[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 88 (Monday, June 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S7001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WRITING CHALLENGE 2007

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the Do the Write Thing Challenge, or DtWT, 
is a national program designed to give middle school students an 
opportunity to examine both the causes and the effects of youth 
violence. In this program, students work together through classroom 
discussion and writing to evaluate what preventative measures should be 
taken with an emphasis on personal responsibility. Since the program's 
founding in 1994, more than 350,000 students have participated within 
28 different jurisdictions, including Detroit.
  In 2006, more than 40,000 students submitted their essays, poems, 
plays, or songs to be considered in the DtWT writing contest. These 
students wrote about how violence impacts their lives and what they 
could do to prevent its reoccurrence. Students are also asked to make a 
personal commitment to carry out their ideas in their daily lives.
  Each year, a DtWT committee made up of business, community, and 
government leaders from each participating jurisdiction reviews the 
writing samples and selects two national finalists, one boy and one 
girl from their area. I am pleased to recognize this year's national 
finalists from Detroit, Marcelle Walker and Brandi Baldwin-Gat, for 
their outstanding work and dedication to the prevention of youth 
violence.
  Marcelle and Brandi have written very passionate literary pieces 
about how both gang violence and domestic violence have affected their 
lives and have influenced them to think practically about what could 
and should be done. They have conveyed a deep understanding of youth 
violence, and I am impressed by the maturity they have shown in their 
work and congratulate them on being selected as national finalists.
  In July, Marcelle and Brandi will join the other DtWT national 
finalists in Washington, DC, for National Recognition Week. They will 
attend a recognition ceremony and have their work permanently placed in 
the Library of Congress. Also, they will have the opportunity to share 
their thoughts on youth violence with Members of Congress and other 
policymakers.
  I know my colleagues join me in celebrating the work of all of the 
DtWT participants from around the country. I would also like to thank 
the DtWT organizers who make a commitment to facilitating open 
discussions about youth violence. Their work is an essential means to 
the development of local solutions to the youth violence problem in our 
nation.
  With the tragedy of Virginia Tech fresh in our minds, I believe it is 
important we recognize the efforts of DtWT participants and organizers 
to help prevent such acts of violence. It is also important that we, as 
Members of Congress, support their efforts through our actions. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in supporting legislation that would help 
prevent youth violence by increasing police patrol on our streets, by 
increasing resources for school and community violence prevention 
programs, and by making it more difficult for children and criminals to 
acquire dangerous firearms.
  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the New 
Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church on its Founders Day. As the 
largest church in Genesee County, the NJFGBC has contributed over 43 
years of committed service to the southeastern Michigan community.
  In 1965, the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church was founded as 
the Rose Hill Baptist Mission by a small group of Genesee County 
citizens at the home of Rev. L.W. Owens in Flint, MI. Seven days later, 
the mission was renamed New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. The 
church grew steadily, and in 1968 a new and larger edifice was acquired 
to better accommodate the growing membership. While the congregation 
has undergone many changes and expansions throughout the years, it 
remained enthusiastically devoted to its activities and its service to 
the City of Flint. By the early 1990s membership had grown to more than 
2,100, and the church was renamed the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist 
Church.
  In 1969, the Reverend Odis A. Floyd was unanimously elected pastor of 
the NJFGBC. As the grandson of the founder, Reverend Owens, Reverend 
Floyd has proven to be a charismatic leader of this passionate church 
community. In his many years of faithful service to the church, he has 
overseen numerous outreach programs, including Operation Blessing. This 
vital program is designed to provide food and clothing to those in need 
in the Flint community. Reverend Floyd also manages the New Jerusalem 
Intervention Ministry Team, which provides counseling and social work 
services to the less fortunate. Under Reverend Floyd's capable 
leadership, the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church has become a 
powerful force for change in the Flint community. With over 30 years of 
dedicated leadership, Reverend Floyd has shown steadfast resolve and 
determination in his role as pastor of the New Jerusalem Full Gospel 
Baptist Church.
  During its 43 years of existence, the New Jerusalem Full Gospel 
Baptist Church has made many important contributions to its community 
and has a rich tradition of serving Flint area residents, which is 
evidenced by programs such as Operation Blessing and the Intervention 
Ministry Team. I know my colleagues join me in commending the work of 
The New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church and Reverend Floyd for 
their many years of excellent work in the Flint community.

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