[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO CHARLOTTE J. VISCIO

                                 ______


                        HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 1996

  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars of 
the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary conduct the Voice of 
Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest. This year more than 116,000 
secondary school students participated, competing for 54 national 
scholarships.
  I am pleased to announce that my constituent, Ms. Charlotte J. 
Viscio, a senior at Guilderland Central High School in Guilderland, NY, 
has been named a national winner and recipient of the Larry W. Rivers 
Scholarship Award.
  This year's theme was ``Answering America's Call.'' I found great 
inspiration in Charlotte's words and wanted to share them here with my 
colleagues. They are as follows:

       It doesn't sound like a trumpet or an angel's harp. Nor 
     does it echo like a cannon or fire crackers on the Fourth of 
     July. It's not about war or winning. Nor is it about uniforms 
     or medals. It's not just for leaders or peacemakers, soldiers 
     or sons. Nor is it only for women. Whether ten or eight times 
     ten, age makes no difference. The call of America is simply 
     what United States citizens, proud and loving of their 
     country, answer to when their services are needed.
       In some, the call is not loud, while in others, it's the 
     only thing that they hear. For the President of the United 
     States, this call is his job description. If he fails to 
     answer, he's failed as America's leader and role model. 
     Some Americans hear the call loud and clear and enlist in 
     the military. Often, they are sent to foreign countries to 
     strive for an American goal, realizing that they might 
     lose their lives for America. And what, exactly, in 
     America is worth fighting for? What is in our country's 
     history that is worth preserving? It is the strongest 
     nation in the world. It is a symbol of hope for countries 
     striving for democracy. It is a place on the earth where 
     all nationalities, religions, sexes, races and colors are 
     unified by equality. America screams of hope and strength 
     and leadership. And this is within every American.
       To be an American is a choice. Just because a person lives 
     in the United States does not mean that he or she is a true 
     American. A true American recognizes the call and is willing 
     to answer it. It is not hard to answer. Some answer by 
     volunteering their services to fire companies, food drives 
     and charities. Others collect litter from the sides of roads, 
     improving the appearance of American land. Many people answer 
     the call by casting their votes on election day for the 
     candidates they feel will make strong American leaders. All 
     these activities are examples of how people answer America's 
     call, giving of themselves for the betterment of their 
     country.
       What called these Americans to their duty? Was it a 
     television or radio advertisement? Were they inspired by a 
     hero or a role model? Or, was it simply the voice 
     inside them, the voice of their conscience leading them to 
     serve their country? Within every true American's heart, 
     the call exists.
       Answering this call is the duty of an American. The United 
     States is a proud country, but it isn't self-centered. It has 
     concern for other nations around the world and strives to 
     help these nations. This is a reflection of its people. Since 
     they are willing to give their services to their country they 
     make life better not only for themselves but for their fellow 
     Americans and others around the world.
       America is the voice of democracy. It is not the voice of 
     one person but of all Americans, an accumulation of answers 
     they have given to their calls. Nothing sounds louder than 
     America's response. Nothing is more powerful. This is the 
     foundation of the United States of America. A person simply 
     needs to listen closely for the call within and then respond 
     with the conviction that shows and professes, ``I'm proud to 
     be an American.''

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