[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 102 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DESHAUNA BARBER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2016

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating Deshauna Barber of 
Northeast Washington, D.C., a graduate of Virginia State University and 
the University of Maryland University College, who was crowned Miss USA 
2016 this month. Ms. Barber demonstrates the best qualities of District 
residents, and we believe she will bring out their best qualities as 
well during her reign. We are particularly proud that Ms. Barber is a 
lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, serving as a Logistics 
Commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit at Fort Meade, 
Maryland. She also works as an IT consultant at the United States 
Department of Commerce. During her downtime, Ms. Barber enjoys hometown 
D.C., and has a particular fondness for Gallery Place in Chinatown and 
our hometown staple Ben's Chili Bowl. Deshauna is a strong advocate for 
gender equality, particularly for our nation's military women. The 
nation, especially the District of Columbia, takes great pride in the 
constellation of characteristics and talents Miss District of Columbia 
brings to her work as Miss USA 2016.
  A District resident has won Miss USA only three times. Lt. Barber's 
victory comes at a watershed moment when District residents will be 
asked to approve a new D.C. statehood constitution in November. This 
effort has already significantly increased the visibility of D.C. 
statehood throughout the country. Our D.C. Miss USA almost surely 
brings new interest in her hometown and everything about D.C., 
including its quest for statehood. Today, Miss USA 2016, Deshauna 
Barber, has earned not only her title, but, like the almost 700,000 
other residents of the District, the right to full and equal 
citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating Miss District of Columbia, Deshauna Barber, the 2016 
Miss USA, and to thank her for her service to the country as a 
lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and as a representative of 
the best of the citizens of the District of Columbia as Miss USA 2016.

                          ____________________