[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE PRESENTS 
           ``THE GREAT DEBATE'' IN THE VILLAGE OF HARLEM USA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 11, 2013

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 
presenting the National Great Debate Series.
  On Saturday, March 2, the NAACP New York State Conference, under the 
leadership of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes in partnership with Starbucks, NAACP 
Region II Youth and College Division, the NAACP Connecticut State 
Conference, Bill Lynch Associates and Positive Workforce, Inc. hosted 
in New York City's Village of Harlem's First Corinthian Baptist Church 
``The Great Debate''--Howard University vs Columbia University.
  For the first time, this highly acclaimed event took place outside of 
an academic building in hopes of stimulating the consciousness and 
interest of young people who might not otherwise be exposed to debates 
as a platform for the advancement of civil rights issues and education. 
Over 1600 youth and community leaders from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York converged at Harlem's 
historic First Corinthian Baptist Church to witness, support and 
participate in ``The Great Debate''.
  Inspired by Denzel Washington's 2007 movie, ``The Great Debaters'' in 
2008, Connecticut State Conference President Scot X. Esdaile, created 
the ``NAACP Great Debate series''. The debate series, which is one of a 
kind in the country, brings together highly acclaimed debate teams from 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) to compete 
against their Ivy League counterparts.
  The teams debate some of the most pressing social, cultural, and 
political issues of today. The first debate was held at Woolsey Hall on 
the Yale University campus where students from Howard University and 
Yale University demonstrated their oral prowess. Since this first 
debate, interest in the series has grown exponentially. In 2011, Howard 
University squared off against Yale University on the topics of charter 
schools and District of Columbia (D.C.) statehood. In 2012, the Youth & 
College Division hosted the Great Debate between Wiley University and 
Harvard University during the 103rd Annual NAACP National Convention in 
Houston, Texas in a debate over the controversial ``Stand Your Ground'' 
law. This year, moderated by Drexel University's Dr. Charles A. 
Williams, III, Howard University and Columbia University debated over 
New York City's Police Department controversial Stop and Frisk Policy, 
and also debated whether hand guns should be banned in urban cities 
nationwide.
  As Dean of the New York Congressional Delegation, let me congratulate 
my sister, Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State 
Conference, Scot X. Esdaile, President of the Connecticut State 
Conference and Marvin Bing, Director of Region II for bringing the 
NAACP Debate Series to New York City and my Congressional District. I 
also want to give special praise and thanks to Senior Pastor, Reverend 
Michael A. Walrond, Jr. and First Lady and Executive Pastor, Dr. 
Lakeesha Walrond of the First Corinthian Baptist Church for hosting 
this historic debate at Harlem's landmarked faith based institution.
  Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 
Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of the March On 
Washington, the 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks, let us also celebrate the 
104 years of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
People that has dedicated its life's advocacy and game changing work, 
under the leadership of Chairman Roslyn M. Brock and President and 
Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Todd Jealous to enhancing Civic 
Engagement, Criminal Justice, Economic Development, Education and 
Health for all Americans across this Nation.

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