mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TRIBUTE TO COLONEL GREGORY A. SCHEIDHAUER
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-12-13

today I wish to recognize and honor the distinguished career of U.S. Army Reserve COL Gregory A. Scheidhauer as he retires from his nearly three decades of service to our Nation. Dedication to his country and commitment to his fellow servicemembers are qualities that define Greg's career, and his years of effort have made lasting improvements to our Nation's defense. prgtoken Born in Silver Spring, MD, Greg went on to attend Bowie High School and, later, West Virginia University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree in sports management in 1990. He joined the Army ROTC program at West Virginia University in 1988 and began his military service upon graduation, commissioning in 1990. prgtoken In 2009, Greg joined my office in the House of Representatives as a defense fellow, where he served alongside my staff for the year. His expertise, assistance, and advice were invaluable to the team, and our office, as well as all Hoosiers, greatly benefitted from his work. After his service in my office, Colonel Scheidhauer became a legislative liaison for the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve at Fort Belvoir. prgtoken In 2010, Greg deployed to Iraq and served as the director of logistics for the Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command- Iraq, JSOCC-I, during Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation New Dawn. He worked to ensure the U.S. Special Operations Forces servicemembers throughout Iraq had the supplies and equipment they needed for counterterrorism operations and training. Upon his return, he was selected to serve as a congressional budget liaison in the Army's Congressional Budget Office. prgtoken Greg's hard work in that role led to his being named the Chief of the Army Reserve Legislative Affairs Division in 2014, where, for nearly 5 years, he oversaw the legislative liaison team and worked to engage and inform Members of Congress and our staff members on the Army Reserve. prgtoken As we thank Greg for his dedicated work over his career, we must also thank his family who have been his support system through it all: his wife Andrea; daughter, Alexis; and sons, Brennan and Christopher. The sacrifice of our servicemembers is immense, but so is that of their families, and we are grateful that they have shared Greg's time and expertise in the service of our county. prgtoken Greg has served with distinction and honor and now will be retiring to spend time playing golf and basketball, cheering on the Mountaineers and the Redskins, and, of course, spending time with his family. I congratulate Greg on his career of service and wish him the best as he moves into the next chapter of his life.
BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS FOR GLADYS COOKE
Brenda Jones (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-12-13

I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to a retired teacher in my district, Gladys Cooke. Born on December 17, 1938, Gladys was the third child of Jessie Mae and Robert Jones. prgtoken She graduated from Parker High School and Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama, and became a teacher in the Detroit school system, where she taught math at Cass Technical High School, Mumford High School, and Cooley High School. As a young woman she was featured in Ebony Magazine. prgtoken She has 3 brothers and 4 sisters, one of whom is deceased. She is the proud mother of Dr. Tiffany A. Cook of Atlanta, Georgia. prgtoken She will be celebrating her 80th Birthday next week with friends, family, and loved ones at Joe Muer Seafood at the Renaissance Center in Detroit.
TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DEMETRIUS KEISHUN ``D.K.'' MORRIS
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-12-13

today I would like to take a moment to thank U.S. Army CPT Demetrius Keishun Morris, an extraordinary man who has contributed to my office through the Army Congressional Fellowship Program. Captain Morris, known as ``D.K.'', has been exceptional to work with over the last year. My staff and I have benefited enormously from D.K.'s knowledge and expertise on U.S. national security and Armed Services policy. prgtoken D.K. draws upon nearly two decades of service, which includes deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar. D.K. enlisted in the Army in 2000 and was commissioned as an officer in 2010. As an officer, D.K. distinguished himself by serving at the battalion, brigade, and division levels while operating in combined, joint, and partnered environments. Before D.K. joined my office, he served as the commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Bliss, TX. At each post and here in the Senate, D.K. has served with distinction. prgtoken D.K. has always been one to go above and beyond because it is just part of his nature. He graduated from George Washington University in 2008 with a bachelor of science in health sciences while earning a place on the dean's list. His education also includes a master of arts in intelligence studies with honors from American Military University and a master of professional studies degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University. D.K. is also a graduate of the Military Intelligence Captain's Career Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ, where he achieved placement in the top 20 percent of his class. prgtoken CPT Demetrius Keishun Morris is the epitome of a dedicated public servant. He has put himself in harm's way to defend our rights and freedom and to help secure freedom for people in other countries. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our servicemen and women, especially those who make a career in the military. It is always important to acknowledge their family members who share in the sacrifice, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank D.K.'s wife Lakisha and their three wonderful children, Cornelius, Samara, and Roman, for their support and for allowing us to utilize the expertise and experience of their husband and father this last year. My staff and I will miss D.K.; at the same, however, we are also excited to see what's in store next for this exceptional individual, who will always be part of Team Cardin.
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 2018
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-12-13

I rise to discuss a true bipartisan victory along with my friend and colleague, the leader of our Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. I hear a lot of people say that bipartisanship is all too rare these days, but in our committee, it is our bread and butter. prgtoken Specifically, I thank my partner and friend, Chairman Pat Roberts. He is the only person to have written a farm bill as both the chair of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Kansas is fortunate to have such a champion, and all of American agriculture owes him a debt of gratitude for his persistence, doggedness, and tenacity. Maybe it is his Marine training, but he never gave up on this bill even when negotiations got tough. Maybe I could be an honorary marine. He also knows that to do anything big, it takes a team approach. Thanks to his commitment to bipartisanship, we were able to achieve a real historic victory. prgtoken This summer, Chairman Roberts and I made history by passing our Senate farm bill by 86 votes, and I am pleased to say we beat that record this week by passing the final bill by 87 votes--the most ever. prgtoken One of the reasons I love my work on the Agriculture Committee is that the work we do truly affects everyone. From the well-being of our children to the viability of rural America, to the health of our lakes, rivers, and streams, to our access to the most abundant, most affordable, safest food supply in the world, the farm bill impacts all of us. prgtoken I like to say it is our rural economic development plan for the country, and that has been true since the very first one in the 1930s. In the wake of the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the first farm bill to get agriculture and our economy back on track. prgtoken Over the past 80 years, the role of the farm bill has evolved alongside our agricultural and rural economy. In the 1970s, nutrition assistance was linked to the farm bill for the first time, marking a major step in strengthening the connection between our farms and food. In the 1980s, we saw the first ever conservation title, demonstrating the critical role of preserving land, water, and wildlife while supporting working farms. In the 1990s, thanks to the leadership of my friend Senator Patrick Leahy, we recognized evolving consumer preferences through the creation of the National Organic Program. There is, of course, the landmark 1996 farm bill, in which then-House Chairman Roberts first left his mark, tackling one of the biggest challenges in farm policy--reducing the incentive for farmers to plant for payments rather than for markets. prgtoken In 2008, I was proud to author the creation of the first-ever specialty crop title, recognizing fruit and vegetable growers and local food systems for the first time. prgtoken In 2014, we made major reforms to commodity programs, streamlined our conservation title, and made specialty crop resear
STANDING WITH THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AGAINST RUSSIAN AGGRESSION
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2018-12-13

I rise to support H. Res. 1162 and voice my outrage at continued Russian violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. prgtoken The list of Russian provocations is lengthy. prgtoken Russia has fueled the war in the Donbas, first by providing material and mercenary support to armed separatists and later by sending in troops to fight directly. Russia also illegally invaded and occupied the Crimean Peninsula. Additionally, Russian-backed separatists using Russian-supplied weaponry shot down a passenger airliner, killing 298 innocent civilians. To this day, Russia refuses to accept responsibility despite overwhelming evidence. Most recently, Russian ships seized and boarded Ukrainian vessels sailing between two Ukrainian ports in the Kerch Strait, detaining Ukrainian sailors. This violation of international law cannot go unmet. prgtoken What happens to Ukraine matters to the United States because violations of international borders and maritime law harm the United States. The United States benefits greatly from the rules-based order it set up with a coalition of countries after World War II. Any violation of these rules and norms must be responded to appropriately. Now that H. Res. 1162 has passed on voice vote, I call on my colleagues in Congress and the administration to explore further ways to hold Russia accountable for its blatant violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. Finally, as the Ukrainian government works to strengthen transparency and the rule of law, I urge my colleagues in Congress to be willing partners to secure the benefits of democracy and stability for the Ukrainian people.
HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF ANTHONY RAY HINTON
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2018-12-13

I stand before you today to honor the extraordinary life of Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton. Mr. Hinton was on death row for 30 years before being cleared of a crime he never committed. He has now written a memoir relaying his experiences and frequently speaks about the need for reform of our nation's criminal justice system. As we debate passage of legislation which would transform our criminal justice system, I believe it is important that Mr. Hinton's story is told and that his call for reform is heard in the halls of Congress. The story that led to Mr. Hinton's wrongful incarceration began in 1985 after the murder of two men in two separate armed robbery incidents at Birmingham restaurants. Later that year, a third restaurant manager in Bessemer was shot and wounded. The manager then identified Mr. Hinton from a photo lineup, even though Hinton was working at a warehouse 15 miles away on the night of the shooting. Despite the lack of evidence against him, Mr. Hinton was soon arrested. Police recovered six slugs from the crime scenes and the state forensics department matched them to a rusty .38 special that detectives took from Mr. Hinton's mother's home, where he lived. Mr. Hinton was charged with two counts of capital murder. He maintained his innocence and passed a lie detector test before his trial. During his arrest, Mr. Hinton says police refused to explain the charges against him, but they assured him that he would be convicted simply because he was black. Mr. Hinton's court-appointed attorney believed that most black people would lie about committing a crime, so he failed to represent the case adequately. Despite limited evidence and a sworn testimony provided by Mr. Hinton's employer stating that he had been at work on the night of the robbery, the jury convicted Mr. Hinton and sentenced him to death. To pass the days while serving his sentence, Mr. Hinton began to read and organized a book club for fellow prisoners. He made friends and says he never saw any of his fellow inmates as `monsters.' Instead, he learned to see the good in all people and believes it was his attitude that helped him survive. After a decade on death row, the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery took on Mr. Hinton's case. During their appeal, evidence was introduced from three forensic experts. Still, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals refused to overturn his convictions or grant a new trial. For 16 years, the Equal Justice Initiative continued to push for a retrial. Finally, in 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Hinton's original defense lawyer was ``constitutionally deficient,'' and remanded his case to the lower court for retrial. After the Supreme Court ruling, the Jefferson County District Attorney moved to drop his case. On April 3, 2015, Mr. Hinton was released from prison after three decades on death row. Mr. Hinton had 30 years of his life taken away from him. During this time his
HONORING BLAKE KINNETT
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2018-12-17

I rise today to honor Blake James Dale Kinnett of Alvin, Illinois. Blake is the son of John and Becky and brother to Kaitlyn and Garet. He is passionate about sports, especially baseball and basketball. By the age of 12, Blake was a two-time baseball state champion, and even played in a national tournament in Cooperstown, New York with the Illiana Chiefs. prgtoken Blake also enjoyed playing basketball in Alvin, where a court has been renamed in his honor. When Blake wasn't playing sports, he enjoyed spending time with his friends and family as well as fishing and turkey hunting. prgtoken In 2017, Blake was diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a disease that destroys the protective myelin sheath surrounding the brain's neurons. ALD affects 1 in 18,000 people, and to date there is no known cure. prgtoken After Blake's diagnosis, his community rallied around him and his family to sponsor fundraisers and help spread awareness about ALD. Blake, his family, and his community's efforts to spread awareness of this disease helped affect change in Illinois state law and led to the designation of December 1st as ``Blake Kinnett Day''. prgtoken , I wish to commend Blake for his resilience in facing his ALD diagnosis. Blake is an inspiration to everyone who hears his story. May God bless him and his family.
RECOGNIZING THE 136TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOTEL ROANOKE & CONFERENCE CENTER
Bob Goodlatte (Republican, VA) \u2014 2018-12-17

I am happy to recognize a National Historic Landmark located in my hometown of Roanoke, Virginia in the Sixth Congressional District. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center stands at the heart of Roanoke's downtown, on a hill in the Gainsboro neighborhood where it has been located for 136 years. prgtoken Roanoke was founded as the confluence of two railroads. The Norfolk and Western Railway established the city as its hub. The N&W--now Norfolk Southern--constructed the Hotel Roanoke and opened it on Christmas Day 1882. Since then, it has welcomed men, women, and children from all walks of life to enjoy the hotel's lodging, its amenities--including its Southern cuisine, like its famous peanut soup--and just the chance to spend time in one of the city's cultural centers. prgtoken Regretfully, due to declining interest in maintaining the historic structure, the Hotel Roanoke closed on November 30, 1989. The contents of the hotel were even sold to interested buyers. Fortunately, thanks to an agreement with Virginia Tech and the desire of community leaders to redevelop the dilapidated structure, more than 2,800 people and businesses pledged the funds needed to help the Renew Roanoke effort, which raised $8 million to save the hotel from demolition. prgtoken In a partnership that included the Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation and the City of Roanoke, the completely renovated Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center opened in April 1995. The city built a pedestrian bridge to connect the facility to the central business district, a vital connection that has contributed heavily to the rebirth of Roanoke's downtown. It's estimated in the 23 years since its reopening, the hotel and conference center has had a $558 million economic impact and has led to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional investments by a wide variety of housing interests, businesses, restaurants, and cultural amenities. prgtoken Affiliated as a Doubletree hotel from its reopening, the Hotel Roanoke & Conference recently converted to Hilton's Curio Collection. It's the latest update to take the structure known for its Tudor-style construction into a new role in Roanoke's growth. I've been blessed to enjoy countless happy occasions with family members and friends at ``the Grand Old Lady on the Hill.'' The Hotel Roanoke's 136th anniversary is just a week away. It's a fine time to celebrate not only the Christmas holidays but the contributions made by the Hotel Roanoke to the region's history and its very promising future.
TRIBUTE TO JAMES LEWIS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-12-17

I would like to take a moment to congratulate my friend, Leslie County clerk James Lewis, on his upcoming retirement from public service. For more than three decades, James has worked for his neighbors in local government, earning respect throughout the county and the Commonwealth. As he prepares to leave the Leslie County Clerk's Office, I want to thank him for his tireless work and dedication to our State. prgtoken First elected in 1985, James has been a fixture of his community for more than a generation. Of the many responsibilities of a county clerk, perhaps the most important is the operation and safeguarding of Americans' access to the ballot box. Throughout his service as county clerk, James has overseen nearly 60 elections, including every office from jailer to the President of the United States. Although the technologies involved may have changed, his commitment to his office has never wavered. I have had the pleasure to work with James on a number of projects throughout the years. His passion for the people of Leslie County is apparent in everything he does, and they have been served well by his time in office. prgtoken James became a respected leader among all 120 county clerks throughout the Commonwealth. From 1994 to this year, he served as the chairman of the Kentucky County Clerk's Association Election Committee, administrating election training for all other clerks for more than 20 years. Between 1999-2000, James served as the association's president. One of the association's initiatives, which James helped found, is the Help A Veteran Everyday, H.A.V.E Program. James spearheaded one of their projects, which involves repurposing license plates into bird houses. The finished products can then be purchased at the clerk's offices. Through these efforts, James is helping support Kentucky's men and women who served our Nation in uniform. prgtoken Whatever retirement may hold in store for James, I wish him all the best. Perhaps he will spend more time on his hobbies, like gardening or fishing. I have no doubt that he will be enjoying more time with his wife, Betty, daughters, Danika and Wendy, and grandchildren, Kelsey and R.J. As he begins his well-deserved retirement, I would like to congratulate James on a distinguished career. I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in thanking James for his remarkable public service to Leslie County and to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
RECOGNIZING LAKE ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2018-12-17

I rise today to congratulate Lake Road Elementary School of Poplar Bluff, Missouri for being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2018, a distinction bestowed upon only 349 public and private schools across the country. prgtoken The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. This award affirms Lake Road Elementary School's hard work in creating an environment for educational attainment that is recognized as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. prgtoken Lake Road Elementary provides a model for success to all schools by creating a nurturing environment that promotes student development through problem solving and exploration. Principal Erica Weadon inspires a passionate and purposeful mindset that resonates throughout the entire organization, from the teachers, administrators, students, and parents. This accomplishment will pay dividends for years to come as Lake Road Elementary continues to grow and flourish. prgtoken On behalf of the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri, it is my great privilege to congratulate the entire Lake Road Elementary School community for this remarkable achievement.