[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2735]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      GARETH PREBBLE, A ROLE MODEL

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Gareth 
Prebble, a sixth-grade student from Mount Nittany Middle School in 
State College, Pennsylvania. Gareth has hopes of connecting what he 
refers to--and rightfully so--as the divide between the physically 
disabled and the rest of the population.
  Young Gareth took a giant step towards this goal last month when he 
entered the Martin Luther King Commemoration Student Showcase essay 
contest. The contest, sponsored by Pennsylvania State University, is 
titled ``Reflect on Yesterday. Experience Today. Transform Tomorrow.''
  Gareth, who has cerebral palsy, wrote about his life experiences: 
``People often look at me and make assumptions based on my 
appearance.'' Gareth's essay evokes Dr. King's powerful message--for 
all people in this country to be treated with respect and dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, Gareth went on to win this competition. I rise to 
congratulate him for his work and for having the strength and courage 
to share his story. In doing so, he is a role model for each and every 
one of us in how we, too, can transform the future.

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