[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 32 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNER

                                 ______


                            HON. EARL HUTTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 21, 1994

  Mr. HUTTO. Mr. Speaker, my constituent, Stacey Boozer of Panama City, 
FL is a State winner in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. 
``Voice of Democracy'' broadcast scriptwriting contest. I am pleased to 
submit the following winning script written by Stacey Boozer.

       As a teenager, I feel a strong commitment to America 
     because I know that I am a part of its future. My generation 
     will soon be taxpayers, voters, and members of the work 
     force. We will be running this Nation in a matter of years. 
     We need to be equipped to use the concepts that made this 
     country great: patriotism, benevolence, pride, and democracy.
       I will be able to vote in a year. This is important to me 
     because I want to have a say in the government that is 
     supposed to represent me. I want to pick candidates who feel 
     the way I do about taxes, the economy, and social issues. 
     Though I am still young, I know what I want the government to 
     do about moral issues like abortion, prayer in public 
     schools, and education. I feel that far too many people 
     remain silent when voting season rolls around because they 
     are unprepared to participate. They don't know who stands for 
     what, or sometimes, even what they themselves stand for. They 
     prefer to remain a part of the ``silent majority,'' who let 
     others run the world for them. Voting is about taking a stand 
     for what you believe in and who you believe in. I am 
     interested in voting because I want my opinions to count. I 
     want to be a part of my government and have my fair say. I 
     feel that I am ready to analyze any candidates and make 
     responsible decisions. A democracy relies on informed, active 
     citizens. We can't change anything unless we make an effort 
     to try.
       I plan to major in elementary education in college because 
     my heart is yearning to teach young children. Like myself, 
     children are the future of America. Their visions will form 
     this country into what it will become. I want to teach our 
     children about their world and how to be responsible 
     Americans. I want to instill in them the same concepts of 
     patriotism that I received in kindergarten, as I recited the 
     Pledge of Allegiance. This patriotism is what our forefathers 
     intended for everyone to have. I want to make a difference in 
     the way our future society will view their part in our nation 
     when it is their turn to lead. My generation has been 
     stereotyped as a careless, apathetic generation with little 
     concern about government or the economy. I must admit that in 
     many cases this is true. As a nation we rank far below other 
     growing nations like Japan, Germany, and England in our test 
     scores and output as students. At the same time, we are at 
     the top when it comes to self-confidence. In the words of 
     T.V. talk show host, ``. . . we are a nation of proud 
     dumbbells.'' I resent that opinion and want to change it. 
     Unfortunately, there is a great apathy among my peers. Most 
     teens don't care about politics or news unless it affects 
     them personally. I want to reach out and show them that 
     everything that happens to our nation will and does affect 
     them personally. I want to do something to change the world's 
     opinion of American teens. I do care and I know that there 
     are many others who are ready and willing to make a 
     difference in our society.
       In the future I hope to impact the lives of American 
     children. In the meantime, I shall try to set an example to 
     my peers who are indifferent toward their nation and show 
     them how important we are to the future of America and our 
     world. We are the future of America. It is our responsibility 
     to keep America the great nation that it is and to be 
     prepared to be reliable citizens.

                          ____________________