[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 46 (Monday, April 25, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
THE MEANING OF AMERICA
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I would like to submit for the Record the
text of an essay written by a very talented young man from my State of
South Dakota. Marcus Stubbles is the winner of this year's South Dakota
Voice of Democracy award. With his essay, he has painted an eloquent
picture of what America means to him. I think it is valuable for each
of us, especially as Members of this body, to reflect on this
fundamental question periodically. I would encourage my colleagues to
take a moment to read this brief essay, and I ask that its text be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the essay was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
What is America?
This question sounds simple and silly, but it can be
answered in many different ways. You could look in a
dictionary, and it would tell you that the term ``America'',
used in this context, is the common shortened name for a
nation known officially as the United States of America.
Technically, I suppose that this is what ``America'' is. But
all we've done by answering the question this way is to
replace one word with others.
What is America?
Look at an encyclopedia, and it will tell you that America
is composed of 50 states and assorted territories, covers
three million, six hundred and eighteen thousand, seven
hundred and seventy square miles, has about 250 million
citizens, with a per capita income of about sixteen thousand
dollars. Again, I suppose that this, technically, is America.
But I don't think that's all there is to America.
What is America?
Look at an atlas. It will show you that America includes
almost every type of terrain and climate documented on Earth.
It has millions of unique and beautiful plant and animal
species. On the human side, it has farms and factories, homes
and businesses, and every scale of settlement from small
towns with only a few dozen residents to vast metropolitan
areas covering hundreds of square miles with millions of
people. Again, this is America. But I don't think we've
really found the core of what America truly is.
The word America, to me, is a symbol representing
an emotional intangible. America, more than anything else,
is a state of mind, a feeling in the heart comprised of
courage, defiance, and loyatly to principles and ideals
above men and institutions. Let me give you same examples
of what I mean.
The colonial leaders who signed the Declaration of
independence did so knowing full well that it meant war, a
war in which their families and friends could be killed or
imprisoned, and they themselves could be executed for
treason. But they risked it all in the name of liberty and
justice. That was the true beginning of America.
When John Paul Jones was called upon by his British
opponent to surrender the badly damaged Bonhomme Richard, his
response was nothing of the kind. Boldly declaring that he
``had not yet begun to fight,'' he pressed the battle against
the British frigate and won. His fighting spirit, even in the
face of terrible odds, was America.
When the pioneers struck out for the midwest, they faced
disease, starvation, danger, and the extremes of the
elements. To meet these risks, they had only what they could
haul with them and their own ingenuity to use those supplies
to best advantage. And they did it all for the promise of a
piece of land to call their own, to work for no landlord, no
master. This fierce independence and determination was
America.
When the depression changed America from a carefree,
prosperous land to a dustbowl filled with the unemployed and
the poor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt took to the airwaves to
personally, calm and reassure the country and lead it toward
it's former security and prosperity. This firm leadership,
coupled with true concern for the people, was America.
When refugees give up what property and friends they have,
and risk their lives to cross an armed border or enter the
sanctuary of an embassy, they have already proved themselves
to be great Americans, for they have done it all to reach a
place they have never seen, only heard of. America is the
gleam of hope in their eyes that this new land might be free
and just.
I believe that we must commit ourselves to keeping this
concept of America alive. We must commit ourselves to the
ideas of liberty and justice, and be as committed as the
daring colonists who started America. We must maintain a
fighting spirit against the worst of odds, like John Paul
Jones. We must be as determined and as independent as the
daring pioneers of the great plains. We must be resolute and
confident in our course, and keep the common man at heart,
like Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And we must always hope for a
better future, and be willing to risk our property and even
our lives to grasp it like the refugees who have come to
America since the pilgrims and who continue to dream of
America today.
What is America? America is a nation built upon the ideals
of liberty and justice, determination and confidence, spirit
and defiance, courage and hope. These values have made
America a great nation and have kept it strong through the
years. My commitment to these values in my commitment to
America.
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