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“TRIBUTE TO DESHAUNA BARBER” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E992 on June 24, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO DESHAUNA BARBER
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HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 24, 2016
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Deshauna Barber of Northeast Washington, D.C., a graduate of Virginia State University and the University of Maryland University College, who was crowned Miss USA 2016 this month. Ms. Barber demonstrates the best qualities of District residents, and we believe she will bring out their best qualities as well during her reign. We are particularly proud that Ms. Barber is a lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, serving as a Logistics Commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit at Fort Meade, Maryland. She also works as an IT consultant at the United States Department of Commerce. During her downtime, Ms. Barber enjoys hometown D.C., and has a particular fondness for Gallery Place in Chinatown and our hometown staple Ben's Chili Bowl. Deshauna is a strong advocate for gender equality, particularly for our nation's military women. The nation, especially the District of Columbia, takes great pride in the constellation of characteristics and talents Miss District of Columbia brings to her work as Miss USA 2016.
A District resident has won Miss USA only three times. Lt. Barber's victory comes at a watershed moment when District residents will be asked to approve a new D.C. statehood constitution in November. This effort has already significantly increased the visibility of D.C. statehood throughout the country. Our D.C. Miss USA almost surely brings new interest in her hometown and everything about D.C., including its quest for statehood. Today, Miss USA 2016, Deshauna Barber, has earned not only her title, but, like the almost 700,000 other residents of the District, the right to full and equal citizenship.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Miss District of Columbia, Deshauna Barber, the 2016 Miss USA, and to thank her for her service to the country as a lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and as a representative of the best of the citizens of the District of Columbia as Miss USA 2016.
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