[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1075-E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATORY REMARKS TO THE WINNERS OF THE ``WHAT MAKES AMERICA 
                         GREAT'' ESSAY CONTEST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD H. BAKER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate four outstanding 
students from the 6th district of Louisiana who won an essay contest 
titled ``What Makes America Great.''
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, following the terrorism of September 11, 
when Americans were attacked for who we are, and at a time when young 
Americans are defending our freedoms on foreign soil, it is important 
to recall what America is all about and what we stand for. In an effort 
to remind us all of the greatness of our country, I turned to high 
school students in my district to draft essays and poetry that 
expresses their feelings of ``What Makes America Great.'' I would now 
like to read the winning submissions to the members of Congress.
  The honorable mention of the essay contest is Alexander Edelen who 
attends Bishop Sullivan High School in Baton Rouge and is in the 10th 
grade. Alexander writes:

       What makes America great? The great diversity of cultures, 
     religions, and people make the United States a unique melting 
     pot. This diversity brings different voices with different 
     views to the government, allowing the United States to 
     prosper. There were many cultures that came to America, 
     including the French, English, African and Spanish. Each 
     culture brought its technology, religion, and livelihood to 
     America. The blending of these cultures made the United 
     States evolve into the America seen today. America also has 
     many religious denominations, such as Native Indian 
     religions, and the Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian 
     denominations. These varied beliefs give the United States a 
     unique background for viewing the world from different 
     perspectives. America's many cultures and religions have 
     influenced the development of the United States, but it was 
     the amazing cooperation of the people that held the United 
     States together through good and bad times. The bravery, 
     strength, wisdom, and willpower of the people have made life 
     better for the United States and for the rest of the world. 
     It was the people who chose this republican form of 
     government, the people who saved the Union, the people who 
     saved the world during the World Wars, and the people who now 
     wish to see the end of terrorism. Is the United States a 
     great place in which to live? Yes. In the United States of 
     America, citizens and legal aliens are free to be diverse; it 
     is this diversity that makes America a strong and proud 
     nation.

  Our third place winner from Denham Springs High School is Steven 
Sikes. Steven writes:

       What makes America great is not its military might or the 
     strength of its industry or even some kind of technological 
     superiority. It is something less tangible but at the same 
     time much more powerful that makes America great. It is the 
     unconquerable spirit of its inhabitants that makes this 
     country so special. The nature of this American spirit is 
     demonstrated in revolutionary war slogans such as, ``Give me 
     liberty or give me death!'' It is the belief that the 
     personal freedoms of the individual are more important than 
     anything else and should be fought for no matter what the 
     cost. It is embodied in the nature of our government, which 
     is unique in that it exists only as a tool for achieving 
     the will of the American people and not for its own sake. 
     Finally, the true nature of the American spirit is most 
     evident in the courage and strength of the ordinary 
     American citizen. The powerful and enduring American 
     spirit is what makes this nation so incredible. Without it 
     America would not be what it is today. It is what has 
     enabled America to withstand all of the trials it has 
     faced so far, and it is what will guide our country into a 
     prosperous future.

  Mallory Braud of East Ascension High School placed second with her 
poem America the Great:

     Greatness comes in many forms
     Not just brains and brawn
     Like now in this time of war
     We keep on, keeping on

     United our nation stands
     Always proud and true
     We show our heroic pride
     Through the red, white, and blue

     Our strength is in our numbers
     We stand together now
     A band of faithful brothers
     Our freedom shows us how

     We live in peaceful harmony
     Unless we choose to fight
     We welcome all these strangers
     To try to do what's right

     We are too united to fail
     And too determined to fall
     We lend our helping hands
     So our nation may stand tall

     The people who all live here
     By chance, choice, or fate
     All come together to form
     America the Great.

  Colleen Wesley wrote our first place essay and she attends Denham 
Springs High School. Colleen writes:

       What makes America great? Is it the stock market or the 
     government? Is it the culture

[[Page E1076]]

     or the food on our plates? Many people have different views 
     on what makes America great, but to me, freedom is the only 
     answer. Without freedom, we would not be able to choose our 
     religion. Without freedom, we would not be able to state our 
     opinions. Without freedom, we would not be able to express 
     the many talents God has given us. As Americans, we have laws 
     protecting us against religious persecution. We are free to 
     worship as we choose. We are also free to choose to not 
     worship. We are able to criticize our government without 
     being thrown in jail and we are able to decide our future 
     career. There are many things that make America great, but 
     freedom is most important to me. I stand strong saying, ``I'm 
     proud to be an American!''

  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the students who 
participated in the ``What Makes America Great'' essay contest, and 
also in offering a special word of congratulations to our four 
finalists.

                          ____________________