mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BACK THE BLUE: NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-5-10

I thank my friend and colleague for helping name the first 120 of those that we lost in the line of duty last year. prgtoken At this time, I would like to continue reading the list of names: prgtoken Officer Trainee Cody Alan Olafson, Lieutenant Mark Allen Pike, Supervising Fire Marshal John Joseph ``Jack'' McCauley, Police Officer Houston Ryan Tipping, Deportation Officer Brian Wayne Turner, Special Agent Peter Christopher Egan, Officer Adrian Lopez Sr Deputy Sheriff Thomas E. Baker III, Police Officer Christopher Nicholas Fariello, Senior Investigator Kyle Lee Patterson, Officer Kennis Winston Croom, Detective Justin Michael Terry, Deputy First Class Glenn R. Hilliard, Sergeant Michael Domingo Paredes, Officer Joseph Anthony Santana, Sergeant Sean Free, Deputy Sheriff Austin W. ``Melvin'' Richardson, Deputy Sheriff J'Mar Colin Abel, Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge, Detention Officer Jeremiah James Story, Deputy Sheriff Jeff L. Hermanson, Sergeant Richard Lopez, Reserve Officer Jeffrey Michael David Richardson, Deputy Sheriff Bradley Steven Henry Johnson, Captain Ralph Harlow Frasure, Deputy Sheriff William Edward Petry, Police Officer Jacob Russell Chaffins, Sergeant John K. Williams, Police Officer Loren Michael Courts, Parole Supervisor Ronald D. Spangler Jr Officer Brian D. Olliff, Undersheriff Lawrence George Koren, Lieutenant Fred Douglas Beers III, Deputy Sheriff Michael Adam Levison, Patrolman Vincent Anthony Parks, Police Officer Frederick G. Maley, Police Officer Daniel Francisco Vasquez, Sergeant Christopher James Nelson, Police Officer Anthony Patrick Mazurkiewicz, Supervisory Deportation Officer Rachel Elizabeth Vielmas, Deputy Sheriff Matthew Eugene Yates, Sergeant Jean-Harold Louis Astree, Mounted Deputy Nichole Shuff-Balint, Deputy Sheriff Lorenzo Bustos, Deputy Sheriff II Jamie Lynn Reynolds, Police Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz, Deputy Sheriff Dallas Ryan Edeburn, Sergeant Matthew Ryan Fishman, Special Police Officer Maurica Manyan, Conservation Officer Lawrence E. Cabana, Deputy Sheriff Andrew Peery, Corporal Chad M. Beattie, Deputy Sheriff Ned P. Byrd, Police Officer Cesar Echaverry, Captain William Riley Hargraves, Special Agent Jose Antonio Perez, Police Officer Ivan Mauricio Lopez, Sergeant Robert Blaine Swartz, Sergeant F. Brent Chomyszak, Sergeant Harold Lee Russell II, Detective Matthew Walker Blansett, Constable Deborah Martinez- Garibay, Correctional Officer III Kaitlyn Breanne Ritnour, Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Randall Koleski, Deputy Sheriff Marshall Samuel Ervin Jr Trooper Cadet Patrick Donelle Dupree, Police Officer Dillon Micheal Vakoff, Captain Janelle Sanders, Police Officer Lloyd ``Mike'' Todd, Police Officer Seara Burton, Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick, Senior Patrol Officer Anthony Martin, Master Police Officer Tyrell Owens-Riley, Detention Corporal Gregory Thomas Horne Sr Sergeant Meagan Burke, Major Terry Randall Arnold, Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane, D
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE YOUNG AT HEART CENTER
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2023-5-10

I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Young at Heart Senior Citizens and Community Center in Rock Springs, WY. On May 19, 2023, a gala will be held at the Young at Heart Center to celebrate its 50th anniversary. prgtoken The Young at Heart Center has served the Sweetwater County community since its founding in May, 1973. Founding board members were J. Garrett Smith, Louis M Groh, Ruth Lucas, T.H. Smith, Dwight J Jones, Lyda Hium, Elmer Halseth, Willie Heikes, and Ernest J Mecca. The center was originally designed to serve the senior population. With the construction of their new facility in 2009, their services expanded to address the needs of the entire community. prgtoken The Young at Heart Center exemplifies their mission of ``a community place for the young and the young at heart.'' The center offers 14 different programs with amenities, activities, and services for residents of all ages. Young at Heart is a safe place for Sweetwater County residents to gather, receive educational and nutritional services, pursue interests, and participate in social and recreational activities. The center is also a public-use space for meetings and events. The center serves as a cornerstone for the senior population by providing meals and care. Seniors participate in numerous daily activities that include games, hobbies, exercise, and opportunities for friendship. prgtoken Young at Heart added several home health and caregiver services for patients 18 and older. These include skilled nursing services, personal care services, assistance to at-home caregivers with support and education, home-delivered meals, and the Senior Companion Program. Each of these foster wonderful relationships within the community. Many young people in Sweetwater County have been impacted by the Young at Heart's Early Learning Center. The Early Learning Center focuses on building children's self-esteem and self-worth through strong partnerships with parents. The center provides positive guidance, indoor and outdoor gross motor space, and technology to enhance learning. The importance of nutrition is highlighted by the dedicated kitchen staff who prepare breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks. prgtoken The Young at Heart Center receives funding through various government grants and private programs. They also rely on the generosity of Sweetwater County organizations and individuals. The Young at Heart Center would not be able to provide a safe and engaging space without the dedication of staff and volunteers. Volunteers use their skills and interests to help lead support groups, serve meals, assist special events, offer companionship, and maintain the grounds. prgtoken Jamie Loredo began her career with the center as the activities coordinator and facilities secretary. In the fall of 2022, she took over as executive director. Her resolute dedication to the center is notable. She has focused on gaining community i
DEMANDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA IMMEDIATELY RELEASE MARK SWIDAN
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-5-10

a few months ago, I spoke on this floor about Mark Swidan, who has been unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party for over a decade. Mark is from Luling, a small city in my home State of Texas. His mother, Miss Katherine Swidan, still lives in Luling. And for the last 11 years, Mark has endured a living hell, trapped in a Chinese prison. He is exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. He is deprived of sleep. He is subjected to physical abuse. Mark has also been denied access to his family and to American diplomats. prgtoken And in 2019, a Chinese court sentenced Mark to death. Mark is being unjustly held by the Chinese Communist Party as a hostage. The CCP tells us that China is a great power, but this is how Third World thugs and dictators act. prgtoken I called for Mark's immediate release and called on the administration to use any and every available means to secure Mark's freedom. prgtoken I am deeply distressed that since my speech on the floor a few months ago, Mark's plight has deepened. Recently, a Chinese court reaffirmed the death sentence imposed on him with a suspension for 2 years. prgtoken That is wrong, and it is outrageous. We need Mark to come home. prgtoken It is worth revealing how breathtakingly, infuriatingly unjust all of this is. How did it happen? On November 13, 2012, Mark was abducted by China's Public Security Bureau while he was in China on a business trip. A witness to the abduction said that Mark was detained because Chinese officials wanted to view the contents of his cell phone. prgtoken The Chinese officials accused Mark of being part of a criminal conspiracy to prgtoken manufacture and traffic drugs with 11 other individuals--charges that Mark has denied and which have been debunked over and over again. prgtoken Chinese officials tried to coerce Mark into confessing. Mark refused and pleaded not guilty in a trial in November 2013. During the trial, the prosecution didn't produce any forensic evidence to back up their allegations, and no drugs--zero--were ever found on Mark or in his hotel room. Mark's passport and other records show that he wasn't even in China at the time of the alleged offenses, and the 11 other individuals indicted in relation to this alleged drug conspiracy--none of them could identify Mark. The charges against Mark were completely bogus and false. prgtoken Meanwhile, Mark's mom Katherine is aching to see her son again. Her heart is breaking. This is a mom who wants to hold and hug and care for the son she loves. prgtoken I have been working with the administration, and I have been pushing Chinese officials at a senior level to release Mark, but more needs to be done, and it needs to be done much more quickly. prgtoken Now, Secretary of State Blinken was planning to travel to China in February, and we had been pressing the State Department to make Mark's case a major priority for the administration on the trip. Then wh
CONGRATULATING COLUMBIA WATER COMPANY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS BICENTENNIAL
Lloyd Smucker (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-10

I rise today to congratulate Columbia Water Company as they celebrate 200 years of service to Lancaster and York Counties. prgtoken Over the past two centuries, water delivery systems have changed drastically--but as ground reservoirs have turned into elevated steel storage tanks, and wooden pipes into electronic control systems, one thing remained constant: the company ensuring that residents of Columbia and the surrounding communities had access to clean and safe water. prgtoken Incorporated in 1823, Columbia Water has survived a Civil War, a Great Recession, Two World Wars, and countless droughts. Nevertheless, in a nation defined by its entrepreneurial spirit, this company has thrived in a way few others have, serving generations of Lancaster and York families, and playing a critical role in helping the community prosper. Today, it operates 160 miles of water mains, 9 finished water storage tanks, 6 pumping stations, 4 wells, and 11 pressure zones. That's a long way from operating just one log reservoir more than 200 years ago. prgtoken Once again, it is my privilege to congratulate Columbia Water Company on the occasion of their bicentennial and thank them for their service to residents in my congressional district.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO RETIRED SERGEANT DOREEN GALE PAVEY ON THE OCCASION OF HER PASSING
Jay Obernolte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-5-10

it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life of retired Sergeant Doreen Gale Pavey of the United States Marine Corps. Doreen was born on August 10, 1929, in Johnson City, New York to Ina and Frank Newton. She passed away on March 8, 2023, at the age of 93. prgtoken Doreen grew up in the Johnson City area and attended Alfred University. Following her graduation, Doreen joined the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict working for the Commandant of the Marine Corps with distinction for several years. Doreen retired from the service as a sergeant to travel the country with her husband John. prgtoken Doreen was a devoted wife and mother to three children. She raised her children using the core qualities she embraced as a sergeant in the Marine Corps: family, country, faith, and service. In fact, her daughter, Rebekah, currently serves as a Hesperia City Councilmember. Doreen cherished her family above all else, and her unwavering love and support were a constant source of strength and guidance to those around her. Doreen is survived by her husband, John, her 3 children, and her 3 grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family as they navigate this difficult loss.
HONORING KIDS IN DANGER
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-5-10

I rise to celebrate the lifesaving work of Kids In Danger on the occasion of their 25th Anniversary. Headquartered in my home state of Illinois, Kids In Danger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for product safety. prgtoken It was founded in 1998 by Linda Ginzel and Boaz Keysar, the parents of sixteen-month-old Danny who died when a poorly designed and recalled portable crib collapsed around his neck in his childcare home. Kids In Danger's mission is to save lives by enhancing transparency and accountability through safer product development, better education, and stronger advocacy for children. prgtoken Kids In Danger is celebrating 25 years of impact by educating parents and caregivers about recalled and dangerous children's products through research, and community outreach and engagement at the local and national levels. prgtoken Shortly after its founding, Chicagoan Nancy Cowles became Kids in Danger's Executive Director, enabling the organization to take on bigger and bigger challenges. She sought out and worked tirelessly with parents who had lost their children in preventable accidents such as furniture that had toppled on them. A skilled organizer, advocate and spokesperson, Nancy always puts the parents first. I am proud to call her my dear friend. prgtoken Kids In Danger's advocacy has brought about many hard-fought victories for children such as the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act including Danny's Law requiring strong standards for cribs and other nursery products, and most recently, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act banning infant inclined sleep products and padded crib bumpers, Reese's Law which will help prevent button and coin cell battery ingestion, and the STURDY Act, requiring a strong standard to prevent furniture tip-overs. prgtoken Kids In Danger also partners with university engineering programs to incorporate design safety into the engineering curriculum, and launched a free online course to help children's product designers and companies integrate safety into their design and development process. prgtoken Congratulations to Kids In Danger for protecting all our children and grandchildren from hazardous products.
350TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF SOUTHBURY, CONNECTICUT
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-5-10

I rise today to congratulate the town of Southbury on its 350th anniversary. In 1673, 15 families seeking free religious expression traveled up the Housatonic River and settled on land that is known today as Southbury. Those humble beginnings have grown into a vibrant community of almost 20,000 people. As the only town in the Nation to bear its name, Southbury is truly one of a kind. I was grateful to be invited this past November to participate in the town's 85th anniversary of Southbury's residents coming together to stop the Neo-Nazi organization, the German-American Bund, from establishing a presence in the town. Their determination reminds us of the importance of standing with our neighbors and calling out hate and bigotry in all its forms. prgtoken During my 6 years as Southbury's Congressman and the past 10 years as its U.S. Senator, I have come to know many of the town's past and current citizens. Dr. Mark Taylor, a friend and mentor, became nationally known for his knowledge and passion about critical water sources from the Pomperaug River. Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Hinman was a Revolutionary War hero who also took part in the Constitutional Convention. Gladys Taber was a prolific writer, best known for her series about life at Stillmeadow, her farm in Southbury. prgtoken Congratulations to the Town of Southbury on this impressive milestone of 350 years and counting. It is a privilege to represent a community with such a storied past and bright future, and I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen Southbury for many years to come.
TRIBUTE TO JOLENE MOLITORIS
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-5-10

it is a privilege to extend my congratulations to Jolene Molitoris as APTA honors Jolene for her extraordinary career and achievements for the public with APTA's Lifetime Achievement Award. prgtoken My partnership with Jolene goes back decades, to our early work together in State government in Ohio when Jolene served on the staff of the Ohio Rail Transportation Authority. I introduced Jolene at her Senate confirmation hearing in 1993 for Federal Railroad Administrator, the first woman ever to head that Agency. Jolene went on to become the longest serving FRA Administrator. Jolene blazed more firsts when in 2009 Ohio Governor Ted Strickland appointed her as the first woman to lead the Ohio Department of Transportation, and in that role, she also chaired the Ohio Rail Development Commission. prgtoken Recognized by WTS as Woman of the Year in 1995, Jolene has helped boost the women transportation stars who shine today, in addition to her own achievements. While at FRA, she served on the Amtrak board of directors when Amtrak launched the Acela in the Northeast Corridor, promoted rail revitalization with innovative new investment programs, and expanded the number of contracts her agency awarded to women-owned businesses to new Federal highs. At ODOT, Jolene oversaw ODOT's largest construction budget ever to that time and secured $400 million to bring robust rail service back to Ohio. prgtoken Jolene's absolute passion for safety has meant the most. As recent tragic events in Ohio have again unfortunately demonstrated, safety demands unwavering commitment. At FRA and ODOT, Jolene urged Vision Zero, that we must passionately pursue zero incidents and zero casualties. She focused her agencies on safety root cause, expanding focus beyond mere blind compliance by the regulated community. During her FRA tenure, the railroad industry achieved 7 of the safest years to that time. prgtoken Nearly 30 ago in 1996, Jolene brought together rail labor, rail management, and other stakeholders to form the FRA Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to develop new regulatory standards through a consensus process. prgtoken RSAC continues to operate to this day as one of the few standing negotiated rule-making committees in the Federal Government, offering an elevated voice for rail labor and other advocates in our unceasing pursuit of safety. prgtoken Jolene's promotion of Transportation safety excellence, rail passenger, and freight investment, of equity and inclusion--her vivid passion to do the right things for the people of Ohio and for our Nation--drive this APTA honor. I am proud to count Jolene as my partner and my friend, and I salute APTA for presenting this Lifetime Achievement Award to a most distinguished leader: Jolene Molitoris.
HONORING ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH 2023
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2023-5-10

I am proud to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month 2023. Each May, the AANHPI community commemorates two historic anniversaries: the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, a significant portion of which was laid by Chinese immigrants. First proposed as a ten-day celebration in 1977, this month celebrates the history, accomplishments, and contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in America. With each passing generation, members of this vibrant community continue to enrich the fabric of this great nation with their own unique talents and gifts. prgtoken Here in Georgia's Seventh Congressional District, we are well represented by a beautiful tapestry of ethnicities, nationalities, of faith traditions, and experiences. Our diversity is truly our strength--I see it in action every single day. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders contribute significantly to our community's rich blend of cultures, experiences, and countries. Throughout American history, these men and women have played a central role in the growth and progress of the nation. The full stories of these communities have not been without pain, however. During the construction of the transcontinental railroad, thousands of Chinese immigrants worked under dangerous conditions, endured abusive labor practices, and received unfair compensation. During World War II, people of Japanese ancestry were removed from their homes, imprisoned, and held in desolate places without trial. In recent years, anti-Asian hate and discrimination began to rise during the COVID-19 pandemic due to intolerance and xenophobia. And in metro Atlanta, eight lives were stolen from us by an act of anti-Asian hatred. prgtoken As Americans, we must reject and condemn such discrimination and embrace the many differences that make this community a hub of culture and diversity. We must reflect on our responsibility to condemn racism and bigotry that fuels tragedies like the Atlanta spa shooting. We must rededicate ourselves to our responsibility to live in fellowship with our neighbors of all backgrounds and experiences. That is why, at the start of this year, I became a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, to fight for the AANHPI communities here in Georgia and across our country. Together, we can support the hard- working Americans who bring their unique experiences to our Nation, advocate and advance our shared goals, and celebrate the many contributions that have made America a more perfect union. prgtoken This month and always, I am honored to represent the many cultures, nationalities, and spoken languages that make up Georgia's Seventh Congressional District. Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.