[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E279]]



               A YOUNG SPEAKER VOICES TIME-TESTED IDEALS

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 1996

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, Hubert Humphrey, a distinguished former Vice 
President and Senator, observed over 50 years ago, that ``It is not 
enough to merely defend democracy. To defend it may be to lose it; to 
extend it is to strengthen it. Democracy is not property; it is an 
idea.'' One of the best ways of extending our democratic ideals is to 
help more Americans, both young and old, improve their appreciation for 
democracy. Tracey Sierras of Bay City, MI, has exemplified this effort 
with her outstanding participation in this year's Voice of Democracy 
contest, sponsored by the Veterans' of Foreign Wars, in which she was 
selected as the best speaker in the State of Michigan, and this week is 
participating in the national finals here in Washington.
  Tracey is the manifestation of what we want our young people to be. 
She is concerned about her community and nation, as evidenced by her 
efforts in this year's speaking contest. She understands the importance 
of the eloquence of words being followed with the commitment of action. 
She is vice president of Bay City All Saints High School student 
council, and has been actively involved with Students Against Drunk 
Driving. She leads by example, including her outstanding 3.5 grade 
point average.
  Competing for achievement is nothing new for Tracey. She has done it 
this year in Michigan, and is facing our Nation's best here in 
Washington. She is planning on making her presence known 
internationally as she has set her long-term goal on becoming an 
international business lawyer. She will take more concrete steps 
towards the goal when she enters Saginaw Valley State University, my 
alma mater, this fall, putting to good use the scholarship she won as 
part of the Voice of Democracy contest.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when we seem to hear stories about young 
people who are heading down the wrong path, who have failed to set 
goals for themselves and do not appreciate what life has to offer to 
them, it is important and refreshing for us to learn about capable, 
energetic and focused young people like Tracey Sierras. I know her 
parents, Randy and Judy, are rightly proud of their daughter. I want to 
add for the record that all of us in Bay City and in the fifth district 
are proud of her, too.
  I congratulate Tracey on her accomplishments, as I do all of the 
other State winners. I urge all of our colleagues to join me in 
congratulating her as we prepare to welcome this new generation of new 
thoughtful leaders to the proud heritage of our Nation.

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