earthquakes that will visit some parts of the country, and for the fires that we will have. prgtoken This legislation is meaningful, and I will say more about it in the future.