mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING AMY TRUJILLO
Brittany Pettersen (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2024-2-23

I rise to recognize Amy Trujillo for receiving Denver7's ``Everyday Hero'' award in recognition of her service to the Wheat Ridge community. prgtoken Amy has been volunteering for the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation's 50+ Trip & Outdoor Recreation (Ramblers) Program since 2021. This was a critical time for Wheat Ridge Parks and Rec, as they were rebuilding and restarting programs shuttered during the pandemic. During a time of staff shortages, Amy led volunteer trips to hiking destinations, concerts, hot springs, and much more from as far south as Pueblo and as far north as Cheyenne, Wyoming. Without the help of volunteers like Amy, the Ramblers Program could have been canceled and the trips and experiences they offer our seniors would not have been possible. prgtoken On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Amy Trujillo for her extraordinary civic service and thank her for her dedication to our community.
HONORING YOKEENBA JENKINS AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2024-2-23

Yokeenba Jenkins was born and raised in Osceola County, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school, graduating from Osceola High School. prgtoken He spent his college years at Bethune Cookman University. Following his college years, Yokeenba found his passion for music, becoming one of the biggest DJs in the urban industry. prgtoken When he was not on tour, he would spend his time coaching youth football at the age of 18 and volunteering his time at Chambers Park, where he is now a recreation supervisor. prgtoken Yokeenba is a child of God, husband, father, mentor, community spokesperson, and leader. Yokeenba is a person with a passion for shaping the youth in his community. He is hard working, dependable, has great energy, and has a drive to see his programs succeed. He is always willing to help out wherever needed and assist his fellow co-workers, family, and community in any way possible. prgtoken He is a dedicated individual who displays an enormous sense of pride in his daily work. Since taking on his role at the Chambers Park Community Center, he has been instrumental in creating some well attended recreation programs while maintaining a successful summer camp program where a large portion of the community benefits from. In addition, he has organized essential events that promote fellowship within the community, such as Breakfast with Santa, Daddy and Daughter Dance, and Back to School Jam, among others. prgtoken He has done an excellent job of stepping right into the role and ensuring its continued success. He is an excellent team player and works very well with diverse populations of families, participants, employees, and co-workers who visit his facility daily. He is a capable and independent leader who takes pride in being an active member of the Kissimmee community. prgtoken On February 22, 2024, Yokeenba Jenkins was honored as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Black History Month.
HONORING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN JACK CASEY
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2024-2-23

I rise today to honor the life and service of Captain Jack Casey of Dover, New Hampshire. prgtoken On February 7, 2024, Captain Casey was among 4 other Marines who tragically died in a CH-53E helicopter crash in Pine Valley, California. prgtoken Captain Casey was commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 16, 2019, and was promoted to the rank of Captain on September 1, 2023. As a Marine, Captain Casey was a member of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, where he was a pilot. During his career, Captain Casey was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. prgtoken Captain Casey and his family are well known and loved throughout his hometown of Dover, New Hampshire, where he attended Saint Mary Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. After graduation, he went on to attend Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where he was a physics major and Company I commander for the 2018-2019 academic year. After graduating from VMI, he trained at flight school in Corpus Christi. prgtoken Captain Casey truly loved his life and lived it in service to others. He married his beloved wife Emma on December 3, 2022. Among his fellow service members, classmates, and friends, Captain Casey was known as a charismatic, helpful, and humble young man that made a positive impact on all. Back home, community leaders and teachers knew him as not only a smart and energetic student, but also a kind and joyous individual with a bright future. We are forever grateful for his selfless service and ultimate sacrifice. prgtoken During this difficult time, my thoughts and condolences are with his wife Emma, his parents Catherine and James, his siblings, James, Patrick, Sean, and Catherine, and all of Captain Casey's loved ones. On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I commend Captain Casey for his service and sacrifice to our Nation. He will be dearly missed.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JIM GOLDEN
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-2-23

today I pay tribute to a man who served his community, his state, and his Nation with pride, and whose loss leaves a void in the hearts and lives of so many. prgtoken James Scott Golden was a Petty Officer 3rd Class in the Navy, but if you asked he'd simply smile and tell you he was a ``tin can sailor.'' Jim was refering to his time aboard the Charles P. Cecil DD835, a Gearing Class destroyer where he served toward the end of the Vietnam War. All jokes aside, Jim's service had a profound influence on his life, including the moment he sailed into Sardinia and he met a young Navy medic named Ina who was stationed there. The two would eventually marry, settle in Holly, Michigan, and build a life of service together. prgtoken In Michigan, Jim went to work for General Motors Skilled Trades, where he would stay until his retirement in 2006. Known around town for his affable demeanor and his generosity, Jim was involved with many local charities and organizations, including Forgotten Harvest, where he and Ina donated food from their own gardens, and the YesterYear Tractor Club, where he repaired and restored old tractors for parades and local festivities. prgtoken Because they took so much pride in their own service, Jim and Ina were very involved in the Holly Area Veterans Resource Center, including an annual project to collect and pack boxes of treats and toiletries for military personnel. prgtoken One day, Jim struck up a conversation with a local high school student preparing to enlist in the Air Force as a means to pay for college, and she seemed embarrassed about her financial situation and her plan. Jim decided then and there to find a way to uplift and shine a light on community members like her. Together with Ina, he launched the Hometown Heroes project to recognize those going into service with a yellow ribbon on the oak tree in front of Holly Elementary School. This prominent and highly visible location would serve as a constant reminder to all that a community should have both pride in and gratitude for its men and women who are on active duty in the military. prgtoken I had the chance to visit this tree with Jim and Ina on a very snowy Veterans Day in 2019--a poignant sight and a tangible symbol of the sacrifices families all across our Nation are making in the moment in defense of our collective freedom. It speaks both to the power of the project and the Goldens themselves that even after they relocated to northern Michigan, and after Jim's passing, their friends at the Holly Area Veterans Resource Center continue to maintain the Hometown Heroes project, tying a ribbon for each departing serviceman or woman, and removing it when that person returns home. prgtoken Jim passed away on January 10, 2024, but his kind spirit, his endearing humor, and his legacy of service live on. I send my deepest condolences to Ina, their children, grandchildren, and to all who knew and loved him. Jim Golden, the tin can
CONDEMNING RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE COMMITTED BY HAMAS IN ITS WAR AGAINST ISRAEL
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-2-23

on February 14, during Roll Call No. 44, I recorded my vote as Present. The reason for my vote is as follows: prgtoken All acts of sexual violence are horrific. We should all be fighting to end it here at home and all over the world. prgtoken So, while this resolution rightly denounces any sexual committed by Hamas, I am disturbed that it completely ignores and erases any sexual abuse and violence committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians, especially children. prgtoken War crimes cannot justify more war crimes. We must stand up for everyone's safety and human rights, no matter their faith or ethnicity. prgtoken There are numerous, well-documented reports of sexual violence, including rape, committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians in their custody. Children detained and stripped to their underwear in public, for the world to see. prgtoken The UN and human rights groups have raised alarms for years--but Congress has never cared. prgtoken We all have a responsibility to denounce sexual violence in all forms, regardless of who is responsible. This resolution falls well short of that responsibility. prgtoken , outreach was made to the sponsor of H. Res. 966 on several occasions to support the inclusion of Palestinians who had been victims of sexual violence into the Resolution. However, the sponsor denied adding in any language that supports the well-documented fact that Palestinians have faced many atrocities similar to those described in the Resolution. Sexual violence is abhorrent and must be fully investigated and prosecuted. The intentional omission of Palestinian lived experiences in this resolution is dehumanizing and a disservice to survivors everywhere.
Nomination of Julie Su (Executive Session)
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2024-2-26

this week, the HELP Committee--the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee--will be holding a vote on the renomination of Julie Su for Secretary of Labor. At the direction of the chair, this committee vote is taking place behind closed doors, without a public hearing, and with no opportunity to hear from Ms. Su directly. prgtoken It is important to note that the committee is voting on Ms. Su's nomination for the second time. Her first nomination failed and was returned to the White House after the majority leader declined to give her a vote on the Senate floor when it was clear that based upon bipartisan opposition, she would not be confirmed. prgtoken During Ms. Su's first nomination hearing for the Secretary of Labor last April, the committee addressed a variety of concerns with her past record in California and her tenure at the Department of Labor. prgtoken Since then, concerns over her leadership at the Department of Labor have grown, and they warrant further review by the committee. prgtoken Earlier this month, I sent a formal request to the HELP Committee chair to hold a public hearing on Ms. Su's second nomination so members of the committee can discuss concerns directly with Ms. Su. Unfortunately, the chair denied our request and, instead, is holding a vote on Ms. Su's nomination behind closed doors, without a full public hearing. This is unacceptable. prgtoken It has been almost a year since Ms. Su's nomination hearing. It is important that we examine the many issues that have arisen since then and get an explanation over those serious concerns in her year of being an Acting Secretary. prgtoken She has built a troubling record as the Acting DOL Secretary, implementing policies that promote large labor unions at the expense of workers' freedoms and economic growth. prgtoken Currently, Ms. Su is overseeing the implementation of DOL's worker classification rule, dismantling the gig economy, and jeopardizing the ability of 27 million Americans who choose to work as independent contractors. prgtoken Additionally, the Department of Labor has also proposed a new overtime rule, dramatically increasing the overtime pay threshold by 55 percent, which will decrease job opportunities and raise prices for the American family. prgtoken The Department of Labor has also released a new policy that allows an outside union official to influence a workplace inspection even when that workplace is not unionized. The union is not there, but they can influence the workplace inspection. prgtoken These are all terribly problematic actions taken by an Acting Secretary who lacks Senate confirmation. The administration's attempt to circumvent the advice and consent provision of the Constitution by leveraging Ms. Su's previous position as Deputy Secretary brings these actions into legal question. And, by the way, there are also serious concerns about Ms. Su's ability to manage the Department of Labor. <
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF NANCY FAYE CARLOW
Pat Fallon (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-2-26

I rise today to commemorate the life of Mrs. Nancy Faye Carlow of Nash, Texas, who peacefully passed away on January 13, 2024. Mrs. Carlow was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. prgtoken Mrs. Carlow was born on April 27, 1944, in Maud, Texas, to H.J. ``Scooter'' and Hazel Smith. From a young age, she was known for being an academically gifted student. In 1962, Mrs. Carlow graduated from Maud High School as the valedictorian. She later received a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master's degree from East Texas State University. After graduation, Mrs. Carlow briefly taught home economics and worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a bookkeeper for Dairyland Farms and Texarkana Tractor. prgtoken Mrs. Carlow was a devoted woman of faith and was a lifetime member of the Maud United Methodist Church. While there, she taught Sunday school and led the Methodist Youth Fellowship church group for ten years. Mrs. Carlow was always a thoughtful woman who sought to put a smile on your face. Along with her husband James, she hosted daily happy hours for friends and loved ones so they could spend quality time together during the pandemic. She also started a weekly tradition of sending flowers to others so that they wouldn't feel alone. You could always count on her to help guide you throughout life and encourage you to do the right thing. Mrs. Carlow's tragic passing leaves behind a legacy of hard work, entrepreneurship, and family values that can never be replaced. prgtoken I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Mrs. Carlow's beautiful and uplifting life. She will be dearly missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.
TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL BERNING
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2024-2-26

I want to take this opportunity to honor the career of Michael Berning, a dedicated member of my community in Dayton, Ohio, and a close personal friend. Michael will retire this month after 44 years of service at HEAPY, an engineering firm that has its fingerprints all over Ohio and throughout the country. Michael started at HEAPY when he was still a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Dayton, but he will end his tenure as its Chief Innovation Officer. prgtoken Michael was an early pioneer for the development of `green design' and sustainable building practices, and his efforts culminated in 2015 when he was named a LEED Fellow. This prestigious recognition is much- deserved because of Michael's leadership in HEAPY's regional sustainability conferences, assisting Montgomery County in establishing the Dayton Regional Green Initiative, and for his contributions to Environmental Design+Construction Magazine as both a writer and member of the magazine's Editorial Advisory Board. prgtoken Outside of Michael's work, he has served his community through multiple Boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Wright State ARTSGala, and the U.S. Green Building Council Ohio Chapter. Michael served as chairman of the Montgomery County Party in the early 1980s, and he managed my first campaign for public office when I ran for mayor of Dayton in 1993. He put together a great team for my election victory that year, in a predominantly ic city, and led my successful reelection effort four years later. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Michael Berning for his years of service to our community. Although retirement signals the end of his 44-year career with HEAPY, his legacy of success and leadership certainly serves as a model for others to follow. I congratulate Michael and wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement, and look forward to many more years of continued friendship.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-2-26

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 Wells Hometown Drug of Bloomfield, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Mylo Wells grew up near Bloomfield, IA, on his family dairy farm in Milton. In high school, Mylo had the opportunity to work with his mother, Jana, who is a pharmacist. This experience inspired him to join the industry, and in 2018, Mylo graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy with a doctorate of pharmacy with the goal to open a pharmacy in his hometown community. When Mylo returned to Bloomfield and learned the local pharmacy had gone out of business, he opened Wells Hometown Drug that same year. Wells Hometown Drug fills a vital role in the area by providing access to critical prescriptions for Bloomfield and surrounding rural residents. In particular, Mylo has worked to develop a relationship with the Amish community and serves them while also respecting their culture. In 2022, Wells Hometown Drug opened a second location in Keosauqua and has grown from a staff of 5 employees to 28 between the two locations. prgtoken Wells Hometown Drug also gives back to the community through their Community Rewards Program. The program was established to donate a percentage of Wells Hometown Drug's sales to charities in both the Bloomfield and Keosauqua communities. In the past, they have donated to the Friends of Lake Wapello and Christmas for Kids charity events. In addition to serving his local communities, Mylo Wells served on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Medical prgtoken Assistance Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee. prgtoken Mylo Wells and the team at Wells Hometown Drug have also been awarded for their hard work. In 2022, the Iowa Pharmacy Association named Mylo Wells the Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year. Mylo continues to give back to both the pharmacy practitioner-industry and the University of Iowa by hosting University of Iowa College of Pharmacy students for rotations as they pursue their education in the field. prgtoken I want to commend Mylo Wells for his hard work and incredible commitment to his local community. Wells Hometown Drug is providing vital pharmacy access for rural Iowans. Congratulations to Mylo Wells and the entire team at Wells Hometown Drug as they continue to achieve the American dream. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESOTRATION ACT AND DINGELL-JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA EQUALITY ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2024-2-26

today, I introduce the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act District of Columbia Equality Act, which would make the District of Columbia eligible for the same federal funding as states under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and therefore D.C. is treated as a state under federal programs, with limited exceptions, most of them simply oversights or failures to update post-home rule. prgtoken The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act provides funding, derived from excise taxes on sporting equipment, for five distinct purposes: program administration, wildlife restoration, basic hunter education and safety, enhanced hunter education and safety grants, prgtoken and multistate conservation grants. D.C. does not receive any funding under this Act. The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act provides funding for sport fish restoration, aquatic education, wetlands restoration, and boat-related activities. Under this Act, states receive a minimum of one percent of the total amount apportioned, while D.C. is capped at one-third of one percent. prgtoken This omission and lack of parity under these Acts have serious consequences for D.C. D.C. has roughly 7,800 acres of parkland covering nearly a quarter of the city, which means it has more parkland per capita than any other city in the United States. This bill would define ``State'' in these Acts to include D.C providing D.C. with equal funding for wildlife conservation in our Nation's capital. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
RECOGNIZING MY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, TREY WEBSTER, FOR HIS EXCELLENT WORK ON BEHALF OF MINNESOTA'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Dean Phillips (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-2-26

I rise today to recognize my Legislative Director, Raymond ``Trey'' Webster III, for his work done on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. This week, Trey will depart my office for new opportunities with Rep. Susie Lee as her Legislative Director, and I could not be prouder or more grateful for his service. prgtoken As Legislative Director, Trey brought an incredible work ethic and commitment to his job, earning his spot as an honorary Minnesotan in the process. He led our legislative team with intelligence, humor, and compassion, and we will miss him greatly as he embarks on his new adventure. prgtoken A University of South Carolina and Georgetown Law graduate, Trey first came to our office in 2021 as my Legislative Counsel leading efforts in public safety, civil rights, civil liberties, and democracy preservation. A shining example of Trey's brilliant work and true adherence to our ethos that ``Representation Begins with Listening,'' came a few short months after he started. Through a series of meetings, Trey listened to local public safety stakeholders and national experts and then turned that listening into action as he wrote the Pathways to Policing Act, a bill based on a Minnesota program to ensure the recruitment of high-quality police officers across the country. prgtoken When our Legislative Director role came open in 2022, it was obvious who the correct choice should be to fill it. Right away, Trey exhibited true servant leadership and put the needs of his team above his own. He went out of his way to help staffers new to the legislative process and was endlessly patient, making his colleagues believe there was no such thing as a bad question. Trey's empathy was an asset to the office and our constituents, whether he was skillfully managing the Community Project Funding process or pushing forward district-driven legislation. As one of my staffers said, ``Trey is thoughtful and exceptionally kind. He is always willing to go above and beyond to help others on the team. He explains even the most complicated of subjects in a way that brings people along without making them feel silly for asking.'' prgtoken The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have his expertise and leadership, and he will be dearly missed. However, I'm extraordinarily happy that this expertise will continue to serve the Nation and the people of Nevada's Third Congressional District. I wish Trey all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his three years of faithful service to this Nation.