[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 22ND ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. YOUTH ORATORICAL 
                              COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 22nd 
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition hosted 
by the Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 
Inc. and its Education Foundation.
  The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left an indelible mark on our 
nation in his pursuit of civil rights through civil dialogue. Despite 
the violence perpetrated against Dr. King and other leaders of the 
Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King responded with reverent oratory and 
nonviolent resistance to condemn the injustice of social inequality. 
His legacy is one of tolerance and steadfast commitment to principled 
and peaceful communication.
  Contestants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest pay tribute to Dr. 
King's legacy with their ability to exercise the strength of the spoken 
word. This skill will serve them well as they seize future leadership 
opportunities and forge the personal relationships necessary for 
effective community engagement and organizing.
  I congratulate and applaud the following contestants of the 22nd 
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition:
  Middle School Contestants
    Jonathan Adrien--Porter School;
    Jacob Gonzalez--Parkside Middle School;
    Nicolas Smith--Benton Middle School.
  High School Contestants
    Sadiyah Faruk--Gar-Field High School;
    Ebonee Johnson--Manassas Park High School;
    Seth Opoku-Yeboah--Osbourn Park High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for recognizing the benefit that Dr. King's 
teachings bring to the development of our youth. We lay the foundations 
of a more tolerant society when we nurture the ability to engage and 
communicate with one another in a way that respects our common 
humanity.