mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING JOSEPH RUSS IV
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Joseph Russ IV, who passed away on January 12, 2019. His advocacy for ranching and timber communities was vital to rural areas in Humboldt County and throughout California. prgtoken Joe was born to Joseph and Annette Russ III in 1936 and attended the one-room Capetown Elementary School on the windswept Lost Coast in the northern part of my congressional district. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1953 at the age of 16 and the next year was elected president of the California Future Farmers of America. He attended the University of California at Davis, then graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in business administration. Joe later enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Joe married Karen Lane in 1963. They were married for 55 years and had three children and eight grandchildren. prgtoken Joe's civic engagement spanned decades and resulted in many public benefits. He served 20 years on the Humboldt County Planning Commission, and he was president of the Humboldt Del-Norte Cattleman's Association, the Humboldt County Farm Bureau and the Humboldt Woolgrowers Association. Joe also became president of the California Woolgrowers Association, sat on the California State Board of Forestry, the state Chamber of Commerce, and the California State Fair Association. He was a founding member of the Stockmen's Bank of Commerce, the Buckeye Conservancy and the California Rangeland Trust. Notably, he was key to the development of the Williamson Act, which governs property tax rates on agricultural lands in California. prgtoken Throughout his career, Joe knew the value of understanding politics and regulation as it related to the ranching and timber industries. His deep involvement in state and local associations and boards helped leave a permanent mark on rural agricultural policy in California. Joe was known to many as a vast resource for all things related to agriculture and had a deep sense of the region's history. He was a guiding example for ranchers trying to balance the hard work of ranching with the need for advocacy at the state and local levels. prgtoken Madam , Joseph Russ IV's contributions to agriculture and the communities of the Second Congressional District and the state of California, and his service to the country, are commendable and worthy of recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in my deep appreciation of him.
HONORING DAVID STANLEY M.D.
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. David Stanley as Napa Valley Medical Society's Professor Emeritus of the year. Dr. Stanley has provided outstanding medical care to our communities throughout Napa and Solano Counties and has been a mentor to many people in the medical community. prgtoken Dr. Stanley earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Redlands and then attended Stanford University Medical School. While at Stanford he co-authored several scientific publications. He interned and completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. While at Baylor he was the chief resident in medicine at Ben Taub General Hospital. Dr. Stanley also completed a fellowship in endocrinology at Baylor College of Medicine's Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. prgtoken Dr. Stanley started practicing medicine in Napa County in 1977. He has held many positions at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, including chief of the hospital medical staff and chairman of the Department of Medicine. In 1989, he served as president of the Napa County Medical Society. Dr. Stanley joined the Permanente Medical Group in 1993. He has worked in hospital medicine, adult primary care and endocrinology at Kaiser Vallejo Medical Center and at the Napa medical offices. For more than five years, Dr. Stanley has been the chief of adult and family medicine at the Napa Kaiser offices. Dr. Stanley has dedicated his career to providing the highest quality of medical care to our community. In addition, he has been a lecturer and educator to other medical professionals in our area. prgtoken Madam , Dr. Stanley is a model community member who has dedicated his career to helping others. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Dr. David Stanley here today.
IN RECOGNITION OF SENIOR BISHOP McKINLEY YOUNG
Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Senior Bishop McKinley Young, a champion of social justice and civil rights, for his dedication to empowering individuals through equality and opportunity both in the church and his community. As the son of a Pastor, Bishop McKinley Young was raised in the church and went on to start his own distinguished career serving the people of Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta from 1980 until 1992. He would further his career in South Africa, where he went on to lead the Centennial Celebration of African Methodism and remained a leader in the Ecumenical Community. To cite his most recent achievements, he was assigned to the Third Episcopal District and was elevated to the office of Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop McKinley Young's notable career and generous spirit warrant many accolades as countless individuals have benefited from his hard work. prgtoken The son of a Parsonage, one could say Bishop Young was destined to a life of faith. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia and was a product of the Atlanta public school system. As an academic standout with a passion for theology, Bishop Young could not pass up the opportunity to further his studies. For that reason, he pursued and received degrees from Morris Brown College, Andover Newton Theological School, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. Moreover, he also holds honorary doctorates from six institutions of higher education. prgtoken Bishop Young's faith has been the central focus of his life and has guided him to hold various positions. For over 20 years, he served as Chair of the Board with the AME Church and Service and Development Agency and went on to serve as president of the Council of Bishops and the General Board. Bishop Young also chaired several commissions, including the Commission of Global Witness and Ministry and the Commission on Annuity Investments and Insurance. His many accomplishments speak volumes about Young's commendable character and commitment to his community. prgtoken Though faith remained in his heart and guided him in every aspect of his life, Bishop Young was aware that civil rights and education were the key to building a strong community and finding a political voice. As an advocate for social justice and civil rights, he assisted in the elections of the first Black Presidents of the United States of America and South Africa by working on voter registration efforts. Furthermore, he went on to attend the inauguration of former Presidents and Nelson Mandela. prgtoken It is my personal belief that Senior Bishop McKinley Young's unrelenting dedication and steadfast vision has left a permanent imprint on those who shared the path he walked. In life, Bishop Young embodied a selfless dedication to his family, friends, and community. Though it grieves me to announce his passing on Wednesday, January 17, 2019, I speak on behalf of the Fifth Congress
THE STATE OF THE UNION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-4

tomorrow, President will belatedly report on the state of the Union before a joint session of Congress. The reason for the delay, of course, is the 35-day government shutdown that President precipitated as an attempt to extract taxpayer money for a wall he promised Mexico would pay for, a pointless exercise, if there ever were one--a pointless exercise that punished hundreds of thousands of innocent public servants and took billions of dollars out of our economy. prgtoken We are all glad that the government is back open and Federal workers are back on the job and getting paid, but the recent government shutdown speaks to the fundamental uncertainty about the state of our Union. prgtoken Tomorrow, the President will say, predictably, that the state of our Union is strong, but the truth is that the state of the economy is failing America's middle class, that the state of the healthcare system is failing American families, that the state of the administration is embroiled in chaos and incompetence, and that the state of the President's foreign policy is incoherent, inconsistent, and cynical in the extreme and has undermined American power and our national interests. In sum, the state of our Union is in need of drastic repair. prgtoken Let's begin with the state of the economy. Corporate America has cashed in on the tax bill, but working America has been left behind. Since the tax bill passed over a year ago, corporations have announced plans to repurchase more than $1 trillion of their own stock--a practice that benefits corporate executives and wealthy shareholders but not many average workers. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the tax bill had no major impact on whether businesses made capital investments or hired more workers. The very wealthy--the big, powerful corporations--fed this line: Help them, and everyone will be helped. Our friends swallowed that--hook, line, and sinker. prgtoken The only good news about this tax bill that passed last year is that it showed what a false promise it was--$1 trillion for the wealthy through stock buybacks and other things and virtually nothing for American workers. The President promised--remember this?--that his tax bill would deliver a $4,000 raise to the average household. The reality is that wages for average workers have remained quite stagnant. Workers are still making less today than they did in 1973 after adjusting for inflation. The effect of the economy has been a deepening of the inequalities and wealth disparities that threaten the future of the middle class and the future of the American dream. The rich are getting richer. The middle class is being hollowed out. That is the state of the economy. prgtoken How about healthcare? The state of our healthcare system is dire. Premiums are higher than they should be. Out-of-pocket costs are higher than they should be. The uninsured rat
HONORING SESSIA WYCHE AT CONGRESSMAN VELA'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
Filemon Vela (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Sessia Wyche, a dedicated educator in the Rio Grande Valley. prgtoken Mr. Wyche earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. He helped his peers as a mathematics tutor and a graduate teaching assistant. As a Second Line Manager and Programmer at Southwestern Bell in Texas, he wrote computer programs and helped the company with its inventories. prgtoken An avid tutor, Mr. Wyche returned to academics as a leader for students interested in mathematics and the sciences. He served as Assistant Chairman of the Mathematics and Physics Department at Texas State Technical College (TSTC), and as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) and Texas Southmost College (TSC). prgtoken As Director of Computer Directed Instruction in Math at UTB and TSC, he received the ``Teacher of the Year'' award, ``Chancellor's Council Outstanding Teaching'' Award, and ``The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development'' award. Currently, Mr. Wyche is teaching the future mathematicians of the Valley at TSTC. In his spare time, he volunteers as a chaplain in hospitals across the Valley. prgtoken I am pleased to recognize Mr. Wyche for his contributions to Texas' 34th Congressional district. He is a role model for our children, and we are thankful for his compassion to serve those in need. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing him, his family and friends on this special day.
HONORING ESTHER SALVATORE
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , it is with a heavy heart that I today honor the life of one of my constituents, the beloved Esther Salvatore. A lifelong resident of Eastchester, Esther passed away peacefully with family members by her side on January 19, 2019. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. prgtoken Esther's life was devoted to her faith, to raising her children, to loving her many nieces, nephew and cousins, adoring her 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, to playing the violin and cherishing her Italian heritage. prgtoken The daughter of Antonetta and Crescenzo DiPippo, who came to the United States from Italy, Esther was born on August 13, 1926 in Bronxville and lived in Eastchester her entire life. She grew up with her siblings, Christopher and Gloria, and her many close cousins. Esther attended Waverly Elementary School and graduated from Eastchester High School in 1944. After completing school, she attended New York University to study music. prgtoken On September 19, 1948, Esther married Daniel Salvatore of Tuckahoe. She shared 32 years of marriage with her loving husband, and together they raised 3 daughters in Eastchester. A devout Catholic, Esther attended mass regularly at Assumption of Our Lady in Tuckahoe, a place of worship that her father and grandfather helped to build. She was an active parishioner and was a proud member of the Rosary Altar Society, Sodality, the Eastchester/Tuckahoe Senior Center and the Yonkers Philharmonic as a violinist. prgtoken Madam , Esther Salvatore lived a beautiful, rich, and fulfilling life. She enjoyed her family immensely and instilled her faith, a love of music, a strong work ethic and the bond of family across many generations. The example she set will live on through them and the love they shared. prgtoken I offer my sincerest condolences to Esther's family and to the entire Eastchester community.
THE SITUATION IN VENEZUELA
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , I oppose U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. I am a cosponsor of legislation that would make that crystal clear to this Administration. At the same time, I strongly and unequivocally condemn reported acts of violence that have been carried out by security forces against Venezuelans peacefully exercising their fundamental civil rights, including to protest. prgtoken We must find other ways to continue to express our nation's legitimate concerns, as well as that of the rest of the international community, about the attacks on human rights and democracy underway in that nation. I am aware of the demonstrations that Venezuelans, opposed to Nicolas Madura and his cronies, have held amid a deep and ongoing political and economic crisis. prgtoken While continuing to condemn violence against protestors and attacks on basic democratic rights and institutions, the U.S. must also press for multilateral diplomatic actions to help create the conditions for a peaceful return to democratic order in Venezuela. Additionally, any sanctions (either bilaterally or multilaterally) imposed against Venezuela must be targeted at government officials and coordinated to avoid worsening the country's dire humanitarian emergency. And let's be clear, sanctions are not an end to themselves and do not substitute for smart and disciplined diplomacy. prgtoken The U.S. should support international efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution. Rather than trying to repeat all the mistakes of our failed foreign policy of the past in this region, I urge this Administration to engage with other partners in order to best facilitate a return to democracy. prgtoken Lastly, I share concerns about the individual, Elliott Abrams, appointed by this Administration to serve as a ``special envoy'' to Venezuela. His history, particularly with regards to his views on U.S. policy in this region, disqualify him to serve as an impartial implementer of a strong diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful resolution. Among other concerns, this individual was twice convicted of lying to Congress and has long held troubling views on how the U.S. should engage with governments in the region with which it disagrees.
TRIBUTE TO KATHLEEN GARDNER CRAVEDI
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-2-4

today I recognize the distinguished career of Kathleen Gardner Cravedi, who is retiring after 41 years of dedicated Federal service and for whose public service we should all be grateful. prgtoken As somebody who started his career in public service as the co- director of the Oregon Grey Panthers, I appreciate the work of individuals who are committed to improving conditions for older Americans. Kathy began her career in public service on Capitol Hill working on exactly those issues. As a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I had the benefit of working with Kathy when she was staff director for the Subcommittee on Health and Long-term Care of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Aging. Working under her chairman, the late-great Congressman Claude Pepper, Kathy helped pass legislation ending mandatory retirement and providing hospice care under Medicare. She worked on fighting elder abuse, health fraud, and she worked on the first congressional hearing ever on Alzheimer's disease. prgtoken She helped to establish the National Center for Biotechnology Information and National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. prgtoken Following her service in Congress, Kathy continued her healthcare advocacy by directing a nationwide campaign to bring citizens from all 50 States to Washington, DC, to testify before Congress and talk with the First Lady on the need for healthcare reform. prgtoken In 1996, Kathy moved over to the National Library of Medicine, or NLM, which is the world's largest biomedical library and a key resource for some of the most exciting medical science out there. Serving as NLM's first public liaison, she worked hard connecting NLM's work with the public, spearheading campaigns that drew huge attention in the United States and abroad. She brought in lawmakers and celebrities and athletes and scientists to promote the organization's mission. prgtoken Over 23 years at NLM, Kathy steadily moved up the ranks, and she is now retiring as the director of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison. Her career at NLM has been key to connecting the American public with the astounding work this organization does. prgtoken Forty-one successful years in public service is a tremendous accomplishment. So I want to thank Kathy for all her many years of hard work, and I want to congratulate her on her well-earned retirement.
IN RECOGNITION OF JUDGE MICHAEL S. McMANUS
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-2-4

. Madam , I rise today in honor of Judge Michael S. McManus and his retirement from the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California. As his colleagues and local community leaders gather to honor his remarkable career, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Judge McManus' service to the federal judiciary. prgtoken Judge McManus graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1975 with Bachelor of Art Degrees in Criminology and Psychology. In 1978, Judge McManus received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to becoming a judge, he practiced bankruptcy law at Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan. In the late 80's, he also served in many capacities on the Debtor/Creditor Relations and Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California. prgtoken Judge McManus has dedicated his career to public service. Appointed on January 11, 1994, Judge McManus initially started his first and second terms on the bankruptcy bench in the Modesto Division of the Eastern District of California and subsequently transferred to the Sacramento Division. He served as Chief Bankruptcy Judge from 2000 to 2008, as District of Nevada Judge through 2010, as the Chair of the Ninth Circuit Conference of Chief Bankruptcy Judges, as an observer on the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, and as an ex officio member of the Court-Council on Bankruptcy Judge Appointments. In addition to these great accomplishments, he is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. prgtoken Madam , as Judge McManus, his friends, and colleagues celebrate his retirement, I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking and recognizing him for his many years of service. Judge McManus has contributed immensely to the bankruptcy bench and our community.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2019-2-5

today I wish to honor the life and legacy of the late Bishop Paul Alexander Bowers. Known as the Preaching Machine, Bishop Bowers pastored the congregation at Greater Emanuel Apostolic Temple in my hometown of Cincinnati, OH, for over 40 years. prgtoken Bishop Bowers attended his first Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc Convention in Cleveland in 1947, where he slept on the floor of the church due to the lack of delegate housing. He was ordained in 1950 and began preaching in Cincinnati in 1957. Bishop Bowers was elected to general secretary from 1968, elevated to bishop in 1976, and elected and served as presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World from 1992 until 1998. prgtoken Bishop Bowers' ministry reached communities across Ohio and the United States. His devotion to the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc and Greater Emanuel Apostolic Temple in Cincinnati changed countless lives as he used the gospel to help people fulfill their God- given potential and better serve their communities. prgtoken I would like to recognize former presiding Bishop Paul Alexander Bowers' many accomplishments and his decades of service to Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. I would like to offer my condolences on his passing to his family, his friends, and his church, and I hope his legacy continues in the thousands of lives he has touched.