mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING HERBERT M. FRANKLIN
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-1-31

I honor Herbert M. Franklin, who passed away on November 16, 2021. He has left a meaningful and beautiful mark on the heart of our Nation's Capital. prgtoken Mr. Franklin's true affection for the history and buildings of our exceptional Capitol and Washington, DC, was put to great use through his service as executive officer to George M. White and Alan M. Hantman, the 9th and 10th Architects of the Capitol, from 1989 until Mr. Franklin's retirement in 2001. In that capacity, he acted as chief of staff for all administrative policies and actions of the agency, which has over 2,000 employees and is essential to the preservation and maintenance of this marvelous structure and its grounds. prgtoken His appreciation for architecture, politics, and gardens showed in the thoughtful proficiency he put into the many important projects under his purview. Among his accomplishments, he served as project director for the design and construction of the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, the 1995 refinement of the Capitol Center Visitor Project, the National Garden Project, and the renovation of the U.S. Botanic Garden. prgtoken Additionally, Mr. Franklin served on the National Capital Memorial Commission. While on the commission, he worked on a special task force that also included the Commission on Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. The group was asked to draw up a master plan for the placement of memorials in the capital city, with the challenging objective of preserving the remaining open space on the Mall for particularly significant memorials. Through his role at the Architect of the Capitol, he also served on the D.C. Zoning Commission. prgtoken A person needed only to take a tour of the Capitol with Mr. Franklin to see just how deeply he loved it, the people who work in these halls, and the processes and procedures at the core of its operation. He delighted in his work and took very seriously his charge to guard and honor our Capitol. prgtoken Susan Hawkes Wheeler, chief of staff for my Washington, DC, office, is one of the very lucky people to have benefited from one of Mr. Franklin's tours. He gave Susan her first and best tour of the Capitol, and I am so glad he did. Her visit with his warm and hospitable family was instrumental in her deciding to join my staff just a few weeks later. And she is just one of many who benefited from his experience and guidance throughout his extraordinary life and career. prgtoken Mr. Franklin's admiration for architecture and the building arts also showed in his volunteer work, as he was instrumental in the founding of the National Building Museum. In 1977, he was part of a small group that created the Committee for a National Museum of the Building Arts, in response to concerns over the fate of the historic Pension Building in Washington, DC. Mr. Franklin drafted the legislation that eventually led to Congress establishing the Nationa
TRIBUTE TO AYOKA LEE
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-1-31

I rise today to recognize a truly incredible, and historic performance on the basketball court from K- State's own, Ayoka Lee. prgtoken Ayoka is the starting center for the Kansas State Women's Basketball Team and recently set the NCAA all-time record on January 23 in Bramlage Coliseum for most points in a single game, scoring an astounding 61 points against the 14th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. To put into perspective just how extraordinary this is, the entire Oklahoma roster only scored 65 points against the Wildcats in that game. There is not much more I enjoy than seeing my alma mater win, so this record performance truly brings immense pride to myself and every other K- State alumni. prgtoken It is also no surprise that Ayoka was able to achieve this, given her resume. She came to Manhattan as a top 50 national recruit out of high school, then went on to be Big 12 freshman of the year, and First Team All Big-12 her freshman and sophomore year. Not to mention, she has also been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll four times. Now in her junior year, Ayoka will surely be First-Team All Big-12 again and is even in the Wooden Award Top-25 Watch List. If this 61-point performance doesn't earn her the Wooden award, it has at least won her a spot in every K-Stater's heart, and we are all thrilled to hear about her plans to come back and play in her final year of NCAA eligibility as she completes her master's degree in the Little Apple. prgtoken I ask my colleagues now to join me in recognizing this outstanding achievement by Ayoka Lee. She has made the K-State community proud, and we are all rooting for her to succeed in her career and can't wait to see her and the team bring home a national championship. ``Go Cats!''
Supreme Court Nominations (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-1-31

last week when the Senate was in recess, Justice Stephen Breyer announced he will soon retire from the U.S. Supreme Court. I want to first thank Justice Breyer for his service-- more than four decades, including nearly three decades on the Supreme Court itself. prgtoken Although I have disagreed with his rulings from time to time, I maintain deep respect for Justice Breyer's commitment to the rule of law and the integrity of our judicial system. prgtoken Last year, when some of our ic colleagues renewed their threats to expand the Supreme Court and pack it with partisans, Justice Breyer, to his credit, spoke up. He echoed the comments of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg and warned about the potentially dangerous consequences of ' Court-packing threats. As I said, I have great respect for Justice Breyer's defense of the Court and the rule of law and protecting the Court as an institution, especially at a moment when sound, principled leadership was needed. prgtoken Once again, I want to thank Justice Breyer for his service and wish him a well-deserved retirement. prgtoken All eyes are now on the White House as we await news of President 's nominee to succeed Justice Breyer. Although this is the President's first opportunity to nominate a Supreme Court Justice, he is standing at a very familiar fork in the road, outlining two separate and distinct paths. prgtoken One of those paths involves convention and virtuous leadership. President could select an individual whose stellar credentials and experience are matched by a deep respect for the rule of law and the Constitution. He could nominate someone who agrees that Supreme Court Justices are meant to act as umpires, not as players in the game. They are supposed to call balls and strikes, not to help their preferred team score runs. prgtoken Of course, there is another path, one that was cleared and paved by the radical left. The President could listen to the liberal activists who want to select somebody who will deliver partisan wins regardless of the facts. He could nominate someone who would attempt to use a position on the Supreme Court to rule based on personal policies or preferences rather than what the law commands a Justice to do. prgtoken As I have said, President has found himself looking down these two diverging paths a number of times. When he first took office, he could have worked with s to build on Congress's perfect record of bipartisan pandemic relief. With the border crisis, he could have endorsed bipartisan efforts to address the virtually uninhibited flow of migrants across our southern border during this last year. prgtoken With a 50-50 Senate, he could have embraced the opportunity to work across the aisle to make progress on our shared priorities, but at every single decision point, the President basically ignored the opportunity to build consensus. Even when he supported the infrastruct
Kentucky (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-1-31

Senators spent last week in our home States. We got to hear firsthand updates about the real issues facing real families that we all represent. I was especially glad to return to Western Kentucky to keep working on our recovery from the catastrophic tornadoes that hammered our State in mid-December. prgtoken Kentuckians are tough. They are resilient. But many are still reeling from the impact of these storms. They have lost homes, businesses, even loved ones. prgtoken I spent last week meeting with local leaders, small business owners, and Kentuckians in the hardest hit areas. We talked about our work here in Washington and the help they can expect to receive from us. prgtoken Kentuckians in the affected areas have been grateful for the quick and efficient way that FEMA has begun distributing recovery aid. We know recovery will be a very long process, but my office and I will be standing with our people every step of the way. prgtoken And the entire State is excited to improve our roads, bridges, railways, and broadband thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure deal that Congress struck last year. prgtoken But like working people across America, Kentuckians also have serious concerns about significant headwinds. Kentucky families are feeling the pain of the worst inflation in 40 years. Our country has been hammered by 7 percent inflation over just the past year. Employers are trying hard to keep up. prgtoken Even as they face inflation across all their expenses, businesses across our region have significantly upped their spending on wages and benefits, and many workers have gotten raises. But, actually, it is only on paper because the historic inflation on the ' watch has more than canceled the average increase in wages. Inflation is turning pay raises into pay cuts. This is just one of the many significant problems we confront.
TRIBUTE TO TONY COLTER
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2022-1-31

today I have the distinct honor of recognizing Tony Colter of Powell County as Montanan of the Month for his many years of leadership in resolving forestry and timber issues and his dedication to making Montana a better place to live for all Montanans. prgtoken Tony is a founding member of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Working Group, which was formed in 2011. The group brings Montanans with diverse interests together to collaborate with Forest Service staff and community members to promote collaboration and transparency when solving forest-level issues in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. prgtoken Tony's leadership and passion for the Working Group has impacted the lives of many of his fellow Montanans. He has been instrumental in helping develop science-based restoration strategies, forging diverse partnerships, and improving Forest Service projects through collaborative approaches and recommendations. prgtoken Fellow members of the Working Group say that Tony cares deeply about the group's vision for the Forest, and his passion and charisma made him a valuable leader and representative for the Working Group. They say that learning from and working alongside Tony was an honor. prgtoken Tony also worked for many years at Sun Mountain Lumber in Deer Lodge. His former coworkers, friends, and colleagues all agree that his efforts have made a lasting impact. Bryan Lorengo with the Montana Logging Association said, ``The one thing that sticks out about Tony is his calm demeanor and willingness to listen first while respecting people's opinions and views even though they might be opposite of his own.'' prgtoken It is my honor to recognize Tony for his leadership and commitment to bettering the Forest and serving his community. Through his passion for advancing the Working Group's mission for and dedication to solving forest-related issues, I have no doubt that Tony's hard work has made the great State of Montana a better place to live. prgtoken Congratulations on your retirement, Tony. You make Montana proud.
JOHN R. LEWIS POST OFFICE BUILDING
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-2-1

I thank the gentlewoman for bringing this important legislation to the floor of the House in such a bipartisan way. prgtoken I rise today in support of legislation to honor the leadership and legacy of Congressman John Robert Lewis. prgtoken I thank the gentleman, who is also from Georgia, for presiding. It makes it very special to all of us. prgtoken I support this legislation officially and personally, as our beloved John Lewis was the conscience of the Congress and a dear friend to many of us who served with him. prgtoken I came in with the same class as John Lewis, so I served with him for decades, and I had the benefit of seeing up close and personal on a daily basis the special nature of this man. prgtoken Let us salute Congresswoman Nikema Williams, who has the awesome privilege of serving in John Lewis' seat for Georgia, for her committed leadership in making this legislation possible. prgtoken John Lewis was a titan of the civil rights movement--we all know that--a moral giant on Capitol Hill and in the country, and a hero of American history who transformed our Nation with his vision, his persistence, and his courage. prgtoken John offered our Nation a clarion voice for freedom and justice from lunch counters in Nashville to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the floor of the House. On the floor of the House, John led a demonstration in support of gun violence prevention that was historic. prgtoken John's extraordinary sacrifice, indomitable spirit, and endless generosity in the face of unimaginable adversity made him revered in both Houses of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, and across the country. prgtoken It was my solemn honor to welcome John back to the Capitol a final time in July 2020 to lie in state. prgtoken Then, in July 2021, I had the great privilege of leading a congressional delegation to San Diego to christen the formidable USNS John Lewis. prgtoken Today, we again honor John by affixing his name upon a post office in the heart of his beloved Atlanta, another fitting tribute that will inspire generations of Georgians. prgtoken It is appropriate we do so today as Americans across the Nation mark the beginning of Black History Month this very day. prgtoken As we do so, let us pledge to continue to carry on John's mission to strive for a more perfect Union and to work to build a world worthy of John Lewis' legacy. prgtoken , I also proudly honor a pioneering spirit and a friend of John Lewis', a progressive champion and a dear longtime friend of so many of us, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, with legislation to rename the Petaluma downtown post office in her honor, which I am proud to cosponsor as a Californian. prgtoken We pay a proper tribute to an inspiring leader who has improved the lives of countless working families in the bay area and beyond. prgtoken , I thank Congressman Jared Huffman for his committed leadership to bring this legislation to th
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-2-1

I am proud to recognize Trevor O'Brien of Lodonderry as January's Granite Stater of the Month. When Cobblestone Ale House, a popular local bar in Keene, was destroyed by a 5-alarm fire, Trevor jumped into action to support the people in his community who were impacted by this devastating event. prgtoken Trevor had previously worked at the ale house as a bartender for 10 years, and during that time, he was part of a vibrant community that felt to him like family. During his shifts, the bar would fill up with locals and tourists alike, who were there to meet up with old friends or make new connections. Trevor met his now-wife while working there, and he is officiating a wedding soon for another couple who met at the bar. prgtoken When Trevor heard the news of Cobblestone Ale House burning down, he immediately knew that he had to support his community during this difficult time. He made an impromptu Go-Fund-Me page that he shared over social media and asked his friends to donate the equivalent of one final drink at the bar. Within an hour donations were pouring in. The campaign continued to spread from person-to-person and has since taken off, raising nearly $20,000. prgtoken The money from the Go-Fund-Me will be going to bar staffers to help with lost wages and to the tenants who lived above the ale house who lost belongings in the fire. prgtoken Trevor's actions are a testament to him, but also reflect the determination to be generous, kind, and strong neighbors that is a hallmark of Granite State character. Trevor's decision to help others sparked a movement that will make a real difference for people in his community, and I am honored to name him as January's Granite Stater of the Month.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF TUFAIL AHMAD
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-2-1

. Madam , I rise today to recognize one of my remarkable constituents, Tufail Ahmad, who passed away on January 13, 2022. Tufail dedicated his life to civic engagement and public service. His unwavering dedication to building a better future for his family, neighbors, friends and community is a true testament to the values we cherish as a country. prgtoken Tufail was born on March 4, 1938 in the small village of Allahabad, India. As a young man, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in Commerce from Allahabad University before emigrating to Pakistan. While in Pakistan, Tufail worked as an assistant professor and then as the Deputy Auditor General for the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Services. Tufail later travelled to the United States in 1968 as a member of the Pakistan audit team at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. After formally emigrating to the United States in 1973, Tufail briefly worked at a shipping firm before he proudly founded his own international trading firm, Euro-America Shipping and Trade Inc. prgtoken After 27 years at the trading firm, Tufail went on to volunteer community service and served as a board member of the Committee for Montgomery, Progressive Maryland and the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board. Tufail was also well known for his outstanding active prgtoken involvement in state and local politics, including serving as Precinct Chair and D15 Caucus Chair. He was later recognized as Precinct Official of the Year in 2004 and in 2018 was inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame. prgtoken In 2003, in what has become his enduring legacy, Tufail co- established the Montgomery County Muslim Council where he spearheaded efforts to boost civic engagement in the Muslim community. He also co- founded the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation, an organization that aspires to a hunger-free and hate-free society for all people, regardless of their faith, race or gender. Under Tufail's determined leadership, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation became one of the largest nonprofit charitable foundations in Montgomery County. prgtoken Tufail devoted his life to providing for, and sharing with, all of our people. His unshakable commitment to improving the lives of his friends, family, neighbors, and community embodies true American patriotism. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable life and wonderful legacy of my constituent, Tufail Ahmad.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-2-1

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Wednesday, February 2; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Puttagunta nomination prgtoken postcloture; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, all postcloture time on the nomination expire at 11 a.m. and upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate vote on the motions to invoke cloture on the Scott and Tunnage nomination; further, that at 2:15 p.m the Senate vote on confirmation of the Lopez and Staples nomination and on the motion to invoke cloture on the Howard nomination; further, that if cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, the confirmation votes be at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the leader; finally, if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
Government Funding (Executive Calendar)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-2-1

we are 4 months into the fiscal year, and our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have still not agreed to a deal to fund the Federal Government, including the Department of Defense. In a matter of days, we will face the prospect of a long-term continuing resolution or government shutdown if an agreement on overall funding levels cannot be reached. prgtoken From the moment President submitted his budget request, leaders said his proposed $12.6 billion increase for defense was not enough. So, on a bipartisan basis, we worked to raise that number to a level proposed by the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee and supported by every on the committee as well as the 88 Senators who voted for the final National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken But even with that defense number in hand, our colleagues continue to draw out negotiations on a top-line funding number for the Federal Government. In doing so, they risk pushing us into a full-year continuing resolution that would fund defense at a level that is less than President 's initial request. prgtoken Let me say that again. They were deeply critical of the President's proposal. They worked and we worked with them to get a robust increase in defense spending, and now they are prepared to accept a number even below President 's request. prgtoken Make no mistake, a full-year CR will short-change our military, and it will disrupt the efficient operations of the Federal Government in the midst of international tension, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and a fragile economic recovery. prgtoken As my colleague from Ohio just pointed out, we are in a serious confrontation on the Ukrainian border between Russian forces and Ukrainian forces. And we have indicated that we want to help. A big part of that help would come from the Department of Defense, but it would be very difficult with a continuing resolution to marshal the help and support to our colleagues and our friends in Ukraine. prgtoken As I noted, the outlines of a reasonable agreement for both defense and nondefense funding have been evident for some time. Indeed, the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed on a bipartisan basis in December, set a funding level for defense that is 5 percent higher than last year's enacted level. It reflects the level proposed by Ranking Member Inhofe. And, as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I fully supported that funding level and cosponsored Senator Inhofe's amendment to authorize the increase. prgtoken For his part, Senator Leahy has adopted the NDAA defense funding levels in the bills that the Appropriations Committee introduced in November. He accommodated that increase by reducing funding for domestic programs by $22.5 billion from the level in the administration's request. prgtoken So have agreed to increase defense funding and to reduce nondefense funding from th