mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROTECTING OUR KIDS ACT
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-6-8

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , our Nation has been through trying times these last few weeks as we have tried to process the mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, Tulsa, and all too many other cities. Just this past weekend, we learned of yet another horrific incident in Philadelphia and yet more carnage in Tennessee, Arizona, Virginia, and South Carolina. And those are just the stories we saw in the news. prgtoken Day after day, we see more lives lost to gun violence in our schools, on our streets, in our houses of worship, and in our homes, touching every region of the country. And we hear the urgent calls from our constituents crying out for us to take action. Today, we heed that call. prgtoken H.R. 7910, the Protecting Our Kids Act, is comprehensive legislation to address the scourge of gun violence, a blight that killed nearly 45,000 Americans in 2020 alone. prgtoken It builds on the work of several of our colleagues, including: prgtoken Anthony Brown's Raise the Age Act, which would raise the lawful age to purchase an AR-15 styled semiautomatic assault rifle from 18 to 21 years old; prgtoken Robin Kelly's Prevent Gun Trafficking Act, which would establish new Federal offenses for gun trafficking and straw purchasing; David Cicilline's Untraceable Firearms Act, which would ensure that ghost guns are subject to existing Federal firearms regulations; prgtoken A trio of gun storage proposals--Rosa DeLauro's Ethan's Law, Elissa Slotkin's Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act, and Sheila Jackson Lee's Kimberly Vaughan Firearms Safe Storage Act--which would establish storage regulations that keep guns out of the hands of children and award grants for firearm storage assistance programs; prgtoken Dina Titus' Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act, which would build on existing regulations banning the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks for civilian use; prgtoken And Ted Deutch's Keep Americans Safe Act, which would ban the sale, manufacture, and illegal possession of gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. prgtoken I thank each of them for their contributions to this bill and for making this country safer for all Americans. prgtoken Madam , all of us in this Chamber were shaken by the images of parents in Uvalde standing in line to match their DNA to the remains of their 9- and 10-year-old children, parents who should be picking up their children from school right now but who, instead, are picking up the pieces of their lives shattered by this unimaginable loss. prgtoken But the question today is: Who among us will have the courage to do something about it? Who will be able to tell mothers and fathers that their children need not go to school in a fortress just to keep them safe? Who will be able to tell children that they did all they could today to ensure that their parents will return safely from the supermarket or their office or an evening out? Who will be able
HONORING TRUE LIGHT M.B. CHURCH
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2022-6-8

. Madam , I rise today to honor the history of True Light M. B. Church. prgtoken In 1934, approximately 43 members marched with candles from Morning Star Baptist Church on Kane Street to a small store on East Bell Street in Jackson, Mississippi. Rev. J. H. Sims was the founder and first pastor of True Light M. B. Church. A few of the pioneers were Mary Lee Hicks, Sarah Lynn, Pearlina Smith and Rev. James Thomas. Rev. Sims served True Light faithfully until his departure. Then, Rev. Will Robinson was installed as the second pastor of True Light and served for three years. Under Rev. Robinson's leadership, the membership relocated from the store on Bell Street to a wooden framed building in the back of True Light Church present location. prgtoken Reverend (Dr.) Robert H. Walls was the third and most tenured pastor of True Light. He was a licensed minister from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and joined True Light in 1935 along with his wife, Leatha Warren Walls. After Rev. Robinson departure, the church asked Rev. Walls to serve as Pastor until they decided to call a pastor. The church made great progress under his leadership, and the membership increased. Because of this progress, Rev. Walls was ordained to preach the Gospel. In April of 1940, the church asked Rev. Walls to serve as True Light's Pastor, and he accepted this calling of God. prgtoken Because of the church's growth, a survey revealed a need for additional space. To address this need, the church purchased two lots with a seven-room house. Uplifting services were held in a small wood framed building on the recently purchased property. The continued growth created the need for a modern church building. The church borrowed $10,000 to construct the building. Pastor Walls drew on a brown paper bag a sketch of the present edifice. Pastor Walls once stated, ``True Light Church was spiritually built.'' He had never constructed a building before but became a ``Master Builder.'' For five years, day and night, he toiled. He had many sleepless nights and cried many tears, but he kept on working and had faith that God would surely see them through. In 1953, the church marched into our present edifice. The church began full-time worship service in 1961. True Light Church was one of the first Black churches in the City of Jackson and the first Black church to be constructed with bricks in the City of Jackson. prgtoken In 2001, after Pastor Walls entered the evening time of his life, Reverend Marvin Adams began to serve as Interim Pastor of True Light. Rev. Adams and his family were long time members of True Light Church. Thus, he was familiar with the membership and the various ministries. He was installed as the fourth Pastor of True Light that same year. Under Rev. Adams leadership, three ministers served as Associate Ministers: Carlos Casanova, Henry Taylor, and James Thomas. Brother Clarence James was ordained as a deacon. The interior sanctuary was renovated, an
PROTECTING OUR KIDS ACT
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-8

. Madam , when I served in the U.S. military, I was trained on firearms. prgtoken Let me tell you what a bullet from an AR-15 does to you. The bullet leaves the muzzle of the AR-15 at a speed three times higher than that of a handgun. The energy is so strong that the bullet will disintegrate 3 inches of your bone. prgtoken A person shot with an AR-15 looks like a grenade exploded in their body. The bullet also causes your human flesh to ripple violently, so that even if the bullet misses your artery, the human flesh, the ripples can burst arteries anyway. prgtoken In Uvalde, Texas, little kids were decapitated and had their faces blown off. prgtoken A person under 21 cannot buy a Budweiser. We should not let a person under 21 buy an AR-15 weapon of war.
CELEBRATING DR. FREEMAN HRABOWSKI'S RETIREMENT
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-6-8

. Madam , this week, a champion for STEM education, prgtoken and a dear friend of mine, will retire from his long-time role as president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, more affectionately known as UMBC. prgtoken Over the past 30 years, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski has transformed STEM education at UMBC, most notably by expanding resources for women and students of color. prgtoken UMBC was barely 10 years old when Dr. Hrabowski arrived as vice provost in 1987. Later, he was chosen as executive vice president and then named president in 1992, helping make UMBC a nationwide leader in STEM learning and a nationwide leader in education generally as well. prgtoken Over the last decade, UMBC has graduated more African Americans with doctorates in science and engineering than any other university in the United States. The school also produces the highest number of African- American undergraduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in the natural sciences and engineering. prgtoken These achievements occurred in no small part thanks to Dr. Hrabowski's leadership, which made a critical difference as UMBC grew and expanded its academic programs. prgtoken At UMBC and beyond, he has dedicated his career to realizing the promise of students of color in STEM, and students generally as well, no matter their background, are assured access to high-quality science education. prgtoken In 2011, Madam , Dr. Hrabowski chaired the National Academies committee that produced a key report on expanding minority participation in science. In 2012, he was tapped by President to serve as the chair of the inaugural President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. prgtoken When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Dr. Hrabowski sprang into action. Not only did he work to ensure that UMBC was contributing to research and taking safety measures, he and his wife, Jacqueline, personally volunteered for the phase 3 Moderna vaccine trial. Together, they campaigned to reduce vaccine hesitancy in Maryland, particularly in communities of color. prgtoken Madam , one of the lead researchers who developed the Moderna vaccine, Dr. Corbett, was a UMBC graduate and the keynote speaker at our annual Maryland Fourth and Fifth Districts' Black History Breakfast this year. prgtoken In addition to his leadership of UMBC, Dr. Hrabowski has authored numerous books on STEM education and lifting up academically successful students of color so they can reach for success in their careers. prgtoken In a field where representation is lacking and where opportunities have not always been equitable, he has been at the forefront of the effort to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, can pursue their dreams and ambitions. prgtoken Dr. Hrabowski has been recognized nationally and internationally for his impact. He was the recipient of the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Academic Leadership Award in 2011, one of the highest hono
GUN SAFETY LAWS
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-6-8

. Madam , I rise today as we mark the 159th day of this year, and more than 246 mass shootings; Columbine, Sandy Hook, Uvalde, Parkland. We cannot pretend that we have not been here before, and we cannot fail to act yet again. prgtoken I have heard from mothers in my district who are frightened for their children's safety. I have heard the horrors of the survivors of the October 1 shooting in Las Vegas, and survivors of domestic violence and other daily gun violence that doesn't always make the headlines. prgtoken And I have heard the echoes of decades of disappointment and frustration as Congress has failed over and over again to do something. prgtoken This is not about politics. It is about protecting our kids. This is about doing the jobs we were elected to do because I refuse to accept that because we may not be able to prevent all gun violence, we should not prevent any gun violence. prgtoken We can act and must act, and that is why I am voting to pass the gun safety laws.
ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-6-8

. Madam , I rise today also to celebrate Dia de Portugal, which is a significant holiday for Portuguese people all over the world. prgtoken My grandparents came to the United States from the Azore Islands in the late 19th century and the turn of the 20th century, 1897 to 1904. Illiterate, non-English speaking, like immigrants past and immigrants present, coming to America to have a better life for themselves. But they never, ever left their pride of their home country, Portugal, or their sense of culture, which lives in me today. prgtoken Portugal is one of America's longest and strongest allies, as it was the first to recognize the United States as an independent Nation after the Revolutionary War. prgtoken I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the AMIGOS Act, introduced by our colleague and Congressman David Cicilline. It would create more American jobs and increase investment in the United States by strengthening our bonds with Portugal. As the co-chair of the Portuguese Caucus, I think it is important that we continue to build on this relationship and the trade that already exists today. prgtoken I urge the Senate to pass this bipartisan legislation and, again, we will continue to work with other colleagues of ours who are part of our Portuguese-American Caucus to continue to advocate for mutual interests, not only for Portugal but for the United States and the Portuguese-American community. ``Happy Portugal Day.'' ``Feliz Dia de Portugal.'' prgtoken Let us celebrate and let us remember that America is a stronger country because of our welcoming of immigrants past and present, and this is a part of that recognition.
Domestic Terrorism (Executive Calendar)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-6-8

I want to thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee for his remarks just now. I, too, sit on the Judiciary Committee, and I listened to Garnell Whitfield talk about his 86-year-old mother, who was murdered, and his charge to us to do something, because basically he said: If you are not going to do something in the face of all this gun carnage in our country, what are you doing here? prgtoken I think that is a question that each of us should ask: What the heck are we doing here if not to protect America's citizens? prgtoken One of the questions that I asked of the panel, which consisted of two invitees from the side and three panel members of ic invitees--I asked them: Is the easy access to guns in our country a major part of the gun violence and the massacres and the killings in our country? And they each said yes. They acknowledged that the easy access to guns, regardless of ideology, is what makes our country the outlier country among all developed nations. What that says to me is that we need to be very, very committed and very serious about the need to enact sensible gun safety legislation. prgtoken As I listened to one of my other colleagues a little bit earlier talking about inflation, yes, inflation is a problem, but certainly it is not the answer to just blame the . I would like my colleagues to make a commitment to do what we need to do and at least get a start in ending the gun violence in our country. As I said at yesterday's hearing, Hawaii has among the strongest gun safety legislation in the country. We have the lowest gun violence in the country. There is a cause and effect here. prgtoken As Mr. Whitfield charged us with yesterday, do something. That is our responsibility. Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021 prgtoken , turning to another subject, over decades of conflict, millions of American servicemembers have been exposed to burn pits and other toxic materials. These men and women risked their lives in service to our country, and we have a duty to ensure they get care for conditions caused by these toxic exposures. prgtoken For months, my colleagues and I on the Veterans' Affairs Committee have worked to craft a bill that meets our responsibility, our duty to our veterans, and now we have the responsibility to pass this legislation here in the Senate and deliver for our veterans. prgtoken This legislation is a bill named for SFC Heath Robinson from Ohio, who served tours of duty in Kosovo and Iraq, where he was exposed to toxic burn pits. A decade after returning home, Sergeant Robinson developed a rare form of lung cancer caused by his toxic exposure. Tragically, he passed away in 2020. prgtoken The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act is historic, comprehensive legislation that provides the care toxic- exposed veterans like Sergeant Robinson deserve. This bipartisan legislation exte
National School Lunch Program (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-6-8

in 1946, the National School Lunch Program was signed into law by President Truman--broadly supported in a bipartisan manner. And for 76 years, we have been providing food for our children's schools so they have every opportunity to learn and to be successful. Over the years, we have added school breakfast, and then summer meals, and other support. prgtoken At the beginning of COVID, we worked together on a bipartisan basis to make sure our children still had access to healthy meals, even though they weren't able to physically be in school. We have worked together to provide critical funding and flexibility until now. Our kids are counting on us to do this again. prgtoken In 22 days--22 days--healthy meals for many American children will stop if we can't get the bipartisan support necessary to extend the flexibilities and the funding that allows schools and summer programs to keep feeding our children healthy meals--22 days. prgtoken Again, critical funding will stop in 22 days. That is not very far. Summer programs need to be planning right now. And many children are already starting those summer programs. Critical funding is going to stop in 22 days, even though supply chains are still broken and costs are still rising. prgtoken In July 2020, with bipartisan changes we made in the middle of the pandemic, almost 6 million children received summer meals, and that was double the year before. This was a great thing for children and families across the country. prgtoken During the school year, the roughly 30 million children who participate in school meals knew that they could count on breakfast and lunch each day. They may not get supper, they may not get other food, but they could count on breakfast and lunch. prgtoken These are real kids, the same as my grandchildren and yours, and they need our continued support to be healthy and to be successful. That is what this is about. They want to spend their summers playing with their friends and their school days focusing on learning, not just trying to ignore a headache and a growling tummy. prgtoken There is a little boy in Coopersville, MI, who got summer meals for the first time because his school district could deliver to his neighborhood. If local sites can't open or flexibility doesn't happen, if these options end at the end of the month in just 22 days, 20 percent of the meal providers in Michigan will likely no longer be able to provide that healthy food in the summer. prgtoken Kids have always been able to count on healthy meals at school, but next year is going to bring new challenges for children, for families, for schools. prgtoken Take the little girl in Port Huron, MI, whose family is doing their very best to make ends meet as they recover from the pandemic. Over the past 2 years, she has been able to get school meals without her parents and her school having to worry about lots and lots of paperwork and redtape. But when the flexibilities e
VOTE EXPLANATION
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-6-8

like millions of my fellow Americans, I contracted COVID-19 from a close contact. Fortunately, because I am vaccinated and boosted, my symptoms were mostly mild. However, as a growing number have also experienced, after taking Paxlovid and recovering, I then experienced what is known as ``Covid-19 Rebound.'' I again had to isolate, per CDC guidance, and was not able to make a number of votes as I could not travel back to Washington, DC, to be present on the Senate floor. prgtoken On May 24, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 194, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 855, Stephanie Dawkins Davis, of Michigan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 24, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 196, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 896, Dara Lindenbaum, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Election Commission. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 25, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 200, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 857, Evelyn Padin, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 25, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 201, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 915, Charlotte Sweeney, of Colorado, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 25, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 203, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 806, Sandra Thompson, of Maryland, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 25, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 205, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 651, Henry Christopher Frey, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 25, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 209, confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 717, Cathy Ann , of Maryland, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken On May 26, 2022, I missed rollcall vote No. 210, motion to invoke cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 350, a bill to authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted yea. prgtoken As recent, unthinkably tragic events at a grocery store in Buffalo, NY, a Taiwanese church in Laguna Woods, CA, and now an elementary school in Uvalde, TX, have shown, we need to be doing much more to protect our fellow Americans. Every man, woman, and child has the fundamental human right to