[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E461-E462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ANSWERING AMERICA'S CALL

                                 ______


                            HON. PAT ROBERTS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 27, 1996

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following script written by 
Mr. Bradley Areheart, State winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of 
the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting contest. Mr. Areheart is a junior at Emporia High School 
in Emporia, KS and plans a career in medicine or politics. He was 
sponsored by the VFW Post 180 in Emporia. The contest theme this year 
was ``Answering America's Call.'' Bradley has done a wonderful job of 
capturing the sense of duty that each of us has toward our fellow 
Americans and toward our future generations. I encourage each one of my 
colleagues to read Bradley's message and take his suggestions to heart.

                        Answering America's Call

       It's 2:00 in the morning and a lady clutches her heart as 
     if struck! A heart attack! She staggers to the phone and 
     frantically dials the numbers 9-1-1. The police dispatcher's 
     voice comes across clearly but in a lethargic sounding tone. 
     The lady, gasping, screams, ``Help me! Help me! I've had a 
     heart attack! Get someone out here!'' ``Wait right there; I'm 
     going to put you on hold,'' is the dispatcher's reply as she 
     picks up another line. A frantic call, put on hold by an 
     apathetic operator. Important? Yes, and that call is not 
     unlike the call being made today. A call of far greater 
     importance to everyone in the United States. That call is 
     America's plea for the future; we have several options as we 
     hear that call. We can answer immediately, ignore it, or just 
     like the apathetic operator, put it on hold. However, in my 
     mind, we have only one clear option. If we are to be 
     responsible, caring citizens, we must answer America's call.
       Former Secretary of State Cordell Hull said, ``I am certain 
     that however great the hardships and the trials which loom 
     ahead, our America will endure and the cause of human freedom 
     will triumph.'' How truly this reflects the time since the 
     foundation of our nation. In the 1700's America sounded a 
     call for freedom from oppression so 50 brave Americans 
     answered this call and signed the Declaration of 
     Independence. The early part of this century saw America 
     facing the perils of the depression and Franklin Roosevelt 
     rose to meet the call by instilling hope and providing 
     employment. In 1941, when the Japanese bombed our ships in 
     Pearl Harbor, courageous Americans answered the call to arms 
     and continued to fight until the Japanese surrendered. 
     Indeed, history is filled with stories of how Americans have 
     always

[[Page E462]]

     met their country's call. But what if these calls had been 
     left unanswered or put on hold? What would become of them? 
     And more importantly, what would become of our country? We 
     cannot be half-hearted and we haven't been. We confront 
     situations like a raging bull who has his eyes fixed only on 
     the matador. And that's how things get done--full force? 
     America answers the call because of patriotic citizens and 
     leaders who see a light at the end of the tunnel. America 
     will continue to answer the call because of compassion, 
     pride, and love of country.
       I am a youth of today, but a leader of tomorrow. I face 
     certain responsibilities: the responsibility of speaking up 
     for what's right, setting an example, and a willingness to 
     fight for my country.
       But currently, America's call is for the future. A call 
     that is widespread and impossible to ignore. It's a call to 
     return to basic values and truths that have always made 
     America so great. The call is for safer streets, moral 
     integrity, and family values. Former president Dwight 
     Eisenhower said that ``the problems of America are the family 
     problems multiplied a million fold.'' And isn't that evident 
     in today's society? As tomorrow's leaders, my generation must 
     answer the call to become responsible, moral, intelligent, 
     and patriotic citizens. The ideals of life, liberty, and the 
     pursuit of happiness are not just empty words and must be 
     stressed for all citizens. We cannot accept the attitude ``It 
     doesn't matter how I act; I'm just one person.'' Instead, we 
     must share the feelings of so many Americans who say'' ``I 
     love my country; I sincerely care about its future.'' That 
     attitude must now direct all of us. There's an African 
     proverb that says ``it takes an entire village to raise a 
     child.'' The time has come for all of us in the village to 
     accept responsibilities. You see, we can determine needs and 
     become catalysts for change. America's future demands the 
     commitment of everyone to not only hear, but also answer 
     America's call. Whether it be a call to arms or a call to 
     peace.
       Today's call is not an emergency 911 situation because 
     America maintains her greatness at home and abroad. Our 
     commitment must be to maintain that greatness and preserve 
     our freedoms and liberties for future generations. I want to 
     make sure that America is never like the woman making the 911 
     call, who despite her efforts to get help, is ignored. When 
     my generation answers the call to become responsible 
     citizens, we will be there to be counted. I promise my 
     contributions by pursuing higher education, voting, and 
     maintaining my morals and integrity. When everyone in my 
     generation follows this lead, we will truly be answering 
     America's call.

                          ____________________