mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-7-26

placing holds on hundreds of military promotions over a single policy disagreement is unconscionable. It is harming our national security, and it is going to have cascading effects for years. Not only will military services be left without confirmed leaders, but our senior leaders are going to have to do multiple jobs at once. This will disadvantage the services at every level and leave less experienced members to have to step in to fill their bosses' shoes. prgtoken As someone who served in the navy for 25 years, I want to paint a picture of what that looks like in the real world. Operations plans-- they will not get updated. Now these are the plans that prepare us for military conflicts, for humanitarian disasters, and any conflict we face around the world. prgtoken Operations and exercises will suffer because they lack an expert at the head of the table who can weigh strategic risks and who is empowered by Congress to make critical decisions. prgtoken We won't have confirmed senior leaders at the table in places like Africa, where we are trying to strengthen ties and security cooperation with our partners to counter violent extremists and the rising influence of Russia and China. prgtoken And speaking of China, we won't have confirmed senior leaders at critical posts in the regions in that region of the world where they are empowered to bolster our capabilities. prgtoken And let's not forget, these holds are preventing the promotions of military leaders in Alabama. There are a lot of really important units who operate out of the Redstone Arsenal, including the Missile Defense Agency, which is responsible for developing U.S. defense against incoming ballistic missiles. prgtoken The Missile Defense Agency's next Director is one of those officers at Redstone who is waiting for his third star before he can officially assume this new role. The Senator from Alabama is preventing that. prgtoken Do we really want a leadership gap at the Missile Defense Agency? prgtoken And, lastly, I have to mention that this tactic treats our military servicemembers and their families like political pawns. Let me tell you, this isn't just like holding up a promotion like in any other job. This blockade of military promotions is hurting military families who are having to put off moves to new assignments across the country or across the world. prgtoken That means a military spouse cannot start a new job. It means a new school year starts without military kids who are stuck at their last base and don't know if they are going to be able to maybe try out for the sports team or join a club. prgtoken Now, I know from experience just how hard these moves are. They are hard for military families, and that is under the best of circumstances, let alone when they are stuck in the middle of this. prgtoken As our military faces recruitment challenges, this stunt--and this is a stunt--is making a decision easy for a military family who ha
TRIBUTE TO JOHN SQUIRE DRENDEL
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-7-26

today I rise to recognize the 100th birthday of my dear friend John Squire Drendel. John dedicated his life to advocating on behalf of his clients and serving the people of Nevada. For 70 years, John shaped Nevada's legal community, and I am proud to join his family and friends in celebrating this significant milestone. prgtoken On August 4, 1923, John was born in Carson Valley, NV, a beautiful rural community just south of Carson City. In the midst of the Great Depression, John left home to work on a nearby ranch and complete his studies at Douglas County High School. prgtoken During his first semester at the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor altered the trajectory of his life. John served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and as a commander of a landing craft tank in the Pacific Islands of Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. prgtoken Following the end of World War II, John took advantage of the education benefits provided in the G.I. Bill to complete his undergraduate education and attend law school at the University of Colorado. After obtaining his law degree, John returned home to Nevada with his wife Marilyn to raise their four children and work as a Nevada highway patrolman. prgtoken In 1950, John passed the Nevada Bar Exam and later partnered with William O. Bradley to form Bradley & Drendel, a premier personal injury firm in northern Nevada. In 1957, in order to make their services more accessible to their clients, the two selected a converted garage in Reno, NV, to serve as their firm's office. By 1970, John had solidified his reputation by representing a diesel mechanic from Ely, NV, who suffered from a debilitating injury while at work. John won the highest verdict awarded to a single plaintiff in the U.S. at that point in time, providing financial security for the mechanic and his family. This firm continues to serve the community with a third generation of attorneys. Currently, John's son Thomas is of counsel to the firm. prgtoken John is deeply respected by his peers and remains active in Nevada's legal community as a founding member and former president of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and the Washoe County Bar Association. John has been honored with countless accolades throughout the duration of his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association in 2001. prgtoken The list of John's contributions to the legal community and Nevada are never-ending. John strived for excellence throughout his career and has proven himself a great Nevadan. His professional accomplishments are surpassed only by the wonderful family and community he has built in the Silver State. I know John is happy to be spending his retirement with his children Mary, John, Ann, and Thomas; their grandchildren Sarah, Andrew, Anne, Clara, Nathaniel, Mary, and Matthew; and their four great-grandchildren. I am incredibly pleased to honor
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Patrick Ryan (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-7-26

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, which increases Army construction funding by $103 million to address extensive flood damage at the United States Military Academy at West Point. prgtoken A few weeks ago on July 9, New York's Hudson Valley, along with other parts of the Northeast, was devastated by a once-in-a-millennium flood that saw nearly 10 inches of torrential rainfall arrive on the Hudson Valley in just a few hours, washing away homes of our military families, devastating roads, businesses in the surrounding community, and tragically costing the life of a young woman in the surrounding community just outside West Point. prgtoken My alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point, was hit particularly hard. I have been on the ground multiple times seeing the damage firsthand, along with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, to assess the extent of the damage. We have decimated roads, collapsed cliffside routes, compromising damage to barracks, bridges, and facilities critical to carrying out the vital mission of the United States Military Academy at West Point. In particular, I draw attention to the fact that all of the enlisted soldier barracks, serving hundreds of enlisted soldiers at the garrison have been completely destroyed. There is nowhere for these soldiers on post to live, causing a cascading effect and a real housing crunch across the post. prgtoken As of this moment, the cost estimates to rebuild are increasing each day, presently topping out at over $100 million. As we know, West Point serves a mission-critical role in our Nation's national security--the world's premier leadership institute, creating leaders and shaping the future of our Nation's Army. This institution made myself, many of my colleagues across the aisle, and many others of our Nation, into leaders. We cannot stand by during this time of need for such a critical national security resource. prgtoken Allowing West Point to be hamstrung by such significant damage imperils our military readiness, and we must ensure the institution has the resources it needs to urgently repair and rebuild and get back to their mission. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge the support of my colleagues throughout the Congress, and .
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-7-26

I have but a few minutes to speak to my colleagues and to the Senator from Alabama, but, more important, to the American people. I have only minutes, but the damage of this hold will be years. Be aware, America. Be angry, America, as I am angry, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, as a dad of two veterans--a Marine Corps officer who served in Afghanistan and a Navy SEAL who served during these last 20 years. And all of the veterans of America who are angry that our U.S. military is being used as a political pawn, is held hostage; that brave, determined professionals who want to lead and take our military to the fight that lies ahead--they are in limbo. And it isn't just the 273. It is all who report to them, all who depend on them, all who look to them for leadership. prgtoken I had breakfast this morning with the Acting Commandant, General Smith, of the U.S. Marine Corps. For the first time in 100 years, the U.S. Marine Corps has no Commandant. prgtoken Vice Admiral Franchetti, who was chosen to lead the Navy, the first woman to be in that position, has been held hostage. prgtoken Gen. Charles Brown, uniquely accomplished aviator and leader, unable to assume his responsibility as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. prgtoken And under them, men and women like Lt. Gen. James Bierman, nominated to be Lieutenant General of the United States Marine Corps and Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, Operations; and Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, to be a Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps and Deputy Commandant, Aviation. prgtoken These men have served 35 years. prgtoken Maj. Gen. Gregory Masiello, to be Lieutenant General of the United prgtoken States Marine Corps and Director, Defense Contract Management Agency. prgtoken These men and women have put their careers, their lives, their families on the line, and now they are waiting because our colleague from Alabama wants to make a political point. He has a political policy, and he is using these military nominees as pawns and hostages. It is nothing short, in effect, of an assault on our U.S. military. prgtoken So nothing I say here may persuade him, but what is happening is a travesty and a tragedy for our Nation, because it undermines not just our readiness now but our recruitment in the future. prgtoken The Marine Corps is the only service that is making its recruitment goals. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, all are down significantly. And this action, which disgracefully and shamefully puts our readiness at risk and serious danger, also undermines our ability to attract the best and the brightest in this country as our military has always done. It is the reason we have the greatest military in the world. prgtoken We have all of the weapons systems. We have the kinds of hardware that we need. But, most importantly, we need the great men and women who will be discouraged by this action by the Senator from Alabama. prgtoken So I plead w
HONORING THE LIFE OF GLORIA MOLINA
Tony Cárdenas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today to honor the life of Gloria Molina, a trailblazer for Latino politicians. prgtoken Gloria fiercely served and advocated for the communities she represented, for the city of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and the State of California. She passed away in her home, surrounded by her loving family, on May 14, at the age of 74. prgtoken Gloria was raised in an immigrant household with her nine siblings. Her father, Leonardo, was a construction worker born in Los Angeles but raised in Casas Grandes, Mexico. Her mother, Concepcion, was a homemaker from Mexico. Together, her parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1940s. Gloria was the oldest of 10 children. As she did everything in life, she led by example and helped wherever and whenever she could. prgtoken Gloria's commitment to public service began during President Jimmy Carter's administration, where she served as a deputy for Presidential Personnel and soon after that with the San Francisco Department of Health and Human Services. prgtoken Gloria's activism was sparked by the Chicano movement, as she was a woman of firsts. Gloria was first elected to office in 1982, when she became the first Latina elected to the California State Assembly. Some people made the mistake of underestimating Gloria's commitment to her community and her tenacity. She beat the establishment candidate. prgtoken In 1987, Gloria ran for the Los Angeles City Council seat that had been redistricted, becoming the first woman councilmember of Mexican ancestry to serve on the Los Angeles City Council. prgtoken In 1991, she was elected and became the first Latina member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She was known as a fiscal watchdog committed to governance reforms, protecting public healthcare, and fighting for quality-of-life issues for millions of residents. prgtoken Throughout more than 30 years as an elected official, Gloria changed the landscape of Los Angeles, putting an end to a 100-year pattern of dumping negative land-use developments on the east side of Los Angeles. Her work in East LA resulted in the Los Angeles Metro Board of Directors naming a train station in her honor. prgtoken Gloria worked with Mothers of East Los Angeles, a group that organized against and successfully defeated the proposal to build a prison in East Los Angeles. prgtoken Gloria valued the power of storytelling through art. She founded the historical LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and the Eastside Arts Initiative, which provides financial support to community-based organizations. prgtoken Thanks to her love of quilting, Gloria founded the quilting group the East L.A. Stitchers, so that others could express themselves through this art form. prgtoken Gloria successfully advocated for increased access to parks and green spaces, as well as culturally engaging recreational areas. The motion to rename Grand Park to the Gloria Molina Grand Park was approved and will allow Gloria's leg
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-7-26

can you imagine the burden on local cities? prgtoken Our veterans are homeless. Our veterans are suffering, many times from PTSD, and if we do not have the kind of support services for them that this legislation provides, where are we in terms of the kind of housing and other assistance that they may need? prgtoken I just simply ask my friends on the other side of the aisle, we stand here on the floor, I am fighting for the cities and the States that receive these dollars ultimately, because that is where the people are. prgtoken I do want to oppose the bills that are endangering our endangered species, S.J. Res. 9 and H.R. 4366. I oppose endangering our endangered species. prgtoken , I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 4366, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. prgtoken This is a bill that appropriates funding for our military, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and other related agencies for fiscal year 2024. prgtoken I strongly oppose this bill's realignment of military construction funding from priority projects to other less relevant projects. prgtoken The level of funding allocations in this bill does not help the Veteran Affairs to support key priorities of its Administration such as ending veteran homelessness, increasing access to mental healthcare, and providing suicide prevention services, as well as investments in other critical areas, including caregiver support programs, overdose prevention, and treatment programs. prgtoken While it is important to make annual adjustments to bills such as this, our national strategic planning cannot be based on vague predictions; it must present a concrete plan that goes beyond the current year. prgtoken This Congress, and other relevant elements of the U.S. government should focus on a real integrated strategy that considers all aspects of national security spending while also helping to protect our veterans. prgtoken Any reckless policies that attempt to claw back billions in funding for veterans' medical care would have negative impact on our veterans and put their healthcare in jeopardy. prgtoken This bill should reflect efforts by the Congress to secure protection for adequate funding to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs will be able to continue to spend those essential resources for veterans' medical care. prgtoken Doubling down on the Default on America Act by cutting over $142 billion in funding does nothing but hurts our veterans, farmers, and their families by denying them access vital programs that they rely on. prgtoken Surprisingly, s do not want to end there; recent reports indicate that they want to go up to over $159 billion in funding cuts, and even as high as $189 billion with their insatiable desire for drastic cuts in funding for programs that support American families. prgtoken s need to stand by their word and let this House and the American people know where they
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024--Continued
Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I want to say a very special thank-you to Senator Klobuchar for her thoughtful and passionate words about the harm that the Senator from Alabama is imposing on our military and on our Nation. prgtoken As the Senator from Minnesota said, we are here fighting to try to protect our Nation while Senator Tuberville, in the view of the former Secretaries of prgtoken Defense of both parties, is undermining our national security. prgtoken I also want to thank Senator Reed for his leadership and his steady hand in trying to persuade the Senator from Alabama that it is time to end this blockade. prgtoken This is the third time that I have come to the Senate floor to ask the Senator from Alabama to reconsider his unprecedented action of blocking hundreds of promotions earned by our men and women in uniform. prgtoken The Senate votes on nominees appointed by the President to occupy top roles in government--Cabinet Secretaries, judges, and Ambassadors. The Senate's role in approving nominations also extends to thousands of military promotions every year. If a colonel does an exceptional job and their military services promotion board decides that they are ready to be a brigadier general, the Senate must hold a vote for that promotion to go through. prgtoken In the vast majority of circumstances, this vote is a formality. Most of these promotions are considered in big batches rather than one at a time. Most of the time, there isn't even a recorded vote. prgtoken We are confident in the process, and we pass these people through. They have been thoroughly vetted, and their promotions are essential for our security. prgtoken But now, for 5 months, the Senator from Alabama has blocked all-- all--senior military nominations and promotions from moving forward without a recorded vote. That means one Senator is personally standing in the way of promotions for 273 of our top-level military leaders. prgtoken One Senator is preventing the Marine Corps from having a Commandant for the first time in 100 years. prgtoken One Senator is setting the Army on a similar course not to have a senior leader. prgtoken One Senator is blocking the confirmation of the President's top military adviser, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. prgtoken One Senator is holding up pay raises for hundreds of men and women in uniform. One Senator is jeopardizing America's national security. prgtoken The Senator from Alabama has taken this dangerous step because he disagrees with a policy the Department of Defense announced after last year's abortion decision by the Supreme Court. After that decision, the Department clarified that, if a member of the armed services needs to travel to access abortion care or other kinds of reproductive healthcare that are not available where they have been stationed--for instance, because a State where they have been stationed has banned these forms of healthcare--then they can leave to do so. This is a commonsense polic
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CHARLES STRICKFADEN
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-7-26

I rise today, along with Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Kevin Mullin, to commemorate Charles (Charlie) Strickfaden upon his retirement from the National Park Service after 39 years of extraordinary public service. prgtoken Charlie began his career with the National Park Service (NPS) as a seasonal interpretive ranger at Lava Beds National Monument in northern California. Over the years, he worked in 27 different park units across the United States including Biscayne, the Grand Canyon, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Denali, in a variety of roles including law enforcement, fire management, education and living history, and resource management. prgtoken In each of his leadership roles, Charlie has demonstrated a commitment to improving the public's experience with the national park system. This was evident in his work as Chief Ranger of the Flagstaff Area Monuments, which includes the Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Walnut Canyon National Monuments in northern Arizona, and the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland. At Fort McHenry, he contributed to the NPS response to 9/11, organized multiple presidential visits, and oversaw a large park and military events program. prgtoken As Superintendent of Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico, Charlie created the park's first youth preservation team, increased and prioritized the inclusion of Jicarilla Apache and other indigenous peoples in interpretive activities and performances, and introduced the park's living history program to the State prgtoken Legislature. During his time in New Mexico, Charlie also served as Acting Superintendent of 2 new National Park Service units: the Manhattan Project National Historical Park and the Valles Caldera National Preserve. prgtoken In 2018, Charlie joined the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where he has served as the Chief of the Division of Communications, External Affairs, and Special Park Uses. His management of communications and relationships throughout the Bay Area has kept elected officials, their staff, and the public well-informed during difficult events such as visitor fatalities, the COVID-19 pandemic, and park closures. His professionalism has positively contributed to the reputation of NPS across the country. We and our staff have personally worked with Charlie as an ambassador for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and value his partnership, knowledge, and skills. prgtoken , Charlie Strickfaden is a dedicated public servant who is committed to improving the accessibility, inclusivity, and quality of our national parks. I respectfully ask that we join in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Charlie upon his retirement from the National Park Service and in expressing appreciation for his decades of good work.