[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SADIE DELICATH AND HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO BLACK 
                             HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2021

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, February is Black History month. This 
month, and every month, let us celebrate the Black Americans who built 
this nation, amplify the voices of those who continue to fight for a 
more just society, and recommit to taking real action. We must remember 
that Black History is American History as we reflect on the people who 
have strengthened our nation.
  This past year, the fight for racial justice was especially important 
in wake of unspeakable tragedies like the murders of George Floyd and 
Breonna Taylor. People of all ages protested from coast to coast, 
calling for justice, saying enough is enough, and demanding change. I 
was particularly inspired by a group of young students led by Social 
Studies Teacher Nicole Clark, English Language Arts Teacher Monica 
Powell, and Inclusion Specialist Courtney Legg at Two Rivers Public 
Charter School in Washington, D.C.--where my granddaughter Sadie 
Delicath attends. During their recent school showcase they presented 
their ``resistance poems'' which I have shared with my colleagues in an 
e-booklet and posted to my website at:
  https://delauro.house.gov/sites/delauro.house.gov/files/documents/
TwoRiversPoems.pdf.
  As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ``our lives begin to end the day we 
become silent about things that matter.'' During these unprecedented 
times, where we are also struggling to combat a pandemic that is 
disproportionately affecting communities of color, we must have the 
courage to make meaningful change. It is clear that the young authors 
of these poems certainly have that courage. I was particularly inspired 
by their words, and I am confident that my colleagues in the Congress 
were as well.
  It is through their dedication and commitment of young people--and 
that of so many others before them--we are able to continue this fight 
for equality, justice and opportunity today and for many years to come.
  I would like to share the poem written by my granddaughter Sadie. I 
am inspired by her every day:

                          Change Needs To Come

                          (By Sadie Delicath)

     Do you know what it's like to be a Black person in America?
     'Cause I don't.
     I don't look at the tv and see another brother, mother, 
           daughter, or father hanging from a tree or getting shot 
           in her sleep wondering if next time it will be me.
     Do you know what it's like to be a white person in America? 
           'Cause I do.
     When I see a cop car there are no butterflies dancing in my 
           stomach or the sinking feeling something bad is going 
           to happen.
     Is that how everyone feels, or just me?
     Do you know what it's like to be a white person in America? 
           'Cause I do.
     Having privilege because of the color of my skin, being 
           protected by something I'm born in.
     History is a broken record, skips a couple of times, but 
           always repeats itself.
     Our laws and our norms always find a way to keep racism 
           around.
     Slavery led to Jim Crow and Jim Crow to police brutality
     We have the power to put an end to this pain, but Black 
           people are silenced as if by thunderous rain.
     Denouncing racism is not enough, a black square is not 
           enough, do you really care or is it just a bluff?
     Black Lives Matter is not a trend, we have to put racism to 
           an end.

                          ____________________