[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ``DEMOCRACY--ABOVE AND BEYOND''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT E. WISE, JR.

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce for the Record a 
script written by Mr. William ``Jamie'' O'Brien, a constituent of mine 
from Buckhannon, WV. This script was West Virginia's winning entry into 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars--Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting contest.
  Jamie's script does a tremendous job of blending the history of our 
country with examples of the shortcomings of other types of government 
to explain why, ``Democracy, against all other forms of government, is 
above and beyond.'' I encourage my colleagues to keep Jamie's script in 
mind as we seek to find effective solutions to the problems that 
currently face our Nation.

                    ``Democracy--Above and Beyond''

                          (By William O'Brien)

       As I watched the sun set upon the Pennsylvania battlefield, 
     I could see the men charging forth over the crest of the 
     hill. Valor raging in their eyes. The name Gettysburg itself 
     carries a foreboding presence, but being there to witness the 
     landscape is an eye opening experience. This place is one 
     example, of many, where brave men laid down their lives for 
     the protection of the precious institution democracy.
       Throughout the history of the United States, we have 
     strived to protect freedom and be an example of democracy at 
     work. When the very existence of the nation was threatened in 
     the 1860's, President Lincoln's main objective was not the 
     Emancipation Proclamation or to punish the South for its 
     defiance. His chief war aim was to preserve the Union. 
     Lincoln knew that the war would shape us into a new nation. 
     When Lincoln visited the Gettysburg battlefield to dedicate a 
     cemetery, he included in his remarks an eloquent description 
     of democracy--``a government of the people, by the people, 
     and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.''
       Just down the road from the battlefield is the Eisenhower 
     farm. Eisenhower worked his whole life for the cause of 
     peace. He served his country in the struggle against the Nazi 
     party in World War II. After all his military accomplishments 
     he returned to his homeland and retired to this spot in 
     Pennsylvania. As president of the United States and as leader 
     of the free world, ``IKE'' returned here--bringing many world 
     leaders. The leader of the communist USSR, Nikita Khrushchev, 
     viewed and walked this same ground. The communist leader's 
     famous phrase, ``we shall bury you,'' is now only ashes.
       Democracy, being derived from the highlights of other 
     governments, is the best form of government. A monarchy is 
     too naive, to think that one person can rule a diverse group 
     of people. It's strong suit is that it puts one person at the 
     head so things can get done quickly. Totalitarianism is not 
     good for an advancing society. If the government controlled 
     all aspects of life creativity would be lost. The government 
     has the responsibility, however, to control the safety of its 
     people. The tyrannical power of a dictator does not allow 
     people to be free in their own homes. At any time, their life 
     can be expended. They have no rights. Yet, the maintaining of 
     an army for defense and the war is essential. For these 
     reasons, democracy is above all forms of government.
       The protection of the people and their rights are two of 
     democracy's greatest assets. But most important is how apt 
     the government is to change. Our government is not defined by 
     the time in which it was developed. It's molded by the 
     present. The United States Constitution is a living document. 
     The soldier at Gettysburg, President Lincoln, and General 
     Eisenhower, all fought to preserve the Constitution and what 
     it stands for. Depending on what is needed by the people, our 
     government provides. Our democracy has lasted for over two 
     hundred years, while other governments have fallen to the 
     wayside. Democracy goes beyond all forms of government.
       I have no fear that when I reach adulthood, democracy will 
     be able to provide for me. We shall shape it for ourselves. 
     Because democracy, against all other forms of government, is 
     above and beyond.

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