[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    IN RECOGNITION OF MELANIE WILBUR

                                 ______


                          HON. TED STRICKLAND

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 3, 1994

  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an exceptional 
young woman from my district. Melanie Wilbur is a talented senior at 
Jackson High School in Jackson, OH. I am pleased to submit into the 
Record the text of a speech she wrote for the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Voice of Democracy contest.

                        My Commitment to America

       What is my commitment to America? What can I possibly give 
     back to her that can even compare with what she has given to 
     me? America gave my right to vote, my freedom of speech, 
     religion, petition, and many more. America gave me the 
     opportunity to be me and to voice my opinions.
       What can I give her? The only thing that measures up to all 
     she has given me is to give her my support, then that is what 
     she receives. I give her my support to keep her strong, and 
     America needs all the support she can get. We must provide 
     our children and our children's children with something to 
     see and to know what America was like prior to their birth so 
     they can support America and continue to preserve the 
     traditions and the heritage.
       I try everyday to make America better for everyone. Whether 
     I'm helping my peers in schoolwork or assisting my sisters in 
     theirs, I'm helping them further themselves in their 
     education so they can go farther in life.
       Conserve energy, recycle and buy American are only a few of 
     my responsibilities to America. I am the wave of the future, 
     and my responsibilities are becoming more and more numerous. 
     When I commit myself to completing these responsibilities, 
     our foundation remains strong and something is only as strong 
     as its foundations. The foundation of America will continue 
     to hold by the joint efforts of the American people because 
     the efforts of one are not as strong as the efforts of many. 
     When people work together more can be achieved, and when more 
     is achieved, the better America is for everyone.
       If the influence of one individual could rub off onto 
     others, then everyone would be committed to America. I help 
     my country, whether through peaceful means of settling 
     conflicts or understanding during a disaster. I do my part to 
     conserve energy and the rain forests by recycling paper, 
     glass, plastics, and aluminum. I support my country by buying 
     products made in America, made by Americans, and by doing 
     this I am helping to keep other Americans in their homes and 
     with their families. I commit myself to helping in community 
     service by cleaning litter off the streets in my community. I 
     can adopt a section of highway and by cleaning the rubbish 
     from the highway, I can practice recycling and get some good 
     experience in the process. Whether or not I agree with my 
     government, I support it and its decisions, but that doesn't 
     stop me from voicing my opinions on it. I continue to commit 
     myself to community by helping senior citizens and veterans 
     either physically by helping them to do something or 
     emotionally by just sitting down and listening to them.
       When I think of commitment, one thing that comes to mind is 
     faith. Before I can commit myself to America, I have to have 
     faith in America. Do I believe in America's ideas and 
     beliefs? Would I give my life for her? There is no question 
     about it. If my country needed me to fight for my beliefs or 
     defend her in any way, I would be there in a minute's notice.
       No matter what way I commit myself to America, it is only 
     the first step. When everyone is committed, then that will be 
     the last.
       In the immortal words of John F. Kennedy, ``Ask not what 
     your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your 
     country.''

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