mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN HONOR OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and admiration for the healthcare workers in Alabama's 4th Congressional District, Northern Alabama, and our entire state. We have all heard stories about individuals in the healthcare field who have gone beyond the call of duty during the Coronavirus pandemic. From all across my district, and throughout our state, constituents have nominated some amazing medical workers, and it is my privilege to honor 519 of these individuals today in the Congressional Record. prgtoken Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen heroic work done to fight the virus on the front lines. Doctors, nurses, first responders, and everyone who has worked tirelessly in the medical field during this past year deserve all the thanks we can give them. They have kept us safe and healthy in a time when we needed it most. prgtoken Over the past 15 months I have visited hospitals, talked with those on the front lines of the fight, and visited vaccine clinics throughout my district. I have been overwhelmed by the outstanding work being done each and every day. It has been a constant battle for these healthcare heroes, but they have risen to the task every step of the way. I have no doubt in my mind that these amazing men and women have made a big difference in Alabama's bout with COVID-19. prgtoken It is for those reasons, and so many more, that I want to honor the healthcare heroes of Northern Alabama. They deserve nothing less. Thanks to the submissions from my constituents in Alabama's 4th Congressional District, I include in the Record 519 healthcare heroes from Dekalb Regional Medical Center. When history looks upon this trying time in our country, they will find the names of the men and women of Alabama who courageously took on the fight to keep the rest of us safe. prgtoken With my utmost gratitude, may the legacy of these 519 healthcare heroes live on well into the future. prgtoken From Dekalb Regional Medical: Keri Abernathy, Cathey Adams, Suzanne Adams, Angela Akins, Sara Alexander, Wael Al-Halaseh, Stephanie Allsup, Shirley Allsup, Heather Andrews, Scott Argo, Amanda Arnold, Jennifer Arriaga Camarillo, Justin Arther, Amy Bagwell, Kerry Bailey, Amanda Bailey, Melissa Bailey, Zena Bailey, Melonie Bailey, William Bailey, Jeannie Bain, Whitney Baker, Amy Banks, Donald Barber, Donna Barkley, Teresa Barksdale, Karen Barnett, Belinda Barrentine, Elizabeth Barrontine, Kevin Bass, Latricia Battise, Jammie Baugh, Melissa Baugh, Beatriz Bautista, Mariana Bautista, Walter Beard, Melissa Bearden, Tanyeka Bell, Jennifer Bell. prgtoken Meghan Benefield, Ashley Benge, Angela Bennett, Jessica Bennett, Brenda Berghammer, Laurel Berry, Kathy Bethune, Tara Bethune, Danielle Bickerstaff, Kristi Birgans, Jordan Black, Tracy Blackwell, Doyle Blackwell, Tait Blankenship, Ellee Blevins, Karen Blizzard, Abby Boggs, Taylor Bowen, Tiffany Bowen, Misti Bowen, Nakeshia Bowman, Jessica Bradford, Montana Bra
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF MASTER SERGEANT HAROLD SHOEPFLIN
Ralph Norman (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I rise today to honor and recognize the service of Master Sergeant Harold Shoepflin of South Carolina. prgtoken A true American hero, Harold bravely served our country throughout World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to Camp Perry, Virginia where he was assigned to a newly commissioned 72nd Construction Battalion. The battalion soon boarded a ship in Norfolk before heading to Pearl Harbor. In Hawaii, the battalion constructed runways, Quonset Huts, and a fuel tank field for the Navy and Marine Corps. Harold lost several close friends during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He also lost his brother, Bob, who was killed in action in Guam. prgtoken Despite these losses, following World War II, Harold enlisted in the Marine Corps. From there, he went through Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, and Camp Pendleton. When the Korean War erupted, Harold endured Marine Corps Cold Weather Mountain training and then traveled to Japan with the 1st Armored Amphibious Battalion. prgtoken After serving in Inchon during the Korean War, Harold returned to California where he spent several years at Camp Pendleton with the 7th Marine Engineers, attending various Leadership Schools. prgtoken Following the outbreak of the Vietnam War, Harold's battalion shipped out on a landing ship tank heading for Da Nang. During his time in Vietnam, Harold was assigned to Iron Mountain, and was also in charge of Base Services Recovery in Chu Lai. prgtoken After these many dangerous tours, Harold retired as a Master Sergeant in 1971. As a testament to his exemplary military career, Harold amassed many notable honors and accolades, including the World War II Navy Occupation Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ``V,'' the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, and numerous others. Following his military service, Harold and his family retired to Charleston, South Carolina where he maintained a successful career in the insurance and real estate industry. He also owned and operated a shrimp boat. Harold enjoyed 49 years of blissful marriage to his beautiful wife Ruth until her passing in 1996. Together, the couple raised four wonderful children: Debra, Nancy, Joy, and Harold Jr. Their son Harold followed in his father's footsteps and went on to serve as a major in the Marine Corps. prgtoken On behalf of the 5th District of South Carolina, I thank Harold for his outstanding service. He has created a lasting legacy of duty, honor, and courage, and our nation is better for his sacrifice.
HONORING THE LIFE OF GORDON ``MACK'' McKINLEY, JR.
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of my friend, Gordon ``Mack'' McKinley, Jr who passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at the age of 72. prgtoken Mack and I grew up together in Beaumont, Texas, survived high school together and were roommates and fraternity brothers during college at the University of Texas. prgtoken Mack was a guy you could count on in good times and bad times to always have a positive outlook. He learned it through an adversity that terrified the mothers of our generation and left its mark on those who survived it. But Mack was strong and resilient, and he never let polio define him. prgtoken He was born on November 14, 1948, in Galveston, Texas, and named after his dad, Gordon McKinley, Sr. He was an only child, but a friend to many. prgtoken Like many students at the University of Texas in Austin, Mack fell in love with the city and stayed on after graduation. In 1974, he opened a club called The Common Interest which quickly became a popular hangout and has been an Austin institution for the last 47 years. The Common Interest provided a great gathering place where sports games could be enjoyed with friends, songs could be sung and fun could be had by all, especially Mack, a huge fan of the University of Texas Longhorns. prgtoken Mack also fell in love with a girl he met in the Common Interest, named Shannon Wilson, with whom he shared a happy married life for 45 years. Mack and Shannon began their lives together in Austin, Texas in 1976 and were blessed with three sons Michael, Kevin and Brandon. Shannon was the love of his life. He considered her and their family his greatest blessing and his greatest accomplishment throughout his life being a father. He was an enthusiastic fan and supporter of his three boys in the various sports they played. To this day, his son's jerseys still hang with pride on the walls of The Common Interest. prgtoken Mack was an avid golfer all his life. A special gift from his sons a few years ago was a trip to the Master's Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. prgtoken Mack never quit doing things on his own terms, overcoming physical limitations that may have caused others to give up. He accepted life's challenges, he worked hard, he was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather or ``Pops'' as he was known, and he was my lifelong friend and inspiration. prgtoken I will miss him. prgtoken Mack is survived by his wife, Shannon McKinley, his son Michael McKinley, wife Brie, kids Bodie and Kai, his son Kevin McKinley, wife Candace, kids Kaylee, Kenna, Kensi and Kason, and son Brandon McKinley, wife Amber, kids Dakota and Merritt. Mack is also survived by numerous cousins close to Dallas, Chicago and Nashville. prgtoken Madam , today I honor my close friend and college roommate Mack McKinley. His example of fortitude and strength to overcome obstacles will not be forgotten, and my heartfelt prayers remain with his family and friends during this difficult ti
IN RECOGNITION OF UNCLE MIKE'S BAKE SHOPPE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , today I rise to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Grand Opening of Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe. For over 20 years, Mike and Mary Vande Walle and the Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe team have provided exceptional service and award-winning baked goods for people throughout the State of Wisconsin. prgtoken Starting from humble beginnings, Uncle Mike's opened their first store location in the City of De Pere on October 5 of 2001 and after three years of operation they quickly ran out of space. This gave the Vande Walle's the opportunity to open their second location in the Village of Suamico in 2004. As business continued to boom, Uncle Mike's opened a third location in the City of Green Bay in 2018 and purchased a production facility in Northeast Wisconsin that produces baked goods for each of their locations. Given the Uncle Mike's team's commitment to providing exceptional customer service and the high demand for their products, pop-up shops in Appleton and Milwaukee were constructed for customers to purchase some of the most popular items on the menu. I commend the dedication and hard work that has resulted in Uncle Mike's continued growth and success for over 20 years. prgtoken Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe has been the recipient of over 100 awards in the baking industry for its excellence in baking and cake decorating. Most notability in 2014, Uncle Mike's won Best Kringle in North America for prgtoken their world-famous sea salt caramel pecan kringle. Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe has grown to be one of the most popular and recognizable bakeries in Wisconsin due to its exceptional customer service, friendly staff, and high-quality products. Uncle Mike's is also known for their unwavering support of the surrounding communities through offering fundraisers to local school districts and supplying fresh-baked cream puffs for the Denmark FFA booth at the Brown County Fair. Since the loss of Uncle Mike in 2020, his spirit has continued to live on through his family where they have carried on his love for baking. As third- generation bakers, Mike and Mary Vande Walle made it their mission to provide quality products through old-fashioned baking methods with high-quality ingredients. Throughout the years, Mike and Mary passed down their expertise in old-fashioned baking to their children, Brittni and Nathan, so that they could continue the exceptional baking traditions that began in 1974 with Don and Norma Vande Walle at Mehlberg's Bakery in Shawano. prgtoken I Invite all members of this body to join me in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe. I extend my sincerest congratulations to the Uncle Mike's team on this remarkable milestone and wish them success for many more years to follow. Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe is a wonderful business in Northeast Wisconsin and is deserving of the highest degree of recognition.
IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE LARRY HOPKINS
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of a true American patriot, former Congressman Larry Hopkins, who served in this body from 1979-1993 and passed away on November 15. Throughout his extraordinary career in public service, Larry served in the Kentucky State legislature and for over a decade in Congress in the seat I now hold. Larry's career in public service began as a U.S. Marine in 1954. It was that love for the military that Larry would bring with him to Congress, where he rose to become the top on the Armed Services Committee. prgtoken Larry's humor was famous with both his constituents and his colleagues--always offering a disarming joke to lighten the mood or evoking a good laugh. Above all, madam , Congressman Hopkins was proud of his work across the aisle and the relationships he had with all of his colleagues, s and alike. prgtoken In these divided times, let us be inspired by the legacy of Congressman Hopkins to come together and solve the problems of our day, not as s and , but as Americans who all love our country. On behalf of a grateful nation, God bless Congressman Larry Hopkins. To my colleagues in the House, join me in praying for his wife, Carolyn, and three children, Shae, Tara, and Josh.
158TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , in recognition of the 158th anniversary of President Lincoln's famous Civil War speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I believe it is appropriate that we take the time to remember these meaningful words. Gettysburg Address President Abraham Lincoln--November 19, 1863 ``Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate--we cannot hallow--this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.''
HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VILLAGE OF ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK
Chris Jacobs (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Village of Orchard Park, New York, on its centennial anniversary. prgtoken The Village of Orchard Park is a beautiful, tranquil village that lies in western New York, and I am honored to call it my home. The Village of Orchard Park was founded in 1921. prgtoken The area of present-day Orchard Park was historically referred to as an ``uncultivated part of nature's garden'' and was said to resemble a ``park of orchards.'' The early pioneers of Orchard Park worked to transform a forest into the beautiful community it is today. They built residences, churches, and public places which remain important parts of the culture and values of today's Orchard Park. prgtoken Many great businesses and businesspeople have hailed from the Village of Orchard Park, including Harry Yates. Mr. Yates moved from Buffalo to Orchard Park and purchased multiple farms, including roughly 3,500 acres of land. Mr. Yates created and donated Green Lake to the Orchard Park community, which is still enjoyed today by residents and visitors. Mr. Yates also donated the land for the construction of two churches, Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic and St. John's Lutheran. prgtoken The Village of Orchard Park centennial celebrates the best of America. These communities are the incubators of local politics, commerce, education, recreation, entertainment, and faith for our village neighborhoods. prgtoken I am proud to congratulate the citizens of the Village of Orchard Park on their 100th anniversary. I believe that it is important to recognize their unique contribution to the development of western New York and wish them happiness and prosperity during the next 100 years.
IN RECOGNITION OF WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I rise, along with my colleague, Congressman Steve Cohen, fellow co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety, to mark the 26th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (World Day) on Sunday, November 21, 2021. prgtoken On this solemn event, families, advocates, and leaders around the world gather to remember the tens of millions of lives impacted by road crashes and the bravery of the first responders and health care workers who work valiantly to save as many lives as possible. prgtoken World Day of Remembrance was initiated in 1995 as the European Day of Remembrance and quickly spread around the globe. In 2005 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 60/2, recognizing the third Sunday in November as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. prgtoken Every year, the goals of the World Day of Remembrance are to remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads; acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services; advocate for better support to road traffic victims and their families; and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries. prgtoken More than one mill ion people die from road crashes every year, and tens of millions are seriously injured. Road traffic crashes are the number one killer of young people aged 15-29, the third leading killer of Americans abroad, and the eighth leading cause of death among all people worldwide. Despite these figures, our understanding of the full scope of the problem is still lacking, and additional data collection is imperative. prgtoken World Day of Remembrance 2021 also focuses on reduction of traffic speeds. Studies have shown unequivocally that lowering speeds has the potential to prevent many deaths and serious injuries, in particular those of pedestrians and all other vulnerable road users like children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. prgtoken This year also marks the beginning of the second global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which has a primary goal of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by road traffic accidents by at least 50 percent by 2030. Additionally, in October 2021, Congressman Cohen and I officially relaunched the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety, working closely with the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), the leading U.S. nonprofit advocating for safe travel on the world's roads. prgtoken Rochelle Sobel founded ASIRT in response to the death of her son Aron, a 22-year-old medical student who was killed in a bus crash in Turkey along with 23 other passengers. ASIRT works to improve the safety of travelers through education and advocacy and was instrumental in encouraging the establishment of the Caucus in 2004. prgtoken Looking ahead to what we must accomplish in this second Decade of Action, it is crucial that we collaborate to enact common sense s
HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF LE MOYNE COLLEGE
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-11-23

. Madam , I rise today to honor Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York as the college celebrates its 75th Anniversary. Since its founding, Le Moyne College has provided students with a renowned Jesuit education, preparing thousands of young men and women to reach great successes and live generously. prgtoken True to the intellectual and religious tradition it was founded on, for over seven decades Le Moyne has provided its undergraduate students and graduate students with a well-rounded, liberal arts education. Equipped with a Le Moyne education, alumni from the college have become leaders across a wide range of sectors including business, medicine, government, and the arts and sciences. Today, Le Moyne has grown dramatically. It greatly expanded its academic programs and has a sprawling campus that boasts five academic buildings and 15 residential buildings, as well as a chapel, library, performing arts center, Jesuit residence, plaza and athletic facilities. prgtoken While the school has remained committed to its core values, Le Moyne has always prided itself on being a trailblazer for progress. At the time of its founding in 1946, Le Moyne was the first Jesuit college in the United States to open as a coeducational institutional. And in 2014, Linda LeMura was named the college's 14th president, making her the first female layperson to lead a Jesuit institution in the United States. Under her leadership, President LeMura has raised the college's profile, prioritized inclusivity, and worked to foster an environment where Le Moyne students and faculty can learn and grow. Notably, during the pandemic, President LeMura took an unusual step to limit the spread of COVID-19 amongst the school's population and highlight the importance of being a thoughtful steward of the community by moving into a neighborhood popular with students living off-campus. For several months, LeMura became a friendly face in the neighborhood. She greeted students living nearby on her daily walks, helped them keep their lawns free of trash and debris, and reprimanded those holding gatherings that could spread the virus. prgtoken In 2016, the college adopted the slogan `Greatness Meets Goodness' to highlight the college's lasting commitment to helping students reach heights in their career, while emphasizing the importance of integrity and compassion for all people. Le Moyne consistently encourages students to put Jesuit values in action by providing volunteer opportunities within Central New York and around the world, and harboring extensive networks at local nonprofits, shelters, kitchens, and schools. In 2020, Le Moyne launched its Erie 21 program, which helps veterans, immigrants, refugees, the underemployed and unemployed obtain internships and software development jobs with local employers by providing students with technical and computer coding skills. The impact Le Moyne students have had in our Central New York community and a