mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TERMINATING CDC REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FOREIGN TRAVELERS
Kim Schrier (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. prgtoken Mr. Chair, our healthcare workforce is stretched to capacity after having spent now 3 years on the front lines of the pandemic, and add to that recent spikes in RSV and flu. prgtoken Our hospitals have been overpacked, with a shortage of available beds and a real worry and sometimes a reality that there won't be room in a hospital if we get sick or injured. prgtoken Due to stress and burnout, hospitals across the country are experiencing staff shortages. What healthcare workers and hospital workers really don't need right now is more stress on an already stressed system, and that is exactly what this bill will do. prgtoken As we all know, and as I can tell you, as a pediatrician, people who are not vaccinated have a significantly higher risk of being hospitalized if they contract COVID. Why in the world would we invite people from around the world to come to visit the United States without that protection and then put our hospital systems at further risk of overcrowding and collapse? Not to mention the higher risk of getting and spreading the disease around our country or even potentially bringing new variants to our shores. prgtoken Vaccination is safe. I speak as a doctor. It is effective in keeping people out of hospitals and curbing transmission. We should rightly expect that those traveling to the United States get immunized because we should not risk further stressing an already strained healthcare system. prgtoken It was only a few months ago when hospitals in my State, in Washington State, were full. Patients with life-threatening illnesses, bleeds, life-threatening injuries had to be flown to distant cities to get care. Whatever we can do to prevent that from happening again, we should do. Making sure we get vaccinated and insisting that those visiting our country get vaccinated help do just that. prgtoken Public health decisions should be made by doctors and public health professionals based on data, not by Members of Congress for political expediency. prgtoken This bill is a political stunt. It has no basis in science. It fails to recognize the reality that our hospitals are facing right now and that any one of us might face if a loved one needs a hospital bed and that bed is not available. Please leave public health decisions to public health professionals. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment. Ms. Schrier moves to recommit the bill H.R. 185 to the Committee on Energy and Commerce with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith, with the following amendment: Add at the end the following new section:
HONORING THE LIFE OF BETH HOGAN
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise today to honor the memory of an outstanding public servant and community leader from the Town of East Lyme, Connecticut located in Southeastern Connecticut, Beth Hogan. An inspiring trailblazer for women in the legal profession, politics and town government, Beth departed this world too soon on January 28, 2023, after a three-year battle with cancer, with her devoted husband and law partner Conrad Seifert, and her daughter Emily, at her side. The news of her passing brought forth an outpouring of sadness and praise from the entire region of Southeastern Connecticut and speaks volumes of her impact upon the lives of so many who she helped in countless ways. prgtoken Born in Meriden and raised in Stamford, Connecticut to Bill and Rita Hogan, Beth knew from a young age that she was destined to uplift the lives of others. Upon graduating from Boston University and Quinnipiac Law School, Beth met Conrad and they began a journey in a two-person law firm--Seifert and Hogan, representing individuals with both compassion and the highest degree of ethics and professionalism. Throughout her time at the firm, Beth practiced in the areas of criminal defense litigation, civil practice, and juvenile and family law. As I know from my own experience as a small-town general practitioner, this type of law can be stressful. Despite the challenging nature of this work, she handled her clients with calmness and poise. She most recently focused on the cause of fair sentencing for juveniles, which in recent years has been reformed in Connecticut due in part by lawyers who advocated for this change. prgtoken Her view of the law was not just about individual cases. As a political candidate, office holder and political organizer she was outspoken believer in progressive policy. This was not just an intellectual exercise for her-- she was dedicated to getting real results in her region that were an expression of her beliefs. In 2008. for example, she joined The Connection, Inc where she focused on expanding affordable housing opportunities. As director of government and community partnerships, Beth fought hard for years to successfully convert a former school into St. Mary Place of New London, Connecticut--a 20-unit affordable housing complex. prgtoken Beth also had a knack for recruiting other selfless individuals into local politics. She never missed an opportunity in this regard and was the driving force behind adding members to her town's ic party. Her proficiency in finding new advocates, candidates, and volunteers across all ages is exactly why Beth served as the chair of the local party's committee for a total of nearly two decades. Because of Beth, there is an army of visionaries and changemakers who will now march forward in their own relentless pursuit towards a better town and region. In fact, her love of community saw Beth in her final days delegating projects to her trusted friends and colleagues in
REINTRODUCTION OF THE FEDERAL SHIP FINANCING IMPROVEMENT ACT
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-2-8

today I reintroduced my ``Federal Ship Financing Improvement Act,'' expanding the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) federal ship financing program--commonly referred to as ``Title XI'' of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936--to include re-flagging, repair, or conversions of U.S.-flagged civilian vessels for commercial and military purposes. prgtoken Currently, MARAD's Title XI program only provides federal loans and loan guarantees for the construction of new civilian vessels in U.S.- based commercial shipyards or facility and equipment upgrades at those shipyards. My bill would allow MARAD to also provide loan guarantees for corrective or preventative maintenance or re-flagging work at U.S.- based shipyards, including to convert a commercial vessel to a more useful military configuration to carry out federal contracts. The bill would also require that all shipyard improvement projects with loans or loan guarantees from MARAD use construction materials produced or manufactured in the United States. In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92), U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and I implemented these ``Buy America'' requirements for MARAD's small shipyard grant program. prgtoken As chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and the former ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I have long supported our domestic shipbuilding and U.S.-flagged international fleet. The bill I reintroduced today builds upon my work in the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283), in which I helped to secure Congressional authorization for the new tanker security fleet and strengthened the military's US-flagged preference for seaborne cargo contracts. In the 117th Congress, my ``Federal Ship Financing Improvement Act'' was partially incorporated as Section 307 of the Chairman's mark of the House's ``Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022'' (H.R. 6865) but removed from the final law. prgtoken , American shipyards are ready, willing, and able to take on this additional work. Expanding MARAD's Title XI loan guarantee program to support that work means more well-paying jobs for American workers and better maintained vessels flagged in the United States, useful for military and commercial purposes. I urge all members of the House to cosponsor the ``Federal Ship Financing Improvement Act.''
HONORING LERLEANE PAYNE CHAVIS'S SERVICE TO MADISON COUNTY
Nikki Budzinski (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise to honor Lerleane Payne Chavis, of Madison, Illinois, for 60 years of dedicated service to the Treasurer's office in Madison County. prgtoken Lerleane was born on June 17, 1942, in Madison, lllinois. Continuing to be raised in the city, she would graduate from Madison High School in 1960. prgtoken Not long after, Lerleane would make history in Madison County. On January 7, 1963, eager to break the color barrier, County Treasurer, George Musso, would hire Lerleane into her office. Lerleane would be the first African American office worker employed in Madison County and the first African American woman to work for Madison County government. At 20 years old, Lerleane proved herself to be a diligent worker and create a welcoming space for her fellow employees. prgtoken Her diligence to her craft would lead to numerous promotions, eventually being promoted to Deputy Treasurer for the county. Lerleane would retire from her full-time employment in 1998, but continues to serve on a part-time basis. prgtoken January 7, 2023 marked Lerleane's 60th year of service in the Madison County's Treasurer's Office, making her the longest serving employee in Madison County Government history. During her time, she has served under nine county treasurers, making her the unofficial matriarch of the Treasurer's Office. prgtoken Throughout her service, Lerleane maintained being a pillar in her community. She would marry LeRoy Chavis in 1968 and spend 49 years together until his passing in 2017. She is the mother of four children, grandmother to nine, and great-grandmother to five. She is a longtime member of Mt. Joy Baptist Church, and volunteers her time taking care of several elderly friends in the area. prgtoken Lerleane is a unsung hero who deserves her flowers and appreciation. She is a trailblazer in the fight for equality and it is an honor to recognize her today.
AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE CHILDCARE
Sara Jacobs (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Madam , as a 34-year-old woman, I can tell you that affordable and accessible childcare is a top priority for my generation, but the problem isn't that millennials can't budget or that we are eating too much avocado toast; it is that the cost of childcare has skyrocketed, if you can even find it. prgtoken In San Diego, the average annual cost for childcare for one infant in a licensed center is more than $19,000, which is out of reach for most middle- and low-income families. prgtoken And it is not any easier for providers who are in one of the lowest paid professions in the country and struggle to make ends meet and keep their doors open. prgtoken The free market hasn't fixed the childcare crisis, and small or temporary fixes just aren't good enough. prgtoken That is why I am proud to introduce the Child Care for Every Community Act today with Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. prgtoken Our bicameral legislation would guarantee access to childcare that is affordable for every family, and it would support childcare workers in their incredibly important work. prgtoken We need big, wholesale changes to our social safety net to support kids and families starting with the Child Care for Every Community Act.
RECOGNIZING KAREN CLIFFORD, UNICAN OF THE YEAR
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-2-8

today I honor Karen A. Clifford who will be named the UNICAN of the Year by the UNICO National Scranton Chapter at their annual gathering on Saturday, February 25, 2023. As UNICO National celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the Scranton Chapter has determined that Karen truly embodies the organization's motto of ``service above self.'' prgtoken Karen was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania by her parents, Jane and Philip Clifford, and her godparents, Margaret and Stanley Sienkiewicz. A graduate of Keystone College, Karen spent 33 years of her professional career at Verizon, working in engineering, marketing and the business office. After retiring from Verizon, she continued working with TR Associates as the Vice President of Development. prgtoken Karen has dedicated her life to uplifting her fellow citizens and contributing to community service organizations, often holding leadership roles on their boards. She has proudly served as board member and past chairperson for the NET Credit Union and secretary, treasurer and vice chairperson of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. She continues to serve on Skills in Scranton for the Chamber. Currently, Karen serves on the boards of Scranton Counseling Center, La Festa Italiana and St. Francis Kitchen. She is also a past president of Saint Joseph's Foundation and co-president of Saint Joseph's Center Auxiliary. prgtoken Karen has been an instrumental force for good through her service with the UNICO National Scranton Chapter. She currently sits on the board of directors for the organization and recently joined the Ladies Auxiliary. She was the first woman to serve as the chair of the UNICO National Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Under her direction, the Hershey convention was the largest in UNICO history. prgtoken Karen's commitment to her community does not end with her service on leadership boards. She uses her unparalleled knowledge of local issue and organizations as well as her vast network of Facebook friends to connect people and highlight local small business, fundraisers and good news from the community. prgtoken It is an honor to join with the Scranton Chapter of UNICO National to recognize Karen for her contributions to their organization and our community at large. May she continue to find fulfillment and purpose in serving others.
TERMINATING CDC REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FOREIGN TRAVELERS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Mr. Chair, I know that some of my colleagues on the other side may think a degree from google.com makes them a public health expert, but the truth is it doesn't. prgtoken I am sick and tired of coming down here to the floor wasting time on anti-vaxxer junk science dug up from the darkest corners of the internet and brought to the House floor. Once again, it should be no surprise to anybody, we are bringing this bill to the floor in which lots of questions have been raised without a single hearing, without a markup. prgtoken By the way, the Energy and Commerce Committee today is having a hearing but, unfortunately, this bill is not the subject of that hearing because here we are on the House floor. prgtoken The amendment I am offering today is simple. All we are saying is the CDC should continue to have the authority in the future to demand that visitors to the United States show proof of vaccination for diseases other than COVID. It is not complicated. It is not a radical idea. prgtoken We already require multiple vaccines for people who are immigrating or seeking refuge in this country for diseases like smallpox, polio, measles, and mumps. Why? Because they work. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side seem to think that if there is a polio or smallpox outbreak in another country, they don't want the CDC requiring proof of vaccination for people traveling from those countries to the United States. But using their logic, that is where we are headed. prgtoken We have wasted 2 weeks now on these ridiculous anti-vaxxer conspiracy theory bills. We have Members that watched a few YouTube videos, and they think they know more about all the medical research than the experts on this subject. They think they know more than all the scientists, all the doctors, and all the public health professionals. It is embarrassing and, quite frankly, it is alarming. prgtoken But what is even more disappointing is that we have doctors in Congress who, shamefully, stood in silence while anti-science and anti- safety rhetoric has run rampant. prgtoken The majority says that this bill doesn't apply to other vaccines. Well, if they believe that, they should vote for this amendment and clarify their intent. prgtoken So let's just put this out in the open. This bill isn't about COVID vaccines. It is about disinformation. It is about conspiracy theories that, quite frankly, confuse people and can pose a threat to the people of this country. This doesn't put politics over science, it puts science over politics. prgtoken I don't want anything in this bogus bill to be used to diminish the CDC's authority to respond to public health emergencies in the future. The purpose of the CDC is to prevent the spread of disease in this country, and we should let them do their job. prgtoken I urge a ``yes'' vote, and .
RECOGNIZING SUE DAUGHERTY'S LIFETIME OF WORK
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-2-8

during this week of the State of the Union Address, I rise today to recognize the lifetime of work of Sue Daugherty, a champion for seniors across Ohio. prgtoken Sue and I are cheering the 8.7 percent cost of living increase for seniors under Social Security and a cap on insulin costs for seniors at $35 per month. prgtoken Sue serves as the founding executive director of Serving Our Seniors, a nonprofit organization located in Sandusky, Ohio, that supports Erie County seniors as they progress in life. prgtoken Ms. Daugherty's passion for gerontology was born out of her experience as a nursing assistant in the summer following her freshman year at Ohio University. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree from Ohio University and earned her master of public administration from Cleveland State University. prgtoken Sue has utilized her knowledge and experience to create an excellent and friendly network for aging Ohioans to receive better treatment and resources as they age. She helped establish a system for seniors to seek proactive care instead of reactive care. prgtoken Ms. Daugherty has received nearly a dozen community service awards of excellence throughout her career, including the 2002 Acts of Caring Award from the National Association of Counties. prgtoken I am honored to honor her lifetime of achievement and her work. Today, all of America salutes Ohioan Sue Daugherty. I thank her so much for her service to America.
MEMBERS MOCKING GUN VIOLENCE BY WEARING ASSAULT RIFLE PINS
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-2-8

last week was National Gun Violence Survivors Week, when we reflect on the toll that gun violence takes on all of us. prgtoken It is disgraceful enough that our colleagues are unwilling to confront gun violence as the leading cause of death among American children, but last week, several Members of this body chose to mock the somber week by wearing assault rifle pins. prgtoken Those Members paraded through the Halls of Congress and on this floor, celebrating the weapon of choice for military combatants, mass murderers, and those who have fetishized the Second Amendment. prgtoken This shameless gesture was received loud and clear by Americans, including prgtoken a mother in my district who recently lost her son to gun violence. prgtoken She called my office after seeing those Members, distraught by their casual cruelty and their dangerous promotion of violence. prgtoken I rise today as the voice in Congress for that brokenhearted mother to make this very clear: House are united in the fight to end senseless gun violence. We want to advance real solutions, and we will always stand up to extremist behavior that threatens the safety of our communities. Recognizing Betsy Walls, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Trailblazer
RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF BOY SCOUT TROOP 27
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2023-2-8

I rise today to recognize Boy Scout Troop 27 in Fort Benning, Georgia on the occasion of their centennial celebration. Chartered in January of 1923, Troop 27 is the oldest Boy Scout troop in the Chattahoochee Council and the second oldest in the state of Georgia. They will celebrate 100 years of scouting at their centennial banquet on February 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Fort Benning. prgtoken Chartered on January 2, 1923, Troop 27 began as a group of 14 boys who conducted their meetings in a dugout on the side of a hill. The Troop was very active, and in addition to working on merit badges, they also volunteered around post selling tickets for the Infantry School Glee Club's winter concert and serving as ushers at the Georgia-Alabama game and at the Post Christmas tree celebration. prgtoken Over the last century, Troop 27 has produced outstanding leaders who went on to fight for our country during wartime. In January of 1925, Troop 27 awarded its first Eagle Scout rank to Charles ``Tick'' Bonesteel III, who would later go on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, serve in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War, eventually reaching the rank of four-star General. Three more Scouts in Troop 27 would go on to earn the rank of Eagle in 1925, including Joseph ``Cider Joe'' Stillwell, Jr. who trained as a Green Beret and served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. prgtoken Truly, service to each other drives the engine that creates a better community, and world, and Boy Scout Troop 27 has a storied legacy of community service in the Chattahoochee Valley. Over the last 100 years, the Troop has produced over 200 Eagle Scouts who have collectively completed thousands of community service hours in support of the greater Columbus community. They collected more than 10 tons of scrap metal around Columbus, Georgia to be repurposed for the war effort during World War II. In the 1960's the Troop continued to serve by manning a holiday roadside rest area, providing refreshments, litter bags, road maps and safety pamphlets to weary travelers. In 1976, Troop 27 hosted the ``Slide for Life'' at the annual Scout-O-Rama, which was attended by thousands of scouts and Governor Jimmy Carter, who would be elected our Nation's 39th President in November of that year. During the 1990s, Troop 27 conducted numerous service projects, such as collecting food for the hungry, planting trees, collecting clothing for the Salvation Army, and bringing more than 200 dogs to the veterinarian for rabies vaccinations. And last December, the Troop volunteered for National Wreaths Across America, placing hundreds of holiday wreaths at the headstones of veterans at Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery. And I am proud to say that this year, Troop 27 will honor two more Scouts with the Eagle Scout rank. prgtoken Scouting has shaped my life and the lives of millions of youth across America by instilling foundational p
TERMINATING CDC REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FOREIGN TRAVELERS
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-2-8

. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition of H.R. 185. prgtoken Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a leading international hub with over 1,100 flights daily to and from four continents. Every year, the airport welcomes more than 36 million passengers from across the world. prgtoken Southeast Michigan was hit hard by the coronavirus, and orders like the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for global travelers entering the United States helped mitigate its further spread into our communities. prgtoken Our nation is entering a new phase of our recovery, but COVID-19 remains a real public health threat. The emergence of new variants globally continues to put our own nation at risk. prgtoken That's why legislation we are considering today is misguided. These decisions must be rooted in science and made by our Nation's leading public health experts, not politicians. prgtoken We know the best way to defeat this pandemic is for people within the United States and around the world to get vaccinated, and this legislation is contrary to this goal. prgtoken I urge all my colleagues to oppose this measure,