[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ESSAY BY JORDYN WEBER

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 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.
  Jordyn Weber attends St. Agnes Academy in Sugar Land, Texas. The 
essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the past 
year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country.

       An especially important event that has occurred this year 
     is the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris, France on 
     Friday, November 13, 2015. Not only did this attack prove the 
     eminent threat that ISIS poses to the western world, but it 
     also brought about a new era of terrorism. The attack on 
     Paris was the first time that local ``soft targets'' have 
     been ambushed in this kind of attack. Soft targets refer to 
     areas such as super markets, hotels, concert halls, 
     restaurants, clubs, and any place that attacks every day 
     normal people. These areas were always assumed to be safe 
     from attacks as it was assumed terrorists wanted to kill 
     large numbers, but this notion was changed after the 
     terrifying attacks occurred in Paris. This new threat of 
     attacks has altered the way the United States will live and 
     fight in our war on terror.
       The arising of this soft target attacks has shaped American 
     fear in a new way. Since the 9/11 attacks, most Americans 
     have experienced some subconscious fear of terrorist attacks, 
     but never before has that fear been about going to a grocery 
     store or to eat dinner. We now must face an era where we have 
     to worry about the possibility of lower scale attacks. This 
     brings about questions on how the United States should 
     decrease the possibilities of the attacks. Since the attacks 
     in Paris many citizens have begun to question the right steps 
     to take in protecting our nation from the threat of a future 
     terrorist attack. This questioning has led to two main issues 
     at hand; how should the United States monitor the threat of 
     terrorism in our country as well as who should be allowed to 
     enter the country without posing a threat?
       The first question of how should the United States monitor 
     the threat of terrorism has been demonstrated in many ways. 
     Should the US begin to observe conversations and invade the 
     privacy of those believed to be possibly involved in 
     terrorism within our country? Should we begin taking actions 
     overseas like other countries have begun doing? One thing 
     that is for sure is that the United States needs to get 
     serious about their war on terror. This is going to shape the 
     future of American life. If we sit back and do nothing 
     Americans will continue to live in a world of fear of 
     everyday activities. The government must take action to put 
     American's minds to peace.
       The second question of who poses a threat to our national 
     security has brought up a huge debate in regards to the 
     refugee crisis. When it was uncovered that one of the 
     attackers from Paris arrived to Europe disguised as a refugee 
     everyone began to question allowing the flow of refugees into 
     the United States at this time. This is shaping and brining 
     into question what the United States's priorities need to be, 
     the protection of our own citizens? Or the leadership in the 
     protection of our world's most vulnerable people?
       The attack on Paris has impacted the United States in an 
     enormous way. It has instilled a new kind of fear among US 
     citizens as well as brought into question many new issues 
     that will continue to shape the future of the United States.

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