[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        MY COMMITMENT TO AMERICA

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my colleagues and 
other readers of the Record a speech written by a very fine young man 
in my district, Brett Benson Allmon of Englewood, TN. Brett gave his 
address at VFW Post 5146 in Athens, TN on November 11, 1993, and I had 
the privilege of hearing him speak to this group. Brett also received 
the Voice of Democracy Award for this speech.
  I thought that the points this outstanding young man made about the 
unraveling of our families in this Country were very valid. I hope more 
young people will make the commitment that Brett has to his education, 
his family and to God.

                        My Commitment to America

       When I saw the topic that was to be discussed in this 
     speech. I was anxious to speak about it because citizens 
     should better understand their commitment to America and not 
     just America's commitment to them. You see, I believe that 
     America is not a place of people supported by the Government. 
     I believe that America is a union supported by the people. 
     Therefore each American's commitment to their country 
     involves what they do each day, whether it be a white collar 
     job, blue collar job, volunteer work, military service, 
     homemaker, or any other endeavor.
       I am a student, so my commitment to America involves my 
     commitment to my education. In a recent speech, Rep. Newt 
     Gingrich said that 30 years ago the most important problems 
     with students in school were talking in class, chewing gum, 
     and running in the halls. He also pointed out the most 
     important problems now:
       Rape and assault; teenage pregnancy; students receiving 
     diplomas that they cannot even read; and increasing suicide 
     rates.
       The Government has not ignored such problems in the 
     schools. Government spending on education since 1960 has gone 
     from $64 billion a year to $207 billion a year. However, the 
     average SAT score has gone from 975 down to 899 in this same 
     period of time.
       Therefore, you must agree that money is not the answer. But 
     if money is not the answer then what is? Mencius, a Chinese 
     philosopher, once said, ``The root of the kingdom is in the 
     state. The root of the state is in the family.''
       In 1960, nine percent of all American homes were single 
     parent families. In 1990, twenty-nine percent of all American 
     homes were single parent families. During this same period of 
     time, the percentage of American students living with both 
     parents has gone from 78% down to a meager 22%.
       I realize many people have no faith in statistics and are 
     often bored by them, but I believe that these numbers cannot 
     be ignored. The solution appears obvious to me. Students' 
     recommitment to education will depend on the reconstruction 
     of the American family. If such measurable facts do not 
     convince you of the problem and its solution, then use the 
     facts that your own minds observe and the facts that your own 
     hearts feel.
       Observe the widespread violence. Observe the sagging morals 
     that were once special to almost everyone. Feel the grip of 
     sexual and sensual propaganda. Feel the growing attitude of a 
     selfish and rebellious spirit. These things need no 
     statistics and percentages to back them up.
       You can see and feel these things and ideas every day. You 
     can be sure that they bring in big money for businesses, but 
     you can be sure that they have one destructive byproduct. 
     They undermine the commitment to the family.
       There is hope. In the latest presidential election, more 
     than in any other of the last 30 years, the issue of family 
     values was heavily discussed and debated. As more Americans 
     come to see this as a determining issue, then more officials 
     who recognize this as important will be elected to serve.
       It is going to become the responsibility of my generation 
     to reinstitute the American family as the root of this 
     Nation. A building is only as strong as its foundation. Our 
     Nation has long been strong because of the firm foundation 
     forged by the morals of our forefathers. But that moral fiber 
     has rotted and the foundation has crumbled. We must tear down 
     our present foundation and lay a new one. Our new foundation 
     will be the family, the firmest structure I know.
       Many battles may be lost in this effort, but the war will 
     be won. My generation will fulfill its obligation and 
     reaffirm the value of the family. We will carry this 
     rekindled torch into the 21st century.
       So what do I commit to America? I commit myself as a 
     student. I commit myself as a member of my family. I commit 
     myself under God. I commit myself.

                          ____________________