[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 64 (Thursday, April 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO STEPHANIE DAVIS

                                 ______


                           HON. PAT WILLIAMS

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 1995
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I'm proud to share with you and my 
colleagues a remarkable essay written by a talented young Montanan. 
This essay, authored by 17 year-old Stephanie Davis of Livingston, MT, 
was selected as our State's lone winner in the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Voice of Democracy scriptwriting contest. Mr. Speaker, I wish to enter 
this prize-winning essay into the Congressional Record not only to 
celebrate Stephanie's important personal achievement, but to draw your 
and my colleague's attention to a young woman's sincere vision of what 
makes our country great.
                       ``MY VISION FOR AMERICA''

       The band played an off-key rendition of a favorite 
     patriotic song, the crowd cheered wildly, and everything was 
     dotted with red, white, and blue! As Old Glory passed by, a 
     young girl put her hand across her heart, and her daddy, in 
     his faded brown army uniform, removed his hat. People from 
     all walks of life watched in silence. Some even had tears in 
     their eyes as the national anthem rang out from a solo bugle.
       Many people, one America! It is filled with millions of 
     people working individually. . . diligently in pursuit of 
     their own dreams. Yet, they somehow know that the total is 
     more important than the sum of the parts. Their undying 
     patriotism holds our society together, a large organization, 
     strong and proud.
       However, there is a segment of the American population that 
     has forgotten what America truly means. It is our 
     responsibility as citizens to inspire the `love of country' 
     which once filled this great land. My vision . . . anyone's 
     vision of America's future begins by remembering the vision 
     of the First Americans.
       Over two hundred years ago a group of people had a vision. 
     They saw a very large land, not measured by area, but by the 
     generosity and dedication of its people. Their common dream 
     of equality and justice was so strong that it led these 
     people to turn against the only system they had ever known, 
     and forge a new life, relying only on each other. Their 
     undying perseverance became the American Dream. It is found 
     in the wondering eyes of a child, in the drive for success of 
     a college student and young professional, and in the 
     reflective thoughts of a wizened adult.
       The American Dream unites today's citizens with the first 
     visionaries: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas 
     Paine, Molly Pitcher, and many others. The American Dream 
     shines through in great men and women such as Woodrow Wilson, 
     Janette Rankin, Neil Armstrong, and Sandra Day O'Connor. The 
     American Dream has created and will continue to create an 
     American Heritage that is uniquely our own.
       That unique heritage has molded and shaped us into 250 
     million individual American citizens. Learning what that 
     heritage is and who created it gives meaning and purpose to 
     our lives. Our heritage is the first American's gift to us.
       Unfortunately, too many people know little or nothing about 
     our history. Preserving the American Dream begins at home. 
     Parents and grandparents often tell the most fascinating 
     stories about their lives and those of others. Taking the 
     time to listen opens up a world of curiosity and knowledge. 
     In school, we can continue the fascination by teaching 
     history in new and different ways. I will always remember the 
     story of Betsy Ross, because in the sixth grade, I gathered 
     my friends together, and for fun we created a radio program 
     from her story. (I played Betsy.)
       Even when we reach adulthood we preserve the ideals of our 
     heritage simply by fulfilling our responsibilities as 
     American citizens: voting representing the public in office 
     and out, serving on juries, and standing up for our rights. 
     Attending Girls' State this summer taught me that one person 
     can make a difference, but when we all work together we can 
     start a revolution--Just remember 1776!
       Preserving our heritage only takes a small effort from 
     every person. In fact, just taking a few minutes each day to 
     honor America is enough to keep us moving through the next 
     200 years!
       ``I have a dream * * *'', exclaimed civil rights leader 
     Martin Luther King, Jr. Well, I also have a dream, that we 
     will not forget what out ancestors fought and died for, that 
     we will not forget the vision written in the Declaration of 
     Independence, and that we will remember to continue striving 
     for the American Dream--liberty, equality, and justice for 
     all! Only then will we be able to walk in the footsteps of 
     our forefathers and say, ``I AM AN AMERICAN!''
     

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