[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VOICE OF DEMOCRACY CONTEST WINNER

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                           HON. DAN SCHAEFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit into the Record a 
copy of the winning entry for the State of Colorado in the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest. Out of 
the more than 116,000 secondary students who entered, Kelsey Perkins, 
of Aurora, CO--Smoky Hill High School--was selected as 1 of 54 national 
winners of a college scholarship.

                        Answering America's Call

                          (By Kelsey Perkins)

       Good Morning, and welcome to the American Safari 
     Corporation. I will be your guide for today's tour. What 
     brought most of you here was not the call of the wild, rather 
     it was the call of America. Today we will be conducting a 
     tour in search of some rare species. Now I'm sure that some 
     of you have been told that our search is futile since the 
     price we are seeking is often considered to be almost 
     extinct. I'll let you be the judge of that. For those of you 
     who are not familiar with our goal today, let me begin by 
     telling you that we are searching for some responsible 
     Americans. Before we set out, I will outline three 
     identifying marks of a responsible American which will help 
     you in our hunt.
       The first sign of a responsible American is often that of 
     involvement in our country's armed services. In many 
     countries across the world, military service is mandatory for 
     young men. They have no choice in whether or not to serve 
     their country. In the United States we have no such 
     requirements. Service is voluntary during peace-time. The 
     strength of a country's military is often the standard by 
     which it is judged by other nations. The military is not only 
     a fighting force, it is an international representative of 
     its country. Service shows patriotism and pride for one's 
     home. The armed forces serve the common good by protecting 
     America's interests in all areas, and by embodying the 
     strength, skill, and patriotism that symbolizes our country 
     and fills every American with pride. For many citizens, 
     military service offers the perfect opportunity to answer 
     America's call and take on responsibility for our nation. Our 
     armed forces have very high standards for their applicants. 
     By meeting this standard of excellence through service in the 
     armed forces, many men and women are successfully answering 
     America's call to responsibility.
       The second tell-tale mark to look for in our hunt is 
     involvement in the government. Perhaps one of the best days 
     to search for responsible Americans is on the first Tuesday 
     in November. They can be seen in herds as they assemble to 
     vote. In a day and age where many people are content to sit 
     on the sidelines and not become involved in our government, 
     utilizing one's right to vote and becoming involved in the 
     government is a sure sign of a responsible American. As 
     President Harry S. Truman observed, ``It's not the hand that 
     signs the laws that holds the destiny of America. It's the 
     hand that casts the ballot.'' Responsible Americans not only 
     participate, but realize what an honor their role in 
     government is. Our founding fathers risked execution by first 
     daring to give Americans their rights to vote and to be 
     involved in government because their actions of protesting 
     unfair government were seen as treasonous. Since the 
     Revolution, Americans have fought and died in many wars to 
     keep Americans free. They fought and died to maintain our 
     rights which include voting and government participation. As 
     citizens of the United States today, it is our duty and 
     privilege to vote in elections and to be involved and 
     informed about our national and local government. Answering 
     America's call includes meeting these responsibilities which 
     support the rights for which many men and women have risked 
     their lives.
       One final way to find a responsible American is to look for 
     those who are involved in community service. Acts of 
     unselfish kindness for the common good or the benefit of 
     others is not too much to ask in a nation which has so much. 
     Community service touches the individual lives which make up 
     this great country. It serves as a testimony to our country's 
     humanity. Behind the mass of the armed forces and government 
     are the everyday individuals in life which can be touched and 
     inspired by the work of a few citizens who have realized 
     their responsibility as members of this nation. Many 
     organizations work year round to meet the basic needs of our 
     nation's people because we have a responsibility to those 
     less fortunate than ourselves. So, be sure to search for 
     those who spend their free time helping others in such places 
     as food banks, soup kitchens, and schools.
       Well, I hope my little overview has given you a better idea 
     of what to look for in your hunt for a responsible American. 
     Don't forget to look for those obvious signs we reviewed: 
     military service, government participation, and community 
     service. With these in mind, you're sure to find a trail. 
     Please also consider yourself in regards to what's been said 
     today. Don't be afraid to answer America's call personally. 
     By doing so, you could greatly increase the responsible 
     American population. They don't have to be an endangered 
     species.

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