mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING GENIE ZAVALETA
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-5-6

in 1958, recently married Genie Zavaleta went on assignment with the Migrant Ministry with her husband Hector. They traveled the country to support Mexican migrant workers. Genie was a child of the Great Depression, and she knew when people needed help. What was supposed to be a 1-year stint became a lifetime of helping people in need. prgtoken Last month, Genie passed away at the age of 92. She was known as the grandmother of the Dreamers. She was a longtime champion and mentor to undocumented youth in Arizona and a fierce advocate for the Dream Act. Genie also was my ally in defending the Dreamers. prgtoken In 1965, Genie and Hector moved to Arizona permanently with their two sons, Dan and David. Arizona was a transforming State, and the influx of migrant workers attracted Genie. She became the first director of education at Planned Parenthood of Phoenix, teaching classes on poverty and across the county. She taught classes at Phoenix College and Arizona State University too. She worked with the prgtoken Maricopa County Health Department for 15 years until her retirement in 1989. prgtoken Genie's retirement was not close to the end of her story. She moved into full-time advocacy for immigrants. For more than a decade, my staff and I worked with her on behalf of Dreamers. She saved countless Dreamers from being deported. Genie had my office on speed dial. She frequently alerted us to Dreamers at the risk of deportation. She shared stories of Dreamers that I told on the Senate floor. prgtoken In 2011, I organized the Dream Sabbath, a gathering of faith communities around the country to put a human face on the plight of undocumented students. An event about the Dream Act would never be complete without Genie's participation, so of course, she helped organize Arizona's Dream Sabbath. prgtoken Genie did not seek fanfare. She quietly became one of Arizona's most influential immigration activists. She did not want fame. It was about the Dreamers. prgtoken On the lawn of her home in Arizona, there once were signs covering the whole area for the causes she supported. Today, the house is quiet, and the lawn is empty except one sign, a stars-and-stripes one with ``In our America, all people are equal'' at the top. We will keep fighting on Genie's behalf until the Dream Act is the law of the land. prgtoken Genie Zavaleta is survived by her husband Hector, her sons Dan and David, and their wives Nori and Linda. On behalf of the hundreds of people she helped, Loretta and I send our sincere condolences. (At the request of Mr. Thune, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)
S. 1309
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-5-6

today I wish to discuss S. 1309, the Combating Global Corruption Act of 2019. There is heightened awareness in the United States, the Western Hemisphere region, and around the world that corruption is a serious threat to democracy, stability, global security. prgtoken Corruption erodes trust and confidence in democratic institutions, the rule of law, and human rights protections. It damages America's global competitiveness and creates barriers to economic growth in international markets. It threatens our national and international security by fostering the conditions for violent extremism and weakening institutions associated with governance and accountability. As Transparency International noted in its 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index published this January, failure to curb corruption is contributing to a worldwide crisis of democracy. According to Freedom House, in 2017, democracy faced its most serious crisis in decades and marked the 12th consecutive year of decline in global freedom. prgtoken We have all seen the headlines, from scandals in Liberia, Hungary, and Guatemala, to the doping by Russian athletes and their subsequent ban from the 2016 Summer Olympics, to the Panama Papers. It is clear that where there are high levels of corruption we find fragile states, authoritarian states, or states suffering from internal or external conflict, in places such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan. prgtoken The problem of corruption and the dysfunction that follows it can be difficult to address because it is like a hydra, with many corrupt actors that can include government officials, businessmen, law enforcement, military personnel, and organized criminal groups. Corruption is a system that operates via extensive, entrenched networks in both the public and private sectors. It is ubiquitous and pervasive. prgtoken We must address it. We can't throw up our hands and accept corruption as the status quo because the costs of not addressing and rooting it out are too great. Corruption fuels violent extremism, pushing young people toward violence, because they lose faith in the institutions that are supposed to protect and serve them. Corruption feeds the destructive fire of criminal networks and transnational crime. Citizens lose faith in the social compact between governments and the people. Terrorist groups use corruption to recruit followers to their hateful cause. It is a vicious cycle. prgtoken The human cost of corruption is substantial. Across the globe, millions of men, women, and children are victims of modern day slavery. Corruption enables their trafficking within and among countries. Corruption is a constant companion to modern day slavery and the suffering that it brings. We also have seen this play out in the refugee and migrant crisis, with thousands drowning in the Mediterranean, victims of trafficking networks and corrupt government officials who
RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF REVERED BISHOP MELVIN E. CLARK, SR.
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , Bishop Clark born in Norfolk, VA, came to Aliquippa in 1959 from Stanton, Va where he was pastor of a Church of God in Christ. He took over the then-First Church of God in Christ in Aliquippa, PA and led the effort to build the landmark Church in the Round, which was finished in 1970. Before the term Mega church was coined, The Church in the Round boasted attendance and membership exceeding 3,500. Over the ensuing decades, Clark created groundbreaking community outreach initiatives, Evangelistic Conferences, Pastoral Leadership Symposiums, Holy Ghost Conferences, Church Planning and Church Planting across the nation. His visionary interdisciplinary--community development initiatives include: Multi-unit housing, Prison Reform / Ministries, Financial Literacy Classes, Bethesda Home, a group home for troubled boys, the Family Life Center, scholarship funds, food initiatives, recreation programs, and medical- and health-awareness endeavors and more. The Very Reverend Bishop Clark spread the gospel to millions via his widespread multi state radio ministry, ``Across the Pastor's Desk,'' which lasted three decades and drew people to his church, and to Christ. The message: ``May I Present Jesus to YOU!!'' Bishop Melvin E. Clark, Sr the founding visionary of the Family Life Center, was appointed to the Pastorate of the First Church of God in Christ, Inc. and subsequently its successor, the legendary Church in the Round in 1960. He oversees a church legacy that spans 97-years, making the enterprise one of the oldest institutions in the Beaver County region. Bishop Clark's achievements as a pastor, and community leader resulted in his consecration to the Bishopric and Jurisdictional Prelate of the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the national Churches of God in Christ. His leadership abilities and deep concern for people has brought him before many national and international leaders including four U.S. Presidents. On several occasions he served as an advisor to President Bill Clinton. While serving as a delegate to the World Pentecostal Conference, Bishop Clark visited Jerusalem and Switzerland, and at the request of the President of Sierra Leone, West Africa, was called to preach during a special celebration at the President's church. The Presiding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ Worldwide also called upon Bishop Clark to minister to congregants in South Korea. He has ministered in Greece, the City of Corinth, London, England, the Vatican, and Rome, Italy. He serves as an advisor, counselor, and member of the Joint College of African-American Bishops and its Pentecostal Congress where he was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity degree. Bishop Clark also holds two Master's Degrees and an earned Doctorate of Philosophy. He has received many awards including the Humanitarian Award of the NAACP, of which he is a lifetime member, the Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop's Awar
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-5-7

as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I rise to recognize May as National Foster Care Month. prgtoken , it is time to bring front and center the more than 400,000 youth in our foster care system across the country. These young people are courageous, and they face and overcome many challenges. prgtoken Let's raise up their voices because they deserve to be heard, and they deserve a seat at the policymaking table. prgtoken May is also a time to recognize the foster care professionals, advocates, and families who devote themselves to supporting foster youth every day. These individuals deserve our utmost respect and our gratitude. prgtoken I am proud to cosponsor Representative Karen Bass' resolution recognizing Foster Care Month. prgtoken To the foster youth and those who support them in Rhode Island and across the country, you matter, and I am here to be your advocate in Congress. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me.
HONORING THE 2019 BROWARD SENIOR HALL OF FAME ELECTEES
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor and congratulate ten exemplary men and women from Broward County who will be inducted to the Broward Senior Hall of Fame this week. prgtoken Each year, the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Broward County honors elder excellence in the volunteer sector of Broward County. These outstanding citizens are individuals from all walks of life who have contributed greatly to the vibrancy and well-being of South Florida. They are engaged in distinguished volunteer service that benefit our communities and make Broward County the outstanding place that it is to live, raise a family, and retire. prgtoken The ten distinguished electees are Barbara ``Bobbi'' Arnold of Hollywood, Beauregard Cummings of Ft. Lauderdale, Gail Gannotta of Pompano Beach, Ruby Hutson of Lauderdale Lakes, Jean Merget of Ft. Lauderdale, Art Schmall of Margate, Florie Scott of Lauderdale Lakes, Carl Shechter of Pembroke Pines, Harold Smith of Davie, and Aline Zucker of Cooper City. prgtoken Again, congratulations to these outstanding individuals. I wish them the best of luck with their induction and continued service to Broward County. It is with great pleasure that I honor them, and I look forward to hearing of their continued service activities.
COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Complete Auto Repair for receiving the 2019 Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award for a for-profit organization. prgtoken Ethical behavior has been the foundation for which Complete Auto Repair has built their foundation. Honesty, integrity, quality and convenience is the criteria used in every decision. Their ethical standards have allowed them to build lasting relationships with customers, and to retain employees--many of who have been with the company since day one. Currently, Complete Auto Repair has served more than 3,600 individuals in our community. prgtoken Complete Auto Repair improves our community through their environmentally friendly practices such as recycling their waste oil, filters, anti-freeze, and tires. They are also well known for their generosity and contributions to local high schools, elementary school fundraisers, the Toys for Tots campaign, American Heart Association, various scholarship funds and church fundraisers, and their participation in events such as coaching youth sports. prgtoken Congratulations to everyone at Complete Auto Repair on receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award. I thank them for their continued commitment to our community.
RECOGNITION OF MR. COLIN GARRISON'S SPECIAL OLYMPIC WORLD GAMES TITLES
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate Mr. Colin Garrison's three Olympic victories at the 2019 Special Olympic World Games. The achievement of such a distinguished title takes profound dedication and practice on the part of both the athlete, coaches, and the community. The immense accomplishments of individuals like Mr. Garrison make me proud to represent the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri in the United States Congress. prgtoken Out of the 216 athletes competing in the 2019 World Games, Mr. Garrison was one of two participants representing the state of Missouri. Having participated alongside countless talented athletes in Missouri for many years, Mr. Garrison was honored to earn a trip as a top contestant. prgtoken Mr. Garrison's awards in bocce ball, both silver and gold, at the 2019 Special Olympic World Games in Abu Dhabi are the culmination of years of hard work. Garrison overcame what might be perceived by others as obstacles in his life and turned them into blessings and triumphs. For the last 13 years, Colin has taken part in the Missouri Special Olympics, taking home titles in a variety of athletic categories. Furthermore, he has competed at the USA Games numerous times, including the 2010 and 2018 USA Games. Not limited to bocce ball, Colin competed in multiple sports such as basketball, softball, bowling, flag football, soccer, and more. Garrison says that he is not done competing and plans to continue training for future events. He hopes to once more join the American team at the 2023 Special Olympic World Games in Berlin. prgtoken Through these athletic games and tournaments, Colin Garrison has traveled across the nation from Lincoln, Nebraska to Seattle, Washington, and now, he has expanded globally. Mr. Garrison enjoys visiting new cities and attending professional sporting events; however, his favorite part is meeting new people at each series of events. prgtoken When Mr. Garrison is not competing, he is a crucial and beloved member of his family and his community. All those who know him feel blessed to have him in their life. His positive outlook and perseverance are two of his most defining traits. Working hard at two jobs, he always makes time for the rigorous practice schedule in a variety of sports. His coach and father, Mike Garrison, has said that he could not be prouder of his son and all that Colin has accomplished through his hard work and perseverance. prgtoken Madam , please join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in celebrating the accomplishments of Mr. Colin Garrison. I encourage my fellow citizens and constituents to unite together under the same spirit of positivity, resiliency, and determination that Mr. Garrison has carried throughout his long and prestigious career.
IN RECOGNITION OF INTERMETRO INDUSTRIES FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURER PRODUCT INNOVATION AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize InterMetro Industries on receiving an Excellence Award from the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association in the Manufacturer Product Innovation and Process Improvement category. They will be honored on May 7, 2019 for their accomplishments. prgtoken Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, InterMetro Industries (Metro) is a leading manufacturer in storage and transport products for the food service, commercial products, and health care industries. What started as a shelving company has grown into a world-class, innovative, and solutions-based company that has revolutionized the way many industries conduct their day-to-day business. prgtoken InterMetro is being recognized for its PrepMate MultiStation, an adjustable-height, high-productivity worktable that has changed the way food is prepared in commercial settings. The PrepMate MultiStation's unique design reduces food waste and operator fatigue. This fairly- priced piece of equipment helps increase efficiency in the kitchen by eliminating the need to consistently change workspaces for different purposes. prgtoken It is an honor to recognize InterMetro on this outstanding accomplishment. I applaud the excellent work they're doing to create revolutionary new products to help businesses meet the needs of their customers. I wish them the best for many successful years to come.
Violence Against Women Act (Executive Calendar)
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2019-5-7

. All right, I will. Look, this is an issue that is critically important to this country. I think when people hear about it, they are astounded because this is a crisis we don't hear much about. prgtoken According to the National Institute of Justice--listen to these statistics--more than 80 percent of Native women have experienced violence, almost half within the last year. On many reservations, Native American women face murder rates up to 10 times the national average. The majority of this violence is either sexual or domestic in nature, and too much of it goes unreported and unprosecuted. That is why I have taken a three-pronged approach to address this crisis. prgtoken No. 1, we need to raise awareness; No. 2, we need to empower the Tribes around this country; and No. 3, this body needs to implement some solutions that will help those Tribes address this issue. But first we must acknowledge that there is an epidemic, an epidemic that-- if we acknowledge it--we can fix. prgtoken We have made some progress on this front in the last few years. Since 2016, we have introduced resolutions declaring May 5 the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. We introduced this resolution in honor of Hanna , a Northern Cheyenne Tribal member who was murdered in July of 2013, and thousands of other voices that have been silenced. We introduced this resolution to underscore the urgency of addressing domestic violence and sexual assault in Indian Country. We introduced this resolution to amplify the voice of the people who are on the vanguard, fighting for change--folks like Briana Lamb, a Missoula-based activist, who was my guest at this year's State of the Union Address, or Kim Loring, who testified in front of the Indian Affairs Committee back in December about the disappearance of her sister, Ashley Loring Heavy Runner, from Browning, MT. prgtoken Increasing awareness isn't where we end. We need to act, and we need to find and implement solutions. That is why, after leading a Senate hearing on the MMIW crisis in December, I drafted and introduced the Studying the Missing and Murdered Indian Crisis Act. This bill directs the GAO to conduct a full review of how Federal Agencies respond to reports of missing and murdered Native Americans and recommend solutions based on their findings. prgtoken The House has already passed this bill, along with the rest of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, more than a month ago. The Senate has yet to take up this package. So instead of waiting around for Senator McConnell to do his job and bring this bill up for a vote, I reached out to the GAO directly yesterday. A group of 10 and 7 s wrote to the GAO, asking them to conduct this study, and the GAO agreed. But we can't keep waiting around for the Senate to actually do its job and legislate. We need to act, and we need to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorizatio
Nominations (Executive Session)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2019-5-7

I come to the floor today to speak in favor of confirming the three nominees before us for the Board of Directors at the U.S. Export-Import Bank. All three of these nominees are well qualified, with years of experience in relevant fields, and all three have received support from and s. In fact, all three advanced out of the Banking Committee earlier this Congress by a voice vote. prgtoken We must confirm these nominees to ensure that the Export-Import Bank is once again fully operational. It is critical for jobs and for our economy, not just in my home State of Washington but throughout the United States. prgtoken I believe in an export economy. I believe the United States of America manufactures and makes great products, and we should be shipping them around the globe to customers in a growing middle class. To do that, we have to have a functioning export credit agency that works with the private sector as a tool to get more of our products to markets where that kind of banking and assistance does not exist. If the United States fails to participate here, customers receive products from other countries--other countries that may not necessarily want that foreign product over our U.S. product, but clearly the foreign export credit agency support by creates an incentive for them to purchase other products. prgtoken Since 2015, the Bank has not been fully operational due to the lack of a quorum on the Board of Directors. prgtoken I am not going to go into a lot of why that has happened. I will just say that if you truly believe in an export economy, you believe in having a credit agency, such as the Export-Import Bank, existing as a fundamental tool. prgtoken Basically what it has meant is that, with a lack of Board of Directors, we have not been able to approve financing transactions over $10 million--a situation that has left nearly $40 billion in limbo. That is $40 billion worth of American exports unable to reach those new markets and new customers. That is $40 billion worth of exports supporting high-paying American jobs and economic output held hostage every day that the Bank is not fully operational. prgtoken According to the National Association of Manufacturers, since the Ex- Im Bank lost its quorum in 2015, American manufacturers have lost billions of dollars of sales, which meant the loss of at least 80,000 American jobs in manufacturing in 2016 and 2017 and a loss of at least $119 billion in economic output. prgtoken Trust me, as I have followed this issue from U.S. equipment to impacts to GE and to other companies, I have seen people lose business simply because we haven't had a functioning credit agency to take the best valued product--that is, some of the most high-priced U.S. manufacturing product--and help get it to overseas markets. prgtoken At least 95 percent of the world customers live outside the United States, and every day that the Export-Import Bank is not