[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 121 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF SABRINA USSERY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2004, teens from 
around the Third District gathered on the campus of Jacksonville State 
University to remember the events of 9/11, and to reflect on the impact 
of those events on their life today.
  One of the speakers that day was Sabrina Ussery, a twelfth grade 
student at Lanett High School in Lanett, Alabama. In honor of her words 
and in recognition of her gift for writing, I am placing her entire 
speech in the Congressional Record so that others may have the 
opportunity to hear her thoughts about that fateful day.
  The text of her speech is as follows. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the 
House's attention to this important matter on this important day.

    Army Junior ROTC: Motivating Young People To Be Better Citizens

       As freshmen, we entered Lanett's JROTC program without 
     knowledge of how to serve ourselves, let alone our country. 
     Also, being fourteen at the time of the 9/11 occurrences, 
     fear, above all other responses, was the primary expression 
     brought forth by the announcement made over our intercom that 
     morning. Terrified as we were, we looked to our Army 
     Instructors for answers. This is where our lives and 
     experiences as well-rounded cadets began.
       The core curriculum of the Army JROTC program at Lanett 
     High School emphasizes the importance of a citizen's 
     involvement in today's world at the local, state, and 
     national levels. This curriculum teaches adolescents the 
     responsibilities of being a citizen and offers opportunities 
     for them to experience, first handedly, the reward of being 
     informed. In an attempt to keep us up to date with our 
     current events, classroom debates and/or discussions were 
     held both in and out of class. These discussions sparked 
     interests and opinions in our young minds as we began to 
     ponder the idea of being, for the first time, independent 
     minded individuals.
       Our Army Instructors also encouraged us on a daily basis to 
     volunteer and take part in community events: Color guard 
     presentations, dedications of the flag, memorial services, 
     etc. At this point, the instructors understood something we 
     didn't. In our minds, the ideals and practices of patriotism 
     and participation were nothing more than routines. It wasn't 
     until the morning of 9/11 that we began to realize the 
     purpose, meaning, and emotion behind being a cadet.
       It was 9:52 A.M. when the intercom came on, and we expected 
     a fellow cadet to recite the pledge as a part of our daily 
     routine. To our surprise, it was our librarian reporting to 
     the school the events of the morning. Out of confusion, our 
     eyes fell upon Major McQueen, our Senior Army Instructor. 
     Behind his common readjustment of his glasses, we saw tears 
     beginning to roll down his cheeks. He then turned towards our 
     classroom flag and saluted.
       The temperature seemed to suddenly drop, and we were all 
     frightened. As we stood and watched our hero, our teacher, 
     our friend cry over such an announcement, we realized the 
     importance and devastation behind the occurrences of the 
     morning. We knew something wasn't right. It was then that 
     maturity fell upon our shoulders.
       As time passed, those students who were cadets during the 
     time of 9/11 attacks became key leaders throughout the school 
     and community in both deed and speech.
       Now, not only do they hold their heads higher and walk with 
     a prouder step, the Panther Battalion as a whole has taken it 
     upon itself to become more involved in the community. We are 
     now co-volunteers with current Junior Achievement 
     participants in teaching elementary students the importance 
     of their family, community, country, and world. In addition, 
     the JROTC program at Lanett High has had the School Board of 
     Education for Chambers County pass a mandatory requirement 
     for incoming freshmen to complete and pass a minimum of one 
     semester of the class. This has and will continue to aid in 
     the raising up of well informed, active citizens in 
     tomorrow's America.


                            The Cadet Creed:

       I am an Army Junior ROTC cadet.
       I will always conduct myself to bring credit to my family, 
     country, school, and the corps of cadets.
       I am loyal and patriotic. I am the future of the United 
     States of America.
       I do not lie, cheat, or steal and will always be held 
     accountable for my actions and deeds.
       I will always practice good citizenship and patriotism.
       I will work hard to improve my mind and strengthen my body.
       I will seek the mantle of leadership and stand prepared to 
     uphold the Constitution and the American way of life.
       May God grant me the strength to always live by this 
     creed.''

                          ____________________