mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING MARINE RETIRED CWO-3 WARRANT OFFICER DANIEL PAYNE
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-12

. Madam , I rise today to recognize my dear friend Mr. Daniel ``Dan'' Payne as he is honored as the 2019 Grand Marshal for the 100th Anniversary of the Central Valley Veterans Day Parade (CVVDP). Dan has dedicated his life to his country and the people of the Central Valley. prgtoken Dan was born in San Jose, California to Frank and Ubelia Payne on August 16, 1954. He attended local schools while working in the fields picking apricots and other fruits. He attended college but soon changed course. He enlisted into the Marine Corps in 1973, inspired by a television commercial about the branch. Dan told his then-girlfriend and now wife of 43 years Mary, that he was going to enlist the next day. He served as an enlisted member for 12 years, achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In 1986, he applied for Officers Candidates School and was accepted in February 1987. Despite severely injuring his knee, Dan continued his training to become an officer, graduating that same year. prgtoken Dan attended Electronics Radar Pulse Acquisitions Control HAWK Guided Missile, Command and Control Electronics Tech HAWK Guided Missile, HAWK Guided Missile Systems Tech, and Tactical Basics School TBS Quantico, Virginia. He has an associate degree in Law Enforcement, Missiles and Munitions, and an Electrical Engineering degree from Trinity University. A Decorated Desert Storm Veteran, Dan was the first Hispanic Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) in the HAWK Guided Missile field in the Marine Corps. prgtoken During his time in the Marines, Dan was a boxer and played multiple sports. He trained in Shotokan while he was in Japan and earned 4 black belts. He was named in Who's Who of Martial Arts and fought many different fighters, including Chuck Norris. prgtoken After being deployed and stationed around the world, Dan's last stop was in Fresno, California where he and his wife Mary, and two daughters Rebecca and Rachel, settled. In 1996, Dan retired as CWO-3 and began teaching at Fresno City College Training Institute. He was awarded the Center for Applied Competitive Technology (CACT) Teacher's Award in 1998. Dan was an ordained pastor while he was in the Marines and decided to continue this path after retirement. prgtoken Dan is also the founder and CEO of Cable Links Construction. The construction firm provides training for Lucent, Siecor, 3-M Amp, and other telecommunication companies. Their specialties are in fiber optics and high-speed copper cable. Over the years, Cable Links has also expanded into construction. Since its founding 20 years ago, Cable Links has grown into a successful small-business in the Central Valley. It has been featured in the Fresno Bee as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Central Valley, and twice was mentioned in lnc Magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. prgtoken Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dan has served his community. Some of his many contributions
HONORING THE 2019 WOMEN OF THE YEAR
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-11-12

. Madam , I rise today to honor the 2019 Women of the Year. The honorees represent some of the most outstanding and dedicated women in the 3rd Congressional District. Nominated by their peers, these women and the leadership they have provided are being recognized for playing an integral and crucial role in improving the lives of everyone in their communities. prgtoken During the last 50 years women have made great strides in America. It used to be almost unheard of to see women as elected officials, CEOs, senior military officials, doctors or attorneys, but today many of our most successful leaders in the world are women. This progress has not come easy and many women before you have worked hard and strived to achieve the independence and rights you have today. I realize there is more work to be done to ensure that women have equal pay, flexible work schedules and affordable education. Each of the honorees will be a vital part of the future successes for women. prgtoken 2019's Women of the Year are: prgtoken Bobbi Abold is a dedicated, passionate, and invested advocate who brings over a decade of experience in education to her work on behalf of at-risk students. Bobbi currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the Yuba County Office of Education. In this position as well as during her time as Principal at Durham Elementary School, Bobbi has leveraged her unique capacity for positive reinforcement and decision making to administer critical resources and engaging programs for all her students. As a true model and champion of the very best in leadership in alternative education, Bobbi has continuously gone out of her way to improve her skills by training in restorative practices and is always challenging others to become better educators. Her inclusivity allows her to foster a positive and constructive environment for students to learn and grow as individuals, and she lends a special focus to those facing the greatest challenges. Bobbi is a passionate public servant who consistently demonstrates her unparalleled dedication to securing bright futures for her students. prgtoken Rose Mary Avila is a dedicated advocate for members of the Yuba County community. She is a highly regarded volunteer, community servant, and business woman. Rose Mary works to help the Marysville business community thrive through her involvement with the Focus on Marysville business forum. Rose Mary has been an executive member at the Alliance for Hispanic Advancement in Yuba County for 15 years and contributes her time to many events and fundraisers. Through this organization she has worked to enrich the lives of people of Hispanic heritage in her community by awarding scholarships to Hispanic students, providing health resources and bilingual information for community members, and administering numerous other community programs. Rose Mary is also a member of the Marysville Kiwanis where she lends
SMALL REFINERY WAIVERS AND ETHANOL
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-11-12

I would like to add my support to the statement given by my colleague from Illinois. On behalf of the corn and soybean farmers in my State and on behalf of the biofuel industry in my State, I strongly oppose the ``small refinery relief'' language in the fiscal year 2020 Interior appropriations bill. This ``relief language'' will allow the EPA to continue to exempt refiners from blending biofuels without any evidence of actual hardship. prgtoken Small refinery waivers from the EPA are wreaking havoc on our Nation's rural economy. Across the country, ethanol plants and biodiesel plants are halting production or being forced to shut down. These biofuel plants often are the local cornerstone of the community, supporting thousands of rural jobs across the country, and serving as important markets for farmers to process millions of bushels of corn, soybeans, and other commodities. Farmers are struggling after years of low prices, extreme weather and a chaotic trade agenda, and instead of providing certainty and relief for our farmers, this administration chose to destroy more markets and further harm rural communities. prgtoken The problems caused by small-refinery waiver abuse are seen across the upper Midwest, but they hit the agricultural communities in my state of Minnesota particularly hard. Two months ago, the Corn Plus ethanol plant in Winnebago closed. When I traveled there, I talked to farmers and community members and heard directly about how the loss of that facility will impact their lives. The Corn Plus plant closed, but throughout Minnesota ethanol plants are idling and cutting back, impacting workers and hurting local farmers. For example, a recent Renewable Fuels Association analysis of the impact of idling at the Green Plains plant in Fairmont, MN, found that local corn prices were reduced, leading to an $8.4 million loss for local farmers who typically sell to the plant. prgtoken Last week, Tim Rudnicki, executive director for the Minnesota Bio- Fuels Association traveled to Michigan to testify at the EPA public hearing on their wholly inadequate administration proposed ``fix'' to the waiver abuse problems. In Mr. Rudnicki's remarks, he said that the current EPA is ``driving renewable biofuels backwards and toward the cliff.'' I couldn't agree more. This has to stop, and Congress needs to make it stop because it has become clear that the current Administration has put big oil ahead of our farmers and our rural communities. prgtoken In the wake of the EPA's continued efforts to undercut the integrity of the RFS by misusing its waiver authority, I urge my colleagues to support this country's rural communities by ending the EPA's abuse of the small refinery exemptions.
CELEBRATING THE INSTALLATION OF DR. MATTHEW GIORDANO AS THE FOURTH PRESIDENT OF VILLA MARIA COLLEGE
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-11-12

. Madam , today I rise to acknowledge the installation of Dr. Matthew Giordano as the Fourth President of Villa Maria College on Friday, November 15, 2019. prgtoken Villa Maria College is a private, co-educational, Catholic college providing the support and resources needed to give students the opportunity to learn and grow with a culturally diverse population that lives its ideals of truth, charity, and unity. prgtoken Dr. Matthew Giordano, the first male, lay-person president in the college's history, assumed the role of interim president in July 2018 following the retirement of Sister Marcella Marie Garus, Villa's legendary forty-year leader. Since that time, the College launched three new academic programs including flexible business, game design and software development proactively responding to heightened employment opportunities in these growth industries. Scholarship eSports has also found a home at Villa Maria College. prgtoken This visionary leader is not only responding to the marketplace of today but ensuring the college's future growth as he and his team are creating a new strategic plan, introduced new models of governance and is developing strong connections between the Villa Maria family of students, faculty and staff. prgtoken Prior to his selection, Giordano served at vice president for academic affairs from 2012 to 2018. During that time, he played a pivotal role in planning and implementing the college's creative blueprint resulting in major enrollment growth and increased retention, launching new academic programs, including an honors program, and helping to secure grant funding in support of student success, including a $1.8 million Title III grant. prgtoken Dr. Giordano brought his passion for teaching English and gift for student engagement to Villa in 2005 and became chairperson of the liberal arts department in 2009. prgtoken It is especially noteworthy that while he is working within the beautiful, stately walls of the Villa Campus, Dr. Giordano understands that the college is strengthened when the surrounding neighborhoods are strengthened. An anchor institution and community asset linking the borders of the city of Buffalo and the town of Cheektowaga, Villa's new president is committed to open dialogue with local leaders and elected officials to develop partnerships and initiate collaborative relationships in support of its students and neighbors. prgtoken Dr. Giordano has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Philosophy from Binghamton University and both a Master of Arts and doctorate degree in American Literature from the Ohio State University. He successfully completed the Executive Leadership Academy of the Council of Independent Colleges and the Felician Leadership Institute this past year. prgtoken He follows in the footsteps of true Felician leaders as Villa Maria College was founded in 1960 by Mother Mary Annette Guzowski and the Felician Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of
SMALL REFINERY WAIVERS AND ETHANOL
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2019-11-12

I join my colleagues today in expressing my opposition to the language in the fiscal year 2020 Interior appropriations bill related to the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to issue small refinery waivers under the renewable fuel standard without taking into account the Department of Energy's recommendations. prgtoken The administration continues to undermine the renewable fuel standard by granting small refinery waivers to multi-billion-dollar oil companies. Since the beginning of the administration, a total of 85 waivers have been issued, reducing demand for more than 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel. That is why I have repeatedly called on the administration to stop issuing any further waivers, immediately reallocate the remaining gallons, and make public the information regarding any recipients of these exemptions. prgtoken We need more transparency and openness about the Environmental Protection Agency's, EPA, use of small refinery waivers--who is applying for and receiving them, how are they documenting their economic hardship, and how is EPA considering that hardship in the context of interagency recommendations. The ``small refinery relief'' provision in the appropriations bill will allow EPA to avoid answering these questions and continue issuing waivers without providing evidence of hardship. prgtoken It is for this reason that I am opposed to the ``small refinery relief'' language in the fiscal year 2020 Interior appropriations bill. While the administration must cease issuing any further improper refinery exemptions, as I have been calling for since these abuses began, we can start supporting our farmers and rural communities by removing this harmful provision from the Interior appropriations bill during conference negotiations. Especially at a time when they are facing trade uncertainty, low prices, and difficult weather, our farmers deserve better.
Nomination of Chad F. Wolf (Executive Session)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-11-12

today, I rise to oppose the nomination of Chad Wolf. Officially, we are considering Mr. Wolf's nomination to serve as Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security. In that role Mr. Wolf would lead the DHS policy office, an important but little-known part of the Department. prgtoken However, that is not the role that Mr. Wolf will actually have. We have recently learned that the President has much bigger plans for Mr. Wolf. The President plans to make Mr. Wolf the next Acting Secretary for the entire Department of Homeland Security. Instead of running the policy office, which has a staff of about 160 people and an annual budget of $35 million, Mr. Wolf will lead all of DHS, the third largest executive agency, with a 240,000-person workforce and a budget of over $75 billion. prgtoken Let's be clear, for all intents and purposes, we are essentially about to vote on the confirmation of a new Secretary of Homeland Security, a position responsible for protecting this Nation from a vast and evolving array of threats. Despite the importance of this position and this vote, we have not been given a full opportunity to meaningfully examine Mr. Wolf's ability to take on this profoundly important and challenging role. prgtoken Based on my evaluation of his qualifications to serve as Under Secretary, I do not believe Mr. Wolf has the experience needed to lead this critical Cabinet Department. prgtoken I would like to recognize that Mr. Wolf does have several years of Homeland Security policy experience. In his prgtoken current role within the Department's policy office, Mr. Wolf has engaged in productive dialogue with the Homeland Security Committee. In particular, I have personally appreciated his willingness to recognize the growing threat of domestic terrorism and White supremacist violence and the need for the Department to do more to keep our communities safe. prgtoken However, Mr. Wolf's tenure as chief of staff to former DHS Secretary Nielsen raises serious concerns about his judgment and, in particular, his involvement in some of this administration's most misguided and harmful policies. As part of the Senate's constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent, I have repeatedly asked DHS to provide documents directly related to Mr. Wolf's time as Secretary Nielsen's top adviser. However, the Department has failed to comply, leaving Congress without the information needed to fully and fairly evaluate Mr. Wolf's qualifications to serve as Under Secretary, let alone run the entire Department of Homeland Security. prgtoken Unfortunately, this disregard for Congress's constitutional role as a check on the executive branch is not an isolated occurrence. Instead, it appears to be a defining feature of this administration. prgtoken The Constitution requires that the President's nominees to hold key positions receive the advice and consent of the Senate. The F
TURKEY AND SYRIA
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-11-12

When President welcomes Turkish President Erdogan to the White House this week, he will be welcoming a known authoritarian, human rights abuser, and friend to Putin, whose behavior increasingly runs counter to the interests of the United States and our allies. It is yet another strategic mistake and a terrible misuse of the power of the Presidency. prgtoken In recent years, the President of Turkey has made a series of decisions to part ways with NATO, with the United States, and with the basic principles of democracy. Make no mistake. Erdogan's actions are intentional. It is stunning to think that any American President would legitimize Erdogan's harmful policies by welcoming him to the Oval Office. This meeting is a mistake, plain and simple. prgtoken I can only hope that instead of yielding to Erdogan's policies that are so squarely at odds with U.S. interests, President treats this misguided meeting as more than just a photo op with yet another dictator. prgtoken The President should instead use this visit to actually stand up for America, for our principles, and for our allies. He can do this by raising the many serious questions that Turkey has yet to address. prgtoken I would like to use this opportunity to outline 10 critical questions, each of which deserves real answers. prgtoken Question No. 1: Will Turkey reverse course from Erdogan's decision to buy prgtoken and receive the S-400 air defense system from Russia? prgtoken The President's National Security Advisor claims that the administration is very ``upset'' about Turkey's purchase of Russia's S- 400 weapons system. Well, ``upset'' is not a policy, and it falls well short of the administration's legal obligations. prgtoken Under the CAATSA sanctions law, Turkey's purchase of the S-400 is a significant and sanctionable transaction. These sanctions should have been imposed in July when Turkey first took delivery of the S-400s. Yet, by failing to implement the legal requirements of CAATSA, President has done lasting damage to U.S. credibility, to the integrity of our sanctions, and to the rule of law. prgtoken Is it too much to ask the President of the United States to follow the law? prgtoken He can start by imposing CAATSA sanctions when Erdogan is in Washington. prgtoken Question Number 2: Will our President sanction the activities of Halkbank, a Turkish institution that facilitated the biggest evasion of Iran's sanctions in history? I repeat: It was the biggest evasion of Iran sanctions in history. prgtoken We know that the Justice Department has finally brought charges in the case, but if the administration had followed the law, they would have already imposed sanctions on Halkbank and sent a message to other actors who seek to evade Iran sanctions. prgtoken I understand that one of Erdogan's top priorities for his visit to the White House is to secure relief for Halkbank. That is the opposite of what the law requir
IMMIGRATION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2019-11-12

today the Supreme Court heard arguments in one of the most consequential immigration cases in modern American history. The future of more than 700,000 DACA recipients--our Nation's Dreamers--hangs in the balance and their fate is inherently intertwined with the fate of the American Dream itself. prgtoken Dreamers, by definition, are law-abiding immigrants brought to the United States as children--through no choice of their own--now simply seeking the chance to contribute to the only country they have ever known as home. Dreamers, by definition, do not pose any kind of public safety or national security threat. They are our neighbors, our first responders, our defenders, and our teachers. Nearly a thousand Dreamers serve in our Armed Forces, risking their lives to preserve the freedoms of millions of American citizens. Dreamers are Americans in every way, except on paper. Americans know this, and have roundly rejected the baseless, un-American vitriol spread by President --yet again this morning, just hours before the argument--that some Dreamers are ``hardened criminals.'' prgtoken So it is no wonder that the overwhelming majority of Americans support providing legal protections to our Nation's Dreamers. And it is no surprise that leaders of industry in every major sector of our economy have called for providing legal status and a path to citizenship for Dreamers, recognizing their enormous contributions to our economy. prgtoken The depth of opposition to President 's decision to heartlessly terminate DACA is matched only by the breadth of agreement among courts that the administration is just plain wrong on the law. Five out of six Federal courts that considered the administration's effort to end DACA blocked President from actually doing so and they have rejected the administration's laughable argument that its decision to end DACA is simply unreviewable by the courts. prgtoken I am hopeful that the Supreme Court sides with the near unanimous consensus among lower courts. I am hopeful that it joins the united chorus of Americans who envision a legally protected place in our society for this group of immigrants that embodies the American dream. prgtoken Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, Congress is by no means a bystander. Congress still has the authority and the responsibility to do what is right. Just a few months ago, the House passed a bipartisan bill, the American Dream and Promise Act, which would enact critical protections for Dreamers and provide temporary safe haven to targeted groups of immigrants whose home countries have been crippled by natural disasters or civil conflict. The Senate could easily take up this bill today or it could take up the bipartisan Senate bill, the Dream Act of 2019, authored by Senators Graham and Durbin, which would provide prgtoken meaningful safeguards to our Dreamers. Either way, Senate inaction is simply not
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF FALL OF BERLIN WALL
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-11-12

this week, freedom lovers around the world celebrate the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. prgtoken Constructed in 1961, the infamous Berlin Wall symbolized Soviet brutality and forced separation between liberty and tyranny. Yet, no wall could contain the persistent surge for liberty by the captive people of Central and Eastern Europe. prgtoken In Poland's shipyards, a workers' solidarity movement, led by visionary and valiant labor leader Lech Walesa, brought democracy to the Polish people and millions of others as the Soviet Union collapsed. prgtoken In Leipzig, Germany, 100,000 protestors and their peaceful demonstrations led to the once-unimaginable reunification of a civilized Germany. prgtoken Yet, as democracy spread, many assumed liberty's work in the region was done and that the roots of democracy were firmly entrenched. prgtoken Tragically, yet again, maligned Russian influence haunts the region as Putin wages his illegal war in Ukraine, today's scrimmage line for liberty on the European continent. Outmoded ethno-national narratives are being fed that, in the past, led to centuries of bloody conflict. prgtoken , now more than ever, democratic nations must unite so that liberty, justice, and equality is for all people across our globe.