[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 39TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. YOUTH ORATORICAL 
                                CONTEST

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ABIGAIL DAVIS SPANBERGER

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2024

  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 39th Annual 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest, hosted by the Prince 
William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 
Incorporated.
  Each year, the members of the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter 
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated invite community members to 
gather on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to celebrate and reflect upon his 
life and his legacy. The pinnacle of this event has become the Youth 
Oratorical Contest, which brings together students in grades six 
through twelve for a public speaking competition to honor and celebrate 
Dr. King's spirit of optimism, public service, racial harmony, and his 
work to advance human rights through the voices of our youth.
  Dr. King had a vision for what our United States of America should be 
and worked tirelessly toward making it a reality. Our country still 
faces obstacles that Dr. King fought to remove, and we must recommit 
ourselves to realizing his vision: ``the creation of the Beloved 
Community.''
  Dr. King's words continue to inspire our youth, who carry on his 
legacy and prepare to become the future leaders of our country. 
Participants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest pay tribute to Dr. 
King with their ability to communicate with passion and clarity, just 
as he did. This year, the competition challenged students to deliver 
speeches addressing the theme, ``If America is to remain a great 
nation, we must...''--inspired by Dr. King's ``I Have a Dream'' speech 
that he delivered on August 28, 1963--on the steps of the Lincoln 
Memorial in Washington, D.C.
  Six Virginia students presented their reflections on Dr. King's 
legacy, and they eloquently demonstrated how his words empower them. I 
congratulate the following finalists and commend them for their 
participation in the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical 
Contest: Ashley Gutierrez Garcia--Graham Park Middle School, Rabab 
Raza--Rippon Middle School, Ebenezer Samuel--Ronald Reagan Middle 
School, Alyssa Godfrey--Colgan High School, Myles Lanier--Manassas Park 
High School, and Brooklyn Saunders--Gar-Field High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 
Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 
Inc. for showcasing the power of Dr. King's tireless commitment to 
equality and in congratulating the talented youth of the 2024 MLK Youth 
Oratorical Contest. Let us learn from our young people and consider how 
we might honor Dr. King's legacy by seeking justice and leading with 
light in our own communities.

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