[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 51 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JILLIAN SABOE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 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.
  Jillian Saboe attends Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The 
essay topic is: in your opinion, what role should government play in 
our lives?

       When people hear the word ``government'' or ``politics'' or 
     any other words associated with the political process, their 
     usual first reaction is either a cringe or look of disgust; 
     some purposefully and some mindlessly. Why is it that in a 
     country founded on individual rights and freedoms that people 
     feel negatively toward the institutions that were created to 
     protect them?
       ``In your opinion, what role should government play in our 
     lives?'' Looking at this question, I can see the 
     possibilities of three different paths one might take. One: 
     The government should interfere less with American citizens 
     and practices. Two: The government should interfere more with 
     American citizens and practices. Personally, I choose path 
     number three: The government should not be looked at or act 
     as an item of interference. The government should be an 
     institution that interacts with individuals and groups in 
     need of help and protection. A teenage girl should not be 
     frightened when she sees a cop while driving down the 
     highway, she should feel safe. A small business owner should 
     not fear of losing his shop while filing his taxes, he should 
     feel untroubled. An old man should not worry about what money 
     will go where when he passes, he should feel cared for. 
     Although a government has the responsibility to ensure a 
     steady economy, ensure sturdy foreign relations, and increase 
     trade, a government should also prioritize its responsibility 
     to take care of its citizens. When I say ``take care,'' I 
     don't mean making sure that they all get their social 
     security checks when they reach a certain age, I mean making 
     sure citizens receiving social security checks feel content 
     with their situations. In my opinion, the government is 
     allowed to be the bad guy sometimes to make sure that 
     everything runs smoothly, but the government's main role is 
     to humanely support and protect its citizens at all costs.
       A government must be many things in order to survive. It 
     must be strong. It must be efficient. It must be intelligent. 
     But the most important thing a government should be is 
     comfortable.

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