[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 152 (Friday, September 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING MARKIYA SIMONE DICKSON

  (Ms. SPANBERGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of 
Markiya Simone Dickson.
  She was an energetic, kind, and spunky 9-year-old girl. She was a 
beloved daughter and an adored sister. She was in third grade, and she 
was preparing to sing a Justin Bieber song in her school's upcoming 
talent show.
  On May 26, 2019, Markiya and her family attended a community picnic 
in Richmond, Virginia. From across the park, a random gunshot went 
through the crowd, and this senseless, cruel act of gun violence took 
Markiya's life.
  During and since this unimaginable time, Markiya's parents, Mark 
Whitfield and Ciara Dickson, have demonstrated extraordinary strength, 
determination, and courage. They continue fighting to ensure Markiya's 
name and her beautiful life are never forgotten.
  They stand by their steadfast wish to fight back against gun violence 
in our communities so that other parents will never have to experience 
the pain that they feel following Markiya's death.
  Markiya was beloved by those who knew her, and the Richmond, 
Virginia, community stands with her family at this time. Together, we 
share her story; we mourn her death; and we promise to fight for safer 
communities for all our children.

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