[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 81 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING REGINAL RYAN FOR HIS AWARD-WINNING AMVET ESSAY ``MY 
                        FAVORITE AMERICAN HERO''

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                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 1998

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
an exceptional young man, Reginal Ryan of Itasca, Texas, which is in my 
11th Congressional District. Reginal recently won the AMVET's 
Americanism state level competition for ninth graders with a strong and 
moving essay entitled ``My Favorite American Hero.''
  Reginal is a 15-year-old sophomore at Itasca High School. His 
accomplishment is all the more extraordinary considering that late last 
year he was living on the streets in Austin, Texas. However, he now 
lives in the Presbyterian Orphans Home in Itasca where he spends time 
putting together prize winning essays.
  His prize for winning the AMVET's contest is an all expense paid trip 
to Valley Forge, Penn., to visit the Freedoms Foundation. Members of 
AMVET's Post 72 in Hillsboro were so moved by his essay that they took 
up an additional collection to finance a trip to Washington, D.C. While 
in Washington, Reginal's wish to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 
and pay his respects was fulfilled.
  I ask members to join me in congratulating this special young man for 
his accomplishment. I would also like to share his essay with the 
members.

                       My Favorite American Hero

                           (By Reginal Ryan)

       My favorite American hero does not have a name, but I 
     assure you he is real in many ways. Everyone remembers and 
     knows what he did for our country and how he gives his life 
     for others with devotion. He has shown commitment in many 
     examples of his compassion as in the many wars in which he 
     has fought such as World War I and World War II and even 
     Vietnam.
       My favorite American hero represents the heart of our 
     country, because he is the common American. When called to 
     serve, he is always ready and willing to protect his country 
     by fighting in strange and foreign lands far away from home, 
     away from friends and family with no assurance that he would 
     ever return to them. Nevertheless, it was important for him 
     to go to ensure that the freedom of America would be 
     preserved.
       My favorite American hero is visited by many people each 
     year. They are always quiet and reverent in his presence. 
     Flowers are often presented to him. The visitors come from 
     all across America, and many shed a few tears as they leave 
     because he may be their hero, too. It is the common thread 
     that links and unites all Americans.
       Because he is a true hero, he is the most likely to come to 
     my mind. Symbolically, he stands for all the freedom fighters 
     we have today in America. His efforts have allowed me and all 
     Americans to continue to exercise all rights as a citizen of 
     the United States. He has helped to preserve my life, my 
     liberties, and my pursuit of happiness.
       I hope by now that everyone who reads this, knows that my 
     favorite American hero is the ``Unknown Soldier.'' It matters 
     not that he does not have a specific name. What matters is 
     that he stands for every soldier who has ever fought to keep 
     our nation free. This gift is the greatest gift America can 
     receive--the gift of freedom. I hope someday I get to pay my 
     respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

     

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