[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE TOP THREE AWARD WINNERS FOR THE 2013 PENN STATE 
          UNIVERSITY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate the top three award winners for the 2013 Penn State 
University Civic Engagement Public Speaking Contest.
  Students for the competition are nominated by their classmates in 
recognition of their speaking performances throughout the semester. In 
total, 1,500 students vie in the competition. Their speeches are what 
Aristotle, who wrote about rhetoric, would classify as 
``deliberative,'' meaning their work is intended to spark public 
dialogue on matters of social or cultural importance.
  The contest is judged by representatives from Pearson, The New York 
Times, Penn State, and the State College community.
  For this year's competition, Amanda Hofstaedter of Chalfont, 
Pennsylvania, won first prize for her piece titled, ``Mandatory GMO 
Labeling: A Win-Win for Companies and Consumers.''
  Sarah Bastian of State College, Pennsylvania, took second place for 
her work titled, ``Driving Down Demand: An Answer for Domestic Minor 
Sex Trafficking.''
  And finally, Prithvi Nilkant of Mars, Pennsylvania, took third place 
for her work entitled, ``Creating a Safer Society for All.''
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate these winners, along with all the 
competing students, for not only their hard work, but also for their 
creativity and for their passion for public engagement.

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