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Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate our top 10 speech writers for this year's Missouri's Fourth Congressional Speech Competition. They were chosen to write speeches on what America means to them. Today we are recognizing Cody Smith from Sturgeon High School in Boone County, Missouri.
America represents many different things to different people, depending on their backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. For me, it embodies a variety of values such as equality, opportunity, and above all, freedom.
America is a land of opportunity where simple hard work and determination can lead to success. America represents a melting pot of cultures, where anyone and everyone can come together and thrive in harmony. It is a beacon of hope and possibility where individuals can forge their own paths and make meaningful contributions to their country.
There is no other country in the world that I would rather call home than America.
I couldn't agree more with Cody.
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