mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONGRATULATING DR. TERRENCE CRONIN FOR HIS COMPLETION OF HIS TERM AS THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY PRESIDENT
Bill Posey (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-2-13

I would like to take a moment to congratulate Dr. Terrence Cronin on his completion of his term as the American Academy of Dermatology President. For eighteen years, Dr. Cronin has been involved with the Academy at a leadership level and helped represent thousands of dermatological physicians and the patients they serve. prgtoken As President, Dr. Cronin led the world's largest dermatologic society, representing more than 20,800 physicians. He has also been a staunch advocate for Medicare payment reform to help ensure good quality of care for seniors by fighting cuts to physician reimbursement. prgtoken Dr. Cronin earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University in North Carolina and completed his dermatology residency at the University of Miami. At the University of Miami, he also served as the chief resident, where he oversaw clinical scheduling, managing resident education programs, and served as a liaison between the residents and the facility. prgtoken Before his term as President, Dr. Cronin served as a chair of the Academy's Advisory Board, as well as being a member of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. prgtoken I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Dr. Cronin on a fantastic job as the American Academy of Dermatology President and wish him well as he continues his work with the Academy and his private practice in Melbourne, Florida.
RECOGNIZING WILLIAM HENRY HAMILTON
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Mr. William Henry Hamilton, a member of the Missionary Generation (born between 1860 and 1882) and a true American hero. A proud African-American soldier, he fought for this country a generation post-enslavement, and the signing of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. prgtoken William Henry Hamilton was born in Trenton, Tennessee on October 25, 1875. Later, and while living in Little Rock, Arkansas, he enlisted in the United States Army on February 20, 1895. Mr. Hamilton was a revered Buffalo Soldier and a member of the esteemed Troop D, 10th Cavalry, one of only four (9th Cavalry, 10th Cavalry, 24th Infantry, and the 25th Infantry) African-American troops that served during the Spanish- American War in 1898. Under the overall command of General John J. Pershing and direct command of Captain John Bigelow, Jr First Sergeant Hamilton--a ``Rough Rider''--fought alongside Colonel Teddy Roosevelt (before he became Vice President and President of the United States) and other ``Rough Riders'' in the Battle of San Juan Hill, in Santiago, Cuba. prgtoken Following The Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War in December of 1898, First Sergeant Hamilton, along with his 10th Cavalry comrades, were sent to The Philippines in 1900 as reinforcements against the Filipino nationalists who were attacking soldiers of the 24th and 25th Infantry regiments.
IGO ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT
Alexander X. Mooney (Republican, WV) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , 13 years ago, the Syrian people took to the streets demanding basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of democratic elections, things which many Americans, frankly, take for granted these days. prgtoken They also demanded an end to the Assad dictatorship. Assad responded with extreme brutality, including use of chemical weapons, such as sarin gas. prgtoken I am honored to represent the proud and patriotic Syrian-American community in West Virginia. I rise today to support this bipartisan legislation which will hold the Assad regime accountable for its crimes against the Syrian people. prgtoken Unlike President , President has refused to enforce the congressionally mandated sanctions. For example, President has allowed countries in the Middle East to normalize relations, such as waiving sanctions for countries in the region to make energy agreements with Syria. The Assad regime should not be allowed to normalize, and it should not be recognized by the United States. prgtoken Syrian Americans, like many immigrants, work hard. They come here and defend their communities. They want peace and freedom around the world, things we all support. It is important for America to take leadership in this regard. prgtoken My mother fled a Communist country, Cuba, and that country, to this day, is still oppressed by the Communist brutal dictator there, who will just beat you up if they disagree with you. This is a good time to stand in support of the people and freedom and stand up against the brutal Assad dictatorship.
CONGRATULATING COAST GUARD CAPTAIN ZEITA MERCHANT
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-2-13

as we celebrate Black History Month, I rise today to recognize U.S. Coast Guard Captain Zeita Merchant, commander of the Port of New York, based in my district in Staten Island. With the announcement that she will be promoted to Rear Admiral in the Coast Guard, Captain Merchant is making history by becoming the highest ranking African-American woman in the U.S. Coast Guard's 233- year history. prgtoken Throughout her nearly 27-year career, she has commanded maritime operations in Chicago, Texas, Miami, New Orleans, and New York, many times being either the first minority or the first woman to hold her position. In many cases, she was both. prgtoken On top of her workplace accolades, she has also received more than a dozen academic, community service, and military honors. prgtoken On Staten Island, Captain Merchant has overseen the busiest port in our Nation to keep our maritime commerce moving, stop the flow of drugs coming over our borders, conduct search and rescue missions, and protect our national security at sea. She has managed more than 1,000 personnel in 12 commands over an area spanning more than 6,000 square miles. prgtoken On a personal note, I admire Captain Merchant's dedication and commitment to protecting New York City's waters. She will be truly missed by me and our entire community. We know that she will make us proud as she assumes her new role here in Washington, D.C.
TRIBUTE TO STEPHANIE GADBOIS
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today to recognize Stephanie Gadbois, a valued member of the House Committee on Appropriations, who has more than 20 years of service working in the federal government. Her commitment to our country exemplifies the hard work and commitment of an esteemed public servant. prgtoken Stephanie began her government career in 2001 when she joined the House Committee on Agriculture as Counsel. She was eventually promoted to Deputy Chief Counsel, and for good reason: In her seven years with the Agriculture Committee, she played a crucial role in the 2002 Farm Bill, 2008 Farm Bill, and countless other pieces of legislation that positively impacted the agricultural industry. prgtoken In 2008, Stephanie took her agricultural expertise to the House Committee on Appropriations, specifically the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The next year, she moved to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. After returning to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for a short time in 2010, Stephanie became a Professional Staff Member on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, where from 2010 to 2012 she oversaw accounts pertaining to the Department of Justice and related agencies including the United States Attorneys, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. prgtoken After six years with the House Committee on Appropriations, Stephanie had the opportunity to serve as Senior Counsel for the House Committee on the Judiciary. From 2013 to 2019, she enabled better collaboration between the Appropriations and the Judiciary Committees and negotiated key pieces of legislation that reformed immigration law, addressed crime, and reduced regulatory burden. prgtoken At the beginning of the 116th Congress, Stephanie returned to the House Committee on Appropriations as Minority Clerk of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Stephanie's extensive expertise and experience earned her the position of Majority Clerk and Staff Director of the Subcommittee at the beginning of the 118th Congress. prgtoken Stephanie has been an exceptional member of the House Committee on Appropriations. During her time on the Committee, Stephanie has successfully implemented strategies for advancing key funding measures and policies through the Committee and Congress. prgtoken On the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I tasked Stephanie with handling some of the most difficult issues. Similar to the roles she previously held, I knew she would exceed expectations. In times of divided government, her prgtoken ability to negotiate resulted in significant wins on many politically charged policies. prgtoken It is my distinct honor to recognize Stephanie as she
SOUTH CAROLINA LEADERSHIP CREATES JOBS
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-2-13

families in South Carolina have been negatively affected by the failed policies of , with the highest inflation in 40 years destroying jobs. prgtoken Gratefully, in South Carolina, with the leadership of Governor Henry McMaster, all statewide officials, and supermajorities in the General Assembly, budget surpluses have been achieved with responsible spending creating jobs. prgtoken The South Carolina Department of Commerce, led by Secretary Harry Lightsey, announced $9.2 billion in investments with 14,000 new jobs. prgtoken This is in the tradition of Governor Jim Edwards, recruiting the largest Michelin facilities in the world, and Governor Carroll Campbell groundbreaking the largest BMW assembly plant in the world. Governor Nikki Haley saved Boeing jobs, and Senator Tim Scott, with President , developed opportunity zones. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism moves from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. shamefully opens borders for dictators, failing to enforce laws. We don't need new laws as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as warned by the FBI.
IGO ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT
Michael Lawler (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 3202, the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023. I want to begin by thanking my colleague and friend, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. prgtoken This legislation is critically important. It has been almost 13 years since Bashar al-Assad unleashed his brutal war on the Syrian people. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people have died because of the Assad regime's unrelenting brutality. This is a regime that, with support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, tortures men, women, and children at an unthinkable scale. prgtoken These crimes are undeniable. We have eyewitnesses, survivor testimony of Assad's cruelty from Caesar, who was forced to photograph dead bodies from the Gravedigger, who was forced to dig mass graves for those who were brutally murdered. prgtoken The Assad regime has repeatedly used chemical weapons against the Syrian people. Just this past November, a court in France found sufficient evidence to issue an international arrest warrant for Assad's complicity in war crimes specifically linked to his use of chemical weapons. prgtoken Assad is a murderer, a war criminal, and the head of a narco-state now that Syria is a hub for illicit Captagon production and trafficking. Yet, shockingly, we have seen some countries downplay these abhorrent crimes against humanity and welcome Assad's Syria back into the community of nations. prgtoken Let me be clear. There can be no normalization with the Assad regime. This regime will never change, and Assad and his backers' hands are soaked with the blood of the Syrian people. That is why, today, we are considering this bill to ensure there is justice for the Syrian people who continue to suffer under the prgtoken Assad regime and his Russian and Iranian backers. prgtoken This legislation amends the Caesar Act to ensure full and robust implementation by the executive branch of mandatory sanctions targeting the Assad regime and its backers. It also expands the scope of sanctionable activity to cover more crimes, including stealing humanitarian aid and property. Further, it codifies United States policy to oppose recognition of Assad, and it requires a strategy to counter creeping normalization with Assad by other countries. prgtoken This bill also increases transparency around the Assad regime's manipulation of the U.N. system and theft of U.N. aid meant for the Syrian people. Also, crucially, this bill reauthorizes the Caesar Act ahead of that foundational legislative statutory expiration later this year. prgtoken The Syrian people have suffered the brutality of this criminal regime and its backers for far too long. The world cannot simply excuse Assad or his backers' crimes because it is convenient. We have seen the consequences of this play ou
EXPOSING WOKE KINDERGARTEN
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-2-13

at a San Francisco Bay Area school, only 16 percent of students were reading at grade level and only 8 percent were proficient at math. prgtoken The school spent $250,000 in taxpayer money on a group called Woke Kindergarten to help boost test scores for some of the country's lowest performing schools. prgtoken However, after 2 years with Woke Kindergarten, student scores are worse. Now, only 12 percent are reading at grade level and fewer than 4 percent are proficient in math. prgtoken There is more. The head of Woke Kindergarten is on record wanting ``a world free of the U.S. empire''; believing space aliens are oppressed; and supporting ``a free Palestine from the river to the sea.'' prgtoken A teacher who questioned the program has been put on leave. prgtoken I wish this were made up, but it is real and, sadly, encapsulates so much of what is wrong with our education system.
STOP FUNDING FOREIGN WARS AND GOVERNMENTS WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-2-13

. Madam , I urge the House and the Senate together to consider what terrible days we are in for the American taxpayer. prgtoken America has been enslaved in $34 trillion in debt, and yet over the weekend, the Senate went into overtime throughout the Super Bowl and beyond into the early morning hours to pass a $95 billion package to fund foreign wars--$95 billion, and not a penny of that goes to anything for any American. prgtoken Our border is completely being invaded every single day by millions and millions of people from all over the world, over 160 countries. Over 2 million got-aways are in America today. prgtoken A got-away is a person from a country we do not know where they are from, we do not know where they are inside our country, what State they are in, what city they are in. We do not know what they are going to do here on our homeland, but we have lost them. prgtoken Over 10 million people have crossed the border during the administration, yet the Senate works overtime to fund foreign wars--$95 billion, and $60 billion of that is to go to Ukraine. prgtoken America has already sent $113 billion to the failing war in Ukraine. It is a complete buzz saw for an entire generation of Ukrainian men. This is a land where there should be peace talks continuously ending this war, not a place where we continue to write blank checks and keep the money laundering going, keep the corruption going, keep selling our weapons to lands and countries and governments we do not know. prgtoken There is so many stories of corruption coming from Ukraine, but they claim that we have to fight for the democracy of Ukraine. That is a lie. Ukraine suspended their elections. prgtoken If we are fighting for democracy, why do we fight for a country that suspends their election, locks up American journalists, and destroys free speech. prgtoken This is nothing but a money laundering scheme all on the backs of the American taxpayer while the American taxpayer is punched in the gut every single day as our border is kept wide open. prgtoken The American people do not support continuing this war. The American people work hard for every single penny they earn, and it is time for the House and the Senate, s and , to remember our oath of office. It is time for us to serve the American people, the American interest, American causes, American businesses, and the American border. prgtoken Yet, this institution has lost its way. Madam , we are $34 trillion in debt, and the only thing that we are talking about is the continued funding of a war in Ukraine and funding a war in Israel. prgtoken That is a danger for Israel. If Israel takes America's money, they open themselves up to the administration and the State Department getting their hooks in their government and telling them what to do in their war. prgtoken Israel doesn't need to be told what to do in their war. They need to be allowed to conduct their war as they see f
CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MR. HILBERT MARGOL
Richard McCormick (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-2-13

today, I pay tribute to the incredible service and life of Mr. Hilbert ``Hibby'' Margol of Dunwoody, Georgia. Mr. Margol is a World War II veteran and, this month, I join his friends and family in celebrating his 100th birthday. prgtoken Mr. Hilbert Margol was born on February 22, 1924, just 10 minutes before his identical twin brother, Howard. The two brothers attended the University of Florida and were drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. They were inseparable until they were assigned to different infantry divisions. prgtoken In 1942, the military instituted a policy of separating siblings when assigned to military units or ships. Their mother, Mrs. Margol, took matters into her own hands and wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt requesting the U.S. Army make an exception for her sons to be placed together. Her plea was successful, and the brothers were back together again. prgtoken The pair were assigned to the U.S. Army 42nd Infantry ``Rainbow'' Division, 392nd Field Artillery Battalion, as Howitzers gunners. Seven months after D-Day, the Margol brothers arrived in Europe. As their unit moved toward Munich, Germany, they happened upon a fence at the end of a rural two-lane road. They quickly realized they had stumbled upon a massive, almost industrial-looking complex. It was Dachau, the first Nazi Concentration Camp. prgtoken As Mr. Margol searched the area, he found dozens of railroad cars loaded with piles of human remains. He documented the horrors of Dachau with a Brownie camera. These photographs are on display at the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. prgtoken After the war, the brothers earned their degrees from the University of Florida in 1948 and married their wives in the same year. Hilbert moved to Atlanta in 1987 with his wife, Betty Ann, and they have lived there ever since. prgtoken Mr. Margol is a Jewish American hero and a liberator, and he turns 100 years old on February 22, 2024. May America and the great State of Georgia be forever blessed with patriots like Hilbert Margol. His service to our Nation is a debt we can never truly repay.
HONORING JERRI SUTTON OF BEAUFORT
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today to honor the late Geralene ``Jerri'' Mills Sutton of Beaufort. Mrs. Sutton recently finished her time here on Earth. She was known for her dedication to others and her appreciation of the simple things in life. prgtoken Mrs. Sutton started off as a talented educator. She ascended to Senior Director for the Virginia Department of Education and was the youngest woman to assume this role. Her position led to working with the United Nations, traveling to developing countries, and helping improve educational outcomes for children. prgtoken Mrs. Sutton's dedication to the people of Eastern North Carolina eventually led her home to Greenville where she focused on improving her hometown community. All who knew her can attest to her unwavering devotion to the historical preservation of Eastern North Carolina. She led the restoration efforts of the Red Banks Primitive Baptist Church, which was set ablaze during the Civil War. prgtoken After relocating to Beaufort, she immersed herself in the Town's rich maritime history and culture. She became a founding trustee of the Maritime Heritage Foundation and served as the President for five years. She also won the Volunteer of the Year award in 2015 from the Beaufort Historical Association. Her passion and fantastic fundraising prowess led to securing $1.5 million from small and big donors and the North Carolina General Assembly to build the North Carolina Maritime Museum on the Gallants Channel. prgtoken As all can see, Mrs. Sutton was especially attentive to the people and places she loved. I hope we can all learn from her legacy and do more for the people and places around us I ask that you join me in honoring this incredible woman.
HONORING THE LIVES OF FIVE U.S. MARINES
Jennifer Kiggans (Republican, VA) \u2014 2024-2-13

I rise today to honor the lives of five United prgtoken States Marines lost in an H-53 helicopter crash in San Diego, California, last week. prgtoken These young men embodied what it means to be military pilots and U.S. Marines. As aviators, we know that risks, even during routine training missions, are part of the job. Our Nation will be forever indebted for their sacrifice. prgtoken Captain Jack Casey was a 2019 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute from Dover, New Hampshire. He was 26. prgtoken Captain Miguel Nava was a United States Naval Academy graduate from Traverse City, Michigan. He was 28. prgtoken Captain Benjamin Moulton was from Emmett, Idaho. He was 27. prgtoken Lance Corporal Donovan Davis was from Olathe, Kansas. He was 21. prgtoken Sergeant Alec Langen was from Chandler, Arizona. He was 23. prgtoken These five marines will forever be remembered in the military aviation community. Please keep their family and friends in your prayers. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice to our great Nation.