[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 42 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CHRISTINE BELL--A GOOD CITIZEN

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                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2000

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to submit this 
outstanding essay on ``good citizenship'' for the Congressional Record. 
It was written by one of my constituents, Christine Bell, a high school 
student in Morland, KS who won first place in an essay contest 
sponsored by the National Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution in Hays, Kansas. Christine's essay reminds us all that it is 
an honor to be a citizen of the United States and that the key to 
maintaining our freedoms and liberties is to exercise them. She pays 
tribute to our founding fathers, the veterans, and active military who 
put their lives on the line for our country and reminds us all what has 
been risked to protect the red, white and blue. Christine also points 
out that there are numerous ways to serve our country in addition to 
the military. Voting in elections and removing your hat during the Star 
Spangled Banner are to small ways that Christine mentions people can 
show good citizenship.
  I was extremely impressed with Christine Bell's essay and her belief 
in the need for good citizenship. I hope she will continue her efforts 
on behalf of the merits of good citizenship. Treating others with 
respect is the most basic concept of maintaining freedom, and Christine 
has already discovered this early in her life. I congratulate Christine 
on her insight and her efforts in promoting good citizenship and 
respect for those who have made this country so great.

      Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility to Preserve It

       ``I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of 
     America.'' Students of this nation once stood in their 
     classrooms with their right hand over their heart in 
     allegiance to the flag which symbolizes their freedom. 
     Students across the country no longer stand to pledge 
     allegiance to their flag every morning and many could not 
     correctly recite the pledge if asked to do so.
       When I attend ball games and watch the parents' example. I 
     begin to see why respect for the flag has been lost. Many 
     adults do not remove ball caps, and the majority fail to put 
     their right hand on their heart or even look at the flag when 
     the ``Star Spangled Banner'' is sung.
       Have Americans forgotten how fortunate they are to live in 
     a free country? The fathers of this country fought to break 
     free from the bondage of Great Britain. Many lives were lost 
     as blood and tears were shed for the freedom of every single 
     person who lives in the United States. On July 4, 1776, we 
     declared independence and then won, in battle, the right to 
     that independence.
       When I talk to soldiers in our United States Army, I find 
     that these people truly desire to preserve a nation so well-
     founded. Our soldiers are very honorable and deserve respect 
     for volunteering their lives to serve this country. Our 
     veterans deserve even more recognition for fighting for our 
     country.
       Why then, do United States soldiers have to put up with 
     mocking civilians who implicitly spit on and shame them? 
     These ignorant civilians do not realize that the tax money 
     they are so fervently worried about is spent to serve them in 
     times of crisis. The money our government invests in armed 
     forces is to protect and preserve this country that serves 
     its citizens. The lack of respect for the flag and for our 
     soldiers, however, is not the only downfall in the American 
     public.
       With every presidential election of the twentieth century, 
     the number of those who vote has systematically lowered. If 
     that trend continues at the rate it has, after only a few 
     more elections, the number of votes will be so low that we, 
     as voters, may lose our right to vote for the President of 
     the United States. In a country where the people have such an 
     opportunity to make their voices heard, it is said to see 
     less than half of the eligible voters cast a vote. The people 
     of America need to take more interest in their country and 
     strive to preserve their rights. If we do not exercise them, 
     we very well may lose them.
       The individuals in our government also need to earn respect 
     and become the honorable leaders they should be. Honesty 
     would be a very good first step. Americans have lost respect 
     for President Clinton because of his occasional inability to 
     tell the truth. The Clinton sex scandals are not far in the 
     back of our minds, and the events at Waco, Texas have brought 
     controversy also.
       A combination of honesty, respect, and remembrance may just 
     be the key to preserving our American heritage.

     *COM019*

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