mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE LIFE OF NAZAR L. NAZARIAN
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-9-5

as family, friends, and community members gather to celebrate the life of Nazar L. Nazarian, I would like to join in paying tribute to his memory. Mr. Nazarian passed away on August 28, 2023, after a life filled with numerous professional and personal accomplishments. prgtoken Mr. Nazarian was a prominent member of the Armenian community, a successful businessman, and a fixture of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). From the Levon and Satenig Nazarian Primary School in Lebanon to the Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center, to name just a few, Mr. Nazarian's philanthropic endeavors support Armenians across the globe. Likewise, his vision to connect and promote the Armenian community led to the construction of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon and the AGBU Armenia building in Yerevan. He also focused his philanthropic endeavors to serve the Church, supporting the construction of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York and the St. Dertad chapel at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan, among others. prgtoken His commitment to faith, culture and the arts, as well as social and humanitarian causes have left an indelible mark on the community. Mr. Nazarian lived his life in service to his community and his passion to help others is evident. prgtoken Born in Aleppo, Syria and raised in Lebanon, Mr. Nazarian immigrated to the United States in the 1950s. Together with his late wife Artemis Topjian, Mr. Nazarian instilled in their children the importance of hard work and community service. Mr. Nazarian leaves behind a loving family, including his daughter Seta, son Levon and his wife Claudia, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, who will no doubt continue the Nazarian legacy of charity and compassion. prgtoken , I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring Nazar L. Nazarian for his devotion to family, faith, and community. His generous spirit and impact on the Armenian community both here and abroad will continue to be felt for generations to come.
RECOGNIZING BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM "BILL" R. DAVIS, NEW HAMPSHIRE AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-9-5

I rise today to congratulate William ``Bill'' R. Davis on his promotion to Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Air National Guard. With nearly 3 decades of dedicated service, William has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to keeping our country safe and secure. prgtoken His current work as the Chief of Staff--Air at the Joint Force Headquarters in New Hampshire speaks to his exceptional leadership skills. He has displayed substantial strategic planning abilities as he implements crucial policies in this role. He is also an advisor to New Hampshire's Joint Legislative Liaison team, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the effectiveness of our national security efforts. prgtoken Bill attended Boston University where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1989. From there he attended basic training as well as U.S. Army Airborne School and RIARNG Officer Candidate School. In December 1996, he received his commission from the Rhode Island Army National Guard and joined the New Hampshire Air National Guard in 1998. He has since been a longstanding resident of New Hampshire, giving back to his community and residents of the Granite State. His dedication to public service and New Hampshire is evident through his previous roles, including Director of Staff--Air at the Joint Force Headquarters in New Hampshire. prgtoken In addition to his extensive service, Bill possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, having successfully completed rigorous training programs such as Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. His exemplary service has been recognized through his award of the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. prgtoken Bill's remarkable career also includes leadership roles as the Vice Commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing, squadron command, deputy group command, and tours at the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Embassy in El Salvador. He has also served in leadership for the Director of Staff Advisory Council and the Regional Economic Development Center. While we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe him for his honorable contributions, we recognize his decades of dedicated service and the profound impact he has had on our Nation. prgtoken On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I congratulate Bill on his promotion to Brigadier General and commend him for his tireless service to our Nation and the great state of New Hampshire. This promotion marks a significant milestone, and I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in his distinguished career.
Business Before the Senate (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-5

welcome back to you and our great staff, and it is good to be back. prgtoken Leader McConnell will speak after me here on the floor, and I am glad to see him back and doing well. prgtoken , let me begin by welcoming back all of our Senators from the August work period. August was a busy month for all of us back home, a time to listen to constituents about what is on their minds, like lowering costs and increasing paychecks. prgtoken It was also a time for ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings as the historic investments that made come to fruition; and, of course, it was a time to prepare for the very busy month in front of us. prgtoken On the implementation side, August was a month of action, of groundbreakings, celebrating new factories and new good-paying jobs that will stick around for a long, long time. When a parent sees his or her son or daughter get these jobs, they know they are going to be around for a long time; they are not going to be gone in 2 or 3 years. It is a great thing for optimism and the future of America. prgtoken And it was even nice to see McCarthy in my home State of New York, celebrating the new jobs secured by , when he visited JMA Wireless last month. I have been there many times too. In fact, it was from my own visits there and to other companies across New York that I saw firsthand the opportunity to invest in companies like JMA by buy-in-America provisions that we added to the legislation, and it helped us shape the Inflation Reduction Act. prgtoken As the saw with his own eyes, ' investments are already bearing fruit. In just one year alone, the Inflation Reduction Act alone has resulted in over 200 new clean energy jobs and created 170,000 new good-paying jobs, and it is projected to create another 1.5 million jobs over the next decade. Pick any region of the country, and you will have no trouble seeing ' agenda in action. prgtoken One of the amazing visits I went to was in Allegany County in Upstate New York. It is in Appalachia. By income levels, it is one of the poorest counties prgtoken in our State. And there, the Inflation Reduction Act is blowing new life into Ljungstrom. This is a company that used to make coal technology equipment and has transitioned to making parts for wind turbines and is hiring 150 new workers, all in a place where people thought they didn't have much of a history, because they knew the coal industry was declining. prgtoken It has happened all over America. In Georgia, Hyundai and LG announced they are increasing their multibillion dollar investment towards a major EV and battery manufacturing plant, one that will be the State's largest project ever, creating thousands of good-paying jobs in years to come. And in New Mexico, Arcosa broke ground on a new wind tower production facility expected to create 250 new jobs. These jobs will help fill the over $1 billion worth of wind tower order
Opioid Epidemic (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-9-5

over the last few years, we have all witnessed a devastating rise in fentanyl overdoses. While I have been around Tennessee this month and visiting with so many citizens and local elected officials, I have heard a lot about this and about how Tennessee has really not escaped this threat. prgtoken In 2021, the latest year for which we have stats, there were over 4,000 Tennesseans that lost their lives to fentanyl overdose. Equally as concerning is the amount of fentanyl that local law enforcement is finding. This is something that they see coming up in routine investigations. prgtoken They are trying to protect their citizens. They are doing all they can. They are distributing and using Narcan, trying to save precious lives, and they feel like the fentanyl just keeps coming. prgtoken There have been several significant seizures in Tennessee this year. Just last week, police were chasing down a stolen out-of-State car in Dyersburg, TN. While they were trying to locate the fleeing suspect from that stolen car, they discovered a lunch box that he had dropped. When they looked in the lunch box, they found 750 suspected fentanyl pills. The street value is over $14,000. That is in rural West Tennessee, in Dyersburg, TN. prgtoken Law enforcement officials in Knoxville found thousands of grams of fentanyl in one man's possession. They found it in his car, and they found it in his house. prgtoken In Bledsoe County, the drug task force recovered a thousand pills that were disguised, made to look like oxycodone--again, in rural Tennessee. These pills that were manufactured to look like oxycodone each contained lethal doses of fentanyl. prgtoken We hear these stories popping up all across the country, but we continue to see these massive amounts that are in seizures. Last year, the DEA seized more than 58.3 million fentanyl-laced pills and more than 13,000 pounds of fentanyl. This constitutes 388 million lethal doses of fentanyl. prgtoken This year, border agents intercepted over 22,000 pounds of fentanyl, more than double what they seized during the same time period last year. That was just what they managed to catch. Think about what is coming in with the ``got-aways.'' These are the people the border agents can see on surveillance video, but they cannot get to them. The stats I have just given you are what they are seizing. But think about what they don't apprehend and what is coming in with these cartels and coming in with the ``got-aways.'' prgtoken We have to realize that fentanyl is so deadly. The equivalent of four grains of sand can kill you. That is how deadly it is. prgtoken And as a mom, as a grandmom, to hear these stories, it is just absolutely heartbreaking of lives which are lost. Fentanyl is now the No. 1 killer of Americans age 18 to 45. This is something that needs our attention. prgtoken When I was over in Chattanooga, they were telling me the story about a 2-year-old who died, and when the me
HOMETOWN HERO EDDY KETCHERSID
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-9-5

I rise today to recognize Eddy Ketchersid, who retired earlier this year as a Senior Minister at the Branch Church in Farmers Branch. Eddy has been a positive impact on the city of Farmers Branch and the North Texas community at large for 60+ years. prgtoken Eddy is an alumnus of Abilene Christian University and a true Texan at heart. He has served his community in various respects throughout his life. Eddy has served the city of Farmers Branch as a Community Minister, advocate and member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, and head of the Metrocrest Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. He has led many bible studies and prayer groups for the ministry for over half a century. prgtoken I thank Eddy for going above and beyond for our community. His selflessness and dedication do not go unnoticed.
RECOGNIZING PIVO BREWERY AND BLEPTA STUDIOS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-9-5

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 PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios of Calmar, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios was founded by husband and wife Craig and Sara Neuzil in 2017. The couple grew up as childhood friends near Spillville and married following their graduation from Iowa State University. Craig's first career was in the U.S. Air Force as a communications officer, which allowed them to live across the United States and Europe. During his time serving our country, he began brewing beer at home as a hobby. With Sara being interested in art, they began outlining a business plan that would create an incredible community space that combines a brewery and an art studio. Following Craig's retirement after 21 years in the Air Force, they turned their hobbies into a small business in northeastern Iowa. prgtoken To honor Craig's family heritage, they chose the Czech word for beer, ``pivo,'' as the name of the brewery. The logo of the brewery is a star in a pentagon, which represents Craig's time in the Armed Services. PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios currently operate in a building that has used repurposed items from the community in the design and decoration of the space. Over the past 6 years, the brewery has made over 70 beverages that circulate in their taproom, with the beers and ciders sharing the namesakes of Iowa towns. They also offer nonalcoholic drinks, wine, and a dining menu for customers. prgtoken The other side of their business is Blepta Studios. Sara, also having Czech roots, used the name ``blepta,'' which is slang for ``chatterbox,'' a fond nickname bestowed on her by her grandmother. Blepta Studios has hand-crafted paint-pour jewelry, decorative eggs, ceramics, and pottery for sale while prgtoken also offering art classes and private group classes. PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios also host events in their wedding reception hall and event center. prgtoken The Neuzils are also actively involved in the Calmar community and have been recognized for their contributions to the craft brewery industry. In October 2022, PIVO Brewery was one of the hosts of the Iowa Brewery Series ``5k Beer Run.'' The race started and ended in the brewery's taproom, and portions of the race's proceeds went to local nonprofits. Their beer has also been recognized by the Great American Beer Festival. In 2020, their Decorah Nordic Gruit won a gold medal in the historic beer category, and their Old Balltown Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Aged Salted Carmel Dark Chocolate Milk Stout earned silver in the chocolate beer category. In 2019, after 2 years of being open, they took home the gold medal for the chocolate beer category with their Old Balltown Dark Chocolate Mil
TRIBUTE TO NANCY CROWELL
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2023-9-5

on September 10, the people of Scarborough, ME, will gather to thank Nancy Crowell for her 45 years of outstanding contributions as Director of the Scarborough Public Library. It is a pleasure to join them in celebrating Ms. Crowell's exceptional service. prgtoken She began the job in 1977 when the library was a small wooden building on Black Point Road with a budget of $35,000. Today, she leaves behind a modern library with a budget of more than $1 million that reflects the value the townspeople have placed on her efforts. prgtoken Ms. Crowell bought the library's first electric typewriter and, as she noted when announcing her retirement, ``I started at a time when books were checked out with rubber stamps and the new technologies were VHS and Betamax tapes and our new equipment was a used 16mm projector to show films.'' prgtoken In paying tribute to Ms. Crowell, Bill Donovan, president of the library's board of trustees, said that, ``Under her leadership and direction, the library has grown to become an integral part of the town fabric, becoming a center for children, adults, and retirees to not just browse and read, but also to gather and take advantage of the library's many resources--much more than the humble beginnings Nancy found when she joined 45 years ago.'' prgtoken The Scarborough Public Library is a beacon in the community, where everyone receives a warm welcome and the power of knowledge is accessible to all. It is not just a repository for books, but also a place that inspires imagination, provides entertainment, spurs innovation, and fosters lifelong learning and community engagement. prgtoken The Roman philosopher Cicero said, ``To add a library to a house is to give that house a soul.'' In the same vein, to build a community library is to reveal that community's spirit. Nancy Crowell has done just that with expertise and dedication, and I wish her all the best in the years to come.
RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL INSTITUTE
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-9-5

since its founding in 1873, The United States Naval Institute has been a tireless advocate for our Nation's Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. prgtoken The United States Naval Institute, which is located at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, provides an independent forum for those who work to advance our understanding of sea power along with issues critical to our National security. prgtoken This independent, non-partisan and innovative platform was created to promote the free exchange of ideas to generate and advance the knowledge of America's Sea Services, thereby preserving our naval and maritime heritage. prgtoken On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate the United States Naval Institute on its 150th Anniversary and commend the staff and over 100,000 dedicated supporters worldwide for their commitment to our Nation's servicemembers.
Federal Agencies (Executive Calendar)
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-9-6

while I was home in Iowa this past month, I wrapped up my annual River to River tour, where I hear directly from Iowans in all 99 counties every single year. prgtoken Our government is designed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people; and that is why I am committed to hearing from Iowans in every corner of our State and every county. It is my job to bring their voices loud and clear to Washington, where I have the honor and privilege of representing them in this great body. prgtoken Now that the Senate is back in session, we have lots of unfinished business that impacts Iowans' lives, from funding the government to renewing the farm bill. It is here in the Nation's Capital that we gather to complete this work on behalf of our fellow Americans. prgtoken While the Senate is once again bustling with activity, I see we even have a new class of Senate pages representing us, and they are here for duty. prgtoken You have reported for duty, right? prgtoken Welcome to all of our new pages. Thank you for your service as well. prgtoken And the halls of Washington's bureaucracies as we look about this city, they remain largely empty and hollow; and that, folks, is a top issue for Iowa taxpayers and folks across the country. prgtoken Thousands of calls to the Department of Veterans Affairs from veterans seeking mental health services are going unanswered. Desperate travelers are prgtoken waiting hours on the phone or in line hoping to speak with someone at the State Department about passport delays that are causing vacation cancelations. prgtoken Our seniors are calling the Social Security Administration and are increasingly being greeted with busy messages, waiting longer to speak to a representative, or having their calls go unanswered altogether as the Agency shifts toward remote work. Frustrated Americans are being put on hold while too many Federal employees are phoning it in. prgtoken A manager of a VA medical center responsible for overseeing the scheduling of veterans' care appointments actually--get this, folks. This is no joke. This is no joke. An overseer for scheduling of veterans' care appointments called into a meeting from a bubble bath and even posted a selfie of it on social media with the caption ``my office for the next hour.'' prgtoken Another VA staffer lamented: It is almost as if this employee is making a mockery of all veterans. I can sit here in my bathtub and relax, and you just have to wait. prgtoken And that is exactly what is happening. The VA is still providing misleading wait times to hide the problem, but the heartbreaking stories of veterans continuing to go without urgent, medically necessary care--sometimes for months--tells the whole story. prgtoken Taxpayers are also picking up the cost of maintaining mostly empty buildings in Washington, as 75 percent or more of the office space at the headquarters of most of our Federal Agencies is not being used. The vacant offices
ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-9-6

I am going to talk for a few minutes about NATO, but before I do that, I want to make two preliminary points. prgtoken I believe that America's aid to Ukraine is not charity. I believe that aid is in America's national security interest, and I have voted accordingly. prgtoken I am convinced that Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping, and the Ayatollah of Iran are working together. I am convinced that their objective is to have Russia dominate Central and Eastern Europe; the Ayatollah from Iran dominate the Middle East; and China, through President Xi, dominate the Indo-Pacific, Sub-Sahara Africa, and South America. That is not a world that is safe for the United States of America. That certainly isn't a world that is safe for democracy. That is point one. prgtoken Point two, I have been sorely disappointed at the refusal of the U.S. Senate to appoint or to pass a bill that would allow the President to appoint--confirmed by the U.S. Senate--a special inspector general to follow the money in Ukraine. prgtoken Once again, I have voted to send that money to Ukraine not as an act of charity but because I believe it is in America's national security interest. But that money didn't just fall from Heaven. That money that we sent to Ukraine--we thank Heaven for it, but it came out of the pockets of the American taxpayer. I understand that we have an inspector general from the Department of Defense following the money, and I don't mean to be overtly critical. prgtoken I would point out as an aside that I find it somewhat ironic that the Department of Defense inspector general says ``We have got this,'' but yet the Department of Defense has never been audited. Ever. Never. The Department prgtoken of Defense is the only Agency in the U.S. Government that has never been audited, and the American people know that. prgtoken That is why I and a number of my colleagues have asked this Senate to pass a bill to allow the President to pick a special inspector general of his choosing to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to follow every single dollar we are sending to Ukraine and to answer to the Members of the Senate, Members of the House, and, most importantly, to the American people. prgtoken Many s and many have supported that effort, but many and many s on both sides of the aisle have refused. Now, I am going to keep trying, but, as I said, this money didn't just fall from Heaven; it came out of people's pockets. (Ms. BALDWIN assumed the Chair.)