mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN DAVE RICHARDSON, UNITED STATES NAVY, PH.D., FOR WINNING THE 2024 UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY MILITARY PROFESSOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dean Phillips (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2024-4-26

I rise today to recognize Captain Dave Richardson, United States Navy, the 2024 recipient of the United States Naval Academy Military Professor Teaching Excellence Award. prgtoken This award, initiated in 2014, is bestowed biennially in even- numbered academic years upon a military faculty member at the Naval Academy whose contributions to the academic, professional, and moral development of midshipmen reflect the highest principles of excellence in education. Eligible faculty are those military faculty members who have exhibited continued excellence in teaching and sustained contributions to the intellectual professional development of midshipmen. prgtoken A third generation Navy Sailor, Dave is currently a Permanent Military Professor and academic Department Chair of the Political Science Department at the United States Naval Academy. He has achieved excellence at every echelon of academia: graduating with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995, with his M.S. in Leadership from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2000, with distinction from the Naval War College in 2007, and finally with his Ph.D from The George Washington University in 2018. Prior to his selection as a Permanent Military Professor, he earned a noteworthy reputation as a career Surface Warfare Officer of the highest caliber, culminating with his service as the 10th Commanding Officer of the USS Porter (DDG-78) out of Norfolk, VA. prgtoken Teaching a wide range of political science core, elective, and capstone courses, as well as courses in naval leadership, CAPT Richardson continuously inspires midshipmen to the highest levels of academic accomplishment through innovative and interactive classroom activities. Focused on the holistic development of future officers in the naval service, he is widely recognized for his ability to achieve course objectives while also personally engaging every midshipman in his classroom regarding their unique leadership journey. From freshmen courses in U.S. Government and Constitutional Development to upper- level courses in Political Science Methods and Civil-Military Relations, his students respond positively to his ability to be simultaneously rigorous, enthusiastic, caring, and firm but fair. In addition to serving as the department chair, Dave actively leads from the front as an academic advisor, honors program advisor, and senior honor and conduct remediator. His dedication and impact to the mission of the Naval Academy are evident from his consistent engagement with groups of midshipmen large and small based on his significant operational tours, command at sea experience, and scholarly work. prgtoken The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District and this Nation are lucky to have people like Dave teaching at our service academies and leading the nation's sons and daughters in our military. I wish to congratulate him on this great accomplishment and thank him for his decades of faithful serv
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALFREDA SCHMIDT
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-4-26

with a heavy heart I pay tribute to the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Alfreda Schmidt--a beloved Lansing icon, community advocate, and dedicated public servant who touched the lives of countless people throughout her 97 years on this earth. Alfreda was loved and respected for her commitment to service, compassion for others, and tireless advocacy. She was known affectionately as ``The Lady with the Hat,'' for her collection of over 100 hats, and was rarely seen without one. Just as she believed that each hat had a purpose, she believed her purpose was to help others. prgtoken Born in 1926 in Dansville, Michigan, she grew up on her family farm and would go on to attend the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Central Michigan University. In 1951, she married her late husband, Frank Schmidt, at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing, and together they raised four children, all instilled with Alfreda's beliefs that you never do anything alone, and that helping others is always the right thing to do. prgtoken These beliefs guided Alfreda through a long life of community and public service. She was elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, serving from 1979 to 1981 and 1998 to 2000. She also represented Lansing's 2nd Ward on the Lansing City Council from 1981 to 1993. Alfreda was one of the first women to join the South Lansing Kiwanis Club in 1989 and was named 2003 Kiwanian of the Year in recognition of her leadership and commitment to her community. prgtoken Throughout her decades of serving the public and taking on community projects, she stressed the importance of listening as the key to understanding people's problems. Frank would drive Alfreda all over Lansing to meet with people who had called Alfreda in the hopes she could help solve their problem. prgtoken Alfreda's dedication to Lansing knew no bounds. Among an endless list of city projects and improvements, she was the driving force behind raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and rallying 2,000 volunteers to build the Hawk Island Park playground in just one week. She led fundraising efforts to reopen the swimming pool at the Alfreda Schmidt Community Center, a community center renamed in her honor in 2012. prgtoken Alfreda's passion for supporting veterans and honoring their sacrifices exemplified her deep sense of gratitude and respect for those who served our country. She advocated for Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that distributes wreaths for placement on veterans' graves in military cemetaries. prgtoken She helped initiate Veterans Appreciation Day at the Ingham County Fair. Most recently, she served on the Mayor's Veterans Commission and just last month she raised funds for prgtoken a new sign honoring veterans at the Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing. prgtoken Alfreda Schmidt passed away on April 14, 2024, just a few months shy of what would have been her 98th birthday. I send my deepest condolences
DANIEL J. HARVEY, JR. AND ADAM LAMBERT IMPROVING SERVICEMEMBER TRANSITION TO REDUCE VETERAN SUICIDE ACT
Jennifer Kiggans (Republican, VA) \u2014 2024-4-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act. prgtoken I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) for introducing this legislation and for his leadership on this important issue. prgtoken H.R. 3722 seeks to improve the Transition Assistance Program run by the Department of Defense and the Solid Start program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Both programs provide critical assistance to the over 200,000 warfighters who transition to civilian life each year. prgtoken Every departing servicemember is required to complete the TAP program before leaving the service. The program provides valuable information, education, and training on veteran benefits, financial planning, how to find a job and start a business, as well as mental health resources available to servicemembers and their families. prgtoken Departing military service can be a very stressful time for servicemembers and their families. Servicemembers often experience feelings of isolation and loss of community that can exacerbate other mental health conditions. H.R. 3722 seeks to ensure that all departing servicemembers receive information on how to recognize and cope with these stressors, as well as help them identify risk factors for suicide. prgtoken On behalf of the Armed Services Committee, we look forward to working with the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) as this bill moves forward to address some issues that may hinder its proper execution by the DOD. prgtoken It is important that we regularly review transition programs like TAP and Solid Start and make sure they are meeting the needs of our departing servicemembers and their families. prgtoken The men and women of our Armed Forces sacrifice tremendously when they agree to serve our Nation. When that service is complete, the least we can do is ensure they have an opportunity for a healthy and successful civilian life. That is the goal of H.R. 3722. prgtoken , I urge all Members to support this legislation, and .
FIRE WEATHER DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2024
Mike Garcia (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-4-29

I thank the chairman for his leadership on this bill. prgtoken In my district, it is all about security. It is about economic security. It is about national security. It is about school security, neighborhood security, and yes, border security, as well as protecting Social Security. prgtoken If you live in my district, you will recognize that this bill, H.R. 4866, is truly about security. My district in north L.A. County has the most dense and largest interface of wildlands with human beings and housing developments. prgtoken They are all too familiar, my constituents, with the dangers that wildfires pose to our homes and to our livelihoods. prgtoken For my constituents, wildfire mitigation isn't a red or blue issue. It is not a or ic issue. It is a life-or-death issue. That is why I have made it a top priority since coming to Washington to improve our ability to predict and to fight these disasters in order to keep our firefighters, prgtoken our homes, and our families safe from harm. prgtoken My bill, H.R. 4866, the Fire Weather Development Act, is a strong bipartisan step forward in a constant fight against these catastrophic wildfires. prgtoken This bill will dramatically improve NOAA's ability to predict, prevent, and respond to wildfires and to get information down to the local emergency responders. prgtoken It would be easy, the last 2 years have been relatively calm fire seasons, to get lulled into a false sense of security in southern California, but the next big fire season is right around the corner. prgtoken We have had 2 years of record rain that has spurred an explosion of grass and dense shrubbery across the hills in my district. prgtoken As the weather starts to dry out again, so will the forest, transforming greenery into an abundance of fuel and Btus that a stray spark or lightning strike can set ablaze in a moment's notice. prgtoken Southern California will be a tinderbox this fall, and the time to prevent wildfires is now. We can't allow ourselves to wait for another wildfire season like we had in 2020 where California lost over 4 million acres and 10,000 buildings due to mismanagement in years prior, like the fires that we saw in Texas just recently and in Hawaii just last year, so horrifically taking the lives of so many Americans. prgtoken Half the wildland in my district falls in Federal forests, so this is very important that we, at the Federal level, take care of this issue. prgtoken We need to be investing now, not just for our prediction efforts, but to ensure that our firefighters have every possible tool at their disposal to respond. prgtoken Firefighters are like frontline combat operators against wildfires, and there is no reason they shouldn't be as well-equipped as they fight fires as our soldiers are when they fight our enemies overseas. prgtoken They need the tools this bill provides; advanced imaging to see the fires before they grow out of control, drones to reach t
WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2023
Richard McCormick (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-4-29

I rise today in support of H.R. 6093, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023. The Weather Act Reauthorization Act is sensible legislation that will strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting capabilities and elevate the U.S. Weather Enterprise, greatly benefiting communities across the country. prgtoken As a former helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps, I know firsthand the consideration you must give to the weather before taking to the skies. Fog, high winds, turbulence, thunderstorms, ice, and snow are all routine weather occurrences that can impact commercial and recreational flights, as well as ground crew operations and maintenance tasks. prgtoken Additionally, I think every Member of Congress here and many of our constituents have experienced some type of flight delay or turbulence in the last 6 months, as weather volatility is a consistent threat to travel plans. prgtoken That is why I introduced H.R. 3915, the Aviation Weather Improvement Act, which has been included in this larger legislative package. prgtoken This bill will improve all aspects of aviation weather forecasting and prediction by authorizing the National Weather Service to acquire readily available commercial data and partner with the U.S. weather enterprise to deploy critical atmospheric sensors. prgtoken In addition to authorizing this public-private partnership on weather data, H.R. 3915 also has an explicit focus on improving turbulence forecasting and modeling. prgtoken The Aviation Weather Improvement Act codifies the inclusion of turbulence events or phenomena in the operation forecasting capabilities of the Aviation Weather Center. This will ensure that recreational and commercial pilots have a definitive and accurate source for turbulence information that can inform route-specific flight planning. prgtoken Put simply, my bill will lower the over 5,000 flights per year that encounter severe turbulence, as well as make a dent in the 30 percent of annual delays caused by weather. prgtoken , I thank Chairman Lucas, Ranking Member Lofgren, and my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for supporting the efforts of all the Members who contributed to this important Weather Act Reauthorization Act. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
RECOGNIZING CONGRESSIONAL PATRIOT AWARD RECIPIENT BRETT GRAHAM
Pat Fallon (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-4-29

I rise today to recognize Mr. Brett Graham of Denison, Texas, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Brett has dedicated himself to serving and uplifting our community prgtoken Brett is a 5th generation native of Grayson County. He graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in marketing and real estate. In the following year, he began his career as a real estate appraiser with the Jack Poe Company in Dallas. In 1993, Brett stepped up to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Graham International, a family-owned franchised truck dealership. Graham International has several locations in North Texas and Oklahoma, and since 1965 they have continued to provide quality services for commercial truck drivers in our community. Brett has concurrently served as the CEO of Graham Truck Centers since 2000. prgtoken Throughout his extensive career, Brett has been an active member of our community and advocate for a prosperous business environment. In the late 1990s, he joined the board of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce and worked with the Texas Association of Business in numerous leadership positions. For his outstanding work, the Baylor Institute for Family Business has recognized his company as the 2013 Texas Family Business of the Year. In 2016, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Brett to serve on the board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for his expertise in the automobile industry. In his free time, he volunteers with the Texas Party to help elect constitutional conservatives in local and state elections. I am proud to recognize Brett today for his important contributions to our community and support for strong family values. prgtoken It is an honor to bestow Brett with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to the people of North Texas.
HONORING JAMES COLLINS TAYLOR, VETERAN OF THE GHOST ARMY, FOR RECEIVING THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2024-4-29

on February 1, 2022, the President signed into law S. 1404, which awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133d Signal Service Company, known as the Ghost Army. The Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States. I rise today to honor Sergeant Major James Collins Taylor II for his contributions, sacrifices, and patriotism while serving in the Ghost Army during World War II. Due to the unit's sworn secrecy, their service and contributions went unnoticed for far too long. prgtoken Sergeant Major James Collins Taylor II was born in Mission, Texas, on November 13th, 1915. Mr. Taylor joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. After the outbreak of World War II, he was assigned to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. This specialized unit comprised only 1,100 brave Americans and often served near the front lines. prgtoken Mr. Taylor helped conduct numerous deceptive campaigns with the Ghost Army throughout Europe. During his service, he received a Certificate of Merit and was promoted to Sergeant Major of the Army--the highest rank possible for an enlisted soldier. While the Ghost Army's work was secret, its impact was substantial. The Ghost Army performed 22 ``deception missions'' across the front lines of France, Belgium, and Germany. By simulating the movement of 30,000 service members, the Ghost Army fooled German forces and aided General Patton at several critical junctures in World War II. prgtoken It is my honor to recognize the service Sergeant Major James C. Taylor and the Ghost Army. Their dedication and service saved thousands of American lives. Although the Congressional Gold Medal reaches Mr. Taylor posthumously, he is survived by a grateful family and country.
TRIBUTE TO LORI BANGO
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2024-4-29

on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona's 28th Legislative District, I would like to recognize Lori Bango. Lori Bango is the Chairwoman of the Legislative District 28 which spans portions of Peoria and North Phoenix and includes the unincorporated areas of Sun City and Sun City West, representing a population of over 228,000. prgtoken As Chairwoman, Lori has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. Her efforts to ensure s are elected in the Phoenix West Valley have been instrumental to the success of Legislative District 28 and beyond. prgtoken I am thankful for Lori's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the legislative district and to the State of Arizona.
REVISING EXISTING PROCEDURES ON REPORTING VIA TECHNOLOGY ACT
Laurel M. Lee (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-4-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the bill we are here to discuss today is the Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology Act, or REPORT Act. prgtoken This is a strong bipartisan bill that provides additional tools to investigate and catch criminal purveyors of child sex abuse material, or CSAM. prgtoken The exploitation of children through CSAM remains a serious problem both within the United States and abroad. We have heard extensive testimony about these issues in our two victims' focused hearings in the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance of the Judiciary Committee, one in September and one earlier this month. prgtoken Reports of CSAM continue to grow exponentially, with 3,000 reports in 1998 growing to more than 1 million in 2014 and 36.2 million in 2023. prgtoken We have gaps in Federal law that prevent the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, or NCMEC, from preserving reports of CSAM, which hinders law enforcement from holding these predators accountable. prgtoken With the growing proliferation of CSAM on the internet, NCMEC, Homeland Security investigations, and other entities that protect children need additional support and investigative tools to bring these predators to justice. prgtoken The REPORT Act will extend the duration for which evidence submitted to the CyberTipline is preserved from 90 days to 1 year. prgtoken This will allow law enforcement agencies the much-needed time to conduct comprehensive investigations and strengthen the legal framework against online predators. prgtoken This bill will strengthen existing law that requires providers to report to law enforcement as soon as reasonably possible after obtaining information about CSAM. prgtoken Currently, many providers maintain an adequate reporting system. However, the REPORT Act will increase fines for companies that fail to meet these standards and will further penalize companies that repeatedly fail to report exploitative contact. prgtoken I thank all of the advocates who helped us get where we are today with this bill, including the American Conservative Union, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, International Justice Mission, Rights4Girls, PACT- USA, Raven, the Tim Tebow Foundation, and so many more. prgtoken I cannot thank them enough for all that each of them does to protect and advocate on behalf of child victims in both the United States and abroad. prgtoken I also thank my colleagues across the aisle for their support of this bill, including Representative Madeleine Dean, Representative Lucy McBath, and Representative Glenn Ivey. prgtoken Lastly, I thank law enforcement for their tireless efforts to protect children, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces across the country. prgtoken This legislation will make a significant impact on our ability
DANIEL J. HARVEY, JR. AND ADAM LAMBERT IMPROVING SERVICEMEMBER TRANSITION TO REDUCE VETERAN SUICIDE ACT
Zachary Nunn (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-4-29

I rise today to share the story of Adam Lambert, a proud marine from Adel, Iowa. prgtoken Adam brought joy and laughter to his mother, Jill, and his father, Dean. He was a protective brother to his sisters, McKenzie and Anna. prgtoken Adam put himself before his country, his friends, his family, and his service. prgtoken During boot camp, Adam met a fellow marine named Daniel Harvey from Rhode Island. Together, these two became friends and stayed connected through their deployments and return to civilian life. prgtoken At 22 years old, sadly, Daniel died by suicide just a year after he left the Marines, and tragically, as was noted, Adam followed him less than a month later. prgtoken Unfortunately, Adam and Daniel's story all too often is becoming more common among our veterans. Veteran suicide is a casualty of war, one that demands immediate attention and action by this Congress. prgtoken The truth is that when our men and women in uniform leave the service, that transition to civilian life can be extremely difficult and often leaves servicemembers feeling very much left alone. prgtoken This is something I have witnessed firsthand as a 20-year combat veteran--as others have highlighted here from their military service-- and as a squadron commander in the Air Force. You saw airmen struggle with the realities of life when they transitioned from service in defense of this Nation. prgtoken The pressure of employment, lack of fellowship, substance abuse, and finding a purpose weigh on all of our veterans as they return to civilian life, and many of our brothers and sisters sadly do not make it. prgtoken We need to do more to ensure that veterans are aware of the resources available to them as they leave the Armed Forces. prgtoken In honor of Adam and Daniel, as well as countless other servicemembers, I introduced the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act. prgtoken This bipartisan legislation led by veterans makes critical improvements to the Transition Assistance Program to provide servicemembers who are returning home with access to mental health resources, more frequent VA check-ins, and clear communication about available assistance programs as they navigate their return from the battlefield and before it is too late. prgtoken I thank all who have served our Nation for their service, and I strongly encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support and pass this critical legislation.