[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 109 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO STOP VIOLENCE--DO THE WRITE THING CHALLENGE 
                                PROGRAM

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 5, 1998

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, five years ago in the District of Columbia, 
the Do the Write Thing Challenge Program was established. The program 
was started by the Kuwait American Foundation as a way for private 
Kuwaiti citizens to give thanks for America's support during the Gulf 
War. The program attracted the interest of a variety of groups who 
formed a coalition that created the National Campaign to Stop Violence.
  Young people in the seventh and eighth grades were asked to write an 
essay, poem or song that responded to the question, ``What can I do to 
stop violence?'' This spring, the writings were reviewed by community 
leaders and 60 finalists were selected from 22 states. A leather bound 
book of their essays was presented to General Scott at the Library of 
Congress, and the young people enjoyed a reception, in their honor, in 
the Cannon Caucus Room.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in this chamber to celebrate and encourage the 
aspirations of the finalists from the District of Columbia, Nia 
Hepburn-Nelson and Mark Parker.
  Nia is a seventh grade student attending Jefferson Junior High School 
who aspires to be a computer programmer. Nia and her family reside in 
Northeast Washington, DC. Mark is in the seventh grade at Stuart Hobson 
Middle School. He has an avid interest in international relations and 
would like to serve his country as the Secretary of Defense.

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