[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 55 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WHAT MY FLAG MEANS TO ME

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 1997

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have the following 
poem inserted into the Congressional Record.
  This poem entitled ``What My Flag Means To Me'' was written by 
William Watkins, a fifth grader at Alto Park Elementary School in Rome, 
GA.

                        What My Flag Means To Me

       Have you ever stopped to think about our flag, about what 
     it means, and how it came to be? Have you ever through about 
     it's history and what the glorious stripes and stars stand 
     for? To me, the flag stands for freedom and liberty. It 
     stands for pride and peace. It stands for wars that we 
     fought, not only for ourselves, but for other countries and 
     for things we just didn't think were right. Thankfully, my 
     peers and I haven't been through anything like that, through 
     all of that hatred and through all of that fear.
       To me, the flag also stands for being our own country. We 
     have our own government and are not ruled by anyone. It means 
     that no matter what color your skin is, whether it is black, 
     white, or red, everyone is treated equally. It means that no 
     one can tell us what church to go to, where to live, how to 
     live, where to go to school, or anything like that. We are 
     our own country.
       The beautiful red, white, and blue stars and stripes stand 
     for fifty glorious and magnificent states; each with fitting 
     nicknames like `The Sunshine State' and `The Peach State' 
     (which are, by the way, Florida and Georgia). The stripes 
     stand for the thirteen original thriving colonies. When I 
     look at the Flag, I think of everyone who takes a part in 
     making this big beautiful country work. I think about the 
     people who risked their lives to come from Spain, France, 
     Germany, England, and other countries to make this great 
     country.
       I hope our country is always safe, self-governmental, and 
     beautiful for today, tomorrow, and on into the future. I also 
     hope that everyone will respect our land forever.

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