[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E774-E775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING CHARLOTTE TAYLOR FOR WINNING THE 2003 VOICE OF DEMOCRACY 
                                CONTEST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS CHOCOLA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 11, 2003

  Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Charlotte 
Taylor, a senior at Elkhart Memorial High School, in Elkhart, Indiana, 
who has been named a National Winner in the 2003 Voice of Democracy 
Scholarship Program. This annual contest, sponsored by the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary, is 
especially significant this year given America's fight for democracy at 
home and abroad. The theme for this year's contest, ``Freedom's 
Obligation'' is echoed poignantly in the words of Ms. Taylor. I share 
with you these words, and applaud Ms. Taylor not only for her success, 
but her desire to champion the cause of liberty.

       The tone of America has changed and it is a sound that is 
     comforting us in times of pain. Growing up in America, I am 
     familiar with the grand tradition of the country, but it is 
     in the present I can truly identify what patriotism is. A 
     flame has been lit inside my soul and I understand that with 
     my freedom comes an obligation. An obligation to sacrifice, 
     and to believe.
       I work in the Hospital on a Geriatric unit. My job is to 
     talk with the patients, most of whom were either veterans, or 
     lost loved ones in one of the wars. I listen to their 
     stories, and watch the pain in their faces as they recount 
     the price they paid for my freedom. One woman's sacrifice 
     stands out in my mind. Her father fought in World War I. He 
     came home a changed man, abusive and suffering from 
     posttraumatic stress syndrome. He terrorized her, until 
     finally she became old enough to leave home. Eventually she 
     got married and her husband served in World War II. While he 
     faired well fighting in the war, she was left alone raising 
     three young children. One of those children would grow up to 
     die in Vietnam; a victim of Agent Orange. The entire time I 
     sat and chatted with this woman, she never expressed 
     resentment toward her country or the men she lost who served 
     it. She understood her obligation of sacrifice as I do. If I 
     refuse this duty, the millions before me who lost their lives 
     will have lost their lives in vain.
       It also is my obligation to support freedom. Believing in a 
     system that has supported me is the least I can do. I study 
     current events, and problems through out the world. Every 
     time I read about the plight people in non democratic 
     countries face, I realize how fortunate I am to have the 
     opportunity to make something of my life. Because of these 
     opportunities I am obligated to support freedom by becoming a 
     productive member of society. It is my obligation to pay 
     taxes and more importantly to vote. While I am not old enough 
     to vote in this year's election, I convinced both of my 
     parents to register to vote. My solitary voice caused two 
     people to cast ballots this election year. Single voices 
     being heard is what freedom is all about.
       More than anything I am beginning to understand what 
     patriotism feels like. Last Friday night I played America the 
     Beautiful on the xylophone with our high school marching band 
     during half time. The fans sang along, and never in my life 
     have I felt so united with my country. I drive down the road 
     with an American flag sticker on my car, and I see that 
     hundreds of others have done the same. On the Wednesday after 
     the world trade center attacks I went to the hospital to see 
     if I could help the blood bank. I was turned away because so 
     many volunteers had already come to offer their services. The 
     Senior Auxiliary was touched that so many young people were 
     trying to help and that more importantly we understood the 
     magnitude of what was happening. At a time in our lives when 
     much of what we do is centered around ourselves, Young people 
     do understand our obligation to defend America's Freedom with 
     our time and energy, or even our lives.
       The tone of America is changing, and it is the pleasant 
     sound of unity. While the country may not be singing the same 
     song, at

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     least we have the freedom to do so. My Peers and I are 
     beginning to understand the sacrifices and support Veterans 
     made to give us the freedom we enjoy today. I Thank veterans 
     for fulfilling their obligation to freedom as I am beginning 
     to fulfill mine.

                          ____________________