mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING MINNESOTA WINS
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to talk about the situation in Burma. prgtoken It has been my honor this year to be a member of the International Parliamentary Inquiry on Myanmar. Our group of lawmakers representing Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America released our final report earlier this month, which I will submit as an extension of my remarks. prgtoken The tragedy of the Burmese military coup is immense, but the resilience of the Burmese people and their movement for democracy is deeply inspiring. The United States must recognize the National Unity Government as the legitimate government of Burma and never give legitimacy to the coup leaders. prgtoken But we should also be clear that the National Unity Government must include Rohingya representation to be legitimate. The international community has not done nearly enough to support the democratic aspirations of the Burmese people. We must lead by example while we still have time.
RECOGNIZING THERESE McMILLAN
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-11-17

I rise today to recognize the service of a friend and a dedicated public servant, Therese McMillan, who is retiring as executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission. prgtoken Therese began her work with MTC in 1984 and then moved to the Federal Transit Administration, most notably as the acting administrator from 2014 to 2016. In 2019, Therese returned to the MTC as its new executive director. prgtoken Under her leadership, MTC established an Equity Platform to advance policies and make investments that will ensure all residents of the San Francisco Bay Area are considered when discussing the bay area's transit needs. She also helped to establish minimum housing density targets near transit stations to foster ridership. prgtoken I have had the pleasure of working with Therese over the years. She has always been smart, kind, and dedicated to doing what is best. Please join me in congratulating Therese on a magnificent career of public service and wishing her the best on her retirement and her nearly three decades of service to our community.
HONORING TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK
Jennifer Wexton (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Transgender Awareness Week. prgtoken Each and every day, our trans friends and neighbors fight to make their voices heard, to demand their basic human rights, and to live free from increasing dehumanizing and hateful attacks. Their spirit and fight deserve to be celebrated this week and every week. prgtoken Madam , we stand with the trans community and join their fight to live openly and authentically without fear of discrimination. We also must not ignore the horrific violence targeting the trans community. prgtoken Sunday marks Transgender Day of Remembrance as we honor the at least 32 transgender or gender-nonconforming Americans who have been killed this year and commit to doing all in our power to end this bigoted violence. prgtoken As co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus' Transgender Equality Task Force, I will never stop working to uplift the voices and visibility of trans Americans and shine the light on injustices this community faces. prgtoken To my friends in the trans community, I want to let you know that you are seen, you are heard, and you have allies here in Congress.
AMERICA, WE HAVE LIFT OFF
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-11-17

. America, we have lift off. In a surge of fire, thunder, and smoke, Artemis I lit the early morning sky and was launched into the cosmos. At 9 million pounds of thrust, Artemis I is the most powerful rocket ever launched from the Earth. I was honored to see this historic flight firsthand early yesterday morning. prgtoken Now, after 50 years, America takes its first major step toward going back to the Moon; and we are bringing our many international partners with us, including the EU, Japan, Canada, and other allies. prgtoken In Central Florida, we locals beam with pride that Artemis launched from the storied 39B pad from Cape Canaveral. prgtoken This first mission was a long time in the making. The Orion spacecraft began to be developed during the Constellation program from 2005-2010. prgtoken In 2017, I was proud to vote formally to establish the Artemis program. Over the next 5 years, America got to work, including every State. Many Central Floridians helped build or assemble the Orion capsule, the Space Launch System, the crawler transporter, and other components. prgtoken During that 5-year period, NASA and SpaceX also kept busy on another key project, launching the Crew Dragon spacecraft. On May 30, 2020, I saw, firsthand, Astronauts Bob and Doug launch in the Spacecraft Endeavour and dock at the International Space Station. This was the first crewed launch from American soil in 9 years. prgtoken Since then, we have seen multiple SpaceX and Blue Origin crewed flights. Travel in low Earth orbit to and from ISS is now a regular occurrence in Central Florida. prgtoken With these flights well in hand, NASA turned its efforts toward deep space exploration once again. As the most powerful rocket ever to fly from the Earth, we knew the first Artemis launch would never be easy. But America never gives up. prgtoken It turned out that, after two scrubbed launches, the third time was the charm. As I stand here this morning, the Orion spacecraft just had its next burn to set it on a course for a lunar flyby. The closest approach to the Moon will be on November 21, before entering a distant retrograde orbit around the moon on November 25. It will roughly travel 1.3 million miles, farther than any other crew-designed spacecraft that has ever traveled. prgtoken It is a test flight, of course, so we will push Orion's capabilities to the maximum to ensure it is safe for future astronauts. Then Orion will return to the Earth in about 25\1/2\ days. After that, NASA will construct extensive evaluations of the returning Orion capsule. prgtoken From there, the future of crewed lunar spaceflight will begin to accelerate. In 2024, Artemis II will be the first crewed launch around the Moon in a new craft. In 2025, Artemis III crew will have the first woman and next man land on the Moon. And in 2027, Artemis IV will dock with the Lunar Gateway Space Station and begin our permanent presence on the Moon. prgtoken We will seek to discover wa
DISASTER SURVIVORS FAIRNESS ACT OF 2022
Troy A. Carter (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 8416. This legislation, introduced by Subcommittee Chair Dina Titus, significantly improves disaster assistance programs for individuals and families. prgtoken It is undeniable that climate change has transformed the nature and severity of natural disasters in the United States. This has caused real and devastating impacts for those who find themselves living in the path of these disasters. Their lives will be upended by the loss of savings, homes, loved ones, and peace of mind. prgtoken Survivors turn to their government, especially to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, for support after what may have been the worst day of their lives. We know this by firsthand experience in my home State of Louisiana. In Congress, we must do everything in our power to ensure that Federal Government offers a hand of support that is fair, capable, and compassionate. prgtoken This package includes several key provisions to improve disaster assistance programs and survivor outcomes. First, this package will create universal application for direct Federal assistance and enable Federal agencies to share relevant disaster assistance information with each other. prgtoken The bureaucracy of the current application and evaluation process can leave survivors so overwhelmed that they give up hope on accessing the aid they are, in fact, entitled to. I have heard this from my own constituents. It is a travesty. It adds insult to injury. That is why I support this substantial step forward to cut red tape, streamline survivors' access to assistance, and reduce the time it takes for our communities to recover. prgtoken Second, this legislation gives FEMA new authorities that significantly expand the agency's ability to make disaster damaged homes more resilient. It is common sense to encourage mitigation activities in disaster-prone areas. Homes that were impacted once by a disaster are likely to be impacted again, and those hard-hit households may need extra help to rebuild stronger. prgtoken Third, several amendments were made to the Stafford Act which enables FEMA to support innovative post-disaster housing solutions. Natural disasters can exacerbate housing crises already existing in communities much like those which I represent. This bill seeks to help. prgtoken For example, it authorizes the agency to provide direct repair assistance to homeowners, which may reduce the amount of time survivors spend in temporary shelters or housing before returning home. It also authorizes FEMA to reimburse States that implement their own innovative post-disaster housing solutions. prgtoken Lastly, this legislation includes a series of reports and studies that may identify existing challenges in the administration of current post-disaster housing programs and propose new solutions. prgtoken H.R. 8416 is designed to put survivors first and get them b
RECOGNIZING DR. PRESTON KING
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor a social science educator, prolific writer, political philosopher, and African American Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Preston King. prgtoken Dr. King was born in Albany, Georgia on March 3, 1936, to the union of Clennon Washington King, Sr and Margaret Slater King. prgtoken Dr. King obtained his bachelor's degree from Fisk University in 1956. He went on to obtain his Master of Science in 1958 from the London School of Economics and his PhD in 1966. Dr. King was subjected to the draft board process and after the board refused to address him as Mr. King, he refused to respond. He was charged with draft evasion and went into exile in the United Kingdom because of the unjust charges that were levied against him. prgtoken His exile began his storied career in Academia as he has served at many institutions of higher learning in England and Africa to include Keele University, The University of Ghana, The University of Sheffield, the University of East Africa and as department Chair at the University of Nairobi. prgtoken Dr. King moved to Australia in 1976 where he served as Chair of the School of Economics until 1986, when he returned to the United Kingdom and Lancaster University, resuming his position as Chair. prgtoken During his extraordinary career, Dr. King has published many books. His first book was published in 1967, Fear of Power. Other dynamic publications included Politics and Experience, as well as multiple editions of The Ideology of Order in 1974 and 1999 and Toleration in 1978 and 1998. Other books include An African Winter, Socialism and the Common Good: New Fabian Essays and Friendship and Politics. Additionally, Dr. King has authored, narrated, and edited the Critical Review International Social and Political Philosophy. prgtoken Despite his numerous commitments in academia, Dr. King has found time to share his talents as a visiting professor at multiple institutions of higher learning to include McGill University in Canada, Auckland University in New Zealand, Australian National University in Australia, Macquarie University in Australia and Birkbeck College, a part of the University of London System. prgtoken Dr. King's philosophy in academia and activism has always been centered around social issues, especially as they relate to scientific matters. He has extensively studied the structure of societies and how they function and evolve, and he has played an integral role in tying questions of history and the philosophy of history to questions of tolerance and the ways societies may or may not be managed. prgtoken Dr. King was pardoned by President Bill Clinton in 2000. He has been active as a scholar-in residence at the leadership center of Morehouse College in Atlanta since 2006. prgtoken Shirley Chisholm once said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Through much adversity, Dr. Preston King has paid his rent and he ha
TRIBUTE TO GAYE OLIVIA BROWN
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-11-17

. . I rise today to honor the career of Gaye Olivia Brown, a dedicated public servant with more than three decades of government service, on the occasion of her retirement. prgtoken Maryland is home to a robust Federal workforce that serves our country with pride. Federal employees work day-in and day-out to provide crucial services to the American people. I have the honor of representing many of these dedicated individuals in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken For many years, Mrs. Brown has been part of that group, committing herself to government service locally and on the Federal level, for the Metropolitan Police Department, the Department of Defense, Andrews Air Force Base, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and finally, at the National Institutes of Health. At these Agencies and beyond, Federal workers help keep our country running, both in normal times and in times of crisis. I am honored to support this workforce as they fulfill their mission, just as Mrs. Brown has done with distinction. prgtoken I commend Mrs. Brown for 34 years of dedicated and faithful public service. I congratulate her on her well-deserved retirement.
DISASTER SURVIVORS FAIRNESS ACT OF 2022
Dina Titus (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today in support of the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act which I introduced to address housing needs for victims in the aftermath of disasters. prgtoken In June, my subcommittee held an informal roundtable with stakeholders to identify post-disaster housing needs when it comes to emergency management and what the government can do to be helpful. prgtoken It is no surprise that climate change and the related severe weather events are changing the emergency management landscape. Today's disasters cause more damage, they have greater impacts on communities, they are more expensive, and they require more time to recover. prgtoken This legislation will cut red tape by providing States more flexibility to pursue the most appropriate post-disaster housing solutions for them, for their locations, for their geography, and for their demography. prgtoken It will deliver valuable resources to those in need by expanding eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance. It will provide oversight to ensure assistance is not being prioritized for wealthy homeowners and that everyone will benefit from the program. It will save taxpayer dollars by reducing the need for long-term sheltering that can cost FEMA upwards of $300,000 per unit. We all remember the pictures of the trailers after Katrina. prgtoken So, Madam , I believe that this is commonsense legislation, it is broadly supported, and I ask my colleagues to vote for it. I thank the chair for yielding me time.
HONORING LEWIS SMITH
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-11-17

. Madam , I rise today during National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month, a time when the pain and grief of loss should be honored with action, to read the words and the plea of a heartbroken mother and a Pennsylvania 5 constituent, Molly Collington, who lost her son, Sam, to gun violence a year ago on November 28, 2021. prgtoken By all accounts, Sam Collington was a remarkable young man who left an outsized impact on our community. prgtoken His mother, Molly, shared her story with me earlier this fall when I met with her and her colleagues at Delaware County's Moms Demand Action chapter. I was deeply moved by her advocacy in the face of unimaginable loss and grief, and I am sharing her words with her permission now. ``My name is Molly Collington. I am Sam Collington's brokenhearted mother. ``Sam was the best son any mother could ever ask for. He was kind, smart, reliable, and without a doubt, one of the funniest people to ever walk this Earth. ``Sam was murdered on November 28, 2021. The day began with Sam loading up his father's car with clean laundry, some leftover turkey, and supplies to carry him through the rest of the semester. ``He was returning to his apartment at Temple University after the Thanksgiving weekend. He planned to drop the items off at his apartment, then return home to watch HBO with me, sleep in his own bed, and then take the train back to school Monday morning. That did not happen. ``Because on his street, near his apartment, was a career criminal with an illegal gun waiting to steal the car of the next person that drove down the street. The next person was my Eagle Scout son, Sam. Sam was shot four times and died less than 30 minutes later at Temple Hospital. ``Sam was so knowledgeable about our country and all its history. He knew every single President and could talk for hours about politics. So it was no surprise when he told his father and I that he wanted to study political science at Temple University after high school. His fervor for politics and government started very young. He proudly served as his high school's president for his junior and senior year. ``During his time at Temple, he served as the president of the Political Science Society, never missing an opportunity to make each day count. ``He planned to attend law school and study constitutional law. He was an activist. ``He campaigned for local politicians and interned at city hall where he worked with elections. He was responsible for getting hundreds of people prgtoken registered to vote, on and off campus. He was a poll watcher. ``He even went on a `Bernie Journey' where he rode with fellow Temple students on a schoolbus to North and South Carolina to campaign for his favorite politician, Bernie Sanders. ``Sam truly believed in the `not me, us' mantra, which is why he was so outspoken in his love of politics and striving for a better world. ``Sam had a larger-than-life personality.
AMERICA FIRST
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-11-17

recently we saw yard signs across our Nation proclaiming ``America First.'' prgtoken To put America first should mean defending our people against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That is a daunting task, indeed. No nation, including ours, is an island in a world where nuclear weapons, predatory armed submarines, cyber warfare, and space technologies encircle our globe and are ever-present threats. prgtoken Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine reminds all of us that no freedom-loving nation can fold its tent. Liberty threatened by known expansionists and fervent regimes threaten world order. Russia is testing the resolve of NATO and our free world. prgtoken I am old enough to have lived during an era in which Russia's historic aggression into territory that was not its own extended as far west as East Berlin, Germany. prgtoken Russia is repeating its brutal history yet again on the European Continent, a continent in which our Nation's World War II war dead reached 183,588 and globally over 416,800. prgtoken Our Nation cannot retreat from our alliances that protect us here at home and the rule of law the world around. Victory to Ukraine.
RECOGNIZING ANN SWANSON
John P. Sarbanes (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-11-18

. Madam , I rise today, along with Congressman Bobby Scott and Congressman Rob Wittman, to recognize Ann Swanson as she retires as Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. prgtoken As Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission for more than 34 years, Ms. Swanson has played a definitive role in the progress that the Bay has made, helping to ensure the renewal and restoration of the nation's largest estuary and the economic engine of the region. prgtoken The Chesapeake Bay is a unique natural resource and national treasure, and because its watershed spans six states and the District of Columbia, protecting the Bay poses a distinct challenge and requires commitment and resources across state and party boundaries. In leading the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative authority which serves Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, Ms. Swanson has fostered bipartisan and multi-state coordination that has been integral to improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay. prgtoken Through her tireless work with countless advocates, legislators and regulatory agencies on both the state and federal levels, Ms. Swanson has brokered deals and encouraged legislative action, funding allocations and regulation implementation that give due consideration to each region's unique cultural, financial and economic conditions. Under Ms. Swanson's leadership, the Chesapeake Bay Commission has addressed issues including agricultural runoff, fisheries management, water cleanliness, habitat restoration and public access. prgtoken Ms. Swanson's dedication to and effectiveness in conserving the Chesapeake Bay has made her a well-respected figure in the environmental restoration community and beyond. Trained as a wildlife biologist and forest ecologist, she has been awarded honors such as Admiral of the Chesapeake by the State of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Leadership Award from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chesapeake Conservancy and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Vermont. prgtoken As we approach the deadline for the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Goals, though work unquestionably remains to be done, Ann Swanson's legacy has laid a strong foundation upon which further restoration of the Chesapeake will be built. I commend Ann Swanson for her four decades of public service at the Chesapeake Bay Commission and wish her the best in the next chapter of her life. All of us in its watershed owe her a debt of gratitude for her tireless efforts to improve the Bay, recognizing that when the environment thrives, so do our communities.