[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           NATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST TO HONOR AMERICAN PATRIOTS

                                 ______


                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 1994

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, tradition and education are two of the 
most hallowed concepts in the American conscience. My bill, H.R. 488, 
seeks to unite these notions for the betterment of our country.
  The measure would direct the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
to establish an annual essay contest for high school seniors, based on 
the question of how the people of the United States can best thank 
George Washington for his contributions to this great Nation of ours.
  Recognition of past triumphs provides instruction and inspiration for 
the future. By focusing on the scope and depth of Washington's 
accomplishments, the virtues of hard work, persistence and ingenuity 
may once again become part of the moral character and intellectual 
agenda of our next generation of leaders.
  In February, the Whitesboro Central School sponsored an essay contest 
for its seniors. The question I propose to establish on a national 
level was asked at a single school, and the results were spectacular.
  Whitesboro selected three winners, and their essays will be printed 
here. All are insightful and carefully constructed pieces of prose. I 
congratulate Jennifer Melvin, Bob Strasiak, and Paul Scata for their 
work.

                            Jennifer Melvin

       The Americans of today have George Washington to thank for 
     the country that we live in today. We show our thanks for the 
     country he won for us over two-hundred years ago every time 
     we place democracy in action. We pay tribute to him each time 
     we practice the rights and responsibilities given to us in 
     the United States Constitution. I'm sure that George 
     Washington would look fondly on the government that he helped 
     create each time the systems of checks and balances is put 
     into use. We take the responsibility of our government by 
     upholding and respecting every religion in existence. When we 
     freely speak out in town meetings, through boycotts and 
     demonstrations, and by lobbying to the law making body of the 
     U.S., we practice the freedoms of the first amendment that 
     George Washington fought so diligently to preserve. Every 
     time we use our own voice to determine the results of an 
     election, we thank Washington for the privilege that he won 
     for us. We pay our biggest tribute to the father of our 
     country each time we stand proudly and pledge our allegiance 
     to the flag of the country that he shed his blood to create.
                                  ____


                              Bob Strasiak

       When you think back to the Revolutionary War and all the 
     efforts our forefathers made to make this country a 
     democracy, it becomes obvious that we have a lot to be 
     thankful for. One person in particular was the leading force 
     that defined for all time many of the freedoms and traditions 
     that we have today. That person was George Washington, most 
     often referred to as ``The Father of Our Country''. He was 
     instrumental in establishing many traditions that are still 
     followed today.
       George Washington led an army of ordinary men who were 
     willing to fight for personal freedom. He was very successful 
     in this because of his dedication and his leadership. His 
     success led to his unanimous election to the office of 
     President of the United States and he became our first 
     Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He fought long and 
     hard to establish freedom for all citizens and their 
     descendants. What better way can we show our appreciation 
     than to fight, in our own way, to preserve those freedoms.
       We must exercise the freedom to vote, to help government 
     work for all the people. We must oppose all restrictions that 
     are proposed to limit the freedoms of speech, press and 
     religion. It would be wise to remember that our forefathers 
     were men of strong religious conviction who wanted to create 
     a country that would permit all men to worship in whatever 
     manner they chose, free from government oppression. If they 
     could see how our present day government sometimes tries to 
     eliminate all religious references in the name of freedom 
     they would be very disappointed. The best way that we could 
     express our appreciation to George Washington is to keep in 
     mind exactly what he fought for and what he stood for. A man 
     of honor striving to make an honorable nation for all people.
                                  ____


                               Paul Scata

       I think the best way to thank George Washington for the 
     nation he won for us is by preserving his ideals. George 
     Washington was an honest, hard working, wise, and patriotic 
     man. He led and fought many long, hard battles to give us a 
     vibrant and vigorous national government.
       We, as citizens of the United States, should consider 
     voting for our elected officials a privilege, not an 
     obligation. If not for George Washington, our leader would be 
     a king or worse, and not an elected president. If a war 
     breaks out, or if our government needs us in any way, we 
     should always be willing to do our part for the good of our 
     country. Fighting in the military, holding office, or just 
     being aware of our country's problem and needs makes us good 
     Americans.
       If we can live by George Washington's high standards, and 
     instill them in our children, I can think of no better way of 
     thanking our first President.
       These essays are testimony to the potential wonders of this 
     scholarship competition. Education begins with the right 
     subjects of study, and no subject is more important than the 
     tradition of public service, best exemplified by George 
     Washington. Giving students an incentive to learn about civic 
     leadership will produce a generation of leaders who will be 
     the envy of the civilized world.

                          ____________________