mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE TENURE OF I.I.A.B.A. CHAIRMAN JOHN R. COSTELLO
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to recognize Mr. John R. Costello for his exceptional tenure as the 117th Chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. prgtoken A native of Rochester, New York, Mr. Costello graduated from Bishop Kearney High School before attending Villanova University and earning a B.B.A. in Finance. Shortly after his graduation in 1977, he began his career in insurance and spent the next five decades dedicated to serving the industry and those seeking its services. Currently, Mr. Costello is a partner at USI Insurance Services in Niagara Falls, New York. prgtoken First elected to the leadership team of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, or I.I.A.B.A in 2016, Mr. Costello was elevated to the organization's chairmanship in September of 2022. Founded in 1986, the I.I.A.B.A. is the country's largest and longest- operating national association of independent insurance agents and brokers. Over the past year, Mr. Costello bas done a remarkable job guiding the association as a strong and thoughtful leader for independent insurance agents and small businesses across the country. His nearly half a century of service to the insurance industry has impacted thousands of lives, both locally and nationally. In addition to his association leadership, Mr. Costello is active in the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and the Insurance Risk Management Institute. prgtoken Throughout his career, Mr. Costello also dedicated himself to giving back to his community, volunteering for a plethora of local organizations. To name only a few, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Bishop Kearney High School, a board member and past president of Sunset House Hospice Facility, a vice chair and treasurer of OASIS Adaptive Sports, and a former director and current member of the National Ski Patrol at Bristol Mountain. Both as a member of his community and the Chairman of the I.I.A.B.A Mr. Costello has worked dutifully to improve the lives of those around him and ensure their highest potential could be achieved. prgtoken I am honored to recognize the extraordinary career of Mr. John R. Costello and his successful term as the 117th Chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.
CELEBRATING CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-6-30

today I rise to celebrate the city of Crystal River, Florida's 100th anniversary, which will be celebrated on July 3, 2023. This city is home to more than 3,500 residents and to some of the most beautiful natural resources on the planet. More than half a million people from around the world travel to Crystal River each year to kayak, fish, dive, swim with the manatees and enjoy the pristine waterways within this gem of Florida's Nature Coast. Trip Advisor lists Crystal River's own Three Sisters Springs as one of the Top 10 Places in the World to Visit Before You Die. Crystal River is also home to a National Wildlife Refuge located in Kings Bay, which consists of 20 islands and small parcels of that that was established in 1983 to protect the West Indian manatee. In addition to its tremendous natural resources, the people of Crystal River are its best asset. The residents work together to create a sense of community and ensure that their city remains a wonderful place to live, work and play. Over the last 100 years, Crystal River has achieved many important accomplishments: prgtoken In 1924, its first school was built. prgtoken In 1933, airport construction began. prgtoken In 1939, the first ever City Hall building was built. prgtoken In 1948, Crystal River High School became state football champions. prgtoken In 1951, Paradise Point, a deluxe resort for sportsman was built. prgtoken In 1961, Elvis Presley visited to film ``Follow that Dream''. prgtoken In 1969, Crystal River schools were fully integrated. prgtoken In 1975, The federal government designated the Crystal River and Kings Bay as critical habitats for the manatees. prgtoken In 1976, the Crystal River nuclear power plant opened. prgtoken In 1978, Seven Rivers Community Hospital opened. prgtoken In 2013, Three Sisters Springs was featured in National Geographic Magazine. prgtoken In 2015, Crystal River became a Main Street community. prgtoken I look forward to working with the residents and compassionate leaders of Crystal River as we celebrate many more important milestones in this wonderful city within the years to come.
HONORING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to mark Building Safety Month 2023 and to recognize the more than 63,000 members of the International Code Council (ICC) who have dedicated their careers to ensuring public safety throughout the built environment--whether in our homes, offices, schools, or houses of worship. One of those members is International Code Council President Michael Wich, the Director of Building Code Administration and Chief Building Official for the South Central Planning and Development Commission--who just happens to be my constituent from Houma, Louisiana. prgtoken The Code Council brings together local, state, and federal government stakeholders, as well as those from the private sector, to develop model codes and standards that protect the occupants of the buildings in which we live, work, and play. Those standards are then implemented year-round by building safety officials, the fire service, architects, engineers, builders, and other skilled tradespeople to ensure the safe construction and maintenance of buildings. prgtoken Building Safety Month was created by the International Code Council and its partners to remind the public about the professionals who ensure buildings are safe, resilient, efficient, and livable. This year's Building Safety Month theme is ``It Starts with You,'' which encourages the public to recognize the critical role of our local code officials who work around the clock to keep our communities safe and mitigate the risks posed by natural disasters. prgtoken Building codes and standards include important safeguards to protect the public from hurricanes, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, and earthquakes. As Americans rebuild following these events, we recognize and thank those who implement and enforce building codes for protecting lives, property, and businesses, and ultimately ensuring our communities are resilient to future events. prgtoken Development, adoption, and implementation of up-to-date codes and standards has enabled Louisiana to rebuild stronger following the devastation stemming from Katrina and Rita in 2005; Gustav and Ike in 2008; Lee in 2011; Isaac in 2012; the Baton Rouge flooding of 2016; Harvey in 2017; Laura, Delta, and Zeta in 2020; and Ida in 2021. prgtoken , please join me in thanking ICC Board President Michael Wich, as well as ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as they recognize Building Safety Month 2023.
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDING GENERAL RESIDENCY ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2023-7-3

today, I introduce the District of Columbia National Guard Commanding General Residency Act, which would require the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard to reside in D.C. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill. prgtoken D.C. has no control over the D.C. National Guard. Instead, the president controls the D.C. National Guard, which many Americans first learned either during the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol, when the administration delayed deploying the D.C. National Guard to the Capitol for several hours, or during the June 2020 attack by federal law enforcement on largely peaceful protestors outside the White House, in which the D.C. National Guard was used by the administration as part of the attack. In contrast, governors of the states and the three territories that have National Guards each control their National Guards. prgtoken I have long introduced a bill, the D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act, that would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard. Last Congress, the House's fiscal year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act included the D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act, but it was stripped out of the final versions of the FY 2022 and FY 2023 NDAA because s threatened to vote against the must- pass NDAA if it included the D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act. prgtoken The Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard is the top official in the D.C. National Guard, is appointed by the president and is a federal employee. There are residency requirements for government officials in federal law, D.C. law and the laws of jurisdictions throughout the country. In fact, several states have laws that require the top official in their National Guard to reside in their state, and it is highly likely that every state and territory only appoints residents as the top official in their National Guard. The primary reason residency requirements exist is so that government officials have a connection to the residents they serve and in-depth knowledge of the unique issues and challenges faced by residents. prgtoken Congress has justifiably required that certain federal officials reside in the jurisdiction to which they are appointed, including U.S. district court judges, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorneys. Similarly, Congress, which controls the local D.C. court system, has justifiably required local D.C. judges and members of the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure to reside in D.C. prgtoken There is no reason that the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, a federal entity that serves only D.C. residents and that has both a military and law enforcement role, should not be required to reside in D.C. A D.C. residency requirement for the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard will lead to a better relationship between the D.
RECOGNIZING DEPUTY WILLIAM HOLLINGSWORTH
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-7-3

I rise today to commend Deputy William Hollingsworth for his selfless and heroic acts on Friday, June 16, 2023. Deputy Hollingsworth was helping stranded drivers amid the rapidly rising water early that Friday morning when he saw a motorist disappear beneath Highway 98. Deputy Hollingsworth rushed toward the motorist to provide aid without regard for his safety. He and the motorist were then swept into a flooded storm drain and traveled nearly 100 feet under the four-lane highway. Despite this traumatic turn of events, Deputy Hollingsworth emerged on the other side, spotted the motorist, and continued to wade toward him to continue his rescue attempt. His courageous actions cannot be overstated. prgtoken I, along with the entire Northwest Florida community, thank Deputy Hollingsworth for his devotion to duty and commitment to excellence. His valiant actions exemplify the very best of Northwest Florida's law enforcement. I prgtoken am proud to have him serving in Florida's First Congressional District. prgtoken On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am privileged to recognize Deputy William Hollingsworth for his unwavering commitment to upholding the values of our local law enforcement agencies. I thank him for his service and offer my warmest regards and best wishes to him and his family.
COMMUNITY IS STRONGER THAN CANCER DAY 2023
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-7-6

I rise today to join with people across America who marked June 28, 2023 as Community Is Stronger Than Cancer Day. prgtoken For those whose lives have been impacted by cancer, the community that is found in this shared experience is an opportunity for hope, for comfort, and even joy. Toward this end, I want to recognize the Cancer Support Community, a global non-profit network of 190 locations, including Gilda's Clubs, hospital and clinic partnerships, and satellite locations that deliver more than $50 million in free support and navigation services to patients and families. They also provide a compassionate and engaged community for people who experienced a cancer diagnosis themselves or who support a loved one. prgtoken The Cancer Support Community reaches more than one million people each year, providing both in-person and virtual services as well as educational and digital resources. My district is home to those who can seek support and programming at one of two Cancer Support Community locations in Florida, and I ask all my colleagues to review where there currently are locations in or near their districts and to learn more about the important services being provided in their communities. prgtoken The Cancer Support Community also maintains a toll-free national Cancer Support Helpline. It is crucial to note that all their services are led by licensed healthcare professionals and resource experts. Additionally, their headquarter staff conducts cutting-edge research that sheds light on the realities of coping with a cancer diagnosis, including the emotional, psychological, and financial impact. so I encourage all my colleagues to learn more about them. prgtoken There are more than 18 million cancer patients and survivors in the United States, and for every one cancer patient, there are at least three others impacted by the diagnosis--spouse, partner, child, caregiver, and employer. A cancer diagnosis is life changing and, for some, can be overwhelming and distressing. I applaud the Cancer Support Community and its network partners for the extraordinary work they do every day easing the burdens of cancer and eliminating barriers to care. I commend their unwavering commitment to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer know that there are individuals and organizations that are ready to support them as they cope with the challenges that come with this complex diagnosis. prgtoken As the Cancer Support Community emphasizes: ``While we have witnessed many significant advances in treating this devastating disease, nothing takes the place of the power, inspiration, companionship, and connection that comes from community. We are here to provide relevant and highly personalized support when and where it is needed most because Community Is Stronger Than Cancer.''
REFLECTING ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH 2023
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-7-6

I want to take this opportunity to look back on Gun Violence Prevention Month. During this time of mourning and remembrance, I have had near constant nightmarish images in mind. Images of human carnage in the aftermath of shootings involving military-style assault weapons like the ones we now witness on a regular, predictable basis. prgtoken Families are unable to simply run errands on the weekends or interact with their neighbors without fear of losing their lives. prgtoken And yet, most of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle tolerate this uniquely American carnage without hesitation. prgtoken We know that the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was effective at reducing crime and getting these military-style weapons off our streets. prgtoken And we know that after the ban was dropped, between 2015 and 2022, mass shootings where an assault weapon was used accounted for a third of all mass shooting deaths and more than 80 percent of all injuries. prgtoken AR-15s and other assault weapons are the tool of choice by gunmen in nearly all of the 10 deadliest mass shootings since 2015, including the gunman in Uvalde, Texas, who shot and killed 19 children and 2 teachers in their elementary school. prgtoken This is a crisis of law and order. We must return safety to our streets. prgtoken Gun violence leaves a mark on each individual and community it impacts, and it spares none of our constituents. It also spares none of our minds these days as we await news of the next atrocity. prgtoken May we find the political courage to do better for you. For our brave first responders and law enforcement officers. For our kids. For our devastated communities across this nation. prgtoken By using our power as legislators, we can create a safer society where individuals can exercise their rights responsibly, while also curbing the senseless loss of innocent lives. It's time to prioritize human lives over political divisions and enact the change that our communities so desperately need.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ACT TO EXPAND THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO INCLUDE ACTIVE USE OF SYSTEM UNITS LOCATED IN URBAN AREAS
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2023-7-6

I rise to introduce a bill that would expand the mission of the National Park Service (NPS) to include active use of National Park System units located in urban areas. The idea for this bill came from a new report authored by George Washington University's Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness that examined strategies to create a more equitable and activated park system in the District of Columbia. prgtoken As the report notes, NPS parks in D.C. are ``inconsistently managed and inequitably maintained'' and ``do not meet the needs of people who both live near and experience the park system as a part of their daily lives.'' Efforts to activate and improve local parks have been hindered by limitations on NPS's statutory authority. NPS's primary mission is to preserve spaces for the enjoyment of future generations. This noble mission was crafted for the purpose of wilderness preservation, allowing nature to remain untouched by time. However, in addition to grand national parks, NPS also owns neighborhood parks in urban areas. For example, more than 20 percent of D.C. land consists of parkland, and NPS owns nearly 90 percent of it, over two-thirds of which is local, neighborhood parks, smaller than one acre. These parks could benefit from improvements that prioritize community engagement, including trails, playgrounds and benches. However, NPS's mission is limited to preserving land as it currently exists. This mission is ill- suited to address the unique and immediate needs of urban neighborhood parks. prgtoken This bill would expand the mission of NPS to include the promotion of active use of its parks located in urban areas. Active use prioritizes current enjoyment by people and improves quality of life, including playgrounds, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly infrastructure, sports and recreation facilities, community events, programming and concessions. This expanded mission would only apply to parks located in areas that have been defined and designated as ``urban'' in the most recent decennial census by the Secretary of Commerce, and would not impact wilderness areas. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.
RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MUENSTER STATE BANK
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-6

I rise today to recognize Muenster State Bank on their 100th Anniversary, celebrating their opening to serve North Texans on July 2, 1923. prgtoken Early in 1923, a group of local leaders from the small German Catholic community of Muenster, Texas decided that if the town of less than 450 residents was going to continue to grow and prosper, a bank was necessary. This group, made up of businessmen and farmers, met in J.W. Meurer's hardware store to request that J.W. take on a leadership role in the formation of this new bank. The group was apprehensive that the required funds could be raised to supply the necessary capital and deposits, considering that the previous private bank had already failed twice. Assured that adequate stock could be sold, the group prevailed upon Mr. Meurer to continue in his leadership role and to take charge of the organization and operation of the bank. They looked for additional assistance and discovered through interviews that experienced bankers could be found but were unaffordable for this new bank venture. prgtoken Mr. Meurer knew his brother-in-law, J.M. Weinzapfel, had the business acumen required and was available, but at the time lived over 60 miles away in Windthorst, Texas. Upon being offered the job, Mr. Weinzapfel moved to Muenster to assist with the necessary paperwork to secure a charter and future operations. The original 21 stockholders in the bank successfully raised $19,250.00 in total capital to obtain the State Charter and on Friday, June 29, 1923, the State of Texas granted them Bank Charter No. 1400. On the following Monday of July 2, 1923, the bank opened for business, providing Mr. Weinzapfel the foundation and community from which he would devote the remainder of his business life. prgtoken In the early years growth was slow. Nonetheless, the bank has generated an annual profit since inception, and has paid dividends in all but 2 years. Over the past century, through good and bad economic times, periods of war, and uncertainty such as 2 robberies and 1 attempted robbery, the officers and staff persevered, ensuring continued growth and prosperity along with the community it served. As a combination of a century's dedication and hard work by bank staff members and the loyalty and confidence customers have placed in the institution, Muenster State Bank has grown to $213 million in total assets as of the end of 2022, generating $3.5 million in net income and paying out $2.1 million in shareholder distributions. prgtoken Recently, Muenster State Bank's current president, Robert Weinzapfel, read the following communication to today's shareholders that then bank president, J.M. Weinzapfel, had written in 1942. Despite being written 81 years ago, it still rings true today. ``The bank organized and opened July 2nd, 1923 and never failed to pay a regular dividend each year since then. The Officers and Directors have been faithful to their trust and were influ