[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 26TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. YOUTH ORATORICAL 
                                CONTEST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 31st Annual King 
Day Celebration and the cornerstone of the event, the 26th Annual 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest, hosted by the Prince 
William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
   The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will forever be engrained 
in our history as the formative figure in the quest for justice through 
civil dialogue. His legacy is one of tolerance despite the violence 
perpetrated against him and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. 
Responding through peaceful and principled communication to condemn the 
injustice of social and racial inequality, Dr. King worked tirelessly 
to establish a more united society. In his Letter from a Birmingham 
Jail, Dr. King highlighted the need for civility in order to establish 
equality. For his courage, vision, and perseverance, we celebrate Dr. 
King, not just for the man he was, but for his vision of the American 
Dream and what America can be.
   Each year, residents of Prince William County gather to reflect upon 
the past year and receive a message of hope from the youth of today and 
leaders of tomorrow. Contestants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest 
pay homage to the legacy of Dr. King through their effective 
communication. The ability to communicate with passion and clarity will 
serve them well as they assume future leadership opportunities and 
establish the personal relationships necessary for community 
engagement.
   I congratulate the following contestants in the 26th Annual Martin 
Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest:
   Middle School Contestants
   Jennifer Faruque--Stonewall Middle School
   Zoree Jones--Ronald Reagan Middle School
   Sunjum Mehta--Porter Traditional School
   High School Contestants
   Ja'Neese Jefferson--Manassas Park High School
   Norman Jones--Stonewall Jackson High School
   Nicholas Smith--Forest Park High School
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 
Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for 
showcasing the power of purposeful and meaningful communication 
reminiscent of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and in congratulating the 
talented contestants in the 2016 MLK Youth Oratorical Contest.

                          ____________________