RECOGNIZING DESTINY HUGGINS

On 2026-05-14, Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING DESTINY HUGGINS" in the House.

RECOGNIZING DESTINY HUGGINS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3469-H3470] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING DESTINY HUGGINS (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) 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 [[Page H3470]] 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. ____________________