[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 202 (Tuesday, December 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TESTIMONY OF JAYLA JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 12, 2017

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record, the testimony 
of Jalyla Johnson.

       Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of Congress and fellow 
     citizens. I am from Council Rock North High School located in 
     Newtown Bucks County. I am Jayla Johnson. I come from an area 
     that's majority white and upper middle class. I am the model 
     minority. Let me tell you all about it. Last year during 
     spirit week on pride day I was in school when I saw a student 
     walk around with a confederate flag draped on him. I hope 
     you're wondering WHY and HOW that happened. The school 
     allowed the student to walk through the halls for more than 
     half the day due to their first amendment right. Now what 
     about my safety? I reported the incident to my administration 
     in which they said they could kindly ask the student to 
     remove it in due time. I confronted the student within 
     minutes and in their response was that he got it from his 
     parents. To me that basically said he did not know the hate 
     behind it, and did not see it as a problem. This conversation 
     led to my family and I having a mandatory meeting with my 
     superintendent, in hopes to change the school's policy 
     handbook. I was somewhat not satisfied because I wanted more 
     action to be done and take place than just words on a piece 
     of paper, that is easily not read by many. From then and the 
     hate that is shown in my school I started a club called 
     V.O.I.C.E. meaning, Voices Of Inequality at Council rock 
     north Everyday. This club is for students who want to make a 
     difference and have dialogue on topics that we are not 
     familiar with whether that is with where we live and or who 
     we interact with. Be an up stander rather than a bystander. 
     So I propose this question to you all in Congress, how can 
     you make a change? Does that come from making a policy for 
     ALL schools regarding no tolerance for racism, bigotry, and 
     so many other isms? Let's rather make it mandatory students 
     take a class to help them learn and be better United States 
     Citizens? We are here at school to learn and leave to serve 
     but how can we serve the world when we are not taught about 
     it in school and or familiar with all races and ethnicities. 
     I hope to hear back from Congress in hopes to change the 
     world for us since we are the leading future. Thank you for 
     listening and please take this into consideration. Once again 
     I am Jayla Johnson and I speak for the unheard voices and 
     will continue to.

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