mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING DR. CHARLES L. COTRELL
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-6-8

. Madam , today I rise in celebration of Dr. Charles L. Cotrell, President Emeritus and Professor of Political Science at St. Mary's University. Dr. Cotrell is set to retire after 55 years of service to St. Mary's University and the San Antonio prgtoken community. His retirement concludes a vibrant career of advocacy, public engagement, and scholarly work. I am proud to call Dr. Cotrell a fellow San Antonian and friend. Please join me in commemorating the career of an extraordinary educator and equal rights advocate. prgtoken Dr. Charles L. Cotrell began his studies at St. Mary's University in 1958, graduating in 1962. In 1965, after receiving his Ph.D. in Political Science and Government from the University of Arizona, Dr. Cotrell went on to teach at Texas A&M University--Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I) until returning to teach at his alma mater in 1966. Dr. Cotrell was an active participant in many civil rights causes like the La Casita Farms strike. He was professor to many Chicano activists of the late 1960s at both Texas A&M--Kingsville and St. Mary's. He mentored youth in the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) and is a founding board member of the Mexican American Unity Council in San Antonio. In 2000, Dr. Cotrell was named President of St. Mary's University where he spearheaded several education initiatives focusing on underrepresented groups. prgtoken Madam , I am honored to recognize Dr. Cotrell and his many contributions to our beautiful city. I thank Dr. Cotrell for all that he has done. May he enjoy his well-earned retirement.
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democrat, MP) \u2014 2021-6-8

. Madam , this year, I hosted the first-ever Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Essay Contest for Northern Mariana Islands middle school and high school students. This contest gives students in my district the opportunity to showcase their writing skills and reflect on their unique experiences living in the Northern Mariana Islands. This year's essay prompt encouraged students to share how the Asian and Pacific Islander community has impacted them, and what the Marianas community can do to best celebrate and respect the diversity in our islands. prgtoken I would like to congratulate the 44 students who participated. A volunteer panel of judges reviewed the essays and chose Jia Ross Nicdao and Camille Torres Hocog as this year's winners of the middle school and high school division, respectively. Jia, an 8th grade student at Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School, wrote about her experience as a young Asian American in the Northern Mariana Islands. Camille, a sophomore at Marianas High School, wrote about diversity and unity. prgtoken I am proud to include in the Record the essays submitted by Jia and Camille: Middle School Winner, Jia Ross Nicdao, Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School, 8th Grade Even though it is a small area, the Northern Marianas Islands are undeniably full of different cultures and traditions. Many ethnic groups, specifically Asian citizens and Pacific Islanders, proudly call the CNMI their home; they comprise more than 80 percent of Saipan's population. Whether you were born or migrated from a different country, we still thrive as a community to empower one another. My parents immigrated to the CNMI for work and started a family here. My identity as Asian American has been a little confusing. In the beginning, I felt as if I did not deserve to be a member of the Filipino community. I felt like my opinions and thoughts were invalid when discussing Filipino topics because I was raised away from the area of action and lived abroad. My different living situation made me feel as if I do not deserve the recognition Filipinos got. I struggled to find a label that I connected to, so I decided to research Filipino culture. At that moment was when I found out about the ethnic group that I was unknowingly part of, known as Asian Americans, who are Americans with Asian ancestry and/or children of immigrated parents. This community was something I finally related to. On the island, I never felt indifferent because of my ethnicity, which was opposite to my other feelings. I was surrounded by other Asians, so whenever I was around them, I felt like I belonged with them. I liked that I could relate with other Asian Americans through shared experiences; it gave me comfort. Most of the representation here in the CNMI has be
Nomination of Regina M. Rodriguez (Executive Session)
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-6-8

I wanted to come to the floor today to share a few words about Regina Rodriguez, President 's nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Gina's nomination comes to this floor with broad, well-earned support across the State of Colorado. My office has received a flood of letters on her behalf. All of them testify to her character, her hard work, and her commitment to service, justice, and the rule of law. prgtoken She learned all of it from her family. Her mom's family knew injustice firsthand. During the Second World War, they were relocated from California to the Heart Mountain internment site in Wyoming, joining over 10,000 people whose loyalty was questioned by the U.S. Government based solely on their Japanese ancestry. prgtoken Her mother Linda went on to become a teacher and administrator in the Denver public schools, my old school district. Her father Peter was a Mexican American who went from living in a railroad boxcar on the South Side of Chicago to earning a nomination for the NFL Hall of Fame. prgtoken Education and hard work transformed her parents' lives, and Regina has always sought to live up to their example. Gina grew up in Gunnison, CO, but her family moved around the country because her dad coached football. She graduated with honors from the University of Iowa, which I know is not the only reason Chairman Grassley supported her nomination but probably was an important one, and then returned home to earn a J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School. prgtoken After starting at a private firm in Denver, Gina joined the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Department of Justice noticed her talent, and she went to work for the Attorney General on alternative dispute resolution--a new approach at the time meant to avoid lengthy trials through arbitration and mediation. She helped to mainstream the approach for all U.S. attorneys, saving the government countless hours and taxpayers' countless dollars over the years. prgtoken Gina's leadership in Washington earned her a promotion back in Denver, where she rose to become Chief of the Civil Division in the U.S. Attorney's Office. She was the first Latina to hold that position and quickly developed a stellar reputation among colleagues and judges. prgtoken Today, she is one of the most respected trial lawyers in Colorado and has received reward after reward for her work. prgtoken Her commitment to the community has been just as impressive. She is a founding board member of Colorado Youth at Risk, a nonprofit that helps kids stay on the right track. She served as one of Colorado's higher education commissioners and still serves on the board of Denver's highest performing charter school, the School of Science and Technology in my old district. Somehow, she finds time to mentor young lawyers from underrepresented communities. prgtoken The evidence is overwhelming: Regina Rodriguez is an exceptional nominee with a disti
NOMINATION REFERRAL
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-8

I ask unanimous consent that, as if in executive session, the nomination of Arun Venkataraman, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service received in the Senate May 27, 2021, be jointly referred to the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-8

I rise to introduce the ``Clean Water For Military Families Act.'' This legislation would provide $10 billion for the Department of Defense to conduct investigations and remediate PFAS contamination at and surrounding DOD installations in the U.S. and state-owned National Guard facilities. prgtoken Dating back to the 1960s, the U.S. Navy began using a firefighting foam called aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) that contains toxic PFAS chemicals. The military used AFFF firefighting foam for emergencies, fire training exercises, and equipment testing, resulting in large discharges of PFAS contamination in groundwater and other environments. prgtoken For decades, DOD continued using AFFF firefighting foam despite mounting evidence of detrimental health concerns, and even after leading manufacturers voluntarily phased out production of PFOS and PFOA, the two most widespread and studied PFAS compounds. prgtoken In recent years, Congress has passed legislation requiring DOD to phase out the use of AFFF firefighting foams. While this is a vital step toward ensuring DOD adopts PFAS-free alternatives going forward, it does not address DOD's legacy pollution. prgtoken To clean up the legacy pollution at contaminated military sites across the country, this legislation authorizes a one-time, $10 billion investment for PFAS investigations and cleanup. We owe it to military communities to ensure that they can drink clean water and live pollution-free. prgtoken There are hundreds of contaminated military sites across the country that jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of military communities who have suffered from exposure to PFAS pollution and toxic drinking water. prgtoken In California alone, there are 62 military facilities with a known or suspected PFAS release. prgtoken Since the discovery of PFAS at these installations, there has been little to no progress on the bases with the highest PFAS detections. A $10 billion investment would accelerate DOD's existing cleanup efforts and cover all types of PFAS chemicals. Absent this legislation, it could take decades for DOD to clean up toxic PFAS. We must act now to move beyond studying the problem and toward a comprehensive cleanup effort to protect service-members, veterans, and military communities. prgtoken I thank my co-lead, Senator Gillibrand for her tireless leadership fighting PFAS contamination at DOD sites. I also thank the bill's cosponsors for championing this effort with me in the Senate. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the ``Clean Water for Military Families Act'' as quickly as possible. prgtoken Thank you, , .
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LOCAL JUROR NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2021
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-6-8

. Madam , today, I introduce the District of Columbia Local Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2021. This bill would clarify that D.C. residents may not be excluded or disqualified from jury service in the D.C. Superior Court based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, my bill would clarify that ``sex,'' which is a protected class under the non-discrimination law that applies to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court, includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Under the Home Rule Act, Congress has exclusive jurisdiction over title 11 of the D.C. Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the local D.C. courts). prgtoken The District has one of the strongest non-discrimination laws in the country, including protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, under the Home Rule Act, the District does not have the authority to make this non-discrimination law applicable to jurors in the D.C. Superior Court. Therefore, until the District is given complete control over the organization and jurisdiction of its local courts, an act of Congress is required to make this important change to protect the rights of all D.C. residents. This bill is necessary to protect jurors in the D.C. Superior Court from discrimination. prgtoken My bill is similar to the Juror Non-Discrimination Act of 2021 (H.R. 1140), which would provide the same protections for jurors in federal court. I am a proud cosponsor of that bill. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
U.S. SUPREME COURT
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-6-8

in my opening speech about the rightwing scheme to capture the Court, the Supreme Court, I described the secret strategy memo that Lewis Powell wrote on the eve of his appointment to the Court about how to deploy corporate political power. prgtoken As a Justice of the Supreme Court, Powell had the chance to prove to the corporate world his secret memo's theory of what could be achieved by ``exploiting judicial action''--his phrase--particularly with, as he called it, ``an activist-minded Supreme Court.'' prgtoken Second, Powell had the chance on the Court to start laying the legal groundwork for precisely the sort of corporate political activity that his secret memo had recommended to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Powell did both. prgtoken The first case that allowed Powell to implement recommendations from his secret report came in 1976, in a case about the Federal Election Campaign Act. The case was Buckley v. Valeo, and the decision was a beast--138 pages, with another 83 pages of dissent and concurrence cobbled together by the Court with what one observer called ``extraordinary speed.'' Five Justices in that case, including Powell, were described as First Amendment hawks who were wary of any portion of the Federal Election Campaign Act that could inhibit free speech and association. prgtoken Now, you have to understand that free speech and association were buzz words for corporate political activity precisely of the sort championed in Powell's secret chamber memo. Free speech meant corporate America having the right to be heard, even to, as the secret report said, ``equal time.'' Freedom of association provided corporations the ``organization,'' ``careful long-range planning and implementation,'' and well-financed ``joint effort''--all those quotes--that Powell had recommended be done in his report ``through united action and national organizations.'' prgtoken The Court's decision in Valeo did two noncontroversial things. It accepted that campaign contributions could be limited because unlimited campaign contributions could give rise to corruption or at least the appearance of corruption. Unlimited donations to candidates would even ``undermine representative democracy,'' the Court said. No big deal. The Court also decided that candidates may spend as much of their own money as they want on their own campaigns. It considered unlimited spending on one's own campaign protected by the First Amendment, as there was little danger of corruption from spending one's own campaign money on oneself. prgtoken So both of those holdings are unremarkable. What was remarkable was where Powell and his hawks took the Court when other interests, like corporate interests, wanted to spend money on a candidate. Corporate political spending per se was not at issue in the case, but spending by special interests is precisely the kind of political influence which Powell had recommended in his secret report to
IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN MANNING
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-6-8

. Madam , I rise today to recognize John Manning on the occasion of his retirement as Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Community Services . prgtoken For more than 30 years, John Manning has provided much needed support to our community through his work at Southwestern Community Services (SCS). SCS runs numerous critical programs designed to empower low- income individuals and families, such as the Community Food Program, several Energy and Fuel Assistance Programs, seven Head Start Centers, and more. Through John's leadership, SCS continues to expand services, including the distribution of critical rental assistance funds to thousands of households throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken I commend John Manning on his retirement after more than three decades of public service and dedication to the Granite State. John also serves as the Fire Chief for the Town of Marlborough, a testament to his commitment to the well-being and safety of Granite Staters. prgtoken On behalf of New Hampshire's Second Congressional District, I thank John Manning for his service and wish him the best of luck in his new chapter.
CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF THE DOWNRIVER FAMILY YMCA
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-8

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the anniversary of the Downriver Family YMCA located in Southgate, Michigan. Their 80 years of service to our community and its families is worthy of commendation. prgtoken In Metro Detroit, the YMCA has been serving families for over 168 years. The YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children with a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. prgtoken With simple beginnings as an organization established in 1941 by W.F. Newell at a house on Biddle Avenue in Wyandotte, Michigan, the Downriver Family YMCA has grown to be an exceptional center of wellness, community, and education. In 1943, The YMCA outgrew their small house and moved to a property at Chestnut and Biddle. This new Downriver YMCA represented the first ``family'' YMCA branch including boys and girls as well as men and women. Sixteen years later, they made the big move to their new home in Southgate at Fort Street and Eureka, partnering with the YWCA. Together they built two new pools and improved their offerings constantly to continue to serve the bustling area of Downriver. On May 11, 2003, to meet the growing needs of the community the YMCA and the City of Southgate held the grand opening for their brand-new building, The Southgate Fun and Fitness Center. prgtoken Serving over 15,000 members, the Downriver Family YMCA is the largest branch in Metro Detroit. This organization has supported generations of Downriver families from childhood well into their senior years. Providing after-school programs, summer camps, food drives, active living classes, and activities for seniors, the Downriver Family YMCA's commitment to the promotion of health and wellness has impacted the lives of thousands of Michiganders of all ages as they enter their eighth decade of service to the people of Downriver. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Downriver Family YMCA's 80 years of service to our community. The Downriver Family YMCA has been a constant in the lives of the Downriver area's children and families for decades. I extend my gratitude to the entire Downriver Family YMCA team and wish them continued success in service and healthy living for years to come.
HONORING REVEREND DR. JOHN E. ROBERTS
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-6-8

. Madam , I am pleased to recognize the Reverend Dr. John Roberts, Pastor of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Toledo, for his 56 years of service in Jesus Christ. Our community joined his congregation in celebration of this heralded event on June 6, 2021. prgtoken I chronicled Pastor Roberts' life in an Extension of Remarks in April 2005 upon the very special occasion of his fortieth anniversary. This 56th year, Pastor Roberts will be elevated to the honorable status of Pastor Emeritus. prgtoken Born in Bryant, Mississippi in 1927 to George and Melvina Roberts, John E. Roberts came to Toledo, Ohio in 1944. A founding member of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, he has been part of the church since it was organized in 1946. As noted in his biography, ``He has served and walked in the footsteps of most positions in the church, from custodian to Pastor'' and was called to pastor the church on the 3rd Sunday of January l965. Even while Pastor, he pursued his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees in 1975, his Master of Theology in 1984, and his Doctorate in Biblical Theology in 1985. prgtoken His biography highlights his many roles in his capacity as pastor: teacher, preacher, counsellor, and builder. The biography notes he is ``Christ-like in devotion: strong in faith and mighty in prayer. His life, with its results, is a never-failing inspiration and challenges people of all ages and races, creating strong men around him.'' prgtoken Though Pastor Roberts has been the guiding light of his congregation and family for decades, standing beside him always has been his wife, First Lady Mother Bernice Roberts. Pastor and First Lady Mother Roberts are partners in all ways and ``jointly through the Grace of God they have mastered certain techniques that involve the ability to compromise, understand, cooperate, give and take, adjusting for better, not worse, knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.'' Pastor and Mother Roberts were blessed to celebrate their 71st anniversary this year, on April 6. Together prgtoken their family includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. prgtoken Pastor Roberts' service to the membership of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church blazed a path of leadership as he grew the church over many decades. His congregation blossomed from dozens to thousands as he shared the Word of the Lord, his devotion and wisdom, and his unique gifts. prgtoken In addition to his leadership in the church, Pastor Roberts' imprimatur in our community is writ large. A highly respected community leader, he has served on many Toledo area organizations, lending his expertise and counsel well beyond the doors of his church. prgtoken Reverend Dr. John E. Roberts came to retirement at age 93 in March of 2021. He was the oldest serving Baptist pastor in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, and the Nation. As Pastor Emeritus, I am certain he wil