mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING DYLAN MONTGOMERY EVANS
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , I proudly pause to recognize Dylan Montgomery Evans. Dylan is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 115, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. prgtoken Dylan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Dylan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Dylan has Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Dylan has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Dylan constructed two signs that can be removed and replaced as needed for Wesley United Methodist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. prgtoken Madam , I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dylan Montgomery Evans for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.
RECOGNIZING NEW FREEDOM FARM
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-9-30

I rise today to recognize New Freedom Farm in Buchanan, Virginia. prgtoken Founded in 2016 by Lois Fritz, New Freedom Farm is a nonprofit community that aids veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. prgtoken Through animal therapy, farming, and peer-to-peer support, this tremendous organization strives to empower veterans and help them heal through the realization of their own efforts and contributions. The farm says its mission is to heal heroes through horses. prgtoken At the facility, veterans often develop deep friendships through equine activity and gentling, fostering, physical, emotional, and spiritual health, which helps with reintegration into civilian life. prgtoken They offer their services to veterans entirely free of charge and say they are able to operate through donations and faith. prgtoken I applaud the entire team at New Freedom Farm for their passion and commitment to serving those who serve our Nation. I wish them continued success moving forward and thank them for their incredible work.
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF VIRGIL SIMON LOONSFOOT ``RED CLOUD''
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , It is my honor to recognize the life of Virgil Simon Loonsfoot ``Red Cloud'', who passed away at the age of 80 after a lifetime of service to his fellow Americans. Through his extreme courage and selflessness, Virgil became an indispensable part of the state of Michigan. prgtoken Virgil was born on August 17, 1940 in L'Anse, Michigan. Following his education, Virgil served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam prgtoken War. After his service, he worked as a truck driver and did maintenance for housing in Sault Sainte Marie. Virgil was a member of the Holy Name of Jesus church, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, former president of Ojibwa Seniors, and past commander of KBIC Veterans. His joys in life included fishing, watching football, enjoying the outdoors, KBIC Community Pow Wows, and serving those in his community through Veterans organizations and Toys for Tots. prgtoken Virgil passed away on September 25, 2020. He is missed dearly by his family and friends, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations for come. Virgil's tireless devotion to the public good touched the lives of countless Michiganders, and the impact of his life cannot be overstated. Visitation for Virgil will be held on October 1, and his funeral service will be held thereafter with traditional service with drums, committal prayers, and Baraga County Area Veterans providing military rites. prgtoken Madam , on behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I ask you to join me in honoring the life of Virgil Simon Loonsfoot ``Red Cloud''. His legacy will forever live on in his family and through the countless lives he bettered through his life and service.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF GENRE VINCENT PECORA
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , I rise to celebrate the life of Genre Vincent Pecora who sadly passed away in his North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania home on August 30, 2020. I knew Vince personally and can attest that his devotion to family, community, and country was evident to everyone who met him. prgtoken Vince was the proud owner of Pecora Flooring Inc a southwestern Pennsylvania company specializing in institutional and industrial installation for over fifty years. Throughout that time, Vince earned the respect and trust of his community through his tenacity, workmanship, and approachability. prgtoken Outside of work, Vince was committed to helping kids with cancer after his grandson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After watching one of their own go through treatment and ultimately achieve remission, the Pecora family started Genre's Kids with Cancer Fund to support others in similar situations. From entertainment systems to go-bags packed with essentials, Genre's Kids with Cancer Fund anticipates the needs of families confronted with the horror of a childhood cancer diagnosis. prgtoken Vince is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna Day Pecora; children, Daunette Baker and her husband, John, Vincent Pecora and his wife, Brenda, Dante Pecora and his wife, Carla, and Todd Hook and his wife, Julie; sister, Antoinette Capo; grandchildren, Kaitlynn (Ricky) Boyer, James Baker, Genre Baker, Vincent Pecora, Gianna Baker, Avery Pecora and Ava Pecora; and great-grandchildren, Gideon Boyer, Eden Boyer, Lacey Hook and Cameron Hook. prgtoken Madam , it is with profound sadness that I recognize the loss of Genre Vincent Pecora. Vince will be remembered as a friend to many and his legacy will live on in southwestern Pennsylvania.
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED-ETA LAMBDA CHAPTER
David Scott (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated-Eta Lambda Chapter, on their 100th Anniversary. prgtoken Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc the first inter-collegiate Greek letter fraternity established for Black college students, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1906. In a period of one hundred fourteen years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. grew from one undergraduate group of seven members to an international organization with an active membership of more than one hundred fifty thousand. The national organization is now the central organization to many subordinate chapters. prgtoken The Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded in Atlanta, chartering on May 19, 1920. As the First Alumni Chapter, and one of the most accomplished in the Southern Region (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi) I am honored to highlight the rich history and significance of my beloved fraternity in Atlanta. prgtoken For one hundred years, the Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been intertwined in the fabric of the City of Atlanta; from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Andrew Young International Boulevard and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, just to name a few. Notable Alpha Brothers have served as leaders in all levels of government, business, education, and civic affairs. prgtoken I am a proud member of this prestigious organization, which was founded on the precepts of many deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. prgtoken Madam , please join me in recognizing the historic significance of the centennial anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated-Eta Lambda Chapter.
HONORING MICHAEL LAIRMORE
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Michael Lairmore and his nearly 10 years of distinguished service as the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis. As Dr. Lairmore retires this year, his dedicated tenure ensures he leaves behind a veterinary school which, ranks among the best in the world and is well-placed to further its success at the forefront of veterinary science far into the future. Alongside the school's pioneering research, the veterinary hospital is unmatched in reputation and patient visits. prgtoken Dr. Lairmore became Dean in 2011 and immediately set to work; crafting a long-term and multifaceted plan to guide the institution to its full potential. His emphasis on the importance of the school's student and patient experience at the forefront of his efforts and under his leadership, the school implemented multiple comprehensive student programs, such as the Office of Global Programs and the Counseling and Career Service Center. Dr. Lairmore simultaneously reigned in student fees and was a vanguard for diversity, ultimately making UC Davis a leader among veterinary schools with both the lowest levels of student debt and most diverse student body. Together this allowed UC Davis' program to tackle inequities in the veterinary field and create greater opportunities for the most disadvantaged students. prgtoken Dr. Lairmore expanded the school's research capabilities--placing them at the top in funding, infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology. With his guidance, the school partnered with the United States State Department's Office of Food and Agriculture; to curtail the Newcastle and Mad Cow viruses. In addition, Dr. Lairmore played a pivotal role in the development of USAID's PREDICT project and identifying the Marburg and Ebola viruses in bats preventing potential outbreaks. While the world continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic, UC Davis provides a model for stopping future pandemics before they are allowed to spread. prgtoken Dr. Lairmore is continuing his career with the School of Veterinary Medicine as a distinguished professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. However, it is clear that his legacy as Dean will continue to shape the school and its students and faculty for years to come. On behalf of the people of California's 3rd Congressional District, I offer my sincere gratitude for his dedicated service and best wishes upon his future endeavors and accomplishments.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 925, NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION EXTENSION ACT
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken The gentleman would be happy to know that, in this bill that we are bringing before here, we have most of what he requested but more. Our PPP language is more expansive, because a lot of businesses didn't qualify under the old formula. prgtoken But I do have to say that it really pains me that my friends don't understand that it is not just about small businesses. It is about our cities and towns and our first responders. prgtoken We have communities that are about to fire firefighters and police officers. Isn't that important to my friends? prgtoken Or helping to pay for schools to reopen safely or to be able to help kids get an education remotely or in a hybrid way, doesn't that fall on the top list of my friends? prgtoken Healthcare coverage, the airline industry, which is about to lay off thousands of workers, we provide some help for them, but yet that doesn't make the cut. prgtoken So, yes, we can have a scalpel approach to this. We will do a little bit here and maybe we will do a little bit there, but that fails to recognize the severity of the crisis that we are now in. prgtoken Open your eyes and look at what is happening in this country, in large part, due to the mismanagement of this President, which is unconscionable. prgtoken But here in Congress, we can't deal with him. We can't fix the way he approaches his job. But we can provide direct resources to businesses and to local governments that can help keep our economy afloat until we can get by this. prgtoken Madam , I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
RECOGNIZING THE DIOL FAMILY
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-9-30

it is my honor today to recognize the accomplishments of Stanley Marketplace, a community-focused urban market in Aurora, Colorado. prgtoken Located in northwest Aurora on the border of Denver's Central Park neighborhood, Stanley Marketplace is a community of businesses and people who believe in doing things differently--sustainably, creatively, and with more than the bottom line in mind. prgtoken The marketplace's 22-acre site was once the site of the Stanley Aviation factory. It is now a community gathering place, home to 50 independently owned Colorado businesses. prgtoken Today, the same innovative spirit that once filled Stanley's building has been harnessed to offer our community an urban marketplace featuring goods and services from local independent businesses. prgtoken The property includes a 30,000-square-foot sustainable greenhouse and an urban farm. Under construction is an inclusive playground where children of all abilities can play. prgtoken During the pandemic, the Stanley Marketplace team has gone above and beyond to support its community of small business owners, helping them weather the continued challenges of COVID-19. prgtoken Stanley Marketplace is guided by a document they call the Stanifesto, which includes these lines: We believe the best rules are simple and clear: Love your neighbor. Leave each place better than you found it. Be good and do good. prgtoken I congratulate the Stanley team on their ongoing work to support our neighbors and locally owned small businesses. Honoring the Tireless Workers in Colorado During the 2020 Census
IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF MS. ROSEMARY LOWE
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and memory of a dear mentor, a great Kansas Citian, and an extraordinary American: Ms. Rosemary Lowe. Ms. Lowe, who passed away on the evening of September 22nd, was an unstoppable force for change, force for good, and force of nature. A public servant can only hope to mean to their community what Ms. Lowe means to hers. Since I learned of her passing, I have been thinking about her remarkable story--about everything she was able to accomplish--and I still find it hard to believe she was able to fit it all into just ninety-four years. prgtoken Ms. Lowe grew up in Dumas, Arkansas in the painful shadow of Jim Crow. When she was just fifteen, her family moved to Kansas City, where she would go on to become a pioneer in the fight for desegregation. Ms. Lowe spent her early career with another pioneer in that struggle: Black physician Dr. Dennis Madison Miller, who would go on to be appointed Superintendent of the Jackson County Hospital Colored Division. She worked for him for twenty-three years at his office on 18th and Vine. In the 1950s, Ms. Lowe was instrumental in efforts to desegregate downtown Kansas City department stores. Ms. Lowe was also instrumental in the founding of Freedom, Incorporated of Kansas City, Missouri, a political organization conceived in 1961 to elevate the votes, voices, and volition of the Black community of Kansas City to the halls of government. The next year, she and Freedom, Inc. co- founder Leon Jordan ran for seats as ic committee representatives for our City's 14th Ward. She lost. Jordan won. But Ms. Lowe would later go on to win that seat and hold it for two decades as Kansas City's first Black committeewoman. In 1964, when thousands of activists travelled south to Mississippi as part of Freedom Summer, Ms. Lowe stayed in Kansas City and helped register thousands of Black voters before a citywide vote on a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to discriminate in taverns, trade schools, hospitals, and clinics. Kansas City's public accommodations ordinance passed, predating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by several months. A retired cosmetologist, she spent her later years, if anything, expanding her efforts to help her community. She volunteered for the American Red Cross at Menorah Medical Center and the Veterans Administration Hospital of Kansas City, won and maintained a place on the ic National Committee for six years, co-founded the Local Investment Commission to improve the lives of children and families in the Kansas City region, and helped convince city leaders to relocate a Patrol Division of the Kansas City Police Department and rename it after none other than Freedom, Inc. co-founder and KCPD's first Black lieutenant, Leon Jordan. And whether it was Freedom, Inc the Kansas City ic Committee, LINC, or any other of the tables of decision at which Ms. Lowe sat, s
STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT
C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-9-30

the bill before us today establishes a program making grants available to State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to address cybersecurity risks and threats to their information systems. prgtoken This is not a silver bullet, but it allows us to leverage Federal expertise in cyber, like that of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, to help State and local governments get their information security programs off the ground. prgtoken This bill will further empower State and local governments around the country to begin assuming the funding burden in their normal budget cycles in the future by reducing the Federal share over time. prgtoken I thank Chairman Thompson, Chairman Richmond, and all those involved for this bipartisan coalition.
REMEMBERING FATHER NICHOLAS VIERON
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-9-30

. Madam , I rise to pay tribute to Father Nicholas Vieron, the much admired retired pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Memphis, who passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 94. Father Vieron was a revered ecumenical leader in Memphis, serving as Chairman of the Memphis Ministerial Association at the time of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With Rabbi James Wax, the Reverend Frank McRae, Dean William Dimmick and other religious leaders, Father Vieron confronted Mayor Henry Loeb the day after the assassination, which helped bring the strike to an end and helped bind Memphis together during that time of crisis for our city. A native of New Orleans and the son of Greek immigrants, he grew up across the street from America's first Greek Orthodox Church. Father Vieron came to Memphis to become pastor of Annunciation Church in 1955 after attending seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, and served as a priest in Louisville, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. In Huntington, he received a master's degree from Marshall College. In Memphis, he received a J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law in 1970. He retired from Annunciation in 1991 but stayed busy. For decades, Father Vieron taught a 15-week course in the Greek language to all comers, telling students that there would be no tests but that they were required to endure his corny jokes. My favorite: There are three stages in life--young, middle aged, and ``you're looking good.'' For 40 years, he served as chaplain to the Memphis Touchdown Club. He also served as editor of The Epistle, a newsletter for retired Orthodox priests. In 2015, he received the MLK Legacy Award from the National Civil Rights Museum. His wife of 69 years, Bess, passed in 2017. I want to express my condolences to his sons, Leonidas and Paul, his four grandchildren and five great- grandchildren, the entire Annunciation Greek Orthodox community, and his many friends and admirers. Father Vieron led an exceptional life of service and he will not be forgotten.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 925, NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION EXTENSION ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-9-30

we need the testing. We are doing testing on the last pennies of the money that we were granted through the leadership, our and others. prgtoken They need testing. I will be in a stadium this coming week, trying to get people tested. That is how much we need it. prgtoken Then, of course, $28 billion in procurement, distribution, education, materials for the vaccine. prgtoken But I want to focus on the $600 for unemployment, the money for the $1,200, as well as the money for rental and mortgage to prevent mortgage foreclosure. The restaurant money, I want it for the independent pizza shops who hire people, for the workers who are going to be out of work, like airport workers or airline workers. The food insecurity, people are standing on line to get food. prgtoken What don't my good friends understand? That people are desperate, and they are in need? prgtoken I wish we were not discussing questions about white supremacy and whether or not someone believed it or not. I wish we would stay focused on getting this bill passed for the desperate people, no matter what backgrounds they are. prgtoken I want to rise in enthusiastic support for this Heroes bill, H.R. 8406. Let's pass it now.
UYGHUR FORCED LABOR DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2020
Jennifer Wexton (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-9-30

. The gentlewoman will not yield, no. prgtoken , the gentleman from Michigan raises a couple of points in his argument saying that H.R. 6270 is redundant because of the McGovern bill. None of the disclosures that are required by this bill are required under H.R. 6210, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. There is no overlap. In fact, we worked very hard to make sure that the two bills were complementary. prgtoken H.R. 6210 imposes a disclosure obligation for certain activities the issuer is knowingly engaged in, which is appropriate in certain circumstances. Import-related activities are covered under H.R. 6270. The issuer would have an affirmative obligation to know their suppliers, so they would have to engage in due diligence to determine whether they were engaging in supporting these forced labor practices. prgtoken Companies that continue to import from the region despite the overwhelming evidence of forced labor practices should, at the very least, be required to actively audit their supply chains, and that is what this legislation would require. prgtoken Another issue that was brought up by the gentleman from Michigan is that this is like a supply chain disclosure requirement under Dodd- Frank. Rule 1502 had required publicly traded companies to disclose whether their products contained certain minerals that have been known to finance violent conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, but that comparison misses the point. The implication is that businesses will find these disclosure requirements so burdensome that they will have to divest from the region and local jobs will be lost. prgtoken The business environment is not the same in the DRC as it is in Xinjiang, where free enterprise does not exist and people are being put into concentration camps and work camps against their will. We should be pushing companies to reassess their supply chains in Xinjiang and find alternatives, preferably here in America, where they are not exploiting forced labor. Unlike legitimate mining jobs in the DRC, we want these forced labor jobs to go away.