mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO BETTY WHITE
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-1-10

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Betty Marion White, renowned award-winning actress and animal welfare champion, of Los Angeles, California, who passed away on December 31, 2021, at the age of 99. prgtoken Betty was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1923, she and her parents moved to Alhambra, California and later to Los Angeles, where she graduated from Beverly Hills High School, and made her professional acting debut at the Bliss Hayden Little Theatre in Beverly Hills. prgtoken Ms. White served in the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II, and made her movie debut in Time to Kill, a film for servicemen about military educational programs. A dynamic radio personality, she appeared in shows such as the The Great Gildersleeve and Blondie, and had her own variety radio show, The Betty White Show. Moving into television, she co-hosted Hollywood on Television, a live television variety show, and later became co-producer and star of the show, Life With Elizabeth, which won her the first of many Emmy awards. Over her seventy-plus year career, she starred and appeared in numerous television shows--sitcoms, game shows, talk shows and soap operas, including the Betty White Show, What's My line, Password, The Love Boat, Maybe This Time, Boston Legal, Hot in Cleveland, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Saturday Night Live, in addition to films such as Lake Placid, The Proposal and the 2018 documentary about her career, First Lady of Television. Ms. White was best known for her two signature roles as the conniving Sue Ann Nivens in the popular Mary Tyler Moore Show and the naive Rose Nylund in the enormously successful The Golden Girls television series. prgtoken I came to know Betty through her love of animals, and she was a tireless animal welfare advocate, author, donor, and spokeswoman. She worked with and supported many organizations such as the African Wildlife Foundation, Actors and Others for Animals and the Morris Animal Foundation, serving as president and trustee, and she produced as well as hosted the syndicated series, The Pet Set. which highlighted celebrities and their pets. It was her involvement with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the support group for the Los Angeles Zoo, that was near and dear to her heart, and spanned more than fifty years, beginning at the zoo's opening in 1966. One of her major projects was to produce, write and star in Backstage at the Zoo, a television special that aired in 1974, with famous friends Mary Tyler Moore, Jimmy Stewart, L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley and others making appearances. This was significant, as the special raised awareness of the zoo, brought the zoo into the homes of many Angelenos, emphasized the zoo's outstanding animal care team and showcased the behind-the- scenes work. Since 1974, Ms. White has continuously served on the Board of Trustees for GLAZA, stepping away for several years to become a
RECOGNIZING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR CHRISTOPHER L. YOUNG
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-1-10

. Madam , l rise today to celebrate the service of Command Sergeant Major Christopher L. Young. He has served in every leadership role within the non-commissioned officers ranks of the Mississippi Army National Guard, and it has been an honor to serve in this capacity with him. I am grateful to his dedication and many years of service to this nation and the state of Mississippi. prgtoken CSM Young enlisted into the Mississippi Army National Guard on May 23, 1988. He joined the 1-155th Infantry Regiment ``Mississippi Rifles'' in McComb, Mississippi. He was mobilized in 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. When he returned, CSM Young served in various leadership roles in the 155 Armored Brigade Combat Team. In 2001, he mobilized again in preparation for deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Stabilization Forces-10 rotation. There he served as the task force's Chief Protective Services Officer and the Scout Platoon Sergeant. He returned in April 2002 and was promoted to E-8. He also became the Chief Paralegal NCO in the 155. prgtoken In 2004, CSM Young was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and the War on Terror. There he led a company of 134 Infantry soldiers who were responsible for counter-insurgency and combat operations against hostile insurgents in the Babil providence. In 2010, he was promoted to Sergeant Major and would go on to become the Command Sergeant Major in 2012. In this role, he became the senior enlisted advisor to the Battalion Commander and was responsible for the well-being of the soldiers in his unit. prgtoken In 2019, CSM Young was promoted to the Mississippi Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major position. In this role, he serves as both my Senior Enlisted Advisor and as the Command Sergeant Major over all Mississippi Army National Guard Soldiers where he enacted positive reforms that will impact the MSARNG for years to come. I am grateful for CSM leadership, advisement, and friendship. CSM Young has set a precedent for future readers in the MSARNG and will leave a legacy of compassionate, selfless leadership.
Voting (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-1-10

this week on this floor, we are poised to witness something that has never happened before in living memory: an attempt to attack the core identity of the Senate by a sitting majority leader. prgtoken The senior Senator from New York once said nuking the filibuster would ``turn what the Founding Fathers called the cooling saucer of democracy into the rubber stamp of dictatorship.'' He said it would ``make the country into a banana republic . . . a doomsday for democracy,'' he said. Now, he wants to trigger that doomsday himself. prgtoken When I was majority leader, some of my own party urged me to break the Senate for our own party's short-term gain. My answer was a simple word: ``no.'' prgtoken Less than 4 years ago, the senior Senator from Illinois said nuking the legislative filibuster ``would be the end of the Senate as it was originally devised and created going back to our Founding Fathers.'' Now, he wants the Senate to end on his watch. prgtoken The last time Senate were in the minority, 32 of them signed a letter demanding the legislative filibuster stay in place. Now, many of them say they want to break this institution. The excuses put forward for this behavior are entirely fake. The supposed justifications are simply false. The Senate ic leaders are trying to use a big lie to bully and berate their own Members into breaking their word, breaking the rules, and breaking the Senate. prgtoken We are going to spend all week sounding the alarm on the radical takeovers that some want to pull off. They want to silence millions of Americans and take over the Senate so they can take over elections so they can take over America. prgtoken Leading say they want to break the Senate because of the sinister anti-voting plot that is sweeping America. Of course, this is totally fake. It does not exist. The current control of Congress and the White House were decided in 2020 by the highest turnout in 120 years. Ninety-four percent of voters said voting was easy. More Americans say current voting laws are too lax than say they are too restrictive. prgtoken Confronted by the facts, the ic leader says they are, of course, irrelevant. He says the entire nuclear push is occasioned by what a few States did in 2021. This is utter nonsense. The Senator from New York has been publicly laying groundwork to nuke the Senate rules since back in 2019, before the 2020 election. More than a year before the 2020 election, the ic leader was openly flirting with nuking the Senate rules if he got the power so he would be able to ram through bigger changes. Now, none of this was occasioned by what State legislatures did in 2021. This is actually a yearslong quest for power in search of a pretext. prgtoken Their hysterical attack on State laws are fake as well. The State of Georgia passed a voting law providing for more in-person early voting than New York provides. It a
RECOGNIZING JACOBS LUMBER COMPANY, INC.
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-1-10

as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor Jacobs Lumber Company, Inc in Kamiah as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for January 2022. prgtoken Jacobs Lumber Company is a full-service lumber and hardware store that provides housing and construction services in a one-stop shop. Founder and owner Keith Jacobs has long had a hand in Kamiah's lumber industry. At 14 years old, Keith began his career at Kamiah's Bi-Rite Lumber Company, where he worked until it was sold in 1993. After a few years working out of State, Keith returned home to Kamiah and founded Jacobs Lumber Co. in 1997. prgtoken Jacobs Lumber Company is renowned for a deep commitment to its customers and community. The business sources products from local loggers and fellow small businesses throughout the region, ensuring its customers have the best quality products. Keith attributes much of his company's success to the relationships they have cultivated with their customers. This hometown-driven approach to business has helped build communities and welcome newcomers to our great State. prgtoken The Jacobs family is also committed to giving back to its patrons. In March 2021, the company was honored as the first recipient of the Kamiah School District's Community Business Award. Jacobs Lumber Company maintains a strong tradition of supporting Kamiah schools, athletic programs, and camps. Jacobs has passed along his commitment to service and community, hard work, and charity to his own children. Today, Keith co-owns the company with his son, Slade, promising to serve the people of Kamiah for generations to come. prgtoken Congratulations to Keith, his family, and all of the employees of Jacobs Lumber Company, Inc. on being selected as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for January 2022. You make our great state proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.
Adoptions from China (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-1-10

for over 25 years in the Senate, I have been an advocate for adoption. prgtoken Adoption is a way for families to be created out of tragedy. It is a pathway to the joy of raising children and guaranteeing security of a place that now they can call home. prgtoken One family, Cate and Ben Bryan from Iowa, made the choice to open their hearts and their home to a child from China and were matched with a little girl named Rosie. prgtoken Hundreds of families across the country, including the Bryans and others in Iowa, have chosen adoption from China. They have been matched with specific children and made arrangements to welcome those children into their homes. prgtoken Many of these kids being adopted from China have disabilities or other special needs and require specialized health and care services. prgtoken These kids are in desperate need of families to take care of them but are being denied the opportunity to come prgtoken to their home in America with those parents all due to China's refusal to let Americans into the country to complete adoptions. prgtoken In February of 2020, China closed its border due to the spread of COVID. This meant that parents who had already been matched with a child in China could not proceed with their adoption. Of course, parents must physically be present in China to continue the adoption process and bring it to finality in order to get their child home. prgtoken What was said to be a temporary emergency precaution because of COVID has now stretched into years despite the availability of vaccines. Due to China's unwillingness to open its borders to these parents, adoptions have been stalled for now 2 years. prgtoken Some parents have been prohibited from even communicating with their children during this time. The Bryans from Iowa are unable to receive updated health information about their daughter and are unable to send letters or care packages. She might not even know that they have been trying for years to bring Rosie into their family. prgtoken Now, other countries that participate in international adoptions have found ways to continue the process, even in light of COVID. Even countries with travel restrictions on other groups have made exceptions for adoptive families. Parents want to cooperate. Parents are willing to quarantine. Parents are willing to be tested. Parents will take every precaution asked of them by China. prgtoken Now, what is so odd about all the parents who want to adopt not being allowed into China--we know that China has opened the country to athletes participating in the Olympics, those wishing to do business there, and to American journalists, but why not to adopting parents? Tourist visas are still not being issued, and adoptive parents are being classified as tourists despite specific reasons for their visit. prgtoken It is imperative that the administration work to get adoptions from China moving again. These families have been waiting l
CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF VETERAN ROBERT TIFFANY
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-1-10

. Madam , I rise today to honor the service of Mr. Robert E. Tiffany of Angola. prgtoken On Saturday, January 29, Robert will celebrate his 100th birthday. On behalf of the United States Congress, I want to congratulate him on this wonderful occasion. We hope his heart is filled with joy knowing he has experienced our country's greatest blessings, including the affection of family and friends over a long, well-lived life. prgtoken Our Nation owes Robert a debt of gratitude for his dedicated service to our country while serving in the United States Army Air during World War II. Like many of the Greatest Generation, he enlisted following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In piloting B-17s over Europe, Robert took part in the Allied strategic bombing campaigns against the German war machine. By the time he left the Army in 1944, he flew a total of 23 missions. prgtoken Following his departure from service, he returned home, where he established a career, raised a family and lived out the American Dream. This record is a testament to his service and an appeal to future generations of Americans, that they too may answer the call to help keep lit the torch of American liberty, just as Robert did. prgtoken May God Bless him, and may God Bless the United States of America.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-1-10

I rise today to recognize Springdale Police Chief Mike Peters, who spent his career serving his community with unwavering commitment. His retirement as chief of the Springdale Police Department will surely leave big shoes to fill. prgtoken Chief Peters' dedication to his job is a testament to his character and courage, beginning with his pledge to serve his country in the U.S. Army. Being in uniform for more than 5 years taught him countless lessons about the importance of leading by example and serving others. That service helped shape him into the leader he is today and gave him the tools to build a 30-year career in the Springdale Police Department. prgtoken Peters' Arkansas roots also helped inspire him to stay in the Natural State and serve his community. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and demonstrated his abilities in service and in the classroom, which helped his career advancement. prgtoken After his time in the Army and the Arkansas National Guard, Peters worked in investigations and drug enforcement. He thrived in this role and was promoted to sergeant in 1998. After working as a shift supervisor for 4 years, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2001 and then captain in 2004. His clear devotion to the force and record of time and time again sacrificing for his community allowed him to advance quickly. Peters' served rotations in administration, patrol, and investigations before being promoted to Springdale chief of police on September 11, 2015. prgtoken His accomplishments and accolades have been plentiful and essential, including the design and construction of the Criminal Justice Complex, which houses the new police department and district court and its offices; graduating from the FBI National Academy; and memberships within the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBI National Academy Association. prgtoken Chief Peters is known for being a strong leader who truly cared for those under him. ``It's his leadership and how he brings up others beneath him to build on what the department has done and advance the department,'' Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said about his service. prgtoken Peters' long and extremely successful career is representative of so much of our law enforcement across the State and the Nation. I am so thankful and proud of the men and women in blue who serve their communities everyday by keeping citizens safe and providing them vital support and assistance. I congratulate Chief Peters on the incredible impact he has left on Springdale and his fellow members of the Springdale Police Department. I wish him luck in his next endeavor.
Elections (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-1-10

when Tennesseans go to the polls and cast their vote, they do so with the hope that the person whose name appears on their ballot will do what is best for their community. They expect that person to show respect for the Constitution and the rule of law and to protect the integrity of our most important institutions. prgtoken The people place a great deal of trust in us, and I don't think it is too much to ask that we return the favor by recognizing that there are limits to how far the Federal Government can expand its reach. Many of my ic colleagues, however, would disagree with me on that premise. They returned to Washington this week ready to squander the people's trust on yet another power grab. prgtoken The election bill they are prepared to break the Senate rules to pass has failed multiple times, under multiple titles, and in different packaging. This has gone on for the last 20 years. But this latest round has one thing in common with all the other drafts that found their rightful place in the trash can: It has nothing to do with protecting the ballot box. prgtoken This is not a voting rights bill; it is a sweeping takeover of our democracy and a shocking attack on the constitutional authority of the States to determine the time, place, and manner of elections. That is right. This is not in statute; it is article I, section 4 of the Constitution. prgtoken I have said it before. I will say it again. These proposals read like something concocted by someone who has never stepped foot behind the scenes of their local polling place. It is concocted by people who probably have never spent 10 minutes as a poll worker carrying out and implementing an election, and they absolutely have never served a term on a local election commission. prgtoken It seems that our friends across the aisle are looking at all of these local elected and appointed officials who work elections and are saying: We think that you just are incapable and inept to carry out an election. prgtoken How disrespectful can you be? prgtoken The Federal Government has got to come in and save the day and take away the ability of your local elections registrar to carry forward an election. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will think about the message that they are sending because there is nothing in these proposals that would help your State and local leaders secure elections, and, in fact, many provisions would actually weaken the checks already in place against voter fraud. prgtoken This is the opposite of how it should be. It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat, not the other way around. And the people of this country and elected leaders have been saying no to the Federal takeover of elections for the past 20 years. But here we are again having to once again stand up against this desperate attempt to undermine voters and empower cheats and criminals by mandating ballot harvesting while rejecting voter ID requirements. That
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-1-10

in recent years, our ic colleagues have taken their Washington-knows-best approach to governing to new and, frankly, frightening levels. prgtoken Our colleagues have tried to give the IRS unprecedented authority and manpower to snoop into the finances of virtually every American, not just what you make but how you spend your money. prgtoken They have attempted to control what type of childcare families can access, saying that if it is faith-based, that it is not going to qualify for the extravagant subsidies they have proposed, and are driving up the costs for average, hard-working Texas families. prgtoken When it comes to our ic colleagues and their Washington- knows-best attitude, they have tried to force every person in this country into a one-size-fits-all healthcare system that, yes, government controls. They have argued that the President of the United States has the power to force all Americans, including those in the private sector, to get a vaccine regardless of whether they have naturally occurring antibodies as a result of having gotten COVID-19. prgtoken Now, they are mounting a Federal takeover of America's State-run elections. That is what we will be talking about a lot this week. prgtoken As I said, this is consistent with this attitude that Washington knows best, not parents, not teachers, not business owners, not the workers, not even Governors, mayors, sheriffs, city councils, or local election officials. No. Washington knows best, is their attitude. prgtoken To state the obvious, that is not how the United States of America was designed under our Constitution. During the time of the founding, there was a lot of discussion of whether to have a national government or whether to have a Federal Government with the States as sovereign entities, subject only to national laws when the Federal Government preempted them with things like the Voting Rights Act, section 5. In fact, our very form of government was designed with checks and balances and dispersed authority primarily to protect the individual freedom of ``we the people.'' prgtoken Our Founders had the wisdom to devise a system of government comprised of three separate branches--coequal--to ensure that no single person or single institution became too powerful because, again, they viewed it as, the more powerful that single entity or single institution became, the less accountable they would be to the people and the less freedom we would have to conduct our own lives as we see fit. prgtoken But, as we know, it is not just distributed laterally among the various branches; it is distributed vertically as well. The Constitution makes clear that the States retain all authority not delegated to the Federal Government. That is the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. prgtoken Of course, the power given to the States is sometimes set forth explicitly. For example, the Constitution gives the States the authority to s
PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF THE CATAFALQUE SITUATED IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER IN CONNECTION WITH MEMORIAL SERVICES TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR THE...
Mark E. Amodei (Republican, NV) \u2014 2022-1-10

I ask unanimous consent to take from the 's table the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 26) authorizing the use of the catafalque situated in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center in connection with memorial services to be conducted in the rotunda of the Capitol for the Honorable Harry Mason Reid, Jr a Senator from the State of Nevada, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.