[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 36 (Monday, February 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 PEACE POEMS BY HARTFORD FOURTH-GRADERS

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, violent crime is taking a terrible toll on 
our entire society, but nowhere are its effects more pronounced or more 
tragic than on our youngest citizens. An American child dies from 
gunshot wounds every 2 hours. Homicide is now the third leading cause 
of death for children between ages 5 and 14.
  Although the violence has also swept through rural and suburban 
areas, it has been especially pronounced in our cities. Hartford, the 
capital city of my State, has seen a terrible loss of life in recent 
years, much of it involving young people. But many of Hartford's 
children are saying, ``Enough.''
  One such group of children, Mrs. Kulesa's fourth-grade class at the 
M.D. Fox School in Hartford, recently wrote to me with copies of their 
``Peace Poems.'' These poems are cries from the heart by a group of 
children who want nothing more than to grow up without violence and 
without fear.
  These children's words are more eloquent than mine could ever be, so 
I want to allow them to speak for themselves. Therefore, I ask that 
their poems be printed in the Record.
  The poems follow:

                                 Peace

                          (By Ashley Serrano)

     It will make things right,
     and end all evils
     of the bitter night.

                                 Peace

                           (By Joshua Joseph)

     Peace is not bad.
     When it is missing, it is sad.
     To make it grow,
     seeds of kind acts we sow.

                                 Peace

                            (By Wanda Vega)

     Peace is so good,
     Having it we should.
     It avoids fighting,
     and back biting.

                                 Peace

                           (By Jason Vazquez)

     When we are all together as one,
     good will and peace will be done.
     We will take turns,
     so that everyone learns.

                                 Peace

                            (By Alexis Soto)

     Peace is to share.
     It's not to be unfair.
     When wars do start,
     we shall break apart.

                                 Peace

                          (By Miezan Edoukoun)

     When you show peace.
     it will be shown to you.
     When I am peaceful to my niece,
     I'm obeying the golden rule.

                                 Peace

                           (By Carlos Ferrer)

     Peace does no mugging.
     It's like getting good hugging.
     When peace is around,
     It's a super town.
     A peaceful heart is a big size.
     It's had only by the very wise.

                                 Peace

               (By Elesabeth Robles and Carlos Figueroa)

     From East to West
     Of peace we do tell.
     It's the very best.
     It rules swell.

                                 Peace

                           (By Elias Morales)

     It means not to be cruel.
     It's neat, because it makes us follow the rule.
     Peace makes us cool,
     when it reigns in our school.
                                  Love

                           (by George Lanzo)

     Love is like a blue star in the sky.
     Love feels like flying through air.
     Love sounds like a rap song
     It is like smelling delicious perfume.
     Love tastes like brownies.

                                 Peace

                          (by Wilburt Jarrett)

     Peace is like the color of red.
     It feels like a feather on your head.
     It smells like roses in vases.
     It sounds like people talking in races.
     Peace tastes like buttercup candy.
     Always keep supplies of understanding handy.

                                 Peace

                         (by Michael Robinson)

     How can I be useful to you?
     Do you know what you can do?
     You must stop killing,
     And do only good things too.

                                 Peace

                          (by Tomarra Weaver)

     Peace means a nice life.
     It is for every man and wife.
     It is beautiful and so are you.
     It makes us all beautiful and true.

                                 Peace

                           (by Mariah Fisher)

     I love peace today.
     From town hall to a neighborhood pool
     you can have peace in every way,
     if helpfulness is your tool.

                                 Peace

                            (by Edward Cruz)

     Roses are red, violets are blue,
     peace is great, so don't be a fool.
     To your own self be true.
     Keep peace in your school

                                 Peace

                           (by Jermaine Cruz)

     May we have a better day;
     let us have peace everywhere.
     We do pray
     for peace here and there.

                                 Peace

                           (by Joanna Genao)

     Peace is not a beast.
     It should be high on a pole,
     so it can be seen in the East.
     For it's message to be told.

                                 Peace

                           (by George Lanzo)

     Living peacefully is fun.
     Then came the drugs that are now done.
     Then came my mother to take me to have fun.
     But now I can't go, cause I have to run.

                                 Peace

                            (by Mrs. Kulesa)

     Peace is not unkind or haughty
     It's attitude is best
     to give life great zest
     To be fair
     It will always dare.
     It is ready to help people everywhere
     Until man learns how to really share.
     It is delicate and free
     It's a treat for all eternity

                               Dedication

     To Mr. DeJesus who always give us love
     We wish blessings from above.
     To Mrs. Lazarus who gives us appreciative cheer
     May abundant good fortune be near.
     To Dr. Hines who leads in work and play
     We wish the best forever and a day.
     Gratitude to them is without measure
     They wish education to be our treasure.
     Their influence on us does show
     As day by day we grow.
     Whatever the future may be,
     We wish them tranquility.

                           Grandmother Linden

                            (by Mrs. Kulesa)

     Grandma Linden to us is so dear
     Whenever we need help she is near.
     Encouraging us to stay on task
     She does whatever we ask.
     She is generous and kind.,
     Often our true loving words are hard to find.
     She shows us what's right
     Helping us not to fight.
     She shares with us wisdom of her years
     As her warm words melt away our fears
     With a hug and love so true
     Grandma we embrace you.
     

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