[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MR. TERENCE R. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Terence R. 
Williams, winner of the Missouri 2004 Voice of Democracy Broadcast 
Scriptwriting Contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ladies 
Auxiliary.
  Mr. Williams is a junior at the Gateway Institute of Technology High 
School located in St. Louis, MO. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry 
Williams. He plans a career in journalism and public speaking. Terence 
was sponsored by VFW Post 8888, Ladies Auxiliary in St. Louis.
  Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its 
Ladies Auxiliary conduct a Voice of Democracy audio and essay 
competition designed to give high school students the opportunity to 
voice their opinions on their responsibility to our country. This year, 
more than 80,000 secondary school students competed for the 59 national 
scholarships. The contest theme for this year was ``My Commitment to 
America's Future.''
  I want to commend Mr. Williams on receiving this prestigious award, 
and request my colleagues to do the same. I am honored to recognize 
Terrence R. Williams today before Congress.
  Attached are excerpts from Mr. Williams' winning essay. The text of 
that essay is as follows:

                   My Commitment to America's Future

                         (By Terence Williams)

       I am a citizen of the world. I am a citizen of this 
     country. I am a citizen. Citizen, is a word often entangled 
     in ``rights'' and ``freedoms,'' but never discussed are 
     responsibilities, obligations, and commitments. It is because 
     of this very reason, I can improve society. My society. Not 
     by well-planned inventions, or even to strive to be better 
     than the average ``Joe.'' My plan does not call for elaborate 
     thought or constant recognition. It is indwelt in a 
     commitment not only to my country but to myself. It is a 
     commitment to America's future.
       We live in an age of moral decline. Any opinion, statement, 
     ideals or theories reserve the right to be challenged. 
     Therefore, it is imperative to establish firm foundations for 
     every basis in which we believe. To fulfill my commitment 
     every perception, every elementary thought must be broken to 
     one foundation: Excellence without Excuses. By implementing 
     this logic into society, a fraction of my commitment will aim 
     fellow citizens toward success.
       Because many are bombarded by overwhelming stereotypes and 
     influences from negative media sources, I cannot let my 
     responsibility of honesty fail me. My commitment to encourage 
     my community must be even stronger. My support for those 
     younger than me can increase their self-esteem. I can instill 
     an ethic that is missing to their time. My dreams may become 
     their visions. In that way, they will not fall victim to the 
     ever changing plagues that try to destroy our nations unity. 
     I will be an invisible thread that holds together the links 
     of the young and old, the strong and weak, the sheep and 
     lion. But, I can't do it alone. To be a man of success is to 
     not forget the people around you.
       The utmost important commitment to my country's future is 
     to instill unity at all cost. We are in this thing together. 
     Lest we forget, we are the future. We are the individuals who 
     create history everyday just by waking up. However, I can't 
     neglect my commitment because of the people around me. I have 
     a vision. And without a vision the people will perish.
       A vision that can join us on a common bond. This is our 
     hope. Everyday someone steps up and realizes his dream. They 
     focus their attention and say I want to be just like him or 
     her. That is why my impact will not shatter the world to my 
     surprises. My commitment is to stay committed to the every 
     growing success of my nation. So why don't we start now, let 
     us begin. I shall pursue excellence without excuses, shall 
     you?

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