[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO COURTNEY HUTTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 3, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to pay tribute to Courtney 
Hutton for her poem voicing the resolve of the American people in 
support of our troops and our country. Courtney is a student at 
Riverside Middle School in New Castle, Colorado. I wish to share this 
poem with you:

                              Dear Soldier

       Do you sing the Star Spangled Banner before you head out to 
     war? Are the Star Spangled Banner's words held close to your 
     heart as you serve our country and it's beliefs? Your eyes 
     have witnessed so much devastation because of your dedication 
     to America. But yet citizens continue to take for granted our 
     lives. Dear Soldier you have so much integrity so much honor. 
     Thank you dear soldier.
       Can you see as you gaze into the horizon at dawn a bright 
     and hopeful flag waving diligently in the breeze? Frances 
     Scott Key could, on a morning during the war of 1812 he 
     jotted down a poem as he remembered the Star Spangled Banner 
     that had waved there just the night before. It was 
     transformed though, into the flag that Americans would honor 
     and love for years to come. He asked himself through the next 
     few verses, whose stars and stripes could last through so 
     many rockets and bombs that flew from the forts below? Only 
     the flag of America could stand true through so much 
     hardship. The red glare of the bombs gave him proof that the 
     American flag stood. It waved valiantly over the land of the 
     free and the home of the brave.
       I remember 9/11/01 the first time this song ever meant 
     anything to me. Though I'm sure has always meant so much to 
     you Dear Soldier. It, I'm sure, inspired your love for the 
     service and your country; our country's national anthem, a 
     symbol of America, the majestic Star Spangled Banner. It 
     stands for our lives, Dear Soldier. Your memories are filled 
     with guns, flags, blood, fights between great people and 
     enemies, and acts of integrity. That is how your life is the 
     Star Spangled Banner in action. Americans alike turned to the 
     words of the Star Spangled Banner for hope and wisdom during 
     9/11, and because of its special place in the hearts of 
     citizens around the country we will continue to act with the 
     same love and honor as you Dear Soldier. Although the rise 
     and fall of people and their beliefs will always be constant 
     in the US, the meaningfulness of our dear anthem will never 
     change.
       I once read, ``To follow the path of an American, is to 
     honor the words of the Star Spangled Banner,'' and I believe 
     that to be true because you have shown me how Dear Soldier. 
     You honor the Star Spangled Banner with your devotion, 
     patience and love to the USA and your job. In doing this you, 
     Dear Soldier, you see destruction beyond the thinkable. You 
     have followed the American path and have been strong. Yet I 
     am concerned, during the days of 9/11 America was brought 
     together, but now everything is back to normal, we fight and 
     compete. Citizens forget or even ignore the words of the Star 
     Spangled Banner and take our lives for granted. They forget 
     the many treacherous battles both won and lost in Iraq, 
     Korea, and Afghanistan. I have hope though that the few good 
     acts of kindness and compassion will expand to millions over 
     the years and the Star Spangled Banner will be kept in mind 
     when making choices.
       So my heart, my soul, my feelings, about the Star Spangled 
     Banner, and its definitions, to me and to America have been 
     poured out to you dear soldier, my gratitude for your service 
     and devotion. Your life is the Star Spangled Banner in 
     action. Strong feelings arise in my heart when those verses 
     are sung. Thank you Dear Soldier for the service and love you 
     so freely give America, the world, and me.

  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to share Courtney's poem with you. Her 
support is indicative of the strength of our proud nation, and I want 
to thank her for voicing this support.

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