[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ANSWERING AMERICA'S CALL

                                 ______


                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to bring to your 
attention a special constituent of mine, Kurt Martin, of Bardwell, KY. 
Kurt is a senior at Carlisle County High School and has been named a 
national winner in the 1996 Voice of Democracy Program. Kurt is the son 
of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Martin of Bardwell.
  The Voice of Democracy Program is an annual broadcast script writing 
scholarship contest. Kurt's winning script entitled ``Answering 
America's Call'' is an inspiration for all Americans. I would ask that 
Kurt's entire remarks be printed in the Record at this point.

                        Answering America's Call

                            (By Kurt Martin)

       I raced down the stairs trying to find my shoes as Dad 
     impatiently honked the horn of the van outside. As I tied my 
     shoes at record speed, the phone rang. Out of breath, I 
     answered the phone soon realizing I was in a conversation 
     with a military recruiter for the Marines. Great! I'm late 
     for church, I don't have any idea what songs I'm going to 
     play for the song service, and now I have to stand and make 
     small talk with a military recruiter.
       ``So, what do you plan to do after high school? he asked 
     rather abruptly.
       ``Well, I'm planning to go to college,'' I answered as 
     politely as I could, trying to end the conversation quickly.
       ``Have you ever thought about going to the Marines to gain 
     money for college?'' he asked.
       ``To tell the truth, I have considered serving in the 
     military, but I hurt my knee. I'm going to have to have 
     surgery in a few weeks.''
       ``Well, that pretty much counts you out of any military 
     action. I'm sorry about your injury, and I hope your knee 
     gets better. Best of luck to you in the future.''
       During church, my mind wandered to the conversation I just 
     had with the Marine recruiter. I has always known that the 
     military was strict about health regulations; but since my 
     knee injury, the subject of serving in the military had never 
     come up. I somehow couldn't come to grips with the idea of 
     not being able to serve my country because of a basketball 
     injury. How can anyone, especially a man, answer America's 
     call when he can't serve in the military? I had read about my 
     kind in history books. If there is another war, the ``real 
     men'' will go risk their lives for our country, while I sit 
     at home selling war bonds.
       After pondering the subject for a few minutes, I began to 
     realize exactly what ``America's Call'' is. Even though I may 
     not be able to serve in the military because of my injury, my 
     dedication to my country should not end there. Franklin 
     Roosevelt didn't let a physical handicap keep him from 
     helping his country recover from a major depression.
       The confidence of the American people in his leadership 
     ability during World War II got him reelected three times, 
     even though he was confined to a wheelchair.
       As a student, I can answer America's call each and every 
     day by preparing myself for the future as I apply myself to 
     my studies. I don't know yet what type of career I will be 
     training for, but whatever it may be, hard work will enable 
     me to make a difference in my profession, my country, and my 
     world. The work ethic that enabled Abraham Lincoln to rise 
     out of poverty to become President will allow our generation 
     to preserve the reputation America has maintained for so 
     long.
       Another way to answer America's call is by upholding 
     Christian morals and ethics. When I abstain from premarital 
     sex, drugs, and alcohol I not only take a stand against those 
     vices, but I also become a positive influence on my peers. 
     Whey I fight against violence and corruption, I stand 
     alongside the founding fathers of our country by trying to 
     make America a better place to live.
       America may call me to become involved in activities that 
     benefit my neighbors, community, or country. If I volunteer 
     to work at the local nursing home or roadblock for a telethon 
     supporting disabled children, I answer America's call by 
     showing that I care about those who are in need. When I vote 
     for local, state, and national candidates I show that I am 
     concerned about the future leaders of our country.
       I can also heed America's call by supporting those who 
     serve or have served in the military. Those men and women 
     deserve all of my support, honor, respect, and appreciation. 
     They need to know that all Americans are striving to keep the 
     freedom that they risked their lives for. This goal will be 
     achieved if we resolve to do as John F. Kennedy advised in 
     his inaugural address, ``Ask not what your country can do for 
     you, ask what you can do for your country.'' Only then can we 
     truly ``Answer America's Call.''

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