[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19655]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MARILYN A. NGUYEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2002

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marilyn A. Nguyen of 
Bourbonnais, Illinois. Marilyn was one of over 85,000 secondary school 
students who participated in a contest through the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary (VFW). Each year the 
VFW conducts a Voice of Democracy audio/essay competition designed to 
give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinion on 
their responsibility to our county. The contest theme was ``Reaching 
Out to America's Future''. Marilyn A. Nguyen was chosen as the 2002 
Voice of Democracy broadcast scriptwriting winner this year. Following 
is Marilyn's winning script.

       The harmony of an industrious city is disrupted by a 
     deafeningly explosive crash. There is confusion. There are 
     wailing sirens. In another city, the same confusion spreads 
     like wildfire. Lives are forever changed as events unfold and 
     buildings collapse. The horror is almost too much to bear. On 
     September 11th, 2001, the gruesome hand of terrorism 
     attempted to reach out and grasp America's future. 
     Fortunately, its grip was too slippery to conquer the heart 
     and soul that is the United States of America.
       Over two centuries ago the founding fathers of this country 
     left England envisioning better lives for themselves and 
     their posterity. They reached out mentally and physically to 
     find America's future full of promise and patriotism. As this 
     country continues to blossom and mature we must accept the 
     task of reaching out to America's future no matter the cost 
     or hardship.
       America is a union for all nationalities. It reaches out to 
     immigrants of all lands. My parents were among these 
     immigrants. As their daughter I especially feel a unique bond 
     to America. I feel that it is my duty to reach out to 
     America's future with my own actions.
       But, what does it mean to reach out to America's future? 
     Already, it may seem to some that our future is uncertain 
     because of the terrorist attacks. But, these tragedies only 
     remind us that the time to reach out to America's future is 
     now. We need to rise to the challenge as we have never done 
     before to stand firm as a nation and as human beings to reach 
     forward into the future.
       The task at hand is not an easy one. Reaching out to 
     America's future must begin with the individual who believes 
     that America's future is not an abstract idea: it is 
     comprised of neighbors, friends, mothers and fathers, 
     brothers and sisters and especially individuals. America's 
     future depends on what happens today in the lives of ordinary 
     Americans living ordinary lives. It calls for the erasure of 
     color, race and religion. It begins when one person extends 
     respect and acceptance to another person regardless of their 
     background.
       Reaching out to America's future as a teenager is not much 
     different from extending a hand as an adult. As a teen, 
     perhaps it may be a difficult step but one which lays the 
     foundations for adulthood. At a time when personal opinions 
     are being formed, it can be easy to declare ``it's not my 
     job'' to reach out but that is where we are wrong. I am the 
     future of America. It starts with me. I am the voice of 
     influence over my friends and the younger members of my 
     community. Using that influence to promote understanding and 
     cooperation among my peers, family, and community are what I, 
     as a teen individual, can do to reach out to America's 
     future.
       It is important to begin with our everyday routines because 
     this is where the impact will be most felt. I must encourage 
     others to talk with friends and family about what it means to 
     be a contribution to America's future. Teach younger children 
     in middle school, neighbors, or even peers in high school 
     that it is wrong to hate and discriminate. I have a 
     responsibility to open my mind to the differences that make 
     us unique and vital components of the future instead of 
     searching for ways to divide. The example I put forth into 
     the world should be one of love and acceptance.
       The teenager's job in reaching out to America's future lies 
     in the education of himself and his surroundings. His call to 
     help build America's future is still strong. This nation has 
     no future without the work of those who believe in its 
     potential for goodness.
       Reaching out to America's future can seem like a far away 
     goal. But, in reality, the future is at our fingertips. We as 
     people of this majestic empire must adopt the task set before 
     us over two hundred years ago. Reaching out to the future 
     begins with the person who hears these words. It is he who 
     must first take action. The perfect example of reaching out 
     to America's future is the Statue of Liberty in New York 
     Harbor. She is the example for one and all. Her extended arm 
     holding the torch as a guiding light beckons us to follow her 
     into the future. With her unfailing devotion to the 
     preservation of this land, she reminds us that the future's 
     brightness depends solely on those willing to bear the torch.

  Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to identify and recognize others in 
their own districts whose actions have so greatly benefitted and 
strengthened America's communities.

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