mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HISTORIC EMBASSY OPENING IN JERUSALEM
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2019-5-14

on this day last year, I was grateful to lead nine House colleagues on a congressional delegation to Jerusalem for the opening of the U.S. Embassy. prgtoken We had the opportunity to meet with Members of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, and to meet the Knesset Foreign Affairs chairman, Avi Dichter. prgtoken It was an honor to be welcomed to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We have a shared priority to stop terrorism and anti-Semitism in both of our countries and around the world. I am confident in the leadership of Israel and know they will do all they can to protect and serve its citizens. prgtoken I am thankful for the strong commitment shown to the American-Israeli alliance by President , with promises made and promises kept. Ambassador David Friedman enthusiastically coordinated the Embassy movement, fulfilling a vote of Congress in 1994 to relocate from Tel Aviv to the capital of Jerusalem. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.
BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS ACT OF 2019
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-5-14

I rise today in support of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. prgtoken I am a marine and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Caring for our Nation's men and women who have served is a top priority for me and for my staff and, I know, for the members of this committee. They should have peace of mind knowing that they will be cared for by this grateful Nation. prgtoken I have had many veterans come into my office with health problems. Sometimes they can't pinpoint the problem at all, but all too often they can if they served in Vietnam: It is exposure to Agent Orange. prgtoken We now have 100,000 Navy veterans who served on ships during the Vietnam war and later became ill from their service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Unfortunately, without this legislation, they do not qualify for the same benefits as their fellow veterans who served on the ground. prgtoken We must do better. Today's legislation is a step forward in the right direction. This critical legislation ensures they receive benefits for any condition they may have developed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. It is a bipartisan bill, and it puts our veterans first. prgtoken As has been mentioned before, we passed this bill to the Senate last Congress. Unfortunately, the Senate did not, and was not, able to take it up. My hope and my prayer is that we pass this quickly, that it goes to the Senate, that they quickly do their job, and that, with that, we can get it to this President's desk, get it signed, and take care of these veterans who deserve it and have waited so long.
RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT DANIEL SWAIM
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Daniel Swaim for his exceptional service to the House CAO Office of Finance's Budget, Planning and Analysis (BPA) division. prgtoken Lt. Swaim was detailed to BPA during a vital period to coordinate the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget formulation process and assist with execution of the House's FY 2019 resources. His superior knowledge of the federal budgeting process, keen analytical skills, and work ethic enabled BPA to mitigate its temporary personnel gaps. Lt. Swaim's efforts facilitated better insight on available resources, led to optimal decision making on allocation of funds, and ultimately enabled timely delivery of a well justified FY 2020 House Budget. prgtoken Lt. Swaim's stellar professionalism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending Lt. Swaim for his dedication and service and wish him fair winds and following seas as he embarks on his next assignment as the Commanding Officer of USCG Cutter Sturgeon Bay.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE J.W. DARDEN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS OF 1969
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the 1969 graduating class of J.W. Darden High School in Opelika, Alabama. prgtoken The purple and gold Panther alumni are celebrating their 50 years since graduation. The graduating class had 107 students and date of graduation was May 1969. Class officers included: President--Charles Harper, Vice President--Harvey Jackson, Secretary--Evelyn Melton and Treasurer--Frances Forman. Mr. Wilbert D. Payne, Jr. serves as local Chairperson of the 1969 graduating class. prgtoken Madam , please join me in recognizing the 1969 graduating class of J.W. Darden High School and congratulate them on this 50-year milestone.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , on May 9th and 10th, I attended my son's graduation from Naval Academy Preparatory School and was therefore unable to cast my vote on several pieces of legislation. If present, I would have voted NAY on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 357 (Roll Call No. 189) and NAY on agreeing to H. Res. 357 (Roll Call No. 190). prgtoken I would have also voted on amendments to H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act, in the following way: YEA on the Brown Amendment (Roll Call No. 191); YEA on the Holding Amendment (Roll Call No. 192); NAY on the Malinowski Amendment (Roll Call No. 193); and NAY on the Wild Amendment (Roll Call No. 194). I would have voted YEA to recommit H.R. 986 (Roll Call No. 195) and voted NAY on passage (Roll Call No. 196). Despite its title, H.R. 986 does nothing to protect preexisting conditions. Instead, I would have supported my colleague Representative Greg Walden's bill, H.R. 692, the Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act, if it were brought before the House for consideration. prgtoken Furthermore, I would have voted on amendments to H.R. 2157, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2019, in the following way: NAY on the Perlmutter amendment (Roll Call No. 197); NAY on the Sablan amendment (Roll Call No. 198); NAY on the Huffman amendment (Roll Call No. 199); and YEA on the Fletcher amendment (Roll Call No. 200). I would have voted YEA to recommit H.R. 2157 (Roll Call No. 201) and NAY on passage of H.R. 2157 (Roll Call No. 202). While I support targeted funding to help communities recover from flooding, especially in Minnesota, this bill carelessly adds to our growing national debt. Future generations will be forced to confront the over $22 trillion in debt unless Washington can find a way to reform the appropriations process to address unchecked federal spending.
HONORING MIKE PIGGOTT
James R. Baird (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-5-14

I rise today to recognize Mike Piggott, who has become virtually an institution for the Lafayette community and Purdue University. prgtoken Mike has been an integral part of the greater Lafayette area for more than 40 years. He serves numerous roles at Purdue, including public address announcer for the men's basketball team and public orator for more than 100 commencement ceremonies. prgtoken Before working at Purdue, Mike was general manager at WLFI, and he was the television station's news director and news anchor for 14 years and news director at WASK radio for 13 years. prgtoken Mike's remarkable career focused on communicating with neighbors, friends, and alumni through sharing stories, delivering the news, and representing Purdue University. prgtoken His wife, Nancy, is a retired fourth grade teacher at Glen Acres Elementary. Together, they have two daughters, Jane and Julie, both married and living in the Indianapolis area, along with five grandchildren. prgtoken , I congratulate Mike on his retirement and thank him for his dedication to our community.
PROCEEDINGS OF FORMER MEMBERS PROGRAM
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-5-14

. It is an honor to be with you. A lot of you I have admired greatly. Some of you I have never gotten to meet. But part of the reason I ran, I watched you in public service, prgtoken and it is an amazing occupation, and we should honor it every chance we get. prgtoken There are days when we honor our democracy, so I am just going to tell you a quick story. If any of you have time and you want to come by my office--it is no longer in the majority side, but it is in the minority side over here. At one time it was the 's office, whom some of you served, so you can find where it is. prgtoken In there I put paintings, and there is a reason why each painting that I put in there is from a different artist. I put my favorite Presidents, Lincoln and Reagan, and then I have the one of ``Washington Crossing the Delaware.'' And this is the story I will tell you today. prgtoken When I look at the paintings, I always wonder what advice Lincoln would tell us. If you think about it, he was a Member of the House. prgtoken My favorite part whenever I give a tour is to go to Statuary Hall, stand right where Lincoln's desk is, and have my guests look back at the clock. I ask them to tell me what time it is because it is the exact same view and the exact same clock that Abraham Lincoln looked at. I am sure he did, and that is an opportunity to have. prgtoken But what would Lincoln tell us today? Lincoln would tell us to believe in the exceptionalism of this country; that we are different than any other country before us. And the reason why I believe that is, is the Gettysburg Address. prgtoken You all know it. ``Four score and seven years ago our Fathers brought forth on this continent a new Nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.'' prgtoken There has never been another country like ours. Conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that we are all equal. There is something about democracy that that brings forth. prgtoken When you think about the world today, Saudi Arabia just now allows women the right to drive, and it makes you think about where we have come from. prgtoken But the painting that I want you to look at, and some of you have served with me and you have been in that room, is ``Washington Crossing the Delaware.'' You know of that painting. You know that it hangs in New York, but did you know the history of who actually painted that picture? It wasn't even an American. His name was Emanuel Leutze. He had lived in America. He was an immigrant. prgtoken He lived here for a number of years and went back to Germany, and painted a picture based upon the belief that he wanted to inspire the Germans to have a revolution because he believed America was more than a country, that America was an idea. And he wanted the revolution in Germany to inspire the idea of freedom and democracy. prgtoken So he doesn't get it historically correct, but we don't blame him, right? The Delawa
BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS ACT OF 2019
David P. Roe (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-5-14

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), who was the previous chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee and is now ranking member. prgtoken Mr. Mike Bost is a marine veteran who also led a bill that we passed 2 years ago, the appeals modernization bill, a bill that has helped so many disabled veterans get their claims adjudicated more quickly.
BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS ACT OF 2019
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-5-14

I thank Dr. Roe for the time. prgtoken , I rise today as well in support of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, an important bipartisan bill that will finally guarantee equality for the blue water Navy Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. prgtoken Agent Orange was used by the U.S. military to strategically clear terrain and deforest areas during the Vietnam war. This tactical chemical has been linked, however, to prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and many other diseases. prgtoken For far too long, only veterans who served on Vietnam's landmass or inland waterways were entitled to the service-connected presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. This legislation ensures that the same automatic presumption is provided to those who served in the territorial seas of Vietnam. H.R. 299 addresses and permanently fixes this by properly defining those who will be eligible for VA benefits related to Agent Orange. prgtoken With this bill, we ensure that blue water Navy veterans will be treated fairly and will receive the benefits and care they deserve. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important bill, and I will continue to work for our Nation's veterans, providing them the care and benefits they have earned. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
OFFICER ANTHONY NERI
Francis Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Anthony Neri, an officer with the Sanibel Police Department who passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019. Mr. Neri had served the Sanibel Police Department since 2012, and as an officer since 2015. prgtoken Prior to serving with the Police Department in Sanibel, Mr. Neri was a Revenue Officer with the U.S. Department of the Treasury for 30 years. He also served as a police officer in Union Township, New Jersey prior to moving to Southwest Florida. prgtoken Officer Neri was honored along with 18 other officers at the Lee County Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Centennial Park in Fort Myers, Florida. prgtoken I am grateful to Officer Neri for his service to our community, and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.
RECOGNIZING BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF COLLIN COUNTY ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , in October 1968, the ``Boys Club of McKinney'' under the leadership of Mr. Henry L. Shoap, was created to assist young men in developing the skills, attitudes, and aptitudes to make successful decisions in life. In April 1969, after receiving incorporation from the national organization, the Club would officially open its doors on the historic McKinney Square. A decade later, girls would be admitted to the organization. However, it would take another seven years for the Club to officially change its name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of McKinney. In time, the Club came to be a popular destination for kids from around Collin County to assemble in a safe and fun learning environment. In 1988, in order to expand their area of service, the Club would officially change its name one final time to Boys & Girls Club of Collin County. Similar to its inception fifty years ago, the mission remains largely the same: To enable all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible individuals. The Boys & Girls Club of Collin County provides a valuable service-- and sometimes the only option--to those children needing a place to go after school. Today, over 10,000 Collin County children and teens are regularly served by locations in McKinney, Plano, and Frisco. Kids who attend the Club are afforded a variety of programs and activities that assist in allowing them to meet key areas of development while gaining independence and learning tools to become productive members of their community. For this reason, I am proud to congratulate Boys & Girls Club of Collin County on their 50th anniversary of service to a grateful community. Under the leadership of so many selfless individuals, including current CEO E. Michael Simpson, your dedicated team of leaders has worked to ensure that those who would most benefit from the services provided by your organization are allowed to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. Madam , today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this tremendous organization for improving the lives of countless children over the past five decades while growing our next generation of community leaders.
CELEBRATING OUR INCREDIBLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
Jim Hagedorn (Republican, MN) \u2014 2019-5-14

last week, the Communist Government of Cuba announced that it is launching widespread rationing of food due to the grave economic crisis in their country. prgtoken Unlike citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, and countless other nations, Americans know their grocery store shelves will be filled every day with an abundant supply of quality products at affordable prices, and that is thanks to the ingenuity and hard work of America's farmers and agribusinesses. prgtoken For Americans who lack the means to put food on the table, our taxpayers generously provide hundreds of billions of dollars for food stamps and other welfare benefits. Private entities such as churches and nonprofit food banks rely on the voluntary generosity of their members. prgtoken Yet it all starts with the supply of food. We could have fistfuls of $100 bills and EBT cards, but that wouldn't matter if the grocery store shelves were bare. prgtoken As Americans, we must always celebrate our system of free enterprise and our incredible agricultural producers. We are, indeed, the envy of the world.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2019-5-14

I rise today to recognize National Police Week. prgtoken Thousands of police officers from around the country are in Washington, D.C this week, and I want to welcome them with the recognition and appreciation they deserve and that they don't always receive these days. prgtoken I thank the Capitol Police officers, Officers David Bailey and Crystal Griner, who saved many of my colleagues' lives less than 2 years ago when they took down an armed gunman at that baseball practice that we so famously heard about. prgtoken I am very thankful for our officers that we have in northern California, many who have had to work around the clock with some of the disasters we have had in recent years with the dam and the fires, who really helped make an orderly situation out of a lot of chaos. prgtoken Nationally, I hate to have to relate these statistics, but 163 police officers died in the line of duty last year, 52 from gunfire. Any number greater than zero is unacceptable. prgtoken In California, we lost 11 officers in 2018. This year, we tragically lost 22-year-old Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona, one of the most heartbreaking ones you might ever see. She was following in her father's footsteps, who was an officer for a long time in Colusa County. prgtoken Indeed, these men and women know it is a higher calling, a higher, 24-hour duty that they answer to for all of our safety. We appreciate them. We love them, and let's always be sure we remember to show them that.
CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHIEF DAVID FRENZEL WITH THE ORANGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate a great man and thank him for fifty years of service to the City of Orange's Fire Department, Chief David Frenzel. Chief Frenzel was born on June 25, 1947 to E.P. and Sophia Frenzel in Orange, Texas. He and his brother, Dolan, were raised there and attended public school. Chief Frenzel began his college career at Lamar Tech anticipating a career in the medical field. In the spring of 1969 Fire Chief Vertis Sands called and offered him a job with the fire department on a Thursday. He withdrew from classes at Lamar on Friday and went to work at the fire department on Saturday, April 19, 1969. The rest, as they say, is history. Chief Frenzel did go on to earn his degree from Lamar University in Fire Protection Technology in 1978 and completed the Executive Officer program through the National Fire Academy in 2000. Through the years, Chief Frenzel advanced through the ranks at the fire department and was named Fire Chief in 1997. Today he continues to serve in that capacity, claiming that he still has a few things he would like to accomplish within the department before retirement. In addition to his firefighter duties, Chief Frenzel has volunteered in many capacities throughout the community, including service on St. Mary's Catholic Church Pastoral Council; serving on the boards of the Sabine Neches Chief Association and Lamar Institute of Technology; and serving as Scout Master for Troop 1 for twenty-five years with 75 young men earning the rank of Eagle Scout under his leadership. Chief Frenzel and his wife Hildy have been married for 41 years and have two sons, David and Adam, both of whom were valedictorians at West Orange Stark High School and went on to graduate from Texas A & M University. They are also the proud grandparents of five grandchildren Charlie, Sam, Andy, Abigail, and Alden. Chief Frenzel is known for his humble ways, quick wit, and knowledge of Orange history. His most admirable quality is his love of God, his family, and for the Orange Fire Department. Madam , I rise to congratulate Chief Frenzel on his half century of dedicated service to the Orange Fire Department and in thanks of a heroism few share, but all are grateful for.
HONORING THE DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK OF THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR ON THEIR 136TH ANNUAL NEW YORK DEPARTMENT ENCAMPMENT
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-5-14

. Madam , I rise today to honor The Department of New York of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War as they gather for their 136th annual encampment. prgtoken The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a fraternal organization founded nationally in 1881. Their mission is to preserve the history and legacy of those who fought and worked and died to preserve the Union. Its members are all descendants of soldiers, sailors, marines and revenue cutter service members who served honorably during the war. prgtoken The New York Department was founded two years after the national organization in 1883. Since that time, they have met annually in an encampment to conduct business, plan future volunteer activities and elect leaders. This historic organization has been dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of those who bravely served for generations. They have volunteered their time at historical cemeteries ensuring that the monuments and headstones of civil war veterans do not fall into disrepair and are maintained for future generations to see and reflect on. They also maintain an impressive collection of U.S. flags used by the military as far back as the War of 1812. prgtoken The Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War do us all a great service by preserving the memory and physical reminders of our history for future generations. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to thank them for 136 years of dedicated public service.