mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JACOB CARTER
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-2-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Jacob Carter, a dearly beloved husband, brother, son, and co- owner of Howdy Bagel in Tacoma, Washington. prgtoken Jacob was tragically and senselessly killed while vacationing in New Orleans with his husband, Daniel, just after the new year. prgtoken Jacob and Daniel opened their bagel shop, Howdy Bagel, in May 2023, a milestone accomplishment that began with at-home experimentation during the pandemic lockdowns. Howdy opened to immediate and sustained success in Tacoma, with lines week after week, stretching far past the front door. prgtoken With Howdy, though, Jacob brought so much more than good food to Tacoma. The store, proudly queer-owned and -operated, has provided a warm, inclusive gathering spot to the LGBTQ+ community, yes, but also to anyone willing to make new friends with their neighbors while waiting in line for lox. prgtoken Jacob was a light in Tacoma and cultivated this community intentionally. As Howdy's motto goes, ``Y'all Means All.'' The saying is a tip to his Texas prgtoken roots and a reflection of his efforts to always ensure everyone had a seat at the table. prgtoken Whether it was his work selling bagels, helping resettle asylees and refugees, or aiding community development in the Middle East, Jacob never faltered in spreading kindness and inclusivity. prgtoken He was the kind of Good Samaritan we all strive to be. prgtoken Madam , I join our Pacific Northwest community in grieving the loss of a burgeoning leader. prgtoken Like far too many others in our Nation, Jacob was the victim of the epidemic of gun violence, a uniquely American scourge that cannot be accepted as a fact of life. prgtoken I join Jacob's husband, Daniel, and the rest of his family in grieving the loss of a uniquely generous and loving soul. prgtoken Madam , I stand here on the House floor to recognize that the city of Tacoma will forever be better because Jacob made it his home.
CONGRESS STANDS SILENT IN THIS HOUSE
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-2-15

. Madam , we leave today a day early. We essentially have 4-day weeks. That is, 25 percent of the work that we were planning to do, we are not going to do. We leave, I think, because we either can't do our work or we won't be allowed to do our work. prgtoken Madam , I rise again, as I have so many times when we were leaving without doing the critical business of America and the world. I rise, again, for our allies in Ukraine and Israel. I rise for the defense of democracy and freedom of people who are fighting for their very survival as a democracy. prgtoken The other week, I read a story, Madam , about the desperate situation on the front lines outside Kharkiv in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Defense soldier positioned outside the city spotted a salvo of Russian missiles rising over the horizon. He stood there helplessly. His unit lacked the equipment and ammunition necessary to shoot missiles down. prgtoken Within minutes, the missile struck a residential complex, killing numerous civilians. Yet, we stand here ready to walk out of this Chamber, our work undone. prgtoken The soldier later told the journalist: ``I understood they would fly and hit people and that I couldn't do anything to prevent it from happening.'' prgtoken He was right. There was nothing he could have done because he did not have the weapons that were necessary. prgtoken The Congress, of course, cannot say the same. We can do something. We must do something. This Congress stands silent in this House. The Senate has acted late, but it is never too late to do the right thing. prgtoken This Congress remains silent. For 413 days, our Congress has failed to secure additional aid for Ukraine. For 131 days, we have failed to do the same for Israel. prgtoken This inaction is born not of a lack of consensus because we have over 300 votes on this floor for either one of those bills and, I think, the Senate bill. prgtoken Instead, we see 's and the far right's astounding sympathy for Putin. Just the other day, Senator Tuberville said to blame America first, that it is our fault, that we made Putin, a war criminal, invade Ukraine. prgtoken All seven times supplemental aid for Ukraine came to the House floor in recent months, over 300 Members supported it. So, it is not that we do not have consensus. It is that the will not allow consensus to be spoken. prgtoken The Senate just passed a bill to provide this aid to our allies with 70 votes. Seventy percent of the Senate sent us a bill. The question is not whether this legislation would receive enough votes to pass this House. The question is whether Johnson will give us the opportunity to vote on it at all. The 's refusal to do so is causing Ukrainians to die. prgtoken The is preventing the people's House from working its will as the Senate did. The should give the victims of Putin's war crimes a vote and hope. Tell Putin: ``Nyet.'' Every minute that we don't signals retreat instead of a resolve. <
APPRECIATING OUR BRAVE FIRST RESPONDERS
Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-2-15

I rise to say thank you to the first responders on the central coast for whom it has been a busy and challenging few weeks. prgtoken Our hardworking emergency service workers in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties have shown incredible bravery, commitment, and resilience during multiple heavy storms that have torn through the central coast. prgtoken Up and down our region, local fire crews and emergency management departments worked quickly and diligently to remove downed trees and power lines that fell on apartment buildings, homes, cars, and roadways. prgtoken In San Luis Obispo, the fire department fielded over 400 emergency calls during the storm's peak and helped rescue someone stranded in their car amid rising floodwaters in Nipomo. prgtoken In Santa Barbara, law enforcement officials knocked on more than 500 doors to alert households of a flooding evacuation order, and in Ventura, a man was rescued without injury from the Ventura River by the Ventura City Fire Department. prgtoken I thank our brave law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders who, in the face of danger, run toward it. I also thank our emergency dispatchers who fielded so many calls and everyone at the National Weather Service who helped keep the central coast updated on the storms. prgtoken Our entire region is grateful to have them watching over our back.
RECOGNIZING DUDLEY DAVENPORT
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-2-16

I rise today in recognition of Dudley Davenport and on the dedication of the gymnasium at Sharon High School in his honor. prgtoken Born on December 14, 1937, Dudley Davenport was raised in Westport, Massachusetts, where he found a passion for sports, specifically basketball, at a young age. During Dudley's time at Westport High School, he was a four-year starter on the basketball team and set an all-time scoring record with 1,529 points throughout his high school career. This record held for 50 years and earned Dudley a place in the Westport High School Athletic Hall of Fame. It was also in Westport where Dudley first met the love of his life, Shirley. They prgtoken began dating Dudley's sophomore year and were married in 1957. Together, Dudley and Shirley raised four children--David, Diane, Tracy, and Jay. prgtoken Dudley went on to receive an athletic scholarship to play basketball at the University of Rhode Island and served as team captain. After graduating in 1960, Dudley taught at Roosevelt Junior High School in New Bedford for one year, before accepting a position to teach at Sharon High School. For 35 years, Dudley taught science at Sharon High School and quickly established himself as a pillar of the local community. In 1961, during his first year of teaching in Sharon, Dudley also began coaching the boys' varsity basketball team and continued to do so until 1983. Throughout his two decades as a coach, the team won five Hockomock League Championships and a total of 328 games. The team also qualified for the state tournament 18 times and played in 10 semi- finals and four state finals. With a coaching record of 328-114, Dudley was inducted into the Sharon High School Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches' Hall of Fame and was a recipient of the MIAA Sherman A. Kinney Award for outstanding contributions to Massachusetts high school basketball. In addition to his work as a teacher and a coach, Dudley also took on the role of athletic director at Sharon High School in 1969 and held this position for nearly three decades. In 2010, to celebrate Dudley's impact on the Hockomock League and athletics across the region, the league named a division after him--the Davenport Division. prgtoken Dudley's contributions to the Sharon community were not limited only to the classroom or basketball court. For over 40 years, Dudley served as a board member on the Sharon Credit Union as well as the Chairman for nearly two decades. Under his leadership, the credit union grew and transformed into the important resource that it is today. As an educator for over 35 years, Dudley understood the importance of access to education and played a critical role in establishing the Sharon Credit Union Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to graduating seniors who excelled in academics, extracurriculars, and community service. prgtoken Sadly, we lost Dudley too soon on May 15, 2019, at the
NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK
Glenn Ivey (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-2-16

as we recognize National Entrepreneurship Week and Black History Month, I rise today to highlight the accomplishments and challenges of America's Black-owned small businesses. prgtoken Black business ownership is growing at the fastest pace in 30 years with the share of Black households owning a business doubling between 2019 and 2022. However, Black-owned small businesses still face distinct challenges, particularly as it relates to accessing capital, securing contracts, and navigating systemic biases within financial institutions and markets. Limited access to funding restricts the ability to scale and compete on an equal footing with their counterparts, hindering their potential for long-term success and growth. prgtoken Due to limited credit access, higher shares of Black employer businesses are forced to turn to alternative forms of financing. According to the Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity, 49 percent of firms who pursue financing at an online lender do so because they were denied by other financial institutions. prgtoken One of my constituents who has faced these types of challenges is Tiffany Kelly, the owner and founder of House of Ketubah Bridal in Mount Rainier, Maryland. Tiffany told me that her business has been overlooked and excluded from financing opportunities. But she hasn't abandoned hope. Tiffany and her team continue to explore alternative avenues and innovative solutions to ensure that they can continue to serve their customers and the community. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to work together to solve the access to capital challenges faced by small businesses and to consider the unique needs of minority-owned businesses during Black History Month.
HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY
Mikie Sherrill (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-2-16

I rise to recognize the 150th anniversary of the Washington Association of New Jersey based in New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District, and their longstanding commitment to preserving our nation's early history. prgtoken During the harshest winter of the Revolutionary War from 1779 to 1780, Jacob Ford Jr.'s mansion in Morristown, New Jersey served as the military headquarters for George Washington as the Continental Army encamped nearby. Recognizing the importance of this site, the Washington Association of New Jersey was founded on March 30, 1874 with the goal of preserving and maintaining the Ford Mansion. prgtoken In 1933, the Washington Association was instrumental in advocating for the establishment of our country's first National Historical Park, as they shared the important history of the Ford Mansion, Jockey Hollow, and Fort Nonsense with the 65th Congress. I am grateful to the Washington Association for its dedication to preserving this important history for both the State of New Jersey and the United States. prgtoken Today, visitors can appreciate the beauty and historical importance of Washington's Headquarters and the Morristown Historical Park thanks to the efforts and foresight of the Washington Association of New Jersey. New Jersey is the Crossroads of the American Revolution and I especially look forward to welcoming people from all over America and the world to these sites in 2026 as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation. prgtoken For the past 150 years, the Washington Association has shared New Jersey's Revolutionary War history with all of us and that is why I am honored to recognize them on this important anniversary.
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STONE PONY
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-2-16

it is my honor and privilege to congratulate The Stone Pony on its 50th anniversary as its staff, patrons, and the community gather to celebrate ``Stone Pony Day'' as proclaimed by the City of Asbury Park. The Stone Pony is a landmark music venue in Asbury Park, New Jersey and this milestone and its historical significance are truly deserving of this body's recognition. prgtoken Opened on February 8, 1974 by John P. ``Jack'' Roig and Robert ``Butch'' Pielka, The Stone Pony has become synonymous with Asbury Park. Its storied past has seen triumphs and tribulations, but throughout its 50 years, The Stone Pony's connection to rock and roll history has cemented its status and success as preeminent music venue. Its stage has been graced by a venerable list of talent, including New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, Ronnie Spector, the Ramones, Joan Jett, Peter Frampton, Green Day, Kenny Chesney, and The Black Crowes. Many artists launched their careers at the Pony, including New Jersey rock band The Smithereens, who credit The Stone Pony for their start. One of the venue's first house bands, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, helped buoy the venue's following and still play there today. prgtoken The venue is a mainstay of Asbury Park, and its history is woven into that of the city. The Stone Pony's commitment to promoting local and national musical acts has contributed to the thriving cultural landscape of the city. In addition, it has supported local charities and philanthropic efforts throughout its history, hosting benefit concerts for hunger initiatives, local youth programs, Parkinson's disease research, and music education, among others. prgtoken , once again, it is with pride that I recognize the remarkable history and contributions of The Stone Pony and congratulate it on its 50th anniversary. The Stone Pony continues to bring local talent and renowned musical acts to residents and visitors, drawing crowds from across New Jersey and beyond. Its impact on the community and the music scene is undeniable, and its legacy has echoed throughout New Jersey and the country for five decades.
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR RELEASE OF DR. GUBAD IBADOGHLU
David Rouzer (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-2-16

I am proud to have introduced a bipartisan resolution to highlight the plight of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, a respected academic and economist who taught and conducted research at several top universities in America, including Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill in my home state of North Carolina. prgtoken While on a trip to Azerbaijan to visit his sick mother back in July of 2023, he and his wife were brutally assaulted by Azerbaijani authorities, and he was arrested on politically motivated, baseless charges. To this day, he continues to be detained and cruelly denied access to regular legal counsel and critical medications. This abuse is wrong and life-threatening. prgtoken What Dr. Ibadoghlu is currently experiencing is a sobering reminder of what can and does happen in nations that have no regard for human rights with a history of jailing individuals on baseless charges. With this resolution, we join the State Department and many members of international civil society in calling for his unconditional release.
HONORING DR. JASPER LEWIS
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-2-16

I rise today to honor Dr. Jasper L. Lewis of Greenville for his remarkable contributions to dentistry and his community, state, and Nation. Dr. Lewis graduated from Wake Forest University and received his doctorate in dental surgery from the University of North Carolina. From the beginning of his professional career, Dr. Lewis was committed to using his talents and expertise for the betterment of others. After receiving his degrees, Dr. Lewis decided to join the Air Force as a dental officer. prgtoken Dr. Lewis returned home to Greenville and founded his own practice, Eastern Orthodontics & Pediatrics. He has earned the reputation of an esteemed leader in his field, serving as President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Vice President of the North Carolina Dental Society. He is also credited as a significant contributor to the founding of the Eastern Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and has a professorship named in his honor. prgtoken Dr. Lewis has a big heart for the children of Eastern North Carolina affected by oral healthcare disparities. He helped bring the American Dental Association's ``Give Kids a Smile'', a nationwide program providing free dental services to uninsured children, to Eastern North Carolina. As all can see, Dr. Lewis's charity and influence touched many lives. Dr. Lewis was recently recognized by the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce and became one of only ten recipients to receive the Legends Award. prgtoken , please join me in extending this chamber's recognition of this remarkable servant leader.
CELEBRATING THE CITY OF MENASHA'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2024-2-16

the first European settlers arrived in present day Menasha in 1835. In 1848, Governor James Doty and Curtis Reed formed the Town of Menasha, naming it after the Winnebago word for ``thorn'' or ``island'' and otherwise known in the Menominee language as ``little island''. In 1849, the navigational channel of the Fox- Wisconsin waterway was placed through the north channel in Menasha, leading to the construction of the Manitowoc and Mississippi Railroad in 1854. The creation of this railroad led to major water and rail transportation routes passing directly through the city. Menasha was officially incorporated as a city in 1874, and was considered to be a transportation hub. prgtoken One of the earliest successes of the newly established city was the Menasha Wooden Ware Company which produced wooden tubs and barrels, and eventually made its way to become the world's largest wooden ware products manufacturer. Evolving into the corrugated packaging business, the company changed its name to Menasha Corporation. prgtoken By the early 1900's, Menasha earned the moniker ``Industrial City,'' hosting renowned companies such as Menasha Corporation, the George A. Whiting Paper Company Mill, the John Strange Paper Mill, Island Paper Company, the Gilbert Paper Company, and the George Banta Publishing Company. These enterprises reflected a community characterized by ingenuity and the collaborative spirit of its residents, contributing to the city's success through hard work and dedication. prgtoken This year, as a Representative of the great state of Wisconsin, I am proud to join in commemorating the city of Menasha in the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of its founding. The celebration on the beautiful Menasha waterfront showcases various events honoring the city's history, culture, character, and quality of life. The celebration aims to engage local residents along with visitors from other communities with associated observance activities in recognizing the city's notable historical achievements along with their ongoing tenacity projecting a future vision of Menasha as Your Place on the Water. prgtoken I would like to extend my gratitude and congratulations to the people of Menasha and wish the city 150 more years of prosperity and success.
HONORING THE LIFE OF CLIFF GOODIN
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-2-16

I rise today with a heavy heart to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Cliff Goodin, a pillar of the community whose legacy will forever resonate throughout Russellville and the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas. prgtoken Cliff's journey, rooted in the humble beginnings of Bald Knob, Arkansas, was marked by unwavering dedication and an unyielding commitment to service others. From his early days as a beloved son of Duval Grant Goodin and Minnie Collison Goodin, to his steadfast companionship with his college sweetheart Sara Lou Snow, Cliff exemplified the virtues of love, loyalty, and resilience. Their enduring bond, spanning 59 years, stands as a testament to the enduring power of partnership and family. prgtoken As a visionary entrepreneur and respected leader, Cliff left an indelible mark on the community through his pioneering efforts in the real estate industry. From his tenure at Vernon Howard Realty to the founding of Cliff Goodin & Associates, Realtors, Cliff's innovative spirit and tireless work ethic propelled the development of countless commercial and residential projects, shaping the landscape of the River Valley for generations to come. prgtoken Beyond his professional achievements, Cliffs legacy is defined by his selfless service to others. As a dedicated member of the real estate community, he generously shared his time and expertise, serving in various capacities including President of the Arkansas REALTORS Association and as an ARPAC Trustee. His advocacy and leadership were instrumental in advancing the interests of his colleagues and advocating for policies that promoted economic growth and prosperity. prgtoken Cliffs impact extended far beyond the boardroom, as he actively engaged in civic leadership and community service. Whether through his involvement with organizations such as the Russellville Jaycees, Lions Club, or Chamber of Commerce, Cliff demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those around him. His passion for civic engagement and grassroots activism inspired others to follow in his footsteps, leaving an enduring legacy of service and leadership. prgtoken As we reflect on Cliff's remarkable life, let us draw inspiration from his boundless generosity, unwavering integrity, and steadfast devotion to his family and community. Though he may no longer walk among us, his spirit will continue to guide and inspire us in the days ahead. prgtoken May Sara Lou, Gaye, Julie, and the entire Goodin family, find comfort in the cherished memories they shared with Cliff and solace in the knowledge that his legacy will endure as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come. Let us honor Cliff's memory by rededicating ourselves to the principles of service, compassion, and unity that he held dear. May his legacy continue to shine brightly, illuminating the path forward for the community and beyond.