mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN MICHAEL CARATHERS, RECIPIENT OF TEXAS' THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2021 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-10-28

. Madam , today, it is my privilege to honor fifteen distinguished military veterans from Texas' Third Congressional District who answered the call to serve their Nation honorably, both in uniform and following their return to civilian life. The recipients of the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation exemplify the time-honored qualities of patriotism, service before self, and bold leadership. Following their time in service, their efforts in our community have earned these fine individuals recognition as the recipients of this prestigious commendation. Their stories of sacrifice will encourage future generations to pursue a life dedicated to the very values we cherish as Americans: faith, freedom, and democracy. One such hero is Captain Michael Carathers of Lucas, Texas. prgtoken Originally from Amarillo, Texas, Captain Michael Carathers enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1967, after which time he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University. Along the way he would serve as a division petty officer at NAVCOMSTA Lululei Hawaii providing communications from the U.S. mainland to Vietnam and recovery communications for the Apollo program for NASA. Following a direct commission as an Engineering Duty Officer, he would perform a variety of duties on the USS Bataan and USS Blue Ridge. Captain Carathers would go on to command two reserve units and serve as the Executive Officer for two additional units. prgtoken Due to his dedicated service, Captain Carathers earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Navy Reserve Meritorious Medal, National Defense Services Medal, Armed Forced Reserve Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Medal, as well as various unit awards. prgtoken Following his military career, Mike was employed as a Principal Systems Engineer on military programs for Raytheon from which he retired in 2011. Captain Carathers would go on to serve on the Reserve Officers Association Board of Directors for the local chapter and was selected as Texas Department President and Vice President. His commitment to our military and veterans is strongly evidenced by his role as Committee Chairman for the North Texas Military Foundation Ball where his advocacy efforts have generated tremendous support for our active duty, reserve, and retired military members and veterans. prgtoken Captain Carathers and his wife, Cheryl, have three children and six grandchildren with whom they have instilled a sense of service before self. His deep passion for serving our military community with a patriotic and unwavering heart is to be commended as he continues to display servant leadership. prgtoken Today a grateful Nation thanks Captain Carathers for his exceptional service and congratulates him on this recognition. May his steadfast example of leadership inspire others to live a life of service to a cause greater than themselves. It is my extreme honor to award him the 2021 Congressional Veter
Government Spending (Executive Calendar)
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-10-28

American families are hurting, and there is no relief in sight. We are facing skyrocketing inflation, and families are feeling it every time they go to the grocery store. prgtoken We are facing a supply chain crisis that threatens to deny families the food and goods that they need. We are facing a surging energy crisis that is literally burning holes in the wallets of hard-working Americans. prgtoken Just this week, I drove up from Charlotte and I was amazed at how much more it took me to refuel my truck about halfway up from Charlotte to DC. prgtoken This has gotten so bad that some families are really beginning to rethink their travel plans as we approach the holidays. We are facing a labor shortage crisis, with small businesses and farms across the country struggling to fill jobs. Even as they raise the potential salaries, the people are simply not coming. prgtoken President and his allies in Congress have chosen some interesting ways to respond to these crises. In some cases, they have just ignored them. They have been making excuses for others, and they have been making a case that everything will be fine if we just have more government, more spending, and more taxes. prgtoken That is why, for months, President and congressional have put all their time and energy into crafting a completely partisan $3.5 trillion tax-and-spending spree. They are spending on leftwing priorities that will result in more debt, more inflation, more dependency government, and more government intrusion into the lives of all Americans. prgtoken Equally concerning is how the want to pay for some of their out-of-control spending. They plan to take $400 billion from taxpayers by monitoring and auditing their bank accounts. prgtoken want to turn your bank or your credit union--that small bank around the corner in some rural community across America--into a branch of the IRS, making them monitor and report your financial activity and directly report to it the IRS. prgtoken To make matters worse, the want to hire 80,000 new IRS agents so they can go through your personal financial information--what you spend your money on and what income you take in. And using that information, the IRS will then try to squeeze out any additional money that they can from you. prgtoken The originally proposed making the threshold of the IRS reporting at a $600 transaction. Americans who heard about the scheme were outraged. prgtoken Most Americans aren't too fond of the IRS. I dare say, if you were to do a poll of the 10 most favorite government agencies, the IRS wouldn't make the list. And they certainly don't trust the IRS with having more power and more of your personal financial information. prgtoken My office alone has received over 15,000 emails opposing this overreach. I imagine many of my ic colleagues have heard from their constituents as well, so it is not surprising
IN REMEMBRANCE OF PASTOR JEREMY DAVID SMITH
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-10-28

. Madam , I rise today in remembrance of Pastor Jeremy David Smith. Jeremy spent over 20 years as a leader and minister in local churches. He strove to create a family environment that shared both the challenging and celebratory times with the members of the church. prgtoken Pastor Jeremy was devout to his congregation and he was dedicated to continue Sunday Worship throughout the pandemic. He held outside services and worked to ensure the safe and comfortable experience for all members of the church, especially caring for the older members so they would be able to attend, experience, and hear the Word of God, no matter what. prgtoken David is survived by his wife, Audra Smith; children, Nicholas, Logan, Katiana, Kalista, and Korinna Smith. Madam I ask that you extend your thoughts and prayers to Jeremy's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. I pray that God is with Jeremy's family and friends during this difficult time.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-10-28

I thank the gentleman from Utah. prgtoken I wish to address the subject of the President's overreaching vaccine mandates. First, we all recognize the devastation caused by the COVID- 19 pandemic spread from Wuhan, China, throughout the world. This virus has taken too many lives: more than 4.7 million around the globe and over 686,000 here in the United States. Each death is a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones and suffered from this terrible disease. prgtoken Many of those families in Wyoming have reached out to me. I have heard from thousands of constituents concerned about the vaccine, pro and con, but mostly about confusing guidance and particularly about masking--most notably in our schools. prgtoken Our response to this pandemic should have been unifying, but, instead, it has sown discord and distrust across our country, and that discord is exacerbated by the Federal Government's extreme overreach. prgtoken I want to be clear. I support individuals getting the COVID vaccine. I am vaccinated. I got vaccinated to protect myself because I have no natural immunity. I haven't had COVID. I have no underlying health concerns. I was not advised by a physician not to get it. It made sense for me making that decision for myself. prgtoken Scientists have been researching and working for decades to make the emergency treatments that we have all had access to in 2021 available to us. However, I do not support the government mandating--mandating-- matters that come between a patient and their conscience, a patient and their healthcare provider, a patient and their own care decisions. prgtoken And the recent mandates from the administration do just that. I believe they are far-reaching and burdensome, as do my constituents, including those who have been vaccinated. They will not achieve the desired result. They will not convince millions of Americans on the fence about the vaccine to suddenly get it. They cause people to dig in. They further politicize prgtoken our healthcare system. They compound our unemployment problems. prgtoken Don't take my word for it. Look at the Federal Government itself. Even unions are opposed to a vaccine mandate, with the American Postal Workers Union, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the American Federation of Teachers coming out in opposition not to the vaccine but to the mandate. prgtoken The pandemic does not make the Constitution irrelevant or put our rights as private citizens up for discussion. We are a nation of liberties, not mandates. We respect individuals. prgtoken That is why I am cosponsoring several different bills that would protect our citizens from this overreach. One bill, S. 2849, clarifies that Federal Agencies do not have the power to mandate COVID-19 vaccines. While this should be self-evident, sadly, many in Washington, DC, have forgotten about America's founding principles. prgtoken Another bill, S. 28
THANKING WHITNEY TEMPEL FOR HER SERVICE TO KANSAS
Jake LaTurner (Republican, KS) \u2014 2021-10-28

. Madam , I rise today to thank a member of my staff for her tireless service to my district and our state. Whitney Tempel began her time working for the constituents of the Kansas Second Congressional District as an intern in 2017, and joined my team as a district representative when I was first sworn in. prgtoken Each and every day, Whitney advocates for my constituents in every aspect of her job from grant applications to passport requests. Just this summer, I know that lives were saved in Afghanistan because of Whitney's perseverance and diligence in securing safe travel out of Kabul. This week is Whitney's last with my office, and while we are sad to lose her, I will always be grateful for her work and look forward to seeing the great things she has in store.
Introductory Statement on S. 3101
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-10-28

older American workers are a vital source of economic strength. Before the pandemic, there were more seniors in the workforce than there were 20 years ago, and men and women age 55 and older lifted the overall labor force participation rate by a substantial margin. During the pandemic, more than 3 million seniors retired early, and millions more are considering early retirement. These losses harm seniors' retirement security by reducing their income and benefits. prgtoken That is why today, with my good friend Senator Rubio, I am introducing the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act, which would repeal the Social Security retirement earnings test. The earnings test is a confusing work disincentive. It says that you lose half your Social Security benefits if you earn more than $18,960. Then it gives your benefits back at full retirement age. The problem is that many seniors know their benefits will be cut if they make too much money, but not that they will be replaced later. They treat the earnings test like a 50-percent tax and work less to avoid it. prgtoken When I have spoken to small business owners in South Carolina they have made clear to me that the earnings test is in fact a disincentive for many older workers, and it harms their businesses. Older Americans want to earn just enough that they fall right under the threshold so their benefits don't get cut, which makes it harder for small businesses to hire them even on a part-time basis. It is not surprising that research shows the earnings test reduces labor force participation by more than 3 percent. prgtoken The earnings test also deepens inequality. It punishes lower-income seniors who need Social Security benefits and earned income to get by. And if you need Social Security benefits and earned income to meet caregiving responsibilities or pressing financial obligations or because you have a lower life expectancy, the earnings test says no, you have to wait until you reach full retirement age, whether that is 65 or 67. prgtoken Many seniors just can't wait that long, and the economy can't either. The Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act will give these older Americans the freedom and flexibility they need, promote work, and help employers and workers find arrangements that work best for them. prgtoken Thank you.
HONORING THE LAUNCH OF MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-10-28

. Madam , I rise to pay tribute to the launch of the inaugural season of Major League Pickleball (MLP) on November 5, 2021. I'm proud to say that MLP's Season One will take place in Texas' 25th Congressional District at Dreamland in Dripping Springs, Texas, and it will feature eight MLP teams led by an accomplished list of owners: prgtoken Discovery Warriors: Eric Kuo and Mike Meldman prgtoken Pickle Ranchers: Bryan Sheffield and Tim Klitch prgtoken Team Clean: West Hunt, Tim Berry and Navdeep Sooch prgtoken Team Rally: John Raymond and Jim Toth prgtoken ATX Pickleballers: Brene Brown, Steve Alley and Charles Kiley prgtoken The Lions: Marc Lasry and James Blake prgtoken Chimeras: Charles Attal and Charlie Walker prgtoken Team BLQK: Richie Tuazon prgtoken MLP will feature the world's best female and male professional pickleball players, competing in a unique format for the Pritchard Cup, named after the late U.S. Representative Joel Pritchard of Washington State, the inventor of pickleball, prgtoken The new league has two stated aims--to create a platform to showcase the world's best professional pickleball players to pickleball fans worldwide; and to attract new people to pickleball. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and already enjoyed by over 4 million regular players, according to The Economist. prgtoken MLP is the brainchild of Steve Kuhn, a noted business leader and entrepreneur whose passion and love of pickleball inspired him to found MLP in 2021. Kuhn's goal is to spread pickleball as widely as possible to ensure children and adults from all walks of life will be able to play. prgtoken I would like to express my support for the launch of the newly created Major League Pickleball and I wish them well in their inaugural season.
AFGHANISTAN
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-10-28

yesterday, in a hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ranking Member Risch, called out the State Department for its apparent lack of action in helping those Americans and Afghan allies who are still stuck in Afghanistan. prgtoken It has been 2 months since the withdrawal of all American military and diplomatic presence in the country in the wake of the Talban's total takeover of that country. prgtoken In the past week or so, the number of Americans reportedly still in the country has grown, not shrunk. prgtoken We have gone from around 100 to over 400. prgtoken Now, I know Americans are not flocking to Taliban controlled Afghanistan, so why does this number keep going up? prgtoken I understand that Americans are not required to register with the State Department so it is understandable that they would not have a reliable, fixed list of Americans at the start of this crisis. prgtoken But I find it hard to believe that Americans waited 2 months after being abandoned in Afghanistan by their government to reach out and then, in the space of a week, suddenly found a way to get in touch. prgtoken The State Department set up special e-mail addresses and issued guidance on how to report Americans and Afghan allies who need to be evacuated. prgtoken My office heard from many Iowans concerned about those they knew in Afghanistan, and my staff followed the directions from the State Department, forwarding the contact information. prgtoken For the most part, all I ever heard back was a confirmation that the message was received. prgtoken I am starting to wonder if these went into a black hole? prgtoken I did not expect that the State Department would devote time and effort to keeping me informed given that presumably it was all hands on deck to contact those in the country and make arrangements for them. prgtoken However, 2 months later, I don't see much progress. prgtoken Then there are reports that efforts by brave former special forces and other Americans who picked up where their government left off to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies have not received the support they needed from the State Department. Is the State Department just washing their hands of this mess? prgtoken I shared with Senator Risch information I passed on to the State Department about 98 Afghan allies known to Iowans to need help as their lives were in danger after the Taliban takeover. prgtoken I am only aware of one that has been evacuated. prgtoken I know that many have not even been contacted by the State Department. prgtoken I am glad that Ranking Member Risch entered this information into the Record along with information from 24 other Senators, totaling 16,688 cases. prgtoken That is just one quarter of the Senate, so I know there are many more cases out there. prgtoken It is time to hear what the State Department is doing to get the remaining Americans home and to process the cases of Afghan allies so those who helped us and whose
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY IS AN OASIS OF LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, AND KNOWHOW
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2021-10-28

. Madam , a hundred years ago, two independent library associations merged into one amazing library--the Middletown Township Public Library. prgtoken Congratulations to Library Director Heather Andolsen and Board President Bill Bucco--and library staff and board members past and present--for this remarkable achievement. prgtoken A hundred years ago: Warren Harding was in the White House; New Jerseyans Joseph Frelinghuysen and Walter Evans Edge were in the U.S. Senate; Theodore Appleby was Monmouth County's Member of Congress; and the Freeholder Director was Bryant Newcomb. prgtoken America and the world in 1921 were still reeling and recovering from WWI and from the 1918 H1N1 Flu Pandemic that infected a third of the world's population and killed 50 million people. prgtoken That same year--1921--my favorite baseball team bought land to build Yankee Stadium (I was there in the stands in 1969 for Mickey Mantle Day); the treatment of diabetes was significantly advanced with the isolation of insulin and Albert Einstein got the Nobel Prize for Physics for his many contributions to theoretical physics including his 1905 theory of relativity. prgtoken And it was Albert Einstein who famously said ``the only thing you absolutely need to know is the location of the library'' which in the early years of MTPL perhaps begged the question, where is Dorothy Norton and her Ford Model T library on wheels? prgtoken Today, the Library is an important cultural and meeting center and a venue for assistance when disasters hit like Superstorm Sandy. prgtoken MTPL is an oasis of learning, knowledge, wisdom, and knowhow. prgtoken As food nurtures the body, the availability and accessibility of books and other literary works feeds the mind and soul. prgtoken A few weeks ago, I introduced an anti-human trafficking bill named after the great abolitionist, author, orator, and former slave Frederick Douglass. prgtoken I was joined at the press conference by Frederick Douglass' great, great, great grandson Ken Morris, who quoted his famous ancestor who said, ``knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave'' and ``Once you learn to read you will be forever free.''
CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF SERGEANT GINGER GERSBACHER
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-10-28

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the career of Senior Master Sergeant D. Ginger Gersbacher, who retired from the United States Air Force (USAF) on July 29, 2021 after more than 29 years of military service. prgtoken A native of Central New York and graduate of C.W. Baker High School and the State University of New York at Morrisville, Sergeant Gersbacher enlisted into the New York Air National Guard in June 1992. After completing basic training as well as technical school training as an Instrument and Flight Control Systems Specialist, she returned to Syracuse in January 1993 to serve in the 174th Attack Wing. Within the unit, Sergeant Gersbacher served as an Avionics Technician with the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and later accepted a part time position in the Maintenance Operations Center. While serving in these positions, Sergeant Gersbacher also returned to school to complete a Baccalaureate Degree in Computer Science from Columbia College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. prgtoken Later, Sergeant Gersbacher was deployed and supported combat missions, participating in Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Northern Watch, and Operation Southern Watch. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, she volunteered for active duty and served with the 174th Attack Wing of the New York Air National Guard during Operation Noble Eagle, flying air patrol missions over New York City. Later, Sergeant Gersbacher reassigned as a maintenance analyst and was deployed three more times from 2006 to 2008, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2014, Sergeant Gersbacher established the Inspector General Office of Inspections within the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, and maintained her position in the Inspector General's Office until her retirement. prgtoken For her service, Sergeant Gersbacher has earned numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in recognizing Senior Master Sergeant Ginger Gersbacher for her nearly three decades of honorable service. I wish Sergeant Gersbacher the best in her retirement.