[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING MS. JENNIFER GOODMAN, WINNER OF THE 1997 VOICE OF 
                         DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIP

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                          HON. ASA HUTCHINSON

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Ms. Jennifer 
Goodman of Clarksville, AR, for her winning entry in the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars 1997 Voice of Democracy Broadcast Scriptwriting Contest. A 
senior at Clarksville High School, Ms. Moore is already an active 
participant in our Nation's democratic process--serving as senior class 
president, attending Girls' State, and serving as the district 
president of Future Business Leaders of America.
  The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program, which began 50 years ago, 
provides financial awards to students whose writing expresses the 
spirit of democratic principles. Ms. Goodman's entry exemplifies the 
patriotism and self-sacrifice of those who gave their lives for 
freedom's sake.
  I congratulate Ms. Goodman on her thoughtful and moving essay. Mr. 
Speaker, I just might borrow it sometime!
  I would also like to thank VFW Post 8532 and its Ladies Auxiliary in 
Coal Hill, AR, for sponsoring Ms. Goodman. This Nation owes a debt of 
gratitude it can never repay to our veterans--those who served our 
country in times of crisis and who continue to serve our communities 
through programs such as this.

           1996-97 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program

                 (By Arkansas Winner Jennifer Goodman)

       Democracy, a form of government above and beyond. Democracy 
     stood by our first president in the blood and snow of Valley 
     Forge. It was there, when our nation was born with the 
     wilderness at her back, stormy seas at her sides and not one 
     friendly neighbor to call on for help, the democracy earned 
     the right to be recognized. It's existence has been paid for 
     with a price that few today can truly comprehend.
       We see in our nation's distant memory those who gave their 
     lives for it's existence. They died in places like Pork Chop 
     Hill, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Pearl Harbor and the Asian 
     Jungles, half a world away. More than a million of our finest 
     troops died for democracy's right to speak. They are buried 
     in Flanders Field in France, the Punch Bowl in Hawaii, some 
     in the mud or sand where they fell. They are gone, but they 
     are not forgotten. Even though their lives were short, their 
     fight for the right to democracy remains. Because of their 
     sacrifice democracy has the right to speak, so we need to 
     listen.
       Democracy speaks to the heart of every nation, to all men, 
     women and children of every race, creed and color. Listen to 
     her message. No other nation with any other form of 
     government is swifter to unselfishly spend billions of 
     dollars, sail strange seas, fly unfamiliar skies to rescue a 
     defeated besieged people with facial features, religions and 
     ways of living that my seem odd by my standards, but 
     democracy never noticed. For democracy only sees them as 
     depressed hurting people crying for help. So democracy's 
     defenders marched on leaving a trail of their own blood 
     behind, as they liberated people they had never seen before 
     and would never see again. When peace came from their efforts 
     they simply went home to mom, asking no thanks, expecting no 
     monuments, and surely not expecting to build a world empire, 
     because that is not what democracy is all about. Democracy 
     does not enslave other nations, it extends to them their own 
     freedom. A chance for them to experience the way of life that 
     only democracy, a form of government above and beyond all 
     others, could share with them.
       As Americans we need to be proud of democracy for no other 
     form of government guarantees you the freedom that it does. 
     Freedom to be whatever you want to be, a street sweeper or an 
     astronaut. Freedom to travel from state to state, freedom to 
     speak and to write. Freedom to praise or to criticize. 
     Freedom to save and build a fortune that at the end of your 
     life you may simply give away. Freedom to worship as our 
     hearts and minds dictate. Freedom to vote, knowing that one 
     vote can and does make a difference. Freedom not only to 
     choose those who lead you, but to be a part of that body 
     which does the leading. Whether it be a local school board 
     member, a state representative or even the President of the 
     United States, every citizen of a democracy can dream that 
     dream if they so desire.
       This summer I was privileged to visit our nation's capitol. 
     There my heart was filled with pride as I viewed the great 
     buildings that represent our democracy, the White House, the 
     Capitol, the House of Congress, the Supreme Court. It brought 
     to my mind what a great nation we have. But then I returned 
     to my home town, Maine Street USA, just an average American 
     city, yet very special to me. As I looked around I found that 
     same sense of pride filling my heart once again, my city 
     hall, my court house and yes, even my school. The question 
     came to my mind, ``Don't these buildings represent democracy 
     also?'' As I looked at the eternal flame on the court house 
     square, which burns in memory of our honored veterans, I was 
     reminded once again of those who gave so much to purchase the 
     rights and privileges that I now have. May I never forget 
     what they have given me, Democracy, a form of government 
     above and beyond all others.

     

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