[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING GORDON TSAI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight into the concerns of our younger 
constituents and hopefully get a better sense of the importance of 
being an active participant in the political process. Many of the 
students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am 
pleased to share these with my House colleagues.
  Gordon Tsai is a junior at Clements High School in Fort Bend County, 
Texas. His essay topic is: In your opinion, why is it important to be 
involved in the political process?

       The United States is a relatively young and unique country. 
     It was only about two hundred years ago we entered the throes 
     of revolution and asserted our independence. As a country, we 
     tend to forget the principles that were fought for and won on 
     that fateful day. This American Revolution was fought for 
     freedom, especially the freedom to vote and/or run for public 
     office.
       The value of independence and freedom has almost been lost 
     upon our current people. Ironically, we have a large 
     population of people who don't necessarily even pay attention 
     to or understand politics and current affairs. They live in 
     their small bubble of influence within work, friends, and 
     maybe a community church. This kind of American citizen is 
     definitely not the right one. It is our duty as citizens to 
     vote and uphold the practice of choosing our leaders that was 
     fought for back then two hundred years ago. This country's 
     citizens have almost come to take freedom for granted. In 
     modern day, the average man is protected on many levels by 
     various forms of legislation that ensures their basic human 
     rights. Some would even argue that the United States grants 
     too much freedom as in the controversial case of the gun law. 
     We have become an ungrateful country. Even recently, we can 
     see in the Arab Spring that the value of freedom and 
     independence are worth dying for. In the countries of Egypt, 
     Tunisia, Libya and currently Syria, people are and have been 
     willing to die for the slight possibility of a free 
     independent process for choosing their leaders. And around 
     the world, other elections are plagued by bribery and 
     corruption with country leaders serving multiple terms that 
     exceed the limit set upon by their constitution. When 
     observed realistically, the American election process and 
     atmosphere is almost a dream. So why won't the citizens of 
     the United States fulfill their responsibilities as a nation 
     and assert the privilege that is voting? It is clear that 
     around the world many people are willing to die for this 
     chance to play their tiny part in the direction and 
     leadership of their country.
       It is apparent that many people in the United States don't 
     ever vote, Even my mom waives this right that I would jump at 
     a chance to have. This decision, however small it is 
     individually, on the next leader of the United States is not 
     one to be taken likely. We are playing our small part in 
     deciding the direction and future of the most influential 
     country in the world. In this light, voting should be an 
     unprecedented honor, not an annoyance which the average 
     citizen should fulfill.

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