mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING KEITH SULTEMEIER
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-8-13

. Madam , I rise to congratulate Keith Sultemeier on his recent election to the Board of Directors at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). prgtoken Since April of 2012, Mr. Sultemeier has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinecta Federal Credit Union (FCU). Kinecta FCU is headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, in my congressional district. It has over $4.4 billion in assets and over 300,000 members. prgtoken With more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mr. Sultemeier's deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory issues facing credit unions will provide tremendous expertise to the NAFCU Board. prgtoken Mr. Sultemeier holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. prgtoken I wish Mr. Sultemeier well in his new role on the NAFCU Board and I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating him on this exceptional achievement.
IN CELEBRATION OF FRANK GARCIA'S BIRTHDAY
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor the 75th birthday of Frank Garcia, my constituent, friend, and the founder and owner of La Casa Garcia. prgtoken Mr. Garcia and his wife, Sylvia Garcia, opened La Casa Garcia in 1973 and have since expanded to three locations in Orange County. La Casa Garcia and its authentic, delectable Mexican food has become a staple in our community over the past four decades. Beyond being a successful restaurateur, Mr. Garcia has also become a well-known philanthropist in Orange County as the founder of the We Give Thanks Foundation. Mr. Garcia's passion for giving back earned him the Points of Light Foundation Medal from former President Bill Clinton. In addition, his restaurant, La Casa Garcia, received the designation of ``Small Business of the Year'' from California State Senator Tom Umberg. prgtoken Mr. Garcia began his career in the restaurant industry at the young age of 13 as a dishwasher in a restaurant in Texas. He also worked in the fields picking cotton and onion with his father, Luis Majin Garcia. During his time as a dishwasher, Mr. Garcia worked hard to master cooking skills and was soon promoted to chef himself. It was through these formative experiences that Mr. Garcia learned the value of hard work, the power of food as a way of bonding, and the importance of connecting with the community. Mr. Garcia credits God for his success and expresses his gratitude through every meal that he serves. prgtoken Growing up, his mother, Elvira Garza Garcia, one of the founders of LULAC, instilled in him a strong sense of philanthropy. After the success of La Casa Garcia, Mr. Garcia followed his mother's philosophy of charity and founded We Give Thanks Inc a nonprofit that has been hosting a Thanksgiving feast every year for the past 32 years. The annual We Give Thanks feast began as a small-scale event attended by a few thousand people in the parking lot of one of the La Casa Garcia restaurants. Since then, it has expanded to the lot of the Honda Center, where 1,500 volunteers serve around 17,000 people each year. It has become the largest Thanksgiving feast hosted in Orange County. Mr. Garcia's dedication to serving others also extends beyond Orange County; when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas in 2017, Mr. Garcia participated in efforts to raise money for victims and personally flew out to Houston to provide hot meals for those in need and displaced by the hurricane. prgtoken In his 75 years of life, Mr. Garcia has become a beacon of light for the Orange County community. He is a constant and consistent supporter of numerous community events and has become known for his community service and volunteer work. His dedication for providing quality food and his passion for helping others brings warmth and comfort to the lives of Orange County locals every day. Mr. Garcia's story is a moving example of the power of hard work, dedication, and charity. For these reasons, I ask my colle
HONORING ALBERT A. CODERNIZ
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor Albert A. Coderniz, an upstanding member of the Dos Palos community, who has been recognized as an honoree for the 2019 Harvest of Hope Dinner by Catholic Charities of Merced, California. prgtoken Mr. Coderniz was born on March 4, 1934 in Manteca, California to Frank and Maria Coderniz, who had immigrated to the United States in 1920 after marrying in the Azores a week prior. His family settled in California's San Joaquin Valley and entered the dairy business after buying a small herd of dairy cattle. They moved throughout various towns in the north Valley and eventually settled in Dos Palos in 1951. Raised in a Portuguese dairy family, the values of hard work and a strong Catholic faith were instilled in Mr. Coderniz and his siblings early on. prgtoken Mr. Coderniz attended Dos Palos High School where he was active in sports and music while also serving as student body president and participating in Portuguese celebrations. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Arlene. After attending UC Davis for a year, Mr. Coderniz returned to Dos Palos to help his father on their farm and dairy, which would later become the first Grade A Dairy in the Dos Palos area. While he has enjoyed the successes of his family's business, he has always been a stellar community servant. prgtoken For 70 years, Mr. Coderniz's involvement and dedication to the Dos Palos community has never wavered. He is a Sacred Heart Catholic School founding member and has served on their board as a member and president. He is a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus and involved in many capacities with his parish, Sacred Heart. prgtoken In addition to the involvement with his church, Mr. Coderniz is a member of the California Milk Advisory Board and the Dos Palos Portuguese D.E.S. Association, among other various civic engagements. He often gives of himself by driving people to appointments and helping others with various tasks when asked. prgtoken Mr. Coderniz and his wife Arlene are the parents of daughters Karen and Kristy and grandparents to Marlynn, Mark, Catherine, and Joey. They have been loyal supporters of Catholic education and were present at many of their grandchildren's Catholic school events throughout the Valley. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the exceptional life of Albert A. Coderiz. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor him as he is recognized at the 2019 Harvest of Hope Dinner in Merced.
HONORING THE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF RUSS BURNS TO THE OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 3
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Russ Burns upon his retirement as the Business Manager for the Operating Engineers, Local 3. As a third-generation operator and Local 3 member, Russ Burns grew up living and breathing Local 3. He began his career with Local 3 in 1979 as a crane operator for various construction projects such as high rises, bridges, refineries, and large treatment plants throughout Northern California. In 1994, Russ joined the staff of the union as a business representative in the Fairfield District. Russ was unanimously appointed treasurer, serving until 2005 when he was sworn in as financial secretary. In 2006, he was elected Business Manager. Russ Burns has influenced and inspired countless Operating Engineer members beginning with their apprenticeship training to being fully qualified journeyman level professionals. Russ Burns has been an integral part of the Operating Engineers Local 3, and he will be greatly missed as he moves on to the next chapter of his life. Please join me, and the men and women of California's 3rd Congressional District, in thanking Russ Burns for his outstanding service. We wish him all the best in his retirement and his future endeavors.
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KINGMAN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Kingman Boys and Girls Club for 50 years of service to children and families in the District of Columbia. prgtoken For 50 years, Kingman has provided afterschool programming, academic and cultural enrichment, and athletic programming to young people in D.C. Kingman's staff have worked diligently to provide an atmosphere where all young people feel valued and challenged to achieve their dreams. Kingman continues to be an active contributor to the lives prgtoken of young people and their families, providing a sense of community, care and stability. prgtoken We also recognize Aaron ``Cliff'' Webster, the Executive Director of Kingman, for over 40 years of leadership. His background managing multifaceted programs on a shoestring budget has made him essential to maintaining the success of Kingman over the years. Mr. Webster has successfully led Kingman through difficult and changing times with a commitment to nurturing D.C.'s youth. He has worked to create an environment where young people can thrive in their academic and athletic pursuits, and we thank Mr. Webster for being a source of stability and guidance to all who pass through Kingman's doors. His love and dedication for the families of Kingman and the District of Columbia make Aaron ``Cliff'' Webster a role model for our children. prgtoken Madam , I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Aaron ``Cliff'' Webster and in congratulating Kingman Boys and Girls Club for 50 years of service to children and families in the District of Columbia.
IN RECOGNITION OF DR. KIMBERLYDAWN WISDOM
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom for her appointment to the Advisory Committee on Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. This achievement is worthy of commendation. prgtoken Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, M.D M.S is the Senior Vice President of Community Health & Equity and the Chief Wellness & Diversity Officer at Henry Ford Health System. Formerly, Dr. Wisdom served as Michigan's and the nation's first state-level Surgeon General from 2003 to 2010 and was appointed by President to serve on the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health in 2012. In prgtoken addition, Dr. Wisdom has served on the faculty of the University of Michigan Medical School's Department of Medical Education since 1987 and has taught as an adjunct professor in U of M's School of Public Health. Dr. Wisdom's work focuses on health disparities, health care equity, chronic disease, unhealthy eating habits, and infant mortality, to name a few. prgtoken Throughout her professional endeavors, Dr. Wisdom has witnessed firsthand the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce that can provide equitable treatment to patients. Dr. Wisdom's exceptional efforts have been instrumental in improving the health of those disproportionately affected by poor health outcomes, and her work continues to make a difference in patient care. Dr. Wisdom's passion and professional expertise makes her an excellent addition to the Advisory Committee on Minority Health, where she will assist the committee in discovering ways to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom on her appointment to the Advisory Committee on Minority Health. We are grateful for her lifetime of impactful work and wish her many years of continued success.
HONORING AMY SHIMBERG FOR HER SELFLESS DEVOTION TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE TAMPA BAY COMMUNITY
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today in admiration and respect to honor the life and unselfish works of Amy Shimberg. Amy's remarkable contributions to our hometown of Tampa had a tremendous impact on our neighbors and is worthy of recognition. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren, brother and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved very much. prgtoken Amy was born, raised and educated in New York City. She obtained her bachelor's degree from New York University and her master's in education from Columbia University. After teaching in New York, she followed her parents to Florida where she continued teaching. Amy met the love of her life and life partner in doing good, Jim, on a blind date. Jim and Amy started their 50-year marriage and settled in Tampa in 1958. prgtoken Amy was a tireless community volunteer with a very strong interest in public education. She served as PTA president of every school her children attended and continued her involvement with the PTA after her youngest graduated from high school. Many organizations in the Tampa Bay Area benefited from her tireless advocacy and passion. She served on the Citizens Advisory Board to the Hillsborough County School Board and the board of the Hillsborough Education Foundation. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels in the 1970s and continued serving for more than 25 years, twice as president. She loved helping her neighbors in such a direct and personal way. In a window into Amy's heart, she believed that she gained more from neighbors she visited and delivered meals to than they did. In addition to her direct work delivering meals, she was instrumental in raising funds for Meals on Wheels and was the honorary chairperson of the capital campaign to build a new facility. Her dedication to this cause that brightens the days of so many is unmatched and one of the main reasons Meals on Wheels is such a success and Amy is so revered in Tampa Bay. prgtoken Amy was instrumental in helping not just our senior neighbors, but children as well. She co-chaired a fundraising campaign for Nature's Classroom to benefit future generations of sixth graders. She was recognized for her wonderful work, including receiving the Community Hero Award from the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation in 2014. The philanthropic contributions of Amy and Jim improved the lives of many people in the Tampa Bay area and the James and Amy Shimberg Charitable Trust and the James and Amy Shimberg Foundation, will keep the good deeds going for more generations. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the citizens of Florida and my neighbors across Tampa Bay, I am proud to honor Amy Shimberg for her formidable efforts and selfless devotion to the people in our community. The time and energy she put into making Tampa Bay a better place to live are unmatched. Volunteering thousands of hours to those in need must be celebrated. Amy Shimberg taught us the true meaning of the word
HONORING THE LEGACY OF LOUISE MAUDE BEATON
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today on behalf of Louise Maude Beaton, an individual who gave more than half a century of diligent volunteer service to American veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fresno County, California. prgtoken Beginning in 1963 and until her passing in May of 2019, Ms. Beaton devoted her life to serving as a volunteer to better the lives of the veterans in her community. Initially working as a switchboard operator for the Medical Center, she extended the scope of her work considerably over the next five decades. Eventually, she became an indispensable part of the hospital's operations, taking on positions in nearly every department. Ms. Beaton applied herself to her volunteer positions with an admirable degree of consistency, dedication, and altruistic spirit, culminating in her completion of 55,617 hours of volunteer work. prgtoken Now, Madam , it is my pleasure to recognize the legacy of Louise Beaton. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her, her tireless work, and her incredible contributions to the health and wellbeing of our veterans.
NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE VITALIZATION ACT
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democrat, MP) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , today, I introduce the Native American Language Vitalization Act, which would help preserve the indigenous languages of the United States through grants to postsecondary institutions to support Native American language education programs and the pipeline of language instructors. prgtoken Native American languages are part of our nation's cultural heritage and are as diverse as the rich cultures of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and the Native peoples of the Pacific U.S. territories. Over the course of our nation's history, Native Americans have faced discrimination and government policies that restricted or banned the use of their indigenous languages. These policies have contributed to the decline in speakers of Native American languages. Without action, many of these languages, from Chamorro to Refaluwasch to Cherokee, are at risk of disappearing. Congress recognized this urgency in passing the Esther Martinez Act in 2006 to strengthen Native American language immersion programs. However, we must do more at the postsecondary level so that future generations have the programs and quality instructors necessary to not only preserve but increase the use of their ancestral languages. prgtoken The Native American Language Vitalization Act invests in indigenous language education by creating a dedicated grant program under the Higher Education Act to provide the resources Native-serving colleges and universities need to develop or strengthen their indigenous language programs. Schools can use the grant to provide in-service training for language teachers, develop curriculum, professional development of faculty, and create innovative programs, including language immersion. Eligible institutions can also partner with other organizations to reach students in early childhood education programs through grade 12. prgtoken I thank Representatives Schrier, Gabbard and Case for cosponsoring the bill. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to help preserve the indigenous languages of the United States for future generations.
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF JOHN RUDD AT THE CAYUGA MEDICAL CENTER
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the service of John Rudd to the Cayuga Medical Center and congratulate him on his retirement. prgtoken For the last six years, John Rudd has served as the President and CEO of Cayuga Medical Center. Upon its creation in 2014, John was also named President and CEO of Cayuga Health System. Before that, John served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Cayuga Medical Center for seventeen years. His dedicated service and wealth of experience has ensured the highest of quality service, that Cayuga Medical Center is known for, to people in the Finger Lakes Region. prgtoken Under John's leadership, Cayuga Medical Center has grown and experienced a major expansion of their services. He oversaw the opening of the Cayuga Wellness Center as well as the opening of the hospital's first cath lab. John is responsible for forging partnerships and collaboration with organizations such as Mayo Laboratories, University of Rochester Medical Center, and Roswell Park. He was also instrumental in the efforts to join Cayuga Medical Center and Schuyler Hospital as Cayuga Health System, producing a successful system with both hospitals performing well. prgtoken John's dedication to the well-being of his community extends far beyond his place of work, as he has served on numerous community boards. He has worked with organizations such as Franziska Racker Centers, OAR, United Way Tompkins County, Tompkins County Area Development, Central New York prgtoken Area Health Education Center, Challenge Industries, Kendall at Ithaca, Reconstruction Home Inc and Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken As John moves forward with the next chapter of his life, we applaud his tireless efforts to improve healthcare in our communities and we wish him all the best in his retirement. prgtoken Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate John Rudd and his extraordinary career.
RECOGNIZING THE MINISTRY AND SERVICE OF REVEREND ARLESS R. GLASS
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-8-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the service and ministry of Reverend Bishop Arless R. Glass who has served the Lord in ministry for nearly seven decades at the United Pentecostal Church International. prgtoken Arless Glass was born to Robert Newton and Allie Glass on August 17, 1929, in DeRidder, Louisiana. He graduated from DeRidder High School in 1947. prgtoken Shortly after high school, Glass joined the United States Air Force and served as a Welfare Supervisor in the Chaplaincy with rotations at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, in 1951 and Carswell Air Force Base in 1953. Chaplain Glass was the first person to baptize someone in Jesus' name while stationed in Okinawa. prgtoken Following his honorable service in the Air Force, Arless Glass was licensed as a minister in the United Pentecostal Church in February of 1951 and ordained in July of 1953. Initially, Glass served as an evangelist across the United States and Canada. In November of 1956, Rev. Glass accepted the pastorate of the La Marque United Pentecostal Church in Texas. prgtoken In August of 1962, the Lord called Arless Glass to the Pasadena United Pentecostal Church where he has served ever since. He served as pastor of Pasadena United Pentecostal Church for forty-two years. For the past fifteen years, he has also served as Bishop of The Church Triumphant. prgtoken Rev. Glass was one of the founding fathers of the Texas Bible College in 1964 and served as an instructor from 1964 to 1970, as well as a member on the Board of Directors from 1964 to 1976. Glass also earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Texas Bible College in 1975. He later received an honorary doctoral degree in Pentecostal Studies in 1991, from the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2008, Bishop Glass earned his Master's in Apostolic Studies from World Academy of Letters. prgtoken In addition to his day-to-day role as a pastor, Bishop Glass has served in countless other denominational leadership positions on the local, state, and national level within the United Pentecostal Church International. He has also served as an appointed police chaplain for the Pasadena Police Department from 1974 to the present-day. Glass was also an active member of the United States Air Forces' Auxiliary, commonly known as the Civil Air Patrol, from 1974 to 2006 where he served as a Lieutenant Colonel. prgtoken After forty-two years of marriage, his wife, Geraldine, passed away. He later married JoAnn Cannon, who passed away in 2002. Bishop Glass is currently married to Joan Carouthers of Arlington, Texas. He is the father of three children, daughters Cathy Glass and Letha Wise (deceased) and son Richey Glass. Glass has six grandchildren: Arlessa Wise, Kayci Dougherty, Garrett Dennard, Taylor Wise, Chelsea Wappler, and Krislyn Glass. He also has three great-grandchildren: Adalyn Sonnier, Grayson Dougherty, and Shay Corossan. prgtoken Madam , it is my honor to recognize m