mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE LIFE OF TUAN LE
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Madam , today we honor the life of Tuan Le, an exceptional and prgtoken selfless man who uplifted the voices of those in need and who was committed to the notion of bettering the life of others. prgtoken Born on June 30, 1962 in Saigon, Vietnam, Tuan was the son of Nhan Le and Hoa Duong. Tuan emigrated with his family to the U.S. in 1975 after the fall of Saigon and settled in Southern California. As a stranger in a strange land, Tuan learned to adapt to his new home and country. He graduated high school and enrolled in Cal Poly where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. A family man, Tuan was born as the fourth child in the household of seven siblings and was no stranger to family ``comedy'' and ``drama.'' He remained unfazed by life-altering events surrounding him. He loved good food and good parties. Above all, he was a selfless man who was always available to lend a sympathetic ear to anyone who needed it. prgtoken Tuan was a jack of many trades. While in school, he worked in various stores where he liked their merchandises in order to get the employee's discount. After college, he ran a law office with his brother Kenny and then tried out his luck as an office manager for a dental office in Northern California. He went back to Vietnam and lived there for a while to reconnect with his roots. While there, he managed and owned several businesses as well as dabbled in the entertainment industry. prgtoken His compassion was boundless. By nature, his advocacy led to leadership and support for organizations such as GAPSN, GVA and VROC. Wherever he lived, he created a support network for young LGBTQ+ individuals struggling with life challenges. He provided emotional support, shelters or food to especially LGBTQ+ youths of color. No matter your ethnic background, if someone refers you to Tuan, he would find ways to assist you. He generously gave times to family and friends, consoled those in time of needs and participated or organized charity events serving the vulnerable children and the poor and disabled elderly in Vietnam. There were many facets of Tuan that we came to know and each piece of him made up the person we all trust, love and respect. prgtoken Beside his father, Tuan was predeceased by his brother Duc Le. He is survived by his mother, lifelong partner Ngo Duc Anh, siblings and many nieces and nephews. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this distinguished man and all the hard work he has done for the betterment of his community. prgtoken I thank Tuan for the lifelong dedication he has demonstrated in helping others.
RECOGNIZING CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS AS DEAN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-9-14

yesterday, I had the honor of introducing Alaska's newly elected Representative after she took her oath of office. prgtoken Representative Peltola makes history in joining the House, and we are very glad to have her. The seat to which she was elected, however, became vacant because of an event for which we are all very, very saddened. The passing of our friend, a great friend of this institution, Representative Don Young, marked the end of an era for this House. prgtoken Don was a repository of institutional knowledge and a keeper of the House's traditions. He was our dean, the most senior Member of either party. prgtoken Today, as we reflect upon that loss for the House, for Alaska, and for all of us who were his friends, we recognize a new dean to succeed Don in that role. I join the leader in congratulating Representative Hal Rogers. prgtoken , Mr. Rogers of Kentucky has achieved that distinction to become our new dean of the House. It is humbling to think that our dean is from the same freshman class as I am. He was here just shy of 5 months before me, as does the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). When we arrived here, we met the dean of the House, Jamie Whitten of Mississippi, who served in the House 122 years. I don't want to offend anyone from Mississippi. I know it was short of that time, but it was a long time. prgtoken Mr. Whitten had been elected first in 1941. He, himself, came to the office when the dean of the House had been elected in 1907, and the person who had been dean at that time was elected in 1879, which is to say there aren't a lot of deans of the House. And the day that Member ended as freshman, Abraham Lincoln was first sworn in as President of the United States. Fewer deans, by far, than Presidents of the United States. prgtoken So we are connected to the 37th Congress of the United States and the Lincoln Presidency by just four individual Members' span of service. prgtoken Hal Rogers now inherits the title once held by former President John Quincy Adams, Sam Rayburn, and my dear friend, Debbie Dingell's husband, John Dingell. prgtoken Those of us who know Hal can testify to the respect and love he has for this institution and for the role of dean. He will surely uphold its traditions and continue to carry forward this chain of history for the House and for our democracy. prgtoken , I rise to congratulate the dean of the House, Hal Rogers of Kentucky. prgtoken , from California (Mr. McCarthy), leader.
WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Mr. Chair, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman for her work as chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. Again, I give her my deepest appreciation for the enormous legacy of leadership that she has given to issues of empowerment, civil rights, civil liberties, and the rights of women. I thank Chairwoman Maloney. prgtoken I rise today to support the underlying bill, H.R. 2988, and address my amendment, of which I am very grateful has been included in the en bloc. prgtoken It does make a difference. Whistleblowers can help change governments for the best. They are part of the constitutional infrastructure of ensuring due process and the rights of the vulnerable. prgtoken My amendment reinforces the spirit of confidentiality by providing another way to communicate whistleblower information to an OIG that poses less risk of confidentiality being lost or being breached while not affecting existing mechanisms, especially in some cases when there is a concern about the threat of retaliation. A potential whistleblower might be unwilling to provide information for fear of consequences if their identity is disclosed. prgtoken I am very glad to say that the Government Accountability Project is supporting my amendment. They wrote in their letter of support for my amendment: ``This is solid, commonsense legislation to restore what works if we let it. For many whistleblowers, the decisive factor whether they bear witness or remain silent observers is whether they will remain anonymous.'' ``It will increase the flow of evidence and prevent retaliation.'' prgtoken Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the Government Accountability Project letter dated September 13, 2022. Government Accountability Project, Washington, DC, September 13, 2022. Hon. Sheila Jackson Lee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Lee: This letter is to express support and appreciation for your amendment to the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act that would upgrade the safety of channels for anonymous whistleblowing disclosures to Offices of Inspector General. The amendment would require OIG's to restore traditional, effective channels to share evidence that had been canceled for more convenient but unreliable high tech options such as the internet or telephones. In addition to those channels, agencies would have to restore services such as secure drop boxes and accept anonymous disclosures by mail. This is solid, common-sense legislation to restore what works if we let it. For many whistleblowers, the decisive factor whether they bear witness or remain silent observers is whether they will remain anonymous. Unfortunately, many understandably do not trust OIG confidentiality safeguards, because OIG's routinely breach them with impunity. While ne
ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-9-14

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Thursday, September 15, and that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Merriam nomination postcloture; further, that all postcloture time on the Merriam nomination be considered expired at 11:30 a.m. and, following disposition of the Merriam nomination, the Senate proceed to the consideration of the Pekoske nomination; further, that the Senate vote on confirmation of the Pekoske nomination at 1:45 p.m. with all other provisions remaining in effect; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
RECOGNIZING ANA M. FIGUEROA ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and congratulate Ana M. Figueroa, my District Chief of Staff who retired on March 4, 2022, after almost 30 years on my district staff. It also gives me great pleasure to help her celebrate her 53rd birthday today, September 14, 2022. prgtoken Ana is a proud Mexican immigrant born in the town of Cueramaro, Guanajuato. Her parents, Jose Dolores Figueroa and Consuelo Figueroa Laguna, immigrated to the United States with two of Ana's four siblings, Rigoberto, and Rosa Maria, in 1974 and settled in the Los Angeles area. Ana and her older sister, Maria Guadalupe, joined the family in Los Angeles one year later, reuniting the 7-member family which now included Ana's youngest sister, Maricela. prgtoken Ms. Figueroa grew up in Boyle Heights and the unincorporated East Los Angeles community. She attended Lorena Street Elementary School, Rowan Avenue Elementary School, Robert L. Stevenson Jr. High School and graduated from James A. Garfield High School in 1987. The proud Bulldog graduate then attended Occidental College where she majored in Cognitive Science and minored in Sociology. prgtoken Upon college graduation, Ana began her public service career with the office of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley as the assistant to his Liaison to the Latino Community and Eastside Area Coordinator in 1991. prgtoken In July 1992, Ana was recruited by my California State Assembly office to serve as a field representative for Southeast Los Angeles cities, Boyle Heights, and East Los Angeles in the 56th Assembly District. She was then promoted to field deputy when I was elected to represent the 33rd Congressional District in January 1993. She became Senior Field Deputy and Casework Director in June 1995, and my District Chief of Staff in May 1998. prgtoken Ana earned the respect and gratitude of staff, colleagues, and elected officials at the congressional, state, and local levels as a result of her effectiveness, collaborative leadership, unwavering commitment to community service, and outstanding dedication. prgtoken With impeccable integrity, compassion, and distinction, she served the constituents of the 33rd, 34th, and 40th Congressional Districts I represented through the years as the first Mexican American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. prgtoken Ana officially retired from the U.S. House of Representatives on March 4, 2022, after almost 30 years as a member of my district office team. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Ana M. Figueroa for her 31 years as an exemplary public servant and extending sincere best wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and richly rewarding retirement, and a very happy 53rd birthday.
Railway Labor Management Dispute (Executive Calendar)
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-9-14

reserving the right to object, this is a shameful attempt by the s to keep working Americans buried under mountains of student debt. prgtoken President 's decision to cancel up to $20,000 of Federal student debt for as many as 43 million Americans with incomes under $125,000 a year is a historic step to delivering life-changing relief to working families and to helping rebuild America's middle class. prgtoken Senator Scott's bill is just one of the s' desperate efforts to block cancelation for millions of Americans. Now, the s are happy to pass out tax breaks and regulatory loopholes for billionaires and giant corporations, but they are fighting tooth and nail to keep working families from getting a penny of relief. prgtoken Evidently, Senator Scott believes that $2 trillion in tax cuts that were not paid for is fine so long as those tax cuts are aimed mostly at millionaires, billionaires, and giant corporations. But a program that costs a fraction as much and for which 90 percent of its benefits go to people earning less than $75,000 a year is now somehow a moral outrage. prgtoken Today, he claims to worry about those taxpayers who he says will shoulder student loan cancelation, but where was Senator Scott, or then-Governor Scott, when and the congressional s handed out $2 trillion in tax breaks to billionaires and giant corporations, not a penny of which was paid for? Where was he then? prgtoken Well, he endorsed the administration's plan to cut taxes for corporations, and he celebrated those tax breaks for the richest among us. He wasn't worried about how taxpayers would pay that off--not a word about the fairness for all of the people who would bear that burden, so long as the benefits went mostly to the rich and powerful. prgtoken Senator Scott has basically laid it all out there for America to see, and that difference--helping billionaires or helping working families-- pretty much sums up and ic differences across the board. If we are cutting a break for the rich and the powerful, the s are on board. If we are trying to help out working people, congressional s take to their fainting couches and claim to be so worried about the national debt. prgtoken Student loan cancelation is very popular in America, including with a majority of people who have no student loan debt. That is because there is scarcely a working person anywhere in America today who does not know someone who is choking on student loan debt. Yet, evidently, the s in Congress live in bubbles that prevent them from meeting any of the millions of people out there who have busted their tails, who have worked multiple jobs, who have made their payments, and who still watch their debt loads continue to climb. prgtoken So let me just set the record straight here. I want to repeat an earlier point. Nearly 90 perce
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Colin Z. Allred (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Madam , on September 13, 2022, I was participating in a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Kenya and absent during the time of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: prgtoken YEA on Roll Call No. 421, S. 4785, a bill to extend by 19 days the authorization for the special assessment for the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund; prgtoken YEA on Roll Call No. 422, H.R. 5315, the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act; and prgtoken YEA on Roll Call No. 423, H.R. 1066, the Wildfire Recovery Act.
MEDALS FOR WORLD WAR II VETERAN BERNARD E. STRICKLAND, M.D.
Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. Bernard E. Strickland, a constituent, a veteran, and a doctor. This is a long overdue recognition that he deserves for his contributions to our country and to our community. prgtoken Born on January 21, 1922, Dr. Strickland served courageously in the U.S. military during World War II from 1943 to 1946. During his service, he led a squadron of soldiers as a sergeant in the historic 761st Tank Battalion. Known as Patton's Panthers, they were the first African-American tank squad to see combat in Europe. They were not permitted to serve alongside White troops, and they were the ones who went in to liberate concentration camps. prgtoken Dr. Strickland and the rest of the battalion were crucial to advancing freedom internationally and racial equality domestically. The 761st Tank Battalion also assisted in making sure that those that were trapped--Jews that were liberated in these concentration camps--were able to get out. The things that he saw were horrific. prgtoken His son, Henry, had reached out to my office to let us know about his service and about the fact that he had not been recognized. prgtoken Today, I am proud to announce that Dr. Strickland will receive eight medals--eight awards--for his exemplary conduct, including the Good Conduct Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp; the Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II; the Expert Badge with machine gun bar; and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar. prgtoken Following his honorable discharge, he continued to devote his life to helping others as a medical doctor practicing medicine for more than 25 years in California. prgtoken Madam , I thank Dr. Strickland for his tireless dedication to his country and to our community.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-9-14

today I rise to recognize Mr. Curtis D. Robinson, a long-time resident of Connecticut and outstanding entrepreneur and philanthropist who turns 80 on September 21, 2022. prgtoken As a teenager, Mr. Robinson left Birmingham, AL, and the segregation of the Jim Crow South, arriving in Hartford, CT, in 1958 with little more than the clothes on his back. Mr. Robinson began working two full- time jobs and one part-time job and, after several years, was able to purchase a grocery store at the age of 18. By the time he was 22, Mr. Robinson also owned a restaurant, a cleaning service, an apartment building, and a construction supply company. He used this experience to start the Small Business Development Program in 1969, creating over 100 small businesses in the Hartford and Springfield areas. This remarkable success is a testament to Mr. Robinson's extraordinary industrious spirit and tremendous work ethic. prgtoken Today, Mr. Robinson is the owner, operator, and president of C&R Development Company, the largest minority construction management company on the east coast. He also owns several shops within Bradley International Airport and runs other businesses, including R&G Services, which operates the shuttle bus service at the airport, and R&G Parking, which operates one of the largest parking lots in downtown Hartford. prgtoken In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Robinson is also an advocate for health equity. As the cofounder and chairman of the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity--CDRCHE--he expands the provision of critical health services in underserved communities, serving over 10,000 people since 2010. Expanding on this firsthand experience in addressing health inequities, Mr. Robinson sits on the boards of Trinity Health of New England, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, and the Connecticut Hospital Association. prgtoken Mr. Robinson is also an extraordinary philanthropist and has contributed greatly to the civic life of Connecticut. Along with his wife, Mr. Robinson founded the Curtis and Sheila Robinson Foundation, which provides financial support across a variety of areas--offering assistance with food, rent, clothing, transportation, and scholarship funds for individuals in need. Over the years, they have championed many worthy causes, including efforts to combat food insecurity, domestic violence, and poverty. The Robinsons have also assisted individuals with medical and hospital care, donated buses to churches and schools, and adopted a homeless shelter for displaced children. Their charitable contributions are truly too numerous to list, and I applaud their remarkable efforts to give back to their community. prgtoken Mr. Robinson's incredible achievements--building a life for himself through hard work and determination--truly embody the American dream. His willingness to use his hard-earned success to give back to others serves as a model for all of us. I
REMEMBERING MOON LANDRIEU
Troy A. Carter (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2022-9-14

today, I am honored to remember a groundbreaking public servant, personal mentor, and inspiring New Orleanian, the Honorable Moon Landrieu, mayor of the city of New Orleans. prgtoken A son, father, husband, grandfather, brother, and lawyer, Moon Landrieu first served in the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1960 and next on the New Orleans City Council. He was elected mayor of the city of New Orleans from 1970 to 1978, served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1979 to 1982, and was a circuit court judge. prgtoken Throughout his career, he fought for equality and justice, opposing Jim Crow legislation and successfully outlawing segregation in public accommodations, standing as a shining light during our Nation's darkest times. prgtoken He passed away on September 5, but the Honorable Moon Landrieu and his indelible impact will never be forgotten in our world.
RECOGNIZING GEORGE GRAHAM FOR HIS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO WVIA FM
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Madam , today I honor George Graham for his 50 years at WVIA FM, our region's NPR affiliate. George was celebrated by his colleagues, family, and friends on August 29, 2022, for his service to our region and public radio. prgtoken George was born and raised in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. After high school, he enrolled at Duke University to study electrical engineering. During his time at Duke, he served as the program director of the student radio station, bringing eclectic, contemporary music radio programming to the Durham, North Carolina-based university. prgtoken After graduating magna cum laude in 1972, George returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania where he was hired as the first employee of WVIA Radio to do studio design and construction for WVIA-FM. With his impressive background of on-air work at Duke, he soon found himself with a regular on-air spot. prgtoken While on the air, he introduced his popular show Mixed Bag which has become the longest, continuously running album adult alternative program in the country. The show features weekly album reviews, new release segments, and a Friday night request show. In 1976, he started Homegrown Music to highlight regional artists from a variety of genres including rock, folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and World Music. Performances have been held in the studio weekly with a monthly concert for a live studio audience. George also hosts All That Jazz, which also highlights and provides live radio coverage of regional jazz festivals from the Delaware Water Gap and Scranton. prgtoken When WVIA acquired Chiaroscuro Records, a 50-year-old jazz label, in 2010, George was appointed the director of artistry and repertoire, overseeing the extensive archive and production of new recordings and reissues. With his impressive background in the industry, he has written for many regional publications and lends his time and expertise as a prgtoken freelance recording engineer, producer, and mastering engineer. prgtoken George has been an essential voice over the air waves championing regional musical talent, and generations of music connoisseurs and casual fans alike have tuned in to discover new music and listen to George's impeccably curated shows. I am honored to recognize George for his five decades of service to Northeastern Pennsylvania public radio and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.