mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING FIRE ENGINEER MIGUEL CERVANTES
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-2-14

I rise today to honor Miguel Cervantes and his decades of public service ensuring the safety of his fellow community members and his many years of dedication to the City of Rancho Cucamonga as a Fire Engineer. Together we mourn the loss of a community hero. prgtoken Miguel started his over 20-year career serving the Inland Empire as a Volunteer Firefighter with Riverside County Fire Department. He became an Apprentice Firefighter with Norco Fire Department in 2000 where he later promoted to Firefighter. In 2006, Miguel transferred to the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District as a Firefighter and was promoted to Fire Engineer 5 years later. Throughout his many years of service with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District, Miguel was a member of the Honor Guard, Technical Rescue Team, Regional FEMA USAR Team. Additionally, he served as the Executive Board Vice President of the Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters' Association. As an experienced Firefighter, Miguel served his community as a Fire Academy Instructor, Peer Support Member, and Paramedic. prgtoken Sadly, our community is now in mourning. On Wednesday, February 8th, Miguel tragically passed away due to work-related non-Hodgkin's Follicular Lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the lymphatic system. He is survived by his wife, their 3 children, and his family. I offer my deepest condolences on their loss. prgtoken For his outstanding accomplishments, it is my honor to recognize Firefighter and Fire Engineer Miguel Cervantes. His years of civic service and commitment to the city and the people of Rancho Cucamonga are worthy of the highest commendation. He will be missed.
HONORING ROOSEVELT BURRELL, JR. LIFE AND LEGACY
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-2-14

I rise today to commemorate the life of Roosevelt Burrell, Jr. of Fort Worth. Roosevelt was born on April 18, 1927, and used his life to become a pillar of his family and our community. He was the patriarch of a family of six brothers and one sister, and in 1948 he and his beloved wife, Pearlie, moved to Fort Worth's ``Northside'' and then shortly thereafter grounded their family in the Lake Como Community. prgtoken Roosevelt was passionate about his family, church, and our community. He was a self-made business legend and leader in the Lake Como community. As a businessman, he ran successful ventures from Roosevelt Burrell Jr. and Son Construction Company Inc building homes for HUD to statewide highway construction projects and Metroplexwide mechanized power washing contracts through Cowtown Traffic Control, Inc. Roosevelt's entrepreneurial spirit helped contribute to the growth and development of the state of Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. His business ventures evoked a sense of pride in the Black community when everyone would admire the success he had achieved when they saw his company employees operate their vehicles in downtown and other key areas in Fort Worth. Even with his massive successes, Roosevelt stayed grounded and respected on Helmick Ave in the venerable Lake Como neighborhood. His business ventures evoked a sense of pride in the Black community when everyone would admire the success he had achieved when they saw his company employees operate their vehicles in downtown and other key areas in Fort Worth. Even with his massive successes, Roosevelt stayed grounded and respected on Helmick Ave in the venerable Lake Como neighborhood. prgtoken Roosevelt also bravely served our country as a WWII Navy Veteran and was a man of faith, serving as a deacon and finance manager at his church for over 50 years. My condolences are with the 1 sibling, his 3 children, 5 grandkids, and 14 greatgrandchildren that he is survived by.
Tribute to Elvia Montoya (Executive Calendar)
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-2-14

I come to the floor today to recognize and bid farewell to a valued member of my team, our legislative director, Elvia Montoya. prgtoken Five years ago, our office had the fortune of bringing Elvia onboard as a legislative correspondent--or LC--working on issues of education, equal rights, and healthcare. These are incredibly important issues. And she did such an incredible job working on them that it wasn't long at all before she was promoted to handle them as our legislative assistant. prgtoken And time and time again, year after year, no matter what new task she took on or what challenge was thrown at her, she succeeded and thrived. Every Oregonian, every American, across this Nation is better off today, thanks to her tireless efforts. prgtoken Seventy-two thousand children in our State, for instance, who normally get free or reduced-priced lunches during the school year continue to get healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months. They have Elvia to thank for that because she is the one who included language in the fiscal year 2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act to reinstate the program. prgtoken Thousands of nurses are on the job today saving lives because we invested in the training and workforce development that are key to the future of this critical profession through the Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019. And Elvia wrote that bill and helped get it passed as part of the CARES Act; and thank goodness she did, or the nursing shortage today would be much worse than it is. prgtoken And Elvia was always three steps ahead in the lead-up to the COVID-19 pandemic. In January of 2020, over 2 months before life as we knew shut down and people were only vaguely aware of a new virus coming out of China, she saw right away that this had the potential to upend life around the Globe. prgtoken By the end of that month, she had persuaded me to lead a letter calling on the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern. prgtoken By the end of February, our office had a resource page for Oregonians who were starting to hear about this new, dangerous virus and were growing nervous. This was phenomenal timing because Oregon had its first confirmed case on Friday, February 28, 2020. The announcement came well after working hours. prgtoken But even late on a Friday evening, she was on the ball, alerting me and other senior staff and starting to prepare for the long battle ahead as she led our team in that battle for the next year-plus. prgtoken She kept tabs on the virus, day in and day out, leading briefings for our team and providing daily updates on the spread and impact of the virus. And she led my team's efforts to help enact the COVID relief bills as we took up and passed them here on the Senate floor--from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the CARES
VOTE EXPLANATION
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2023-2-14

on February 13, 2023, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall vote No. 9. My absence was due to official duties in New Mexico that presented an unavoidable conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on vote No. 9. prgtoken On February 13, 2023, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall vote No. 10. My absence was due to official duties in New Mexico that presented an unavoidable conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on vote No. 10.
AUTHORIZING TESTIMONY AND REPRESENTATION IN UNITED STATES V. GOSSJANKOWSKI
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-2-14

in this criminal case pending in Federal district court in the District of Columbia and arising out of the events of January 6, 2021, the prosecution has requested testimony from a Senate witness. prgtoken In this case brought against Vitali GossJankowski trial is expected to commence on February 27, 2023, and the prosecution has requested testimony from Daniel Schwager, formerly counsel to the Secretary of the Senate, concerning his knowledge and observations of the process and constitutional and legal bases for Congress' counting of the Electoral College votes. Senate Secretary Berry would like to cooperate with this request by providing relevant testimony in this trial from Mr. Schwager. prgtoken In keeping with the rules and practices of the Senate, this resolution would authorize the production of relevant testimony from Mr. Schwager, with representation by the Senate legal counsel.
HONORING MARLBORO TOWNSHIP'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY
Andy Kim (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-2-14

I rise today to honor Marlboro Township as they celebrate the 175th anniversary of the township's incorporation this week. prgtoken Previously a part of Freehold Township, in February of 1848, the New Jersey State Legislature founded Marlboro Township as a separate town, which is now part of New Jersey's 3rd District. Receiving its name from local farmers utilizing marl beds to cultivate their crops, the town originated as a rural farm town within our state. They held a major role within the agricultural industry, exporting marl to other regions of the state and country that did not have this naturally occurring fertilizer. prgtoken While the town had humble beginnings at the time of its incorporation, with only 1,500 people calling it home, Marlboro quickly rose to have the population of over 41,000 residents that exists today. Known by many as a safe community with many local draws like excellent schools and convenient access to metropolitan areas, the town has become a destination for many families to build their lives. prgtoken We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Marlboro Township over the course of their 175-year history. I look forward to all they will continue to accomplish and many more years of notable milestones.
CELEBRATING MR. PHILIP EVOLA'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Chuck Edwards (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-2-14

I rise today to honor Philip Evola as he celebrates his 100 birthday on February 16, 2023. prgtoken Mr. Evola is a first generation American who was born into an Italian immigrant family on February 16, 1923, in Flushing, New York. He has dedicated his life to working hard, and being a dutiful husband, father and neighbor. He and his late wife, Norma, moved to Western North Carolina more than 30 years ago, where he still enjoys the beautiful scenery and his loving community. Mr. Evola is the epitome of the American Dream, and it is my honor to recognize him today.
Abraham Lincoln (Executive Calendar)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-2-14

during the Civil War, Walt Whitman took stock of Abraham Lincoln's appearance. The President had a face, the poet wrote, like a ``Hoosier Michelangelo.'' But Whitman sensed that underneath the lines and the crags were wells of wisdom and tact perfectly suited to the President, hard-earned long ago. prgtoken You see, Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as one of our country's greatest Presidents, a visionary and an inspiring leader who appealed to the highest American ideals and moved our Nation toward a more perfect Union. prgtoken Sunday marks the 214th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Even today, historians still wrestle with the question, how is a man of such character forged? The answer, I think, can be found in Southern Indiana, near the Ohio River. In 1860, when asked for details of his youth by a biographer, Abraham Lincoln was uncooperative. It could all, he said, ``be condensed into a single sentence--the short and simple annals of the poor.'' ``That's all you or any one can make of it,'' Lincoln insisted. But, if you will pardon me, I would like to make a little more of it. My colleagues from Kentucky will no doubt point out that Lincoln's birth occurred in their Commonwealth, and as my colleagues from Illinois will likely remind you, when Abraham Lincoln departed for the White House, it was from their State. I will give them this: Lincoln was indeed born in Kentucky, and he did make his name in Illinois. But Abraham Lincoln was a Hoosier. ``It was there I grew up,'' he recalled of Southern Indiana. It was there in Spencer County ``I grew to my present enormous height,'' he once joked. prgtoken True, there is little left that Abraham Lincoln would recognize in our State today. There are just reminders of a once unbroken forest among the low hills; the soil--in it the graves of loved ones; and a great river separating north from south. In what does remain, though, we can still see where his character was formed, what prepared him for the trials to come. prgtoken The Lincolns arrived the same year Indiana became a State. It was still the frontier line. The woods were full of bears and the night air alive with the roar of mountain lions. This was a hard and heartbreaking life, uncertain and often short. Those years of Abraham Lincoln's life were characterized by loss--first the loss of his mother Nancy and later his sister Sarah--and by constant labor which he grew to so dislike. Schooling was scarce. Opportunities for self-improvement were few. By his own account, he had no more than a year of formal education. prgtoken Decades later, when Abraham Lincoln recalled his life in Indiana, he wrote, ``My childhood home I see again, and sadden with the view,'' but he also wrote that among the memories, there was ``pleasure in it, too.'' There were happy days in the Little Pigeon Creek community, captivating friends with his homespun stories, and there was the love of a stepmother
HONORING THE MEMORIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THE SENSELESS ATTACK AT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY 14, 2018
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-2-14

it is hard to believe that it has been 5 years since February 14, 2018--the tragic day that the world witnessed a senseless attack and the loss of 17 innocent lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. prgtoken Today, I again come before the Senate to introduce this resolution to honor the 17 beautiful lives that were stolen from us that day. I think of them often. I talk to their families. They were sons and daughters, parents and partners. Some were educators, athletes, musicians; many of them, just kids with a life full of promise ahead of them. My heart breaks knowing they never got the chance to pursue their dreams and that their families will forever have a piece of their heart missing. prgtoken While we can't bring back the lives lost on that tragic day 5 years ago, I will always work to honor them and do everything in my power to protect our students and educators and ensure they have a safe environment to learn and succeed. prgtoken As in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 60, which is at the desk.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-2-14

in 1973 the citizens of Fairview, TN set out to solve a problem. Their community was growing, but individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were being left behind. Not content to ignore their plight, a small group of families and local leaders put their heads together. After much deliberation, Waves was born. prgtoken 50 years later, what started as a small but significant passion project has blossomed into a pillar of the Williamson County community. Each day, close to 100 full-time and part-time employees and volunteers serve more than 700 children and adults through early learning, adult day service, adult residential, and employment programs. prgtoken Here in Washington, we provide what support we can to community programs like these. But, as the people at Waves and other places like it will tell you, what keeps these organizations going is the support of their friends and neighbors and the belief in the possibility of a loving and more supportive world. prgtoken As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, I want to thank the dedicated team at Waves for giving so much of themselves to this cause. On behalf of all Tennesseans, I wish you the very best and look forward to seeing what you do next.
HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF JUD TEAGUE
Diana Harshbarger (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-2-14

I rise to recognize Jud Teague, Director of the Kingsport Chamber's Visit Kingsport Program, for his dedication to our community and commitment to tourism in Northeast Tennessee. prgtoken A native of Powell, Tennessee, Jud Teague dedicated over 25 years of service to the tourism industry in East Tennessee. Jud graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. From there, he began teaching biology with the Knox County School System. His tenure as an educator also included a successful coaching career in baseball, football, and basketball at Bearden High School and Powell High School. prgtoken Jud also found time to volunteer with local community sports programs, including Knox Youth Sports, and was later hired as their Executive Director. He was instrumental in developing Lakeshore Park, 200 plus-acre facility with multiple trails, baseball, softball fields, and playgrounds, including a universal playground designed to be inclusive for children of every ability. Jud's involvement in youth baseball earned him a spot on the AAU Baseball Executive Committee. He also received the AAU National Baseball Volunteer of the Year award and the Disney Wide World of Sports Award of Excellence. He was later hired as the baseball senior sports manager for AAU at Walt Disney World Resort. prgtoken Since 2006, Jud has served as the Executive Director of Visit Kingsport, where his collaborative efforts led to more than $100 Million in local economic impact. As a result of his work, Visit Kingsport received multiple Pinnacle Awards for Excellence in Tourism from the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association (NETTA). prgtoken Adding to his list of accolades and accomplishments, Jud received the Tennessee Tourism Professional of the Year Award--the state's highest tourism honor--from the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. He is perhaps most proud of developing Miracle Field, a $2.5 million sporting complex. Jud created and spearheaded the project for his son Nicholas, who has Down syndrome, and other children with special needs. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Jud Teague on his years of service to the tourism industry and wishing him and his family the best of luck in his retirement.
Valentine's Day (Executive Calendar)
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-2-14

when I look back at the 8 years I have been in the Senate, I can think of a lot of things I like about this job. I have really gotten to know staff on both sides of the aisle, a lot of Members on both sides of the aisle, being coached more than once by Elizabeth and Leigh on parliamentary procedure and rules of the Senate--those are all things I like about the Senate. But every year on this day, there is one thing I don't like about the Senate, and that is because 2 out of the last 10 years, Senate business has brought me here instead of being home with my wife on Valentine's Day. prgtoken , my wife and I have been married for 36 years, and our first two babies--our two babies were born in Atlanta, GA, the Presiding Officer's great State. My wife Susan has been my valentine for 36 years, and I am away from her once again. prgtoken So if it wasn't a violation of the rules, I would pick up a sign just like this that says ``I love my wife, and I wish her a happy Valentine's Day,'' but that is against the rules, so I am not going to do that. Instead, I am going to say: Susan Tillis, I love you, and thank you for 36 great years. prgtoken Thank you, .
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ALMOND DAY
John S. Duarte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-2-14

I rise today joined by my colleagues, Rep. David Valadao, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Tom McClintock, and Rep. John Garamendi, to recognize February 16, 2023, as National Almond Day. We celebrate the hard-working men and women involved in this great industry, past, and present, for their hard work in providing our Nation and the world with food, fiber, and energy. It is a day to thank those who work by acres, not hours. prgtoken National Almond Day is a time to recognize the many benefits almonds provide in a healthy diet and to pay tribute to the hardworking farmers, processors, and other industry members who make the almond industry one of the most successful and innovative in the United States. prgtoken Americans and people around the world can observe this day by snacking on one of the world's most nutritious foods, almonds. Almonds provide many health benefits and are a great source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They are gluten-free and contain essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. As a convenient, versatile, and healthy food option, almonds can be enjoyed in various ways, such as snacking, baking, and cooking. Among their many benefits, almonds help maintain a healthy heart, healthy cholesterol levels, and healthy blood sugar levels. They also provide key nutrients that promote skin health and protect against ultraviolet radiation. prgtoken Our home state of California is home to 7,600 almond farms, and nearly 90 percent of those farms are family farms, and many are owned and operated by third and fourth generation farmers. Nearly 70 percent of California almond farms are 100 acres or less. There are 98 almond handlers in California, many of which are family-owned businesses. prgtoken In California alone, the almond industry employs 110,000 people and contributes $9.2 billion annually to the economy. The state is responsible for 100 percent of the U.S. almond supply and 80 percent of the world's almond supply. This great industry has improved the efficiency of water use, reaching 75 percent of the almond community's goal to attain a 20 percent improvement by 2025. Growers and processors are finding new food product opportunities for uses of the almond hull, with a goal to achieve zero waste in the orchards. prgtoken The almond industry has long played a crucial role in all Americans' economic and nutritional well-being. Our constituents are innovative agriculturists who are constantly looking for ways to further the growth and success of the industry. Moreover, the United States almond industry is instrumental to the preservation of farmland and forms the backbone of many rural communities. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating National Almond Day and the contributions of almond farmers, processors, and other industry members, who make the almond industry one of the most successful and innovative