[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING MICHAEL KENNY, FLORIDA VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNER

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 1996

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
and its ladies auxiliary conduct the Voice of Democracy Broadcast 
Scriptwriting Contest. This year, more than 116,000 secondary school 
students participated in the contest, competing for the 54 national 
scholarships totaling more than $118,000. The contest theme for this 
year was ``Answering America's Call.''
  I am proud to announce that one of my constituents, Michael Kenny, 
won first place in the state and a $1,000 scholarship in the Voice of 
Democracy Contest. Michael is a senior at Tarpon Springs High School 
and hopes to pursue a career in theater.
  In his speech, Michael reminds us all of what can be accomplished 
when we answer America's call and undertake individual acts to improve 
the world around us. I would like to share Michael's speech with you.

                        Answering America's Call

                           (By Michael Kenny)

       Around the first of December 1995, due to the efforts of 
     people in Helena, Montana banding together to protect and 
     care for certain ailing and threatened birds, the American 
     Bald Eagle was taken off the endangered species list.
       Murder, poverty, homelessness, hunger, discrimination * * * 
     when we watch the evening news, or read the paper, we seldom 
     see good news like the story about the Bald Eagle. We are 
     often disgusted and shocked at what transpires in the world 
     around us. Many are pointing out our problems without 
     offering any solutions. They see America's flaws and say we 
     are a society destined to failure. America is endangered, but 
     her critics are not listening. They do not hear the soft 
     voice of America as she whispers. America is calling out to 
     us. She asks for our love and respect for her and for her 
     precious needy citizens. She is the voice of the twenty 
     million children living in poverty and the 12 million 
     children hoping for a hot meal so they won't go to bed hungry 
     * * * again * * * ``help us,'' America calls, ``help them'', 
     ``help each other.''
       Let's not waste time criticizing, let's answer. Let's work 
     together and repair what is wrong with this country. She asks 
     us to come together, to stand united in our communities and 
     help those who need food, clothing and shelter. As a letter 
     to the editor in my local newspaper recently put it, ``The 
     truth is that no sense of community can survive unless we the 
     people demand political respect and economic support for the 
     values of human dignity.'' A while back, I was like the many 
     who just complained and put America down. I was angry at the 
     world around me for all of its problems because I felt 
     helpless to make right what was wrong. I am only one person, 
     I thought, what can I do? Recently, desiring to at least do 
     something. I went down to a local soup kitchen to offer some 
     help. I noticed there a young girl in what appeared to have 
     once been a pink dress, but was now only soiled rags. She was 
     cold and clutched tightly an old doll with the stuffing 
     coming out and she was desperately trying to keep warm. My 
     heart sank as she timidly approached the counter. I wanted so 
     much to help her. As I handed her a cup of chicken soup and 
     saw the smile cross that dirt-stained little face as she took 
     her first sip, I knew I had begun to answer her call. She 
     received the nourishment she needed to get through the day. 
     We helped make her life, and others, a little easier, at 
     least for the moment. I realized then that I could make a 
     difference. Finally, I was beginning to hear and answer the 
     call of America.
       Our country also calls out for us to be proud. We live in a 
     nation where men and women have traditionally joined in a 
     fight for freedom. So many lives were lost to gain what this 
     country stands for; justice, liberty and community. When you 
     hear the national anthem at a ball game, rise * * * rise as 
     America calls you to your feet, and when you place your right 
     hand over your heart, be proud of your country. When we 
     answer America's call, we will have come together as a 
     community; white, black, native America, Asian, Hispanic and 
     have erased prejudice and racism. We will have helped our 
     fellow human beings and hopefully, defeated hate and 
     violence. And America will finally hear the praise she so 
     desperately deserves.
       So let's listen to our country because all our criticism is 
     drowning out her voice. But she still calls for us to go out 
     and do something. No, You or I alone can't change a whole 
     country, but when people in our community see what we are 
     doing, it will inspire them to do the same, and will create a 
     chain from one community to the next until all of America is 
     answering the call. And then, who knows, maybe this country, 
     like its national symbol, the Bald Eagle, will no longer be 
     endangered.

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