[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          THE AMERICAN PROMISE

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 1995
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the United States was founded on an idea--the 
idea of democracy. In its general sense, this concept embraces the 
participation of all segments of society in the shaping of our 
republic.
  However, the American democracy is neither simply defined nor easily 
described. It is expressed in an infinite number of variations. In its 
most basic form, democracy in our society is nonrepresentational and 
conducted directly at the local level. I rise, today, to recommend to 
my colleagues a Public Broadcasting Service [PBS] television series, 
``The American Promise,'' celebrating our country's community-based 
democracy.
  Members of Congress arrive in Washington, DC having won elections to 
introduce, consider, and vote on legislation. While much is 
accomplished in our National's capital, too often, congressional 
democracy devolves into the partisan bickering and a competition for 
political power.
  ``The American Promise'' highlights another aspect of American 
democracy. In community after community throughout America, in ways 
large and small, citizens decide every day to become part of the 
democratic process. They do this by joining organizations, forming 
community groups, and helping their fellow citizens to shoulder the 
burdens of society.
  When this happens, there are not losers. When a community development 
bank is opened in a depressed inner-city location or when neighbors add 
their combined strength to form a local safety watch program, they are 
exercising their rights as participants in the American democratic 
experiment.
  In my view, there is no better antidote to doubts about our Nation's 
future than adjusting our sights from the latest iteration of partisan 
one-upsmanship to the grassroots to relieve our concern.
  Mr. Speaker, the PBS special, ``The American Promise,'' does exactly 
this: It reminds us all of the community-based democracy found beyond 
this Capitol. In doing so, it restores our faith in the idea for 
democracy, the possibilities for our future, and the promise of 
America.
  I would also like to highlight a particular aspect of the series. One 
segment features an outstanding example of grassroots democracy in my 
home, the Bronx, NY. In response to the tragedy of random inner-city 
violence, mourning families commission graffiti artists to paint walls 
horning their murdered children. These memorials to the past not only 
honor the lives of those who have died, but represent warnings to the 
living about the need to work together for an end to the carnage.
  Finally, I am proud to recognize the Public Broadcasting Service for 
making possible programming that demonstrates America at its best. In 
this time of cuts to the public broadcasting budget, I am proud to 
commend PBS for continuing to offer the finest programming available on 
the public airwaves.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and viewers across the 
Nation to tune in to their local PBS station and watch ``The American 
Promise.'' The series reminds us of what is right about America and 
what we must do to achieve our country's full potential.


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