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




                        ANSWERING AMERICA'S CALL

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT E. WISE, JR.

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 27, 1996

  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce for the Record a 
script written by John Shirley, a constituent from Berkeley Springs, 
WV. This script was West Virginia's winning entry into the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars--Voice of Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest.
  John's script stresses the importance of both cooperating and making 
unselfish, individual contributions in determining how well the ideals 
that make America will work for all of us. I encourage my colleagues to 
keep John's script in mind as we work to find effective solutions to 
the problems that currently face our Nation.

                        Answering America's Call

       Lost in the maddening crowd of passersby, I walked along 
     the city street. Above the automobile horns and screaming car 
     stereos, I heard a woman's sobs. I made my way through the 
     wall of pedestrians and found her crying as she sat alone on 
     a broken park bench. I sat down beside her and asked her what 
     was wrong.
       She gently took my hand and spoke. ``Nobody cares about me 
     anymore.'' I asked her what she meant.
       She wiped her tears and struggled to speak again. ``There 
     is so much. I see hungry, homeless children shivering on the 
     street. Drug deals take place beside them, and too often they 
     get sucked in. I hear screams at night; men and women beat 
     each other and their children. Gang wars take place on the 
     streets, killing kids and innocent bystanders.
       Students drop out of school and depend upon welfare to 
     survive. They never strive to be their best; they settle for 
     second or third place and I have to do the same.
       Every day I wear the same white blouse and the same black 
     slacks to make a statement. They are like two races with no 
     connection, no relation and no understanding--just like me.
       And worst of all, nobody cares about any of this. They 
     won't use their rights. They don't speak out; they refuse to 
     write it down; they refuse to force the politicians that 
     fight over my body to think rationally and fairly; they 
     refuse to realize the danger.''
       She buried her head in her hands and I tenderly placed my 
     hand on her shoulder. The sun was setting and I knew that I 
     had to leave. As I walked away I asked her name.
       She quietly responded, ``My name is America.''
       I tried to go home but something drew me back. I went to 
     the bench to find her, but she was gone.
       America cries out for help, how do we answer her call? A 
     nation is comprised of individuals; in order to change our 
     nation we must change ourselves. We must recognize the 
     problems of America and more importantly, search for the ways 
     to solve them. We need to get involved in our schools, 
     communities and governments whether it be local, state or 
     national.
       Education is the key to awareness and understanding. 
     Unfortunately, our current educational system leaves many 
     students behind. Little regard is given to students' 
     individual needs and learning styles. They want and need to 
     know why in addition to how. If education is related to the 
     real world, students will understand its real value.
       In addition to formal education, America's youth must be 
     given a basic system of values and beliefs both at home and 
     in the community. We must make them aware that all people are 
     equal despite differences in race, color or creed.
       Community is the crucial link between individuals. Civic 
     groups can and have successfully engineered and implemented 
     programs for public education and support. Halfway houses and 
     shelters for women and runaways provide many people with 
     refuge from the streets and a second chance for success. 
     Literacy classes and G.E.D. programs give hundreds of 
     individuals the skills they need for employment. Communities 
     can also come together to combat the growing problem of crime 
     in America. Community watch groups and volunteer patrols have 
     been effective in many American neighborhoods.
       Government, the most integral part of America as we know 
     it, has also been neglected. We are not controlled by the 
     government; we are the government and must take an active 
     role in its function. We can do this not only by running for 
     a political office but also through such simple acts as 
     signing a petition, participating in a campaign or rally, 
     writing letters to public officials, voicing our opinions in 
     the news media or by making informed choices at the next 
     election.
       These are all things that we can do but what will we do? We 
     must choose our role and get involved. Our greatest victories 
     are not achieved in armed conflict on foreign soil; they are 
     achieved in our everyday lives as active American citizens. 
     If we all take part, then we can ensure that America will not 
     sit crying alone on a broken park bench. Instead, she will 
     continue to hold and protect us and will forever remain in 
     the greatest nation on earth.

                          ____________________