mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF DR. LLOYD JOHN OGILVIE, FORMER CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-6-10

I rise today to recognize Lt. Gen. Steve Basham, who recently departed his position as Director of Air Force Legislative Liaison and assumes his new duties as Deputy Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa. prgtoken As the Director of Legislative Affairs of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Basham worked directly with the Senate and the House of Representatives on all aspects of organizing, training, and equipping our airmen to project global combat power abroad. Throughout this time, then-Major General Basham prepared the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as well as other senior Air Force leaders, for engagements on Capitol Hill, to include extensive testimony before congressional committees. prgtoken A product of some of these strategic engagements was the decision to select Ellsworth Air Force Base as the first unit to host the B-21 Raider bomber, a strategic decision that I personally thank the Secretary of the Air Force for making. I also thank Lieutenant General Basham for his steadfast efforts in the deliberate decision-making process. prgtoken In 1989, following his graduation from Western Kentucky University, Lieutenant General Basham was commissioned through Air Force Officer Training School and achieved his flying wings. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has attained a command pilot rating with more than 3,400 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, B-1, B-2, and B-52 aircraft. He holds the honor of being one of the first four pilots to fly the B-2 stealth bomber in combat. prgtoken Throughout his career, Lieutenant General Basham has held numerous other positions of strategic importance, including Deputy Director of Requirements for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and as the Director of Strategy, Plans, and Programs for Headquarters Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. prgtoken Of course, none of this could be done without the support of his wife Angie and their two daughters, Lauren and Sarah. prgtoken On behalf of the U.S. Congress and a grateful Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Lt. Gen. Steven L. Basham and his family for their dedicated service to the Air Force and to our Nation. We wish them all the best as they move on to his next assignment and continue working to keep our Nation and our allies safe from potential Russian aggression in Europe, as well as violent extremists in Africa. prgtoken There is no question that the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the United States will continue to benefit greatly from Lieutenant General Basham's outstanding leadership. prgtoken . prgtoken .
TRIBUTE TO REAR ADMIRAL JAMES T. LOEBLEIN
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-6-10

today I wish to recognize and congratulate RADM James T. Loeblein of the U.S. Navy on his outstanding service to our Nation as the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs from January 2017 to July 2019. During these 2 years, a period best described as one of constant change, he deftly led his team to execute with a lasting legacy of ``precision and style.'' prgtoken Jim Loeblein was the Navy's lead advocate on Capitol Hill and had the challenging job of communicating with all 535 Members of Congress. He expertly handled our constituent inquiries and represented the Navy while balancing military, political, and budgetary priorities. His naval service is a lasting reminder that the United States remains the strongest maritime nation. prgtoken Rear Admiral Loeblein selflessly devoted the last 2 and a half years of his naval service ensuring our Nation's sailors were taken care of and represented faithfully in Congress. Specifically, Jim brilliantly led the response to the salient issues of this period: aircraft carrier purchases and overhauls, submarine procurement timelines, the rise of cyber warfare, the quality of on-base military housing--and the list goes on. Jim excelled in this role with his hallmark ``precision and style.'' prgtoken Because of Jim's professionalism and friendly personality, he established warm and lasting relationships with our colleagues, garnering respect and admiration in both Chambers of Congress and on both sides of the aisle. He worked with us to broaden the Navy's outreach beyond those members of defense committees. Jim's efforts, along with those of the Chief of Naval Operations, introduced the Navy to Senators who would not otherwise have had exposure to the great work our sailors are doing around the globe. prgtoken On behalf of my colleagues and the entire U.S. Senate, I want to personally thank RADM Jim Loeblein for his more than three decades of dedicated service to the Navy and our nation. He will be certainly missed. I also want to thank his wife Carol for her sacrifice during her own time in the Navy and for her continued, tremendous support to her husband. I wish them fair winds and following seas in his post- naval career, and I sincerely look forward to seeing him again in the future.
SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT
Kathleen M. Rice (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , H.R. 542 represents a bipartisan effort to support the needs of State and local first responders. It is critical that the Federal Government have the capacity to develop, test, and transition the best new technologies to the first responder community. prgtoken It bears repeating that NUSTL is the only Federal lab in the country that is focused entirely on helping first responders carry out their mission. prgtoken As the tactics and weapons of terrorists evolve, NUSTL will continue to play a key role in ensuring that our first responders are not just prepared but that they remain one step ahead. prgtoken , before I close, I would note that a similar version of this bill passed the House in June 2018 by a voice vote. I would ask my colleagues to pass it again today and send it to the Senate, and .
RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF DR. LLOYD JOHN OGILVIE, FORMER CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-10

. First, , on my way coming down to Washington, I heard that a helicopter crashed onto the roof of a building on Seventh Avenue in my hometown of New York City. We are still learning the circumstances of the crash and the extent of the damage, the injuries and casualty it may have caused. But, as all of America saw after 9/11, the Fire Department of New York and the Police Department of New York are truly some of the very, very best we have. They are strong, they are brave, they are smart, and I have every faith they will do their duty to protect New Yorkers and make sure everyone is safe. Border Security prgtoken , on another subject--the border--the President ultimately, of course, backed off his threat of tariffs against Mexico, but really, anyone who has observed the President's foreign policy efforts could have predicted how this would play out. It is a pretty simple pattern. The President stakes out a maximalist position but never clearly defines his objectives. That way, after he backs himself into a corner, he can use a deal of any kind, even if it is merely a fig leaf, to justify retreating from whatever misguided policy he has threatened. Then he declares victory, having done little or nothing to solve the underlying problem. prgtoken Well, that is exactly what happened right here. According to public reports, the agreement President reached with Mexico contains policies negotiated months ago--nothing more than warmed-up leftovers-- and then today, after the President tweeted that we have ``a fully signed and documented . . . Immigration and Security deal with Mexico,'' the Mexican Foreign Minister said that no secret deal exists. He clarified that the only agreement reached was to revisit the issue in the future. This is the headline of the New York Times: ``No Secret Immigration Deal Exists With U.S Mexico's Foreign Minister Says.'' It is amazing how this President will just make stuff up--there is an ``L'' word here--he just makes it up, and then it is refuted. prgtoken So, to recap, in February, the President declared a bogus emergency to build a wall he said would solve the problem. Then he made a bogus threat to shut down the border completely, which, of course, never materialized. Then he made a bogus threat to impose tariffs, which the business community and s in Congress rejected. And now the President claims a bogus agreement with Mexico, which contains policies Mexico volunteered to do months ago. Bogus, bogus, bogus. prgtoken It is no wonder our problems don't go away in this country because of the way the President does things both on the domestic front and the foreign policy front. What he did here is typical of the President's game-show foreign policy: a big production without very much progress. He generates a lot of coverage and attention around big summits, photo- ops, scare tactics, and belligerent threat
TRIBUTE TO JIM KURTH
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-6-10

today I wish to recognize Jim Kurth for his 41 years of public service and congratulate him on his recent retirement. prgtoken On May 7, 1978, Mr. James Kurth was hired by the U.S. Forest Service as a biological technician having recently graduated with a degree in wildlife management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. On Friday, May 31, Jim retired from public service, after a 41-year career, working mainly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He ended his career after serving more than 4 years as the agency's deputy director for operations. prgtoken Jim's story is an inspiring example of dedication to the vital mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He grew up in Columbus, OH. He married his high school sweetheart. He picked a career in public service, quickly finding his way to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and moving his family across the country as he accepted positions at Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan, and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. From there, he jumped to Alaska where he became manager of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Nation's largest protected land area at nearly 20 million acres. prgtoken He left Alaska in 1999 and journeyed to the Nation's Capital, to take the position of deputy chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's largest system of protected lands and waters, including Maryland's Blackwater, Eastern Neck, and Patuxent National Wildlife Refuges. He served as deputy chief for 11 years and then chief for nearly 4 years before accepting the job as the Service's deputy director in 2015. prgtoken Former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said, ``Jim served as my Deputy twice. Once when I was Refuge Chief, and again when I was Director. He was fond of saying, `It's better to have a Deputy than be a Deputy' but Jim was much more. He was a friend and mentor. The kind of person who would tell you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear. His strength is his character and deep and authentic concern for the people who do the organization's work.'' A culture of character and integrity in an organization like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grows through the examples of principled conduct from those in positions of authority. prgtoken For 41 years, Jim Kurth served the American people. His legacy is in the legions of people whom he has mentored and in the millions of acres of habitat he has helped conserve for wildlife and for people. prgtoken On May 31, 2019, Jim Kurth retired from public service. We are better as a nation for his service, and we take a moment to celebrate his career and his example of public service.
HOMELAND PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-6-10

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2083, the ``Homeland Procurement Reform Act.'' prgtoken H.R. 2083 would reform the . way the Department of Homeland Security procures uniforms and items related to national security interests. prgtoken This bill seeks to encourage the procurement of domestically sourced uniform items to ensure higher-quality uniforms and equipment are issued to the Department. prgtoken Specifically, this bill would allocate that no less than one-third of the funds obligated for uniforms and protective equipment are used for items that are manufactured in part or provided in the United States by entities that qualify as a U.S. small business. prgtoken Additionally, H.R. 2083 will ensure that uniforms and protective equipment are purchased at fair and reasonable prices, and that uniform allowances provided to Department frontline personnel are adequate. prgtoken Last, the bill mandates that suppliers-- prgtoken store such covered item in a locked area; prgtoken report any pilferage or theft of such covered item occurring at any stage before delivery of such covered item; and prgtoken destroy any defective or unusable covered item bearing official DHS insignia not manufactured in the US. prgtoken I stand to support this bill that will bring more opportunities for American small businesses. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2083 to reform the way the Department of Homeland Security procures uniforms and items related to national security interests.
RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF DR. LLOYD JOHN OGILVIE, FORMER CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2019-6-10

I come to the floor of the Senate today, as I do every year at this time, to remember what Rhode Island abolitionist Frances Whipple McDougall called ``the first blood [drawn] in the Revolution.'' This past Sunday marked the 247th anniversary of the Gaspee raid. prgtoken This is an image of what happened to the Gaspee. We ought to remember. Most Americans do not know about the Gaspee Affair. They have learned about a far tamer incident in Boston Harbor a year later, when some tipsy Bostonians toppled bales of tea into the water. prgtoken I get why Bostonians are proud of their tea party. It is a decent story that tea was ruined, the British East India Company was out some money, the Crown got angry, and the American patriots gained notoriety and momentum for our cause. prgtoken But the Gaspee raid offers so much more--a true villain, a daring escape, a vigorous call to action, the storming of a ship, the vanquishing of an enemy, a blast in the night, and an earlier stirring of revolutionary spirit. prgtoken The story begins in the 1760s, with King George and the English Parliament trying to raise money. The Crown needed to recoup losses from expensive recent wars, and the Colonies seemed like a convenient place to turn. Their solution was to allow the powerful British Navy to enforce customs laws, transforming naval officers into well-armed tax collectors. prgtoken The Admiralty commissioned sloops and schooners to troll the Colonies' most profitable waters for tax revenue. In Narragansett Bay the Crown sent Lieutenant William Dudingston in an eight-gun schooner, the Gaspee. The boat and its captain quickly earned a nasty reputation. Dudingston stopped virtually every vessel in sight, from the biggest schooners to the smallest packet boats. He harassed sailors, seized cargo, and annexed Rhode Island vessels, merchants, and watermen, often on shaky or nonexistent charges. prgtoken Historian George Washington Greene, a Rhode Islander and grandson of Rhode Island's legendary Revolutionary War hero, Major General Nathaniel Greene, described Dudingston's conduct this way: Not contented with performing the duties of his office, still vexatious even when considerately executed, he multiplied its annoyances by a thousand acts of petty tyranny. He stopped vessels of every kind without discrimination--ships just from sea and market boats on their way to Providence and Newport with their perishable freights, and to increase the indignity refused to show his commission or the authority by which he acted. prgtoken A further insult, Dudingston sent prisoners and cargo to Boston to face justice before a British tribunal, not the Rhode Island court established in Newport. This violated the Colony's agreement with the Crown to adjudicate such disputes on Rhode Island's soil, an offense to our Colony's sovereignty. prgtoken From winter to spring of 1772, tensions in Nar
HONORING LEWIS F. BROWN
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-10

. Madam , I rise today to remember Lewis F. Brown for his years of exceptional public service to Solano County, California and to honor him for his commitment to our community. prgtoken Born in Cleveland, Mississippi as the ninth of twelve children, Mr. Brown moved to California in the 1950s after he served in the Korean War. He attended Vallejo College and San Francisco State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science. Mr. Brown was elected to the City Council of Vallejo in 1965. This victory made Mr. Brown the first African American individual to be elected to office in Solano County. He later served as Vice Mayor. In 1970, Mr. Brown was the first African American attorney in Solano County and the first African American attorney to integrate a law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area--Beeman, Bradley, Brown and Beeman. prgtoken Mr. Brown was a lifelong advocate, representing marginalized people and those without a platform. He sued the State of California to eliminate the offensive legal title that was given to children whose parents were not married. Within Solano County he worked to develop local housing assistance programs. Mr. Brown also challenged the discriminatory policy that required beauticians of color take more curriculum than white beauticians. The equal policy he helped create has been in use by the California Cosmetology Board since the 1960s. Mr. Brown also helped the City of Vallejo receive matching funds to build its John F. Kennedy Public Library. Mr. Brown worked with Los Angeles city and county officials in the 1960s to replicate the community harmony that the City of Vallejo fostered. Mr. Brown was integral to Vallejo being named the most ``Multicultural City in America'' in the 2000 and 2010 censuses. prgtoken Madam , Lewis F. Brown had an unrelenting commitment to serve the people of Solano County and the City of Vallejo throughout his life. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the service and remember the life of Lewis F. Brown here today.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-6-10

I rise today to express my support for H.R. 2157, the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019. This $19.1 billion package is essential to providing critical relief to communities that were devastated by the natural disasters in 2018 and 2019. prgtoken Among other reasons, my support for this disaster supplemental package comes, in part, prgtoken because of an understanding that the language within Title I of this bill grants the Secretary of Agriculture the discretion to provide assistance to producers who suffered timber loss due to Hurricanes Michael and Florence. prgtoken Even after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, there have been over 80 major disaster declarations. This much-needed disaster relief will support our Florida Panhandle communities, help rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, assist farmers and ranchers, restore coastal infrastructure, and fund the Nutrition Assistance Program and infrastructure repairs for Puerto Rico. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues in both chambers of Congress to bring relief to millions of families.
TAXPAYER FIRST ACT
John Lewis (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2019-6-10

the balance of my time. prgtoken , the Taxpayer First Act is a bipartisan bill in both the House and in the Senate. This bill will improve the Internal Revenue Service and help taxpayers. This is a good and necessary bill. prgtoken Again, I would like to thank the ranking member, Mr. Brady, and prgtoken thank Mr. Kelly in his absence, Chairman Neal, and our staff for all of their hard and good work on this important bill. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Taxpayer First Act, and .
EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE UNITED STATES-TURKEY ALLIANCE
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-10

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken I am pleased to rise in strong support of this measure to address the developing situation with Turkey. I want to thank my colleagues who joined me to introduce this legislation; first and foremost, Ranking Member McCaul, Leader Hoyer, Minority Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, Chairman Nadler and Ranking Member Collins. prgtoken Madam , Turkey is a NATO ally and a nation with which we have had a long history of friendship and partnership. But I am deeply troubled by the direction that President Erdogan is taking his country. prgtoken During his time in office, we have watched as Erdogan has turned Turkey into an authoritarian state, attacking the democratic values that our two nations had shared for many years. He has cracked down on the freedom of the press, thrown innocent people in jail for voicing opposition, and consolidated his grip on power at the expense of Turkey's democratic institutions. prgtoken And his troubling behavior doesn't stop there. Erdogan is cozying up to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, putting the security interests of the United States and the NATO alliance at risk. prgtoken Turkey's plan to acquire the Russian S-400 air defense system would threaten American security and do lasting damage to our historic bilateral relationship. It simply cannot happen, especially while Turkey is still a U.S. and NATO ally participating in the F-35 program and hoping to acquire these planes. prgtoken Today's resolution gets at this very issue. If Turkey wants to continue as a NATO ally and U.S. partner, it must commit to upholding our shared interests. And if Turkey decides to follow through on its plan to acquire the Russian S-400, then they must not be able to get American F-35s; they must not participate in the F-35 program; and they must face the consequences of their decision. prgtoken And it is not that the United States is unable to comprehend Turkey's need for air defense. In fact, we have offered the Patriot anti- aircraft/anti-missile defense system, the top of the line in our inventory. That offer remains on the table. prgtoken We rarely see it in foreign affairs, but this is simply a black-and- white issue. There is no middle ground. Either Mr. Erdogan cancels the Russian deal, or he doesn't. And there is no future for Turkey having both Russian weapons and American F-35s. prgtoken There is no third option. There is no path for mitigation that will allow Turkey to have its cake and eat it too. We cannot risk exposing our national-security technology to Russia. prgtoken There is no partisan divide on this issue. The State Department, the Defense Department, the Treasury, even Vice President have all been raising the alarm and urging President Erdogan to cancel the sale. I hope President listens to his advisers and makes sure Turkey's leaders understand the consequences of their actions. prgtoken And th