mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF LSU'S PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today to commemorate the 30 year anniversary of LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Founders C.B. ``Doc'' and Mrs. Pennington donated to the university in hopes of building ``the biggest and best nutrition research center in the country.'' Their vision has largely been accomplished. As the center has grown, they've become a premiere scientific research institution--highly sought after to publish medical research on chronic disease prevention and to host national medical symposiums. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) selected Pennington Biomedical for several medical studies such as diet risk factors for heart disease, the effects of diets on blood pressure, and diabetes prevention. Over the past 30 years, there have been 212,123 scientific citations from over 5,000 Pennington Biomedical publications. Their work has improved the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. I'm proud to represent this premiere research facility, housed at one of Louisiana's finest schools. Well done, Pennington Biomedical Research Facility, on an incredible 30 years of excellence and discovery.
HONORING TROOP 3055
Sean P. Duffy (Republican, WI) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today to recognize and remember the three beautiful Girl Scouts, and one loving mother, of Troop 3055, who tragically lost their lives on November 3, 2018. On that Saturday morning, Autumn Helgeson, Jayna Kelley, Haylee Hickle, and Sara Schneider were volunteering their time to pick up trash on the side of the road as a service to their community, when they were fatally struck by a hit and run driver. Though my words can never reverse the awful heartbreak that their families have suffered, I hope that by speaking today we can pay tribute to these girls, who at the time of their death were simply trying to make their community a better place. prgtoken Today, we pray for the families, friends, and Troop of these girls, and for Madalyn Zwiefelhofer, who was sent to the hospital in critical condition as a result of the accident. Please know that the entire community stands with all of the families during this difficult time.
IN MEMORY OF OFFICER MICHAEL HUFFMAN
David P. Joyce (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-11-20

I would like to honor the life and service of a constituent of mine, Madison Village Police Officer Michael Huffman. Officer Huffman, a 19-year veteran officer, unfortunately passed away while on duty on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Originally from Painesville, Officer Huffman enjoyed working on cars and spending time with his wife, Viola, and his family. His legacy and dedication to public service will always be remembered. My prayers are with Officer Huffman's family, his friends, the Village of Madison, and the Madison Village Police Department during this difficult time.
RECOGNIZING OMNI FAMILY HEALTH, INC.
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today to recognize Omni Family Health, Inc. for forty years of service throughout California's Central Valley. prgtoken Omni Family Health, Inc. was established in 1978 as a health center in the town of Buttonwillow, an unincorporated farming community in California's San Joaquin Valley. Responding to a profound shortage of medical care in the area, community members founded Buttonwillow Health Center. Before long, Buttonwillow Health Center was invited to expand to neighboring towns and eventually became Omni Family Health. prgtoken The San Joaquin Valley is an extremely rural region with a large population of underserved communities. Due to high unemployment and large populations of migrant workers, medical care can be difficult for many to attain. Omni Family Health, Inc. directly responds to these needs, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. They strive to break longstanding barriers in the region and meet the communities' needs head-on. They are a mission-oriented organization, demonstrating a strong commitment to underserved communities. Omni Family Health, Inc. also prioritizes the respect of staff and the hiring of compassionate people. That simple show of respect has led to decades-long careers at Omni. prgtoken From their humble beginnings, Omni Family Health, Inc. has rapidly become one of the largest networks of health centers in the San Joaquin Valley. By the end of this year, they will be operating thirty health centers in Kings, Kern, and Fresno Counties. Their 750 employees serve over 100,000 patients, while their facilities generate $123,000,000 in economic benefits. Their contributions have made them an invaluable and treasured member in the communities they serve. prgtoken Omni Family Health, Inc. has gained a national reputation for their exceptional care and compassion. In 2015, they were awarded two achievements by the National Association of Community Health Centers: The Outstanding Achievement Award and the Migrant Health Center of the Year Award, which they are extremely proud of. While Omni Family Health, Inc. serves a diverse population of patients, migrant workers will always be their passion. It was the small farming community of Buttonwillow. California, that birthed their mission, so being nationally recognized for their service to migrant workers was especially meaningful to them. prgtoken Omni Family Health, Inc. shows no signs of slowing down. As they continue to grow and meet the needs of the San Joaquin Valley, they remain committed to their two core ideals, providing healthcare for their community through compassionate service. The San Joaquin Valley will be forever thankful for the work they have done, and excited for the work they will still do. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in commending Omni Family Health, Inc. for forty years of se
HONORING CPL. BILL EIERMAN
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of Corporal William Eierman, a member of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Cpl. Eierman is being honored today with the Medal of Valor and Law Enforcement Purple Heart. prgtoken On August 8, 2018, after hearing of gunshots, Cpl. Eierman ran toward a scene where a suspect had shot a marked patrol car and was fleeing from officers. While pursuing the suspect, Cpl. Eierman engaged with him and was shot twice. Thanks to Cpl. Eierman's heroism, no one else was hurt and the individual was brought to justice. prgtoken Officer Eierman is a dedicated father and husband who has served the Jacksonville Beach community for 16 years as a member of Jacksonville Beach Police Department after previously working as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office corrections officer. In addition to being a family man, Cpl. Eierman is active in his church and always looking for ways to give back to the community he serves. prgtoken On behalf of a grateful community, I want to thank Cpl. William Eierman for the courage he displayed on that day, and every day. We thank you for your service and wish you a speedy recovery.
HONORING MS. GINA WIRONEN
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today to honor a proud servant of the people and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ms. Gina Wironen. Gina has been an integral part of the Leominster School District for over four decades as an educator and administrator. prgtoken In her 43-year career in education, Gina has held many prominent roles within the Leominster School District including serving as the Assistant Principal of Saint Leo School and Principal of Samoset Middle School. Most recently, Gina worked as the Director of Community Engagement and Media Relations for the entire school district. prgtoken Throughout her distinguished career, Gina has consistently been recognized for her exemplary service to our district, including: the Learning for Life Leadership Award, Teacher of the Year--Leominster Rotary Award, and most recently, the M.W.C.C. Lifetime Achievement Award. prgtoken Because of Gina' s leadership and advocacy, Leominster has become one of the most active and collaborative districts that participates in the United Way Youth Venture program. prgtoken This service-oriented educational experience works with children and young adults to create ventures using their passions to support the community. Due to Gina's efforts, over 74 service teams have made an impact within the district since the program's inception in 2002. Gina has continually worked to expand the program within Leominster and all of Central Massachusetts. prgtoken , this alone would be an impressive list of achievements that deserves our respect and gratitude. But since 2013, Gina has successfully advocated in support of the development of two new innovation schools in Leominster, and secured funding for a new athletic facility for the local high school. Gina understands that education does not just happen in schools. She has worked with the entire community to enhance what is happening in the classroom. prgtoken , on behalf of the United States Congress and the people of Massachusetts, I would like to thank and recognize Gina for her work in the Leominster School District to improve the Massachusetts education system. Her tireless efforts have forever changed Leominster for the better.
H. RES. 1138 PASSAGE
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-11-20

I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of House Resolution 1138, and I wholeheartedly support its passage. prgtoken H. Res. 1138 condemns the heinous anti-Semitic attack on the building housing three congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that resulted in the deaths of 11 innocent people. The resolution honors the memory of the victims of the attack, as well as offers condolences to and expresses support for their families, friends, and community. prgtoken I am saddened and outraged by this hateful act. Unfortunately, anti- Semitic incidents have been on the rise--increasing 57 percent in 2017. This horrific shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue is yet another manifestation of this ancient hatred. prgtoken Congress stands united in condemning the deadly attack on the Tree of Life synagogue, remembering all who were taken from us on that fateful day, and wishing speedy recovery for those who survived. Last week, Members of Congress passed this bill, not as s or , but as Americans who oppose intolerance. prgtoken The freedom to worship is a core principle of this nation--one that our forefathers enshrined in our Constitution to protect us all from undue prosecution. As a Jewish Member of Congress, I stand ready to fiercely defend the right of all Americans to freely exercise their religious beliefs. With anti-Semitism on the rise, we must redouble our efforts to eradicate it at home and abroad. prgtoken I pray for the victims of the Tree of Life shooting and their families, and I know that our community will work to promote religious tolerance and freedom everywhere.
REVEREND DR. WASHINGTON LEE LUNDY'S 50TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY AT EVENING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH
Hakeem S. Jeffries (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today in recognition of Reverend Dr. Washington Lee Lundy's 50th Pastoral Anniversary at Glen Terrace in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Since the founding of Evening Star Baptist Church in 1916, Reverend Dr. Washington Lundy has served as the second senior pastor in the church's 102-year history. prgtoken From an early age, Reverend Dr. Lundy was called to preach, initially at First Baptist Church in his hometown of McKinney, Virginia. After graduation from high school in 1954, he studied at Virginia Union University, in Richmond, VA. A year later, he moved to New York completing his studies at Manhattan Community College. Settling in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, he joined the congregation of Evening Star Baptist Church where first Senior Pastor Reverend Marcellus French Logan presided. There he met ``the love of his life,'' Dorothy Fields, whom he married and raised two children with, Christopher Lee and Valerie Anita. prgtoken Upon the passing of Rev. Logan, Evening Star Baptist Church recognized Reverend Dr. Washington Lee Lundy as Senior Pastor on November 5, 1968. During his dedicated service to the congregation and surrounding community, he went on to pursue a Doctorate from Baltimore School of the Bible. In his 50 years of leadership at Evening Star, Reverend Dr. Lundy helped organize the Gates Avenue Block Association and established the Evening Star Baptist Church Scholarship Fund for students entering college and those returning to school for higher education. He also solidified the longevity of the church by settling the church's mortgage and founding the Eastern Baptist Association School of Religion and Evening Star Youth Ministry. prgtoken Reverend Dr. Lundy proudly represented Evening Star across the country and world. He served as Vice Moderator at Large of the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) of New York, and then as Moderator of the EBA from 1988 to 1992. He was elected as Vice President at Large of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York, and then as its President for six years. He also served as Vice President of the National Baptist Convention USA--North East Region. More recently, in 2010 he was the host for the New York State Convention for the 20th Baptist World Congress in Hawaii. Globally, he has carried a message of hope and faith, traveling to various countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. prgtoken , in honor of this great spiritual and community leader, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating the Reverend Dr. Washington Lee Lundy on his 50th Pastoral Anniversary at Evening Star Baptist Church
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MRS. EMMA ROBERTA DAVIE WILSON
David Scott (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-11-20

it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary Georgian and a great American, Mrs. Emma Roberta Davie Wilson who passed away at the age of 90. She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Mrs. Wilson was a wonderful teacher who had a passion for educating youth. prgtoken Having spent her entire life as a Georgia resident, Mrs. Wilson attended Main High School in Rome, Georgia. After receiving her high school diploma, she attended Paine University in Augusta, Georgia, where she received her degree in early childhood education. Mrs. Wilson dedicated 25 years of her life to the Atlanta Public School System at Thomas Heath Slater Elementary School. Her tenure within this institution of public learning personifies what it means to be a public servant. prgtoken In 1948, she married the late Eddie Daniel Wilson. Together, Mr they had five beautiful children, and a host of grandchildren. Mrs. Wilson was also a most devoted Christian. She was a loving member at Macedonia Baptist Church in Joyland Community in Atlanta, Georgia. And she was a Sunday School teacher who helped lead many young children to Christ at an early age. prgtoken I celebrate Mrs. Wilson for her admirable service to the youth of our nation, the city of Atlanta, and the State of Georgia. My colleagues and I extend our deepest sympathies to her surviving friends and family members, which include five children, four grandchildren, three great- grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews I would like to extend my condolences to Mrs. Wilson's family and friends during this time of sorrow.
RECOGNIZING MICHELLE McGOVERN
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-11-20

I, along with Representative Frankel and Representative Hastings, rise today in recognition of the accomplishments and extensive public service record of United States Senator Bill Nelson's State Director, and our dear friend, Michelle McGovern. prgtoken Since her time as a student at Florida Atlantic University, Michelle has demonstrated a passion for government and the capacity to lead. Her tireless work ethic, combined with her many successes, earned her election as FAU's student body Vice-President and appointment to Florida's Board of Regents, as the first and only FAU student appointee. prgtoken Fast forward to today and Michelle has honorably served Senator Nelson and the State of Florida for 18 years. She rose quickly through the ranks from a Legislative Correspondent to her current position as State Director. In each of her roles, she exemplified leadership and collaboration, while providing superior service to the citizens of Florida. prgtoken In addition to serving the entire state, Michelle devotes much of her time to serving her local community. She is a past President of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, SunFest, and the West Palm 100. She has also served on the Mayor's Nominating Committee for the City of West Palm Beach, Charter Review Committees for West Palm Beach and Wellington, and Wellington's Education Advisory Board. Michelle is currently the Chairwoman of the School Advisory Committee at Binks Forest Elementary School, where she has long been active in the PTA. On top of all this, Michelle and her husband John, have raised two wonderful daughters, Emilia and Victoria. prgtoken Today we ask this body to recognize Michelle McGovern for her endless dedication and leadership in our community. Michelle has demonstrated a commitment to service that we should expect from all of our civil servants. We, along with the citizens of Florida, thank her for her service.
RECOGNIZING DR. GERALD L. GORDON
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise to recognize an individual who has made an indelible mark on the Fairfax County community and the Northern Virginia region as a whole. Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, is retiring from that role after 35 years of extraordinary service. During his tenure, he has guided Fairfax County through incredible transformative changes. prgtoken When Dr. Gordon joined the EDA in 1983, Fairfax County had a population of approximately 661,000. Our commercial sector was small compared to those of our regional neighbors, with 32 million square feet of office space supporting 243,000 jobs. Fairfax County was largely a bedroom community for federal workers who commuted to Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. Fast forward 35 years and today, the population of Fairfax County has nearly doubled to more than 1.1 million. prgtoken Fairfax County is home to a thriving commercial sector anchored in Tysons with over 117 million square feet of commercial real estate supporting over 600,000 jobs across the county. Ten Fortune 500 companies make their headquarters in Fairfax County, more than 30 states. Fairfax County has evolved from a bedroom community to the economic engine of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Dulles corridor, which stretches from Tysons to the Loudoun County line supports more tech jobs than any other region of our country outside of California. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Fairfax County at the end of September, 2018 was 2.5 percent lower than the Commonwealth of Virginia rate of 2.9 percent and more than a full percentage point lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. prgtoken Successfully managing this explosive growth and economic expansion requires visionary leadership from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to make the necessary investments to ensure that the groundwork could be laid for the transformation that is well underway. Visionary leadership is not enough by itself however. It is also critical that the County government had a willing and able partner in Dr. Gordon and the Economic Development Authority. The benefits of the partnership that we were able to forge are still being recognized and will be for decades to come. prgtoken Dr. Gordon leaves an extensive legacy of accomplishments. These include the creation of the Emerging Business Forum to support small minority and woman-owned businesses and the successful campaign for Fairfax County to host the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology. He has also received a litany of awards, including the Virginia Business Person of the Year Award from Virginia Business Magazine in 2010, the Leadership Fairfax Northern Virginia Leadership Award in 2011 and the Jeffrey A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council in 2015. Virginia Business has listed him annually as o
HONORING MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DEAN FLIPPO
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-11-20

I rise today to recognize the long and distinguished career of retiring District Attorney Dean D. Flippo, who has served the people of Monterey County since 1972. Mr. Flippo's retirement comes after serving eight terms as Monterey County District Attorney. I had the distinct privilege to serve under Mr. Flippo as an Assistant District Attorney and can personally attest to his character. While our community is losing an exceptional public servant, we certainly wish him the best on his well-earned retirement. prgtoken Mr. Flippo received his bachelor's degree in 1963 at the College of William & Mary and prgtoken earned a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School in 1966. He began his law career in the United States Army in 1967, where he served as a Chief Prosecutor, Post Judge Advocate, and Military Judge. He was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal for his honorable service to our country. prgtoken Mr. Flippo began his career as a prosecutor in Monterey County in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney and was overwhelmingly elected to the position of District Attorney in 1990. During his tenure as District Attorney, Mr. Flippo was instrumental in establishing numerous innovative programs to improve public safety in Monterey County. Among these programs was the award-winning Truancy Abatement Unit, which has received statewide recognition for success in working closely with schools and families to bring about compliance with mandatory school attendance laws. Mr. Flippo was also instrumental in making the Monterey County District Attorney's office one of California's most productive in child support enforcement. This effort was recognized in 1999, when Mr. Flippo was awarded the Outstanding Manager of the Year by the National Child Support Enforcement Association. Under Mr. Flippo's leadership, the Monterey County District Attorney's office maintained a steadfast commitment to finding new ways to protect our community. prgtoken In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Flippo has also served in numerous civic and community organizations. Among the most important lessons I learned from my time as a prosecutor is the paramount importance of serving one's community both inside and outside the courtroom, and Mr. Flippo certainly embodied this ideal. He is the past President of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) and a past member of the Board of Directors of the National Child Support Enforcement Association. He is also the State Chair for the CDAA Consumer Protection Committee and a Board Member of the National District Attorneys Association. Locally, he is involved in serving on the board of directors of numerous organization including the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation Grant Committee, Child Abuse Prevention Council, Children's Council of Monterey County, and Community Alliance for Safety and Peace. He was also an educato