mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO ERIN STUART
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2021-12-17

I would like to recognize a member of my staff, Erin Stuart, who left the office in July to attend law school at Marquette University. This is an exciting time in Erin's life and all of us with Team Sullivan want to thank her for her contributions to our office, the State of Alaska, and the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Erin is a born-and-raised Alaskan who grew up fishing with her family in our State's pristine waters. After graduating from South Anchorage High School, Erin attended the University of Portland where she explored her passions for government affairs and trade policy. prgtoken Erin's time on Capitol Hill began in the summer of 2018 when she was an intern for my colleague, Congressman Don Young. That following summer, Erin joined my DC office where she impressed all of us with her strong work ethic, eventually becoming a legislative correspondent for healthcare issues. prgtoken We work tirelessly in my office to ensure that the needs of Alaskans are best represented. I tell people who join my staff that it is not easy work. Erin was always eager to learn and to give the job her all, while also spending her evenings and weekends studying for the LSAT and filling out law school applications. prgtoken We wish her the best as she begins this new chapter in her life. prgtoken While Erin is currently not on my staff, she is will always be a member of Team Sullivan. Please join me in wishing Erin success in her future. She is missed.
CLOTURE MOTION
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-12-17

I am looking around this Chamber, and I am talking to my colleagues, and it is so apparent; we should not be here right now. Our business should be done. We have had all year. prgtoken We should have wished one another well last week, and then we should have gotten ourselves home to our families, to our church families, to our neighbors and friends. And right now, I should be in Tennessee wishing Tennesseans well for this Christmas season. prgtoken But with the way things are going, I am beginning to believe that and the do not wish the American people well because the fact is, everything they have done this year, in some way, shape, or form, has made life harder for Americans and for Tennesseans, and it has taken away just a little bit more of their freedom. prgtoken I was talking with a Tennessean last night, and they were making this point to me about the gains that they had seen during control of the House and the Senate and the administration and being able to keep more of their money in their pocket. This was a veteran who talked about our standing in the world. Our allies knew they could trust us. Our enemies, indeed, feared us. All of that is gone. Life is harder; life is more uncertain; it is less predictable; inflation is through the roof. prgtoken As Tennesseans have turned on the news this week, they have heard an avalanche of news reports holding one or two Members of this body responsible for ``obstructing the democratic process''--something that sounds pretty scary when it is taken out of context, doesn't it? prgtoken In my opinion, I consider it media malpractice to blame one or two Members of this Chamber for a year's worth of bad-faith delays because Members have asked for a vote on certain national security issues, and the Senate should have weighed in on these issues long ago. The Senate has had the time. The leadership has had the time. So, no, that narrative cannot stand. prgtoken All these delays and all this strife is the natural conclusion of the ' single-minded obsession with their reckless tax-and-spending spree. prgtoken My colleagues on the left have, indeed, squandered months trying to strong-arm their moderate colleagues into rubberstamping what I call their ``Build Back Broke'' agenda. It is so toxic that even economists who many times are friendly with the White House have turned their backs on the proposal. Even they deem it socialist in nature. prgtoken This month, we have reaped the consequences of their obsession in the form of 6.8 percent inflation. It is already at a 40-year high. It is still ticking up. Gas prices are increasing. Food is costing more. Warehouses are being cleared out. One hundred and seventy cargo ships are still off the coast of California, 150 miles out. prgtoken But yet, until a few hours ago, really, the were pushing for final passage on a spending bill that would make things even wo
CLOTURE MOTION
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2021-12-17

I would like to take a few minutes to talk about two prominent Louisianans who are either transitioning or have transitioned into new ways to serve our State. prgtoken And I am not unbiased about these individuals, as you will shortly be able to tell. But I think most Louisianans who are fairminded will agree with what I am about to say. prgtoken The first person I want to talk about--and I have known both of these folks for a long time--is Rolfe McCollister. prgtoken Rolfe did own--he has sold a number of his companies. What did he do? Well, let me just say generally, first, Rolfe is a very astute and successful business person. He is one of the most prominent, if not the most prominent, publisher in Louisiana. prgtoken He started from scratch a periodical called the Baton Rouge Business Report, and from that, Rolfe expanded. I mean, the list of his publications is very impressive. He started with the Baton Rouge Business Report. He publishes 10/12 Industry Report, 225 Magazine, inRegister, Daily Report, 225 Dine, Best of 225 This Week. prgtoken He also started a very important tradition, which is looked forward to in my State, called the Business Awards and Hall of Fame. prgtoken He started the influential Women in Business, and he started the Top 40 Under 40 list, to recognize some of our younger citizens. prgtoken Rolfe is retiring effective at the first of the year, and despite all of Rolfe's success in the business world--he is also a banker and he does other things, all self-made. Aside from his success in the world of publishing and journalism, the most important thing Rolfe McCollister has is his passion. prgtoken Now, he is smart. He is very intelligent, a graduate of LSU, extraordinary character, very dependable. If you need something done, you go to Rolfe. Trustworthy. But it is his passion that has most impressed me about Rolfe McCollister. prgtoken I first met Rolfe in 1987. I knew of him, but I met him. Louisiana had elected a brand-new reform Governor, a former Congressman by the name of Governor Buddy Roemer. prgtoken Like many of our reform Governors, Buddy was to serve one term. And when Governor Roemer took over, gosh, the State was a mess. We had, I think it was, a $7 or $8 billion budget. We had a $1.1 billion structural deficit. When Governor Roemer became Governor, we couldn't make payroll. Our schools were a mess. We had no charter schools in Louisiana. Our universities were floundering. And when you don't have adequate funding, universities tend to cannibalize each other. They were all competing for the dollars. It was like Lebanon; you didn't know which faction was going to be the winner today. prgtoken Our campaign finance in Louisiana was a mess. At that time, it was legal, and not out of the ordinary, for somebody to put $200,000 cash in a suitcase and take it to a political candidate, and it was perfectly legal for that candidate to take it and perfectly legal for that don
RECOGNIZING UNITED STATES COAST GUARD COMMANDER ADAM KOZIATEK
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-12-20

. Madam , I rise today to recognize United States Coast Guard Commander Adam Koziatek for his outstanding performance as part of my committee staff over the past two years. prgtoken Commander Koziatek graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2002. Following graduation, he was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Morgenthau, where he supervised the engineering department and managed a $250,000 annual budget. After this assignment, Commander Koziatek was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bertholf as an engineer officer. In this role, he established shipboard programs and conducted oversight of a $276 million contract. prgtoken Then, in 2006, Commander Koziatek enrolled in the U.S. Naval Joint Flight Training program. Following completion of this program, Commander Koziatek utilized his training to respond to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the humanitarian relief efforts following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he would later execute missions spanning the Coast Guard's largest area of operation. prgtoken In 2018, Commander Koziatek was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard's Financial Analysis & Budget Execution Division, where he was responsible for a portfolio exceeding $6 billion. Then, in 2020 Commander Koziatek began as a fellow to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. He brought nearly 20 years of experience with the U.S. Coast Guard and became a trusted and valuable member of my staff. prgtoken I offer my deepest appreciation to Commander Koziatek, and I wish him the very best.
HONORING EARL E. McLEOD, JR.
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-12-20

. Madam , congratulations to a great South Carolinian for his service, Earl E. McLeod, Jr. upon his retirement. prgtoken Earl served as the Executive Director for the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina from 1983 to 2021. Prior to working at the BIA, Earl was the District Administrator and campaign manager for Congressman John L. Napier of South Carolina, as well as a national sales manager for Aluminum Ladder Company. In 2001, Earl was inducted into the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Francis Marion University in 1996. He is a NAHB Gold Key Member. prgtoken He has been a member of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Lexington County Planning Commission, Member of the Home & Garden Show Executives International, member of the Board of Directors for Community Open Land Trust and a member of the Lexington Technology Center Advisory Board. He currently sits on the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. prgtoken Best wishes to Earl and Judy McLeod beautiful home on Lake Murray.
HONORING TIM KRUEGER AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2021-12-20

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Tim Krueger as Iowan of the Week. Tim leads Harvest Academy, a 24-month life skills academy for those with criminal backgrounds, substance abuse challenges, or who have experienced homelessness. prgtoken Tim's passion is changing the lives of Iowans by focusing on behaviors that cause individuals to hit rock bottom. After teaching weekly classes for at-risk teens in Peoria, Illinois, Tim discovered his true calling was helping individuals who wanted to better their lives and didn't know where to turn. He recognized his once-a-week classes were not enough to help make real change for at-risk individuals. After a conversation with his family, Jim decided to leave his role in the private sector and find a way to make change in his community. prgtoken Tim visited several therapeutic model communities across the country to learn more about the structure of the programs. He became a program observer for The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City before taking what he learned and bringing it to central Iowa. Tim established Harvest Academy in Indianola in 2019. prgtoken Harvest Academy follows a participative, group-based approach to anti-social behavior, criminal activity, and drug addiction through a two-year therapeutic program. Students apply voluntarily and must be accepted into the program. The program is completely free for students. prgtoken The community therapeutic model allows students to enhance their skills, solve problems together, and hold one another accountable. Students have the opportunity to earn leadership positions and take on new duties to serve as role models for newer students in the community. Students also participate in skills-based training to help them enter the workforce. Harvest Academy assists students with aspects of the job search and provides training in corporate development, culinary arts, landscaping, and facility management. Harvest Academy operates a local moving company that helps the program remain self-sustainable. prgtoken Tim is a fantastic role model and leader at Harvest Academy. He advocates for those who want to change their lives and provides a safe living space for individuals to change their lives. I am proud to honor Tim Krueger as Iowan of the Week.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MARY RYSKA
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-12-20

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mary Ryska of River Rouge on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Her contributions to our community as a Rosie the Riveter are worthy of commendation. prgtoken Born on December 23, 1921, Mrs. Ryska was born and raised in River Rouge, Michigan, where she remains today. She attended school at St. John Cantius until 8th grade, when she left to work as a housekeeper in Detroit to help support her family. Though she had setbacks, she never gave up on obtaining her high school diploma. At age 67, she graduated from high school in Southgate, Michigan and earned her diploma. prgtoken Employed at the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township, Mrs. Ryska was a riveter, riveting the camera pulley bracket on the B24 aircraft. She remained working at the plant until she was pregnant with her second child. As a Rosie the Riveter, Mary's hard work, grit, and patriotism not only sustained the American war effort, but paved a path for the next generation of working women. prgtoken Ever the hard worker, Mrs. Ryska has held jobs at various companies around Southeast Michigan. She was also the landlady for properties throughout River Rouge. She is currently a member of St. Andrew Bessette Church and was previously very active as a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Her lifelong commitment to service reminds us all of the impact that the Rosies have had on our state and nation. She was married to her loving husband Stanley for 48 years, and together they had two daughters and two sons. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Mary Ryska on her 100th birthday. I join with her family--including her five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren--and friends in extending my best and warmest wishes to her on this special day. I am proud to honor her life, her accomplishments, and her invaluable contributions to our nation as a Rosie the Riveter.
BRINGING JUSTICE TO SOLDIERS
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-12-23

. Madam , passage of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) serves as an act of reprieve--and justice--for every sexual assault survivor who has put their life on the line in the name of service for this country and has been left behind in the wake of injustice. prgtoken The NDAA contains the revised I am Vanessa Guillen Act. For the first time, the NDAA establishes the Office of the Special Trial Counsel which empowers and requires independent investigators to investigate allegations. That means for the first time, the NDAA takes the authority to prosecute sexual assault and harassment away from the military and gives it to independent military prosecutors. prgtoken The military justice reforms included in this annual defense policy bill are historic and the most transformative in our nation's history. It is the culmination of years of advocacy from military sexual assault survivors, their families, and supporters. prgtoken But let me be clear: my position on our nation's bloated defense budget remains unchanged. prgtoken I remain committed to working with my colleagues to address climate change, racial injustice, and guaranteeing that families across the nation receive the relief they need as we work to build back better from a global pandemic. These are all problems that no amount of military spending can remedy, and we must redirect federal resources to the people, to our future generations, and to our working-class Americans. prgtoken While I have historically voted ``no'' and plan to continue to do so--this was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to finally right generations of injustice against our nation's servicemembers in uniform, to finally bring some sense of justice to the family of Vanessa Guillen and countless other soldiers who are victims of assault. I refused to leave them behind once more. prgtoken With the passage of this year's NDAA, survivors of sexual assault will finally be guaranteed an independent military attorney to decide whether to prosecute and make other key, binding decisions in these cases--also ensuring that domestic violence, stalking, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and other special victim offenses are taken out of the chain of command. We are one step closer to justice and protection for our soldiers. prgtoken My constituents can rest assured that I will continue my work to rein in defense spending and to invest resources in programs that promote peace, protect our planet, and provide the American people opportunities here at home.
CONGRATULATING RAY DUNAWAY ON HIS RETIREMENT
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-12-23

. Madam , Ray Dunaway has been the voice of Connecticut for nearly three decades. Ray was hired by WTIC-AM to replace another Connecticut legend, Bob Steele in 1992. Since then, he's been the voice of talk radio in Connecticut each and every morning. Over his tenure, he's helped raise millions of dollars for the Greater Hartford Salvation Army through his annual holiday store. I have had the pleasure of joining Ray over the years and I'm honored to call him a friend. Both the following articles from the Hartford Courant and the Journal Inquirer capture what Ray has meant to the citizens of the state of Connecticut. I look forward to tuning in to his last show tomorrow morning on Christmas Eve. We wish him well in retirement and know his voice will always be missed. [From the Hartford Courant, Nov. 19, 2021] ``Veteran Radio Voice Dunaway To Sign Off'' (By Kenneth R. Gosselin) Ray Dunaway, the morning radio personality who followed the legendary Bob Steele on WTIC-AM and won over listeners with a relaxed but informed conversational style, will retire from the radio station next month after 29 years. ``You just get tired of waking up,'' Dunaway said. ``You just do. I love the morning. I do. I wouldn't do any other shift, but the thing is, after a period of time, it's kind of like you've been there, done that. And I think it's time for somebody fresh to take a look at it.'' Dunaway, 72, said the decision to retire from the morning show, which airs weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m was entirely his own. His last show will be on Dec. 24. His co-host, Brian Shactman, will continue to host the morning show, the station's parent company, Audacy, said. Dunaway was hired to replace Steele in 1992, bringing with him more than two decades of radio experience elsewhere in the country. Steele had a storied local broadcasting career spanning more than five decades, and Dunaway would be Steele's second replacement. Steele's immediate successor lasted just a year. ``The fact of the matter is, it was nerve-wracking because I had gone to Trinity [College] and my roommate used to listen to Bob religiously,'' Dunaway said. ``He was really good. It was a great responsibility taking over that job.'' Quick acceptance wasn't a sure thing for Dunaway with the memory of Steele still fresh and dissatisfaction among some viewers about a move by WTIC to talk radio. ``Connecticut-ites weren't necessarily going to make that easy,'' recalled Gary Zenobi, then general manager of WTIC, who hired Dunaway. ``But he filled Bob Steele's shoes in a different way. Formats were changing. Ray was just perfect for that because he could hold a conversation not just about anything but with anyone.'' Dunaway's ar
RECOGNIZING MR. SCOTT BOHN
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-12-23

. Madam , I rise today in recognition and appreciate of Mr. prgtoken Scott Bohn upon his completion of the Brookings Institution's LEGIS Fellowship program. During the 2021 calendar year, Mr. Bohn served as my U.S. State Department fellow and quickly became an integral part of my legislative staff. prgtoken His working knowledge as a State Department employee and veteran informed my work as Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and as a member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. Over this past year, he worked closely with my personal office staff and other Congressional offices on a variety of critical issues. He helped to reconstitute my Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, which focuses on nuclear arms control, risk reduction, and nonproliferation. He also worked to advance my bipartisan ``Peace Corps Reauthorization Act,'' which the House Foreign Affairs Committee reported favorably in September 2021. prgtoken Mr. Bohn graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Philosophy in politics and philosophy, and from Georgetown University with a Master of Arts in Russian and East European studies. prgtoken A career employee at the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Bohn most recently led the overseas security advisory council's global threat warning team, responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and sharing time- sensitive security information relevant to U.S. private sector operations overseas. Previously, Mr. Bohn served in the Office of Intelligence and Threat Analysis as an analyst evaluating threats to U.S. interests in Europe and Eurasia. In addition, he performed a rotational tour in the Department's Office of Russian Affairs, where he worked to advance U.S. bilateral policy interests with Russia. prgtoken Mr. Bohn is also a Foreign Area Officer in the Air Force Reserve, currently assigned to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Headquarters. Previous assignments included tours at the Pentagon, Defense Intelligence Agency, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, and National Security Agency. Mr. Bohn and his wife, Megan, have two daughters: Isabel and Olivia. His family continues to support him and his service to our nation, and we thank them for it. prgtoken While Mr. Bohn will be deeply missed after an exceptional year of service, he will no doubt be successful in his new role in the Office of Verification, Planning, and Outreach at the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance. Despite his departure, he will remain a deeply valued member of Team Garamendi. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of the people of California's Third Congressional district and a grateful nation, I extend our deepest appreciation to Mr. Scott Bohn for his dedicated service.