[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ANDRE NICHOLSON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WINNER 1977-98 VFW VOICE OF 
                   DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        of district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 1998

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor the Voice of Democracy audio-
essay scholarship competition. The program is now in its 51st year and 
required high school student entrants to write and record a three to 
five minute essay on an announced patriotic theme. ``My Voice in our 
Democracy'' was this year's theme, and more than 100,000 students 
participated in the program nationwide.
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to report to this body that Andre 
R. Nicholson, a senior at Ballou Senior High School has been named a 
National winner in the 1998 Voice of Democracy Program and recipient of 
the $1,000 Department of Nevada and its Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship 
Award. Andre is the son of Robin and Jane Nicholson and he plans a 
career in marketing. Andre participated in the program as a project of 
his government class. I am pleased to acknowledge his teacher, Paul 
Charles and his principal, Kenneth Jones, Ph.D.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the reflections of the Members in this 
hallowed hall Andre Nicholson's award winning essay.

                     ``My Voice in Our Democracy''

       Good afternoon Honorable Judges and members of the Veterans 
     of Foreign Wars (VFW).
       As a young man in high school, it is an honor and pleasure 
     for me to participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy 
     Scholarship Program. I hope that not only my voice in our 
     Democracy will be heard but other voices young and old, as we 
     enter the twenty-first century.
       In Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address he stated ``that 
     this government of the people, by the people and for the 
     people shall not perish from the earth.''
       The basic premise of democracy cries out that each 
     individual's worth and dignity must be recognized and 
     respected by all of society at all times; regardless of race, 
     religion, or station in life.
       Dr. King once said he had a dream, and that dream was that 
     one day this nation would live out the true meaning of its 
     creed, we hold these truths to be self evident that all men 
     are created equal.
       The concepts of democracy go on to insist all men should be 
     equal before the law and by way of opportunity; that the 
     majority should rule restrained by minority rights. It also 
     states that we must compromise to find a satisfactory 
     solution and that the freedom of one individual should not 
     infringe upon others.
       This has been an experiment in government, and like all 
     experiments it's been a trial and error process, good times 
     and bad times, sunshine and rain.
       However, if we the people of the United States are to form 
     a more perfect union; we must be willing to grow along 
     spiritual lines. On the back of one of our most prized 
     possession (the dollar bill) is the statement ``In God We 
     Trust.'' If we would try more diligently to seek and do God's 
     will, we as human beings would exhibit more God-like 
     characteristics such as honesty, consideration, tolerance, 
     forgiveness, faith, patience and concern for others.
       By doing this I think the democratic process would run 
     smoother and we would form a more perfect union.
       Will my voice be heard in our Democracy? Yes, I believe 
     that my voice, as well as other young adults will be heard. 
     In order to have a unified democracy to improve our country, 
     it is vital that the voices of the young and the old go 
     together in order to make this a better world.
       Too many individuals, such as George Washington, Thomas 
     Jefferson and James Madison, put in countless hours of work 
     in order for us to have a good constitution in a democratic 
     society. We must continue and push hard. I know we can make 
     it work.

     

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