mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF MONICA RUSSO
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-12-8

it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the remarkable career of Monica Russo. prgtoken After decades of service, Ms. Russo is retiring as executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest local union in the Nation, representing more than 400,000 healthcare workers in five States and more than 25,000 healthcare workers in Florida. prgtoken Under her leadership, 1199SEIU Florida has grown to represent more than 30,000 healthcare workers and retirees, becoming the largest union of healthcare workers in Florida and the Southern United States. She also serves as international vice president of the SEIU and as president of SEIU Florida State Council, where she politically unites more than 55,000 active and retired SEIU members, from bus drivers and janitors to healthcare workers. prgtoken Her emphasis on multicultural leadership development and grassroots, member-driven organization building has given a voice and power to healthcare workers, women, immigrants, and the working class. prgtoken Monica Russo's commitment to our Nation's working families is exemplary, and I am proud to call her my sister and dear and treasured friend. I will miss her guidance and wisdom, but our loss is her family's gain. I wish her a hearty congratulations on her retirement and am grateful for her invaluable work.
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR PAUL SPYROS SARBANES
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-12-8

let me conclude by just quoting from Senator Sarbanes himself on the final speech that he gave when he left the Senate. He said: Throughout my years in public service, I have worked to the limits of my ability to provide the people of Maryland and the Nation dedicated, informed, and independent representation based on the fundamental principles of integrity and intelligence. I have been guided in this effort by the vision of a decent and just America, based on a strong sense of community and offering fairness and opportunity to all its people. Service in this body has reinforced, many times over, my understanding and commitment to the institutions upon which our system of ic governance critically depends. So long as [that] vision of America's promise continues to shine brightly in this body, I have every confidence that our Nation will prevail in the face of great challenges and that its future will be assured. prgtoken It is our responsibility to heed those words of Senator Sarbanes and strive to carry out his legacy. prgtoken Before I yield to Senator Van Hollen, the two of us, on behalf of all of the Members of the U.S. Senate, have filed a resolution to honor Paul Sarbanes. This has been cleared. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 797, submitted earlier today.
TRIBUTE TO DAVID E. BENOR
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-12-8

I am honored to thank and congratulate one of my constituents and one of the Federal Government's unsung heroes, David E. ``Dave'' Benor, who is retiring on January 3, 2021, after more than 48 years of service as a public health attorney at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the General Counsel, HHS-OGC. prgtoken After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1972, Mr. Benor began his career at HHS-OGC and never left, rising to positions of increasing responsibility throughout the years. Since 2004, he has served as the Associate General Counsel for Public Health. In this leadership role, he has led HHS-OGC's Public Health Division, a 100-person office within HHS-OGC that provides legal services to the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Surgeon General, and multiple agencies that comprise the Public Health Service, including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, the Health Services and Resources Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Mr. Benor has worked extensively on product liability, grant law, organ transplant, and vaccine issues, and has particular expertise with the Public Health Service safety net programs, in public health emergency response issues, and in implementing regulatory and compensation programs. prgtoken Mr. Benor has dedicated his entire career to implementing HHS's mission to advance the health of all people. He has done this by providing authoritative legal advice on major health initiatives, including those related to bioterrorism preparedness, biomedical research, organ transplantation, vaccine development and liability, and the provision of healthcare to medically underserved populations through such programs as the community health center program, the Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Program, and maternal and child health grants. He has been a key legal adviser on the Department's international health initiatives, including Afghan and Iraqi reconstruction, global AIDS programs, and quarantine activities for diseases such as SARS, pandemic influenza, and monkey pox, and has been part of multidisciplinary teams working on the public health response to the War on Terrorism, including the response to anthrax attacks, smallpox vaccine development, COVID-19, and pharmaceutical stockpile development. prgtoken Mr. Benor has received numerous awards throughout his career. In 2012, President awarded Mr. Benor the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive, one of the highest awards that a career Senior Executive Service member may receive. prgtoken Dave Benor's impact on public health will be felt for years to come both through his work on a wide variety of public health programs and by the inspiring example he has provided for the many attorneys with whom he worked and mentored. I wa
ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-12-8

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of S. 1014. The bill establishes the Route 66 Centennial Commission, with the charge of developing and planning a celebration for 2026 for the 100th anniversary of America's ``Mother Road.'' prgtoken Route 66 was established November 11, 1926. It was a 2,448-mile-long highway that originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, and passed between numerous States in between. prgtoken This historic route has been traversed by Americans through the years for many reasons, from hundreds of thousands of migrants escaping the Dust Bowl in the 1930s to more recent road-trippers following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac. prgtoken A precursor to the interstate system, Route 66, was created out of the need for greater connectivity after the rise in automobile ownership. Disparate segments of roads and paths were woven into a cohesive highway that offered unparalleled ease of mobility. prgtoken While Route 66 became largely obsolete after the completion of the interstate system, it holds a unique place in our Nation's surface transportation history. The story of Route 66 serves as an important reminder of why an interconnected transportation system is vital and why we must not devolve to a piecemeal approach to surface transportation, as some have advocated--the first surface transportation advisor to President most notably among them-- saying we should go back to the good old days when this was done by all the States individually, even if the roads didn't sometimes connect or meet national needs. prgtoken For years, I carried around a poster of the interstate. It was a turnpike at the time between Kansas and Oklahoma. Kansas built their section. prgtoken It is an aerial photograph from Life magazine, and if you look down, you would say: Boy, that is really odd looking. There is this big ribbon of concrete, four lanes, two on each side, and then there are all these kinds of angular black lines. prgtoken Then you go: What is that? prgtoken Well, that is the Oklahoma State line, and that is Amos Schweitzer's farm field. prgtoken Until we had the Eisenhower plan and until we had a national highway program, until we had a user fee, the State of Oklahoma said: We can't afford to do our section, even though we said we would do it. prgtoken It was completed a number of years later with a Federal share from the Eisenhower plan. prgtoken This kind of connectivity is critical. I have had some environmentalists say: Why do you want to rebuild the highway system with climate change? prgtoken Well, we are going to rebuild it in a resilient way. We are going to build it with new materials and more climate friendly, and we are going to electrify it. prgtoken We cannot possibly move the amount of freight necessary in this country to feed the American people and serve myriad other needs with our rail system. It just could not meet that
HONORING THE LIFE OF SENATOR PAUL SARBANES
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-12-8

let me just start by saying, John, I always believed that you can tell a lot about a person by the children they raise. If I knew nothing else about your father than what I see in you, I know your father is a great man because you yourself are a great man. While you may think that you will never match your father's accomplishments, he believed and already knew that you have. prgtoken I was in many public events in the presence of you and your father, and I would watch him as he was watching you. It was so clear and obvious the pride that he took in you, as I know he did in his other children, knowing that you were stepping in his footsteps, continuing his legacy and his work for the people of Maryland. prgtoken So, John, you have more than matched the matchless efforts of your father. prgtoken I want to recognize Leader Hoyer for hosting this Special Order hour this evening. I want to, again, thank my friend and colleague, Representative John Sarbanes, and his entire family, who have experienced a great loss. prgtoken Over his extraordinary life, Paul Sarbanes held many titles: husband and father, Maryland delegate, Congressman, Senator, chairman. prgtoken Throughout his decades on Capitol Hill, Paul Sarbanes never lost sight that he was a family man first. Second only to that, he was a true and dedicated public servant. prgtoken Senator Sarbanes worked for Maryland. He was a tireless advocate for our State and the many families who call Maryland home. They knew Paul Sarbanes had their backs. Upon news of his death, so many of his constituents fondly remembered how he was there for him and provided a helping hand. prgtoken Paul Sarbanes didn't approach service with bravado and bombast. He didn't crave the spotlight because he understood the people he served were in his spotlight because they were his priority. prgtoken He was a master legislator and deft committee questioner. Senator Sarbanes actively shaped legislation that still affects Marylanders and Americans today. prgtoken He championed the restoration of our beloved Chesapeake Bay. He put consumer protections front and center in his work, cracking down on corporate fraud. He held Presidents accountable during the Watergate hearings and throughout his career. His work and relationships on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee helped create a safer world. prgtoken The example he set continues to inspire so many leaders and public servants in Maryland to put the work and the people first. prgtoken I first met Paul Sarbanes when I moved to Maryland in 1992. I attended one of his townhalls he had at Prince George's Community College. I knew nothing of the Senator at the time, and I listened to him address the concerns and the issues of my neighbors, his constituents. prgtoken While Paul Sarbanes was not necessarily known for or recognized among his many accomplishments for leading in the areas of national security and military issues--although he was on the Sena
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR PAUL SPYROS SARBANES
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-12-8

it is an honor to join my colleagues from Maryland, Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen, and my colleague from Michigan, Senator Stabenow, to take a moment to recognize and remember my esteemed former colleague and dear friend, Senator Paul Sarbanes, who passed away last Sunday. prgtoken Paul Sarbanes spent 30 years in this Chamber doing what he knew was right. In that time, he built a legacy most could not achieve in two lifetimes. prgtoken Paul's work on banking, the economy, housing, transportation, and so many other issues had a profound and significant impact on our country. But, more importantly, his work had a direct impact on so many families whose lives were made better because of his unsung efforts over three decades. prgtoken I had the distinct honor of serving with Senator Sarbanes and working directly with him on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. prgtoken Senator Sarbanes was a constant and steady champion of commonsense fiscal policies to help create jobs, expand our economy, and increase consumer and investor protections. Indeed, he used his power and influence to help those with the least power and influence in our society, which is a hallmark of our finest public servants. And Paul still remains one of our finest public servants--indeed, one of the finest of the finest. prgtoken Many would agree that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 stands among his best work. Responding to a number of major corporate accounting scandals, Senator Sarbanes' legislation began the process of trying to restore investor confidence in corporate America and our securities markets. Eighteen years later, this law continues to be a critical pillar of our financial system. prgtoken During his tenure as chair of the Joint Economic Committee in the late eighties and early nineties, Paul framed many of the important economic issues and debates that the country was experiencing at the time. He held timely hearings on income inequality, trade deficit, and unemployment during a time at which the country was only beginning to come to grips with the notion that there needed to be a different direction in our economy. prgtoken Unfortunately, our Nation is now battling a pandemic that is furthering economic inequalities, and both the Senate and the country could use and greatly misses Senator Sarbanes' thoughtfulness, incisiveness, and compassion during these difficult times. prgtoken Senator Sarbanes was also one of our Nation's greatest champions for affordable housing. He fought his entire career for our Nation's working families, trying to make it possible for more families in our country to have decent, safe, and affordable housing. prgtoken Most notably, Paul was one of the original authors of the Home Investment Partnerships Program, known as the HOME Program. This program has provided critical funding to our Nation's States and localities, helping them maintai
OPEN COURTS ACT OF 2020
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-12-8

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 8235, as amended, the Open Courts Act, which would require the Federal judiciary to allow free public access to court records over the internet and modernize the court records system so that it will cost less to maintain and be more secure. prgtoken This act is the product of over 5 years of bipartisan effort, and I am so proud that we have gotten the bill to this moment. prgtoken I first want to thank the majority leader, Steny Hoyer, for his involvement and commitment to bringing this important legislation to the floor, and I would like to thank Director Duff and his staff for their recent attention to this bill. prgtoken I also want to thank Mr. Jordan for his support for this bill at the committee's markup. prgtoken I would be remiss if I did not recognize our partners in the Senate, Senators Portman and Wyden, for their leadership and commitment to this effort. prgtoken Finally, I extend sincere appreciation to my colleague from Georgia, Doug Collins, the colead on this bill. I want to thank him for his partnership in working to make the Federal court records system freely accessible to all Americans. prgtoken I would also like to thank Perry Apelbaum with the Judiciary Committee, Jamie Simpson and Matt Robinson of my subcommittee, Jon Ferro with Congressman Collins' office, and I would also like to give a special thanks to Keith Abouchar with Leader Hoyer's office for all of his efforts to help us be on the floor today with this bill. Without everyone's persistence, dedication, and countless hours of hard work behind the scenes, we would not be here today. prgtoken , wealth should not act as a barrier to access our courts. Whether it is a journalist reporting on the courts' activities or a citizen petitioning the court for redress, access to the courts should be free to all, not just to those who can afford it. prgtoken Forcing the public to pay for access to court records imposes an unnecessary and unconscionable burden on people who are simply engaging in a constitutionally protected activity. Transparency and accessibility should be our goal, not profits and limited access. prgtoken Court records should be as easy to access as legislation is on Congress.gov. All you have to do is put in that website, go to it, and look at all of the legislation that we produce, , and you should be able to do the same thing at the Federal courthouse. prgtoken Our courts are a vital part of America's government, and we in Congress have a responsibility to ensure that public records in public courthouses are accessible for free to the public. This bill provides such protection of our most sacred democratic ideals. prgtoken Technology has become essential to preserving our First Amendment rights by helping to ensure meaningful access to justice and to court records. It is past time that we bring our Federal court records system into the 21st cen
FAREWELL TO CONGRESSWOMAN ROBY
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-12-8

we will, in short time, remember our friend Paul Sarbanes, but another friend of mine, whom I have not known as long but I have known well, is the gentlewoman from Montgomery, Alabama, with whom I went on the pilgrimage sponsored by Faith and Politics and led by our beloved John Lewis. She welcomed us so graciously to Montgomery. prgtoken She is a graduate of NYU, a graduate of Stanford Law School, and is extraordinarily proud of her father, the chief judge of the court of appeals of their circuit. Her husband, Riley, and their two children I have known, and they have joined us. prgtoken Regrettably, she will be leaving the Congress at the end of this year. I say regrettably because she was a Member of Congress who worked across the aisle and who worked positively and constructively on behalf of her district, on behalf of her State, and on behalf of her country. We will miss her. prgtoken , from Alabama.
NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
Robin L. Kelly (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-12-8

today I rise to celebrate passage of H. Res. 1250, recognizing the principles that should guide the national artificial intelligence strategy of the United States. prgtoken In early 2018, Representative Hurd, as chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology, and myself, as the ranking member, held the first congressional hearing on artificial intelligence. prgtoken This resolution is born out of those hearings and the culmination of over a year's work with the Bipartisan Policy Center, bringing together experts from government, the private sector, and civil society to outline priorities to ensure the United States remains a leader in AI. prgtoken AI has the potential to fundamentally change our society. The U.S. needs a national strategy now to invest in our workforce, R&D, national security, and oversight agencies to ensure AI is a positive tool that will benefit all of society. prgtoken I am particularly pleased that this legislation was able to pass before my friend and close IT partner for the past 6 years, Representative Hurd, retires from this body. prgtoken This Chamber has been made better by his spirit of bipartisanship and desire to protect our Nation and prepare prgtoken it to meet the challenges of the next century. Representative Hurd's work will not be forgotten, and I will miss him dearly.
INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANSATLANTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECURITY ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-12-8

. Madam , I rise to introduct the bipartisan Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act. I am grateful to my colleague Adam Kinzinger of Illinois for his partnership in co-leading this critically needed piece of legislation. prgtoken The United States and our allies face down increased threats from global actors like a rising China and belligerent Russia that seek to export their malign influence and undermine democratic institutions. prgtoken China seeks to compromise allied critical telecommunications infrastructure by using statelinked companies like Huawei and ZTE to unfairly induce our allies to procure insecure fifth generation telecommunications equipment and services. prgtoken Bipartisan current and former U.S. officials and civil society members have recognized the threat of malign influence over critical telecommunications networks. 50 networks will serve as the backbone of artificial intelligence platforms with immense national security and domestic economic implications. Secure telecommunications are also critical for military interoperability with our European allies at a time when NATO coordination is needed now more than ever. prgtoken Given these critical national security needs, the United States must provide our allies alternatives to Chinese financing and provide increased diplomatic support to our allies to ensure secure telecommunications lines. prgtoken This legislation would authorize the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide financing for cross-border 5G telecommunications infrastructure development to our allies. This financing is key to remove risky and threatening equipment and replace it with secure equipment. The legislation seeks to increase resilience in countries in the region whose infrastructure deficit from the Soviet-era makes them especially vulnerable to malign Chinese influence, including among nations in the Three Seas Initiative. prgtoken Additionally, this bill directs the Secretary of State and other relevant agency heads to prioritize diplomacy and project support with European allies and partners to develop 5G markets that are inclusive, transparent, economically viable, socially sustainable, and compliant with international law. Finally, this legislation ensures the United States is leading with our European allies to develop international 5G standards that favor democratic institutions, not further authoritarianism spread by China and Russia. prgtoken Following unanimous House passage of H. Res. 672 supporting the Three Seas Initiative and the enactment of the bipartisan European Energy Security and Diversification Act, this bill is the next critically needed step for Congress to secure our transatlantic allies and partners from malign influence. prgtoken I urge all my colleagues to support this critical legislation