mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF PASTOR EDDIE D. SMITH, SR.
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor a dedicated man of God, dedicated family man, visionary leader, and friend of longstanding Pastor Eddie Smith on his retirement as the Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. His retirement will be celebrated at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia, on August 7, 2022, at 3:00 pm. prgtoken Pastor Smith is a native of Macon, Georgia, born to the union of the late Pastor Jack Smith, Jr and Mrs. Mattie Mae Myers Smith. A highly educated man, Pastor Smith attended Bibb County public schools and went on to earn a Bachelor and a Master of Science from Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University. On April 26, 1969, Pastor Smith received a calling that would change his life forever--he was called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Smith served as a classroom teacher and a media specialist in the Bibb County Public School system for fourteen years before retiring to serve full-time at Macedonia Church, accepting the role of pastor in 1972. While pastoring, he was also called to public service, serving as a Macon City Councilman from 1975 through 1978, as well as a member of the Bibb County Board of Education for two consecutive terms. prgtoken The scripture reminds us in Proverbs 29 that ``where there is no vision, the people perish.'' Pastor Smith's vision for Macedonia was evident from the very beginning of his ministry. In his early years at Macedonia, Pastor Smith led the congregation in raising the funds to pay off the church's fifteen-year mortgage in a record five years. In 1999, Pastor Smith led Macedonia Baptist in the purchasing of a struggling sister church. Together, they relocated and revived the church's congregation, and liquidated its $1.35 million debt in under three years. In more recent years, he oversaw the funding and construction of the $1.7 million dollar Family Life Center, a comprehensive faith-based service ministry that educates clergy across middle Georgia. Over the course of his ministry, Pastor Smith has licensed and ordained more than forty-five ministers, extending the reach of his servant leadership to the members of many congregations throughout the region. prgtoken Also, he led his flock through the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing community-wide food distribution services and virtual church services and tithing, while ensuring all bills were paid and no church staff lost their jobs. prgtoken Shirley Chisholm once said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Pastor Smith has paid his rent and he has paid well. Pastor Smith's service has extended beyond the walls of the church, as he has been affiliated with several social and civic organizations throughout his career. He has served on the boards of the United Way, the American Cancer Society, the Macon Ministerial Association, and the Macon Police and Firefighter Disciplinary Hearing Board.
CONGRATULATING KATELLA HIGH SCHOOL
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-29

today I rise to congratulate Katella High School in my district for winning the National Green Ribbon Award. prgtoken Katella High School is one of 36 high schools nationwide to win this honor. Katella High School has also been recognized as a California Green Ribbon School not once but twice; in 2020 earning the bronze award, and in 2021 earning the silver award. prgtoken From a Colonist to the Knights, congratulations. Keep up the good work.
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-7-29

I rise today in strong support of the assault weapons ban which will save lives. prgtoken , El Paso is coming up on a terrible anniversary. On August 3, 2019, my district was the site of the deadliest targeted attack on Latinos in modern history. Three years later, my constituents are still recovering from their injuries. prgtoken Because s have decided that unfettered access to assault weapons is worth the routine slaughter of Americans, the domestic terrorist who attacked my community was able to do so with a legally purchased assault weapon. prgtoken What was once an unthinkable tragedy--the mass carnage we saw in El Paso--is now commonplace across America. Americans are fed up, and so am I. prgtoken s have done nothing meaningful and hide behind thoughts and prayers--a phrase so empty and devoid of action that Congress is routinely and deservedly mocked for it. prgtoken So, , today I am proud to act. I am proud to vote on the assault weapon ban for El Paso, for Uvalde, and for countless other communities, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COMPLETION ACT
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam Chair, in September of 2020, as the El Dorado fire raged through California, Big Bear hotshot firefighter Charlie Morton said to his loved ones what he always said when there was a fire in the area: ``I've got to go protect my mountains.'' prgtoken Hotshots like Morton serve in the Vanguard. They are tasked with making the area safe for other firefighters to operate. As one hotshot explained: ``We do not get to turn around and walk away.'' prgtoken I am hopeful that the Congress today does not turn around and walk away. This bill is a step to deal with the extraordinary consequences of climate change that is afflicting our country. Yes, it is the West of our country, but it is afflicting us all, in particularly, the West. prgtoken Firefighter Morton knew his work was extremely dangerous, but he did it anyway because he believed in the importance of protecting our Nation's forests and the communities they sustain. prgtoken On September 17, 2020, backed into a corner by the encroaching flames, Morton laid down his life in defense of that conviction. It was a noble sacrifice but one that no one should have to make. prgtoken Much like Morton and his fellow hotshots, America cannot afford to turn around and walk away from the issue of wildfires. prgtoken We must do everything we can to ensure that other brave firefighters do not have to give the full measure of their devotion as Morton did. That is why I am proud to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus and to bring this Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act to the floor today. prgtoken Exacerbated, as we know, by the climate crisis, parts of the American West are experiencing the worst drought in 1,200 years, and this is fueling deadly and damaging wildfires affecting millions of Americans. prgtoken These disasters, Madam Chair, tear through communities and inflict untold destruction and grief. prgtoken This issue doesn't just affect those living in the West, however. As I have said, the effects of drought and wildfires cost our country tens of billions of dollars each year. We all pay a price; not the price that Morton paid, but we pay a price. prgtoken To my friends on the other side of the aisle who constantly deride our attempts to address the climate crisis as too expensive, I would remind them that the cost of inaction in the form of more frequent, more severe fires, droughts, and other natural disasters is far greater. prgtoken From time to time, I quote a former Governor of our State, Ted Agnew, who, in his inaugural address in 1967, on the east front of the capitol in Annapolis, where I was just entering as a new State senator, said: ``The cost of failure far exceeds the price of progress.'' That is true here. prgtoken We must not fail, and we must respond. And we must respond effectively. prgtoken This legislation will help us prevent and fight future wildfires by making investments to support our firefighting response and to pr
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-7-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , today, we take another step to advance historic gun violence prevention legislation. H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2022, restores and updates the prior assault weapons ban that kept weapons of war out of our communities for a decade before s opposed its renewal. prgtoken As we have learned all too well in recent years, assault weapons, especially when combined with high-capacity magazines, are the weapon of choice for mass shootings. These military-style weapons are designed to kill the most people in the shortest amount of time. Quite simply, there is no place for them in our streets. prgtoken In 1994, we banned these killing machines, and countless lives were saved. But that ban was allowed to lapse 10 years later. Since then, we have seen the predictable results: Mass shootings have increased exponentially in our public spaces. Schools, movie theaters, supermarkets, houses of worship, parades, you name it, have all become vulnerable to attack. prgtoken Uvalde, Parkland, Tree of Life Synagogue. How many more mass shootings must we endure? When will we learn? prgtoken Well, I hope we are starting to learn today. I hope we are starting to learn today indeed. prgtoken The Assault Weapons Ban Act would prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large- capacity ammunition feeding devices. At the same time, it grandfathers existing semiautomatic assault weapons and contains numerous protections for law enforcement and responsible gun owners, including hunters, gun collectors, farmers, sports shooters, and those who use firearms for self-defense. prgtoken It is important to consider today's debate in the context of our other efforts to address the violence plaguing our communities. prgtoken Time and again, have advanced responsible gun safety legislation, only to face opposition. prgtoken We have advanced legislation to conduct background checks for all gun sales, to close the Charleston loophole, to close the boyfriend loophole, and to keep guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others. prgtoken We advanced my bill, the Protecting our Kids Act, and we sent the President the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law and will save lives. These proposals were opposed by all but a few of our colleagues. prgtoken Today, they have another chance to take the action needed to make our communities safer. Will they stand with us? Will they show that they have learned? Or will they stand with an industry that right now is promoting a weapon to civilians that is powerful enough to shoot through bulletproof vests? prgtoken Will our colleagues choose to defend the weapons of choice for mass murderers and those who seek to target law enforcement? Or will they choose to defend Americans who simply want to go to school, to go shopping,
WAIVING A REQUIREMENT OF CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , since my friends want to change the subject, let's change the subject. prgtoken s right now, as we are meeting here, over in the Senate are trying to kill the PACT Act, a bill to guarantee healthcare to veterans with service-related cancers. This is a bill that passed the Senate originally 84-14, and it passed the House with a majority vote of 342. Many of my colleagues supported that. I appreciate that. But now s are trying to kill it and play politics with it over in the Senate. They are putting politics ahead of people when, in fact, we should be putting people ahead of politics. prgtoken So while we are here having this conversation, I would urge my friends to pick up the phone and call your counterparts in the Senate and say: Get out of the way and do what is right for our veterans. prgtoken My office is getting calls from veterans who were exposed to burn pits when they were overseas. I am sure my friends are getting calls in their offices. You don't have to agree on everything, but I thought we all agreed on this. prgtoken Can we please tell Mitch McConnell and tell the s to get out of the way and allow this bill to go forward? prgtoken That might be a good use of time right now while we are having this conversation. prgtoken Madam , .
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COMPLETION ACT
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam Chair, I join my colleagues in support of the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. I support this bill because we are in the midst of a crisis. After decades of severe drought, the Colorado River, which supplies water to 40 million people across seven States, is on the brink of collapse. The future of Arizona and the entire American Southwest depends on how we respond. prgtoken Bold action to protect our water supply has never been more important, and the Federal Government needs to act with the urgency before it is too late. prgtoken The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act is a necessary step to help our communities deal with the impacts of climate change and a drier future. It builds on the investments in the bipartisan infrastructure law to use our water more efficiently, and it includes my legislation to provide $500 million for immediate action to protect critical water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. prgtoken Time is of the essence. We must act now. We cannot allow this crisis to turn into a catastrophe. I urge my colleagues to save the Colorado River, save the American Southwest, and support this bill.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1808, ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Deborah K. Ross (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , I represent a southern State. Many of my constituents are responsible, law-abiding gun owners, and I support their ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights. prgtoken Contrary to what opponents of this legislation continue to claim, this bill will allow current, law-abiding gun owners to keep all of their guns. It simply prevents future sales of assault rifles. prgtoken Let's be clear: Assault weapons are designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. They are not designed for recreation. They are designed for combat. prgtoken It is incredibly irresponsible to allow people without specialized training to possess these weapons. prgtoken Madam , when assault weapons are used in mass shootings, on average, six times as many people are shot as in other mass shootings. prgtoken In 2022, there have already been 24 school shootings. The deadliest, in Uvalde, Texas, involved an assault weapon. prgtoken But if my friends across the aisle are not convinced of the need to protect our children, perhaps they will be convinced of the need to protect the police. According to Violence Policy Center, one quarter of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2016 were killed by an assault weapon. prgtoken After the assault weapons ban expired, the proportion of large- capacity-magazine-equipped guns used in murders of police increased by 30 percent. These weapons belong with our military, not on our streets or in our schools. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the bill.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COMPLETION ACT
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for his leadership on this issue. prgtoken Climate change has brought the most severe drought to the West in hundreds and hundreds of years, and it has created an environment where wildfires are roaring through the West. prgtoken In fact, seven of the worst wildfires in California history have occurred in the last 4 years. They are destroying homes, farms, infrastructure. They cause injury. That is why this bill is so important. prgtoken I am proud that four of my bills are incorporated in the legislation that will allow firefighters to get overtime they have earned and allow for FEMA to predeploy assets and, yes, to use science in the fight against wildfires. prgtoken I am proud of the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Science who have turned their attention to the things that can be done to advance funding for the critical research that is happening at places like San Jose State University in their Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center. prgtoken We can't prevent all disasters, Madam Chair, but we can use our power and use our science to better prepare, to better counter these disasters, and, yes, to make sure that those who are victimized by the disasters are treated fairly. They are our neighbors. We need to help them in their time of loss. prgtoken Madam Chair, I thank the for making this a priority.
BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-7-29

I rise in support of H.R. 263, the ``Big Cat Public Safety Act'' which would prohibit the private possession, breeding, and public exploitation of lions, tigers, leopards, and other large cats. prgtoken H.R. 263 amends the animal rights protections outlined in the ``Lacey Act'' and the ``Captive Wildlife Safety Act'' by prohibiting the import and shipment of big cats in the U.S preventing public contact with big cats outside of academic and research institutions, and halting the illegal breeding of cubs by private owners. prgtoken I have long been an advocate for protecting big cats. prgtoken In the 114th Congress, I proudly sponsored the ``Cecil the Lion Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 2015'' which prohibited the importation of any endangered animal killed via trophy hunting, including African lions, amur leopards, and other big cat species. prgtoken Today I will continue to fight for the wellbeing of these animals by urging Congress to pass this equally important piece of legislation-- H.R. 263. prgtoken It is estimated that there are anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 big cats living in private captivity within the U.S. prgtoken In fact, the Humane Society has been quoted saying that there are more tigers in captivity in Texas alone, than there are in the wild in the entire world; prgtoken These noble animals often live in terrible conditions and are at risk of abuse and neglect at the hands of inexperienced and untrained handlers. prgtoken Many big cats are used as side show attractions for private roadside zoos that masquerade as rescue sanctuaries. prgtoken Under the guise of wildlife conservation, private animal collectors manipulate the public into paying money and offering donations for the upkeep of their big cats. While private owners profit off the animals, the living conditions of the lions, tigers, leopards, and other animals rarely improve. prgtoken Under H.R. 263, private owners would be allowed to retain their current animals--with restriction. prgtoken This legislation would mandate that all privately owned big cats be registered to ensure that first responders and animal control officers are aware of the presence of big cats within their communities. prgtoken This allows police to be prepared in the event of an animal attack or escape. prgtoken In 2021 a 175-pound tiger was famously caught on film stalking an off-duty police officer in Houston. Videos show the officer aiming prgtoken a pistol at the tiger as the animal continued to prowl closer. prgtoken It took law enforcement officials more than a week to track down and arrest the wild animal's owner. Had this animal been registered to the city, the owner would have been identified and the situation would have been more rapidly resolved. prgtoken Fortunately, in that instance neither city residents nor the tiger were harmed. However, that is not always the case with captive big cats. prgtoken Since 1990, more than 400 dangerous incidents invol
HONORING ZAHRA ABBAS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam , Michigan lost an incredible human being yesterday. prgtoken Zahra Abbas was brilliant, compassionate, and full of love for community. prgtoken Zahra lived with epilepsy, which she learned to control with the use of cannabis. This inspired her mission to educate and advocate for the access of healthcare and the use of alternative approaches. prgtoken Zahra founded and became the chair of the Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan ic Party. She was also a DNC delegate. prgtoken Zahra spoke passionately about issues that she believed in at rallies and community meetings and meetings with other political leaders across Michigan and the Nation. She gained so much incredible respect from our community. prgtoken My team and I are devastated and heartbroken. We extend our deepest condolences to the Abbas family. Allah Yerhama.
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2022
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-7-29

I rise in support of reinstating the assault weapons ban. prgtoken This bill would put military-grade assault weapons out of circulation for civilians. For me, the choice between banning assault weapons and protecting young, innocent children is a no-brainer. I put children above guns. prgtoken It pains me deeply that the children in our communities live in fear of suddenly losing their lives or the lives of loved ones on a daily basis. prgtoken I am a gun owner myself, . I was raised on a farm in south Texas, and I know how to use a gun, especially for hunting. But assault weapons are not for hunting. They are used to kill people quickly, efficiently, and as fast as they can. That type of weapon is used solely for that, for killing people, and it has no place in our communities. prgtoken One child's life is worth more than all the assault weapons in the world.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COMPLETION ACT
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-29

. Madam Chair, I rise today with my daughters in strong support of H.R. 5118, the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. This legislation includes my bill, the Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act, which will take strong action to address the crisis at the Salton Sea. prgtoken In our region, drought and reduced water flows into the Salton Sea have led to deteriorating water quality and toxic dust that threatens local communities' health. prgtoken My bill will authorize $250 million the Bureau of Reclamation can spend on the Salton Sea and expand the types of transformative projects at the sea. This will ultimately strengthen our all-hands-on-deck approach to this environmental and public health crisis by expanding the bureau's ability to work with State, local, and Tribal partners in the area. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this drought and wildfire bill, and I urge the Senate to do the same.