Recognizing Destiny Huggins

Floor Speech

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Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise with appreciation for the students of California's 19th Congressional District who stayed quiet during the National Day of Silence so that they could stand up for our LGBTQ community.

This year, I recognized Destiny Huggins for participating in our Day of Silence so that she could shine light on the past and present challenges and discrimination of LGBTQ students.

Destiny attends Branciforte Middle School in Santa Cruz, California, and she worked hard to promote this year's Day of Silence by tabling and educating students about the importance of tolerance, control, confidence, and about our community of participation and allyship.

As Destiny stated, her silence is about so much more than a single protest. It is about sacrificing one day of talking so that those in fear can find their voices to come out and speak out every day.

I commend Destiny and all students who participated. Through their silence, they give courage to the LGBTQ community. Ultimately, they stand up for what it means and what it takes to live in our democracy.

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