mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRUMP POLICIES SUCCEED
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I am grateful that the ic Presidential debate was last night in my birthplace, the holy city of Charleston, where they would see firsthand the successes of the economic policies of creating jobs. prgtoken When President visits North Charleston Friday, the facts are clear. The Post and Courier, on February 7, by David Wren, reported ``SC Extends Global Reach.'' ``By air and sea, South Carolina boosted the dollar amount of goods exported to foreign countries to a record of $41.5 billion in 2019-- nearly 20 percent better than the previous year, despite the threat of tariffs. ``Dreamliner jets built at Boeing Co.'s North Charleston plant and vehicles manufactured by BMW in the Upstate and Volvo cars in the Lowcountry combined for more than half of the total, or roughly $24.4 billion . . . . `' ``The dollar amount of outbound goods has swelled by 68 percent since 2011, and South Carolina now accounts for 35 percent of all U.S. tire exports and 16 percent of all U.S. vehicle exports.'' prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. prgtoken Best wishes to Zach Caldwell on his visit to Washington.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WEEK
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-2-26

I rise to recognize National Future Farmers of America Week. Without question, the hardworking men and women in the field of agriculture serve as the backbone of our Nation. prgtoken Since its founding in 1917, the Future Farmers of America has prepared the next generation of chemists, veterinarians, entrepreneurs, and premier agriculture professionals. These individuals will go on to solve the world's challenge of providing resources to growing populations. prgtoken In North Carolina, the Future Farmers of America continues to grow. Last year, it had over 20,000 members, and its 321 chapters contributed more than 1 million service hours across the State. When you see these young people in their dark blue jackets with the gold trim, you are seeing leaders and patriots. prgtoken By learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve, the Future Farmers of America ensure that our Nation's agricultural future remains bright. prgtoken , I would be remiss if I did not address imprudent comments about our Nation's farmers that were recently brought to light. At an Oxford University event in 2016, Michael Bloomberg offered commentary that was truly unsettling. He said: ``I could teach anybody, even people in this room, to be a farmer. It's a process. You dig a hole; you put a seed in; you put dirt on top, add water, and up comes the corn.'' prgtoken When you write off America's farmers, you write off the lifeblood of our country. To show you the impact of our farmers, we will look at the facts in just a moment. prgtoken Contrary to the idea, as Michael Bloomberg said, that farming is so simple, the truth is that farmers must be among the most intelligent, innovative, and creative people in the world. They face challenges every day that threaten their survival. prgtoken Now, let's look at the facts: prgtoken Annually, one U.S. farm will feed 166 people in the U.S. and abroad; prgtoken In 2018, $139 billion of American agricultural products were exported around the world; prgtoken Ninety-eight percent of U.S. farms are operated by hardworking families; and prgtoken About 11 percent of U.S. farmers are serving or have served in the military, compared to only 2 percent of the general public, showing that American farmers are very patriotic. prgtoken These facts speak for themselves. The work of American farmers goes far beyond Michael Bloomberg's claim of simply digging holes, planting seeds, and adding water. prgtoken I am proud to represent over 7,000 farms and over 11,000 agricultural producers in the Fifth District of North Carolina. Collectively, they generate over $1 billion every year and represent almost 10 percent of North Carolina's agriculture sales. prgtoken Recently, Alleghany County honored some of its farmers, young and old, and to hear of their efforts and dedication would inspire anyone. I commend and thank our farmers and our future agricultural leaders for their unwavering commitment to our
IN HONOR OF MRS. IRENE MORGAN
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Irene Morgan who was among the first warriors on the frontline of the Civil Rights Movement. Although her valiant story is unknown to many, I applaud the Virginia Department of Historical Resources for issuing a new state historical marker for her in Gloucester County in my district. prgtoken Irene's incredible story highlights the social hardships that African Americans faced in the U.S. In 1944, while returning home to Baltimore on a bus after visiting her mother in Gloucester, the bus driver ordered her to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. She refused. Consequently, Middlesex County sheriffs arrested her, and the State convicted her. It was from this point that Irene took immediate action. With the help of the NAACP, her case was heard by the Supreme Court. Then, in 1946, defended by Thurgood Marshall and Spottswood W. Robinson, III; Irene won her Supreme Court case, Morgan v. Virginia. Her case made it unconstitutional to enforce segregation laws on interstate carriers. This landmark case set the stage for years of civil action against draconian laws that discriminated against our own citizens. prgtoken On behalf of Virginia's First District, it is my pleasure to honor Irene. All Virginians and those of Virginia's First District, should take the opportunity to learn about Irene and her act of courage. prgtoken Therefore, Madam , I ask that you and my colleagues join me in honoring Irene and her family for their contribution to our nation's history and the African American Community. I also want to thank the Virginia Department of Historical Resources for issuing a new marker for her, memorializing her story. On behalf of Virginia's First District we say thank you.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY
Jeff Fortenberry (Republican, NE) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , first of all, let me thank Chairman Neguse for his profound words, generous words, kind words, and committed support to this bill. I also thank Ranking Member McClintock for his review of this impactful history of our Nation. prgtoken This is the reason that Nebraska chose to honor Chief Standing Bear and to share his legacy with the entire United States with a statue recently placed in Statuary Hall. prgtoken In fact, Madam , I was walking through there recently, and I stopped for a moment and paused. I watched the young children gather around the Chief Standing Bear statue because it is so impressive and so dignified, and the words that are below it are so impactful: ``I am a man.'' prgtoken You see, as Ranking Member McClintock traced some of this history, in 1877, the Ponca people were forced off their land in Niobrara, Nebraska, forcibly relocated in a harsh march down to Oklahoma--Indian territory, as it was called at the time. prgtoken Chief Standing Bear's little child, his daughter, died along the way. His son later became ill, perhaps because of the trauma of the journey. But he promised his son that he would bury him in their native homeland, and that is what led to this tale. prgtoken That really is what led us here today, Chief Standing Bear honoring a promise to his son. With other members of the Tribe, in the winter of 1878, they started northward back to Nebraska in the harshest of weather conditions. He was arrested for leaving the reservation. The predecessor to today's paper in Nebraska, the Omaha World-Herald, picked up on the story. It became a famous court case that was followed throughout America. prgtoken At the end of the trial, Chief Standing Bear simply raised his hand and said this: prgtoken That hand is not the color of yours, but if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand, you also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will be the same color as yours. I am a man. God made us both. prgtoken With that profound statement, the court was so moved that the judge ruled, as Ranking Member McClintock said, that Native Americans for the first time--this was 1879--would be declared persons for purposes under the law. prgtoken It is an amazing, traumatic, difficult, but poignant civil rights story. prgtoken Today, what we are doing is potentially talking about the establishment prgtoken of the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail that would honor both the courage of this brave individual and his great contribution to the idea of freedom and civil liberties for all Americans. This bill is a first important step toward establishing this trail, and I am really thankful to my colleagues for their support.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF DR. WESLEY BALL
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to remember the life of Dr. Wesley Ball who passed away on January 8 at the age of 88. prgtoken Originally from Moultrie, Georgia, Dr. Ball came to Savannah in 1964 where he practiced surgery for over 33 years. Not only an exceptional surgeon, his work transcended that of just healthcare by breaking down political, racial, and international borders. prgtoken He became a lifelong member of the NAACP where he helped build plans to desegregate the school system. He made numerous medical mission trips to Haiti. And he was a mentor to many up-and-coming doctors to whom he was known as the Godfather of Medicine for his loving and kind manner. prgtoken I am proud to have had someone like Dr. Ball working in the First Congressional District of Georgia. Simply put, Dr. Ball is leaving Savannah and much of the rest of the world a better place than he found it. prgtoken Dr. Ball's family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF BILL MEUTH
Michael Cloud (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-26

I rise today to congratulate Nathan Tudor for receiving the Texas Hospital Association Pioneer Award. Each year this award is given to rural hospital administrators or a CEO who demonstrates creative and innovative leadership within the organization and community. prgtoken This year the award was given to one of El Campo's very own. Mr. Tudor came on board as the CEO of El Campo Memorial Hospital in January of 2017. prgtoken Since Mr. Tudor has been on the team, the emergency department has expanded by 11 beds, three new campus-care clinics have been opened within the community, five walk-in clinics have been added, and new physicians have been recruited. prgtoken El Campo has directly benefited from the expansion of services but so have the surrounding communities. prgtoken We are thankful for Mr. Tudor and those working with him at the El Campo Hospital for their efforts in improving and expanding healthcare services for the El Campo area.
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , first, I want to address a bill that we voted on this afternoon, one of the three bills under the suspension of the rules, H.R. 35, to amend section 249 of title 18, United States Code, to specify lynching as a hate crime act. prgtoken I was in the Judiciary Committee when we took up the hate crimes act. I know there were people who said because of James Byrd, the African American who was drug behind a truck by three individuals, that that was a poster case that demanded hate crime legislation. prgtoken Actually, I was quite comfortable if all three of the defendants in that case had gotten the death penalty. In Texas, we do have the death penalty for such a crime as that. Two of the three got the death penalty. One got life in prison. And I felt like the death penalty, from everything I had read, was appropriate. prgtoken I am someone who has looked two defendants in the eye and sentenced them to death. It is a very somber, serious thing to do, but the crimes justified it in those cases. prgtoken I was talking to my friend, Congressman Bobby Rush, a man who has been fighting injustice and unfairness, seems like, his whole life. He is absolutely one of the kindest, most decent people to talk to and deal with here in Congress. He is just a real gentleman. This was Congressman Rush's bill. And I mentioned to him after the vote--I did vote ``no'' on this. prgtoken Now, there are some great findings for the first six pages. But at page 7, we finally get to actually what the act does. It says: Whoever conspires with another to violate section 245, 247, or 249 of this title or section 901 of the Civil Rights Act shall be punished in the same manner as a completed violation of such section, except that if the maximum term of imprisonment for such completed violation is less than 10 years, the person may be imprisoned for not more than 10 years. prgtoken That is ridiculous. First of all, I have trouble with the Federal nexus of lynching. I would, like in the James Byrd case, prefer that those defendants be tried under the Texas capital murder statute rather than under the Federal hate crimes law. Because under the Texas capital murder laws, the defendants could get the death penalty. And they should have been tried under that and should have gotten it. prgtoken I have such respect for Congressman Rush. Lynching is more serious than a 10-year maximum sentence. And I would much rather, if somebody is lynched in Texas, they be subject, under Texas law, to the death penalty rather than a 10-year maximum. It sends entirely the wrong message about how serious this is. I couldn't vote for a 10-year maximum when we are talking about lynching. prgtoken I know there are some States that don't have good criminal laws, that maybe they would prefer the Federal Government try such cases. But Congressman Rush said this was the best he could get an agreement on. But, God bless him, he knows better than most people how serious
NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , this week is National Public Schools Week. This is a week where we recognize all the schools, all the educators, all the students, and every educational professional's hard work that goes into a student's success. prgtoken The strength of our Nation's public schools is a direct reflection of the strength of our Nation and a direct reflection on the strength of the future. prgtoken I stand here in solidarity to recognize the great work these professionals commit themselves to. Educators and educational professionals dedicate their lives to all students, regardless of where they come from, and help them achieve in every single aspect of their lives. prgtoken I am also proud to be a cosponsor of H. Res. 862, designating this week as National Public Schools Week. prgtoken I thank all of the educators, educational professionals, and students whom those professionals will be shaping into the next generation of this great generation of America. May God bless them all.
HONORING SECOND CLASS PETTY OFFICER MARILYN CHILDRESS
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to honor Second Class Petty Officer Marilyn Childress, a woman who served during the Vietnam war. prgtoken Marilyn Childress enlisted in the Navy in 1972. Since women were not allowed in combat areas at the time, she was attached to the dispensary at Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia, and then at the then-Naval Air Station Millington, Tennessee, as an operating room technician corpswoman. prgtoken After completing her service to her country in 1975, Marilyn enrolled at the University of Tennessee and earned her master's degree. She settled in Georgia upon the completion of her degree, where she became the first female president of the Georgia Amateur Women's Soccer Association. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was her work in getting women's soccer recognized as an Olympic sport in 1996. prgtoken When she returned to Knoxville in 2013, she helped establish the Veterans Heritage Site Foundation, which created the Sharp's Ridge Veterans Memorial Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, my hometown. prgtoken Our country's heroes are the men and women of our Armed Forces like Marilyn Childress who served in sacrifice for our freedom. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize Second Class Petty Officer Marilyn Childress prgtoken as the Tennessee Second District's February 2020 Veteran of the Month.
INCLUDING CALIFORNIA IN NUTRIA ERADICATION AND CONTROL ACT OF 2003
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I look at the nutria, and I have to disagree with my friend from California. I feel like I see swamp rats on the floor all the time. But I do appreciate him bringing the actual species here to help folks understand what it is that we deal with. prgtoken Madam , I have come on this House floor many times to describe the coastal challenges that we have in Louisiana. We have lost 2,800 square miles of our coast. And I remind my colleagues that if the State of Rhode Island lost 2,800 square miles of their coast, we would have 49 States today. prgtoken Nutria is part of the problem. It is an invasive species. The population in my home State is nearly 4.5 million people, yet we have an estimated 20 million nutria. It is an extraordinary figure. prgtoken If we could count them in the Census, we would have an additional 27 Members of Congress. We are having infestation without representation, and we need to do something about it. prgtoken In Louisiana, we have a thing where if you can't beat it, you eat it. So, we have even tried. We have tried to do nutria fajitas. We have tried to fry it. We have tried everything. It is not my favorite, Madam , but this really is a huge problem. prgtoken Very seriously, we have 20 million nutria, and they cause the destruction and damage of tens of thousands of acres of our coastal wetlands every single year. prgtoken As my friends Mr. McClintock and Mr. Harder from California brought up, it is things like levees, productive prgtoken estuaries, irrigation canals, and other things that have devastating consequences. prgtoken This legislation does take some of the lessons learned from the programs in Maryland and Louisiana and expands upon the flexibility of dollars to actually not just work on eradication efforts but also do some restoration work. prgtoken I thank the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Neguse, my friend from Colorado; Mr. Harder; as well as the ranking member, Mr. McClintock, for their work on this. This is a bipartisan bill. It is based upon and enacts improvements that we have seen as a result of this program being carried out in Louisiana and Maryland. prgtoken I am looking forward to this going over to the Senate, and I strongly urge adoption of this important bill to help get this invasive species under control to help protect our communities.
HONORING MS. RACHEL O'KELLEY
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Rachel O'Kelley, the chair of the science department and a biology teacher at John A. Holmes High School in Edenton, North Carolina. Earlier this month, she was awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award. This national honor is given to teachers who display distinguished service and commitment to their communities. prgtoken Rachel O'Kelley is 1 of only 40 teachers around the country to receive this award and the sole honoree for North Carolina. Each and every day, she goes above and beyond the status quo to challenge and engage her students through thoughtful, creative, and demanding activities. prgtoken As we strive to entice students to follow the STEM course of study, it is wonderful to have bright and driven teachers like Rachel who inspire students to fulfill their potential and form the minds of future generations. prgtoken It is my pleasure to honor Ms. O'Kelley here on the House floor for her continued devotion to eastern North Carolina's next generation of leaders.
RECOGNIZING PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , this week is Public Schools Week, and I rise today to recognize our public schools in Kentucky for the critical work they do to educate Kentucky's students. prgtoken Public schools are essential to the growth and development of future generations. They are the backbone of our communities and responsible for educating our young people and providing them with a stable and secure learning environment. prgtoken The learning opportunities provided by our schools are also critical to preparing a workforce capable of taking on the challenges of the 21st century economy. prgtoken I am very proud of the public schools which make up the First Congressional District. As a product of the public school system myself, I know how hard our teachers and staff work to prepare our students for success. prgtoken Madam , we thank our educators for their service, and I look forward to advocating for the needs of our public schools moving forward.
REMEMBERING THE KHOJALY MASSACRE
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , I rise today to remember the tragic deaths of over 600 Azerbaijani civilians that took place in Khojaly on February 26, 1992. On that heinous day, Armenian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) forces massacred 613 civilians. Innocent women, children and elderly men were brutally killed over the course of 22 hours. prgtoken Azerbaijan has been healing over the 28 years since this horrendous event, working hard to become a successful nation with a booming economy. They are a reliable friend and trade partner to the United States and our ally Israel in a geopolitical region rocked by turmoil and turbulence. prgtoken We must stand by our allies and friends in condemning attacks like this--past, present and future. Atrocities such as this have no place in our world. I urge my colleagues to join me and all of our Azerbaijani friends in remembering the lives lost during the Khojaly massacre.
AUTHORIZING EVERY WORD WE UTTER MONUMENT TO ESTABLISH A COMMEMORATIVE WORK
Scott R. Tipton (Republican, CO) \u2014 2020-2-26

. Madam , last year marked the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. While I wish the House would have passed this bill last year to honor the centennial anniversary of the suffragettes' decades-long fight to win the right to vote, I am glad we are debating this bill now. prgtoken The Every Word We Utter Monument will serve as a continual reminder of the courage shown by women engaged in the suffrage movement, and we must all work to do what we can for the future to be able to ensure quality and inclusion. prgtoken I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with my colleagues from Colorado on this bill and especially my colleague from the Second District, Mr. Neguse. I have stood across from him a few times on this floor, and it is nice to be in agreement on a public lands bill that we are able to work together on now. It is a bill that will help us bring to light Loveland sculptor, Jane DeDecker's, work to Washington. I think it is an adequate effort to be able to help recognize the suffrage movement and the contribution of women to our Nation. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this bill.