[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   HONORING THE 32ND ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. YOUTH ORATORICAL 
                                CONTEST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 37th Annual 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration and the cornerstone of the 
event, the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical 
Contest, hosted by the Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma 
Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
  Each year, the members of the Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated invite community members to gather 
on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to reflect upon the past year and 
receive a message of hope from the youth of today and leaders of 
tomorrow. Dr. King will forever be enshrined in our history as the 
formative figure in the quest for justice through civil dialogue. 
Responding through peaceful and principled communication to condemn the 
injustice of social and racial inequality, Dr. King worked tirelessly 
to establish a more fair and equal society. Our nation still faces 
obstacles that Dr. King fought to remove, and it is imperative that we 
continue his work for our next generations. Dr. King's words continue 
to inspire our youth, molding the future leaders of our country.
  Participants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest pay tribute to Dr. 
King's legacy with their ability to communicate with passion and 
clarity, just as Dr. King did. This year, the competition challenged 
students to stretch their imaginations and bring inspirational meaning 
to Dr. King's vision. Specifically, students sought to honor the work 
of Black women, the unsung heroines of the Civil Rights Movement past 
and present.
  Three middle and three high school orators demonstrated how the 
vision and tireless work of these women aligned with Dr. King's vision 
and maintained his legacy. I congratulate the following contestants and 
commend them for their participation in the 32nd Annual Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest:
  Mahmud lbn Abdul-Rahman Khabir--Bull Run Middle School, Makaya 
Elizabeth Freeman--Graham Park Middle School, Shavonne Davis--
Marsteller Middle School, Varsha Jyothikaa Palaniyandy--Gar-Field High 
School, N'Na-Mayi Akosua Tama--Osbourn Park High School, Kenedi Cheri 
Wiley--Hylton High School.
  Madam 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 youth of the 2022 MLK Youth Oratorical Contest. Let us learn 
from the young people and renew our fight against injustice, ensuring 
that all Americans will enjoy the equality they deserve.

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