mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING THE OPENING OF THE NEW STONEGATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CAMPUS
Kenny Marchant (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today to recognize and congratulate StoneGate Christian Academy on the opening of their new school campus, located in Irving, Texas. prgtoken Founded in 1976 as a ministry of the Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, StoneGate Christian Academy was built to foster the educational and spiritual needs of the prospering communities that made up its congregation. prgtoken In 2008, the Academy's board of directors faced the tremendous hardship of having to relocate their campus to two separate buildings, neither of which possessed the facilities to adequately host StoneGate Christian Academy's growing student body. By the grace of God, StoneGate Christian Academy continued to grow for the next nine years. During this time, StoneGate leased practice venues for its sports teams, band, choir, and drama programs, in order to ensure its students access to their sports and award-winning fine arts programs. prgtoken In 2014, word began to spread that the Lakewood Baptist Church in Irving, Texas, was considering selling its property. After two years of discussion and prayer, Lakewood Baptist Church's board of directors reached a decision to sell the property to StoneGate Christian Academy in December of 2016. For the next seven months, StoneGate worked tirelessly to raise enough finds to complete the purchase of its new academy campus, which includes a schoolyard, auditorium, and gym. Through the tireless efforts of alumni, students, parents, teachers, and staff, StoneGate Christian Academy now has adequate facilities to support its growing student body and sustain this growth well into the future. prgtoken Today, StoneGate serves as one of the most affordable private Christian schools in North Texas, providing an outstanding education to its students and teaching valuable lessons about community service and civic duty. prgtoken , I am honored to recognize StoneGate Christian Academy and congratulate them on the opening of their new campus in Irving, Texas. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating StoneGate Christian Academy for this monumental achievement.
IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF EMIL OGDEN
Bill Flores (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-7-28

I appreciate the gentleman for Texas sharing the story about Megan with this Chamber, and I look forward to supporting him in his efforts to try to keep these things from happening again in the future. prgtoken , I rise today to honor Emil Ogden of College Station, Texas, who passed away on July 25, 2017. prgtoken Emil Ogden was born on September 15, 1927, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. He was raised by his loving mother, Mary Ogden, in Bowling Green, Missouri. Growing up during the worst of the Great Depression, Emil experienced poverty firsthand and lived in a one-room house. To provide for her son, Emil's mother worked as a maid at his grandfather's hotel for $2 a week. To help the family, Emil worked any odd job he could find. prgtoken During this time, an act of kindness from a member of the local Rotary Club would change his life. Emil was enamored with baseball and would often visit the local hardware store owned by Rotary Club member Ed Dunlap. Ed noticed that Emil loved baseball but could not afford the equipment. He sent a bat, a glove, and a ball to Emil. The care that Ed and the Rotary members showed to Emil put his life on a better course. prgtoken Emil valued their support, once stating: ``I could have been very rebellious as a child. Things like poverty can make you grow up with some resentment. But all of a sudden, I had a whole town of surrogate fathers, and they cared about me. It motivated me to be a better example as a young man. The leaders of the community who we respected were all members of the Rotary, and I didn't want to disappoint them after they had taken an interest in me.'' prgtoken In 1945, Emil joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 503rd Army Air Forces Base Unit, better known as the Brass Hat Squadron. The Brass Hat Squadron was a group of esteemed Army pilots whose job it was to fly high-profile persons around the world to significant events. prgtoken Based out of Washington National Airport, the squadron flew senior government officials, including senators and congressmen, U.S. and foreign dignitaries and, military leaders, among others. prgtoken Personally, Emil flew dignitaries to events such as the Nuremberg war trials, the atomic bomb tests on Bikini Atoll, and the national independence celebration in the Philippines. Due to his service in the military, Emil had visited more than 30 countries before his 20th birthday. prgtoken In 1947, Emil married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Clementine Lindeman. prgtoken Clementine was the center of Emil's life for over 69 years. Her support and encouragement always kept Emil grounded. Their love and commitment to each other, their Catholic faith, and the values upon which they built their lives, endured until his death. Together they had six children, whom they both loved dearly. At the time of his passing, their legacy included 22 grandchildren, and 12 great- grandchildren. prgtoken After his service
HONORING BENTON POLICE CHIEF KIRK LANE
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today in honor of Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane's appointment as the new Arkansas Drug Officer. His experience and activism truly embody what all states need in the fight against illegal narcotics. prgtoken Chief Lane is a graduate of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy and the FBI National Academy. prgtoken After graduation, Chief Lane spent 20 years with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, where he served as the Captain of Criminal Investigations. prgtoken Chief Lane has gone above and beyond his duty in the fight against illegal narcotics by participating in many organizations, including the Arkansas Drug and Alcohol Coordinating Council, the Arkansas Prescription Drug Advisory Board, and the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Board. prgtoken As a recipient of the 2010 Benton Citizen of the Year Award and the 2012 Marie Interfaith Award, Chief Lane is recognized for his exceptional character and devotion to community. prgtoken I'm proud of my friend Chief Lane, who has proven his devotion to law and order, and he will be a great addition to Arkansas's Drug Enforcement Agency to fight against narcotics and reduce the crime rate
CONGRATULATING THE SERGEANT ANDREW BRUCHER VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 5499
John J. Faso (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-7-28

today I rise to congratulate Sgt. Andrew Brucher Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5499, located in Kauneonga Lake, New York, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary on August 5, 2017. prgtoken At its anniversary dinner, the Post will honor two very special people: Mrs. Mabel Brucher, a Gold Star Mother, and Mr. Raymond Jankowski, a veteran of the Second World War and founding Charter Member of Post 5499. prgtoken Post 5499 is named for Sgt. Andrew Carl Brucher, son of Leo and Mabel Brucher of Smallwood, New York. Sgt. Brucher was inducted into the Army on November 8, 1965, arrived in Vietnam on January 6, 1967, and died on April 4, 1967, in Da Nang, Vietnam. Having served honorably, Sgt. Brucher was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. prgtoken Honoring those who serve our nation should be a top priority for all Americans, and the VFW is an essential organization that fosters camaraderie among American veterans and advocates on their behalf. Congratulations to Post 5499 on this milestone anniversary.
HONORING CYNTHIA K. DOHNER FOR 24 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today to recognize the public service career of Cynthia K. Dohner. Cindy served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with distinction and honor for more than 24 years and will leave the Service on August 30, 2017. prgtoken Cindy's love of the outdoors began while fishing Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River prgtoken with her father and tagging along on his deer hunting trips. It was at this point in her life that she knew that she wanted to make a positive difference. Those experiences set her on a course that led to a bachelor's degree in marine biology, a master's degree in fisheries and aquaculture, and a long career protecting fish and wildlife and the untamed places upon which they depend. prgtoken Cindy made conservation her career. She has worked for a private environmental consulting firm and held positions in several state and federal agencies before joining the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993. Prior to her time in the Southeast Region, Cindy worked with the Service's Division of Fish Hatcheries and as the Branch Chief for Recovery and Consultation in Washington, D.C. She came to Atlanta in 1999 to serve as the Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services and later served as Deputy Regional Director. prgtoken For the last seven years, Cindy has led the Southeast Region in a daily mission to make a difference for fish, wildlife, plants and the people who live and work in communities across the region. As Regional Director, she provided vision and leadership for more than 1,300 employees in 10 southeastern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has continuously worked toward producing successful management solutions that have positively influenced our national conservation efforts. On any given day, you are just as likely to find her working with employees and partners on issues as big as the restoration of Louisiana's coast and as small but no less consequential as the partnership work and proactive conservation that led to removing the Georgia aster from the list of candidate species under the Endangered Species Act. prgtoken I witnessed Cindy's dedication to protecting and conserving America's natural resources firsthand while working together with her to restore Louisiana's coast and the Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. At the time of the spill in 2010, she led an extraordinary effort to respond to this unprecedented event that deployed thousands of employees to stations in four Gulf Coast states over the first year. Additionally, she was instrumental in securing funds to rebuild Brenton Island--an area that has provided protection for our bird habitat as well as fishing habitat for Louisiana's saltwater anglers. Whether the need was simple or more complicated, she worked tirelessly to solve a host of environmental and economic needs. While serving as the Department of the Interior's Authorized Official for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Re
VA SENIOR EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Scott Taylor (Republican, VA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 2772, the VA Senior Executive Accountability Act. prgtoken This bipartisan bill brings transparency and accountability to senior VA leadership. prgtoken , my area has the fastest growing veterans population in the Nation. Our OIF, our OEF, and our women's veterans population is rapidly growing. prgtoken Recently, our main VA hospital was rated at a one-star out of a five- star rating. In making a change, the VA simply swapped out the underperforming leadership with another VA hospital. prgtoken This, , is unacceptable. prgtoken My bill would require the VA to issue reports on any reassignment of VA leadership and how much the cost is. Additionally, the Secretary of the VA would have to personally sign off on the reassignment. prgtoken , veterans need to trust that they are getting the best care possible. They need to trust that they will have transparency. They need to trust that there will be accountability. prgtoken I want to thank the chairman, the ranking member, and all those on the committee for their work, their dedication, and their commitment to upholding our sacred responsibility of care for those who upheld their own sacred responsibility to our Nation.
PASSING EXTENSION OF THE VETERANS CHOICE ACT
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I am pleased that the House was able to pass the extension of the Veterans Choice Act funding for an additional 6 months to allow veterans to have choices, the ability to not wait in long lines, long lists, and have local proximity to treatment and care that they need. prgtoken We need to do much more on this in the future, but with today's action, at least we can sustain that program for an additional amount of time and serve our veterans who served us so well. prgtoken The Veterans Choice Act is a good outlet, a good opportunity for them to receive the care they need timely and in proximity to where they live. prgtoken , let's make sure the Senate gets this through and our veterans are served well.
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM WAR MEMORIAL ACT
Keith J. Rothfus (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I thank the gentleman from California for yielding. prgtoken , I rise in the strongest support possible for this bill to begin the process of establishing a memorial to honor the servicemembers of our longest war. prgtoken 5,799 days ago, on a crystal blue September morning, we came face to face with an evil as old as time. Within days, our military was engaged, and within weeks, we sustained our first prgtoken casualties. Our latest loss happened this very month. prgtoken They came from every walk of American life, from the North, the South, the East, the West, every race, color, and creed, men and women. prgtoken The memorial authorized in this bill will allow the Nation to remember not only those who did not come home, but also those with life-changing injuries, visible and invisible, the incomprehensible and too often unnoticed stress on the spouses and children of those deployed, and the sacrifices of those who put their stateside lives on hold to serve. prgtoken , amidst the divisions in our country today, we need this memorial now more than ever, yes, to remember our fallen, but also to bind us together as we reflect upon their sacrifice for the transcendent ideals upon which this country was founded. prgtoken , I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin, the gentleman from Arizona, and the gentleman from Massachusetts for their work on this legislation and for their service to our country.
200TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLONEL SYLVANUS THAYER
John Shimkus (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today to recognize the 200th anniversary of Colonel Sylvanus Thayer entering West Point as the fifth superintendent of the United States Military Academy. prgtoken Colonel Thayer served 16 years as superintendent and is remembered as the ``Father of the Military Academy.'' He is responsible for innovations that evolved the Academy into the world's premier leader development institution. His character-based leadership education system set new standards that are still expected of all cadets today. prgtoken The current superintendent is General Bob Caslen, who carries on Colonel Thayer's traditions and instills the ideals of duty, honor, and country in our future leaders. prgtoken To that end, the West Point Class of 2017 just graduated, and I congratulate the 936 commissioned 2nd lieutenants of the United States Army as they take their place in the long gray line. The class of 2017 has just begun with 1,230 members beginning their West Point experience. prgtoken I thank Colonel Thayer and those who follow him for exhibiting courage and developing leaders of character in the defense of our country. With that, I say: Beat Navy.
HONORING THE LIFE OF LARRY JEFF ELEY, SR.
Jody B. Hice (Republican, GA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today to honor Larry Jeff Eley, Sr a friend and strong advocate for farmers, growers, and landowners in my home district. He passed away suddenly at the age of 71 on July 17. prgtoken He was well known in Greene County, Georgia, as a gentle giant and will be remembered for his love for his family and his tireless efforts as president of the Greene County Farm Bureau and his steadfast leadership in the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. prgtoken Farming was Larry's life. He was a guiding force in the community, who actively worked with State and local leaders to foster and promote a better understanding of agriculture. He was a leading voice for Georgia's farmers. Larry's legacy will better ensure that our children and grandchildren will experience the same opportunities to enjoy the natural resources of Georgia's 10th Congressional District just as our parents and grandparents. prgtoken Mr. Eley is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy, and their four children and their grandchildren. Dee Dee and I both extend our thoughts and prayers to the family during this time of bereavement. prgtoken , I am grateful to have known Larry and to witness his passion firsthand. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his unyielding commitment to the State of Georgia and our agriculture community.
JOHN MILLER RETIRES FROM THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
Paul Cook (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of John Miller, who will retire from his position as the U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Officer for the San Bernardino National Forest on July 31, 2017. prgtoken My office has had the pleasure of working with John over the past four and a half years. On numerous occasions, John demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond to serve my constituents and forest visitors. He has repeatedly shown his dedication to the Forest Service's mission and has been instrumental in balancing multiple and sometimes competing uses of the most heavily urbanized forest in the nation. prgtoken In addition to his work as a public affairs officer, John was the Public Information Officer for a Federal Interagency Management Team and served on the U.S. Forest Service Honor Guard. John is a true professional in every sense of the word, and I wish him the best of luck as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BONUS TRANSPARENCY ACT
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise in support of S. 114, which will continue funding the Choice Program, an important reform to make sure that our veterans have access to quality care. prgtoken For too long, our veterans, , have been trapped in a system that has failed them. They are in a single-payer system. We put them in a system that the Members of Congress wouldn't sign up for. For years, we haven't give them the same choice that we have given Medicaid patients and Medicare patients. prgtoken The Choice Program isn't just common sense, it is common decency. We have asked these men and women to serve and to sacrifice for our freedom. They deserve the very best care. The only way they are going to get the best care is to have choice when they have geographic challenges or are waiting in line. prgtoken We have all read the reports about how our veterans have waited in line, have gotten sicker, and some even died. It is unconscionable and unacceptable. prgtoken I am so grateful that, in an institution that has a reputation of gridlock and dysfunction, we have a committee with leaders like Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz who will come together and put America first. So I am heartened by this and I applaud their leadership. prgtoken I support this continuation of funding and the improved access to care for our heroes. I thank the chairman for the privilege of serving under the leadership of his committee.
IN CELEBRATION OF JAMES W. PARISH AS 2017 AVIATION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Thomas J. Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-7-28

. Mr , I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of James W. Parish, executive director of the Punta Gorda Airport, who was recently recognized as the 2017 Aviation Professional of the Year by the Florida Department of Transportation. prgtoken Every year, the Florida Department of Transportation honors one executive member of the aviation community with the title of Aviation Professional of the Year. The recipient is selected based on the management and logistical organization of their airport, as well as the safety and technological advancements that take place under their watch. prgtoken Mr. Parish earned this award because of the impressive progress that the Punta Gorda Airport has made under his leadership and his overall contributions to the Charlotte County community. During his tenure in Punta Gorda, Mr. Parish elevated the airport from one that only served the general aviation community to one that now offers commercial services and has brought over $200 million dollars into the local economy while serving over 1 million customers. Under his guidance, the airport has modernized and streamlined its safety protocols while still maintaining a low-cost business model. prgtoken , I would like to congratulate Mr. Parish and thank him for all that he has done for the Punta Gorda community. He is truly deserving of the Aviation Professional of the Year award, and I am honored to represent him in Congress.
PRAISING PRO-ACT
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-7-28

I rise today to praise the work of the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania. The council provides resources and opportunities to reduce the impact of addiction, trauma, and other health-related issues for the five counties in southeastern Pennsylvania through intervention, education, and mobilization. prgtoken Established in 1997 by the council, PRO-ACT works to provided advocacy and residence for those suffering from the terrible disease of addiction. Through workshops and peer advocacy meetings for afflicted individuals and families, addiction victims can get back on their feet and learn necessary skills for both recovery and entering the workforce. prgtoken I am proud to work with my constituent, Executive Director Beverly Haberle, and her administrative team, Cindy Mikalauskas and Stacey Conaway. prgtoken , I want to share the words of a man named Jim, who stated that, through PRO-ACT, ``A fire was lit inside of me, my spirit rekindled by hope.'' prgtoken Recovery from addiction is difficult, and it is up to remarkable associations like the council to serve the southeastern Pennsylvania community and make sure that these people can successfully beat this devastating disease.
27TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Neal P. Dunn (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-7-28

this week marks the 27th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. The Act stands on the principle that no matter one's disability, whether it be visible or invisible, the Constitution and laws of the United States protect us all. Personally, I appreciate and support how this law protects the rights and opportunities for our wounded warriors. I welcome my colleagues to join me in marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its contributions to equal rights in the United States.