[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 111 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO MALLERY WATERS

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                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to bring to the attention 
of the House my constituent, Miss Mallery Waters of Clarksville, 
Indiana. Mallery is the national winner of the 2002 Voice of Democracy 
high school essay contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
and recipient of the $1000 Department of Maine Scholarship to 
``Remember the U.S.S. Maine'' Award.
  Mallery, who is a senior being homeschooled, is a past winner of 
numerous essay contests, as well as an accomplished artist and 
gardener. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott Waters. Her 
winning essay, ``Reaching Out to America's Future,'' was sponsored by 
VFW Post 1832 and its Ladies Auxiliary in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
  It is my pleasure to include Mallery's essay in the Congressional 
Record.

                    Reaching Out to America's Future

                          (By Mallery Waters)

       Before the recent terrorist attacks, I had concluded that 
     patriotism was on a sharp decline in America. People stayed 
     home on Election Day, ignored the flag, and seemed to 
     generally avoid politics. Now flags wave defiantly across the 
     country as signboards declare, ``God Bless America.'' But I 
     wonder if this newfound pride in country will continue when 
     things begin to settle down. Only then will we learn whether 
     or not this tragedy truly affected the hearts of the rising 
     generation. For the participation of the citizens of the 
     future--;the young adults, teens, and even unborn children--
     ;in the affairs of this country will determine the future of 
     America and the freedom it represents. I believe increasing 
     interest in government and a sense of duty toward country are 
     the foundations of our participation.
       When President John F. Kennedy said, ``Ask not what your 
     country can do for you--;ask what you can do for your 
     country,'' he demonstrated that patriotism is not an empty 
     emotion. Instead, it is a call to action. This call to action 
     compels young people to participate in our government as 
     tomorrow's politicians, civil servants, and informed 
     citizens. Are we prepared or even willing to properly fulfill 
     these enormous responsibilities?
       Sometimes I think that America is following the road of the 
     ancient republic of Rome. The republic rose to power and 
     prosperity in part because of the diligence, hard work, and 
     moral character of its people. But as the Roman citizens 
     focused increasingly on luxury and their own happiness, the 
     virtues that had made the republic strong rotted away. 
     Eventually, they gave up much freedom for security under the 
     Caesars.
       As one of America's young people, I believe that many of us 
     care far more about happiness and prosperity than we do about 
     our liberties and freedoms. Relationships, cars, and music 
     are physical items. Since freedom is much more abstract, it 
     often seems boring. We have never tasted a life without this 
     freedom or the prosperity and representative government we 
     take for granted. But teens' boring liberties actually allow 
     us to enjoy the physical things we do value.
       Short of sending us overseas, one of the best ways to help 
     teens appreciate being free to participate in government is 
     to encourage interest in political affairs. Young people may 
     be well-informed about the facts of government, but engaging 
     experience in real-life politics is so much more important. 
     Participating in student council and helping with a local 
     political campaign are much more tangible than facts from a 
     dull textbook. I think hands-on experience in mock-government 
     organizations like Boys' and Girls` State is one of the most 
     beneficial of these activities for teens. What if more than 
     only a handful of a high school's students could have the 
     opportunity to see first-hand how our government works? I 
     think such a school-wide program would spark an interest in 
     government and political matters in many.
       If tangible political learning does not encourage young 
     people to participate in government, an overarching 
     patriotism and sense of duty instilled by family must. 
     Keeping informed will not always be interesting, but we must 
     recognize it as our responsibility. Families have always 
     taken the lead in instilling such values in young Americans, 
     and they must continue to do so today. Parents should pass on 
     the heritage of traditional Biblical values and the sense of 
     responsibility to God and fellow man. They must show us how 
     to think for ourselves and formulate our own opinions. They 
     must teach us to be diligent and informed voters who vote not 
     for the political party but for the best candidate. Their 
     lives must attest to the importance of staying informed in 
     political matters and speaking out against issues they 
     consider harmful to themselves or their country.
       Young Americans must remember that freedom is so important 
     that it was and still is something worth dying for. Being a 
     conscientious U.S. citizen may require large amounts of work 
     and inconvenience, but it is worth it. A loss of our precious 
     freedom as a result of political apathy will bring so much 
     more trouble down the road. America's youth hold enormous 
     trust in our hands. The recent surge of patriotism after the 
     terrorist attacks should be our wake up call. May we realize 
     the truth of President Kennedy's words, ``Ask not what your 
     country can do for you--;ask what you can do for your 
     country.''

     

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