mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING CITY OF LOUISVILLE MAYOR LARRY MORGAN
Jody B. Hice (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to Mayor Larry Morgan, a man who faithfully serves the City of Louisville located in the Tenth Congressional District of Georgia, which I have the honor of representing. prgtoken In 2007, he was duly elected as a member of the Louisville City Council, and two years later, the residents of this small, unique town chose him to serve as their mayor. Throughout the years, Mayor Morgan has demonstrated his commitment to the community by serving in various roles with his church, the county board of health, the downtown development association, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Airport Association, and the local Rotary club. prgtoken In his own words, he values the ``gentle way of life that still allows time to visit and listen to each other's stories, to enjoy a leisurely meal together,'' and ``to help out neighbors who are struggling. It's a small-town life, but not just any small town.'' And he's a small-town mayor, but not just any mayor. prgtoken Madam , he is a diehard Georgia Tech fan, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a devoted Christian who is an advocate for his community, and a dear friend to our office. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mayor Larry Morgan for his devoted public service and to extend to him wishes for good health, encouragement for the future, and gratitude for his continual leadership.
CONGRATULATING MR. ERIC HALE FOR BEING THE 2021 TEXAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Mr. Eric Hale for becoming the first African American man bestowed with the honor of Texas Teacher of the Year in the 51 years of this award's existence. prgtoken Last month, the Texas Association of School Administrators announced that Mr. Hale had been named the 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year for his outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching kindergarten and first-grade students at David G. Burnet Elementary School. prgtoken Mr. Hale understands the challenges some of his students' face daily, from hunger, poverty, or domestic violence. He has experienced some of this in his own life growing up. He has successfully countered this negative energy thanks to his unique teaching style that is like no other. He uses music in an innovative way to engage with his students while flooding them with positivity and encouragement so that the students are able to step away from their worries for a moment and learn in a fun environment. This positivity and energy in the classroom is exactly what is needed for our students as they, just like the rest of us, navigate through this challenging time. prgtoken Mr. Hale has been recognized for his work previously as the winner of the 2019 Urban Teacher of the Year award among others. He has also had the opportunity to appear on multiple televisions shows including the Kelly Clarkson show and TODAY. prgtoken Madam , I am so thankful that the Dallas Independent School District is home to one of the very best teachers in the country. I wish Mr. Hale the best of luck as he competes with other teachers around the country to receive the prestigious National Teacher of the Year award.
RECOGNIZING ANITA BEVACQUA McBRIDE ON BEING KNIGHTED WITH HONOR OF ``CAVALIERE'' OF THE ORDER OF MERIT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , I rise to recognize and honor Anita Bevacqua McBride, the Vice Chair of Cultural Affairs of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), on receiving the Italian honor of ``Cavaliere'' of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the highest-ranking honor of the Italian Republic. On October 7, Ambassador Armando Varricchio of Italy presented this high honor to Ms. McBride, a testament to her lifetime of extraordinary accomplishment in service of the humanities, culture, philanthropy, and diplomacy. prgtoken The daughter of Italian immigrants, Ms. McBride was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She received a degree in International Studies from the University of Connecticut and studied international relations and three languages at American University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Florence in Italy. prgtoken Ms. McBride currently serves as executive-in-residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University, where she directs the First Ladies Initiative, a project highlighting the legacies of America's first ladies and their historical influence on politics and policy. prgtoken Ms. McBride's White House service spans two decades and three administrations. From 1987 through 1992, Ms. McBride was Director of White House Personnel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. . She later served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of State and White House Liaison from 2001 through 2003 under President . prgtoken From 2005 through 2009, Ms. McBride served as Assistant to President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura , directing the staff's work on the wide variety of domestic and global initiatives including the First Lady's efforts to support U.S. foreign policy objectives in human rights, women's empowerment, global health and human freedom. prgtoken Ms. McBride has added to her distinguished career with several accomplishments in service of philanthropy and global leadership. Ms. McBride is a member of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council, a historic public-private partnership to help Afghanistan's women rebuild their country and reclaim their place at the center of post-Taliban society. Ms. McBride served as a member of the U.S. delegations to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women in 2002, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in 2003, and the U.N. Special Session on HIV/ AIDS in 2006. prgtoken Additionally, Ms. McBride is the reciprent of several honors and awards including the U.S. Department of State's Meritorious Service Award, the United States National Guard and Reserve's Patriot Award, the University of Connecticut's President's Award of Distinction, American University's Alice Paul Award, and The Ellis Island Foundation Medal of Honor. prgtoken Ms. McBride is a role model for Italian Americans, for women, and for anyone aspiring to make a positi
HONORING ESHAWN PETERSON
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , I rise to recognize the invaluable contributions of Eshawn Peterson to the state of Arizona. As a champion for children and young adults, Ms. Peterson's storied career has bolstered the ladders of opportunity and equality for countless Arizonans across the state, and her lifetime achievement deserves to be forever etched in our historical record for all to remember. prgtoken For her tireless dedication to Arizona families, Ms. Peterson was one of the few who were recognized as a 2020 Angels in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). Founded in 2001, CCAI aims to ensure that every child experiences the support of a caring family. Each year, CCAI selects a handful of exceptional individuals, families, or organizations across the nation to receive the honor of Angels in Adoption. These honorees have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children in need of permanent, loving homes. Ms. Peterson has made a personal pledge to spend her life giving more Arizona children a chance at finding a family who can give them the loving childhood she almost never had. prgtoken Growing up, Ms. Peterson spent eight years in our state's foster care system, separated from her six siblings. Her experiences fortified her strength, courage and faith. It also pushed her and her sister Jackie Phillips to create Onward Hope, Inc a foster care and adoption agency that's rooted in her belief that every child should have a safe home and a loving family. For five years and counting, Ms. Peterson's organization has empowered children with a sense of strength and resiliency and help them successfully transition into the fulfilling life they deserve through mentoring, workshops and coaching. Her work so far has left an immeasurable mark on our state and its children. prgtoken Madam , I am privileged to recognize Eshawn Peterson for all the work she has done in communities across Arizona. My state is truly fortunate to have her working to improve the life of every child. I wish her the best as she continues her work to make the dream of a forever family a reality for so many children in need.
RECOGNIZING THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , it is with great respect and admiration that I commend several remarkable leaders who have been honored as the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2020. This year's inductees include Edward Garza, Nick Popovich, Dr. Edward Williams, and Janice Wilson. Additionally, Cimcor was presented with the Enterprise of the Year Award. prgtoken Edward Garza is the president and owner of El Popular, Inc which holds the distinction of being the oldest Mexican-owned business in the state of Indiana. Edward is the third generation of the Garza family to carry on the Mexican food corporation, which was started by his grandfather, Vincente Garza, in 1925, in East Chicago, Indiana. In 2001, Edward purchased the company and downsized the product line to four items: chorizo, mole paste, prgtoken mole powder, and chocolate. While the business remains in East Chicago, Edward opened a second facility in Valparaiso. Under his leadership, El Popular has thrived and is looking forward to many years of continued success. Edward also gives much of his time to various charitable organizations including the Valparaiso YMCA, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and the Northwest Indiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken Nick Popovich is the founder and president of Sage-Popovich, a global aviation and asset management firm located in Valparaiso and includes a hangar at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. The company, founded in 1979, has repossessed over 1,800 planes and helicopters throughout the years. Danger and risk are a part of the job, and Nick has seen his fair share. In 1986, he was seized by Haitian troops and spent seven days in prison after trying to repossess a plane for a bank in Port-au- Prince. Over many years, Nick continued to grow his business and adding services including consulting, asset management, expert witnessing, and part sales. In addition, the company is a licensed appraisal firm that does valuation for over 200 organizations. Sage-Popovich is currently expanding into Michigan, managing private planes for corporations and individual owners. The company gives back to the community in many ways including the transport of wounded combat veterans to medical facilities or to reunite them with their units. Sage-Popovich also sponsors scholarships for aviation and criminal justice students. prgtoken Dr. Edward Williams has been a pillar of the community of Northwest Indiana for many years. He is the president of OptiFormance Consulting Services, LLC. Working with people on personal development and customer service, Dr. Williams enjoys helping people reach their potential. Unofficially, he started his consulting business in 1988, providing services within churches, schools, and non-profits, before establishing the business as a formal entity in 1999. Dr. Williams is passionate about mentoring young people, and through his business and charitable endeavors, he has
INTRODUCTION OF THE CONGRESS COMMISSION ACT
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , I rise today to discuss the importance of establishing a Congressional Commission to Strengthen Representative Democracy. My legislation, the Congress Commission Act, would establish such a commission to analyze the current size of the House of Representatives, examine alternatives to the current method by which Members are elected, and study the harmful effects gerrymandering continues to have on our democracy. prgtoken Today, a Member of Congress represents an average of over 740,000 constituents, well over 10 times the number of constituents envisioned by the First Congress. The United States presents itself as the world's leading representative democracy. And yet, the House's weighty representative ratio makes the United States an outlier among the 35 nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, most of them highly developed, democratic states. prgtoken It has been nearly 110 years since the House of Representatives has increased its ranks even though the United States' population has more than tripled in size. It is time we examine how this institution is constructed, so we can make the necessary changes for a more equitable tomorrow. It is not only within the power of Congress to improve itself, but it has a responsibility to do so. Such an effort as embodied in my proposed Congressional Commission to Strengthen Representative Democracy will result in a Congress that better reflects the constituencies, states, and nation we serve. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this critically important legislation, so that we can better serve the American people.
THANKING CAL FUNG FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR II
Adam Smith (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-10-16

. Madam , I rise to honor and recognize Cal Fung for his courageous service to our country during World War II. prgtoken Cal Fung is a Chinese-American veteran who bravely accepted the call to protect and serve his nation. During World War II, Fung was a staff sergeant and general clerk. He served in five European battles and campaigns. Fung is a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal. prgtoken For far too long, our veterans of color, including Chinese-American veterans, did not receive the proper recognition they deserved for their service. Although we will never be able to thank him enough for his service to our nation, we remain grateful to Cal and the many veterans who have so selflessly answered the call to service. prgtoken Madam , it is with great admiration that I honor Cal Fung and all Chinese-American veterans for their distinguished service to our country during World War II.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY RELATING TO ``COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT...
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-10-19

it doesn't take a genius to figure out that there is a small but very loud sector of the American people who are willing to condition their tolerance for diverging viewpoints on how they feel, they themselves feel about what is being said, worshipped, or reported. And as scary and as frightening as that attitude is to many of us, it is increasingly reflected in the very companies that have the most influence over how we access and consume information. prgtoken Last week, we saw two of these companies go to extremes to get in line with radicals who are trying to block, censor, and intimidate their way into power. We all know the companies and the controversy I am talking about. Twitter and Facebook censored the spread of a New York Post article containing allegations that could potentially affect the outcome of the upcoming election. prgtoken That is all I am going to say about the article itself because, frankly, the content bears no importance on how anyone should react to what happened after it was posted. Someone working for a private company--someone who is a content reviewer or content moderator-- someone working for a private company made a unilateral decision to stop Americans from reading the article. They didn't like it. They said: I have the power to stop it, and because I have that power, I am going to stop it. prgtoken Now that is precisely what happened, and I will tell you, colleagues, it is not just that they blocked the link and the text of the article, it is that at least in Twitter's case, they suspended the campaign's account; they suspended the New York Post account; they locked the White House Press Secretary's account; and they suppressed information posted by the House Judiciary Committee s. They couldn't even provide a plausible explanation for why they did this. Think about that. prgtoken They made themselves the arbiters of free speech, and they, in their almighty position, decided they were going to determine what you could hear, when you could hear it, and how you could hear it. They decided. prgtoken The common element, of course, in all of this action that took place was the New York Post story. Was it information or hacked information or just inconvenient information? No one seems to want to answer that question. Why do they not want to answer that question? It is because they didn't like the information. It did not suit their narrative, but the way things stand, they didn't have to, because there is no real accountability and now their weak explanations have been co-opted into arguments made by activists, rival media organizations, and even journalists who were insisting that the information is harmful and must be stricken from the record.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-10-19

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
CENSORSHIP
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-10-19

. Last week, news broke about Hunter 's questionable financial dealings. That information, allegedly from Hunter 's laptop, appears to show that Vice President may have been more aware of his son's financial dealings with foreign despots and criminals than he admitted to the American people. That information was quickly censored by big tech companies. prgtoken Just today, DNI Director Ratcliffe said that Hunter 's laptop issue is not part of a Russian disinformation campaign. prgtoken The Steele dossier is fake news, but I don't recall reporters and Big Tech censoring the false reporting about President and the Steele dossier. Instead, the liberal media did just the opposite. They became superspreaders of false reporting across the world. prgtoken What happened last week is election interference and anti- conservative bias, and Facebook and Twitter are guilty. and liberals in the press can't have veto authority over information just because it makes their nominee look bad. They can't have a double standard. Vice President owes the American people answers. prgtoken .
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-10-19

I don't know of any topic that is more supported around here than the helping of small businesses. I think the biggest evidence of that is that I would venture to guess almost every Member of this body has at some point gone back home and bragged about what we were able to achieve together in a bipartisan way. prgtoken And to remind everybody, this program has never existed before. It was put together in a bipartisan way with the ranking member, the Senator from Maryland you just heard from. We worked on it--I think it was 6 or 7 days. And it wasn't a perfect program. Like anything new, this big, that fast, it had some hiccups, and we worked in a bipartisan way with the administration to implement it. prgtoken I will say this without any reservation: It was by far the single most effective piece of that CARES package, and there isn't a day that goes by when I am back in Florida or, frankly, anywhere in the country that I don't hear about it. I don't know anyone who hasn't. One of the most common themes when we go places is a small business owner who says PPP was a lifesaver, and then they ask: Is there more on the way, because we are still struggling? prgtoken That it is a lifesaver is without question. I mean, I look at Florida. Over 430,000 of these PPP loans--which, really, in most cases are going to end up being grants--were made. That is $32 billion of relief into our economy. The ranking member's home State--87,000. I looked at some other States just quickly on the way over here. Iowa, 61,000. In North Carolina, 129,000 of these were made. Michigan, 128,000. Arizona, 85,000. In Colorado, 109,000 of these were made. Montana, 23,000. The State of Maine, where Senator Collins was a key part of all this, 28,000. Georgia, neighboring Florida, 174,000. I could go on and on. prgtoken Another thing we should be really proud about as far as PPP is that two-thirds of the loans--the grants--were under $50,000, which tells you about the size of these businesses. In fact, 70 percent--70 percent--of these were made to businesses that had 10 employees or fewer. By far, it was the most effective thing we did. prgtoken You can look at the jobs figures. I have this chart up here just to show it. PPP and small business employment--you look at the precipitous dropoff in March, and then once PPP began to get disbursed, you see those numbers, and as the disbursal goes up, the chart goes up. prgtoken Now, are they perfect? No. Will we want it back up here? Of course. Are there businesses that didn't make it? Sadly, yes. But there are people working right now. There are small businesses that were going to be wiped off the face of this country's economy that are open to this day because of what we were able to do. But it expired, meaning that you could only get it once. There was a date where it cut off. The ranking member wisely moved and we all agreed and we were able to extend it by another month to help peop