mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-7-26

I also rise to make some comments about C.D or as we all know him, Dick Spangler. I met him about 11 years ago--when I first got into the State legislature--in his office, which is just outside of downtown in Charlotte. prgtoken From every encounter from that point forward, I never left without learning something more. It could be on any number of topics. prgtoken I appreciate Senator Burr and all the comments about his legacy. He was amazing. He transformed the university system, made it one of the greatest in the Nation. He was a huge Tar Heels fan. I remember when we had a memorial service for a former University president, and C.D.--or Dick Spangler--spoke. Everybody had been saying this is a celebration, this is a celebration. prgtoken He got up and said: Folks, this is a very important memorial service, but a celebration is what you do just after the Tar Heels beat the tar out of Duke. prgtoken He loved the Tar Heels, and he loved the university system. He loved a modern North Carolina, an inclusive North Carolina, a North Carolina as a leader, leading on the integration of schools. I think what I remember most about Dick were those experiences I had in his office. It was easy for me to get to. Oftentimes, I would go there on a Monday before I would go to the airport to come here. prgtoken Every Monday for about 30 years, he had lunch for all of his employees, and he would be there. He would serve them lunch, and they would spend time together. I had the opportunity to do that on a few occasions. There were a couple of special times, after, we met in the conference room, and he would coach me on how I should present myself or on issues that were important for education and any number of things. He was truly a mentor. prgtoken He said: Would you like to see my shop? prgtoken This office out on Morehead Street is an unassuming office, just as humble as the off-the-rack suits this man wore all of his life or the old beat-up station wagon he would drive to the office. This was an amazing experience. You go into this office in the back, and it is nothing but a workshop. He loved fabricating metals, fixing the clockworks on grandfather clocks. He loved creating tools to teach kids how to learn. In fact, he gave me a homework assignment, which was basically a pyramid of ping-pong balls, and I had to use geometry to figure out the dimensions of the pyramid. He was always trying to get people to learn and get people to engage. prgtoken He engaged politically all of his life. Senator Burr said that you knew what was on his mind. If you were doing something in the legislature that was at odds with what he thought was in the best interest of the university system, I guarantee you, you were going to spend quality time with Dick Spangler, and you were more than likely going to embrace his opinion or his position because, in reality, he always made the university system better. prgtoken There is one quot
CHESAPEAKE CITY LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS SOFTBALL
Andy Harris (Republican, MD) \u2014 2018-7-26

I rise today to congratulate the age 8 to 10 Chesapeake City Little League Girls Softball Team on the tremendous victory they achieved last week. On July 19th, these talented young ladies won the Maryland State Little League Softball Championship, in a 4 to 3 extra inning nail-biter. prgtoken I commend this team of talented young athletes for their hard work and good sportsmanship. The Little League pledge states ``I trust in God, I love my country, and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win, but win or lose, I will always do my best.'' The young ladies on this team embody the American work ethic, and their positive attitude made them unstoppable this season. prgtoken I wish these young athletes and their coaches the best of luck in the future, and I again congratulate them on their impressive victory as Maryland State Champions.
TRIBUTE TO MARIA LEWIS
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-7-26

today I recognize Maria Lewis, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work she has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota. prgtoken Maria is a graduate of West Central High School in Hartford, SD. Currently, she is attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, where she studies criminal justice and political science. Maria is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Maria for all of the fine work she has done and wish her continued success in the years to come.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-7-26

in my home State of Florida, we have a rich history in manufacturing hand-rolled premium cigars. For those who aren't familiar with them, a hand-rolled premium cigar is not the same thing as a cigarette. prgtoken Number one, premium cigars are an expense product, and they are consumed very differently from a cigarette or some other tobacco product. I would say that they are more like wine than they would be like a cigarette, for sure. prgtoken The interesting thing about the cigar industry and its history--not just in Florida but in this country--is that, almost exclusively, the manufacturers of premium hand-rolled cigars are small family-run businesses. By the way, so too are the retailers that sell them. This is not the kind of thing you go and buy at 7-Eleven. There are stores that specialize in the sale of premium cigars. They cater to a clientele that can afford to buy these things. They are significantly older than someone who would walk into a convenience store and buy a pack of cigarettes from behind the counter. prgtoken The companies that are involved in this endeavor are not the big companies that we see involved, generally, in the tobacco industry. They are family-owned business, both at the retail level and also at the manufacturing level. prgtoken In addition to all of this, they represent a rich part of the cultural history of the Cuban community in Florida. Ybor City in Tampa is an example of it. It was an area that was settled over 100 years ago by Cubans that came to Tampa to start a very vibrant hand-rolling cigar industry. Again, these are hand-rolled premium cigars. These are people literally sitting down and rolling the leaves, and these are high-end products. prgtoken This industry is on the verge of extinction, and I will tell you why. In 2016, the previous administration finalized a rule based on a 2009 law, and, by prgtoken the way, its intended target was not premium cigars. They meant to go after tobacco products that we mass marketed and mass produced. prgtoken This 2009 law was interpreted in a way in the rule that would require premium cigars to regulate the manufacture, the import, the packaging, the labeling, the advertisement, the promotion, the sale, and the distribution of their products. With each new product, they would have to do it over again. prgtoken From year to year, the premium cigar industry may change the blend inside the hand-rolled cigar. They come in boxes of 8 or 12, and every time that one of these things is changed, you would have to redo the labels, redo the packaging, and everything would have to be completely redone, which is simply cost prohibitive because these blends change constantly, especially as you bring new markets. prgtoken I have offered an amendment to the minibus that is before us that would exempt premium hand-rolled cigars from the FDA regulations, not just so that the industry can survive but so that it can thrive and also to f
RECOGNIZING WRIGHT PHYSICAL THERAPY
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2018-7-26

the people of Idaho are hard workers who dedicate their time, skills, and energy into making Idaho the great State that it is. With such dedication sometimes comes the occasional injury in pursuit of a goal, and, luckily, that is where Bryan Wright, doctor of physical therapy and founder of Wright Physical Therapy, comes in. prgtoken No matter one's ailment, Wright Physical Therapy's goal is to provide inspiration and healing rehabilitation to their patients through expert-led sessions, creative treatment plans, and unparalleled service. As chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my distinct privilege to recognize Wright Physical Therapy as the Small Business of the Month for July 2018. prgtoken Before opening Wright Physical Therapy in Twin Falls ID, Bryan Wrightowned and operated a fitness center in nearby Pocatello with helpful guidance from the Idaho Small Business Development Center, better known as the Idaho SBDC. This marked the beginning of a relationship that would help propel Bryan's business career to new heights and enable him to pursue his passion of helping people. After the completion of his doctorate in physical therapy and a move to Twin Falls, Bryan started the process of opening his own practice. The SBDC's assistance throughout the process was instrumental in establishing Wright Physical Therapy. The SBDC provided Bryan with feasibility studies for new locations, paired him with universitystudents to conduct research on growth and progression, and talked to him about franchise opportunities, organic partnerships, and licensing. The SBDC's assistance paired with Bryan's expertise in his field were key to Wright Physical Therapy's development as a member of the Twin Falls community. Bryan's entrepreneurial spirit spearheaded Wright Physical Therapy's expansion throughout Idaho into Kimberly, Jerome, Wendell, Burley, Idaho Falls, and Shelley, along with the addition of a second Twin Falls location. prgtoken Bryan has always been passionate about helping people, but his interest in physical therapy blossomed after his mother seriously injured her knee. His talent for physical therapy and knowledge of the musculoskeletal system was so apparent that, when Bryan accompanied his mother to her doctor's appointments, the physician mistook him for her physical therapist. Although he often works on the knee, he now specializes in the neck and spine. Bryan is the first physical therapist in the Twin Falls area to be become a mechanically certified back and neck specialist. prgtoken Bryan also has a strong commitment to family values, which is apparent at all of the Wright Physical Therapy locations. Whether it be celebrating a team member's new baby, balancing daddy-daughter day at work, or walking together in a local parade, a focus on family life and values is integral to Wright Physical Therapy's environment. This team- first, family-based mindset cre
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2018-7-26

I rise to reluctantly reserve the right to object. I will object to amendment No. 3424, which would permanently authorize the revenue collection and deposit functions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. prgtoken from North Carolina, and from Colorado. I, too, know, hear, and understand the passion that they have expressed not only at this time but that they have expressed for quite some time in their support for this important conservation program. It is something about which we, as Americans, have much to be proud. prgtoken I have expressed some of my concerns about how, historically, certain aspects of the Land and Water Conservation Fund have shifted from there being less for stateside acquisition and more for Federal acquisition. I would like to see some of that reallocated and rebalanced. In concept, what we have designed with the LWCF is something that has brought strong and good benefit to our States and, really, to conservation efforts throughout the country. prgtoken When the Senators speak about the merits of the program, I find nothing that I can disagree with in terms of the benefits that we see. Why I rise to express my objection in advancing the amendment is that the issue they have raised is to permanently seek to authorize this program. The collection and deposit provisions within LWCF are currently authorized, and, as they have pointed out, they are authorized through September 30 of this year. The measure they bring before us would be to permanently authorize those expiring provisions. It is, in its very nature, authorizing on an appropriations bill. We have an annual spending bill that basically directs that spending for 1 year. This measure would be significant in the extent of its authorization. prgtoken We have sought to advance the 12 appropriations bills through to the floor in a manner that we have not seen in years. I mentioned, when we started this debate on Monday night, that we haven't had an Interior appropriations bill on the Senate floor since 2010. That is not the Senators' fault. That is a failure of our process. One can assign a lot of blame, and one can point a lot of fingers. The fact of the matter is that we had moved from that responsibility of ``What are the annual spending priorities that the appropriating committees are tasked to do every year?'' to, effectively, bringing in a lot of the authorizing that the authorizing committees themselves needed to do, and it was not working. We stalled ourselves out. We had big omnibus bills that nobody liked. So we are trying to get back to a process that we can stand behind, that really defines what the appropriations process is designed to do. prgtoken At the direction of Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy, we have agreed to really try to come together to work to restore what we fondly refer to as ``regular order'' and what some don't even know to be regular
RICHARD LINDSAY TRIBUTE
Scott R. Tipton (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-7-26

I rise today to recognize Richard ``Dick'' Lindsay of the Third Congressional District for his lifelong commitment to service. prgtoken Mr. Lindsay was born and raised in Cortez, Colorado and is one of nine siblings. His service began in July 1943 when he enlisted in the United States Navy, at the age of 17-years-old, to serve in World War II. While stationed in California for boot camp, he was trained in landing aircraft and completed his training with a rank of Seaman First Class. prgtoken During his service, he was assigned to the USS Bingham where he contributed to the ship's efforts to provide supplies to troops across the Pacific. While deployed on the USS Bingham, he traveled to Hawaii, Japan, the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, Saipan, and Guam. In Japan, Mr. Lindsay saw action at the Battle of Okinawa, Operation Magic Carpet, and took part in amphibious warfare training. prgtoken Three years later, in June 1946, Mr. Lindsay transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserve, and was able to return home to complete his high school degree. Just a few years later, he met a woman named Nelda, they fell in love, and together they started a family and went on to open The Flower Cottage in Cortez, which they have run together since 1960. prgtoken Since then, he has been heavily involved within the Cortez community, spending countless hours volunteering for the Lions Club, American Legion, Elks Club, and coaching Little League baseball. Mr. Lindsay has worked prgtoken with local organizations to build the golf course, ball fields, and fairgrounds. Just a few years ago, Mr. Lindsay participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. where he had the opportunity to see the World War II Memorial for the first time alongside his fellow comrades in arms. prgtoken , on behalf of the Third Congressional District of Colorado, I would like thank Mr. Lindsay for his dedication to the Cortez community and our nation. He has led an exemplary life and Cortez is proud to have Mr. Lindsay as one of its sons.
INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-7-26

yesterday, during the lunch hour, Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, brought a number of charts and a very welcomed message, which was that the American economy is very strong and that many of the predictions that have been made during the course of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act debate have proven to be true--the positive comments. The negative comments have proven to be false in terms of what the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would do to restart this great economic engine known as the American economy. prgtoken Back home in Texas, we issued our monthly employment report, and it included good news, which I would also like to share. First, Texas created 27,000 new jobs in June. That is a whole lot of people who are moving up, pursuing new opportunities, and moving into our State from places in which they don't have those opportunities. A single new job can mean a lot of things in a person's life, but at the very least, it means a fresh start, a chance to be challenged, to grow, and to put a few extra dollars in the bank. Now multiply the 27,000 new jobs by 12, and you can see that the impact on workers, families, and our entire State is huge. prgtoken I am glad to say that this is the 24th consecutive month of job growth in Texas, and the folks I have talked to around the State in places like College Station, Austin, and Amarillo, just to name a few, are pretty excited. They are also relieved. They are relieved that the Texas unemployment rate continues to decline and are excited that once again we have been called the top State for business. All told, Texas has added 360,000 new jobs over the last 12 months. That is 360,000 new jobs in Texas over the last 12 months. prgtoken Mayor Jerry Morales of Midland, TX, who is also the owner of several restaurants there, said recently: ``This economy is on fire.'' Apparently the fire has reached as far as his kitchen because he is having trouble retaining cooks at his restaurant. In other words, the economy is running strong, unemployment is low, and the labor participation rate continues to go up, but employers are having a hard time finding qualified workers to perform the good, well-paying jobs that do exist. That is exactly what a competitive labor market looks like. Other employers in the Permian Basin around Midland have doubled the previous pay of new employees because of the competitive labor market there. Those are just a couple of stories in one area of my State. There are many more. prgtoken I continue to hear from my constituents about the positive impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act--landmark legislation we enacted at the end of last year. Just to remind everybody, we cut tax rates; we doubled the standard deduction, meaning that fewer people will actually have to fill out the long-form tax return; and we doubled the child tax credit. What is more, we encouraged companies that had billions of dollars in cash p
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019--CONFERENCE REPORT
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-7-26

reserving the right to object, nobody-- nobody in this Chamber has more respect for the junior Senator from Utah than I do. He is whip-smart, he is honest, he is a good guy, and we almost always vote together. I have some problems I would like to point out to the Chamber with respect to the Senator's request for unanimous consent. prgtoken No. 1, it is a fact that 98.5 percent of all of the homes insured by the National Flood Insurance Program are not owned by a bunch of rich people; 98.5 percent of those homes are located in counties with a median household income below $100,000; and 62 percent of those homes are located in counties with a median household income below $54,000, which is the national average. So I would respectfully disagree that the purpose and the effect of the NFIP are to help people with their expensive beach homes. prgtoken No. 2, if we adopt the motion by my distinguished colleague, the NFIP is dead on Tuesday. Let me say that again. If we do what the distinguished Senator would like us to do, on Tuesday, the 31st, the NFIP expires. The reason is that, even if I agreed with what my colleague wanted to do, we do not have time to pass this bill, get it to the House, and get it to the President in time to keep the program from expiring on July 31--and, by the way, the House has recessed. prgtoken No. 3, I agree with my colleague that this program needs to be reformed, and we all, including my distinguished colleague, have been working toward that end. We are not there yet, but we are working hard toward that end. prgtoken I slightly disagree with the proposition that we reformed the program in 2010. I think the last time we really, truly reformed the National Flood Insurance Program was never, and it is about time that we do it now. prgtoken The final point I would like to make is that the amendment my colleague is asking this house to adopt today is not just about vacation homes costing $2.5 million. I have looked at the bill, and by my reading--and the reading of people a lot smarter than I--this bill would apply to any structure, period, that costs more than $2.5 million. That structure would not be eligible to participate in the NFIP. It would prohibit assisted living centers, it would prohibit dormitories, it would prohibit hotels, it would prohibit apartment buildings from insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program. If you can't get it from the private sector--and, in many cases, you will not be able to; that is why we have the NFIP--you are on your own. It would mean we couldn't have any more low-income housing. Low-income housing projects are required to have flood insurance from HUD. We all know that. They would be barred from insurance coverage under this amendment. prgtoken Residents of Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico also know that if one of their communities is not participating in the NFIP, then Federal assistance can't be used in