mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING IOWA SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2022-11-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the nearly 30 athletes from Iowa's Third Congressional District who are proudly representing our state as they compete at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando this week. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring these individuals as our Iowans of the Week. prgtoken This year's USA Games will bring together more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from across all 50 states and the Caribbean. Iowa's Special Olympics athletes are competing in 11 of the 19 Olympic-type sports offered, including track & field, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, equestrian, flag football, golf, intercollegiate unified basketball, power lifting, swimming, and tennis. Some have been competing for a few years and others have been competing for decades. prgtoken Their skills are many, their accomplishments commendable, and they've worked hard to get to this level of competition. These Iowans have many reasons to shine. In alphabetical order by last name, they are: prgtoken Brandon Baier of Atlantic--Athletics prgtoken Isaac Baldus of Indianola--Powerlifting prgtoken Dustin Burke of Des Moines--Cheerleading prgtoken Kaitlin Colwell of Waukee--Swimming prgtoken Patrick Cunningham of West Des Moines--Swimming prgtoken Daniel Custis of Des Moines--Cheerleading prgtoken Tomi DeGrado of West Des Moines--Athletics prgtoken John Flannery of West Des Moines--Athletics prgtoken Alexandria Fountain of Des Moines--Athletics prgtoken Patrick Gulbranson of Stuart--Bowling prgtoken Keen Harvey of Waukee--Swimming prgtoken Matthew Johnson of Clive--Bocce prgtoken Ian Kastner of Des Moines--Cheerleading prgtoken Abbie Kliegl of Prole--Equestrian prgtoken Tyler Leech of Des Moines--Bowling prgtoken Emily Mulder of Des Moines--Cheerleading prgtoken Leon Nguyen of Des Moines--Cheerleading prgtoken Brian Rolek of West Des Moines--Unified Golf prgtoken Jody Sheriff of Greenfield--Bowling prgtoken Jill Southworth of West Des Moines--Golf prgtoken Teddy Velman of Des Moines--Cheerleading prgtoken Jacob Whack of Des Moines--Youth Leadership Experience prgtoken Emily White of Johnston--Swimming prgtoken The athletes cited many reasons they were looking forward to the annual event. Some said they were excited to test their skills, have fun, be part of a team, go for gold, and explore Disney World. Over and over again, the athletes said they were looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. prgtoken Since 1968, Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) has provided quality games and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Today SOIA serves more than 16,500 athletes and Unified partners from across the state and provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 23 Olympic-type sports. prgtoken Participation in Special Olympics programs and competitions offers people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to improve their physical fitness, learn new skills, experience greater self-confidence, and
CELEBRATING DORAN CART'S RETIREMENT FROM THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2022-11-18

. Madam , it is with profound gratitude that I rise today to celebrate the decades-long career of Doran Cart, who has served as the Senior Curator at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri for the last eleven years. As the nation's leading expert on the material culture of the First World War, Doran's role in preserving and interpreting the history of this transformational conflict cannot be overstated. With his well-earned retirement fast approaching at the end of the year, let us take a moment to reflect on Doran's invaluable contributions not only to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, but to the field of history at large. prgtoken Having long understood the significance of studying the past, Doran earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University in 1974, at which point he entered the museum field. Going on to earn a master's degree in Museum Administration/History from the University of California, Riverside in 1981, Doran became Curator at the Liberty Memorial nine years later, leading a professional staff of only two individuals. When the Memorial was closed in November of 1994 due to structural failure of its courtyards and stairways, a chain of events was set in motion that would soon make Doran Cart a household name in Kansas City and eventually a figure of national; and even international, prominence. Serving as the Memorial's point of contact for publicity related to the unfortunate closure, Doran worked tirelessly with various entities on restoration designs, implementation, and documentation. Spearheading efforts to pass a sales tax designed to generate funds for the Memorial's restoration, Doran led over 150 public programs extolling the importance of the Memorial and the need for public support. When Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved the sales tax in 1998, it was made clear that Doran's message had resonated deeply with the surrounding community. At the time, I was serving my second term as the Mayor of Kansas City, and it is difficult to adequately express the sense of admiration I felt for Doran after his successful appeal to the public. With millions of visitors from around the world having made their way to Kansas City over the last twenty-four years to visit the hallowed grounds that Doran helped save, that sense of admiration has only grown. prgtoken Looking beyond the restoration of the Memorial, Doran also played a pivotal role in the passage of a $20 million bond initiative to fund the construction of a new museum that would display the thousands of WWI-related objects and documents that the Liberty Memorial Association had collected since 1920, one year before the site's dedication. Approved by voters in 2004, the same year that the 108th Congress designated the Liberty Memorial as the National WWI Museum, the bond initiative was part of a $102 million project that turned the space underneath the original Memorial Courty
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOJAVE AIR AND SPACE PORT
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-11-18

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mojave Air and Space Port, which was established with the formation of its airport district in 1972. Located in the western Mojave Desert of Kern County, California, the Mojave Air and Space Port is home to innovative research and testing that maintains cutting-edge aeronautical and commercial space flight advancements. prgtoken The incredible groundbreaking accomplishments that the Mojave Air and Space Port is known for would have seemed impossible in its earliest days, especially when the airfield stood as two dirt runways without any fueling options. Back then the facility was known as the Mojave Airport before it was expanded and used by the U.S. Marine Corps. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, it then became the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station (MCAAS) Mojave. During World War II, the airfield served as the training grounds for fighter pilots. prgtoken Following the military's departure, the airport transitioned back to Kern County. In 1972, an airport district was formed under the leadership of Dan Sabovich, who envisioned a civilian counterpart to Edwards Air Force Base, where our nation's most technologically advanced aircraft are tested and proven. The Mojave Air and Space Port would become home to the National Test Pilot School, the sole civilian test-pilot school in the United States, which was founded in 1981. During this formational era, Burt and Dick Rutan helped produce novel aircraft that broke barriers and created a culture of innovation, laying the foundation for the Mojave Air and Space Port's modern achievements. prgtoken One of these accomplishments was reached on October 4, 2004 by SpaceShipOne, which was the first privately-operated piloted spaceship to surpass an altitude of 328,000 feet twice in the course of a 14-day period, achieving the necessary altitude to win the X Prize. Brian Binnie reached a height of 367,442 feet (69.6 miles) above the Earth's surface during his SpaceShipOne journey. This record and feat helped propel the MojaveAir and Space Port into the aerospace industry and has since experienced significant growth since the X Prize was won. prgtoken Today, the Mojave Air and Space Port continues to serve as a pioneer in both commercial space flight and aerospace research, setting new standards and surpassing previously unthinkable limits. From Stratolaunch, one of the world's largest aircraft, to Virgin Galactic, whose spaceships have been developed at the Mojave Air and Space Port, the legacy continues. These achievements have attracted some of the most renowned people in the country, including then-Vice President , who visited in 2017. prgtoken On behalf of the 23rd District of California, it is my honor to recognize the Mojave Air and Space Port on its historic 50th anniversary. I eagerly look forward to the next 50 years of technological innovation by the men and women who work at the Mo
PAYING TRIBUTE TO BILL HOLLAND ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE HESPERIA CITY COUNCIL
Jay Obernolte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-11-18

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Bill Holland, who is completing his final term with the Hesperia City Council. Bill has dedicated a lifetime of public service to Hesperia, serving twelve years on the Hesperia City Council, including as Mayor, 22 years with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, and 5 years with the Hesperia Unified School District Police Department. prgtoken As Mayor Pro Tem of Hesperia, Bill served on the Board of Commissioners for the Victory Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, where he advocated for the protection of public health and the environment for the residents and businesses of the Mojave River Valley. He has also served on the Governing Board at the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District and the San Bernardino CountyTransportation Authority Board of Directors, where he fought for policies that would support this growing rural city. prgtoken In addition to his extensive years of public service, Bill has a strong commitment to his family. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Lynnette and together they have raised their 3 children in Hesperia. They are the proud grandparents of 8. I would like to thank Bill for his remarkable career of public service and wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life.
HONORING THE CAREER OF JUDGE STEVEN NATION
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-11-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and honor the service of Judge Steven Nation of Hamilton County, Indiana. prgtoken After graduating from Cathedral High School, Judge Nation received his bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University and went on to graduate from the IU School of Law--Indianapolis. prgtoken In 2019, Nation retired as a Hamilton County Judge after serving 24 years on the bench and 16 years as a prosecutor. After his retirement, Nation was elected to the Hamilton County Council as an At-Large member. prgtoken Steve also founded the Youth Assistance Program, providing preventative wrap-around services to at-risk youth and families, as well as Prevail, a Hamilton County-based non-profit advocating for victims of crime and abuse. prgtoken Judge Nation has received numerous awards for his lifelong service to our community: the Noblesville Elementary Football League's ``Hall of Fame Award''; the International Association of Truancy and Dropout Prevention's ``Person of the Year Award''; the Hamilton County Community Foundation's ``Community Pillar Award for Family Success''; the Shepherd's Center of Hamilton County ``Healey Advocates for Aging Award''; a pedestrian trail through Noblesville has been named the ``Steven R. Nation Nature Trail''; the highest honor of Hamilton County, the ``Hamilton County Continental Award''; and also the ``Sagamore of the Wabash.'' the most prestigious award from the Governor of Indiana, among others. prgtoken Judge Nation and his wife Peggy call Noblesville, Indiana, home. They have two grown children and one grandson. prgtoken Madam , it is my honor to formally recognize Steven Nation for his decades of service to Hamilton County, Indiana.
HONORING LARRY SUFFREDIN FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-11-22

. Madam , I rise today to honor the many accomplishments of Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin. Larry Suffredin is a lot of things: he is a beloved elected official. An attorney. A United States Air Force veteran. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Commissioner Suffredin is the quintessential statesman, and I am proud to be able to call him a dear friend and neighbor. prgtoken Larry Suffredin has deep roots in our state and our community. Born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, he is the oldest of eight children, the son of a Chicago Police Officer, and a graduate of Loyola University Chicago. prgtoken Larry has a long history of service. While in law school at Georgetown University in Washington D.C he joined the United States Department of Justice, and then went on to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force in the early 1970's. Upon being discharged from the armed forces, Larry worked as an Assistant Public Defender before moving on to other pursuits. Larry saw a lot of success as a lawyer. Practicing law for almost fifty years, he is a partner at Shefsky & Froelich and has had the opportunity to argue cases before the Illinois Appellate Court, the United States Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. prgtoken In 2002, Larry Suffredin was elected to serve as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners representing the 13th District. During his tenure, Larry's depth of knowledge and compassion made him an effective and passionate defender of Cook County residents and a mentor to many. Even in retirement, I am certain many will continue to seek his counsel. prgtoken Larry has a long list of accomplishments from his time spent as a Cook County Commissioner. A longtime advocate for gun safety reform, he helped pass Cook County's Assault Weapons Ban. He saved the old County Hospital Building from demolition and created the successful Independent Health and Hospital Board, and was a leader in raising the minimum wage. Larry played a key role in establishing Cook County's Office of the Independent Inspector General and created an Eviction and Mortgage Foreclosures Court protocol to protect people's homes. prgtoken As a Forest Preserve Commissioner, he has a whole other list! He established the New Century Conservation Council and worked hard to expand the Forest Preserve's land restoration initiatives and their use of trained volunteers. Larry was a driving force behind successful efforts to require children to wear bike helmets as they made use of this amazing local resource. prgtoken These are only a sampling of Commissioner Suffredin's successful efforts over the last twenty years. However, these accomplishments will have impacts on residents for many decades ahead. His leadership has made Cook County a better place for those who live here. prgtoken On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, I thank Larry for so many years of dedicated and
RECOGNIZING CLAIRE NADER'S BOOK, YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST TEACHER
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-11-22

. Madam , I rise today to include in the Record the following review of Claire Nader's book, ``You Are Your Own Best Teacher'', written by Dorothea V. Dicecco for the - American. Claire Nader Celebrates, Encourages Tweens Stepping Forward (By Dorothea V. Dicecco) As I began to read Claire Nader's new book, ``You Are Your Own Best Teacher,'' I found it so engaging that I was unable to put it down. This surprised me, as the introduction stressed that it was a book aimed at ``tweens''--children between 9 and 12. Indeed she does focus on young people but as I became involved with its subject matter, it became clear that she also meant to appeal to readers of all ages. There is no doubt that she succeeded. Praise for the book is provided in its opening pages from 13 prominent Americans, each of whom expresses the reasons for their enthusiasm. Among them are Jonathan Kozol, author of ``Death at An Early Age'' and ``Savage Inequalities: Children in American Schools''; Amy Goodman, host of the ``Democracy Now!'' TV and radio news program; and Katrina Vanden Heuval, publisher and former editor of The Nation. Nader was fortunate to live with parents who knew how to stimulate their children's curiosity, imagination and intellect--the three characteristics she features on the cover of her book. She was aware that her peers had minds of their own, and like her, were influenced by their family as well as their experiences with friends and classmates. Her book acknowledges that differences in income, family situation, safe neighborhoods and health influence young lives; but they do not diminish tweens' innate curiosity, imagination and intellect. A graduate of Smith College, Nader holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University in public law and government. As an author and political scientist, she has filled her life with interactions with adults and young people, and she has observed the similarities and differences between the age groups. In this book, she points out that in schools, the curriculum has become less connected to the reality of life. As budgets are cut, many offerings such as sports, art, music, literature, health, science, history and politics are reduced or eliminated. The growing impact of media has reached tweens who now, like adults, are a focus of the corporate world. Through their cell phones and computers, tweens are treated as a product, bombarded with tempting ads on how to improve their looks. Junk-foods and sugar-laden drinks are promoted as a dominant source of nutrition; at the same time causing childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease--all while raising corporate profits. In this book, Claire Nader
HONORING THE MEMORY OF RICHARD PEARL FLEMING
Barry Moore (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-11-22

. Madam , today, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Richard Pearl Fleming, who sadly passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the age of 94. prgtoken Mr. Fleming was loved by many is his hometown of Enterprise and it's said, ``he never met a stranger and loved everyone he met.'' Richard made friends no matter where he went or who he met, and he was an irreplaceable pillar of his community. prgtoken Richard and his wife Ruth owned and operated Fleming Ford Tractor, which was formerly known as Metcalf Tractor. Richard and Ruth, or Papa Richard and Mama Ruth, as they were known by friends and family, gave back to their community whenever they had a chance. prgtoken A devout man of faith and member of the First Baptist Church of Enterprise community, Richard spread love and joy to all those around. He was also known as ``The Candy Man'' because of the ``thousands of pounds'' of candy he would give to the children and families in his community. prgtoken The children would find him on every church occasion and Richard would give out candy to everyone. Richard was entertaining, kind, loving, and humorous. Never would a visitor leave empty handed from Richard, whether it was candy, a watermelon, or even a bag of tomatoes. prgtoken Richard Pearl Fleming dedicated his life to bringing joy to his friends, family, and everybody else around him. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, and grandfather. He is survived by his three children, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, brother Sam, and many nieces and nephews. prgtoken Richard Pearl Fleming was a joyous and loved citizen of Alabama's Second Congressional District that left lifelong impressions on many people. He will be deeply missed by many friends, family members, and all those he made smile.
CELEBRATING CHIEF METEOROLOGIST GLENN BURNS
Barry Loudermilk (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-11-22

. Madam , today marks Glenn Burns' last day with WSB-TV after serving as the Chief Meteorologist for forty years. Over the years, Glenn has been a familiar face on TV, from hosting the weekly Mega Millions lottery drawings, to being a trusted and calming presence for millions of Georgians during some of the most severe weather events in our state's history. While Glenn's presence on the 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. newscasts will be missed, Georgians are pleased to know Glenn will be serving as the Chief Emeritus for another year and will assist the network during future severe weather events in our area. prgtoken On behalf of Georgia's 11th Congressional District, I congratulate Glenn on an amazing career; and I sincerely hope that in his retirement Glenn will enjoy more time with his family, as well as enjoying the hobbies he loves: fishing, hiking, and astronomy.
RECOGNIZING NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTIONS
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2022-11-25

. Madam , I rise to recognize and congratulate Native American Connections on 50 years of empowering our community and ensuring more people have access to health care, can overcome substance use disorders, and have a place to call home. Through services rooted in Native American culture, it has filled unmet need in our community and created opportunities for people beyond indigenous groups to thrive. prgtoken NAC has grown quickly from its days as a small grassroots organization. Thousands of lives have been improved by its programs, which range from helping families and individuals transition into permanent housing to helping people recover from substance abuse issues. prgtoken A constant figure in NAC's history is its president and CEO, Dede Yazzie Devine, who has led the organization for 43 years. Dede's work is intertwined in NAC's legacy and embodies the principles of stewardship, compassion, and tenacity. It is for her work and all those who have contributed their time and talents that NAC's vision has moved forward. prgtoken NAC has created an impact that's felt far beyond our indigenous communities and across our state. I join our community in celebration of 50 incredible years of this organization.
HONORING NATHANIEL ROBINSON
Frederica S. Wilson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-11-25

. Madam , I rise today as a descendant of Bahamians, to recognize Pastor Nathaniel Robinson for his contribution to the City of Miami's designation of the Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove on July 19, 2022. prgtoken Since the 19th century, Bahamians played an integral role in the founding of the City of Miami, representing one-third of the registered signatories on July 28, 1896, date of the city's incorporation. prgtoken Much like Miami's original Bahamian signatories, Pastor Nathaniel Robinson's commitment to preserving the rich Bahamian culture and history of Miami has helped to ensure the designation of the Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove. prgtoken Madam , please join me in honoring Pastor Nathaniel Robinson for his contributions to the community and his role in the historic designation of the Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove.