[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17599]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE 18TH ANNUAL MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY DAY

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 2010

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 18th Annual 
National Multicultural Diversity Day celebration that was held in my 
hometown of Flint Michigan. A multicultural dinner and program were 
held on October 11th to kick off events celebrating diversity in our 
country.
  Cleorah Scruggs presented the idea of creating a National 
Multicultural Diversity Day to the National Education Association 1993 
Representative Assembly. Cleorah developed this proposal to teach 
students about the contributions of persons from a wide variety of 
ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Her proposal was adopted and educators 
across our nation use the third Monday of October to kickoff diversity 
programs. Now retired, Cleorah was honored by the National Education 
Association in 2000 with the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award for 
her ongoing efforts to advance the teaching of multiculturalism in our 
schools. She continues to make presentations and visit schools, 
spreading the idea that diversity is strength, not weakness.
  Madam Speaker, the celebration held last month was themed, ``Valuing 
Multicultural Diversity,'' and was highlighted by ethnic displays, 
performances, foods and speakers. I commend Cleorah Scruggs and the 
National Multicultural Diversity Institute for their work promoting 
understanding, appreciation and acceptance of persons of different 
ethnic backgrounds. Through their efforts students, parents and 
educators will have increased insight into our world and a deeper 
understanding its people.

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