mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Johnny Isakson (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-5-7

today, I am honored to recognize in the Record a gentleman from whom I have had the opportunity to learn and to work with through a great company located in my great home State of Georgia. Mark Alagna is the vice president of UPS global public affairs and has announced he will retire in June after having served the company for 35 years. prgtoken The world headquarters for United Parcel Service, called UPS, has been based in Georgia since 1991. It is the second-largest company in Georgia, and in 2018, UPS earned $72 billion in revenue with locations worldwide. This company means a lot to my State. prgtoken In addition to that, UPS is a leader in delivering workforce training and mentorship programs that emphasize the development of professional skills, safety, and efficiency. prgtoken As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Employment and the Workplace, I am always looking out for Georgia companies and workers, especially the ones that set the bar high. Mark Alagna has been an important member of that company who has provided me and my staff with needed information and assistance for many years. prgtoken Mark's service to UPS is long and distinguished, rising through the ranks as a loyal employee serving a company that reciprocated that sense of loyalty and development for a good staff member. He has been with the company since 1984 when he was hired as a package car driver, delivering packages directly to customers who depended upon this service. For the last 24 years, he has worked in the company's public affairs department, looking out for the company's interests by working effectively with Members of Congress in Washington, with a particular policy focus on labor issues. prgtoken Mark also serves as liaison to the board of the National Coalition of Multiemployer Pension Plans, is vice chair of the Labor Policy Coalition, and sits on the labor and pension advisory committee. Prior to joining the global public affairs team, Mark also managed several staff and operational assignments in the mid-Atlantic area for UPS. prgtoken I will miss the opportunity to work with Mark, who has been a trusted associate, and his absence will be felt at UPS and by all those who have had the opportunity to work alongside him. We all wish Mark and his family the very best in a long and happy retirement.
Tribute to Mike Enzi (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2019-5-7

before I begin, I want to take a moment to say how sorry I am that the Senate will be losing Senator Mike Enzi at the end of next year. prgtoken During his 20-plus years in the Senate, Mike has been a leader on so many issues, including healthcare and the budget. As the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, he oversaw major pension reform. As the chairman of the Budget Committee, he was an indispensable part of the effort to comprehensibly reform our Nation's outdated Tax Code and put more money in the American people's pockets. As always, he has been a powerful voice for small businesses during that process, not to mention a powerful voice for the West throughout his entire career. prgtoken The Senate will be a lesser place without Mike Enzi, but he has earned some more time with his wife Diana, their three children, and his four grandchildren. prgtoken I am grateful to have served with Mike and grateful that Senators will prgtoken have a little time before his well-deserved retirement to continue to draw on his wisdom and expertise over the course of the next year and a half.
RECOGNIZING WEIGEL'S FARM STORES
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-5-7

I salute you for your salute to the Tennessee Big Orange with your tie selection. prgtoken I also rise today to recognize Weigel's Farm Stores, an east Tennessee-based convenience store chain, for its dedication to selling Tennessee products. Recently, Weigel's announced that it would sell milk only produced, processed, and bottled within the State. prgtoken In 1931, the Weigel family began operating a dairy. Over decades, the family business expanded from farming to owning and operating 67 stores in the region. I remember the square jugs of Weigel's milk that became iconic in the Knoxville area. prgtoken Although they no longer produce their own milk, their commitment to Tennessee dairy products has remained constant. Independently owned dairies have long been an important part of east Tennessee's economy, but recently, these operations have struggled to compete with the larger farms. prgtoken I am glad that Bill Weigel, a good friend of my family's and the current owner of the business, and his family are investing in our local products and family farms, and I hope their decision will inspire other milk processors in the area to do the same.
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2019-5-7

on behalf of myself and the distinguished ic leader, Mr. Schumer, I send to the desk a resolution authorizing the production of testimony and representation by the Senate Legal Counsel, and ask for its immediate consideration. prgtoken , this resolution concerns a request for evidence in a criminal action pending in Nevada State court. In this action the defendant is charged with threatening or attempting to intimidate public officials in voicemails he left with the Las Vegas office of Senator Cortez Masto. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8, 2019. prgtoken The prosecution is seeking testimony from one of the Senator's staff assistants who listened to the voicemails at issue. Senator Cortez Masto would like to cooperate with this request by providing relevant employee testimony from her office. prgtoken The enclosed resolution would authorize that staffer, and any other current or former employee of the Senator's office from whom relevant testimony may be needed, to testify in this criminal action, with representation by the Senate Legal Counsel.
Natural Gas Flaring (Executive Calendar)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2019-5-7

I would like to take a few moments to speak on an issue that, as you know, is important to American families all across the country. prgtoken Hardworking Americans long for cheap and efficient sources of energy for their homes, for their businesses, and for their schools, and one of the answers--not the only answer, but one of the answers--to this dilemma is clean-burning natural gas. prgtoken Natural gas is an abundant energy source that, unfortunately, in some cases is being squandered. We can do a better job of getting the fuel to consumers. In fact, we waste too much of this useable fuel source through a process known as natural gas flaring. Natural gas flaring is a practice where the natural gas is intentionally burned off at a drill site. prgtoken What I can happily report, however, is that President and his administration have begun to take the necessary steps to address the underlying causes for this inexcusable waste. prgtoken Just last month, President signed a pair of executive orders to expedite the construction of pipelines that will allow oil and natural gas to be safely and economically transported from drill sites to end users. prgtoken The President took the courageous first step in addressing a problem that has been present for far, far too long, and I am talking, of course, about the lack of infrastructure. The lack of infrastructure not only chips away at the great economic benefits our country receives thanks to our drilling boom, but without pipelines and other means of transport, processing, and storage, the cheaper and cleaner burning natural gas is too often wasted--natural gas, mind you, that could be powering businesses, schools, and even tens of millions of homes across the United States. prgtoken I would also like to note that I would be remiss if I didn't mention the environmental benefits of natural gas. Simply put, natural gas is an environmentally friendly fuel source. This abundant fuel is not only incredibly efficient, with a 92-percent energy efficiency, but the use of natural gas reduces carbon emissions as well. When compared to other fossil fuel sources, burning natural gas results in far fewer pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, nonmethane organic gas, and carbon dioxide. In fact, depending on the pollutant, using natural gas can mean a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 90 percent--90 percent--in some cases. prgtoken As our drilling boom continues in America, by implementing greater direct use of natural gas, we can cut thousands and thousands of tons of carbon emissions from our atmosphere every year, and these are numbers that we should all be able to get behind. prgtoken Ever since the advent of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, we have been able to extract crude oil from deposits that we not only didn't think we could ever reach but from deposits we didn't even know existed until a few years ago. prgtoken Ameri
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREENVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , I would like to recognize the Greenview Christian Church of Greenview, Illinois, for celebrating their 150th anniversary. prgtoken In 1869, the Greenview Christian Church was officially opened as a place of worship for the residents of the city. Since then, the church has grown immensely; it now provides the community with far more than a place to pray. This is where the residents of Greenview come to make strides towards improving their local area, as well as to help those less fortunate than themselves abroad, through their partner missionary program, Faith Promise Rally. prgtoken The Greenview Christian Church is known throughout the area for the services that it has provided for the community over the last 150 years. Today, we celebrate the church for their dedication to serving Greenview. I extend my sincere congratulations to the Greenview Christian Church for a successful 150 years, and I wish them even more success going forward.
RECOGNIZING THE COLLIN COLLEGE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-7

I rise today to recognize the Collin College Student Government Association for winning the 2019 Event of the Year award at the Texas Junior College Student Government Association convention. prgtoken The event which earned the organization this prestigious recognition, ``Love Does Not Hurt: An Oath Against Domestic Violence,'' provided resources for victims of domestic violence and featured speakers who inspired all in attendance. prgtoken I was honored to attend the event and witness firsthand the incredible difference these student leaders are making, both on and off campus. prgtoken I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me today in thanking the Student Government Association of Collin College for their dedication and commitment to our community.
TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CAROLINE M. MILLER
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-5-7

today I wish to recognize Col. Caroline M. Miller, upon her departure as chief, Air Force legislative liaison to the U.S. Senate. prgtoken In this role, Colonel Miller managed Air Force senior leader strategic engagement with Senators and their staffs in support of Air Force programs and congressional oversight travel. She served as the Air Force's senior escort for staff and congressional delegation travel to more than 20 countries supporting leadership, Member, and committee offices. Prior to her current position, she served as the 633rd Air Base Wing commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis,VA, providing installation support to 18,000 Air Force and Army personnel, including Headquarters Air Combat Command, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, four operational wings, eight brigades, and more than 20 major associate units. prgtoken Colonel Miller received her commission in 1994 from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. During her illustrious career, she has served as a protocol officer, special actions officer, and executive officer for several senior Air Force leadership offices, as well as the Director of Manpower and Personnel for United States Strategic Command. Colonel Miller has commanded at the squadron, group, and wing levels, spending 1 year as the commander, 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. She was also hand- selected to participate in the elite Air Force Internship program, as well as competed to attend the Naval Command and Staff College and Air Force's Air War College. prgtoken Colonel Miller is married to Colonel (Retired) Rich Miller who, along with their son Ryan, have given her unwavering support throughout her career in the Air Force during multiple moves and combat deployments. prgtoken On behalf of the U.S. Congress and a grateful Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Col. Caroline M. Miller for her dedicated service to the Senate and to our Nation. We wish her the best on her promotion to brigadier general and her next role as chief of Air Force manpower at the Pentagon. There is no question that the Air Force, Department of Defense, and the United States will continue to benefit greatly from Colonel Miller's leadership.
Export-Import Bank (Executive Session)
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2019-5-7

many Americans might be surprised, shocked, and troubled to learn that some of their tax dollars are going directly to Chinese companies and that some of those dollars even go to corporations owned by the Chinese Government, like Chinese banks, Chinese development agencies, and Chinese microprocessor factories. In recent years, in fact, China received $50 million in loans and guarantees, all backed by American citizens. prgtoken Taxpayers would be right to be puzzled and concerned about why their hard-earned money is subsidizing Chinese state-owned companies. To be clear, we are not talking about voluntary investment from American businesses; we are taking about the backing of the U.S. Government. They might ask: How is this the case? Why on Earth would we do this? Why is this happening? The answer has to do with the very institution to which we are going to be trying to confirm nominees today. prgtoken The Export-Import Bank--or Ex-Im, as it is often described--was created during the height of the Great Depression to help U.S. exporters when they were desperate for customers and foreign markets lacked the capital to finance trade. It was conceived particularly to help small businesses to be able to compete, as many of its current proponents still claim, still insist, to this very day. prgtoken But for decades, the institution that is the Export-Import Bank has unfortunately been used as a giant tool for corporate welfare. Ex-Im has operated to benefit the wealthiest and the most politically connected businesses in America, as well as their overseas clients and, believe it or not, foreign governments. Take Boeing, for instance. Look, it is no coincidence that Ex-Im has been nicknamed ``Boeing's bank.'' When Ex-Im financing was at its peak, Boeing received 70 percent of all Export-Import Bank loan guarantees and 40 percent of all Ex-Im dollars. prgtoken Which other large corporations have benefited? Well, they include General Electric, John Deere, Caterpillar, and other industrial giants--hardly businesses that are unable to get financing elsewhere; hardly businesses that fit within the category of what the biggest proponents of Ex-Im claim need Ex-Im to exist in the first place. prgtoken In fact, while Ex-Im claims that 90 percent of the businesses to which it provides support are ``small businesses,'' when you dive into those numbers, the numbers tell a somewhat different story. They show that small businesses received only about 25 percent of Ex-Im dollars. That doesn't even touch the fact that in 2014 Caterpillar and Boeing were the first and fourth largest recipients of so-called small business funds from Ex-Im. So if Boeing and Caterpillar--great U.S. companies that employ tens of thousands of hard-working Americans and make good products used by people all over the world--if they can be considered small businesses, it makes you question the vernacular used by Export-Import Bank propone
HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN ``ODIE'' SLOCUM
Paul Mitchell (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-5-7

I rise today to honor an outstanding member of our community and our military on his retirement. For more than 35 years, Brigadier General John ``Odie'' Slocum served our country, most recently as the commander of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan's 10th District, a post he held from November 2014 until his retirement this past weekend. prgtoken General Slocum's career of more than 35 years and 4,100 flight hours began in 1984 when he received his Air Force commission through East Carolina University's ROTC program. After receiving his wings, Odie served his 8 years of Active Duty as an F-4 Phantom and F-16 pilot and then served as an instructor at bases in both Georgia and Arizona. prgtoken In 1992 he joined the Arizona Air National Guard where he served in a variety of Operations Group and headquarters-staff positions, many related to F-16 flight training, before taking over as Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing's chief of safety and squadron commander. During his tenure in Arizona, he created a new Air National Guard maintenance training curriculum, worked to increase mental health and suicide prevention resources in the Air National Guard, initiated a DOD-wide midair collision avoidance program, and more. Because of these actions, in 2013, Odie was inducted into the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame. prgtoken After 1 year as the Inspector General of the Air National Guard based at Joint Base Andrews, in 2014 Slocum was promoted to brigadier general and assumed command of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, in my home district. It is home to 1,700 airmen operating both the A-10 Warthog and KC-135 Stratotanker, as well as host to more than 45 tenant organizations from all branches of the military and numerous DHS organizations. Nearly 4,500 Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel call Selfridge Air National Guard Base home. prgtoken Selfridge is unique, with diverse needs due to its many missions, and General Slocum has been an exceptional leader of Selfridge and our community. Under Slocum's leadership, the 127th Wing earned the Spaatz Trophy, presented to the top flying wing in the Air National Guard; earned an Air Force Meritorious Unit Award; and celebrated milestone anniversaries of the base, 100 years, and the 127th Wing's two flying units, the 107th Fighter Squadron, 100 years, and the 171st Air Refueling Squadron. Further, last year, the 127th Wing was named Macomb County Economic Development Partner of the Year, and Slocum was inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame. prgtoken I have had the honor to work with General Slocum since before I joined Congress, and I have greatly appreciated our professional relationship, as well as the personal friendship that has grown the last 5 years. In our nearly weekly phone calls, Odie has worked with me to ensure I know what is going on at the base, I am aware of the base's needs, and
REMEMBERING LIEUTENANT COLONEL RICHARD ``DICK'' COLE
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-5-7

today I wish to honor Lieutenant Colonel Richard ``Dick'' Cole, of the United States Air Force, who was the last living link of the Doolittle Raiders and passed away on April 9 at the age of 103. The Doolittle Raiders were comprised of 80 heroic U.S. Army Air Forces airmen who flew 16 modified B-25 Mitchell bombers off the USS Hornet aircraft carrier on the first Allied retaliatory strike on the Japanese Home Islands, just a few months after Pearl Harbor. prgtoken In an age before midair refueling and GPS, the USS Hornet weighed less than a quarter of today's fortress-like aircraft carriers. With then-Lt. Cole as the copilot to then-Lt. Col. Jimmy prgtoken Doolittle, the B-25 Mitchell bomber #40-2344, would take off with only 467 feet of takeoff distance. This audacious and unprecedented raid was a one-way mission against enormous odds. What made the mission all the more challenging was a sighting by a Japanese patrol boat that prompted the task force commander, U.S. Navy Adm. William Halsey, to launch the mission more than 650 nautical miles from Japan, 10 hours early and 170 nautical miles farther than originally planned. Flying at wavetop level around 200 feet with their radios turned off, Cole and the Raiders avoided detection for as much of the distance as possible. In groups of two to four aircraft, the bombers targeted dry docks, armories, oil refineries, and aircraft factories in Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka and Kobe, as well as Tokyo itself. The Japanese air defenses were so caught off guard by the Raiders that little anti-aircraft fire was volleyed and only one Japanese Zero followed in pursuit. With their bombs delivered, the Raiders flew towards safety in nonoccupied China, but had to bail out when their aircraft ran out of fuel. prgtoken The bombing mission sent a message that America was ready to fight back, and bolstered spirits on the home front. Lt. Col. Cole remained in the China-Burma-India Theater flying combat and transport missions from May 1942 to June 1943, followed by service with the 5th Fighter Group in Tulsa, OK, from June to October 1943. He retired from the Air Force on December 31, 1966, as a command pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours in 30 different aircraft, amassing more than 250 combat missions and more than 500 combat hours. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oakleaf clusters; Air Medal with oakleaf cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; and Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, First Grade. All Doolittle Raiders were also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in May 2014. prgtoken In his final years, Lt. Col. Cole remained a familiar face at Air Force events in the San Antonio area and toured Air Force schoolhouses and installations to promote the spirit of service among new generations of airmen. On September 19, 2016, Lt. Col. Cole was present during the naming ceremony for the Northrop Grumman B-2
RECOGNIZING JOANNA CLOUD FOR HER TENURE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LAKE LANIER ASSOCIATION
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-5-7

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Joanna Cloud's nine-year tenure as Executive Director of the Lake Lanier Association. prgtoken Since Joanna first stepped into the role of Executive Director in August of 2010, the Lake Lanier Association has experienced incredible growth. Under her leadership, the Association's annual income has tripled, and lake-based programs, membership and services have expanded significantly. She led several projects to implement much-needed improvements to Lake Lanier, including placing solar lights on hazard markers for boating safety, and preventing further erosion by placing heavy rocks on the edges of the lake islands. Joanna was especially passionate about removing abandoned docks and vessels, which required her to garner support from state lawmakers to attain the funding necessary to complete the project. Because of her steadfast commitment, approximately 60 abandoned and rundown docks and boats on Lake Lanier were removed between 2015 and 2018. prgtoken Joanna's hard work and dedication over the past decade helped ensure the over 4 million people in the surrounding area would continue to have access to clean drinking water, and thanks to her leadership, families in Northeast Georgia will be able to continue enjoying Lake Lanier for many years to come. prgtoken Personally, I'd like to thank Joanna for her friendship and for working steadily with me and my office. On behalf of the people of Northeast Georgia, I want to thank Joanna for her hard work and dedication to improving our community. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.