mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING HARRY W. SWEEZEY, JR.
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Chief Warrant Officer Harry W. Sweezey, Jr as we celebrate his 80th birthday on September 27. prgtoken Mr. Sweezey is a true American hero who served for more than 20 years in the United States Navy and Coast Guard, earning numerous awards for his valiant service. prgtoken Born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1939, Mr. Sweezey's father served in the Navy during World War II but passed away in an aircraft accident after the war. Nevertheless, Mr. Sweezey's passion for serving our Nation persisted, and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school. prgtoken After transferring to serve in the U.S. Army, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a helicopter pilot, serving all over the world, including in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the prgtoken Czech Republic-Germany border, and in the Middle East. prgtoken Rising to the rank of chief warrant officer, Mr. Sweezey retired from the Army in 1991 and was awarded the Legion of Merit. prgtoken Mr. Sweezey continues to serve, having joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in his retirement community of Panama City, Florida, rising to the rank of flotilla commander. prgtoken Madam , I thank Mr. Sweezey for his service to our country. He is an inspiration to us all.
THE USMCA NEEDS TO BE RATIFIED NOW
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-9-24

I rise today to urge the House leaders to give farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businessowners the certainty they need, and ratify the USMCA. prgtoken Nearly 1 year ago, the United States, Mexico, and Canada concluded their negotiations and released the full text of a trade agreement. prgtoken But I stand here today nearly 1 year later, and the trade deal with our top trading partners is stalled. prgtoken Why? Well, the objected to the trade deal. Those objections were addressed, and yet the American people are still waiting. prgtoken , the USMCA will create 176,000 new American jobs. It will secure open access to markets in Mexico and Canada, markets critical to Montana farmers and ranchers. prgtoken Ratifying the USMCA should be a priority for this Congress, not impeachment fever. prgtoken I again call on the to work with the White House to get this trade deal with our top trading partners across the finish line.
HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Madam , I am pleased to honor the 25th Anniversary of Charis Bible College. It is nothing short of miraculous to observe the growth that has taken place within the past quarter- century. Charis was founded as Colorado Bible College in 1994 and was originally located in Colorado Springs. Charis has grown from its first graduating class of 33 people in 1996, to include 26 campuses in the United States and 22 international locations. Charis's main campus has moved from the Springs to Woodland Park and is located on a beautiful piece of property overlooking Pikes Peak. In my district, the Charis campus provides multiple programs of Bible-based education including a practical government degree. It also hosts faith-based events throughout the year with discussions on Christian art, culture, and politics. Charis Bible College was created by Andrew Wommack, who has been a pioneer in Christian education and ministry. His vision to have men and women steeped in scripture has changed countless lives in my district and around the world. It was not Andrew's original plan to create a college, but he was inspired by 2 Timothy 2:2 which says ``And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.'' 25 years after receiving an answer to his prayer, Andrew is continuing to innovate and inspire new students. Charis students and graduates have invested themselves in our nation through prison ministry, care for the homeless, church planting, healing of the sick, relief from addiction, service in our schools, establishment of Christian businesses, and practicing grace-touched citizenship that transforms culture, in the tradition of William Wilberforce. It is my hope and prayer that as Charis continues to grow, it will continue its mission in Woodland Park for many years to come.
SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY WEEK
John R. Curtis (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-9-24

I rise today in support of Clean Energy Week, an opportunity to celebrate bipartisan support for a wide variety of clean energy sources strengthening America's national security while also preserving our environment for future generations. prgtoken Environmental stewardship doesn't have to mean making economic sacrifices. Clean energy solutions and jobs are the future for the United States, with clean energy powering more homes and businesses than ever before. prgtoken The environment is, and should be, a bipartisan issue. That is why, this week, I am proud, with my friend Congressman Lowenthal from California, to offer a resolution in support of congressionally supporting the designation of Clean Energy Week. prgtoken I am proud that our effort has already gathered dozens of our colleagues, bipartisan, on both sides of the aisle. This goes to show that we can work across the aisle to be better stewards of this Earth. I plan to continue pursuit of these positive bipartisan solutions in the future.
Saudi Arabia (Executive Calendar)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-9-24

several months ago, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had the opportunity to sit down with the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to talk about a number of concerns around the globe, including our concerns about Huawei and ZTE and the fact that Huawei and ZTE pose serious threats to the national security of the United States and its allies. prgtoken At the time, there had been a lot of discussion about what was happening in Europe and other places around the globe and about whether Huawei would be allowed to participate in our allies' networks and what that could mean for U.S. national security and our ability to continue to engage in national security conversations, intelligence operations, sharing of information, and the like. prgtoken In that conversation, Secretary Pompeo said--and this was the entire group of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, both and ic Members--in that conversation, Secretary Pompeo said that what would help would be to let Congress's voice be heard when it comes to Huawei and ZTE and that we should send a strong message to our allies that our concern with Huawei and ZTE is not a issue, it is not a ic issue, it is not just a one-term-of-Congress concern, but it is an ongoing concern that we have with the security of our systems, our information, the lack of security and the vulnerability that Huawei and ZTE networks and equipment pose to the United States; that we send a message to our allies in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion that if they go forward and allow Huawei or ZTE to have access to their critical infrastructure networks, then that is going to pose problems for the United States; that we may have to tell them: Look, this kind of action could have consequences; that perhaps we don't share as much information with them as we otherwise would, or it could mean that certain facilities we were going to build together won't be built but all because of our concern over Huawei and ZTE. prgtoken I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Coons, Markey, Cruz, and Rubio, who have joined me in cosponsoring this resolution. prgtoken I want to thank Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Cardin for working with my office to get this resolution condemning and making a very strong statement against the actions of Huawei and ZTE back in July. prgtoken Again, Huawei and ZTE pose a serious threat to the United States and our allies around the globe. This resolution makes clear many of the longstanding and bipartisan efforts we have made together to warn about the threats these companies pose to our critical telecommunications infrastructure. It further makes clear that the United States should reiterate to countries choosing to incorporate Huawei or ZTE into their new telecommunications infrastructure that the United State will seek to limit the risks posed to our government and military from use of such compromised networks. <|p|
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Mr, President, I have 5 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Eugene Scalia, of Virginia, to be Secretary of Labor. Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence prgtoken The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a closed briefing. Subcommittee on Aviation and Space prgtoken The Subcommittee on Aviation and Space of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights prgtoken The Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing.
FIRST RESPONDERS PASSPORT ACT OF 2019
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-9-24

I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) for yielding, and I rise today in support of H.R. 2229, the First Responders Passport Act, legislation I introduced along with Congressman Boyle to exempt first responders operating on behalf of the U.S. Government from passport fees. This legislation is especially timely as we just witnessed Hurricane Dorian's destruction in the Bahamas. prgtoken Currently, USAID contracts with first responders to deploy them abroad for natural disasters, like Hurricane Dorian. For example, every 5 years, USAID awards contracts to local fire departments that have highly trained, internationally certified urban search and rescue teams, allowing USAID to have these specialists on call. A team of these first responders deployed to the Bahamas as part of our recent relief efforts there. prgtoken To arrive at disaster zones in time, these teams are required to be able to deploy the day a disaster strikes. Consequently, they must maintain an active passport while they are under contract. prgtoken Unfortunately, volunteers or other members of these teams that are not deployed by a local or State government have to do so at their own expense, even though they could potentially be traveling on government business. My legislation allows the Secretary of State to waive passport fees for them and other similarly situated individuals. prgtoken Brave first responders sacrifice time away from their families to go to disaster zones on behalf of the U.S. Government and represent our Nation to people who have lost everything. As part of an official U.S. response, the Federal Government ought to cover the first responders' costs. prgtoken That is why I am pleased that we have been able to work in a bipartisan manner, and s working together to bring this legislation to the House floor, and I urge my colleagues to support it. prgtoken , I now turn to the BURMA Act, legislation that Chairman Engel and I introduced to sanction the Burmese military for its gross human rights violations against the Rohingya. prgtoken This legislation has already passed the House twice as part of this year's and last year's NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act. I am pleased that we can consider it by itself today. prgtoken , 2 years ago, the Burmese military drove over 700,000 Rohingya, many of them children, out of Rakhine State and into Bangladesh. This brutal, systematic, premeditated campaign inflicted unspeakable horrors on the Rohingya, including barbaric killings, gang rapes, and the burning of hundreds and hundreds of villages. prgtoken As a clearer picture emerged over time, the mounting evidence led the prgtoken House to pass legislation that I authored to call these atrocities what they were--genocide. prgtoken It is extremely frustrating that, after 2 years, the Burmese military has faced very few consequences for these crimes. prgtoken That is why we must pass the BURMA Act today. It wo
Saudi Arabia (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-9-24

I come to the floor today to discuss the need to bolster our Nation's energy security following the recent attacks on Saudi Arabian oil. prgtoken Having read the classified briefing in full, I am convinced that Iran is absolutely behind the attacks. Now, Iran wants to drive up world oil prices to hopefully, in their mind, increase the amount of revenue they would get from selling their oil. Basically, they need the money, and that is because the sanctions that the United States has imposed on Iran have worked. They have been punishing. That is why President , I believe, made the right call in adding even tougher sanctions. The sanctions have been biting, and Iran's currency has been significantly devalued. Now is the time to step up our own American energy production. prgtoken Since my Senate arrival in 2007, I have worked to advance pro-growth energy policies throughout that entire time. My goal has always been to promote American energy, to safeguard U.S. workers, and to protect this great Nation. prgtoken Today, the United States is the world's top energy producer. We are a global leader in oil, as well as in natural gas. In fact, the United States is poised to become the world's top energy exporter, as well, and my home State of Wyoming has been a key driver in all of this success. prgtoken To reach this goal, we are going to need to leverage our energy sources. This includes zero-emission nuclear power, as well as renewable energy. We need it all. In the Senate, I believe both parties want Americans to use more carbon-free energy. So both parties should embrace sensible, scientific solutions. Yet , once again, are pushing more of their radical proposals. That is what we have to deal with. prgtoken Two weeks ago, House passed several anti-energy bills. These measures would lock up key offshore and Alaskan oil reserves. The majority of House have cosponsored these scary schemes that would damage our economy. prgtoken If the House ' anti-energy bills ever were to become law-- and I assure you that the Senate and President will never allow that to happen--they would be a real gift to our foreign enemies and to our adversaries, like Russia, because Russia routinely uses natural gas as a geopolitical weapon. prgtoken Still, 2020 Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, a Member of our Senate, recently unveiled a plan to ban hydraulic fracturing. This revolutionary technique has led to a renaissance for American energy production, and she wants to ban it. prgtoken Last year, Senator Warren's home State of Massachusetts imported Russian natural gas. Where did they import it from? People all across the country and the world saw the Russian natural gas tanker in Boston Harbor. Let me repeat. Let me be very clear. Last year, Senator Warren's home State of Massachusetts imported Russian natural gas through the Boston Harbor. At the same time,
TRIBUTE TO RANDON LANE
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Madam , I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to our region have been exceptional. After serving ten years on the Murrieta City Council, my good friend Randon Lane recently stepped down to take a position with the U.S. Department of Transportation, here in Washington, D.C. prgtoken After graduating from college, Randon began a career in business working for Fortune 500 companies including AT&T Broadband, Nextel and Sprint. Until recently, Randon served as a Public Affairs Manager for The Southern California Gas Company, the largest natural gas provider in the nation. In addition to his business career, Randon has long been active in public service. In 2003, he was appointed to the Murrieta Planning Commission. In the following years Murrieta witnessed an incredible 70 percent population explosion, one of the largest population increases in the nation during that period. prgtoken In 2008 Randon was elected to the Murrieta City Council. While successfully leading Murrieta as Mayor in 2011 and 2016, he along with the City Council continued to prioritize investments in infrastructure and public safety. Forbes named Murrieta the No. 1 post-recession ``boom town'' in America and FBI statistics rank Murrieta the third safest city in the Nation among cities with populations over 100,000 residents. Randon's strong leadership led his council colleagues to appoint him to represent them on agencies locally, regionally, statewide and nationally. Randon and his wife, Bridget ``Bo'', have been married for 21 years, 17 of those in Murrieta. Together they have a daughter, Chelsea, 27 and son-in-law Sean and two sons, Randon, Jr 15 and Joshua,11. prgtoken Randon has contributed immensely to the betterment of our region and I am proud to prgtoken call him a dedicated public servant, American and friend. To conclude, Madam I want to thank Randon for his service to the Inland Empire--his dedication, insight and passion will be greatly missed. I wish him the very best in his new position with the Department of Transportation.
HONORING JIM MALATICH
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mr. Jim Malatich for his over forty years of dedicated efforts in serving our community. During his time in human services, Jim worked as the former Director of the Adult Public Mental Health Programs for Travis County, and as the Chair for the Mental Health Directors Consortium for the Texas MHMR Centers. prgtoken Mr. Malatich is widely credited with piloting a wrap-around program for people needing mental health, substance abuse, and medical services long before the concept was commonplace. Further, during his time in Dallas, he implemented and chaired the Adult Community Resource and Coordination Group, the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority Provider Advisory Council, and the Collin County Criminal Justice Plan. prgtoken Most recently, Jim has served as the Chief Executive Officer for Hope's Door New Beginning Center, an organization offering intervention and prevention services to individuals and families affected by intimate partner and family violence. Jim is an active member of the Texas Council on Family Violence State Board of Directors; the Board of Directors of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance; the Advisory Board of the Collin County Council on Domestic Violence; and the State Policy Development Board. prgtoken Now as Jim prepares to enjoy his much-deserved retirement, our entire Collin County community extends its most heartfelt thanks and best wishes.
RECOGNIZING ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH FOR ITS 150 YEARS AS A CONGREGATION
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-9-24

. Madam , I rise to acknowledge the St. Peter Lutheran Church for 150 years of unfaltering service to its community. The church began in 1869 with a congregation of 26; the growing number of attendees quickly surpassed the capacity of the small church, and a new building was constructed across the street. In 1894, a community formed around the church, which became known as the town of Saint Peter. In 1971 a parochial school was added to the church grounds which still operates today. prgtoken To celebrate this historic occasion, the church will be holding honorary services dedicated to the anniversary on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at 9 AM. Immediately after the service there will be a presentation of the church's history, featuring memorabilia collected throughout the last 150 years. prgtoken I extend my well wishes to Reverend Ryan Meyer, the congregation, and the church anniversary committee as they celebrate this exciting event. prgtoken Madam , I would like to congratulate the St. Peter Lutheran Church and their entire congregation for their service and commitment to their community and to their faith throughout the past 150 years. I look forward to seeing the Saint Peter Lutheran Church continue to prosper.
United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-9-24

in just a few days, we will mark the 1- year anniversary of the President's concluding negotiations on the United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. It is time for Congress to ratify this agreement now. prgtoken The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will benefit pretty much every sector of the U.S. economy: the automobile industry, textiles, digital trade and e-commerce, services, manufacturing, and yes, of course, agriculture. prgtoken As the representative of a State whose lifeblood is agriculture, farmers and ranchers are always at the top of my mind, and a huge focus of mine right now is helping our struggling agricultural economy. prgtoken Low commodity and livestock prices, natural disasters, and protracted trade disputes have made a tough few years for our Nation's farmers. One of the most important things we can do to help our agricultural economy recover is to open new markets for American agricultural products. prgtoken During August, I spent a lot of time talking to farmers back home in my State of South Dakota. Again and again, they emphasized that they need action on trade from Washington. With so many trade deals currently up in the air, farmers and ranchers are struggling with a lack of certainty about what international markets are going to look like. prgtoken While they share the President's goal of addressing trade imbalances and securing more favorable conditions for American products, they also believe that we need to conclude the agreements that we are negotiating as soon as possible. The longer negotiations drag on, the tougher their situation gets. That is why I have repeatedly stressed the need to bring these agreements to a swift conclusion, and I emphasize that point to the President nearly every time I talk to him. prgtoken However, there is one deal we don't need to wait for, and that is the United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. As I said earlier, negotiations on this agreement concluded a year ago, and it is high time for Congress to take it up and pass it so that farmers and ranchers can start seeing the benefits. prgtoken The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is a big win for farmers and ranchers. Of particular interest to South Dakota are the agreement's dairy provisions. Dairy is an important and rapidly growing industry in South Dakota. Drive the I-29 corridor north of Brookings, SD, and you can see firsthand the massive dairy expansion that we have experienced over the past several years. prgtoken The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will preserve U.S. dairy farmers' role as a key dairy supplier to Mexico, and it will substantially expand market access in Canada, where prgtoken U.S. dairy sales have been restricted. The U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that the agreement will boost U.S. dairy exports by more than $277 million. prgtoken The agreement will also expand market access for U.S. poultry and egg producers, and