[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E932-E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO CANDICE A. NEAL OF EVA, ALABAMA
______
HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 24, 2001
Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I submit into the Congressional Record the
following essay written by a bright young lady from North Alabama, Miss
Candice Neal. The essay titled ``The Constitution: A Fantastic
Journey'' was recently selected as the winner of the 2001 American
Legion National High School Oratorical Contest. I would like to submit
her patriotic words for the Record.
``The Constitution: A Fantastic Journey''
Attention time travelers this is your final boarding call
for flight U.S. 1-7-8-7. Congratulations you have selected
one of our more popular destinations, The Beginning of
American Government. Today, you will experience some of the
more dramatic events in our nation's history. Flight 1-7-8-7
is a nonstop flight, back in time, to the creation of the
U.S. Constitution. The flight crew has requested that you
remain seated with your personal liberties securely fastened.
When the captain is certain that you are not in danger she
will illuminate the ``ratification light'' indicating that
you may move about the cabin freely. As we prepare for take-
off I will remind you that this is a non-smoking flight, and
in keeping with today's destination, federal law prohibits
the violation of anyone's inalienable rights.
Please look in the seat back pockets in front of you, to
review today's agenda. We begin our journey with a basic
knowledge and understanding of the Constitution and how it
was created. In the second phase of this adventure, we will
learn how to responsibly engage in our constitutional rights.
And, finally you will discover what it means to become a part
of history, by participating in this government of the
people, by the people, and for the people.
We've been cleared for takeoff, so please direct your
attention to the windows on the left side of the cabin. You
will note instances in recent history, in which rulers and
dictators have taken away people's personal freedoms. There's
Kosovo, Bosnia and Tianenmen Square.
Make sure your seat belts are securely fastened. We are
about to enter a turbulent time in American History--the
defense of democracy--There's Desert Storm, now Pearl Harbor
and our final stop, the Revolutionary War. This is where our
journey begins. . . .
What you might not realize is that the Constitution is
actually our third form of government. It was here during the
Revolutionary War when our fight for freedom began. The
American Colonies were first forced to live under the reign
of England. From 1775 until 1783 the American Colonies fought
for
We now move forward to 1787, please do not disturb the 55
men who are meeting in this old Philadelphia state house.
They are statesmen, patriots, each with their own ideas about
how this new government should be organized. Some of them are
states' rights advocates. Many of them are federalists. But
you will notice that one man stands out in the crowd. His
name? James Madison. And he is presenting the Virginia Plan
to his fellow delegates. They will soon refer to the plan as
a ``political masterstroke,'' and in the next 5 months, it
will serve as the foundation of our Constitution. By 1789,
all the states had ratified and approved this new form of
government. This unusual document was the first written,
national constitutional since ancient times. It was also the
first to set up what was called the federal system. Under
this system, sovereign power comes from the people, for the
good of the people.
The Founders attempted to create a form of government that
would be stable, but would also allow for change. You see, in
a sense, the Founding Fathers were time travelers too; they
were looking to the future, planning ahead, and forming a
basic framework to endure for all time. It is a document
written for ``we the people'' and that means that ``we the
people'' have a job to do!
Fast forward to April 1999. An issue of the USA Today
Newsview, states that one of the first things that come to
mind when Americans are asked what they think about the
United States and its government is '``freedom''. Yet
according to current public opinion research fewer than 15%
of Americans can name the freedom of the press and one of the
rights protected under the First Amendment. And little more
than half of Americans know that there are three forms of
government. You see, time travelers, with freedom also comes
responsibility--the responsibility to understand and defend
the Constitution.
James Madison once said, ``The people who are the authors
of this blessing must also be its guardians.'' Today more
than ever before we witness people and organizations testing
the bounds of their Constitutional rights. From tabloids that
slander high profile figures, to hate groups who use their
misunderstanding of freedom to infringe upon other's
inalienable rights, we are constantly called upon to defend
and uphold our constitution. As such, we must be able to use
our privileges responsibility. In words of Benjamin Franklin,
``we have a Republic, only if we can keep it!''
And now, as we make our way back to the, 21st Century, I
will remind you that this flight is interactive--meaning it
is not enough to simply understand our constitution and to
use our rights responsibility. Clearly, this travel back in
time has taught us that our duties as citizens also carry the
obligation to participate in our government.
Long after out Founding Fathers penned the last words of
the Constitution, the amendment process ensured their
continued involvement. You will see what I mean, by looking
out the windows on the right side of the aircraft: here we
see that The Bill Rights was added to the Constitution in
1791. In 1865 the 13th amendment abolished slavery and in
1868 the 14th amendment outlined the rights of all citizens.
Meeting the changing needs of a growing country, however, had
been known to cause slight turbulence in our return flight.
Therefore, in the event that we experience any threat to
ourselves and our posterity any one of the 27 amendments,
will drop from the overhead compartments to ensure our
domestic tranquility.
The amendment process is not the only way that we as
citizens can participate in our govenmnent. What we have
witnessed today should force us out of complacency and self-
centeredness and put us in touch with a greater reality.
Robert Kennedy made it popular, but George Bernard Shaw said
it long ago: ``Some people see things as they and ask, `Why?'
I prefer to see things as they might be, and ask ``Why not?''
That is what the framers of our constitution had in mind so
long ago. Our participation in that process in the 21st
Century is essential to ensure that the Constitution
continues to withstand the many and varied assaults from
those who criticize it, misinterpret it, or challenge it.
We can begin participating in small ways such as reading a
daily newspaper or weekly newsmagazine. Then, we will begin
participating in bigger ways such as writing letters to
public officials, investigating the qualifications of
Our Founding Fathers, in the words of Justice Hugo Black,
``. . . dreamed of a country where the mind and spirit of man
would be free; where there would be no limits to inquiry;
where men would be free to explore the unknown and to
challenge the most deeply rooted beliefs and principles. . .
''
Today, on fight U.S. 1-7-8-7, we have traveled back in time
to the formation of The Constitution of the United Sates. Our
itinerary included a basic knowledge and understanding of the
constitution; and appeal to engage in our rights responsibly;
and finally, a call to participate in our government.
Here in the 21st Century, the flight crew tells me that we
have been cleared for landing. We have people on hand waiting
to assist you in your efforts to continue the good work of
our Founding Fathers. Remember what you have experienced
today is much more than a fantastic journey in to the past,
it is a reminder of your responsibility for the future.
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