mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING MARK SCIRTO
Nathaniel Moran (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-6-25

I rise today to honor Mark Scirto, a trusted and beloved figure in the east Texas community. prgtoken As a meteorologist for KLTV since 1987, Mark has worked hard to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts for our region. prgtoken Mark is a steady voice in times of trouble, a calming guide in the midst of storms, and a bright smile and hearty laugh when the days get tough. prgtoken Whether it was a tornado, thunderstorms, or beautiful days between, Texans knew that they could count on Mark. We know his words by heart: Get to a small, windowless, interior room. We did just that when he told us to do so. prgtoken Mark Scirto's journey with KLTV began in 1987. He was nominated for a Dallas Press Club Katie Award, an honor no other meteorologist in east Texas has ever received. Mark has also held the seals of approval from the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society since 1989. prgtoken He gave everything of himself for the rest of us, and we are grateful please join me in honoring Mark Scirto for his remarkable career and his dedication to our community. His legacy will live on, and his presence in our homes will be missed. We wish him all the best.
RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF JOEY CHIANG
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-6-25

I rise today to recognize the work of Joey Chiang, the current president of the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America (TCCNA). Mr. Chiang works tirelessly to lead the TCCNA in their mission to support and connect Taiwanese business members in North America. prgtoken TCCNA was established in 1986 as a non-profit organization. TCCNA encompasses thirty-five regional chambers primarily composed of Taiwanese immigrants. These regional chambers span the U.S. and Canada, including major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, New York, and here in the nation's capital. Under the careful stewardship of past presidents, TCCNA has grown into the largest transnational civilian organization in North America. Serving as a vital platform for communication between Taiwanese businesses in North America and the Taiwanese government, TCCNA regularly advocates for the importance of bilateral U.S.-Taiwan trade relations. As of June 22, 2024, the TCCNA is celebrating its 36th annual meeting of the board of directors. This impressive milestone is a testament to the dedication and passion that TCCNA members bring to their organization. prgtoken TCCNA would not be what it is today without the guidance of President Joey Chiang. Mr. Chiang, a talented developer in his own right, has led TCCNA to gather forty new directors under his term. His expert hand brought TCCNA great success in their annual Washington DC Door Knocking Event, where the organization visited over fifty members of Congress. Furthermore, Mr. Chiang is not only a talented and successful leader but a generous benefactor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he personally arranged and donated millions of masks from Taiwan to the United States for frontline workers. Mr. Chiang's zeal, generosity, and expert governance has significantly enhanced economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in commemorating the dedication of Joey Chiang, a man responsible for advancing Taiwanese-American commercial relations.
HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO ELLIOTT WYCHE
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-6-25

I rise to honor our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Elliott Wyche. A native of Hurst, Elliott has shown us the boundless nature of a child's magical imagination. Born with half a heart and having undergone three open heart surgeries, Elliott has battled immense challenges with remarkable courage and resilience. prgtoken Last month, Elliott not only inspired L.D. Bell High School's fine arts department through his creative vision, but he also played an integral role in their musical production. Elliott submitted his original story in the form of illustrations to the Sing Me a Story Foundation, which gave his drawings to Austin composer Mitch Gilly to transform into music. prgtoken The school's orchestra, choir, and theater students rehearsed all spring to bring Elliott's creativity to life. The story, titled ``Smashers Crashers,'' follows three superheroes who unite to defeat evil. Both his story and the school's heartwarming gesture are a testament to the broader sense of community and compassion that makes North Texas special. prgtoken Elliott has inspired North Texans to overcome adversity with grace, joy, and extraordinary spirit. I look forward to seeing his ambition grow from here.
RECOGNIZING PORTUGUESE AMERICANS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES
John S. Duarte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-6-25

I rise today to recognize the month of June as National Portuguese Heritage Month, honoring the contributions Portuguese Americans make to our country. prgtoken As the descendant of immigrants from the Azores, I admire the rich culture and history of Portuguese communities in the Central Valley, throughout California, and across the country. To me, Portuguese Heritage Month brings back memories of Festas--celebrations spent enjoying Portuguese culture, and food. I for one, have spent many days with friends and family enjoying sopas, sweet bread, and linguica. Bullfights, parades, and, of course, the bodo de leite are cherished traditions in our Valley. These events are made possible by the dedication of cultural organizations who commit themselves to keeping Portuguese heritage alive. prgtoken Over 350,000 Portuguese Americans call California home--the largest community in the United States. This community shapes life in our State, and, especially, the Central Valley. The story of the Valley would be impossible without the stories of thousands of Azoreans who crossed an ocean and a continent determined to live the American Dream. Today, that dream is realized. Portuguese-Americans are leaders in dairy and farming, serve proudly in the U.S. military, and give back to our country in countless ways. Three Representatives of Portuguese heritage serve our Valley in Congress, and I am honored to be among them. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in proudly recognizing Portuguese Americans' invaluable contributions to our Nation's history, culture, and prosperity as we celebrate National Portuguese Heritage Month.
RECOGNIZING MAJOR RUSSELL BARTHOLOW FOR 17 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
Mike Flood (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-6-25

today, I want to recognize Major Russell Bartholow for his 17 years of service with the Nebraska Army National Guard. prgtoken Russell Bartholow joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2007, motivated to do something for our country and for this world. prgtoken In 2008, he was sent to Afghanistan, where he spent 22 months serving as the head of a five-person ``Effects Cell.'' He was responsible for developing and conducting civil-military projects in the nine northern Afghanistan provinces. His team completed 31 projects, including providing innocent children with clothes, food and toys. prgtoken Major Bartholow always went above and beyond what was asked of him. When he saw the innocent children, he worked hard to find them a safe place to play. He was able to negotiate with Afghan businessmen and elders to raise over $200,000 in funding for a park. This park included a soccer field, basketball court and merry-go-rounds and provided an oasis of hope and safety for the kids affected by war. prgtoken His heart for service and dedication to the children and civilians are further seen in his being awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his coordination of $12 million in funding for roads, schools and clinics. prgtoken After his time in Afghanistan, Bartholow was promoted to Captain. In 2018, he was promoted to the rank of Major in the Nebraska Army National Guard. prgtoken During his years of service, Major Bartholow has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Army Achievement Medal. prgtoken Major Russell Bartholow will be retiring in June 2024. prgtoken On behalf of the First District of Nebraska, I thank Major Bartholow for his service and extend best wishes on his retirement.
CONGRATULATING JAY COPPOCK ON HIS RETIREMENT
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-6-25

. Madam , I am honored to rise today to recognize the well-deserved retirement of Mr. Jay Coppock after over 35 years in the financial industry, including 15 years at the Associated Credit Union of Texas. prgtoken During Jay's time at ACU of Texas, he served as the executive director of SERVE, an organization dedicated to bringing Gulf Coast area veterans groups together to combine resources and information. Since its founding in August 2015, SERVE has grown from 6 organizations to over 60, all focused on improving the lives of our great military personnel and their families. prgtoken Jay's commitment to our community and veterans has been exemplary, creating a network of support that has made a real difference. As Jay steps into a well-deserved retirement, we celebrate his profound impact and lasting legacy of service and compassion. prgtoken I thank Jay. Brenda Gail and I hope he and his bride, Lauri, enjoy retirement.
HONORING GEORGE ALVIN McMANUS, JR.
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-6-25

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Senator George Alvin McManus, Jr who served the great State of Michigan in many capacities throughout his long and well-lived life. prgtoken Born on the Murray Farm of Old Mission Peninsula, George was very familiar with hard work and the Michigan way of life. prgtoken A devout man of God, George proved to have a humble servant's heart as well as a vibrant sense of humor. I am sure it was those qualities that sustained his incredible 70-year marriage to his wife, Clara. prgtoken Though George boasted many accolades in his lifetime, perhaps his most important achievements were his 9 children, 23 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. prgtoken In 1990, George was elected to the Michigan State Senate, where he served until 2002. prgtoken George was a wealth of advice, especially when it came to agriculture. He was an instrumental voice in northern Michigan and our entire State. prgtoken George McManus was an important part of the fabric of his community and will be dearly missed. May God bless George's family and his loved ones in their time of grief.
CONGRATULATING TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS ON COLLEGE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-6-25

. Madam , I rise to honor and congratulate Head Coach Tony Vitello and the Tennessee Volunteers on their victory over Texas A&M last night in the College World Series, bringing home the hardware to Knoxville, my hometown. prgtoken The Vols completed one of the most accomplished seasons in college baseball history, which crowned them as SEC regular season champions, SEC tournament champions, and College World Series champions, with a remarkable 60-13 record. prgtoken Coach Vitello and I spoke in the office a few weeks before the season started, and he told me when they punched their ticket--not if, when-- that he wanted them to take it all in and just enjoy it, and that is exactly what they did. If you watch any of the video from the game, his father came down on the field, and it was truly an emotional moment. prgtoken I also congratulate Dylan Dreiling on an outstanding College World Series performance. Dadgummit, Madam , Dreiling was named the men's College World Series most outstanding player after he homered in each of the final three games. prgtoken They have all made Knoxville and the entire State of Tennessee proud. I wish I were back home to celebrate with them instead of stuck here in Washington, D.C. prgtoken Madam , your 2024 national champions are clad in orange and white.
HONORING MIKE HOWARD
Jake LaTurner (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-6-25

I rise today in appreciation for a member of my staff, Mike Howard, who has recently embarked on a new job off the Hill after nearly three years of service as my communications director. Mike began in my office in August of 2021, and has served since then as a trusted advisor who has constantly sharpened our team and ensured that we are able to get out the message of our work here in Congress to my constituents from Galena to Atchison. prgtoken Mike has spent countless early mornings and late nights preparing with me for interviews, town halls, committee hearings, and making sure that we are able to clearly explain the work that we do here. Mike will be sorely missed as he moves on to this new role, but I would like to thank him once again for his dedication and commitment to the people of the Second Congressional District of Kansas.
FALUN GONG PROTECTION ACT
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-6-25

I thank my friend, the gentleman from Georgia, for yielding, and s for their support of the bill. It is amazing, and it is very frightening that in 2024 we are having this discussion on the floor of the House of Representatives. prgtoken Since the early 1990s, the Falun Gong has been targeted by the Chinese Communist Party. The Falun Gong is a spiritual practice of mind and body in which adherents follow the core principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance. prgtoken In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party estimated that 70 to 100 million people were practicing Falun Gong, the equivalent of 5 to 7 percent of the Chinese population today Falun Gong's popularity quickly initiated violent persecution, including illegal detentions, forced labor, torture, and, yes, forced organ harvesting, which is a form of mass murder. prgtoken This is something out of the thirties and Josef Mengele, but it is happening today. prgtoken On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party detained hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners and banned any further practice of this religion. Since this date, the Chinese Communist Party has continued to escalate its systematic oppression against Falun Gong practitioners. prgtoken On March 1, 2020, the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience in China found there to be an incomprehensible gap between the number of transplant operations carried out in the People's Republic of China in comparison to the number of eligible registered donors. prgtoken What does that mean? prgtoken That means in China, , if you have got the money, then there is no waiting list for you to get an organ. Go anywhere else in the civilized world and find that. prgtoken What would that mean? prgtoken That means there is a ready supply of these organs, because there is. prgtoken Now their report concluded that forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale and that Falun Gong practitioners have been and probably are the main source of organs for forced organ harvesting. prgtoken In the U.S many of those working in organ transplantation and those who benefit from transplantation systems are likely unaware. They just don't know of China's illegal practices. prgtoken Through its repressive control of information, the CCP has created the infrastructure and resources needed to persecute millions of its own citizens, not only Falun Gong practitioners, but also Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians, and any other the Chinese Communist Party chooses to target. prgtoken This bill is the first binding commitment by Congress to take strong legal action against the persecution and the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong, making Falun Gong the centerpiece of legislation, an action long overdue after 25 years. prgtoken The Falun Gong Protection Act imposes sanctions on those who participate in or facilitate the forced harvesting of
IT IS TIME TO GET TO WORK
Chuck Edwards (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-6-26

the American people don't go home before their job is done, so why should Congress? In the nearly five decades that our current appropriations process has been in place, Congress has passed all 12 appropriations bills only four times--four times in almost 50 years. prgtoken The American people have been far too generous with us, and their patience is wearing thin. We are here to represent their interests and to keep this government running. prgtoken It is high time that we take our responsibilities seriously, put our heads down, and get to work passing appropriations bills each year. prgtoken Congress is broken, and I intend to fix how Washington works. Today, I am introducing the Do Our Job Act. If our appropriations work is not done, we don't go home. Simple as that. prgtoken The American people deserve better than an 8 percent success rate for funding our government.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2024-6-26

unfortunately, much like the complete disregard for the time limit on the first vote of the day that takes place in this Chamber every single day, it is because there are no consequences. There is no downside. There is no hammer. That is what we have to have. prgtoken In Secretary Mayorkas' own memo, he says on the first page: ``In addition, unscrupulous employers harm each worker competing for a job. By exploiting undocumented workers and paying them substandard wages, the unscrupulous employers create an unfair labor market. They also unfairly drive down their costs and disadvantage their business competitors who abide by the law.'' prgtoken Once again, they are not offering, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, anything about fixing this problem. prgtoken If we not direct but allow ICE to do their job, we can start identifying and deporting these illegal aliens who are hurting our labor market and American workers. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and .
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2024-6-26

. Madam Chair, today's measure covers the Department of Homeland Security and is critical to defending the homeland and protecting the American people. prgtoken From the crisis at the southern border, to the scourge of fentanyl, to the threat of terrorism, the United States continues to face an evolving array of threats. It is more important than ever that we place the Department of Homeland Security in the best position to fulfill its mission. prgtoken Today's bill accomplishes that goal. prgtoken It invests the resources we need to secure the nation. In fact, this bill provides $64.8 billion to meet our needs, which is an increase of $2.9 billion over last year, and a full $4.25 billion over the President's budget request. prgtoken This increase is sadly necessary. President 's policies at the southern border have created a humanitarian and security crisis, overwhelming not only the border itself, but also communities across the country. Each month hundreds of thousands of migrants cross the border illegally, many of whom are allowed to remain in the country without consequence. The decision to allow an open southern border has meant that countless wrongdoers--human traffickers, narcotraffickers, and potential terrorists--can enter our country freely. prgtoken Enough is enough. Today's bill will take steps to end this state of affairs. It will provide $600 million for construction of the border wall. It will force President and Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to the law. It invests resources to halt fentanyl from entering our country and our communities. It makes critical investments in the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard, and it forces the Department of Homeland Security to focus on its core mission: to keep the American people safe. prgtoken I applaud Chairman Amodei for his good work in putting this measure together, and I urge all of my colleagues to support its passage.
CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME RAISING MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITIES
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-6-26

it is an honor to stand before you today. prgtoken Last week, s and played our Congressional Baseball Game at Nat Stadium. prgtoken The game has been played since 1907. The money goes to charity. We raised over $2.5 million, which is a record, and all of it goes to charity, local charities, here in Washington, D.C. prgtoken We had almost 30,000 people in attendance, which is great. Most importantly, we also set records. I am honored to represent the Congressional Baseball Game, and I am called their ``Skipper.'' I appreciate the way the team played. I appreciate Manager Sanchez and the way the played, but at the end of the day we set another record. prgtoken s won 31-11. We now continue to be America's team. It is with humility that I accept for the team this trophy. Thank you very much.
RECOGNIZING ERIC JENKINS
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2024-6-26

I rise today to recognize Eric Jenkins, who was named Indiana Teacher of the Year. prgtoken An Indiana native, Eric teaches English at Franklin Community High School, a high school in my district. Those who know him say that Eric is dedicated to his students and passionate about instilling a love of reading. prgtoken , I thank Eric for his work to grow our next generation of leaders.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Keith Self (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-6-26

I rise today in support of Mr. Roy's amendment to prohibit any government funding for the administration parole-in-place mass amnesty scheme. prgtoken This parole-in-place executive order clearly demonstrates that the administration is not and has never been serious about securing the border. His process would grant mass amnesty to approximately 80,000 inadmissible alien spouses of American citizens per month. prgtoken Make no mistake, the timing of this executive order was purposeful. On June 21, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Department of State v. Munoz and concluded that a U.S. citizen spouse does not have a fundamental liberty interest in her alien spouse's admission into the United States. The administration rolled out his executive order directly contradicting this opinion just 3 days prior. The decision was obviously leaked to the administration. prgtoken This is another example of in-your-face tyranny. This administration is lawless. prgtoken We must not pass a DHS appropriations bill that funds this mass parole order that would grant amnesty to possibly thousands of criminals and further endanger communities across the Nation, particularly in light of the cynical and lawless timing of this order. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.