[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        MY COMMITMENT TO AMERICA

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 1994

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Joanna Byrd 
of Smyrna, DE, on winning the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States and its Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting contest in my home State of Delaware. The contest theme 
this year was ``My Commitment to America,'' and more than 138,000 
secondary school students participated in the contest competing for the 
39 national scholarships.
  Joanna wrote an excellent statement on what it means to be an 
American and the responsibilities that come with citizenship in our 
Nation. She discussed what the word commitment means to her and how she 
would carry out commitments she has made to herself, her family, 
community, and country. Joanna has decided to become a teacher and she 
talks about the personal commitment and determination required to 
achieve her goal.
  We can all learn from Joanna's fine enunciation of the qualities of 
personal responsibility and initiative; qualities which have helped 
Americans serve their country throughout its history.
  Joanna is the daughter of Thomas and Carole Byrd and she was 
sponsored by VFW Post 8801 and its Ladies Auxiliary in Clayton, DE. 
Joanna's family and friends in Smyrna should be very proud of her and I 
also want to congratulate the members of Post 8801 for helping to 
instill the qualities of good citizenship in the young people of the 
community in Clayton and Smyrna.
  As a state winner and the 31st place national winner, Joanna will 
receive a $1,000 scholarship from the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Joanna Byrd and I am 
honored to enter her winning script into the Congressional Record.

                        My Commitment to America

 [1993/94 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program, Delaware Winner, 
                  Joanna Byrd, Post 8801, Clayton, DE]

       I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, 
     and I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to 
     me.'' These words by Lee Greenwood have always struck a nerve 
     within my heart since the first time I heard them. I am proud 
     to be an American. Being born a citizen of the United States 
     has awarded me with several opportunities. Some of these 
     include: religious freedom, the ability to speak my mind 
     without persecution, the right to vote, and the right to 
     equality. Some people in other countries dream of receiving 
     the kind of freedom that Americans have. However, most of the 
     rights given to United States citizens are quite often taken 
     for granted, and that makes me angry. Not taking advantage of 
     freedom is like being given a million dollars and just 
     throwing it away. America was built on the foundation of 
     courage, determination, and, above all, a commitment to the 
     ideals of liberty. In order to prove my loyalty to America, I 
     have sketched a plan for my future. That plan will one day 
     evolve into my commitment to the United States.
       Every time I hear the word commitment, my mind 
     automatically breaks it down into two separate parts. These 
     are: (1) deciding how I can dedicate myself to something, and 
     (2) choosing to follow through with that decision. Once these 
     two large steps have been taken, the journey toward 
     commitment is more than half way over.
       The easiest part of commitment is deciding how I can show 
     my loyalty to another person, place, thing, or idea. To 
     display my own personal commitment to America, I have decided 
     to become a teacher. What better way is there to prove my 
     dedication to my country than to help shape the young minds 
     of future generations? Behind every excellent student is an 
     exceptional teacher. Without educators, the United States 
     would never have become as successful as they are today. 
     However, simply deciding to become a teacher is not nearly 
     enough. As a matter of fact, it is only the beginning.
       The second step of commitment, as well as the most 
     difficult, is to follow through with my plans. After choosing 
     that becoming a teacher will display my loyalty to my nation, 
     I must carry out that decision. I can do that in a couple of 
     ways. The first and most important way is to get the best 
     education I can. The second way is to remain dedicated to my 
     purpose. Above all else, I must never give up. America was 
     not built by quitters. I will do my country justice by 
     rolling up my sleeves and by proving that I am determined to 
     keep going, even when the going gets tough.
       America has so much to offer. Anyone would be a fool to 
     refuse to accept the opportunities which the United States 
     give so freely. America is good to me. In turn, I plan to be 
     good to America. By getting involved in community activities, 
     exercising my free rights, and by helping the generations to 
     come, I can prove that I am, and always will remain, 
     committed to my country--the United States of America.

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