[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 151 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WILEY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EXHIBITION DEBATE

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                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2013

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, today, we recognize and celebrate the Wiley 
College and University of Southern California debate teams on their 
Exhibition Debate. On October 25, 2013 the Wiley College and USC debate 
teams will reenact their historic debate of 1935.
  The 1935 debate was depicted in the 2007 movie, ``The Great 
Debaters,'' which Denzel Washington starred in and directed. ``The 
Great Debaters'' tells the story of Wiley's defeat of USC, the then 
reigning national forensics champion, under the direction of Professor 
Melvin B. Tolson. Following the release of the movie, Denzel Washington 
donated $1 million to Wiley College to revive the debate team.
  October 25th will not be the first meeting of the teams in recent 
years. In 2012, USC traveled to Wiley College in Texas' 1st 
Congressional District for an exhibition match with the great debaters 
at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel. At the conclusion of the evening, 
both teams were declared victors and they committed to another match at 
USC. The Wiley College team also known as the Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel 
Washington Forensics Society, will be represented by Sophomore Lyle 
Keinman and Junior Nathan Leal along with team director, Christopher 
Medina.
  Now ranked fourth in the nation, Wiley's debate team completed its 
2012-2013 season of competition having amassed 82 national awards, 368 
season-long awards, 16 championship trophies, and the first team title 
by a historically black college. The debate team is affiliated with Pi 
Kappa Delta, the National Forensics Association, and the American 
Forensics Association.
  We commend both Wiley College and USC in their efforts on enhancing 
students' critical thinking skills through the medium of debate. We 
wish the best for both teams and look forward to have such a historical 
event re-enacted in the California 37th Congressional District.

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