mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HAMAS HUMAN SHIELDS PREVENTION ACT
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 3542, the Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act. prgtoken , this is an act that came before our committee and was adopted unanimously by voice vote. I was there. My hearing has been tested recently, and there was not one dissenting voice. I thank Representatives Wilson and Moulton for their leadership in authoring the Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act, and I am proud to be a cosponsor. prgtoken This legislation calls out the cowardly use of human shields by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. It sanctions anyone who supports or takes part in this horrific practice. prgtoken Let us be perfectly clear about what is at stake. There are designated terrorist entities using innocent civilians, even innocent children, as a means to camouflage their arsenals. Every time Hamas does this, every time it is done by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the leadership is making a horrific statement: they put a higher value on their efforts to kill Israeli civilians than they do on the lives of Gaza's civilians. prgtoken Keep in mind, this practice is a violation of the Geneva Conventions and the rules and laws of war. It is a war crime and should, indeed, be sanctioned by the United Nations. prgtoken First and foremost, this is an issue of basic human rights. Hamas has forced civilians to gather on the roofs of their homes so they can hide terrorist military leaders and weapons below. Hamas has even built their tunnels that they use to move weapons and fighters right under civilian infrastructure. This puts hospitals, schools, mosques, markets, and innocent Palestinians at great risk. prgtoken It doesn't stop there. Hamas purposely puts rockets in U.N. facilities, compelling the U.N. to launch daily inspections of each of their facilities during times of heightened tension and putting international personnel in harm's way. prgtoken Hamas' use of human shields also raises important national security concerns for Israel. Unlike Palestinian terrorist groups--groups that seek to kill as many Israeli civilians as possible--in contrast with that, the Israeli Defense Forces are not blind and cannot be blind to the plight of innocent civilians. prgtoken That is why the Israeli Government has tried to warn Palestinian civilians of upcoming strikes, including evacuation notices, text messages and calls, and even low-explosive warning ``knocks.'' These warnings don't just give innocent civilians the opportunity to evacuate. They also put the terrorists on notice that strikes are imminent, giving them an opportunity to escape. prgtoken The Israeli Government has made an explicit decision. They care enough about warning and saving the lives of Palestinian civilians that they are willing to give an advantage to terrorist groups--groups who are trying to kill as many Israeli civilians as they possibly can. prgtoken The contrast, therefore, is astounding. While Israel h
CONGRATULATING KELECHI IBEZIM ON BECOMING AN EAGLE SCOUT
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-2-13

I rise today to honor Kelechi Ibezim, a high school senior from Glen Ridge, New Jersey, for becoming the first African-American Eagle Scout in Troop 55 of the Northern New Jersey Boy Scouts Council. prgtoken This young man is a resident of my district. Along with others in his troop, Kelechi led the effort to build an outdoor classroom at the Montclair Child Development Center. The center serves underprivileged children and focuses on teaching them social skills. prgtoken Kelechi has spent time painting schools, volunteering for nonprofits, and serving as treasurer of the youth branch of the Montclair NAACP. He plans to pursue a career in business or law once he graduates from college. prgtoken , Kelechi is just one of the many examples of young people in my district making Black history every day. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Kelechi on receiving his Eagle Scout ranking.
CONGRATULATING THE METROPOLITAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Keith Ellison (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-2-13

I rise today to congratulate the Metropolitan Economic Development Association on its recognition as the top minority business developer by the United States Department of Commerce. Over the past 45 years, MEDA has provided assistance to more than 20,000 businesses owned by people of color. MEDA has worked to break down the barriers that these entrepreneurs face in building futures for themselves, their families, and their businesses. MEDA has helped establish more than 1,400 jobs in the Twin Cities. As a result of its tireless dedication and wealth of services, this is the second consecutive year that MEDA has received the commendation of top minority business developer from the U.S. Commerce Department. Since MEDA launched their loan program in 1995, they have fulfilled a major need for minority entrepreneurs who have sustainable prgtoken businesses, but fall short of traditional lending standards. With minority owned businesses being the fastest growing segment in Minnesota's economy, MEDA's services have helped create jobs and generate increased economic activity. MEDA's current president and CEO, Gary Cunningham, has used his experience in the human services field to reinforce MEDA's mission of serving the underserved. Under Gary's leadership, MEDA has continued to expand their loan fund and gain support from local companies in helping minority owned businesses succeed. Gary has focused his career on making a difference for low income people through his various leadership positions in organizations like Northpoint Health and Wellness center and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Metropolitan Council, and Hennepin County. His undying commitment to public service and the common good is evident from his career of notable accomplishments. MEDA has grown to be an everlasting community asset and a reliable institution for entrepreneurs of color looking to start up or expand a business. MEDA is critical fuel for the economic engine that drives our state. I would like to commend MEDA for this well-deserved recognition, and looking forward to their future accomplishments.
BREAKING DOWN THE PRESIDENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-13

. The tri-State entity comes up, in this case, as the gentleman said, 50 percent. But that is not good enough. He wants 20 percent Federal and 80 percent tri-State. It is a formula for a major disaster for America's infrastructure, because it is not just tunnels and Amtrak, it is water systems. It is repairing the Flint system, repairing the Chowchilla water system in California; it is the flood control. It goes on and on and on. prgtoken Unless, of course, you happen to be a Wall Street investor, and you want to--well, let's say you want to build that tunnel. Well, the Federal Government will give you 80 percent. You come up with 20 percent. And by the way, what is going to be the cost to the commuter? prgtoken So none of this makes much sense, except for one thing. Thankfully, the President, after a year plus, has come forward with a plan. We will work with that. We will take his bad plan, we will do a judo move on it, we will flip it, and then we will build a definite program for America. Let's call it a better deal for America, a better infrastructure plan. What do you think? Can we do that, Mr. Payne? prgtoken from New Jersey.
HONORING THE LIFE OF RAY BAUM
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-2-13

I rise this evening to pay tribute to a great man, Ray Baum. prgtoken Ray Baum was the staff director of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He came to Washington, D.C to take on the senior policy role at the committee with the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. prgtoken Ray was a gentleman who was scholarly in terms of his understanding of the issues. He served in the Oregon State House of Representatives and as chairman on the Public Utilities Commission in the State of Oregon. His deep and broad knowledge is something that we all benefited from. I think the House and our country has lost a true patriot. prgtoken Ray was a man of great faith. He had two great loves in his life: Kristine, his wife; their 6 children and 10 grandchildren. He was only 62 years old. He also loved public service and his country. He gave great service to his country. prgtoken I feel very blessed to have served with him at the committee and to have formed a friendship that will last with me all the days of my life. prgtoken God bless you, Ray. Thank you for the example and the role model that you have been to so many of us. May you rest in peace. We will always remember you with love, respect, and always with affection.
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-2-13

a community built without access to drinking water would never be expected to grow and thrive. Parents wouldn't move their children to a home where they don't have running water for bathing and for drinking. Restaurants wouldn't be able to cook and keep their kitchens clean. Manufacturers prgtoken wouldn't build new factories where they couldn't access water for cooling and other types of processes. Simply put, a community without access to water would fail. prgtoken Being connected to high-speed broadband in the 21st century is as critical to the prosperity of rural communities as being connected to running water. I have seen it firsthand. While meeting with Michiganders in Barry County, we discussed recent economic development. Part of the county is seeing new construction of homes, the creation of new businesses, and an influx of young families. The other part of the county has seen much more limited growth. You can guess which part of the county is set up for broadband and which isn't. prgtoken My constituents from Barry County know that high-speed internet is the key to economic growth, educational opportunity, and access to limitless services, information, and ideas. Our rural communities and our Nation as a whole are now at a crossroads. We have the opportunity to level the playing field for all Americans by making the right investments, right now, in rural communities across our Nation. These towns are not connected to broadband by choice. They are not connected to broadband because it is simply too expensive to deploy in these geographic areas. prgtoken Local city councils in rural areas must struggle to fund broadband projects themselves or they struggle to convince providers that it makes economic sense to invest in their communities, especially in places where populations are small or spread out. While deployment can be expensive, high-speed broadband is not a luxury. It is critical infrastructure. High-speed broadband is critical infrastructure the same way that the pipes that carry our water and the wires that carry our electricity are critical infrastructure. prgtoken The Federal Government has a role to play in infrastructure when it comes to the national deployment of life-changing, critical innovations. We have been here before. In the 20th century, the United States faced a parallel challenge with the deployment of electricity. It took strategic Federal action to bring electricity to less populated rural areas. These commonsense investments raised our overall standard of living and spurred productivity in an agricultural sector that was at risk of falling behind urban-based industries. prgtoken If we can successfully electrify a nation, then we have no excuse for not connecting it to the internet in the modern era. prgtoken Rural electricity was the breakthrough in the 20th century. Universal high-speed broadband will be the breakthrough of the 21st century, provided we invest
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-2-13

last night the Senate took up a neutral bill on immigration to begin debate on legislation to protect the Dreamers and provide additional border security. It is a debate upon which the lives of the Dreamers depend. They were brought into this country as kids through no fault of their own. For many of them, America is the only country they remember. They learn in our schools, they work at our companies, they serve in our military, and they are stitched into the very fabric of our Nation. prgtoken This week we have the opportunity to offer these Dreamers protection and the chance to finally become Americans, and this is supported in every State throughout the Nation. Eighty percent of Americans--a majority of , Independents, and s all support allowing the Dreamers to stay here and become American citizens. We have an opportunity to improve border security, as well, which is something that also has broad support. prgtoken Both and s, in large numbers, have supported both helping the Dreamers become Americans and protecting our borders. That should be the focus of all our energies--finding a bipartisan compromise that would achieve those things and pass the Senate. prgtoken We can put together a bipartisan plan here in the Senate and sell it to the Nation. I know that there are other forces swirling around. That was true of the budget deal, but Leader McConnell and I put together an agreement. The Senate voted for it in large numbers, the House passed it with significant support from both parties, and the President signed it. We can do the same thing on immigration. The Senate can take the lead once again in a bipartisan way that can get 60 votes and move the Nation forward. prgtoken We all know Americans in every State--your State, , my State, and every State--who ask: Why can't you work together and get something done? Well, this is a very difficult issue and we are all aware of that, but we can get something done. We are on the verge, but it is still hard. We are not there yet, but we can get something done. Let's work toward that. Infrastructure and the President's Budget prgtoken , on another matter entirely, the White House released its long-awaited infrastructure plan. After promising a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan to build ``gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways, and waterways all across our land,'' President 's plan turned out to be less than half a loaf. Instead of a trillion dollars or more of investment, the infrastructure plan includes only $200 billion in Federal investment, relying on State and local governments and private entities to pony up the rest of the cash. prgtoken There is a great irony that on the same day the President put out the $200 billion infrastructure plan, the administration's budget slashed well over $200 billion in existing infrastructure investments that
RECOGNIZING MS. HOLLY ADAMS FOR HER INTERNSHIP WITH THE UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-2-13

I rise today to recognize Ms. Holly Adams, Holly has been an intern in my Washington, D.C. Congressional office since the beginning of January, through the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme (UCWIP). prgtoken For the past 19 years, the program has paired students from nearly a dozen partner universities in Australia with offices on Capitol Hill, giving hundreds of students the opportunity to work in the halls of Congress. I have been honored to host a number of extremely talented interns through the UCWIP. Holly is, of course, no exception. prgtoken Holly is currently enrolled at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Law Degree and a Bachelor of International Studies Degree. As a student of International studies, she has already travelled extensively, participating in international politics study tours in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, New York, as well as Tokyo. prgtoken Holly has proven herself to be a very hardworking and dedicated individual. Throughout her internship, she has interacted extensively with my constituents, by drafting correspondence, helping to address questions, comments, and concerns for those contacting or visiting my office. She has also attended a number of hearings and briefings on a wide range of topics facing our nation and world. Indeed, Holly proved herself to be so capable, she prepared a FY2019 Programmatic Request letter for circulation throughout the U.S. House of Representatives on rail safety. It is no wonder that she was chosen by her classmates to give the `valedictory' speech at her program's closing reception. prgtoken Last year, Holly was accepted to study international human rights at Kings College, London, have no doubt that she will do great as she continues her studies. I am proud to congratulate Holly on all of her achievements, and to thank her for everything that she has done for my office, my district, state, and our country. She has a very bright and exciting future ahead of her, and I wish her the very best.
IMPROVE MONITORING OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-2-13

today, the heads of our intelligence agencies are testifying in the Senate with a unanimous and stark warning: Russia's meddling in 2016 was not an isolated incident, our midterm elections remain vulnerable, and Putin is targeting the 2018 elections. ``The United States is under attack,'' said Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. prgtoken Russia's actions demand a serious response, both to hold our attackers accountable and to deter future interference. Remarkably, President prgtoken and his administration have proved unwilling to act. We must do better. prgtoken I am proud to join with my friend and colleague, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, to introduce the DETER Act in the House. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation, introduced in the Senate by Chris Van Hollen and Marco Rubio, will improve our monitoring of foreign interference and impose immediate and severe sanctions when such actions are identified. It is an important step to ensure the integrity of every American's vote. prgtoken Protecting our elections is a national concern superseding party and politics. As we approach the next national election in less than 9 months, we must work together and we must act now. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the DETER Act to secure our elections this year and beyond.
EXTENDING GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES PROGRAM
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-2-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken We have had expiration times in the last 5 or 6 years, but we always come together. We passed last week the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill in Trade. I think that is a good sign moving forward, working together in order to protect--not be protectionists, but protect American industries. I think that this is a very, very important move. prgtoken I also think that extending it to 2020 is a great idea. I think this is very, very important, so I won't be back here next year anyway. We have a little foresight here. prgtoken So I thank Mr. Reichert for bringing this to the floor. We worked hard to get this here. We hope we will get help from the other side of the building. prgtoken , .
BROADER OPTIONS FOR AMERICANS ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-2-13

last September, President took it upon himself to create an economic, humanitarian, and political crisis by rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, or DACA, without proposing a serious solution for the nearly 800,000 DACA recipients who now face deportation. These people and their families have had to endure fits and starts of uncertainty as and some s have worked tirelessly to advance the Dream Act and other fair and reasonable compromises authored chiefly by my colleagues, Senators Durbin and Graham, also supported by the Presiding Officer, only to have President and the majority find every way to say no, or to stall the process. prgtoken This week, however, the Senate has an opportunity to address the panic and stress the President caused, not just for those on DACA and their families, but also for our Nation's businesses and our broader economy. s on both sides of the aisle for this chance for an open debate on a solution for Dreamers. In particular, I again thank Senator Durbin, Senator Graham, and Senator Flake for their advocacy and efforts to find a bipartisan compromise. I thank Leader Schumer for his leadership in pushing for a resolution, and Leader McConnell for keeping his commitment to have this debate. I thank them all. prgtoken The basic facts of this debate are clear. The American people overwhelmingly support finding a solution for Dreamers that protects them from deportation and provides a pathway to citizenship for those who work hard and play by the rules. I believe that a bipartisan majority of my colleagues want the same thing. The question before us is whether the partisanship and raw feelings surrounding this debate will prevent a solution to this crisis from becoming law. So I urge my colleagues: Let us forge the bipartisan agreement that the American people want and the Dreamers deserve. Let us end this crisis. Then, after this bipartisan show of good faith, let us again take up the kind of comprehensive immigration reform that many of us in this body have already voted to pass so we can fix our broken immigration system once and for all. prgtoken I do not believe, however, that solving the DACA crisis, which President in a sense created, should come at the cost of radically restructuring legal immigration. According to the conservative Cato Institute, President 's immigration proposals in exchange for resolving the DACA crisis would result in an approximate 44-percent reduction in legal immigration. This would be the largest cut to immigration in nearly a century. In addition to the profound effects such a cut would have on American families, culture, and opportunities, it would also level a massive blow to the American labor force and economic growth. prgtoken According to the Cato Institute and the independent research firm Macroeconomic Advisers, slashing legal imm