[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 678]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 23RD ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., YOUTH 
                         ORATORICAL COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 25, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 23rd Annual 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition hosted by the 
Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and 
its Education Foundation.
  The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left an indelible mark on 
our nation in his pursuit of civil rights through civil dialogue. 
Despite the violence perpetrated against Dr. King and other leaders of 
the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King responded with reverent oratory and 
nonviolent resistance to condemn the injustice of social inequality. 
His legacy is one of tolerance and steadfast commitment to principled 
and peaceful communication.
  Contestants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest pay tribute to Dr. 
King's legacy with their ability to exercise the strength of the spoken 
word. This skill will serve them well as they seize future leadership 
opportunities and forge the personal relationships necessary for 
effective community engagement and organizing.
  I congratulate and applaud the following contestants of the 23rd 
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition:
  Middle School Contestants:
  Norman Jones--Stonewall Middle School.
  Hazma Mir--Mary G. Porter Traditional School.
  Nathaniel Raffier--Herbert J. Saunders Middle School.
  High School Contestants:
  Jacob Gonzalez--Thomas Jefferson High School.
  Abbas Idris--Osbourn Park High School.
  Cynthia Johnson--Stonewall Jackson High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for recognizing the benefit that Dr. King's 
teachings bring to the development of our youth. We lay the foundations 
of a more tolerant society when we nurture the ability to engage and 
communicate with one another in a way that respects our common 
humanity.