mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Technology (Executive Session)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-12-16

I know my colleague does have other business that he has to get to, but before he attends to that, I just want to thank him for spending time with me already on this issue. I am going to outline the extraordinary effort that was made by my constituents. prgtoken I think we all know--and I am going to discuss it--that in the West, very often, citizens feel nobody is listening to them, that nobody cares about them. The Senator and I have talked about this. This is kind of a question of, How do you empower them with a framework that can help them but also serve as a model for the country? prgtoken So a big thanks to my colleague, and I am looking forward to working with him on this and other matters next year. prgtoken What Senator Barrasso and I are discussing is the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, known in our part of the county as the Malheur CEO Act. The bill has been in the works since late 2018. Back then, when a group of ranchers and business people who live in Malheur County, OR, came to see me, they came to talk about this incredible part of Oregon they call home. It is wide open country, and not many people live there, but those who do want to make sure they have a say in how it is going to be preserved and managed for the future. prgtoken When I say this bill has been in the works since 2018, that is not the whole story, because the fact is that the groundwork for this bill has been in the making for decades, and it is only recently that an incredible coalition of Oregonians from across the political spectrum has come together to make it possible for us to propose this legislation. prgtoken As I touched on with Senator Barrasso, in rural areas of the West, like Malheur County, there is often a feeling that people from thousands of miles away, particularly in DC, think that they somehow know better than rural citizens about what is good for those rural communities. I guess I would sum it up as: In rural areas, there is the sense that somehow, often, elites just look down on them; that nobody is listening; that people in power prgtoken consider them kind of simple cowboys who care little about saving land, air, and water. prgtoken Now, I have townhall meetings in every county in Oregon. I had 970 of them until earlier this spring when we couldn't do them in person due to the pandemic. So we started doing them virtually. I know from all of those townhall meetings that constituents in Eastern Oregon are actually working every day to try to propose commonsense, practical policies to preserve special places for their kids and their grandkids. They know that they are working for all Americans because all Americans own public lands. Eastern Oregonians believe--and I think it is a very powerful point--that nobody cares more about protecting Oregon's natural treasures than those who live every day in those communities and are always thinking about what the future is for their ki
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF OFFICER THOMAS PYRCZ
Joe Courtney (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-12-16

. Madam , I rise today to mourn the passing of a remarkable person and protector of the people, Officer Thomas ``Tommy'' Pyrcz of Enfield, Connecticut. Officer Pyrcz was only 66 when he passed away suddenly on December 2nd, 2020 at the Enfield Police Department, an institution he served in one capacity or another for 50 years. He was a lifelong resident of the town of Enfield, Connecticut. prgtoken It is hard to think of a man more devoted to their local community than Tommy Pyrcz. Always true to his town, drawn to public safety, prgtoken he took the initiative to join the Enfield chapter of Police Explorers before even graduating from Enrico Fermi High School in 1972. He was regularly and rightfully rewarded for his devoted service after graduating--first becoming an auxiliary officer, then an assistant dog warden, and police dispatcher. Each and every one of these positions ultimately prepared him to join the force as a full patrol officer in 1979. prgtoken Thomas Pyrcz's career at his town's police department would continue on for another 40 years. During those 40 years, he went on to serve as a leader of the police department's accreditation team for 20 years, working with his colleagues to hone their skills and build upon the mission of strengthening the standards exemplified by the Enfield Police Department and its officers. This work not only infused new techniques and technology to improve public safety, but also infused the community values that reflect the town of Enfield. The high quality of his work was recognized across the state when he was named Vice President of the Connecticut Police Accreditation Coalition in 2013, advancing standards in policing across the state. After a long career spanning 50 years, he retired from the department in August of last year. prgtoken Officer Pyrcz service to his community did not end with retirement. After ``pulling the pin'' from uniformed service, he quickly returned to his work as a civilian accreditation manager in October 2019. His sudden loss leaves a deeply felt void at the Enfield Police Department. prgtoken Madam , Thomas Pyrcz represents what it should mean to be a police officer: an integral member of one's community. At a funeral service at Enfield's St. Adalbert's Church family, friends and former colleagues such as former Chief Carl Sferrazza and current Chief Alaric Fox spoke movingly of his life of caring and giving. His life should be an example to all. Madam , please join me in expressing the deepest condolences of the U.S. House of Representatives to Officer Thomas Pyrcz's wife Lynn, his children Steven and Julie and our hope that the outpouring of affection and appreciation from the community gives them some solace.
TRANSPARENCY AND EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR VETERAN CAREGIVERS ACT
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-16

I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2216) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally recognize caregivers of veterans, notify veterans and caregivers of clinical determinations relating to eligibility for the family caregiver program, and temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined ineligible for the family caregiver program, and for other purposes.
DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT AND LIVING IMPROVEMENTS FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT
Debra A. Haaland (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2020-12-16

as one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the daughter of two veterans, I am proud that my bill with Representative Mike Gallagher, the Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Advisory Committee Act, will be included in this package. prgtoken All veterans deserve the best care that our country can give, but there are gaps in services for Native American veterans. prgtoken The advisory committee established by this bill will ensure that we look at and remedy the specific barriers Native American veterans face so they will have access to the same care that other veterans have. prgtoken For these reasons and many more, I am thankful for the inclusion of my bill today and look forward to seeing its implementation by President-elect .
Tribute to Tom Udall (Executive Calendar)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-12-16

I want to take some time to thank and commend my colleagues who are departing the Senate. All of these Members have devoted themselves to serving the Nation and serving their States. We are all better off for their service. prgtoken Let me begin with my friend and colleague Tom Udall. Tom inherited a family tradition of fighting for the American West and its citizens. His time in the Senate only added to the Udall legacy. prgtoken Tom has been one of our Chamber's leaders on conservation and the environment. He championed the creation of monuments and worked to block the administration's harmful environmental policies. And, this year, he helped secure permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was pioneered by Tom's father, Stewart Udall. prgtoken Tom's commitment to the health of our Nation's environment has always been evident, and I was proud to hand off my role as the ic leader of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to Tom in 2015. During his tenure, funding for the Interior appropriations bill grew by 25 percent, and more than 100 anti-environmental riders were blocked. These victories would have been impossible without Tom's ability to connect with his fellow Members and get things done. They are also a testament to Tom's deep knowledge of America's lands and resources. prgtoken Of course, Tom's successes go beyond his environmental work. Tom has worked tirelessly to ensure our Nation's Native Americans receive the respect and support they are entitled to. He salvaged and ultimately passed bipartisan legislation updating the Toxic Substances Control Act for the first time since 1976, which was a big victory for public health. I was also pleased to work with Tom to pass legislation in 2016 to help reduce and prevent suicide among adolescents and young adults. prgtoken Finally, I am especially grateful for Tom's efforts to increase resources for prgtoken the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. These Federal agencies are part of Rhode Island's late and great Senator Claiborne Pell's lasting legacy. They lift our spirits, tell our stories, and strengthen our sense of community. Tom's work in advancing these agencies has enriched our country and helped bring so many people together. prgtoken Thankfully, Tom has said that, while he is leaving the Senate, he is not retiring from public service. I know New Mexico and our country are better off for that. I wish Tom and his family the best as they go forward.
IN RECOGNITION OF RANDY CLINTON
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-12-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor Randy Clinton, the President & CEO of the Community Enrichment Center, who will be retiring after 25 years of faithful leadership of the Tarrant County non-profit. prgtoken Mr. Clinton received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Abilene Christian University, where he demonstrated his leadership skills through his role as the ACU Band Drum Major. After graduation, he initially served as Director of Recruiting at Abilene Christian, before his career path took him to Granbury where he opened a restaurant, and then moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a 13-year career in banking. His varied background experience in the recruitment, business and finance fields provided him the skills that would prove necessary for the challenges he would eventually face with the Community Enrichment Center. prgtoken Established in 1988, Randy joined the organization already in existence, but brought his personal and business skills to effectively manage and expand the organization's original mission to serve Northeast Tarrant County's growing community needs. The area's expanding population brought an ever-increasing need for assistance from individuals and families facing homelessness or other forms of personal crisis. To address the challenge, Randy led the acquisition and sale of several properties through debt-free operation and management of 206 properties. This effort to assist struggling families also involved offering additional support services including the CEC's Food Pantry, GED completion classes and other programs to improve job opportunities and wages to move individuals out of poverty to self- sufficiency. prgtoken This mission expanded significantly with the merger of CEC with Open Arms Home, Inc allowing an even greater ability for Randy and his team to aid families in transition. It also expanded the capacity of CEC to assist victims of domestic violence by providing them the time and space necessary to work through their challenges in a healthy and supportive environment. Funding these efforts without debt required not only efficient management skills, but also creative funding. CEC, through Randy's efforts, was successful in securing, and successfully managing, a number of federal grants including Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA), Other Victim Assistance Grant (OVAG), and HUD Homeless Housing grants. These grant funds, as well as other funding streams, supported the CEC's offerings to those in need, such as adult literacy programs and VITA Free Tax Preparation. prgtoken His service wasn't limited to his official duties at the CEC. Mr. Clinton served his fellow North Texans through participation in several area boards, including the Northeast Leadership Forum, Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Richland Lions Club, the Joint Advisory Council for JPS Hospital and the United Way Northeast Steering Committee. He also shared his personal time and lead
HONORING THE SERVICE OF BILL HUGHES
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-12-17

I also wish my friend from New Mexico well in the next phase of his life. I thank him for his service to our country. prgtoken , I rise today to make a bittersweet announcement, and that is to say thank you to a member of my staff who has given 31 years of his life to this great institution. I am talking about Bill Hughes. prgtoken Bill Hughes has decided to retire at the end of the 116th Congress. More than one person has remarked over the years that Bill Hughes comes with the building. Bill has been my policy director since I became the whip in 2014. He was my very first hire in that office. But his career was already legendary when I asked him to unretire and to join the whip team. prgtoken Bill's career embodies the American Dream. He grew up in South Dakota. He didn't have connections in Washington. He just had a dream. He was drawn to public service, and his breaks came through hard work. He became an expert on the Federal budget and the legislative process. prgtoken For 31 years, Bill has been part of some of the biggest policy debates, legislative achievements, and history-making events of our time. He retires still doing what he dreamed about doing as a young kid growing up in rural South Dakota. prgtoken Bill has served as policy director for a of this House. He served as staff director for a committee, as Chief of Staff for a Senator, and a staff director for the Senate Policy Committee. prgtoken He began his career at OMB under David Stockman back in the Reagan administration. prgtoken When I hired Bill, I hired the institutional memory of this place dating all the way back to the 98th Congress. He has an encyclopedic memory of budget accounts, past appropriations battles, Senate procedures, and, yes, also the history of American music. You can imagine some of those conversations that we have had through some of the battles we have had up here. prgtoken His colleagues respect and admire him; and more than one generation of staffers have sought his advice, guidance, and mentorship. prgtoken We have all been involved in dropping a bill right over there on the House floor, but very few of us have dropped a bill the way that Bill Hughes has. prgtoken One day, when he was working for the legendary Bud Shuster, Bill came running down to the floor with a 1,700-page infrastructure bill to get it introduced so it could get voted on, and he literally dropped the bill on the floor. It took some time to put it back together and, of course, with Bill's attention to detail, he made sure that every page was back in the right place. But he never once ``dropped'' a bill for me. prgtoken Bill is a consummate staffer and a humble public servant. He works endless hours to ensure that I have the best information and the most important facts about key legislation. He never made himself part of the story. He is that kind of person who deflects attention and credit. prgtoken In doing so, Bill Hughes ha
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THE PARTY FOR ALL
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-12-17

on December 4, Pelosi and Congressman Clyburn announced the unveiling of a new exhibit in the Capitol that pays tribute to Joseph Rainey, the first Black Member of the House of Representatives. prgtoken He served from 1869 until 1879. He was the first African American to preside over the House, and he was the longest-serving Black lawmaker in Congress during Reconstruction. In fact, he was a founding member of the South Carolina Party. prgtoken Two other s, George White and Jefferson Long, made history as the first Black Members of Congress from North Carolina and Georgia during the same period. George White, from North Carolina, was a staunch advocate for other Black s in the State and often took to task for not accepting the values that other Black s held as well. prgtoken Their stories deserve due recognition, and they also serve as reminders that political affiliations of any type are based on the values that one espouses, not just the color of one's skin or sex. prgtoken It is unfortunate that more Black s are not elected to the House of Representatives or to the Senate. That is because Black s have been attacked repeatedly by the ic Party and their friends in the mainstream media. prgtoken , even now, are still peddling a facade of being the party of the people. However, their outright rejection of those who hold different beliefs just goes to show how contradictory the party truly is. prgtoken Meanwhile, the Party welcomes members from all different backgrounds. Just look at the diverse new representatives that the American people elected to Congress: women, veterans, and minorities. Those are the candidates from across the country who have proven that values are not the values of a few; they are the values of many. prgtoken If we look at the centennial of the 19th Amendment that happened this year, we see the same disinformation tactics at play. harp incessantly about how they were the ones that fought for the 19th Amendment, but history tells a different story. On May 21, 1919, 200 s voted for the 19th Amendment in the House, while many objected. prgtoken , facts can't be forsaken as we look back at these historic events. However, flip through the pages of any classroom textbook and you do not see the Party getting the credit it deserves for fighting for equality, women, and minority populations. prgtoken Americans are not consigned to one set of political ideologies based on immutable characteristics. Free societies are built by an open exchange of ideas, and that exchange must be respected. prgtoken The American people do not need to be told how to feel, how to think, and what values they should support. That is irresponsible. The American people are perfectly capable of coming to their own conclusions, but they need the facts
COMMEMORATING THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-12-17

I rise today to honor the life of a great American, Thomas Albert Parris. He was 87 years old. prgtoken After joining the Air Force in 1948, at age 14, Mr. Parris was stationed in Germany for 2 years, where he drove an ambulance and became a medic. Mr. Parris continued to serve in that capacity at various Air Force bases in the U.S. and abroad. prgtoken While stationed in the Azores, Mr. Parris assisted in delivering 395 babies. After retiring from military service, Mr. Parris owned several gas stations, worked on nuclear submarines, became a private pilot, and trained racehorses. prgtoken Most recently, he was recognized by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and awarded the Cherokee Warrior Medal of Patriotism by Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr and the Tribal council members. prgtoken I join Arkansans, Oklahomans, and all Americans in recognizing Mr. Parris' years of service and honoring his remarkable life. I pray he rests in peace. Honoring the Life and Legacy of Nicole Inman
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-12-17

in late June, I came to the floor to speak about the need to fix the multiemployer pension system and how that system is failing its employees and retirees. I spoke about the need to secure retirement benefits for the millions of Americans who will start to see plans fail and benefits cut in the coming years if Congress doesn't fix this problem. prgtoken For the past 2 weeks, Chairman Alexander and I were negotiating with our ic colleagues to do just that--fix the system so future retirees and retirees now would not lose out on what they were promised. Those negotiations were very constructive, and I believe that both sides worked in good faith. While both sides agreed to make significant changes, in the end, we weren't able to find a compromise that satisfied our respective principles and objectives for resolving this situation. prgtoken Here is the hang up--time. Now at the end of the session, with the end-of-the-year agenda and adjournment of the Congress, we just ran out of time. So in the midst of yearend appropriations and COVID relief negotiations, there simply wasn't enough time to reconcile our differences on how to fix this failing system. prgtoken My hope had been to use the last 8 months to negotiate a solution in a thoughtful and measured manner, instead of like now, in the heat of a complex yearend bill. But sadly, those 8 months didn't produce results. prgtoken From the beginning, we have agreed that Federal funds will be needed to solve the crisis in the short term--yes, money from the Treasury for pension plans that are in trouble now. But we have been equally resolute that reforms are essential to ensure the system can be self- sustaining in the long term. So we were trying to find a short-term solution that would involve the injection of Federal dollars, but we wanted a long-term solution that would make sure that private pension plans were self-sustaining and not relying upon the Federal Treasury. Otherwise, taxpayers will be perpetually subsidizing a private sector system of employee benefit promises. prgtoken Last November, Chairman Alexander and I presented our comprehensive approach to rescue and reform the multiemployer pension system, which we have been working on and improving ever since. The product was improved with an amazing amount of input from workers, retirees, unions, employers, actuaries, academics, plan officials, and even members of the general public. Something as big as this needed to involve all of those people being at the table. prgtoken Today, Chairman Alexander and I will introduce a revised version of that plan, the Chris Allen Multiemployer Pension Recapitalization and Reform Act. This legislation served as the basis for our recent negotiations and is the product of years of work with Chairman Alexander to produce a serious, responsible plan that can provide relief to failing plans and to protect retirees' benefits. prgtoken It is also designe