mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING CORPORAL RALPH M. SIMONI
Kevin Hern (Republican, OK) \u2014 2023-7-10

I rise to honor a very special veteran from Oklahoma's First Congressional District, U.S. Army Air Forces Corporal, Ralph M. Simoni. prgtoken Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 6, 1923, Cpl. Simoni is celebrating his 100th birthday today. In 1943, Cpl. Simoni began serving our Nation during World War II at one of the most consequential moments in human history. He bravely served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of the war from 1943 to 1946 and received a Victory Medal for doing his part to secure Victory Over Japan Day, better known as ``V-J Day'', that marked the end of the war on September 2, 1945. prgtoken Cpl. Simoni served as an airplane propeller mechanic in the pioneering 4th Glider Section of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Cpl. Simoni's work helped U.S. glider aircraft drop paratroopers and light artillery into enemy territory. Glider missions were dangerous and designed for a single purpose that resulted in very few of the aircraft ever being recovered. Cpl. Simoni and the 4th Glider Section conducted several successful missions in New Guinea, Luzon, and the South Philippines liberation campaigns of World War II. prgtoken Cpl. Simoni now lives in my hometown of Tulsa and is deservedly being recognized today as the precious American hero that he is by his friends and family. Following the recent celebration of Independence Day, it is my honor to thank Cpl. Simoni on behalf of a grateful Nation for his remarkable military service and wish him a very happy birthday.
RECOGNIZING THE RAPPAHANNOCK HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-7-10

I rise today in recognition of the Rappahannock High School Girls Tennis Team for capping off their undefeated season with the VHSL Class 1 State Championship. prgtoken On June 8th, the Raiders ended their season on a high note. At the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center at Virginia Tech, each member of the Rappahannock High School Girls Tennis Team had high level performances, defeating George Wythe 5-3. Leading up to the title match, the team had a 5-1 win over Buffalo Gap in the state semifinals and a 5-0 win over Riverheads in the state quarterfinals. prgtoken I would like to recognize Head Coach Ms. Taylor Yeatman for her great leadership throughout the season. Next, I would like to recognize the student-athletes themselves for their hard work: Mackenzie Ferguson, Layla Gaines, Haley Haydon, Ciera Mundie, Sadie Packett, Virginia Trible, Averil Vaughan, Addison Vaughn, Laney Williams, and Maggie Wonderling. prgtoken And finally, I would like to recognize the assistant coaches: Mr. Jamie Pritchard and Mr. Jackie Morris. prgtoken , I ask you to join me in recognizing the accomplishments and hard work of the student-athletes, coaches, and volunteers of the Rappahannock High School Girls Tennis Team. I look forward to seeing their continued excellence on the court.
RECOGNIZING HY-CAPACITY
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-7-10

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Hy- Capacity of Humboldt, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Hy-Capacity was founded by James ``Scratch'' Olson in 1978 in Pocahontas, IA, as a remanufacturer of agricultural farming equipment. In 1980, the business was relocated to Humboldt and focused on clutches, water pumps, and torque amplifier modifications. The company's name refers to Scratch's ability to take existing tractor parts and modify them for ``higher capacity'' uses for farmers. Hy- Capacity has evolved over the years and expanded to offer a wide range of agricultural equipment, including cab kits, radiators, and engine overhaul kits. They have grown their products globally and currently export their parts to Canada and Mexico. prgtoken Hy-Capacity is an exemplary family business. Scratch's sons Jeff and Steve work at Hy-Capacity. Steve became the president in the 1990s after working there since the company's inception. Steve currently serves as CEO, and his daughter Molly Varangkounh served as president from 2001 until 2022. Steve's son David now runs the day-to-day business operations. A fourth generation of the Olson family, Molly's daughter Claire, joined the family business as an intern from 2017 until 2021. Scratch Olson's legacy includes a multigenerational workforce and a thriving business committed to hard work, community involvement, and dedication to farmers. In 2023, Hy-Capacity celebrated its 45th business anniversary. prgtoken The Hy-Capacity team does not only work hard, but they also give back. In 2009, they won the Iowa Governor's Environmental Excellence Award and the Recycling Project/Facility of the Year by the Iowa Recycling Association. Hy-Capacity is involved with the Iowa Future Farmers of America, where they became the official sponsor for tractor seats at events in 2014. Another important partnership for Hy-Capacity is the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hy-Capacity shifted gears and started manufacturing masks and gowns for the hospital. In addition to the masks and gowns Hy-Capacity provided, they were able to assemble a group of volunteers that helped produce almost 200 additional masks. prgtoken Hy-Capacity's commitment to providing high-quality tractor parts to farmers throughout North America while maintaining their Humboldt roots is clear. I want to congratulate the Olson family and the entire team at Hy-Capacity for their continued dedication to providing affordable and high-quality parts to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR ROBERT BOURGEAU
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2023-7-10

today I have the distinct honor of recognizing U.S. Army MAJ Robert Bourgeau of Missoula County for his heroism on and off the battlefield. prgtoken Since graduating high school, Robert committed his life to military service. Growing up in Missoula, the uniform and the duty that came with wearing it inspired him. We all know being a member of the U.S. Armed Forces is more than a job; it is a noble calling to serve that translates beyond one's time spent in uniform. prgtoken On October 3, 2022, at Torii Station in Okinawa, Japan, Robert demonstrated his steadfast commitment to putting others before himself. Around 2 p.m. that day, Robert and some of the students he instructed in scuba diving were at Mermaid's Grotto, a diving spot in Okinawa, when they noticed a Japanese woman calling for help with her 11-year- old daughter and a U.S. soldier who were trapped in a rip current 100 yards off shore. As 6-foot waves came crashing in on the endangered snorkelers, Robert made his way to the young girl as well as her mother who became engulfed in the waves in the process. He grabbed them both and swam as hard as he could until he reached the shore and brought them both to safety. His strength and energy were depleting, yet he made his way back out to the dangerous waves for the soldier and was able to direct him safely to shore. prgtoken Robert's commitment to his oath to protect and serve sets him apart from his peers. Being willing to lay down his life for others is more than a choice; it is his duty. Robert is a proud husband, father, and grandfather, and I know his leadership and bravery are inspiring not only to his family, but people around the world. prgtoken It is my distinct honor to recognize U.S. Army MAJ Robert Bourgeau for his commitment to putting service over self. The Treasure State's rich legacy of military service is carried on for generations because of brave men like Robert. Thank you for your service. You make Montana proud.
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Session)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-7-10

reserving the right to object, the Senate has a lot of very important work to do. We have been out a couple of weeks, and it is time to get back to work. Senator Schumer, yesterday--or this past week--sent the ic caucus a long to-do list that includes keeping the government open, which is very important; our annual Defense bill, which is very important; addressing prescription drugs, which we are all very concerned about; the farm bill. There are a lot of other things that we have got to address in this caucus, in this room. Missing from that list was military nominations. prgtoken This is my 11th time standing up here and continuing to harp on the fact that we need to do something about this new policy that the Secretary of Defense has passed down and passed to the military. So far this year, dozens of lower level military nominations have passed through unanimous consent, but a number of important nominations are pending or will soon be pending. prgtoken General Smith's, as the Senator just brought up, is one of the most important. I have got a great deal of admiration for General Smith. prgtoken Earlier today, General Smith became the acting head of the Marine Corps. He is doing the same exact job which he has been doing for several years. The only difference is that today he is an acting official. This has minimal effect on his ability to lead. prgtoken There may be a delay in his planning guidance, and he cannot yet move into the Commandant's residence. But there is little doubt about General Smith's ability to lead effectively, even now. There is little doubt that soon he will be confirmed. prgtoken I have met with General Smith. I have got great respect and admiration for what he has done. General Smith has dedicated nearly four decades to the Marine Corps. He has got a record to be very proud of. During our meeting, General Smith assured me that he was committed to keeping politics out of the military. And for me to vote for somebody, that is exactly what I am looking for: keep politics out of the military. prgtoken The Marine Corps has done an excellent job of staying mission- focused. One result is, because of that, the marines are the only branch that is meeting its recruiting goals. I believe that the Marine Corps is in good hands now with General Smith. prgtoken But if Chairman Reed and the are so concerned, let's vote. That is all I keep asking for. Let's vote on these nominees. prgtoken This week, the Senate will consider a DOJ nomination for an office that has around 20 employees--20 employees. I agree that this is an important nomination, but surely the Commandant of the Marine Corps is more important. So if the are so worried about General Smith being an acting official, then let's vote. I keep asking for that. Let's vote and clear this up. prgtoken With that, I object.
U.S. Supreme Court (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-7-11

the Supreme Court finished up its term recently by releasing several decisions that did not result in the ' preferred outcomes. The hysteria was instant and, unfortunately, predictable. ``Disappointing and cruel,'' the Senate ic leader chastised one decision. ``Unacceptable and indefensible'' said another ic Senator. ``Horrifying'' was another response from a ic Senator. prgtoken Then there was the President of the United States who said: This is not a normal court. prgtoken Not a normal court--never mind the fact that this Court, like others before it, is composed of nine Justices duly nominated and confirmed in accordance with the Constitution, sitting and interpreting the law. Apparently, the fact that this Court has issued decisions disagree with makes this ``not a normal court.'' prgtoken Well, here is the list of thoroughly unradical decisions that have so horrified members of the ic party: The Court ruled that universities cannot make admissions decisions based upon the color of someone's skin. The Court ruled that the President does not have the right to create a massive student loan forgiveness program without clear authority from Congress. The Court ruled that the First Amendment does actually protect Americans from being forced by the Government to speak messages with which they disagree. prgtoken These are the rulings that Members of the ic party consider ``cruel and indefensible.'' prgtoken Continuing with the theme of ic hysteria, the ic leader said on Sunday that the Supreme Court had achieved ``dangerous'' and ``regressive'' policies ``completely at odds with what the vast majority of Americans want.'' prgtoken Now, I am not sure he has that quite right. I know the recent decisions are at odds with what the ic party wants, but the vast majority of Americans do not seem to be at odds with the Court's decisions. Take the Court's decision in favor of the First Amendment. It turns out that more Americans support that decision than oppose it. The same goes for the Court's student loan decision. prgtoken Public opinion is decidedly in favor of the Court's decision ruling that the Constitution does not allow universities to make admissions decisions on the basis of race. One poll found that 52 percent of the American people approve--approve--of the Court's decision, while just 32 percent disapprove. Another poll found that 59 percent of Americans approve of the Court's decision, while just 27 percent disapprove. prgtoken It seems that the Court is a lot more in line with Americans than the ic party would like to think. prgtoken Let me offer a few more statistics about this supposedly abnormal court. prgtoken Let's put things in context here for just a moment. prgtoken Nearly half of the cases decided by the Supreme Court in this term were decided unanimously--almost half. That means that all o
HONORING THE LEGACY OF FRANK KONCILYA
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr. (Republican, MT) \u2014 2023-7-11

. Madam , today I rise to honor a great Montanan whose service to this country will never be forgotten and whose passing will be mourned by many across the Treasure State. prgtoken Frank Koncilya was born in Roundup, Montana, where he graduated high school in 1942. After graduation, Frank was drafted into the United States Army and was quickly shipped off to England in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. prgtoken Frank landed on Utah Beach nearly 2 hours before the main invasion on D-day and served with distinction on that fateful day. After the Allies secured northern France, Frank's platoon was deployed to Belgium, where he was one of only two survivors in a fierce battle. prgtoken Frank was awarded five Bronze Star Medals for his heroic service. After the war, Frank became a teacher and an active member of the American Legion in Lewistown, Montana. prgtoken Frank's service to his country and his commitment to education are a perfect example of Montana values. It was an honor to represent him in Congress, and it is a privilege to recognize his legacy in the United States House of Representatives.
HONORING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF AUDREY SMITH
Pat Fallon (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-11

I rise today to recognize Ms. Audrey Smith for earning the dean's list award at the First Robotics World Competition in Houston, Texas. Ms. Smith is one of ten students who received recognition for her leadership, team efforts, and community involvement. prgtoken A native of Rockwall, Texas, Ms. Smith is currently a rising senior at Rockwall High School. As a student, she focuses on science, technology, engineering, math, and college preparatory courses. In her junior year, she led her competitive robotics team and received numerous honors for her work, including the Honor Roll and the President's Volunteer Service Award. After graduation, Ms. Smith plans to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and study mechanical engineering. prgtoken During her free time, Ms. Smith takes opportunities to further her knowledge of robotics and participates in her school's varsity tennis team, where she was the top ranked player in her sophomore and junior years. Additionally, she is an accomplished pianist, recreational shooter, and scuba diver. I'm proud to represent such talented students in my district, and I have no doubt that she will continue to be an exceptional example for her peers. prgtoken I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol to recognize Ms. Smith's outstanding academic performance and entrepreneurial spirit. I wish her the best of luck and continued success in the new school year.
NATO (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-7-11

right now, President and other NATO leaders are convening in Lithuania. The way I see it, there are four key objectives for this important summit: securing more Western support for Ukraine; improving NATO's own military capabilities; strengthening collective resolve against the primary threats posed by China, Russia, and terrorists; and welcoming Sweden to the alliance. I am encouraged by the progress NATO is making towards each of these objectives, but there is more work to be done. prgtoken As transatlantic leaders confer about how to help Ukraine defeat Russian aggression, it is significant they are doing so in a Baltic country--itself once a ``captive nation'' subjected to decades-long Soviet occupation. The Baltics' proud history of resistance drives their active contributions to NATO and extensive contributions from their own arsenals to Ukraine's fight. prgtoken Decades after the fall of the Soviet Union, brutal Russian occupation has now found a new target, and the fate of Ukraine's resistance continues to depend on Western support. Western allies should use this week's summit to commit even more critical capabilities to tip the balance of forces in Ukraine's favor. prgtoken Time is of the essence for allies to increase production of critical munitions and to send longer range, more sophisticated, and more lethal systems to the frontlines. In this regard, I welcome President 's decision to provide Ukraine cluster munitions to improve its defense against Russian invaders. prgtoken However overdue, these munitions will both improve Ukraine's capability to strike Russian forces and compensate for shortfalls in standard artillery rounds. Despite vocal opposition from his own party, the President ultimately made the right call. prgtoken The fact of the matter is, Russia has been using cluster munitions for months in Ukraine. American cluster munitions have a substantially lower failure rate than the Russian munitions. And while the risk of unexploded ordnance is not zero, it is fantasy to believe that wars can be fought without risk. prgtoken Here is the bottom line: It should be up to Ukraine whether to employ these effective weapons on its own soil. prgtoken Plenty of liberals have criticized President for this decision. The New York Times editorial board suggested that helping Ukraine match capabilities its aggressors are already using amounts to ``a clear escalation of the conflict.'' The senior Senator from Vermont suggested yesterday that the President should be concerned about what ``the rest of the world feels'' about these weapons. Never mind that providing these capabilities to Ukraine will save lives by facilitating a counteroffensive designed to stop Russia's conscious efforts to kill civilians. prgtoken If liberals are truly concerned about civilian casualties in Ukraine, they should support giving our friends the capabilities they need to end Russia's brutal war
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-7-11

I recognize Jeannie Mitchell Baumgardner, the Gulf County Teacher of the Year from Wewahitchka Elementary School in Wewahitchka, FL. prgtoken Jeannie believes each of her students brings positive impacts amongst each other and plays an important role in ensuring they are successful. She values each day as a new opportunity to prepare her students for the challenges they will face throughout their lives. prgtoken Jeannie enthusiastically begins her classes with activities that are meant to make learning fun and leaves a lasting impression on her students. She finds teaching a fulfilling job, allowing her to impart the lessons she has learned to the next generation of leaders. prgtoken Jeannie has been an elementary school teacher since 2018 and teaches third grade at Wewahitchka Elementary School. She is a graduate of Florida State University. prgtoken I convey my profound appreciation and extend my best wishes to Jeannie for her commitment to her students. I look forward to hearing about her continued good work in the years to come.
RECOGNIZING DONNA FARGO
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-7-11

. Madam , it is undeniable that charter schools provide students with excellent opportunities in education, which give them capabilities they can use to pursue the American Dream. prgtoken When students are allowed to learn in an environment that works best for them and one that accounts for their individual proficiencies, they flourish. This is a simple fact. prgtoken A recent study conducted by Stanford University's Center for Research on Education Outcomes analyzed the educational performances of 1.8 million charter school students. The study found that these students outperformed their traditional public school counterparts on multiple metrics. prgtoken The typical charter school student gained the equivalent growth of 16 additional days of learning in reading and 6 additional days in math compared to their peers in traditional public schools. prgtoken At a time when the reading and math scores of our Nation's students have plummeted, the results of this study serve as a beacon of hope for millions of American families. prgtoken Simply put, charter schools serve as conduits of opportunity. prgtoken For example, the study revealed that, on average, Black students who were enrolled in charter schools gained the equivalent growth of 35 days in reading and 29 days in math compared to their public school counterparts. Hispanic students in charter schools were recorded as having a sizable leg up, as well. When it came to reading, they were 30 days ahead. In math, they were 19 days ahead. prgtoken These results make a succinct and compelling argument as to why charter schools are viable alternatives to traditional public schools. prgtoken Unfortunately, the success of charter schools is being outright ignored by the administration. This is predictable behavior, mainly because the educational bureaucracy and teachers unions have President wrapped around their little fingers. prgtoken The defenders of the status quo, those who fight tooth and nail to prop up failing public schools, can rest assured that the Education and the Workforce Committee will not be joining them in their future efforts. Instead, the committee will continue to promote choice so parents and students are empowered to choose the best learning environment that meets their needs. prgtoken The status quo is withering and dying on the vine. This is sad, but there is an alternative, and that is something to celebrate.