mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMEMORATING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEROES
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , just a few minutes ago, I heard Professor Meachum indicate that the American people voted some years ago on one of the most significant moments of the 20th century, and that was a civil rights moment, a civil rights movement. prgtoken We now have a significant moment in history to combine all the work that we need to do to change America's attitudes on race. We know that we have lost two amazing heroes of this Nation, C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis, whom we will pay tribute to in just a few days. prgtoken But I wanted to say today that I am very grateful that, in this recent NDAA, the Armed Services bill, we passed an amendment that would direct the Secretary of Defense to assess the heroes, African-American heroes, like General Benjamin O. Davis, General Chappie James, as well as Tuskegee Airmen, after which bases and other defense properties would be named. prgtoken It is now long overdue to honor these brave heroes who fought for this Nation, from the Revolutionary War until now. I believe we will do that, and I am looking forward to that being a piece of the civil rights moment, along with H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.
HONORING THE LIFE OF JIM SMITH
Max Rose (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Jim Smith, a dedicated community advocate, a mentor, and the Father of Gay Pride on Staten Island. prgtoken Jim was the consummate Staten Islander. As a kid, he was the Staten Island Advance paperboy and a standout at Curtis High School. He went on to serve his country in the Coast Guard and honored his fellow veterans by bringing home a Vietnam memorial to West Brighton. prgtoken But he is best known as one of the founders of Staten Island's Pride Center, where he spent years opening hearts and minds to the idea that love is love. So, it is only fitting that Jim left us on the 51st anniversary of Stonewall, leaving behind countless Staten Islanders whose lives are better for having known him. prgtoken Today, we honor his incredible life, and I hope next year we can honor him one last time when he looks down and sees the Pride Center finally marching down Forest Avenue in our St. Patrick's Day parade.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-7-21

a few steps from the Senate Chamber, at my whip's office, on the credenza behind my desk, is a framed government document. It is my mother's naturalization certificate. She was an immigrant to this country. She was brought here at the age of 2 from Lithuania. She lived long enough to see me being sworn in to the U.S. Senate. I am proud of the fact that I stand here today as the son of an immigrant. That is my story. It is my family's story. It is America's story. prgtoken I believe immigration has made America the Nation that it is today. Immigrants are an integral part of our economy, our culture, and our soul. prgtoken In the midst of this deadly coronavirus pandemic, we should never forget that 1 in 6 healthcare and social service workers--that is 3.1 million people out of 18.7 million--is an immigrant. They risk their lives every day in the midst of this pandemic for the good of this Nation. Immigrants are playing this critical role in the battle against COVID-19. Yet our broken immigration laws do not allow many of them to fulfill their dreams of finally becoming Americans. prgtoken Thousands of immigrant workers, including many health workers, are suffering because of a serious problem in our immigration system--the green card backlog. What is a green card? A green card is our immigration ticket. If you are here as a temporary worker, a green card or legal permanent resident status allows you to remain in the United States without having fear of prgtoken deportation and to be on a path toward permanent citizenship in the United States. prgtoken Green cards are critical in the lives of so many who are here on temporary and work visas. The backlog in this system puts families at risk of losing their immigration status, as they wait year after weary year to finally make it through this green card backlog, and it stops their ability, many times, to participate in the fight against COVID-19 and to work toward building our economy. prgtoken Under the current law, there are not nearly enough immigrant visas-- also known as green cards--available each year. The current numbers for 140,000 EB immigrant visas were established in 1990--30 years ago. The American economy has doubled, but the number of green cards has remained the same. As a result, immigrants are stuck in a crippling backlog year after year after year. Close to 5 million future Americans are in line, waiting for these green cards. Many are working in the United States on temporary visas while many are waiting overseas and are separated from their families. Only 226,000 family green cards and 140,000 employment green cards are available each year. prgtoken The backlogs are a real hardship on these families who are caught in this immigration limbo. For example, the children in many of these families age out and face deportation. How does this happen? Well, those applying for the green cards also list their spouses and children. If they
HONORING TIM HARE
Susan Wild (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I rise to honor the memory of someone who meant a great deal to my community. An architect, artist, preservationist, and advocate for equality, Tim Hare made an indelible mark on the people of Easton, whose historic downtown he was instrumental in saving from demolition. prgtoken Passing through Easton by chance in the 1970s, Tim was so taken by the character of the city that when he learned of plans to demolish and evict the citizens of the historic district as part of a wave of so- called urban renewal initiatives, he attended a city council meeting to demand answers. When that didn't work, he decided to go to Washington to file an injunction against the Federal Government's plans. prgtoken Because of Tim's efforts, homes across the historic district were saved, and local businesses like the Quadrant Book Mart & Coffee House are still around today. prgtoken Tim's legacy also endures in the struggle for LGBTQ equality, to which he devoted himself alongside his beloved husband, Earl, and the many generations he mentored and inspired. prgtoken To Earl, and all those who knew and loved Tim, know that I and our entire community will work to carry forward his example.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2020-7-21

Senators Murkowski, , Paul, and I are offering a bipartisan amendment that proposes reasonable, commonsense reforms to the 1033 Program. Groups on the left and the right support it, including the NAACP, the National Urban League, OurStreets, FreedomWorks, Concerned Veterans for America, the American Conservative Union, Campaign for Liberty, Americans for Tax Reform, and the Faith and Freedom Coalition. prgtoken People on the left and the right agree that it is time to start to demilitarize the police. prgtoken Our amendment will permanently prohibit the transfer of lethal military weapons to police departments. This includes heavy ammunition, bayonets, grenade launchers, explosives, stripped-down tanks, tear gas, and weaponized drones, among other things. Now, think about that list-- weaponized drones and bayonets. Is anybody under the impression that a police department needs a weaponized drone or a bayonet? prgtoken Our amendment also ensures the police departments can still get access to prgtoken the equipment that actually helps them to protect the public under the 1033 Program, like first-aid kits, cold-weather gear, flash lights, and high-water vehicles to respond to flood disasters. prgtoken The last month has made clear that weapons of war don't belong in police departments. Weapons of war have no place in police departments. We saw the terrifying images of police in military gear storming the streets, combat vehicles rumbling down city blocks, rounds and rounds of tear gas shot at peaceful protesters, frequently without warning and often unprovoked. None of this helps anyone deescalate a crisis. prgtoken Our communities are not battlefields. The American people are not enemy combatants. If our troops can't use tear gas while overseas, police departments shouldn't use it on American citizens. It is really that simple. prgtoken Across the country, more than 8,000 police departments are stockpiling weapons of war at no cost. The research plainly shows that outfitting our police for war does not help to keep the peace. Militarized equipment actually leads to more violence, disproportionately impacting communities of color. More militarized law enforcement is associated with more civilians killed each year by police. prgtoken One study found that when a county goes from having no military equipment to receiving about $2.5 million worth of weaponry, civilian deaths at the hands of police are likely to double. To make matters worse, some police departments are misusing this program by selling, trading, or pawning equipment. Often, county and city officials don't even know what weapons and equipment police departments are acquiring because equipment like armored track vehicles are very expensive to store and maintain. This program is actually blowing up local budgets across the country because these tanks are tearing up the streets. prgtoken Today, we have an opportunity to fix it. It is not
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Jennifer Wexton (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-7-21

I rise today in support of en bloc No. 2 and my amendment in support of the Uyghur people. prgtoken Millions of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been arbitrarily detained and forced by the Chinese government into ``re-education'' and forced labor camps in Xinjiang. prgtoken Under the label of ``poverty alleviation,'' Uyghurs are being assigned to factories in and outside of Xinjiang. These factories feed global supply chains that produce electronics, textiles, shoes, food products, and even PPE. prgtoken According to a report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, some of the best-known brands in the world, including a number of U.S. companies, are unwittingly profiting from this scheme. prgtoken U.S. law prohibits goods made using forced labor from entering our markets. However, Xinjiang accounts for 84 percent of the cotton produced in China, and is responsible for 1 in every 5 bales of cotton produced globally. Unless proactive measures are taken to prohibit sourcing from Xinjiang, U.S. companies risk being complicit in human rights abuses. prgtoken My amendment would require DoD to create a process by which companies that sell goods in the commissary and exchange systems, that are partially or wholly manufactured from Xinjiang or with Xinjiang labor, to certify those goods were not manufactured using forced labor. prgtoken Given the overwhelming evidence of wide-spread and systemic forced labor in China, as confirmed by testimony from camp survivors, satellite imagery, and leaked official documents, U.S. companies that import from the region should have already taken proactive measures to audit suppliers. prgtoken For companies that haven't, under my amendment, they will be required to do so if they want to continue selling their products on our military bases. I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment.
OUR CITIES, TOWNS, AND SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED
Cheri Bustos (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-7-21

today, I rise in support of the HEROES Act. prgtoken The messages I receive paint a stark picture. prgtoken Steve, in Rockford, Illinois, prays the unemployment benefits that have saved his home will be extended beyond next week. prgtoken Sharon, in Moline, Illinois, worries that her beloved niece may be out of work for another 6 months. prgtoken John, in Sterling, Illinois, is concerned the outlook for small towns like his will only worsen. prgtoken But perhaps the most touching letter that I have received is from a young boy from the town of Orion, who just wants to go back to school safely. prgtoken As conversations ramp up across the Nation about whether classes should return, one thing is certain: Our cities, our towns, and our schools do not have the resources that they need. prgtoken Whether it is funding to increase testing or funding for personal protective equipment or expanded broadband to make sure that distance learning is an option, we cannot expect schools to return or our Nation to rebuild without support. prgtoken America has waited for months. It is past time to pass the HEROES Act.
HONORING THE LIFE AND UNSELFISH WORK OF A ``HAPPY WARRIOR'' ROY WEATHERFORD
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I rise today in admiration to honor the life and unselfish work of a ``Happy Warrior'' Roy Weatherford. Roy's dedication to justice, equality, peace and worker rights is worthy of recognition. prgtoken Roy's significant contributions to society are rooted in his humble background. Raised in rural Arkansas with no electricity, education was always a top value for his family. While studying at Arkansas Technical University, he not only met his partner for life, Doris, but he found his causes for life--standing up for working people and against injustice. Roy saw firsthand the injustices of the Jim Crow era and was inspired by his professors to forgo his studies in math and physics in favor of philosophy. And, when the administration fired those professors, in a scene that would be repeated often in Roy's career, Roy and his friends rallied and circulated petitions to show support for their beloved professors. Roy was not as successful as he would be later in life in this first foray challenging the powers that be, but he never quit fighting from those days forward. Roy graduated at the top of his class in 1964 and he took a fellowship at Harvard University. A year later, he joined the army as a cryptanalyst just as the war in Vietnam was escalating. While still in the Army, on assignment near the Pentagon, he and Doris were married. prgtoken Roy returned to Harvard. Always a brilliant student, his master's thesis won the Bechtel Prize in philosophy and he graduated with his doctorate in 1972. Roy decided to move to Tampa and join the faculty of the emerging University of South Florida (USF). Though he of course had other options, Roy felt that he could make a bigger impact on people's lives at a small upstart school like USF than at a more established school in the Northeast. Roy observed that in Massachusetts and even Arkansas, community leaders typically come from families that have long been dominant. Roy said, ``in Florida, anybody who's willing to work can make a difference.'' New England's loss was certainly Florida and Tampa's gain, and through his hard work and the differences that he made, he proved his adage. prgtoken Just two years after landing in Tampa, Roy was named the chair for the USF chapter of United Faculty Florida (UFF). A perfect fit for his energy, ability and conscience. He fought tirelessly to get more local control for unions and more resources for faculty and students. It has been said that he put a face on the faculty and made their needs real. After being elected union president in 2001, Roy worked until the union was saved. Typically, he went against the grain of the political landscape of the day, which was seeking to decertify unions. His efforts pressed those at the top to continue to recognize the faculty's right to come together. And, when bargaining began locally for the first time, Roy's astuteness, passion and commitment resulted in not only a contract but one
GORDON CHARLES LAMPITT
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Browns Mills, New Jersey resident Gordon Charles Lampitt. prgtoken Gordon Charles Lampitt was a Bronx, New York native, but has called Browns Mills home since 1958. Gordon dedicated his life to his family and his country. prgtoken Command Sergeant Major Gordon Lampitt retired with 28 years in the United States Army. He was a decorated Army Veteran and served in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He served three tours in the Second World War, three tours in the Korean War, and two tours in the Vietnam War. There were only 171,000 total service men and women who served in all three of those wars, out of the millions of American service members who served in each of them. prgtoken After Gordon retired from the United States Army his commitment to serving his country did not stop there. Gordon worked for 15 years in property management at Fort Dix. He was a member of St. Ann's Church, Browns Mills, and the Browns Mills Memorial VFW Post 6805. He was also a life member of the Bass Masters and an avid fisherman. prgtoken Gordon was a loving husband to his late wife Rose Lampitt for 71 years. Gordon was a beloved father of Margaret R. Long and husband William, Charles Lampitt and his wife Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, Susan L. Veres and husband Michael, Elizabeth Stelljes and husband Scott, and Phillip Lampitt and wife Christa. He was also a loving grandfather of ten and a loving great grandfather of six. prgtoken Madam , I ask you to join me in honoring Command Sergeant Major Gordon Charles Lampitt, of Browns Mills, New Jersey, for his unwavering commitment to serving our country over the course of his lifetime. His remarkable dedication to this country, exemplified by his service in three wars is the ultimate testament of his patriotism and courage.
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR JOSEPH STORTI, UNITED STATES ARMY
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-7-21

. Madam , I rise to pay tribute to Major Joseph Storti for his exemplary dedication to duty and service as an Army Congressional Fellow and Congressional Budget Liaison for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller. Major Storti is transitioning from his present assignment to serve as the Director of the Army Budget's Executive Officer. prgtoken A native of Pensacola, Florida, Major Storti was commissioned as an infantry officer after completion from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. He also earned a Master's degree in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University, a Master of Business Administration from American Public University, as well as a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida. prgtoken Major Storti has served in a broad range of assignments during his Army career. His most recent assignment was as the Chief for Special Authorities at the Joint Special Operations Command. In this position he provided guidance and support, with a full range of special authority funding. He also served as the commander of the Financial Management Support Unit while with the command. Prior to his duty with Joint Special Operations Command, Major Storti simultaneously served as the Executive Officer for the 82nd Financial Management Support Unit and as the Commander of Alpha Detachment, 82nd Financial Management Support Unit. As an Infantry Officer, Major Storti held myriad positions, which included: mechanized infantry platoon leader, company executive officer, brigade planner, and battalion assistant operations officer. prgtoken In his capacity as an Army Congressional Fellow, I had the privilege to host Joe in my office and, subsequently, enjoyed his ongoing and diligent support during his assignment as a Congressional Budget Liaison for the U.S. Army. Major Storti worked tirelessly with Members of Congress and their staff to accurately articulate the Army's budget positions to the Appropriations Committees and track down information to assist offices pursue Army related priorities. His professionalism, energy, diligence, and commitment to the mission are refreshing and unmatched. As both a fellow and as a liaison, he effectively represented the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense to the United States Congress. prgtoken The foundation of Joe's military success is his family. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Brittany, and committed father to their children, Noah and Logan. Brittany, Noah, and Logan provide the foundation for Joe's service. The Storti's attitude of service, sacrifice, and care for others permeates every organization and activity in which they participate. They are true examples of servant leaders in the Army and the communities they engage. prgtoken Throughout his career, Major Storti has positively impacted soldiers, peers, and superiors. Our country has benefited tremendously from his extraordinary leadersh
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-7-21

. I will not yield until I am done. That was one of his arguments; that it circumvents process. prgtoken The second is, he said it takes equipment away and training away, and yet my bill doesn't deal with equipment or training. So, clearly, that argument doesn't stand. prgtoken Then he noted title 32 status under the control of the Governor, but this bill says an expanded role of crowd control occurs under the permission of the Governor, not without it. prgtoken So this is why these issues should be debated on this floor. I call on all my prgtoken colleagues to return the Senate to a place where serious and important issues regarding the rights of Americans can be considered and not shoved aside because one Member doesn't want them addressed. That is a challenge for this Chamber, but we have a bigger challenge, which is how do we defend the rights of our citizens if we can't put an amendment on the floor and have it debated and voted on? prgtoken So, to all my colleagues who believe the secret police have no role in America; that unidentified officers, delegated without proper training, without consultation, without coordination, who are beating up peaceful protesters have no place in America; that they are being thrown into a van, and you don't even know what that van is or who those people are has no place in America; that the tactics of Duterte in the Philippines and Putin in Russia and Erdogan in Turkey have no place in America; who believe in a ``we the people'' government; those colleagues I thank, and let's bring this issue to the floor and have the debate and have the vote. prgtoken .
RECOGNIZING L'MIO EDWARDS
Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-7-21

during this pandemic, many companies and individuals in California's 39th have gone above and beyond to help and support others. Some have donated PPE; others raised money; some even changed their entire business operation to support the district. prgtoken But today I want to mention one young lady, L'Mio Edwards, a rising freshman at Diamond Bar High School and the number five cross country runner for her age group in the country. prgtoken Using her gift as a talented runner, L'Mio committed to running a 5K for 30 consecutive days in order to raise money for local food banks to support families during COVID-19. So far, she has raised thousands of dollars and helped hundreds of people. prgtoken Last Saturday, I had the honor of joining this young lady for a run, and she blew me away both with her commitment to support her community and with her speed, leaving me in her dust. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting L'Mio Edwards for her commitment to her community and our country.