[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1445-E1446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CHRISTINA CABRERA, VOICE OF DEMOCRACY CONTEST WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call the attention of the 
House to the work of Christina Cabrera of Seaford, DE. Christina is 
Delaware's State winner of the Veterans of Foreign War's Voice of 
Democracy scriptwriting contest and has also been named a national 
winner and recipient of a $1,000 scholarship award from the VFW. I 
congratulate Christina, her family, and VFW Post 4961 in Seaford, DE 
for sponsoring this excellent program.
  As my colleagues know, the VFW has sponsored the Voice of Democracy 
Competition for 49 years to promote patriotic and civic responsibility 
among our young people and to help them attend college through the 
scholarship awards. The competition requires students to write and 
record a 3 to 5 minute essay on a patriotic theme. This year, over 
116,000 students participated in the contest on the theme: ``Answering 
America's Call.'' I am very proud to share with the House, Christina's 
excellent essay on the need for young people to answer the call and 
become actively involved in making our country a better place to live.
  Again, congratulations to Christina, the Cabrera family, and the 
members of VFW Post 4961 for their fine work.

                        Answering America's Call

                         (By Christina Cabrera)

  Ring. Ring. Hello. Hello, this is America calling. Oh, hello.
  I am calling to tell you that America as we know it is slowly 
deteriorating. The percentage of teenage pregnancy, alcohol abuse, and 
violence is every increasing. As for adults, the percentage of 
registered voters that actually vote is declining, unemployment is a 
widespread concern, and everyone seems to be pointing a finger of 
accusation at everyone else in a childish blame game.
  I know all of this, but why are you calling me? I am calling you 
because, as a member of today's youth, you are a part of tomorrow's 
leaders. You are the only chance America has.
  This phone conversation, though somewhat silly, is more serious than 
it appears. Unfortunately, many adolescents and young adults are not 
answering the call for action to make this country an even better place 
than it is. Though Americans are already free, the need to be 
productive and successful is important as well. Americans owe it to 
themselves as a nation, and to the memory of those who gave their lives 
for freedom and made the United States the country it is today.
  There are several ways one can answer the call. One way is to 
volunteer. Community service is always appreciated by those who are 
being helped. Working at a soup kitchen, visiting the sick or shut-in, 
or babysitting for free the kids down the road whose mother is 
struggling to make ends meet are all simple ways to make one's 
community better. Another way to answer America's call is to devote 
oneself to a political or humanitarian cause. Help make public service 
announcements concerning violence or drug and alcohol abuse. Join the 
staff of a Planned Parenthood Clinic or a Suicide Hotline. An 
increasing number of persons using these facilities need someone to 
talk to. Many options are available, and the experience is worth the 
effort. A final way to answer the call is to make a big step and join 
the military. This provides an opportunity for one to defend one's 
country, an important job in today's nuclear-weapon-stocked world. It 
does not matter what one does, as long as one takes the initiative to 
help out instead of waiting for others to do so.
  The most important part of answering America's call is to cease 
playing the blame game. By making oneself a victim and shifting the 
blame on everyone else, one only adds to the problems plaguing our 
country. Instead of complaining that society treats women unfairly, 
join a group that advocates change. Instead of complaining that racial 
minorities are unequally treated, write to Congress and let them know. 
If change is to be brought about, it will only occur if everyone helps 
to make it happen.
  By answering the call, not only will Americans be helping the United 
States become a stronger nation, but will also be setting an example 
for others to start contributing their talents

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to make America a better place. When everyone begins doing their part, 
a magnificent nation will emerge.

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