mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PAYING TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN ESTEBAN TORRES
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-30

. Madam , I rise today as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to pay tribute to a champion for Latinos and Latinas and a leader for all, the late CHC chair, Congressman Esteban Torres. prgtoken He did everything in his power to increase Hispanic representation in Congress, dedicated himself to disenfranchised communities, and had an unwavering commitment to equity. prgtoken Esteban Torres was born in Arizona in 1930 to a proud Mexican family of migrant and copper mine workers. After the deportation of his father through the disastrous Mexican Repatriation program, his family moved to east Los Angeles. Torres never saw his father again. prgtoken As a self-proclaimed barrio kid, he grew up navigating the difficulties of a young Latino male without a father in Los Angeles, but that did not stop him from achieving excellence. prgtoken From a young age, Torres was consistently recognized as a peacemaker, consensus builder, and leader in his community. prgtoken He knew that leadership meant serving. And when he turned 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean war. prgtoken Later in life, the necessities of raising a family pushed Torres to work as a welder on the assembly line at an auto plant. There, he became involved with the labor movement and assumed the role of chief steward in the United Auto Workers union's local branch. prgtoken His ability to lead, inspire, and defend workers' rights drove him to become the Nation's director of the Inter-American Bureau for Caribbean and Latin American Affairs, and so he began his political career. prgtoken After serving under President Carter as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and as White House Special Assistant for Hispanic Affairs, Torres represented California's 34th District, the City of Norwalk in the County of Los Angeles, from 1983 until 1999. prgtoken From his first year in Congress, he defended workers' rights, protected consumers, advanced environmental justice, and secured veterans' services. prgtoken Through it all, he never forgot his community. As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he pushed forward transformative legislation for immigrants in our country, such as the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. prgtoken This historic legislation gave legal status to more than 3 million immigrants, ultimately protecting other families from the same horror his family experienced many years back. prgtoken Torres also led the CHC at a time when our communities did not have the representation we do today. After eight terms, he expressed: ``I have reached the pinnacle of success in my own eyes. It is time to let the younger generation succeed.'' prgtoken Today, I succeed him as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a role I take with much responsibility because I know I have big shoes to fill. prgtoken Thanks to his efforts, our communities can feel seen in the 38 members of the CHC
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-3-30

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations: Nos. 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, and 841, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force; that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.
FEMA CASEWORKER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Nikema Williams (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-3-30

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 5343. This bill addresses the high rate of turnover for disaster case management personnel at FEMA. prgtoken FEMA's case management personnel are critical to the disaster recovery process. They help survivors access basic needs such as housing, childcare, and transportation assistance. prgtoken This legislation requires FEMA to provide a report to Congress with data on case management personnel turnover and any Agency plans to reduce turnover. prgtoken I urge my colleagues on both sides to join with me and support this legislation. prgtoken Madam , .
Nomination of Judith DelZoppo Pryor (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-3-30

I will be very brief. I know we have an 11:45 vote scheduled. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in advancing the nomination of Judith Pryor as Vice President of the Ex-Im Bank. I appreciate the ranking member of the committee's comments about her qualifications. She is clearly qualified. prgtoken What we need to always remember is our foreign competitors operate more than 100 export credit agencies and credit programs supporting our manufacturers. As if our policy has not been stupid enough as a country--PNTR with China, which caused the hollowing out of community after community in southwest Virginia and in my State and much of the area throughout the Midwest--China's export finance activity is larger than all of the export credit that G7 countries collectively provide. China will continue to use export credit to win manufacturing businesses in critical sectors. prgtoken In Ohio, we just lost two more light bulb manufactures, LED manufacturers. The light bulb was invented by an Ohioan, Thomas Edison, in a New Jersey lab. We used to lead the world. Now, 99 percent of LED light bulbs are made in China. Does that not teach us something? prgtoken How about semiconductors? We invented semiconductors. We only make about 10 percent of them in the country right now. prgtoken As First Vice President of Ex-Im, Ms. Pryor will help lead the Nation's official export credit agency as it supports workers and manufacturers throughout our country. prgtoken This is the most pro-worker President of the United States in my lifetime. He puts workers at the center of prgtoken our economic agenda, our manufacturing agenda. We know what that means for building middle-class lives. More to the issue, the Senate previously confirmed Ms. Pryor to be a Board member of Ex-Im in July 2019, 77 to 19. More recently, she was advanced out of the Banking and Housing Committee, which I chair, by a voice vote--12 s, 12 --a voice vote. There was no objection, no dissension. The Chamber of Commerce--not always an ally of the administration-- the Chamber of Commerce supports Ms. Pryor. She worked with former president Kimberly Reed, a appointee; and current member Spencer Bachus, a former Congressman, to reopen Ex-Im to full operations. prgtoken My interest in her is a national interest. My interest is also that she is a native Ohioan. She hails from Richmond Heights, a Cleveland suburb, with 25 years of international business, finance, and public policy experience. prgtoken Don't be misled by attacks on Ex-Im's creation of a new financing facility for U.S. exporters. They already have a quorum. She is not essential for that quorum. She is essential because she is so darn good in her job. Ex-Im President Reta Jo Lewis is doing exactly what Congress--a majority of Congress, not unanimous, but a majority of Congress--told the Bank to do when we reauthorized this charter in 2019: Help Ame
Nomination of January Contreras (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-3-30

the Senate will soon vote on an important nomination to the Department of Health and Human Services. January Contreras is President 's choice to serve as Assistant Secretary for children and families. prgtoken The Senate Finance Committee is taking a special interest in kids, families, and fresh approaches to strengthen opportunities for them and for America's future. prgtoken Now, people have been a little bit surprised that the Finance Committee is taking this big interest because, normally, they think that the Finance Committee deals primarily with big money issues. Taxes and trade would be two examples. prgtoken Those are certainly very, very important, and we spend plenty of time working on those. But the committee also feels very strongly that we can't afford to write off the hopes and dreams of our future, which are our kids and our families. We can't afford, as a country, to lose these young minds and these young families, to take away the kinds of opportunities they could have with just a few well-targeted, sensible investments in their future. And when January Contreras is confirmed, that is exactly the kind of work that she is going to be doing: caring for some of the most vulnerable young people in our Nation, those young people who are in the child welfare system. prgtoken One of the big challenges in the last few years of the Administration for Children and Families has been the implementation of our bipartisan Family First Prevention Services Act. This was an extraordinarily important law, particularly for kids who are in foster care. prgtoken We had, until this law came along, essentially two choices for these kids. We could send them off to a foster home. Some of them might be good; some of them we know aren't so good. Or we could leave them in a family situation at home that wasn't too desirable. You might have a parent who had been caught up in drugs or alcohol or something else. prgtoken What the Finance Committee did in enacting the Family First Prevention Services Act is it said: We have got these two choices over here, neither of them are ideal. What we will do is create a third path, which is the Family First Prevention Services Act. prgtoken So, for example, for a family in Arizona--the Presiding Officer's home State--that family would be in a position to stay together but also to receive some of the services--the anti-drug services, the efforts to get people off alcohol and addiction--and keep the family together. Very often, a grandparent would help out. prgtoken Family First is, in my view, the future of much of our domestic policy in this country because it means we aren't going to write off our kids and families caught up in the child welfare system. prgtoken The bill was bipartisan. Chairman Hatch was then the chairman. I was the ranking member. I think this bill is a once-in-a-generation overhaul of how child welfare works in America. prgtoken As I described to the
TRIBUTE TO GILDA JACOBS
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-30

I rise today to honor an accomplished and highly regarded leader in Michigan's field of public service, Gilda Jacobs who recently retired from serving as president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. Gilda has made an immeasurable impact on the Detroit metropolitan area and the State of Michigan over the past 30 years, and it is a privilege to recognize her here today and celebrate her retirement. prgtoken Gilda began her career as an educator, graduating from the University of Michigan in 1971 with a masters in behavioral science in education. Following her graduation, Gilda began working as a special education teacher in the Madison School District in Oakland County, MI. Gilda taught one of the Detroit region's first classes for children with emotional disabilities. It was her role as a leader in the rapidly developing field of special education services that led her to begin engaging in local activism, community organizations, and politics. prgtoken In 1978, she was asked to work first as the campaign manager and then as a district office manager for newly-elected State Senator Doug Ross. In helping Senator Ross launch his political career, Jacobs set in motion the beginning of her own. In 1981, after a contentious election, Gilda was elected to the Huntington Woods City Commission, the first woman to do so. In 1994, she ran for and was elected to serve her community as an Oakland County Commissioner. Four years after this, she was elected to serve two terms in Michigan's House of Representatives. At this time, I represented a portion of her district in the State senate and had the pleasure of collaborating with her on many initiatives on behalf of our constituents. I knew the senate district was in capable hands when she succeeded me, winning the seat in 2002. Her strong reputation as an effective leader in championing issues and getting things done were immediately recognized by her colleagues who elected her chair of the senate's ic caucus, making Gilda the first woman to serve as floor leader in either chamber of Michigan's Legislature. prgtoken As a State-elected official, Gilda was a tireless advocate for the rights of women, children, and people with disabilities. In the State legislature, she served as the vice chair of the economic development, small business and regulatory reform committee, the families and human services committee, and government operations and health policy committees. Among her many successes were the establishment of a bipartisan bicameral talent caucus to develop strategies to encourage Michigan entrepreneurship and discourage college graduate flight. prgtoken In 2011, following the conclusion of her leadership and service in the Michigan Senate, Gilda joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as president and CEO. At the Michigan League for Public Policy, Gilda focused on the promotion of racial equality, economic security, and the
CELEBRATING THE SERVICE OF BILL CLERK PEGGY FIELDS
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-30

. Madam , I rise to recognize the outstanding service of the Bill Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, Peggy Fields. For more than three decades, Peggy has devoted her career to the people's work here in the People's House. In doing so, she has earned the respect of Members and staff on both sides of the aisle and ensured the Congress could deliver for the Country. prgtoken A daughter of Huntsville, Alabama, Peggy began her career in public service by joining the office of former Congressman Bud Cramer when he was the District Attorney of Madison County, Alabama. After Congressman Cramer was elected to the House in 1990, she came with him to Washington so that she could continue to serve her beloved hometown community. For eighteen years, she was an integral member of his team as Grants and Special Projects Coordinator, an essential link between the Congress and her constituents. prgtoken In 2008, Peggy brought her talents, relentless work ethic and dedication to public service to the Office of the Clerk of the House. As an Assistant Bill Clerk, she helped process the many bills, amendments and cosponsor forms filed in the House: essential work to keep Congress functioning. Peggy embodies the extraordinary meticulousness, teamwork and professionalism that this essential responsibility demands. Her excellence was on full display during her exemplary performance as Bill Clerk on duty during the opening day of the 114th Congress, when she managed the introduction of 161 bills with remarkable diligence and efficiency. prgtoken In July 2021, Peggy's hard work and valuable contributions were recognized when she was promoted to serve as Bill Clerk of the House. In this role, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership of her team: bringing energy, camaraderie and humor to the long hours and late nights to ensure the business of the House could get done. Her mastery of the mechanics of the legislative process, extensive institutional knowledge and refusal to shy away from a challenge were especially valuable last year--helping facilitate an historically productive legislative session despite the many challenges posed by the lingering pandemic. prgtoken Peggy's work has been central to the health of our Democracy and to the benefit of our Country: ensuring that the business of legislating is both efficient and accessible for the American people. She takes immense pride in always placing the duties of her office above all else, never allowing partisanship or politics to infiltrate the sacred trust bestowed upon the Office of the Clerk. prgtoken While she will be missed, Congress and the Country are grateful to Peggy Fields for her longtime and patriotic service. When she returns to her beloved Huntsville after she graduates with her Doctorate of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary this May, she will continue her leadership by helping local churches serve their congregations and their communities.
RECOGNIZING JIM TUMAN AND JIMMY'S KIDS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-30

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of Jim Tuman and the volunteers behind Jimmy's Kids, an organization that serves the families of Wayne County, including the community and neighborhood I grew up in, southwest Detroit. prgtoken In 1988, Jim Tuman, a youth advocate and motivational speaker, was simply trying to make the Christmas holiday special for 22 special- needs children. He coordinated an ad hoc program to provide the children with holiday gifts. prgtoken The Jimmy's Kids organization now serves thousands of children all across metro Detroit. Jimmy's Kids proudly partners with local groups and churches to set up gift-giving, not just during the holiday, but year-round, for children in need. prgtoken Countless families can count on their Christmas Day gift distribution program, an event I happily volunteer for during the holidays. prgtoken Please join me in recognizing Jim Tuman and the volunteers at Jimmy's Kids for their outstanding work on behalf of the families of metro Detroit and Michigan's 13th District Strong. Honoring the Memory of Patricia
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (Executive Session)
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-3-30

I met with restaurant owners from all over my State last month--from Seattle to Yakima, to Spokane--and we talked about the American Rescue Plan and how important that was and how that bill made recovery possible for so many restaurants in our State--but not for everyone, and that is why I am on the Senate floor today. prgtoken The American Rescue Plan was absolutely a lifeline. It designated more than $28 billion to establish a Restaurant Revitalization Fund that gave restaurant owners the financial support they needed to keep their doors open, to rehire workers, and to deal with the continued effects of COVID-19. prgtoken More than 3,500 Washington State businesses have received over $9 billion in Federal loans and grants and debt relief since the start of the pandemic. That is not even considering the flexible dollars that we provided local governments to help local small businesses. Now, that really made a difference and helped a lot of folks keep their doors open and their employees on the payroll, but for many restaurant owners, the funds were gone before they were able to get the same relief their neighbors got. prgtoken I don't think it is right that a business on one side of the street in Seattle got Federal dollars from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund but another mom-and-pop shop just next-door and just as qualified--that also got approved--didn't get the money because the funds ran dry. prgtoken Now, I know this is true for communities in red States and in blue States--that our restaurants are often the heart of a community. They serve their local favorites that remind us of home. They sponsor our sports teams and community causes. They allow us to get together and share a meal and celebrate with family and friends and make memories. Making these businesses whole is critical for our economy, but it is essential to preserving what makes Seattle ``Seattle'' or Spokane ``Spokane.'' prgtoken I know many of my colleagues feel the same way. So I want us to look at every possible option to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and get help to every restaurant that applied and got approved but didn't get the same help as everyone else. prgtoken We have got good bipartisan bills to get this done. Our legislation would help hard-to-reach businesses and communities apply for the assistance because I really want to make sure we are helping actual small businesses, not giant corporations that don't need it. prgtoken Any Senator who has spoken to local restaurant owners knows they are dealing, still, with really tough challenges right now: increased costs from inflation and shortages of everything from straws to chicken wings, and it is not easy to find wait staff and cooks and a lot more. That is why it is so urgent that we get a bipartisan small business relief package--that makes our restaurants whole--over the finish line as soon as possible. So let's do whatever we need to
MORNING BUSINESS
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-3-30

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
HONORING VIVIAN PIERESCHI
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-3-30

. Madam , I rise today to honor the dedicated public service and congressional career of a phenomenal woman, Vivian Piereschi. prgtoken In August 2001, the people of south Florida's 20th Congressional District, which later became the 23rd District that I proudly represent today, received a precious gift in the dedicated service of Vivian. prgtoken After more than 20 years, this daughter of Cuban refugees, who emigrated to Florida in search of a better life, ended her career making the lives of so many others better. prgtoken Vivian became a trusted adviser, advocate, and community leader. prgtoken Through four administrations and two Members of Congress, Vivian navigated the Federal Government, in all the ways it serves the American people, with a nurturing spirit and patient persistence. prgtoken When we passed the Affordable Care Act, a jubilant Vivian Piereschi said: ``Now, we can help so many more people.'' prgtoken Whether it was passing life-changing legislation, going door-to-door to give prgtoken hurricane relief and assistance, providing immigration help, or just hugging the families that lost loved ones in the Surfside condo tragedy, Vivian has always been there for our people. prgtoken Vivian sought out a career in public service to be a voice for the voiceless, to speak for those who don't have a seat at the table. Every day of her 20-plus years of service, she has done just that. prgtoken I know that Vivian will continue to do this self-sacrificing work as she moves on to serve seniors in our community in her new role. prgtoken The constituents of Florida's 23rd Congressional District and the State as a whole benefited from Vivian's dedicated, diligent work ethic and her compassion. prgtoken I know that Vivian's husband, Alex, and sons, Eric and Nicholas, are so proud of her and all the work that she has done, and so am I. I thank Alex, Eric, and Nicholas for sacrificing their precious family time with Vivian so she could serve the people of south Florida for all these years. prgtoken I will miss my friend, but I know that we will end up spending many more hours of personal time together. prgtoken On behalf of my constituents, current and former staff, and all its stakeholders, we proudly thank Vivian and congratulate her as she begins the next chapter of her service. prgtoken Te quiero, mi amiga. I love you, my friend.