mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING KEN AND LIZ NOBIS OF NOBIS DAIRY FARMS
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-9-8

today I pay tribute to Ken and Liz Nobis of St. Johns, Michigan, a couple who have devoted their lives to the betterment of Michigan's agriculture industry, both on and off the farm. Ken and Liz are first and foremost dairy farmers, but they're also trailblazers, leaders, and advocates. I am fortunate to call them friends, and now we can all call them part of our State's rich history, as their names are added to the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame. prgtoken After proudly serving his Nation in the United States Army, Ken returned to the farm where he was raised. For more than 50 years now, he and his wife, Liz, have co-owned Nobis Dairy Farms, the third generation of the Nobis family to do so. The farm includes about 1,000 dairy cows and 2,500 acres on which they grow various crops, including alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and wheat. prgtoken As if that wouldn't keep them busy enough, the Nobis' have consistently and actively sought out ways to elevate Michigan agriculture. They have worked hand in glove with Michigan State University, helping hundreds of students complete research projects on the farm, hosting speaking engagements and other events, and creating scholarships for future farmers. Ken has served as the State's unofficial ``Milk Man,'' leading at various times the Michigan Milk Producers Association, the Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the Michigan State University Dairy Stakeholder Committee, to name a few. prgtoken But what's always stood out to me is their desire to be the best possible stewards of what they've been given: the land, the animals, and their own time, treasure, and talents. Nobis Dairy Farms has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts in agriculture, and Ken and Liz have constantly sought to shine a light on food security issues with their involvement in supplying milk to food banks statewide. Never was this more apparent than during the Flint water crisis, when Nobis Dairy Farms helped coordinate the effort to provide tens of thousands of gallons of milk to Flint children to help mitigate the effects of lead in the body. prgtoken For thousands of years, farmers have been the unsung heroes we look to in times of feast and famine, bringing new life from the soil and stewarding resources to sustain life into the future. Today's farmers carry an extra burden: safeguarding life on this planet for generations to come. Ken and Liz Nobis have lived this quiet heroism on their bucolic St. Johns farm for more than 50 years, and it's only fitting their names now take their rightful place in the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame.
CELEBRATING EL SEGUNDO'S LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Ted Lieu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-9-8

I rise to celebrate the El Segundo Little League All-Stars, a baseball team from the City of El Segundo, who won the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series on the 27th of August. El Segundo defeated the Pabao Little League of Willemstad, Curacao in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. prgtoken This year's championship win is the first for a team from Los Angeles County since 1993 and is the first for a team from the City of El Segundo. prgtoken The El Segundo Little League All-Stars--Lennon Salazar, Finley Green, Quinn Boehle, Lucas Keldorf, Colby Lee, Max Baker, Brody Brooks, Declan McRoberts, Ollie Parks, Louis Lappe, Crew O'Connor, and Jaxon Kalish-- should be proud of their accomplishment, as they have secured the 8th total title for the State of California, the most of any State in the union. The El Segundo Little League team won 5 consecutive elimination games to compete in the championship and took home the win in a 6-5 game. Louis Lappe hit a legendary walk-off home run to win the game in the sixth inning. The team was led by Manager Danny Boehle and Coaches Tim Abrams and Eddie Lee. prgtoken I am happy to know that this team had the full support of their city behind them, and residents gathered across the city and Southern California to cheer them on in a wonderful display of community. Their achievements are made all the more special by the hard work and the team effort made by every player, coach and supporter along the way. prgtoken On behalf of California's 36th Congressional District, I would like to sincerely congratulate the El Segundo Little League All-Stars team on winning the Little League World Series and wish them best of luck in their future efforts. Their performance was a sight to behold, and they have made us all proud. Go Gundo.
Healthcare (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-9-11

I am committed to lowering healthcare costs, expanding access to high-quality care, and supporting research and innovation. The healthcare system in the United States needs more reform and accountability. However, we shouldn't ruin it by turning it into a government-run healthcare system, whether you want to call it government-run healthcare system, Medicare for All, or single payer, or even socialized medicine. prgtoken A government-run healthcare system is a one-size-fits-all approach. It results in longer wait times, delayed care, and do-it-yourself healthcare because you cannot access a doctor. prgtoken In February, the Wall Street Journal highlighted the failure of the United Kingdom's National Health Service, NHS for short. prgtoken They wrote: Now, the state-funded service is falling apart. People who suffer heart attacks or strokes wait more than 1\1/2\ hours on average for an ambulance. Hospitals are so full that they are turning patients away. A record 7.1 million people in England--more than one in 10--are stuck on waiting lists for nonemergency hospital treatment like hip replacements. prgtoken But I want to quote from the article of the Wall Street Journal, another one: Delays in treating people are causing the premature deaths of 300 to 500 people a week. One in five British people were waiting for a medical appointment or treatment by NHS in December. prgtoken If you didn't find that article about the United Kingdom alarming, in May, British Columbia announced that they are sending cancer patients to Bellingham, WA, in the United States, for treatment. prgtoken A Canadian news outlet wrote this: Health Minister Adrian Dix announced . . . that eligible breast and prostate cancer patients will be sent to one of two clinics in Bellingham for radiation treatment. . . . The unprecedented move to send thousands of [British Columbia] patients to the [United States] over the next two years is an attempt to address the backlog in [British Columbia] which has one of the longest waits for radiation treatment in Canada. prgtoken Canada is taking this action because its cancer patients face unacceptable waiting times. Currently, only 82.9 percent of the British cancer patients who require radiation start treatment within 28 days. That means that 17 percent of cancer patients are waiting at least a month or longer to start cancer treatment. prgtoken Canada's single-payer healthcare problems aren't found in just one province. In January, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ontario is turning to private healthcare options to fix the growing problem with its single-payer-funded healthcare system. Canada's most populous province is allowing more patients to go to private treatment centers for cataracts and joint replacement surgeries and for services such as MRIs and CT scans. prgtoken The Wall Stre
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-9-11

today marks 22 years since terrorists shattered a peaceful morning in New York, Pennsylvania, and here in Washington; 22 years since enemies of America's freedom and leadership killed 2,977 innocent people; 22 years, but the shock of that day and the pain of loss are still every bit as real. prgtoken Today, we remember the parents and the children and spouses and siblings who never returned home. We thank the first responders who ran toward danger in service of others. And we honor the servicemembers, intelligence professionals, and law enforcement officers who kept America safe since that awful day. But today is not just about remembering the past. prgtoken Year after year, September 11 is a reminder of our commitment to confront growing threats from global terror and to preserve the tools and authorities our national security community need to carry out this essential mission.
Military Promotions (Executive Session)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-9-11

today, as our Nation marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we mourn the loss of some 3,000 Americans who were murdered by terrorists. It was one of the darkest days in our history. prgtoken Just last week, we marked another sad anniversary. It was the second anniversary of President 's surrender in Afghanistan. On 9/11/ 2021, the Taliban controlled more territory in Afghanistan than they did on 9/11/2001. That is an absolute disgrace. The responsibility goes straight to our Commander in Chief. prgtoken At the time, President called it ``an extraordinary success.'' Nobody else thought so. The American people overwhelmingly reject this idea. Our allies certainly reject this idea. It was not a success. It was the worst embarrassment of our Nation in decades. prgtoken Two years since the fall of Afghanistan, there has been absolutely no accountability within the administration. No one has been fired. Nobody paid the price. Thousands and thousands of our allies in Afghanistan have lost their lives. prgtoken We surrendered billions of dollars in military equipment to the Taliban. As a result, the Taliban is now the best armed terrorist group in the history of the world. And, again, nobody has been fired. In fact, the only one in our military who got fired was a colonel who sounded the alarm as a whistleblower--what a disgrace. prgtoken It even gets worse. Just weeks after the fall of Afghanistan, President issued his vaccine mandate. The Supreme Court struck it down for private companies. It took an act of Congress to stop it for our military more than a year later. prgtoken So just weeks after our worst military defeat in decades, President purged the ranks of some 8,000 patriots. There was never any scientific basis for this mandate--none. No one disputed the fact that these were healthy servicemembers who were ready and willing to defend the United States of America. They were pushed out for ideological reasons. This was a real threat to readiness, and it inflicted real hardship on military families. prgtoken have been talking a lot about readiness lately and military families, but there was silence when fired 8,000 American patriots and left their families without income. Thousands and thousands more servicemembers were vaccinated despite serious reservations of conscience. This was a slap in the face to our heroes in uniform. prgtoken The Senate had the chance to fix this in July, but our ic colleagues blocked it. Senator Cruz offered an amendment to this year's defense bill prgtoken that would have reinstated all of these heroes--all 8,000 of them--but my ic colleagues refused and rejected it. Now, these same are lecturing us about readiness and about their support for military families. I hear about it every day. prgtoken Meanwhile, the ' efforts to inject leftwing politics into our military have onl
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOCH ENTERPRISES
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-9-11

I rise today to recognize Koch Enterprises, a fifth-generation Hoosier company, on its 150th anniversary. prgtoken Founded in 1873 as a tin shop, the Evansville-based company now employs more than 2,600 people in 13 States and four countries. The George Koch Tin Shop stayed afloat in the early years by doing repairs and manufacturing cookware, but soon, the business grew and diversified. When George Koch died in 1903, his three sons took over and renamed the business George Koch Sons. During World War II, the company supported the war effort by building a new manufacturing facility and fabricating parts for LST ships and aircraft wings and engines. In 1999, the company reorganized to Koch Enterprises, Inc. The organization currently has eight subsidiaries and is the ninth largest private company in Indiana. prgtoken Koch Enterprises' core values include integrity, respect for people, customer focus, continuous improvement, and community involvement. Indeed, the Evansville area and the State of Indiana as a whole has benefited from that spirit of community involvement. Koch employees are encouraged to volunteer for local charities and have logged more than 20,000 hours annually in recent years. Additionally, company Chairman Bob Koch has been a driving force behind the completion of Interstate 69 and helped establish Signature School, which is consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in the country. prgtoken It is my honor to congratulate the Koch family, the company's leadership, and the thousands of Koch employees who have contributed to our State over the years.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-9-11

I rise today to recognize Lutheridge Farm and celebrate its nearly six decades of success. prgtoken In 1965, brothers Ted and Ben Luther purchased the land where they established the family-owned dairy operation today known as Lutheridge Farm. For many years, Ted, his wife Dot, Ben, and his wife Margaret worked diligently to grow the farm from a single cow to a herd of about 150 cattle. Word of their ranch began to spread, and in 1981, they were named the Farm Family of the Year by their soil and water conservation district. Due to their love of Jersey cows, the family became involved in the American Jersey Cattle Association, with Ted ultimately being presented its National Distinguished Service Award in 2006 after many years of service as its president and member of its board of directors. prgtoken After Ted passed away in 2013, the cattle operation began to wind down. However, desiring to keep the family business alive, his children purchased Ben's shares of the farm to keep it running for a new generation. Richard Luther and his wife Robin, along with Leigh Anne Wetmore and her husband Mark, worked to continue the legacy of their father and uncle. Ted's grandson Steven Wetmore returned to the family farm to manage the operation with his wife Kira, where they were joined by his cousins Jonathan and Lauren Luther. This new generation of family farmers revived the ranch and diligently worked to expand the operation. In 2016, they began selling dairy to local, family-owned cheese manufacturers. prgtoken Although the family has recently decided to downsize the operation due to rising costs, the family still provides fresh dairy to families across the region. Bottled milk, both white and chocolate, is delivered to local markets in Rowan, Iredell, Cabarrus, Davidson, and Davie Counties. prgtoken Please join me in celebrating Lutheridge Farm's many years of success. Small businesses are the backbone of our Nation's economy, and it is family operations like Lutheridge Farm that enrich communities for years to come.
RECOGNIZING KPI CONCEPTS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-9-11

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 KPI Concepts of West Burlington, IA as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken KPI Concepts was founded by Craig Upton in 1984 out of his garage in Burlington, IA, building cabinetry for local businesses. Two years later, KPI Concepts moved to a 4,200 square foot building with a workshop. The original building was expanded to 42,000 square feet between 1986 and 2006, and in 2007, they purchased an additional 65,000-square-foot location. The second location expanded a few years later. After starting as a commercial cabinetry business, they evolved to manufacture wind turbine blade components in 2008 with the KPI Composites division. In 2013, they added a west coast location in Hurricane, UT, while maintaining their West Burlington headquarters. Over the years, KPI Concepts has grown to include the KPI Metals division as well. prgtoken Craig Upton attributes his success to his father and the Southeastern Community College for his successful business career. After graduating from Burlington High School in 1973, he went on to attend Southeastern Community College where he earned an associate's degree in mechanical technology. He later went on to work as a design draftsman, welder, and in the data processing department. When he lost his job, his father, who had a passion for woodworking, urged Craig to pursue his dream and start KPI Concepts. Because he pursued his dreams, KPI Concepts celebrated its 39th business anniversary in 2023. prgtoken In addition to being the president and founder of KPI Concepts, Craig Upton gives back to the community. In 2014, he was recognized by Southeastern Community College with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Earning further accolades, the KPI Metals team was awarded the Manufacturer of the Year Award by the Greater Burlington Partnership in 2017. prgtoken KPI Concept's commitment to providing high-quality commercial cabinetry, wind turbine parts, and metal manufacturing services to customers throughout the United States while maintaining their Iowa roots is clear. I want to congratulate Craig Upton and the entire team at KPI Concepts for their continued dedication to providing industrial services to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
RECOGNIZING JEFFERSON COLLEGE
Eric Schmitt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2023-9-11

I rise today to honor Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO, for 60 years of academic excellence and accomplishment. prgtoken Founded in 1963, Jefferson College is the ``Jewel of Jefferson County.'' The college has contributed to the development and progress of Jefferson County and the surrounding region, equipping thousands of students each year with the tools to be successful in a variety of academic disciplines. The college's programs are instrumental in raising up the next generation of teachers, police officers, nurses, and citizens. The college remains devoted to providing high-quality academics at an affordable price, making it a great option for students in any stage of life. Communities are built upon the collaboration of men and women who have been properly trained in their designated fields, and Jefferson College continues to assemble communities of qualified workers and strengthen Missouri as a whole. prgtoken I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in recognizing Jefferson College's diamond anniversary, 60 years of scholarship. I hope all my colleagues will join me in celebrating the important work being done at Jefferson College and all the work it will accomplish in the future.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2023-9-11

I rise to recognize the International Crane Foundation's 50th anniversary. I am delighted to recognize this global conservation organization with Wisconsin origins. prgtoken While the efforts of the International Crane Foundation now reach across the world, its story began in 1971 at Cornell University. This was where two ornithology students, Ron Sauey and George Archibald, bonded over their shared appreciation for cranes. They imagined an organization that could combine their work on captive breeding, research, restoration, and education to protect the 15 different crane species on Earth. In 1973, Sauey and Archibald's vision became a reality when the International Crane Foundation was founded out of the Sauey family farm in Baraboo, WI. prgtoken Over the last 50 years, the foundation has used dynamic methods and community-oriented approaches to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways they depend on. The foundation fosters the international cooperation of crane protection by providing knowledge, leadership, and inspiration to people in the communities where cranes live, engaging them to resolve threats to these birds and the landscapes they call home. prgtoken Today the International Crane Foundation has grown to a staff of more than 125 people, with a network of hundreds of specialists in over 50 countries on the five continents where cranes live. The organization moved from the humble Sauey farm where it was born, to a nearly 300- acre headquarters in Baraboo, complete with live crane exhibits, guided tours, a research library, and 4 miles of nature trails. While the reach of the foundation has greatly extended over the past 50 years, their mission remains the same: to protect and restore wild crane populations and the landscapes they depend on. prgtoken On the 50th anniversary of this remarkable organization, I am proud to recognize the International Crane Foundation and look forward to its continued success and conservation efforts.
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-9-11

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Bradsher nomination postcloture; further, that all time be considered expired at 11:30 a.m. and, following the cloture vote on the Cummings nomination, the Senate recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; that if cloture is invoked on the Cummings nomination, all time be considered expired at 2:15 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.