[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E420-E421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN CARRABINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 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.
  Kathryn Carrabine attends Dulles High School in Sugar Land, 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.

       Changes occur in our country for many reasons and sometimes 
     the impact is detrimental. In particular, the Obamacare 
     abortion pill mandate that requires all employers to offer 
     insurance and must include preventive care; which includes 
     numerous birth controls and at least four of which cause 
     abortions. Some companies are morally opposed to this; 
     however, if they choose to not include this provision, they 
     would have to pay $100 per employee every day. With this act 
     a company is forced to follow this federal law or go 
     bankrupt. As few companies try to go against a federal law, 
     this one stands out to companies owned by devout Christians. 
     As abortion is against what many Christians, as well as other 
     religions, believe, why is this mandate included in a federal 
     law?
       One case receiving notable attention, Hobby Lobby vs. 
     Burwell, the Supreme Court voted against Hobby Lobby which 
     could have caused the owners of the company to pay over $1.4 
     million a day. They had to contemplate bankruptcy or acting 
     against their moral beliefs. As they were faced with a hard 
     decision, they chose to remain in business and to provide the 
     insurance; but what did this mean for what they believed in? 
     Should they just sit back and hold their tongue on a very 
     important topic to them and many more? Hobby Lobby is not the 
     only ones who are upset with this mandate. Many Catholic 
     hospitals and private schools are also having a hard time 
     facing this mandate. Many have compromised their religious 
     beliefs that abortion is not acceptable, but they are being 
     forced by the government in order to comply with the mandate 
     and to stay in business. How can Christian schools teach 
     their religion that abortion is not acceptable, when they 
     have to provide insurance that condones preventative care 
     resulting in abortion? Many suggest that this is going 
     against the 1st Amendment regarding freedom of religion. 
     Every American has the freedom to believe in what they chose 
     to believe regarding religion. Unfortunately, freedom of 
     religion and compliance with government mandates are causing 
     conflict for many Americans.

[[Page E421]]

       The Obamacare abortion pill mandate has changed the country 
     in a way that people are thinking for themselves and standing 
     up for what they deem to be morally appropriate. As Americans 
     contend with government requirements, one can only hope that 
     government decision makers will seek to understand and 
     respect the religious beliefs of all constitutes. As younger 
     people are growing up, isn't this what we want in the world? 
     As Americans, we strive to do our best and respect the 
     government, but is the government respecting everyone else? 
     As many things run through our head, such as this 
     controversial topic, it changes the way we think, which 
     changes the world little by little, day by day.

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