[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REORGANIZING GARY BRYAN FILLETTE'S WINNING ESSAY

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                           HON. JOHN COOKSEY

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, The Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsor a 
yearly scriptwriting contest and I am proud to represent the winner 
from the State of Louisiana, Mr. Gary Bryan Fillette of Alexandria. 
Gary wrote an excellent script on ``My Voice in our Democracy'' and I 
submit it to be made part of the permanent record. I hope that my 
colleagues will take a moment to read Gary's words and that we all 
remember what a great privilege and responsibility we have in 
representing the ideals that he expresses.

     ``My Voice in our Democracy''--1997-98 VFW Voice of Democracy 
                        Scholarship Competition

                   (Gary Fillette, Louisiana Winner)

       When a baby wants something done, he has a way of letting 
     everyone around him know. No matter if he's in his crib or at 
     a crowded mall, he catches the attention of everybody with 
     his distinctive cry, and keeps crying out until someone does 
     something to satisfy him.
       I learned from a baby. In a democracy I must freely and 
     adamantly express my ideas until others listen to what I say. 
     With my voice, I help fulfill my ever-present duty to improve 
     America for both present and future generations.
       I have a privilege that not all humans have. As an 
     American, I have a voice in a democracy, and I have to use 
     that voice if democracy is to mean something to me. For over 
     200 years, Americans have risked their lives for our nation. 
     To show respect for these men and women, the least I can do 
     is take what they have given me--a democracy--and support it 
     vocally with my ideas.
       Not everyone has the privilege to voice their opinions. In 
     China, the government silences any utterance that opposes the 
     government. In the Tiananmen Square demonstrations, the 
     Chinese government muted the cries for more democracy and 
     less government corruption by murdering 500 to 1,000 innocent 
     Chinese citizens, leaving the democracy movement in ruins. 
     Unlike China's citizens, I can speak about my government 
     whoever and wherever I desire. I did not just get lucky, 
     though. The lives of dedicated men and women in the Armed 
     Services had to be sacrificed so that I could have my voice 
     in our democracy.
       Unfortunately, many young Americans often feel as though 
     their opinions are too inferior to mention. Contrary to this 
     belief, as an American citizen from birth, I have always had 
     the responsibility to contribute my ideas to our nation. As a 
     baby I cried at the top of my lungs for something, probably 
     not patriotism; but then, as I became a young child, I 
     learned what was important in my life as an American. I 
     learned to say ``The Pledge of Allegiance'' and sing ``The 
     Star Spangled Banner.'' I did not just recite these familiar 
     patriotic words. I respected what they stood for--freedom, 
     democracy, and liberty, all made possible by the men and 
     women whose blood was shed so that mine could flow. As I grew 
     older and taller and my voice began to crack, I contributed 
     my ideas as a Boy Scout. With an even deeper voice, I have 
     spoken in mock governments and voted in mock elections as I 
     learned more about the government at Boys State. I speak to 
     others about our democracy in patriotic speech programs. As 
     an adult, my voice will carry even farther, as I run for 
     office or speak in favor of new ideas at election time. And 
     most importantly, my voice will be heard with my vote: the 
     single, most important characteristic of our democracy.
       Without my voice and yours, the word democracy means 
     nothing to us. Consider what a government of the people and 
     by the people, would be if all the people were silent. It 
     would be an idea that everyone thought was great, but it 
     would remain just that: an idea. Fortunately, colonists, like 
     Josiah Quincy, spoke out against oppression in favor of 
     independence. Quincy stated, ``Under God, we are determined 
     that wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever we shall be called 
     to make our exit, we will die free men.'' These words helped 
     inspire the fight for an independent nation. The formation of 
     our democracy was not, however, a stopping point. We must 
     continue to support our government with out voices. In the 
     First Amendment of the Bill of Rights I am guaranteed the 
     all-important freedom of speech. By freely voicing my 
     opinions alongside other Americans, our democracy can thrive 
     ``for the people.''
       Although the audible characteristics of my voice have 
     changed during my lifetime, what my voice has said, has 
     always been loud and clear. Just as a baby's voice catches 
     the attention of everyone, my voice is an intercom to spread 
     the word to others of the importance of each individual in 
     our democracy. Experiencing gradual pitch changes, my voice 
     is also an instrument to show respect for those who 
     sacrificed their lives for mine. In the future, my voice will 
     continue to be a tool to repair and strengthen our democracy 
     for future generations. The next time I hear a baby cry, I'll 
     appreciate his expressions of his ideas, however loud they 
     may be, and follow his example as I cry out for democracy.

     

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