mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN MEMORY OF JEAN ANN FOWARD
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I wish to pay tribute to the memory of a dear friend and a remarkable woman from my community in Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Jean Ann Foward, who passed away on April 11, 2019. Jean was the wife of Dr. Derrick L. Foward, president of the Dayton chapter of the NAACP, the second largest NAACP chapter in the State of Ohio. prgtoken Jean was born in Springfield, Ohio on December 2, 1958. She spent most of her life in Dayton and attended Dayton Public Schools. She was highly recognized for her Spelling Bee talent at Jackson Elementary School. Jean graduated from Wilbur Wright High School in 1976 and pursued a degree in Business Management at Ohio University. prgtoken Jean married the love of her life, Derrick L. Foward, on July 11, 1998. Together they raised four wonderful children: Jayme, Letoia, Troy Jr and Donte. Jean was a devoted wife and mother known throughout the community as the ``Wind beneath Derrick's Wings''--as she supported him throughout his community service career. She was sweet, mild mannered, and loved dearly by her family and friends. She catered and hosted several family, community, and political gatherings at their home, where she welcomed everyone with a smile. prgtoken Jean and her husband shared a passion for the cause of justice and civil rights for all Americans. She was an equal partner and an inspiration to her husband in the fight for human rights and equality for all people. She was more than just Derrick's wife, she was a leader in her own right. prgtoken Jean was an exemplary community servant and role model. She took pride in her neighborhood and was a member of the Northern Hills Neighborhood Association. Moreover, she participated in the annual Back-To-School, Stay-In-School school supplies event. prgtoken Jean loved volunteering for the City of Dayton Feast of Giving, where she served food to hundreds of people on Thanksgiving Day. She also participated in WDAO Radio's annual Feast of Love to feed the homeless and others during the Christmas holiday season. prgtoken Jean served for 13 years as Advisor of the Littlejohn Junior NAACP Youth Council. Because of her sound financial stewardship, the Littlejohn Junior NAACP Youth Council had a budget surplus from 2005 to 2018. Due to her commitment to youth development, the Littlejohn Junior NAACP Youth Council remains the only active NAACP Junior Youth Council in the State of Ohio. prgtoken Jean contributed greatly to the lives of many young people throughout the Dayton region. She exemplified phenomenal leadership in mentoring, training, and developing our youth ages 1 through 13. She encouraged them to be humble leaders and faithful community servants. During her tenure as Youth Advisor, she had the distinct honor of richly depositing hope, respect, integrity, discipline, and character into the lives of over 510 youth who joined the organization under her leadership. prgtoken Because of her outstanding community leadership, Jean was
ALLAN TRIMBLE
Kevin Hern (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise in recognition of a truly great American. Coach Allan Trimble had a football coaching career spanning 3 decades, including 22 seasons at Jenks High School, piling up 242 wins and 13 state championships. prgtoken Those statistics alone are impressive, but Coach Trimble's leadership follows him off the football field. His strength of character is visible in everything he does. prgtoken Coach Trimble always strived to be a positive influence not only to his players, but to the entire student population. He still works as a mentor for our youth today, training up the future leaders of our community and state. He does this with the Trimble Strong foundation, whose mission is to bring faith, hope, and love into the lives of every person they interact with. prgtoken Coach Trimble takes to heart our calling from God to be the salt of the earth. Every person who has crossed paths with Coach Trimble can feel the impact of his faith and leadership. prgtoken Even after his diagnosis with ALS in 2016, Coach Trimble continued to be a pillar of strength, courage, and hope for his community and the students that he works with. prgtoken I congratulate Coach Trimble on a truly spectacular career and thank him for the impact he has had on not only Jenks, but all of Oklahoma.
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW) AUXILIARY
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary in Sterling, Colorado. prgtoken Sterling VFW Auxiliary No. 3541 has proudly supported veterans in our community since 1944. This chapter also received the ``Buddy'' Poppy VFW National Home for Children Award in 2018-2019 for member contributions to military and veteran families needing a fresh start. Their dedication continues to benefit our brave men and women in uniform. prgtoken Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude than the one we owe our veterans. VFW Auxiliary President Lori Davison, Auxiliary members and volunteers should be commended. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to VFW Auxiliary No. 3541. We look forward to their continued success.
JEFFERSON LIEVENSE--ELECTION TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING BOARD
Francis Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Jefferson Lievense and his election to the National Academy of Engineering Board for leadership in biomanufacturing and sustainable chemicals. The National Academy of Engineering recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field. prgtoken Mr. Lievense is currently a Senior Advisor to the CEO of Bioengineering and Technology at Genomatica. Mr. Lievense has 37 years of industrial biotechnology experience and has contributed to many important projects and achievements. prgtoken I congratulate Jefferson Lievense on his election to the National Academy of Engineering Board as it is one of the highest distinctions an engineer can receive.
CONGRATULATING OWENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STEM TEAM
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Owensville High School STEM team for winning the 2019 Samsung ``Solve for Tomorrow'' technology contest. prgtoken The Solve for Tomorrow contest, which this year was held aboard the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York City, invites students from across the nation to engineer technical solutions for today's common problems. Owensville students Paige Tayloe, Jonah Hoffman, and Trey Fisher put their minds together to focus on school safety. Under the supervision of engineers from LMI Aerospace in Washington, Missouri the team developed a door latch that will keep classroom doors closed in the event of a security threat even when the door lock is broken. The Gasconade County School District has already committed to using the new latches. prgtoken For winning the contest Samsung is awarding the school district $100,000 in technology and classroom supplies, which will be an incredible resource for our students. More importantly, with their invention Paige, Jonah, and Trey have made their fellow students much safer and given parents added peace of mind. As their representative in Congress I am very proud of their success, but as a father and grandfather I am even more grateful for their dedication and ingenuity. prgtoken Madam , please join me in recognizing Paige Tayloe, Jonah Hoffman, Trey Fisher, and Owensville High School for a job well done!
HONORING THE LIFE OF MRS. CHEN LING KOU
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise to celebrate the life of Chen Ling Kou, a devoted wife, mother, and dedicated community member who passed away after battling cancer on April 6, 2019, at the age of 55. prgtoken Chen Ling was born to En Kai Chang and Shu Chuan Yang Chang on November 5, 1963 in Cheongju-si, South Korea, the fifth of six children. Chen Ling was a brilliant student and a member of an elite study group in Seoul, South Korea, before immigrating to Los Angeles, California, with her family in 1982. prgtoken She would go on to attend California State University, Fullerton and would later marry Mr. Ming Shin Kou on February 8, 1987 in Anaheim, California. Approximately 1,200 people attended the wedding. prgtoken Chen Ling was an active member of the community of Palos Verdes Estates in my congressional district, devoting her time to various charitable causes but she was most proud of her three children and all their accomplishments. Dow Li was the first student in the history of Marymount High School to win the state of California Mock Trial competition and went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley. prgtoken Dow Yi obtained degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the National Taiwan University, and went on to work for Fox Entertainment. Dow Ken recently graduated from the Brentwood School, and has been accepted to the University of Southern California. A fighter throughout her life, Chen Ling bravely fought her battle with cancer for four years, accepting experimental cancer treatment in the hopes that it would help others suffering from cancer. prgtoken Chen Ling is survived by her husband and their three children. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out. She will forever be remembered for her selflessness, incredible bravery, and meaningful impact on her community.
INTRODUCTION OF THE MARIJUANA IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING PARITY ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , today, I introduce the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act. My bill would permit the use of marijuana in federally assisted housing, including public housing and Section 8 housing, in compliance with the marijuana laws of the state where the property is located. prgtoken Individuals living in federally assisted housing should not be denied admission, or fear eviction, for using a legal product. Adult use and/ or medical marijuana is currently legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia, and over 90 percent of Americans support legalized medical marijuana. Under current federal law, the users of drugs that are illegal under federal law, including marijuana, are prohibited from being admitted into federally assisted housing. Moreover, federal law allows landlords to evict residents of federally assisted housing for drug use. Even the Food and Drug Administration has recently supported approving certain medication made from cannabis, including Eipdiolex, which would be administered as a syrup. Eipdiolex is used to treat children who suffer from seizures. Notably, the drug does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. prgtoken For the last several years, Congress has prohibited the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using federal funds to prevent jurisdictions from implementing their medical marijuana laws. This bill would similarly allow individuals to use marijuana in federally assisted housing in compliance with the state's marijuana laws. prgtoken Under my bill, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must also develop regulations that restrict smoking marijuana in federally assisted housing in the same manner and to the same locations as the Secretary restricts smoking tobacco in federally assisted public housing. prgtoken HUD, like DOJ, should not be allowed to enforce federal marijuana laws where states have taken action to legalize marijuana. The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act states that a person may not be denied federally assisted housing based on the use of marijuana in compliance with the marijuana laws of the state where the property is located. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
IN RECOGNITION OF LAUREL BLACKETT MIRANDA
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise to honor Laurel Miranda who is receiving the Citizen of the Year and Community Care Award from the Associated Parents' Group of Hillsborough for her tireless work improving the lives of children of all abilities. prgtoken For twelve years, Laurel was instrumental in shaping the Hillsborough City Student District Special Education Program to include parent representation, field trips and a science overnight. It is an inclusive educational experience with opportunities on par with the General Education Program. In addition, she was active in all other aspects of school life, including the parent group boards at South and Crocker schools and Art in Action. She served as president of both the Hillsborough Schools Foundation and the Associated Parents' Group of Hillsborough. prgtoken Laurel's intelligence, thoughtfulness, generosity and practicality have earned her the admiration and respect of teachers, staff, parents and students alike. She knows how to get things done. prgtoken In her advocacy for children of all abilities, she co-founded Special Kids Parents Group of Hillsborough and was president for three years. The group worked collaboratively with the superintendent, the school board, the Hillsborough Schools Foundation, and APG to provide a welcoming, supportive school and community environment for families with children of all abilities. They helped launch three annual signature events: Special Kids Parents Group Kick-Off Coffee, High School Night for Parents of Special Learners, and 5th Grade Transition Coffee for Parents of Special Learners. They improved recreational opportunities with Hillsborough Recreation. And they represented HCSD to San Mateo County SELPA to share ideas and strategies across school districts. In short, Special Kids Parents Group could not have been a more effective advocate. prgtoken Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Laurel came to California and attended Miramonte High School in Orinda. While working as a camp counselor at John's Hopkins Center for Talented Youth in 1987, she met her husband Steve Miranda. In 1990, Laurel earned her BA in Quantitative Economics and English from Stanford University and in 1997, she earned her JD/MBA from UC Berkeley. prgtoken Laurel and Steve were married at Stanford Memorial Church in 1993. She had a successful career at Oracle, Wells Fargo, and Charles Schwab. In 2000, with the birth of Robert Miranda, Laurel fully devoted her time to family, advocacy for children and school activities. Isabel Miranda was born three years later and diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy at the age of eight months. There wasn't a group Laurel wasn't involved in or a board she didn't serve on. Advocacy and community engagement are part of her DNA. In her current role as a board member of CuriOdyssey, she is promoting exclusive hours and programming for kids with special needs and their families prgtoken Madam , I ask the members of the House of Re
COMMEMORATING 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLUMBINE SCHOOL SHOOTING
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today to honor the victims of the tragic shooting that took place at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999. prgtoken Saturday marks 20 years since that horrific April day when two armed students walked on to campus and opened fire, killing 12 of their fellow classmates and one teacher, and wounding another 20 more. prgtoken The images we saw that day will live with us forever. And for those who were at the school that day when these horrific events unfolded, or who lost loved ones as a result, the pain and sadness they feel today is just as real as it was 20 years ago. prgtoken As time goes on, the memories of those we lost that day will never be forgotten. They were sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, friends and loved ones. prgtoken Each with their own story to tell. Each with their own goals and ambitions. And each with their own group of loved ones who still miss them terribly. prgtoken Cassie Bernall, who was 17 years old, was a dedicated member of her church youth group and wanted to eventually be a doctor. prgtoken Steven Curnow, at age 14, was a talented soccer player and avid Star Wars fan who had hoped to one day pilot an F-16 fighter jet. prgtoken Corey DePooter, age 17, loved fishing, and was working at a local golf course to earn enough money to one day buy his own boat. prgtoken Kelly Fleming, age 16, was a skilled writer who loved to read and dreamed of one day recording her own stories for others to read. prgtoken Matthew Kechter, age 16, was a straight-A student, who was on his way to becoming a starting linemen on the school's football team. prgtoken Daniel Mauser, age 15, was also a straight-A student and a valued member of the school's cross-country and debate teams. prgtoken Danny Rohrbough, age 15, would save all the money he earned working at his family's business to buy Christmas presents for his loved ones at the end of the year. prgtoken William ``Dave'' Sanders, age 47, was a beloved teacher and coach, who sacrificed his own safety that day to help more than 100 students flee to safety. prgtoken Rachel Scott, age 17, was an inspiring writer and actress who had written her diary before the attack about the importance of reaching out to those who are being picked on by others. prgtoken Isaiah Shoels, age 18, was a budding keyboardist who had dreamed of following in his father's footsteps by becoming a record producer. prgtoken John Tomlin, age 16, loved spending time with his church youth group, and planned on serving in our nation's armed forces after graduation. prgtoken Lauren Townsend, age 18, loved animals, and when she wasn't leading the girls varsity volleyball team, you could find her working after school at the local animal shelter. prgtoken Kyle Velasquez, age 16, loved ice cream and always wore a big smile. He, too, had hoped to enlist in the military one day, just like his father. prgtoken The shooting that took place at Columbine 20 years ago th
HONORING HANNAH EDELSTEIN FOR RECEIVING THE GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD
Filemon Vela (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today to honor Hannah Edelstein, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. prgtoken Hannah joins a selective group of scouts, and she should be proud of this recognition. This accolade symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. To receive the award, a scout must first obtain four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and complete the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. Awardees also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. prgtoken Hannah's project focused on the needs of families affected by domestic violence in the Rio Grande Valley. I applaud her research efforts and ability to provide necessary resources at the Friendship of Women Shelter in Brownsville, Texas. She went above and beyond the expectations, raising awareness in the community and working with partners, local organizations, and fellow Girl Scout Gold Awardee-- Victoria Hinojos. prgtoken A Brownsville native, Hannah leads her peers by example, excelling in academics and community service. She works with the University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley faculty to promote the conservation of the region's native Red Crowned Parrot, serves as president of the Health Occupation Students of America, and leads the Varsity Volleyball team. Despite these extracurricular endeavors, Hannah ranks number one in her class at Veterans Memorial Early College High School, Brownsville. prgtoken It is a tremendous honor to recognize Hannah Edelstein. Our district is very proud of her service, and our community benefits greatly from her leadership. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating her for her work, service, and accomplishments.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MAUDE FORD LEE
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend, Maude Ford Lee. Maude was a long-time civil rights activist and truly one of a kind. A native of Tallahassee, Maude spent her life advocating for equality. She participated in a bus boycott in her hometown in the 1950s. That action led Tallahassee to desegregate its public transit. She moved to West Palm Beach in the 1960s and spent decades working as a manager of county social programs. Among her many accomplishments, she was the first black candidate elected to the Palm Beach County Commission, where she served for ten years. Her husband, the late Percy Lee, ran the Urban League of Palm Beach County. prgtoken Maude lobbied for the creation of commission districts as the only way for a black candidate to win a seat in a mostly white county. Through her efforts, single-member districts were created, expanding opportunities for African Americans to run and win in those districts. prgtoken After stepping away from politics, Maude became president of the West Palm Beach chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In that role, she continued her advocacy for the needs of the African American community, working to address inequities locally and nationwide. She reveled in another first, the 2008 election of as president. ``This is our greatest accomplishment,'' she told the Palm Beach Post at the time. prgtoken Madam , if there was such a thing as a community servant, than Maude Ford Lee was it. She will always be remembered for her tireless efforts to bring resources to Florida and the African American community. Her legacy of public service speaks for itself, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her. I offer my deepest condolences to Maude's family, during this extremely difficult time.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
A. Donald McEachin (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I was unavoidably detained on April 8, 2019 during roll call no. 157, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Con. Res. 19, Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' I was also unavoidably detained during roll call no. 158, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1331, the Local Water Protection Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' I was unavoidably detained during roll call no. 159, on Approving the Journal. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''
ANGEL MARTINEZ, LAISHA CAMPOS AND VERONICA MONCADA
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-4-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud students Angel Martinez, Laisha Campos and Veronica Moncada for earning the Rookie of the Year Award for their creative and unique mobile application (app) as part of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge. prgtoken As first-time participants in the challenge, this team from the Northglenn STEM Launch School built an app titled ``Immigration Help'' to assist members of the community with immigration resources allowing the community to be a welcoming environment for new constituents. prgtoken The students of STEM Launch School spent countless hours and used numerous tools to learn about coding, further advancing their STEM education. Each team built their app in less than three months which shows their perseverance and dedication to this challenge and exemplifies the character and determination the faculty instills in the students at the school. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to these students for their hard work on this project. I am certain these students will exhibit the same dedication and character in their future accomplishments.