mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING LA CABANITA MEX
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-12-10

as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today I am pleased to honor La Cabanita Mex in Ketchum as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for December 2020. prgtoken Growing up, Rodolfo Armenta was captivated by his father's cooking and passion for traditional Mexican cuisine. Rodolfo knew he wanted serve his father's food as a career and dreamed of one day opening up his own Mexican restaurant. prgtoken During a visit to Idaho's Wood River Valley, Rodolfo fell in love with the area's natural beauty and tight-knit community and soon relocated his family to the area. After years of hard work and determination, Rodolfo opened La Cabanita in Ketchum where it continues to thrive today. prgtoken Since its 2009 opening, La Cabanita has become a beloved institution, garnering accolades for its exceptional food, family atmosphere, and dedicated service to the community. It has received multiple awards, including the gold medal for ``Best Mexican Restaurant'' in the Idaho Mountain Express's Best of Valley Survey for 5 years in a row, and continues to draw in locals and tourists alike. prgtoken Thanks to the success of the Ketchum location, Rodolfo opened a second La Cabanita in Bellevue and a bakery in the Wood River Valley, providing dozens of jobs to the local community and giving Idahoans a true sense of the cultural vibrance that surrounds Mexican cuisine. prgtoken Congratulations to Rodolfo, his family, and all of the employees of La Cabanita Mex on being selected as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for December 2020. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--CONFERENCE REPORT--Continued
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-12-10

. . prgtoken My colleagues, I believe here today, are promoting legislation that they claim will spur Congress to pass appropriations bills in the event of a government shutdown--in other words, to avoid it. prgtoken I think they have a good idea, but would that do the job? I doubt it, but this debate will go on, and it should because I agree with the frustration that so many of you have, including the Presiding Officer here. We are having to part with it. prgtoken My colleague from Vermont, Senator Leahy, and I, for 2 straight years, with cooperation--bipartisanship--were able basically to pass these appropriations bills, most of them, for the first time in years. This has slowed down this year, absolutely. I know it is a big Presidential race and everybody running this year and that throws it into it. prgtoken But we would like to pass these bills before October 1, just as you would. But I don't believe this legislation would do what you think it would do, and I think it deserves further inquiry and scrutiny. prgtoken I believe it would exacerbate, in some ways, the problem that we are trying to resolve here. We are right now close to closing out, hopefully, all of our appropriations bills. We call it an omnibus. I agree with their frustration. We should, as a body, both parties, every Member of the Senate, should have had the priority, No. 1, to do this before October 1 each year, as we used to do it. prgtoken So unless this legislation somehow prohibits political partisanship, I don't believe it will increase the probability that we get our work done, shutdown or not. prgtoken I think the key is to work together. Senator Leahy and I have demonstrated that in a few years, but we need all of us to come together on this and place the rules first, place the government--don't shut down. prgtoken I stand before you every day. The worst thing we can do is shut down the government. The specter of a shutdown is bad in itself, which we face right today. prgtoken So I believe the most important incentive right now for us to do is try to work together. If we can't, we are going to have to do something. It might be something like what you are talking about, but I think it deserves further debate, further inquiry. prgtoken And there is a political downside to all this, I know. But if we work together, we will get these bills passed. Nobody is more acutely aware of that than my colleague from Vermont, who has been on the Appropriations Committee for many years, before I was even there. But the American people, as someone said here today, elected us to do our job. They are absolutely right--we should do our job and do it promptly, and we can if we work together. prgtoken Having said that, I know this issue is not going away unless we do our job like we should, but I object to the unanimous consent request at this point.
TRIBUTE TO DOUG MARTENS
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-12-10

this week I have the honor of recognizing Doug Martens of Rosebud County for his years of service to his community and being elected to serve as president of the Montana Association of Counties. prgtoken Doug raised is family in Montana and is a proud husband, father, and grandfather. Before serving 10 years as a commissioner in Rosebud County, Doug was a fire warden and president of the Montana Fire Wardens Association. Doug is a dedicated public servant, and at the same time, he runs his prgtoken family farm and ranch operation outside of Forsyth, MT. prgtoken Doug has also been an outspoken advocate for Montana energy and coal jobs. He has been a passionate leader in this space and continues to help educate Montanans on the importance of coal including the jobs it creates and the energy it produces throughout our Nation. prgtoken It is my distinct honor to recognize Doug for his lifetime of service to the people of Rosebud County. I have no doubt his dedication and hard work will continue to serve his community and the Montana Association of Counties exceptionally well.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--CONFERENCE REPORT--Continued
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-12-10

I rise today to commend an outstanding Hoosier whose work in Indiana's child and family welfare system has touched countless lives, including my own. Sharon Pierce, president and CEO of The Villages--a nonprofit child and family services agency--will soon be retiring after a distinguished 47-year career of serving our children and our families. prgtoken Sharon also happens to be my aunt, and I have seen firsthand her love and dedication to Indiana's children. Her call to service started early in life. When she was young, Sharon's mother volunteered at a youth home in Fort Wayne. She and her siblings would help her mother with holiday parties. It was there that she first learned how important the family is to a child. prgtoken A graduate of Ball State University, Sharon's entire career since then has been dedicated to public service. Prior to her work at The Villages, she worked for several youth advocacy programs in Illinois. She also served as a deputy director at the Indiana Division of Family and Children--the forerunner of today's Indiana Department of Child Services. While at the Division of Family and Children, she helped create a 1-800 number to report suspected child abuse. She also established the Healthy Families Initiative, which still today provides resources to at-risk, first-time parents to help prevent abuse and neglect. prgtoken In 1992, she became the president and CEO of The Villages, where she has created a culture of compassion and a deep commitment to supporting families in need. At The Villages, children are enrolled in family and child support services, with the goal of helping to keep family members together. The Villages also provides foster care and offers support for relatives and family friends who are helping to raise a child, including education and child abuse prevention services. prgtoken Sharon has said: ``Even though The Villages is probably best known for high-quality foster care, the reality is we want to do anything we can to keep families together.'' ``Anything we can to keep families together''--it is hard to imagine a mission more critical than this. prgtoken I am not the only one to offer my praise for Sharon Pierce. Indiana's Governor, Eric Holcomb, said the following: Sharon's saintly efforts over the decades touched the lives of countless Hoosier children. She taught, inspired, led so many others over the years to invest in those who need it the most. prgtoken Indiana Department of Child Services Director Terry Stigdon said: She exudes compassion and caring. . . . It's just innate to her being. prgtoken Sharon has dedicated her professional life to ensuring children have a bright future, regardless of their circumstances. Her work has inspired countless others, including me, and the policies I choose to focus on here in the Senate. prgtoken I know my Aunt Sharon is looking forward to spending more time with her husb
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--CONFERENCE REPORT--Continued
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-12-10

. First, I want to thank the chairman for his effort to try to figure out how we can stop shutting down the government. prgtoken When I came up here with Senator Braun 2 years ago, we were in a government shutdown, and nobody wins. It doesn't work for any part of government when government gets shut down. I know, talking to the appropriations chair and ranking member, that they are also focused on making sure of what we can do to make sure we pass budgets, pass our spending bills, and not shut down the government. prgtoken I want to fight the way Washington has been working. I want to make sure it works for all Florida families, not just career politicians. prgtoken I have a background in business like Chairman Johnson does. In the real world, if you don't do your job, you don't get paid. It is really simple. If Congress can't accomplish its most basic task--which I believe is passing a budget, appropriations bills, in an orderly fashion--then why should we get paychecks? I think it is pretty simple. prgtoken When you listen to what Chairman Johnson just said; that the current system in Washington is clearly broken, there is no--a lot of people care about this, but there is no one, ultimately, who has responsibility and there are no consequences and it costs our system a lot of money. Congress doesn't pass a budget. Instead, they just pass temporary measures, and it kicks the can down the road. prgtoken The thing that has been surprising to me since I got up here is how little of the budget we actually review every year. It is surprising to me that about 70 percent of the budget we don't even look at every year. I think all these things are unacceptable. Congress can't continue to just get away with not doing its basic job and creating a burden. prgtoken We have to do something different. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues today to pass the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, which includes my no budget, no pay proposal. prgtoken Withholding paychecks from Members of Congress who fail to pass a budget will help prevent government shutdowns, which hurt the economy, hurt millions of people. prgtoken It is also an important step to promote fiscal responsibility in the face of what Senator Johnson said: $27.4 trillion worth of debt. I believe we need to pass the No Budget, No Pay Act now to show we are serious about getting this spending under control and we are serious about the future of this Nation. prgtoken Members of Congress make significantly more than the average American makes. We make $174,000 a year, and we are asking them to do the most basic function: pass a budget. It is not complicated. I think every Member of Congress--rich or poor--can agree Congress should pass a budget every year. There is absolutely no reason we can't. Anyone who disagrees should not have this job. prgtoken Let's go back. When the American people don't do their job, there are consequences. It is time we make Washington work a l
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Pat Roberts (Republican, KS) \u2014 2020-12-10

my colleagues, first, I thank the leadership on both sides for this opportunity to give a Pat Roberts ``adios, amigos'' speech. prgtoken The story of how I got into politics is a pretty straight family path. As a fourth-generation Kansan, my great-grandfathers on both sides of the Roberts-Patrick family were pioneer newspaper editors who came to Kansas as crusading abolitionists. To say I bleed fourth- generation printer's ink would be very close to the truth. prgtoken However, the main influence that drew me to public service was my dad, Wes Roberts, who was a newspaper man. And soon journalism led to politics. He served as chief of staff and adviser for several Kansas Governors, becoming then the State chairman. prgtoken In 1952, my dad was asked to head up the Citizens for Ike campaign, which was a genuine army of volunteers made up of legions of veterans, women's groups, and mostly s who wanted a candidate who could win. Plus, they really liked Ike. prgtoken At 16, in my dad's tow, I was the sergeant at arms at the 1952 convention, back when conventions actually chose the nominee for President. I vividly remember two lasting experiences: The renowned Senator from Illinois, Everett Dirksen, was a key leader in the Bob Taft campaign. Senator Dirksen, known for his long, eloquent speeches, was in the midst of his convention remarks when the entire New York delegation, led by former Governor and Presidential candidate Tom Dewey, marched in, and with considerable noise they took their seats. prgtoken Dirksen paused and, pointing directly at Dewey and with his booming voice, said this: You, sir, have led this party--this Party--down to defeat in 1944 and again in 1948. Don't do it again. prgtoken Whereupon, the entire New York delegation stood up and gave Dirksen the raspberry, and I thought: This is what adults do at a convention? (Laughter.) prgtoken One morning I was in a meeting with my dad with the top Ike campaign brass--Dewey, Lodge, Brownell, and other GOP movers and shakers. He told me to sit and be quiet. He was in the midst of suggesting the ``fair play'' amendment, given that the new Ike delegates from the solid South had surprised the old guard and won delegate seats at the State convention, only to be replaced by the old guard at later surprise conventions. Unlike MacArthur, old guards never die or fade away. prgtoken My dad said there was no downside if they lost, and he believed they could win a majority of delegates. The ``fair play'' amendment passed, and Ike won on the first ballot. I thought to myself: Wow. My dad actually helped Ike win. prgtoken I met the general. I shook his hand--and then again at the 1953 inaugural ceremonies when my dad became the national chairman. prgtoken It was these reflections, told to my great friend and Medal of Honor recipient Senator Danny Inouye, that prompted him to say: Pat, I fought for Ike. You met hi
HONORING KARRIE PARDIECK
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-12-10

. Madam , I rise today to give thanks to a dedicated public servant who has for two decades served the people of eastern Indiana with great care and devotion. prgtoken As she now retires with twenty years of service, I want to offer my wholehearted thanks to Karrie Pardieck for all that she has done for me, my predecessors and for Hoosiers across eastern Indiana. prgtoken Karrie Pardieck was first hired by my brother, Vice President , when he was elected to what was then the Second Congressional District of Indiana. As the Second became the Sixth, Karrie earned a reputation of putting Hoosier constituents first. prgtoken My staff knows that we have no higher priority than constituent services, and Karrie has been on the front lines of ensuring that Hoosiers were taken care of and their voices were being heard. prgtoken Undoubtedly Karrie has handled many thousands of cases in her area of expertise. In just the last two years alone, Karrie opened federal inquiries on behalf of more than 225 Sixth District Hoosiers. Time and again, I have heard from constituents who needed help with Social Security Retirement, Disability and Medicare. Many have reached out or sent letters saying that Karrie would always lead with a servant's heart, an eye for detail and a can-do attitude. prgtoken My immediate predecessor, Congressman Luke Messer, said upon the occasion of his retirement from this body stated that Karrie ``made our office a better place to work, and she is a valuable member of our team.'' prgtoken For twenty years Karrie Pardieck has made this office better. For twenty years, she has been a valuable member of the Sixth District team. prgtoken As she now closes this chapter and departs from public service, I join my predecessors and the many lives she has touched as a Constituent Services Representative for Indiana's Sixth Congressional District in wishing Karrie Pardieck a joyous retirement. prgtoken Well done, good and faithful servant.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DAN F. MOHON
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-12-10

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dan Mohon who passed away on December 6, 2020, just four days shy of his 81st birthday. Dan filled his days with hard work and loyal service to his faith, family, friends, and community. prgtoken Dan F. Mohon was born in Vernon, Texas, on December 10, 1939, to his parents Walter and Flora Pauline Beach Mohon. Just before his 13th birthday, Dan, as the eldest child, took on the responsibility of caring for his mother and younger siblings, Nanene and Gary, following his father's death. In order to care for his family, Dan worked 32 hours a week while continuing his education. prgtoken After Dan graduated from Quanah High School in 1958, he attended Texas Tech University where he graduated with a degree in prgtoken real estate and insurance. While at Texas Tech, he met the love of his life, Shirley Manon Hacker of Oklahoma, whom he married on December 22, 1962. prgtoken The Mohons moved to Orange, Texas in 1974 along with their two young sons, Monty and Marcus. They didn't have many material possessions upon arriving in Orange, but what they lacked in worldly goods they made up for in determination, loyalty, and love for one another. prgtoken Dan was a man who loved deeply and extravagantly, and that devotion sprang from his faith. His love of God was showered on his wife, sons, grandchildren, family, church, and community. He adored people and spent his life showing others what it meant to live joyfully. prgtoken As a leader of his community, Dan had the distinction of serving as mayor of two Texas cities--Orange and Pinehurst. In addition to his civic involvement, Dan also served as treasurer of First Baptist Church and as a board member of the Lutcher Stark Theater for 25 years. He also served in various community organizations such as the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, Lamar State College Foundation, American Red Cross, City of Orange Planning and Zoning Commission, Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, Orange Rotary Club, and his favorite, the Orange Lions Club, where he served as president and carnival chairman. Dan was also the proud recipient of the Melvin Jones award, the highest form of recognition for a Lions Club member. A devoted advocate, Dan had perfect attendance at club meetings for more than 47 years. prgtoken Along with God, his family, community service, and his many friendships, two other real passions Dan enjoyed were golf and ice cream, both of which he often shared with others. prgtoken Dan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Manon; two sons, Monty and Marcus; and ten grandchildren: Joshua, Annabeth, Katharine, Joseph, Isabelle, Jack, Mason, Gray, Reed, and Bliss. prgtoken Madam , I would like to thank Dan Mohon for his unwavering dedication and service to his community. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
BIDEN INVESTIGATION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-12-10

I want to remind people of how Senator Johnson and I have been attacked over the months of 2020 for some investigation we have been doing, and I want to speak to that now. prgtoken For over a year, Senator Johnson and I investigated the financial family dealings. We found that they engaged in potential criminal financial deals across the globe, including China, which created counterintelligence concerns. prgtoken We showed our work, and we made our findings very public, but the liberal media and members of the other political party chose to dismiss our work. They even falsely claimed that our work was Russian disinformation. I think they did this in order to protect leaders of the other party. Those same liberal outlets that disparaged our investigation now report that Hunter 's financial deals in China raised counterintelligence concerns. prgtoken Yesterday, the transition team confirmed that Hunter is under criminal investigation for his taxes and financial dealings. prgtoken So you can understand why I think it is very outrageous that the Fourth Estate would choose to ignore facts when they are uncovered by s. prgtoken Senator Johnson and I don't do oversight work just for the fun of it. Oversight work is serious business. It shouldn't take subpoenas and confirmation from Hunter himself to get the rest of the press to pay attention. prgtoken .