[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MEGAN N. WORTH-
   MAN OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT OF COLORADO FOR WINNING THE VETERAN OF 
  FOREIGN WARS 2004 VOICE OF DEMOCRACY BROADCAST SCRIPTWRITING CONTEST

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                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all of America's 
veterans who have served our country for the cause of freedom. The 
Veterans of Foreign Wars is a fine organization that deserves our 
praise for striving to instill an understanding of responsibility to 
country. This year, more than 80,000 secondary school students 
participated in the Voice of Democracy audio/essay competition designed 
to give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinion on 
their responsibility to our country. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of 
the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary selected the theme ``My 
Commitment to America's Future'' for this year's annual contest.
  I am pleased to announce that Ms. Megan N. Worthman from the Fourth 
District of Colorado won the 2004 Voice of Democracy broadcast 
scriptwriting contest for this year. Her work exemplifies excellence 
and is worthy of recognition. It is inspiring to see such commitment to 
America in a young person, and I applaud her fine work.
  Her essay reads as follows:

 2003-2004 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Contest--``My Commitment 
                         to America's Future''

       When I was about 7 years old, my grandfather gave me his 
     Naval uniform. I listened to him for hours recounting his 
     journeys in the Pacific. Although he was a radio operator and 
     never saw action, I loved that he lived in such an important 
     time, and he was sharing his experiences with me. When he 
     gave me his thick blue World War II uniform, I was so 
     excited. He gave me a very important piece of him, and I was 
     proud to wear a part of American history. That same pride 
     reflected in his eyes as I tried it on. Of course it was way 
     too big for me, the bottom hem brushing on the floor, the 
     sleeves well past my fingertips, and his hat falling down 
     over my eyes and resting on my nose. That uniform is still to 
     big for me, but I hope to grow into it. I know I will never 
     fit into it physically, but I will grow into its image, to 
     become a better person, and a better American.
       My commitment is to become that American who embodies the 
     image laid out over two centuries, to become the American 
     that so many others died for. When I was in grade school, 
     about second or third grade, I became really interested in 
     World War II, and the history of my country. I also started 
     to learn about the principles that were the foundation of 
     this country. Later on in fourth grade, I had set my sights 
     on the Air Force Academy, or at least measure up to the high 
     standard they have. To be one of the few who can give all 
     they possess to their country. Now, my goal is to uphold the 
     Constitution and teach my family and those around me the 
     morals and values that have defined America for so long. I 
     am, and will become a more complete person and start to fit 
     into that uniform.
       Good Americans are those who work hard for what they 
     believe in, and respect all those trying to accomplish the 
     same. Even today, as a young High School student, I practice 
     the Constitutional rights entitled to myself and those around 
     me. Everyone has an opinion and the natural right to let it 
     be heard. Everyone also has a different background and 
     heritage, and should be respected for it, no matter what. I 
     will give my time and resources to others who cannot support 
     themselves because it is my obligation. I have the privilege 
     of family, health and happiness. Because of these gifts, I 
     will help others find and button up their own tailored 
     uniforms.
       ``We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are 
     created equal.'' That is my commitment. These words echoed 
     through Independence Hall over 200 years ago and were very 
     important to the early framers of our nation. These words 
     make me realize that my commitment is no small one; I will 
     give all of me to my country and my fellow Americans.
       Other Americans have set the standard, the uniform, for all 
     of us to grow into. Other Americans have given their lives 
     for a few words written on a piece of paper two centuries 
     ago. The least I can do is to uphold those values and pass 
     them on. It is my duty and my commitment to go to school and 
     learn about the people who influenced our ideas and values of 
     today. The people who gave their lives for life, liberty and 
     the pursuit of happiness, and to learn about those who tried 
     to take it away. It is my duty to learn about my neighbor and 
     other cultures. The great thinker Voltaire said, ``I might 
     not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the 
     death your right to say it.'' This held true many years ago, 
     and still holds enormous value today. It is important to 
     learn from the past, other cultures and other people. When I 
     graduate high school and finish college, suddenly the hem on 
     my uniform seems farther from the ground.
       When I volunteer my time to my community, or help my little 
     brother with his homework, my fingers appear at the ends of 
     my sleeves. When I listen to both sides of the argument, my 
     hat fits a little better. When I become a better person by 
     reading, volunteering, teaching and learning, I start to 
     mature and fill out the uniform. When I respect all people, 
     when I learn about foreign cultures, my commitment begins to 
     show and becomes a beacon for others to see.
       Everyone has a different uniform. For some, it could be a 
     military one. For others, it could be a business suit, a 
     doctor's smock, an athletic uniform or a construction jacket. 
     However, everyone's uniform is made of the same materials; 
     commitment, hard work, love, respect and time. Everyone's 
     uniform is intertwined with everyone else's, and if one of us 
     is missing, the fabric of America cannot be whole. Everyone 
     has an important role to play, and I intend to do my part to 
     succeed in whatever my role may be. My commitment is a I 
     lifelong one, and it seeded when I was 7, listening to 
     another American recount his experiences.

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