[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING OLIVIA PERRY FOR WINNING THE LESSONS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN 
                       EXPERIENCE WRITING CONTEST

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Olivia Perry 
as a winner of the first annual ``Lessons of the African-American 
Experience'' Creative Writing Contest. Olivia is currently in the 
fourth grade at Woodstock Elementary School, which is located in 
Woodstock, Connecticut.
  In celebration of Black History Month, I sponsored a creative writing 
contest for all third through eighth grade students within the Second 
District. As we know, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the 
struggles and triumphs of our nation's past. The lessons learned during 
this month continue to serve as the stepping stones of our nation's 
future. Olivia's essay ``Perseverance'' eloquently embraces this 
belief.
  Olivia's essay shows a remarkable enthusiasm for learning that is 
inspiring to all. She identified the values that she learned during 
Black History Month and creatively discussed how those values affect 
her life and the lives of others. For this, her essay was among the 
four winners selected.

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