mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING LUCKY GOAT COFFEE COMPANY
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-12-2

chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a family-owned business that invests heavily in its customers, employees, and community. Today, it is my honor to name the Lucky Goat Coffee Company of Tallahassee, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken In 2010, Ben Pautsch founded Lucky Goat Coffee Company as a coffee wholesale and distribution company. Ben, a graduate of Florida State University--FSU--focused on providing high-quality beans to local coffee cafes. The Tallahassee-based business grew quickly as orders poured in. Their reputation for roasting the best grounds led to the creation of the first Lucky Goat coffee shop in 2015. The appealing storefront and large warehouse allowed Lucky Goat to spread their knowledge and passion for coffee through various classes and tours, strengthening their customer relationships in the process. prgtoken Today, Lucky Goat Coffee has grown to include five coffee shops in Tallahassee and a franchise location in Jacksonville. Their Tallahassee-based headquarters provides more than 350 wholesale customers across the country with prgtoken premium coffee beans. Ben keeps his strong relationship with FSU. Lucky Goat Coffee products are featured on campus, and Ben regularly hires FSU students and alumni. From the start, Ben has been committed to creating dignified work. He prioritizes career development and professional growth for his employees, with one-time baristas moving up to serve in senior management within the company. prgtoken Over the years, Lucky Goat Coffee has been recognized for its growth and remained committed to investing in its community. In 2017, then- Governor Rick Scott recognized Lucky Goat Coffee with a Governor's Business Ambassador Award. As one of the 100 fastest growing companies owned or led by Florida State University alumnus, Lucky Goat Coffee was named to the Seminole 100 in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Ben mentors young entrepreneurs interested in the coffee industry, and Lucky Goat Coffee supports local youth-focused organizations, including local Little League teams and Cub Scouts. They also help Leon County Schools, donating much-needed school supplies for students and equipment, including coffee, for the teachers. prgtoken Like many Florida small businesses, Lucky Goat Coffee suffered a severe decline in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. A PPP loan gave Lucky Goat the support it needed to retain its employees and survive the pandemic. prgtoken Lucky
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-12-2

I have 7 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry prgtoken The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 9:45 a.m to conduct a hearing. Comrnittee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing nominations. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 2, 2020, at 2 p.m to conduct a closed briefing. Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support prgtoken The Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 9:15 a.m to conduct a hearing. prgtoken Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management prgtoken The Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-12-2

I come to the floor today to pay tribute to this great Wyoming leader. For nearly a quarter of a century, Mike Enzi has represented the people of Wyoming in Washington, and he has done it with intelligence, with intensity, and with integrity. prgtoken The Cowboy State and the Capitol are going to sorely miss Mike Enzi. He has truly supplemented his legacy as the trusted trail boss of the Wyoming congressional delegation, and it has been an incredible honor and a great privilege for my wife Bobbi and me to serve the people of Wyoming alongside Mike and his wife, Diana, who is with us today. prgtoken Mike is truly a devoted family man, as well as a man of great and deep faith. In fact, Mike taught Sunday school over the decades. Many in the Wyoming faith community know that Mike's first Sunday schoolteacher in Thermopolis, WY, was my wife Bobbi's mother Jerry Brown. prgtoken Jerry and her husband Bob, a World War II and Korean war veteran, both passed away this past year, and they had been married 70 years. She taught Sunday school in Thermopolis, WY, and her star pupil was Mike Enzi, to the point that she actually gave Mike Enzi his first Bible, and he still has that today. prgtoken Here in the Senate, Mike has been not just a close friend to me and a mentor to me, but he has been that to many Members of this body. prgtoken Mike was sworn in 1997. Throughout four terms in the U.S. Senate, he has never wavered in his commitment to God, to family, to country, and, of course, to Wyoming. He is known by many as the Senate's moral compass. prgtoken He is a remarkable spiritual leader of our bipartisan Prayer Breakfast. I am a member of that group and a number of Senators are as well. We met today, and Mike led us in prayer. prgtoken I have seen firsthand just how much and Members depend on Mike for his moral and ethical guidance. He really is a bipartisan not just policymaker but also a peacemaker, and we have all seen it within this body. prgtoken His legislation--he talked about the 80-20 rule. It has a long history of garnering overwhelming bipartisan support. Over 100 Enzi bills have become law. I have been proud to sponsor and cosponsor many of them with him in my time in the Senate. The thing he didn't point out is that most of the bills passed with over 80 votes. It is rare for an Enzi bill to get to the floor and pass with any more than 15 to 18 ``no'' votes. It is a remarkable accomplishment. prgtoken It is important to note that these bills have been signed by and Presidents. When you go into his office, his whole conference room walls are filled with bills and pens--signed into law with the pens being used by Bill Clinton, by , by , and by President . prgtoken Behind all of these, as he just talked about, is that very successful 80-20 rule--a rule that he learned while in the Wyoming State Legislature, and it has worked
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Session)
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-12-2

I thank my friend Mitch, and I thank my friend Chuck for their remarks. I will have more to say to them later. prgtoken On March 9, 1967, Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr the newly elected Senator from Tennessee, made his maiden address, his first speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He spoke for too long. prgtoken The leader of the Senate, who was also Baker's father-in- law, Senator Everett M. Dirksen, walked over to congratulate him and then said, ``Howard, occasionally, you might enjoy the luxury of an unexpressed thought,'' which is good advice for a farewell address as well. prgtoken As Senator Baker's legislative assistant, I was also his speech writer for that maiden address, or at least I thought I was. He had developed a bad habit of not saying what I wrote for his speech. So I asked to see him, and I said: Do we have a problem with our relationship? prgtoken He said: No, we have a perfect relationship. You write what you want to write, and I will say what I want to say. prgtoken I learned a couple of other things about ``saying what I want to say.'' One came from Alex Haley, the author of ``Roots,'' who heard me speak once and called me aside afterward and said: May I make a suggestion? He said: If, when you begin a speech, you would start by saying, ``Instead of making a speech, let me tell you a story,'' someone might actually listen to what you have to say. prgtoken And then, from David Broder, who gave this advice to Ruth Marcus when she got her column for the Washington Post: one idea per column. prgtoken So here is a story about my one idea for this speech. prgtoken In August of 1968, Senator Baker was in the leader's office, where Senator McConnell is today. He overheard this conversation. Senator Dirksen was saying: [No,] , I cannot come down and have a drink with you tonight. I did that last night and Louella is very unhappy with me. prgtoken About 30 minutes later, there was a commotion out in the hall, and in the door of the leader's office came two beagles, three Secret Service men, and the President of the United States. And Lyndon Johnson said to Everett Dirksen: ``Everett, if you won't come down and have a drink with me, I'm here to have one with you.'' And they disappeared into the back room. prgtoken Later that same year, around a long table, in that same office, the ic President and the leader worked out the Civil Rights Act of 1968. It took 67 votes to break a filibuster, but when the bill passed and Johnson signed it, the Senators who voted no went home and said: It is the law. We have to accept it. prgtoken And it still is today, along with many other civil rights laws. prgtoken So that is the one idea I have for this speech. Our country needs a U.S. Senate to work across party lines to force broad agreements on hard issues, creating laws that most of us have voted for and that a diverse coun
HONORING LAVONNA LEMONS
Steve Watkins (Republican, KS) \u2014 2020-12-2

Kansas recently said good-bye to a very, very prgtoken special woman, Lavonna Lemons. She was a tough Kansas woman who spent most of her 71 years helping out other people. prgtoken You see, she was a rape counselor. She also helped at a homeless mission, and she took in abused children. She would often open her home to anyone in need. prgtoken She was a fearless fighter, and the world is a better place because of it. prgtoken On behalf of so many you helped, on behalf of my family, particularly my mother, Barbara; two of my dear friends; your daughters, Lora and Leia; from the floor of the United States House of Representatives to you in Heaven: We love you. We miss you. We will see you soon. God bless.
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-12-2

this morning we got to hear the farewell speech of my friend Lamar Alexander. He is a fantastic speaker and legislator. It has been an honor to serve with him and to learn from him. Now you get to hear from the accountant. prgtoken I rise today to give my farewell speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the great people of Wyoming in this position for the last 24 years. I have really enjoyed being a Senator--not for the title, not for the recognition, and certainly not for the publicity. prgtoken I love solving problems for folks in Wyoming and America. I like working on legislation. It might shock those who know me, but I never intended to get into politics. While I always had great respect for those who served in public office, it wasn't my calling when I left college. prgtoken But over 50 years ago, when I joined the young men's leadership training group known as the Jaycees, at a State convention in Cody I spoke about the value of leadership in communities. prgtoken The keynote speaker was Al Simpson, who would go on to serve three terms in the U.S. Senate. After I gave my pitch on the importance of leadership training, Senator Simpson did his usual fascinating and humorous speech and then took me aside and said: I don't even know what party you are in, but it is time you put your money where your mouth is on this leadership stuff and get into politics. That town you live in, Gillette, needs a mayor. prgtoken My wife Diana and I had only moved to Gillette a few years earlier. The town was facing a crisis as the discovery of oil, gas, and coal turned it into a boomtown. The population started to skyrocket, and city services were not keeping up. prgtoken On the way home from that Cody meeting, while my wife was driving, I told her what Senator Simpson had said and that I was thinking maybe I should run for mayor. It must have come as quite a shock because she ended up swerving into the borrow pit and then coming back up onto the road. prgtoken We ended up talking about it seriously for the 4 hours that it took to drive back to Gillette and thought of a lot of things that needed to be done to make a difference in our town. prgtoken I was new to the community and just 29 years old, but I thought that Gillette was in need of a budget, agendas, and planning--not the most exciting topics to get people's attention. I ran anyway, and I did win. prgtoken Nearly five decades later, having served as mayor, having served in the State house, having served as a State senator and then as a U.S. Senator, I still find myself motivated by the urge to help my community and my country. prgtoken I also find myself still pushing those same three ideas that I did when I first prgtoken ran for mayor: budgets, agendas, and planning. I keep finding myself wanting to help solve problems. Once you embrace that responsibility, it is hard to ever ignore it again. I have found that man
Tribute to Lamar Alexander (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-12-2

the Senate is going to miss Lamar Alexander. prgtoken Listening to his farewell address right now made the fact that he is leaving all too real. I don't like to think of a U.S. Senate without Lamar. He is a Senate institution and a Senate leader, and his leaving is a loss for this body and for the American people. prgtoken Any tribute to Lamar has to mention his incredible career, which a lot has been alluded to already: his walk across the State of Tennessee, his 8 years as Tennessee Governor, his time as Secretary of Education under President George H.W his stint as president of the University of Tennessee system, and his time as a professor at Harvard. prgtoken Then, of course, are his 18 years in the U.S. Senate, marked by significant legislative accomplishments on everything from education to opioids. prgtoken All that, and he makes a plaid shirt look good, although these days he has switched to a plaid face mask. prgtoken I first met Lamar, like our colleague from Maine, Senator Collins, mentioned, when he attended a Lincoln Day Dinner in South Dakota in 1995, when he was running for President. I really started to get to know him a little bit when I came to the Senate in 2005. prgtoken Lamar had already been here for a couple of years by that time. Of course, he already had an extraordinary career behind him. I know I was not the only young Senator who regarded him as something of a mentor and a role model. prgtoken I share a couple of things with Lamar; one is the fact that we were both Senate staffers long before we came to the Senate as elected officials. We weren't here at the same time. He was a little ahead of me. I came to the Senate the year Howard Baker left, but, like Lamar, I have great appreciation for the contributions staffers make to the work that we do around here. I know many of Lamar's staffers are in the Gallery today. As he leaves, also we lose a tremendous amount of brain power and talent that has contributed so significantly to the successes and accomplishments that he has had as a U.S. Senator. prgtoken The other is that he and I both have served as chairman of the Senate conference, which is the messaging and communications office for s in the Senate. I succeeded Lamar as chairman of the Senate conference in 2012. I will tell you, he is a very tough act to follow but an inspiring one because he did such a tremendous job in leading our messaging in the conference. prgtoken Lamar has an ability to break down complex subjects and communicate them clearly. He can sum up an issue in one succinct phrase. He mentioned earlier, in his remarks, the idea that there ought to be one column, one idea; one speech, one idea. He really did master that. prgtoken I can recall his summary when we were talking a lot about the energy issue: We need to ``find more and use less.'' That is about as clear a summary of our energy priorities as you can get <|p
RECOGNIZING MISS EMMA VANA OF PUNTA GORDA
W. Gregory Steube (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-12-2

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Miss Emma Vana for her outstanding efforts to show appreciation to our law enforcement officers. prgtoken Emma is a 9-year-old resident of Punta Gorda, Florida. Since July, Emma has handed out over 250 homemade blue line flags to law enforcement officers across Florida to thank them for their service to our community. She has passed out flags in Alachua, Charlotte, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Hamilton, Hendry, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota, and Suwanee Counties so far. However, this is only the start for her efforts to give our members of law enforcement the appreciation and support they deserve. prgtoken When asked why she appreciates law enforcement officers, Emma explains that they ``put bad people in jail and protect our communities.'' As Emma understands, Florida is home to some of our nation's finest law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to ensure our communities and families are safe. prgtoken Emma's effort to show appreciation comes during a time when law enforcement officers across the country face threats and physical attacks from those calling to defund the police. Emma should be a role model for all Floridians and Americans in standing up to defend the police, not defund them. prgtoken I am honored to have the privilege to represent outstanding constituents such as Emma. Her selfless acts of kindness inspire all of us as she continues to go above and beyond for Floridians. It is individuals like her who make Florida and America great.
CORONAVIRUS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-12-2

when I opened the Senate on Monday, I repeated something s have stated for months now. We need to put partisanship aside and get more bipartisan, targeted coronavirus relief out to the American people. prgtoken Dating back to the summer, and all fall, Senate s tried repeatedly to advance hundreds of billions of dollars to prevent layoffs, protect small businesses, fund vaccine distribution, and continue assisting workers who have already lost their jobs due to the crisis. Every time, the of the House and the ic leader blocked our efforts. It had to be the entirety of their leftwing wish list or nothing at all. prgtoken Finally, this week, we are seeing cracks starting to form in the ic leaders' stone wall, and thank goodness for the country that that is finally happening. In the last several days, the ic leaders have signaled a new willingness to engage in good faith and, yesterday, a number of Senate proposed a different compromise. prgtoken But at the risk of repeating something we all know, making law will not just require the Senate's approval but also the signature of the President of the United States. prgtoken So, after several conversations with the Secretary of the Treasury and the White House Chief of Staff, I put forward yesterday another proposal reflecting what the President is ready to sign into law. What we have proposed would give universities and nonprofits the legal certainty they need. It would create a second draw on the job-saving Paycheck Protection Program to prevent more layoffs, and it would extend prgtoken two important emergency unemployment benefit programs that were created by the CARES Act and which will expire in December without action. These programs have been championed by our ic colleagues, particularly the senior Senator from Virginia, and we made sure they were included in the framework. prgtoken I hope our ic colleagues will finally let Congress pass a bipartisan bill that the President will likely sign into law and do so soon
UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-12-2

I thank Ranking Member Conaway. The gentleman has been a champion. I thank Chairman Peterson. The gentleman has been a champion. prgtoken We are here on the floor this afternoon debating the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act, and I rise in support of that act. prgtoken Agriculture is a business where almost nothing is certain. From poor weather to trade disruptions to transport delays, these all create an incredible environment of unpredictability. In that environment of unpredictability, producers should not have to face unpredictability in agricultural policy. That means that when Congress can come together in a bipartisan way and offer a bit of certainty, we absolutely should do so. prgtoken That brings us to the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act. I am glad that we are passing a 5-year reauthorization so that the user-funded USGSA will allow buyers and sellers to quickly and effectively determine those quality specs that are outlined in contracts. prgtoken In this world of uncertainty, , I am glad and I am proud that we are going to send this to the President's desk, and, of course, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
COIN METAL MODIFICATION AUTHORIZATION AND COST SAVINGS ACT OF 2020
Don Bacon (Republican, NE) \u2014 2020-12-2

. Madam , I had a possible exposure to COVID-19 and have gone into quarantine in accordance with CDC. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 228. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 965, 116th congress Barragan (Beyer) Bera (Aguilar) Bonamici (Clark (MA)) Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries) Brownley (CA) (Clark (MA)) Carson (IN) (Cleaver) Castor (FL) (Demings) Cohen (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) DeSaulnier (Matsui) Deutch (Rice (NY)) Doggett (Raskin) Escobar (Garcia (TX)) Frankel (Clark (MA)) Garamendi (Sherman) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Higgins (NY) (Sanchez) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kaptur (Dingell) Keating (Vargas) Kennedy (Kuster (NH)) Kim (Davids (KS)) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lamb (Golden) Langevin (Lynch) Lawson (FL) (Demings) Lee (NV) (Kuster (NH)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Lipinski (Schrader) Lofgren (Jeffries) Lowenthal (Beyer) Lowey (Tonko) McEachin (Wexton) McNerney (Raskin) Meng (Kuster (NH)) Moore (Beyer) Mucarsel-Powell (Wasserman Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Peters (Kildee) Pingree (Kuster (NH)) Pocan (Raskin) Porter (Wexton) Pressley (Trahan) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Roybal-Allard (Garcia (TX)) Ruiz (Dingell) Rush (Underwood) Schneider (Casten (IL)) Schrier (DelBene) Serrano (Jeffries) Sherrill (Pallone) Sires (Norcross) Thompson (CA) (Kildee) Titus (Connolly) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)