mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING MARK JAGO'S SERVICE AS THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE DEPUTY OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-10-9

. Madam , I'm honored to congratulate Mark Jago on culminating his service as the Pennsylvania State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus on June 30, 2020, and for his years of service to the U.S. Army, the Parish of St. Patrick in Carlisle, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America. prgtoken State Deputy (SD) Jago joined the Order as a member of Cardinal Gibbons Council 2838 in Fayetteville, NC, in 1983. In 1992, he moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania and transferred into St. Patrick Council 4057, where he became an active member. prgtoken In 1994, SD Jago was elected Grand Knight and, under his leadership, the Council achieved Star Council. He then served as a Trustee for three years, and as Financial Secretary for ten years. An active supporter of the Pro-Life cause, he established his Council's annual bus trip to the March for Life in 1993, and continues to serve as the trip's Bus Captain. Recently, he chaired the Council's Ultrasound Initiative Campaign, which provided a system for the Carlisle Area Family Life Center. SD Jago received the Star Council Membership and Star Council Insurance Awards for the 2015-2016 Fraternal Year. prgtoken SD Jago has held numerous fraternal offices within the Order, to include: District Deputy, burg; Diocesan Chapter President; Central East Regional Chairman; State Free Throw and Soccer Chairman; and State Family Director. In 2005, he was elected as a delegate to the Supreme Convention in Chicago. He served as State Secretary in the O'Connor Administration from 2006 to 2008. For the past 25 years, he's been a member of six CE State Convention Committees. In May 2018, he was Co-Chairman--and Registration Chair--of the 120th Annual State Convention, where he was elected State Deputy. prgtoken In 1993, SD Jago became a member of the Fourth Degree by joining the Bishop J. W. Shanahan Assembly 917 in burg. The following year, he was elected Faithful Navigator of that Assembly and became an active member of its Color Corps. Ten years later, he helped form the St. Martin of Tours Assembly 2708 in Carlisle, and served as the inaugural Faithful Navigator for three years. Following that, he served as its Color Corps Commander for four years. In addition to these positions, he served six years as the burg Diocesan Coordinator for the Fourth Degree. Currently, he is an Assistant Marshal for the Pennsylvania East District. prgtoken SD Jago enjoys ceremonial work, traveling to various parts of our jurisdiction, and meeting new members and his Brother Knights. He is certified on all four degree teams. He is Chancellor for the Admission and Formation Degrees, Conferring Officer for the Knighthood Degree, and Narrator for the Patriotic Degree. prgtoken For six and a half years, SD Jago served the Brother Knights and their families on an almost daily basis, as a Field Agent for the Mitchell Agency. He earned the designation of Fraternal Insurance Counsel
HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NIXON GEAR
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2020-10-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor the 100th Anniversary of Nixon Gear, a division of Gear Motions Inc located in Syracuse, New York. Since its inception, Nixon Gear has consistently grown and adapted to changing times. Today, Nixon Gear has an impeccable reputation, provides good-paying jobs for Central New Yorkers, and serves as one of the premier custom gear manufacturers in the United States. prgtoken In 1920, George Nixon founded Nixon Broach and Tool Company with the intention of selling special machining and tooling. As operations began focusing on gear manufacturing, in 1924 the company changed its name to Nixon Gear. In 1969, with plastics and electronics replacing metal gears, Nixon Gear adapted again, buying its first gear grinding machine to produce these new products. In 1977, Nixon Gear was purchased by Gear Motions, allowing the company to transform into a precision gear grinding operation. prgtoken After years of sustained growth and expansion, Nixon Gear outgrew its facility, and in 1992 moved into a 45,000 square foot, state-of-the-art building on Milton Avenue in Syracuse. The move empowered Nixon Gear to improve its efficiency, and grow its operations, and invest in new precision gear grinding. prgtoken Over the years, Nixon Gear has evolved internally as well. The company has gone through changes in ownership, and today is led by Dean Burrows, President of Nixon Gear and Gear Motions. In 2010, Gear Motions became a 100% Employee Owned Company, allowing its employees to have a larger role in the direction of the business. prgtoken Madam , I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the 100th Anniversary of Nixon Gear. By continuing to evolve and grow, Nixon Gear today is an industry leader and a vital part of Central New York's local economy.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BRAZIL'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (APIB)
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2020-10-13

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of the Association of Brazil's Indigenous Peoples (APIB) and their internationally respected leader, Secretary General Sonia Guajajara, for receiving the prestigious Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award from the Institute for Policy Studies on October 15, 2020. prgtoken I would like to add my heartfelt congratulations for their important work in defense of the rights of Indigenous Peoples from across Brazil and protection of the many natural ecosystems that are part of Brazil's ancestral territories. prgtoken APIB and Brazil's National Indigenous Movement have raised the profile of Indigenous rights issues through impressive grassroots mobilizations, such as the annual Free Land Camp, the implementation of the Indigenous Emergency Plan to Combat COVID-19, precedent-setting legal victories before the Brazilian Supreme Court, and international advocacy among influential spaces like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations. prgtoken I share my special admiration for the powerful leadership roles played by many Indigenous women at both national and local levels, even with the iminent threats coming from the administration of President Jair Bolsonaro. Unfortunately, under President Bolsonaro's administration, there has been an increase of violent actions against Indigenous peoples, like the invasions into Indigenous lands, illegal exploitation of natural resources and other incidents, rising from 109 cases in 2018 to 256 last year. This also includes the threats against and killings of Indigenous leaders and Forest Guardians, like Emyra Wajapi, Paulo Paulino Guajajara, and Ari Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, among countless others. prgtoken While those situations are condemnable, I applaud the work performed by APIB during these difficult times, and as they continue to create a movement of solidarity. Since 2005, APIB's presence has been essential to strengthening and unifying Indigenous peoples' demands, politics, and rights. By building and strengthening alliances with the international Indigenous movement and other social movements, APIB is contributing to protect natural resources and promoting sustainable management of lands. prgtoken To conclude, I'd like to mention APIB Secretary General Sonia Guajajara's words: ``Our lives are inextricable from the natural world. The creatures of the rainforest protect us, and in turn we protect them. We are the only buffers protecting our thinning forests. Our battle is not just for the future. It's for the present.'' prgtoken Thank you, APIB, for your extraordinary and essential work for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Earth.
HONORING DR. GOVINDAPPA VENKATAWSWAMY
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-10-13

. Madam , today I rise to honor Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, who devoted his life to preventing blindness in India and across the world. His work preserved the vision of millions of men, women and children, allowing them the blessing of sight and the opportunity to enjoy independent, productive lives. prgtoken Dr. V, as he was affectionately called, was born October 1, 1918, in a small village in Tamil Nadu, India. After graduating from medical school, he joined the Indian Army Medical Corps, but had to resign after contracting a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis that left his hands permanently disfigured. Unable to practice in his chosen field of obstetrics, Dr. V. returned to medical school to complete specialty training in ophthalmology and, despite his infirmity, mastered the art of cataract surgery. In 1956, he was appointed head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Madurai Medical College, where he performed thousands of ocular surgeries until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 58. prgtoken Dr. V's work at the medical college sensitized him to the terrible impact of blindness on those without means to pay for care or cope with disability. That experience, and his deep religious conviction that the noblest purpose in life is to serve others, inspired him to pursue an extraordinarily ambitious program to end preventable blindness in India. In 1976, immediately after retiring from government service, Dr. V and members of his family founded the first Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, India. prgtoken Dr. V took a special interest in the lean business processes of highly efficient enterprises like McDonald's restaurants, while maintaining the highest standard of care. The self-sustaining Aravind Eye Care System is notable for its imaginative division of labor, consistent delivery of positive patient outcomes, and intense focus on reducing costs. One highly successful byproduct of this focus: Aurolab, a Dr. V innovation that manufactures high-quality intraocular lenses so competitively priced that it exports the majority of its production to clinics all over the world. prgtoken The Aravind Eye Care System has been acclaimed by Harvard Business School and is the focus of an HBS case study; was recognized for excellence in publications including Fast Company, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal; and has inspired health-care organizations throughout the developing world. From its humble beginnings in Madurai, the Aravind Eye Care System now provides care to over four million patients and performs over five hundred thousand surgeries each year in hospitals and clinics in South India. Its consulting and training arm-- the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO)-- supports ophthalmologic health care programs throughout the world, and the Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute investigates causes and evaluates treatment options for various eye diseases, and provides clinical and ope
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALAN LEVY
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-10-13

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, and pillar of the South Florida community, Alan Levy. Alan called Fort Lauderdale home for more than 70 years and was the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Great American Farms, a Pompano Beach-based agricultural marketing firm. He passed away on October 7, 2020, at the age of 80. prgtoken Alan was a selfless leader who served on numerous nonprofit boards and was a passionate supporter of HANDY, a nonprofit that serves at- risk youth in South Florida. He dedicated a large portion of his life to helping youth and families in our community by ensuring they had every opportunity to succeed, serving as a beacon of hope for the less fortunate. prgtoken His dedication and passion for nonprofit organizations was beyond compare. Once he was asked, if he could wave a magic wand and do two things for Broward County what would they be? Alan responded by saying he ``wanted to strengthen our educational system from early childhood all the way through to universities.'' He continued by saying, ``Seeing is believing. We can't just sit here and wait for somebody else to do it. You've got to get behind it, make the decision that you are going to make it happen, believe in it, and have a passion for its success.'' prgtoken Madam , Alan did just that, he supported our community, believed in all of us, and because of that unyielding passion, ensured our success and the success of generations to come. It is true that our community has lost a hero, but it is undoubtedly the case that we are better for having had Alan in our lives. I will miss him dearly. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Marsha, and his children, Eric and Hope. I pray they find comfort during this extremely difficult time. May Alan's life and legacy live on for generations to come
CONDEMNING UNWANTED, UNNECESSARY MEDICAL PROCEDURES ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT THEIR FULL, INFORMED CONSENT
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-10-13

I would like to include these transcriptions of letters I received from my visit to the Irwin ICE Detention Center for the Record. The first letter was signed by 24 detained women. The second one is from another detainee. I am also including text from a drawing I received during the visit that is asking for compassion and mercy. prgtoken Letter No. 1 Signed by 24 Women from Irwin County Detention Center-- Spanish Transcript fHola! rComo estan? Nosotros estamos mal. Si estamos mal, porque nadie en estas condiciones puede decir que esta bien. Yo queria decirles un bonito discurso. Pero le voy a hablar con la verdad y con el corazon. rPor que habeis tardado tanto en venir? Si desde hace tiempo pediamos a gritos ``AUXILIO''. Ustedes no saben todo lo que hemos sufrido. Alguien debe de pararlo. Alguien debe de responder por esto. Si nos tienen encerradas, nos han separado de nuestras familias, los jueces nos han negado todo. rPor que nos castigan mas? Mandandonos con un ``loco'', despiadado que mutila cuerpos. Y nos deportan para que nadie diga NADA y no se portan para que nadie denuncie NADA. Alguien debe de parar esto. Alguien deberia de responder por esto. Y que no venga ICE y quiera limpiarse las manos si son ellos quienes lo ``autorizan''. Ustedes no saben el trauma psicologico y la indignacion que sentimos al ver tantas mujeres ``operadas''. Las hemos visto llorar del dolor porque su estomago esta inflamado, porque la cirugia se les infecto. No les dieron tratamiento, ni medicamento despues de la cirugia. En ocasiones nos ha tocado servir de enfermeras y auxiliarnos unas a otras. La mayoria de las que se le practico esa cirugia no entienden que esta pasando con su cuerpo, ni que hicieron en su cuerpo. Le vamos a hacer un estudio le ``dijeron'' y las habeis enganado. Porque una sala de cirugias no debe ser una escuela. La escuela la habeis pasado antes. Me han referido 5 ocasiones donde el doctor Mahendra G. Amin de pies, cintura y manos nos llevaban encadenadas. Y conmigo tambien iban 2,3,4 mujeres mas en las mismas y peores condiciones porque ellos ya estaban operadas. Yo no he visto ni una cirugia que no se haya infectado. Que nosotros seamos inmigrantes no le da el derecho para que practican y mutilen nuestro NO cuerpo. Nosotras tambien tenemos derecho a decir NO. Si la salud es un derecho universal que todo ser humano tiene. Mira tambien a estas otras mujeres que estan en la misma situacion, no entendemos que le han hecho a nuestro cuerpo y estamos aqui ahora. [Redacted] y otras que decidieron permanecer anonimas, por miedo a represarias. ffPor el amor a Dios!! y por humanidad. Esto debe de parar ya. Esto debe de parar Ahora. Que no nos enganen, por
IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. THOMAS LAUBACH
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2020-10-13

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I rise today, not only on behalf of Missouri's 5th Congressional District, but also on behalf of the Subcommittee on Monetary Policy. I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Thomas Laubach. Dr. Laubach dedicated his exceptional economic mind to serving his county and dedicated his life to serving the world at large. His was a powerful and touching life that was tragically cut short by cancer on September 2, 2020. He was just 55 years old. Dr. Laubach's legacy will live on in the work he did, the lives he touched, and the story he left behind. prgtoken Dr. Laubach began as an undergraduate in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany at the University of Bonn, where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1993. He then went on to receive a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University just four years later. At Princeton, Dr. Laubach's thesis advisor was none other than Ben Bernanke, who would go on to serve as the 14th Chair of the Federal Reserve from 2006 to 2014. With an illustrious education under his belt, Dr. Laubach began his even more illustrious career. First making a name for himself in my home district as an Economist at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, Dr. Laubach started on a path to change the world of economics forever. After working at the Kansas City Fed for three years, Dr. Laubach became an Economist, and then Senior Economist, for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He then took four years to teach and serve as Chair of Macroeconomics at Goethe University Frankfurt while taking research stints at Deutsche Bundesbank and the European Central Bank. He returned to the Board of Governors in 2012, this time as the Associate Director, before being appointed Director of the Division of Monetary Affairs in 2015. He served in that capacity until his death on September 2nd. At the time of his death, he was leading the central bank's new strategy to lower unemployment while responding to the changes brought on by the devastating pandemic that has so deeply affected our nation's economy. prgtoken Though his life in the economic world was impactful in countless ways, he is most well-known for two groundbreaking contributions. The first, of course, is Dr. Laubach's indelible mark on central bank interest-rate policy, which continues to affect both the U.S. Federal Reserve and central banks across the world. The second came in 2001, when Dr. Laubach co-authored a paper titled ``Measuring the Natural Rate of Interest'' alongside John Williams, who is currently serving as the president of the New York Federal Reserve. That paper set forth a transformational theory on the neutral rate of interest that will forever be known as the Laubach-Williams model. prgtoken Dr. Laubach wore many hats throughout his career: brilliant economist, dedicated researcher, bold thinker, curious student, and generous professor. A friend to many, he is also rememb
HONORING DR. RICHARD RIVERA
Filemon Vela (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-10-13

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Dr. Richard Rivera on his well-deserved retirement from the Weslaco Independent School District. Dr. Rivera instilled his own philosophy of education throughout the local community where now many generations share and foster his ideals. He not only shaped the community as a school board member and superintendent, but also as a teacher, role model, and mentor. prgtoken Dr. Rivera's journey in education began in 1967 as a schoolteacher and coach. With every student he taught, parent he advised, and co- worker he befriended, his passion to expand and build upon the established education system grew, leading him to rise to the position of Principal at both Mary Hoge Junior High School in 1974 and Weslaco High School in 1979. prgtoken Dr. Rivera firmly believes that ``education is the great equalizer,'' and made it his life's mission to open doors for the students of our region. To achieve his vision for the community, Dr. Rivera cultivated a nurturing and collaborative environment during his 14 years of service as the Weslaco ISD Superintendent. Dr. Rivera recognized that in order to make a positive impact on students, the educational organization and the individuals who make up the school setting are critical in enriching and growing students' knowledge and experience. As such, our region's education system underwent a phase of great transformation. Student academic programs were expanded, school facilities were upgraded, and staff engagement was prioritized. prgtoken Dr. Rivera believed in investing in people and prioritized mentoring his employees. There are countless testimonies from Weslaco ISD Staff who credit their careers to Dr. Rivera's dedication and deep commitment to employee support programs. prgtoken Madam , it is my pleasure to recognize Dr. Richard Rivera for his 53 years of wholehearted devotion to the students and teachers of Weslaco. Dr. Rivera has undoubtedly had an indelible impact on educators throughout our region and has made a lasting impression on our students. I commend him on a well-earned retirement and wish him the best in every future endeavor.
IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN PATRICK MULLINS
Jackie Speier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-10-13

. Madam , I rise to honor John Patrick Mullins, who is retiring as Assistant City Manager and who served the prgtoken town of Hillsborough, California, for more than 17 years in various roles. To all of those roles, he applied exemplary commitment and passion, always resulting in improvements for the town and its residents. If there was a job Hillsborough needed to get done, John was the man to ask. prgtoken John started his public service in February of 2003 as Building Inspector I, working closely with homeowners and contractors to ensure safety and adherence to building codes. In 2004, he was promoted to Building Inspector II and in 2006 to Chief Building Official. In that role, John demonstrated remarkable leadership and mentorship passing on his passion for service and his superb knowledge of the town. He was instrumental in streamlining the permitting process and improving the image of the building division. He developed a model Green Building Ordinance and was the master architect of a customer relations management system that made communication and access to information easy and effective. prgtoken Frequently serving in interim positions, John always bridged transitions and helped out where he was needed. He was the Acting Public Works Director, Interim Assistant City Manager and Acting City Manager. No matter his position, he approached it with enthusiasm and injected a sense of collaboration and team spirit. prgtoken John came to public service from the building trades. He graduated from Skyline College with an Associate's Degree in Building Technology and began his career as a carpenter, plumber and electrician in 1977. He worked in residential and commercial construction until 1995, when the City of South San Francisco hired him to coordinate the aircraft noise insulation program. I speak from personal experience in my Congressional Office when I say that solving the problem of airplane noise and its detrimental impact on human health is not an easy task. John fully immersed himself in the issue and subsequently served as a Combination Building Inspector for South San Francisco's Fire/Economic and Community Development Building Division. prgtoken It is obvious from his work history that John is a hands-on guy and knows how to turn ideas into tangible objects. In his free time, he volunteers his talent and time to Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together Peninsula and, very fortunate for Hillsborough, the Beautification Foundation. He has been instrumental in building and maintaining more than 145 parks, parklets and medians, including Harvest Garden, Town Hall campus, the Veterans Memorial, the police station, two fire stations and five school sites. He is also an outstanding event organizer working behind the scenes to make everything go smoothly. He has worked on signature events such as Geri Lane Halloween, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Light Up the Town and the Centennial Celebration. prgtoken