mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Susan Combs (Executive Calendar)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2019-6-5

I have come to the floor to speak in strong support of the nomination of Ms. Susan Combs, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget at the Department of the Interior. prgtoken This is one of five Assistant Secretary positions at Interior, and, as the title suggests, it is critical to the Department's ability to function. The individual who holds this position is responsible for overseeing everything from the annual budget request to financial management, procurement, and policy and program analysis. prgtoken The President's nominee, Susan Combs, is very well qualified. She has previously served as a State representative, as agriculture commissioner, and as comptroller in her home State of Texas. Over the years, Ms. Combs has worked extensively with the Department of the Interior, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has helped her gain substantive expertise about a range of issues that she will face in her new role. prgtoken My only wish is that we could have confirmed Ms. Combs long ago. Instead, due to holds and delays here on the Senate floor, she ultimately had to be reported from the Energy and Natural Resources committee on three separate occasions--in 2017, in 2018, and again this year. She is not controversial. Each time, we reported her with bipartisan support. But she has now been forced to wait for a total of nearly 700 days for confirmation, meaning she will have held up for longer than she will be able to serve, at least in the current term. prgtoken I appreciate Ms. Combs' willingness to serve our country. I appreciate her patience over the course of nearly 2 full years, which is testament to just how broken the nominations process had become, and her commitment to see this through. I also thank Leader McConnell for scheduling this vote and encourage every Member of this Chamber to vote in favor of confirmation.
RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOWELL OBSERVATORY
Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , on May 28, 1894 Percival Lowell arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona Territory and officially began operations at his new astronomical observatory. This was one of the first permanent scientific establishments in the western United States and one of the most storied centers for scientific research and outreach in the world. As we celebrate Lowell Observatory's 125th anniversary this year, we not only look back to honor its rich heritage, but also look ahead to a future in which the sky is not the limit but the starting point. prgtoken Percival Lowell was the scion of a Boston Brahmin clan steeped in the traditions of public service and community leadership. His siblings alone included brother Abbott Lawrence, president of Harvard University for 24 years, and Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet Amy. Percival Lowell established his observatory initially to study Mars and the possibility of intelligent life there. He transcended science into pop culture by writing several popular books and lecturing widely. His provocative ideas triggered much discussion and debate--both within and outside of scientific circles--about extraterrestrial life. This standard set by Lowell to not only carry out research but to share the wonder and awe of space with the public led to the observatory's dual mission of research and education. prgtoken Some significant contributions made at Lowell Observatory: prgtoken V.M. Slipher detected the first evidence of the expanding universe in 1912. prgtoken Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. prgtoken At the urging of Lowell scientists, Flagstaff enacted the world's first dark skies ordinance in 1958. This laid the path for future regulations that culminated in the community's designation as the first International Dark Sky City, in 2001. prgtoken Flagstaff continues to serve as a model for dark skies protection. prgtoken The second class of astronauts, the so-called ``Next Nine'' that included Neil Armstrong, and Jim Lovell, visited Lowell Observatory in 1963 to learn about the lunar mapping efforts going on here. This was part of a training exercise in northern Arizona that proved an important step in preparing the astronauts for their missions to the Moon. prgtoken A team of scientists, including many from Lowell, discovered the rings of Uranus in 1977. prgtoken Using observations with several research instruments, including Lowell Observatory's Perkins Telescope, Vera Rubin and Kent Ford confirmed the existence of dark; matter in 1978. prgtoken A team of scientists, including many from Lowell, discovered Pluto's atmosphere in 1988. prgtoken Lowell scientist Will Grundy served as a team leader on the New Horizons mission's 2015 exploration of Pluto. This mission returned stunning images of the only planet in our solar system discovered in the United States. prgtoken Today, scientists at Lowell use a variety of ground-and space-based instruments for research--including Lowell Observatory's flagship
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MRS. NANNIE E. WILKINS
Salud O. Carbajal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , today I rise to celebrate the life of Mrs. Nannie E. Wilkins, a matriarch of CA-24's NAACP Chapter. Mrs. Wilkins was described as ``a social justice and human and civil rights champion,'' because of her hard work fighting for equal rights in the Central Coast. prgtoken Nannie Elizabeth Browning was born in Mebane, North Carolina on March 13, 1927 to John Henry Browning and Annie Pearl Richmond. As a young woman, she studied at North Carolina AT&T and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Commercial Education--an extraordinary accomplishment for women of color at the time. In 1951, Nannie E. Browning married Smiley Edward Wilkins, a member of the U.S. Air Force. Nannie was an ambitious go-getter; she encouraged Smiley to become an officer and used her education and fiscal know-how to raise and run the family. prgtoken In 1972, after Smiley retired from the military, the Wilkins family moved to Lompoc, where Nannie continued her life in community and public service. She selflessly served as a hospice volunteer and on the Executive Committee of the Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for more than forty-three years. prgtoken Alongside her husband, former President of the NAACP, she tackled race-based discrimination in their community. She was a Silver Life and Golden Heritage member of the NAACP, serving as the Communication, Press & Publicity Chair. Among her valiant strides towards justice, she also served as a Diaconate at the Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ for thirty years and was a dedicated member of Lompoc Alpha Club for twenty-five years. prgtoken Nannie passed away on May 9, 2019 at her home in Lompoc, California at the age of ninety-two. Her soul and legacy as a Civil Rights champion lives on in her loving family, her friends, and every community member liberated and inspired by her courageous efforts. prgtoken Madam , I am honored to join the nation and the Wilkins Family in celebrating the special life of Nannie Elizabeth Wilkins.
RECOGNIZING MS. YNETTE LOPEZ OF PIPER HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , I rise today to honor Ms. Ynette Lopez, a student at Piper High School and Class of 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. This remarkable young lady has a current weighted GPA of 3.4, while taking a rigorous schedule of all Honors classes. Additionally, she is passionate about her extracurricular activities, hobbies, and volunteer work. She is a six-year professional clarinetist and currently occupies the 1st chair position with the Bengal Band of Pride. prgtoken Ynette has volunteered at the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2017. Her father is a disabled veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder. Growing up and learning so much about his disability, she was inspired to give back in the best way possible. She has accrued more than 200 hours of volunteer work in her many different capacities. Ynette has gained valuable experience by scheduling appointments, communicating with others, and delivering important documents to various offices at the Broward County Veterans Hospital. prgtoken She is currently preparing to take the next step in her future and will apply early admission in November of this year. Ynette plans to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, where she will study Sociology with a Psychology minor. Ynette's persistence, dedication, and ambition has carried her far and I wish her much success in the future.
IN RECOGNITION OF PETER J. MURDOCK'S LIFE AND LEGACY
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Peter J. Murdock's lifetime of service. Mr. Murdock passed away on May 4, 2019 which greatly saddened our community. His lifetime of service to the Ypsilanti community is worthy of commendation. prgtoken Mr. Murdock was a fixture of the Ypsilanti community. He moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts in the 1960s. Immediately after arriving, he became involved with the Ypsilanti Tenants' Union. He was employed at Motor Wheel and the Ford Rawsonville plant and was a key member of the local UAW chapter. For the remainder of his career, Mr. Murdock worked with the Ypsilanti Recycling Project and Recycle Ann Arbor. Mr. Murdock was elected to the Ypsilanti City Council from 1978 to 1982 and became the Mayor of the City of Ypsilanti in 1982 where he served for three consecutive terms. After his tenure as Mayor, he returned to the Ypsilanti City Council from 1991 until 1993, and from 2008 until his passing. During that time, he attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1996. prgtoken Mr. Murdock and his wife Grace Sweeney were dedicated to historical preservation, founding the Ypsilanti East Side Neighborhood Association and supporting the revitalization of Depot Town. He was a champion for the environment, supporting solar power, crafting plans for city-wide recycling, invigorating community parks, and promoting sustainability. During his over 25-year tenure in Ypsilanti government he implemented policies that have positively affected the lives of all Ypsilanti residents. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the legacy of Peter J. Murdock and his lifetime of service. We are truly grateful for his numerous contributions to the Ypsilanti community and to the County of Washtenaw. He will be dearly missed.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ATTORNEY JENNIFER ASHLEY MITCHELL- CARTER
Cedric L. Richmond (Democrat, LA) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , I rise to honor the life and legacy of Attorney Jennifer Ashley Mitchell-Carter, a Louisiana-licensed attorney and a founding partner at Pearson & Mitchell, LLC. Mrs. Mitchell-Carter passed away on Monday, May 27, 2019 at the age of 34. prgtoken Mrs. Mitchell-Carter was born and reared in Shreveport, Louisiana where she graduated from Caddo Parish Magnet High School in 2003. In 2007, she graduated with honors from Louisiana State University College of Arts and Sciences where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science. Two years later she became a certified mediator by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. In 2011, she went on to earn a master's degree in political science from Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and a Jurist Doctorate from Southern University Law Center. prgtoken During her career in state government, Mrs. Mitchell-Carter served as the attorney for the Louisiana State Senate's Senate and Government Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Women and Children, and as support staff for the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus. Moreover, she was the youngest Executive Director of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Executive Director of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. prgtoken Mrs. Mitchell-Carter was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc the American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, and Louis A. Martinet Legal Society. prgtoken Mrs. Mitchell-Carter was an integral part of her community and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all the members of the community who felt a special connection with her. Her legacy will live on through the many people and organizations she supported in our great state. prgtoken Madam , I celebrate the life and legacy of Attorney Jennifer Ashley Mitchell-Carter.
AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-6-6

I include in the Record the following letter in support of H.R. 6, The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities (AJCU), May 31, 2019. Hon. Henry Cuellar, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Cuellar: I write to you, an alum of one of our nation's Jesuit colleges and universities, in support of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, as it was amended by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month. This is important legislation that clearly reflects the values of Jesuit institutions across the country. The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) stated in 2016: ``Grounded in our Catholic and Jesuit mission, we are guided by our commitment to uphold the dignity of every person, to work for the common good of our nation, and to promote a living faith that works for justice. We see our work of teaching, scholarship and the formation of minds and spirits as a sacred trust. That calls us to labor for solidarity among all people, and especially with and for the poor and marginalized in our society. That trust calls us to embrace the entire human family, regardless of their immigration status or religious allegiance. And experience has shown us that our communities are immeasurably enriched by the presence, intelligence and contributions of undocumented students, as well as of faculty and staff of every color and from every faith tradition.'' That statement went on to reaffirm our commitment to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Likewise, its principles lead us to strongly support passage of H.R. 6, which would finally provide lawful permanent resident status, and a pathway toward citizenship for the Dreamers who are very much a part of Jesuit campus communities across the nation. The presence of those young people on our campuses has enabled us to come to know and admire them. They have long considered the United States their home and, in fact, many of them have hardly any recollections of the countries where they were born. These individuals are pursuing or have successfully completed at least two years of higher education, served in our military or been steadily employed. Simply put, we cannot imagine not wanting these individuals to remain a part of our country. Under provisions of H.R. 6, those who qualify for the program cannot have committed a felony or other serious crimes and can pose no threat to national security or public safety. These individuals are contributing to our society and our economy. They work and pay t
HONORING NADINE WHITTED, RETIRED COMMUNITY BOARD 4 DISTRICT MANAGER AT SHAPE UP BUSHWICK 14TH ANNUAL PARADE
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Nadine Whitted, life-time resident of the wick community and former Brooklyn Community Board 4 District Manager. Ms. Whitted retired in 2016 but her leadership and advocacy efforts continue today. She is considered a model civil servant by her community and colleagues in government. Her career spans an impressive 30 years of public service. prgtoken Born in Brooklyn, New York, Nadine is the second child born to Rose Rucker and Emerson Whitted. According to her family, Nadine exemplified leadership qualities and an interest for public service at a young age. In 1977 during the New York City fiscal crisis, Ms. Whitted was hired as an Administrative Aide for Community Board 4 approximately three days prior to the Black Out of July 1977. This event detrimentally impacted the quality of life, infrastructure and wick's economic development for decades. Ms. Whitted was determined to be part of her neighborhood's revitalization. prgtoken Within two years she was promoted to the position of Assistant District Manager, under this new role she strengthened her skills and diligently fostered relationships with city agencies, elected officials and stakeholders to help craft a community led revitalization project. The neighborhood's distinction as the poorest community district in the city fueled Ms. Whitted. Her efforts resulted in her promotion to District Manager in 1986. From 1986 to 2016 she served as District Manager with distinction. Her effective management skills and leadership were instrumental in the success of major projects ranging from the delivery of essential services, street lighting along commercial corridors and the development of large scale affordable housing and open space. prgtoken Nadine Whitted remains a champion of the wick, Brooklyn community. I thank her for dedication and decades of public service. It is my honor to recognize her on this special occasion of the Shape Up wick 14th Annual Parade.
IN HONOR OF STEVE AND BECKY RIGGLE
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , today I rise in recognition of Steve and Becky Riggle's 50th wedding anniversary. Together, this couple has been a blessing to the Houston area. I am proud to call them my friends and recognize this significant milestone in their lives. prgtoken Now a seasoned pastor, Steve first became a licensed minister in 1969. Steve and Becky later joined Grace International Churches and Ministries, eventually starting a church in Livermore, California. For almost a decade they proudly served their church and grew the ministry into the largest Protestant church in the city--a truly incredible accomplishment. prgtoken After years of teaching others about God's mercy, Steve and Becky experienced it first hand. While ministering at a remote prison in the Philippines in 1978, they were attacked and held hostage by four prisoners. The situation escalated when Steve was stabbed seven times and Becky was shot and stabbed multiple times along her arms. Miraculously, through God's grace, the couple was able to leave the hospital and head back to California in just 18 days after the near fatal assault. Becky subsequently had five major surgeries, spent nine months in a body cast, and nine more learning how to walk again. As harrowing as this event was, Steve and Becky held steadfast in their faith, and have since praised God for his mercy for helping them survive and continue to serve. prgtoken Fortunately, for our community, the Riggle family made their way to the Lone Star State in 1983, where they started the Grace Community Church in Houston, Texas. After many years of growth, Grace Community Church now has four thriving campuses and is the church home to over 17,000 devoted individuals. prgtoken Steve currently holds the title of Founding Pastor at Grace, and serves as the Senior Pastor at the Grace Woodland's campus. Steve's service to our community does not stop at the pulpit. He also sits on the executive team of the Houston Area's Pastor Council, is a Board member of The King's University, and currently serves as the President of Grace International--a group of 3,500 churches with ministries in over 100 nations. Becky is also incredibly active in our community, and leads a local women's ministry and bible study. A gifted motivational speaker, she speaks at a variety of conferences for women, both across the country and internationally. prgtoken Steve and Becky's work has truly made our region a better place for the next generation. They have touched the hearts and lives of so many throughout the world. I believe--and I know Steve and Becky would agree--that their greatest accomplishment is their wonderful family, which includes two children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. I am proud to join their family, colleagues, and friends in congratulating them on their golden anniversary. I wish Steve and Becky all the best and here's to many more happy years together.
HONORING STAFF SERGEANT ARNOLD RAYMOND LAMBERT AND HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2019-6-6

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D- prgtoken Day and honor Staff Sergeant Arnold Raymond ``Ray'' Lambert, a World War II veteran and Moore County constituent. prgtoken There are American heroes, and then there are American giants. Ray-- along with other men and women of the Greatest Generation--is a giant. At 98-years-old, he is one of the few surviving warriors who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. prgtoken Seventy-five years ago, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a heavily fortified French coastline and established a foot-hold in Nazi-occupied France--though that one sentence hardly does the invasion any justice. D-Day was a major turning point in WWII and the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. prgtoken Ray served as a medic in the 16th Infantry Regiment of the army's storied First Division, the ``Big Red One.'' Facing intense fire from German forces, his medical unit landed with the first assault wave at Omaha Beach. Soldiers were killed and wounded all around him, and Ray pressed on--rescuing troops from drowning, attending to countless wounds, hauling soldiers to safety, and always serving his fellow men in uniform. He was wounded and in immense pain himself, but he persevered after giving himself a shot of morphine. That's incredible and selfless service at its finest. prgtoken Ray sacrificed on that beach. He saved countless men on that beach. And he never once gave up. After breaking his back and losing consciousness, he was picked up and evacuated by a landing craft. On that same landing craft was another heroic medic who was wounded--his brother, Bill. They were taken to safety in England and began the long journey back home and to recovery. prgtoken Before Normandy, Ray served in North Africa with the Big Red One and earned his first Silver Star for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire in 1943. He continued to risk his life to save his fellow men in uniform, next in Sicily. A Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star recipient, Ray continues to serve our country and our community and he recently published a memoir titled ``Every Man a Hero.'' prgtoken I admire Ray not only for his service, but also for his desire to memorialize his fallen comrades and his efforts to pass on the great values of his generation. As he said recently, ``Perhaps they should teach a little more in schools about World War II and how the generation at that time, my generation, loved the country and respected the flag and was willing to fight for our families and our country.'' I agree and believe every generation owes an enormous debt to Ray and the Greatest Generation. prgtoken I applaud Ray for his tremendous service, and I thank him for his courageous and selfless actions. I am so proud to represent him in Congress, and I wish him and his wife Barbara and their family all the best. prgtoken Madam , please join me today in honoring Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert and his service to o