[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  KATARINA SCHMOLL'S VISION OF AMERICA

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 1995

  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, every year the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
of the United States and its ladies auxiliary conduct the Voice of 
Democracy broadcast script writing contest. I am pleased to announce 
that one of my constituents, Katarina Schmoll, is this year's European 
winner. Katarina was born in Denver, CO, and is a senior at Ramstein 
American High School outside of Frankfurt, Germany. She is active in 
her student government and plans to pursue a career in broadcast 
journalism. I would like to include her prize-winning script in the 
Record.

                         My Vision for America

       My vision for America is a hopeful, confident and promising 
     one. It can only be achieved by a great people who themselves 
     are hopeful and confident about the future. Most certainly, 
     our founding fathers exemplified these virtues and without 
     their dedication our country would never have been born. To 
     rest on the laurels of the past however, is not enough. Each 
     generation needs dedicated people to build on the great 
     tradition its founders started.
       In my vision for America I perceive a diverse people; each 
     making a vital and positive contribution. I see a strong 
     military where proud people make sacrifices for the good of 
     all. Men and women ready and willing to commit their lives, 
     answering whatever the call of their nation may be; willingly 
     leaving the safety of their own homes to go to unfamiliar 
     areas of the world to protect America and its allies.
       I visualize a confident people. Confident because they are 
     educated, contributing members of society. They keep 
     themselves informed through reading and involvement. They 
     form their own opinions critically; not being dominated by 
     the press and media but by an open mind and fairness. I see 
     confidence in the working people of America because they are 
     investing in the national economy, encouraging one another to 
     do their best, challenging themselves through competition, 
     opening new businesses, giving their valuable time to the 
     youth; striving not only for the best in their own lives but 
     looking out for others as well.
       In my vision for America I see decisive leaders who make 
     decisions with conviction. The president is supported by both 
     political parties and backed by the American people. Where a 
     difference in political opinion leads to debate, not hate.
       I envision the youth of America to be highly motivated and 
     eager to learn because they are encouraged by their parents, 
     teachers and nation's leaders. I see teachers instructing 
     their students with enthusiasm; believing in them and guiding 
     them toward the future. The youth are graduating from high 
     school and college, taking on the challenges and 
     opportunities open to them. I see an optimistic future for 
     those who are willing to learn and be actively involved.
       In my vision I picture a nation that is not dominated by 
     technology but rather assisted by it. A nation where the 
     individual is always more important than the machine.
       The family is focused and strong in my vision for America. 
     Marriage is a life-long commitment taken solemnly. Parents 
     are able to effectively communicate with their children and 
     be their most important teachers. No one has more faith in 
     the future than parents themselves because they see children 
     growing and learning every day. Children give hope to the 
     future.
       In my vision I see the young and the old sitting together, 
     remembering the past and anticipating the future. The young 
     are often in awe of the past and the old are fearful of the 
     future. Through friendship, the young and the old reassure 
     each other of what has been and what is to come. We learn 
     from everything we do.
       My vision for America pictures a hopeful and confident 
     people continuing the neverending process of development and 
     growth: incorporating the knowledge and ideas gained in their 
     own lives with the wisdom that has been passed on to them by 
     their forefathers.
       A bright vision is what I see. America keeps on shining! 
     The more we learn, the more we shine on together as a strong 
     nation.

                          ____________________