mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
THE FOUNDER'S DAY OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-1-17

. Madam , I rise to recognize Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for its extraordinary legacy and work it does all throughout the nation. prgtoken On January 15, 1908, nine college students on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. founded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. prgtoken These nine courageous women founded this sorority right before WWI and only a few years after Reconstruction. prgtoken From the core group of nine at Howard, AKA has grown into a force of more than 290,000 collegiate members and alumnae, constituting 1,007 chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Germany, Liberia, South Korea, Japan, Canada, South Africa and the Middle East. prgtoken I take great pride in my sorority's tradition of service and the many programs that it has established to serve our communities. prgtoken One of the founders, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, dreamed of creating a support network for like-minded women coming together for mutual uplift, and coalescing their talents and strengths for the benefit of others. prgtoken What began as a small band of sisters in 1908, transformed over the ensuing 112 years into a globally-impactful organization of nearly 300,000 college-trained members, bound by the bonds of sisterhood and empowered by a commitment to servant-leadership that is both domestic and international in scope. prgtoken As Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has grown, it has maintained its focus in two key arenas: the lifelong personal and professional development of each of its members; and galvanizing its membership into an organization off formidable power and influence, consistently at the forefront of effective advocacy and social change that results in equality and equity for all citizens of the world. prgtoken I want to salute Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, the 30th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority who is currently leading the mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of ``Service to all mankind.'' prgtoken One of our native Houstonians who led our beloved sorority was Mattelia Grays. As National President, Grays' focus included chapter programs designed for specific community that the chapter served, educational grants, Job Corps and leadership training. prgtoken I would also like to acknowledge Faye Bryant, the 21st International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Another native Houstonian, under her leadership the theme of the AKA Sorority became P.O.W.E.R. During her tenure, Bryant also created the Alpha Kappa Alpha Connection, completed construction on the Sorority's national headquarters and initiated the African Village Development Program in collaboration with Africare. prgtoken For over a Century Alpha
CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE
Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-17

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of the City of Commerce, which I have the honor of representing as part of my 40th Congressional District. prgtoken The City of Commerce was incorporated on January 28, 1960, because area residents were finding it difficult to obtain basic government services such as garbage pickup, recreation facilities, and infrastructure development. By the start of 1962, a Los Angeles Times article about Commerce reported that ``In little more than two years, the city has made remarkable strides.'' Over the years, Commerce has continued to evolve into a local economic leader, a popular destination for shoppers, businesses, and prospective residents, and a community known throughout America as the ``Model City.'' prgtoken Even before its official incorporation, the area that eventually became the City of Commerce housed various manufacturing businesses. As the city grew, the need to create and maintain its infrastructure became crucial. In 1962, the Commerce City Council approved $1.5 million to construct streets, which increased connectivity to neighboring cities and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. prgtoken With Commerce's location by two of Los Angeles County's major transit corridors--the I-710 and I-5 freeways--products from around the world are transported through the city every day, and building and maintaining city roads remains one of Commerce's main priorities. prgtoken Commerce's rich transportation legacy extends to other matters as well. In 1963, Commerce became the first city in the United States to offer regularly scheduled, free bus service to its residents. Commerce buses were also the first in California to be equipped with two-way radios. prgtoken Today, Commerce's bus system remains free to residents and connects to other municipal bus lines, MetroLink (the region's community rail service), and the emerging network of light and heavy rail lines of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Currently, Commerce buses operate on 100% Clean Natural Gas. Eventually, like other systems in California, they will be 100% electric and/or hybrid. prgtoken The Model City also prides itself on its other services, including four libraries, scholarships for college-bound residents, a Community Job Fair, lunches for children during the summer, and an annual book festival and comic book convention. prgtoken Early in its history, the city also built four neighborhood parks that have included baseball fields, basketball courts, and the Aquatorium, which has been the home of world-class Olympic swimmers and water polo players, including Olympic gold medalist Brenda Villa. prgtoken Commerce is home to commercial icons including the Citadel Outlets, whose historic facade is modeled after an Assyrian castle. Every year, the Citadel brings in millions of visitors from around the world to shop and dine. prgtoken The city also boasts the Commerce Casino
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF SGT. DARON WYATT
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor the robust career and retirement of Sergeant Daron Wyatt. Sgt. Wyatt served over 33 years in law enforcement, the last 11\1/2\ with the Anaheim PD. prgtoken In 1986, Sgt. Wyatt began his public service career with the Tustin PD. After a successful tenure with the Tustin PD, Sgt. Wyatt continued his career working for the Santa Ana Unified School District PD, Imperial PD, Placentia PD, and later Anaheim PD. prgtoken While working for the Placentia PD in 1997, Sgt. Wyatt was assigned the Cathy Torrez Homicide Cold Case in 1994. Sgt. Wyatt worked the case for 10 years before convincing the DA's Office to prosecute. The case had been rejected by three different prosecutors and a memo from the Orange County Sheriffs Office opined the case would never be solved. The suspects were convicted in 2015. prgtoken In 2011, Sgt. Wyatt was assigned as the lead detective on the Orange County Homeless Homicides Investigative Task Force. He obtained confessions from Itzcoatl Ocampo to the commission of six murders in Anaheim, Placentia, and Yorba Linda between October prgtoken 2011 and January 2012. Ocampo was the first serial killer known to operate in Orange County in more than 25 years. prgtoken Sgt. Wyatt's homicide cases have been profiled on Dateline, True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, America's Most Wanted, Fatal Attraction, Criminal Confessions, Snapped, Blood Relatives, Murder by Numbers, Family Secrets, In Ice Cold Blood, and the premiere episode of Price of Duty. prgtoken From 2015 to 2019, Sgt. Wyatt served as the Public Information Officer for the Anaheim PD and Anaheim Fire & Rescue, he represented the departments in local, national, and international news stories for such incidents as the KKK stabbings, the presidential campaign visit, multiple officer involved shootings, and the Canyon Fires. prgtoken Sgt. Wyatt was also deployed as a PIO on Type 1 Incident Management Teams to the Mendocino Complex (largest wildfire in CA history) and the Camp Fire (most destructive wildfire in CA history). He is one of 70 FEMA credentialed Master Public Information Officers in the nation and the only public safety PIO in California to receive this credential. prgtoken Sgt. Wyatt will remain to be known for his unwavering devotion to victims' families. prgtoken Please join me in honoring the storied career of Sergeant Daron Wyatt, who has significantly impacted our community and made it a safer place for all.
TRIBUTE TO HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER STEVEN DILLINGER
Susan W. Brooks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-1-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Hamilton County Commissioner Steven Dillinger. A longtime dedicated public servant, Steve has had a significant impact on the City of Noblesville and entirety of Hamilton County, and Central Indiana. Having served as a Hamilton County Commissioner for over 30 years, he has amassed a record of service to his county that will have a positive impact for decades to come. prgtoken A graduate of Noblesville High School, where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track for the Millers, Steve has continued to promote the lessons of teamwork, planning, and preparation that athletics helped instill in him at a young age. In his roles as the President of the Executive Board of the Noblesville Elementary Football League since 1990, and former longtime Coach of the Noblesville Grinders football team, Steve helped shape many generations of Hamilton County youth through participation in football. prgtoken Steve has been tuned in to the needs of his fellow citizens for many decades. His first elected office was a seat on the Noblesville City Council from 1980 to 1984. He subsequently served on the Noblesville Plan Commission in 1981. Steve is also an exemplary leader in the Hamilton County Party, serving as a Precinct Committeeman from 1986 to the present. prgtoken In 1985, Steve was elected to the Hamilton County Council, serving as the governing body's President in 1988. After his time on the Hamilton County Council, Steve was elected to a seat as one of three Hamilton County Commissioners in 1989, representing the cities of Fishers and Noblesville as well as both Delaware and Noblesville Townships. Having found a true passion and adeptness for serving the constituents of Hamilton County, Steve has been continually victorious in both primary and general elections for one of the Hamilton County Commissioner seats for over thirty years. During nine of his thirty years, he has served as the President of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. prgtoken Throughout his time as a Commissioner, Hamilton County has undergone vast changes. The population has exploded over 400 percent, from 82,000 citizens in the 1980's to a population of over 300,000 citizens in 2020. Steve has been an integral part of the planning of the county, having been involved in county-wide zoning updates that paved the way for massive growth within Hamilton County. Along with fellow Hamilton County leaders, Steve was a vital part of county initiatives that helped to foster increased development on 146th Street and 236th Street, transforming them into the major thoroughfares they are today. Steve was also deeply involved in the development and funding for the State Road 37 Thoroughfare Plan, and the effort to pave over 800 miles of roads in Hamilton County. prgtoken During his time of service, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has overseen the const
CONGRATULATING INDIANA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BRIAN BOSMA ON HIS RETIREMENT
Jackie Walorski (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-1-17

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Indiana of the House Brian Bosma on his retirement and to thank him for his many years of dedicated service to Hoosiers. prgtoken He was first elected to the Indiana Statehouse in 1986 and served as speaker from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2020, making him the longest-serving speaker in Indiana State history. Bosma has clearly dedicated his life to moving Indiana forward. prgtoken His commitment to Hoosier common sense and his tireless efforts to advance opportunities for future generations have made our state a better place to live and work. prgtoken I am grateful to have served alongside him in the Statehouse and to have worked together to improve the lives of our fellow Hoosiers. Bosma's strong conservative values and outstanding leadership have helped bring Indiana's economy and infrastructure into the 21st century. Thanks to Bosma, Indiana is one of the only states in the nation to pass a 20-year, fully-funded roads plan to improve state- maintained and local roads. Throughout his time as speaker, he never stopped fighting for Indiana businesses and workers. Bosma helped secure the strong economic climate in which Hoosiers are able to start and grow businesses, including maintaining a AAA credit rating, large budget reserves, and a low unemployment rate. He is also a fierce defender of the unborn and has worked to ensure that every human life in our state is treated with dignity and respect. prgtoken In addition to the positive impact of his legislative accomplishments, Brian Bosma's passion for helping others goes unmatched. His family's impressive work through Bosma Industries for the Blind is a testament to the power of one person determined to make a difference. Bosma brought those same values with him to the Statehouse each and every day. His dedication and passion exemplify the progress our society can make toward greater opportunities and brighter futures through innovative thinking and perseverance. I have no doubt his legacy will last far into the future. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Indiana of the House Brian Bosma for his lifelong commitment to serving Indiana communities. On behalf of 2nd District Hoosiers, I wish him the best as he embarks on this next chapter in life.
JAKE AND ANGIE MOORE, ANGELS IN ADOPTION
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2020-1-17

. Madam , Jake and Angie Moore of Yakima have always had a passion for children, especially those with special needs and those who are trauma affected. prgtoken Angie is a speech paraprofessional for 5th and 6th graders, and Jake is a paraprofessional in a high school special ed classroom. prgtoken On their first wedding anniversary, they were told that it would be a miracle if they ever became pregnant. IVF wasn't an option for them due to the cost, and after giving it a lot of prayer and thought, they decided to move forward with foster care. They felt this was God's timing. prgtoken They have since opened their hearts and their home to become the loving parents of multiple children from the Yakima Valley. Though they have faced many struggles with the hardship of the foster care system, they continue to move forward and stay positive, finalizing the adoption of their daughter and welcoming a 2-year-old foster son at the end of 2019. prgtoken They are excited to continue to take in more children as the years go on, so they can be the voice and advocate that many of them do not have. prgtoken They have two household rules with all of the children they take in: 1. They will all be there to stay unless somebody else says otherwise. 2. Each child will be loved and cherished as their own, no matter how long they are in the Moore's home. prgtoken Jake and Angie are an inspiration to parents across the country and in Central Washington. They are truly Angels in Adoption.
IMPEACHMENT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-1-21

before I begin, there has been well- founded concern that the additional security measures required for access to the Galleries during the trial could cause reporters to miss some of the events on the Senate floor. I want to assure everyone in the press that I will vociferously oppose any attempt to begin the trial unless the reporters trying to enter the Galleries are seated. prgtoken The press is here to inform the American public about these pivotal events in our Nation's history. We must make sure they are able to. Some may not want what happens here to be public; we do. prgtoken , after the conclusion of my remarks, the Senate will proceed to the impeachment trial of President for committing high crimes and misdemeanors. President is accused of coercing a foreign leader into interfering in our elections to benefit himself and then doing everything in his power to cover it up. If proved, the President's actions are crimes against democracy itself. prgtoken It is hard to imagine a greater subversion of our democracy than for powers outside our borders to determine the elections there within. For a foreign country to attempt such a thing on its own is bad enough. For an American President to deliberately solicit such a thing--to blackmail a foreign country with military assistance to help him win an election--is unimaginably worse. I can't imagine any other President doing this. prgtoken Beyond that, for then the President to deny the right of Congress to conduct oversight, deny the right to investigate any of his activities, to say article II of the Constitution gives him the right to ``do whatever [he] wants''--we are staring down an erosion of the sacred democratic principles for which our Founders fought a bloody war of independence. Such is the gravity of this historic moment. prgtoken Once Senator Inhofe is sworn in at 1 p.m the ceremonial functions at the beginning of a Presidential trial will be complete. The Senate then must determine the rules of the trial. The leader will offer an organizing resolution that outlines his plan--his plan--for the rules of the trial. It is completely partisan. It was kept secret until the very eve of the trial. Now that it is public, it is very easy to see why. prgtoken The McConnell rules seem to be designed by President for President . It asks the Senate to rush through as fast as possible and makes getting evidence as hard as possible. It could force presentations to take place at 2 o'clock or 3 o'clock in the morning so the American people will not see them. prgtoken In short, the McConnell resolution will result in a rushed trial, with little evidence, in the dark of the night--literally the dark of night. If the President is so confident in his case, if Leader McConnell is so confident the President did nothing wrong, why don't they want the case to be presented in broad daylight? prgtoken O
CONGRATULATING NEW PRESIDENT AND CABINET OF THE BLACK CLERGY OF PHILADELPHIA AND VICINITY
Brendan F. Boyle (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-1-21

. Madam , I rise today to offer my sincere congratulations to the incoming President and cabinet officers of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. Chosen from among their peers, this group of accomplished individuals will be tasked with overseeing the mission of their organization to ``unify African-American clergy grounded in Christian principles around issues of social, political and economic justice.'' prgtoken Each and every one of these men and women have selflessly devoted themselves, over the course of many years, to building and sustaining communities of faith that lift up those who need a helping hand, that stand up for those whose voices are often unheard or overlooked, and that fight for equal justice for all especially in communities of color. prgtoken Madam , I would like to take this opportunity to include in the Record the names of the incoming officers as follows: prgtoken President: Rev. Robert Collier, Sr First Vice President: Bishop J Louis Felton, Second Vice President: Rev. Dr. Wayne Weathers, Third Vice President: Elder Janet Sturdivant, General Secretary: Rev. Maxcine Selby Collier, Treasurer: Rev. Dr. Cassandra Graves, Financial Secretary: Rev. Toni Johnson, Assistant Secretary: Rev. Maria Tillman, Assistant Treasurer: Rev. Joe Brown, Chaplain: Rev. Juanita Walters, Chief Marshall: Rev. Dr. Jerome Fordham, Parliamentarian: Rev. Dr. Donna Jones, Public Relations: Rev. Dr. Charles McNeil, Advisor: Rev. Terrence Griffith. prgtoken As they are all consummate leaders in their own right, I am confident that, together, they will prove to be more than a match for the challenges that await them and that they will continue to make the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity a potent source for good in the years to come.
HONORING THE LEGACY OF DR. CARROL WAYMON
Susan A. Davis (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-1-21

. Madam , I rise with admiration and respect to honor and remember the tremendous legacy of Dr. Carrol Waymon, who passed away in his San Diego home on January 3, 2020 at the age of 94. prgtoken Waymon was a champion for racial equality and one of the most impactful educators in San Diego's history. prgtoken Born to a family of eight in North Carolina, Waymon overcame many obstacles before making his way to San Diego. He received an undergraduate education from Howard University followed by masters in psychology and education from Temple University. prgtoken In 1964, he was working on racial issues for the Los Angeles Human Relations Agency when a request for assistance came from the San Diego City Council to assess racial injustice in the city. prgtoken Waymon chose to move to San Diego and dedicated his life to our community. While other cities experienced significant racial tensions, Waymon saw an opportunity for San Diego to build bridges and improve the lives of all citizens. prgtoken In 1967, Waymon was appointed head of the Citizens Interracial Committee (CIC), San Diego's first human relations agency. During his tenure he chaired more than 40 public meetings and spearheaded the drafting and adoption of San Diego's first equal employment opportunity ordinances. prgtoken Among the many achievements realized by the CIC, Waymon played a critical role in removing housing restrictions for people of color, making it possible for African Americans to stay in any major hotel across the County, try on clothes in department stores, and dine in major restaurants. prgtoken Waymon was also widely regarded as a brilliant educator who was responsible for the founding of San Diego State University's Africana Studies Department. He enjoyed a 33-year career working with San Diego Mesa College as a psychology, sociology, and anthropology professor. prgtoken I was privileged to have the opportunity to personally witness and appreciate his drive to bring people together in order to create a better community. I always admired his focus on education for all at the center of all he did; a wise and thoughtful approach. prgtoken I genuinely treasured our warm relationship and will sorely miss his presence in the community. prgtoken While San Diego has lost a giant, I believe that his life's work will serve as a legacy and example for future generations to come. Madam , I ask that you please join me in remembering and commemorating the great life of Dr. Carrol Waymon.