Be Proud To Be An American (poem in extenstion of remarks)

[The Straight Story]

BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN AN ESSAY BY HELEN LU -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 18, 2004)

GPO's PDF

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SPEECH OF
HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004

* Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an essay composed by Helen Lu, a 16-year-old junior at Washington High School in Fremont, CA. Miss Lu delivered her essay at the Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission's Veterans Day commemoration on November 11, 2004.

BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

Be proud to be an American. Be proud that you are part of this great democratic society, founded on the ideals of liberty and freedom that our forefathers have fought for in the American Revolution.

Be proud to be an American. Remember our role in the destruction of that Fascist dictatorship in the Second World War.

Be proud to be an American, that you live in the most democratic nation in the world and take part in the most dynamic and developed economy.

Be proud to be an American, though you may look at what is going on these days, and sigh in disappointment at our divided condition regarding a war. But we have known greater division, the American Civil War. Yet we still come together as a nation. We still have come together to build this great nation into what it is today.

Be proud to be an American, even though we are uncertain if every war has been justified. There are those who call Vietnam a mistake. There are those who call the war in Iraq an error. You can dwell on those issues the other 364 days of the year, but today just remember the millions of men and women who have so selflessly devoted their lives to their country.

Be proud to be an American, for there is one thing certain, and remember it when you feel lost amidst all the political argument: there have always been brave men and women who would lay down their lives to protect those of yours and mine. There have always been courageous men and women who would sacrifice themselves for their country. We may look back at any war and condemn it as a grave mistake. We may look back on this war in Iraq, where thousands of young men and women have died, as a grave mistake. History may show that we had mistakes, but we will always be certain of the absolute heroism of those who sacrificed for their country.

Be proud to be an American. Your country is a nation in which people may disagree over values and beliefs, yet always come together in the end to fight any battle that needs to be fought.

To all our veterans, those who are here with us and to those who gave their lives in the service of their country, you have our utmost respect.

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