[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING KENYA RAY FROM PROVISO EAST HIGH SCHOOL

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
express congratulations to Ms. Kenya Ray for her outstanding 
achievement in the area of screenwriting.
  I also applaud the initiative by Scenarios USA and their 
collaborative partners, BET and the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 
creating a national story and script writing contest that attracted 500 
youth across America who addressed issues dealing with the topics 
``What's the Real Deal, on Growing Up in the Age of AIDS?''
  I am filled with pride that one of my constituents developed the 
award-winning script--a story about three young women trying to survive 
and sustain themselves amidst an environment filled with danger and 
pain. I am anxious to read Kenya's story about these three women 
creating and maintaining strong and lasting bonds with each other and 
members of their families. Our community needs real stories that show 
real heroes conquering adversity and having happy and healthy lives.
  I also want to commend the village of Maywood for supporting this 
project and I look forward to professional film-makers shooting footage 
in the Maywood community. I am delighted that Kenya will work directly 
with professionals in making her script ``come alive.'' Furthermore, it 
is exciting to realize that Kenya's feelings and perceptions will be 
seen on BET next February and will be shared with young people across 
America via Rap-It-Up curriculum kits promoted through cable in the 
classroom.

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