[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNER--JANICE BANKERT

                                 ______


                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 1995
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishment of Miss Janice Bankert, a high school junior in my 
district who won the Veterans of Foreign Wars ``Voice of Democracy'' 
State competition. Miss Bankert has a lofty and noble vision for 
American democracy. One that, I might add, we should all strive to 
achieve--quoting Miss Bankert, ``the barriers that are to be conquered 
are but foothills to a mountain if we are unified.'' Indeed, if we 
``put away prejudices and stubbornness'' we can restore belief and 
faith in the ``judgment of (the) government'' again.
  I salute Miss Bankert and submit the text of her script to be printed 
in the Record.
                       ``My Vision for America''

       I have a vision for America that in my lifetime there will 
     be a revolution of new thoughts which will sweep over this 
     nation and produce in the heart of our society a stronger 
     desire for democracy than ever before. My vision is that the 
     dreary attitudes of leaving the decisions up to Washington 
     will dissipate into the inclination to rise and to speak 
     forth about the laws and principles that shape this country 
     into what it is, and into what it will become. My vision is 
     that on the evening news, instead of an overwhelmingly 
     negative report about the goings-on in the White House, there 
     will be loud acclamation and approval . . . because the 
     people will feel that they are being heard. Instead of just 
     voting, people will write letters, gather petitions, and 
     communicate with the politicians from their districts and 
     regions about what they need, and what they would like to see 
     happen in their government. Ladies and gentlemen, my vision 
     is that democracy will thrive in this nation by once again 
     being planted and nurtured by the citizens.
       For my fantasy to become reality the people for which this 
     nation was first built must build it again with their own 
     hands. Like the ``amber waves of grain'' is the power and 
     greatness of this country. This nation is a harvest that has 
     already been planted, and now needs cared for every moment, 
     to be gathered with thankfulness and satisfaction. It is a 
     fruit so fertile and awesome that it will take the unity of a 
     nation to reap it . . . and enjoy its bounty. To do this, 
     every person must invest time and effort. We all must work to 
     change what is adverse to our common goal, an America we can 
     take pride in, and like farmers in a field, weed out our 
     enemies: hate, discord, indifference, and defacement of hope.
       The task that faces us is not an impossible one if we are 
     unified. The barriers that are to be conquered are but 
     foothills to a mountain if we are unified. Our victory is not 
     invisible if we are unified. Unified . . . each of us putting 
     away prejudices and stubbornness, ignoring petty issues, 
     believing in the judgment of our government, and having faith 
     in the banner that has long been the embodiment of our 
     allegiance to the democracy that began over two-hundred years 
     ago, and continues today . . . 
       My vision for America is one that is common, but will only 
     live if we, as citizens of the United States of America, 
     actively birth it from our hearts, and allow it to suffocate 
     no longer.
       My vision for America is for each individual to feel as 
     part of a union and to proudly, joyously say, ``I pledge 
     allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and 
     to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, 
     indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.''
     

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