[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13549-S13550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          THE AMERICAN PROMISE

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, as has been said many times before, 
ours is 

[[Page S 13550]]
the only nation founded on an idea--the idea of democracy. No idea is 
more American. Yet the idea of democracy is neither simply defined, nor 
easily described. American democracy expresses itself in endless 
variations.
  I rise today, Mr. President, to remind my colleagues of the 
grassroots democracy, taking place every day in communities across the 
United States, which is literally vital to the life of the Nation, yet 
too often ignored in the chambers of this Capitol. With that in mind, I 
recommend to you ``The American Promise,'' an important new PBS 
television series celebrating community-based democracy. ``The American 
Promise,'' a 3-hour program, makes its national broadcast premiere on 
October 1, 2 and 3.
  Here in Washington, we conduct democracy's most visible work. It is 
the democracy studied in political science classrooms and reported by 
our newspapers, magazines, and television programs.
  We arrive here after elections, propose and study legislation, and 
then vote on competing proposals. It is a fact that each stage of the 
process has winners and losers. By necessity, we live and work in a 
world of partisanship and competition. Before any proposal becomes the 
law of the land, it must be debated, tested and its consequences 
thoroughly understood by the people and by us, the people's 
representatives,
  Not surprisingly, this world in which we are immersed leaves many 
citizens frustrated and cynical. Too often, this version of democracy 
seems to be nothing but a political contest. Who is up? Who is down? 
How do yesterday's events affect the power to get things done tomorrow? 
Our standing is judged by an extraordinarily sensitive barometer, 
instantaneously reflecting each small political success and failure.
  Our work here in Washington is but one form of American democracy--we 
would be seriously mistaken to think otherwise. We must never lose 
sight of the fact that American democracy is larger and more diverse 
than the business conducted here in this Capitol. In community after 
community across America, in ways great and small, citizens decide 
every day to become part of the democratic process--they decide what 
they want. They join an organization; build a better mousetrap; 
question why flawed practices can't be changes; engage in respectful 
civil debate, and shoulder the responsibility to make hard decisions.
  When this happens, there are no losers. American democracy comes to 
life and everybody in the community wins.
  So strong is my belief in the importance of grassroots democracy that 
I can say it literally shaped my political career.
  When I was appointed to the position of national administrator of the 
American Revolution Bicentennial Administration in 1974, my goal was 
simple: to encourage the maximum number of people across America to 
become involved in the programs they--not government--desired to honor 
their local communities and our great Nation. We wanted our Nation's 
200th birthday to be celebrated in a simple, historic way, with maximum 
participation on the ``Village Greens'' of every crossroad, town, and 
city in America. I will never forget the wonderful breadth of 
experience I had over the next two years, working with citizens, local 
groups, service clubs, organizations, City Councilmen, Mayors, and 
Governors. America's birthday was celebrated America's way, from every 
vantage point across the country.
  There is no better antidote to doubts about our Nation's future than 
grassroots democracy.
  Happily, ``The American Promise'' reminds us all of the community-
based democracy found beyond this Capitol. In so doing, it restores our 
faith in the idea of democracy, the idea of America, and the wonderful, 
limitless potential for our Nation's future.
  In some fifty different story segments from every region of the 
United States, lessons are offered on the skills and values needed to 
bring democracy to life. They illustrate core American values--freedom, 
responsibility, opportunity, participation, and deliberation. Special 
historical reenactments are included, the first set in 1769, in the 
streets of Colonial Williamsburg. We watch as a young Thomas Jefferson, 
along with Patrick Henry, Colonel George Washington, Peyton Randolph, 
George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and others take the first steps toward 
freedom. In the House of Burgesses, in a local tavern, on the streets, 
the group draws up Virginia's plans to boycott English goods. We hear 
Washington's words: ``How far their attention to our rights and 
privileges is to be awakened or alarmed by starving their trade and 
manufacturers remains to be tried.'' Viewers will see our Founding 
Fathers starting a rebellion that will gather strength for 7 more years 
before it takes the form of the Declaration of Independence.
  That is a sobering thought: our freedoms were not won by crazy 
revolutionaries on a field of battle, but rather through years of 
meetings, of talk, of debate and compromise. It is a true reminder of 
the communal instincts that helped form our great Nation.
  The October premiere of ``The American Promise'' will be just the 
beginning of the program's contributions. It will then be put to use in 
high school and junior high school classrooms throughout the country, 
as an instructional tool on civics and community-based democracy.
  The National Council on the Social Studies has endorsed the program. 
Farmers Insurance Group, the program's corporate sponsor, has pledged 
to make the video, teaching guides, and classroom materials available 
to all interested schools and teachers at no cost.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues and viewers across America to 
watch this important and instructional program. And I extend my 
commendation and appreciation to the Farmers Insurance Group, and its 
Chairman, Leo E. Denlea, Jr., for bringing this fine programming to us.
  ``The American Promise'' reminds us of all that is good and right in 
America--and what we have to do to make good on America's bright 
future.


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