[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27569-27570]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



CONGRATULATING STEPHEN JOHNSON AND DENNIS PARKER ON THEIR ESSAYS ABOUT 
                      ``WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2001

  Mr. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, each year Crestwood Elementary School in 
Swanton, Ohio spends Veterans' Day honoring local veterans. It is an 
insightful and moving day-long series of events in which both the 
children and adults fully participate. The 2001 observance featured two 
essays describing ``What Makes America Great'' which I would like to 
enter into the Record. The first is by 6th grader Stephen Johnson and 
the second by 6th grader Dennis Parker.

       Three things that make America great are: freedom, the land 
     and its climate, and the people.
       First of all freedom makes America great because we can 
     choose our government. For example we can elect candidates 
     for president, vice president, mayor, trustee, secretary, and 
     various other offices within our country's governmental 
     system. We have the freedom to go where we want, and how 
     we're going to get there. We also have freedom to buy, and 
     drive what we want. For example, we can buy airplane tickets, 
     cars, houses, and many other things. We are even allowed to 
     choose what we want to do with our lives. For example we 
     could be a doctor, nurse, dentist, president, vice president, 
     and many different jobs within our country.
       Secondly America's land and its climate make America an 
     abundant and bountiful country to live in. The land provides 
     us with minerals, food, water, shelter, wildlife, and the 
     clothes such as cotton. The climate provides this country 
     with sunshine, darkness, warmth, coldness,, and the four 
     seasons. The climate has caused America to form oceans, 
     mountains, valleys, plateaus. and hills. The natural 
     resources give us wood for pencils, lumber, paper, and fire, 
     oil for cars and other automobiles, water for drinking, and 
     land for farming.
       Thirdly the people make America great because history and 
     events are based on people. The people are faithful, and 
     loyal to their country. There are many different kinds of 
     people living in America. The history, and events are based 
     on people because there was the Boston Tea Party, World War 
     I, World War II, and there was the tragedy that happened just 
     recently. The people are faithful, and loyal to their country 
     by recycling, burning waste, not polluting the air, and many 
     other things to help our environment. There are many 
     different kinds of people living in America because in 
     America you are free to pick your job, your house, and many 
     other things that make America a great place to live in.

  Here is the second essay:

       If you want to know what makes America great, then take a 
     look around you. I think people took America for granted 
     until the terrorists' acts on September 11, 2001. In a 
     heartbeat, innocent lives were destroyed.
       Instead of television heroes like Batman and Superman, they 
     became firefighters, policemen, and just ordinary people like 
     moms and dads, every day Americans just like you and me.
       Our country's freedom was taken for granted by Americans 
     that was won by our

[[Page 27570]]

     veterans and forefathers. We fought in wars to end 
     injustices, communism, and nationalism. Now, we are trying to 
     stop terrorists, and our country is united even more.
       People show their love and patriotism for our country by 
     flying flags, giving blood, money and food to people in need. 
     They don't care about how much money we have or our skin 
     color. They just want to help out. That is why America is the 
     best country in the world.
       If you want to know what freedom is, then look around you. 
     We have freedom of speech, religion, and education. We can go 
     to school, speak, and pray without being punished. We aren't 
     told what job to have, where to live, and what to do. We have 
     many laws, but they are not to punish us, they are to protect 
     us.
       America is great because we can vote for whomever we want 
     in a secret ballot. We are allowed to choose our president, 
     governor, or mayor without being punished.
       So basically, America is cared for and so are its people. 
     They want to help America and make it even more united. Our 
     veterans played a very important part in American history 
     because they helped us gain freedom.
       So remember every time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, or 
     sing the national anthem, be proud, and think of our real 
     heroes. We are united because we are free and we are free 
     because we are United. God Bless America!

     

                          ____________________