mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Israel (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-10-16

today I come before the Senate with a heart full of grief. I come shaken by anger and fear but with a resolve to act. I come with my spirit moved down to its core by the terrible things I saw these past few days. prgtoken This morning, I returned to the United States after leading a bipartisan delegation to Israel along with Senators Rosen and Kelly and Romney and Cassidy. As the first Jewish majority leader, as the highest ranking Jewish elected official ever in America, I wanted to be there, and I felt an obligation to be there. prgtoken It was a trip I will remember for the rest of my life, a visit to the only Jewish State on Earth, facing one of the darkest hours of its 75- year history, probably the darkest hour. prgtoken We traveled to deliver a simple and unmistakable message: We, the American people, stand with the people of Israel in this moment of need. We said to the people of Israel: We have your back. We feel your pain. We ache with you. And in the coming weeks, the U.S. Senate will do everything possible to help Israel eliminate the threat that Hamas presents and help Israel in every way we can. prgtoken s who joined me on this important trip. I thank everyone who will be traveling there this coming weekend. Right now, our presence means the world to Israel. They were so gratified that American Senators came to stand with them in their moments of grief and sorrow. It was clear that just being there made a tremendous difference and boosted their resolve. prgtoken We had very productive meetings with a whole range of Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, National Unity Party Minister Chairman Benny Gantz, Defense Minister Gallant, President Isaac Herzog, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. prgtoken But the most memorable meeting was with 12 families of the hostages. There they were sitting there, wondering what was happening to their mother, their sister, their brother, their baby in the hands of these brutal terrorists. prgtoken Nothing prepared us for the overwhelming grief we felt talking to the families of the hostages and sharing their deep pain. There was not a dry eye in the room. Many of these people didn't know if their relatives were dead prgtoken or alive. Some of them said: I wonder which is better. prgtoken They just knew that they were missing and taken by wretched Hamas fighters. It breaks your heart. prgtoken We saw footage they showed us of their loved ones being led away by the Hamas terrorists, an elderly woman being dragged away from her family, a 12-year-old boy being pushed along by these terrorists-- families in sheer agony, wondering what was happening to their loved ones in the captivity of these brutal terrorists. prgtoken Today, we now know that the number of hostages has exceeded 199. It is of the utmost importance that Israel and the United States do everything it can to bring every single one of these hostages to safety. prgtoken Dur
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUROR PAY PARITY ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2023-10-16

. Pro Tempore, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act, which would require D.C.'s local trial court, the Superior Court, to pay jurors the same amount federal courts pay jurors. Currently, the Superior Court pays jurors the same amount as federal jurors, but the Superior Court has sometimes paid less. prgtoken Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, Congress assumed responsibility for funding the local D.C. courts. The local D.C. courts, however, have always been under the direct control of Congress, even when they were funded by D.C. The D.C. Home Rule Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting any law with respect to any provision of Title 11 of the D.C. Code. Under Title 11, the Board of Judges of the Superior Court sets juror pay. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Introductory Statement on S. 3045
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-10-16

I rise to introduce the Ackerson Meadow Land Exchange Act. This legislation will facilitate a simple land exchange between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in the Sierra Nevadas. prgtoken This bill would transfer 160 acres of Stanislaus National Forest land to the National Park Service to be managed as part of Yosemite National Park Service to be managed as part of the Yosemite National Park and transfer 170 acres of National Park land to the Forest Service to manage as part of Stanislaus National Forest. The land in the exchange is known as Ackerson Meadow. prgtoken Ackerson Meadow is one of the largest midelevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. It is an ecologically and regionally critical wildlife corridor, and the scenic meadow is an important habitat for the State endangered great grey owl and little willow flycatcher, as well as a suite of additional at-risk wildlife species. In 2016, a coalition of conservation groups donated Ackerson Meadow to Yosemite National Park; however, it is almost completely surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest and only partially contiguous to the rest of Yosemite National Park. prgtoken The current configuration of land management presents logistical challenges to both NPS and Forest Service; therefore, both Agencies, as well as local stakeholders, support this land exchange. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this straightforward legislation to better manage the land in and around Ackerson Meadow.
RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF CAPE COD
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-10-17

. Pro Tempore, I rise today in honor of Community Health Center of Cape Cod's 25th anniversary. prgtoken Community Health Center (CHC) of Cape Cod was first established in 1998 by a group or volunteer doctors and nurses committed to providing free healthcare services to uninsured residents of the Cape and Islands. CHC originally started as the Falmouth Free Clinic in the basement of Falmouth Hospital and prgtoken served 600 patients in its first year. Today, CHC serves over 25,000 patients and has locations in five towns across the Upper Cape. It was also recently announced that CHC received a five-million-dollar grant through the American Rescue Plan to open a new location to serve more patients on Cape Cod. The new facility will be LEED silver certified and include affordable housing to support the community and workforce. prgtoken Since 2003, CHC has been led by CEO, Karen Gardner. Under Ms. Gardner's leadership, CHC continues to grow and evolve to better serve its patients. Over the last two decades, CHC has built a 33,000 square foot facility in Mashpee; added oral health, women's health, 340B pharmacy, and vision services; implemented an electronic medical record system; and was designated a federally qualified health center in 2006. prgtoken Whether it be transportation or insurance costs, Community Health Center of Cape Cod continuously works to break down barriers to accessing quality healthcare. By combining the different skills and backgrounds of its board members and staff, CHC always strives to provide the best healthcare to the community that it serves, especially those from vulnerable populations. Over the last 25 years, CHC has operated with the goal of providing high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable care regardless of a person's ability to pay and has established itself as a pillar of the Cape Cod community. prgtoken Pro Tempore, I am proud to honor Community Health Center of Cape Cod, and I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating its 25th anniversary and wishing CHC continued success in the years to come.
HONORING THE LIFE OF UKRAINIAN AIR FORCE MAJOR ANDRII PILSHCHYKOV
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-10-17

. Pro Tempore, I rise to recognize the life and service of Ukrainian Air Force Major Andrii Pilshchykov, a fighter pilot who tragically lost his life in the fight to defend his country from the Russian invasion. Mr. Pilshchykov reached the rank of Captain in the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force, before being posthumously promoted to Major. prgtoken Born in Kharkiv only 30 years ago, Andrii fulfilled his life-long dream to fly some of the fastest and toughest airplanes in the world. From a young age, Andrii was fascinated with airplanes and jets and eagerly took on the little-known hobby of ``Planespotting,'' in which participants track the movement and record photos of desired aircraft all around the globe. As soon as he could, Andrii enrolled in Ukraine's Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University. It was in this academy that Andrii learned to fly MiG-29 fighter jets, which he would go on to fly during the current war to save his country. Andrii's peers and instructors were so impressed with his abilities that he was assigned to be an instructor for certain classes even though he was still a cadet. prgtoken After graduating from the academy in 2018, Andrii joined the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade at Yasylkiv Air Base, where he would become an Air Force Captain. During his first year, Andrii traveled to my home state of California, where he completed an internship with the 144th Fighter Wing of California's Air National Guard in the City of Fresno. As he learned how to fly F-15 fighter jets, Andrii took his learning experience in California very seriously, earning the nickname ``Juice'' because he would only order juice as he refrained from alcohol. He took this nickname back home with him, and for a time he was the only pilot in the Ukrainian Armed Forces with an official call sign: ``Juice.'' prgtoken After leaving the Air Force for only a brief period, Andrii did not hesitate to sign up again for service in February 2022 as the Russian invasion threatened the people and very sovereignty of Ukraine. It was not long before he resumed flights, fighting to keep Ukrainian skies safe over Kyiv and other major battle areas. During Andrii's service, he flew over 100 combat missions and destroyed dozens of the enemy's command posts. In May 2022, Andrii was awarded the Order for Courage (3rd Class) for his valiant service. prgtoken Because of his keen interest in promoting the modernization of Ukraine's Air Force, and his proficiency in English, Andrii and a small contingent of his colleagues were sent to Washington, D.C to illustrate and emphasize the urgent need to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. I had the honor of meeting Andrii. After his visit to Capitol Hill, the Ukraine Fighter Pilots Act was introduced, which I was proud to cosponsor. prgtoken I want to express my deepest appreciation for the invaluable service rendered not only to the nation of Ukraine, but in the fight
Israel (Executive Calendar)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-10-17

the eyes of the world are watching to see how we react to the terrorist attack Israel has suffered. Days after Hamas launched a horrific assault, kidnapping nearly 200, killing over 1,000, and injuring thousands more, the world is watching with bated breath. prgtoken Scenes of Hamas's evil are seared into our collective conscience. The images are indelible: Israelis slaughtered by marauding thugs, concertgoers shot in the back in broad daylight, people butchered, women raped, even infants murdered in cold blood. The barbaric atrocities are an affront to humankind itself. In the face of unspeakable evil, we must not mince words. We must not waiver in our resolve. Every single one of us in this Chamber has a moral responsibility to speak out unequivocally and unapologetically as we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and her people. prgtoken Now, I have been staunchly devoted to this cause for 31 years in Congress. Why? Because the bond between our nations is sacrosanct. In 1948, the United States was the first Nation to recognize Israel, a mere 11 minutes after it declared independence. Our two nations-- intrinsically linked--were founded on similar principles, among them, justice, equal rights, freedom of religion, and the respect for the rule of law. prgtoken Over the years, both nations have been shaped by individuals seeking refuge from tyranny and oppression. Both nations have pursued truth and knowledge in an open society, unleashing innovation and creating untold prosperity for millions across the world. prgtoken But beyond this common cause, the United States-Israel relationship has stood the test of time because of three fundamental facts: One, the United States is strong when Israel is strong; two, the Jewish people deserve to live in peace and security in the indisputable land of their ancestors going back to the times of Abraham and Sarah; and, three, Israel has the right to defend herself from the existential threats that surround it. prgtoken This last point deserves special attention, especially as some seek to equate the two sides in this conflict. To me, adherents of this view could not be more mistaken. There is no moral equivalency. We cannot ``both sides'' the Israeli-Hamas conflict, not when one is a sovereign democracy that guarantees freedom of religion and the other is a designated terrorist group hell-bent on killing Jews and destroying the Israeli people. prgtoken We cannot ``both sides'' the conflict when, for decades, one has shouldered the heavy costs of war, terrorism, and unjustified boycotts and the other has diverted humanitarian aid towards weapons designed to kill as many as possible. We cannot ``both sides'' the conflict in light of the steps taken by Israel to limit civilian casualties. No nation but Israel actively takes steps to warn of impending attacks. None. No other nation drops leaflets and makes phone calls to alert residents that they may be in da
HONORING TRANSFIGURATION LUTHERAN CHURCH
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2023-10-17

. Pro Tempore, St. Louis and I rise to commemorate Transfiguration Lutheran Church on 120 years of faith, community, and service. prgtoken Transfiguration Lutheran Church was organized on November 8, 1903, and became the first African American Lutheran Congregation west of the Mississippi River. They have committed themselves to improving the lives and wellbeing of their community by providing meals, athletics, dance, music, art classes, and field trips at their TLC Summer Day Camp, established in 2016. Their women's ministry emphasizes the strength and contributions of biblical women, women in history, and the women who currently make up their congregation. prgtoken Many lives have been forever changed due to the efforts of Transfiguration Lutheran Church, and a thank you will never feel quite adequate to reflect our immense gratitude as a region for their work. St. Louis honors their dedication and may we all commit to paying their efforts forward.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3041 (Executive Calendar)
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2023-10-17

reserving the right to object, I want to make a few comments. prgtoken First of all, the Senator from Arkansas speaks for 100 Members of the Senate when he expresses his outrage at the horrendous killings and terrorist acts by Hamas against innocent people in Israel--the worst attack and suffering in Israel since the Holocaust. So the Senator from Arkansas speaks for every single one of us. Second, in his characterization of Iran as a malign actor, their association with Hamas, Hezbollah, the attacks they had on our soldiers when they were in Iraq, I believe the Senator from Arkansas speaks for all 100 of us. He certainly speaks for me. I want to salute the Senator for the time he has spent during his service in the Senate alerting America to the threat that Iran poses. But I object for the following reasons: prgtoken First of all, this President, President , made a tough decision that Presidents before him had to make--including President -- about using the power of the office to bring back hostages who were viciously detained, cruelly detained, in this case by Iran. He made that decision, and, with the help of Qatar, we were able to bring five American hostages home. prgtoken That is a tough decision, but I would disagree with my colleague when he says that decision in any way indicates weakness or lack of resolve on behalf of President towards what is happening and has happened in Israel. There is no better friend to Israel than President . He has been an ally and supporter of Israel throughout his time of service in the U.S. Senate, as Vice President, and as President of the United States. prgtoken I do disagree, but this is not the time to get into a debate about the Senator from Arkansas's characterization of some of the intelligence about what was the role of Iran in what just happened. That is a debate for a separate time. prgtoken I also want to disagree with the characterization that this is more money that is going to go to Iran. When this was being negotiated, there was great care given to the fact that this money had to be fenced off so that it could only be used essentially for humanitarian purposes. I am talking about medicine, medical devices, food, and agricultural products. prgtoken Let's keep in mind that, yes, we have an adversary in Iran with the ayatollahs, with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, but there are Iranians who are suffering and who do need medicine. And our beef is not with the people; it is with that government. prgtoken How are these funds limited? No bank can approve any one of the transactions. This money is not in the hands of Iran. For any money to be released, we have the backup of Qatar, where the funds are deposited. The money cannot be approved for any expenditure to any vendor unless it gets approval from the U.S. Government first. There is constant--constant--monitoring to make certain that the purpose--that it be for humanitarian u
Nomination of Jennifer L. Hall (Executive Session)
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-10-17

I rise today in support of the nomination of the Honorable Jennifer Hall to be our next district court judge for the District of Delaware. prgtoken One of the very busiest dockets in the entire Nation, the District of Delaware handles a remarkable amount of complex patent cases and cutting-edge commercial litigation. It takes a special judge to serve in this court, and Judge Hall's unique background and extensive legal experience make her an ideal candidate. prgtoken My colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee agreed, advancing her nomination to this floor by a strong bipartisan vote of 16 to 5. Judge Hall received support from half of the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Ranking Member Graham and Senators Grassley, Cornyn, Lee, and Tillis. prgtoken She already knows the District of Delaware very well, serving as a magistrate judge since 2019. She has proven herself a legal powerhouse and, time and time again, has handled a high volume of the most complex cases. prgtoken Her legal experience before assuming the bench is just as impressive: 8 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Delaware, where she was chief of the civil division, leading hundreds of cases on behalf of our Federal Government. Prior to that, she practiced law at Fish & Richardson, P.C where she litigated intellectual property and complex commercial cases. prgtoken A graduate of Penn Law, she clerked for Judge Kent Jordan on the Third Circuit and Judge Sharon Prost on the Federal Circuit. Before enrolling at Penn, she earned a Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and molecular biochemistry at Yale, an education and background that will aid her as she decides complex patent and IP law cases. prgtoken You can see why the American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Hall as ``well qualified'' to serve on the District of Delaware bench. prgtoken , I know Judge Hall to be a balanced and thoughtful jurist, a skilled lawyer, and a compassionate human being--not just a great judge but a loving wife to her husband David and a devoted mother to their children. Judge Hall's exceptional qualifications, strong character, and even temperament will make her an asset to the District of Delaware. prgtoken Yesterday, we voted by a margin of 63 to 26 to invoke cloture. I am hopeful for an even stronger vote just now. I support her nomination without reservation and urge my colleagues to do the same. prgtoken .
Israel (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-10-17

as I have said before, but still feel it deeply in my gut, no words can fully express the horror of Hamas's attack on Israel two Saturdays ago. prgtoken In a single day, 1,300 Jews murdered in cold blood: men, women, children, the elderly, the disabled, as old as nearly 100 years old, down to toddlers and infants. prgtoken I was told that at one of the kibbutzim, Hamas rounded up over a hundred people--from 90 years old down to little babies--into the recreation room and then machine-gunned every one of them down. prgtoken And now, it is reported that about 200 hostages are being held by Hamas, including Americans. I just walked by the TV, they said they just showed the first hostage, a 22-year-old girl. It wrenches your stomach how evil these people are. How evil. We Jewish people have been used to this for thousands of years. We live with it. prgtoken As I mentioned when I talked about the kibbutz, I remembered my great-grandmother. In 1941, the Nazis came into Europe and told her-- she was well-known because her late husband was a famous rabbi--Gather your greater family on the porch of your home. They made the 800 Jews in Chortkiv go to the town square, which was near her home. Thirty-five people gathered, from 88 years old to 3 months. They said to her, You are all coming with us. She said, We are not moving. They machine- gunned every one of them down, in front of the others. This is what we live with, and this is why we are so resolute that the threat of Hamas must be extinguished. prgtoken This morning, my four colleagues who traveled to Israel and I will have a phone conversation with President about how we can be most helpful to bring all of the hostages home safely. I promised the families we met that we will do everything we can, and we are exploring every option. The five of us met with the hostage families, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house watching the videos. Some of them had videos; Hamas sent some of the videos to the families. We were just weeping together about the cruel, inhumanity of Hamas and the desperation these families had to get their loved ones back. prgtoken October 7 will go down as a day of inextinguishable grief. The deadliest single day for Jews since the Holocaust-- prgtoken a reminder of much older, darker days we must never return to. prgtoken So when my colleagues and I traveled to Israel this past weekend, we delivered a simple message to the Jewish people: America will stand with Israel as an unrelenting partner. prgtoken And I promised that I will do everything possible to ensure that the U.S. Senate provides Israel with the support she needs to defend her people. As the highest ranking Jewish elected official ever in America, as the first Jewish majority leader, I will do everything I can to see that that happens, as will so many of my colleagues, Jew and non-Jew alike, and alike, which we so appreciate. prgtoken The Senate must, a