mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Opioid Crisis (Executive Session)
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-5-25

I would like to take this time to discuss a critical public health crisis affecting constituents in Illinois and all across the country. Each day, 46 people die from overdose of prescription painkillers in the United States. In Illinois, that number is only growing. prgtoken Overdose deaths in Illinois from opioids rose about 275 percent from 2008 to 2014. There are an estimated 460,000 nonmedical prescription opioid users in Illinois alone. A major portion of the total number of drug-poisoning deaths between 2013 and 2015 were a result of opioid and prescription drug abuse. Over 4,000 people died as a result of opioids and prescription drugs, and 2,000 people died due to heroin. Illinois also had the third fastest rising death rates from synthetic opioids in the Nation, with overdoses rising by 120 percent from 2014 to 2015. Unfortunately, Illinois is third from the bottom for treatment of substance abuse because of lack of funding and resources to healthcare providers and law enforcement partners in the State. prgtoken These numbers are alarming, but I would like to share a story behind those numbers--a face. Laura Fry is a mother whose family has experienced the worst of the opioid epidemic. Her son, Alexander, is 29 years old and in remission from heroin use disorder. prgtoken Alexander was just a normal kid growing up in Wauconda, IL. He had his entire life ahead of him. Then, when he was 17, he had a snowboarding accident and was taken to the emergency room after he lost consciousness. That is when doctors found a mass on his cerebellum and he had to undergo major brain surgery. It was after this surgery that Alexander became addicted to morphine, and his drug abuse began. prgtoken When Alexander graduated from high school, he began working at a hospital, where he was able to steal drugs to fuel his abuse. Over time, his drug abuse spiraled out of control. He was fired from his job for stealing narcotics and was arrested for possession of heroin. But because this was his first offense, he was given a very strict 2-year probation. Over the next 4 months, he tested positive for heroin several times, and then he simply disappeared. Laura did not know where her son was or whether he was even alive for 10 months. Finally, he was arrested and taken into custody. prgtoken In Lake County, IL, we thankfully have a criminal justice system that recognizes addiction is a disease. The court gave Alexander the opportunity to continue his probation, and he was allowed to perform hundreds of hours of community service and to attend an intensive outpatient program. prgtoken In the spring of last year, Laura and her son Alexander appeared in court for the last time. Alexander is now a volunteer for Live4Lali, a substance abuse program in Illinois. He attends community outreach events, shares stories, and offers trainings in naloxone use--a lifesaving drug that reverses opioid overdoses. He has gone from b
HONORING DIANE PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-5-25

I rise today to honor Diane Patrick Elementary School in the Arlington Independent School District for their recognition as a ``Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School'' for the 2016-2017 academic year. prgtoken Diane Patrick Elementary School opened in August 2015 with the aim of ensuring that its students were provided exceptional learning opportunities in a safe and emotionally supportive learning environment. From its inception, Diane Patrick Elementary's campus was designed with the students' interests at the forefront. prgtoken Prior to its construction, school leaders performed extensive research on which program to implement, examining the most successful programs at the highest performing schools across the country. The leaders at Diane Patrick Elementary School ultimately chose to work with the Flippen Group to bring their ``Capturing Kids Hearts'' program to its campus. As a part of the program, teachers and staff use innovative methods that increase students' connectedness with both peers and adults on campus, and create an environment where students are excited to learn. prgtoken For its dedication to the ``Capturing Kids Hearts'' program, Diane Patrick Elementary earned national recognition as a ``Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase Schools'' award recipient for the 2016-2017 school year from the Flippen Group. Showcase schools were selected based on how well the schools implemented their processes as well as demonstrating progress in attendance, discipline, climate/culture, and academics. As part of the selection process, a Flippen group team visited each nominated campus to gather data and perform interviews. A survey was performed to get feedback on the climate and culture of the campus, as well as its conduciveness to learning. prgtoken I honor Diane Patrick Elementary School for their outstanding dedication to creating a safe and emotionally supportive learning environment.
OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Al Franken (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-5-25

I rise today to talk about the House healthcare bill and the devastating effect that it would have on people with mental illness and those affected by the Nation's opioid epidemic. prgtoken Nationwide, more than 52,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2015, the most recent year for which data are available, with 63 percent of those deaths involving an opioid. This means that drug overdose deaths now surpass the number of people who die each year from automobile accidents or from firearms. prgtoken That same year in Minnesota, we lost more than 570 people to drug overdoses. About half of those deaths were tied to prescription medication--particularly, opiate pain relievers--and another 20 percent of those deaths were associated with heroin. We saw drug overdose deaths jump 11 percentage points in Minnesota from 2014 to 2015. prgtoken The opioid epidemic knows no boundaries. It has touched people and families of all incomes, of all races, and of all ages. Some communities in Minnesota have been hit particularly hard by this crisis, including our Native American population. Not long ago, I visited the Bois Forte Indian Reservation. Bois Forte is a small, beautiful reservation up in northern Minnesota, a community where people know each other and trust each other. In fact, historically, the trust has run so deep that folks in Bois Forte didn't even lock their doors at night. But the opioid epidemic--I was told this by the Tribe chairman--and the impact it has had on the people in the reservation has changed that. Opioids are changing and destroying families and communities, and one clear sign of this is that people now are locking their doors, the chairman told me. prgtoken Right now, we need to be doing all we can to help people, families, and communities that have been devastated by opioid addiction. We must provide support for treatments and other necessary interventions, and we need to be focusing on prevention. That is why we passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act just last year, and why we followed it up with the behavioral health provisions in the 21st Century Cures Act--again, just at the end of last Congress. prgtoken Now these important advances are under threat. The so-called healthcare bill that s pushed out of the House of Representatives would undermine the very programs that help people with opioid addiction. For instance, as the CBO confirmed yesterday, the bill guts Medicaid, cutting the program's budget by more than $830 billion over 10 years. These losses are compounded by the additional $610 billion in cuts to Medicaid proposed in President 's budget yesterday. In total, these cuts would amount to close to a 50-percent reduction in the funding for the Medicaid Program, causing at least 14 million people to lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade. Medicaid is the No. 1 payer for behavioral health services in the Nation. It covers
NATIONAL POPPY DAY
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2017-5-25

I rise to recognize tomorrow, and each Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day. prgtoken National Poppy Day encourages all Americans to wear a red poppy flower as a symbol to remember the fallen and support the living heroes who have worn our nation's uniform. prgtoken Following World War I, the red poppy became an internationally recognized symbol of the blood shed by those who fought for their countries. prgtoken Although it originated almost a century ago, the poppy is just as relevant today. prgtoken Throughout our history, countless Americans have laid down their lives to protect and defend the country and the people they love. prgtoken America's living veterans have served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and many other conflicts around the world. prgtoken They fought for us and many bare scars that will stay with them for life. prgtoken As Americans, we have an obligation to remember the service and sacrifice of these brave men and women and their families, who have helped build the country we love today. prgtoken By recognizing National Poppy Day, we stand with these brave men and women and with the families of all those who did not make it home. prgtoken While we all agree with the sentiment, the symbolism behind the poppy is better known around the world than it is here in the United States. prgtoken It is worn in England and Canada, on Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day and Poppy Day, to commemorate members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. prgtoken This year the United States commemorates the 100th anniversary of its entrance into World War I. prgtoken The American Legion, our largest wartime veterans organization which has a track record of promoting National Poppy Day, is approaching its 100th anniversary. prgtoken There is no more appropriate time for us, as a nation, to recognize this historic symbol of service. prgtoken As the proud author of H. Res. 309, a resolution recognizing National Poppy Day, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in promoting this visible recognition of those who have served our nation in uniform.
REMEMBERING CECILIA ZARATE-LAUN
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2017-5-25

today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Cecilia Zarate-Laun. Her passing leaves Wisconsin without one of its greatest advocates for justice and peace, and I am proud to pay tribute to this extraordinary woman. prgtoken Cecilia was born in Santander Province of Colombia. She was the oldest of five sisters and attended school in Bucaramanga and at the National University of Colombia. Following the completion of her studies, she took a position as a professor of nutrition, a job that led to her arrival in Madison, WI for graduate school. prgtoken Cecilia received a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin- Madison for her master's degree. While studying in Madison, Cecilia met her beloved husband, Jack. After completion of graduate school, Cecilia returned to Colombia, working as a nutritionist for the Colombian Government's National Nutrition Plan. In 1976, she married John ``Jack'' Laun and the following year returned to the United States. prgtoken In 1987, extended civil war in Colombia inspired Cecilia and Jack to cofound the Colombia Support Network CSN, a grassroots human rights organization based in Madison, WI. Cecilia's work with CSN was her pride and joy. As CSN program director, Cecilia worked tirelessly to connect Americans to Colombian communities affected by the war. She was inspired to help establish new chapters of CSN in locations ranging from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to central New York, connecting these communities through a ``sister cities'' program to rural Colombian communities facing violence during the Colombian civil war. prgtoken She led over 50 delegations of citizens, journalists, and public officials to Colombia so they could fully understand the effect of the civil war. After working with Cecilia and CSN to establish a sister community relationship between Dane County, WI and San Jose de Apartado, Colombia, I had the honor to accompany her on one of those delegations in 1993. prgtoken In addition to her public service through CSN, Cecilia was a member of the national board of directors of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She was also a member of the Latin American Subcommittee of the American Friends Service Committee--Quakers--served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, and, in October of 2015, received the Global Citizen of the Year Award from the Madison Chapter of the United Nations Association. prgtoken Regardless of the cause or project, Cecilia approached everything with unparalleled strength, courage, and a sense of selflessness. She approached her battle with cancer with the same attitude. Over the last 4 years, while Cecilia fought against her disease, she continued to fight for others. Her strength was truly amazing. prgtoken While Cecilia is greatly missed by her family, friends, and community, she leaves behind a legacy for future leaders to emulate. She will always be remem
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2017-5-25

I rise today to express my opposition to President 's proposed budget. This budget proposal confirms our worst fears about the priorities of his administration. prgtoken The budget is cruel, it is shortsighted, and would be a disaster for efforts to strengthen the middle class in my district and across this country. prgtoken It will hurt hardworking families and communities throughout New Hampshire. It guts public education, afterschool programs, and student loan support. It jeopardizes clean air, clean water, and our response to the opioid epidemic that is reaching crisis proportions. prgtoken It eliminates critical programs for the most vulnerable, like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program which keeps low-income seniors and families warm in the cold winter months and SNAP which helps families feed their children, and decimates successful economic development programs like the Northern Border Regional Commission and community development block grants. prgtoken The last thing we should be doing is eliminating effective programs that create jobs and boost our economic competitiveness. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to oppose these misguided cuts.
YOUTH SEXUAL ABUSE
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-5-25

this week we considered an important issue that needs to be addressed: youth sexual abuse. Some research shows that as many as 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys will be victims of sexual abuse. Congress can and should do more to reduce the prevalence of this heinous behavior. prgtoken Unfortunately, some of the bills we considered this week use the wrong tools to address this problem. Those bills include the Strengthening Children's Safety Act (H.R. 1842), the Global Child Protection Act (H.R. 1862), and the Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act (H.R. 1761). All of these bills double down on our country's misguided practice of enforcing mandatory minimum sentencing, which research has shown does not dissuade crime and can tie the hands of judges when mitigating factors warrant lighter sentencing. prgtoken Let me be clear--sexual abuse of children is a horrible offense that cannot be tolerated, and I support efforts to address this issue, including the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act (H.R. 1973), which I was proud to vote in favor of this week. My opposition to H.R. 1842 and H.R. 1761 reflects my opposition to mandatory minimum sentencing. I would welcome the opportunity to work with my colleagues to improve these measures for the future to best protect our youth.
Healthcare Legislation (Executive Session)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-5-25

I rise to speak on the same subject as my friend from Texas. prgtoken Listen, are ready to talk to s about improving our healthcare system, but we aren't going to engage in a debate that presupposes that the end result is going to be millions of people losing care and rates going up for everybody in order to fund a tax cut for the wealthy. That is the plan and the s are pushing. prgtoken So my friend is right: are not interested in having a discussion about how many people are going to lose coverage. We are not interested in having a discussion about how high the rate increases are going to be. We are not interested in having a discussion about big tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, insurance companies, and drug companies. prgtoken Let's be honest. If s were serious about working with , we wouldn't be using an arcane Senate rule which allows them to push through a bill with 50 votes. If s really wanted to work with on healthcare reform, they would do it through normal business. If s were really serious about working with on healthcare reform, they would be going through regular order and going through the committee process. prgtoken Whatever we want to think about the Affordable Care Act, it went through the committee process. I think 160 amendments were accepted in the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in 2009. The Finance Committee held multiple meetings. The bill was on the floor of the Senate for a month. s are jamming this bill through--no committee process, no committee meetings, no committee markups, no open-floor process. prgtoken Even Senator Corker called out his own party and said that this is no way to rewrite one-sixth of the American economy--13 male Senators, behind closed doors, in secret. prgtoken are desperate to work with s on fixing what is wrong with our healthcare system. Not every problem has been fixed, but we are not going to start with 17 million people losing healthcare or rates going up by 20 percent. And we want to do it in a way that is transparent to the American public, where everybody can see. prgtoken On the second point my friend from Texas raised--this idea that CBO got the numbers wrong when they estimated how many people would be insured by the Affordable Care Act in 2009--as he mentioned, they weren't off by that much, but to the extent they were off, there is a simple reason for it: CBO did not take into account that States would seek to undermine the Affordable Care Act in every conceivable way possible. CBO gave Governors and State legislatures the benefit of the doubt that once this law was passed, once it was presenting an avenue to insurance for millions of people across the country, both parties would seek to implement it. That is
RECONIZING JEROME D. MACK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2017-5-25

today I am honored to congratulate the Jerome D. Mack Middle School, in Las Vegas, NV, for earning the School Innovation and Change Award, SICA. On June 1, 2017, a representative of the National Principals Leadership Institute will join with Mack Middle School to recognize this achievement formally to a gathering of 700 parents, students, and teachers. prgtoken This award recognizes Mack Middle School's principals, teachers, staff, and students for their efforts to embrace new and innovative strategies for educational improvement. To win this award, Mack Middle School submitted a competitive application to the National Principal Leadership Institute that included a school profile, a school changes story, documents supporting those changes, a reflection of innovation, a sustainability plan for how a $10,000 award would be used, and a description of community building. prgtoken Earning this award is no easy feat. In its improvement efforts, Mack Middle School has seen many upgrades in technology and pedagogy that mark demonstrable change. Every student now receives a laptop computer, and all assignments are completed on a virtual classroom portal. Students are taught to critically self-assess their own abilities and have learned to improve their skills to new levels of mastery. Their principal is a nationally board certified teacher and a nationally accredited principal mentor. Ten of their teachers attend national board certification classes, and approximately 390 of their students will earn high school credits this year. All this to say Mack Middle School is more than deserving of this award. prgtoken Moreover, these changes have positively affected the campus dynamic as teachers are excited about their work and students take charge of their education plans. More community center than a school, Mack Middle School has become a hub where parents and students alike partake in use of the school's athletic fields and even the school's Wi-Fi signal. In an area that is too often marred by high crime and poverty, the school stands as a beacon of what is possible when teachers are engaged in their community and where parents take an active role in their students' lives. Mack Middle School is an inspiration for East Las Vegas and the greater Nevada community. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jerome D. Mack Middle School for their hard work, innovative approaches to education, and their efforts to improve educational outcomes for students in East Las Vegas.
HONORING SPC. JACOB D. MARTIR'S SERVICE AND SACRIFICE
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-5-25

today, as we near Memorial Day, I rise to honor SPC. Jacob D. Martir, for his honorable service to our nation and his ultimate sacrifice during the early days of the Iraq War. prgtoken Jacob was a native of eastern Connecticut, growing up in Willimantic and Norwich. A former student of Norwich Free Academy, he enlisted in the United States Army in 2000 at the age of 17. Joining the armed services was his lifelong dream. Nearing completion of his first tour in the Army, he reenlisted for four more years in 2002, despite the added risk of serving after 9/11. prgtoken In March of 2004, Jacob deployed to Iraq with Alpha Troop, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On August 18, 2004, while patrolling in Sadr City, one of Baghdad's most violent neighborhoods throughout the war, Jacob was tragically killed by small arms fire. His sacrifice, coming four months after the tragic ``Black Sunday'' in which eight soldiers were killed in Sadr City, was part of a years-long effort to clear the area of Iraqi insurgents. He was 21 years old and left behind a loving mother, Lydia Gutierrez, and five siblings. For his courageous service, Jacob was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and he was buried with full military honors at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich. prgtoken Jacob's life is a reminder of the greatest American values. His call to serve was instinctive and unrelenting even through a time of great danger. At just twenty-one years old, he marched bravely into one of the most dangerous places in the world to defend and serve his nation and protect his fellow soldiers. prgtoken I would ask my colleagues to join me in solemn remembrance of Jacob Martir and his family, and thanking them for Jacob's service to eastern Connecticut and our nation.