mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN HONOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HUNTSVILLE 175TH ANNIVERSARY
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , today I rise in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Texas. prgtoken On September 16, 1844, Rev. Z.N. Morrell, Thomas Horsely, and Rev. Benjamin Fry established the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Texas. The early congregation met in the Dean School House until their first building was constructed on the corner of 13th Street and Avenue J, where the church still stands today. The President of Baylor University, Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, preached the opening ceremony sermon. prgtoken Legendary Texas figure General Sam Houston and his wife were among the first members of the First Baptist Church. In fact, a swimming pool at Houston's residence was used by the early congregation for baptisms and church ceremonies. prgtoken In 1891, the congregation built a second building for worship services, which stood until 1924 when the congregation decided to construct an elegant four-story, red-brick church with tall white pillars and stained glass windows on the second floor. prgtoken In a terrible tragedy, the new church building caught on fire in 1954, and congregation member and college student James E.V. Davis lost his life. Thankfully, members of the congregation were able to save church records, nursery furniture, an organ, and even some pews. The church then held services in a local high school auditorium until the fourth and final church building opened on December 11, 1955. In 1985, the First Baptist Church added a new Family Life Center, which offered sporting facilities, locker rooms, a kitchen, and a parlor to it's members. prgtoken For the past 175 years, The First Baptist Church of Hunstville, Texas has stood as a reminder of the meaning of community and resilience. Please join me in celebrating this momentous anniversary, and remembering the people whose desire to worship created a rich history of knowing, following, and sharing in Christ.
IN RECOGNITION OF GERRY MEYER WINNING FOUR GOLD MEDALS AT THE 2019 NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and congratulate E.G. ``Gerry'' Meyer on competing and winning four gold medals at the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. prgtoken I am incredibly proud to call Gerry a constituent, and his gold medals in track and field are a point of pride for the entire state. His achievements, at the young age of 100, are nothing short of incredible. Gerry is a true Wyomingite and embodies the grit and determination that makes our state great. prgtoken Again, Madam , I want to congratulate Gerry Meyer on winning four gold medals, and representing the best that Wyoming has to offer.
HONORING ERNESTINA BORQUEZ-SMITH
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate Ernestina Borquez-Smith on her birthday, September 6th. Ernestina has devoted the past 29 years of her life and career to the people of Arizona. prgtoken She began her career as a staffer managing casework for Representative Bob Stump of Arizona in 1990, and went on to work for both ic and Representatives as the Director of Constituent Services. She is prgtoken a prime example of a public servant that wants to serve, regardless of party politics, but strives to make a positive impact in the lives of her fellow citizens. I have known Ernestina since 2011 when I was first elected to Congress, and she has proved to be an exemplary member of my team. prgtoken Congress is an institution devoted to serving the people, and Ernestina has exemplified this every day by meeting with veterans, immigrants, and Arizonans of all walks of life, committed to being both a voice and a resource for the people. We look to Ernestina as a devoted public servant, and it has been an honor to know her.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF JEFFREY M. CICORA
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to remember the life of New York State Police Sergeant/Station Commander Jeffrey M. Cicora, a beloved father and husband, and dedicated public servant, who passed away on August 10, 2019. Sergeant Cicora spent 24 years on the New York State Police force and diligently protected communities throughout New York State. prgtoken Sergeant Cicora was a lifelong member of the Central New York community and aspired to be a state trooper from an early age. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1983 and then earned a degree in criminal justice from Cayuga Community College and public justice from SUNY Oswego. Upon completing his training in 1992, Sergeant Cicora was officially sworn in as a New York State Police Trooper. prgtoken Sergeant Cicora was stationed at the Baldwinsville State Police Station for the majority of his career, but his duties called him to various regions in New York State. During the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Sergeant Cicora arrived at Ground Zero and assisted with search and rescue efforts. In the six months following the attacks, Sergeant Cicora and his K9 partner, Devitt, deployed to New York City's John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports to ensure traveler safety. Notably, Sergeant Cicora was awarded the Superintendent's Commendation Award from the New York State Police for his efforts in the arrest of an on-the-run fugitive wanted for violent crimes. Sergeant Cicora and his K9 partner, McGinn, were the first to respond following the fugitive's attack on two people, then successfully tracked him through the woods and made an arrest. prgtoken Outside his work with the state police, Sergeant Cicora was a wonderful family man. He deeply loved his wife, Valerie, and son, Jack, as well as all his extended family members. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time fishing and boating with his family. prgtoken Sergeant Cicora served honorably and, sadly, contracted an illness stemming from his emergency search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. It is essential our nation supports the brave individuals and first responders who selflessly acted on September 11, 2001 without reservation. Many of these brave individuals, like Sergeant Cicora, have developed health conditions from their experiences at Ground Zero. We owe these individuals an enormous debt of gratitude, and with my support, the House passed legislation I cosponsored to permanently reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. This bill is now law, but we must continue to support the brave men and women who responded on 9/11. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring the life of Sergeant Jeffrey M. Cicora. A brave member of New York State's law enforcement community who acted heroically throughout his career, Sergeant Cicora will truly be missed in the Central New York community. I ask my colleagues to keep him and his family in mind as we remember the contributi
RECOGNIZING BARBARA GRIMM-MARSHALL AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE JOHN BROCK AWARD
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to honor the distinguished accomplishments and philanthropic work of Barbara Grimm-Marshall. Barbara has been an exemplary member of our community, and was deservedly recognized yesterday with the 2019 John Brock Award for her distinguished service to the communities of the 23rd District of California, which I represent. prgtoken Barbara's co-owned family farm, Grimmway Farms, is the largest producer and exporter of carrots on the globe. Grimmway Farms has provided exceptional agricultural service to Kern County since 1981 and has since been a staple of the Bakersfield community. This past June, Barbara was appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables, a recognition of her expertise in agriculture. Through her knowledge and experience in the trade realm, her advice and counsel is unmatched and will be most valuable to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our country. prgtoken Beyond professional development and achievement, Barbara is a community problem-solver, and it is no surprise that she recently received the 2019 John Brock Community Service Award for her charitable efforts, particularly in the education realm. In 2017, I spoke in this Chamber honoring Barbara for her work and the establishment of The Rod & Bob Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides higher education access to hundreds of prospective university students and bolsters the success of many underprivileged children in the congressional district I represent. Barbara's passion to see more children gain access to education resources did not end with a scholarship fund. She established the Grimm Family Education Foundation and Grimmway Academy for the purpose of educating underprivileged children in our community from grades K-8. Barbara's vision and goals for these programs has only expanded over time, as the Foundation now operates a vast network of educational institutions and partnerships throughout Kern County. prgtoken Barbara's leadership in public service is an inspiration to our community and a model for effective problem-solving at the community level. Her philanthropy and work shows that solutions often depend on exceptional leaders up to the task of bettering their community, rather than sweeping governmental action that often proves ineffective. Barbara does not sit on the sidelines when she notices a problem, but instead works to find a way to find a solution. Our community is proud of the work she has done and I look forward to all that she will continue to accomplish in the future. On behalf of California's 23rd Congressional District, Judy and I want to thank Barbara, Darcy, and the entire Grimm family for their continued service to our community, and congratulate Barbara for being this year's recipient of the John Brock Award.
CONGRATULATING RICHARD BRADSHAW ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
Kenny Marchant (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Richard Bradshaw on his well-earned retirement from the Grapevine Police Department. After twenty-four years of service as a Crime Scene Technician, Richard has created a lasting impact on the department by working tirelessly to preserve the public safety. prgtoken Richard began his career in law enforcement by honorably serving as a military police officer with the United States Army in 1972. He continued his service as a Sergeant with the police department in the Army Active Reserve until 1978. During that time, he also earned his associate's degree in Criminal Justice and served as a police officer for the Penn Hill Police Department in Pennsylvania until December of 1979. prgtoken In 1980, Richard joined the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Police where he served as both a police officer and an aircraft rescue firefighter. On August 14, 1995, Richard joined the Grapevine Police Department as a Crime Scene Technician and has proven invaluable to the collection of critical evidence in major criminal investigations. prgtoken During his tenure in Grapevine, Richard has produced a quality of work that has earned him the respect of his colleagues, supervisors, and the community. His commitment to professional development has driven him to complete more than 1400 hours of training and stands as evidence of his outstanding service and professionalism. prgtoken Richard's contributions to law enforcement operations have helped to ensure that countless officers have been adequately supported in their mission to uphold the rule of law. His legacy will leave a lasting mark on the City of Grapevine for many years to come. prgtoken Madam , it is a pleasure to recognize the dedication that Richard has devoted to the city of Grapevine and the state of Texas. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Richard Bradshaw for his many years of service.
HONORING THE UNITED STATES NAVAL INSTITUTE AND JACK C. TAYLOR
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , in 1873 a group of Navy and Marine Corps officers founded The United States Naval Institute on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Since that time, the Institute has played a vital role in transforming the Sea Services from vocations to tried and true professions. The Naval Institute's mission is to provide an open, independent, and nonpartisan forum for those who read, think, speak, and write to advance the knowledge and understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. Constantly growing and improving, the United States Naval Institute will reach a milestone in its esteemed history by breaking ground for the Jack C. Taylor Conference Center, which will adjoin the Naval Institute's headquarters. prgtoken Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Jack C. Taylor joined the United States Navy. During his years of military service (1942 to 1947), Taylor became an F6F Hellcat fighter pilot and saw combat duty in the Pacific Theater from the decks of the aircraft carriers USS Essex (CV-9) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was a member of Carrier Air Group 15, led by the top Navy ace of all time, Commander David McCampbell. Group 15, which sustained more than 50 percent casualties during its World War II service, was one of the most decorated combat units in the history of U.S. naval aviation. Taylor, who served as McCampbell's wingman on several combat missions, was twice decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, and also received the Navy Air Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. prgtoken Mr. Taylor served his country with distinction in World War II, returned home, raised a talented family and built a world-class organization, `Enterprise Rent-A-Car,' named after the famous aircraft carrier on which he flew. The late Mr. Jack C. Taylor and his family reinvested resources for the good of the community and his family continues to remain committed to the United States Navy, Navy values and Naval causes that include the Naval War College, Naval Historical Foundation, U.S. Naval Aviation Museum, Friends of the National World War II Memorial and Navy SEAL Foundation to name a few. The Taylor Family now honors their patriarch's service to the Nation as a naval aviator, an exemplary citizen, and a civic leader with the naming of the Conference Center. prgtoken In heartfelt appreciation of its many contributions to the men and women of the United States Sea Services, it is my honor and privilege before the 116th Congress to recognize the United States Naval Institute on the occasion of its groundbreaking for the Jack C. Taylor Conference Center, 18 September 2019.
HONORING WILLIAM ``DOC'' SCHMITZ, NATIONAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , today I rise to honor National Commander-in- Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, William ``Doc'' Schmitz. prgtoken Doc was elected to this prestigious and well-deserved post on July 24, 2019. Helping and advocating for Veterans is not an uncommon practice for Doc, but rather a continuation of the work he does each and every day. His unwavering dedication to his country and the Veterans he serves is one of the many traits I admire most about him. prgtoken While Doc currently serves Veterans, he has also served his country well over the years. Doc was in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970, during the Vietnam War. During that time, he served as a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marine Corp in Vietnam. In recognition of his efforts, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. prgtoken Doc does not allow politics to get in the way of serving Veterans, which is another thing I admire. He doesn't look at their qualifiers or whether they fit a certain criteria, but rather helps people simply and solely to help them. Previously, he worked for a ic Congressman, but decided to stay on in my office because of his commitment to the cause. prgtoken Doc is my resource for all things Veteran related and he contacts me personally with any information on local, state and national Veterans' issues. He is a venerable source of information and experience that I rely on and trust deeply. prgtoken I cannot think of a better National Commander-in-Chief than the one we are honoring today. We can all be assured that the man leading this national organization has Veterans' needs as a first priority and he will fight to make sure they are well taken care of. Congratulations to you, Doc, for this new position--and I thank you for all that you have done and will do in the future. I know that Veterans everywhere have just gained a staunch defender, a wise leader and a genuinely honorable and good man with you as their Commander-in-Chief. prgtoken Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, William ``Doc'' Schmitz.
CONGRATULATING BRADLEY COUNTY 4-H
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to extend my deepest congratulations to the Bradley County, Arkansas 4-H Forestry Team and to Braden Harrod on their exceptional representation of the Natural State on a national level. prgtoken Braden Harrod, Gregory Hilliard, David McGhee, and Madison McGhee, of Hermitage, Arkansas were named National Champions at the 40th Annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational. Braden Harrod also won the high point individual award during the competition. The team was led by Coach Joe Don Greenwood. This is the third Bradley County 4-H national championship title since 2016. prgtoken The national event featured skills testing in various areas such as tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl, and a written forestry exam. prgtoken Mr. Greenwood and these students exhibit exemplary work ethic and superior skill in preparation for this competition each year. As a fellow forester, it is a supreme encouragement to see young Fourth District Arkansans nurture a knowledge of good resource management and stewardship. I look forward to witnessing the further success of these students as they continue to represent our district and our state on a national level.
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SENATOR EVERETT DIRKSEN'S PASSING
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-9-6

I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Senator Everett Dirksen's death. prgtoken Senator Dirksen passed away on September 7, 1969, in Washington, DC, after serving sixteen years in the United States House of Representatives and seventeen years in the United States Senate. prgtoken Before starting his career in public office, Senator Dirksen served abroad as a second lieutenant during the First World War. After returning from war, Dirksen studied law at the University of Minnesota College of Law at Minneapolis. prgtoken Senator Dirksen practiced law in his home town of Pekin, Illinois, but public service was always Senator Dirksen's true passion. Dirksen served as a Member of Congress from 1933 to 1949, representing the 13th District of Illinois, then went on to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate from 1951 until his death in 1969. prgtoken As the Minority Leader of the Senate, Dirksen played a vital role in shaping many major pieces of legislation. Senator Dirksen earned the reputation of being a true champion of civil rights. It was his hard work and determination that allowed Dirksen to ensure the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. prgtoken I include in the Record the essay, ``Everett Dirksen's Last Days,'' by Frank Mackaman. Frank is not only a close friend, but also the Director of The Dirksen Congressional Center in Senator Dirksen's hometown of Pekin, IL. prgtoken I am grateful for all the work that Senator Dirksen did for our country, and I am proud to represent his former congressional district. Everett Dirksen's Last Days (By Frank H. Mackaman, The Dirksen Congressional Center, Pekin, IL) On August 12, 1969, just before the U.S. Senate recessed for a few weeks, Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen held a press conference in his office. It would be his last. Dirksen seemed relaxed and in a genial mood, chatting amiably with reporters and joking with his staff. To the casual observer everything seemed normal--but it was not. Doctors had just told the Senate Minority Leader he was seriously ill. They had discovered a spot on Dirksen's right lung and suspected cancer. A second x-ray on the 14th showed the tumor had grown, making an operation necessary. To prepare, the senator from Pekin rested for three weeks at ``Heart's Desire,'' his home outside Washington DC, rummaging in his beloved garden and working on a memoir he would never complete. A realist, Dirksen transferred title to most of his property to his wife, Louella. He also gave her a pre-signed resignation from the Senate if the operation left him incapacitated. He loved the Senate, and it was ever on his mind. Dirksen entered Walter Reed Hospital on Sunday, August 31, to ready himself for the operation two days later. He took with him a briefcase loaded with work
IN RECOGNITION OF WOODFORD ``WOODY'' L. JOHNSON, SR.
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2019-9-6

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Woodford ``Woody'' L. Johnson, Sr. a native of Laneview, Virginia, Essex County, who will be retiring after 48 years of service with the Tappahannock Police Department. Mr. Johnson is also a U.S. Army veteran who served our country proudly with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. prgtoken Woody was employed by the Tappahannock Police Department in December 1971 as a police officer. At that time, there were only four police officers in the department. Woody has seen many changes in law enforcement and society since that time but has always been professional and dedicated to the community he serves. He has truly been an example of what a law enforcement officer should be. prgtoken Woody served several years as the Town Sergeant for Tappahannock and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1995. He is also a graduate of the Virginia Forensic Science Academy and has served for many years as the department's forensic technician. Woody is also a baseball and softball umpire for both high school and church league games. Woody has one son, Woody Jr who is employed by the Federal Reserve in Richmond, daughter in-law Kelley, and grandson Mason. prgtoken In an era where people change jobs and occupations frequently, Woody has stayed true to his chosen profession. The Tappahannock Police Department has been extremely fortunate to have had someone like Woody Johnson and he will be missed by his fellow officers but most of all, by the community.