mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CELEBRATING THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SFJAZZ AND THE RETIREMENT OF ITS FOUNDER, RANDALL KLINE
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-2

I rise with overwhelming joy today in celebration of the fortieth anniversary of a beloved and iconic institution in my home City, SFJAZZ. prgtoken What began as a two-night Jazz in the City festival four decades ago has blossomed into one of our community's most cherished cultural wonders and a true national treasure. All are in awe of its world-class programming: producing more than 450 concerts every year, featuring artists from the Bay Area, from across America and from around the world. Through its committed focus on outreach and education, including the award-winning High School All-Stars initiative, SFJAZZ is also helping to foster the next generation of musical excellence. prgtoken Personally, it was my privilege to attend the grand opening of the SFJAZZ Center ten years ago--another special anniversary that we celebrate this year. This magnificent, state-of-the-art concert hall has quickly become our Nation's premier hub for jazz: not only a venue to enjoy glorious music, but also a training ground for young musicians to study their craft. prgtoken When the COVID pandemic struck, SFJAZZ swiftly pivoted to digital programming--lifting spirits by bringing beautiful music directly into people's homes, while helping keep our families safe. At the same time, through the SFJAZZ 50/50 Fund, the organization helped channel donations directly to artists during a difficult moment for the live entertainment industry. prgtoken As SFJAZZ marks four decades, San Franciscans--and all Americans-- give thanks for the joy, beauty and vibrancy it continues to bring to our lives. prgtoken , I also rise today to pay tribute to Randall Kline: the visionary leader of SFJAZZ who made so much of its success possible and who is stepping down as Executive Artistic Director after an extraordinary forty-year career. prgtoken Randall's story is the stuff of legend: first hitch-hiking to San Francisco in 1974, then putting down roots by the Bay with just $600 in his pocket, a bass and a dream. With a relentless work ethic and an inexhaustible imagination, he has transformed SFJAZZ from a community- based organization into a globally revered jazz powerhouse. prgtoken Our Nation owes him a debt of gratitude for the towering role that he has played in preserving and promoting an all-American art form. So, it is only fitting that Randall is honored with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award, as his leadership has left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of our City, our Country and our world. prgtoken On behalf of Randall's many friends in the Bay Area and beyond, we salute his four decades of dedicated service to our City and send best wishes on this joyful occasion as he prepares for his next adventure.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF JOHN REED
William R. Keating (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-5-2

I rise today in recognition of the life of John Reed, a history teacher, civil rights activist, and cherished member of the Cape Cod community. prgtoken The third of five children, John was born on September 28, 1950, to parents George and Rachel Reed. John was raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts. It was in this same the neighborhood where John first met his wife, Karen, in junior high. The two attended Dorchester High School together and had their first date at their junior year prom. prgtoken After graduating from Dorchester High School in 1968, John attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he received both his bachelor's and master's in history and education. Tutoring his classmates and peers all throughout school, John always had a passion for mentoring and helping others from a young age. John continued this passion as a teacher at Barnstable High School in 1973, where he taught history for 35 years. During his time at Barnstable High School, John served as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association, as well as a member and the President of the Barnstable Teachers Association. prgtoken John constantly strove to support and better the lives of his students, especially his students of color. In 1993, John took on the role of Barnstable High School's attendance and equity officer. John also started the Imani Club, which celebrates and advocates for students of color at Barnstable High School. The club's name comes from the Swahili word for faith and belief. John's commitment to improving equity and diversity in schools did not go unnoticed, John was awarded the Human and Civil Rights Award from the Massachusetts Teachers Association in 1993 and the H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award from the National Education Association in 2008. prgtoken John's efforts to further human and equal rights were not just limited to the classroom. John served as the President of the Cape Cod chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 17 years from 1991 until 2008. Additionally, he founded the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission in 2005, as well as the Barnstable County Human Rights Academy for students across Cape Cod. John was also a co-founder of the Zion Union Heritage Museum in Hyannis, which celebrates the African American and Cape Verdean population on Cape Cod. prgtoken Sadly, John left us too soon on February 10, 2023, at the age of 72. A celebration of life is being held on April 29, 2023, to celebrate and reflect on the lasting impact John has left on the lives of his students and so many others across Cape Cod. Whether during his time at Barnstable High School, his years as the Cape Cod NAACP President, or his work with the Zion Union Heritage Museum, John's dedication to advancing civil rights and giving a voice to marginalized communities serves as an example to all. prgtoken , I am proud to
RECOGNIZING GEOFFREY KLEIN AND ROBIN KLEIN
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-2

today the Amherst community recognizes Town Justice Geoffrey Klein and his wife, Robin Klein, for their dedication to community service. Both lifelong residents of Amherst, they have been married for 48 years and have been continuously dedicated to bettering the lives of those around them. The foundation of any American community is the man or woman that selflessly gives their time to volunteer for others, and today Geoffrey and Robin receive some long overdue gratitude for that exact type of devotion. prgtoken Justice Klein graduated from Williamsville High School in 1968 before enlisting in the prgtoken United States Marine Corps, where he served in Vietnam, Okinawa, South Korea, the Philippines, and State-side. He was honorably discharged in June 1971 with the rank of Lance Corporal. Shortly after, Justice Klein went on to join the New York State Police Academy and graduated in 1974. He then served as a New York State Trooper from January 1974 through June 1994. During that time, he enrolled in a B.A. program at the State University of New York at Buffalo, later earning a degree in Political Science in May of 1981. Further continuing his education at SUNY Buffalo's School of Law and Jurisprudence, he earned his J.D. in May of 1985. From there he has served as a practicing attorney and was appointed Amherst Town Justice in January 2000, a position he still holds today. Justice Klein presides over criminal, drug, veterans, vehicle and traffic, domestic violence, and property management courts. This is in addition to his instruction as a Criminal Justice Professor at Erie County Community College from 2000 through 2010. prgtoken Justice Klein's entire career has been service-oriented. On top of his professional accomplishments, he has continued his community service in his free time, including, membership with the Jolly Boys of Williamsville, Scholarship Committee Chairman, and Chair of the Ride Committee. He is also currently on the Amherst Youth and Community Coalition. In the past, he was a little league baseball, football, and softball coach for over a decade. Justice Klein also served on the Amherst Senior Center Advisory Board, Amherst Museum Advisory Board, and Amherst Youth Court from 2000 through 2014. prgtoken Robin Klein graduated from Williamsville North High School in 1972. She has spent her life contributing to those around her in the Western New York region. Robin has extensive community service memberships and accolades, including, President of the Women's Auxiliary Board of John R. Oishei Children's Hospital. She has been a Committeewoman since 1985, and she is currently a board member (and past president) of the Amherst Women. Robin has taken part in many other organizations including Habitat for Humanity, where she took part in painting rooms and planting trees. In 2008, she was recognized with the Amherst Youth Board's Service to Youth Award. Additionally, Robin
Nominations of Michael Farbiarz and Robert Kirsch (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-2

I come to the floor today to support two remarkable, dedicated, and exceptionally qualified nominees to serve on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey: Mr. Michael Farbiarz and Mr. Robert Kirsch. Both nominees represent the best that our State has to offer. Both have served with distinction in various roles. Both deserve to be swiftly confirmed to the district court. prgtoken Consider the distinguished public service career of Mr. Farbiarz. A resident of Glen Ridge, NJ, he has served as an assistant U.S. attorney, as cochief of the Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit, and general counsel of the New York-New Jersey Port Authority. His relentless work ethic in every role has made him a shining star in New Jersey's legal community--a representation that is not given but earned. prgtoken And whether serving in the leadership roles that he has had, enforcing our laws as a Federal prosecutor, or providing legal counsel to those who serve on the Port Authority commission, his breadth and depth of legal experience prepare him well to continue his service to the Garden State as a fair and effective Federal judge. prgtoken Like Mr. Farbiarz, Robert Kirsch is a dedicated public servant who has been capably serving on the Superior Court of New Jersey for over a decade. A native of South Orange, he was sponsored for his position by then-State Senator Tom Kean, Jr a , and was appointed by Governor Corzine, a . prgtoken Throughout his tenure, Judge Kirsch has consistently earned bipartisan support in his long and impressive career in public service. He holds a wealth of experience both as a jurist and a former Federal prosecutor, and while presiding over a busy docket of criminal cases, Judge Kirsch has consistently chosen to do what is right, not what comes easy. prgtoken Outside of the courtroom, Robert Kirsch is a devoted advocate for public safety and the well-being of his community. In particular, he has led a passionate effort to improve New Jersey's juvenile justice system, earning him numerous awards and widespread recognition. This commitment to fairness and impartiality--values he has demonstrated throughout his career--will surely be an asset while serving on the Federal bench. prgtoken I submit to my colleagues that Mr. Farbiarz and Judge Kirsch are two phenomenal nominees to fill New Jersey's final judicial vacancies. They have earned ``well qualified'' ratings from the American Bar Association. They have letters of support from both the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. prgtoken In short, they are the final pieces of the puzzle as I, alongside Senator Booker and the administration, have worked to fill not one, not two, but eight vacancies that were existing. There was a judicial emergency on the District Court of New Jersey. At the beginning of the last Congress, the number of vacancies was so dire that it was
HONORING 50 YEARS OF THE GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-5-2

I, alongside my colleagues, Representative Ivey, Representative Hoyer, Representative Raskin, and Delegate Holmes Norton, wish to honor The Greater Washington Community Foundation for 50 years of service in the region. The Greater Washington Community Foundation will commemorate this momentous milestone on May 3, 2023, with philanthropists, nonprofits, businesses, and community members at the Smithsonian's National Museum for African American History and Culture. prgtoken In 1973, a group of prominent business and civic leaders--including Henry ``Hank'' Strong, Polly Shackleton, Davidson Sommers, Bishop John Walker, and Joseph Whyte--came together to establish a local community foundation to ``promote a permanent source of philanthropic capital for the Washington Metropolitan region.'' prgtoken Over time, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has grown to become the largest local funder serving this region, with more than $1.5 billion invested to build equitable, just, and thriving communities in D.C Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Northern Virginia. prgtoken Under the leadership of CEO Tonia Wellons, the Greater Washington Community Foundation continues to galvanize philanthropic resources and strategically invest in prgtoken solutions to a wide range of issues impacting our communities--from education to housing stability, food security, workforce development, and crisis response. prgtoken The Greater Washington Community Foundation is now committed to leading our community in a movement that will help increase economic mobility and close our region's racial wealth gap to create a better future for our region where everyone prospers. prgtoken Please join the regional delegation and I in honoring the 50th anniversary of the Greater Washington Community Foundation on May 3, 2023. We urge all the citizens of the greater Washington area to join in celebrating this very special occasion.
LIMIT, SAVE, GROW ACT OF 2023
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-5-2

a government should help its people; it should make life easier and improve well-being. 1 reject the Default on America Act that seeks to exact $4.8 trillion in harm from children, the elderly, veterans, workers, small businesses, families, and our economy. This bill is one of the most cruel that has come before the House in the 25 years that I've served here. This Default on America would help tax cheats and oil companies while devastating our Nation to appease extremists. prgtoken In Illinois, the House s extreme demands would: put 562,000 people at risk of losing Medicaid; threaten food insecurity for 54,000 people aged 50-55; eliminate preschool and child care for almost 11,000 children; make college more expensive for at least 229,500 students; deny student loan debt relief to 679,000 borrowers; harm 960,000 k-12 students with draconian education cuts; cut $10 million in mental health funding for students; and increase housing costs for over 28,000 people. In my Congressional District alone, it would kill about 7,500 jobs, put health benefits at risk for 264,000 people, jeopardize Social Security payments for 73,000 families, and threaten the retirement savings of almost 78,000 people near retirement. prgtoken The harm from the Default on America would affect the entire Nation. prgtoken It would deny over 40 million borrowers much-needed student loan debt relief, take away the opportunity to go to college for 80,000 youth, and make college more expensive for 6.6 million Pell grant recipients. prgtoken It would cut over 2 million rural and underserved families from health care services. prgtoken It would increase hunger for over one million seniors and strip nutrition assistance from millions of people, including 1.2 million women, infants and children. prgtoken It would pull 200,000 children from Head Start and 100,000 children from childcare, making it harder for parents to work and hurting our economy. prgtoken It would evict over 430,000 families from Section 8 housing and yank rental assistance from an additional 640,000 families, an unprecedented loss of affordable housing for older adults, persons with disabilities, families with children, and veterans. prgtoken It would make it more costly to run small businesses and result in 125,000 fewer entrepreneurs having free business counseling and leave 295,000 out from the Entrepreneurial Development program. prgtoken It would cut 780,000 jobs in our economy according to Moody's Analytics while likely resulting in 100,000 fewer workers in registered apprenticeships and shipping domestic manufacturing jobs overseas. prgtoken It would threaten veterans' health and benefits by removing 87,000 jobs across the Veterans Health and Benefit Administration. prgtoken It would endanger our safety by cutting $8 billion from the Department of Justice programs that support federal, state; and local law enforcement and fi
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN GWEN NIEMI
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-5-2

today I wish to honor Captain Gwen Niemi for her service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp--WAC--during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. Ms. Niemi was among the first 200 women to become officers in the WAC. prgtoken Captain Niemi was born on February 2, 1920, in Lancaster, PA. Ms. Niemi obtained her degree in physical education from West Chester State College. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gwen attended the first WAC training course in Des Moines, IA, graduating from WAC training as a second lieutenant in 1942. prgtoken Her first assignment was training recruits at the WAC Training School in Daytona Beach, FL, and was responsible for instructing almost 500 trainees. Gwen next commanded a WAC Company of 180 personnel at Tyndall Field located outside of Panama City, FL. While on assignment at Tyndall Field, Ms. Niemi was temporarily assigned to duty at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center. She was promoted to the rank of captain and transferred to Eastern Flying Training Command at Maxwell Field, AL, where she served as a career field manager and evaluator for the WAC Program. prgtoken Upon her discharge from the WAC with the rank of captain, Ms. Niemi moved to Tucson, AZ, where she became a teacher in the physical education department at the University of Arizona. Ms. Niemi took 5 years off from teaching, having two children, and then returned to teaching physical education and English and reading at Tucson School District No. 1, now known as TUSD. prgtoken Please join me in celebrating Captain Gwen Niemi for being a patriot and a true trailblazer, for her brave service during World War II, and for going on to be an educator at the University of Arizona and at Tucson School District No. 1.
FRANCISCO MAESTAS v. GEORGE H. SHONE AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2023-5-2

I rise today to recognize an important part of Colorado history and of our Nation's history, the case of Francisco Maestas et al. v. George H. Shone et al. (1914)-- ``Maestas''--one of the Nation's oldest school desegregation cases. prgtoken In 1848, at the end of the Mexican-American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded most of present-day Colorado from Mexico to the United States. The resulting influx of Mexican settlers brought major economic, industrial, political, linguistic, and cultural challenges to the region, including questions regarding public education. prgtoken In the early 1910s, railroad foreman Francisco Maestas and other Mexican American parents sought to place their children into the public school on the ``White side'' of town in Alamosa, CO. After the school district repeatedly denied to enroll their children, Maestas and other parents formed the ``Spanish-American Union'' and brought together 180 parents on a petition to challenge Alamosa's school segregation. Their petition was denied, as was their attempt to seek assistance from the Colorado State superintendent. Following these denials, the community staged a boycott for 3 months to protest these injustices, to no avail. prgtoken Colorado's Constitution has long prohibited public schools from classifying and distinguishing school children based on color and race, but as the Maestas case demonstrates, school districts sometimes fell short of ensuring equity before the law. Faced with these repeated denials, the community continued to organize with the help of the Society for the Mutual Protection of Workers--SPMDTU--one of America's oldest mutual aid societies, and Father E.J. Montel, a Catholic priest, who helped them raise funds to hire legal representation and file a lawsuit against the Alamosa Board of Education. prgtoken The school district contended that since it viewed Mexican American students as part ``of the Caucasian race,'' it was not discriminating based on race but rather addressing its Spanish-speaking students' needs. However, the school district was disproven of its assertion when students answered questions in English while on the stand. prgtoken In March of 1914, the district court ruled in favor of Francisco Maestas, stating that ``the only way to destroy this feeling of discontent and bitterness which has recently grown up, is to allow all children so prepared, to attend the school nearest them''--an early and important step toward desegregation and a victory for Colorado's Mexican American community. prgtoken In recent years, bipartisan leaders in Colorado have worked to ensure this landmark case gets the recognition it deserves. After the Colorado Legislature and the State board of education recognized the case as a significant Colorado court decision, it is now taught as part of the revised social studies curriculum for all Colorado high school students. Now, schoolchildren across Colorado wil
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-2

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that following the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Merchant nomination postcloture; further, that all cloture time on the Merchant nomination be considered expired at 11:30 a.m. and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination; that following the cloture vote on the Hsu nomination, notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume legislative session and the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 9 and the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of H.J. Res. 39, which was received from the House, and S.J. Res. 9; that at 6:15 p.m the joint resolutions be considered read a third time and the Senate vote on the passage of the joint resolutions, in the order previously listed, with 15 minutes for debate, equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, between the votes on the joint resolutions; further, that following disposition of the joint resolutions, the Senate resume executive session and, if cloture has been invoked on the Hsu nomination, vote on confirmation of the nomination; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.