mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-9-17

. Madam , I thank Mr. Shimkus for the wonderful tribute being paid. We will have to stand up here at some point and pay a wonderful tribute to Mr. Shimkus. prgtoken Obviously, there is a great deal of trouble going on, a lot of troubled people in this country. It is interesting, recently, my wife had flown up to be here in Washington for the President's speech on the White House grounds and, flying back, she noticed there were people with the BLM, Black Lives Matter, paraphernalia, things on there saying ``BLM,'' ``Black Lives Matter.'' prgtoken It was interesting to hear, apparently, some of the comments, and the comments had to do with the free plane tickets they got to fly up to protest here. One person said, yeah, they got a free minivan the whole time they were here. prgtoken Somebody is paying for those items to come up and threaten and assault. Thankfully, there weren't near as many batteries with the actual physical part of the assault, just threatened assaults. prgtoken My wife and I, when we left the White House grounds up from the closed Pennsylvania part, trying to get down to our car in front of the Willard, we ended up being chased by a mob. The mob was on its way, and they were very loud and aggressive as they ran toward us, so I thought we will cut through the Willard, because I knew we would never make it all the way around the next block. prgtoken There was a door there, a glass door, and I kept knocking on the door, and there were people at the other end of the hall. They could see us. Nobody would come open the door. prgtoken Finally, the mob was getting closer as they were running toward us, and I said: Look, if they get here before this door gets open, you go ahead around the corner. I am sure they will be all enthralled with beating me. I don't think they will come after you. Just get around the block. There are police at the other end of the next block. Just get there while they are after me. Don't try to stay and defend me. prgtoken But out of nowhere, this guy just comes up behind me--he worked for the Willard--scanned his card, opened the door right before the crowd got there. prgtoken But it is just amazing, you know, who wants to inflict violence like that, and, more particularly, who is it that is funding people to come up and create havoc like that? prgtoken In an article by Katharine Gorka a couple of days ago in The Federalist, entitled, ``How the 1960s Riots Foreshadow Today's Communist Weaponization of Black Pain''--clearly, there has been pain this country. George Floyd's death was so unnecessary. It was outrageous. prgtoken But who is paying? prgtoken Who is stirring up all this violence to create more pain, more suffering, and more damage? prgtoken It is a question worth finding an answer for. prgtoken I have thought numerous times about David Horowitz. I introduced him to someone some years back and said that he used to be a Socialist; and David, now 80, said, Louie, I wasn't a
HONORING RYAN PHILLIP HENDRIX
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-9-17

I rise today to pay tribute to Sheriff Deputy Ryan Phillip Hendrix, 34, of Hendersonville who passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2020, while in the line of duty. He was born December 9, 1985, in Asheville, North Carolina to his parents Donald L. and Heidi J. Hendrix. Ryan was a devoted Christian and attended Grace Blue Ridge Church with Pastor Chas Morris. prgtoken Shortly after graduating from Hendersonville Christian School in 2004, Ryan enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated as a lance corporal marine in 2005. He was in the Marine Reserves for 5 years and volunteered to serve a tour of duty in Iraq in 2006. Ryan began his career with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office as a detention officer in June 2012. In May 2015, he completed basic law enforcement training and became a patrol deputy and later a field training officer. prgtoken He was an active member of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and was assigned as a patrol detective to Charlie Squad. prgtoken Ryan excelled in sports, especially baseball and soccer, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, biking, kayaking, and camping. Ryan's children, Elloree and Merritt, were the love of his life and always his greatest priority. He spent all of his free time with them and continually involved them in outdoor activities. He enjoyed teaching them how to raise animals and spending time with their extended family of grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many cousins. prgtoken Ryan had a keen instinct and could see things most couldn't. He was swift to action and was very intuitive while possessing a magnanimous heart. He would choose not to fight with a fool, but rather help them to find a better way. Ryan loved to bring humor to every situation, and even during the roughest times, you would always see a smile on his face. prgtoken Ryan tragically lost his life during the early morning hours of September 10, 2020, while in the line of duty. As the world slept, Ryan responded to assist a family in need of help when they became innocent victims of a violent encounter. prgtoken We all know the tragic outcome, but Ryan refused to let the story end there. While his death will leave a giant void in the hearts of those who love him, he continues to exemplify a servant's heart even in passing. Ryan was also an organ donor and will continue helping strangers for a lifetime, even after making the ultimate sacrifice. He was doing the job he was born to do and died doing the job he loved. prgtoken As the U.S. Senator from North Carolina, I am forever grateful for Ryan's service to our State and Nation. He gave his life protecting his fellow citizens, and we will never forget the sacrifice he made.
100TH BIRTHDAY OF THE NFL
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-9-17

I rise today to commemorate the 100th birthday of the National Football League. On September 17, 1920, 15 people who shared a love of football met in an automobile showroom in Canton, OH, to form what would become the National Football League. From these humble beginnings, the NFL has grown into a preeminent American sports league and become a fixture in American life. Today's NFL is an American institution that brings together millions of individuals of all ages, races, and backgrounds through a shared love for the game of football. In fact, last season, the NFL concluded the celebration of its 100th season with a stunning Super Bowl championship that was viewed by over 100 million Americans. prgtoken At the same time, the NFL has never forgotten its roots in Ohio. Every year, millions of football fans travel to Canton, which now hosts the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the accompanying Hall of Fame game that rings in every new NFL season. Today, in an effort to commemorate the League's 100th birthday, Canton and the Cleveland Browns will host my hometown Cincinnati Bengals in a classic rivalry game, known as the Battle of Ohio. The game will highlight the formation of the league and its origins in Canton, honor the more than 25,000 players who have played in the league, and showcase the work the NFL is doing to ensure its second century is just as successful as the first. prgtoken I wish the league all the best as it embarks into its second century as the foremost steward of ``America's Game.''
REMEMBERING MELISSIA DAVIS
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-9-17

today I wish to honor the life of Mrs. Melissia Davis of Kennedy, AL, who passed away on September 7, 2020. She will be remembered as a dedicated public servant who was committed to bettering her community and State. prgtoken Melissia worked diligently for 26 years as the State representative in my U.S. Senate Office in Tuscaloosa, AL. She covered the West Alabama region, specifically serving the counties of Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa. I first met Melissia when she was working for the Internal Revenue Service, and I was eager to hire her. I knew she would be an exemplary employee. Over the years, Melissia gained a deep understanding of constituent services and remained dedicated to working with Federal, State, and local agencies on behalf of my constituents. prgtoken Melissia served with distinction on the board of trustees of her alma mater, Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. She was the chairwoman of the Stillman House Restoration Committee for 13 years. Under her leadership, the historic Stillman House was placed on the Alabama Historic Register and National Register of Historic Places. She was also successful in placing Stillman College on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, designating the campus as an Alabama Historic District. prgtoken Outside of her professional career, Mrs. Davis was heavily involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc the West Alabama United Way Campaign, Habitat for Humanity, and several other local endeavors. Additionally, Melissia was a dedicated member of Elizabeth Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and served as a matron. Not only did Melissia live a life of service, she embodied it. prgtoken Melissia's many accomplishments and contributions to the State of Alabama will long be remembered. Melissia was passionate about her hometown of Kennedy, AL, and she served as one of its strongest advocates. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor and style. Melissia touched the lives of many over the years, and she will be greatly missed. prgtoken I offer my deepest condolences to Melissia's husband, Burkles Davis, II, and her two children, Alecia Nicole Davis and Burkles ``Trey'' Davis, III, and to all of their loved ones as they celebrate her life and mourn her passing.
CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RELATED TO COVID-19
Andy Biggs (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-9-17

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I join in condemning racial discrimination of all kinds. It should never be tolerated. I wish we had the perfect society and everybody recognized everybody in a colorblind way, but what this bill does today is it doesn't address that. prgtoken When I heard the chairman of the Judiciary Committee just refer to calling the virus that originated in China the Wuhan prefecture, when I heard him say that this is somehow equivalent to the Chinese Immigration Exclusion Act or somehow equivalent to the Japanese internment camp experience that we had where over 100,000 Japanese were removed from their homes and taken to camps, I said: This really is the woke culture on steroids. This has gone beyond. prgtoken If this would have been a condemnation of anti-Asian discrimination, I probably would have been right there signing this. I lived in northeast Asia for 2 years. I speak Japanese. I have traveled extensively in Asia. This doesn't address that. What it does is says: You know what, we want to do something when we are about 6 weeks out from an election. That is what this resolution is about. You can't tell the truth here. prgtoken Let's just recite some of the things we know: prgtoken The West Nile virus, that is because that virus emerged from the West Nile district of Uganda, 1930. prgtoken The Saint Louis encephalitis virus broke out around St. Louis in 1933. prgtoken The Japanese encephalitis virus broke out in Japan in 1870. prgtoken Coxsackie, New York State; Marburg, Germany; Hendra, Australia, all have viruses named after them. prgtoken You will always have the ignorant who act out on racial animus. We condemn that. But let's tell the truth. The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus in 2012. We call that ``MERS.'' prgtoken This week we learned from Chinese virologist Dr. Li-Meng Yan that not only did this virus originate in China, but it may have been manufactured and released intentionally by the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken So when the media refers to this as the ``Wuhan virus'' or the ``China virus,'' and other officials, including folks from this party over here, it is not because they have an existing racist sentiment, but it is rather to describe its origination as has been done historically. prgtoken This resolution today is even more than a measure to appease the woke and tolerant and politically correct leftists. It is an attack on President and all who support President . prgtoken It is a crying shame that you can't take the actual issue that you want to address and address it. You have to expand it that way for political purposes. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
Hot Springs VA Facility (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-9-17

South Dakota's veterans and the Hot Springs community are currently celebrating the VA's announcement that it has begun the process of rescinding its order to close the Hot Springs VA facility. This was a hard-fought victory in a battle that we weren't always sure we would win. It started almost a decade ago, in 2011, when the administration announced its plans to realign-- when I say ``realign,'' reclose--the Hot Springs VA facility. prgtoken I was well aware of what the Hot Springs facility means to South Dakota veterans and to the entire Hot Springs community, and I determined that there wasn't going to be a closure if I could help it. I knew that closing the Hot Springs facility would put accessible care out of the reach of a lot of rural and Tribal veterans--not only rural and Tribal South Dakota veterans but rural and Tribal veterans from neighboring Wyoming and Nebraska who depend on the Hot Springs facility for care. prgtoken Traveling to Rapid City and Fort Meade for care, as the VA proposed, would be a real hardship, if not an impossibility, for many of these veterans. I also strongly disagreed with moving not only medical care but the vital Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Program from Hot Springs. Not only would this put the program out of reach of some veterans, I believed it was also a mistake to remove a tremendously effective program from the place where it has been so successful and try to reconstitute it elsewhere. prgtoken I got to work in Congress, along with other Members of the South Dakota delegation. My first priority was simply trying to get Hot Springs' veterans a hearing with the VA. prgtoken In 2016, after years of trying, we persuaded then-VA Secretary Bob McDonald to visit Hot Springs. Unfortunately, the visit didn't work, and soon prgtoken after the Secretary signed an order finalizing the decision to close the majority of the facility. prgtoken The battle wasn't over. In 2014, I had succeeded in attaching a measure to an appropriations legislation prohibiting the closure of the Hot Springs facility until a national VA realignment strategy was proposed. In each year, with appreciation to the Appropriations Committee, I have managed to renew this measure. And after a new VA Secretary--Secretary Robert Wilkie--took the helm, I repeatedly urged him to come to Hot Springs and to check out our facility for himself. Early this year, the Secretary announced that he would visit the facility in March. prgtoken I then organized a letter with the rest of the South Dakota delegation strongly urging the Secretary to make time to sit down with Hot Springs veterans and other stakeholders and listen to their concerns about the planned closure. To our great gratitude, the Secretary agreed. prgtoken Early in Secretary Wilkie's visit to Hot Springs on March 2, I requested that he revisit the order to close the facility signed over 3 years ago. A bit to our surprise and much to ou
Agriculture (Executive Session)
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2020-9-17

. I want to thank my colleague from North Dakota. prgtoken It is so appropriate, , that you are in the chair right now presiding because you are a cattle farmer from the great State of Mississippi, and we have many, many discussions on the importance of livestock and on the importance of agriculture to our States. prgtoken Nebraska is an ag State. In 2018, Nebraska generated around $21.3 billion in agricultural cash receipts. Agriculture and ag processing accounts for 9.4 percent of the State's GDP. The agriculture production complex accounts for approximately one-quarter of our GDP workforce. By these measures, agriculture plays a greater role in my State of Nebraska than it does in the economy of any other State in the United States. When agriculture suffers, Nebraska suffers. prgtoken Over the last several years, our farmers and ranchers have done their fair share of suffering. As my colleague mentioned, USDA's most recent farm income projections forecast that cash receipts will be at their lowest level in more than a decade. As a rancher, I know it is difficult to plan for the future when you are facing so many factors that are outside of your control, whether it is low commodity prices or retaliatory tariffs or natural disasters that we have gone through and also a global pandemic. prgtoken Nebraska's farmers and ranchers have maintained their patience in these tough times, but they deserve to know without any kind of doubt that amidst all of this unpredictability they are experiencing, we here in Congress are going to hold up our end of the bargain. prgtoken For decades, the Commodity Credit Corporation has been routinely replenished to fund the programs that the Senator from North Dakota spoke about--those programs that are so important to the farm safety net. Producers count on programs like the agriculture risk coverage, price loss coverage, marketing assistance loans, the important conservation programs, and so many more. prgtoken For PLC alone, U.S. farmers are expected to receive $4.7 billion in October. Out of that total, Nebraska farmers are anticipating $180 million in program payments. Without that immediate CCC reimbursement, these payments and these programs are going to be significantly delayed. That will jeopardize the nearly 46,000 farms and ranches in my State of Nebraska. prgtoken We have seen more than 40 agriculture and commodity groups who have stepped forward and written congressional leadership this week with a very, very clear message: Blocking the inclusion of that CCC reimbursement in a CR will hurt farmers and ranchers, no question. prgtoken We need to come together. We need to come together and fund the programs that we, s and alike, have voted on in countless prgtoken farm bills. Our farmers and ranchers rely on them, and they rely on them now more than ever. Congress must keep its commitment to these hard-working men and women. prgtoken I urge my c
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF JOHN MODDIE
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2020-9-17

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize the life and service of John Moddie of Iron Mountain, Michigan. Through his extreme courage and selflessness, John has become an indispensable part of the state of Michigan. prgtoken John enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 directly following his graduation from Niagara High School. After completing training at Fort Sheridan, Camp Roberts, and Camp Atterbury, John was shipped overseas to Germany. He fought for three months as a part of a field artillery unit, where he and his fellow men in uniform fought to repel the last German offensive of WWII during the Battle of the Bulge. John received a shrapnel wound and was captured on December 19, 1944. His time imprisoned as a POW would expose him to the horrific and inhumane treatment by the Nazis--facing severe hunger and the near constant fear of death. John and his fellow POWs would eventually be freed as Allied forces advanced through the region. Upon return home, John married his wife, Betty, built their home in Quinnesec, MI, and started their family. prgtoken Observed annually on the third Friday of September, National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors those who were Prisoners of War and those who are still Missing in Action in service to their nation. We owe the men and women in uniform who were captured, missing, or unaccounted for a debt which can never be repaid. By coming together to honor those who stood up to defend and to serve, the people of Michigan's First District can ensure that the service and sacrifice of those in uniform is never forgotten. prgtoken Madam , it is my honor to recognize the service of John Moddie. Michiganders can take immense pride in knowing that the First District is home to such a selfless individual. On behalf of my constituents, I wish John all the best in his future endeavors.
NATIONAL SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-9-17

. Madam , I rise today to recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month. prgtoken Every year, close to 800,000 people die by suicide, leaving their family and friends to navigate the tragedy of loss. This is one death every 40 seconds. prgtoken Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that suicide rates are rising, and suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. for all ages. prgtoken This important month is a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this stigmatized topic. It is beneficial to learn and pay attention to the warning signs of suicide and periodically check in with friends and family members, especially during these challenging times. prgtoken Additionally, talking about suicide in an open and caring way can help those who are having suicidal thoughts. As the isolating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to grip our world, it is imperative we take our physical and mental health seriously. prgtoken I encourage everyone to educate themselves about suicide and the patient-centered resources available so we can help protect those in our communities, friends, and loved ones.