mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING HENRY ``LIL SONNY'' NICKSON, JR.
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2017-4-3

I rise today to honor Tunica County Board Supervisor Henry ``Lil Sonny'' Nickson, Jr. prgtoken Supervisor Nickson was born to Mary and Henry Nickson, Sr. He has one sister, Sharla Brown-Nickson and was raised in Tunica, MS. Mr. Nickson is 40 years old. He is an 8th prgtoken grade Social Studies teacher at Tunica Middle School in the Tunica County School District. He previously served two terms on the Board of Alderman for the Town of Tunica. Mr. Nickson was the First African American elected to this position in Tunica County's history. He currently is in his second term as Tunica County Supervisor/District No. 4. prgtoken Supervisor Nickson is recognized amongst his family, his community, and his colleagues as a man of integrity and for the service, compassion, and outstanding spirit he has. He regularly attends and serves as a member of Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Tunica, Mississippi. prgtoken Supervisor Nickson attended and graduated from public high school in Tunica County. After earning his high school diploma from Rosa Fort High School (1994), he attended Jackson State University in Jackson, MS (Spr '99) as a Business Management Major. He became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Beta Chapter. He is a member of Keystone No. 20, Masonic Lodge. For a few years after graduating from Jackson State University, Mr. Nickson enrolled in graduate school at Jackson State University (MAT Alternative Route Teaching Program). Also, he worked as a substitute teacher at Murrah High School and Mazzio's Pizza in Jackson, MS. After 2 years in Jackson, he returned to Tunica to be closer to his children and family. prgtoken On his return back to his hometown, Henry started jobs as a teacher's aide in the Tunica County School District and Jailor at the Tunica County Sheriff's Department. Also, Henry began the journey to become a licensed teacher. After a year as a substitute teacher, in 2001 Henry was hired as a GED/ESL/BASIC skills instructor for Coahoma Community College (Adult Basic Education Program). During the next several years, Henry would get promoted at the Tunica County Sheriff's Department as: Jail Supervisor (Corporal), County Team Leader (Coahoma Community College/Adult Basic Education Program), served as Planning Commissioner (Tunica County District No. 4), served as Tunica County Coordinator for Congressman Thompson, and returned back to the Tunica County School District as an In-School Suspension Coordinator and GED instructor. In 2009, Henry obtained his teacher's license and was hired at Tunica Middle School as a Social Studies Teacher/Coach and in 2010 obtained his Masters of Art Degree in Teaching from Belhaven University. Henry is currently working on completing his EDS in Educational Leadership and Administration Program at Delta State University. prgtoken Although he excelled in his employment, Supervisor Nickson's political career has been rewarding. In 2005, He beca
INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO ESTABLISH AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION FOR THE GUAM CNMI VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Democrat, GU) \u2014 2017-4-3

today I re-introduce legislation to authorize and establish an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, and direct revenue from the established system to fund CBP operations and staffing needs for ports of entry in Guam and the CNMI. prgtoken The regional Guam-CNMI VWP recognizes Guam's unique location in Asia, and the need to be more competitive for tourists from other Asian nations. With Guam's primary source of economic revenue being tourism from Asia, my legislation would address several issues that have hampered our visitor industry and that continue to cost CBP millions of dollars annually in processing costs. The majority of foreign arrivals at Guam International Airport are those traveling under the Guam-CNMI VWP, and long immigration lines are a recurring issue due to limited staffing capacity when arrivals peak at Guam International Airport. At their peak, sometimes 1,200 passengers arrive when multiple flights arrive nearly simultaneously the wait times at immigration can be as long as two and a half hours. prgtoken I recognize that there are complaints about long wait lines at other international ports of entry. However, the long wait-times have caused harm to Guam's reputation in our primary visitor markets of Japan and South Korea. In fact, Japan television shows and radio programs have mocked the long lines and wait times at Guam International Airport, which has negatively impacted Guam's standing as a family-friendly destination for our Asian allies. The flight from Japan or South Korea is a little over three hours and, sadly, some of these visitors have waited about as long, or at times longer, in line than it takes to travel from their home country to Guam. That is unacceptable and runs counter to the previous Administration's goal of improving the arrivals process for international travelers arriving in the United States, as outlined in a memorandum to heads of executive departments and agencies on May 22, 2014. My legislation would work to address the problems that are occurring with long wait times at our respective ports of entry. Tourism is critical to the economies of the region, and we cannot let an antiquated visitor entry system and inadequate staffing harm our economy. prgtoken Establishing an ESTA specific to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would help to address several issues faced by visitors arriving at Guam International Airport. First, the current process relies on a paper- based system which is cumbersome and only adds to the delays when arriving. The bill would allow CBP to prgtoken automate that process and, as a result, save an estimated $4 million annually that is used by CBP to process and file the paper forms. This is a commonsense reform that will save the federal government money and improve the customer experience at Guam International Airport and ports of entry in the CNMI. prgtoken Admittedly, CBP has the autho
OPPOSING NOMINATION OF JUDGE NEIL M. GORSUCH TO BE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-4-3

as a senior member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and member of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, I rise today to express my views regarding the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. prgtoken The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and the final arbiter of our Constitution and laws, and its rulings can impact the lives and rights of all Americans as shown in the cases of Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade; Miranda v. Arizona; Gideon v. Wainwright; New York Times v. Sullivan; Obergefell v. Hodges; and Shelby County v. Holder, to name but a few. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch is a judge with an agenda, as demonstrated by his record on the federal bench, as well as his writings, speeches, and activities throughout his career. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch's frequent dissents and concurrences show he is out of the mainstream of legal thought and unwilling to accept the constructs of binding precedent and stare decisis when they dictate results he disfavors. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch's appointment to the Court would tip the balance in a direction that would undermine many of the core rights and legal protections Americans cherish. prgtoken For the reasons I will discuss in detail, the Senate should reject his nomination and not consent to his confirmation as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. prgtoken On Election Night the President-Elect pledged to the nation that he would be a president to all Americans. prgtoken That pledge will ring hollow to tens of millions of Americans in light of his nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. prgtoken Perhaps nothing would do more to reassure the American people that the President is committed to unifying the nation than the nomination and appointment of a person to be Associate Justice who has a record of championing and protecting, rather than opposing and undermining, the precious right to vote; the constitutionally guaranteed right of privacy, criminal justice reform, and support for reform of the nation's immigration system so that it is fair and humane. prgtoken That is not to be found in the record or character of Judge Gorsuch. prgtoken It should not be forgotten that the vacancy at issue was created in February 2016 by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and should have been filled by the confirmation of the eminently qualified Judge Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. prgtoken In fact, the only reason Judge Garland is not now on the Court is because Senators disregarded a century of precedent and their constitutional oaths and refused to consider the nomination because it was made by President . prgtoken Judge Gorsuch's conservative ideology and professed judicial philosophy of ``origina
TRIBUTE TO WAYNE KINNEY
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-4-3

today I wish to commemorate the retirement of my friend Wayne Kinney. prgtoken Wayne is retiring as my central Oregon field representative after more than two decades of outstanding service to our State--and more specifically serving at one point or another the residents of Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wheeler, and Wasco Counties. prgtoken Suffice to say, Wayne knows everyone, and most of those folks could spend hours recounting their own tales of this quintessential public servant. prgtoken Simply put, he will be deeply missed. prgtoken But before Wayne takes his well-deserved retirement to his native New England--where he can be nearer to family and maintain closer supervision of his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots--I want to share my personal appreciation for this exemplary public servant, all-around good guy, and wonderfully avuncular curmudgeon. prgtoken Wayne can forever lay claim to a significant piece of Oregon history. He opened Oregon's first Senate field office east of the Cascades shortly after I first took office in 1996. prgtoken Wayne opened and ran my eastern Oregon office in La Grande before moving to Bend. prgtoken In his service to Oregonians, he has put more miles than anybody I know on Oregon roads, at all hours, in all kinds of weather, to towns where there often are more cows than people. prgtoken Wayne's fierce sense of loyalty and commitment to public service has driven him to cover all the ground he has over the years from Wasco to Wagontire, Ontario to Olene, Joseph to John Day, Bend to Burns, Madras to Mitchell, and all points in between. prgtoken That loyalty extends to the rural communities he serves and the Oregonians in those communities who might not otherwise have a voice. prgtoken Wayne always keeps the door open for cattlemen, farmers, and countless others who often feel the government is removed from their struggles. prgtoken It is Wayne's ability to reach out and make connections with all of those folks that played such a large part in ensuring ``every nook and cranny'' in Oregon gets a voice. prgtoken Wayne is not just a champion in general for rural Oregon communities. He has also proven to be an able advocate for creating opportunities for rural women that allows them to bring their voices into statewide discussions. prgtoken Let me tell a couple of anecdotes about Wayne to provide a glimpse into this wonderful character--and all that he has meant to Oregon. prgtoken For my colleagues who have not been to central and eastern Oregon, I would only note that the distances between towns can be great, but Wayne never let those long drives be a roadblock. prgtoken In fact, his goal was to be anywhere and everywhere. He achieved that goal by--I believe in his words--making sure that, if anybody was so much as dedicating a new soda machine, he would b
CONFIRMATION OF NEIL GORSUCH TO THE SUPREME COURT
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-4-3

I appreciate the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia's leadership throughout the years on many of these issues. prgtoken , confirmation of Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court would be detrimental to the interests of working Americans, particularly African-Americans and other vulnerable communities. prgtoken Just as President 's agenda prioritizes special interests, Judge Gorsuch's record shows that he favors powerful interests and businesses over regular people. His hostility to class action lawsuits would threaten protections for workers, especially African-Americans and other minorities. prgtoken What is particularly of concern to me is Gorsuch's opinion in what is known as the ``frozen trucker'' case. Gorsuch ruled against an African- American truck driver who, after breaking down in freezing weather, ignored his supervisor by unhitching the broken trailer from his truck and driving away in search of assistance. prgtoken In freezing cold weather, the truck driver is nearly freezing to death. He has a truck that won't work with frozen brakes. They are telling him to move--to use the truck and drive away. If he takes his truck with frozen brakes, the harm potentially to other citizens is great. An 18-wheeler truck with no brakes, that doesn't seem logical. prgtoken Gorsuch believed that the employee should have followed the orders, even though the driver's life was at risk. Gorsuch was the sole vote against the driver, who was put in the position of having to choose between freezing to death, driving an unsafe vehicle and endangering the lives of others, or unhitching his trailer and seeking help. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch's record is also troubling when it comes to issues around police accountability. Gorsuch believes in granting police qualified immunity, which protects law enforcement from being held liable for any excessive use of force. Now, this is deeply concerning given the widespread use of excessive force against African Americans by police and the increasing number of police shooting deaths of unarmed African Americans. prgtoken This is particularly concerning to me. I come from Newark, New Jersey, and the police department is being overseen by a Federal monitor following a 2014 review that determined officers repeatedly violated citizens' civil rights. prgtoken Additionally, Gorsuch's record on civil rights is deeply troubling. The National Bar Association, our Nation's oldest and largest national association of predominantly African-American lawyers and judges, notes that Gorsuch has shown a strong tendency to be biased in favor of powerful corporate interests and unapologetically biased against workers and victims of civil and human rights violations. prgtoken The confirmation of Gorsuch would threaten the protections and the rights of African Americans. Gorsuch is in lockstep with the President, favoring the wealthy over ordinary Americans. This is why I oppose his confirmation. prgtoken
CONDEMNING NORTH KOREA'S DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPLE INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-3

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H. Res. 92. prgtoken I am the chief ic cosponsor and the gentleman from South Carolina is the sponsor of this resolution condemning North Korea's development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles, and for other purposes. It should be noted that this resolution now has 120 bipartisan cosponsors, including the ranking member and chairman of the committee, the chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, and myself as ranking member of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee. prgtoken This resolution is necessary at a time when the regime of Kim Jong-un is as belligerent as ever. His intentions are clear. He is conducting intermediate and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and nuclear tests for the purpose of being in a position to intimidate the United States and the rest of the world. Just this month the regime in Pyongyang released a fake propaganda video showing the imagined destruction of a U.S. aircraft carrier by its forces. prgtoken In addition to the five nuclear weapons North Korea has already tested, Kim Jong-un continues to test ballistic missiles, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and is moving toward intercontinental ballistic missiles. These missiles have as one of their chief purposes to be able to reach the continental United States and particularly the Pacific Coast of the United States. prgtoken We used to have the luxury of saying that North Korea just wants attention; they just want this or that concession. But now their goal is clear. It is to threaten hundreds of millions of Americans. It is clear that North Korea is testing missiles and bombs for the purpose of developing warheads that can do just that. prgtoken The resolution we are considering today, H. Res. 92, condemns North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile tests, calls for the United States to apply economic sanctions on North Korea, and calls on China to pressure North Korean leaders to cease their provocative behavior, abandon and dismantle their nuclear missile program, and it calls upon China to curtail, or at least threaten to curtail, their economic support of Pyongyang. prgtoken President Xi is coming to the United States. He will meet with our President in Florida. And I hope that the recent comments that we are going to handle this issue on our own are not what comes out of Florida, because, instead, we must demand that China pressure North Korea. prgtoken According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, China accounts for over 90 percent of North Korea's foreign trade and approximately 95 percent of its foreign direct investment. Beijing needs to know that there are serious challenges to its relationship with the United States if it does not assist us in this effort. Officials in Beijing cannot assume that their companies will always have access to the United States mark
CONDEMNING NORTH KOREA'S DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPLE INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2017-4-3

I stand in strong support of H. Res. 92, Condemning North Korea's development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles. prgtoken The security of our nation and allies rests on a global community of nations acting in a responsible manner. For too long the Asia-Pacific region has been rocked with instability because of North Korea's irresponsible behavior. Last year, the North Korean regime conducted two nuclear tests and twenty missile tests, including successfully testing a submarine-launched ballistic missile. This is a marked increase from two nuclear tests and 42 missile tests over the previous seven years. In February 2017, North Korea fired a ballistic missile that landed in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, sending shockwaves among our two closest allies in the Asia-Pacific. prgtoken Passing this resolution will reaffirm our commitment to trilateral missile defense cooperation with South Korea and Japan and to an interoperable, multi-tier missile defense system that will protect Americans and our allies on the Korean Peninsula. At a time of increasing belligerence by North Korea, our allies need such security assurances. This bill will also urge the President to promptly deploy the prgtoken Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, apply all available economic sanctions on North Korea, and consider additional measures to strengthen bilateral security cooperation with South Korea, including increases in foreign military sales and joint exercises. prgtoken Like many of my colleagues, the constituents whom I represent want assurance that the United States is secure from all external threats, including the potential threat of weaponized intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). ICBMs are designed to travel between 5,500 km and 10,000 km. California is about 9,000 km from North Korea. Given that the North Korean regime has made steady advances in its nuclear weapons program over the past few years, it is not surprising that my California colleagues are increasingly alarmed by Pyongyang's actions. prgtoken The level of bipartisan support for H. Res. 92 reflects the importance of the threat North Korea poses to global stability. Our security and the security of our allies is an issue that crosses party lines. It is imperative to our national security interests that North Korea does not develop a weaponized ICBM capable of reaching any part of our country. prgtoken This resolution provides more assurance to our allies in the Asia- Pacific and sends a message to the North Korean regime that all Americans are united in our determination to safeguard our country against foreign threats. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote yes on the resolution.
OLD VESSELS EXEMPTION ACT--Continued
Claire McCaskill (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2017-4-3

I rise to ask my colleagues to support the bill that is in front of us, S. 89, which will allow the historic Delta Queen paddle wheeler to return to operation on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. prgtoken This bill is supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Seafarers International Union of North America, along with a whole lot of excited people who live in Kimmswick, MO, where this boat will have its home base. prgtoken The Delta Queen is an important piece of history. The vessel connects us to a time before railroads and highways, when rivers were key arteries of travel and commerce in this country. It was first placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and was designated as a national historic landmark in 1989. prgtoken The Delta Queen's steel hull was originally built in pieces in Scotland and then was assembled in Stockton, CA, in 1926, until the beginning of World War II, when it ferried passengers between Sacramento and San Francisco. During the war, she was acquired by the U.S. Navy to support its operations in the San Francisco Bay. Following the war, she was taken to Cincinnati, where she took passengers up and down the river system for the next 60 years. prgtoken Three different U.S. Presidents have sailed on the Delta Queen-- Herbert Hoover, Missouri's own Harry Truman, and Jimmy Carter. In fact, President Carter went on a week-long campaign tour on the vessel in 1979, along the Upper Mississippi. prgtoken For years, this vessel was home-ported in Cincinnati and was later used as a hotel in Chattanooga. Should the bill before us be enacted, the Delta Queen will be home-ported in Kimmswick, MO, just south of St. Louis. There, its operations will create more than 170 jobs and have an economic impact of more than $36 million, which is a big impact for one boat in a small community. prgtoken The bill before the Senate today would reinstate the exemption that the Delta Queen repeatedly received in the past when it was grandfathered from regulations that occurred in 1966, which prevented wooden boats from having passengers overnight. Congress repeatedly renewed this waiver from 1968 to 2008 and recognized that these regulations were primarily designed for ships on the high seas and that this ship was a link to an important time period in American history. prgtoken Over the 40 years that the Delta Queen had its exemption, it operated without incident, but the exemption was allowed to expire in 2008. S. 89 adds a new number of safety provisions as a condition of the waiver, making it a very strong improvement over every previous waiver that was issued by Congress during that time period. prgtoken I will not go through the long list of safety requirements that are contained in this legislation. Suffice it to say that they must alter the boat; they must protect the engine and boiler systems with non- flammable materials, and they must receive special training.