mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , due to personal reasons I was unable to make votes this week. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 188; NAY on Roll Call No. 189; YEA on Roll Call No. 190; YEA on Roll Call No. 191; YEA on Roll Call No. 192; NAY on Roll Call No. 193; YEA on Roll Call No. 194; YEA on Roll Call No. 195; YEA on Roll Call No. 196; YEA on Roll Call No. 197; YEA on Roll Call No. 198; YEA on Roll Call No. 199; YEA on Roll Call No. 200; YEA on Roll Call No. 201; YEA on Roll Call No. 202; YEA on Roll Call No. 203; YEA on Roll Call No. 204; YEA on Roll Call No. 205; YEA on Roll Call No. 206; YEA on Roll Call No. 207; NAY on Roll Call No. 208; NAY on Roll Call No. 209; YEA on Roll Call No. 210; NAY on Roll Call No. 211; NAY on Roll Call No. 212; YEA on Roll Call No. 213; YEA on Roll Call No. 214; YEA on Roll Call No. 215; YEA on Roll Call No. 216; YEA on Roll Call No. 217; YEA on Roll Call No. 218; YEA on Roll Call No. 219; NAY on Roll Call No. 220; NAY on Roll Call No. 221; NAY on Roll Call No. 222; YEA on Roll Call No. 223; YEA on Roll Call No. 224; YEA on Roll Call No. 225; YEA on Roll Call No. 226; YEA on Roll Call No. 227; YEA on Roll Call No. 228; NAY on Roll Call No. 229; NAY on Roll Call No. 230; YEA on Roll Call No. 231; and NAY on Roll Call No. 232.
CLOTURE MOTION
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-5-24

in April, more than 234,000 migrants were apprehended at the southern border. This is an alarming number, and it is the highest monthly total in 22 years. prgtoken We have a humanitarian, public health, and national security crisis happening at the border. The Department of Homeland Security is bracing for an even bigger surge in the weeks and months to come, with the possibility--the estimates of 18,000 new people showing up every single day. prgtoken The administration continues to be absent in this crisis, and instead of offering constructive policies, they are removing ones that are helping prevent even more people from entering our country. prgtoken Last week, the court made the decision to require title 42 to remain in place. The reality of ending it would prgtoken create an even greater border emergency. Yet the administration is appealing the court's decision. prgtoken A recent POLITICO-Harvard poll found that 55 percent of Americans oppose ending this title 42 prohibition. President and Vice President have refused to take any leadership on this issue. Not only have they attempted to repeal title 42; President 's first order of business after taking office was to repeal nearly every immigration policy of the previous administration. prgtoken Repealing policies like title 42 without any plan of action will leave our border agents with an unmanageable task of apprehending, vetting, and documenting hundreds of thousands of migrants while trying to stop drug and human trafficking. prgtoken In my conversations with border agents, they describe just how hard a task they have. The cartels have learned that flooding the border with migrants provides a distraction that affords them a better chance of successfully bringing drugs across the border. It is no wonder that fentanyl seizures at the southern border increased 48 percent in April 2022 from the previous year of April 2021. prgtoken Our border agents and officers are being asked to be caretakers, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and so much more. They have a tireless and thankless job. I visited the border in April of last year to meet with the Border Patrol, the DEA, and the FBI and to hear firsthand about how the crisis affected their operations. They shared how handling a large surge of migrants has made it extremely challenging to carry out their mission to stop and disrupt transitional criminal organizations from drug trafficking. prgtoken These agents were sounding the alarm in April of 2021 when border encounters totaled 178,000. Now, compare that to the 234,000 migrants crossing the border in April of this year. prgtoken I have consistently worked to increase resources to our Border Patrol agents. We must prioritize additional border security measures that include a physical barrier and investments in new technologies. We must also enforce our immigration laws and work to reform our immigration
HONORING THE LIFE OF EARL PAUL KING, JR.
Clay Higgins (Republican, LA) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the life of Earl Paul King, Jr a man of great distinction whom I was honored to serve. prgtoken Earl was born in Dublin, Texas, July 8, 1944. He attended school and played football prgtoken at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's degree. prgtoken After graduating, Earl settled in South Louisiana. In 1967, he founded King Trucking, Inc. near Morgan City, Louisiana. The business has provided professional trucking services for over 55 years. As a member of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the St. Mary Industrial Group, and the American Petroleum Institute, Earl worked with local businessowners to advance the economic interests of St. Mary Parish. prgtoken He was committed to serving his State and community. Earl was a member of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, having been appointed by two Governors and having served as chairman for one year. He was a board member for the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival and was chosen as the festival's king in 2004. prgtoken Earl also gave back. He endowed the Earl King Scholarship at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and he was an active member of LSU's Tiger Athletic Foundation. prgtoken He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved his LSU Tigers, and above all, spending time with his family. prgtoken A beloved husband and father, Earl left this earthly existence and shed his mortal coil on April 13, 2022, at the age of 77. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the citizens of Louisiana's Third District, I honor the life of Earl Paul King, Jr. May he endure in our memories, and may God bless his loving friends and family.
COMMEMORATING DR. COY HOLCOMBE FOR 21 YEARS OF SERVICE AS SUPERINTENDENT OF EUSTACE ISD
Lance Gooden (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , I rise today to honor the leadership and commitment of Dr. Coy Holcombe, who serves the Fifth District of Texas as Superintendent of Eustace ISD. An essential figure and true asset to our community, Dr. Holcombe is retiring after 21 years of service. prgtoken Dr. Holcombe began his career as an educator and coach in 1984 before joining Eustace ISD in 2001. His brilliance in finance and his leadership skills have not gone unnoticed in the community, especially during the trials of COVID-19. Dr. Holcombe has successfully maintained a healthy fund balance within the school district and navigated the community through student population growth over the years. His leadership during the pandemic was stellar in ensuring students' education, health, and well-being were properly monitored and prioritized. His dedication to every student within Eustace ISD will leave a legacy of excellence and compassion in the Fifth District of Texas. prgtoken I commend Dr. Coy Holcombe for his commitment to the students and families of Eustace ISD and for 21 years of hard work and service as Superintendent.
DOGS OF HONOR
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , this month, I had the pleasure of attending the New Jersey Dogs of Honor graduation in Maurice River Township, South Jersey. New Jersey Dogs of Honor started with a dog named Gunnar, who was the service dog of Diana Pitman, a former army nurse dealing with post-traumatic stress. Through Gunnar, Diana learned first-hand how a service dog can change a veteran's life. Diana then collaborated with Ted's Pet Country Club and Patti and Gordon Gross to establish New Jersey Dogs of Honor. Since then, these service dogs have been changing the lives of veterans in the South Jersey community by performing tasks to help veterans with disabilities. At the graduation this month, Meet, King, and Maggie all graduated and will now accompany three of our nation's veterans. God Bless both these dogs and veterans, and God Bless our United States of America.
KENT LOPEZ
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the upcoming retirement of Kent Lopez as General Manager of the Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association. prgtoken For nearly 17 years, Kent has diligently represented the interests of these 14 not-for-profit, rural electric coops and has advocated for the interests of consumer-owned utilities for more than 40 years. prgtoken Whether it's my home co-op of Benton REA in Central Washington, Okanogan County Electric and Nespelem Valley Electric to our north; or Big Bend Electric just next door, Kent has dutifully executed his charge of ensuring that hundreds of thousands of rural Washingtonians have access to the affordable, reliable, and abundant renewable cost- based benefits of the Federal Columbia River Power System--a system critically important to the well-being of the Pacific Northwest. prgtoken But come July 1st, Kent will hang up his coat and focus on the long ``honey-do'' list his lovely wife Cindy has ready for him. prgtoken I wish Kent good luck in retirement; he has earned it.
TRIBUTE TO NOAH THOMPSON
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-5-24

the Country Music Highway cuts through seven counties in eastern Kentucky that have produced some of the finest singers in American history, from Loretta Lynn, to Chris Stapleton, to Ricky Skaggs. Now, this formidable list of world-famous Kentucky country artists has a new member: Noah Thompson. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Noah for becoming the first Kentuckian to win ``American Idol.'' prgtoken A few months ago, few people--even in Noah's hometown of Louisa--had ever heard America's best new vocalist perform. Noah was working as a construction worker at Addiction Recovery Care, had never sung publicly, and hadn't even been musically trained. When Noah's best friend Arthur signed prgtoken him up for ``American Idol,'' the singer worried about making it past auditions, never imagining he would earn the ``golden ticket'' to Hollywood, let alone become a finalist. prgtoken But Arthur believed Noah had a special talent, and, after several arduous rounds, he emerged victorious after receiving the most votes out of 16 million cast by fans all across the country. In the process, he brought the ``American Idol'' camera crew back to Louisa to film a hometown video with community leaders, his family, and thousands of fans. He shined a light on eastern Kentucky, sharing the special culture and history that makes the region such a hotbed for musical talent. prgtoken Throughout the contest, Noah radiated humility and warmth. Labeled the ``king of `aw shucks' '' by one of the judges, he entered every round of competition with the best of Kentucky's attitude and spirit. Even when Noah caught COVID-19 and had to isolate in his hotel room, he performed cheerfully and continued to win viewers' hearts. prgtoken I am proud of Noah for winning this contest and jumping headfirst into what I can only imagine will be a successful musical career. And I am proud of Louisa, KY, for producing such a fine young gentleman to represent the Commonwealth on the national stage. On behalf of the Senate, I share our congratulations with Noah and wish him the best as he pursues his dreams as a recording artist.
RECOGNIZING CHIEF WES HENSLEY
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Chief Wes Hensley on his retirement from the Tulare Police Department after 31 years of service. prgtoken Chief Hensley began his service to the Central Valley in 1984, starting as a police officer in the Visalia Police Department. Throughout his career, he has held multiple positions in different departments and sheriff's offices. Over his three decades of service to his community, Chief Hensley climbed the ranks, achieving the positions of Corporal, Sergeant, Captain, and finally Chief of Police. prgtoken Under his leadership, Chief Hensley has led the Tulare Police Department through unprecedented challenges, maintaining the respect and credibility of the Tulare Police throughout the community. His presence at the helm of the Department has been critical in advancing the goals of his officers and ensuring the safety of the community for all. prgtoken Chief Hensley's dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence has been an incredible model for all those who will follow him. His presence will be truly missed. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Chief Wes Hensley for his lifetime of service to the Central Valley and congratulating him on his recent retirement.
HONORING THE OPENING OF THE OCALA, FLORIDA VA CLINIC
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , we are proud to recognize the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Ocala VA Clinic on June 22, 2022. This clinic is a tremendous triumph for our veteran community in North Central Florida and will serve thousands of veterans with excellent care. This project has been a long-time coming and I am pleased to see its completion. Congratulations to the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System on another job well done on behalf of our Nation's heroes.
CLOTURE MOTION
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-5-24

the administration has made a name for itself in attacking the very institutions that they were sworn to protect. If you look at what is happening outside Washington right now, you can see the ripple effects of this institutional sabotage. There is inflation; there are shortages; there is crime; and there are drugs flooding our communities. prgtoken This weekend, I was chatting with one of my politically independent- minded friends back home, and here is what she told me. prgtoken She said: Everything the are doing is making my life harder. It makes things worse. prgtoken Last Tuesday, I held a telephone townhall with a few thousand Tennesseans, and they told me the same thing. prgtoken I spoke to a dad from Chattanooga, and something he said really struck me. He was telling me about how worried he was about his children's futures. He said the only common thread he can see tying all of this together is suffering. prgtoken Think about that. Here is a dad--a dad--who is looking at the actions of the -controlled House, Senate, and White House, and to him, he is perceiving the intent as being to inflict suffering. prgtoken He asked me what the goal was of all of this--referring, of course, to 's agenda. He couldn't figure it out, and I really don't blame him. No reasonable person can look at what the administration has done and say that they feel like the administration has our best interests at heart or that they have a vision for the future of the country. What they do have is an agenda, a ``to do'' list, and it seems sometimes they struggle with that. prgtoken To Tennesseans, this government, under this administration, with this leadership, is all broken. It is broken. Nowhere has this been more pronounced than in President 's refusal to support law enforcement, both down on the border and in our local communities. prgtoken Since day one, the President has done everything in his power to sabotage the tens of thousands of people the Department of Homeland Security employs to secure the homeland. He has done this knowing full well that international criminal organizations, terrorists, and cartels are taking advantage of his lack of action. In fact, business has never been better for the drug dealers and the human traffickers. At times, they are raking in as much as $100 million a week. That is right. Who is profiting? It is the cartels that are pushing drugs, that are pushing fentanyl, that are pushing gangs, that are pushing sex trafficking; the cartels that have turned themselves into global organizations, bringing in people last year from 160 different countries to our southern border. To do what? It is to enter illegally, to claim asylum, to ask the U.S. taxpayer to finish the journey for them to wherever they are wanting to go. This is what the people are seeing. prgtoken Now take a look at what is happening in our own backyard, if you will. In
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2022-5-24

. Madam , I was unavailable, and I missed the following roll call votes. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 218; YEA on Roll Call No. 219; NAY on Roll Call No. 220; NAY on Roll Call No. 221; YEA on Roll Call No. 222; YEA on Roll Call No. 223; YEA on Roll Call No. 224; YEA on Roll Call No. 225; YEA on Roll Call No. 226; YEA on Roll Call No. 227; YEA on Roll Call No. 228; NAY on Roll Call No. 229; NAY on Roll Call No. 230; YEA on prgtoken Roll Call No. 231; and NAY on Roll Call No. 232.
Remembering Sergeant Charles Garrigus (Executive Session)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-5-24

what defines an American soldier? Is it courage under fire? Is it physical strength? Is it the great victories on the battlefield? No. I think it is something else. Above all, it is sacrifice. It is the selflessness to surrender one's life so that a set of values will endure not only for the living but for generations to come. It is the faith that the future of this great Nation is more important than the life of any one of its citizens; that the cause of liberty is greater than any individual. prgtoken Be that as it may, every fallen hero must be remembered. Every individual who makes the ultimate sacrifice must be honored. That is why, in the spring every year, we decorate their graves with flowers and the flag they fought for. Those headstones made of marble or granite are often indistinguishable from a distance. Fittingly, their sacrifice was the same no matter how fabled or forgotten the battle, no matter in victory or defeat; and though we rightly revere our glorious triumphs--the trenches of Yorktown, the hills of Gettysburg, the fields of the Marne, the beaches of Normandy--it is often in America's darkest hours, in the face of great disaster, when we see the virtues of America's warriors most clearly. prgtoken So it was with SGT Charles Garrigus, a farm boy from the town of Francisco in Southern Indiana. prgtoken In growing up during the Depression, he developed a passion and skill for motors, of driving trucks and tractors across the Hoosier countryside. It was why he was drawn to the U.S. Army; why, after his discharge at the end of World War II, he reenlisted, serving as a motor pool sergeant in Japan. Sergeant Garrigus was scheduled to return to Indiana on June 26, 1950. One day before that, on the 25th, the Korean war began, and so he again answered the call. prgtoken After the initial setbacks, with the North Korean People's Army pushing U.S. forces south, by the end of the summer, the North Koreans were in retreat, and Americans were advancing north, up the peninsula. The end of the war was in sight. prgtoken GEN Douglas MacArthur divided his forces. The Eighth Army went from Seoul to Pyongyang. From there, it would link with Ten Corps. Sergeant Garrigus's force, the 7th Army Division, 32nd Regiment, was assigned to guard the Ten Corps' flank. Once connected, they would march toward the Chinese frontier, reunite Korea, and end the war. The soldiers might be home for Christmas. prgtoken Then came the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where 100,000 Chinese soldiers attacked. The Americans, isolated and spread out across the Chosin Reservoir, were surrounded; they were trapped. It was an unmitigated disaster--one of the worst in the history of America's military. The fighting continued for two more nights before Sergeant Garrigus's regiment consolidated with another larger unit, led by COL Allan MacLean. prgtoken On the morning of the 29th, their 60-vehicle convoy made its way to MacLean'
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-5-24

today I have the honor of recognizing a true American hero, Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. Woody is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his immense bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Woody is also a former representative of the Veterans Administration and founder of the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. prgtoken Woody always had a desire to serve his country, and to this day, he continues that effort. His initial attempt to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, at just 17 years old, was derailed by his disapproving mother. The following year, he was again denied entry because he did not meet the height requirement. However, at the age of 19 and after the height requirement had been reduced, Woody finally was able to join the Marine Corps and begin a journey that would not only bring honor to his family and friends, but to our entire Nation. prgtoken After training as a flame thrower operator, Woody was deployed to the Pacific where he fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign and in Guam. On February 21, 1945, he landed at Iwo Jima. With the support of just four marine gunners, Woody gallantly eliminated pillbox after pillbox, successfully reducing heavy machinegun fire to make way for our advancing troops. Even though the situation was beyond desperate, he continued on, knowing what needed to be done to win and to save the lives of his brothers. When the battle concluded, he had eliminated six enemy pillboxes. prgtoken That same day, U.S. forces heroically hoisted the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi. Woody's bravery was instrumental to the military success at Iwo Jima, and his bravery was acknowledged at the White House by President Harry Truman on October 5, 1945, with the Medal of Honor. In addition to those honors, an Armed Forces Center in Woody's hometown of Fairmont, WV, holds his name. The Hershel ``Woody'' Williams Armed Forces Reserves Center is the only National Guard facility in the country to bear the name of a living marine. Also honoring Woody is a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Fairmont, WV, a bridge in Barboursville, WV, and an Expeditionary Sea Base Vessel. prgtoken Woody continued to serve his country well after the war, working for the Veterans Administration as a veteran service representative for 33 years out of offices in West Virginia and New Mexico, where he continued to serve his military family. After Woody retired in 1979, he continued to support veterans through the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. This foundation preserves the memory of the brave men lost at war, reminding us all of the price that must be paid for freedom. His effort to build Gold Star Family Memorials in all 50 States is also coming to a successful close, with the 50th memorial being unveiled in Bozeman, MT, on Memorial Day, 2022. prgtoken It is because of heroes like Woody, that America