[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H4865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                              {time}  0915
                       SALUTING ELIZABETH CLAXTON

  (Mr. ALFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate our top 10 
speechwriters for this year's Missouri's Fourth Congressional District 
Speech Competition. They were chosen to write speeches on what America 
means to them, and today, we are saluting Elizabeth Claxton of Holden 
High School in Johnson County, Missouri.
  Elizabeth says: ``To me, America is more than just the land I grew up 
in. America is the persons who surround me and the companionships I 
share with them. America is small towns and big cities full of people 
and their lives and the bonds they form with each other. Fellowships of 
all kinds fill America and make up our Nation. We are all of different 
backgrounds, who have different futures but are deeply intertwined as 
members of our beautiful and intricate county. America is all of these 
people and cultures woven together to create our society. America isn't 
just a land or national entity but one diverse yet blended people.''
  Mr. Speaker, we salute Elizabeth and thank her for her great work.

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