[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 150 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: December 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        A SPECIAL SALUTE TO CHARLES O. HILL, ESSAY CONTEST WINNER

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                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 1994

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of youth throughout my 
congressional district who often exhibit tremendous talent and ability 
in both academic settings and throughout their respective communities. 
I rise today to salute a special young man, Charles O. Hill, whom I 
recently had the pleasure of meeting.
  Charles is currently a ninth grade student at John Hay High School in 
Cleveland. Earlier this year while attending Central Intermediate 
School, Charles was the winner of an essay contest sponsored by the 
National Institution for Responsible Fatherhood and Family Development. 
The contest challenged youth to express their views on a very important 
subject, the issue of fatherhood. Charles' essay, entitled, ``Greatest 
Dad,'' not only noted the difference between a ``dad'' and ``father,'' 
but he also paid tribute to men, such as his own father, who take their 
responsibilities as fathers and parents seriously.
  One of the prizes Charles was awarded was the opportunity to have 
lunch and a photo session with his Congressman. I was pleased to meet 
both Charles and his father, Jack Hill. Charles is an outstanding young 
man who is bright and articulate. He also has the potential to be a 
future leader. During our meeting, I was also struck by the close bond 
that exists between father and son. It became clear that Charles' essay 
was written from the heart about an individual whom he greatly admires.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to share the ``Greatest Dad'' essay written by 
Charles Hill with my colleagues and the Nation. It is a very moving 
piece which deserves this kind of recognition.

                              Greatest Dad

       A dad is nothing but a man who makes a baby. He may or may 
     not be able to take care of it. But a ``father'' to me, is a 
     man who takes good care of his children.
       Father--a male parent; one deserving the respect and love 
     given.
       The definition above is explaining a father according to 
     the Webster's dictionary. To me a father has to be more than 
     that. He has to have love in his heart, and everyday actions. 
     A father gives his all toward his children not part of it.
       A dad is a man who makes a baby and leave. I like to call 
     them sperm donors. Sperm donors are one of the reasons that 
     many male youth are being labeled trouble makers, hood rats, 
     or just plain dumb, but they know no other way to live 
     because their dad is not being a father.
       A father don't necessarily have to give and give until he 
     has no more. But gives to the point that his child will lay 
     down and die for him. Many times I find out that people who 
     join gangs, get into drugs, have no male figure in their home 
     so they find security some place else, or the male figure is 
     so weak that the child don't have faith.
       Young female children need a father too, not just the male 
     children, as I hear many times. Females need a father to have 
     an idea of a good man.
       School has a way of making life so plain about sex, but not 
     about parenthood, they should at least give young people an 
     idea of parenthood. Sex is easy. Being responsible and a good 
     parent takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
       To have a good father is a gift. A gift almost as good as 
     life. Because a good father will raise a descent child along 
     with the help of a good mother, to have a great life or 
     simply succeed. Children have a responsibility to live life 
     to the fullest and a father can help. So the bottom line is, 
     having a ``father'' or a dad can make you or brake you.
       --Charles O. Hill, Central Intermediate School.

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