mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CENTERS OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES' RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS REGARDING CLARIFICATION ON CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I would like to include in the Record clarifying comments from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to a question I asked during a House Energy and Commerce Committee Markup on February 12, 2021. During the Markup, I asked about the scope of the Medicaid drug rebate provisions, specifically section 3101(a)(4), in the American Rescue Plan. prgtoken CMS responded: ``Regarding whether section 3101(a)(4) preserves the status quo, we do not believe this language extends rebates to drugs or biological products not currently subject to rebates under the MDRP. Meaning, it keeps the status quo. ``We agree this provision is drafted similarly to the `fix' for MAT. Like MAT, since states would be required to cover drugs under this new COVID treatment benefit, confirming that states would still be required to cover such drugs absent any rebate agreement. ``Note that we do not believe current statute compels a manufacturer to enter into a rebate agreement. So if the intent is to compel payment of rebates for drugs covered under this new benefit, this provision would have to be drafted differently.''
HONORING BARBARA HACKMAN
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I rise today to honor Barbara Hackman of my hometown of Columbus, Indiana. Barb served as the County Chairwoman of Bartholomew County for eight years. She committed her time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for her service. prgtoken Barb is always willing to lend a helping hand to her community, but her priority is her family--her husband of 45 years, their daughters, and six beautiful grandchildren. prgtoken Finally, Barb is a dear friend to the family. We are all grateful for her friendship throughout the years.
HONORING LUKE WALDROP
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I rise in honor of Louis Stephens ``Luke'' Waldrop Sr. of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on March 12, 2021 at the age of 97. Mr. Waldrop was a real estate developer and philanthropist who made a tremendous impact on Salem throughout his long and active life. prgtoken Mr. Waldrop was born on June 11, 1923 to Alexander Atkinson and Carolyn Bear Waldrop. He grew up in Roanoke and attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria. His collegiate studies at the University of Virginia (UVA) were interrupted by World War II, in which he served as a Navy medic in the Pacific theater. After completing his service, Mr. Waldrop returned to UVA to finish his degree and married Harriett, at the time a senior at Mary Baldwin College. prgtoken After a stint in Richmond, Mr. Waldrop moved with his young family back to his native Roanoke Valley. His brother John introduced him to R.L. Russ, who educated him in the real estate business. Mr. Waldrop launched his own company, L.S. Waldrop Realty, in 1956. prgtoken Much of our country was remade by the housing boom that followed World War II. It was Luke Waldrop that harnessed that boom to remake Salem. With a keen sense for deal making and closing the sale, he drove forward residential and business development. Middleton Gardens, West Club Forest, Woodbridge, Spartan Square, Salem Terrace at Harrogate, Caroline Forest Apartments, and over 900 single family homes resulted from his professional efforts. prgtoken Mr. Waldrop was devoted to charitable causes and community organizations in Salem and beyond. Among the educational institutions that benefited from his contributions and support for endowed scholarships are his alma mater UVA, Roanoke College, Mary Baldwin College, Virginia Western Community College, prgtoken and Episcopal High School. He was on the vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, belonged to and at one time served as president of the Salem Rotary, and served on the Roanoke County Planning Commission. prgtoken Mr. Waldrop was preceded in death by his first wife, Harriett, his second wife, Anne ``Dickie'' Dickson Jordon Waldrop, and grandson Adam Thomas Waldrop. He is survived by children Kathryn Kerkering (Tom), Caroline Buckman Haddock, Louis Stephens ``Steve'' Waldrop Jr Preston Adam Waldrop (Jamie), Harriett Ann Waldrop, and Laura Doub (Bruce); thirteen grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous great- grandchildren. I offer them my condolences on the loss of Luke Waldrop, a member of the Greatest Generation who changed Salem for the better over his many decades in business and in service.
HONORING THE LIFE OF PASTOR ROBERT ``BOB'' REEVE
Young Kim (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Pastor Bob Reeve. Robert ``Bob'' Reeve was born June 2, 1955 as the second of three boys to Charles Blair Reeve and Patricia Ann Reeve. Bob graduated from West Covina High School in 1973, where he was the starting varsity catcher for the baseball team and the starting varsity quarterback for the football team. He graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1977, and later a Master of Arts in Religion in 1982. He married the love of his life, Sherry Jo Smart on June 24, 1977. He was a proud father of three children, John, Joshua, and Shannon and an even prouder grandfather to eight grandchildren: Nevaeh, Asher, Cohen, Arabella, Amos, Dracien, A'aliyah, and A'aniyah. prgtoken Pastor Reeve devoted his life to service. He served as Youth Pastor at Bethel Dutch Reformed Church from 1977 to 1979. He served full time in Campus Life ministry with high schoolers in the San Fernando Valley from 1979 to 1981. From 1980 to 2004, he served under his brother Jim at Faith Community Church in West Covina, California, helping the church grow to over 12,000 in weekly attendance. In 2005, he started the Cause Community Church and was the Founding and Lead Pastor along with Sherry. prgtoken Pastor Reeve was an accomplished leader during his time at Cause Community Church. In 2006, he started Kidz on the Block Party, one of many significant Brea Community Events. From 2007 to 2009, he led the church through ``The Beacon Project,'' a $1.3 million capital campaign, where the church purchased and renovated its current home on Beacon Street. In 2009, he created the DNA Journal, encouraging people to read their Bible daily and journal reflectively. In addition to many other accomplishments, he was an active member of the Brea Ministerial Association for 16 years, led hundreds of people to the Holy Land in Israel, and started a Pastoral Practicum in 2020. prgtoken Bob also had a passion for coaching that began when he coached his brother John's 5th grade flag football team in 1967, as a 12-year-old. From 1987 to 1993 he was a baseball coach in the South Hills Little League for his sons, John and Joshua, and nephew Jeff. From 2003 to 2004, he was the Southlands High School Girls Softball Coach, coaching his daughter Shannon. prgtoken During his lifetime, Bob was a pastor and shepherd, spiritual leader and coach, marriage and family counselor, and preacher and teacher of God's Word to thousands who poured his heart and soul into his family. His honest, yet humorous approach to teaching will make you laugh and learn about yourself. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the life of Pastor Bob Reeve, he will be greatly missed.
CELEBRATING THE 96TH BIRTHDAY OF WWII VETERAN AND EL DORADO NATIVE, NOEL KENNY, CALAWAY, JR.
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the 96th birthday of Fourth District resident and World War II veteran, Mr. Noel Kenny Calaway, Jr. A longtime El Dorado resident, Mr. Calaway served as a Navy radioman on a patrol yacht in the Hawaiian Islands. prgtoken Born in El Dorado on April 19, 1925, Mr. Calaway graduated from high school in May 1943. He immediately went to work as an oil rig builder, but he received his draft notice on October 16, 1943, and reported for basic training at San Diego, California, and then a 20-week radio school in Boulder, Colorado. After arriving at Pearl Harbor in 1944, Calaway spent more than a year patrolling the Hawaiian Islands aboard an armed patrol vessel tasked with monitoring the area for submarines following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. While the patrol yacht was armed with various anti-aircraft guns, he also radioed signals to U.S. warplanes, assisting American pilots with navigation in the region. prgtoken Following his discharge from the Navy in 1946, he made him home and raised his family in El Dorado, Arkansas, where he remains one of the best examples of our nation's greatest generation. I take this time today to honor the life of service exemplified by Mr. Calaway, and I ask that our nation join me in wishing him a happy 96th birthday. I thank him and his family for their dedication to our fellow citizens and the cause of liberty.
RECOGNIZING THE FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I rise today to recognize, celebrate, and honor the frontline healthcare workers of the great state of South Dakota. prgtoken Some of these South Dakota heroes are Johnathan Cina, David Cinco, Marie Cissell, Morgan Citterrnan, April Claar, Cynthia Clair, Bevin Clapper, Carly Clare, Terri Clark, Roberta Clark, Mary Clark, Janet Clark, Debra Clark, Mary Clark, Nicole Clark, Julie Clark, Tiffany Clark, Ashley Clark, Lindsey Clark, Laney Clark, Jamie Clark, Amber Clark, Danielle Clark, Dylan Clark, Jordan Clark, Kristin Clark, Genevieve Clark, Heath Clark, Rebecca Clarke, Peggy Clarke, Roxane Clarke, Rita Clarke, Carrie Clarke, Whitney Clarke, Tressa Clarke, Sadie Clarke, Marissa Class, Natalie Clausen, Sydney Clausen, Carrie Clausen-Hansen, Katee Clauser, Shelly Clauson, Terri Claussen, Stephanie Clay, Amy Clay, Rebecca Clay, Lynette Clayton, Katherine Clayton, Zachary Clayton, Abbey Clayton, Allie Cleberg, Rachel Clelland, Bailee Clem, Carly Clemen, Sharise Clemens, Aaron Clemens, Meghan Clemensen, Wanda Clement, Vonda Clement, Carol Clement, Shawna Clement, Joan Clement, Elizabeth Clement, Caitlyn Clements, Sara Clements, Ashley Clemmons, Nancy Cleveland, Abigail Clever, Linda Clevinger, Melva Clifford. prgtoken Kristen Cline, Stacy Cline, Kathrina Cline, Kathryn Clinton, Janet Clites, Brenda Clites, Stacy Clites, Sandra Clooten, Pauline Cloudman, Amy Clouse, Jennifer Cobb, Megan Cobb, Kelly Coburn, Melanie Cochrane, Chantel Cockburn, Ericka Cockburn, Rachelle Cockrell, Andrew Coday, Heather Cody, Nathel Cody, Samantha Cody, Jennifer Coester, Porfidia Coetzee, Christina Coffield, Jennifer Cogley, Erin Cohen, Allison Cohrs, Pamela Colbeck, Angela Colclazier, Teresa Cole, Jacqueline Cole, Jennifer Cole, Jacqueline Cole, Amy Cole, David Cole, Shannon Coleman, Abby Coler, Maddison Colestock, Kristy Colford, Mary Colhoff, Andrea Colhoff, Kristin Colhoff, Diana Jean Colinares, Emily Coll, Jeremy Coller, Larinda Collette, Megan Collier, Selena Collier, Angelique Collier, Danielle Collins, Amanda Collins, Lisa Collins, Tammy Collins, Stacie Collins, Megan Collins, Lori Collins, Brooke Collins, Shelli Collins, John Collins, Victoria Collins, Rebecca Collins, Wendy Colomb, Joyce Colombe, Anthony Colon, Rashara Colwell. prgtoken Jodie Colwill, Carmen Combellick, Denton Combs, Jennifer Combs, Sarah Comeau, Vicky Comes, Barbara Comes, Jolene Comes, Chandler Comes, Ethan Comes, Sarah Comp, Susan Comp, Jensen Conant, Deborah Conatser, Kelsey Conatser, Jacob Conaway, Mark Conboy, Sonya Coneley, Ginger Conklin, Janice Conlee, Julie Conlon, Victoria Conn, Carolyn Conn, Alicia Conn, Kristen Connell, Charlene Connelly, Alyssa Connelly, Tabbitha Conner, Daniel Connor, Leslie Connors, Kelli Cannot, Kristina Conrad, Kiana Conrad, Amy Conrad, Jennifer Conrad, Nicole Conroy, Teresa Conroy, Weewashte Conroy, Hollie Consoer, Carmen Constant, Devin Constant, Samantha Conway, Nancy Conzemius, Betty Cook, Lesley Cook, Merissa
IN RECOGNITION OF ASHLI YODER
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Ashli Yoder on receiving the Rising Star Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken Ashli began working for Norland Avenue Pharmacy at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, she and her team have been crucial to the growth of their in-house medication synchronization program. Ashli has been charged with the vaccine distribution at the hospital. Under her leadership, they provided more than 750 vaccine doses in March. Her work has been invaluable to the Chambersburg community. prgtoken Ashli exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the clients at Norland Avenue Pharmacy. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Ashli on this award and thank her for her service to our community.
HONORING WALLACE YAU KEE CHANG
Dan Bishop (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-3-26

. Madam , today I rise to honor Corporal Wallace Yau Kee Chang, one of the very few remaining Chinese- American veterans of World War II. In recognition of their service, these veterans were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2018--this body's highest honor. For his actions in Europe, Corporal Chang was also awarded the Bronze Star. prgtoken Just four days after Pearl Harbor, Corporal Chang started his military career as a Hawaii Territory Guard. In March 1945, he joined Army Company C in the 39th Regiment. While stationed in France and Germany, he took part in the central German campaign which led to the downfall of Hitler and the Nazi regime. After the war, he was appointed leader of the 39th Regimental band stationed in Rosenheim, Germany. prgtoken Corporal Chang is 98 years old and is a resident of Lumberton, North Carolina. I am very pleased to honor this great patriot and hope to call him a constituent for many more years to come. I thank Corporal Chang for his service to our country and to our community.
HONORING THE LIFE OF HERMON RUDOLPH NETHERLAND
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Hermon Rudolph Netherland, who passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021, at the age of 94. Hermon was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran, longtime resident of Tyler County, and deeply respected by all who knew him. prgtoken Hermon was born on April 21, 1926, in Enterprise, Louisiana, to Anne and Neal Netherland. At a young age, his family moved to Port Arthur, where he was raised. Like many kids of his generation, Hermon worked from an early age. His family had a large garden and they grew an assortment of fruits and vegetables from bell peppers to cantaloupes. Hermon had the responsibility of tending the garden. His duties included hoeing, watering, and picking the vegetables. At the onset of WWII, Hermon felt led to serve his country and wanted to enlist. However, Hermon's father was against this decision, fearing his 15- year-old son would go to war. After spending the next year convincing his father, Hermon was finally allowed to enlist in the Navy. prgtoken After completing Basic Training in San Diego, California, and signal school in Chicago, Illinois, Hermon enrolled in underwater demolition training at Fort Pierce in Florida. He soon qualified as both a Navy signal man and frog man, (someone who assisted with underwater demolitions). After a deployment in Newport, Rhode Island, Hermon went on to participate in nearly every major campaign in the Pacific Theater. Throughout the war, he would be based on the USS Birgit, a troop transport and cargo ship. His duties would rotate between signalman, frog man, and manning a landing craft taking troops to shore on several of the most dangerous invasion campaigns. Hermon was present for the U.S. invasion of Guam, Sai Pan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Philippines, and the Marshall Islands. While in the Philippines, Hermon and fellow Navy frogmen were tasked with helping to open the Straits of Hormuz. prgtoken The USS Birgit returned to America after the war via the Panama Canal. Conveniently, its final stop was the Port of Orange, where the ship was then decommissioned and sold. Essentially, the ship he had spent the entirety of the war on, traveling across the Pacific Ocean, delivered Hermon to his own front door. Shortly after returning home, Hermon met Velma, the love of his life. They were married soon after she completed high school. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage and a wonderful baby girl. Following his time in the military, Hermon went to work for Texaco in Port Arthur and retired from there after many years of service. During his retirement, Hermon enjoyed spending time at his cabin located on Lake Amanda in Colmesneil to hunt and fish. prgtoken Hermon is survived by his sister-in-law, Charlene Netherland of Oregon, and numerous friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Anne Netherland; wife, Velma Netherland; and daughter, Sharon Netherland. prgtoken Madam , I honor my friend Hermon Nether
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF CADE GEBBERS
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2021-3-29

. Madam , today we commemorate the life of one of my constituents, Cade Gebbers of Brewster. prgtoken At just 19 years old, Cade was already an integral part of his community and a remarkably accomplished student athlete with a bright future ahead of him. prgtoken From being named the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week and the State B Basketball Player of the Year, to making the winning shot at the State tournament with only 1.3 seconds left on the clock, Cade's talent with a basketball was an inspiration to many fellow young athletes in his community. prgtoken 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to ``encourage one another and build each other up,'' and that's exactly what friends and family will always remember Cade for, on and off the court: a young man with a gentle heart and a warm smile who was a constant source of encouragement for his classmates and teammates. prgtoken Even in their time of grief, Cade's family is taking action by supporting Only 7 Seconds, a Washington-based organization dedicated to spreading individual expressions of positive support to combat the feelings of isolation and depression that so many teenagers experience. I commend them for their strength and commitment to this worthy cause. prgtoken My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of neighbors across Central Washington, are with Cade's entire family--especially his parents, Johnny and Nikki, and his siblings Kelson, Cort, Karden, and Capri. May the Gebbers family find peace and comfort in their faith, in their family and community, and in Cade's memory.
RECOGNIZING BRITTANI ACUFF IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-3-29

. Madam , Brittani Acuff is a philanthropist, creator, storyteller and most importantly, an ally. In 2010, Brittani left Central Florida to attend the University of Mississippi where she studied broadcast journalism and theatre arts. At Ole Miss, Brittani was a lead anchor and reporter for Newswatch99. She was ranked in the Top Four Feature Reporters in the Southeastern Journalism Conference's Best of the South, beating out reporters from over 30 colleges. prgtoken As a reporter, she learned the value of relationships and branding, and transitioned to working in public and community relations. In 2014, she returned to Orlando and immediately plugged back into Orlando's charitable scene. prgtoken Brittani is the community relations and events manager at one of Central Florida's leading LGBTQ+ and Allied Healthcare Centers, serves on the onePulse Foundation's Memorial Task Force and the Orlando Youth Empowerment Summit Steering Committee, is an ally on Congressman Darren Soto's LGBTQ+ roundtable, is the marketing chair for the Provisional Class of the Junior League of Greater Orlando, and hosts and plans shows at New York Fashion Week. Her past community involvement also includes Dance, Dream and Inspire for Community Based Care of Central Florida, volunteering with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Central Florida and being chair of the opening reception committee for the United States Conference on AIDS. In 2020, Brittani was named one of Orlando Magazine's Women of the Year. prgtoken Brittani broke the mold in the pageant industry by starting at age 25 and doing it her way. Brittani served as Miss Orange County USA, Miss Orange County Galaxy and Miss Southern States Galaxy. At Galaxy Internationals, Brittani was the only American to place in the Top 5 in her division and is the current reigning Orange County's Perfect Miss. In 2019, Brittani was named ``The Most Influential Person in Pageantry'' by Art&Beauty Magazine. prgtoken For this and more, we honor Ms. Acuff.
INTRODUCTION OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA HELICOPTER NOISE INFORMATION EXCHANGE ACT OF 2021
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-3-29

. Madam , today, I introduce the Washington, DC Area Helicopter Noise Information Exchange Act of 2021, which would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendation to create a mechanism to exchange information about helicopter noise in the Washington, DC area between FAA and helicopter operators. I am pleased that Representatives Gerald E. Connolly and Donald S. Beyer, Jr. from Virginia and Representatives Jamie Raskin, Anthony G. Brown and David J. Trone from Maryland join me in introducing this bill, underscoring its regional importance. prgtoken Residents of the District of Columbia and the national capital region (NCR) have been plagued by helicopter noise for years. Yet, there is no centralized complaint system nor any comprehensive data about helicopter noise in the NCR. In January 2019, Representatives Connolly, Beyer, Raskin, Brown, Trone and I wrote GAO requesting that it conduct a study of helicopter noise in the NCR. In that letter, we wrote, ``Many of our constituents live with the impacts of regular helicopter noise that interrupts sleep patterns, causes their homes to shake and negatively impacts their quality of life. While disturbances from helicopter noise have been a longstanding problem for some, others have noted recent increases in the frequency and severity of helicopter noise in their neighborhoods. We understand that helicopter activity is an essential part of law enforcement, military and medical operations and appreciate the critical efforts of employees serving in those sectors. However, we also believe that, through information collection, analysis and coordination, we can identify strategies to minimize the negative impacts of helicopter activity without impeding the work of the agencies operating helicopters within the region.'' prgtoken In response to our request, GAO announced in June 2019 that it would conduct the study. GAO released its report in January 2021. GAO found that FAA's current ability to work with helicopter operators in the NCR is limited because of the absence of effective information sharing mechanisms. GAO recommended that FAA direct its Office of Environment and Energy to develop a mechanism to exchange helicopter noise information with operators in the NCR. FAA concurred with GAO's recommendation, but this bill would require FAA to develop such a mechanism. prgtoken This bill would direct the creation of a more effective information sharing mechanism, which would also allow for better, more comprehensive data on helicopter noise complaints. This data would in turn help us develop solutions to address helicopter noise. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.