[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO JULIA A. KRASCHNEWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 1999

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
student from my Congressional District in Wisconsin, Julia 
Kraschnewski. Julia is senior at Burlington High School, and she is the 
winner of the VFW's 1999 Voice of Democracy scriptwriting contest for 
the state of Wisconsin. Julia wrote about an experience she had while 
volunteering at a local nursing home and the effect that experience had 
upon her life. Julia is no stranger to civic and student activities. 
She has been involved in 4-H, Student Council, Girls State and Girls 
Nation, and she is the current Miss Burlington. Julia is truly an 
example for students all across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I'd like to introduce Julia's winning script for the 
Record.

       I walked into the nursing home that day, with no idea of 
     what I was getting into. What I would say? How I would act 
     around elderly people? Would I be matched with someone 
     specific? Soon I was paired with a short old man in a plaid 
     shirt. The caretaker told me that this man's name was Roy. I 
     wheeled Roy down to the Activity Room, not sure of what to 
     say. When we get to the room, we both set up our BINGO cards 
     and prepared to play. ``B-5'' said the lady behind the head 
     table. Roy gave me a shy smile as I helped him place a little 
     red chip on the card.
       It has been said, ``The purpose of life is life with a 
     purpose.'' What better purpose is there than to serve--to 
     help someone else, someone who is perhaps less fortunate than 
     us?
       The United States of America is committed to safeguarding 
     the rights to ``life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
     happiness,'' for all of its citizens, regardless of their 
     financial status or physical abilities. While our country has 
     come a long way since the signing of the Declaration of 
     Independence in 1776, some aspects of our society continue to 
     demand our concern.
       One such area is the treatment of our elderly. While it was 
     traditional in years past for older relatives to live with 
     younger family members, these days, with both parents working 
     outside the home, this can often become quite impossible. 
     True, the government helps aid the elderly through programs 
     such as our Social Security system and Medicare, but today's 
     alternative for caring for aging members of the family who 
     are unable to care for themselves is a nursing, or retirement 
     home. Such places provide a residence for the elderly and 
     take care of their physical needs. However, even in a 
     ``percent world,'' our government could not possibly be 
     expected to meet the mental or emotional needs of some of our 
     forgotten elderly. But this does not mean that as 
     individuals, we cannot do something.
       ``N-45!'' the director called in the afternoon's first 
     game. ``BINGO!'' Roy called, his hand shaking slightly. Roy 
     was excited about the bird ornament he won, recalling that 
     ``there were lots of birds like this one'' back on his farm. 
     He told me about the ``special'' birdseed he used to but to 
     attract his wife's favorite orioles. As he stared at the 
     little bird ornament, Roy seemed to be reliving happier days 
     gone by. When we got to his room, my new friend showed me his 
     pictures on the wall, unable to identify everyone in them. He 
     talked about his farm and about his grandchildren. He started 
     crying when he explained that he had not seen them in over a 
     year, and they had forgotten his 100th birthday the month 
     before. While I tried to comfort Roy, I began to understand 
     the loneliness that our forgotten elderly must feel everyday.
       Our government allows us to excel. It gives us priceless 
     freedoms but we cannot abuse them or fail to cherish them. We 
     must give as well as take. We must serve to strengthen 
     society. ``A life without service to others is a life not 
     worth living.'' These words of President Woodrow Wilson 
     illustrate our country's tradition of helping others. People 
     serve our country in many ways. Some hold political office, 
     some devote themselves to teaching or social work. Some 
     volunteer their time helping others through community 
     service. Some give the ultimate service--placing their lives 
     on the line in times of war.
       I can still remember Roy's words to me at the end of our 
     visit. ``This is so nice that you young people take the time 
     to come out here and spend with us. We don't have a lot to 
     look forward to here, but we love it when you come and visit 
     us. Thank you.'' I looked at his eyes, old and tired, yet 
     sparkling with something so alive. At that moment my heart 
     glowed with a certain satisfaction to know that I had helped 
     to make someone's day a little bit brighter. My visit had 
     meant a lot to him. I had taken my first step of service to 
     our society.
       In the 3 years, since my 1st visit to Mount Carmel to see 
     Roy, I have come to know Alex, Sadie, and Henry. I have 
     shared stories, and pushed wheelchairs and I cherish every 
     moment in this experience.
       Andrew Carnegie once said, ``All good things start out 
     small.'' As Americans, we must challenge ourselves to be the 
     best we can. In our ``one nation under God,'' we must do unto 
     others. On the little league sidelines, in soup kitchens, in 
     nursing home BINGO rooms, with our monetary donations to 
     worthy causes, with our well informed votes, and with our 
     lives on the battlefield, if need be, from sea to shining sea 
     we must unite in our commitment to ``service to America.''

     

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