mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING RICK ANTLE
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today alongside my colleagues, Congressman Jim Costa and Congressman Jeff Denham, to celebrate the life of Rick Lester Antle, a pioneer in the Salinas Valley agriculture industry. From the age of 26, Rick was the President and CEO of Tanimura & Antle, one of the largest leafy greens and vegetable producers in the region. Rick always put family first, whether it was his beloved wife, grandchildren, or his own children--two of whom followed in their dad's footsteps to work with the family-run company. The value of family was instilled in Rick, with his business growing out of a long partnership between the Tanimura and Antle families. After being placed in an internment camp during World War II and losing their farmland, the Tanimura family rebuilt their farming operation in the Salinas Valley. Rick's grandfather, Bud Antle, was a prominent shipper and salesman at the time, and formed a natural partnership with the Tanimura family as a supplier. For years, the two families worked together to benefit each other. In 1982, the two families decided to go into business together by forming Tanimura & Antle, with the Tanimura family continuing to tend the land and the Antle family handling the shipping and selling of produce. Following the lead of his father and grandfather, Rick worked to keep family at the heart of T&A's mission. He saw his employees at T&A as family and always worked to put them first, investing time and money into making their lives better. When Rick realized his employees were having a difficult time affording housing in the Salinas Valley, he established an initiative in Spreckels, California to provide housing for 800 T&A employees. This project set the gold standard for farmworker housing and highlights the level of care Rick had for his workers. Following the establishment of the Spreckels Crossing housing project, Rick transitioned his company to offer an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, allowing T&A employees to own a stake in the company. Rick recognized that the success of his business was due to his dedicated employees, and believed everyone should benefit from this shared achievement. In addition to investing in his employees, Rick was on the forefront of advancing specialty crop innovation. From developing machines that reduce production inputs to implementing entire growing systems focused on conservation, Rick's commitment to good stewardship of land, air, and water was reflected in his practices. Under his leadership, T&A has continuously shown how and why investments in agriculture technology are necessary. We each have benefitted from personally knowing Rick. As members of Congress, he helped us improve our understanding of the California agriculture industry and those who work in it. He always made a point to stress the value of the farming communities in our districts. After all, they were his family. Rick's leadership in the Salinas Valley has tr
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2018-4-27

. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my common sense amendment that will protect consumers by creating the position of the Aviation Consumer Advocate at the FAA. prgtoken More than nine million flights take off and land in the United States every year. In my home state of Oregon, nearly 20 million people passed through the Portland International Airport last year, and that number will continue to grow. prgtoken Unfortunately, many passengers have experienced inconveniences such as lost luggage and delayed flights that result in missed connections. Some passengers have experienced much worse, including being forcibly removed from flights when seats are oversold, or sitting on a tarmac for hours. prgtoken With more than two and a half million people flying U.S. skies every day, it is critical that they have somewhere to turn if things go wrong. They deserve to be treated with dignity and to have a reliable advocate who is on their side. prgtoken My simple amendment would enhance the FAA's existing Aviation Consumer Protection Division by creating the position of the Aviation Consumer Advocate. prgtoken This will provide travelers a dedicated person at the FAA to help navigate the Aviation Consumer Protection Division and try to resolve problems that arise with airlines. prgtoken In addition to helping travelers, the Aviation Consumer Advocate would provide the FAA with recommendations on how best to enforce consumer protection rules and improve the flying experience. prgtoken The Aviation Consumer Advocate would also evaluate the FAA's response to complaints, and provide a report to Congress about the volume and frequency of complaints, as well as recommendations on how Congress can take action to bolster consumer protections for fliers. prgtoken This is a common sense amendment to protect all our constituents. prgtoken I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in strengthening consumer protections and supporting the millions of Americans who fly every day.
HONORING THE HONOREES OF THE 2018 DIVERSITY HONORS GALA
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to honor and congratulate the five outstanding honorees of the 2018 Diversity Honors Gala. The Diversity Honors Gala is an annual event where the community can come together to honor men and women who, in their extraordinary lives, remind us all of the diversity of the human spirit and the values that define us. The gala will benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park. prgtoken , Dolores Huerta, recipient of the Harvey Milk Foundation Honors Medal, is a preeminent leader of the Latino, Labor, and Women's Civil rights movements and co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America. prgtoken Emma Gonzalez, recipient of the Harvey Milk Foundation Milan Rozsa Youth Award, is a youth activist and advocate for LGBT rights, gun control, and an international leader for the current generation of students. She is a survivor of the massacre that took the lives of 17 students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida. prgtoken Mayor Dean Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the recipient of the Alan Schubert Award of Excellence. Mayor Trantalis has a long track record of public service, beginning with his involvement in the fight for equal rights. prgtoken In 2012, Florida State Representative David Richardson became the first-elected openly gay state legislator in Florida's history. Mr. Richardson quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his work on criminal justice and prison reform, sensible gun violence prevention measures, promotion of traditional public schools, and steadfast commitment to civil liberties and equal rights for all. prgtoken Craig Stevens, a NATAS Silver Circle recipient and Emmy Award winner, is a fixture of the South Florida Community. Craig is active in several charities and organizations. He spent several years as vice-president of the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences where he also chaired a committee that mentored young TV professionals throughout the southeastern United States. prgtoken Again, congratulations to these outstanding individuals. I look forward to hearing of their continued service activities.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Matt Cartwright (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2018-4-27

I thank the ranking member for yielding. prgtoken , on June 1, 2011, Sal and Helen Sparich were sitting in traffic in Tamaqua in northeastern Pennsylvania when, suddenly, without warning, a loaded tractor-trailer rammed into them from behind, cutting their car in half, killing Helen instantly and debilitating and giving horrible, severe, grievous injuries to Sal Sparich. He ended up spending the next 15 months in the hospital, and then he died. He left $1 million in medical bills, which Medicare had to pay for. prgtoken What we know about this accident is that the driver of the tractor- trailer had a horrible driving record. The company, the fly-by-night independent contractor trucking company that he worked for, had an insanely bad safety record, and it was one that anybody could have discovered by going on the safety website because there were flashing yellow icons next to the name of that company. prgtoken But the broker and the shipper in this case didn't care, Mr. Chair. They didn't check. They can't care about the safety record, about the driving record. The only thing they checked was who had the lowest price. The only thing they cared about was who had the lowest price. prgtoken Mr. Chair, we Americans care about personal responsibility and accountability. It is something we teach our children. prgtoken This is an amendment that would take away accountability and responsibility for the brokers and shippers. prgtoken This is a longstanding, time-honored part of American law that brokers and shippers are responsible and accountable for picking safe companies and safe drivers. prgtoken This amendment would take that away, it would make American roadways much more dangerous because of this exact type of situation. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment. I urge a ``no'' vote on it.
IN CELEBRATION OF MRS. GRACE HATCHER ADKINS' 90TH BIRTHDAY
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to extend my sincerest congratulations and birthday wishes to Mrs. Grace Hatcher Adkins. She will celebrate her 90th birthday on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Westwood Schools Auditorium at 225 Fuller Street in Camilla, Georgia. prgtoken Mrs. Adkins was born in 1928 to Mr. Clifford Edward Hatcher and Mrs. Agnes Faircloth Hatcher. The Newton, Georgia native began teaching in 1946 at the age of 18, and used the valuable lessons instilled in her by her family to guide her students. prgtoken Mrs. Adkins' life's work always centered on young people and helping them reach their full potential. She truly understood that ``Education is the passport to the future; it belongs to those who prepare for it today.'' Throughout her remarkable 58 year career, she made it her mission to help every child be successful. She devoted countless time and energy into helping and supporting her students, especially those with learning disabilities. In 1980, she created one of the first Learning Labs in the State of Georgia at Westwood Schools in Camilla. The impact of the Learning Lab was so profound that educators from across the nation inquired about her techniques, which she acknowledged were fueled by her immense love for teaching and her desire to reach every student. Westwood Schools ultimately named the Learning Lab in her honor. prgtoken The poet Maya Angelou once said that, ``I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.'' Grace Hatcher-Adkins threw a prodigious amount of care and attention back to the students that she loved so dearly. She inspired several of her students to become lawyers, doctors, educators, professionals, business owners, and leaders in their own communities. Her optimistic attitude, powerful presence, and personal interest and care for each child, no matter the learning level, made all of her students feel valued and respected. prgtoken Mrs. Adkins has accomplished much in her life, but none of it would haye been possible without her unwavering faith in the Lord, the love and support of her late husband, Bill, the family she cherishes so dearly, and the encouragement from all of those who have positively impacted her life over the years. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than prgtoken 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District, in paying tribute to one of Southwest Georgia's finest educators, Mrs. Grace Hatcher Adkins, as she and her family prepare to celebrate her 90th birthday.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2018-4-27

during Roll Call votes held on April 27, 2018, I was inescapably detained handling important matters related to my district and the State of Alabama. If I had been present, I would have voted NO on the amendment proposed by Rep. McClintock (112), NO on the amendment proposed by Rep. Duncan (114), YES on the ic motion to recommit, YES on final passage of H.R. 4, and NO on the motion to table H. Res. 856.
TRIBUTE TO MONSIGNOR JOHN MORETTA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION INTO THE PRIESTHOOD AND HIS 35TH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF RESURRECTION CHURCH IN BOYLE HEIGHTS
Jimmy Gomez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to honor 50 years of priesthood for Father John Moretta from Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights. Father John has worked tirelessly to empower his community through the activism he leads from Resurrection Church. From paving the way forward on environmental justice issues, to keeping crime away from marginalized families through its Neighborhood Watch Group, and working with grassroots advocates like the Mothers of East L.A. to fight for DREAMers, Father John has served as the lynchpin of the Boyle Heights community for 50 years. As we mark his Golden Jubilee, I'd like to thank Monsignor John Moretta for his service to Boyle Heights. It is my honor to work with him to serve California's 34th Congressional District.
TRIBUTE TO CHRISTOPHER G. DAWES ON HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to express my deepest gratitude to Christopher Dawes for his extraordinary leadership as President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford and to congratulate him on his well-earned retirement. Christopher Dawes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University and an MBA from the McLaren School of Business at the University of San Francisco. While his first job was delivering newspapers at the age of 12, Chris has had a long and distinguished career in hospital management and held senior management positions at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center and Stanford Hospital. He joined the Packard team in 1991 and was named its President and CEO in 1999. Chris Dawes is a nationally recognized leader having served as Board Chair of the Children's Health Corporation of America (CHCA), a national purchasing organization for medical supplies for children's hospitals. He was Chair of the Board of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), a public policy organization, and he was deeply involved in the development of national policies for America's children as Chair of NACHRI during the development of the Affordable Care Act. It was his vision to consolidate CHCA and NACHRI into one organization, persuading his colleagues of the benefit of consolidation, which is now the Children's Hospital Association based in Washington, D.C. During Chris's tenure Packard has been consistently ranked as one of the nation's best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Under his leadership, excellent nationally ranked clinical services were created and investments were made in the Children's Health Research Initiative. A network known as the Packard Children's Health Alliance was built to provide 60 Bay Area locations with access to the care the Hospital provides, and a new, $1.2 billion, 521,000 square foot main building, a multi-year undertaking, was completed. Chris was an engaged executive who led the Hospital through a transition to the lean management approach known as the Toyota Production System, and he imparted his values of serving all who need care, regardless of ability to pay, to everyone who served with him I am exceedingly proud to have worked closely with Chris Dawes from my first day in Congress to his retirement, spanning over 25 years. He has led with distinction, purpose and integrity, and transformed Lucile Packard Children's Hospital into the gold standard of care for children in our country. For all this and more, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in honoring this good and great man, and wishing him and his wife Beth every blessing in his retirement. We are a better, stronger country because of Chris Dawes's unparalleled leadership.
IN RECOGNITION OF MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE MARVIN JOHNSON JR'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to recognize and celebrate Major General George Marvin Johnson Jr. on his one hundredth birthday. prgtoken General Johnson had a long and distinguished military career that started when he first joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 to when he retired in 1975 as a United States Air Force Major General. He selflessly served during World War II in the European Theater of Operations as an operations officer and troop carrier squadron commander, and participated in seven major campaigns. General Johnson has also served as a commander of the Oklahoma City Air Materiel Area, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and was chief of staff of the Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. prgtoken General Johnson's military distinctions and awards are many. They include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the French Croix de Guerre. He was also awarded a command pilot rating with over 6,000 flying hours. prgtoken It is with the utmost gratitude that I thank General Johnson for his service and congratulate him on celebrating this birthday of one hundred years. He has served our country with distinction and honor, and can be proud of his contributions towards protecting our citizens and strengthening the safety of our country. May his one hundredth year be filled with blessings. prgtoken , please join me today in honoring Major General George Marvin Johnson Jr. for his service to our great nation and for celebrating his one hundredth birthday.
HONORING GAINESVILLE'S DHRUV GAUR
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to honor Dhruv Gaur a Gainesville , native and Lakeview Academy alumnus, who recently became the college champion of ``Jeopardy!,'' America's favorite quiz show. prgtoken Dhruv studies public health and economics at Brown University. Each season, ``Jeopardy!'' hosts college students for a tournament, giving them the opportunity to represent their school through a display of their trivia knowledge. prgtoken This season, Dhruv competed on the game show, and, despite his incorrect ``Final Jeopardy'' answer, he prevailed. As the victor, this Gainesville student took home a $100,000 cash prize, which he plans to use for future investments. prgtoken Although Dhruv Gaur clenched the victory sporting his Brown University sweater, he also represented his neighbors back home in Northeast Georgia through his success. I congratulate Dhruv on his ``Jeopardy!'' win and look forward to his future success.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DEREK J. SPRAGUE
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to honor the life and memory of Derek ``Boomer'' J. Sprague. prgtoken Boomer embodied what it means to be a citizen of the North Country. At work, Derek was incredibly skilled at Luck Bros, Inc operating large machinery and moving heavy metals with ease. At home, Boomer was his children's biggest fan and could be found coaching their sports teams and cheering them on. In his spare time, Boomer took advantage of the beautiful North Country to fish, hunt, golf, and most importantly, spend time with the people he loved. Instead of focusing on material success, Boomer's family and friends knew him to value spending time with the important people in his life more than anything. prgtoken I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Boomer's family and friends, and especially his two children, by whom he will be greatly missed. It is clear that Boomer's happy spirit and love for life and for all he met will leave a lasting impact on his community. His memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of the many people he touched throughout his life.
FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2018-4-27

. Mr Chair, I would like to thank the Chairman and Ranking member for their effort to bring this bill forward. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 4. prgtoken My amendment is intended to offer a pathway to provide authorization for the use of actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems, or UAV's, for public safety purposes, specifically fire engines. prgtoken My amendment preserves FAA's discretion to determine the conditions that apply to these operations, while denoting congressional intent for the authorization to cover a wide variety of public safety uses. prgtoken My amendment ensures limited UAV operational authority and is available only to actively tethered UAV's that present a lower level of safety risk. This amendment would apply only to systems that: prgtoken are physically attached to a ground station with a taut, appropriately load-rated tether that provides continuous power to the unmanned aircraft; and prgtoken capable of being controlled and retrieved by such ground station through physical manipulation of the tether. prgtoken These tethered public UAV's operating under the authority granted by subsection (a) shall be operated: prgtoken within the line of sight of the operator; prgtoken less than 200 feet above the ground; prgtoken within class G airspace; and prgtoken at least 5 statute miles from a tower-controller airport or airport denoted on by the Federal Aviation Administration-with limited exceptions. prgtoken My amendment will be a huge asset for our men and women fighting fires and will improve their effectiveness. More importantly, passage of this amendment will help save lives. prgtoken I am happy to offer this amendment and look forward to continue working with my colleagues and the FAA to ensure our first responders can utilize this potential resource.
RECOGNIZING REPRESENTATIVE PATTI BELLOCK
Peter J. Roskam (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-4-27

I rise today to recognize Representative Patti Bellock of Hinsdale, Illinois. Representative Bellock has served as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, representing the 47th district since 1998, and has been a champion for victims of domestic violence. On Saturday, April 28, Representative Bellock will be recognized by Family Shelter Services, which works to combat domestic violence in DuPage County, and provides relief and support to victims from all walks of life. Representative Bellock is being recognized for her constant support of the agency's mission, advocacy for tougher laws on domestic violence and efforts to keep Family Shelter Services funded in whole. During Representative Bellock's time in the Illinois General Assembly, she has been a strong voice for victims of domestic violence and tougher laws on domestic violence. Representative Bellock is a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force and has received national attention for her leadership in passing the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA). GATA eliminates duplicative grant requirements and reduces administrative burdens for agencies, while increasing accountability and transparency throughout the process. GATA provides relief and support to agencies like Family Shelter Services, allowing them to best serve communities in need please join me in recognizing and thanking Representative Patti Bellock for her tireless work advocating for victims of domestic violence and tougher laws on domestic violence.