[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ``ANSWERING AMERICA'S CALL'': ESSAY BY KELSEY PERKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN SCHAEFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 1996

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor an annual Voice of Democracy 
broadcast scriptwriting contest. This year's contest attracted more 
than 116,000 secondary school students competing for 54 national 
scholarships totaling more than $118,000. The theme this year was 
``Answering America's Call''.
  I am pleased to report that Kelsey Perkins of Aurora, CO, was the 
State winner of this year's contest. Kelsey, a senior at Smoky Hill 
High School, is active in her school and has won many scholastic and 
musical awards, including the Yale Book Award, National Merit 
Commendation, National Honor Society, and membership as a violinist in 
the all-State orchestra. Although she maintains a 4.0 grade point 
average at school, she still finds time to play field hockey, hike, 
camp, and read.
  I commend Kelsey's composition to your attention, Mr. Speaker, as it 
gives excellent reasons why Americans should become involved in their 
country's Armed Forces, government, and community. It proves that 
democracy requires commitment and involvement by all citizens.
  I congratulate Kelsey Perkins and her sponsoring VFW Post 3161 in 
Aurora, CO, on this fine essay.

                      ``Answering America's Call''

       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 
     prize 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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