[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 92 (Friday, July 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           MONTANA'S VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNER--PAIGE ROIGER

                                 ______


                           HON. PAT WILLIAMS

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 1994

  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to insert in the 
Congressional Record the following winning script, by my constituent, 
Ms. Paige Roiger of Sidney, MT. Ms. Roiger was Montana's winner in the 
My Commitment to America Contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars of the United States.

                        My Commitment to America

       Dear America: I'm writing this letter to thank you for 
     being a great nation. Since your birth, God has blessed this 
     land more than any other nation, with great natural 
     resources, beauty, and countless opportunities.
       This nation was founded by committed people with integrity 
     and forethought, who wrote our Constitution and developed the 
     laws we still live by today. The signers of the Declaration 
     of Independence, put more on the line than their name. Many 
     of them sacrificed everything, their personal wealth, family 
     security, and some even forfeited their lives. But it was 
     worth it to them because of their commitment to this ``noble 
     experiment'' America.
       Our national character was developed by men like George 
     Washington, who was committed to the shaping and molding of 
     this nation. Men like Thomas Jefferson, who saw beyond the 
     Mississippi, and was committed to expanding this nation. And 
     Lincoln, who was committed to preserving the Union, who for 
     this cause, risked the separation of this beloved land, and 
     guided this land through its darkest hour. Enshrined 
     alongside them on Mt. Rushmore, is Teddy Roosevelt, who 
     guided the developing of this nation into a world power.
       Men of honor, courage, and vision have this heritage and 
     challenge to a new generation of Americans. Through their 
     example, I am challenged--compelled to be committed to stand 
     up for the things that are best for our nation. According to 
     John Stuart Mill, ``One person with a belief is equal to a 
     force of 99 who only have interest.''
       We are the world's leader, example, and model, the best in 
     medicine, the best in agriculture, the best in technology. 
     The fact that we are the leader is no mere coincidence. The 
     challenge to my generation is to uphold this standard of 
     excellence.
       My first commitment is to America's beauty. I must strive 
     to preserve and protect our vast natural resources. From 
     coast to coast we've inherited mighty rivers, scenic lakes, 
     spacious prairies, majestic mountains, and grand forests. 
     Along with the inheritance comes the responsibility to insure 
     their continuing beauty and benefits for future generations.
       Secondly, my commitment is to America's freedoms. I must 
     seek to preserve our fundamental rights. The freedom of 
     press, the freedom of speech, and the privileges we have of 
     going to schools of our own choice, worshiping God the way we 
     believe, and having an active voice in our government. I hope 
     to be included in the thousands of God fearing citizens who 
     have served in their communities and in our country in order 
     to protect and keep the cause of freedom. In Job 5 verse 8, 
     is Job's prayer as well as mind, ``and unto God would I 
     commit my cause.''
       Finally, my commitment is to America's goodness. A visitor 
     to our land once said, ``America is great because America is 
     good,'' I need to be a fair, honest, and law-abiding citizen. 
     I want to be diligent in striving to be morally good and 
     exhibit a character that would be an example to others. We 
     need to remember, freedom is not the right to do as we 
     please, but freedom is the liberty to do what is right.
       Thank you, America, for being so great.
           Yours truly,
     A Young American.

                          ____________________