[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E615-E616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ARIZONA'S VOICE OF DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

                                 ______


                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce that 
Matthew P. Reece, who resides in the Third Congressional District of 
Arizona, is the Arizona State winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Voice of Democracy Scholarship. Matt, a senior at Bradshaw Mountain 
High School, was named a national winner in the 1996 Voice of Democracy 
Program and the recipient of the $1,000 Department of Wyoming and its 
Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship Award. VFW Post 10227 in Prescott Valley, 
AZ sponsored him. I am pleased that Matt was among the 54 national 
scholarship recipients who received more than $118,000. I commend to 
the attention of my colleagues Matt's award winning essay on 
``Answering America's Call.''

                        Answering America's Call

                         (By Matthew P. Reece)

       Answering America's call is taking the time to pick up the 
     phone and just listen. America is calling but if we fail to 
     answer the call, America's voice will soon die away. So come 
     on, pick up the phone.
       Ring . . . Ring . . . Ri . . .
       Hello.
       Yes, this is America calling for the leaders of the 21st 
     century.
       Is this a crank call or what?
       No. I'm surveying young people of America. I want to know 
     your definition of democracy and if you think democracy will 
     survive in the next century.
       I don't know about definitions. I guess democracy is a 
     government of, by, and for the people. Democracy is about 
     freedom for the people. It's difficult to put in words. Some 
     have tried. H.L. Mencken called democracy, ``The art of 
     running a circus from the monkey cage.'' George Bernard Shaw 
     sneered, ``It substitutes selection by the incompetent many 
     for the appointment by the corrupt few.'' Educator Alexander 
     Meiklejohn panned it as, ``A government where you can say 
     what you think, even if you don't think.'' Finally, Winston 
     Churchill said, ``Democracy is the worst system devised by 
     the wit of man, except for all others. Obviously the 
     intellectuals can't define democracy. Democracy defies 
     definition. I, however, know that democracy is about people 
     and their yearning for freedom, assuming responsibility for 
     that freedom, and grabbing the golden ring of opportunity for 
     life and the pursuit of happiness.
       Young person . . . In speaking with others like you, 
     democracy appears in disrepair: Voter turnout is at an all-
     time low, political campaigns are financed by the wealthy, 
     special interest groups; the media has frozen our common 
     sense and critical thinking. Our people are intensely 
     concerned about drugs, crime, the crazies on the right and 
     left; children having children, teens killing teens, sex 
     and violence, soleless materialism and a gridlocked 
     government that can't curb a national debt headed for the 
     moon.
       I've also heard that the ``Political Vehicle'' built by the 
     founding fathers has degenerated into a ``Runaway Antique at 
     the risk of losing its wheels.'' I don't agree with the 
     perception. I see democracy on a roll with new regeneration 
     for the 21st century.
       You see, Government is not democracy. Democracy includes; 
     Sam Adams staging the Boston Tea Party, Martin Luther King 
     leading a march on Washington, Rosa Parks refusing to give up 
     her seat. Democracy is what happens when free men and women 
     get together and make something for the good of all.
       We have the freedom; we can assume the responsibility; we 
     have the faith for opportunity. We can change a community, 
     create a business, or even become president. We always have 
     the choice.
       In exercising that choice we have to recognize the freedoms 
     given to us; such as the bill of Rights, where mankind is 
     given; the right to free speech, the right to a trial by 
     jury, the right to petition and protest against people or 
     events that are unpopular.
       In turn we must assume the responsibility for our freedom. 
     We need to vote for what we believe in and continue what past 
     generations have started; such as peaceful relations with 
     other nations.
       Finally, we must keep the faith that freedom of choice will 
     exist in the 21st century.

[[Page E616]]

     That faith can be bolstered by: participation in the 
     community, information gathering that is fair and accurate 
     and balancing our endeavors. We need to sacrifice our 
     personal wants and needs for the common good.
       America, I need to go--I have another call, but don't 
     worry, I'm not hanging up on you. I'm putting you on hold or 
     on an answering service. You can call me collect anytime. I 
     owe America and I guarantee I'll repay my debt in the 21st 
     century.
       I'll take charge of a local reforestation project and 
     participate in discussions affecting my local area or even 
     the nation. I'll make sure and stay informed and help others 
     to do the same. Freedom is a part of the human spirit and 
     helping others is what freedom is all about.
       Thank you, young person for taking the time to listen to my 
     call for action. If I have gotten through to you then there 
     is hope for all of us.
       Always remember what President Truman said at his inaugural 
     address: ``Only by helping the least fortunate of its members 
     can the human family achieve the decent, satisfying life that 
     is the right of all people.''

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