[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 123 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MR. SCOTT HURFF

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and honor a 
young Ohioan from my district who has distinguished himself among his 
peers and community.
  Mr. Scott Hurff, an honor student at Dublin Coffman High School and a 
2001 delegate to Ohio's American Legion Boys State, delivered the 
following address at this year's Memorial Day ceremonies in Dublin, OH. 
I believe this stirring presentation is worthy of the Nation's 
attention.

           Oration by Scott Hurff, Boy's State Delegate 2001

       They kicked him. The Nazis kicked him to see if he was 
     dead.
       My great-grandfather, who landed at Normandy in WW II, had 
     to play dead to stay alive. He had landed fighting next to 
     his friends. Now they were dead. The Nazis kicked their 
     bodies to see if they were alive, and if they believed that 
     there was some spark of life left in them, they shot them.
       My great-grandfather then was eventually discharged because 
     of severe frostbite on his feet. He would be forever 
     tormented with the images of the short time he spent in 
     Europe.
       At this very second, America has seen only 11 generations. 
     It is only 225 years old. Yet, the pillars that are 
     supporting this country, the pillars that tell the world what 
     is just and right, are being torn down.
       But how? How can the core values of this country possibly 
     be in danger?
       It's called apathy. Not caring for what America is built 
     upon, not caring about those that made sure these pillars 
     could stand.
       Our society is vulnerable to self-absorbed greed. Our 
     society is vulnerable to the apathy that tears down and makes 
     us forget the origins of America. Our society is vulnerable 
     to irresponsible behavior.
       The same situation pertains to Memorial Day. Memorial Day 
     is vulnerable to being forgotten. The men and women that we 
     are recognizing today fought for the good of our society and 
     our country. When their lives should have been filled with 
     fun, work, and adventure, they were fighting in remote, god-
     forsaken areas of the world. Places like Tunisia, places like 
     Guadalcanal, places like Okinawa, places like the Chosin 
     reservoir, places like Khe Sahn. They had to endure the most 
     horrible conditions to save the world and our country.
       What have we given them?
       Too many people of this generation barely acknowledge the 
     significance of this holiday. Too many people of this 
     generation have no idea what the holiday represents.
       Thus, the people of my generation must ensure a transition 
     to restore confidence and security to all citizens. We must 
     begin with Memorial Day.
       The only way we can honor the men that surrendered their 
     time to whole-heartedly defend this country is for this 
     generation to dedicate their time to ensuring that the 
     citizens of America are fully aware of what has been given to 
     them and what could easily be taken away. This generation has 
     to re-instate the active patriotism and restore the constant 
     awareness of what this country is based upon. We must ensure 
     another 11 generations, 225 years, and beyond. We must be 
     leaders in this transition.
       As President Bush said, ``The only good society is a caring 
     society.'' Take heart to what has been done for you, and be 
     motivated to make a difference in someone's life. Become a 
     teacher. Help lead the way to guarantee equality in Ohio's 
     schools. Support the World War II memorial. Participate in 
     government. That is the way to ensure that America's pillars 
     stand. That is the way to honor the soldiers that fought to 
     preserve those pillars.

     

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