mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING HILL TOP BAKERY
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-10-19

. Pro Tempore, today I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Hill Top Bakery in Kaukauna. prgtoken For the past 100 years, the Hill Top Bakery in Kaukauna has provided exceptional customer service and delicious, daily made, old-fashioned baked goods for people throughout Wisconsin. Originally a horse stable, their building on 7th and Main in Kaukauna was repurposed into a bakery and opened in 1923, where it still remains to this day. To say baking runs in the family is an understatement. Mark and Lynn Engel have owned and operated the location for nearly 30 years after they took it over from Lynn's parents, Harry and Diane Wirth, who ran the Bakery for the previous 26 years. The family's commitment to outstanding service and quality products for more than 50 years has made Hill Top Bakery a staple in Northeast Wisconsin. prgtoken In addition to offering delicious baked goods for people throughout Northeast Wisconsin, Hill Top Bakery is known for its unwavering support of Kaukauna and the greater Fox Valley community. The Bakery has donated goods to organizations like Project Purpose, a collaborative mural experience that centers around students in Special Education at Appleton East High School. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Bakery donates a portion of its proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I commend the dedication and unwavering support that the Hill Top Bakery team has shown to our community. prgtoken 100 years in operation is no small feat and at Hill Top Bakery they have the perfect recipe for success, incredible people, a Northeast Wisconsin work ethic, and generations of family recipes that have been acquired over the last century. From their famous peanut squares to their cherry chip cookies, Hill Top Bakery provides top-notch baked goods to the people of Wisconsin. It is evident due to their continued success that the Hill Top Bakery is committed to providing homemade, authentic, and old-fashioned bakery items for people throughout Northeast Wisconsin, all the while making our community a better place. prgtoken I invite all members of this body to join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Hill Top Bakery. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Mark and Lynn Engel and the entire Hill Top Bakery team on this remarkable milestone and wish them continued success for years to come.
DECLARATION OF MURDER
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-10-19

. Pro Tempore, enemies of civilization are gruesomely bold and clear on their murderous intentions. A heinously revealing declaration of their barbaric intentions by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is detailed in the Hamas Covenant of August 18, 1988. prgtoken In the midst of insane provisions is Article 7: ``The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: `O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.'' prgtoken The goal of Hamas, financed by Iran, is murder of Jews worldwide. It is fake news they care about the Palestinian people. This is not about territory. Suffering by the Hamas-oppressed people of Gaza is solely Hamas-dictated, and a two-state solution without non-terrorist domination is not possible. prgtoken Hamas and also Hezbollah is Iran in a war we did not choose between Dictators With Rule of Gun attacking Democracies With Rule of Law. Active war began with war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and led to the Hamas invasion of Israel on Putin's birthday, October 7th. prgtoken Bold and clear are the dictators with Putin's treatise of July 2021 that Ukraine does not exist. The Chinese Communist Party threatens Taiwan does not exist, and Iran chants in English, ``Death to Israel, Death to America.'' prgtoken Democracies will prevail building Peace Through Strength.
LIVING SPRING HARRISBURG CHURCH
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-10-19

. Pro Tempore, I'm honored to recognize Living Spring burg Church, a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, as it celebrates 20 years of Christian ministry on November 4, 2023. prgtoken The Living Spring congregation was founded on November 2, 2003, under the distinguished leadership of Senior Pastor Tunde Oyelowo and his wife, Pastor Yinka Oyelowo. The Church, over the past two decades, has inspired faith, community service, and spiritual enlightenment. Its incredible growth from 8 to 500 members now represents 33 nations and a unique array of lingual and ethnic communities throughout South Central Pennsylvania. prgtoken The Church's vision of transforming lives, empowering people, and impacting communities is carried out through its 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art International Center, accompanied by 8 flourishing local churches that extend to Lancaster, Lebanon, York, and Carlisle. The Church's reach, impact, and inspiration of unity and communal growth is yet another sign of God's enduring faithfulness and blessings. prgtoken Pro Tempore, on behalf of the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I'm honored and humbled to recognize Living Spring burg Church and 2 decades of success. Living Spring's cultivation of moral values, charitable activity, and community faith is truly the epitome of God's work, and I wish its community continued great health, happiness, prosperity, and success for many years to come.
RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 555TH CIVIL ENGINEERING SQUADRON, KNOWN AS "TRIPLE NICKEL," RED HORSE UNIT
Pete Sessions (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-10-19

. Pro Tempore, it is my privilege to recognize and honor the United States Air Force 555th Civil Engineering Squadron, ``Triple Nickel,'' as one of the original RED HORSE units for their distinguished service and commendable achievements during the Vietnam War. prgtoken In the thick of the Vietnam War, on October 1, 1965, the U.S. Air Force activated the first RED HORSE squadrons, notably the 555th and 554th Civil Engineering Squadrons (CES), which would soon earn their nicknames, ``Triple Nickel'' and ``Penny Short,'' respectively. Initially designated as ``Prime BEEF Heavy Repair'' units, these squadrons quickly distinguished themselves, prompting leaders to coin the term ``RED HORSE,'' an acronym for Rapid Engineer Deployable, Heavy Operations Repair Squadron--Engineering. Their mission was crucial--to establish a long-term civil engineering presence and provide major repair capabilities in the combat zones of Southeast Asia. prgtoken The deployment of RED HORSE units was a strategic move at a critical juncture in the war when the demands on Army and Navy construction units far exceeded their capacity. With the Army and Navy construction forces fully engaged, RED HORSE units emerged to fill the need. Upon deployment to Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam, the Triple Nickel unit immediately began operations by hitting the beach with supplies and heavy equipment. prgtoken Civil engineer units from across the United States were assigned to various Air Force installations throughout Vietnam, including Cam Ranh, with some of the most distinguished officers and airmen being selected for RED HORSE duty. The 1969 roster that served in the 555th CES was composed of four hundred civil engineer personnel, arriving in Vietnam at the height of the war and responding to urgent infrastructural needs following the Tet Offensive of 1968. which delivered damaging blows to American installations up and down the peninsula. prgtoken Cam Rahn Air Base required significant infrastructure to sustain the war effort--from paved landing strips to dormitory housing for the troops. Triple Nickel not only repaired and constructed new facilities on Cam Ranh Air Base but also saw action at various American and Vietnam installations throughout the peninsula--from the Delta to the DMZ. In Vietnam, over two thousand RED HORSE troops deployed annually where they built both horizontal and vertical facilities to support the Air Force's mission and engaged in numerous humanitarian projects for local communities. prgtoken As the Vietnam War began to wind down in the early 1970s there were calls to deactivate units that had been formed during the war. However, thanks to the foresight of certain military and Congressional leaders who recognized the inherent value RED HORSE provides to the Air Force in both peace and war, multiple units remain in National Guard and Reserve organizations. prgtoken In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the bonds formed d
HONORING THE LIFE OF DAVID NIXON
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-10-19

. Pro Tempore, I rise to honor the life of David Nixon, who passed away on October 1, 2023, at the age of 64 after a courageous seven year battle with cancer. prgtoken Growing up in Roanoke, David and I first crossed paths in high school when we were on opposite sides of a political battle. He went to Glenvar High School, and I went to Andrew Lewis High School. Throughout the political debate to name the new high school in Salem, David always presented his views in a calm, honest manner. I knew from that experience that I had met a man of honor. prgtoken I often think of the Abraham Lincoln quote when thinking of David, ``the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.'' Instead of vilifying each other, we got to know each other and came to have deep respect for one another. prgtoken It is remarkable to me how much our lives mirrored one another. After attending Roanoke College and Wake Forest University law school, he returned home to practice law, as I did to Salem after attending law school. He served as Chairman of the Roanoke City Committee while I was Chairman of the Salem Committee. I am thankful that he was a strong supporter of my many political campaigns over the years. prgtoken During his life he was appointed Escheator by Governor Allen for Roanoke City, 1994, for 23rd Judicial District, 2001. He also served as Vice President of Legal Affairs, Blue Ridge Housing Development Corporation; Chairman, Roanoke City Fair Housing Board; and Member, Roanoke City Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Board. prgtoken A devout member of New Century Church in Roanoke, Virginia, David served many years as a volunteer greeter. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2016, David used his remaining years to grow closer to Christ, finding peace and joy in his diagnosis. prgtoken David is survived by his son Kirk Nixon (Darlene Smith) and granddaughter Ella Nixon; daughter Jessica (Nick Blandy), grandchildren Finn and Declan Blandy; siblings, Carolyn ``Kack'' Lynch, John, and Debbie Nixon; twin sister, Denise ``Cee'' and Alan Campbell; as well as many nieces, nephews, prgtoken great-nieces, and great-nephews; and, his many friends, some of whom David considered like family. I pray for all of his loved ones during this difficult time. prgtoken David was a good and a good Christian. He loved his family and friends deeply and lived his last days to the fullest, despite his diagnosis. prgtoken I, and many others, will greatly miss him.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF KENNETH A. MILLS
Andy Kim (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-10-20

. Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the life and selfless service of Kenneth A. Mills, a U.S. Army veteran who bravely served during the Korean War and passed earlier in October. prgtoken A beloved member of our Evesham community, many knew Ken as a person that was deeply committed to family, his community, prgtoken and our country. After graduating high school, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was later stationed in Korea and served there for 3 years. After his honorable discharge in 1955, Ken's service was highly honored, as he earned two Bronze Stars, the Korean War Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. prgtoken Beyond his service to our country, Ken went above and beyond in his personal and professional life to care for those around him. While starting a family of his own in Rockwood, Michigan, with his wife, Betty, Ken also started his career as a union representative, before eventually transitioning into a long, accomplished tenure in Human Resources. Eventually stepping up as the Director of Human Resources for Allied Signal, Ken became a strong leader of their department, working on behalf of the people, and traveling across the country before eventually settling in Marlton, New Jersey. prgtoken It was in Marlton that Ken became a dedicated member of the St. Joan of Arc parish, our local government, and the town watch. Through his involvement across multiple organizations, he took every opportunity to facilitate projects to make our community a better, safer place. Most recently, he focused his vision on the Evesham Township Veterans Wall of Honor in the Evesham Township Municipal Building. Ken played a vital role in the `Coffee with a Vet' program as well as the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. prgtoken No matter the task--big or small--Ken proved every day that he was a deep believer that it was always possible for each person to create positive change in their community. Even beyond Evesham's borders, he dedicated his time as the President of the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, uplifting kids and young adults across the area. I know Ken will have the lasting memory of being a friendly face around town, often riding his lawn mower through the neighborhood with a warm smile and helping hand for whomever may need one. prgtoken We were lucky to have Ken as a member of our community. He was a beloved husband, father, and neighbor. My heart goes out to his entire family, his friends, and for anyone who knew him and grieving his loss. Though he will be deeply missed, I am sure his legacy will live on for years to come through his positive impacts on all our lives.
HONORING TOM SKILLING FOR A REMARKABLE 45-YEAR CAREER
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-10-20

. Pro Tempore, I rise today along with my colleague, Representative Mike Quigley, to celebrate one of Chicagoland's very own, legendary meteorologist Tom Skilling, and his 45-year career as a beloved presence on our local airwaves as he embarks on his well-deserved retirement. prgtoken As the longtime chief meteorologist for WGN-TV, Tom Skilling has been one of the most trusted figures on television screens throughout the Chicago area for decades, expertly and calmly explaining the region's often unpredictable weather situations for generations of viewers. prgtoken I am especially proud to say that Tom Skilling is an Aurora, Illinois native, and a proud graduate of West Aurora High School. After completing his studies at the University of Wisconsin, Tom worked briefly on local television stations in Madison and Milwaukee before landing at WGN-TV, where he quickly became a daily fixture in households throughout Chicago and the suburbs. prgtoken Those of us who know Tom and have worked with him over the course of his career know how passionate he is about his work and how talented he is at communicating often complex scientific data to people of all ages and backgrounds. But his greatest strength is the kindness with which he treats everyone he interacts with; he is always ready to greet a fan with a warm smile and meaningful conversation. prgtoken Pro Tempore, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Tom Skilling and his decades of service to the Chicagoland community and offer him our most sincere best wishes on the next chapter of his life.
HONORING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF CARTHAGE, TEXAS
Nathaniel Moran (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-10-20

. Pro Tempore, I rise today to recognize the 175th anniversary of Carthage, Texas. prgtoken Carthage, a vibrant and historic city nestled in the heart of East Texas, is celebrating its 175th anniversary on November 11, 2023. This remarkable milestone is a testament to the resilience, spirit, and rich heritage that has shaped the community of Carthage over the years. prgtoken Since its founding in 1848, Carthage has grown from a humble settlement to a thriving city that stands as a beacon of progress and unity. The city's commitment to fostering a strong sense of community and preserving its unique heritage is truly commendable. prgtoken Carthage stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision and a commitment to excellence. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating the 175th anniversary of Carthage's founding. Congratulations to Carthage on this momentous milestone. May the next 175 years be filled with continued growth, prosperity, and community pride. Happy anniversary, Carthage.
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-10-20

. pro tempore, I rise to nominate Jim Jordan for the of the House. prgtoken I have listened to the speeches this week, and I can already tell you what my friends on the other side will say, using their poll-tested phrases, but let me correct the record. Jim Jordan is an effective legislator. prgtoken To legislate is about more than the name on the bill. It is about reaching compromise and working long hours behind the scenes to get the job done. prgtoken When you are the chairman of a committee, you are responsible for dozens of bills passing the House and being signed into law. prgtoken Let me tell you a few facts that don't come out in the polls. As the leader of the Judiciary Committee, Jim has passed more bills through the House in just 3 years than the entire leadership team that has a collective 28 years in Congress. prgtoken Mr. Aguilar has a whopping one whole bill signed into law; a post office in San Bernardino. I guess that is good enough to be Caucus chair. Jim Jordan, on the other hand, had a hand in drafting bills like the REINS Act to curb unaccountable bureaucrats. He helped negotiate and pass H.R. 2, the strongest border security bill this House has ever passed. prgtoken Many of you know because you were in the room watching Jim find compromise, watching Jim listen to your positions and finding a bill that can pass. prgtoken Let's put this in reality. We have had large majorities, but we never could pass a border security bill. That takes leadership. prgtoken They are going to get upset by it. Why? Because every single voted against securing our border. are attacking Jim because they don't want the American people to remember that they voted against securing and keeping a wide-open border. prgtoken They may not want the American public to know the number of people we catch on the terrorist watch list. They may not want people to know what the future holds for the security of our Nation based upon their policies. prgtoken Name me one bill passed that would secure our border. I am waiting. You can't because they haven't. prgtoken pro tempore, the truth is, if we measure lawmakers by how many bills have their names on it, we are using the wrong measuring stick. prgtoken Some of the Members I know with the most bills to their name are the most selfish. Jim Jordan, on the other hand, is one of the most selfless Members I know. prgtoken I have known Jim a long time, and I wanted to do something different. I actually called the freshmen members on his committee and asked them: What do you think of your chairman? prgtoken Here are just a few examples of what they said: Jim empowers every member of the Judiciary Committee to pursue what interests them. prgtoken Here is another: He lets each of us take the lead on the issues that are important to us, even letting freshmen and junior members take important roles. prgtoken Here is another: He trusts our judgment on ho
Nomination of Jessica Looman (Executive Session)
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-10-24

I rise today in support of Jessica Looman to be Administrator for the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor. And I want my Senate colleagues to know a little bit about Jessica, whom I have had the opportunity to know well and to work with since 2011. prgtoken Jessica is from St. Paul, MN. She has worked as an attorney and advocate, as a labor leader heading the Minnesota building trades, as a public sector leader, and as a lifelong champion for workers. And in all her roles, Jessica has earned the reputation for being thoughtful and innovative and fair. She is respected for her skill leading large, complex organizations and getting results and working productively with diverse groups of people to find good solutions and common ground. prgtoken Before I was Minnesota's Senator and Lieutenant Governor, I served as chief of staff for the Governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton. And when we needed a leader who was trusted both by business and by labor to be a leader at Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry, we selected Jessica, who served both as assistant commissioner and also as deputy commissioner. And Jessica impressed me and everyone with her leadership, her competence, and her commitment to fairly and diligently enforcing the law. prgtoken She led Minnesota's efforts to ensure safe, fair, and healthy workplaces and labor standards. And she led our effort to expand apprenticeships. Jessica was respected by business and labor alike for her commitment to establishing reasonable, effective workplace rules and regulations. prgtoken A couple of years later, when we needed a strong leader to take on Minnesota's Department of Commerce, Jessica was our first pick. In that role, she again showed her skill as an executive leader, leading successful statewide initiatives and growing Minnesota's clean energy jobs. So I have no doubt that Jessica will be a fair and pragmatic Administrator for the Wage and Hour Division, which is responsible for enforcing some of our Nation's most important laws governing minimum wage and overtime pay and child labor standards. prgtoken As Administrator, Jessica will have direct impact protecting the interest of hard-working Americans, like the waitress whose boss is stealing her tips, or the building trades' carpenter or laborer who has the right to earn the prevailing wage on Federal projects so that they can support their families, or the worker who isn't being paid for the overtime hours that they have worked. Ms. Looman's values are rooted in fairness and the promise that all work has dignity and should be respected. prgtoken One of the things that I have learned in my time in public service is that, if you understand both sides of an argument and you really listen, you can usually find a solution that works. Jessica exemplifies this approach. In all of the years that I have worked closely with her, she always approaches issues with that keen desire to un