mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE PERMIAN BASIN HONOR FLIGHT
K. Michael Conaway (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , I rise to recognize the 87 Veterans from West Texas who will be visiting Washington, D.C. this week, sponsored by the Permian Basin Honor Flight. On behalf of a grateful state and nation, we welcome these heroes to the nation's capital. The Veterans on this Honor Flight are: Benjamin Acosta, Clinton Adams, Lawrence Adams, George Alexander, Wanliss Armstrong, Edward Atwood, James Basse, Robert Bennett, Thomas Bright, Sidney Bryan, Michael Chaney, Clarence Chapman, Mary Cheek, Richard Cotte, Troy Crosby, William Decker, Jr David Dilbeck, Truett Eaton, Raymond Flores, Paul Flynn, Jr Richard Galloway, Jackie Green, Larry Griffith, Gilberto Guzman, Stephen on, John Hufford, Donald Hunt, Daniel Jacques, Enrique Jaramillo, Jr Raymond Jenkins, Darrell Johnson, Melvin Johnson, Henry Kalawe, Jr Stanley Klett, Arthur Laengrich, Larry Laengrich, Robert Lathrop, Horace Lloyd, Daryl Locker, Guadalupe Madrid, Alonzo Martinez, Haskell Mayo, Jr Mickey McCown, Curtis McFarland, Jr James McKinzie, Jr Earl Moize, Thomas Molder III, Travis Monday, Eugene Morgan, Stanley Mulsow, Curtis Nicholson, Warren Oakley, Joe Padilla, Lupe Padilla, Solon Page, Armando Perales, Marion Pride, Johnnye Proctor, David Reeves, Lloyd Ritchey, Donald Rogers, Doyle Schwartz, Robert Schoff, Jr Don Seales, Wesley Seales, Tommy Seward, Joan Shannon, Joseph Smith III, Robert Sorem, Perry Stevens, Marion Stone, Bobby Stringer, Alfonso Telck, Bobby Trammell, Edward Twood, Gumecindo Urias, Antonio Urias, Santiago Urias, Jr Steve Wagner, Alvin Wankowski, Douglas Wankowski, Kenneth Warrington, Gary Watkins, Ben Webb, Danny Whitaker, Kenneth Winford, and Tony Yzaguirre. prgtoken Madam , I am humbled to have the opportunity to meet these brave men and women who exemplify the best of our country. Their sacrifice and commitment to duty to our nation can never be fully repaid, and I hope that they will be able to reflect on the gratitude and respect that Americans have for them as they visit our nation's monuments in Washington, D.C the gratitude and respect we have for them will truly be reflected. prgtoken Colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and their families for their exemplary dedication and service to this great nation. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the local communities, all of the volunteers, and Mr. John West and Mrs. Teresa Galloway for their extensive work in organizing this Honor Flight. This trip would not have been possible without all the financial and emotional support of the people who have put in so much hard work and personal time to make sure this trip could be possible.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-5-8

as a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to recognize a family-owned small business that is dedicated to its customers, employees, and community. In honor of the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week, it is my pleasure to name Burgers' Smokehouse of California, MO, as the Senate Small Business of the Day. prgtoken Burgers' Smokehouse began in 1927 with E.M. Burger, a man who decided to use his mother's recipe to start curing hams for himself. Though this was a time with limited potential for a meat business, Burger sold six hams in his first year and then doubled to 12 hams in his second year. From there, E.M. Burger started employing the help of his family to grow his business to its official launch in 1952 when they opened their first ``Ham House'' in California, MO. This opening would lead them to become the first country cured meat company in the United States to receive Federal inspection just 4 years later in 1956 which allowed them to ship meat between State borders. prgtoken Today, Burgers' Smokehouse is now operated by the third and fourth generation of the Burger family and has become one of the Nation's leading provider of cured meats. Burgers' Smokehouse now employs over 200 people and operates two locations, the original ``Ham House'' in California, and a newly opened second facility in Springfield, MO. The company distributes over 12 million pounds of products each year and supplies restaurants such as Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, and Waffle House. This success was not only due to the quality of their product, but also to the utilization of the latest technology. Burgers' Smokehouse has been recognized in several magazines and newspapers for the cutting-edge innovations used in their production and food safety processes. prgtoken In addition to the excellence within Burgers' Smokehouse's walls, the Burger family is intentional about being excellent to those outside of their walls. Employees participate yearly in the Moniteau County Relay for Life. Burgers' Smokehouse has raised over $100,000 to help fight cancer through this effort. In 2006, Burgers' Smokehouse also sent care packages, which included some of their sandwiches, to U.S. soldiers overseas. Today, they still offer free shipping to anyone who will place an order to a military post. Aside from Burgers' Smokehouse's direct charity, the Burger family also set up a foundation under E.M. Burger's name, the founder of Burgers' Smokehouse. This foundation specializes in gifts to the arts and education and frequently gives grants to the Moniteau County school system. prgtoken Burgers' Smokehouse embodies the traits of a true family-owned business. Armed only with his mother's recipe, E.M. Burger sold just six hams in his first year. Ninety-two years later, the third and fourth generations of the Burger family operate his legacy selling over 600,0
HONORING THE CITY OF WATERTOWN ON THE SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF ITS INCORPORATION
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , I rise today on behalf of the residents of Watertown, New York as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city's incorporation. prgtoken In 1796, surveyor Benjamin Wright arrived in the Black River area and plotted out the boundaries of what would later become Watertown. 73 years later, on May 8, 1869, the City of Watertown was incorporated. Those pioneering settlers had the foresight to see that the area was ideal for industry and commerce. Located centrally in Jefferson County, the Black River runs through the heart of the city. This enabled the rapid expansion of manufacturing and trading and created the perfect environment for inventors and entrepreneurs. prgtoken To this day, Watertown remains a vibrant and beautiful community that exemplifies the best qualities of The North Country and the Nation as a whole. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to congratulate the residents of Watertown on this momentous occasion. It has been an honor to represent this community, and I know that the future looks bright for Watertown.
IN RECOGNITION OF ELIZABETH (BETSY) PAGE ALDRICH AND HER 65 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Betsy Aldrich and her 65 years of service to the Daughters of the American Revolution. I would like to personally thank her for her service and dedication to our nation. prgtoken Betsy was born in Richmond, Virginia and raised at Shelly in ``Coke'' Virginia, where she resides today. She attended Mary Washington College for two years and then headed to William and Mary, where she earned a degree in philosophy. Betsy went on to teach early elementary school in Alexandria, Virginia. Betsy married her husband Robert D. Aldrich in 1951 and had two children, John Page Aldrich and Dr. Lee Aldrich Rouse. prgtoken Betsy descends from John Page of Rosewell, the 13th Governor of Virginia and Thomas Nelson, Jr, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Following in the footsteps of her heritage, Betsy has always been incredibly interested in Virginia history and is the only surviving charter member of the Augustine Warner Chapter of the DAR formed in 1953. I commend Betsy for her work with the DAR over the past 65 years and am grateful to have someone such as Betsy in our Virginia community. prgtoken Madam , I ask you to join me in the recognition of Betsy Aldrich. The Commonwealth is fortunate to have someone with such dedication and commitment. May God bless Betsy Aldrich and I look forward to seeing her continued success for many years to come.
Mueller Report (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-5-8

I want to address my colleagues with three different subjects. The first one is very, very short. It is things that are being talked about right now, particularly in the other body. prgtoken Many in the media seem very, very unhappy with the results of the Mueller report, or they might be embarrassed that the world knows that they sold a bunch of snake oil for the past 2 years, talking for 2 years about collusion with Russia, and now after the Mueller report has come out, they find out that the jig is up. prgtoken I hope the media will pursue the origins of the Russian collusion investigation with the very same vigor over the last 2 years that they pursued the collusion narrative. It will go a long way, then, to restore the media's damaged credibility, and knowing how all of this started will help us to prevent such a fiasco from ever happening again.
National Small Business Week (Executive Calendar)
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-5-8

this week is Small Business Week. prgtoken For over a half a century now, the country has officially recognized Small Business Week, but in our country, small businesses have always accounted for and still account for most of the jobs created-- certainly, for most of the new jobs created. In Missouri, that is absolutely the case. We ought to be doing all we can to create an environment in which people can get those new jobs and often get their first jobs, and I think we are doing that. prgtoken There is nothing better for small business than a strong overall economy. Almost daily now, we see some new number that sets a new record for the last 40 years or maybe for the last 50 years. In the case of the unemployment number, just this week, for the 13th month in a row, we have had more jobs available than people who have been looking for work, and that had never happened a single time--not one single time--until 13 months ago. The best thing, obviously, for small business is to be part of a growing economy, a vibrant economy. We are seeing that, and there are reasons for that. prgtoken The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is one of those. Almost every small business now pays less in taxes on its business than it did before. Businesses are allowed to fully deduct the cost of new equipment so they can reinvest and reinvent and grow their businesses. That means more jobs. prgtoken The tax cuts also allow people to keep more of their money, and that means they have more of their money to spend. In my State of Missouri, we found that in the first 12 months of the tax cut--so these numbers are now about 6 months old, and I think, if anything, they have gotten better--the sales tax and use tax were up 2.5 percent. prgtoken We know the last quarter of the overall gross domestic product was up 3.2 percent, but 2.5 percent of real growth in just tax income is one of the ways one measures whether people are spending their money or not, and they are. prgtoken People in this economy feel more confident about their jobs, and that makes a big difference. In the previous 8 or 10 years, the fear that people had of losing their jobs has really gone. People now go to work believing there is a better chance they will get promotions than they will lose their jobs, and that makes a real difference. So we have done things that are helpful in cutting taxes. prgtoken We have also done things that are helpful in reducing regulation. The President has been particularly helpful in leading the recovery after removing regulatory redtape. Actually, small businesses are much more affected by regulatory redtape than are big businesses. Big businesses can hire somebody to go through the regulations and stay totally focused on that, and small businesses can't. If you are afraid you are going to violate some Federal regulation, you are less likely to go ahead and make the kind of investment you would like to make than you otherwise would
LIFE AND SERVICE OF GARY TURNER
Billy Long (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and service of Mr. Gary Turner of Sarcoxie, Missouri. prgtoken Born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Gary was in the first graduating class at Glendale High School where he excelled at both academics and sports. After high school, he attended the University of Missouri-Rolla until 1968 when he got drafted into the United States Army. During his time in the military, he served in Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne, the 1st Infantry Division and finally, with the 25th Infantry Division. prgtoken After returning home, Gary continued his service to our country by co-founding a veterans' center in Springfield focused on men and women coming back from war and providing them with the resources they need to assimilate back into society. He has always said it's not what he gets, it's what he can give back. prgtoken To add to his already long list of accomplishments serving others, in 2011, Gary took over as head of the Community Foundation in Sarcoxie, which he has led ever since. Created in collaboration with a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative to help with job creation and economic development in rural areas, the foundation is a way for residents to give to their community and see the fruits of their labor in real time, as the benefits all go directly into the community. Gary says that the foundation is a way for everyone to get involved in the community, and he hopes that the foundation will last forever. He has also been involved with Sarcoxie Board of Education and City Council and is chairman of the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council, providing grant assistance to four area counties. prgtoken Madam , as a Member of Congress it is my great pleasure to stand and recognize the lifetime of service that Gary Turner has given to his country and local communities. He has truly earned this great honor, and I ask all Americans to join me in thanking him.
National Small Business Week (Executive Calendar)
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-5-8

I am pleased to join many of my colleagues today to celebrate National Small Business Week. prgtoken Nearly every day, we do business with these local retailers or use products they had a hand in creating somewhere along the supply chain. Still, it can be easy to focus on the larger companies that dominate America's economic landscape, but this week is a time to shift our attention to the entrepreneurs and innovators who reach for their pieces of the American dream and work tirelessly to achieve them. This is no small feat, but it happens over and over again each day as it has throughout our Nation's history. prgtoken This week, we have the opportunity to recognize and commend those who take this leap of faith while generating positive economic activity and benefits that help to strengthen and sustain the system that has created more wealth for more people than any other in human history. This system is capitalism. It underpins our society and is marked by the freedom and ability to make our own economic decisions. Those decisions have often led Americans to start businesses and become their own bosses. As a result, America's small businesses are now, without question, the backbone of our country. prgtoken As the Small Business Administration has reported, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the United States each year. It is clear that small businesses drive the U.S. economy. prgtoken I was recently in North Central Arkansas, where I met with several small business owners and their employees. This time last year, I toured small businesses in South and Southwest Arkansas to highlight and learn more about the impact they have on our State. Representatives from the Small Business Administration were on hand for some of these visits to underscore the Agency's willingness and desire to help promote and assist small businesses, owners, and entrepreneurs with establishing or expanding their companies. prgtoken At each stop, the conversations provided me with invaluable insight as to the challenges and opportunities businesses face. Inevitably, the discussions also turned to how the economic climate has changed for the better in recent years. Whether they have been changes in the Tax Code that have helped to make small businesses even more competitive, including the qualified business deduction, altering the estate tax, or increasing bonus depreciation, as well as having provided regulatory relief and certainty, we have witnessed how these pro-growth policies have not only helped to drastically uplift and improve America's economy but how they have also given business owners and entrepreneurs the confidence they have been lacking for so many years about whether to invest or expand their opportunities. prgtoken According to the Small Business Administration, Arkansas is home to over 247,000 small businesses, which
CONGRATULATING BALD EAGLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL UNIFIED BOCCE TEAM ON STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-5-8

I rise today to honor the Bald Eagle Area High School unified bocce team, which recently brought home a State championship. prgtoken It is only the unified bocce team's second season, and they have already been crowned the best in the State. prgtoken The unified bocce team is made up of four students, four with intellectual disabilities and four without. This winter sport allows students with and without disabilities to participate in a competitive environment that promotes physical activity, sportsmanship, and socialization. Teams are made up of students with intellectual disabilities, known as athletes, and regular education students, known as partners. prgtoken I am so proud of my alma mater for adopting the unified bocce team, which operates in conjunction with Special Olympics. In fact, multiple high schools in the region have unified bocce teams, including State College and Bellefonte in Centre County and Clearfield Area High School in Clearfield County. prgtoken Bocce has become so popular at Bald Eagle Area that it started the season with two teams, a blue team and a gold team. The two met in the regional championship, with the gold advancing to states. prgtoken The gold team's eight members include Chelsea Butterworth, Alyssa Packer, Nick Zink, Josh Zink, Fay Shaheen, Emily Gardner, Jordan Bonsell, and Bridget Esenwine. prgtoken , Special Olympics Pennsylvania also hosted its third annual Unified Bocce Government Challenge on Monday in the east rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in burg. The challenge paired various local organizational leaders, government officials, and legislative leaders with Special Olympics athletes for a fun, competitive, and social experience. prgtoken I am so proud of our athletes, our partners, and everyone in the community who has supported the unified bocce team and the inclusion movement. prgtoken The team had a hero's welcome home from Hershey in March when they won the State championship. About 100 teachers, parents, and students greeted the team when they arrived back at the school, with a fire truck escort leading the way. prgtoken Congratulations to our State champs, the unified bocce team. Go Eagles!
Healthcare (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-5-8

it is rare to find Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY editors all in agreement, but they are all on the same page when it comes to Senator Sanders' radical scheme for a complete takeover of healthcare in America. All three papers say that the ' single-payer plan--a one-size-fits-all plan for America--is a bad idea. Remember, it is not just Senator Sanders' plan; nearly every Senate who is running for President has supported this extreme proposal, as have 180 Members of the House of Representatives. prgtoken Post, Journal, and USA TODAY editors are citing last week's report by the Congressional Budget Office as raising a number of alarm bells. USA TODAY calls it a pipe dream. The Post charges Senator Sanders with deeply misrepresenting how difficult it would be to adopt single-payer healthcare for America. They called it costly. They called it complicated and expensive. The CBO projects in its report on a single- payer plan that government spending on healthcare would increase substantially. They go on to say that to cover the massive cost of government-run care--the Journal says that income taxes of American families would have to at least double. prgtoken Added to the expense is the shock of banning virtually all private insurance in this country. There are 180 million working Americans who receive their health insurance through work. Outlawing private health plans would cause a serious disruption, forcing 180 million Americans-- working families--from their employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. prgtoken The Washington Post notes that these employer-provided plans cover most Americans under the age of 65. The Journal says that any savings would have to come from where the money is, which is cutting payments to doctors and restricting care--restricting care. That restricts treatment as well as new technologies. Lower reimbursement rates could drive many doctors from practice and shutter many small hospitals in my rural communities and in your rural State, . We are talking about problems in our rural communities all across America. The result would be longer wait times and lower quality of care. prgtoken To quote the Post, ``No matter what Senator Sanders says, there is no Medicare for all without tradeoffs.'' Mark my words--Medicare for all would soon become Medicare for none. ' one-size-fits-all healthcare plan--a one-size-fits-all healthcare plan would mean that you would pay more to wait longer for worse care. You would pay more to wait longer for worse care. That is what one-size-fits-all healthcare looks like for Americans, for people all across the country. prgtoken This single-payer plan means major tax hikes to cover massive costs. It means much longer lines for lower quality care. It means the elimination of private health insurance for Americans. It also means the end of the Medicare Program that seniors rely upon and so