mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-11-9

November is National Adoption Month. prgtoken Each November, families across the country finalize adoptions and celebrate the creation of new families and connections. On National Adoption Day, which is celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, a special effort is made to finalize as many pending adoptions as possible. Last year, over 4,000 adoptions were finalized on that day. While I am sure that this day will look a little different this year due to the coronavirus, I am confident that family courts and child welfare agencies will still make it a special day for many, many families--happy families--because they will be able to bring new ones into their families. prgtoken The pandemic has created significant challenges for the children and families in our child welfare system. With travel restrictions and limits on visitors in hospitals, adoptive parents are meeting their children for the first time ever over video chat instead of in person. Kids in foster care are having to wait longer for placements, and foster parents are facing the added stress of school closures. Court proceedings are taking place over Zoom. Despite the challenges, both new challenges and old challenges that can accompany adoption, parents in Iowa and across the country are still making the choice to open their hearts and homes to children in need. prgtoken Congress has worked in the past to reduce barriers that would-be adoptive parents face. I will continue my efforts of making sure adoption remains an option for children in foster care who can't be reunited with their families, women who are facing unexpected pregnancies, and all parents who are willing and able to provide safe and loving homes for kids in need. There were over 100,000 children in the foster care system who were waiting for adoption in 2019. That 100,000 was approximately one-fourth of the number of kids in foster care. Congress must work in a bipartisan way, as it has for many years, to make sure adoption can become a reality, not just a dream, for all of these kids. We must also make sure that child welfare agencies have the tools and flexibilities they need to serve the families in their communities. prgtoken For years in the Senate, I have worked to elevate the voices of youth in the foster care system. These young people are their own best advocates, and they can tell you that the thing they want the most is a caring and loving family and a permanent home. What would you expect from any of these young people who are moved from home to home maybe two or three times in a given year? prgtoken As I continue to work in Congress toward the goal of helping all children find their forever families, I will always keep the best interests of children at the forefront. prgtoken . prgtoken .
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JAVIER ESTADES AND HIS SERVICE TO THE CIGAR ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
George Holding (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-11-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor Javier Estades. prgtoken Javier was born in Spain, but went on to receive his undergraduate degree from George Washington University right here in Washington--his first real formal contact with the U.S. prgtoken Javier then went back to Europe where he went on to receive his MBA and start his career working for large, fast-moving consumer companies. Then, about 15 years ago, he was hired by Altadis to manage the mass market team in Spain. As he progressed through the company, he was eventually hired to run the Altadis team right here in the United States and he immigrated here nearly 10 years ago. prgtoken Javier Estades now serves as the president and chief executive officer of Tabacalera USA, which oversees Imperial Brands' premium cigar businesses, including Altadis U.S.A JR Cigar and Casa de Montecristo. prgtoken And for the past five years, Javier has headed the Cigar Association of America--a national trade association representing cigar manufacturers, importers, and distributors, as well as other major suppliers of the industry. The CAA is proactive in defending its members, their businesses and other like-minded associations. It also has an extensive network established to monitor and act on federal, state and local regulations that could have an impact on its members and the cigar industry at large. The organization's bylaws have been amended several times to allow for Javier Estades to serve multiple terms as the organization's chairman--something which I think speaks directly to his unwavering leadership to build deep relationships and be an effective advocate for his industry. prgtoken Javier is deeply knowledgeable of every aspect of his industry and is so well-versed he can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone on any issue. prgtoken His time as Chairman of the Cigar Association of America was marked by an almost overwhelming number of challenges, yet Javier seemed to navigate them all with ease, simply because of the type of person he is. prgtoken It has been a real honor and joy to get to know Javier over the last five years and I hope he enjoys his retirement from heading the CAA-- maybe even with a cigar.
RECOGNIZING THE WYOMING ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-11-9

I rise today to recognize a significant anniversary for the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts. When they meet next week, the association will celebrate 75 years of service to Wyoming's natural resources. Without question, the forests, streams, and soils in the state have seen immense benefit from the important work conservation district employees do every day. prgtoken Conservation districts succeed through their work and partnerships with diverse stakeholders. Landowners, farmers and ranchers, government agencies, counties, towns, and other community organizations contribute to the conservation of land and water resources on private and public lands in Wyoming. Local conservation district boards perform as a liaison between local landowners, resource users, and State and Federal governmental agencies. The association helps individuals navigate programs and provides exemplary technical assistance to cultivate productive lands and healthy ecosystems. Agriculture, industry, cities, forests, and wildlife all depend on strong and healthy watersheds. prgtoken Wyoming has 34 conservation districts in our 23 counties. Each district is run by staff and a board of five supervisors, who serve voluntarily. Conservation districts direct programs protecting local renewable natural resources at the local level. Each district prgtoken puts its focus on issues important to resource concerns in the county. These range from water quality monitoring and watershed planning to seedling tree sales and living snow fence programs, forest planning and rangeland management to wildlife habitat improvement and endangered species issues. prgtoken I rely heavily on conservation districts for their expertise in water, conservation, wildlife, forestry, and general land management. As their mission statement says, in part, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts provides leadership for the conservation of Wyoming's soil and water resources and promotes and protects the quality of Wyoming's waters through responsible conservation ethic. prgtoken People are the key to conservation district success, from local volunteers to dedicated staff and partners who dedicate themselves to the cause. The association provides valuable insight and expertise to countless projects and issues at the local, State, and national level. One of the best examples is in the recently retired, Bobbie Frank. prgtoken Bobbie Frank served as executive director of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts for the last 29 years. Bobbie's list of achievements is long. From being intimately involved in a myriad of water quality issues both at the State and national levels to developing and implementing programs at the local level. Bobbie has received the Wyoming Stock Growers Guardian of the Grassland Award and the Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award. She has also been inducted as a member of the Wyoming Ag Hall of Fame. I look forward
Elections (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-11-9

last week record numbers of Americans exercised the right which generations risked everything to hand on to us. I want to spend a few minutes this morning talking about what we saw last week, where we are now, and where our great country will go from here. prgtoken There is one aspect of last week that has gotten lost that I want to single out right at the start. By every indication, the 2020 election appears to be have been free from meaningful foreign interference. There is no suggestion that our foreign adversaries were allowed to undermine the integrity of our process. prgtoken According to the Director of the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Administration, ``we have no''--no--``evidence any foreign adversary was capable of preventing Americans from voting or changing vote tallies.'' prgtoken GEN Paul Nakasone, the head of the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command reported Tuesday night, ``The actions we have taken against adversaries . . . have ensured they're not going to interfere in our elections.'' prgtoken The administration and the Senate spent 4 years supporting the State and local election authorities on the frontlines: new tools and information-sharing partnerships; unprecedented coordination; hundreds of millions in new funding; new, painful consequences for bad actors, like Russia, if they interfere. prgtoken The absence of any reports of foreign interference is a ringing endorsement--a ringing endorsement--of our bipartisan work, and it slams the door on the embarrassing, irresponsible rhetoric that some Washington spent 4 years broadcasting. prgtoken Too many voices tried to talk down our progress, urged Americans actually not to have confidence, and smeared anyone as unpatriotic who opposed far-left proposals to rewrite election laws. prgtoken Well, the people who pushed this hysteria could not have more egg on their face than they do right now. None of their demands became law-- none of them. The of the House did not get to personally rewrite election law. And yet, because of the sensible, bipartisan steps that some of us championed, our defenses and countermeasures proved to be in radically better shape than back in 2016. prgtoken So let's talk about where we are now. According to preliminary results, voters across the Nation elected and reelected Senators to a degree that actually stunned prognosticators. Likewise, the American people seemed to have reacted to House ' radicalism and obstruction by shrinking the 's majority and electing more s. prgtoken And then there is the Presidential race. Obviously, no States have yet certified their election results. We have at least one or two States that are already on track for a recount, and I believe the President may have legal challenges underway in at least five States. prgtoken The core principle here is not complicated. In the United States of America, all legal ballots must be counte
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-11-9

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander), the Senator from Montana (Mr. Daines), the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan), and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Alexander) would have voted ``yea.''
IN HONOR OF THE JED FOUNDATION'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-11-9

. Madam , I rise to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Jed Foundation and to commend the Foundation's cofounders, Donna and Phillip Satow, for their unrelenting dedication to improving mental health among teens and young adults. prgtoken The Jed Foundation, which is headquartered in my district, has become a national leader in the development of policies, programs, and systems to nurture mental and emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. In the past 20 years, The Jed Foundation has provided programs and resources that have helped more than 3,000 high schools, colleges and universities across the country strengthen their mental health safety nets. prgtoken After the tragic loss of their son Jed, Donna and Phillip Satow established the Jed Foundation to better equip all teens and young adults to navigate mental health challenges, successfully enter adulthood, and meet their full potential. The Satows recognized the need for a uniform model for suicide prevention on college and university campuses, and they understood the importance of addressing the stigma and secrecy associated with mental health in these communities. prgtoken With this vision in mind, the Jed Foundation created JED Campus, a program that implements a comprehensive approach to mental health and substance abuse. In the past two decades JED Campus has been utilized by over 300 colleges, representing nearly 3.7 million students, across the nation. Additionally, the Jed Foundation has partnered with over 1,600 colleges and universities to utilize the foundation's ULifeline.org on line resource center, which provides students with information about mental health and how to seek help if they are struggling. prgtoken From ensuring that mental health resources are culturally responsive for Latinx teens, young adults, and their families, to conducting in- depth research on how communities can effectively understand and support the mental health of LBGTQ+ teens and young adults, the Jed Foundation has gone above and beyond to address the mental health needs of diverse communities. prgtoken Madam , I recognize the Jed Foundation for its outstanding public service, and I laud Donna and Phillip Satow's continued commitment to promoting the well-being of students, families, and schools. They have improved the lives and mental health outcomes of millions of students in their twenty years of service, and I wish them the best as they continue their lifesaving work.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-11-9

. I announce that the Senator from Washington (Ms. Cantwell), the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto), the Senator from California (Ms. ), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich), the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz), the Senator from Arizona (Ms. Sinema), and the Senator from Montana (Mr. Tester) are necessarily absent.
RECOGNIZING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOSE CAMACHO
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-11-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor the career and service of Mr. Jose Camacho, who has retired after serving 37 years as the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC). prgtoken Armed with his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those less fortunate, Mr. Camacho earned his law degree from the University of Texas in 1973 and worked in private practice until 1979 when he became the Director of the Farmworker Policy Impact Project at Texas Rural Legal Aid in Austin. In 1982 Mr. Camacho became the General Counsel for the National Migrant Referral Project and in 1983, he began his career with TACHC as General Counsel where he assisted in the development of the organization. Mr. Camacho became the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers in 1984 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2020. Mr. Camacho's career was devoted to the development of grassroot, community- controlled organizations in low-income communities whose purpose is to provide comprehensive health care services to medically indigent residents. Mr. Camacho's north star has been the Federally Qualified Health Care Program which affords low income communities the opportunity to mobilize residents around the need for culturally appropriate health care services and develop a system of health care that is responsive to local residents. prgtoken TACHC is the federally designated primary care association for the state and is the link between federal, state, and local entities providing health care for Texas' most vulnerable populations. TACHC started with a membership of seven (7) community clinics in 1983 serving approximately 7,500 patients annually. While the organization had a humble beginning, Mr. Camacho's forward-thinking and leadership helped grow it into the reliable and successful organization that exists today. During Mr. Camacho's tenure, TACHC exceeded expectations and extended service to over 100 organizations within Texas. As the largest network of primary care clinics in Texas, TACHC-member clinics have over 550 delivery sites, throughout Texas providing health care to over 1.6 million patients annually; approximately 80 percent are patients with incomes below poverty. Heavily involved with the Texas State Legislature, the United States Congress, local community action groups and the American Health Lawyers Association, he initiated numerous legislative proposals which improved how health services were provided in Texas. Additionally, he initiated cost-saving contracts which helped save money for community health centers and allowed them to increase and expand valuable services to patients. prgtoken Health centers serve communities suffering from shortages of primary medical, dental, or mental health providers. Their mission is to serve low-income and uninsured individuals who lack access to quality and affordable healthcare. With Texas continuously
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-11-9

last Tuesday, our country conducted the most sacred process in our democratic system of government, a national election. prgtoken It was an election unlike any other in modern history. Much of the voting was done before election day itself, as the global pandemic forced States to adjust their balloting and voting procedures. The counting of the vote took a little longer than most Americans might have expected or hoped. Indeed, some of the final tabulations are not yet complete. It is still to be determined which party will hold the majority in this Chamber. prgtoken But we do know a few things. First and most importantly, former Vice President will become the 46th President of the United States. Our dear colleague, the distinguished Senator from California, , will be the next Vice President of the United States. And on January 20, the country will finally--finally-- turn the page on one of the most divisive and chaotic chapters in our history. prgtoken President-Elect has told the country that it is time to come together and heal, to unify once again to fight not our political opponents but our common enemies: disease and poverty and injustice. There is no person better suited to the task than the former Vice President. He will be a great President for all Americans. prgtoken Vice President-Elect , meanwhile, has just made history four times over. She will be the first African-American woman, the first Asian-American woman, the first biracial woman, and the first woman, period, to ever serve as Vice President of the United States. prgtoken I congratulate the former Vice President, his wife Jill, our colleague Senator , and her husband Doug on their hard-fought victory. prgtoken More Americans voted for President-Elect and Vice President- Elect than any ticket in our Nation's history. They have given them an enormous burden and a decisive mandate to take the reins of the executive branch and marshal this government into action--for they will assume the high offices of the Presidency and the Vice Presidency at a time of unprecedented challenge. prgtoken Our great Nation faces the greatest economic crisis in 75 years and the greatest public health crisis in a century. Extraordinary inequalities of wealth and income strike at the heart of the idea of America as a land of equal opportunity. Racial disparities in our society strike at the heart of the idea of America as a place of equal justice. Climate change threatens the very future of our planet. prgtoken The American people have placed their faith in President-Elect to confront those challenges head-on: to relieve their suffering, to repair our democracy, to recover our economy, and rebuild the country and a planet for this generation and for the next. I have no doubt their faith will be rewarded, but I also have no doubt that the task ahead is daunting.
TRIBUTE TO TOM KARLO
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-11-9

. Madam , on behalf of my fellow members of the San Diego Congressional Delegation, I would like to pay tribute to Tom Karlo, the General Manager of KPBS in San Diego. prgtoken After 47 years with the station, Tom is retiring. These days, very few of us can say we have been with the same organization for nearly 50 years. But when you have, as Tom says, the best job in the world, it's not surprising. prgtoken While Tom has been a fixture at KPBS, KPBS is a longtime respected fixture when it comes to news in San Diego. And Tom deserves credit for that. prgtoken We in San Diego are very proud of KPBS, and it is no surprise that it is the highest-rated public television station in America. Every week, more than 1.2 million people tune in on television or radio or click or stream KPBS content. prgtoken During Tom's tenure, KPBS's top-notch journalists, producers, and crew have won numerous awards both locally and regionally, as well as nationally. I know my colleagues can attest along with me that when you are interviewed by KPBS you had better be prepared because they certainly would be. prgtoken Tom himself has won three local Emmy awards. prgtoken When I joined KPBS as a community producer in the late '70s, Tom had already been there a few years. As a student at San Diego State University studying film and television, he was hired as a part-time assistant in 1973. We worked together during several years of public television auctions (some of us remember those days) and he was truly a man of many disciplines. prgtoken He has done just about every job--director, producer, assistance cameraman. In 2009, he was elevated to General Manager and we find ourselves working together again as he would come to Washington, D.C for what was a common goal for all of us: protecting vital federal funding for public broadcasting. prgtoken Over the years, while his roles have changed, one constant has been Tom's self-effacing manner. prgtoken His retirement will be our loss, but it will be his family's gain. He is no doubt looking forward to spending more time with them, especially his grandchildren. prgtoken My colleagues, Reps. Scott Peters, Juan Vargas, and Mike Levin, and I would like to wish Tom all the best in his retirement.