[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E705-E706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING DOMINIC DRAGISICH OF WEIRTON, WEST VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Dominic 
Dragisich of Weirton, West Virginia, for his award-winning entry in the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy Contest. His script is 
entitled ``My Service to America.'' I submit for the Record the text of 
his entry, and commend the VFW for making the Voice of Democracy 
scholarship program available to students across our Nation.

                         My Service to America

       ``Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you 
     can do for your country.'' With these words during his 
     Inaugural address in 1961, President John F. Kennedy 
     challenged every citizen to serve America.
       Today, the world is a very different place. The changes 
     that have occurred since those words were spoken are 
     phenomenal. Yet, the changes that lie ahead will be greater. 
     Therefore, his challenge to serve America is even more timely 
     today.
       I can best serve America by preparing myself to meet the 
     challenges that face us. We must retain those values and 
     institutions that have made America great, but we must be 
     willing to change and accept new ideas that meet the 
     challenges of the information age. The ability to adapt to 
     change will determine our success. To survive we must adapt, 
     to adapt we must change.
       Today, being a teenager and a high school student is no 
     easy task. We live in a high tech information based society 
     where we are bombarded by negative influences on a daily 
     basis. ``What's wrong with this young generation'' seems to 
     be the question of the day--everyday. It's the same question 
     that has been asked throughout history, and I believe the 
     answer remains the same--NOTHING is wrong. I believe my 
     generation is ready, willing, and able to serve America, just 
     as well as those who preceded us. I know I am.
       For me, it may be a little easier because of the foundation 
     laid by my family. My ancestors immigrated to America in 
     search of freedom and a better life. They brought with them a 
     tradition of hard work, discipline, strong family values, and 
     spirituality. I am fortunate that my parents passed them on 
     to me. They challenged me to grow intellectually, 
     emotionally, and spiritually. They gave me a value system 
     founded upon high moral and ethical standards. By example, 
     they showed me that we have a responsibility to give 
     something back to our communities, especially to those less 
     fortunate. I can serve America by following their example and 
     by passing it on to others.
       Today, America still represents hope throughout the world. 
     Where there is repression, persecution, poverty, or a lack of 
     human rights, America continues to be a symbol of freedom and 
     liberty. I can serve America by helping to preserve those 
     ideals and share them with others. I can also serve America 
     by setting a positive example for my peers to follow and by 
     helping them when needed.
       America faces enormous challenges in our global economy. I 
     can help her meet those challenges by pursuing academic 
     excellence and by refining my leadership skills. My parents 
     stressed the importance of academics and the powerful role 
     that knowledge will play in the future. They planted the 
     seeds of leadership within me and nurtured their growth. It 
     is now my responsibility to further develop them.
       We must always remember that many people are quick to 
     follow; therefore, leadership is a responsibility that should 
     not be taken lightly. It requires creativity, imagination, 
     courage, decisiveness, and confidence. Leaders must have the 
     courage to make decisions based on what is right. Leaders 
     must be assertive but patient. They must be skilled listeners 
     and effective mediators. They must be confident but not 
     arrogant. Finally, they must be able to accept 
     responsibility, acknowledge their faults, admit their 
     mistakes, and learn from them.
       I can serve America by developing these skills and by 
     accepting a leadership role in her future. However, to 
     preserve the future, we must never forget those who gave us 
     the America we have today.
       President Kennedy's Inaugural Address also contained the 
     following words: ``Since America was founded, each generation 
     has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. 
     The graves of young Americans, who answered the call to 
     serve, surround the globe.''
       One day the torch will be passed to my generation. We too 
     will proclaim our loyalty.

[[Page E706]]

     We will be ready to serve. However, we will retain our 
     readiness only if we continue to honor and respect those who 
     paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live to serve 
     America and perpetuate the ideals she represents.

     

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