mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF PASTOR PHILLIP AQUILLA BROOKS, II
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-5-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Pastor Phillip Aquilla Brooks, II, a man who dedicated his life to public service and to his church community for nearly seven decades. prgtoken Pastor Brooks was born on December 21, 1931, after his older brothers, Jesse and Cecil, and followed by his little sister, Barbara Jean. In 1949, he moved from Chicago, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, to pursue his religious calling and after meeting the love of his life. Phillip Brooks married Doris Brooks on February 2, 1952, and they enjoyed an astounding 68 years of marriage. With his wife and his mother-in-law, Pastor Brooks established the New St. Paul Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ in Detroit, which he would go on to lead for 66 incredible years. prgtoken Under Pastor Brooks' guiding hand, the New St. Paul Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ grew in both membership and expanded its evangelical reach. Pastor Brooks purchased the church's first building in April 1969. He later established the March of Faith Telecast and Radio Ministry, which operated for more than four decades, and ministered to millions across the nation in homes, hospital rooms, and prisons. Adding to an already impressive career of service, Pastor Brooks was consecrated Jurisdictional prelate of the Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction in 1975 following a recommendation by his mentor, the late Pastor C.J. Johnson, Sr. He served 45 years as jurisdictional prelate-- the longest serving Pastor in both the Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction and in the history of the Church of God in Christ in Michigan. In 1984, Pastor Brooks was once again recognized for his service and elected to the General Board of the Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, where he served for 36 years. His tenure on the Presidium was the longest of any Board Member, past or present, and he held multiple leadership positions with grace. prgtoken Pastor Brooks' service did not end at the Michigan border. He spearheaded and assisted in raising funds for people affected by the 9/ 11 World Trade Center terrorist attack in New York and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Additionally, he also established the nation's first Blue Cross/Blue Shield Program for local pastors, which created the first life insurance programs for local pastors and their spouses. Pastor Brooks was also the first African-American pastor to broadcast on television in Detroit, Michigan--a broadcast that aired on WGPR 62, the first Black-owned television station in the country. prgtoken Pastor Brooks will be sorely missed, but his decades of service in the Church of God in Christ in Michigan will never be forgotten.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF STEWART GREGG, SENIOR COUNSEL TO ALLIANZ LIFE UPON HIS RETIREMENT
Dean Phillips (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-5-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor and recognize the retirement of Stewart Gregg, Senior Securities Counsel at the Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America following a legal career of almost 35 years including the last 20 with Allianz. prgtoken Allianz Life, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, is one of the largest writers of annuities in the United States. Mr. Gregg is currently the company's leading attorney regarding variable insurance products and has in the past led the General Counsel's team for all of the firm's securities business, focusing on the development of annuity products which offer lifetime protection for individuals and couples who seek to ensure that they can both enjoy their retirement years, and leave something to their heirs upon their passing. prgtoken Stewart has achieved recognition as a leading expert on U.S. federal securities laws and has represented Allianz Life as a witness before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and individual state insurance departments across the country. His knowledge and passion to do that which is right for Allianz Life's clients and to protect their needs deserves praise as does the education that he provided to regulators on complicated issues, which greatly helped them successfully understand and regulate annuities. prgtoken A graduate of the University of Iowa, Mr. Gregg received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota and his Masters of Law in Corporate, Finance, and Securities from New York University. Early in his career he spent two years working at the General Counsel's office of the Securities and Exchange Commission where he provided legal counsel on more than 170 enforcement cases. prgtoken Stewart and his wife, Kristine, live in Minneapolis and have two adult children, Chamberlin and Ada. He is an avid gardener and household chef who is also a wine connoisseur and coin collector. Stewart is also doing his part to support the newspaper industry as he reads at least three papers a day and is an expert on any range of subjects that emanate from his prodigious memory. prgtoken Stewart's friends and colleagues say that his kindness comes across in all aspects of his life, especially in mentoring younger attorneys and other professionals within the Allianz Life family. prgtoken I ask that the Congress praise Stewart Gregg for his professional and personal contributions and for his previous government service. Both he and Kristine enjoy traveling and I hope that the next chapter of his life brings with it good health and happiness that would make more adventures possible.
IN RECOGNITION OF VICKIE THOMAS
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of award-winning journalist Vickie Thomas, a proud daughter of Michigan's 13th Congressional District. prgtoken Ms. Thomas was raised in Highland, Park Michigan and first became interested in journalism as a student at Detroit Henry Ford High School. She went on to graduate with honors, earning her degree in broadcast journalism from Wayne State University. Ms. Thomas is best known in southeast Michigan as the voice of WWJ NewsRadio, where she reported on local news and events. prgtoken Ms. Thomas' work has garnered local and national accolades. She has earned awards from the Detroit Press Foundation, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Associated Press, and the National Association of Black Journalists. Ms. Thomas is a recipient of the national ``Gabriel Award'' from UNDA-USA for the WWJ Black History Month Series ``The African-American Church: The Heart and Soul of Metro Detroit's Black Community.'' She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. prgtoken Please join me in paying tribute to Vickie Thomas's numerous achievements and hard work in bringing news and stories of local interest to the people of southeast Michigan.
HONORING CAMILLE CASTEEL
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , I rise to honor the legacy of Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Camille Casteel, who is retiring after 50 years of service. During her tenure, she touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of students. As a teacher, administrator, and superintendent, Dr. Casteel has been a pillar of our community and a one-of-a-kind leader. She devoted her professional life to ensuring that every student who walks the halls of a Chandler school is provided a quality, equitable, and impactful education--and our entire state is better today because of her leadership. prgtoken A native Arizonan, Dr. Casteel spent her entire career advocating for her students. In 1971, she started as a first-grade teacher when Chandler--mostly a community a farms and ranches-was home to just seven small schools with no air conditioning. Casteel spent the next five decades with CUSD, including 25 years as the district's Superintendent, and under her leadership, CUSD became one of the largest districts in the state. There, Dr. Casteel oversaw the development of 30 new schools to serve the more than 46,000 students who attend Chandler schools every day. prgtoken For 50 years, Dr. Casteel has remained a trailblazer in the Chandler community. She has fought to ensure her students and staff have the tools and resources they need to be successful in the classroom and a safe and caring place to learn. She developed innovative solutions for the challenges that inevitably come with a rapidly growing community and school district-and most recently, she led CUSD through the unprecedented challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Her kindness, compassion, and commitment to excellence will be felt by future generations who pass through the Chandler Unified School District. Because of Dr. Casteel, Chandler's students will continue to receive a comprehensive, quality education that prepares them for ventures beyond their school days. prgtoken Arizona owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. Casteel. Her devotion to strengthening our community's public education system will be felt long after her retirement. In this spirit of gratitude, I rise today to honor the esteemed career of Dr. Camille Casteel and wish her the best in wherever life takes her next.
AMERICA'S STRENGTH LIES IN THE RISE OF PROFILES OF COURAGE WHEN THEY ARE MOST NEEDED
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , I am a proud progressive Texas in the tradition of the late Governor Ann Richards and my predecessors Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland so it may hurt more than help them to say that Congresswoman Liz of Wyoming, the third- ranking in the House, Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 standard-bearer, and President , the last president to amass a popular vote majority, exceed 50 percent in approval ratings, and win reelection all have my undying respect for the manner in which they have stood steadfast in defense of the Constitution, the country, and their principles in the face of brutal, withering, and unwarranted attack by their party's leadership and rank and file. prgtoken All of them have repeatedly rejected and denounced publicly, unequivocally, and fiercely the ``Big Lie'' that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and rife with fraud. They are modern- day profiles in courage. prgtoken They all embody John F. Kennedy's dictum that ``sometimes party loyalty demands too much.'' prgtoken Like many Members of Congress, in the course of my service I have found often that vigorous debate and acceptance of different views, if allowed to be heard, can result in socially transformative and life- affirming legislation, such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. prgtoken Some might think it surprising for a member of an opposing party to go against the convention of non-interference when one's adversary is in the process of inflicting harm upon itself. prgtoken I have chosen to ignore this convention because I am a firm believer in the promise of a more perfect union. prgtoken And I believe in America and its future. prgtoken Our children listen to and absorb what we say and do. prgtoken We cannot let them see the brutalization of voices that are telling the truth about January 6 and the attack on the Citadel of Democracy without defending those voices. prgtoken I believe these persons are patriots and I join them in my affection for the written values of this nation evidenced in our Constitution. prgtoken I am a constitutional patriot who believes , Romney, have put America first. prgtoken Congresswoman , the House Conference Chair, has drawn fire for being unrelenting in her defense of constitutional government and for not backing down one iota from her claim that the domestic insurrection led by terrorists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, for the avowed purpose of disrupting Congress from performing its constitutionally mandated duty to tally the votes cast by presidential electors and announce the results to the nation and the world was the intentional result of 's handiwork: The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his
IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID ELLIOT
Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor David Elliot from Taos, New Mexico. On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, President delivered his first address to a Joint Session of Congress, 100 days into his first term. prgtoken When President took the oath of office, he pledged that help was on the way. Thanks to our work together to enact the American Rescue Plan, help is finally here. prgtoken The hardworking people in New Mexico and all across the country have also shown us what true community looks like. David is one of those community heroes. prgtoken In a typical year, I would invite him to join me in the House Chamber for the Joint Address. COVID-19 safety protocols mean this year's in- person attendance will be limited and we will be watching from our beautiful New Mexico. But I did not want to miss this important opportunity to honor David. prgtoken David's commitment to serving others is inspiring. His work to bring people and organizations together to establish the Enchanted Circle of Community Organizations Active in Disaster is the embodiment of community. The Enchanted Circle COAD helped others in Taos, Colfax, Santa Fe counties and beyond. They have donated millions of dollars directly and in kind to their neighbors. During the initial phases of the COVID-19 response, David also served as the Deputy Director of the NM State Emergency Operations Center. His passion for emergency management has also led him to serve his community as a volunteer firefighter, volunteer Fire Chief, and as Emergency Management Coordinator for Taos and Santa Fe County. prgtoken David pointed out to me that he was honored to view this address as my guest on behalf of the countless New Mexicans, businesses, non- profits, and organizations who donated their time, effort, and money to help New Mexico recover during this extremely difficult time. prgtoken I'm proud to invite him as my virtual guest to the Presidential Address. He truly represents the best that New Mexico has to offer, and I thank him for his selflessness and life-saving work.
INTRODUCTION OF THE COVID-19 MEMORIAL QUILT ACT OF 2021
André Carson (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , I am pleased to reintroduce the COVID-19 Memorial Quilt Act of 2021 to again honor all the victims of this pandemic with a national memorial quilt. prgtoken The horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic have touched every corner of our country, wreaking unprecedented devastation on Americans' lives. As I reintroduce this legislation today, COVID-19 has infected at least 32 million Americans. Tragically, this disease has quickly robbed our country of at least 578,000 of our fellow citizens. We need to remember that these numbers are not just statistics: they are people. They are our moms, dads, children, grandparents, neighbors, teachers, religious leaders and fellow Americans who have been taken from us due to this pandemic. prgtoken Moreover, these numbers do not capture the depth of this disease's devastation. While our television screens are often filled with images of empty streets and packed hospitals, we often don't see the private isolation and loneliness of the individual struggles against COVID-19. In order to slow the spread of this disease, our hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, and businesses have had to impose strict social distancing and protective measures. While necessary for our public health, these restrictions come at a great human cost and deepen the private pain caused by this disease. prgtoken For the thousands of brave patients fighting COVID-19, including the hospitalized patients, nursing home residents, and individuals at home in quarantine, the struggle against COVID-19 is a lonely, scary, and isolating fight. In hospitals and nursing homes, often a patient's only human contact is a health care worker in full personal protective equipment (PPE). Family, friends, and loved ones can't be there to provide comfort, to hold their hands, or to pray with them in this terrifying time. At best, loving words and support might be shared over the telephone or video call. At worst, there is only an isolating silence where prgtoken a loved one should be. These scars need to be acknowledged and hopefully healed. prgtoken The death toll from COVID-19 is even more wrenching. At least 112,000 Americans--whether in the hospital, the nursing home, or at home--have met the end of their lives without the comfort of their family, friends, or loved ones. Yesterday, more than 700 Americans died from this disease, and many were forced to close their eyes without the support of their loved ones nearby. prgtoken In my home state of Indiana, we have lost at least 12,966 Hoosiers to COVID-19 at nursing homes. We also know that African Americans are dying at disproportionate rates from COVID-19. African Americans in Indiana. Institutional racism, compounded by environmental and economic injustices, have made COVID-19 particularly devastating for African Americans. My heart grieves for my fellow Americans who took their last breath, because of this terrible disease, without the loving comfort and support th
IN HONOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S CITY AND TOWN CLERKS
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , I rise today during Municipal and Town Clerks Appreciation Week to honor New Hampshire's City and Town Clerks for the hard work that they do each and every day to ensure our local governments run smoothly and that our citizens get the services they need. prgtoken Municipal clerks deliver important public services and each year interact with hundreds of members of their community. Whether maintaining public records, registering motor vehicles, licensing dogs and other pets, or administering local elections, chances are you've relied on your local clerk more than once in the last year and on countless occasions throughout your life. prgtoken During this pandemic, we've asked city and town clerks to go above and beyond under incredibly difficult circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic necessarily shut down many aspects of society in order to keep our families and communities safe. But the work of a clerk must continue to ensure that citizens are served and that the wheels of local government continue to move forward. prgtoken Administering an election in the best of times is incredibly challenging. Doing so in a pandemic meant clerks had to rewrite the playbook and develop and implement new best practices on short notice. New Hampshire residents voted in record numbers last fall, and even with an unprecedented number of ballots cast early and by mail, our elections ran as smoothly as ever because of the dedication and hard work of our municipal clerks. Providing services and maintaining vital records in the best of times is complex and time consuming. Doing so in a pandemic meant clerks needed to adapt to meet the needs of their neighbors to do their job while keeping residents safe. These are no small feats, and we are grateful. prgtoken The New Hampshire City and Town Clerks Code of Ethics states: ``Town and city clerks are elected and/or appointed by the citizens who have the utmost trust and faith in the clerk's ability to fairly and honestly serve their community. Let us all live up to that trust with honor and dignity.'' Over the last year, our municipal clerks have indeed lived up to that trust and performed their duties with honor and dignity throughout New Hampshire. prgtoken On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to thank our municipal clerks for their dedication to New Hampshire and convey the thanks of a grateful state for their continued public service.
EXPLANATION REGARDING COSPONSORING A BILL
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-5-7

. Madam , it's appropriate for me to republish my statement of March 11, 2019 on the meaning of cosponsoring legislation. Much of that statement was a republication of my statement of September 29, 2010, as I've maintained a consistent policy on this issue. The following is a republication of my statement of March 11, 2019. ``Madam , on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, stated for the Record: `Madam , I wish to clarify that when I cosponsor a bill, it does not necessarily mean that I agree with every part of it. At n minimum, my cosponsorship indicates that I support moving the bill forward through the legislative process, including being marked up in committee, and if sent to the floor by the relevant committee(s), then subject to consideration and amendment on the floor.' prgtoken Let me reiterate that 2010 statement and provide additional background. I believe in the legislative process. I believe bills are improved during committee mark-ups and by consideration of amendments on the floor. The effect of cosponsoring a bill is to signal to the relevant committee chair(s) that I believe the bill should be marked-up in committee, a process that may well improve the bill (and in some cases may make the bill worse). When I decide to cosponsor a bill after it has completed the committee process, I do signal to the and Rules Committee that I believe the bill should be considered on the floor, and almost always under an open rule.''