[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 175 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         COMMENDING VIRAJ PURI

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2013

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Viraj 
Puri, a 13-year-old student at Kilmer Middle School in Vienna, 
Virginia.
  Viraj is interested in technology, music, advocacy, and writes a blog 
about mobile devices. He is also a certified DJ (DJ Droid) and built 
his own powerful computer which he uses for his DJ performances. Viraj 
performs in front of kids, adults and seniors.
  As an Indian American teenager, Viraj saw the effects of bullying on 
his older brother and decided to blend advocacy and technology. He 
built a website which can be accessed at www.bullyvention.com.
 Viraj's website calls for teenagers to Write on Washington, to make 
their voices roar by contacting their lawmakers and urging them to join 
the campaign to stop bullying now. Viraj believes that kids who are 
bullied need to know they are powerful enough to reach out to those in 
position to make a difference.
  Bullyvention is the first site to team up with the U.S. House of 
Representatives' Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus (CABC). Viraj's 
website trends from Capitol Hill where he interviews Members of 
Congress who have a story to share or advice to give victims of 
bullying.
  In support of his vision that the ``pen is mightier than the sword,'' 
Viraj has been successful in getting Members of Congress involved in a 
campaign he calls Raise Your Pen. Former Speaker and now Democratic 
Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has raised her 
pen to stop bullying now. President Barack Obama also sent a message of 
praise and a note of encouragement in response to a hand-written letter 
Viraj sent to him.
  I am pleased that Viraj is also interviewing and posting photos of 
State Attorneys General, School Superintendents, and others who want to 
join the campaign. He is creating an online interactive map that 
highlights areas of concern by searching though keywords in social 
media like Facebook, Instagram, etc., and by school district, state, 
and county. It is the only interactive map on this subject.
  I commend Viraj for taking a public stand against bullying and for 
putting his technology skills to use in a way that draws all of us 
together. His work, especially with Members of Congress, on behalf of 
teens across America is the first of its kind. And so, for historical 
purposes, I submit this statement for the Congressional Record to 
recognize Viraj for his advocacy efforts. Viraj is a remarkable young 
man with a very bright future. I am proud to know him, and I extend to 
him and his family my kindest regards and best wishes.

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