mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING WWII VETERAN STANISLAU "STAN" WOJCIK
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-7-2

I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and service of Stanislau ``Stan'' Wojcik, a proud veteran from Michigan's 9th Congressional District, who passed away on June 9, 2024. Stan's service and courage as a World War II Navy machinist aboard the USS Sarasota (APA-204) left a long-lasting impact on his fellow soldiers and our country. prgtoken Born on August 13, 1925, Stan Wojcik exemplified the values of duty, honor, and sacrifice from a young age. His service in the South Pacific during World War II, and particularly in his role aboard the USS Sarasota, stands as a testament to his sense of service. prgtoken During his service, Stan participated in critical operations throughout the war. Stan aided in disaster relief after the explosion of the USS Mt. Hood, the Battle of Luzon, the Battle of Manila, the Battle of Okinawa, and the invasion of Ie Shima. His contributions during these campaigns underscored his unwavering commitment to defending our Nation during one of the most defining eras of our history. prgtoken Throughout his service, Stan Wojcik was awarded numerous honors recognizing his bravery and dedication, including the Combat Action Ribbon, China Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Pin, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in offering Stanislau Wojcik's family, friends, and community our deepest condolences. We are indebted to his generation for their bravery, sacrifice, and leadership.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF WILLIAM LORICK
Aaron Bean (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-7-2

I rise today to honor the life of Mr. William Lorick, a beloved member of our Amelia Island family. prgtoken Born in 1947, William grew up in Augusta, Georgia before attending Newberry College in South Carolina. After graduating, William embarked on a long and extremely successful real estate career. In 1973, William moved to Amelia Island, Florida where he lived for the rest of his life. prgtoken William was a pillar of the Amelia Island community, but his service to the island went far beyond that. He was key to the growth of the Lutheran Prince of Peace Church, he was a founding member of the Barnabas Center, and he was one of the first volunteers for the South End Auxiliary Fire Fighters. William also spent years as a mentor in the Big Brothers program. He might even be remembered most for his 1929 Ford Model A, which was certainly the coolest car in town. prgtoken , I ask that all my colleagues join me in celebrating the amazing life of William Lorick, along with offering our deepest condolences to his wife Stephanie, their children Barlass and Abigail, and to all of his friends and family who miss him dearly.
NEWSLETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CHUCK EDWARDS
Chuck Edwards (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-7-2

I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding military readiness, national security, and the appropriations process. Dear Friend: The United States is facing unprecedented threats from those who want to do us harm, so the House is prioritizing policies that strengthen our nation's security and borders. The House recently passed H.R. 8070, the Servicemembers Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25, which is focused on improving our servicemembers' lives while restoring our military's focus on warfighting. I'm excited to share that this bill also included three of my amendments. The fist requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to complete a survey of the 15 counties in North Carolina's 11th District as potential locations for future defense facilities. Western North Carolina's topography is much like that of many of our adversaries, including China's, and would be advantageous for military training. Another of my amendments requires the DOD to submit an annual report to the General Services Administration about office space occupancy data so that taxpayer dollars are not being thrown away on unused office space by the federal government. The third amendment would revoke the security clearances of retired or active members of the armed forces or Defense Department civilian employees who support or participate in demonstrations in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization. It should be a no-brainer that someone who supports a terrorist organization should not have access to classified security information. This year's NDAA took an important step in getting our military away from wokeness and back to its mission of protecting and defending America, and I was glad to support it. Open borders put American lives at risk. Protecting the long-term success of our nation and Americans require defending our border. Since President has taken office, there have been more than 9.6 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide, with more than 7.9 million of them just at our southern border. Over the past three years, the left's failed border policies have made every community in America a border community, and the president's latest executive order does nothing to actually address the crisis at out southern border. Recent news of Americans murdered by illegal immigrants makes it clear that we must secure our borders to keep our citizens safe. We cannot protect Americans if we don't secure our border. That's why I helped pass the strongest border security bill in history, H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, whic
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-7-5

. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill. prgtoken This legislation houses some of the most important diplomacy, development, and defense initiatives for the United States and the world at-large. The programs that are funded through this bill serve some of the neediest populations in the world, helping millions of people gain access to clean water, safe shelter, nutritious food, and democracy development. prgtoken Unfortunately, the bill before us today abdicates U.S. leadership in all of these areas. It eliminates funding for the United Nations and underfunds operations and staffing of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It cuts funding for the Peace Corps and cuts a staggering $362 million from programs that improve maternal and child health around the globe. prgtoken This bill ignores the existential threat of climate change, which affects the lives and livelihoods of families around the world, including here in America. Climate change is a known prgtoken threat to our national security, yet there is no funding to help communities adapt to drought, rising coastlines, or extreme heat, and no funding to stop deforestation or recurring coastal flooding. Additionally, there is no support for adapting to renewable energy. prgtoken Even in areas where we can usually find bipartisan agreement, this bill falls short. For example, the Feed the Future program, which has historically enjoyed bipartisan support across multiple administrations, received a $50 million cut. This program has helped feed 32 million children worldwide in the last year alone and has helped their families learn to farm sustainably and stand on their own. This cut will have devastating impacts on children and families that struggle with malnutrition and food instability. prgtoken This is a deeply political bill that will diminish America's leadership on the worlds stage, make it more difficult for us to support our allies and deter our adversaries, and will ultimately jeopardize our national security. For these reasons, I ask that my colleagues vote against it.
TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF DON CHILDERS
Harold Rogers (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-7-5

I rise today in memory of a legendary leader and a pillar of innovation in Eastern Kentucky, my longtime friend Don Childers, best known for founding Childers Oil Company in Whitesburg, Kentucky. After spending a lifetime creating jobs and investing hope in our rural Appalachian region, Don received his heavenly reward at the age of 92. prgtoken Over the years, you learn the dynamics of a meeting can change by the presence of one strong leader. Don Childers significantly shifted the dynamics of our entire region, spanning the coalfields of southern and eastern Kentucky, by putting actions to his words and remaining a loyal friend to the region he loved. prgtoken Sons and daughters of the coalfields deeply understand the value of hard work, perseverance, and southern hospitality. Every venture that Don and his wife Peggy established over the last five decades are marked by those same characteristics. While Don delivered oil to coal mines in Central Appalachia, Peggy focused on the retail side, designing and operating convenience stores where customers would be greeted with the smell of fresh, homemade food. Established in 1966, Childers Oil Company has now grown from three petroleum trucks and three drivers to a successful family-owned business group with more than 40 convenience stores and a thriving restaurant featuring Peggy's home recipes, as well as more than 1,000 employees in a region desperate for jobs. prgtoken Twenty years ago, Don rallied together a group of community leaders to form the Letcher County Planning Commission, focusing on the development of educational, recreational, and economic opportunities. During that time, they have boldly led the charge to build a federal correctional facility in Letcher County to create more than 300 federal jobs, a new airport to improve industrial development, new recreational trails, improved infrastructure, and much more. prgtoken Don was not only a good leader, but a respected mentor and teacher, passing down his unwavering work ethic, determination, and compassion to his children and those around him. Most recently, in response to the catastrophic flood that swept through our region in July 2022, the Childers family helped organize flood relief efforts and provided temporary housing for some families who lost everything overnight. Their generosity and quick response ensured flood survivors had emergency supplies and shelter when they needed it the most. prgtoken Despite the challenges that have crossed Don's path over the years, he has always responded with the utmost grace, fortitude and resolve to honor his word. He has never allowed fear of criticism to deter his mission to make Eastern Kentucky a better place to live. prgtoken Aside from his success in business, Don was equally dedicated to the Whitesburg First Baptist Church, a generous supporter of local schools and non-profits, and a proud U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. He left a lasting legacy that
NATO (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-7-8

this week officials from all 31 of our NATO allies are going to be here in Washington for what is referred to as the NATO summit. At that summit, we will be celebrating 75 years of the most successful military alliance in modern history. And why do I call it the most successful military alliance? I mean that after two devastating world wars about 20 years apart--and those wars brought incredible bloodshed and destruction to Europe--now, we have had almost 80 years of relative peace in Europe. No European NATO member has been invaded. prgtoken Now, we take it for granted that most of Europe is peaceful, but that was not the case before NATO arrived. Remember that the Soviet Union, after World War II, quickly exerted domination over the countries that it occupied at that time. But the U.S.S.R. wasn't satisfied with that situation. prgtoken So many people expected war to break out in Europe at some point during the Cold War, but it did not. Thank God, no war happened. prgtoken The Soviet Union helped launch wars in Asia and violent revolutions in Africa and Latin America. The Soviets invaded Afghanistan, but the U.S.S.R. did not dare touch those countries that were under the NATO umbrella. The strongest defense resulted in peace. prgtoken NATO was not the result of some idealistic dream. Rather, NATO was a very practical response to the hard lessons learned of two World Wars that the United States tried its best to stay out of those wars as long as it could. prgtoken Now, we all remember from history that World War I was supposed to be the ``war to end all wars.'' prgtoken Woodrow Wilson, you will remember, proposed the League of Nations in a very naive belief that an international forum could prevent war through diplomacy and international condemnation. Obviously, the League failed. prgtoken By contrast, NATO is a working military alliance of Nation States, not some debating society, as the League turned out to be. prgtoken After World War II, the United States realized that minding our own business and letting Europe sort out its messes wasn't working. We, eventually, got dragged into World War II anyway, by which time it took an incredible amount of resources and over 400,000 American lives to bring that war to an end. prgtoken NATO grew out of the realization that U.S. leadership was essential to preventing World War III. NATO prevented a war by being prepared for war. Strength equaled peace. We know that deterrence works, but deterrence must be credible. prgtoken Our defense must be strong enough that would-be aggressors would think twice before attacking. As Ronald Reagan said: NATO's strategy for peace has always been simple: Prevent aggression before it starts. Be strong enough, be determined enough so that no adversary should think, even for a moment, that war might pay. prgtoken At the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, NATO members said prgtoken that Ukraine and Geo
Vote on Maldonado Nomination (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-7-8

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Mullin), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch), the Senator from Utah (Mr. Romney), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio), and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott). prgtoken Further, if present and voting: the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Hoeven) would have voted ``nay'' and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) would have voted ``nay.''
RECOGNIZING THE BEREA CITIZEN
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-7-8

I rise today to recognize The Berea Citizen, a newspaper in Kentucky's Sixth District. The Berea Citizen was founded in 1899. It has been a trusted news source for the people of Madison County for 125 years. prgtoken The idea for the newspaper originated with Berea College President William G. Frost and at first it served as the school newspaper. It remained connected with Berea College until 1984, when it became a private newspaper. It was first delivered on Chestnut Street along a dirt road. The newspaper survived the Great Depression, two World Wars, and a global pandemic, delivering local news to the community without interruption. prgtoken The Berea Citizen staff recognizes that freedom of the press is critical in our society. They prioritize fair and balanced coverage of local meetings and events. The Berea Citizen reached more than 10,000 readers each week. They are currently owned by Nolan Group Media from Manchester, Kentucky. Keith Taylor, the publisher, began in 2020 as the pandemic was beginning. The owner is Jay Nolan, and the Vice President is Glenn Gray. The Berea Citizen is one of the few locally owned newspapers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and it is printed in Kentucky at J. Frank Publishing in London, Kentucky. prgtoken In an era when many community newspapers are declining and no longer able to print news for the citizens, The Berea Citizen continues its mission to be a voice in the community. I congratulate them on their 125-year anniversary, and I am honored to recognize them before the United States Congress.
Hurricane Beryl (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-7-8

early this morning, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas as a category 1 hurricane. prgtoken Texas, and particularly Southeast Texas and the Houston area, and all up and down the gulf coast, are no stranger to hurricanes. prgtoken This one struck the Texas coast near Matagorda, with torrential rain and intense storm surge, which is very dangerous, as you know, and sustained winds of 80 miles per hour. Throughout the day, Beryl has taken its sweet time traveling the expanse of our State, bearing down on our communities in the southeast and eastern parts of the State with strong winds, a lot of rain, a lot of flooding, and even tornadoes. prgtoken More than 2.7 million Texans have lost power, and that number is expected to rise as the storm continues to move its way across the State. Sadly, at least two people have died so far, mainly due to trees falling on their homes. prgtoken I have reached out to the county judges and mayors in some of the hardest hit areas and assured them that we are monitoring the situation, but, more importantly, we are standing by, ready to do anything we can to be of assistance. And, of course, we will be working with Governor Abbott and the State officials when it comes to seeking assistance at the Federal level for disaster relief. prgtoken By tomorrow morning, the worst effects of Hurricane Beryl should be behind us, and we will have a better sense of the full extent of the damage caused by the storm. Until then, I urge all of my fellow Texans to follow the guidance of local authorities and do everything possible to stay safe. prgtoken There is an expression--``turn around; don't drown''--which cautions people not to drive into standing water in the roadway. That certainly can't be said enough. Things, stuff, is replaceable. People are not. prgtoken As always, I am incredibly thankful to the first responders who are putting their own lives on the line to support their communities and the many folks who are working with the utilities trying to get power back on line as well. In many areas, search-and-rescue operations began before the Sun even rose this morning. prgtoken So thank you to those who are on the frontlines saving lives as Hurricane Beryl bears down on our State and to the linemen, again, repairing the downed lines as quickly as possible.
TRIBUTE TO DON FLANNERY
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2024-7-8

in a 2012 interview with a national agriculture magazine, Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, was asked what he would like to be the legacy of his long and productive career. His answer was this: ``that I was able to make a difference in the Maine potato industry and was able to lead the industry in a positive direction.'' prgtoken Today, as Don retires after 27 years with the board, I am delighted to join his many friends and colleagues in offering my fellow Aroostook County native our thanks for a job well done and our congratulations for a legacy well secured. prgtoken Don truly learned the potato industry from the ground up, beginning as a grower with a 250-acre farm. With a degree in agricultural resource economics from the University of Maine, he worked in rural economic development at the local and regional level for 13 years. Armed with that knowledge and experience, Don joined the Maine Potato Board in 1997 as assistant executive director and was promoted to the top position just 5 years later. prgtoken Strengthening a vital industry made up of hundreds of growers that employs more than 6,000 hard-working men and women while generating annual sales topping a half-billion dollars is no easy task, but Don has met every challenge. He has been a driving force for many agricultural projects, including the construction of a potato research facility, infrastructure development for two processing plants, funding to support the State of Maine seed production facility, and expansion into new markets. Working with growers and University of Maine and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers, Don championed the development of the Caribou Russet, a new disease- and drought-resistant variety designed to thrive in a warming climate. prgtoken In the decades that I have worked with Don, I have known no stronger supporter of Maine potato growers. When Washington bureaucrats tried to restrict the use of potatoes in the school breakfast and lunch programs, Don provided the data to prove how nutritious the potato is. When the agricultural research lab at the University of Maine in Orono was threatened with closure, Don helped lead the effort to keep it open. And this year, when Washington tried to reclassify the potato as a grain rather than a vegetable, Don worked with me to block that absurd change. prgtoken Don Flannery's leadership has earned the respect and admiration of growers and processors throughout Maine and across the country. His commitment to economic growth has made a positive and lasting difference for the industry and for rural communities. I thank him for his many accomplishments and wish him all the best in the years to come.
TRIBUTE TO MITCH HOLTHUS
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-7-8

I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. Mitch Holthus of Smith Center, KS. prgtoken Mitch is the play-by-play announcer and the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs. After three decades as a decorated announcer, Holthus is the longest tenured voice in franchise history. During every Chiefs game, ``Touchdown, KAN-SAS-CITY!'' can be heard thundering throughout the Chiefs kingdom. Today, because of his impact on football commentary and as a son of Kansas, Mitch Holthus is honored with the 2024 Kansan of the Year Award. prgtoken Mitch grew up on a farm in Smith Center, KS, and the valuable lessons he learned there gave him the work ethic needed to become who he is today. He graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelors in journalism and business administration. A devoted family man of Christian faith, Mitch is married to Tami Johnson of McPherson, KS, and together, they have two wonderful children. prgtoken The foundations of his incredible career began as a broadcaster calling games for the Pratt High School Greenbacks. In 1983, Mitch continued his career as the voice of the K-State Wildcats and worked for 13 years on the K-State Radio Network. Since 1994, he has been the Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs. His work includes multiple Super Bowls, hosting the Hy-Vee Chiefs Insider Television show, the Chiefs Field Pass Pregame show, the Chiefs Rewind show, and the ``Minute with Mitch'' radio and television series. Mitch delivers a comprehensive and precise analysis of the sport that we all love. It is no surprise that he has earned a litany of awards and accolades. He is a member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Kansas State University Athletics Hall of Fame, the Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, and has received the Kansas City Sports Journalist of the Year, the Hod Humiston Award of Excellence by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, and five Emmys. prgtoken Mitch's passion, loyalty, and hard work for the game is an inspirational template for future announcers and broadcasters. As the voice for the greatest football team in the world, Mitch is a strong ambassador for Kansas and embodies our values. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his amazing career, and I wish him nothing but the best in the following years and as he continues his work. We are proud to call him a Kansan, and the people of Kansas thank him for his dedication to the Chiefs and the State. ``You can doubt the Chiefs, you can dislike the Chiefs, you can disrespect the Chiefs. But you're going to have to deal with the Chiefs,'' Mitch Holthus at the 2022 AFC Championship victory over the Bengals.