[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1951-E1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A VISION FOR AMERICA

                                 ______


                           HON. JOHN SHADEGG

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 1995

  Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Miss 
Jacquelyn Clark, a student at Horizon High School and a resident of my 
district in Scottsdale, AZ. Miss Clark is the Arizona State winner of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting scholarship contest. The contest theme this year was ``My 
Vision For America.'' I commend to you, Mr. Speaker, and all of my 
fellow Members of Congress, both in this House and in the other body, 
her words:

                         My Vision for America

       In 1783, a group of men had a vision for a country based on 
     justice and liberty for all Americans. One of the most 
     beautifully written documents in our nation's history was 
     created, the United States Constitution.
       My vision for America is that the people of our nation 
     maintain a faith in the ideals held by our forefathers. The 
     United States Constitution has proven itself worthy of our 
     respect and allegiance. It has upheld its values with 
     fortitude, and has stood the test of time by remaining true 
     to its original principles.
       James Madison, considered the ``Father of the 
     Constitution,'' believed that ``in framing a system which we 
     wish to last for ages, we should not lose sight of the 
     changes which ages will produce.'' Our nation has undergone 
     many remarkable changes since its beginning. We have spread 
     the words of liberty across our entire continent, and to all 
     people who call our great nation their home. Amazingly, our 
     Constitution's words are as valid today as they were when 
     first written. These words of hope have served as a guiding 
     light for all men. No matter where our individual paths may 
     lead us, we always know that the rights recognized to us in 
     the Constitution are rights we realize from birth, and rights 
     on which we can depend to shield us from civil injustice and 
     oppression. Included, are the rights to share in our 
     government, the right to worship God in one's own way, and 
     the right to a full and happy life.
       We must keep in mind, however, that with these rights come 
     responsibilities, and how we invest in our country determines 
     how we profit from it. A wise American once said, ``ask not 
     what your country can do for you, but what you can do for 
     your country,'' This message remains true today. From its 
     beginning, our Constitution has represented a belief in the 
     future, but this belief must be maintained in the present.
       My vision for America is the hope of a shared vision 
     between all Americans, and that they would be dedicated to 
     protecting our nation's heritage. Today's Americans must have 
     the desire and initiative to educate our children. Our coming 
     generations need to realize that great accomplishments grow 
     from average people. Every day, men and women had hopes for a 
     brighter future and ended up making our great country what it 
     is today. When I see veterans standing proudly to salute the 
     American flag while the National Anthem plays patriotically 
     in the background, and when I see small children with their 
     hands held over their hearts stumble through the Pledge of 
     Allegiance, I feel such pride for our nation and the 
     principles for which it stands. We need to remember that 
     those who come before us cannot depend on those who come 
     after us to maintain the spirit of our Constitution. The goal 
     of our forefathers was to assure within the wording of this 
     great document that our nation would remain strong and would 
     be a land of opportunity for all who supported it. Our 
     constitutional foundation will remain firm only as long as 
     its holders continue to protect its principles. It is up to 
     us, today's Americans, to cherish the beliefs of our fathers 
     and keep them alive and safe for our children.
       My vision for keeping this spirit alive is through a 
     personal involvement in our government. Americans have a 
     responsibility to its authors to not only teach the wording 
     of the Constitution, but to demonstrate it's principles 
     through our actions. We need to encourage all citizens to 
     exercise their Constitutional privilege of suffrage, and to 
     actively take part in the decisions that shape and mold our 
     nation. By encouraging our children to participate in the 
     KIDS VOTING 

[[Page E 1952]]
     program, we hope to emphasize the importance of democracy and set an 
     example of individual responsibility and citizenship. 
     However, individual responsibility requires active 
     participation daily, and not merely at the polls on voting 
     day. By keeping oneself informed about the day-to-day 
     workings of our government, citizens can experience the 
     enthusiasm shared by our nation's patriots as they framed our 
     basic freedoms of religion, speech, press, and assembly. In 
     this way, the values on which our country was founded will 
     continue to flourish and strengthen us as we meet the 
     challenges of the twenty-first century.
       My vision for America is a shared vision, and it begins 
     with us, the people. We hold the key to keeping our country 
     on the path of greatness. In just two hundred years, much has 
     been done, but many great accomplishments are yet to come. 
     With continued support from its people, this country will 
     remain a land of freedom and opportunity and will hold fast 
     to the principles of ``one nation, under God, indivisible, 
     with liberty and justice for all!'' May God bless America--
     Thank you.

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