[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL BUSE

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                           HON. JACK METCALF

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 9, 1997

  Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Buse 
of Stanwood, WA, who was selected as the winner of the 1997 Voice of 
Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest for Washington State.
  His essay ``Democracy--Above and Beyond'' compares American democracy 
to an eagle perched for flight as we look into the new millennium. 
American democracy soars above and beyond all other forms of 
government. He concludes that it is our duty to go above and beyond as 
citizens to preserve and protect our form of democracy.
  I would like to congratulate Michael again for his success in this 
program and thank the Veterans of Foreign Wars for their support of 
America's youth. I ask unanimous consent that Michael's award-winning 
essay be included in the Record:

                    ``Democracy--Above and Beyond''

       Like an eagle perched for flight, American Democracy stands 
     ready, looking into the twenty-first century; a new 
     millennium. As it spreads its wings and gazes over the Earth, 
     American Democracy soars above and beyond all other forms of 
     government.
       Why? Perhaps it is because our democracy is above 
     indifference to the wants, needs, and wishes of its citizens. 
     Our democracy is run for, of, and by its people. American 
     Democracy is beyond the control of a single despot or a 
     celebrated few.
       Our democracy is founded on the idea that there are 
     extraordinary possibilities in ordinary individuals. Abe 
     Lincoln, our sixteenth President, comes to mind as a young 
     man who rose from the depths of poverty to become perhaps the 
     greatest President our country has ever known. His example--
     and a number of others--have proven repeatedly that no matter 
     how humbly a child is born, he or she has a chance to engage 
     the minds and capture the imaginations of our whole country. 
     Our democracy is above and beyond all others simply because 
     we have a chance. Under American Democracy we may do as we 
     please, as long as we remain responsible citizens.
       The beauty of American Democracy is that we all--man or 
     woman, rich or poor, of whatever race, creed, or religion, 
     have value and are valued. General Joshua Lawrence 
     Chamberlain, ``Hero of the Little Round Top'', addressing his 
     soldiers before the Battle of Gettysburg explained the notion 
     of American Democracy by saying, ``It's not the land, there's 
     always more land, it's the idea that we all have value.''
       Today, our American Democracy is the wealthiest, most 
     powerful and freest nation on Earth. Our people are free to 
     criticize their leaders and to elect new ones. We have 
     freedom of the press, religion, and speech. We are free from 
     unjustified arrest by police and have the right to trial by a 
     jury of our peers. Our system of Democracy, as laid out 
     originally in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, was not 
     perfect, but our forefathers anticipated the future, and 
     insured us the power of amendment, which has allowed us over 
     time to continue to work for civil rights for all of our 
     people. Perhaps that is why the world looks to American 
     Democracy as a model. Of the 191 nations listed in the World 
     Almanac, 167 have written constitutions that were either 
     influenced by or modeled after American Democracy.
       In a speech delivered to the U.S. Congress, Vaclav Havel, 
     President of the newly formed Czech Republic, asked: ``Wasn't 
     it the best minds of your country who wrote your famous 
     Constitution and Bill of Human Rights? Those great documents 
     which insure American Democracy inspire the world. They 
     inspire us to be citizens.''
       As participants in what George Washington called the 
     ``great experiment of American Democracy'' it is our duty to 
     go above and beyond as citizens to preserve and protect our 
     form of Democracy.

     

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