mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN MEMORY OF ALEX FRANKLIN PERRYMAN
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-3-24

today I rise in recognition of Alex Franklin Perryman, Sr a long-time resident, labor and community leader in Detroit, Michigan as we mourn his recent passing. prgtoken Mr. Perryman was born on January 4, 1924, in Whitehall, Alabama to the late Jonas Perryman and Melissa Thomas Perryman. He was the youngest of 10 children. Mr. Perryman attended school in Tyler, Alabama and later Carver High School in Gadsden, Alabama. prgtoken At the age of 18, Mr. Perryman moved to Detroit, Michigan to work for the Chrysler Corporation and fell in love with the city he called his home until his passing. prgtoken Mr. Perryman met the love of his life, Geneva Wilson in 1944 and they married in 1945. They had been married for a remarkable 77 years when she preceded him in death. Mr. and Mrs. Perryman raised five children on Burlingame Street in Detroit--Lavonia, Linda, Alex, Jr Ronald, along with Nehemiah and Linda--both who preceded him in death. prgtoken A trailblazer, devoted community member and labor union leader, Mr. Perryman was a skilled laborer and United Auto Workers (UAW) activist at Chrysler Corporation for over 50 years. He was the first African- American Vice President of UAW Local 140. As a union leader, Mr. Perryman was steadfast in operating in the intersection of civil rights and workers' rights. He coordinated several local and national outreach and civil rights activities on behalf of the UAW. prgtoken In the community, Mr. Perryman was an active member of the NAACP and believed deeply in the civic participation and voting. He served as a poll worker for 15 years, ensuring that his neighbors had access to the ballot box. prgtoken Mr. Perryman loved baseball and his life of service extended into this adoration for sports. He spent many years working with the Westside Cubs and St. Cecilia sports teams. He also worked several years at Comerica Park where the Detroit Tigers play. prgtoken Mr. Perryman leaves behind a beautiful family to mourn his life. His daughters, Lavonia and Patricia; son, Alex Franklin, Jr and sister- in-law, Mamie Louise Wilson. He also leaves 11 precious grandchildren. Please join me in recognizing Alex Franklin Perryman, Sr.'s numerous contributions to our community as we honor his memory.
CULTURE WARS IN OUR CLASSROOMS
Wiley Nickel (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-3-24

I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5, a partisan effort to bring culture wars into our Nation's classrooms. prgtoken My grandfather had a way of saying no to me as a kid. He would hold up his hand and he would say, when red hair grows right here in the palm of his hand. That was his way of saying no. It is the same with this legislation in the Senate which will go nowhere in the Senate. prgtoken It opens the door to more book bans in our local school libraries by requiring schools to report each and every book in their inventory. prgtoken Let's be clear: Recent attempts to restrict access to books are an attack on the fundamental values of our democracy. Banning books is not only a violation of our First Amendment rights, but it also undermines our children's education and intellectual growth. prgtoken As a father of two, I am disappointed by these partisan attempts to restrict access to books that could inspire and educate our children. We should be working together to build a better future for our kids, instead of engaging in more partisan political games.
REPUBLICAN ASSAULT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-3-24

I rise today to attack the bill H.R. 5 because it attacks education. prgtoken s call it the Parents Bill of Rights Act. In reality, it should be called the politics over parents act. prgtoken H.R. 5 would take vital resources away from local schools and educators. It would allow schools to be centers of indoctrination and not education. It would allow communities to ban books if they don't like them. prgtoken The Founding Fathers knew that public education was vital to an educated populace and proper self-government. It has helped millions of Americans rise out of poverty, and it has helped millions of Americans start businesses and pursue the American Dream. Yet, s continue their assault on public education at every opportunity. prgtoken I am proud to be part of a party that supports the American Dream for all Americans and not one that wants to reject it. Thank goodness for the United States Senate.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-3-27

I regret that I was unable to cast my vote against H.R. 5, the so-called ``Parents Bill of Rights Act'' on March 24, 2023, due to my ongoing recovery from surgery. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call 161. prgtoken We should encourage all parents to be engaged in their child's education and active in their school community, but H.R. 5--under the guise of parental rights--undermines our public education system. prgtoken Instead of working to keep children safe in the classroom, provide better wages for teachers, and empower students of all backgrounds to learn more about the world around them, s would rather help far-right extremists whitewash history in public schools. prgtoken Our children deserve to learn without being caught in divisive culture wars. These partisan attacks on our students, particularly LGBTQ+ and minority students, need to stop.
PUTTING PEOPLE OVER POLLUTERS
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-3-27

I was hopeful that this Congress would be able to work together on bipartisan permitting reform. Unfortunately, it looks like extreme MAGA s are hijacking H.R. 1 to put polluters over people. They seek to silence the voice of the community while doing little to nothing to lower energy costs. prgtoken Climate change is real. We need more American energy production across the board. Oil and gas workers in my district know that energy jobs can mean a real shot at the American Dream for working families. prgtoken This extreme MAGA proposal won't create all the energy jobs we must to remain globally competitive, but it does do this: It increases the deficit by $2.4 billion. prgtoken We shouldn't have to choose between dirty air and polluted water just to meet the energy needs of the future. H.R. 1 picks winners and losers. The wealthy and well-connected win; workers lose. prgtoken I believe in workers. House will continue to lower energy costs for everyone and give future generations a cleaner, healthier environment because we put people over polluters.
RECOGNIZING THE METUCHEN DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE `2023 GREAT AMERICAN MAIN STREET OF THE YEAR' DESIGNATION
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-3-27

I rise today to congratulate the Borough of Metuchen and the Metuchen Downtown Alliance on its selection as a 2023 Great American Main Street of the Year recipient. I am proud to join with Metuchen Downtown Alliance members, borough officials, and residents in celebrating this achievement. prgtoken Since its launch in 1995, the Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) program has recognized over one hundred Main Street communities that have made significant improvements to their business districts. Finalists exemplify Main Street America's mission to revitalize downtowns through thoughtful, innovative, and collaborative measures. This year, the Metuchen Downtown Alliance was selected as one of three winners and joins only two other New Jersey communities in receiving this designation. prgtoken Established in 2016, the Metuchen Downtown Alliance (MDA) is a volunteer-based non-profit organization led by its Executive Director, Dawn Mackey. In seven short years, MDA has transformed Metuchen's downtown and attracted more businesses, residents, and visitors to the area. The business district has seen its vacancy rate drop from 20% in 2016 to an all-time low, single-digit vacancy rate today. The diverse shops and restaurants, along with a wide array of programs and events, reflect the diversity and inclusive environment of the greater community. prgtoken Through its initiatives, investments, and partnerships, MDA has revitalized Main Street, improved streetscapes and adapted to changing needs, while maintaining the historic charm of the town. From the creation of Town Plaza to the ongoing development of an Arts District, Metuchen continues its growth. The efforts of the borough and MDA underscore how strong leadership, community involvement, and targeted improvements can maintain sustained economic vitality and prosperity. prgtoken , it is truly a joyous occasion to recognize the success of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance and the leadership of the Borough of Metuchen. This honor celebrates the resiliency and dedication of the community and I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in applauding this recognition.
COMMEMORATING BLACK WOMEN AND THE ERA
Shontel M. Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-3-27

I thank my wonderful colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for organizing this session tonight. prgtoken I join them today in recognizing the significant contributions of Black women to the advancement of the equal rights amendment. prgtoken Of the more than 12,000 Americans who have served in Congress, only 58 have been Black women. Remarkably, despite our historic and continuous small number among the Members of the House, Black women have often been the driving force behind significant policy shifts that have paved the way for change. prgtoken Among those achievements are landmark bills like the equal rights amendment, championed by Black women since its inception. A hero of many Americans inside and outside Capitol Grounds, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was a relentless advocate for equal rights in America. Nicknamed ``Fighting Shirley,'' she stood on this very floor in her first term and decreed that the ERA was destined to become the law of the land. Today, we honor her legacy by advocating for the long-overdue ratification of the ERA. prgtoken Congresswoman Chisholm did not stand alone in her fight for equal rights. From educator and activist Mary Church Terrell in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in the 1970s, Black advocates for women's suffrage helped drive the ERA forward. prgtoken In recent years, we have seen leaders fight for State ratification of the ERA, including our newest colleague, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, who along with two Black female colleagues--State Representative Jennifer Carroll Foy and fellow State Senator Mamie Locke--led the final charge that resulted in Virginia being the 38th State to ratify the amendment in 2020. prgtoken That legacy lives on, as my colleagues in the 118th Congress maintain and build on the work of our predecessors. With Representative Pressley's efforts to remove the constitutional deadline for ratification and Representative 's leadership of the first-ever Congressional ERA Caucus, we are closer to ratification than ever before. prgtoken I stand in awe of the power, strength, and contributions of these trailblazers and icons, both past and present. prgtoken As we continue the fight today, it is an honor to walk alongside my ic Women's Caucus colleagues to enshrine the ERA in the Constitution, continuing the legacy work started by the Black women who came before me. prgtoken Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm envisioned the ERA as the law of the land prgtoken in 1969. She once said she wanted to be remembered as a woman who dared to be a catalyst of change, and she will always be known as just that. prgtoken Like our ancestors Terrell, Chisholm, Jordan, and more, Black women will continue to help lead the charge, but we cannot do it alone. prgtoken To my colleagues who have yet to join us in championing equal rights, I say to you: Dare to become a catalyst of change with us.
ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-3-27

I thank Senator Rubio for his comments. prgtoken Whenever I hear my colleagues rail against China--and I agree with that 95 percent of the time. Whenever I hear them say things like that they want to be the world's most powerful country, the most powerful government, I agree with that. prgtoken But, as Senator Rubio said--this isn't a debate between him and me. I just want to make a couple of comments. I want to talk about worker safety, in a moment, which I know the Presiding Officer cares so much about. prgtoken I go back half a generation. Senator Rubio wasn't here then, but many of his ideological soulmates were here then. This Congress couldn't stop itself, from Presidents Clinton and 1 and and 2 and --couldn't help themselves--from giving all kinds of breaks to American corporations and incentives to American corporations to go to China, to move to China. prgtoken So they shut down production in Duluth, MN. They shut down production in Mansfield, OH, my hometown, and Toledo and Youngstown. prgtoken As corporations were lobbying Congress, I worked and I teamed up with Lindsey Graham, a , against that. We were unsuccessful, as corporations lobbied Congress to give China something called permanent normal trade relations. prgtoken So they shut down production in Ohio. They moved that production to China. And what happened? They taught China a whole lot about manufacturing, and they created a whole lot of wealth in China. prgtoken Now we are surprised about TikTok. We are surprised that the Chinese military is as powerful as it is. I just think it is important that we remember, when we listen to corporate interests in this body who lobby here to weaken, to push jobs overseas, that these are the kinds of things that happen. And I hope we learn from that, and I hope we take a lesson and apply it to TikTok into the future. prgtoken So, Senator Rubio, thank you for raising the issue. Worker Safety prgtoken , I want to talk about worker safety for a moment. On Friday, seven American workers went to work in West Reading, PA, at the RM Chocolate Factory to provide for their families. prgtoken I spoke to Senator Casey about this, who is the senior Senator from Pennsylvania and who is one of the leaders in fighting for worker safety in this body. I spoke with him about it a few minutes ago. prgtoken Those seven workers never came home after an explosion leveled the plant. Our thoughts are with the families who lost sons and daughters, workers who were paid decent wages, not exorbitant wages--decent wages--and never returned home to their families. prgtoken We will learn more about what went wrong. I know Pennsylvania workers will always have an ally with Senators Casey and Fetterman on this issue and so much more. prgtoken This struck me in a more emphatic way because I believe it was 1 day before the 112th anniversary of the Triangle Sh
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. MAYRENE BATES
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-27

I rise today to honor the life and lasting contributions of Mrs. Mayrene Bates, longtime Solano County educator and trustee with the Solano Board of Education. Passing away at 88, Mrs. Bates leaves behind an indelible legacy of over fifty years of service to Solano County. prgtoken Born in 1934, in a small Tennessee town at the time of racial segregation, Mrs. Bates attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse. Later, she was forced to travel 32 miles to attend high school, as the segregation laws of the time prohibited her from attending the nearby school. Despite these unjust and adverse beginnings, Mrs. Bates developed a love for learning and eventually earned a scholarship to the Atlanta University Library School, where she obtained a master's degree in Library Science. prgtoken In 1955, Mrs. Bates married James Bates and his service in the Air Force brought them all over the world, ultimately leading them to establish a permanent home in Fairfield. In 1970, Mayrene began working as the librarian at Fairview Elementary School and Grange Intermediate School. She later served as the vice-principal for Crystal Elementary School and Fairfield High School and eventually, as the principal of Crystal Middle School and K.I. Jones Elementary School. In her multitude of roles, Mrs. Bates never failed to prioritize the youth of Solano County and ensure all students in her community had the resources necessary to achieve their full potential. prgtoken Following her extensive career with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Mrs. Bates served as Director, and later as Assistant Superintendent, of the Solano County Office of Education. In 1997, her altruistic passion for supporting the students of Solano County led her to run for the Solano Board of Education, where she served until 2018. Throughout her tenure, she demonstrated steadfast dedication to the young people of her community and consistently advocated for programs to ensure all students have equal access to education. prgtoken Mrs. Bates' commitment to her community was expressed both through her decades of public service to Solano County and her vital work as President of the Fairfield-Cordelia Rotary Club and columnist for the Daily Republic. Her willingness to lend an ear and a helping hand to anyone in need earned her the widespread respect and gratitude of her community. prgtoken Mrs. Bates will be remembered not only for her decades of service to Solano County, but also for her genuine spirit of kindness and compassion. She impacted the lives of countless students and educators in her community and her steadfast leadership, constant smile, and patient mentorship undeniably enhanced the lives of her fellow Solano County residents. prgtoken Mrs. Bates' enduring spirit will live on in her husband, son, two grandchildren, and the community she dedicated her life to serving. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Bates' loved ones
MORNING BUSINESS
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-3-27

since 1987, we have recognized March as Women's History Month. It is an opportunity to honor the women who have served our Nation throughout our history. prgtoken This March, I want to commend one woman who has devoted her life to serving my home State of Illinois: Colleen Callahan. After nearly 4 years of service, Colleen recently stepped down from her role as the first-ever female director for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Throughout her tenure, Colleen was a dedicated steward of our State's natural wonders, all while navigating a once-in-a-century pandemic. While this was an historic challenge, it was far from the first she has faced in her career. Time and again, Colleen has stood up in the face of adversity and persevered. prgtoken Colleen has a record of breaking down barriers. As a young woman living on a family farm near Milford, IL, she took a keen interest in agriculture, which, back then, was something of a boy's club. But that didn't stop her from pursuing her childhood passion. She participated in livestock shows and even achieved the title of Youngest Exhibitor of a Grand Champion at the International Livestock Exhibition in Chicago at just 9 years old. Despite her talent and success, Colleen was unable to join the Future Farmers of America, not because of merit, but because women were not yet eligible for consideration. But she pressed on. prgtoken After high school, Colleen attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and pursued a degree in agricultural communications, at a time when very few women were represented in broadcast journalism. As a freshman in college, she became the first woman to join the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Team, a true full-circle moment. By the time she graduated with honors in 1973, she had already accepted her first job as an agribusiness reporter for WMBD-TV in Peoria. For the next three decades, Colleen made her dream of becoming a broadcast journalist a reality. prgtoken And her record of accomplishment was just beginning. After years as a successful reporter, Colleen became the first-ever female agribusiness director for WMBD-TV. Shortly after, she served as the first female president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Being the ``first'' is never easy, but, as evidenced by her remarkable career, Colleen has never been afraid to venture into new territory. And, because of her determination, she has opened many doors that have previously been closed to women in agriculture. prgtoken In addition to her passion for broadcasting and agriculture, Colleen also has answered the call to public service. Really, she was born for it. Colleen comes from a family of true public servants: Her uncle, Gene Callahan, was a dear friend of mine, and a lifelong whom I worked alongside under former U.S. Senator, and my mentor and friend, Paul Simon. And Gene's daughter--Colleen's cousin--is former Congres
FIRE GRANTS AND SAFETY ACT
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-3-27

the vote the Senate is about to take is about what is right for our Nation. It is part of exercising our most solemn duty as elected officials. It is a recognition that Congress not only has the power to declare war but also should have the responsibility to end wars, and it is a decision to turn the page on one of those chapters in our country's history. prgtoken With today's vote, we can move closer to repealing two obsolete and outdated authorizations for the use of military force against Iraq. Repealing these authorizations will demonstrate to the region--and to the world--that the United States is not an occupying force; that the war in Iraq has come to an end; that we are moving forward, working with Iraq as a strategic partner. So I commend the Senate for moving forward to take this critical step. prgtoken I hope the Senate will speak overwhelmingly in support of preserving congressional prerogatives as to when and under what circumstances we send our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters into harm's way and clawing back authorities that have clearly outlived their purpose and scope. prgtoken Some of my colleagues have argued that repealing 20- and 30-year-old authorizations will weaken our ability to confront Iranian aggression. Some have offered amendments that would alter these authorizations. Others have offered amendments that would expand these authorizations. And a few have offered amendments that have, well, quite frankly, nothing at all to do with these authorizations. So let me address that point briefly. prgtoken Just in the last few days, the President directed targeted strikes against groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria. This was in response to Iranian-backed drone attacks that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded five American servicemembers at a maintenance facility in Syria. The President looked at the intelligence, he consulted his advisors, he ordered the strike, and he committed, publicly, to continue to defend against Iranian aggression and to respond to attacks against U.S. forces. He did so without-- without--relying on the 1991 or 2002 authorizations for use of military force against Iraq. prgtoken This President has been clear in his view that he has sufficient authority to defend against threats to U.S. personnel and interests. If we are going to debate whether to provide the President additional authorities, then we should have that debate separately. But it should not be under the cloak of keeping old authorizations on the books, authorizations that are not needed to meet any current threat. They are not about the current threat; they are about a regime that is no longer alive and has been gone for the better part of those 20 years. This is just a tactic to delay this repeal from going forward. Nor should we turn a debate about repeal and a chance to take prgtoken a historic step forward into a new backdoor authorization