mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE COTTAGE
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-4-30

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize The Cottage of Denison, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken In January 2020, mother and daughter duo Cindy and Taylor Borkowski purchased the Your Treasure Chest home decor store from longtime owners Deb and Jeff Frehse. After purchasing Your Treasure Chest, the Borkowski's changed the name to The Cottage and continued selling home decor on Broadway in Denison. When Cindy and Taylor started The Cottage, they went to different craft shows and vendor fairs to get the latest home decor items. While Cindy and Taylor started as the only two employees, their store has since grown to employ two additional part- time employees. On April 1, 2024, The Cottage announced that they would be moving down the street to a new location in Denison, with a ribbon cutting planned in early May 2024. prgtoken The Cottage maintains an active Facebook account with videos and pictures of new items in stock, events at the store, and updates on promotions and sales. In addition to selling home decor, Cindy and Taylor Borkowski offer a selection of children and baby, seasonal, and devotional items. Due to their hard work, The Cottage celebrated its fourth business anniversary in 2024. prgtoken The Cottage is well recognized for its contributions to the Crawford County economy. In 2022 and 2023, the Bulletin-Review named The Cottage as the Best Boutique in Crawford County. In 2022, The Cottage won the Innovators Award from the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County. Cindy and Taylor are also involved in the Denison and Crawford County communities. In 2023, Taylor was named the Businesswoman of the Year by the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County. Taylor also serves as organizer of Hot Summer Nights in Denison, a series of summer events that include live music, food trucks, activities for kids, and a fundraiser. In 2024, proceeds from the Hot Summer Nights fundraiser will go to Washington Park. prgtoken The Cottage's commitment to providing quality home decor in Denison is clear. I want to congratulate Cindy and Taylor Borkowski and the entire team at The Cottage for their continued dedication to the Crawford County community. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
Protests (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-4-30

for months, the most elite corners of American higher education have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, they are still finding new ways to embarrass themselves with vile, anti-Semitic radicalism, beginning, of course, with yet more alarming declarations like ``Burn Tel Aviv to the ground,'' ``Freedom for Palestine means death to America,'' ``The 7th of October is going to be every day for you.'' prgtoken The student radicals behind hateful chants like ``from the river to the sea'' have proven to be incoherently ecumenical. They have chanted ``Long Live Hamas''--a Sunni terrorist group--and waved flags supporting the Shia terrorist group, Hezbollah, and the secular Marxist-Leninist terrorist group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. prgtoken They have been joined on the picket lines by faculty members for whom radical anti-Semitism is merely an extension of their day jobs in post- modern indoctrination. prgtoken Last week, Columbia's encampment was even visited by a Member of Congress who accused some Jewish students of being ``pro-genocide.'' prgtoken It is unclear whether the student radicals or the shadowy groups organizing these disruptions are actual ``fifth columns'' for adversaries trying to corrode American society from within or just unwitting pawns. What is clear is that basic comprehension of history, theology, and geography is in very short supply in the Ivy League. prgtoken But so-called elite universities aren't just in the news for a well- documented decline in academic rigor. They are not drawing the Nation's attention just because another generation of students has decided to test the limits of the First Amendment with grotesque hate. No, no, they are in the news because weakness and inaction from campus leaders has allowed universities to become cauldrons of criminal chaos. prgtoken In recent days, an Orthodox Jewish student at Yale was assaulted by organized hate-mongers. At MIT, there is a so-called ``liberated zone'' of radicals occupying the very center of campus. At UCLA, aspiring commissars have blocked Jewish students from walking to class or even entering the library. Another California school is reporting millions of dollars in damages after radicals vandalized campus buildings. prgtoken And last night brought yet more evidence that administrators at Columbia have utterly--utterly--failed to bring order to their Manhattan campus. In the wee hours of the morning, the mob that has disrupted daily life from a tent encampment on the quad broke into a campus building with hammers and has barricaded itself inside. prgtoken Not long ago, Columbia's president was sensibly calling in the New York Police Department to disperse and arrest these disrupters. This was a responsible thing to do because the vast majority of students at Columbia want to go to class, study for exams, and lead productive lives. But, then, her resolve appeared to give out. A
HONORING JOHN CALIPARI
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-4-30

I rise to recognize John Calipari. For fifteen years he served as the head coach for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, the ``Greatest Tradition in the History of College Basketball.'' prgtoken Born of humble beginnings at Moon Township, Pennsylvania, Calipari went on to serve in head coaching positions at the University of Massachusetts, the New Jersey Nets, and the University of Memphis. Calipari was hired in 2009 as head coach of the legendary University of Kentucky basketball program. He led Kentucky to four Final Fours; in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015; with Kentucky winning the NCAA Championship in 2012. He amassed a record of 410 wins and 123 losses while at UK. Of these 410 victories, 22 came in the NCAA tournament--the most of any Kentucky head coach in the history of that storied program. prgtoken Calipari ranks ninth on the NCAA Division 1 all-time winningest coaches' list with 855 official wins. He was the Naismith Coach of the Year in 1996, 2008, and 2015. In 2015, he was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He received the John R. Wooden Award ``Legends of Coaching'' honor in 2023. While at Kentucky, 47 of his players went on to play in the NBA. It is evident that Coach Cal, as he is known to most Kentuckians, cares deeply for his players and wants them to achieve their dreams. prgtoken In addition to his on-court accomplishments, Coach Cal has developed quite a legacy of charitable work. In 2010, his efforts raised $1.3 million for Haitian earthquake victims with ``Hoops for Haiti.'' His support for ``Blessings in a Backpack'' feeds hungry children all across Kentucky. He partnered with Samaritan's Feet to bring shoes to needy areas around the world. After devastating tornadoes hit Western Kentucky, Calipari and his players were there to help. Soon after, floods tore through Eastern Kentucky and again he was a strong presence to bring help to needy people who had lost everything. Coach Cal was known to help many people in small, unpublicized ways and he encouraged his players to give back to the community as well. In 2022, he received the Jefferson Award for Public Service in Sports by Multiplying Good in recognition of his many charitable contributions. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize my friend, Coach John Calipari, for his excellent coaching accomplishments, his contributions to the legacy of Kentucky basketball, and his generous spirit.
RECOGNIZING CAROLINE WATERHOUSE
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-4-30

I rise today to recognize and honor the unique contributions that have been made to our community by one of my constituents, Caroline Waterhouse. For the past 16 years, she has volunteered with the Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast Thrift & Gift Shoppe in Homosassa to help support the cost of grief services and wellness programs for over 5,000 people annually who are lonely and isolated. Caroline helps wherever she is needed, including working as: cashier, sorter, or price setter. She makes sure things are ``done right'' and that everything is fun for the customers and other members of her team. Caroline assists with the monthly movies to help others who are lonely. She loves people. Caroline is known as the ``Wednesday Warrior'' with a customer following who comes in just to see her each week. In January of 2024, Caroline celebrated her 96th birthday with her Thrift Shoppe Team. She is an avid crocheter, loves to work puzzles, sings in her church choir and spends time with her best friend ``Buddie,'' a Lhasa Apso poodle mix that jumped in her car when she went to the Animal Shelter. prgtoken It is clear that Ms. Waterhouse has made a profoundly positive impact on our community, and I am grateful for her service.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2024-4-30

I rise today to pay tribute to Beau McCastlain, the 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. prgtoken As a television production teacher at De Queen High School for the past 3 years, Beau has become known for his innovative and engaging teaching practices. He puts students above all else, encourages outside-the-box thinking, and prepares them for future careers through connections with real world opportunities in and around their community. prgtoken Beau's love for education is evident in his involvement. He has gone the extra mile by establishing partnerships with a local radio station and the Arkansas Broadcasters Association to give students hands-on work that introduces them to the field and different possibilities it offers. This has led many of his students to paid internships, freelance opportunities, and State and national recognition for their work. prgtoken His contributions extend beyond the classroom. Beau has also served as a head baseball coach, assistant football coach, and photojournalist at television stations around the State. He also is certified to teach social studies for grades 7 through 12 and holds a technical permit for television broadcasting. prgtoken In addition to receiving a bachelor's degree in communications from the prgtoken University of Central Arkansas, Beau has a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. prgtoken Arkansas is fortunate to have an exceptional, selfless leader like Beau representing the best of many great teachers in our State and serving as a role model to new educators. His passion and commitment are an excellent example for others to follow. prgtoken Beau demonstrates what it means to truly go above and beyond for his students. I congratulate him for this achievement and am excited to see the positive impact he will continue making throughout his time as Arkansas Teacher of the Year. I am confident his efforts will be an inspiration in the classroom and beyond for generations to come.
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF WYMAN'S
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2024-4-30

150 years ago, in 1874, one of Maine's most iconic businesses launched its first venture. Although it began as a small sardine cannery operation in the corner of northeast Maine, Wyman's has thrived through 150 years of business and is prgtoken now Maine's preeminent purveyor of wild blueberries, as well as the top selling brand of frozen fruit in the United States. prgtoken Each year, Wyman's harvests and freezes tens of millions of pounds of Maine blueberries. In addition to owning over 30,000 acres of land in Maine, Wyman's partners with hundreds of Maine blueberry farms to process their products and export them around the country and around the globe. Four generations later, Wyman's continues to be a leader in cultivating the wild blueberry for which Maine is famous, providing economic vitality for the Downeast region and high-quality jobs across the State. prgtoken Wyman's is also at the cutting edge of agricultural research. Recently, the business has partnered with the University of Maine to study how harsh weather patterns such as early frosts and droughts impact growth, gaining valuable insights into what can be done to boost productivity for all in the industry. prgtoken While Wyman's is certainly a generational affair for the Wyman family, it is wonderful to see how the business has also become generational for so many within the community. More than a third of Wyman's employees have tenures lasting over a decade, and many families continue to return to work at the blueberry harvest over several generations. Wyman's deep roots and work in the field of agricultural sustainability show that the company continues to live up to its values of enhancing health. I am very proud to join them in celebrating their 150 years of operation.
SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST RESTORATION ACT
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2024-4-30

the gentlewoman from California is right. The United States does produce a lot of copper, but it uses even more. In 2016, the United States was only 29 percent import reliant on copper. Eight years later that number has risen to 46 percent. prgtoken This trend cannot continue. We must support our new domestic mines to meet our own demand. prgtoken , I will also say that my colleague just referenced a Harvard study that was not peer-reviewed. prgtoken , I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).
HONORING BILL MORITZ
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2024-4-30

I am pleased to honor the devotion, wisdom, and innovative prgtoken philanthropy of a Pikes Peak community champion, Bill Moritz. He was prematurely taken from us on March 16, 2024 at only 72 years of age by cancer. Bill was a man of unwavering faith and tireless dedication to the Lord, to community service, and to mission-based companies. prgtoken After earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri, Bill met his wife Mary Lee Martin in 1975. Together they raised four children In 1985, Bill earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the O.W. Coburn School of Law, embarking on a career and path that would impact countless lives. prgtoken A Christian discipleship ministry, The Navigators, brought the Moritz family to Colorado Springs in 1985. Bill founded Moritz & Associates, PC in 1988 and practiced law in Colorado Springs for over 35 years. He specialized in estate planning, non-profit organizations, and business law. He was lead attorney for From Success 2 Significance which provides training and strategies that empower generous families to live a more significant life. prgtoken Out of personal tragedy in 1998, when the Moritz's daughter Breanna Joy was killed in a car accident, there emerged Joy to the World Foundation Thailand. Bill and Mary Lee founded this anti-trafficking ministry to protect vulnerable children and families in northern Thailand. His passion for wise and impactful philanthropy led him to co-found a community foundation in Colorado Springs in 1989. Bill served as the Executive Director of the New Horizons Foundation until his death. In 2003 Bill founded Joy to the World Foundation to help philanthropic families and ministry professionals multiply the impact of their generosity and service. prgtoken Bill's 35 years of wise counsel helped numerous ministries, including among may others: The LeTourneau University Foundation, Navigators, Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Harvest Workers, Christian Broadcasting Network, International Bible Society, Compassion International, Oral Roberts University, Seattle Pacific University, Young Life, The Christian and Missionary Alliance Denomination, Summit Ministries, Christian Blind Mission International, HCJB World Radio, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Mission of Mercy, and the YMCA. Bill also authored a book, Unlocking The Full Potential of Your Assets; Creative Uses of the Charitable Remainder Unitrust. prgtoken Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, their three children--Joni, Josh, and Amy--along with their spouses, and 11 cherished grandchildren. prgtoken , I can personally attest to the outstanding life of Bill Moritz. We practiced law together for a short time early in our careers. I saw firsthand his integrity, his Christian commitment, and his devotion to his family. prgtoken Today I ask my colleagues to honor a life of significant generosity, philanthropy, and innovation. Because of Bill Moritz's life Colorado's Fifth Con
SUPPORTING MILITARY FAMILIES AT BATTLE CREEK AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-4-30

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Battle Creek Air National Guard's efforts to better support military families and their children in southwest Michigan. prgtoken One of the unique challenges military families face is where to get childcare, especially during weekend drills. With this in mind, the 110th Wing's efforts to support families led to the establishment of the second Air National Guard Childcare Facility program. prgtoken Partnering with the Augusta Child Development Center, the program provides childcare for over 20 children of military members during regular and rescheduled drills. prgtoken Since the start of the program, the base has seen an increase in productivity and positivity that has allowed them to strengthen their mission readiness, retention, and talent management. It is wonderful to see the 110th Wing develop and lead this innovative approach to improve the lives of military families not only in southwest Michigan, but across the Nation. prgtoken As the Month of the Military Child comes to a close, I thank all of our servicemembers and applaud the Michigan Air National Guard's leadership and commitment to supporting their military families.
Protests (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-4-30

last week, the Senate completed a critical task to support our national security. After months of uncertainty, this prgtoken Chamber overwhelmingly approved a bill to reaffirm our commitment to our allies who are facing unrelenting aggression around the globe. prgtoken This legislation will bolster Israel's fight to defend itself against terrorists like Hamas; it will support Ukraine's ongoing defense against Russian forces, who are violating their sovereignty; and it will help countries in the Indo-Pacific, like Taiwan, counter or deter, hopefully, Chinese aggression. prgtoken America has always been known as one that stands by its friends and allies. That is actually one of the biggest differences between the United States and Russia and China. We have friends. We have like- minded allies based on our commonly shared values. prgtoken Now, there are strategic shotgun marriages, which you see now between Iran and China and Russia, but nobody would mistake that for a shared value concept. It is just that they are arrayed against the United States. ``The enemy of my enemy is my friend'' is the philosophy that they embrace. prgtoken We have a long and proud history of defending democracy and standing up to adversaries, and I am glad Congress approved this legislation to continue in that tradition. As America's friends and allies combat evil around the world, we are seeing a new wave cropping up right here on American soil. prgtoken Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 of last year, anti-Israel protests have taken place across the United States. For our country, protests are nothing new. In fact, they are privileged and guaranteed under the First Amendment to the Constitution. So impassioned debate is not a recent innovation. But there is a clear line between protesting and rioting and an even clearer line between free speech and violence. Regrettably, that line has been crossed time and again in recent months. prgtoken Some Hamas sympathizers and supporters have used the guise of protesting to harass and intimidate Jewish students across the United States, and some of the most disturbing incidents have been those on college campuses. In the wake of October 7, campuses have experienced a wave of anti-Semitic attacks targeting their Jewish students. prgtoken Last fall, for example, Jewish students at a small university in New York City sheltered in the college library as pro-Palestinian protesters banged on the doors and windows and chanted outside. Multiple students at Tulane University in Louisiana were physically assaulted during a tense protest. A Cornell University message board was flooded with anonymous comments that threatened to physically harm any Jewish person on campus. prgtoken These incidents highlight a dangerous resurgence of anti-Semitism that has spread like wildfire across college campuses, and too many people have tried to defend these attacks as constitutionally protected speech.
TRIBUTE TO NICK SELIMOS
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican, WY) \u2014 2024-4-30

in 1948, President Harry Truman famously said, ``If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog'' There is a very clear exception to President Truman's saying. All of Washington, especially those of us who work on Capitol Hill, have a wonderful friend nearby. He is the manager at The Monocle, Nick Selimos, who has greeted guests at the famous establishment for 50 years. prgtoken Just steps from the Capitol, The Monocle had always been a fine establishment, but Nick's charming personality and steadfast commitment to hospitality turned it into the iconic pillar of Capitol Hill it is today. Since his first day in 1974, much has changed in Washington, on Capitol Hill, and even at The Monocle, but Nick has been the one constant. prgtoken His friendly face has greeted members of Congress taking a break from debating major pieces of legislation, foreign dignitaries visiting from every corner of the globe, and everyday Americans stopping in for a bite to eat after some sightseeing in the Nation's Capital. No matter who walked through the doors of The Monocle, Nick made them feel like his personal guests and made a point to remember them the next time they stopped by. prgtoken He has lent an ear, told a story, and laughed with more Members of Congress than even most congressional leaders. Nick Selimos might be the one man in Washington whose friendly countenance and kind spirit transcend partisan politics and is mutually beloved by all. prgtoken Had President Truman known Nick Selimos, the President's famous saying might have been, ``Unless you dine at The Monocle and have the privilege of knowing Nick Selimos, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.'' prgtoken Let us all raise a glass and cheers to Nick's 50 years at The Monocle and his remarkable positive impact on this city and our country.