[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E844-E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MARISA ERDMAN, VOICE OF DEMOCRACY CONTEST WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 1998

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call the attention of the 
House to the work of Marisa Erdman of Millsboro, DE. Marisa is 
Delaware's State winner of the Veterans of Foreign War's Voice of 
Democracy script writing contest and has been named a national winner 
and recipient of a $1,000 scholarship award from the VFW. I 
congratulate Marisa, her family, and VFW Post 7422 in Millsboro, DE for 
sponsoring this excellent program.
  As my colleagues know, the VFW has sponsored the Voice of Democracy 
Competition for 51 years to promote patriotic and civic responsibility 
among our young people and to help them attend college through the 
scholarship awards. The competition requires students to write and 
record a 3 to 5 minute essay on a patriotic theme. This year, over 
93,000 secondary school students participated in the contest on the 
theme: ``My Voice in our Democracy.'' I am very proud to share with the 
House, Marisa's excellent essay on the need for young people to be 
involved in their community, to gain knowledge, and to use their 
experience as a voice in our democracy.
  Again, congratulations to Marisa, the Erdman family, and the members 
of the VFW Post 7422 for their fine work.

    ``My Voice in Our Democracy''--1997-1998 VFW Voice of Democracy 
                        Scholarship Competition

                           (By Marisa Erdman)

       The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, which 
     was once the world's largest bridge, attracts hundreds of 
     thousands of West Coast tourists annually. Each day, millions 
     of travelers cross the Kanmon Bridge between the Japanese 
     islands of Hunshu and Kyushu. With a length of 4,626 feet, 
     the Humber Bridge in eastern England is the longest single 
     span bridge in the world. What do these three famous bridges 
     have in common? They are all suspension bridges in which 
     towers holding long steel cables support the roadway. And 
     although the towers serve as the main structures, it is the 
     bridge's many individual cables that provide the strength 
     needed to sustain the weight crossing the bridge.
       A democracy, such as that of our United States, because of 
     its design is much like a suspension bridge. Democracy serves 
     at the backbone of our nation's strength supporting the 
     weight of natural disaster, economic recession, war, and 
     change. Our forefathers crossed from the shore of oppression 
     and tyranny into the promise land of choice and freedom. The 
     principles and spirit of democracy are the towers serving as 
     the basis for all other ideas that branch from our 
     government. The individuals who comprise and fuel our 
     government with their voices and insights serve as the cables 
     that lift our great nation. Without several of its cables, a 
     bridge will stand and function, however it will not prove as 
     sturdy and may eventually collapse. Just as a democracy 
     without the contribution of all its voices will still run, it 
     will not be a true representation of the wants and needs of 
     the people.
       But how can I make my one individual voice heard? Because 
     of my young age, I often feel that I am unable to play an 
     important role in our democracy. But like many people, I keep 
     the spirit of democracy alive by being active in my 
     community. Millions of teenagers like myself volunteer in 
     programs such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters and participate 
     in food drives, benefit walks, and charity fundraisers in an 
     effort to help those in need. By being involved in 
     organizations such as the Student Government Association and 
     by furthering my education, I can familiarize myself with the 
     workings, ideas, and functions of our government. Through 
     actions such as this, I have begun to keep the spirit of our 
     democracy alive and thriving by dedicating my time, energy, 
     and ideas.
       In the future, I can make my individual voice heard by 
     supporting the principles of our democracy in louder ways. I 
     can support the plans and ideas of politicians by casting my 
     vote for the candidate I feel will best satisfy my needs. 
     Above and beyond that, I have the opportunity to represent my 
     fellow citizens by serving on community councils or by 
     holding political office. Like the millions of

[[Page E845]]

     Americans who have bravely risked their lives far and away to 
     keep the bridge of democracy standing, I also have the 
     opportunity to defend my country by serving in the military. 
     I can help keep the principles of our democracy alive through 
     my talents, skills, and actions for the betterment of my 
     community and our great nation.
       Through knowledge and contribution, I have become an 
     effective cable in the bridge of our democracy that will 
     allow our great society to cross into the future . . . and my 
     voice in our democracy will be heard.

     

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