/ 15988 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 4, 1972 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS MARIETTA, OKLA., YOUTH WINS NA­ adults work together as a team, as partners, still in the future were to make his words TIONAL ORATORICAL HONORS to accomplish those goals of a better to­ famous. He began his speech slowly with morrow. frequent emphasis on particular words. This Youth has much to contribute--un­ man, Abrahia.m Linooln, had not pro­ bridled energy, vitality, and enthusiasm that ceeded far into his famous address when he HON. CARL ALBERT is characteristic of those starting on some­ uttered the words "A House divided against OF OKLAHOMA thing new. A seemingly innate desire to be itself can not stand." And only three short IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES "a. part of the a.ction"-and the time to do years later, as if fulftll1ng a prophecy, the it-and finally ideals and dreams untar­ nation was plunged into a civil war. A civil Thursday, May 4, 1972 nished and undimmed by age. Yet those war that ripped and tore us asunder. Yet Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, a 17-year­ of you who come into day by day contact as a nation we survived. We survived be­ old constituent of mine, a resident of with young people or who follow their activi­ cause our country was built on a foundation Marietta, Okla., Mr. Donnie Paul Min­ ties in the news media are well aware that that was solid and sure. It was a foundation youthful energy and vitality can generate based on the idea that a government under yard, has won national honors in another destruction as well as enthusiasm-that de­ a. constitution was better than a government oratorical contest, one of many such sire to be a "pa.rt of the action" can lead to by the whim of man. Yes, we have survived firsts he has collected during the past a brashness and situations whence there can for over one hundred and eighty years as a several years. Donnie Paul first gained be no return-and those youthful dreams if democratic republic subject to change as national recognition as an orator when not viewed with the harshness of reality can needed. he won first place and a $2,000 scholar­ become the nightmares of the world of Yet, today there are fast growing forces ship in a contest sponsored by Optimist tomorrow. • that seem bent on destroying the present But young people are indeed fortunate for system. The drummers are drumming, the International in Los Angeles, Calif., in that baton of leadership is not passed on to demonstrators are demonstrating, and doc­ 1970. Last month, he won third place and them alone. It is passed to a generation that uments and buildings are being burned and a $3,000 scholarship at the American includes men and women of all ages-a. gen­ bombed. Internal unrest and dissension are Legion National High School Oratorical eration that has within it the wisdom and approaching an all time high, and the time Contest held in Weirton, W. Va. tolerance that is necessary to temper and has come for us to decide if our constitution Donnie Paul began winning honors in strengthen the energy and vitality of youth­ is :flexible enough to meet the needs of the speech contests 4 years ago when he a generation that has within it the experi­ changing times or should we abandon it and ence to evaluate objectively in the light of let nature take its course. competed in a beginner's speech tourna­ history those dreams and ideals of the Finalizing a decision on whether to retain ment at Lawton, Okla. Since that time, young-so that we w111 not be destined to re­ or abolish the constitution requires us to he has won 55 medals and many tro­ live some of those trying experiences of the examine the pages of history to determine phies. In addition to the national tro­ past. how other nations have fa.red without a phies, Donnie also has won first place in Yes, this generation must truly be a part­ constitution. the National Forensic League State Com­ nership that commands the best qualities of Remember, if you please, the stories of the petition in men's extemporaneous speak­ both the young and adult societies-a part­ glories of an Ancient Greece, a democracy ing. He was the first contestant from nei:ship where each plays his unique role-­ without a Constitution. But a democracy resulting in the distinct advantages derived that has long since disappeared. Remember a Class B school to win that contest in from both groups. A partnership which w111 the grandeur of a Roman Republic, a re­ about a decade. be the focal point around which a. better public without a constitution that decayed A senior in Marietta High School, Don­ tomorrow w111 revolve. A partnership that from within and collapsed at the hands of nie has a straight A average and hopes to w111 not fumble as the baton of leadership the barbarians. Remember a modern Ger­ attend Oral Roberts University in Tulsa is passed to us. many without a Bill of Rights to protect in­ beginning this fall. His parents are Mr. But as we approach this fourth generation dividuals that t ook the lives of thousands and Mrs. 0. E. Minyard of Marietta. of Americans the relay analogy as most anal­ of Jews. And, finally, remember a modern I am happy to share with you copies of ogies is not completely comparable. The 4th 20th-century Soviet Union without a consti­ lap of a relay is usually the last-and cer­ tution that has purged itself of thousands of Donnie's winning orations in the Opti­ tainly if the 4th generation of Americans is people for voicing an opinion or supporting mist International and American Legion the last one then our civilization w111 have the wrong political candidate. oratorical contests: ended much too soon. For we have much to What does this imply? One of two things. YOUTH, FuLL PARTNERS IN A BETTER offer the world-and if it ends then tomor­ First that a democracy such as Greece and TOMORROW row w111 certainly not be a better one. Rome can not endure without a written law, A few years ago, a small nation--eager for So it is our responsibility-yours and and second that autocracies such as Germany prestige--found itself blessed with 4 of the mine--to form the partnership and work in and the Soviet Union can endure but the finest runners the world had seen. They and such a strict way that the 5th generation of lives of freedom-loving individuals are at everyone else fully expected them to win the Americans w111 find that we too have moved stake. relays in the Olympics and bring home to civilization forward to bigger and better Obviously, we need to retain our Constitu­ their country some of the honor and pres­ things--a.nd we utilize our talents of tomor­ tion, a document written and published so tige for which it so hungered. Careful train­ row's partnership. Let's heed the words of the that every citizen knows and understands his ing and many hours of practice were carried poet Louis Untermeyer in his poem "Prayer": rights and the role of the various levels of out. The day of the race finally arrived­ Open my ears to music government. A constitution that can stand the first three runners each brought the up to the glaring inspection of all foreigners. Let me thr111 to spring's first flutes and Perhaps the best evidence that the Consti­ baton to the other runner well ahead of the drums opposition-yet when it came time for the But never let me dare forget tution has withstood this inspection is the hand-off between the 3rd runner and the The bitter ballad of the slums fact that the Unit ed States is the only coun­ anchor man the baton was fumbled and try in the world where people are waiting in dropped. The anchor man recovered quickly From compromise and things half done lengthy lines to get in. The lines are lengthy but not in time to win the race. Did the 3rd Keep me with stern and stubborn pride, because they know that here they can voice runner stumble? Did the 4th runner start And when at last the fight is won, their opinions without fear o'f government sooner than expected? Or were they dis­ God, keep me st111 unsatisfied. repression. They can worship God as they tracted by something along on the sidelines? Yes, we can never afford to be satisfied that choose or not worship at all. Also, they can go to the polls and cast a secret ballot or st ay No one is quite sure--maybe it was all three all that can be done has been done, or that things-the important thing was that their home if they wish. Freedom of choice, nothing can be done. With that in mind, the right to life, liberty, and property are goal was not accomplished. with God's help-tomorrow will be better as Here in the United States as the decade of phrases that are trite and taken for granted today's youth ls accepted as full partners in in America although they are seemingly im­ the 70's begins we are faced with an almost working toward that goal. identical situation. It's almost time to share possible dreams to t he rest of the world.