[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TAYLOR NGUYEN'S ESSAY

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                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 14, 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.
  Taylor Nguyen 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.

       During the past 15 years, America has experienced dramatic 
     occurrences such as Hurricane Katrina and the Columbia Space 
     Shuttle disaster. Technology such as the iPhone, has 
     immensely improved our means of communication. However, the 
     greatest impact on the United States was the terrorist 
     attacks on September 11th, 2001. On this day the deaths of 
     over 3,400 people, including police officers and 
     firefighters, transformed the United States forever. Since 9/
     11, airports have been reconstructed to operate with thorough 
     security measures, amidst the oversight of the government 
     instituted Department of Homeland Security. Advanced searches 
     on people and luggage have successfully prevented another 
     hijacking on American soil. Unfortunately, the terrorists 
     claimed devotion to Islam have ram shackled some American's 
     views of the Muslim community.
       This tragic affair became a catalyst for protection from 
     future catastrophes. On November 25th, 2002, Homeland 
     security was established. Not only do they inhibit terrorist 
     strikes, but they also monitor cyberspace and oversee our 
     borders. The department's border security techniques have 
     been scrutinized. Yet terrorists have been detained, and 
     eradicated (i.e. Osama Bin Laden) as a result of the 
     department's hard work and commitment to the American people.
       The sector of Homeland Security that Americans encounter 
     most often in the Transportation Security Administration, or 
     TSA. This department was designed to take further 
     precautionary measures prior to boarding an aircraft. The 
     American people have complained that TSA is time consuming, 
     and violates an individual's civil liberties. There have even 
     been claims of racial profiling. TSA has received negative 
     commentary; however the overall actions are necessary for the 
     safety of the American people.
       The Muslim Community has been dramatically affected. A poll 
     taken one month after the 9/11 attacks by ABC news, announced 
     that 47 percent of Americans appreciated the lives of Muslim 
     Americans. On the most recent anniversary of the disaster, 
     the poll was recalculated and the response was a devastating 
     27 percent.
       Due to the terrorists claiming to be devout Islamists and 
     Al Qaeda participants, a negative stigmatism has spread 
     rampantly throughout the United States in the reflection of 
     the Islamic community. Hopefully through education and 
     understanding, Americans can welcome our Islamic community 
     with open arms.
       September 11th was a great loss for the victims' families, 
     whose lives were forever broken, and a travesty for all of 
     America. In the years following the attacks, America has 
     taken a no tolerance stance against terrorism within our 
     country and all over the world. With pride and justice, the 
     lives lost will not have been taken in vain. They have paved 
     a road of stronger security, and saved lives in the process. 
     Although we have a long road ahead, we will remember, and we 
     will build from the rubble a stronger, more valorous United 
     States of America.

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