[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING WILEY COLLEGE DEBATE TEAM ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2014

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor to recognize an 
incredible, charming, superlative institution of higher learning 
located within the First Congressional District of Texas. The 
historically significant Wiley College was founded in 1873 and is 
located in Marshall, Texas.
   Wiley College first received national acclaim in 1935 when its 
debate team defeated the then reigning national forensics champion, the 
University of Southern California. The dramatic face off between these 
two universities was depicted in the movie ``The Great Debaters'' which 
helped reinvigorate the debate program at the college and began to 
erode the racial barrier that once plagued academia.
   It is with tremendous pride that I can say ``The Great Debaters'' 
have done it again by bringing home first place honors in the National 
Pi Kappa Delta Comprehensive National Tournament which was held in 
Indianapolis, Indiana. After an outstanding period of 373 successful 
debates and 60 awards, this victory marks the pinnacle of the team's 
superb season.
   The debate team which once again captured the enthusiasm and 
commitment of that 1935 team was comprised of only first and second 
year collegiate competitors: Austin Ashford, Dominick Taylor, Drake 
Pough, Eric Robinson, Farah Habad, Jhamiah Dixon, LaQuanda Streeter, 
Rachel Garnett, Autumn Locke, Autumnwind Spear, Mary Mitchell, Kayla 
Hall, Cameron Smith, Jesus Cardenas, Katori Mobley, Benjamin Turner, 
Marcus Rembert, Ernest Mack, Ki-Jana Hernandez, Aaron Tumbaga, Robert 
Hollar, Nathan Leal, and Lyle Kleinman.
   The students of the Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics 
Society's debate team would not have been able to accomplish this 
meaningful achievement without the excellent instruction given by Coach 
Christopher Medina, Director of Forensics; Coach Sarah Spiker Rainey, 
Assistant Director of Forensics; and Interpretation Coach Sean Allen--
along with Forensics Specialists Coach Kris Stroup, Coach Jane 
Munksgaard, and Coach Todd Rainey.
   Special recognition must also be given to the President and CEO of 
Wiley College, Dr. Haywood Strickland; Executive Vice President and 
Provost, Dr. Glenda Carter; and Vice President of Student Affairs and 
Enrollment Services, Dr. Joseph Morale.
   Heartfelt congratulations are extended to all faculty, staff, 
students and alumni of Wiley College as well as the entire east Texas 
community of Marshall, Texas, as their legacy of distinction is now 
recorded in the Congressional Record that will endure as long as there 
is a United States of America.

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