mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-3-8

I rise today to introduce the Women and Climate Change Act of 2022. This bill affirms the U.S. commitment to supporting a group of people who are most often negatively impacted by climate change, yet too often left out of decisionmaking and policy development--women. The bill creates a Federal interagency working group, established by the Department of State, that will collect data and develop policies and strategies to address the effects of climate change on women both at home and abroad. Communities all across the United States and the world are currently feeling the impacts of climate change. The time to empower women to respond to this crisis is now. As we commemorate International Women's Day today, we are reminded of the important roles that women play in communities across the world and seize this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to working towards equity. prgtoken The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCC, highlights that the majority of the world's poor is made up of women who rely on natural resources in their daily lives and are least likely to be able to respond to extreme weather events. These women disproportionately face the brunt of climate change impacts, yet too often have little power or say over how they, their families, and their communities are able to combat climate change. UNFCC notes that when women are allowed a role in developing strategies that address climate change, it often results in great responsiveness to local needs, enabling resilience and capacity building, and delivering peace across communities. prgtoken The rising costs of climate change to communities at home and abroad, both in terms of fatalities and expenses, are sobering. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, last year the United States alone experienced 20 weather and climate disasters that cost at least $1 billion each, netting a $145 billion price tag and resulting in 688 deaths. Data from NOAA indicates a trend of increasing billion-dollar disasters each decade since the 1980s, with the expectation that the trend will continue. prgtoken According to Christian Aid, a relief agency in the United Kingdom working to address poverty, the 10 worst global climate disasters in 2021 cost $170 billion. These included Hurricane Ida, which impacted the east coast of the United States and resulted in at least 95 deaths, flooding in Europe that caused 240 fatalities, and July floods in China that killed over 300 individuals. prgtoken The latest report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, last month highlights the consequences that the world will face if countries do not take immediate and significant action to address climate change. These consequences include extreme heat, floods, wildfire, drought, and famine that could result in malnutrition and displacement of people across the globe. The report also noted that be
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-3-8

in 1922, the first robust antilynching bill was successfully passed by the House of Representatives. Once it came to the Senate, a block of Southern segregationists mounted a filibuster to kill it in its tracks. prgtoken Over the decades, similar bills met similar fates. Throughout the 20th century, scores of antilynching bills were introduced, only to be promptly buried into obscurity. In 2018, Congress came closer than ever to finally passing antilynching legislation before it was thwarted at the eleventh hour. prgtoken But last night, finally--finally--after more than 200 failed attempts to declare lynching a Federal crime, the Senate succeeded in taking long, overdue action by passing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act. prgtoken Hallelujah. Congress has finally declared lynching a Federal crime, as it should have done more than a century ago. That it took so long is a permanent, bitter stain on American history; but, finally, a century's worth of efforts has now paid off. prgtoken To say this is a historic accomplishment is impossibly inadequate. Generations of civil rights leaders and advocates dedicated their lives to getting Congress to recognize the humane, obvious truth: that lynching was an intolerable injustice inflicted primarily on disenfranchised Black Americans. prgtoken Thousands upon thousands of Black Americans have been victims of lynch mobs across the country, and indifferent States have rarely responded, if ever. Many of the sworn officers of these States and localities not only ignored but often participated when these atrocities occurred. prgtoken Despicable. Horrible. America should be so ashamed of this chapter in her history. And while no single congressional action can fully erase the injustices committed against victims of lynching, last night was an important step in the never-ending work of perfecting our Union. Only by confronting the darkest elements of our history can we make straight the path toward a brighter and more just future. prgtoken I want to really applaud Senator Booker. He has been diligent and hard-working and valiant in getting this to happen. He had a great partner in Senator Scott--bipartisan. And on the prgtoken House side, the person who lit this candle and kept it glowing even in the most disappointing of times was Bobby Rush. He never gave up. prgtoken Congress has finally taken action, and this bill now heads to President 's desk, finally--finally--for signature. Government Funding and Coronavirus prgtoken , now on COVID, s and continue making good progress toward reaching a deal to fund the government. We are almost there. We are very, very close, and, hopefully, it will be done in the next few hours. prgtoken This bill, the spending bill, comes at a consequential moment. War in Europe has focused the energies of Congress into getting something done and getting it done fast, quickly. Bu
ENDING RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of ending Russian oil imports into our land. prgtoken Liberty is the shining jewel in America's crown. As Vladimir Putin unleashes his murderous fury on the people of Ukraine, we have a responsibility to stand up for liberty's defense, to inflict further pain on Putin and his war-related price hikes. prgtoken Now is the time to recommit ourselves to ensuring America's energy independence for the 21st century. We must take a stand and invest in our workers and our companies as U.S. oil and gas production is approaching all-time highs. prgtoken To Wall Street and the big corporate CEOs, now is the time to prioritize liberty and the well-being of hardworking Americans and their families, not just corporate profits and shareholder dividends. prgtoken Let's use this moment to develop a robust energy future to unleash across our land, across all energy technologies, our competitive edge. prgtoken Russian oil is the past. American energy innovation, ingenuity, and U.S. energy independence are within our grasp.
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA FOR THE PEOPLE
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-8

are building a better America for the people. prgtoken This week is the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan that passed in the House and the Senate, and that President signed into law. That law was transformative. It helped schools reopen and remain open. It also increased vaccine distribution across America. It got people into jobs, and it funded police departments. prgtoken We then followed the American Rescue Plan with an infrastructure law that is going to rebuild roads, bridges, and highways; it is going to take lead out of our water pipes; it is going to have EV charging stations across America; and it is going to make sure that we have broadband everywhere. prgtoken What are s doing? I am not really sure. But I know that two of them recently attended a white nationalist conference, and last week 174 of them voted ``no'' to providing benefits to veterans who inhaled toxic fumes.
NO FLOWERS FOR UKRAINIAN WOMEN ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , I am grateful for the opportunity tonight for a Special Order on this International Women's Day. prgtoken There are a lot of ironies about this day. We in the ic Women's Caucus and the Bipartisan Women's Caucus could not let this day go by without drawing attention to what is happening in Ukraine to women, mothers, and children. The irony is particularly significant because International Women's Day is a national holiday in Ukraine and Russia. prgtoken The Administrator of USAID and former U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power commented on this today. She referenced that the founder of International Women's Day was a woman by the name of Theresa Malkiel. She was a Jewish labor organizer in New York. She was born in what is now Ukraine, and she emigrated to the United States to escape persecution. Madam , 130 years later, Ukrainian women are now being forced to leave their homes as well. prgtoken Now, we are heralding the incredible strength of Ukrainian women. They are facing unimaginable horrors brought about by Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Putin alone. prgtoken Last year, President Putin sent a message to women for International Women's Day in Russia. He said: ``I wish you good health and success . . . . And, of course, I would like you to have as many reasons for smiles and joy as possible.'' prgtoken I guess the question to ask Putin is: Does that apply to Ukrainian women as well, the women you presume are Russian but are willing to have them be forced into death marches because you feel compelled to shell communities throughout Ukraine? prgtoken Last week, Vladimir Putin's forces killed a woman and two children in cold blood as they attempted to escape over a bridge in Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv, and he continues to order the shelling of evacuation corridors as Ukrainian civilians attempt to flee. Over 1 million of them have already left. It is going to be millions and millions more. prgtoken Let me just show you a couple of pictures, Madam . This is a woman in Ukraine on International Women's Day, thanks to Vladimir Putin. This is what Vladimir Putin thinks of women. These are the smiles he wants to see on their faces, the joy he wants to see in their eyes. prgtoken This man needs to be called out for what he is. He is a tyrant, and he is committing premeditated war on the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian women and children. He is doing so and committing war crimes as well. prgtoken Let me show you yet another picture, Madam . prgtoken This is one that is hard to look at. These are three dead women who were trying to escape and were shelled down. They are now dead. They have their suitcases and their backpacks. One is a small girl. This is what Vladimir Putin is doing in Ukraine, and he must be called out for it. prgtoken His bloodthirsty disregard for the lives of women and children has never been more apparent. Last month, I was disgusted to hear him use a crude rape reference to urge Ukraine to acquie
TRIBUTE TO SISTER THERESA HARPIN--CALIFORNIA'S 24TH CONGRESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Sister Theresa Harpin of San Luis Obispo, California. prgtoken With over 40 years as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Sister Theresa looks at the world through the lens of ``everyone is our dear neighbor.'' While Cal Poly's Newman Catholic Center brought the gifted educator to the Central Coast, it is through her social and restorative justice work that she has truly made her mark. prgtoken On the heels of her energetic work with students and community parishes, and following medical leave for serious illness, she brought the ``Get on the Bus'' program to California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo County. A bus filled with the children and spouses of prisoners travels to the prison for a reunion party that offers hope for the families. prgtoken Sister Theresa has worked with the SLO County Sheriff, the California Department of Corrections, Parole and the Courts to make restorative justice a reality in San Luis Obispo County. This tireless, well respected community leader believes offenders were once victims whose own traumas were never addressed. She is devoted to healing those injuries so that once released, prisoners can move forward to productive lives. prgtoken Her fervent dedication to helping the incarcerated led to founding Restorative Partners, a program providing re-entry services to the incarcerated. Sister Theresa is a certified facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project, the Aggression Replacement Training and the Thinking for A Change Program. She has implemented and taught non-judgmental techniques and most importantly, restorative justice, which provides healing for all parties, both victim and offender. prgtoken Restorative Partners, founded over an In N Out Burger conversation with Sheriff Ian Parkinson, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The successful program has brought together law enforcement, private business and faith-based organizations, under the shared mission to ``get to the source'' of individual's issues and move forward. prgtoken In just ten years, Restorative Partners has expanded mentorship to help returning citizens navigate reentry. With an eye on the high cost of living on the Central Coast, RP now provides re-entry homes for men and women, including Anna's Home for Women and Children, which reunites formerly incarcerated mothers with their children while offering a drug treatment program. The challenges of COVID created an entirely new set of needs, chief among them domestic violence treatment and expanded drug and alcohol treatment. With Sister Theresa's leadership, Restorative Partners continues to evolve and offer life-changing support. What began started as an in-custody service, the non
POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2022--Continued
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-8

in just a few moments, each of our colleagues will have the opportunity to cast a historic vote to pass groundbreaking legislation that will ensure that the U.S. Postal Service can continue its nearly 250-year tradition of delivering service to the American people. prgtoken The Postal Service is one of our Nation's most trusted and storied institutions. Since the founding of the United States, the Postal Service has become a vital part of the fabric of our Nation for generations. prgtoken It has served as an indispensable public service that not only delivers critical mail, like medications and financial documents, but also helps families all across the country stay connected with each other. prgtoken The Postal Service is the only mail carrier that delivers to every community across our Nation and serves more than 160 million households--no matter how remote. prgtoken However, in recent years, we have seen how burdensome financial requirements drove the Postal Service to use cost-cutting measures that compromised delivery services. And that is why this bipartisan bicameral bill is so vital. It will help the Postal Service overcome unfair policies that threaten its ability to effectively service the American people. prgtoken Since introducing this bill, I have worked closely with my ranking member, Rob Portman, and our 26 other Senate cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, as well as Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Member Comer on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, to craft these consensus reforms and secure the strong bipartisan support we have seen in both the House and, hopefully soon, in the Senate. prgtoken I am grateful to each of my colleagues for their hard work and for their cooperation and their willingness to compromise during this process. prgtoken Our legislation, which it has been 15 years in the making, will eliminate the unnecessary requirement for the Postal Service to prefund the cost of retiree health benefits and will integrate postal retirees healthcare with Medicare. prgtoken Together, these reforms will save the Postal Service more than $49 billion and ensure this essential public service, which is dependent on revenues from products and service fees to fund its operations, is set on a path for long-term financial stability. prgtoken This historic legislation will also ensure every American knows what is going on with the mail in their community by requiring the Postal Service to post weekly local performance data online. prgtoken It will also ensure this vital institution continues to deliver mail at least 6 days a week. By passing the Postal Service Reform Act, we can ensure the Postal Service is able to provide reliable service to families and small businesses, veterans, seniors, and rural communities who rely on this essential service each and every day for years to come. prgtoken By passing this legislation tonight and quickly sending it to President 's des
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-8

I rise to speak in support of the Housing Act for All Act of 2022, which I introduced today. prgtoken The homelessness and housing crises have worsened in recent years. As of January 2020, more than 580,000 individuals in the country, disproportionately people of color, were experiencing homelessness. Rates of unsheltered homelessness have increased over the last few years, and people experiencing unsheltered homelessness have a mortality rate four to nine times higher than that of the general public. A lack of affordable housing and housing assistance programs have contributed to homelessness. There is a shortage of 6.8 million affordable rental homes in the United States. Even before the pandemic, one in four renters spent half of their monthly income on rent, and nearly a million tenants were evicted each year. I believe every person has a right to housing. prgtoken That is why I am proud to introduce this bill, which represents a comprehensive approach to tackling housing and homelessness. If enacted, it would invest in and align Federal resources to support those experiencing housing instability. To address the homelessness and housing crises, we must invest in policies that support strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and ensure quality affordable homes for all. prgtoken Specifically, this bill will address the affordable housing shortage by investing in the housing trust fund, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program, and the HOME Program. It establishes a Commission to focus on racial equity in housing and homelessness. prgtoken It will address homelessness by investing in housing choice vouchers project-based rental assistance, emergency solutions grants, and continuums of care. It will create grant programs to strengthen mobile crisis intervention teams; to support hotel and motel conversions to permanent supportive housing with services; to aid libraries in supporting persons experiencing homelessness; and to provide people living in vehicles with a safe place to park overnight and facilitate a transition to stable housing. And it commissions a report on the connection between evictions and emergency rental assistance during the pandemic, so we can make smarter policy moving forward. prgtoken When I have traveled around the State--from LA County to Inland Empire, to Fresno, to San Diego, to San Francisco--to get a sense of the needs for housing in different communities, some key elements stood out. On the production side, there is a need for more dedicated funding for affordable housing from the Federal Government. There is also missing middle housing for families, especially people of color. And there is not enough housing near transit. That is why my bill focuses on supporting inclusive, transit-oriented development. When I talked to researchers about keeping families housed, one main poi
CONDEMNING THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2022-3-8

I include in the Record statements from UNCF, TMCF, NAFEO, Alabama A&M's President Wims, and the Executive Leadership Council in support of the resolution. Washington, DC (February 7, 2022).--Over the past month, more than two dozen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have received terroristic threats in an apparent attempt to disrupt and, presumably, sow fear in our campus communities. These attempts to intimidate the HBCU community reached a peak on Tuesday, Feb. 1--the first day of Black History Month--when 13 HBCUs were forced to disrupt their normal operations due to coordinated threats posed to their respective campuses. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) are pleased that the federal government has characterized its ongoing investigation into these threats as ``threats of terror with the utmost seriousness'' and as acts of domestic terrorism, as announced during a recent briefing by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Given the federal government's characterization of these threats, we anticipate and expect that the Justice Department will fully prosecute the individuals responsible for these heinous acts and we look forward to the swift conclusion of this matter. Unfortunately, these terrorist acts fall squarely into a recent trend line documented by the Center for Strategic and International Studies that reflects a sharp increase in right-wing extremist attacks and plots in the United States in recent years. HBCUs, as institutions founded for the original purpose of educating and uplifting former enslaved people and their descendants, have been at the forefront of social and economic justice advocacy for more than 180 years. Our universities' missions and their historic legacies naturally put them at odds with the enemies of equality which, even in the 21st century, makes our institutions and their students, staff, faculty and administrators an apparent target for extremism. Notwithstanding these attempts to terrorize our community, our HBCUs remain unbroken and unbowed. The actions of a misguided few will not deter our institutions from fulfilling their collective mission to educate our nation's next generation of teachers, entrepreneurs and leaders. We are hopeful that congressional, state, community and philanthropic leaders will join with us and offer the support that is needed for us to offer our students the sense of security needed as we move forward with the same sense of resilience we have shown since the founding of the first HBCU in 1837. Reflecting on these incidents, we are reminded of the words of the late Supreme C
TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF PRESIDING ELDER ALONZO MIDDLETON
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2022-3-8

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and mentor who was a man of great faith. Elder Alonzo Middleton passed away on March 1, 2022, at the age of 91. prgtoken Elder Middleton used his longevity in great service to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a proud lifetime member of my home congregation, Morris Brown AME Church, in Charleston, South Carolina, and was a graduate of Allen University, where he later served on the board of trustees. prgtoken Elder Middleton was a pastor and presiding elder in the Seventh Episcopal District, which encompasses the entire State of South Carolina. He served as a delegate to multiple quadrennials of the AME Church's general conference and on its general board. prgtoken He retired from active service as presiding elder of the Mount Pleasant District, one of the largest in the AME Church. prgtoken One of his lasting accomplishments was engineering the merger of three small Charleston congregations to create a single church renamed the Greater Middleton Chapel AME Church. prgtoken Elder Middleton was a mentor for many generations of AME clergy and laymen. He will be sorely missed.