[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAH THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, 
Sarah Thomas, for her prize-winning entry in the 1997 Voice of 
Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest. This contest, sponsored by 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies 
Auxiliary, is highly competitive, with more than 109,000 entries and 
only 54 available scholarships. Sarah, a junior at St. Bernard's High 
School in Fitchburg, MA, distinguished herself from other competitors 
by composing an exceptionally insightful piece that truly reminds us 
all how fortunate we are to live in a nation of democracy and freedom. 
I would like to insert Sarah's inspirational script for the Record.

           1996-97 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program

                           (By Sarah Thomas)

       As I look around the room in my history class I see many 
     things that I consider my window to the world unknown. A map 
     shows me where the problems we discuss are happening. A 
     picture above of President Abraham Lincoln above speaks to me 
     of a government ``* * * of the people, by the people, and for 
     the people.'' A book on the desk retells the stories of those 
     who fought many battles and we hear the mournful cries of 
     those who lost and the joyful tales of those who tasted 
     victory. And we learn from them all.
       As I look around, though, I am saddened by what I see. A 
     pair of gazing eyes stares aimlessly out the window thinking 
     of this afternoon's soccer game and another person half 
     asleep's thinking. ``Why do we need history anyway? This 
     stuff happened years ago.'' I must confess that I have asked 
     myself the same question several times in my life--until this 
     year.
       I am lucky, for I have met and grown close to three 
     exchange students this year. Much can be learned from them 
     and I have been awakened to how privileged we in America 
     truly are. Next to me sits Lan from Beijing, China. He takes 
     notes furiously as he wants to learn as much as he can about 
     the freedom and justice we have in our country. He 
     desperately wants to expand his knowledge during his short 
     stay here in the United States, for when he returns home he 
     may not get the opportunity to further his education. Lan's 
     government places a percentage on those allowed to college 
     and Lan may be one of the many who will not be able to 
     continue his schooling. In a government where the people do 
     not have a voice over the laws placed over them, personal 
     development and growth may be stunted and full potentials may 
     not be reached.
       Behind me sits Maria. ``Living in Spain is quite different 
     from living here,'' she once said to me. ``You have so many 
     opportunities that I cannot get at home.'' Unfortunately many 
     of these opportunities are overlooked by those of us lucky 
     enough to live in a country that allows us to enjoy the 
     freedom of new experiences. Maria was surprised at all of the 
     activities girls could participate in. In the schools of her 
     native country, athletics are for the boys and there is not 
     much offered to the girls. United States citizens are 
     fortunate, for under the constitution an eminent theme of 
     equality prevails. The people are also encouraged to voice 
     their opinion if they are unhappy with the actions of 
     government. Elections and voting are just two of the numerous 
     ways an individual can help to make change in our ever-
     evolving society. In our schools today men and women have 
     equal opportunity and this is thoroughly supported by the 
     laws of our governmental system.
       Across the room sits Dahlia. When she speaks of her home in 
     Israel, I see a picture with much turmoil. Saddened by the 
     thought of leaving America, Dahlia tells us what she faces 
     when she returns home--a home where she fears the unknown. 
     Because Dahlia will soon be eighteen years old, when she goes 
     home she will be forced to enter the military. All men and 
     women, upon reaching eighteen years of age, must enter the 
     military and give up their plans and aspirations at least for 
     a while. Unfortunately many forms of government do not allow 
     their people to take a stand for what they believe in. 
     Government controls all. But in those forms of ruling * * * 
     who controls the government?
       In the United States of America, we, the people, have a 
     voice. Through our democratic society, our voice is heard. My 
     worry for Lan, Maria, and Dahlia helps me to have a clearer 
     vision of my ``land of opportunity''--a country that allows 
     me to develop my potential and realize my dreams.
       In class, a poster over-head is yet another reminder of our 
     unparalleled good fortune. It echoes the words of President 
     Franklin Delano Roosevelt, ``Since the beginning of our 
     American History we have been engaged in change--in a 
     perpetual peaceful revolution--a revolution which goes on 
     steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions.'' 
     I believe a society must be able to adapt with the changing 
     world if it is to succeed. Democracy is above and beyond all 
     other forms of government because it allows us to do just 
     that. By allowing its people to make change, our country not 
     only survives, but as a nation of involved people, we thrive. 
     A nation, a people, a voice, we must be heard. Through 
     democracy, we are heard.

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