[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5448]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING KAYLA COX

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 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.
  Kayla Cox is a senior at Clear Springs High School in Galveston 
County, Texas. Her essay topic is: In your opinion, why is it important 
to be involved in the political process?

       The definition of democracy is a government by the people 
     with the component of majority rules. The United States of 
     America has an altered version of democracy known as a 
     representative democracy. The model according to which our 
     government functions allows the opportunity to be as close to 
     a democratic government as possible with such a large 
     population. Many question what the importance is in being 
     involved in the political process. Being an active 
     participant in politics is necessary to protect the interests 
     of this diverse nation and is a demonstration of respect for 
     our country.
       America is composed of people from all backgrounds; 
     including ethnicity, economic level, religious, and moral. 
     Each person forms their opinions based on their previous 
     experiences. This diversity and privilege to form our own 
     opinions is a core value of our nation. If people were to 
     choose not to express their opinions, whether it be through 
     voting or various other means, then policies would not be as 
     diverse. The government would start to represent the minority 
     of the population, and would be run by the people for which 
     that minority voted.
       The United States was built upon the belief that people 
     should have certain freedoms that cannot be taken away. Many 
     individuals and groups have worked vigorously to mold our 
     country into the desirable place it is today, and to extend 
     those rights to more of the American population. In addition, 
     they have worked to influence the extension of those rights 
     to foreign countries. Americans have sacrificed their lives 
     to give us the life of freedom we enjoy today. Participation 
     in politics has shaped policies that, in turn, have improved 
     the lives of fellow Americans. This participation can take 
     many forms ranging from something as simple as making an 
     issue known to coordinating with other people to directly 
     influence elected representatives.
       Although some people may believe that they cannot make a 
     difference by voting or raising awareness on an issue, the 
     proof that they can lies in the stories of the one's who did. 
     Political Participation is vital to the policymaking process 
     because the voices of the American people matter, and they 
     are the key to maintaining this country's standards that have 
     been set by those before us.

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