[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATIONS TO ADAM RICHARDSON, WINNER OF THE 1997 VOICE OF 
  DEMOCRACY BROADCAST SCRIPTWRITING CONTEST FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 
     SPONSORED BY THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES

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                            HON. NATHAN DEAL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following for the 
Record:

                      Democracy--Above and Beyond

                          (By Adam Richardson)

       When Alexander Hamilton was a child, his family was 
     traveling along the North Carolina coast by boat. He was so 
     terrified of the surroundings he vowed that if he ever became 
     capable, he would build a lighthouse so large and bright that 
     all those that resided in its glow would have nothing to 
     fear. In 1802 Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury used his 
     influence to get a lighthouse constructed on Cape Hatteras, 
     and to this day it stands, the tallest on the East Coast. Our 
     American democracy that we have built with our blood, sweat, 
     and tears is much the same as this lighthouse. Democracy, 
     like a lighthouse, starts with a dream and strong foundation. 
     This foundation was made with the lives of the men and women 
     who first dreamed the dream to allow democracy to soar above 
     and beyond.
       As our democracy grows, we are indebted to be a caretaker 
     of the lighthouse and keep it strong so that the ideal that 
     we uphold, the beam of light, can be seen from farther away 
     with the clarity it commands. This beam of light, seen first 
     by our forefathers, led them out of oppressive darkness to 
     thrive in unforeseen opportunity. But the obstacles were 
     untold, and to aid others who would follow them, they built 
     our lighthouse to carry their vision above and beyond. We 
     were indeed fortunate to have received a raw country instead 
     of being given one stifled in outdated institutions.
       Democracy still stands strong, yet it has its enemies. As a 
     lighthouse is constructed, the salt, sand, wind and water 
     attack it, intent on destruction. But when finished, a 
     lighthouse is nearly indestructible and will stand up to the 
     winds of change. When democracy stands tall and strong, it is 
     the envy of its enemies and cannot be considered safe, 
     because there is always a sea spray to diminish the radiance 
     that gives democracy the ability to illuminate the darkness. 
     The democratic vision stands above and reaches beyond all 
     barriers--but not without a struggle. The waves of ignorance 
     often inhibit the gains of democracy. In many countries a 
     child goes without an education because religious differences 
     hurl bullets through the schoolyard. In the former Yugoslavia 
     250,000 lives have been lost and millions displaced because 
     of a campaign of ethnic cleansing. We in America are made 
     strong by people with the same goals but not necessarily the 
     same gods. Likewise, the winds of inequality topple the hopes 
     of people in countries where one man's vote will not count as 
     much as another's or possibly will not be counted at all.
       On the other side of the lighthouse, where all is calm, are 
     the opportunities and the peace of mind that comes with a 
     democratic nation. In America, like a harbor with its 
     protected waters and secured ships, is a country with the 
     betterment of the people the main issue. When democracy has 
     fallen into rigidity, the government has always bent to 
     refuse breaking--in the form of new laws, updating of old 
     ones, and the acceptance of new schools of thought when the 
     old way had proved itself ineffectual. Because this harbor is 
     guarded by democracy and maintained by the power of the 
     people, children can receive an education in the manner they 
     should. Within this harbor a man goes to vote, and his ballot 
     is cast without the worry, ``Will I be heard?'' or ``If so, 
     will I be given a chance?''
       Even though the wind and the waves can be kept out, certain 
     elements cannot be held at bay. There is a fog that we cannot 
     see through, even with attuned senses. If we leave this fog 
     unattended, it will be our terrible demise. Many great 
     civilizations have fallen to this killer that comes on cat 
     feet. This killer that lurks in the fog is complacency. We 
     must not become immune to what is going on around us because 
     beyond the fog and beyond the safety of our democracy, the 
     wind and waves are always surging. We must remain vigilant.

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