[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MY COMMITMENT TO AMERICA'S FUTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit a paper by Mr. 
James Rieder, Jr., of Colonia, New Jersey, into the Congressional 
record. I would like to offer my congratulations to Mr. Rieder on his 
accomplishment of winning the 2004 Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting contest. Following is the paper that Mr. James Rieder, 
Jr., wrote:

       ``The meaning of America is not to be found in a life 
     without toil. Freedom is not only bought with a great price; 
     it is maintained by unremitting effort.'' (Thirtieth 
     President of the United States of America, Calvin Coolidge)
       Consider these words by the late former President. ``The 
     meaning of America is not to be found in a life without 
     toil.'' In order to be a true American, one must not take 
     his/her responsibilities lightly, and must instead strive to 
     achieve not only what's best for himself/herself, but also 
     what is good for all, no matter the task at hand. ``Freedom 
     is not only bought with a great price . . .'' Our great 
     nation was constructed from the ultimate sacrifices of 
     others, their lives, but not just our forefathers, but our 
     grandfathers and fathers, as well. ``. . . it is maintained 
     by unremitting effort.'' The United States does not only 
     thrive on those who lost their lives on the battlefield, nor 
     even on those who govern our democratic nation, but on the 
     American people. And because of this supreme responsibility, 
     it is our duty as a free people to work hard in preserving 
     our rights for the future generations. This is my commitment 
     to America's future.
       My commitment to America's future is to uphold the freedoms 
     we were granted by the blood and sweat of our elders. For 
     some, this may be as simple as voting on Election Day to 
     empower a governing body capable of protecting our rights. 
     For others, their commitment may lie in the front line, 
     physically stopping those who endanger the American way of 
     life. Does this mean that the soldier's blood runs redder 
     than that of the simple voter? Of course not; both hearts 
     beat strongly with American pride and both souls soar along 
     with the majestic eagle. It is not what you are committed to, 
     but how committed you are that counts. As for myself, I 
     believe that I will perform whatever duties my nation calls 
     on me to perform. I will be just as pleased if I can donate 
     to a helpful cause, as I would be if I were to be called to a 
     foreign shore to fight for our rights. Whatever my 
     responsibility, I will certainly be dedicated.
       My commitment to America's future is to educate my children 
     and raise them in an environment where they, too, can respect 
     and cherish their American citizenship. As Theodore Roosevelt 
     stated, ``To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to 
     educate a menace to society.'' We must educate our future 
     generation so that they may continue the legacy of our grand 
     country. If we do not teach them properly, they may lose 
     sight of the importance of their freedom, and the rights we 
     presently have may exist as just unachievable aspirations. 
     The path these children traverse leads to America's future. 
     Thus, we must keep them on this path and ensure that they 
     view the end of the journey with the utmost respect and 
     dedication.
       My most significant commitment to America's future would be 
     to always keep my American pride strong within my heart, for 
     Coolidge never specified whether the ``unremitting effort'' 
     he mentioned should be physical or spiritual. I believe that 
     you must first achieve a spiritual dedication to the United 
     States before you can move on, and the more spiritually 
     dedicated you are, the more American you become. And so, as 
     long as the stars and stripes continue to wave grandly over 
     these fifty unified states, so, too, will my heart beat with 
     pride for my nation. I conclude yet again with this small, 
     yet powerful, phrase from Mr. Coolidge and I implore you to 
     always remember it and keep it in your heart, as I keep it in 
     mine: ``Freedom is not only bought with a great price; it is 
     maintained by unremitting effort.''

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