[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 42 (Monday, April 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        MY COMMITMENT TO AMERICA

                                 ______


                        HON. H. MARTIN LANCASTER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 1994

  Mr. LANCASTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulation 
to a young man, Matthew Kirby-Smith of Beaufort, NC, located in my 
congressional district, for being the overall winner for the State of 
North Carolina in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy 
Scholarship Program. Matthew submitted his essay through Jones-Austin 
VFW Post 2401 and Ladies Auxiliary.
  This past year more than 138,000 students participated. The contest 
theme for this year was ``My Commitment to America.'' Matthew is an 
active participant in school activities at East Carteret High School 
and in his community. I am proud to include this following essay in my 
remarks for the Record.

                      ``My Commitment to America''

(By Matthew Kirby-Smith, Post 2401, Beaufort, NC, 1993/94 VFW Voice of 
          Democracy Scholarship Program North Carolina Winner)

       ``America is a country founded by the people, for the 
     people.'' This statement is more than just a simple statement 
     by our forefathers. It is the ideal that our country is 
     founded on. The government is here by the people, for the 
     people. Those peoples are us; you, me, and everyone else that 
     lives here. In order for life to be what we want it--free, 
     fair, and just--we must all realize our responsibilities to 
     our ideal. America is not merely a free country of 
     opportunity, it is a group of free people pursuing their 
     happiness. To retain this privilege we must all contribute to 
     the ideal. My responsibility to this country is what 
     everyone's is: to fight for my country, me life; to help 
     ensure good leadership, to vote; and to ensure the 
     immortality of this country and her ideals, I must help 
     others. The key to our lives in freedom is our stand 
     together, as the people of the country, for this country.
       To elaborate on these responsibilities is necessary to 
     ensure true understanding of what I, along with my 
     generation, must be ready, willing, and able to do.
       One of the most obvious responsibilities I have is that of 
     service. Service in the military, and the will to fight for 
     what I believe our country should be; this is a 
     responsibility handed down to me by countless other patriots 
     who fought and died for this idea. This is a responsibility 
     not to be taken lightly. From the War of 1812, in which 2,200 
     died, to WWII where 407,000 Americans died; it has always 
     been a struggle for American freedom. To keep our way of 
     life, we sometimes must fight. In order for the deaths of 
     these patriots to mean something, we must be ready to uphold 
     their efforts, even if it means fighting.
       When I turn 18 I will receive a gift that was established 
     early in American history (first for whites, then blacks and 
     women), the right to vote. This right is truly a trademark of 
     the American way. To choose the leaders of the government is 
     unheard of in many countries. It will be my job to use this 
     privilege correctly, and to help others to use theirs. Our 
     country really depends on all of our contributions. We have 
     the chance to choose who leads us. I am proud of this right! 
     I choose who I follow. To a certain extent, I am the master 
     of my fate. It makes me incredibly happy to know that no one 
     is telling me what to do unless I choose him to do so. It 
     should make you happy, too.
       We truly do not realize what voting is. The power is in my 
     hands. It is in our hands.
       The right to vote and the willingness to fight are two 
     important parts of our country and of my responsibilities. 
     Perhaps an even more important responsibility of mine is to 
     myself and others. Although voting is a direct way of making 
     our will known, more important is our personal impact on each 
     other. My major responsibility to our country's life is my 
     influence on my peers. I am capable of influencing my 
     generation. This responsibility becomes evident as we become 
     older. We start to form parties and to lobby for different 
     causes. If I can't be in the government, I can still help 
     direct it by my vote, and by my actions on others. I can help 
     to teach other people about their abilities; the ability to 
     vote and to change things with letters to congressmen and to 
     senators. The simple action of obeying laws, and just setting 
     examples for others. These are two very subtle, but effective 
     ways of helping our country.
       To be ready to fight, to vote, to lead by example and 
     influence--these are my responsibilities to America. These 
     are mine and all of ours. This country will only survive if 
     we want it to. We all influence its change and growth. It 
     truly is a place in which I am very happy to be. It is up to 
     me.

                          ____________________