[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THE AMERICAN PROMISE

                                 ______


                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 1995

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, what is the American promise? It is as 
diverse as Americans themselves. Each of us defines it in our own way, 
based on our own experiences. Some call it freedom; some call it 
individual rights; some believe it's passing on a legacy to their 
community.
  The upcoming PBS special, the American Promise, seeks to remind us of 
these commitments, to help us remember what made America great, to give 
our children a better understanding of American democracy in action. 
During the 3-hour program, stories of community spirit and involvement 
come to life, through real life stories currently being played out and 
through reenactments of significant events in American history.
  One of these recreations describes how a French aristocrat, Alexis de 
Tocqueville, first viewed our infant democracy in 1831. De Tocqueville 
was one of the first Europeans to recognize how different America was 
from other democratic republics. The series' producers went to Mystic, 
CT, in my district, to recreate the scene of de Tocqueville marvelling 
at the busy seaport. Noting the clipper ships in port and the energy 
and enterprise of their crews, de Tocqueville determined that in a free 
country, all is activity and bustle, and that such energy in the 
conduct of commerce typifies our democracy.
  America's rush to prosper financially was reflected in other areas of 
life as well; in the whirlwind of American grassroots politics and the 
restless activity and energy of civil society. Americans were 
constantly involved in all facets of public life. According to de 
Tocqueville, Americans deprived of such involvement and reduced to 
occupying themselves only with their own affairs would become 
incredibly unhappy. He believed that no country could work harder to be 
fulfilled.
  This attitude, de Tocqueville claimed, was a direct result of the 
nature of American freedom. Freedom's achievement must be to forge 
common bonds, a common purpose. We must learn what de Tocqueville 
called the habits of the democratic heart, the balance between 
individual concerns and collective thought and action.
  The American Promise, which airs October 1, 2, and 3, shows us that 
the nature of American freedom has not changed very much over the 
years. We may have to look harder for it because stories of carving a 
carousel as a community project and channeling graffiti artists into 
painting murals that celebrate the community do not often make front 
page news. The promise is still alive but must be nurtured in each 
individual and in every community.
  I applaud PBS and the series underwriters, the Farmers Insurance 
Group of Companies, for bringing the American Promise to television. 
This partnership reflects de Tocqueville's theory of public spirit in 
America, where individuals are as interested in the public good as well 
as their own, and where each person takes an active part in the 
government of society.

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