[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MY VOICE IN OUR DEMOCRACY

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                          HON. JOHN E. SUNUNU

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to 
Ashley Allyn, 16, of New Durham, New Hampshire. As a national winner of 
1997-98 Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary ``Voice of 
Democracy'' broadcast script writing contest, Ashley concisely captures 
the importance of America's most basic freedoms in her well-written 
entry.
  I hereby submit Ashley's work for publication in the Congressional 
Record and congratulate her for her thoughtful piece entitled ``My 
Voice in our Democracy.'' Her words serve as a thoughtful reminder to 
all Americans that in a Democracy each voice does matter

       [1997-1998 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition]

                       My Voice in our Democracy

                           (By Ashley Allyn)

       ``The doctor will see you now.'' That's something you might 
     expect to hear if you've lost your voice. That is ``voice''--
     defined in the dictionary as ``sound made through the mouth, 
     especially by human beings, as in talking, singing, etc.''
       But there is another sort of voice we need to be concerned 
     about. Consulting the dictionary again, we find quite ``the 
     right to express one's wish, choice, opinion, or to make it 
     prevail; as in, having a `voice' in our government.'' We have 
     all seen enough newspaper and television accounts of the 
     tragic consequences in counties where the people have lost 
     their voice.
       My voice in our democracy started before I could even 
     actually speak. Ours is a country with civil rights for all--
     no matter how young. I was protected by laws from the very 
     beginning of my life. As I grew older, I was able to function 
     within our democracy on a smaller scale--within my family, my 
     peer group, and my school.
       When I turn 18, my voice will grow louder, because I will 
     be able to vote. But what about now? Under our Constitution, 
     my rights as a citizen are protected. One of the most 
     satisfying things about living in a democracy is knowing that 
     I do have a voice. I have the right to free speech, the right 
     to publish my feelings, the right to write my Congressmen, 
     and the right to organize a group. Even children in 
     elementary school have made their voices heard by launching a 
     campaign addressing a concern. Anyone can make their voice 
     heard by the leaders of this country--they must have to speak 
     up. I can do it, too. With supporters behind any cause I 
     choose, my voice will be heard in Washington.
       Ha, you think. Congressmen don't listen. They're corrupt, 
     they're not even real to me. Think again. Given an unusual 
     chance most people could only dream about, I was able to meet 
     our nation's senators, to work with them face to face, and 
     get to know their personal quirks and mannerisms. I realized 
     that they are just people like you and me. They're everyday 
     people--but they're people who had the drive, the initiative, 
     and the concern for their country to try to fix its problems. 
     After that opportunity, I saw how important and valuable 
     anyone's voice is and I realized that I wanted my voice to be 
     heard.
       Oh, I won't necessarily change the world at this stage of 
     the game, but the knowledge that, in the very near future, 
     that could be a real possibility is something that will 
     direct my educational goals and my extracurricular 
     activities.
       As a high school student, there are many opportunities for 
     me to voice my opinion. I can debate issues in class, I can 
     attend government related activities such as Model Congress 
     and Youth in Government, and I can campaign for political 
     candidates. By showing my support for a candidate, whether it 
     be at the town or national level, I am telling my neighbors, 
     my community, and my country that I care about what laws are 
     passed and which programs are funded. I can petition my 
     school board if I feel a change needs to be made in my 
     school. I can write my state senator about a problem that I 
     feel needs to be addressed in my state. There are countless 
     ways a teenager can tell the rest of the world that they 
     notice, observe, and strive to change their own little 
     corner. And as my corner grows, so do the changes I can make. 
     And as my voice grows, so do the others behind it.
       My voice will continue to be heard, at different levels, as 
     my school years and community involvements continues. But in 
     a democracy, it is reassuring to know that it will never be 
     along. Others may be making different points, and even 
     opposing points, but they will all be heard. And that, of 
     course, is our fundamental strength--that here in America we 
     will always have a chorus of voices.

     

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