hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E320] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. BLUMENAUER: today I introduced the Small Business Tax Equity Act. This legislation would create an exception to Internal Revenue Code Section 280E that allows businesses operating in compliance with state laws to take business-related deductions associated with the sale of marijuana just like any other legal business. U.S. cannabis laws are broken and woefully outdated. Section 280E of the federal tax code prohibits anyone engaged in the purchase or sale of Schedule I or Schedule II substances from deducting their business expenses from their taxes. To date, 38 states have legalized medical or adult use marijuana in some form. However, marijuana is currently a Schedule I substance under federal law and therefore businesses operating in compliance with state law are not allowed to deduct the ordinary expenses of running a small business, like rent, utilities, and payroll. They cannot claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit if they hire a veteran; they cannot depreciate their American-made irrigation equipment; and they cannot take any credit or deduction relating to construction or operation costs if they want to revitalize a building for their operations. Prohibiting marijuana businesses from deducting their business expenses means that marijuana businesses often pay federal income tax rates that are orders of magnitude higher than non-marijuana businesses. Disallowing business expense deductions creates a disproportionate burden that can put small dispensaries out of business and prevents many small businesspeople from entering the industry in the first place. The Small Business Tax Equity Act will finally allow state regulated marijuana businesses to deduct their business expenses on their federal taxes, restoring equity with other legal businesses and helping make the legal cannabis competitive. I look forward to working with the original cosponsors, Representatives Joyce, Lee, and Mace and my colleagues in the House and Senate to enact this legislation and end the harmful prohibition on tax deductions for state-legal cannabis businesses.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E319-E320] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. THOMPSON : I rise today to honor the Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Agricultural and Natural Resources Department. SRJC is celebrating its 50th year of providing high-quality agricultural and natural resource education and certification opportunities in California's 4th Congressional District. Founded in 1969 by professors John Edwards, Steve Olson, and Rich Thomas, the department has grown to serve approximately 2,700 students per year. Since its inception, the department has enabled 135,000 students to graduate with degrees and certifications in sustainable agriculture, animal science, natural resource conservation, argi- business, and viniculture. Many of those graduates have gone on to hold key leadership positions as college trustees, county department heads, owners of large agricultural enterprises, and board members of major commodity groups. Since 1972, the department has operated Shone Farm, a 365-acre federal surplus property that was transformed into a hands-on learning laboratory for agriculture and natural resource students. The Shone Farm Foundation, the nonprofit operator of the Shone Farm Winery, grows 90-acres of premium wine grapes that are then sold to many North Coast wineries. Shone Farm recently became the center of operations for the SRJC's new Fire Resilient Training program which prepares student interns to combat wildfires in California and the country. Shone Farm has also been honored twice by the California Agricultural Teacher's Association as the top community college agriculture department in the state of California. By producing such knowledgeable and experienced graduates in the field of agriculture, SRJC's programs have helped to strengthen our community's vibrant economy. Many of our business leaders in agriculture continue to donate and partner with the SRJC Foundation's Friends of SRJC Agriculture program. This program has raised millions of dollars for new farm improvements, department programs, and student scholarships. Mr. Speaker, though their 50th anniversary celebration was delayed by the COVID pandemic, the Santa Rosa Junior College Agricultural and Natural Resources Department deserves to be commemorated for its impact on our district. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor their half-century of work here today.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E319] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. BOST: I rise today to honor Steve Sawalich of West Frankfort, Illinois, in recognition of his being crowned Old King Coal for 2023. Started over 80 years ago, the Southern Illinois Old King Coal Festival celebrates the hard work of coal miners past and present, while highlighting the contributions the coal industry has made to our region. Steve Sawalich, a former president of the Old King Coal Festival and a lifelong resident of West Frankfort, has a long history of service to his community. Not long after graduating high school, Mr. Sawalich began working in the Old Ben 21 Coal Mine in 1973, where he worked for 10 years. Mr. Sawalich led the effort to create the first memorial to honor the 119 victims of the Orient No. 2 Mine Explosion of December 21, 1951. This new memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2020, in West Frankfort. Mr. Sawalich recently retired after 40 years as a trusted hearing healthcare professional to thousands of our citizens, but he continues his service through volunteer work at the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Mr. Sawalich is married to Camilla, and he has been blessed with two children, Brandon and Steven, and four grandchildren, Amelia, William, Jake, and Gianna. This achievement is a fitting tribute for a man who has meant so much to so many. In fact, it was in large part through Mr. Sawalich's efforts that the Old King Coal Festival was revived in 2002; and he's a big reason it thrives today. Please join me in recognizing Steve Sawalich, Old King Coal for 2023, and wish him continued success in strengthening his community for years to come.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E319] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. SCHIFF: I rise today to honor the 100th Anniversary of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. headquartered in beautiful downtown Burbank, California. Warner Bros. is a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment. As a Warner Bros. Discovery company, the Studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world with stories that stand the test of time, and is at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry. Warner Bros. began when the four Warner brothers--Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack L.--sons of Jewish immigrants from Poland, incorporated their fledgling movie company on April 4, 1923. In 1927, the release of ``The Jazz Singer,'' the world's first feature film with synchronized dialog, singing sequences, music and effects, set a tone of creativity, courage, innovation and influence that would become synonymous with the name Warner Bros. Today, Warner Bros. operates businesses in feature film, television, digital and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution, DVD and Blu-ray, animation, comic books, videogames, and product and brand licensing. The company's vast library, one of the most prestigious in the world, consists of more than 145,000 hours of programming, including 12,500 feature films and 2,400 television programs. Since those early days, Warner Bros. has amassed an impressive legacy built on long-term relationships with many of the world's leading talent, and unwavering dedication to excellence. As the company celebrates its centennial throughout 2023, all of the Studio's businesses carry forth the mission started by the four Warner brothers--``celebrating every story.'' I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. for one hundred years of trailblazing achievements that have transformed entertainment and enriched the imagination of millions worldwide.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E318-E319] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. THOMPSON : I rise today to honor the founder of the Napa Valley's Grgich Hills Estate and the proclaimed ``King of Chardonnay'', Miljenko ``Mike'' Grgich as he and his family celebrate his milestone 100th birthday. Mr. Grgich was born in 1923 in Croatia. He studied agronomy and chemistry at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, establishing himself as a talented student of his field and asa bold critic of his home country's communist government. When Mr. Grgich was protesting the forced retirement of his professor, who spoke out against the Croatian government, he soon found out that he was also being monitored by the state's security forces. Upon this revelation, Mr. Grgich fled Croatia, migrating to Germany, and was eventually granted an American visa in 1958. A year later, Mr. Grgich was hired at Beaulieu Vineyard as chief of quality control, effectively becoming one of Napa Valley's first quality control chemists. After years of being involved with other wineries, he broke ground on his own winery in 1977, which he named Grgich Hills. In 1996, nearly two decades after opening Grgich Hills, Mr. Grgich opened a small winery in his home nation of Croatia. This led to Mr. Grgich also having the opportunity to fulfill his academic goals, which he did by earning his master's degree in agronomy at the age of 74. Because of his contributions to winemaking, Mr. Grgich was inducted into the Vinter Hall of Fame. Mr. Grgich is recognized to be among the first in California to use Millipore filters for wine, introducing the malolactic fermentation alongside world renowned Andre Tchelistcheff, utilizing oak barrels for proper aging, and developing French Wine commercial yeast. In 1976, Mr. Grgich participated in the Judgement of Paris wine tasting competition, resulting in the triumph of the 1973 Chardonnay he crafted for Napa Valley winery, Chateau Montelena. This victory helped Napa Valley to be recognized as a leader within the global wine community. When people describe Mr. Grgich, they often mention his generous and loving personality. Mr. Grgich is known by our community to be a respected philanthropist who is dedicated to students. Mr. Grgich was instrumental in creating many scholarships: the Croatian Scholarship Fund in 1989, the Miljenko Grgich Wine Studies Scholarship in 2006, and the Miljenko ``Mike'' Grgich's American Dream Scholarship in 2014. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we recognize Miljenko ``Mike'' Grgich during his 100th birthday celebration and recognize the impact he has had for our community and many others.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E318] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. WENSTRUP: I rise to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Village of Oak Hill, Ohio. Since its founding in 1873, the Village of Oak Hill has remained a pillar of Jackson County for nearly 2 centuries. Six Welsh families found themselves stranded along the Ohio River in 1818, choosing to settle in the area Oak Hill was established in 1832 in the hopes that it could become the new Jackson County seat. In the mid 1800s, the Village of Oak Hill became a Midwestern transportation hub, and included new switch railroad stations and new roads to connect the village to Portsmouth. Throughout its storied history, the Village of Oak Hill thrived as a crossroads town, connecting people to new areas of the mid western region. I am honored to represent the Village of Oak Hill, an area of the state with such a rich history and strong community. Again, I want to congratulate the Village of Oak Hill on celebrating its 150th Anniversary and recognize their historical significance in Southern Ohio. May they continue to prosper over the next 150 years.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E318] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. SIMPSON: I am honored to rise today alongside my esteemed colleagues, Senator Mike Crapo and Senator James E. Risch, to commend the students and staff of Canyon Ridge High School for their outstanding achievement in being named a National Banner School by Special Olympics. This recognition is a testament to the school's unwavering dedication to fostering a welcoming environment where all students, regardless of ability, are valued. Canyon Ridge High School has demonstrated a commitment to excellence by meeting and surpassing the ten standards necessary to receive this prestigious award. Through the implementation of a three-component model, which includes Special Olympics Unified Sports, strong youth leadership, and whole school engagement, Canyon Ridge High School has truly set a high bar for education. The school's commitment to Unified Sports, where students with and without intellectual disabilities play on the same team, is exceptional. From soccer in the fall, to basketball and bowling in the winter, and track and pickleball in the spring, these sports serve as a shining example of bringing people together. Furthermore, Canyon Ridge High School's Student Council has shown outstanding leadership by planning the 2022 Junior Prom, decorating the school for every holiday, planning assemblies, service projects, and other school-wide activities. The ``Take the Lead'' class, which allows students of all abilities to create a senior-like ``passion project,'' is yet another example of the school's commitment to fostering leadership and empowerment among its students. Finally, Canyon Ridge High School's whole school engagement efforts ensure that every student is part of the school's culture. From the ``Pennies for Possibilities'' service project to the school-wide assemblies that recognize the Unified Sports players and the ``HAWK'' Awards, all students are given the opportunity to feel valued and respected. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in commending the students and staff at Canyon Ridge High School for their tireless efforts in achieving this tremendous honor. They have truly set the standard for empowering education, and we are proud to recognize their achievement today.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E318] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. COURTNEY: it is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the impactful life and legacy of Mr. Kevin Hesch of Groton, Connecticut. Kevin tragically passed away at the heartbreaking young age of 39 on April 4, 2023, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Mr. Speaker, as someone who knows his family, I can attest that they are good people, who are beloved by friends and coworkers. His passing is a tremendous loss for all who came into contact with the Hesch clan. Kevin was a true blue southern New England success story. Born to loving parents Lori and Kurt Hesch of Groton, Kevin grew up in southeastern Connecticut. He attended Groton schools and graduated from Fitch High School in town before attending the UConn School of Business. After getting his degree, he followed his father's footsteps and began his stellar career at General Dynamics Electric Boat's Finance Department based in Groton, joining the ranks of our state's elite submarine shipyard and largest private employer. His contribution to Electric Boat's mission, to protect our Nation with unmatched undersea based deterrence, was unrivaled. The quality of his work was recognized with promotion after promotion, most recently with his designation as Manager of Finance. It is worth sharing, Mr. Speaker, that Kevin had an even greater degree of loyalty to the roots he and his family had sewn together in their local community. Kevin met the love of his life, Heather, who he married in 2012. Together, they had brought into this world five children--Alexander, Mackenzie, William, Emilia and Abigail. Kevin's ability to be his own unique and loving character has already passed onto each of them. Though this is an arduous battle for the surviving family, we can find solace in his strength and dedication, which will ultimately pass the test of time through each and every one of them. Mr. Speaker, Kevin was an outstanding individual. These tragedies are so harsh on a community, particularly considering all those that knew him from Fitch, UConn, Electric Boat, and his local community. We cannot hope to fill the void that is left in Kevin's place, which is why we are all the more thankful of how purposeful he was with his time and presence. His story and good-natured personality will surely live on through others. To further reflect the source of strength that he was before the local community, I ask that my colleagues join me in expressing our deepest condolences to his parents Lori and Kurt, his wife Heather, and his beautiful children at this time of sorrow.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E318] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. DUARTE: I rise today to honor the 20th anniversary of the Merced County Spring Fair's Little Hands Exhibit. Merced County is a rich agricultural region, providing the world nutritious, healthy, and safe food. Merced County has celebrated our agricultural heritage, our youth, education, and our region since 1890, first as the Miller-Lux Picnic, evolving into the Merced County Spring Fair, one of the largest county fairs in California. Merced County's success would not be possible without the tireless work of Barbara and Louis Parreira. For over 70 years, the Parreira's have volunteered their agricultural knowledge and know-how to educate our youth, establishing the Merced County Spring Fair Little Hands Interactive Exhibit with other community leaders. Modeled after the Indiana State Fair's exhibit, the Little Hand Exhibit debuted in 2004, providing interactive, hands-on, agricultural experiences for children between the ages of 2 and 10. Since its conception two decades ago, Little Hands has provided interactive learning experiences for over 15,000 children annually, with a total number of 300,000 unique experiences since its start in 2004. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Barbara and Louis Parreira's efforts in starting Little Hands, their decades of volunteer work, and 20 years of agricultural education through the Little Hands' exhibit.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E317] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. CASE: I rise today to honor Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Lamba Chi Omega Chapter for its 45 years of dedication and commitment to the State of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. Founded on the campus of Howard University on January 15, 1908 in Washington, D.C., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the oldest international Greek-letter service organization established by college- educated African American women, with over 300,000 members in over 1,000 chapters worldwide. Forty-five years ago, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Lambda Chi Omega Chapter followed in their founders' footsteps to start a chapter in Hawaii. Coined as the ``First Chapter of the Pacific,'' Lambda Chi Omega established a legacy of leadership, service and community involvement that has significantly impacted the lives of the people of Hawaii. The vision, dedication and leadership of the founding members in establishing a legacy of sisterhood, scholarship and service continues to impact in Hawaii today. The commitment to excellence and service by Lambda Chi Omega Chapter's founders is deeply rooted in the legacy of charter members Annie Briscoe, Sharon Brown, Dale Buffaloe, Bessie Crawford, Ella Edwards, Geraldine Hale, Barbara Hayman, Dorothy Henry, Barbara Jones, Sandi (Lakin) Sumbry, Lorene McLaurin, Georgette Moon, Ada Morgan, Virginia Payton, Lorna Peck, Donna Poindexter, Jane Sayles, Marjorie Singer, Edith Smith and Dannis Thompson. Through their unwavering commitment to education, health, economic empowerment and social justice, the chapter's members have made an important difference in the lives of Hawaii's residents. In addition, their contribution to the community serves as a testament to the power of collective action and the positive impact that can be achieved when people come together for a common cause. Additionally, we must pay tribute to Bettye Jo Harris, one of the chapter's pioneers and long-time community activist who has been a leading figure in the fight for civil rights and equality in Hawaii. Through her tireless work on behalf of all minorities, the underserved and the needy, she has spearheaded civil rights advances in Hawaii, and her contributions are worth commending here in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today, I formally recognize the outstanding service and dedication of the members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Lambda Chi Omega Chapter. Let us all commend them for their tireless efforts and selfless commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others, and let us all wish them continued success in all their endeavors.