[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E284-E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF TED HODGES OF SALINA, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Ted Hodges, a high school student from Salina, 
Kansas, who recently won the Kansas Voice of Democracy Audio Essay 
Competition. Ted's speech illustrates that our everyday activities are 
freedoms that should not be taken for granted. I would like to submit 
the text of his speech for the record to encourage the citizens of our 
Nation to cherish their freedoms.

                      How I Demonstrate My Freedom

       I wake up, take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast go to 
     school I practice football, do my homework, talk with my 
     family and friends, then go to bed. I go read the paper, go 
     to church, watch TV. Each one of these simple, ordinary 
     actions in itself seems mundane, but is actually a concrete 
     expression of freedom that I enjoy daily. Going to school an 
     indulgence? Attending church a privilege? Writing an essay a 
     luxury? C'mon. Those are all things that we take for granted, 
     right? They are things that I have to do!
       In an address to Congress in 1941, President Franklin 
     Delano Roosevelt enumerated four freedoms that every American 
     should expect and protect: freedom of speech, freedom to 
     worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. To me, 
     this is a tremendous ideal that America has been defined by 
     throughout the years. I am the everyday beneficiary of these 
     four freedoms.
       Firstly, I express my freedom of speech by doing things 
     such as writing letters to the editor of my local newspaper, 
     posting web logs on the internet, and also encouraging school 
     board members to change various policies. All of these things 
     I can do without fear of retribution. I can peacefully 
     demonstrate or agitate for change on any subject. I can read 
     articles in newspapers, magazines, and websites that 
     represent every viewpoint of the political spectrum. I can 
     make my own contributions, find my own voice.
       The next freedom mentioned by President Roosevelt--freedom 
     of religion--also is present in my life. Every day I see 
     different religions. Christianity or Judaism, Muslim or 
     Hindu: each of these has a place in this great nation. Some 
     larger, some smaller, all tolerated. And not promoted or 
     encouraged by the state or in our schools. I am free to offer 
     a prayer to the God that I worship at any time, anywhere. 
     Whether it's being a crucifer for the last eight years during 
     my church's Sunday services or leading the team prayer after 
     a hard-fought football game, I have that freedom.
       Another freedom, freedom from fear, is too found in our 
     society. Personally, I have the freedom to sleep well at 
     night knowing that our troops are working diligently not only 
     to preserve our way of life, but to also bring that 
     opportunity to many others. A day does not go by that we 
     should not be extremely appreciative to those who 
     have stepped into the line of fire to keep our nation free 
     from fear. Laws that will govern and protect me and my 
     family whether we are black or white, male or female, 
     young or old.
       Freedom from want: Where do I start? I have all the 
     privileges that the wealthiest nation on earth can give me. A 
     strong school, competent teachers, good roads, and reliable 
     energy. A hot shower. Food that's safe. Freedom from want is 
     something that we as Americans utilize every second of every 
     day.
       As I look back on Franklin D. Roosevelt's four freedoms I 
     begin to wonder, ``How can I show my appreciation and 
     demonstrate my own commitment to freedom?'' The answer is 
     shown in many of my every day actions.
       By taking advantage of every opportunity bestowed upon me: 
     working diligently at school so that I can become a better 
     informed citizen. By exercising my religious

[[Page E285]]

     freedom to worship God as I choose. By not being afraid to 
     voice my opinion. By becoming an active member of my 
     community--doing volunteer work, serving on boards. By paying 
     taxes and holding the government accountable. By working to 
     improve the way of life for my descendants. By registering 
     for the selective service and being ready to serve our 
     country. And by being a dedicated, informed voter.
       Living within the confines and routines of a typical 
     teenager's life, freedom might seem like a rare commodity. 
     But the simple act of putting a pen to paper, of committing 
     my voice to a recording for the Voice of Democracy audio 
     essay profoundly represents the many freedoms I take for 
     granted every day.

                          ____________________