mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WEEK ON THE STATUS OF BLACK WOMEN
Kamala D. Harris (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-22

on behalf of myself and Senator Gillibrand, we rise to request that, for the 4th year in a row, the U.S. Government officially recognize the last week in March as the Week on the Status of Black Women. During the week of March 26, 2018, as part of Women's History Month and in honor of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, several leading social justice organizations will be holding events across the country to honor Black women's momentous contributions to our country and to shed light on the struggles Black women continue to face in American society. prgtoken Black women have long gone above and beyond the call of duty in their contributions to American civic society, particularly when it comes to voter turnout and political participation. They have routinely stepped up as leaders and bulwarks in their communities, sacrificing their own health and time for the betterment of others. Even in the face of grave oppression dating back to our Nation's origins, Black women have continued to stand strong and contribute to the well-being of families, communities, the economy, and our country as a whole. A recognition of the Week on the Status of Black Women would send a critical message that the government wishes to elevate Black women's role in history and contemporary society and recognizes the unique struggles they continue to experience today. prgtoken Black women have played a critical role in this Nation's history and evolution, often with little thanks or recognition. Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and bravely returned to the enslaved South over a dozen times to herald her people to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She served in the Union army as a spy, a medic, and the first woman ever to lead an armed expedition; yet despite this immense service to our country, we are still debating her recognition on our currency. A century later, Rosa Parks resisted the continued oppression and marginalization of her people. Before she was the face and organizational leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, she led campaigns against the sexual harassment and assault of Black women. The Week on the Status of Black Women offers us a chance to honor and uplift the sacrifices of Black women such as Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, who gave us so much and received so little in return. prgtoken It gives us an opportunity to add new names to celebrate to this list, for contributions that build the future as much as they ground the past. This week of recognition honors so many of whom we are proud, an infinite list at which we can only hint. It includes those hidden figures who did the math to get us to the stars--Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden--and the interstellar figures who have actually been there, like Dr. Mae Jemmison, the first African-American woman astronaut to travel in space; those consciousness raisers who provoked thought and progres
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-3-22

this weekend, Americans around the country and at, at least, a dozen places in my State of Ohio will hold peaceful marches in their communities to demand that we in this body--the people who represent them--actually do something to protect them from gun violence, not just state that my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families but to actually do something. prgtoken That sort of activism is so important to our democracy. Change never starts in Washington. We make progress because of the grassroots movements of Americans across our country who demand action. For too long, Congress has ignored millions of Americans who want reasonable gun safety measures. Instead, this Congress continues to do the bidding of the gun lobbyists. prgtoken We already see activism making a difference. It is a minor step, but this week, in the bipartisan budget deal, we will vote to loosen government regulations that severely limit research on gun safety. It is an important first step, but we have a long way to go. We can't say we are doing what it takes to keep our country safe until we are finally willing to pass commonsense laws that protect all Americans from gun violence. Many of us have tried. prgtoken I supported the original Federal assault weapons ban in 1994 during my first term in Congress. I joined with many of my colleagues to vote to prgtoken renew it after the shooting at Sandy Hook. Weapons of war don't belong on our streets or in our classrooms. prgtoken We have tried to pass legislation to close loopholes in our background check system so the people who buy guns on the internet or at gun shows have to go through the same background checks as law- abiding gun owners who buy their guns at stores in Ohio. prgtoken After the tragedy at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, we tried to pass legislation to prevent people on the terrorist watch list from buying guns. People can't believe the law in this country; that if you are on the government's terrorist watch list, you can't go to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, to the John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, or to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington and get on an airplane, which is the right thing, but that you can go out and buy a gun. prgtoken We know what happened each and every time. The gun lobby stood in the way. It stands in the way, despite the fact that the laws we are talking about will not undermine the rules and rights of law-abiding gun owners. I have always respected the rights of hunters and collectors and other law-abiding gun owners. No one is trying to take away their guns. Yet, when our students aren't safe in school, it is clear something has to be done. We will not give up on making our country safer. We will keep fighting until we get weapons of war out of our schools and off our streets. prgtoken Creating change in our country is not easy. It requires often going
TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-3-22

let me say to my colleague, the chairman of our committee, the Senator from Tennessee, through the Chair, that I greatly respect the rapport I have with him, the working ability we have shown time and again through issues like Cures and ESSA and all the bills we have worked on and will continue to work on. I have that respect and admiration for him, and I want him to know I will continue to do that because I believe in legislating, and I know he does as well. I share that respect. prgtoken To the Senator from Maine, through the Chair, I would also say I have a lot prgtoken of respect for the Senator from Maine and her passions and her goals on this as well. I say to both of them, this is an issue I care about deeply. I would not have sat down with any one of them to work on a bipartisan solution to the dilemma we found ourselves in throughout the last year as repeated decisions were made that undermine the security of people in terms of their ability to afford quality healthcare and a marketplace that was increasingly seeing uncertainty. I believe in those goals, and I know they do as well. prgtoken I remain committed to getting this done. I agree timing is everything, and we have been working on this since September. I regret the actions that were taken that we were not able to put this forward in September or December, and we are here now at this point. prgtoken I will state, as to the language that has been added, obviously and clearly, there is a real divide on how it is read, how it is interpreted, and how it could be applicable. That is our objection. I say to my colleague, my chairman, through the Chair as well, that we had offered him language on Friday that did indeed deal with the Hyde amendment. No one here said we cannot have that, but we have language that exceeds, in my opinion--I know that is not shared on the other side--but in my opinion extends well beyond into the private marketplace, where I think there is a line the people would not support, and I certainly can't myself. prgtoken In addition to the other language dealing with people's ability to protect their preexisting conditions, we clearly have a divide on how that is interpreted, but that does not preclude our ability, if we agree on the goal of stabilizing the marketplace and ensuring that we can do the CSR payments, that we can do the reinsurance program the Senator from Maine has championed, and rightfully so--and I hope we can all agree that moving on from here, we would return to that bipartisan proposal, not partisan proposals, and move to get this done. prgtoken . prgtoken .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018--MOTION TO PROCEED--Continued
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-3-22

my home State of Michigan has the best and most productive workers in the world. Michigan workers built the American auto industry and the American middle class, and they continue to roll out cutting edge innovations. prgtoken Our farmers and agricultural producers deliver an incredible diversity of fresh products to American families day in and day out. Our cars, trucks, crops, timber, furniture, and more are shipped across the United States and exported all across the globe. prgtoken In America, we believe that if you work hard and you play by the rules, you will be able to support yourself and your family and prosper. Unfortunately, our Nation's workers and businesses are too often facing unfair competition from foreign competitors. prgtoken Our businesses, which play by the rules and pay their workers a fair wage for a hard day's work, too often lose business to foreign competitors who cheat. It is one thing to lose a sale to a competitor that has the right product at the right time or is better positioned in the market--that certainly happens--but it is another thing altogether to lose because an international competitor is being subsidized by a foreign government or deliberately dumping goods below cost to drive American companies out of business. This needs to stop, and it needs to stop now. prgtoken Large companies are able to directly combat these practices by hiring teams of lawyers to enforce international trade rules, but what about family farms, small auto parts suppliers, and other small manufacturers that don't keep international trade lawyers on their payroll? American small businesses, family farms, and the workers who show up every morning can outcompete anyone on this planet if they are given a level playing field. It is time to give them that level playing field. We should be using the expertise and the strength of the Federal Government to stick up for these small businesses and give them a fair fight. prgtoken Under current law, the Commerce Department has the authority to start their own trade investigation into these harmful trade practices, but they barely ever use it. That is why I have introduced the Self- Initiation Trade Enforcement Act with my colleague Senator Burr. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation will strengthen protections for small businesses and their workers by creating a permanent task force within the Commerce Department to support proactive investigations into unfair trade practices by foreign competitors. This task force will research trade data, spot abusive, unfair trade practices, and start formal investigations. This task force will also focus on cases impacting small- and medium-sized businesses--the exact businesses that need the support but may not even know how to ask for it. prgtoken Additionally, putting the weight of the Commerce Department behind prgtoken these efforts shields these businesses from foreign retaliation. If a small business is
TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Nita M. Lowey (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-3-22

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the Consolidated Appropriations Act repudiates the abysmal budget, investing robustly in critical priorities like childcare, transportation infrastructure, national security, election protection, medical research, opioid abuse prevention and treatment, veterans' health services, and much more. These investments are key to strong families and communities, job creation, and economic growth. prgtoken This bill rejects scores of divisive poison pill riders targeting women's health, clean air and water, worker rights, consumer financial protections, health insurance, and other critical priorities. prgtoken In addition, I am pleased the omnibus includes language clarifying that the CDC has the authority to conduct research on the causes of gun violence. prgtoken Within the State and Foreign Operations division, this omnibus invests in stronger and more stable communities around the world, alleviating poverty and disease and strengthening democratic political systems. These investments in diplomacy and development are critical to our national security. prgtoken I am pleased this final product rejects onerous policy riders like the global gag rule. prgtoken These responsible investments and policies signal to the world that, despite an erratic President, the United States remains a world leader. prgtoken To be clear, this omnibus is not a perfect product. I strongly object to the majority's fixation on walling off our southern border and building capacity to arrest and detain immigrants. While the bill rejects the administration demands for a border wall, a large deportation force, and more detention beds, the amount provided is nonetheless a waste of money and contrary to our national character. prgtoken Before I conclude, I would like to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen for his partnership and all the members of the committee for their contributions. prgtoken I would also like to thank the minority, majority, and personal office staffs who worked so very hard, particularly Shalanda Young and Chris Bigelow and Richard Meltzer. prgtoken I also want to thank the committee's minority outstanding communications director, Matt Dennis, who is departing the House next month. He has served this institution for nearly 15 years at the Appropriations Committee in my personal office and in former Congressman Rush Holt's office. We will really miss his dedicated service. prgtoken I want to make sure I thank the majority staff, Nancy Fox and her team, because there was real cooperation between the majority and the minority. prgtoken , .
HONORING MRS. ADELINE BROWN JACKSON
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise today to honor Mrs. Adeline Brown Jackson, a Learned, Mississippi native and matriarch who's celebrating her 100th birthday. prgtoken Mrs. Jackson is the sixth daughter of eleven children and worked as a share cropper on the Joe Walk Plantation in Yazoo City, MS for nearly 20 years. She also served as a domestic care worker for various ladies in Yazoo City before starting her own personal farm that was shared with her community and family members. prgtoken Mrs. Jackson a widow to her late husband, Mr. Wardell Jackson Sr. and proud mother of four children, Geraldine-Jackson Joseph, Dorothy Jackson-Alsobrook, Wardell Jackson Jr. and Jaimie Jackson-Young. She is also the grandmother of Caroline Bowen, Wayne, Troy and Sonya Alsobrooks, Terra Young, Daphne Bryant, and Cassandra Young. prgtoken She is a member of Isaquena Baptist Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi, under the leadership of Pastor Charles Thurmond, and now resides at the Oasis Health and Rehab Center, where she is supported by her grandchildren. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Adeline Brown Jackson on her 100th birthday and making a difference in the lives of her family and community.
TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF SUZANNE DeLONE LUSSIER
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise to honor the life and legacy of an exemplary American woman and a lifelong friend, Suzanne DeLone Lussier. Born on October 5, 1945 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Suzanne died surrounded by her family on February 17, 2018, at her home in Atherton, California, after a valiant three and a half year battle with ovarian cancer. Suzanne was educated in Massachusetts at the Academy of the Assumption in Wellesley and LaSalle Junior College in Newton. She worked in retail, advertising and residential real estate. She married Dick Lussier in 1963, and traveled extensively with him to Asia, Europe, Latin America, and many other countries to spend time with their son Kyle and his family. She loved family vacations in Hawaii and New England, and spent countless happy times in Carmel, California with family, friends and on the golf course. Suzanne adored her children and actively participated in her sons' schools and sports. She was a devoted grandmother and a famously kind and fun-loving woman. She entertained, golfed, skied, and played tennis, and her artistic skills were evident in her flower arranging, interior and landscape design, and painting. Suzanne gave generously of her time and considerable talents in service to many non-profit organizations, including Beyond War, the Mid-Peninsula Hospice Foundation, the Menlo Benefit Committee, the Junior League of Palo Alto, and Saint Peter's School in San Francisco. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincere condolences to Suzanne's beloved husband of 54 years, Dick Lussier; to her sons Mark and Kyle and their spouses Angela and Monika; her grandchildren Max, Taylor, Kieran, Reagan and Arden; and her siblings Betsy Balas, Helen DeLone, Donna DeLone and Dalip Khalsa. I am blessed to have had Suzanne as my loyal and loving friend for 47 years. She was beautiful in every way, and her values, her deep faith, and her integrity drew so many to her our community was bettered by Suzanne DeLone Lussier and our country was strengthened by her. She will be missed deeply by every person fortunate to have known her and by those privileged, as I was, to call her friend.
HONORING KATE MURRAY
James A. Himes (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-3-22

I rise today to honor Kate Murray, a student at Sacred Heart Greenwich for her courage and resolve in the face of adversity at school this year. Sparked by the Women's March in 2017 and the rise of the ``#MeToo'' movement, women and girls across the country have been using their voices to speak out against injustice and for the causes they're passionate about. Earlier this year, Kate found herself in the middle of a conflict at her school over a sticker supporting Planned Parenthood on her laptop. Her actions, in just her sophomore year, fostered constructive conversations in communities across the country, including at my own dinner table, on issues around students' rights to expression at school and women's reproductive health. Despite pressure from her teachers, school administrators and the local Catholic Diocese, and even being threatened with expulsion, Kate remained true to her cause. It is my hope that the tenacity and poise that Kate displayed throughout the dispute will serve as an example to any student fighting for their beliefs in or out of a classroom.
TARGETED REWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL ERADICATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2018-3-22

the omnibus funding bill for 2018 makes important investments in health, education, and job programs. It rejects many of the damaging ideological riders that marked earlier efforts in this appropriations process. In a time when the administration is seeking massive cuts in funding, senseless eliminations of critical programs, and the fundamental hollowing out of our Federal agencies, we fought to include critical investments in ic priorities that boost the middle class. prgtoken For health, it is an increase of $3 billion for the National Institutes of Health research, including an increase of more than 50 percent to develop a universal flu vaccine. There is an increase of more than $3 billion for opioids, including funding to support treatment and prevention, prescription drug monitoring programs, behavioral health workforce training programs, and so much more. prgtoken We secured increases for our country's youngest children and their families, including an historic increase of $2.4 billion for childcare and $610 million for Head Start. In education, we include public school education formula grants that help students learn and keep them safe, including title 1, Student Support and Academic Enrichment, afterschool and special education. We do not advance the radical agenda of taking money from public schools through private school vouchers. I am thrilled that we have helped to make college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell grant and other campus-based financial aid. prgtoken We achieved an important victory for workers. The deal prohibits employers from pocketing workers' tips, including taking tips to pay managers and supervisors; and workers will have the right to sue to get back their stolen tips regardless of whether they were paid the full minimum wage or not. prgtoken We held the line. We kept out the poison pill riders that would harm women's access to healthcare and riders that negatively impact the Department of Labor's ability to protect workers. prgtoken This omnibus ignores shortsighted cuts that are proposed by the administration and instead increases funding for priorities that touch people's lives.