[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1346-E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO AMANDA BUCKNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Miss Amanda 
Buckner of Gadsden, AL. Miss Buckner won statewide first place honors 
in the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy Contest and third 
place honors in the national contest. I ask unanimous consent to have 
printed in the Record her prize winning script. I am very proud of Miss 
Buckner's accomplishments, and of the way she represented Alabama in 
our Nation's capital.

                       Democracy Above and Beyond

       Welcome fans, to the 49th Olympics. You are about to see 
     the relay event. On America's team we have five exceptional 
     runners. The first is George Washington. Next we have Abraham 
     Lincoln. On the third leg is Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ronald 
     Reagan takes the fourth leg. The last leg is a bit different. 
     America has a surprise runner. I will announce his name 
     later. Ladies and Gentlemen, this team should carry democracy 
     above and beyond.
       The runners take their marks. One . . . Two . . . Three . . 
     . Go! Washington holds his baton of democracy tight and 
     begins the run. Not only is he running, he is shaping this 
     race for freedom. Washington is setting the pace for 
     democracy with grace, authority, and peace. Earlier in an 
     interview, Washington said he hopes this team prospers, 
     focuses on their goals and sticks together. He wants to show 
     everyone what a wonderful experience freedom can be. And boy 
     has he! Although the older, stronger countries are trying to 
     push him out of the way, he fights on. Washington has carried 
     democracy above and beyond, but now he must pass it along.
       Honest Abe takes control. At this point democracy has 
     fallen behind in the race. Slavery and economic unrest seem 
     to be slowing them down. Yes, it looks as if they are at war 
     with themselves. . . Wait, Lincoln refuses to let the injury 
     of ignorance and racial discord tear this team apart. He is 
     holding his own. He is showing the rest of the world that 
     freedom will rise, and democracy will continue above and 
     beyond. Lincoln is brave to continue after such an injury. It 
     looks as if he still has the lead. Ladies and gentlemen, 
     freedom may survive this tragedy after all.

[[Page E1347]]

       Franklin Delano Roosevelt has the baton now. The crowd has 
     fallen into despair and lost all belief in team USA. But 
     Roosevelt still holds on. Social Security, the Works Project 
     Administration, and many other revolutionary new programs 
     bring this crowd out of the depression. Many are saying 
     Roosevelt is the best runner yet. We got a chance to speak 
     with Roosevelt before he started the race, and he told this 
     reporter that America would not succumb to this trial. 
     Showing his astute leadership he told me, ``There is nothing 
     to fear but fear itself.'' And his dedication will not allow 
     any of his fears to get in the way of his winning this race. 
     FDR fights through all the turmoil and comes ahead. The crowd 
     is on its feet now.
       Roosevelt passes the baton to Ronald Reagan. This is a man 
     who stole America's heart with his lopsided grin and his 
     optimism. The crowd has hope for the future now that Reagan 
     has the stick. The American dream is alive and well. Reagan 
     took democracy above and beyond anything we had envisioned. 
     He revitalized the economy and ended the cold war. After 
     Reagan finished his end of the race, he told me the same 
     thing he said in his inaugural address, ``We are too great a 
     nation to limit ourselves to small dreams.''
       Now, the last runner of the race for freedom. Are you 
     wondering who it is?! Well, I'll tell you. The runner of the 
     last leg is . . . you! That's right, it's all of you. America 
     is ahead and thriving, but it all depends on how you run this 
     race. Can you fight past the homeless, past the hatred, past 
     the children who cry for a warm meal? It is up to you to 
     make the difference. If you don't . . . who will?
       Run. Run for those who ran before you. Run for those who 
     ache for the chance. If you run this race well, we should 
     enter the 21st century the powerful and thriving country we 
     have always been. All of America's teams have done fine jobs. 
     They have kept this country on the road to greatness. All 
     democracy needs now is a strong runner to bring home the 
     gold. Let's watch and see how you finish this race. Will you 
     win the race for freedom? Will you carry democracy above and 
     beyond? As you stand and hear the anthem they are playing for 
     you, you realize that there are those who will die and never 
     know freedom. Run for them. Run for the country that swells 
     you with pride. Run for peace. And run for freedom. Hold your 
     head high as the flag is raised in your honor. Feel it to the 
     marrow of your soul . . . Run.

     

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