[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE RISE OF ISIS ESSAY BY MELISSA LEE

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                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  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 from across the political spectrum that 
sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice 
to their priorities will hopefully instill 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.
  Melissa Lee is a student from Sugar Land, Texas. The essay topic is: 
The rise of ISIS.

       The United States has always been wary of the Middle East. 
     With an almost decade-long occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan 
     in addition to sanctions on Iran, America has attempted to 
     delicately balance prevention of future attacks as well as 
     peaceful relations with other world leaders. The U.S. has 
     experienced unstable footing in this particular area due to 
     untimely action and a lack of understanding of Middle Eastern 
     culture. A series of terrorist attacks in Paris last year 
     became a new spark to a longstanding debate of how to protect 
     the nation, establish justice, and promote healthy ties with 
     other countries. The attacks caused the U.S. to rethink its 
     position on issues such as immigration and foreign policy. 
     Though the bombings were tragic and a forever reminder of the 
     darkness of human nature, they ignited a healthy dialogue 
     about the future of America.
       On November 13, 2015, three teams of radical men 
     purportedly aligned with ISIS launched six attacks in and 
     around Paris. One hundred thirty people were killed and many 
     more injured. As the world watched the bloody scene unravel, 
     many questioned the effectiveness of America's foreign 
     policy. Should the U.S. crack down on the Islamic State and 
     increase support for rebels fighting this extremist group? Or 
     should it avoid interfering with the Middle East so as not to 
     arouse anger or hatred towards America? Foreign policy 
     assurances intended to assuage these fears proved empty as 
     they turned out to be mere words than action. However, nobody 
     raised an uproar; the Middle East seemed too far away and the 
     carnage of terrorist attacks was too distant from the 
     comforts of American life. But the U.S. received its wake-up 
     call on December 2, 2015. A radicalized health department 
     employee accompanied by his wife opened fire at a holiday 
     party in San Bernardino, killing 14 and seriously injuring 22 
     people. The attackers had been inspired by foreign terrorist 
     groups and had committed to jihadism. Suddenly, Americans 
     realized the growing threat of extremists in the Middle East 
     and the extent of their influence on Muslims around the 
     world.
       The Paris attacks followed by those in San Bernardino made 
     it clear to a growing number of people that the danger of 
     radical jihadists is not a distant problem. Many still want 
     to turn their heads away from the tangled web of terrorism, 
     corruption, ineffective peace talks, and false promises 
     encountered overseas. But as Americans have observed acts of 
     terrorism grow closer and closer to home, they are confronted 
     with the emerging reality that, unless the U.S. takes action 
     promptly, these threats will travel to its shores and mature 
     into a monster of evil, killing the innocent and having no 
     mercy upon those who do not hold the same beliefs as the 
     terrorists.

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