[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 59 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                VOICE OF DEMOCRACY CONTEST, ALASKA WINNER

                                 ______


                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 1995
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, with pride and honor I acknowledge 
Walter McInnis, of Eagle River, AK, for his accomplishment of first 
place in the 1995 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its 
Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy Broadcast Script-Writing Contest of 
the State of Alaska. Mr. McInnis will receive $1,000 in scholarship 
funds to apply toward his collegiate education.
  The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program was started 48 years ago 
with the endorsement of the U.S. Office of Education and National 
Association of Broadcaster, Electronic Industries Association, and 
State Association of Broadcasters. Over the past 35 years the number of 
annual national scholarships has risen to 47 totaling $109,000 with a 
$20,000 scholarship to the school of choice going to the first place 
winner.
  Mr. McInnis, a junior at Chugiak High School, has not decided on 
where he would like to attend college. He plans on pursuing a career in 
law. His list of achievements include the American Legion's Scholastic 
Achievement Award and first and second year outstanding and honor cadet 
in the National Junior ROTC Unit.
  It pleases me to enter Mr. McInnis' winning essay into the 
Congressional Record.
                       ``My Vision for America''

                          (By Walter McInnis)

       My vision for America.
       I see a place where Constitutional rights are more than 
     just words on paper, written long ago in an age of idealism. 
     Foremost among these rights must be education. Quality 
     education, which sees to it that the Nation's youth are ready 
     to assume the responsibilities of their parents.
       I see a place where certain Constitutional guarantees are 
     unnecessary. A place where discrimination on the basis of 
     race, sex, or religion is not only unconstitutional, but 
     unthinkable.
       I see an America whose citizens understand that ``honor'' 
     and ``duty'' are more than just cliches that sound good; that 
     they are what sets leaders apart from followers. I see a 
     nation willing to pay the price of being a world leader; 
     willing to pay for a strong national defense, and I see a 
     nation willing to use its strength to stand up for what's 
     honorable. Because being a leader has nothing to do with 
     making the easy decisions, or even the popular decisions; 
     it's being able to make choices based on nothing more than 
     ``they're the right thing to do.''
       I see a nation that has all but eliminated crime through 
     the equal application of mercy and justice. A society that 
     understands that to be merciful without justice is foolish, 
     and to be just without mercy is tyrannous. A society that 
     rewards sympathy only to those who are repentant, instead of 
     those with the most excuses.
       I see a nation who has come to the realization that 
     resource management isn't such a difficult and confounding 
     thing after all. For in the interest of development now and 
     in the future, conservation is vital. A nation that also 
     realizes conserving a resource is pointless if not to develop 
     that resource for later generations.
       I see a nation that readily assumes responsibility. Because 
     personal accountability is critical to success in all areas 
     of life; from basic person to person honesty all the way to a 
     national, political level.
       I see a people who have risen above a cynical derision of 
     their government. I see a citizenry who have balanced their 
     democratic duty to critique their government, with a respect 
     for the same. After all if the voters are not responsible for 
     their government, then who is?
       I see a people who also remember to respect their children 
     and senior citizens. Senior citizens have made the sacrifices 
     to get the country in the leadership role it now enjoys; and 
     the leaders of today must realize that they do not own the 
     country, but instead are holding it in trust for the 
     generations to come.
       In conclusion, I envision America continuing its prominent 
     role in world affairs. America must also continue to set the 
     example for personal freedom and equality. It is crucial that 
     the country reassume dominance in education, second best 
     simply isn't good enough. Respect and responsibility must be 
     the axioms which the country strives toward because a leader 
     who does not respect other's opinions, and does not accept 
     responsibility for his actions, does not deserve to be a 
     leader.
     

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