mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN RECOGNITION OF DANIEL WALTON ON HIS OFFER OF APPOINTMENT TO ATTEND THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-4-5

it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Daniel Walton of Perrysburg, Ohio has been prgtoken offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. prgtoken Daniel's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2022. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of a lifetime. prgtoken Daniel brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2022. While attending Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio, Daniel was a Summa Cum Laude scholar, Senior Class President, Student Council Representative, and a school tutor. prgtoken Throughout high school, Daniel served as a team captain for football, wrestling, and rugby, earning multiple varsity letters. Daniel was also Vice President of DECA, volunteered at the Vision Soup Kitchen and Toledo YES Project, and participated in Buckeye Boys State. I am confident that Daniel will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Daniel Walton on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Daniel will excel during his career at West Point, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.
HONORING JACQUELINE LINDA BLASDEL
Luke Messer (Republican, IN) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise today to honor my friend, Jacqueline Linda Blasdel, who recently passed away at the age of 80 in Greensburg, Indiana. prgtoken Jackie married Bill Blasdel on September 27, 1963, and they moved to Greensburg, Indiana in 1968. Bill and Jackie were both very active in the community. Jackie's extraordinary civic leadership included service as president of the American Cancer Society, a founding member of both Tree County Players and Tree City Singers, board member of Tulip Trace Girl Scout Council, Vice Chair of the Decatur County Party, and President of the Chamber of Commerce. Jackie was also a 30 year member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Greensburg Wesleyan Church. prgtoken In 1974, Jackie started the WB Panel company with Bill, which was later incorporated with an industrial oven company to form Blasdel Enterprises. Jackie was the CEO for over 35 years. In 2007, she was awarded the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Governor Mitch Daniels and a state recognition from the Party. In 2010, Jackie and Bill were recognized with the Greensburg Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. prgtoken I got to know Jackie during her time as Vice-Chair of the Party. Jackie and prgtoken Bill have both been supporters and friends throughout my political career. Jackie was a wise mentor--always encouraging, never ruffled and quick to offer her advice with a smile. I will miss her. prgtoken Jackie is survived by her husband, Bill; two sons, Jack (Pam) Blasdel and Tim (Carol) Blasdel; three daughters, Jill Blasdel, Beth (Greg DeWitt) Blasdel, and Becky Blasdel; three grandsons, Todd Blasdel, Matt (Sara) Blasdel, Michael (Brittany Nicole) Blasdel; three granddaughters, Brittany K. Blasdel, Grace Vanderbur and Olivia Vanderbur; four great grandchildren, Miles, Bailey, Malcolm, and Jace Blasdel; two sisters, Eleanor Lorton, and Marjie Bauer; and several nieces and nephews.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF SHANTHI VISWANATHAN
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-4-5

like so many Americans, I was deeply moved by the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The tragic loss of 17 lives to a gunman was another devastating reminder of the danger of too many guns being readily available in our culture. prgtoken In the face of the Parkland shooting, I would like to pay special recognition to Mrs. Shanthi Viswanathan, an Algebra teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. prgtoken Known as ``Mrs. V'' to her students, Mrs. Viswanathan's quick thinking and firm and resolute actions very likely helped save the lives of her students. prgtoken As the Miami Herald reported, Mrs. Viswanathan knew something wasn't right when she heard the second fire alarm of the day sounding shortly before classes were to end on February 14th. prgtoken Mrs. Viswanathan immediately put paper over the window so no one could see inside. She then told her students to take cover and get on the floor in the corner of the room. prgtoken When the SWAT team came to the outside of Mrs. Viswanathan's classroom and told her to open the door, she opted not to take any chance that it could have been a trick by the gunman. ``Knock it down or open it with a key. I'm not opening the door,'' Mrs. Viswanathan said. prgtoken It was indeed the SWAT team, and they knocked down the door and ushered the students to safety. prgtoken When Mrs. Viswanathan knew there was danger, she exemplified the truest form of the Hindu concept of dharma, or duty, in protecting those she was responsible for. These actions were brought to my attention by the Hindu American Foundation which continues to support the victims as part of its broader commitment to Ahimsa, the Hindu concept of nonviolence. prgtoken I recently visited Broward County where I had the honor to speak at the Hindu American Foundation's annual gala. The Hindu American Foundation, or HAF, has stood up during the ongoing public debate over guns in our society and has supported legislation to, among other things, repeal the ban on allowing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from conducting research into gun violence in the United States. In taking its policy positions, HAF is guided by both public policy concerns and ethics, along with Hindu scripture. prgtoken It is my sincere hope that the days and weeks ahead, Congress shows the same commitment to dealing with gun violence that Mrs. Viswanathan and the Hindu American Foundation already have.
HONORING ANTHONY A. SCARPINO, JR.
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise today to honor a true community servant and friend, District Attorney Anthony Scarpino. This year, Anthony is being honored with the Man of the Year award by MPAC at their Third Annual Gala and I too would like to honor him on the occasion. prgtoken Tony, as he is better known, was born and raised in the City of Mount Vernon where he attended public school. After graduating, he attended the University of Connecticut and then Syracuse University College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor Degree. After law school, Tony returned to his home where he began his career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon. In 1977, he left local government and joined the FBI as a Special Agent. In 1984, at the age of thirty-two, Tony was appointed Acting Mount Vernon City Court Judge earning him the distinction of being the youngest judge in the city's history. Then in 1988, Tony was elected Westchester County Court Judge. prgtoken In 1993, Tony was elected to the New York State Supreme Court for the Ninth Judicial District before being elected Westchester County Surrogate in 2000, a post to which he was re-elected to in 2010. In 2015, Tony stepped down to join the private law firm DelBello, Donnellan, Weingarten, Wise & Wiederkehr LLP, leaving the bench for the first time in thirty years. He was then elected Westchester County District Attorney in 2016, where he has since served with great distinction. prgtoken Tony has dedicated his career to protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice. He has been an inspiration, a dedicated public servant, and I want to congratulate him on receiving this wonderful honor.
IN RECOGNITION OF CHARISE McHUGH
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise to honor Charise McHugh, an outstanding community leader and entrepreneur who has led the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau for the last 22 years. Charise will retire from that role in the fall but she will leave behind a legacy that will continue to shape the fabric of the Coastside for decades to come. I have been privileged to work with Charise for all these years and to call her a friend. She has always amazed me with her energy and can-do philosophy. prgtoken Half Moon Bay has about 12,000 residents and the unincorporated county areas nearby has again that many residents. During her time with the Chamber in this charming coastal region, Charise has achieved a remarkable and diverse list of accomplishments. She founded the Hotel BID and the only broad-based ecotourism program in the state. She started the Coastside Emergency Action Program, a disaster preparedness plan for San Mateo County and she was instrumental m bringing STEM Robotics to local schools. Charise also deserves credit for producing the Silver Medal Award Business Directory. Half Moon Bay residents and visitors can thank her for starting bus service on the coast, for planting Highway 1 medians and for getting the attractive directional signs on Main Street installed. prgtoken Charise loves her home town and the coast with a passion that is infectious. Her inexhaustible creativity and hard work have resulted in a Chamber membership that has soared from 330 businesses to 720 businesses during her tenure. Chamber mixers are highly popular. Charise will tell you that she enjoys her job so much because it is so diverse, but in truth she is the one who is making it diverse. She works with businesses, prgtoken non-profits and government and is a masterful networker. She has her hands in publishing, website design, video production, event planning, business development, beautification, hospitality, you name it. There is no task Charise won't tackle. prgtoken A San Mateo County native, Charise earned her BA from Notre Dame de Namur University and the University of California, Davis. She has been married to her beloved husband Jack for 35 years and they have three children, Byron, Tamara and Josh, and six grandchildren, Annabelle, Sadie, Jacob, Chloe, Jaden and Asha. prgtoken Charise announced that she will retire this year, but she won't leave her post until she can help one more time with the Pumpkin Festival, one of Half Moon Bay's signature events that draws hundreds of thousands of people to the coast. After that, she will do some consulting work. That is Charise, never idle and always engaged. prgtoken , I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor Charise McHugh for her exceptional service to her community. She has transformed the Chamber of Commerce into a powerhouse that has helped make Half Moon Bay into a destination. Residents and visitors alike benefit from her contributions every day and w
IN REMEMBRANCE OF GEORGE WILSON, DEAN OF THE CAPITOL HILL BLACK PRESS, AND INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT AND EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise in remembrance of a pioneer and trailblazer, George Wilson, the Dean of the Black press on Capitol Hill. prgtoken George Wilson, a veteran journalist and broadcaster whose reports were heard on radio outlets across the country for decades will be remembered as a powerful voice with a witty intellect. prgtoken George Wilson was born in New Orleans on October 10, 1947, to George II and Rose Wilson and raised in Washington, D.C. prgtoken After graduating from Calvin Coolidge High School, George Wilson attended Howard University before graduating from North Carolina A&T. prgtoken As a Capitol Hill correspondent for over three decades and host of Sirus XM's ``GW on the Hill,'' George Wilson's velvet voice was unmistakable over the airwaves. prgtoken During his time on air, George Wilson served as ``Black America's voice on the Hill.'' prgtoken George Wilson's character and reputation paved the way for other African American journalists in Congress. prgtoken George Wilson's passion for journalism led him to stories around the world and particularly cultivated sources in the international and diplomatic community. prgtoken Wilson covered the fall of apartheid in South Africa, the reinstatement of former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, and chronicled the many revolutions in African countries. prgtoken George Wilson's work made him more than a local reporter, he was an international journalist. prgtoken George Wilson will be missed greatly, not just in the hallowed halls of Congress but throughout the world. prgtoken George Wilson is survived by his wife Iris, his mother Rose, six children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, aunts, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. prgtoken I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of George Wilson.
HONORING GILBERT SHAW
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise today to honor a longtime member of the Las Vegas community on the occasion of his 90th birthday, which he will celebrate on April 10, 2018. I am proud to stand today and let Congress and our country know what an amazing man he is. prgtoken Gilbert Shaw is a founding member of Congregation Ner Tamid, and served in the Navy and Coast Guard for twenty-seven years. He is an officer of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, serving as the Senior Vice Commander of Sgt. Manny Peven Post 65. To this day, Mr. Shaw still teaches photography to fellow senior citizens at a Life-Long Learning Institute. prgtoken I want to congratulate Gilbert on reaching this incredible milestone, and thank him for his years of dedicated service. He has lived a long, impressive, and successful life. Today, I join Gilbert's family, friends and the entire Southern Nevada community to wish him a very happy 90th birthday and for many more joyful memories in the years to come.
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUROR PAY PARITY ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2018-4-5

today, I introduce the District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act of 2018 to require that D.C. Superior Court jurors receive pay for jury service equal to that received by federal jurors. prgtoken Currently, D.C. Superior Court jurors are paid $30 per day, and, under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only the D.C. courts and Congress have the authority to increase Superior Court juror pay. My bill would require that Superior Court jurors receive pay equal to that received by federal jurors. prgtoken In the fiscal year 2018 omnibus appropriations bill, Congress included a pay increase from $40 to $50 per day for federal jurors, the first increase to federal juror pay in 28 years. My bill would give Superior Court jurors the same pay. prgtoken Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-33), Congress took responsibility for paying for the D.C. courts and most other state-like functions. The D.C. courts, however, have always been under the control of Congress, even when they were funded by the District. The Home Rule Act prohibits the District government from enacting any law regarding Title 11 of the D.C. Code. Title 11 provides that the Board of Judges of the Superior Court sets juror pay, but that the pay may not exceed the pay of federal jurors. Therefore, this bill, or action by D.C. courts, is necessary to increase Superior Court juror pay. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
TRIBUTE TO WARD W. McCARRAGHER
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise today to recognize Ward W. McCarragher, who has served in many capacities with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the last quarter century, including the last 20 years as the Chief ic Counsel to the Committee. As a Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have had the privilege of working with Ward for the last 25 years, and most closely since 2015 when I took over as Ranking Member of the Committee. As Ranking Member, I have come to rely on his expertise in both transportation policy and Congressional process in advancing important policy measures to improve the lives of American families. prgtoken Hailing from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a proud Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers fan, Ward started his Congressional service back in 1989 as a foreign policy analyst for the Congressional Research Service. After subsequently attending law school and serving as a legal intern to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Ward returned to Washington, D.C. in 1993 as an intern for Chairman Norman Y. Mineta (D-CA) and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. That same year, he was appointed by Chairman Mineta as Associate Counsel of the Committee's Economic Development Subcommittee and, in 1995, he prgtoken was appointed Counsel to the Public Buildings and Economic Development Subcommittee and the Surface Transportation Subcommittee. In 1998, Ranking Member James L. Oberstar (D-MN) appointed Ward to be the Chief ic Counsel to the Committe, where he has served with distinction ever since, including under Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) prior to me. prgtoken Ward has helped guide virtually every transportation law enacted over the last two decades through the legislative process and the last four major reauthorizations of surface transportation programs, including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in 1998, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005, and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) in 2015. He also worked tirelessly over the last two decades to combat efforts to eliminate funding for, and privatize, Amtrak, our Nation's passenger railroad. prgtoken Ward was also integral in negotiating Federal policy following the 9/ 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C including the enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, which created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and enhanced aviation security overall, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. prgtoken Ward is the consummate public servant who possesses the rare combination of vision and grit. He has spent his career working vigorously to ensure that government works for the greater benefit of hard-working American families,
INDIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER'S 16TH ANNIVERSARY
Peter J. Visclosky (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-4-5

it is my distinct pleasure to recognize the Indian American Cultural Center of NWIHRC, which will be celebrating its 16th anniversary by hosting a gala dinner and banquet on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the Halls of Saint George in Schererville, Indiana. prgtoken The Indian American Cultural Center, which opened on March 9, 2002, was established with the following goal in mind: to foster peace and harmony amongst the people of Northwest Indiana by showcasing their cultural heritage and creating spiritual awareness in both youth and adults, as well as to engage in various charitable endeavors, both nationally and locally. Since its inception, the Indian American Cultural Center has been instrumental in educating Northwest Indiana's citizens on the traditions and customs of the Indian heritage. prgtoken The members of the Indian American Cultural Center of NWIHRC are to be honored, not only for their commitment to preserving tradition, but also for their commitment to making improvements that benefit all mankind. Proceeds from this year's gala, which throughout the years has demonstrated the immense generosity of its attendees and organizers, will go to support numerous charity organizations. In the past, proceeds from the gala have gone to such noble causes as cancer research, educational scholarships, the American Red Cross, tsunami and hurricane relief funds, the Carmelite Home for Girls, Arc Bridges of Hobart, Campagna Academy, and many more. For their significant contributions to the community of Northwest Indiana and beyond, the members and leaders of the NWIHRC are worthy of the highest praise. prgtoken , I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating the Indian American Cultural Center of NWIHRC on its 16th anniversary. The members and leaders of this outstanding organization have dedicated themselves to serving others and continue to improve the quality of life for the people of Northwest Indiana and throughout the world; they serve as an inspiration to us all.
RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF MR. SETH ADAMS
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-5

I rise today to recognize the many accomplishments of Seth Adams as Save Mount Diablo's (SMD) Land Conservation Director. During his twenty-five years of work at Save Mount Diablo, Mr. Adams has played a large role in shaping the conservation movement in the East Bay. During his tenure, SMD has assisted in the preservation of more than 100,000 acres of open space in eastern Alameda and Contra Costa counties, successfully reintroduced the peregrine falcons at Mt. Diablo, and aided in the development of hundreds of millions of dollars of conservation funding. prgtoken Mr. Adams began his career of conservation service in the East Bay after moving to Berkeley in 1981 and volunteering for the campaign against the Peripheral Canal in the Delta. He then joined SMD as its first hired staff member. Under his guidance, SMD has championed efforts of restoration and stewardship, aiming to preserve, defend, and restore the remaining 70,000 acres on Mount Diablo and its foothills. prgtoken Mr. Adams's commitment to promoting the success and well-being of Contra Costa's nature and wildlife is deeply appreciated by the community he serves, and he should be proud of SMD's many notable accomplishments during his tenure. prgtoken I thank Mr. Adams for his service and congratulate him on his 30th work anniversary.