mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-6-12

the 2016 presidential election was an exceptionally bitter fight between s and . The election highlighted many of the existing divides between many Americans and the underlying frustrations that we have been wrestling with as a people. Couple this with the resentful partisanship that we have experienced in Congress, and it is quite clear that there are deep rifts dividing our country. However, one of the biggest consequences of this partisan bickering and inability to compromise has been the increase in the frequency of hate crimes across America. prgtoken The latest figures from the Southern Poverty Law Center estimate that there have been nearly 1,372 bias incidents between the day after the election and February 7, when these statistics were last reported. SPLC is collecting self-reported data from across the country in an effort to monitor ``bias incidents''--or acts of hostility that are motivated by racism or other prejudices--across the United States. While it is important to acknowledge the limitations of self-reported data, this trend is consistent with several other incidents reported nationwide that have challenged the notion that we are living in a post-racial society. prgtoken For example, several nooses were found throughout our nation's capital this month--one near an elementary school, another in the African American Museum of History and Culture, and on American University's campus. On June 2, a Muslim couple was allegedly harassed in Oregon and told to go back to their country. More prominently, two men in Portland were stabbed to death and another wounded when they tried to intervene on behalf of two women, one of whom was wearing a hijab, who were being verbally assaulted by a man yelling slurs. prgtoken , these are just a few of the horrendous incidents being reported in the wake of this election and the hateful rhetoric that has come to define the political narrative. However, I am here to join my colleagues not only to denounce these actions and hateful words, but also to remind ourselves that we are better than this. We are better than this as a people and a nation, and we must all do our part to discourage this behavior and hold these violators accountable. Until we all take active roles within our society and democracy, we cannot reasonably expect our society to overcome these challenges and emerge a stronger society. I am proud to join my colleagues tonight in sending a clear message that these acts of hatred and violence will not be tolerated. Not today, not ever.
AHCA TO REPEAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-6-12

last month, House s passed the AHCA, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act, and now Senators are working on their own version. prgtoken So far, we know the plan they are developing will be a disaster for our economy and for countless Americans who will either pay more for their healthcare or struggle to afford coverage at all. The Senate plan would force working families to pay higher premiums, end Medicaid as we know it, and could make health insurance nearly unaffordable for people with preexisting conditions and older Americans. prgtoken At this point, we don't know more details of the Senate plan because the leadership is attempting to deny the American people a voice in their own healthcare system. prgtoken We need a healthcare reform that lowers cost, expands coverage, and strengthens our economy. We need legislation written in the light of day that can survive public debate. We do not need this.
CELEBRATING BARRY COOPER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-6-12

I rise today to recognize Barry Cooper, who has dedicated 41 years to federal service. His work in the Federal Aviation Administration has ensured safer, more efficient travel for all Americans; and he is worthy of every recognition he has received. prgtoken Barry is retiring as the Regional Administrator of the Great Lakes Region in Region and Property Operations in Des Plaines, Illinois. He began his career in federal service in 1976, working for 12 years as a civil engineer. Barry then became an Associate Program Manager in 1988 of Airway Facilities, now Technical Operations. He continued to move up in the FAA; and with each position he took on, the word ``manager'' was a recurrence in his title. This is indicative of Barry's incredible leadership skills, showing a clear trust from his peers to grant Barry greater responsibility. prgtoken Barry spearheaded the establishment of the Chicago Area Modernization Program Office in 2003. Nearly 15 years later, the office is still active. He created a team of people, each with diverse goals, and united them to build a coalition with the City of Chicago as operator of O'Hare International Airport. Through this office, Barry facilitated a process in which the City of Chicago, through a reimbursement process, paid salaries for the extra employees needed to meet a shortened deadline for the Environmental Impact Statement. prgtoken It has been a pleasure to work with Barry for the last 10 plus years. My office and I have worked closely with the FAA on many issues regarding O'Hare Airport, mainly as it relates to the O'Hare Modernization Program. Barry was our ``go to'' expert with any questions we had and he was always responsive and easy to reach. Even if he was travelling, he would call me or my staff back as soon as he landed. Over the years, my office has requested several meetings or briefings on different matters and it was very easy to set up a meeting with Barry or his staff. prgtoken Barry also had a way of taking complex technical matters and making them easy to understand. I recall attending the FAA workshops at William Howard Taft High School in 2015 regarding the 2015 Re- Evaluation of the O'Hare Modernization Environmental Impact Statement. Barry walked around the auditorium with me explaining the different poster boards displayed around the room. Barry's knowledge was so vast and he was always so kind, with that infectious smile on his face. I will miss working with him. prgtoken Please join me in recognizing all the contributions Barry Cooper has made over the last 41 years. I extend my best wishes to Barry as he enters this new stage in life and makes many more wonderful memories with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
AMANDA PETERS
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-6-12

I rise today to recognize and applaud Amanda Peters for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Amanda Peters is a student at Wheat Ridge High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Amanda Peters is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Amanda Peters for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.
PULSE NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING ANNIVERSARY
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-6-12

``There will never be an end.'' That is how Emily Addison described the love and the loss she feels for her partner and the mother of her son, Deonka Drayton. prgtoken Deonka was one of 49 victims killed at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando 1 year ago today. She was one of hundreds who had gone to Pulse that night as a place of celebration, a place of joy, and a place of pride. prgtoken We mark 1 year since the worst mass shooting in our history, an act of terror against the LGBT community, and prgtoken we mark this somber event today during Pride Month. prgtoken This day creates enormous tension for the LGBT community and its allies. Our hearts are broken for the victims and for their families. prgtoken We are angry, we are frustrated, yet we are still filled with pride. We are proud of the lives they lived, though they were cut far too short. prgtoken Today, I stand with the LGBT community. And together, we stand against hatred, we stand against terror, and we stand for love and for pride, pride that has no end.
EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT NUMBERED 12737
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-6-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 446, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project, introduced by Mr. Griffith. prgtoken On March 13, 2012, FERC licensed the Gathright Hydroelectric Project to be located at the Army Corps of Engineers' Gathright Dam on the Jackson River in Alleghany County, Virginia. The licensee for the Gathright project was not able to commence construction by the already- extended deadline in March 2016. prgtoken The bill would, therefore, authorize FERC to extend for up to three consecutive 2-year periods the date by which the licensee is required to commence construction. Similar legislation passed the House of Representatives by voice vote twice during the last Congress. prgtoken I hope everybody will support passage of H.R. 446. I hope we can get this thing built. prgtoken , .
RECOGNIZING SHAINA SMIDT
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-6-12

I rise today to recognize Shaina Smidt, an Air Force Academy Appointee from Colorado's Fourth Congressional district. I believe our greatest assets are America's brave men and women in uniform. Shaina is making an incredible sacrifice for our country and deserves our utmost support for her service. It is with great pleasure that I give her my endorsement to attend this prestigious institution. prgtoken Shaina served as the Captain of her school's Varsity Basketball team for most of her high school years, and also worked as a student basketball coach, demonstrating a real gift of leadership and heart for service. Additionally, Shaina received a variety of academic awards and was a member of her high school's chapter of the National Honor Society, showing her commitment to and passion for education. prgtoken Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude than to those who fight to protect our freedom and liberty. I commend Shaina and her family for their commitment. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Shaina. prgtoken , it is an honor to recognize Shaina Smidt as an appointee to the Air Force Academy for her commitment to protect and serve our nation.
Anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Mass Shooting in Orlando (Executive Session)
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-6-12

a year ago today, Americans--myself included--awoke to the shocking news that 49 of our fellow Americans had been killed overnight in one of the deadliest mass shootings, mass attacks in our Nation's history. prgtoken I recall that day. It was a Sunday morning. I was home, and we were getting ready to go to church, as we do. The news was on. We don't usually turn on the TV. That day, the text messages were coming in, and it spoke about this horrifying incident that occurred overnight. The news reports were still sketchy. prgtoken For whatever reason--be it because of our work here or a bad gut feeling--I remember telling my family that I was going to get in my truck and drive the 3 hours to Orlando to be there because I felt there was something beyond the scale and scope of it, a little bit different about this horrifying attack. As I drove north on the Florida turnpike, the updates on the radio kept coming in. The scale of it was unbelievable. The numbers kept climbing, and there was still not a lot of detail about what was behind it. prgtoken After I arrived on the scene and was able to interact with some of our Federal authorities and State authorities who were there, the picture still wasn't abundantly clear, but the one thing that began to emerge was, this was the act of a single individual inspired by an ideology of hate and supported in the pursuit of that ideology by people who before that and since then have been responsible for attacks all over the world. prgtoken I think the part that was perhaps most troubling for a lot of people is--especially for me, I found myself at that time, 45 years of age, at the halfway point between the age of the people who would have been there and the age of someone whose child might have been there, and the randomness of it--the notion that a lot of young people went out that night to have a good time with their friends. It was Latin night. This was a well-known nightclub in the LGBT community in Central Florida. I don't think that when you get up at night and get dressed and go out that you think one of the risks involved is you are going to end up interacting with a jihadist terrorist. That is what happened that night. prgtoken The other part that was so startling is, so often for so many of us, these bad things happen somewhere else. They happen in France. They happen in London. They happened on 9/11 in New York City. This happened in Florida, just down the street from a place that I had been a year earlier--a small business, furniture store whose owners I had gotten to know as I was writing a book about small businesses and the like. The familiarity of it, how close it was to home, and the idea that the war on terror had not just come to America that day but it had come to Central Florida. Ultimately, we learned it had come to impact people whom we knew through others and whose stories sounded quite familiar. prgtoken We now know it was the worst a
LGBT PRIDE MONTH
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-6-12

I rise to recognize June as LGBT Pride Month, a time in which we celebrate the progress our country has made toward equality and honor the contributions of LGBT Americans to the diverse fabric that is our Nation. prgtoken I would like to thank the many organizations in my congressional district, SAVE, Unity Coalition-Coalicion Unida, the National LGBTQ Task Force, just to name a few, and recognize their invaluable work to promote acceptance and fight harassment, bullying, and discrimination wherever it takes place. prgtoken This month we also celebrate 2 years of marriage equality. The union of two people in marriage should not be based on gender, but on love, and those legally married couples deserve equal respect and treatment under the law. prgtoken , this month of celebration is also, sadly, a stark reminder that we have a lot more work to do to end LGBT violence. We also commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub terrorist shooting. As we honor the memories of those we have lost, we must also make a commitment to stand together to disarm hate and demand the equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals at home and abroad.
TRIBUTE TO HOOSIER STUDENTS
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-6-12

in my home State of Indiana, we take great pride when our children display exemplary academic work and interest in our Nation's history. We are very proud of four Hoosier middle school students from Warsaw, IN, who are using their research skills to tell the story of a heroic veteran for their National History Day project entitled ``Taking a Stand at Pearl Harbor.'' prgtoken I am pleased to recognize these four fine young men, Keller Bailey and Jason Benyousky of Washington STEM Academy, Geoffrey Hochstetler, who is educated at home, and Ryun Hoffert of Eisenhower Elementary; who worked together to research, write, and perform a series of skits around the theme, ``Making a Stand in History.'' These boys chose to design their project around the events of December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As part of their detailed research, the students read a book by a veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton. This book inspired prgtoken one of the scenes of their presentation, which depicts the heroic actions of Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Joe George's rescue of six men from the sinking USS Arizona. Ryun Hoffert went the literal extra mile and traveled to Pearl Harbor for the 75th anniversary of the attack to meet with local experts and see the memorials erected in honor of our fallen heroes. After this exhaustive research effort, these dedicated students each wrote scenes for their presentation. prgtoken According to their project sponsor, Richard Rooker, each student brought his unique gifts to the team: ``Keller displayed indefatigable energy. Jason contributed his outstanding acting ability. Geoffrey lent the team his calm and steady demeanor, and Ryun brought his insatiable curiosity about history to the project.'' prgtoken In February, their presentation won first place in the district competition. They continued to revise, refine, and practice their presentation, and their perseverance paid off on May 6, when they placed first in the junior division in the Indiana State competition. This week, they will compete at the national competition at the University of Maryland. prgtoken I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Keller, Jason, Geoffrey, and Ryun for their hard work, patriotism, and success in the Indiana State competition for National History Day. I would also like to recognize the supportive parents, teachers, and advisers who helped the students along the way, especially Mr. Rooker. On behalf of all Hoosiers, we are proud of your creativity and determination; your entire State is cheering for you.
EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT NUMBERED 12642
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-6-12

from Michigan (Mr. Upton). prgtoken I rise in support of H.R. 951, a bill I authored to extend the license authorizing the Wilkesboro Hydroelectric Company's construction of its hydropower project at W. Kerr Scott Dam. prgtoken The project has required exhaustive coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and there have been delays in the review process for the design plans. As the Wilkesboro Hydroelectric Company takes steps to comply with statutory mandates and requirements by Federal regulators, the shot clock for action on breaking ground dwindles. As has often happened with these projects, delays in the review process and coordination efforts precluded the start of construction. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to support a new authorization for this project, along with the other projects the House is considering today. Furthermore, I applaud Representative McMorris Rodgers and the House Energy and Commerce Committee for working on comprehensive reform legislation to address the statutory framework and FERC processes pertaining to these projects. prgtoken I am a proud supporter of our Nation's renewable energy resources. Congress should optimize the use of our Nation's clean, renewable hydropower potential by bringing regulatory and permitting certainty to the process. prgtoken Given North Carolina's growth and demand for electricity, my State needs Congress to explore every opportunity to meet our energy demands, provide for job growth, and sustain our environment. As chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I will work tirelessly with the other committees in the House and the administration to achieve this. prgtoken I thank Chairman Walden, Majority Leader McCarthy, and former Chairman Upton for bringing this important legislation to the floor.
FEDERAL POWER ACT AMENDMENT
Fred Upton (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-6-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , this bill, H.R. 1109, is, again, a bipartisan bill introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg). It was reported by unanimous consent from the Energy and Commerce Committee. It amends the Federal Power Act with respect to the prohibition regarding mergers or consolidations by a public utility. prgtoken Any merger or consolidation of a public utility whose value exceeds $10 million must first be authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In addition, FERC is required to promulgate a rule within 180 days that mandates any public utility seeking to merge or consolidate to notify FERC within 30 days of transaction consummation if the value of such merger or consolidation exceeds $1 million but, in fact, is less than $10 million. prgtoken , .
COUNTERING IRAN'S DESTABILIZING ACTIVITIES ACT OF 2017--Continued
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-6-12

as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the nomination of Elizabeth Erin Walsh, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, sent to the Senate by the President, be referred jointly to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT ELKS LODGES
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2017-6-12

I rise today in honor of the Northeast District Elks Lodges in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional district for their strong support of patriotism in their communities. In 1907, the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks designated Flag Day as June 14th. The Elks have paired their traditions and culture with that of our Country and made the American Flag a symbol of self-dedication to God, to Country, and to Fellowmen. prgtoken I would like to call attention to their dedication and passion to this nation and the flag that represents it. This year, members of Green Bay Elks Lodge 259 will be celebrating Flag Day for the 108th consecutive year. Members of Appleton Elks Lodge 337 are celebrating their chapter founding the oldest Flag Day parade since 1950. prgtoken Citizens from Oconto, Kaukauna, and Marinette are also given the chance to celebrate this important day. Oconto Elks Lodge 887, Kaukauna Elks Lodge 962, and Marinette Elks Lodge 1313 give Americans this opportunity. prgtoken Flag Day is a day honoring the symbolism the flag provides to all American citizens. It is my honor to report this type of patriotism displayed by constituents in northeastern Wisconsin.