[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S109-S112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             VERMONT ESSAYS

 Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, today I wish to share the powerful 
words of 12 Vermont students. As I toured the schools of Vermont, I 
encouraged students to write me focusing on issues of concern to young 
people and to recommend short- and long-term priorities for the 
President. I received more than 225 State of the Union essays about the 
declining middle class, climate change, and health care reform. These 
students truly answered, what is the state of our Union?
  It is important to remember that part of our jobs is to represent the 
young people of our States and not just their parents. We all know that 
what happens in Washington, DC, impacts every American and all of us, 
including young people, should be thinking about these issues. Although 
Vermont is doing a better job than most States, there is certainly a 
legitimate concern that young people are not learning enough about 
civics. I think these essays demonstrate that students do understand 
the role they can play in American democracy.
  As President Barack Obama presents his State of the Union Address to 
a joint session of Congress tonight, I think it is appropriate that the 
top dozen essays are printed in the Record, so that the entire country 
can see the excellent work that Vermont students are doing. I also want 
to thank the teachers--Jennie Gartner from Rutland High School; 
Elizabeth Lebrun, of Poultney High School; Joe Maley of South 
Burlington High School; and Terri Vest of Twinfield Union High School 
in Plainfield--who helped me select these essays.
  Keenan Villani-Holland from Vermont Commons School was the teachers' 
top choice. In addition to Keenan, the other finalists, in alphabetical 
order, are: Iain Axworthy, Essex High School; Emily Berk, South 
Royalton School; Molly Burke, Champlain Valley Union High School; Jonah 
Cantor, Champlain Valley Union High School; Molly Cantore, St. 
Johnsbury Academy; Kristen Donaldson, Champlain Valley Union High 
School; Susannah Johnson, Vermont Commons School; Ingrid Klinkenberg, 
Edmunds Middle School; Ezra Mount-Finette, Champlain Valley Union High 
School; Lisa Ogorzalek of Rutland High School; and Bryn Philibert, 
Champlain Valley Union High School.
  I am pleased the students of Vermont are thinking about these complex 
issues, which are of critical importance to not only our State but 
indeed the Nation. The decisions that we make on the Senate floor today 
will impact generations of Americans to come. That is why I would like 
to share with you what these students' wrote. I ask that they be 
printed in the Record.
  The material follows.


             Keenan Villani-Holland, Vermont Commons School

       The world is changing, and the United States has the 
     opportunity to lead that change. Oil is running out, global 
     warming is reaching or has already passed a significant 
     tipping point and tensions with North Korea and Iran are 
     escalating. On the home front, the middle class is rapidly 
     disappearing due to an economic crisis that has been 
     festering for years, we are losing out in education to China 
     and our people have completely lost touch with the government 
     and vice versa.
       In older times, nations would go through major catastrophes 
     often: devastating wars, plagues, bloody revolutions, etc. 
     often enough to keep them new. In this day and age, these 
     enormous crises are largely averted in the western world. 
     Make no mistake, this is a great thing. However, it means we 
     need to take it upon ourselves to renew our Nation, rather 
     than waiting for a catastrophe that won't come.
       We need to change quickly on three main fronts: The 
     environment, the economy, and education. It is time to 
     realize that fighting to save the environment is not in the 
     least altruistic. The planet doesn't care about global 
     warming or melting ice caps. We, on the other hand, should. 
     Our current economic model is failing all but the richest of 
     our Nation, as it slowly squeezes the middle class dry to 
     supply the rich. Finally, our educational system clearly 
     isn't working when China is easily surpassing us in education 
     and our students feel more overworked and overstressed every 
     day.
       Let me first talk about the environmental front. Once we 
     realize that it is no longer a fight to save polar bears, and 
     that it is a fight to save ourselves, it will be easy. 
     However, that realization will not come quickly. We need a 
     huge-scale public awareness campaign to bring that point home 
     to American people. After that, we need to start with large 
     scale energy reform, focusing on renewables and following a 
     European model.
       On the economy, we need to throw away our preconceptions 
     about the free market and start over. Heavy regulation to 
     ensure the economic safety of the American people, and 
     measures to start moving wealth back down the ladder to the 
     middle and lower classes are essential.
       Finally, our educational system needs deep reforms to focus 
     on actually teaching children, rather than preparing them to 
     do well on tests. Children want to learn. That's what they 
     are supposed to be doing at that point in their life. It's 
     just a matter of taking the time for each individual and 
     giving them the attention they need and actually being 
     invested in them learning new material.
       All of these ideas are fluid and adaptable, as any part of 
     government should be. We should never be afraid to change the 
     course we are taking in favor one that may be more 
     beneficial. The past decade was one about ``Staying the 
     course.'' This next one will be known as the one when we 
     ``Changed the course.''


                    Iain Axworthy, Essex High School

       Our Nation faces many challenges entering into the new 
     year. A recession has about 9.4 percent of our population out 
     of work, we have a government deficit that must be paid off, 
     and a tarnished image of America abroad must be mended. 
     Though these challenges are great they present us with what I 
     see as an opportunity unparalleled in recent history. Our 
     role as a world leader has come into question as of late and 
     good times provide little opportunity to change that view. 
     When times are hard real leaders take it upon themselves to 
     set the tone of the moment and show others how to react. It 
     is time for America to lead once again.
       Our troubles at home and our troubles abroad are 
     tremendous. Our economy is in a weak phase of recovery, our 
     federal deficit is larger than it ever has been, and our 
     armed forces are engaged in a costly war. Relations have 
     become strained between the United States and much of the 
     world. The policies we enact in the coming months and years, 
     both domestically and overseas, must be exemplary. The US has 
     been the center of world commerce and culture for so long 
     that we almost seem to fear up-and-comers. Instead viewing 
     the coming shift of power as a loss we must view it as a win. 
     In the wake of World War II the US helped set up a system of 
     commerce that allowed many countries to develop into world 
     powers. The fact that countries other than ours are realizing 
     their potential should be seen as a great victory.
       As we watch new world powers emerge we must see too that 
     they will look to us as a role model. It is our duty and our 
     privilege to set the right example in all areas, both in and 
     out of the government. The private sector must become more 
     responsible for its actions and create shared value within 
     its partner communities. Our consumers must spend and save 
     responsibly. Finally the people who represent us in Congress 
     and our state legislatures must depolarize and find the 
     mutual respect that has lately been non-existent. Once the 
     correct tone is set and our leaders act as they would have us 
     act, then we can look forward to a better tomorrow.
       While our Nation sets an example on the world stage, 
     Vermont has the ability to set an example on a national 
     level. Vermont has powered though this recession with some of 
     the lowest unemployment figures in the Union, and though we 
     face our own issues we must acknowledge that we are much 
     better off than many other states. As such, we ought to make 
     concessions in Congress to aid those states hit hardest by 
     the recession. Though Vermonters may be few in number we can 
     show the rest of the country how citizens ought to act and 
     put the good of the nation before our own comfort.


                   Emily Berk, South Royalton School

       Growing up in rural, Middle Class America in the 21st 
     century hasn't impacted my life or my immediate family's 
     life. The current state of the union is coming out of a 
     recession. Personally, I've been very lucky. Both of my 
     parents are educated professionals that have stable jobs, 
     which they were able to keep through this economic downfall. 
     But it didn't mean that we weren't using more of our 
     disposable income to afford our basic needs, such as food, 
     health insurance, medications, fuel, oil, and utilities. 
     Meaning, we weren't able to go on as many vacations, but we 
     weren't losing our house. But I have family and friends that 
     have been affected by the economic downfall. With the 
     relations that I have with the people whom I know that are 
     being affected by this, I believe that the Presidents 
     ultimate goal should be to stabilize the economy, and support 
     our own.
       I believe that in order for the economy to become 
     stabilized, a short-term goal should be that more jobs become 
     available. Jobs will stimulate the economy and let people who 
     are on unemployment to go back to work and earn more money. 
     And to allow people under employed to have better employment 
     for their education and ability. I believe by creating more 
     jobs, people will make more money, and more money will then 
     be spent, going to the government to start getting us more 
     and more out the recession. ``Creating jobs in the United 
     States

[[Page S110]]

     and ensuring a return to sustainable economic growth is the 
     top priority for my Administration,'' Barrack Obama said in 
     an Executive Order last March on his National Export 
     Initiative. With little short-term goals such as more jobs, 
     it will help start to stabilize the economy.
       Another priority that I believe that should be on the 
     Presidents list is to support military families. Families 
     with family members in the military struggle with every day 
     life. I personally have a family being affected by it. My 
     cousin's father is in the war. He is on his second tour. He 
     has missed his children grow up, with a daughter who is now 
     15 and a 10 year old son. His wife is forced to be a single 
     parent. With support through programs, financial support and 
     counseling we could help the families being affected by war. 
     With programs set up for single parents with their partner in 
     the war nobody can understand better then another parent with 
     their partner in war. They would be able to share stories and 
     understand how one and another copes with them gone. And more 
     appreciation for those serving our country. They're fighting 
     for their lives, causing their families live's to become 
     difficult and change the way they live. Another priority 
     should be Student Loan Reforms.
       Student Loan Reforms are important because the change will 
     eliminate private banks, the ``middlemen'' in the loan 
     process and will save the US government about $68 billion 
     dollars over a span of 11 years, according to the White 
     House. Because fewer fees will be paid to the local banks and 
     more money will be available to lend to students because the 
     money's coming directly from the government. The banks also 
     charge the government money for each loan because they're not 
     going to give students money for free. But for students, the 
     loans will look relatively the same--same terms, same fees, 
     same interest rates. The loans will most likely become more 
     accessible to students as well.
       These are some of the short-term goals I believe should be 
     considered to help our country. I believe that this economic 
     downfall, can, with work, be fixed. If we really want 
     something we can achieve it. If people in our Nation come 
     together and act as one, we can do it. I hope that I was able 
     to give you good ideas about what goals I believe can help 
     our nation. Even though I am just a 15 year-old girl living 
     in a small town in Vermont, I still have a voice, and it will 
     be up to my generation to keep us out of another depression.


            Molly Burke, Champlain Valley Union High School

       Fellow Americans,
       I'm writing to inform you of the current state of the 
     Nation and concerns I feel must be addressed in 2011.
       The overuse of fossil fuels and its impact on the 
     environment is an issue I feel should be more extensively 
     addressed. The United States of America needs to end its 
     dependency on foreign oil and begin looking into alternative 
     energy sources. Wind energy, and solar energy are infinite 
     commodities that will steer the nation towards self-
     dependency, sustainability and a cleaner environmental 
     future. The development of alternative energy sources may 
     also create jobs.
       Since June 2009, the United States has been slowly 
     recovering from a severe economic recession. With an 
     unemployment rate greater than 9 percent, it is clear we must 
     focus our energies on job creation. Generating jobs in the 
     environmental field and re-building our nations 
     infrastructure including roads, bridges, and rail networks, 
     which are deteriorating, will provide job opportunities. In 
     order to meet many of these objectives, we need to take a 
     look at our current educational system to ensure we are 
     providing the necessary tools and training for the youth of 
     this country and accurately preparing them for the work 
     force. In particular, we must stress the importance of math 
     and science to remain at the forefront of innovation and 
     technology.
       The United States has a $1.4 trillion deficit. This issue 
     relates directly to the amount of overspending in this 
     country. The proposal by the Republican Party, requesting to 
     keep the Bush-era tax rates to aid job creation instead of 
     placing higher taxes on affluent citizens is not enough to 
     reduce the national debt. Raising taxes on the wealthiest 
     people in this country will help decrease the national 
     deficit without severely impacting their financial situation. 
     We need to make hard choices, we need to cut spending and 
     raise taxes in order to reduce the deficit.
       Healthcare is a benefit that should be given to each 
     citizen of the United States. In the Declaration of 
     independence, each person was guaranteed the unalienable 
     right to ``Life.'' This right should be protected by 
     universal healthcare, which provides citizens with the 
     medical care and treatment necessary for their survival and 
     well-being. Universal healthcare is a basic right for each 
     citizen.
       The United States needs to continue to be a world leader, 
     however it no longer has the resources to be the ``worlds 
     policeman.''The United States needs to work more effectively 
     with other emerging superpowers like China, and Russia to 
     solve large global issues. Collectively, we have a 
     responsibility and duty to solve global problems.
       To accomplish these goals and create a more effective 
     government, there needs to be a more civil discourse between 
     the Democratic and Republican Parties. As the leader of this 
     Nation, I strive to make positive progress towards these 
     goals however this can only be achieved if both parties are 
     willing to make compromises. Working together as one Nation 
     will strengthen the union. Thank you. God bless you. And God 
     bless the United States of America.


            Jonah Cantor, Champlain Valley Union High School

       My fellow Americans, today I will address issues you and I 
     are facing as a country. Our country's trade deficit with 
     foreign nations, the flaws of our education system, and the 
     need for healthcare reform are the problems I will present 
     and propose solutions for. It is important to attend to these 
     issues so we can resolve them efficiently as a country.
       There is an obvious issue with how disproportionate the 
     amount our country imports compared to exports. It is time 
     for America to not only supply itself with a sufficient 
     amount of goods, but also foreign countries. Of course, this 
     increase in exports will require more factories to operate. 
     This increase in factories will affect the economy in 
     positive ways, mainly through the creation of jobs. More jobs 
     leads to less poverty and more money flowing throughout the 
     country. A healthy economy needs money and power distributed 
     among its citizens.
       A successful democracy is dependent on a well-informed and 
     educated public. The education system in this country has 
     been slipping in recent years, letting down the citizens. It 
     is time to give children and young adults opportunities to 
     experience an excellent education program. More money will be 
     invested in the educational system, the overall quality of 
     the education being received will be higher, the equipment in 
     the classrooms will be up-to-date, and lastly, public 
     colleges and universities will become affordable. An educated 
     public leads to more politically-active citizens and a 
     healthier society. It is critical to give every citizen an 
     education that will help lead him or her and our country to 
     success.
       There are millions of Americans who currently don't have 
     healthcare and millions more who are under insured. In the 
     long run, this fact costs everyone money. These people with 
     inadequate or no healthcare do not tend to take care of 
     themselves. Going to see a doctor costs money that they don't 
     have, so many simply don't go at all. But when one of these 
     people needs care because of an emergency, everyone pays for 
     it.
       These are all large problems, but they are not 
     surmountable. We will need to be determined to put in hard 
     work to accomplish these goals, but the rewards we will have 
     earned will be great. I hope we can work as a country to 
     achieve our goals to make a more perfect society.


                  Molly Cantore, St. Johnsbury Academy

       Each year, the president of the United States addresses 
     issues the people want to be addressed. While the president 
     tackles many topics in the State of the Union Address, an 
     important question arises about one topic in particular 
     within the economy. Should reducing unemployment become a 
     short-term goal as the national deficit grows, to be dealt 
     with on a long-term basis, or vice versa? Another important 
     topic of discussion and worthy of being addressed is the 
     encouragement of civic responsibility.
       The economy encompasses two closely related topics of much 
     debate: unemployment and the national deficit. Two points are 
     more than clear, however. People remain unemployed and the 
     Nation remains in trillions of dollars in debt. Which concern 
     takes priority? While creating jobs is excellent for the 
     economy, it is also hurtful. In order to fight unemployment, 
     we are dragged further into debt, as the government provides 
     stimulus money to create more jobs. As the national debt 
     continues to grow, its triple-A credit rating is at risk of 
     dropping, which could hinder the U.S.'s ability to borrow 
     money to finance the deficit. However, if the government 
     focuses on lessening the deficit, unemployment will increase. 
     While climbing out of debt pleases the government, the 
     shrinking job pool displeases the people. The president, 
     elected by the people, does everything in his power to please 
     the people, in order to get reelected. Creating more jobs may 
     put the U.S. in jeopardy of losing its ability to borrow 
     money in order to finance its deficit, and focusing on 
     lessening the deficit cuts jobs which displeases the people, 
     who play a very important role in the democratic government. 
     Thus, this growing debate should be focused on in the State 
     of the Union Address.
       The people are pertinent to a democratic government. They 
     have responsibilities as citizens to play that role, called 
     civic responsibility. In order to participate in and take 
     action in the government, a citizen must first be informed of 
     the issues, problems, and challenges that face the country. A 
     very important part of civic responsibility is voting. People 
     have a right to vote, and voters, especially young and new 
     voters, are responsible for being informed of the candidate's 
     stances and goals. An informed voter will elect the candidate 
     best fit for guiding the United States to recovery and 
     prosperity. As the article, ``Mr Obama's unpromising year'' 
     in The Economist states, young and first time voters, ``who 
     in 2008 were electrified by his person rather than his 
     policies'' should have instead been informed and should have 
     voted for President Obama because of his stances and 
     policies. Therefore, encouragement of civic responsibility, 
     especially being an informed voter, is a very important issue 
     that should be addressed in the State of the Union Address.

[[Page S111]]

       The State of the Union Address is an important opportunity 
     in which the voices of the people can be heard. Two important 
     topics that should be addressed include the encouragement of 
     civic responsibility and the ever-growing debate of 
     unemployment versus the deficit.


         Kristen Donaldson, Champlain Valley Union High School

       My fellow Americans, our history as a country has had its 
     ups and downs. We've seen hardships like most nations have 
     never seen before, but also we've seen prosperity that most 
     nations do not even deem possible. At this point, our Nation 
     is struggling in one of these ``lows''. However, because of 
     our proud ``high'' moments that we have in this country, I 
     know that change is possible with just a few alterations.
       Although the unemployment rate has dropped from 10.6 
     percent to 9.3 percent, that still means 21,830,360 Americans 
     are unemployed. No way to pay their rent that is riding over 
     their heads, not sure if they will make it through the 
     winter, and still have a house to their name. That is the 
     reality for almost 1 in 10 Americans. We need to create more 
     jobs, so we can continue to see that percentage decrease. One 
     way is to create new jobs by initiating a clean energy start. 
     Hundreds of thousands of jobs lie on the creation and 
     innovation of clean energy. Why not reduce our unemployment 
     rate, while leading the world on a new, greener path.
       Outsourcing is the second main reason for unemployment 
     rates. As a country, we need to put our priorities first, and 
     make sure that we hold onto our jobs. We need to step back up 
     to the plate again, and continue our stronghold on the title 
     of the world's powerhouse.
       Now, along with instability in jobs, comes the concern of 
     our overriding deficit. This deficit is like the elephant in 
     the room. Everyone knows it's there, but no one is doing 
     anything about it. Our country is in over 14 trillion dollars 
     of debt. The only viable fix is to cut all of the programs 
     that simply aren't working. We need to re-think our 
     approaches, and decide what is needed and what isn't.
       Finally, the issue of the rising education costs is 
     plaguing our Nation, holding children back from their full 
     potential. If students are able to go to school, \2/3\ of 
     them will be stuck under student loans once they graduate. 
     Colleges and universities need to cut their costs, because if 
     they do so, more students will have a chance at education. 
     More of these educated citizens will be able to contribute to 
     our nation.
       Ladies and gentlemen, America's history has been a 
     rollercoaster of ups and downs. We've seen it all, and we 
     know how to recover from it. By addressing the most prevalent 
     problems, America will have the opportunity to possibly not 
     see a ``down'' for a long time.


                Susannah Johnson, Vermont Commons School

       We Will Not be Perfect, But We Will Be Better
       I try to use the word ``perfect'' seldom. In my short life 
     I've worked with lots of different people in many different 
     places. And I have come to the sad conclusion that the world 
     will never be perfect.
       The United States, like every country, has problems deeply 
     concerning to young people. Yet our voices are rarely heard. 
     Here's my voice.
       In my opinion the priority issues are those that involve 
     the overall wellbeing of people: the economy, renewable 
     energy, and health care.
       The Economy--Since the Recession began in 2008 the economy 
     has splintered. Thousands of people lost their jobs, lost 
     their homes, and found themselves struggling to pay for 
     things like housing, college tuitions, even food on their 
     tables. In response to the recession, President Obama created 
     the Recovery Act which helped create three million jobs. The 
     law helped avoid another Great Depression. But it is 
     important for the President to face all aspects of the 
     economic crisis and create a new plan for a ``new era of 
     responsibility'' (his words). The plan needs to include the 
     creation of more jobs, a strategy to keep families in their 
     homes, and finally a plan to get credit flowing again so that 
     small businesses can reform and hire workers so families are 
     able to pay for their children to go to college.
       Energy--Renewable energy is another long-term goal 
     President Obama needs to focus on. So far the President's 
     programs have helped provide short-term relief to families 
     who struggle to pay for gas at the pump, produce one million 
     Plug-In Hybrid cars which get up to 150 miles per gallon, and 
     has told America that by 2012 10 percent of our electricity 
     must come from renewable sources. These actions have helped 
     lead the country in the right direction. But more steps need 
     to be taken. It is important for us to reduce our dependence 
     on foreign oil. The U.S. should also become the world leader 
     on climate change. The more people that are aware of the 
     issue and its effects, the more ideas people will have about 
     how to resolve it. Creating jobs that are ``green'' is also a 
     strategy that would be beneficial.
       Health Care--More and more Americans have lost their health 
     insurance over time. They just can't afford good medical 
     care. There should be no debate whether health care reform is 
     necessary--it is. Period. Nearly 46 million Americans have no 
     insurance, and this needs to change. It would be beneficial 
     to create a health insurance program that would be an option 
     for all Americans. It's very unfair that there are people who 
     don't qualify for health insurance because of ``pre-
     existing'' health conditions. A program needs to be created 
     in which nobody is discriminated against, regardless of their 
     health history. To create a program that does these things 
     will be expensive, so the President needs to be creative and 
     figure out where this money will come from. He's smart, he 
     can do it.


               Ingrid Klinkenberg, Edmunds Middle School

       The state of our Union can be addressed in many topics; the 
     economy, education, achievements, failures, and so much more. 
     There are many things that have happened in the past year, we 
     have achieved some of our goals, but we have fallen short on 
     some of our goals as well. A couple of years ago, our country 
     was in a severe economic decline. Since then our economy has 
     been improving and looking promising. This is a step in the 
     right direction. In the other direction, this year our 
     poverty rates went up by 10.3 percent. If we can do something 
     to lower the poverty rate in coming years that would be 
     beneficial. The state of our Union is stronger today than it 
     was last year, and it can be stronger next year if we stay 
     focused.
       Poverty in the United States is a big problem. Right now 
     about 13 percent, or nearly 40 million people, are living in 
     poverty. Many of these people live without a roof over their 
     head, food on the table, and many work multiple jobs just to 
     survive.
       It would be beneficial to make the opportunity of education 
     more accessible, education provides opportunities. When more 
     people have the opportunity of education, more people are 
     able to have better paying jobs, which will allow them to 
     better support themselves. Even though education would offer 
     a brighter future for many, there still will be poverty. It 
     is an unsolved problem the whole world is faced with. It has 
     existed in the past, it exists now, and it will exist in the 
     future. What we can do to make a difference is to decrease 
     poverty in the future. Better education and more 
     opportunities will be one of the keys.
       In the past few years the U.S. has been recovering from a 
     devastating economic crisis, which impacted the whole country 
     and most of the world. Financial institutions collapsed, the 
     stock markets fell, people's retirement savings were reduced, 
     and people became more conservative in their spending. Many 
     jobs were lost, resulting in people not being able to pay for 
     their homes and the real estate market weakened. The future 
     for many Americans continues to be uncertain. This past year 
     our economy has been getting more healthy and promising. The 
     credit markets have begun to unfreeze allowing companies to 
     borrow the money they need to expand. Company profits have 
     improved, which has allowed the stock markets to go up, 
     benefiting investors. 2010 has been a year that we have been 
     able to make our economy stronger and healthier.
       One sentence to describe this past year, and the change in 
     the U.S., I would say, ``We are headed in the right 
     direction, we just need to make a little more change 
     happen.'' Overall our economy has improved, and if we keep it 
     at a steady rate like it is now, we will be in a better 
     position in a couple of years. The poverty rates went up 
     which told us that we need to work harder on that aspect of 
     our Union. That is what better and more affordable education 
     will do in the United States. There were defiantly postitives 
     and negitives about the state of our Union this past year, 
     and I think it was a good step in the right direction for a 
     better future in our Union.


         Ezra Mount-Finette, Champlain Valley Union High School

       Mr. Speaker, Vice president Biden, Members of the Congress, 
     distinguished guests and fellow American citizens.
       I am here before you today, to full fill one of my 
     constitutional responsibilities to address congress on the 
     current state of union. My speech tonight is not meant just 
     for the hundred and twelfth congress but also to the citizens 
     concerned in the condition of our country.
       Half way through my presidential term, we have brought our 
     country out of a recession, passed a health care bill that 
     delivered healthcare to every single United State citizen, 
     constructed loan programs helping students pay for college, 
     and cut taxes for everyone. Yet we still have a growing 14.5 
     trillion dollar debt, 9.4 percent of the country is out of 
     work and we have troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
       We have work to do, and I am first going to address the 
     subject of partisanship, not just in Congress but also 
     throughout the country. We might be Muslim, Jewish, 
     Christian, old, young, African-American, Mexican-American, 
     Caucasian, democrat or republican but there is one thing we 
     all are; citizen of this great country. I want to remind 
     Congress that their duty is to represent the United States 
     and what is in the country's best interest. That there are no 
     two sides of an issue just two opinions; both with there own 
     reasoning behind them. Your job as Congressmen is to create 
     the optimal legislation that benefits the citizens of the 
     country, not legislation that is beneficial to a party, a 
     company or yourself, but to the three hundred million other 
     people that live in the United States of America. Take those 
     two ideas and work together to compromise. Look past the D or 
     R that is by your name

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     and look at your passport, your license and tax forms and 
     stare at the word ``America'' that is printed on them.
       Our economy is not on the brink of collapse, but on the 
     brink of success. As I stood hear last year, banks were in 
     trouble and weren't loaning out money. The stock market was 
     plummeting and everyone was panicking. People were wondering 
     how they would make it through the next year. Now the banks 
     are stabilized and have started to give out more loans, the 
     stock market is gaining point and people are feeling more 
     comfortable about their future. With Unemployment still at 
     one of its highest levels in the past century I am looking 
     forward to working with my fellow colleagues in drafting 
     legislation that will bring jobs back into the economy. We 
     have almost recovered from this current recession. By the 
     time my term in office is complete I promise that I will 
     bring our economy out of the trouble that the previous 
     administration created for us.
       I look forward to working and helping with the new Senate 
     and House of representatives in restoring this country to the 
     greatness it deserves.
       Thank you, God bless you and God Bless the United States of 
     America. Thank you


                 1Lisa Ogorzalek of Rutland High School

       Dear Mr. Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of 
     Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:
       During the terms you all have been in office, the United 
     States has gone through many changes. Many changes have been 
     for the benefit of our economy, and many have created 
     problems for the people of America. This country has many 
     issues that need to be resolved if we want to make this 
     generation stronger than the ones that came before it. By 
     having a specific short-term goal, such as having healthcare 
     for all, and having a specific long-term goal, such as 
     reducing the national deficit, I think the young people of 
     this Nation will have the opportunity to thrive.
       First, a short-term goal that I think would benefit America 
     right now is having healthcare for all. Many young people's 
     families in this country cannot afford healthcare, and their 
     wellness is suffering with each day. To make healthcare 
     available to all, I propose to have health insurance 
     companies share a percent of their revenue with the 
     government, based on their yearly income. With this money, 
     the government can then fund designated hospitals to provide 
     healthcare for the people who cannot afford it. This way, the 
     people who receive healthcare through their jobs can keep it, 
     and young people who are not fortunate enough to have it can 
     get it through government aid.
       Next, a longer-term goal that would benefit America's youth 
     would be to decrease the national deficit. Our Nation's 
     budget is complex and divided into many parts, and as a 
     result of these components, we are in trillions of dollars of 
     debt. Although it would be difficult to significantly reduce 
     our debt in the next few years, there are some arrangements 
     that would help lower the amount of debt we hold. For 
     example, we could raise taxes for people who make at least 
     half a million dollars a year. This would create an increase 
     in tax revenue. If we could keep this increase steady and not 
     spend more than the rate of inflation, or Nation's debt would 
     be significantly reduced. As a result, we would be less 
     dependent on foreign countries, such as China. Since they 
     hold 11 percent of our debt, we could reduce this number to 
     let our nation's money go to other important matters, such as 
     poverty and research for illness.
       Overall, this Nation has gone through many changes in the 
     past few decades. If we could make healthcare available to 
     all, especially young people, and reduce the national 
     deficit, then this generation has the opportunity to really 
     succeed. These changes would also help improve our economy, 
     global position, and overall wellness of the young people in 
     America.


           Bryn Philibert, Champlain Valley Union High School

       My fellow Americans,
       This year our country has risen out of a recession that 
     threatened the economic stability of many Americans. We have 
     taken great strides to restore the hope and promise America 
     has always stood for. In 2010 we have made great progress but 
     there is still much more to do moving forward, which is why I 
     am taking this opportunity to address you. I am addressing 
     you all to call to all esteemed members of Congress to step 
     up and help me once again put the United States back on top 
     as a world leader in democracy and peace.
       Two years after the recession devastated our people, we 
     finished this past year with an unemployment rate of 9.4 
     percent, down 0.6 percent from the end of 2009. Consumer and 
     business confidence is on the rise and we have finally come 
     to a bipartisan agreement on new tax-cut legislation. We 
     reached a compromise to improve economic growth, help the 
     struggling middle-class families, and business development. 
     We have also made historic steps towards the promise of 
     equality for all with the repealing of the ban on open 
     homosexual service men and women in our armed forces.
       This year's Health Care Reform Bill set forth legislation 
     to expand coverage to 32 million currently uninsured 
     Americans. Along with this, the bill allowed health care to 
     became less expensive for people to purchase and starting in 
     2014 insurance companies will no longer be able to deny 
     coverage to anyone based on pre-existing conditions. This 
     marks the turning point that great Americans, like the late 
     Senator Ted Kennedy, worked their entire lives for.
       By August of this past year we had shrunk the number of 
     troops in Iraq to 50,000 down from 110,000 a year ago, and we 
     have ended all U.S. combat missions in Iraq. By the end of 
     2011 all American troops will be withdrawn from Iraq. There 
     is still much to be done around the world to ensure a terror 
     free future, but we have made substantial steps towards that 
     goal in the past year.
       America has faced challenges this year such as the oil 
     spill in the Gulf. We have learned from this environmental 
     crisis and we are moving forward with new knowledge on how to 
     respond to the economic impacts of a crisis like this.
       It is a known fact of American politics that U.S. 
     politicians rarely agree in issues across the board, but I 
     know that all of us in this room can agree that we come here 
     every day to ensure that all American people get the 
     opportunity to live in our great country. Now more than ever 
     bipartisanship is going to be imperative to the achievements 
     of the upcoming year. I urge you all, Democrats and 
     Republicans, to work together to live up to the promise of 
     America as our forefathers have.
       Thank you.

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