[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2246-E2247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SIXTH DISTRICT ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

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HON. HENRY J. HYDE

of illinois

in the house of representatives

Friday, November 7, 1997

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, please permit me to share with my colleagues
the tremendous work of a half-dozen young men and women who live in my
District.
Each year, my office in cooperation with numerous junior and senior
high schools in Northern Illinois sponsor an essay writing contest. A
board, chaired by Vivian Turner, a former principle of Blackhawk Junior
High School in Bensenville, IL, chooses a topic, and evaluates results
of the submitted essays. Winners share more than $1,000 in scholarship
funds.
This year, Marta Kuersten, a student at Algonquin Junior High School
in Des Plaines, IL, placed first in the junior high division with an
essay entitled What I can do for my Country, a text of which I include
in the Record. Placing second in the junior division is Tina Rasane, a
student at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School in Park Ridge, IL; and John
Tadelski, a student at St. Alexander School in Villa Park, placed
third.
In the Senior High School Division, Thomas W. Repetto, a student at
Maine South High School in Park Ridge, placed first with his essay
entitled Towards the Preservation of the Government by the Citizen, a
text of which I include in the Record. Shrujal Baxi, a student at
Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, IL, placed second; and
Shannon McNamara, a student at Lake Park High School in Roselle, placed
third.

What I Can Do For My Country

(By Marta Kuersten)

``Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you
can do for your country.'' Well, there are the things that
naturally come to mind. I could pick up litter, volunteer at
the local hospital, make donations to charities or even join
the army when I'm old enough. But I think real service to my
country has to do more with my attitude which can affect my
actions. It's got to do with the choices I make, and the way
I face life.
I'm choosing to go to college, and earn a degree, so I'll
have the skills to get a good job. I'll avoid premarital sex,
so I don't have to worry about unwanted pregnancy or sexually
transmitted diseases. And even the simplest choices are
important, like choosing to throw my trash in a garbage can
instead of on the ground.
Okay, so how does this affect my country, you ask? Simple,
unemployment is a problem in our country, and if I don't get
a college education, why should I expect not to join the
ranks? Welfare is what your country does for you. Paying
taxes is what you do for your country.
And why should I take the place in a hospital of a person
with cancer because I have hepatitis, or worst of all, HIV/
AIDS? I can save myself and the person with the unavoidable
illness, (like cancer), a lot of grief if I choose wisely and
remain abstinent. And that is to say nothing of the grief
shared by both the mother and a child born of an unwanted
pregnancy. A hospital bed or Medicaid is what the country can
do for you. Saying ``no'' is what you can do for your
country.
Although it may seem small next to chastity and a college
degree, choosing not to litter means that someone else
doesn't have the responsibility of picking up your garbage.
``Keep Your Town Beautiful'' crews are what your country does
for you. Finding and using a trash can is what you can do for
your country.
The point is, the choices we make, big or small, affect our
country in one way or another. If I'm really asking myself
what I could do for my country, I'll make a wise decision
that will not only do the country good but will also probably
do me good as well. And John F. Kennedy would surely agree
with that thinking.

Towards the Preservation of the Government By the Citizen

(Thomas W. Repetto)

``We the People . . .'' The first three words of the United
States Constitution affirm that the true leaders of
government are the millions of people who are governed by it.
In a government that is representative of the people, it is
the will of the people that directs a government to
satisfactory levels. As John F. Kennedy told Americans to
``Ask what you can do for your country,'' he echoed the most
necessary component of a healthy and successful government:
popular participation. The participation of citizens is
necessary so that a government can truly serve the needs of
its constituents. In many foreign nations, the only way one
can voice his opinions and help his country is through a
ballot box. While Americans still honor the significance of
the vote, they have found numerous other ways to do something
for their country and respond to President Kennedy's request.
Citizens can serve in the military, and fight for one's
country. Programs such as the Peace Corps and Americorps
allow citizens to travel to other countries and work to
preserve world peace. This helps the United States by
strengthening foreign relations and creating a world where
our children and our children's children do not need to deal
with the rigors and heartache that war can bring. Promoting
peace in our domestic wars with crime, gangs, and drugs can
be aided by organizations like the Guardian Angels and
Community Watch programs. Battles are fought every day, and
our willingness to resolve these problems is the first step
in combating the crime that surrounds us. Only through peace
and safety can we truly find happiness in our lives and in
our government.
The Puritans who settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony
believed in the philosophy that ``We are our brothers's
keeper.'' Likewise, citizens of America, a country of the
people, by the people, and for the people, can help their
country by being their brother's keeper, aiding the people
who make up this great nation. When one helps serve food at a
soup kitchen, visits people at a nursing home around
Christmas time, holds a door for a handicapped person, or
tutors disadvantaged children, he helps to promote the
general welfare of the community and subsequently the nation.
As an individual with deeply rooted Catholic beliefs, I
believe that acting as a ``Good Samaritan'' is the ultimate
way to serve the United States.
One can join a local branch of political party, join a
union, actively participate in a special interest group, or
assist a political campaign. For example, when my government
teacher was running for trustee in his village, myself and
several other students went door to door passing out campaign
literature. In government, we work so that the best people
are elected and the best views are represented. Unions fight
for the rights of their members and work to improve working
conditions. As the son of a union member, I respect the
union's activity in trying to promote a better workplace.
Involvement in a special interest group demonstrates a desire
to see that a concern is respected. Joining any organization
that is active in trying to influence public policy is a
positive way to be an active citizen.
Criticisms of the government help to illuminate problems
and propose solutions. Satirical cartoons, commentary
articles, and political discussions and debates demonstrate a
citizen's desire to improve his country's ability to protect
and serve the people. It is our duty as Americans to read
commentaries on the government, watch political discussions,
keep up to date on issues that affect our community, and
argue with our friends on datable issues. Demonstrations are
effective in conveying concerns of a large sect. While we may
not march in front of an abortion clinic, we must be aware of
why the people are marching and understand their position as
not to be ignorantly biased one way or another.
A citizen who simply abides by the laws of his community
supports his country. A person who chooses not to drive
recklessly, who chooses not to cause a public disturbance,
who refrains from taking away the rights of another
individual, preserves the order and justice with which the
government is designed to protect. When we respect the
unalienable rights of others, we promote the ideals of
American society and protect our nation from falling into an
abyss of immorality and injustice.
Only a few people can be elected to serve in Congress. Only
several individuals can represent a community in local
politics. Yet, every American can participate and do
something for their country. There are always improvements to
be made and problems to be solved. A letter to a Congressman,
a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, a phone call to
a friend who might generate interest: whatever the form of
communication, citizens must dictate their concerns. Then,
after the concerns are exposed, the individual must take it
upon himself to see that the problem is fixed. In the words
of Learned Hand, ``Liberty lies in the hearts of men and
women; when it dies there, no constitution,

[[Page E2247]]

no law, no court can save it.'' Only with a eminent desire to
right what is wrong, to make just what is unjust, to equalize
what is unequal, and to improve what is imperfect can man
truly make a difference. Citizens must passionately believe
in a cause and do their best to make sure that their dream is
fulfilled. If, and only if, the hearts of man bubble with
painstaking ability to fight for the liberty ingrained in the
stars and stripes of America, then we can exclaim that no
barrier is unbreakable, no problem is unsolvable, no aspect
of moral degradation is unstoppable.

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