[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E613-E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO AMY COURNOYER

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the proud 
honor of announcing that Amy Cournoyer of the First District in Rhode 
Island is our State's winner for the Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting contest. This past year, more than 116,000 secondary 
school students participated in the contest competing for 54 national 
scholarships.
  The contest theme this year was ``Answering America's Call''. In 
Amy's script she discusses that the time has come for a new generation 
of leadership to cope with new problems and new opportunities. She 
explains how the elders are called on to pass on the wisdom that they 
have gained through experience to youth so that they will attain 
greater knowledge. This sharing of ideas between adults and adolescents 
brings about the virtue of understanding. In sum, if we want to truly 
answer America's call and create a better country, we must better 
ourselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend to Ms. Cournoyer my heartfelt congratulations 
and ask that Ms.

[[Page E614]]

Cournoyer's winning script be inserted into the Congressional Record. 
Finally, I also want to thank Amy for helping us to recognize today's 
youth and all that they have to offer to our country and its future.

                      ``Answering America's Call''


   1995-96 vfw voice of democracy scholarship program, rhode island 
         winner: amy cournoyer, post 2274, ashton, rhode island

       America is not simply ``calling'' each one of us. It is 
     yearning, urging, and persistently imploring. Its concerns 
     echo in the halls of schools across the country. After all, 
     youth is the essence of this country, for it is the 
     collaboration of new ideas that have maintained America's 
     longevity. If I may borrow a quote from John F. Kennedy, ``It 
     is time for a new generation of leadership, to scope with new 
     problems and new opportunities. For there is a new world to 
     be won.''
       Retracting America's history, it is evident that the very 
     passion and integrity of youth and rebirth of ideas have had 
     a positive impact on society. After all, the very foundation 
     of our country is the Constitution which was created by 
     people with this undying thirst for reform. Events such as 
     the Boston Tea Party, the Civil Rights Movement, Space 
     Exploration, and other advances in technology were all made 
     possible thanks to youthful minds.
       So, as a contemporary society we must have the wisdom to 
     heed that very call. The call for youth of all ages to 
     express themselves. The elders are called to pass on the 
     wisdom that they have gained through experience to the youth 
     so that they will attain greater knowledge. Moreover, this 
     sharing of ideas between adults and adolescents brings about 
     the third and most important virtue, understanding. For it is 
     through understanding one another that things can be 
     accomplished.
       America is a tune. It must be sung together. Arguing with 
     or belittling others are only obstructions in our quest for 
     knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. America is calling each 
     person, young and old, black and white, Catholic or Jewish, 
     to break away from their old, cemented ways, and return to 
     the simple, innocent, and unbigoted ways of youth. I am not 
     advocating a break in tradition, nor am I depicting a society 
     of fools. I am simply suggesting that if we sing our tune in 
     harmony, combining our individual talents to create a 
     beautiful melody, then we are truly answering each others' 
     call, which is indeed America's call--a microcosm of the 
     macrocosm. We all contribute to the future of the world. 
     Understanding is a building block for nonviolence. Martin 
     Luther King professed that ``Nonviolence is the answer to the 
     crucial political and moral questions of our time, the need 
     for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting 
     to oppression and violence.''
       Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which 
     rejects aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a 
     method is love.
       ``So do not ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for 
     thee.'' Everyone talks about a better world, a better place. 
     But, actions speak much louder than words. In order to truly 
     answer America's call we must begin with ourselves. Then we 
     will radiate like sunbeams on the community. Adults, listen 
     to the call of the youth, they have a lot to give. And youth, 
     listen to your elders, they have much wisdom to offer also.
       In conclusion, I am yearning, urging, and persistently 
     imploring that we heed each other's call. Whether it be doing 
     volunteer work, becoming a politician and working for the 
     betterment of our democratic system, becoming a research 
     scientist and working for a cure for such deadly diseases as 
     cancer and AIDS, or simply giving a friendly smile and 
     treating each other with dignity and respect. Everything is a 
     microcosm of the macrocosm. So if we want to truly answer 
     America's call and create a better country, we must better 
     ourselves. Then, and only then, are we truly answering 
     America's call.

                          ____________________