mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2022-12-15

I am honored to be here with Senator Heinrich to recognize a friend, a mentor, and a true American hero. I rise today to honor and pay my respects to a great American hero and friend we recently lost. prgtoken Hiroshi ``Hershey'' Miyamura was born on October 6, 1925, to Yaichi and Tori Miyamura in Gallup, NM. In growing up in a household of seven children, Hershey's parents left their homeland of Japan to settle in New Mexico in the hopes of creating a better life for their children. While he never thought of himself as a serious student, Mom and Dad hoped he would be. As a child, Hershey's mind was otherwise occupied with tales of Hopalong Cassidy riding on his steed--the larger-than- life-hero who saves the day. prgtoken He later remarked in life that he always liked ``the good guys'' on and off the big screen. This is why it did not surprise anyone when Hershey's determined perseverance to join the U.S. Army finally became a reality. This dream became possible when the Federal Government created a battalion of mostly Japanese Americans during the Second World War. prgtoken In a time when prejudice toward Japanese Americans was at an alltime high, Hershey remained firm in his conviction that he would serve under the flag and country his parents worked so hard to make their home, refusing to let tolerance extinguish his desire to serve our Nation at the highest level. prgtoken Hershey joined the Army shortly before Japan's surrender in World War II, training as a machine gunner--a job he excelled at. When the Korean war began, he was recalled to service. As a corporal, he was entrusted as a squad leader in the Second Battalion, Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division. prgtoken Even in the fog of war, Hershey was focused and selfless. He never lost sight of the friends he served alongside with. His fellow Americans were at the heart of everything he did. prgtoken Fighting with the bayonet secured at the end of his rifle during a nighttime ambush by the ic People's Republic of Korea, Hershey ordered his squadron back to safer grounds, providing first-aid treatment when he could. Staying behind to cover their withdrawal, Corporal Miyamura fought off over 50 enemy troops before he was badly wounded and captured. prgtoken For the next 28 months, he was a prisoner of war--all the while, his wife Terry did not know if her husband was dead or alive. Hershey suffered tremendously during this time. It is an agony that is almost impossible to imagine, and the strength of Hershey and Terry represents the very best that we all have, the very best in each of us. prgtoken On the day of his release from the prisoner-of-war camp, Hershey would recall that day with pristine detail: the first sight of the Star-Spangled Banner blowing in the breeze, knowing that he was almost home. prgtoken Returning to Gallup, NM, Hershey was greeted by a beaming crowd of family and friends, and military flyovers w
VA EMPLOYEE FAIRNESS ACT OF 2021
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-15

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of the VA Employee Fairness Act. We rely on the work of dedicated healthcare professionals to care for our veterans who risk their lives for our country. Yet, our laws do not provide an adequate voice for those workers to ensure care is of the highest quality. prgtoken The COVID-19 pandemic showed us why that voice is necessary. prgtoken This bill changes that by granting all VA healthcare providers the same collective bargaining rights. It means that healthcare workers can have a greater say in protecting patients, ensuring clinical competence, and setting wages and benefits. prgtoken It would provide rights for over 100,000 VA doctors, nurses, dentists, and chiropractors, including more than 350 nurses at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. prgtoken I am proud to be one of 218 cosponsors of this bill on the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to please support it.
DECOLONIZING THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-15

as a Puertorriqueno, I am proud to have voted for the Puerto Rico Status Act, which, if enacted, would begin to break the cycle of colonialism that, for more than a century, has relegated Puerto Rico to second-class status. prgtoken The landmark legislation would empower Puerto Rico to be in command of its own political destiny. prgtoken What matters above all is not the particular status that the people will ultimately choose. What matters is the right of the people to choose the status that best expresses their will and the right of the people to have their will given the binding power it has long deserved. prgtoken If enacted, the Puerto Rico Status Act would not only restore democracy on the island, but it would also reinforce democracy here on the mainland United States because it would mean no longer depriving 3 million of our fellow citizens of their fundamental right to self- determination. prgtoken I call on the Senate to join the people's House in decolonizing the people of Puerto Rico.
HONORING THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-12-15

. Madam , today I rise to recognize the service and dedication of the majority professional staff of the Select Committee of the Climate Crisis. As any Member of Congress knows, the unsung heroes are those working behind the scenes. With little fanfare and recognition, the long hours and personal sacrifices our staff makes are indispensable to the success of a Member or committee. prgtoken For the last 4 years, I have had the distinct pleasure to serve as Chair for this Select Committee. During this time, I have been fortunate to have worked with so many talented individuals. prgtoken Our professional staff comes from all backgrounds, spanning the gamut of personal and professional experiences. This staff banded together as a team, and their record of success speaks for itself. prgtoken From Day 1, this team took to heart the words of Nancy Pelosi, that this Select Committee was not just an academic exercise but intended to deliver a roadmap of real policy achievements to tackle the challenge of a generation. Behind the scenes, the Select Committee staff built bridges to work closely with the incredible staffs of all the standing committees in the Congress, they reached across the spectrum of outside groups and advisors to foster new partnerships and forge compromise, while keeping our goals at the forefront of policy. In many ways the team served as a climate think tank for House , identifying ``Climate Wins'' and expanding the understanding of the climate crisis in all areas of policy and legislation. prgtoken As a result of their tireless work, the majority staff released a groundbreaking 2020 Climate Crisis Action Plan that has been called the most comprehensive climate policy plan ever in U.S. politics, which included a suite of 715 policy recommendations. And just this month, at the end of our tenure, the staff released a new report, Solving the Climate Crisis 2022: Key Accomplishments and Additional Opportunities. This 2nd report outlines the enormous record of success and progress, noting the more than 300 recommendations from 2020 that are now codified into federal law, the 430 plus that have passed the House under Pelosi's leadership, and outlining the necessary steps forward in future years for the Congress to continue to tackle the climate crisis. prgtoken The staff always had as its compass that solving the climate crisis must be guided by science, rooted in justice, and powered by American workers. Undoubtedly their work will help make communities more resilient to the impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying local jobs, slash energy bills, uplift disadvantaged communities, and position America to lead the emerging clean economy. prgtoken I would like to take a moment to specifically recognize our majority staff director, Dr. Ana Unruh Cohen. Over the better part of the last 20 years, Ana has dedicated her work in the Congress to tackling the climate crisis, both in the House
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2022-12-15

I am truly honored to join my friend and colleague Senator Lujan to recognize the life of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Gallup's own staff sergeant, Hiroshi ``Hershey'' Miyamura, who passed away this past November. prgtoken The State of New Mexico ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of one of our State's and, really, one of our entire Nation's greatest heroes. prgtoken A second-generation Japanese American, Hershey Miyamura first volunteered for the U.S. Army near the end of World War II. He did so at a time when many of his fellow Japanese Americans--and that includes his future wife--were detained in American internment camps. He served in the storied 442nd Infantry Regiment, which was composed of soldiers with Japanese ancestry and became one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history. Following the start of the Korean war in 1950, the Army recalled Miyamura, who had remained in the Army Reserves, into Active Duty. prgtoken The Korean war is often labeled the ``Forgotten War,'' and it is true that far too many Americans have forgotten the incredible sacrifices that were made by American servicemembers who fought alongside Korean as well as United Nations allies. More than 36,000 American servicemembers and more than 7,200 members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army gave their lives to defend a free and democratic South Korea. In the face of unthinkably harsh conditions, many servicemembers demonstrated the very best of what it means to be an American--none more so than Hershey Miyamura. prgtoken During an intense overnight firefight from April 24 to April 25, 1951, then-Corporal Miyamura ordered the men in his machine gun squad to fall back. Corporal Miyamura covered the withdrawal of his entire company from advancing enemy forces. He killed more than 50 enemy combatants in both hand-to-hand combat and with his machine gun. After he sustained severe wounds, enemy forces captured Corporal Miyamura as a prisoner of war but not until after he had allowed all 16 of the men in his machinegun squad to safely withdraw. In later years, Hershey was most proud of the fact that each and every one of the men who were under his charge that night survived the entire Korean war and returned home to his family. prgtoken After his capture, Corporal Miyamura marched hundreds of miles to a prisoner of war camp, where he would endure nearly 2\1/2\ years of captivity. During this time, he served as a source of strength and comfort to many of his fellow prisoners of war as they endured terrible conditions. prgtoken Nearly a month after an armistice agreement was reached, ending the hostilities on the Korean Peninsula, Corporal Miyamura was finally turned over to American authorities in Freedom Village. In a living history interview conducted years later with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Hershey remembered what it was like to see the American flag flying ag
FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ACT, 2023--Continued
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2022-12-15

a continuing resolution to March 10 is short-sighted and wholly unnecessary. It imperils our national security, and it ignores the real pain and consequences of inflation. prgtoken Without funding from a full-year omnibus appropriations bill, the NDAA we passed this evening is a broken promise, the bipartisan PACT Act goes underfunded, and VA medical care falls at least $7.5 billion short. prgtoken While some of my colleagues are quick to raise the alarm about our southern border, a CR into March does nothing to address the influx of migrants at our border now. It does nothing to help communities ravaged by drought, hurricanes, flooding and fire. While families feel the pain of inflation, a CR into March does nothing to provide them with relief. prgtoken We have a bipartisan, bicameral framework in place that should allow us to complete an omnibus appropriations bill early next week. A CR into March asks us to abandon our work without offering a different or viable alternative. I urge my colleagues to reject that proposal and allow us time to complete our work. Vote on Motion to Concur
HONORING THE SERVICE OF DELANO JOHNSON
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the service of Delano Johnson as he celebrates his 80th birthday. prgtoken Delano has dedicated his life to serving and empowering the East County community in Contra Costa, California. Delano is the founder of Bay Point Community All-N-One Inc a nonprofit founded in 2012 that helps connect Bay Point residents with essential resources including housing, food, clothing, and hygiene products. The organization hosts a weekly event that provides critical support and services to up to 200 families each week. Further, thanks to Delano's leadership, the organization recently hosted a very successful Thanksgiving Giveaway, distributing over 1,000 turkeys and chickens to the community. prgtoken Delano participates with a number of nonprofits in the area to do more work to better his community, including White Pony Express, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Village Keepers, and Stand Together Contra Costa. Additionally, Delano regularly hosts meetings between local charities, nonprofits, and other community-based organizations, allowing these groups to easily connect and to better provide for the residents of East County. Delano's hard work and dedication are admired by all who know him. prgtoken Please join me in recognizing and thanking Delano Johnson for his years of dedicated service as we celebrate his 80th birthday.
FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ACT, 2023
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-12-15

I rise to offer some remarks about my colleague from Pennsylvania, Senator Toomey. prgtoken I think you can tell from his presentation today what he holds most dear, and, of course, that is his family--both Kris, his wife, and his children--and I am so happy that he is going to be able to spend more time with them. prgtoken I thought I would offer some remarks about his service as well as the ways that we have worked together. Let me start with the basic assertion which Senator Toomey made reference to that he and I didn't agree on much. And I think it is probably--I am not going to speak for him, but I kind of am in this moment. I am not sure he wanted to be caught dead agreeing with me on some issues, and that is just the way it works around here. prgtoken But one thing we tried to do from the opening day that he got here in January of 2011--I had been here a few years at that point--was we tried to--and I think we were successful over 12 years--have a kind of mutual respect, which is easy to articulate and harder to effectuate, and it requires both sides to give and take. And I am grateful that we were able to do that together. prgtoken There are a lot of ways in the Senate, as is true in the House or any other legislative body, even when you are from the same State, to kind of poke each other on a regular basis. We refrained from that. It didn't mean we were praising each other's legislative result or point of view, but we tried to demonstrate that basic mutual respect and not to try to undermine each other. prgtoken As Senator Toomey outlined, I think the manifestation of the work we did together--or maybe the most evident manifestation of that--was the work we did on Federal district court judges. As everyone knows who follows the work of the Senate, Senators make recommendations to an administration about who should serve on the district courts in their State. In our State, we have an Eastern District, a Middle District, and a Western District. Depending on which month or year you are in, you have vacancies in each of those Federal districts throughout the State. And if you want a judge or a candidate to be a judge to advance, you have to work with your colleague. prgtoken Now, it is a little easier when you have two and two s. It is more challenging when you have a split delegation in the Senate. But we worked together. And as Senator Toomey made reference to, we vetted and then advanced for nomination and then saw through the confirmation of 33 Federal and district court judges in 12 years. prgtoken He mentioned that it was the third highest other than California and Texas. But what is noteworthy about that--really significant, I believe--is that it was from a split-delegation State. The two States I just mentioned didn't have that split. So it is a singular achievement that we should both be proud of. But, as he also indicated, our staffs deserve the lion's share
HONORING DR. BARBARA CAREY-SHULER
Frederica S. Wilson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-12-15

. Madam , from the 24th District of the great State of Florida, I rise today to recognize Dr. Barbara Carey- Shuler, a courageous community leader, dedicated public servant, sagacious mentor, inspiring educator, and loving mother, in honor of a street being named in her honor. prgtoken Dr. Carey-Shuler has been a powerful force for positive change in South Florida for decades. She is a trailblazer who has paved the way for many successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Her efforts have improved the quality of life for thousands of South Floridians. prgtoken Dr. Carey-Shuler's life is founded on a spirit of generosity. Her unselfish character is only overshadowed by her loving spirit and acceptance of others. She considers her ability to empower and inspire others as her greatest accomplishment. Regarding her passion for helping young people she says, ``I want to exude my passion so that they will have the same passion to give back and help other young people.'' prgtoken Dr. Carey-Shuler was first appointed to the Miami Dade County Board of Commissioners in 1979. She made a major impact through her progressive policies and legislative decisions. She initiated the groundbreaking legislation to create Affirmative Action and set-aside programs in Miami Dade County which are credited with creating more jobs and opportunities for minorities and women than any other legislation in the county's history. She also created the 15 miles per hour school zone in Dade County and was later adopted by the rest of the State of Florida. She made history in 2002 when she was selected as the first African American woman to serve as chairperson of the Miami Dade County Commission. prgtoken Dr. Carey-Shuler has never shied away from an opportunity to help others or promote equality without regard to the popularity of her decisions. In 1990, she attended an event where the late South African President Nelson Mandela delivered a speech upon his release after being unjustly imprisoned for 27 years. The event was locally controversial but Dr. Carey-Shuler was among a small group of elected officials who attended because she understood President Mandela's importance to the international campaign for human rights. Her courage and vision earned the respect and admiration of her constituents and was a large part of the reason she was re-elected several times. prgtoken Above all, Dr. Carey-Shuler values education as the key to a happy and healthy life. She was well-regarded as an administrator with Miami Dade County Public Schools. She was also credited with inspiring and advancing the careers of dozens of educators as an assistant superintendent. She has an impressive educational resume of her own; Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Florida A&M University, Master of Science in Communications from Ohio State University, Specialist Degree in Guidance from the University of Miami, and a Doctorate in Education from the Uni
JAMES M. INHOFE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023--Resumed
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-12-15

I rise today to note that, during the 117th Congress, several major legislative efforts to further U.S. foreign policy are becoming law, and I would like to highlight several here today. I feel strongly that these accomplishments merit special recognition, as they represent major advances in foreign policy that will improve our country's international engagement for years to come. I am proud to have led these efforts and would like to outline a few of the major components of these monumental bills. prgtoken As chair, of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development, I take great pride to note that we successfully passed the State Department Authorization Act this year. To put this in context, this marks only the second time within the span of the past 16 years that a State Department Authorization Act has been enacted. prgtoken The State Department Authorization Act addresses much-needed reform that will help to strengthen our diplomatic corps and efforts on an institutional level and represents months of painstaking coordination. Modern diplomatic challenges require modern solutions, and it is my belief that provisions of this bill empower the State Department to make necessary changes in key areas that will help to revitalize and redefine our diplomatic engagement. prgtoken I will note that key to these efforts is my colleague Senator Bill Hagerty, whose team worked closely with my own, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the State Department on defining and addressing modern diplomatic challenges. This act also represents a victory of collaboration across parties and agencies, especially the Department of State, to reach this successful consensus. prgtoken First and foremost, Senator Hagerty and I led the efforts to establish a Commission on Reform and Modernization at the Department of State. This 16-member commission will seek to identify areas for improvement and modernization in the organizational structure, personnel, facilities, and policy of the State Department and make recommendations to the President and Congress. prgtoken This effort is crucial; in the ever-shifting atmosphere of modern diplomacy, this commission will provide a body of oversight that keeps a big-picture view of State Department operations and establishes a critical line of communication between Congress, the President, and the Department of State. prgtoken Secondly, the State Department Authorization Act establishes new requirements to extend the ``cooling off'' period for post-employment restrictions for certain Senate-confirmed officials. U.S. foreign policy is not for sale, nor should anyone have reason to think it is. By extending the cooling off period from 1 to 3 years, these high- ranking individuals are barred from representing foreign governments