[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3349-H3350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  (Mr. Owens of Utah was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an incredible essay 
written by a student from Utah's Fourth District to celebrate the 250th 
Anniversary of our country's founding.
  Last fall, I invited students from across Utah's Fourth Congressional 
District to participate in an essay contest as part of America 250. 
They were asked to answer a simple but profound question: What does 
America mean to me?
  My office received numerous submissions from young people across the 
district that were heartfelt and profound. The winning essay I picked 
came from a senior in my district whose name is Katie.
  Drawing inspiration from ``The Wizard of Oz,'' Katie reflected on the 
lesson that took Dorothy an entire journey to learn, that often what we 
are searching for is right in front of us.
  Mr. Speaker, I will read Katie's essay into the Record:

       As a child, I was fascinated with the Warner Bros. film, 
     ``The Wizard of Oz,'' where the main character, Dorothy, was 
     able to travel to a magical land over the rainbow in

[[Page H3350]]

     an attempt to find the truth that she was looking for.
       In her travels, she was confused by many people and left 
     unsatisfied. In the end, she realized that what she was 
     looking for could only be found in one place: the close, 
     simple, and inspired environment of home.
       Today, many people confuse the beautiful simple nature of 
     truth found at home as dry and boring ideas that worked in 
     the past, but could never solve the progressive problems 
     posed now in our modern world.
       They ignore the rich history of our country, discounting 
     our Nation's Founders and great documents of the past as 
     outdated or primitive. They dismiss the simple truths found 
     at the heart of our Nation as old-fashioned and instead seek 
     novel and progressive movements in a far-reaching attempt to 
     find truth.
       As a member of the rising generation, I have observed many 
     of my peers looking, searching, and struggling to find 
     freedom, opportunity, and purpose in lands across the sea and 
     in ideologies that seem new and exciting.
       I even, at times, wondered if truth really could be found 
     in the novel and sensational until I realized that this 
     wasn't satisfying my search for truth, that I was looking for 
     a purpose where purpose did not lie. I was seeking for 
     opportunity where I thought it was and freedom, true freedom, 
     in every place, except for where it really was.
       These values were not found for me in my trips to 
     Switzerland, Portugal, or any other novel, foreign country. I 
     did not discover them in woke ideologies or progressive 
     podcasts, but instead in the simple and inspired environment 
     of home, America. That is what this country means to me.
       Home is the source of truth. Home is where you can find 
     freedom, and I can say, without any doubt, that there is no 
     place like it.
       I am proud beyond words to call the United States of 
     America my home, and I ask you today, whatever it is you 
     might be looking for, instead of going to podcasts, 
     conspiracy theories, or the fake news, look first to the 
     sweet and simple truths held in the heart of my home and 
     yours, the United States of America.

  Katie's words touched me, and I am grateful to note that she is not 
the exception. She is the example, and the example of what makes Utah 
and this country so special: hope, respect, appreciation, courage, hard 
work, big dreams, and love for this country.
  That is Utah, and I am grateful for the parents who are raising our 
youth to carry on the torch of liberty and freedom that we have been so 
blessed with from on high.

                          ____________________