mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-9-27

I rise today to highlight September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month and to call for more research on the sickle cell trait. prgtoken Today, I am introducing a resolution calling for more sickle-cell trained research and public education and awareness on the disease. prgtoken , sickle cell disease is America's most commonly inherited blood disorder and affects about 100,000 Americans. More than 3 million Americans, including 1 in 12 African Americans and 1 in 100 Latinos carry the sickle cell trait, which can lead to sickle cell disease. prgtoken For example, one is tested at birth to determine whether they have the sickle cell trait, and that is it. Later in life, there are certain tests, such as the A1C test, which some are often given to determine diabetes. Well, if you have the sickle cell trait, you could get a false positive from this test. prgtoken So it is very important that we figure out a way in terms of awareness, education, and to dedicate our resources to making sure that there are strategies to provide the information for adults so that they know that they have the sickle cell trait. Right now, millions of people have it and they don't know it. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.
TERMINATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON FEBRUARY 15, 2019
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-9-27

we recognize that this border wall, over and over again, has been said to be designated as an action of the sovereign nation of Mexico. Why, then, are the people of the United States, the taxpayers, voting for something that was promised by someone else? prgtoken Vote for this resolution and help the men and women in the United States military. Stand with them. Stand with them. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of our Constitution and in defense of our republic and urge all members to join me in voting for S.J. Res. 54, which terminates the phony declaration of emergency issued by the President on February 15, 2019. prgtoken The reason this resolution is before us today is because of the petulant intransigence of a single person, the current President of the United States. prgtoken As a senior member of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security, I visited the southern border on numerous occasions several times and can state confidently that there is no national emergency or national security crisis that justified the President's reckless and unconstitutional decision or compels the Congress to abdicate its responsibilities under Article I to check and balance the Executive Branch. prgtoken The President only pursued this tactic of declaring a national emergency after realizing that Nancy Pelosi was absolutely correct when she informed him that he did not have the support in Congress to require the taxpayers to pay for his broken promise that ``Mexico would pay for the wall, 100 percent!'' prgtoken In fact, according to public opinion polling, Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the President's national emergency declaration by a 61%-36% margin. prgtoken The President's decision is opposed by both men and women in every region of the country, by every income group and education category; it is opposed by veterans organizations, education associations like the NEA and AFT, and organized labor. prgtoken National security experts across the political spectrum are unanimous in their assessment that the situation on the southern border does not constitute a national emergency, an assessment echoed by leading former senators and Members of Congress. prgtoken They understand that after failing to convince the American people or Congress to pay for his ineffective, wasteful, and immoral multibillion dollar concrete wall, the President now embarked on a course of conduct that is deeply corrosive of the constitutional system of checks and balances wisely established by the Framers and which has served this Nation and the world so well for nearly 250 years. prgtoken Having failed miserably to achieve his objective in the constitutional legislative process, the President resorted to a desperate 11th hour end-run around Congress with an unlawful emergency declaration that contravenes the will of the American people and negates the awesome power of the purse vested exclusively in
NATURAL DISASTER PREPARATION
Joe Neguse (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , I first want to thank the gentleman from California for his courtesy and, of course, that of the majority leader. prgtoken Madam , I rise today to call attention to a failure of our government to issue a promised and required prgtoken set of regulatory guidance in a timely manner and a failure of our government to adequately prepare the American people for natural disasters and to provide relief for suffering communities. prgtoken I happen to represent the great State of Colorado's Second Congressional District, and my State is no stranger to catastrophic weather events. Exacerbated by the dangers we face from the threat of climate change, we regularly experience forest fires, tornadoes, and other disasters. Six years ago, we experienced historic flooding most severely impacting Boulder County and Larimer County, both counties in my district. prgtoken In September of 2013, we were inundated with heavy rainfall with up to 15 inches of rainfall in 1 week in some areas. The result was devastating flooding across the front range of Colorado. prgtoken The storms took the lives of 10 Coloradans and caused nearly $4 billion in damage across 21 counties in our State, the most expensive disaster in Colorado's history. Rivers and creeks overflowed. Waters seeped into the homes of thousands and displaced 18,147 people across our State. Roads and bridges, as you can see here, were completely washed out. Much infrastructure was destroyed. prgtoken My district, as I mentioned, contains two of the counties that were the hardest hit by these events, Boulder and Larimer Counties. prgtoken Yet, today, more than 6 years later, many of these communities have still not been able to recover from the flooding fully. prgtoken Rebuilding from a disaster this severe is a lengthy and expensive process. However, it is made more difficult by Federal grant regulations set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, that require cities and counties to rebuild infrastructure in the exact same way it had been built before the disaster in order to qualify for reimbursement. prgtoken If these counties were to rebuild the roads and bridges that were destroyed in the flood the same way they were originally built, it would put these same communities at risk of future disasters once again. prgtoken There is a lack of clarity and consistency for these cities and counties, as well as countless other cities and counties across the country, in FEMA's current determination of reimbursements. prgtoken Many projects in my district have been deemed ``not cost-effective'' because the counties made an adjustment and wanted to improve their infrastructure, not just rebuild the same road right next to a river that would be washed out again with the next flood. prgtoken Now, the good news is, Madam , that Congress has already acted in a bipartisan way to show that we understand this problem. Section 1235 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act passed l
CELEBRATING LIUNA LOCAL 500'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , I rise today to recognize a century of service of the Laborers' Local 500 union in Toledo, Ohio. Next week members will come together to celebrate this significant milestone, both reminiscing and looking toward the future. prgtoken The International Hod Carriers' and Building Laborers' Union (which would become today's Laborers' International Union of North America, or LIUNA) Local No. 500 was chartered on October 20, 1919 to represent laborers who were in demand to build roads, bridges and other infrastructure in Toledo and Northwest Ohio. The union has since provided skills training to thousands of laborers and secured living wages, health insurance and retirement pension benefits for thousands of its members who live and work in Northwest Ohio, allowing them to live decent, productive lives; provide for their families; and retire with dignity and security. Local 500 has produced many community leaders and has been a beacon in our community. prgtoken Local 500 helped protect its hundreds of members during the Great Depression of the 1930s while working to build landmark Toledo structures under the federal New Deal program, including University Stadium at the University of Toledo and the Toledo Main Public Library. Members also contributed mightily on the home front during World War II, helping to build many of the Northwest Ohio factories that supplied and eventually helped win the war effort. prgtoken Over the years, Local 500 members have helped build many of the vital highways, roads, bridges and infrastructure of Northwest Ohio, including the Toledo Municipal Airport, the Ohio Turnpike, the Davis Besse Nuclear Power Station, Veterans' Glass City Skyway, Interstate 280 and Interstate 475. Members have helped build and rebuild downtown Toledo, including the Fiberglas Tower, Promenade Park, One Seagate Tower, Owens Corning World Headquarters and the Fifth Third Field baseball stadium. prgtoken At the same time as the members of Local 500 helped to build and shape our region, they have remained eager and important contributors to our community. The union participates in charitable initiatives such as repairing the City of Toledo's Wilson and Farr pools and sponsoring the Kings Kids Academy and Family House Homeless Shelter. prgtoken Today, as Local 500 turns 100 years old, it continues to serve and protect its membership and its six-county jurisdiction of Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Defiance, and Williams counties while providing the region with a skilled workforce involved in the placement and removal of concrete, demolition, asbestos removal, grade checking, flagging, carpenters tenders, brick mason tenders, hazardous waste removal, tunneling and more. prgtoken President noted, ``Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.'' As the membership of LIUNA Local 500 looks back on a centur
RETIREMENT OF CAPT. VINCENT L. TISEO, UNITED STATES NAVY
Lauren Underwood (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Captain Vincent Tiseo, a resident of my hometown of Naperville, Illinois, on his retirement from the United States Navy and for a lifetime of service to our nation. prgtoken Upon receiving his ROTC commission from the University of Michigan in 1988, Captain Tiseo served as a surface warfare officer and completed tours aboard USS Meyerkord, where he earned his Surface Warfare Officer designation, and at Fleet Deception Group Atlantic in Norfolk, VA. He transitioned from active duty in 1993, but his service did not end. prgtoken Capt. Tiseo remained in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 26 years, serving seven further tours of duty including four command tours. In these roles, he continued to deploy with units around prgtoken the world in support of U.S. and allied operations in Europe, the Pacific theatre and Afghanistan, making significant contributions to our national defense and the training and development of the next generation of active and reserve sailors. Throughout his time in the Navy, Capt. Tiseo has been supported by his wife, Elizabeth, and his three children, Charlie, LuLu and Maggie. prgtoken I express my heartfelt gratitude for his service, and wish him the very best of luck and continued success in his retirement from the Navy.
PFAS TASK FORCE
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-9-27

I join my colleagues in the House and on the prgtoken PFAS Task Force who have come to the floor this week to call on our congressional leadership, House Armed Services Committee, and all the conferees tasked with conferencing the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to include a strong PFAS package. prgtoken , I thank Chairman Smith for his leadership and tireless work crafting this year's NDAA. It is a good bill, and it includes many top priorities that will care for our servicemembers and keep the United States well defended, but we are in the midst of a growing nationwide human health and environmental crisis. prgtoken PFAS chemicals are harmful man-made toxic substances wherever they are found. prgtoken We know that there are up to 297 military installations that have confirmed PFAS contamination. This puts our military families at risk and the communities surrounding them at risk, and it puts our national security at risk if we do not include robust PFAS provisions. prgtoken The American people are counting on us to protect them, and we must include this provision. Our military is arguing that this needs to be cleaned up. prgtoken Please keep PFAS in the bill.
IN HONOR OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S 70TH BIRTHDAY
Mikie Sherrill (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , I rise today to honor Bruce Springsteen, the New Jersey legend who turned 70 years old this week. prgtoken There is so much this Jersey Girl could say to honor Bruce Springsteen on his birthday. I could remind you of his 19+ albums, 15 world tours, sold-out Broadway shows, best-selling autobiography, countless Grammys, an Oscar, Kennedy Center Honors, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and membership in the New Jersey Hall of Fame. I could recount his lyrics that are poetic stories of everyday people just trying to get by. prgtoken I could tell you of his epic concerts and the way he connects with each audience member in sold-out stadiums and how he makes them feel as though he's singing directly to them. If you're lucky enough to experience it as I have, a live Springsteen show is not something you watch, but nearly 4 hours of power, raw beauty, and sweat that you actively participate in. prgtoken Or maybe, to best honor him for his 70th birthday, I should proudly say that Bruce Springsteen is the unofficial spokesperson and ambassador of our great state. prgtoken He sings for the underdog, for the quiet hero, and for every New Jerseyan who has dared to dream of a better life for themselves. He sings about what is possible when we truly connect with each other and work to better the lives of our neighbors. prgtoken Bruce represents not only the best of New Jersey, but the best of America. He reminds us that this great nation of ours is indeed The Promised Land, and that each of us has a responsibility to make it so. prgtoken Happy Birthday, Bruce.
RECOGNIZING MS. GAYLE BRIDGES HARRIS ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM 47 YEARS OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
G. K. Butterfield (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , l rise to recognize a great American and public servant, Ms. Gayle Bridges of Durham, North Carolina. Lauded as a skilled and resourceful community builder and valued public health leader in Durham, NC, Ms. will be retiring after 47 years of faithful and dedicated service to the health and well-being of all those she served. I am honored to share with my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives the accomplishments of this remarkable public servant. prgtoken As the 2nd African American student to graduate from Duke University School of Nursing, Gayle ' extraordinary career began in 1970. At 22 years of age, she began work at Durham County Health Department as a public health nurse. Ms. ' most recent role was serving as the Public Health Director and the General Manager for Community Well-being for Durham County, North Carolina. prgtoken As General Manager for Well-being, Ms. provided strategic leadership for Durham County's Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services, Cooperative Extension, Veteran Services and Durham Public Libraries. She also served as a lead liaison between the County and Alliance Behavior Health Care, Durham Parks and Recreation, Duke University Health System, Lincoln Community Health Center, Public and Private Universities, United Way of the Greater Triangle and other entities uniquely positioned to promote Durham's health indicators to new levels. prgtoken With nearly 50 years of service in Durham County, Ms. has served in several significant leadership roles. As Public Health Director since 2009, she contributed to the design of and managed the department's move into a new Human Services Building in 2011. At that time, she also played a key role in implementing two innovative programs: the Durham Diabetes Coalition, a joint venture of Durham County Department of Public Health with Duke University Health System to address diabetes in the community, and Bull City United, a violence interruption/reduction initiative. Ms. was elected to serve as the President of the North Carolina Public Health Nurse Administrators in 1994 and the President of the North Carolina Public Health Association in 2011. prgtoken Gayle is the recipient of numerous awards: Communities Joined in Action 2014 Grassroots Leaders Award; Senior Pharm Assist 2014 Thomas R. Howerton Leadership Award; NC Association of Local Health Directors 2013 Ham Stevens Award for Outstanding Contributions to Local Public Health; Auxiliary of the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmacy 2012 Legacy Award; Duke University School of Nursing 2012 Distinguished Alumna Award; and University of North Carolina School of Public Health Alumni Association 1995 Distinguished Alumna Award. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in 1990. prgtoken Ms. has served on numerous boards and committees, includ
THANK YOU, RHONDA E. FOXX
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , I rise today to thank and congratulate a talented young woman who has served as my chief of staff for North Carolina's 12th District for nearly 5 years, Rhonda E. Foxx. prgtoken While her career path will be taking on a new chapter beyond my office, without question, Rhonda has been an extraordinary and extremely valued member of my leadership team. prgtoken An energetic, innovative, creative thinker, Rhonda's bold leadership and talented initiatives guided Team Adams to cultivate new possibilities in higher education, diversity, and tech; as well as signature cooperative-inclusive partnerships between students and businesses and corporate and tech sectors, and historically Black colleges. prgtoken I, along with the entire Adams team, our stakeholders and our many partners are grateful for her leadership and her service, and extend to Rhonda E. Foxx our best wishes, and Godspeed. prgtoken , I say, well done, Rhonda. I thank her.
HONORING DAVID DEMANT
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-9-27

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of David Demant, who has the honor of being named Humboldt County Citizen of the Year for 2019. Mr. Demant's contributions to the local community are exemplary. prgtoken Mr. Demant has been engaged in civic issues since childhood. He joined the newly formed Environmental Club at his middle school in 1969, and wrote his first opinion letter to his Congressman in 7th grade. His activism grew into adulthood when he joined the Friends of the Eel River and became an active union member. prgtoken Mr. Demant has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a teaching credential from Humboldt State University. He was named Outstanding Music Educator of the Year in 2005 from the California Music Educator Association, North Coast Section, and he has taught music to North Coast residents ranging from preschool to community college. He has spent over three decades working and educating students in both public and private schools. He served as president of the Eureka Teachers Association, and he played a pivotal role in the annual Labor Day Picnic over many years. Mr. Demant is active in community organizations including the Humboldt and Del Norte County Central Labor Council, organizes local marches, and still finds time to sing to Humboldt County residents in care homes each week. prgtoken Mr. Demant has dedicated his life to public service and community improvement. Madam , please join me in expressing deep appreciation for David Demant's commitment to bettering his community and congratulating him on his service to the North Coast.
REAFFIRMING IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-9-27

I am glad that the House is considering H. Res. 444, a bipartisan resolution that I introduced with Representatives Diaz-Balart, Neguse, and Lofgren to reaffirm U.S. leadership in responding to displacement crises around the world. prgtoken We are facing the worst refugee crisis in history. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in 2018, there were more than 70.8 million displaced persons worldwide. This included nearly 26 million refugees, over 41 million internally displaced persons, and 3.5 million people seeking asylum. Put another way, in 2018, 37,000 people were being displaced from their homes each day. About half of all refugees were children. 67 percent came from Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia and 84 percent were hosted by developing nations. prgtoken Beyond the statistics, there are far too many stories of people fleeing despair. Seemingly every day we are presented with new accounts of migrants in Central America escaping gang or domestic violence and seeking refuge in the United States. Across the globe, Syrians, Somalians, Yemenis, and others continue to be displaced by various conflicts. prgtoken This refugee crisis requires global leadership and compassion--yet we have seen the Administration drastically reduce refugee admissions into the U.S. In 2018, the United States resettled only 22,000 refugees compared to the 85,000 resettled in 2016. Now, we're hearing reports that the Administration is considering lowering the refugee admissions ceiling for next year to as low as zero to 10,000 people. And while the new fiscal year begins in one week, the Administration still hasn't consulted with Congress--as it's required to do by law--about its plans. prgtoken This is a betrayal of our shared American values. And it's a betrayal of our fellow human beings. Refugees are fleeing their homes because they are being persecuted for their race, religion, nationality, for belonging to a particular social group or being of a certain political opinion. They need our assistance. prgtoken The United States resettlement program is critical to global humanitarian efforts. These efforts serve to strengthen global security, advance United States foreign policy goals, and support regional host countries while also serving individuals and families in need. Moreover, the resettlement program benefits the interests of the United States. prgtoken When I was in the Air Force I saw the need for and the significance of our refugee resettlement program first-hand. In the 1990s, I participated in Operation Pacific Haven, where the United States helped thousands of Kurds flee from northern Iraq to prevent Saddam Hussein from slaughtering them. We first brought them to Guam, where I saw the extensive screening process that the U.S. conducted before bringing many of the refugees to the mainland. Not only were lives saved in this operation, but decades later our nation co