[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E401-E402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GRANT DENTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2015

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight into the concerns of our younger 
constituents and hopefully get a better sense of the importance of 
being an active participant in the political process. Many of the 
students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am 
pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Grant Dentry attends Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The 
essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 
15 years and explain how that event has changed our country.

       An important event that has occurred in the past 15 years 
     is the rapid evolution of technology in our everyday lives. 
     From single function cell-phones, to compact flip phones with 
     cameras, to the now pervasive ``smart phone'' that serves as 
     a multi-function computer, phone, hi-resolution camera, 
     personal assistant, and a comprehensive tracking device. I 
     believe technology; although innovative and fun, can have a 
     negative effect on our country. While technology has 
     benefited our lives, its evolution has changed how America 
     operates and is watched over.
       Even though technological evolution has made our lives 
     easier, it can expose our personal and private business to 
     the Government (and hackers) who can access our information 
     at will. The evolution of technology has reshaped the 
     security of American citizens. Our Constitutional freedoms as 
     Americans have been infringed upon because of our 
     technological devices do not guarantee secure privacy. Now 
     that almost everyone in America has a laptop or cellphone, 
     the Government is able to conduct surveillance on its 
     citizens. Constantly being watched over has had unfortunate 
     effects on what we consider personal, private, freedom. The 
     effect of being watched over has caused citizens to be 
     constantly vigilant of what they are doing on electronic 
     devices, where they go, and what they say. The Government is 
     able to read our text messages and listen to our calls as 
     well as see us through cameras on streets, smartphones and 
     computers. Although we are still technically free, it is not 
     the freedom we used to have before technology evolved. 
     Fifteen years ago, concerns about Government surveillance on 
     citizens was not as alarming as today.
       The next 15 years will bring changes in the relationship 
     between Governments and their citizens. While many found out 
     in 2012 about Government surveillance, more and more 
     Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about the issue 
     of privacy now. Sadly, our media is distracting our citizens 
     away from privacy issues. Many disapprove of the spying and 
     frown upon the Government's decisions to monitor U.S. 
     citizens. Since 9/11,

[[Page E402]]

     security has been stepped up (rightfully so), but it has been 
     taken to a level almost comparable to George Orwell 's 
     Nineteen Eighty-Four in which everything is closely monitored 
     and scrutinized.
       Overall, the surveillance technology revolution has changed 
     our country drastically and has brought concern and worry to 
     many American citizens. Monitoring citizens was not the 
     intent when surveillance technology first developed, but now 
     it has the potential for large scale abuse. While technology 
     has benefited our lives in many ways, it has also changed how 
     America operates, how we are kept safe, and how we view our 
     Constitutional freedoms and our privacy. Hopefully, the next 
     15 years will bring us towards a balance between security, 
     safety, and privacy.

                          ____________________