mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF PAT FRISCH
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2023-6-27

it is an honor to recognize the service of Pat Frisch, Program Director and Director of Content for Central Montana Radio Stations in Great Falls, Montana. prgtoken Pat has a broadcasting career that has lasted over 40 years and has taken him from Cary, Illinois to Great Falls, Montana with stops in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, Prescott, Arizona, Lake Tahoe, California, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pat holds a spot in the Nevada Broadcaster Hall of Fame. prgtoken Pat has announced his retirement from broadcasting due to health issues. He will be missed for his early morning humor and his ability to get to the bottom line of a story. Pat is a go to resource for breaking news for Great Falls and the many Agricultural communities that 560 KMON serves. Pat's passion for his family, friends, and especially his three dogs (Chica, Lucky, and Feefs) is evident when he shares his stories. prgtoken Community members and listeners have often said they appreciate the questions and interviews Pat does with the elected official representing the state of Montana. Regardless of their political affiliation, Pat is always open and welcoming to politicians and remains fair and balanced in his questioning during interviews. This type of reporting has become lost prgtoken in the United States, and Pat is truly one of a kind. prgtoken Pat Frisch's story is that of a man coming from a small community 50 miles north of Chicago and growing his brand and reputation through hard work to become a trusted public figure to thousands of listeners throughout all of the markets he has worked in. I'm proud to acknowledge Pat Frisch for his service, and it is a privilege to honor him in the U.S. House of Representatives.
RECOGNIZING STEVE BLACKBURN
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-6-27

I rise today to honor the retirement of Steve Blackburn from Glasgow, Kentucky after 43 years of service with the T. Marzetti Company. prgtoken Steve began his career as a temporary employee in the processing department in their first manufacturing plant on Indianola Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. He has proven to be an important team member at the T. Marzetti Company, being instrumental in the greenfield startup in Horse Cave, Kentucky in 2006 and Sister Schubert's in 2007. Nearly a half century later, Steve will retire as the Senior Director of Operations. prgtoken A loving father of 4 and grandfather of 6, Steve plans on enjoying retirement with his wife of nearly 14 years, Angela. Congratulations to Steve on his hard-earned retirement.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JAMES PAPARIELLO
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-6-27

I rise to celebrate the life and accomplishments of James Papariello, who sadly passed away on June 12, 2023, at the age of 84. prgtoken In 1969, the Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, native built his own business, Jim Papariello Studios, that served the Greater Pittsburgh community for over 50 years. Throughout his career in commercial industrial photography, James captured many of Pittsburgh's important figures and organizations, including Mario Lemieux, Dr. Earl Starzl, U.S. Steel and Heinz corporations. Pittsburgher Magazine featured several of his works on their cover in recognition of their quality and significance to southwestern Pennsylvania. These covers and photographs are currently on display in the Heinz History Center for all to enjoy. prgtoken Apart from his life's work, James also devoted himself to his family. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Linda, and his beloved children and grandchildren. His family will fondly remember James as a man whose greatest happiness came from spending time together. prgtoken , James Papariello's love of his community and dedication to his family is an example to us all. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I wish his family comfort and healing during this difficult time.
REMEMBERING DR. DENNIS CARLTON WOODS
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. Dennis Carlton Woods, an inspiring and influential member of the Southeast Michigan community who passed away on May 26th of 2023. As Dr. Woods' family reflected upon their loved one's magnificent life, they affectionately recalled him as a persistent, creative, and intelligent father and community member. While Dr. Woods will be deeply missed by the many people he impacted, there is no doubt that these qualities have been passed on to his family and friends and will continue to positively influence his community. prgtoken On December 3, 1943, Dr. Dennis Carlton Woods was born in Detroit, MI, to Flavia Bell Taylor and Meldon Hubert Woods. Welcomed into a large, loving family, he was the third of seven dedicated and energetic children. After losing his father, Meldon, early in life, Dr. Woods sought new opportunities for himself and was determined to fulfill his intellectual curiosity. This determined spirit led him to Tennessee State University as a student athlete studying biochemistry with the intention of going to medical school. As a true Michigander, he still managed to return to Detroit during his summers to work at the Ford Motor Company foundry. Working hard to support himself and explore any opportunities that came his way, he sincerely believed that hard work is what is required to make something out of your talent. These values took Dr. Woods to Meharry Medical College in 1967, where he was incredibly involved in his campus community and pursued his medical degree, specializing in ophthalmology. prgtoken Outside of his academic career, Dr. Woods tried as many different activities as he could while at Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College. During his undergraduate career, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. While in medical school, he was Editor-in- Chief of the student newspaper, the Meharrian, Class Treasurer, Pre- Alumni Association Treasurer, captain of the Meharry basketball team, and member of the Urology Club. His time as a student was also when he developed a passion for civil rights. prgtoken His drive to try new things didn't stop when he came back home to Detroit. Even when he co-founded a private practice, the Detroit Medical Group, he continued to lead an adventurous and well-rounded life. Dr. Woods became politically active in the area, hosting multiple political fundraisers at his home for multiple candidates, including the first African American mayor of Detroit, Mayor Coleman Young. These acts of social service included volunteering regularly at Plymouth United Church of Christ. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed fine art, photography, gardening, genealogy, travel, and more. His hobbies allowed him to bring his community of family and friends together to enjoy the activities as a group. prgtoken Above all, Dr. Woods was a family man. He was a loving father to his three children--Delisa Chimene, Dennis Jr Krystle
RECOGNIZING FIRE CHIEF CATHERINE HARMAN
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-6-30

today I want to recognize Fire Chief Catherine Harman for her 40 years of fire service to the people of Garden City and Michigan's 12th District Strong. prgtoken Chief Harman began her career as a firefighter and paramedic with the Detroit Fire Department, where she served for 10 years. She went on to serve the community of Garden City 30 more years, 13 of those as Fire Chief. As a fire service professional, Chief Harman is one of only 5 percent of women in the United States who have a career in fire service. In her role as fire chief, she has blazed the trail for countless women and sets an example for young people everywhere. prgtoken Chief Harman has done an outstanding job of leading the 21 members strong Garden City Fire Department, including persevering through the challenges of serving the public through a global pandemic. Under Chief Harman's leadership, there has been tremendous improvement in improving fire safety across the community. prgtoken Please join me in recognizing Garden City Fire Chief Catherine Harman for her outstanding service the people of Michigan's 12th District as we wish her well on her retirement.
TRIBUTE TO MRS. ELISE JONES MARTIN
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to pay tribute to a trailblazer, fearless business owner, voting rights advocate, and my good friend, Elise Jones Martin. Mrs. Martin transitioned from this life on June 1, 2023, in Palo Alto, California. Having lived in Columbia, South Carolina, for the majority her life, Mrs. Martin was a pillar of our community who was widely loved and respected for her tenacity and compassion. prgtoken Elise Jones Martin was born on February 7, 1915, in Hartsville, South Carolina. She was raised in a loving home by her mother, Fannie Jones, who worked as a seamstress to support her and her siblings after the passing of their father. By age 20, Mrs. Martin had graduated from cosmetology school in New Jersey and settled in Columbia, South Carolina, where she opened her first beauty shop. A successful business owner, she owned several successful beauty shops in the state. She would go on to open Elise Beauty Shop in downtown Columbia and become the first Black person to own a business on Main Street. prgtoken In addition to her business acumen, Mrs. Martin was deeply dedicated to her education and passing the gift of knowledge onto others. She took classes at South Carolina State University, Allen University, and Benedict College. Mrs. Martin would go on to become a beloved cosmetology teacher of 27 years at Columbia's Booker T. Washington High School. In addition, Mrs. Martin often kept in touch with her former students, offering insight and guidance as they embarked on future endeavors. prgtoken Throughout her life, Mrs. Martin was a highly involved member of the community and volunteered her spare time to bettering the lives of others. She was involved with many groups, including the Columbia Housing Authority, the Clyburn Golf Center Committee, the Columbia Zoning Commission, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development, the City Beautification Committee, the Drew Park Board, and the Jones-McDonald Community Club, which was co-founded by her mother. Additionally, she was a recipient of the Enduring Spirit Award from the Columbia Museum of Art and received accolades from the Columbia City Council and the American Cancer Society. prgtoken Having grown up in the Jim Crow South and enduring difficulty at the polls, Mrs. Martin closely cherished her civic activities. She became a prominent voting rights advocate in South Carolina. In addition to spending decades registering people to vote and guiding them through the voting process, Mrs. Martin served as a poll worker for more than 30 years, well into her nineties. She famously met whilst he was running for President, telling him proudly, ``You are a good man. You've got good brains and don't you stop.'' prgtoken , I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring the incredible and inspiring life of Elise Jones Martin. She is remembered fondly by her three children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren, the products of a mor
HONORING DR. ANTHONY NUNEZ AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-6-30

Dr. Anthony Nunez is a practicing cardiothoracic surgeon in Osceola County, Florida. He is a staff surgeon at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Lake Nona with additional privileges at HCA Florida Poinciana Medical Center. He became board prgtoken certified in thoracic surgery after graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and received advanced training in heart and lung transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. prgtoken He started his practice in Florida at Halifax Medical Center and subsequently moved to the Osceola Regional Medical Center. He is serving the counties of Osceola and Polk and was instrumental in the care of many critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. His diverse research interests started at the National Institutes of Health, and he now serves on the Industrial Advisory Board at Embry Riddle University, Daytona Beach. prgtoken He was the co-founder of Endotronix along with Harry Rowland, Ph.D. Endotronix is a medical device company currently conducting human trials of a wireless implantable pressure sensor designed to monitor pulmonary artery pressure in patients with congestive heart failure. The conception of this device started at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio. Through a Space Act agreement and private equity funding, Endotronix developed the device and monitoring system, and performed all the early animal and human trials in the United States and Europe. They recently completed enrollment in the PROACTIVE-HF pivotal U.S. human trial, anticipating FDA data submission in 2024. prgtoken Dr. Nunez is married with three children. His eldest daughter is preparing to start at Florida State University. Dr. Nunez continues to serve the communities of Lake Nona, Kissimmee, and Poinciana through a diverse portfolio of thoracic surgery cases with an ongoing focus on robotic thoracic surgery for mediastinal and pulmonary cancer, performing his surgical cases on the DaVinci robotic surgical platform.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF JUNE CATALANO
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to recognize the service of June Catalano as she retires from the City of Pleasant Hill. prgtoken Throughout her career, most recently as City Manager in the City of Pleasant Hill, California, June has been dedicated to her community and to improving the lives of Bay Area residents. Prior to her work with the City of Pleasant Hill, June served as City Manager of Martinez from 2001 to 2006. Additionally, she served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Milpitas from 1998 to 2001. She also was the Director of Development Services with the City of San Leandro, Director of Planning and Building for the City of Santa Ana, and Community Development Director for the City of Laguna Beach. prgtoken June's leadership has been instrumental to the expansion and growth of Pleasant Hill. During her tenure with the City, June worked to foster a vibrant community within Pleasant Hill and to provide public spaces for community members to gather and enjoy. She played a key role in the redevelopment of the Crossroads Shopping Center and the newly renovated Pleasant Hill Library. June also led efforts to coordinate the Concerts by the Lake, Community Service Day, National Night Out, and more. Additionally, June guided the City through the Great Recession and through the COVID-19 pandemic where her leadership and dedication were critical in prioritizing community safety and health. June has worked tirelessly throughout her career to bring community members together and to improve quality of life for all residents of Pleasant Hill. prgtoken Please join me in congratulating June Catalano on her well-deserved retirement after 17 years of outstanding public service to our community.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALDERWOMAN SCHEKETA HART-BURNS
Bill Foster (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns and to recognize the important contributions she made to the City of Aurora, Illinois. prgtoken Mrs. Scheketa Hart-Burns was born in Fort Meyers, Florida on December 1, 1954, and moved to the City of Aurora in 1978 making it her home and her community. She dedicated herself to improving the lives of residents in the city she loved. prgtoken Alderwoman Hart-Burns is a history-making, award-winning elected official, community leader and mentor to many. She holds the distinction of being the first African American elected to Aurora City Council in 1991, originally in the 6th Ward. When the 7th Ward was added, she became its alderwoman. The ward is on the east side of Aurora, south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line. She was also appointed the first-ever African American Mayor pro term from 2016-2017. prgtoken A stalwart figure in the community, Alderwoman Hart-Burns spearheaded and served as a member and advisor to dozens of organizations and initiatives for Ward 7 residents and the City of Aurora as a whole. prgtoken Her ward and neighborhood initiatives include establishing a ward committee and several apartment-complex resident councils, establishing community gardens, and hosting annual holiday programs for Ward 7 communities. prgtoken Citywide she started the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon, started the effort to install commemorative street signs for prominent Black residents, established the annual citywide Black History Program, hosted annual holiday musicals for food pantries, and made holiday dinners for senior citizens and disabled persons. prgtoken She was especially committed to helping Aurora's children, founding many programs to help youth and their families. These include founding the Back-to-School Bash at Martin Luther King Park, which serves more than 5,000 students, co-founding the annual Coats-for-Kids drive which provides winter coats, hats, and gloves to thousands of students, acting as founding advisor and Mother Emeritus of Boys II Men, Inc mentoring Aurora University Students pursuing degrees in social work, and co-founding the City of Aurora's STEAM Academy. prgtoken Alderwoman Hart-Burns was also involved in organizations serving surrounding communities, including working as the Chairperson of the Circle of Wise Women for the Kane County Health Department and the Chairperson of Weed and Seed with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. She was a Board member and Advisor of the Quad County Urban League for 33 years, a founding Advisor for the City's African American Heritage Advisory Board, a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens, and a board member of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry and Childcare Center. prgtoken Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns had a strong faith and was an Evangelist Missionary at Greater Mount Olive Church of God In Christ. prgtoken
HONORING THE CAREER OF ADELA JONES
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to honor the retirement of Adela Jones, a beloved educator and superintendent. prgtoken Adela Jones has served the students of Sanger Unified for 36 years. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Fresno State, and her Master's Degree in Bilingual Education from Fresno Pacific University. She began her teaching career in 1984 and joined Sanger Unified as a classroom teacher in 1987. Since then, Mrs. Jones has held many positions within Sanger Unified, including Reading Development Teacher, Elementary Principal, Area Administrator, and Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. In 2018, Adela was appointed Superintendent of Sanger Unified. prgtoken Throughout her career in education, Adela has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of Sanger Unified students. One of her proudest achievements lies in the creation of a strong and dedicated team of teachers and staff who have tirelessly worked to meet the needs of students--particularly during the challenging times brought about by the pandemic. From the teachers on the front lines to the support staff behind the scenes, Adela has fostered a sense of unity and purpose within the district which has prompted an excellent education to every child. prgtoken What sets Adela apart as an exceptional educator is the lasting impact she has made on the lives of her students. Many Sanger Unified employees were once her students, and they fondly remember her love of singing in class and the invaluable knowledge she imparted to them. It is a testament to her dedication and mentorship that these former students still cherish the influence she had on their lives. Adela's commitment to her students goes beyond the classroom, extending to supporting their growth and achievements long after they have left school. prgtoken Under Adela's guidance, Sanger Unified has achieved remarkable milestones and received well-deserved recognition. The opening of Sanger West High School, the establishment of six community schools through an $8 million-plus implementation grant, and the distinction of all middle schools being recognized as Schools To Watch are testaments to her impeccable leadership. However, Adela humbly attributes these accomplishments not to her herself, but to her team as a whole. prgtoken Amidst these successes, Adela Jones has faced numerous challenges during her superintendency, with the most significant being the unprecedented closure of schools due to the pandemic. The decision to keep students and teachers apart was undoubtedly one of the hardest moments she had to endure, but it also brought about a sense of unity among her team. Adversity has a way of revealing the strength of character, and Adela's leadership shone brightly as she guided the district through uncharted territory, ensuring the continuation of learning and supporting her community during these trying times. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues
HONORING SARAH HARRIS
Marilyn Strickland (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-6-30

I rise today to honor Sarah , a standout public servant and local leader who recently retired from her role as Puyallup's Parks and Recreation Director after a 35-year career with the City. prgtoken After graduating from Arkansas College, Sarah spent several years working for the military with a focus on recreational sports and fitness. When she moved to Washington state, she applied her love of sports and recreation to her first job with the City of Puyallup as a part-time Recreation Supervisor in 1988. Sarah eventually shifted to her most recent role with the City as their Parks and Recreation Director, working to grow the City's parks and beautify its public spaces for South Sound communities. prgtoken During her decade-long tenure as Director, Sarah oversaw several community projects, including the creation of Van Lierop Park and the installation of Puyallup's first-ever Spray Park in Pioneer Park. Thanks to Sarah's skilled leadership and sustained commitment to the City's development, Puyallup has one of the best Parks and Recreation systems in Washington. prgtoken I commend Sarah for her tireless service to the people of Puyallup and the state of Washington and wish her all the best in her well- deserved retirement.