[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5920]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF TOM MARCHANT OF HANOVER, MINNESOTA

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                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 14, 2008

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Tom 
Marchant of Hanover, Minnesota, who is this year's winner of the 
Minnesota American Legion Oratorical Contest. Tom was sponsored by 
Wayzata Post 118.
  Tom spoke on the topic of freedom and responsibility: ``Our final 
responsibility is by far the most honorable and sacrificial. It is the 
duty to fight for the United States. Many great men and women have 
answered the call of freedom . . . In deserts and foreign lands, 
through sleepless nights and lonely days, they hold high our blessed 
flag of freedom. We love freedom, and we don't want to lose it. But we 
must remember, always remember, that freedom didn't and doesn't come 
free.''
  Tom was also recently recognized by the Bill of Rights Institute for 
his essay on Being an American. Tom was 1 of only 30 students chosen 
from more than 13,000 in 19 states and the District of Columbia for 
this honor.
  The Bill of Rights Institute invited teenage students from across the 
Nation to write about the ideals that unite us as Americans. Tom wrote 
eloquently about the vision our Founders had for this Nation and where 
Tom and his own generation can lead America:
  ``Perseverance is a sign of great men, and the sign of free men. It 
is only by God's grace, and our forefathers' perseverance that we can 
enjoy the privileges of freedom as we do today. As Daniel Webster once 
said, ``God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always 
ready to defend it.'' The baton has been passed on to us. So the 
question is, will we persevere?''
  Tom, who has been homeschooled and encouraged in all his pursuits by 
his parents Todd and Kim, is also active with the National Christian 
Forensic and Communications Association. He has been both a regional 
and State champion. Last summer, he participated in Boys State. Tom is 
also active in his church, where he is a worship leader, and he enjoys 
singing and playing piano and the guitar.

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