[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1795]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 24TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. YOUTH ORATORICAL 
                              COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 17, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 24th Annual 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 Competition 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 in the 24th 
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition:
  Middle School Contestants
  Morgan Foster: Manassas Park Middle School
  Ayesha Khursheed: Graham Park School
  Emmanuel Murphy: Parkside Middle School
  High School Contestants
  Jacob Gonzalez: Thomas Jefferson High School
  Norman Jones: Stonewall Jackson High School
  Issac Mensah Yeboah: Osbourn Park High School
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 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.

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