mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID SCHOEM FOR A DISTINGUISHED CAREER WITH THE MICHIGAN COMMUNITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Dr. David Schoem on his retirement and recognize his twenty years of distinguished service with the Michigan Community Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. Dr. Schoem's contributions to the Michigan community are worthy of commendation. prgtoken Dr. Schoem has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others. While attending high school in a racially-divided Philadelphia, Dr. Schoem developed an interest in intergroup relations, aspiring to bring people together to resolve conflicts and build a more just society. Dr. Schoem brought his passion for conflict resolution and unification to the University of Michigan, where he received his undergraduate degree. Upon completing his master's degree in education at Harvard University and Ph.D. at University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Schoem returned to the University of Michigan, beginning his professional career with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in 1979. prgtoken Since joining the U-M faculty, Dr. Schoem has become a pillar of the university. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Schoem has impacted the lives of thousands of students, serving as a beloved professor in the Sociology Department, LSA Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, and U-M Assistance Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. In addition, Dr. Schoem's leadership as Director of prgtoken the Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP)--a role he has held since 1999--has been paramount to the learning community's continued success. For twenty years, Dr. Schoem has worked tirelessly to unite students and faculty who have a commitment to community service, diversity, and academic excellence. Dr. Schoem's guidance and expertise have inspired MCSP students not only to strive for excellence in their studies, but in all their future life pursuits. He truly has made a difference in their lives. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Schoem for his twenty years of service to the Michigan Community Scholars Program. We thank him for his outstanding work and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
REMEMBERING JOHN CONYERS
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-10-30

I rise today to pay tribute to Congressman John Conyers, Jr a civil rights icon, lifelong public servant, lover of jazz, and champion for his beloved hometown of Detroit. prgtoken Congressman Conyers was born in Detroit on May 16, 1929, and spent the next 90 years fighting for his city, our State, our Nation, and the equality of all people. He deeply understood the challenges Detroit families face. In the words of Kary Moss, executive director of ACLU of Michigan: ``He was of Detroit and for Detroit.'' prgtoken He knew what it was like to wake up and head to the factory; after graduating from Northwestern High School, he worked as a welder at a Lincoln plant before earning bachelor's and law degrees from Wayne State University. prgtoken He knew what it was like to serve this Nation in uniform; he enlisted in the Army and served a tour of duty during the Korean war. prgtoken He knew what it was like to fight for equality; he marched alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in Selma, AL; cofounded the Congressional Black Caucus; and even hired civil rights icon Rosa Parks as a secretary and receptionist in his office. prgtoken He knew what it was like to devote his life to public service, spending 53 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and rising to lead the Judiciary Committee. He fought to make Dr. King's birthday a national holiday, protect the Voting Rights Act, change mandatory sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, and create death benefits for police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty. prgtoken Public service was his calling, and jazz was his passion. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of this most American form of music, gained through hosting a jazz radio show in the 1970s and spending as much time as possible in Detroit's jazz clubs. He introduced a congressional resolution in 1987 designating jazz as ``a rare and valuable national American treasure'' and helped establish the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. prgtoken Only five people in history have served longer in the House of Representatives than Congressman Conyers, and the people of Detroit always knew that Congressman Conyers, sporting a crisp shirt and dapper suit, was in their corner. prgtoken My deepest condolences go to his wife, Monica; his sons, John and Carl; his family and many friends; and the city of Detroit.
ADDRESS RISING COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Madam , since January, House have gotten to work, passing legislation that brings down healthcare costs and protects the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken We have gone to court to fight against the administration's efforts to gut protections for folks with preexisting conditions. We have already sent a package of legislation to the Senate that will drive down the price of prescription drugs. We are still waiting on Mitch McConnell to take up these bills, but we are not stopping there. prgtoken In the coming weeks, we will also bring to the floor the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, H.R. 3, the single most significant piece of legislation to reduce drug costs, that empowers patients and consumers against the powerful pharmaceutical cartels in this country. prgtoken This legislation levels the playing field of working people in this country, a country that pays more for prescription drugs than anyplace else in the world. prgtoken Our constituents want a government that works for the people of this country. It is time for my colleagues and Leader McConnell to get the message: Stop standing in the way. Work with us so we can get the job done and pass this important legislation that will address this very serious issue, the rising cost of prescription drugs.
CHACO CULTURAL HERITAGE AREA PROTECTION ACT OF 2019
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2181, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019. prgtoken One thousand years ago, Chaco Canyon was the center of a vibrant ancestral Puebloan culture that became the focal point for ceremonies, for trade, and for political activity in the prehistoric Four Corners area. prgtoken Today, thousands of ancestral sites and cultural resources are spread across the Chaco region, while at the same time pump jacks, such as the one shown here, have become increasingly present across the landscape. prgtoken Currently, only a small portion of the region's sacred sites and abundant cultural resources are protected within the Chaco Cultural National Historical Park, with much of the surrounding land available for oil and gas development. prgtoken The greater Chaco region is a prime example of how sacred sites are facing increased threats from encroaching oil and gas development and the administration's energy dominance agenda. The Bureau of Land Management has already leased over 90 percent of the public land in the larger San Juan Basin for oil and gas extraction, and under the administration, BLM has proposed to lease parcels near Chaco on three different occasions. prgtoken Increased fossil fuel extraction not only threatens the region's cultural resources, it also threatens clean air and water, as well as the health and safety of surrounding communities. prgtoken New Mexico's methane emissions are already the highest in the country, and it will only get worse if the region is open to increased extraction. That released methane--a greenhouse gas that is 34 times more impactful than CO2--is a significant contributor to the ongoing climate crisis. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to safeguard our Nation against the threat of continued climate change and vote to protect Chaco's unparalleled collection of ancient ruins and the health of local communities from the impacts of oil and gas extraction.
VETERANS DAY
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Madam , in a few days, our Nation will celebrate Veterans Day, a time to pause, give thanks, and honor the brave men and women who have served our country. prgtoken Those men and women who have worn the uniform of our Nation, who have sacrificed so much for us, deserve more than just words in return. We owe them action. That means keeping the promises we have made to our veterans to provide skills and offer opportunities as these men and women transition to civilian life; to provide a lifetime of healthcare that they have earned and were guaranteed; to support access to mental health services, including to those with other than honorable discharges who may have been improperly dismissed from the service due to undiagnosed brain injuries or PTSD; and to end the scourge of veteran homelessness, as we have done in Lake County, in my district in Illinois. prgtoken To that end, I am proud of the bipartisan legislation I introduced to reauthorize the Boots to Business entrepreneurship training program for veterans, previously passed in the House, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to similarly support this and other important programs. prgtoken This Veterans Day, and every day, I hope we will all do more to remember the privileges we enjoy as Americans and honor those who served us as a small token of our thanks.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN...
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2019-10-30

this bill does just the opposite. It supports States. It doesn't take over from States. The States have asked us for help when it comes to actions like cybersecurity and other things that are happening out there. It roots out foreign interference in our elections which happens in Federal elections and happens in State elections and, I think, can only be done at the Federal level. prgtoken The distinguished Senator from Missouri says that these things that are being required, States are adopting all of these. States are moving very aggressively forward with things like automatic registration and moving to make it easier to vote, and we are trying to lay a consistent basis so the States know how to operate. So this is a good bill. It is a solid bill. It puts the American people back in charge. prgtoken .
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY AND THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...
Mark R. Warner (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-10-30

it has been just over 2 years since the Senate voted down legislation that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act. If we had voted down the Affordable Care Act, that would have also erased the protections for Americans with preexisting medical conditions. prgtoken In the time since then, two things have happened. One, my colleagues from across the aisle have read the writing on the wall. They recognized that the American people support the protections for preexisting conditions on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis; and, two, the administration released the rule that we are discussing today--a rule that would allow taxpayer dollars to subsidize these short-term junk plans that actively undermine the insurance market and jeopardize the one very popular part of the ACA, protecting folks with preexisting conditions. prgtoken I know that my colleague, Senator Baldwin, was here earlier, and Senator Brown, Senator Wyden, and Senator Murray. They have outlined in some detail the challenges around these junk plans, or some refer to them as short-term plans. The truth is, these plans don't have to cover things such as emergency room visits, maternity care, or other essential benefits, and they once again allow insurance companies to discriminate against Americans based on their medical history. prgtoken With all due respect to my colleagues, you can't have it both ways. If you support protections for preexisting conditions, you can't sit by and let this administration dismantle them. You have to stand up and defend these protections because, as you know, folks in Virginia are depending on them and constituents in your States are as well. prgtoken Very shortly, each Member of this body will have a chance to go on the record with this resolution of disapproval. prgtoken I fear some Members of this body have forgotten what it was like before the ACA, when an unexpected surgery or a diagnosis of a chronic illness could mean a one-way ticket out of the middle class. prgtoken Unfortunately, this is not a hypothetical. Earlier today, a group of us had a press conference where a young woman from my State came forward, and not only did her child have an enormous medical condition, but her husband was then diagnosed with lymphoma, and she was diagnosed with brain cancer. prgtoken Without the protections of the ACA, she testified she would not be able to afford healthcare coverage.
HONORING CPL. MORRIS D. LINK
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Madam , it is my privilege to honor the life of an American hero, Corporal Morris D. Link, who is buried at the historic cemetery at St. Paul's Church in Mount Vernon, New York. prgtoken A Mount Vernon native, Cpl. Link served in World War I with the legendary 369th Infantry, an all-black regiment known as the Harlem Hellfighters, and was killed in action, receiving the French War Cross. Early on the morning of July 15, 1918, the 369th came under heavy artillery bombardment, part of the Second Battle of the Marne, as the French struggled to hold off a German offensive. The shells fell with particular ferocity on the front-line trenches, which were held by Link and soldiers of the regiment's Company K. Cpl. Link was among four soldiers killed in the action. Link was one of 85 Mt. Vernon soldiers killed during World War I. The city planted trees in honor of each of the fallen, and the sapling commemorating Link was based on Wallace Avenue at the intersection with Westchester Avenue. prgtoken Cpl. Link was one of the unit's earliest volunteers. He was born in North Carolina in 1883 and moved to Mount Vernon in the early 20th century where he lived with his wife Lizzie. Following his death in combat, Cpl. Link was interred in a French military cemetery, though three years later his remains were brought back to Mount Vernon for final burial. Cpl. Link's final resting place is memorialized with a veteran's stone. prgtoken October 12th of this year marks the 100th Anniversary of Cpl. Link's reinternment into the Mount Vernon Saint Paul Cemetery. Madam , on this solemn occasion, I am privileged to honor the memory of Cpl. Morris Link and all of the veterans who served and lost their lives from Mount Vernon and throughout my district. We owe them an eternal debt.
LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Madam , very soon in this House, we will have a chance to do something that America needs done, America wants done, and we can do it together, and that is to lower the cost of prescription drugs in honor of our wonderful Elijah Cummings. prgtoken The United States is the only major country where the government of the people does not protect the people against price gouging by the pharmaceutical industry. We have got to change that. prgtoken Our drug bill will bring down prices over a half a trillion dollars. That will start to alleviate the pressure on premiums that is coming at the expense of raises for workers. prgtoken The benefit of this approach will not just be for our Medicare and Medicaid programs--really important programs--but the lower prices will benefit employer-sponsored healthcare as well. prgtoken So, if you are taking medication that is insulin, or if you are taking medication in an EpiPen, you are going to get a lower price. But, even if you are fortunate that you don't need the medication, your premiums are going to go down. prgtoken Madam , let's come together and pass this reduction in horrible medical expenses.
COLORADO OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ECONOMY ACT
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-10-30

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken I want to start by recognizing the hard work of Chairman Grijalva, and perhaps even more important, Congressman Neguse, my good friend, for his work on the underlying bill and the amount of time, energy, passion, and commitment that he devotes to the conservation and, yes, the preservation of Colorado's public lands. They are, in fact, iconic features of our American landscape and crucial engines for its recreational industry and State economy. prgtoken It is our duty to protect these treasured lands and to be responsible stewards so that future generations can enjoy them as much as we do today. We recognize how irreplaceable and rich these lands are, not simply for the value they bring to our country's vast ecological diversity but, also, for their contribution to our Nation's history. prgtoken One such area is Camp Hale. Decades ago, Camp Hale served as a base for our servicemembers to train in mountain warfare. prgtoken I am sure the Chair is excited to know that the training campground gave us the 10th Mountain Division, the famed and heroic mountain fighters, who, through their dedication, service, and sacrifice, helped our country achieve victory in World War II. And, upon returning home, it was these veterans who drew upon their training and experiences to help build Colorado's flourishing outdoor industry. prgtoken The legislation recognizes the significance of Camp Hale and, as such, designated it as a National Historic Landscape, the first such designation of its kind. prgtoken Yet, to fully honor Camp Hale's legacy, we should take every measure to ensure today's veterans are provided the opportunity to actively participate in the stewardship of this unique landscape. prgtoken As I sit here today in the Chamber, I hear a call, a loud call, for a bipartisan amendment that everybody can get their arms around, so, Mr. Chair, I offer mine. prgtoken My amendment strengthens the underlying legislation by including veteran outreach and engagement activities as part of the management plan for Camp Hale. prgtoken Public lands are important vehicles to connect veterans to our national heritage and history. Many initiatives and programs have demonstrated the unique opportunities that the outdoors offer veterans to reconnect, recover, and heal after they return from the battlefield. prgtoken We should ensure today's veterans are a part of the management of Camp prgtoken Hale. By doing so, we honor not only the legacy of Camp Hale and the servicemembers who trained there but, also, those who continue to serve this country today. prgtoken While I am not from Colorado, I recognize that veterans across the country will flock to this wonderful, historic-designated area and engage in the activities and the outreach for veterans. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill, and .
SOVIET-STYLE IMPEACHMENT
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-10-31

. Madam , last week I joined several dozen of my colleagues at the SCIF in protest of the secret impeachment inquiry. prgtoken Seventy-five percent of the elected Members of Congress have been shut out of this impeachment inquest. This whole inquiry is a sham led by the of this House and her impeachment czar, the chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. prgtoken Their attempt today to try and open these proceedings is nothing short of Soviet glasnost--a fake transparency that only leads to less participation, more secrecy, and less due process. prgtoken Madam , this is too little too late. You can't unring the bell on this sham process that is your high watermark in seeking to undo the 2016 election at all costs. prgtoken Case in point: while saying there will be a resolution to try and bring transparency to these proceedings, this inquiry has continued to take depositions in secret. in this Chamber have been acting like bank robbers after they have tripped an alarm and they are trying to shove as much money in the bag as they can before the police get there. prgtoken We demand due process.
DIRECTING CERTAIN COMMITTEES TO CONTINUE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS INTO WHETHER SUFFICIENT GROUNDS EXIST FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Jim Jordan (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-10-31

. Madam , trying to put a ribbon on a sham process doesn't make it any less of a sham. Never forget how this whole thing started. prgtoken are trying to impeach the President of the United States 13 months before an election based on an anonymous whistleblower with no firsthand knowledge, who has a bias against the President and who worked with Vice President . prgtoken The day after the now famous phone call between President and President Zelensky, the so-called whistleblower gets a readout from somebody on that call, writes a memo. In the memo, he uses terms like ``this call was scary,'' ``frightening.'' prgtoken But what does he do? He waits 18 days before he files a complaint. prgtoken And who is the first person he goes to see, the first people he goes to see in that 18-day timeframe? Chairman Schiff's staff. Chairman Schiff's staff. prgtoken Madam , 435 Members of Congress and only one individual, one Member of this body, knows who this person is who started this whole darn crazy process: Chairman Schiff. prgtoken And what does this resolution do? It gives him even more power to run this secret proceeding in a bunker in the basement of the Capitol. prgtoken This resolution continues the unfair and partisan process. Just 2 days ago, 2 days ago, we were prevented from having the witness answer our questions in one of these depositions. And this resolution is going to give more power to the person who made that decision in the bunker in the basement of the Capitol. prgtoken We have less than 13 months before the next election. Americans understand that this is unfair. Americans get fairness. They instinctively know this is an unfair and partisan process. They will see how unfair and partisan it is today when the vote happens on the floor of this House. We can do a lot better than this. We can do a lot better than this, and the American people see through it. prgtoken I urge a ``no'' vote on this resolution, and I thank the gentleman on the Rules Committee for his work and his leadership.