June 19, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 103 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H4778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATIONS TO POET ELIZABETH ACEVEDO

  (Mr. ESPAILLAT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, the Carnegie Medal, the prestigious 
award that annually recognizes authors focused on literature for 
children or young adults, has been widely coveted since its 
establishment in 1936.
  Surprisingly, the medal has never been awarded to a woman of color in 
its 83-year existence--that is, until Dominican-American poet Elizabeth 
Acevedo's win for ``The Poet X,'' a critically acclaimed piece of 
literature named after its main character, Xiomara Batista.
  ``The Poet X'' artfully illustrates the journey of X, a shy Dominican 
girl of African descent who joins her school's poetry club in Harlem, a 
place I represent and know well.
  Elizabeth's brave exploration of societal structures in ``The Poet 
X'' is remarkable. Her childhood upbringing and tribulations gave 
Elizabeth unique authority and intimacy of X's journey. The resulting 
poem will inspire young voices who follow her footsteps.
  Congratulations to Elizabeth for her monumental accomplishment.

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