mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STANDING UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF IRAN
Ted Poe (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-9-7

the Iranian people are still in the streets calling for the end of the regime. Despite continued violence by the regime's thugs, they persist in their cries for freedom. Across Iran, in more than 80 cities, thousands of Iranians are saying they have had enough with the corruption and repression of the mullahs. The free world cannot ignore their calls. America, the beacon of liberty, must stand with the Iranian people as they confront their oppressors. prgtoken For more than two decades, protests in Iran have grown more and more frequent as the promises of the Islamic revolution have proven false. The clerics and IRGC thugs have hoarded Iran's wealth to enrich themselves and support terrorism across the Middle East. The people of Iran know that their nation should be prosperous. They know their country is blessed with abundant resources, a proud history, and population of talented and hardworking people--they should not be struggling to get by. But they know it is the mullahs--not sanctions from the U.S. or the existence of the state of Israel--that starve them and keep them poor. The Iranian people are not fools who believe the hollow rhetoric of the regime. prgtoken Even before President rightly chose to abandon the Iran deal, the Iranian people saw no benefit from sanctions relief. The secret shipments of cash from the administration, the flood of foreign investment, the unfreezing of Iranian foreign assets, none of it reached the average Iranian. And so in late 2017 and into this year, the Iranian people bravely came to the streets again to demand that the regime fall. They shouted ``death to the regime'' and ``down with the mullahs.'' And the regime responded, as it has so many times before, with brutality, killing 25 and arresting more than 4,000. But the Iranian people remain undaunted and have not yielded. prgtoken The boldness of the protesters who initially took to the streets over the economic hardships quickly inspired others to come forward. Women threw their required headscarves to the ground in public squares, religious minorities spoke-out about their persecution, workers went on strike, and secularists stormed clerical seminaries. Their motives represented a wide-range of grievance against the regime, but they were unified in message: this illegitimate regime must end. These protests continue to expand as Iranians see their futures diminish under the Supreme Leader and his band of terrorists. prgtoken There has been an awakening in Iran and we must support it. It is not through bombs or guns that Iran will become free. It will be through the enduring courage and actions of everyday Iranians standing up to the regime thugs. They are demanding change now and, in growing numbers, putting fear into the hearts of the mullahs and their stooges. We can encourage and amplify their heroism. America has the resources and innovative tools to broadcast Iranians' messages of hope. Through
HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION OF ST. GEORGE'S MACEDONIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Macedonian Orthodox Church's consecration in Syracuse, New York. The Macedonian Orthodox Church has long been a staple in the Syracuse community and currently serves 200 families in the area. prgtoken Known locally as St. George, the congregation traces its roots back to 1964 when twenty Macedonian immigrant families established the church in upstate New York. Once established, the church registered under the jurisdiction of the Mother church, the Macedonian prgtoken Orthodox Church and the Holy Synod of Bishops in Skopje, Macedonia. Shortly thereafter, in 1965, the first Divine Liturgy was delivered to St. George's church by Archbishop Dositej Stojokic in Macedonian. The visit by Archbishop Dositej was a success, resulting in the consecration of a permanent church on July 1, 1968. prgtoken St. George's rapidly expanded in the 1970's and by the end of the decade there was a need for a new church to accommodate more members. A new church hall was constructed and occupied by St. George's in 1981. On September 15, 1985, the new church was consecrated by the Metropolitan Kiril. After further successes and a growing parish, St. George's underwent its final renovation to date in the 1990's. This renovation included an expansion of the church hall and the installment of a beautiful stain glass window collection. These efforts were led by Father Branko Postolovski, who continues to lead St. George's today. prgtoken , I ask the members of the House to join me in honoring the history and contributions of St. George's Macedonian Orthodox Church. It is my hope that St. George's continues to thrive and serve the Syracuse area for many more years to come.
IN RECOGNITION OF MR. PETE HANSE
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today to commend Mr. Pete Hanse on being honored prgtoken as the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year. prgtoken Pete Hanse was born and raised in California's Central Valley, attending local schools and choosing to remain in the community as an adult. Establishing a successful family business, Hanse Farms Inc Mr. Hanse has earned a well-known reputation for his dedication to protecting and preserving the agriculture industry in Kings County and the greater Central Valley region. prgtoken Mr. Hanse has further shown his service to the community by his involvement in the Kings County Farm Bureau. For forty-four consecutive years, which is an accomplishment in and of itself, he has volunteered on its Board of Directors. He has held every position on the Board, including serving as President from 1986 to 1988. His involvement continued with his participation in numerous California Farm Bureau state conventions, establishing relationships and gaining knowledge from organizations outside of Kings County. prgtoken Through his decades of experience, Mr. Hanse has become known for his superior knowledge on many topics in the agriculture industry. His peers look to him for direction on industry challenges and he is consistently willing to share his wisdom with others. Through his dedication and involvement in the community, Mr. Hanse has become known for his reliability, hard-working character, and leadership for the industry. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in commending Mr. Pete Hanse on his dedicated service to the Central Valley and on being honored as the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce 2018 Agriculturalist of the Year.
RECOGNIZING CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Stephen Knight (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, during which we pay a special tribute to the children who are now fighting or who have fought the number one disease killer and second leading cause of death of children in the United States. prgtoken We also affirm our support for the families, their doctors and their nurses and the foundations that provide financial and emotional relief to those struggling with the tremendous stress of cancer treatment and rehabilitation. prgtoken One group that is particularly close to me and my family is Jack's Angels. Jack's Angels fights for dedicated research for a particularly deadly kind of pediatric cancer, DIPG, the deadliest pediatric brain cancer. prgtoken DIPG tumors are inoperable and incurable, and its victims have a 5- year survival rate of less than 1 percent. The median survival time for children diagnosed with DIPG is only 9 months. prgtoken In 2011, just after his third birthday, Jack Demeter was diagnosed with DIPG. He was given steroid medication, then radiation therapy, and was put on supplements and several tailored diets. prgtoken He was brought into clinical trials. He tried infusions. His parents took him to dozens of doctors, each of whom provided their best advice and counsel. But the science for an effective treatment for DIPG has not yet been developed. Jack passed away only 9 months after diagnosis. prgtoken For me and for Jack's Angels, finding a cure for DIPG and all other pediatric cancers will continue to be a priority.
COMMUNITY SAFETY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2018
George Holding (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today in support of H.R. 6691, the Community Safety and Security Act, and urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. prgtoken I also want to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Handel, for her very hard work in advancing this legislation. prgtoken In April, as we know, the Supreme Court held, in Sessions v. Dimaya, that the term ``crime of violence'' was unconstitutionally vague. This decision meant certain obviously violent offenses would no longer qualify as violent crimes and, thus, made it more challenging to deport illegal immigrants who have committed what we would all call violent crimes. prgtoken Justice Gorsuch was the deciding vote in the case, casting his vote for fear that vague laws invite arbitrary power. In his opinion, he indicated that it was the duty of the legislature to add to the list of what constitutes a crime of violence that could lead to a person's deportation. This legislation does just that. prgtoken As a former United States attorney, I understand that clarity is the cornerstone of justice. So by clearly defining what constitutes a violent crime, we are not only strengthening our judicial system, but also ensuring the safety of the American people.
HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today to honor the 25th Anniversary of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. The OSA's work helps sustain and enrich our lives and is singularly important to the well- being of future generations. prgtoken The OSA was established in 1993 in response to grassroots efforts by citizen activists and the public seeking to protect Santa Clara Valley's natural resources. From a small agency, it expanded into a diverse organization with 700 currently active volunteers, serving areas of Santa Clara County outside the Mid peninsula Regional Open Space District. The OSA now owns and manages the Sierra Vista Open Space, the Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space, and the Coyote Ridge and Coyote Valley Open Space Preserves. prgtoken The OSA's accomplishments over the past 25 years are numerous and significant, involving extensive planning and collaboration with a variety of partners to develop foundational research and planning tools that guide their projects and inform their work. It is the first public agency to receive Land Trust Alliance Accreditation in 2017, ensuring best practices and standards for professional land conservation. prgtoken Currently, the OSA protects over 22,000 acres of land and provides permanent protection of habitat for 25 rare and endangered species of wildlife and plants. The OSA is the first agency in California to sponsor and develop a Regional Conservation Investment Strategy to promote the preservation of species, habitats, and other natural resources. prgtoken Year-round, the OSA maintains the availability of three open space preserves to the public and runs hundreds of different types of free environmental education programs for the public in our preserves and urban parklands. The OSA also provides over $10,000,000 in funding to over 30 Urban Open Space Projects throughout our jurisdiction. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in commending the Open Space Authority for 25 years of hard work, its progress in its mission of conserving the natural environment, supporting agriculture and connecting our communities to nature is noteworthy. The OSA has been a key agency in our area to help guard our future by preserving vital natural communities, and connecting people to nature in our beautiful Santa Clara Valley.
TRIBUTE TO CHIEF TIM WALL CHAIR OF THE VOLUNTEER AND COMBINATION OFFICERS SECTION INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-9-7

as the co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus I wish to recognize Timothy S. Wall, who will be stepping down as Chair of the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in November at the annual Volunteer and Combination Officers Section's Conference in Clearwater, Florida. prgtoken A third-generation firefighter, Chief Wall joined the North Farms Volunteer Fire Department in 1979. For the past 20 years, he served as the department's chief. Active in civic organizations and public safety agencies, Chief Wall became a deputy sheriff of New Haven County in 1980 and has served as a Connecticut state fire marshal since 2000. In addition, he is a former president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the New England Division of Fire Chief. prgtoken The mission of VCOS is to provide chief officers who manage volunteer and combination departments within the fire, rescue, and EMS delivery system with information, education, services, and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities. Chief Wall was elected Chair of the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section in 2005. Under his leadership, VCOS has been successfully performing its mission. prgtoken Most recently, VCOS published a joint publication with the National Volunteer Fire Council on cancer prevention within the fire service, which is the most pressing issue in the fire service. Other challenges include volunteer recruitment and retention, workplace safety, leadership accountability and emergency medical services. VCOS has always demonstrated leadership in addressing the emerging issues prgtoken that confront their members--whether it's through publishing reports, developing training materials or delivering important messages to our elected leaders. These actions require strong leadership, which Chief Wall has demonstrated throughout his term as Chair. prgtoken As a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I extend my thanks to Chief Wall for the support he has provided to the Fire Caucus throughout the years. He understands the importance of grassroots advocacy and has always offered his support to my fellow fire caucus co-chairs and me to help us advance fire service legislation through Congress. prgtoken President Abraham Lincoln once said, ``Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.'' To me, these words describe the character of the men and women of our nation's fire service. Firefighters perform their mission not for recognition, but for a much higher cause: to safeguard the citizens of their communities. While Chief Wall has never sought recognition, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for his selfless dedication and commitment to public safety. He has certainly earned the right to be recognized.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ZEBEDEE STRONG
Marc A. Veasey (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Zebedee ``Zeb'' Strong. prgtoken Zeb was from Kilgore, Texas, and was raised on a cattle farm down in the oilfields there. But when he came to Arlington and settled in that city, he left a strong legacy. prgtoken He worked at his alma mater, which was the University of Texas at Arlington, known as UTA, for 25 years. As director of multicultural services and recruitment, he really embodied the spirit of the UTA campus. He served as an adviser for over 40 student organizations and mentored so many students. prgtoken Zeb was someone whom I first met when I was a congressional staffer back in the 1990s, and he was someone who really helped me out a lot as I was beginning my career in that field. prgtoken He was also dedicated and committed to volunteer work at Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and he was also one of the individuals who was really the driving force behind starting an African American studies program at UTA. prgtoken He was also one of the founders of the Arlington African American Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington chapter of the NAACP. prgtoken My prayers and condolences go out to his four children and his wife, Sheri, who lost Zeb unexpectedly. prgtoken But I want the family and friends of Zeb Strong to know that he was such a uniting force. If you walked around the campus of UTA at any moment, anyone, from any background, would come up to Zeb and they would feel like Zeb was their best friend because that was just the type of gentleman that he was. prgtoken My prayers, again, go out to the family
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-9-7

I thank the gentleman. I hope his optimism is met because I think that would be a better thing for us to do, so I appreciate that observation. prgtoken Let me ask the gentleman as well, if we accomplish what he suggests that we might accomplish over the next 7 legislative days, there will still be a needed CR. Assuming we adopt a resolution which will fund all of government through a particular time, both because we passed appropriations bills, your point being that there are nine that are possible to pass with three remaining. prgtoken The gentleman has scheduled, as of now, for us to be meeting the first 2 weeks in October. prgtoken Obviously, Members are very interested in whether or not that schedule will be kept or whether there is a possibility that assuming we do, in fact, fund government to some date, either through the year, the next fiscal year, or for a period of time, for those bills that have not passed and been signed by the President, does the gentleman still contemplate that we will be here the first 2 weeks in October? prgtoken from California.
HONORING THE LIFE OF MRS. OLLIE RUTH HUNTER
David Scott (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-9-7

it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to join my fellow Georgians in commemorating the passing of a lifelong resident of the Atlanta suburbs, Mrs. Ollie Ruth Hunter, who passed away on August 28, 2018, at the age of 84. Mrs. Hunter was a proud nurse who committed her life to care for her fellow citizens. Mrs. Ollie Ruth Hunter was born on March 31, 1934. Having spent her entire life as a resident of Atlanta, she attended school at Ben Hill Elementary School, then on to Booker T. Washington High School. After high school, Mrs. Hunter continued her education at the Belmont Nursing School and Grady Nursing School. During her career, Mrs. Hunter worked as a nurse for Holy Family Hospital, various nursing homes, and individual private duty assignments. Subsequently, Mrs. Hunter held several jobs, but the one that allowed her to contribute most to her community was her job as the first black manager of Barricini Candies at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, GA. As a trailblazer, she provided the opportunity for numerous young black women to work their first job. Mrs. Hunter loved to travel, especially, to Florida, but according to her, the best places to be were church, home, ball games, and car races. She was an active member of several clubs and lodges, including the Three Rose Social Club, Eastern Star, Heron of Jericho, and, her favorite, the Red Hat Society. She was the founder and Queen of the Red Hat Gems of Atlanta. I celebrate Mrs. Hunter for her admirable service to the city of Atlanta and her family. My colleagues and I extend our heartful condolences to her surviving family members which include her three children, three grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Mr I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Hunter's family and friends during this difficult time.
IN HONOR OF ALVARADOSMITH
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today to honor the AlvaradoSmith law firm in California. Since 1993, AlvaradoSmith has provided legal counsel to public agencies, large non-profit corporations, municipalities, emerging businesses, mid-sized companies and Fortune 500 companies. Since then they have opened three offices across California in Santa Ana, Los Angeles and San Francisco, in addition to international locations in Latin America. AlvaradoSmith uses state-of- the-art technology and attorneys with a wealth of experience in different sectors to provide clients with innovative solutions. prgtoken The AlvaradoSmith firm was established by Ray Alvarado and Ruben A. Smith with core principles around diversity, excellence, integrity, and community leadership. They have shown their commitment to these values as one of the largest minority-owned law firm in the nation and the largest certified minority-owned law firm in California. Their highly- qualified attorneys attended the nation's prestigious law schools including Berkley Law, Cornell, Georgetown, UCLA, USC and Yale. Their attorneys have breadth in their expertise ranging from business litigation to intellectual property. Their clients include Netflix, Shell, University of California, Restoration Hardware, Southern California Edison and Northrop Grumman. prgtoken Today, AlvaradoSmith serve as champions for diversity in legal counsel and continue to set the example for other law firms. AlvaradoSmith fosters inclusivity through their ability to speak over five different languages, investment in a multi-generational workforce, creation of women's leadership forum, and multi-disciplinary practice. I am honored to recognize AlvaradoSmith and its 25 years of dedication to diversity and inclusion.
HONORING THE CALISTOGA SPEEDWAY
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-9-7

I rise today to honor the Calistoga Speedway in Calistoga, California for being a longstanding place for our community to gather together and enjoy racing. prgtoken Calistoga Speedway is an important institution in our community. It is the home of a half mile dirt track loop, one of only several left in the United States. In 1937, the racetrack transitioned from hosting horse racing to car racing and since then has made a great impact in Calistoga and our surrounding community. prgtoken In the middle of the 20th century, Louie Vermeil and others founded the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC), now called the Golden State Challenge Series. The Calistoga Speedway was NARC's home for 25 years. Currently, drivers from associations including the Bay Cities Roadster Racing Association, the American Racing Association and the Golden State Challenge Series make a point to race at the classic racetrack at the Calistoga Speedway. Additionally, the Calistoga Speedway has been an incredible venue for local racers, including Rico Abreu, to develop their passions for racing and begin their careers. prgtoken Numerous generations of racers and race fans have spent time at the Calistoga Speedway. During the two-day races, Calistogans and out-of- town race enthusiasts fill the RV park at the Napa County Fairgrounds and pack the seats at the racetrack. The crowds that the Calistoga Speedway draw also strengthen our local economy. Visitors eat at our restaurants, shop at our stores and stay at our hotels. Other facets of our community, in addition to local businesses, benefit from the Calistoga Speedway. Profits from the Wildcat Boosters' snack bar at the racetrack fund sports and music programs in our community, which Calistoga children may not have access to otherwise. prgtoken , the Calistoga Speedway is an important pillar of our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor it here today.