mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SETTING FORTH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-2-2

rightfully, when we talk about the issue of gun violence in this country, we think about it through the prism of those lives that have been lost because the numbers are just stunning. They are hard to get your head wrapped around. prgtoken Here are the rough numbers in front of me. On an average year, we have 39,000 people who lose their lives through a gunshot wound. That is a suicide, a homicide, an accidental shooting, domestic violence crimes. If you break it down, that is around 100 people a day, and there is no other high-income nation in the world that comes anywhere close. prgtoken We talk about the issue of gun violence through the prism of people whose lives have been lost because it is so morally disrupting, cataclysmic, when you have a loved one--normally, a young loved one, a brother or sister, a child--who is there one instant and then gone the next because of a random shooting. prgtoken I always get drawn back to the people whom I have been lucky enough to have had access to and friendships with in Connecticut. One of them is Janet Rice. prgtoken Janet lost her son Shane, who was 20 at the time, to a gunshot wound back in 2012. It was actually only a month and a half before the Sandy Hook shooting. prgtoken Shane was just selling a car to some acquaintances, and the conversation went off the rails. There was some pushing and shoving. There was a gun fired, and Shane was dead. prgtoken It is really hard for Janet to describe how her life changed. She talks a lot about in those early months and years really not being able to even leave the house. She would drive a couple of blocks to the corner grocery store because she just didn't want to walk down the street and encounter friends and have to talk about what happened. prgtoken She had this habit of waking up in th middle of the night and driving her car down to where Shane was shot, which is only about two blocks from where I live in Hartford. She would arrive there in the middle of the night, she would pull up in the parking lot, prgtoken and she would turn on her high beams, half expecting that Shane was going to show up. prgtoken Her life is fundamentally different today than it was when Shane was in her life. And I have no idea what it is like to lose a child. I have no idea what it is like to lose a loved one to gun violence. But we talk about it in these terms because it is absolutely catastrophic when you lose somebody that way. prgtoken This week, though, is Gun Violence Survivors Week. This week we focus on those who survived gunshot wounds, and I think I hate to tell you this, but the numbers are much worse. More people survive gunshot wounds than are killed by gunshot wounds, and that wound can change your life as well. prgtoken It can inflict you with physical pain that you can never get over, render you unable to walk, and in our colleague Gabby Giffords' case, almost unable to speak. But it can also inflict you with an ongo
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 447, NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2021; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. CON. RES. 11, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021; AND FOR OTHER...
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-2-2

as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary, on Homeland Security, on the Budget, and as the Member of Congress for a congressional district that has experienced the worst of COVID-19 as a public health emergency and economic catastrophe, I rise in strong support of the rule governing debate on H.R. 447, the National Appenticeship Act of 2121, and H. Con. Res. 11, 447, as well as the underlying legislation. prgtoken The National Apprenticeship Act has the potential to yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to U.S. taxpayers in the form of increased workers productivity and decreased spending on public-assistance programs and unemployment insurance and which bring America's investments in apprenticeship more in line with countries around the world. prgtoken , this legislation could not be more timely because during a time of record unemployment, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 creates an additional 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities and invests more than $3.5 billion over 5 years in expanding opportunities and access to Registered Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships. prgtoken I also strongly support H. Con. Res. 11 because it reorders budgetary priorities to provide $1.9 trillion to allow Congress to take immediate and decisive action to crush the virus and vaccinate our people, build the economy back better, reopen schools, and provide needed support and assistance to state and local governments that have been asked to do too much with too little for far too long. prgtoken Let me make clear at the outset , that nothing in this resolution precludes the reaching of a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to pass and fund the President's America Rescue Plan, which in nearly all material respects mirrors the Heroes Act passed by the House ic majority on May 15, 2020, nearly nine months ago, only to languish on the Senate Majority Leader's desk while hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans succumbed to the virus and millions of others lost their livelihoods and businesses, and everyone faced an uncertain future. prgtoken So if our colleagues are amenable to reaching an agreement on a legislative response that is commensurate to the challenge facing Americans, nothing in the legislation before will preclude that from happening. prgtoken But have no doubt, if they refuse to be part of the solution, the unified and bicameral ic congressional majority, in coordination with the new ic Administration, will take the lead and act boldly to address and overcome the present crisis. prgtoken I would urge my colleagues to heed the words of Governor of West Virginia who said colorfully just a few days ago, ``At this point in time in this nation, we need to go big. We need to quit counting the egg-sucking legs on the cows and count the cows and just move. And move forward and move right now.'' prgtoken Th
CONGRATULATING MAYOR HARRY J. PARRISH II ON HIS RETIREMENT
Jennifer Wexton (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-2-2

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate City of Manassas Mayor Harry J. Parrish, II on his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated service. prgtoken A life-long resident of Manassas, Mayor Parrish was appointed to the Manassas City Council in 1993 and was elected to the Council in 1996, 2000 and again in 2004. He had the honor of being elected by the Council as Vice Mayor in 1999. He continued in the Vice Mayor position until May of 2008 when he was elected Mayor. Mayor Parrish now completes his third term as Mayor of the City of Manassas. prgtoken Mayor Parrish has played an active role in his community as a member of many service organizations, including the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company, the Kiwanis Club of Bull Run, and the Prince William Hospital Foundation. He is also a member of the city's thriving business community, leading his family business as President of Manassas Ice & Fuel Company. prgtoken Mayor Parrish earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering and Physics at the University of Virginia. He went on to serve our nation in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1978. He then earned a master's degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University before returning home to Manassas. prgtoken On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the citizens of Virginia's 10th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mayor Parrish on his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated and honorable service.
REMEMBERING BARBARA A. O'MALLEY
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-2-2

today I rise to pay tribute to Barbara A. O'Malley, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, dedicated public servant, and a veritable institution here in the U.S. Senate. She passed away last month at the age of 93. prgtoken Barbara Ann Suelzer, the daughter of Joseph and Martha Dix Suelzer, was born in 1928 and raised in Fort Wayne, IN. As a young woman, she was determined to learn how to fly. She obtained her pilot's license when she was 18, using $100 she received for graduating from high school to pay for the lessons, and later joined the Civil Air Patrol. She was also passionate about politics and especially about being a proud . She went to Washington to work for her local Congressman and met her future husband, Thomas Martin O'Malley, at the Young headquarters; they were married in 1954. prgtoken Over the next 30 years, Barbara O'Malley raised six children--one of whom, Martin J. O'Malley, became Governor of Maryland. She was a devoted mother, grandmother to 15 grandchildren, and great-grandmother to 8 great-grandchildren. prgtoken In 1986, with her children grown, Barbara O'Malley returned to Capitol Hill to work as a receptionist for another Barbara--Barbara Mikulski--who was elected to the Senate that year. She was ecstatic to work for a female Senator. At the time, there were just two female Senators: Senator Mikulski and Senator Nancy Kassebaum from Kansas. Barbara O'Malley stayed in the Senate for as long as Senator Mikulski did--30 years. During that time, she made the Mikulski staff, constituents, other Senators and their staff, and everyone else who visited the Mikulski office an extension of the O'Malley family. Everyone who knew her felt that bond. prgtoken Mrs. O, as everyone affectionately called her, had an unwavering cheerfulness, a graciousness, and an uplifting spirit that made her one of the most admired figures on Capitol Hill and around Maryland. I always looked forward to seeing her when I would visit Senator Mikulski's office, which was located just around the corner from my own office. Everyone who knew her treasured her political acumen and institutional knowledge, not just of history and politics and Congress but of the very buildings themselves here on Capitol Hill. Her genuine devotion to public service reflected her strong values and character, which her own children have carried on in their own careers and in service to our State of Maryland and to all Americans. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she loved, befriended, inspired, counseled, and mentored. prgtoken Mrs. O set so many fine examples for her family and everyone fortunate enough to know her. I work on retirement issues, and one thing experts recommend is for people to keep working if they enjoy their work and are able to continue meeting whatever challenges it presents. After Mrs. O spent 30 years raising her family, she returned to the workforce at
Nominations (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-2-2

I rise this morning, of course, to support the nominations of Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation and Alejandro Mayorkas to head the Department of Homeland Security. They are both exceptional choices by the administration to fill critical positions. prgtoken This afternoon when we vote on Mr. Mayorkas, it will be the completion of three of the four national security elements of the Cabinet for President , having previously voted for the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. prgtoken The post remaining, of course, after today's actions--if they are favorable, and I believe they will be--is the office of Attorney General, and I would like to address that directly. prgtoken First, let me say this. When you feel that you are the target of terrorists--a personal target of terrorists--you will never forget the moment. It has only happened twice in my life. On 9/11/2001, as a U.S. Senator, I was in a meeting in a room just several feet away from the Senate Chamber when the attack on the World Trade Center took place and the attack on the Pentagon. Those were terrorists at work, killing innocent people. prgtoken There was one more plane in the air. We didn't know where it was headed. It was early in the morning on that day that we were told to evacuate the Capitol Building, the first time I had ever faced that as a Member of Congress. prgtoken We quickly ran out the doors and down the stairs and stood on the lawn outside of the Capitol, wondering what was next, for fear that this building--this symbol of America and its greatness--was the next target of an attack. It could have been. prgtoken We are not sure. We never will be. But thanks to the heroic efforts of passengers on an airplane--they attacked the attackers, went after the terrorists, personally, and brought that plane down in Pennsylvania at the cost of their own lives--in a way, many of us were spared of being targets of terrorism that day. prgtoken When we reflect on those 3,000 innocent Americans who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, I will never forget the feeling that I was spared that act of terrorism and the hope that no one in America would ever have that fear again. prgtoken Fast forward to January 6, 2021, fewer than 4 weeks ago, here in the U.S. Capitol. Again, I felt I was the target of terrorists. That was the day when an insurrectionist mob stormed the Capitol, broke through the doors, beat down the windows, and came marching toward the Senate Chamber. I will never forget that moment, and I don't think anyone who was here at the time could possibly forget it. prgtoken It was 2:15 in the afternoon when the Vice President of the United States was removed from the chair that you are sitting in, . He was whisked off the platform to a safe room so he could be spared from anything that might come from this mob. prgtoken The rest of us were told to sit at our desk. We would
REMEMBERING BARBARA A. O'MALLEY
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-2-2

I rise to honor Mrs. Barbara Ann O'Malley, who passed away last month at the age of 93 after a long life guided by kindness, strength, grace, and humility. Mrs. O'Malley-- affectionately known as Mrs. O to both Hill staffers and Members alike--served Maryland for 30 years in the office of former Senator Barbara Mikulski. The indelible mark she has left on our State and on Capitol Hill will endure for generations. prgtoken Barbara Ann O'Malley was born a pioneer. In her youth, she hungered to fly and earned a pilot's license at the age of 16 on her own initiative. But it was in the arena of public service where she would soar. Inspired by her father's service as chair of the county ic Party where she grew up, Barbara started volunteering for political campaigns when she was still too young to vote. Her passion for public service brought her from Indiana to Washington, where she worked for ic Congressman Edward Kruse and later became the national committeewoman for the Young . And as a mother, Barbara O'Malley raised her three children on the value of serving others. Her son Martin grew up to be the mayor of Baltimore, Governor of Maryland, and a candidate for President of the United States. prgtoken After her boys left home, Mrs. O'Malley turned to raising a new family on Capitol Hill. She spread kindness, collegiality, and community from the front desk of Senator Mikulski's office for three decades. She was notorious for dropping off treats at coworker's desks throughout the day, shuttling baked goods back-and-forth from the so- called BAMtry, a cache of snacks that kept the staff running. And she gave moral nourishment to the team by sharing advice cultivated through years in politics. Legions of Hill staffers, from new hires to chiefs of staff, turned to her for counsel. But it wasn't just staff. Senator Mikulski likes to say that Mrs. O gave her the ``first briefing of the day'' when she walked into work. Senators Jay Rockefeller and Arlen Specter could often be spotted circling her desk just before heading to the Senate floor. And when I served in the House of Representatives, Mrs. O'Malley was always the first to warmly greet me on my way in to see Senator Mikulski, and I always relished the moment. prgtoken If flying was her first love, then history was her second. She knew every fact, detail, and anecdote about the U.S. Senate, and for years, Barbara O'Malley's Capitol Hill tours were the hottest tickets in town. She guided Marylanders of all ages and interests through the halls of American democracy with trademark wit--never compromising between her reverence for the Senate and her taste for a good joke. At the front desk, she was known as the office historian, collecting the stories of constituents who passed through and maintaining a long catalogue of staff directories that she held onto throughout her life. She forged deep friendships and kept up with col
HONORING MARIA MANZO
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-2-2

I rise today to honor Maria Manzo for 10 years of service to our office, to the communities that we represent in Illinois, and to our country. prgtoken Maria was one of the first people who we hired back in the spring of 2008 when I left the crazy business of science to enter the sane and steady business of the United States Congress. prgtoken Maria began as our ambassador to the Hispanic communities in Aurora, the second largest city of Illinois, and she now coordinates outreach to all citizens of Illinois' 11th District. prgtoken Maria was with me during the terror of the economic collapse, the historic victories of Care, and the political firestorm that accompanied it. She was with us during the electoral defeats of the Tea Party wave and the electoral victories of our subsequent return to office. Maria is now a steady and trusted voice in our community as we navigate the coronavirus crisis. prgtoken During those 10 years, I had the chance to watch Maria's wonderful children, Elijah and Sophia, progress from early childhood to becoming enchanting adults. prgtoken Maria Manzo, it has been a great 10 years.
HONORING OFFICER BRIAN D. SICKNICK
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-2

the Capitol attack on January 6 unleashed many, many horrors, but it also revealed many heroes. One such hero was Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, a New Jersey native, an Air Force National Guard veteran, and a 12-year member of the Capitol Police Force who tragically lost his life during the attack. prgtoken This evening, the body of Officer Sicknick will arrive at the Capitol, and he will lie in honor beneath the Capitol Rotunda. We will formally pay our respects to Officer Sicknick with a service on Wednesday. prgtoken I join with my colleagues and members of the Capitol Police Force in grieving the loss of one of their fellow officers. May his memory live forever as a model of service to our Nation, selflessness in the line of duty, and courage in the face of danger.
HONORING MS. SOPHIE PASIBE
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-2

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and honor the life and legacy of Sophie Pasibe and to recognize the impact she had on the Filipino-American community in Vallejo and Benicia. prgtoken Born September 29, 1931 in the Municipality of Agoo in La Union, Philippines, Ms. Sophie Pasibe's life was characterized by her years as a teacher, philanthropist, and public servant. Before her emigration from the Philippines to the United States in 1969, Ms. Pasibe served her community as a fourth grade teacher. Soon after arriving in the United States, she continued her teaching career for the Stockton Unified School District. In 1975, Ms. Pasibe settled in Benicia, California, where she resided for the remainder of her life. prgtoken Ms. Pasibe had a huge impact on advancing the interests of the Filipino-American community. She was a leader, serving as vice president of the Agooenians of California, president of Fil-Ams of Benicia, and chair of the Lakbay Aral Program. Additionally, she helped to found both the Young Generations of Agoo and the Solano County Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce. Through her leadership, she helped to advance the prosperity and cultural expression of her community through projects like the Lakbay Aral Travel Study Program, a collaboration with the Fili Am Chamber and Philippine government to send Filipino-American teenagers to the Philippines, many for the first time, to connect with their roots through an immersive program. prgtoken Ms. Pasibe's dedication to her community further fueled her philanthropy, as she served as a certified court interpreter, traveling throughout much of California. Furthermore, she utilized her artistry and creativity to sell crafts at street fairs, with all proceeds going back to her home in the Philippines. Ms. Pasibe will be remembered by her selfless dedication to others. prgtoken Madam , Ms. Sophie Pasibe was a committed community advocate and exceptional leader who dedicated her life to serving the Filipino community.
PASSING OF JOHN J. SWEENEY
Andy Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-2-2

. Madam , I first met John Sweeney when I was 22 and his staff offered me a job helping nursing home workers organize with SEIU in my home state of Michigan. The union was hiring a novice, front-line organizer, but I was ushered into the office of the president of the national union to meet the man himself. He was modest and unassuming that day, and he never changed, even as he doubled the size of SEIU, even as he became the consensus choice to lead the only insurgent takeover of the AFL-CIO in its history, even as he helped transform its policies to focus on organizing, support immigrant workers and much more. John Sweeney never saw himself as being above any of the workers he came to represent, and he fought for them with unquestioned integrity and an openness to innovation and change possible only with true humility. I ended up spending five years organizing with SEIU, then returning years later to help his campaign to take over the AFL-CIO, and then working 11 years under his leadership there. Throughout that time, I trusted President Sweeney completely-he gave me big assignments and the leeway to make them my own. He drew the best out of me by letting me know he had faith in me. He tolerated mistakes, but not lapsed ethics. prgtoken One story that captures John well is that when I was creating Union Summer, a program to put 1,000 young people onto the front lines of union organizing and bargaining campaigns in the summer of 1996, shortly after he became AFL-CIO president, he insisted on making the `Summeristas' as we called them employees of the AFL-CIO, even though they were essentially doing a three-week summer camp. He knew it would be much more expensive and a lot more work, but he insisted on taking full responsibility for every one of them. prgtoken John put the interest of other people and the labor movement above his own, every time. I loved John Sweeney in an uncomplicated way that feels hard to describe and that I hope remains possible in our troubled world. He was an honest leader, a great soul, doing his best to keep faith with his God and lift up his fellow human beings. Godspeed, John Sweeney.