[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        ESSAY BY TRAVIS GRIFFITH

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT E. WISE, JR.

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 1994

  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following essay 
written by Travis Griffith, a 17-year-old student from Charleston, WV. 
This essay made him the State winner in the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
and its Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy scriptwriting contest. I 
share his thoughts on ``My Commitment to America'' with a sense of 
encouragement for our future leaders.

                        My Commitment to America

       I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of 
     America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, 
     under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
       When I experience the privilege of making this pledge, my 
     heart beats more rapidly and a feeling of fullness comes 
     inside me until I feel I might burst with pride. At that 
     moment, I fully understand what it means to be an American 
     and of the commitments that I must make to assure that the 
     generations that follow me experience this same feeling.
       Liberty and justice are small phrases with enormous 
     implications. Each person has different values in political, 
     cultural and religious beliefs. Our Constitution demands that 
     our society respect each person's values.
       To explain, being an American means having the right to say 
     what you want to say, to do what you want to do and to be 
     what you want to be. However, with the receipt of these 
     rights, there is an implied responsibility to take those 
     actions necessary to protect them.
       The best way to fulfill this obligation is to make the 
     commitment to study and learn more about ways to improve 
     America's future. I recognize that the degree of commitment 
     one is willing to make is totally discretionary. The effect 
     of one's actions on the future is directly related to the 
     responsibility one assumes. In our democracy, one's potential 
     influence is unlimited.
       First, I commit to vote. The number of citizens who fail to 
     exercise their voting rights is tragic. Along with the right 
     to vote, however, is the responsibility to research the 
     candidates and vote for those who have service to the Country 
     as their motivating force. One small voice may not be heard, 
     but millions of small voices together can make a large roar.
       Next, I commit to serve the community. I will stand up for 
     those issues that I find important, whether it is the 
     environment, city ordinances, taxes, the economy or even 
     running for an elective office myself. The basic fabric that 
     holds society together is that we care for each other's 
     welfare. Today many people fail to accept this 
     responsibility.
       Another commitment is to join civic organizations. I firmly 
     believe that without these organizations in our communities 
     America would just not work. The government cannot do 
     everything for us. In fact, our system is set up to keep 
     government control out of our personal lives. Every word in 
     the shape and substance of our Constitution decides that 
     question between power and liberty. My commitment is my 
     power, which guarantees my liberty and the liberty of others.
       These ideas can best be summed up by quoting a great 
     warrior who led the force that liberated Europe during World 
     War II and subsequently became the 34th President--Dwight D. 
     Eisenhower. ``Freedom has its life in the hearts, the 
     actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and 
     refreshed--else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, 
     it will wither and die.'' My commitments must ensure that the 
     flower of democracy does not wither and die.

                          ____________________