Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-12

SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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On 2026-05-12, Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT-4) delivered a floor speech titled "SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in the House.

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SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3349-H3350] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Mr. Owens of Utah was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an incredible essay written by a student from Utah's Fourth District to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our country's founding. Last fall, I invited students from across Utah's Fourth Congressional District to participate in an essay contest as part of America 250. They were asked to answer a simple but profound question: What does America mean to me? My office received numerous submissions from young people across the district that were heartfelt and profound. The winning essay I picked came from a senior in my district whose name is Katie. Drawing inspiration from ``The Wizard of Oz,'' Katie reflected on the lesson that took Dorothy an entire journey to learn, that often what we are searching for is right in front of us. Mr. Speaker, I will read Katie's essay into the Record: As a child, I was fascinated with the Warner Bros. film, ``The Wizard of Oz,'' where the main character, Dorothy, was able to travel to a magical land over the rainbow in [[Page H3350]] an attempt to find the truth that she was looking for. In her travels, she was confused by many people and left unsatisfied. In the end, she realized that what she was looking for could only be found in one place: the close, simple, and inspired environment of home. Today, many people confuse the beautiful simple nature of truth found at home as dry and boring ideas that worked in the past, but could never solve the progressive problems posed now in our modern world. They ignore the rich history of our country, discounting our Nation's Founders and great documents of the past as outdated or primitive. They dismiss the simple truths found at the heart of our Nation as old-fashioned and instead seek novel and progressive movements in a far-reaching attempt to find truth. As a member of the rising generation, I have observed many of my peers looking, searching, and struggling to find freedom, opportunity, and purpose in lands across the sea and in ideologies that seem new and exciting. I even, at times, wondered if truth really could be found in the novel and sensational until I realized that this wasn't satisfying my search for truth, that I was looking for a purpose where purpose did not lie. I was seeking for opportunity where I thought it was and freedom, true freedom, in every place, except for where it really was. These values were not found for me in my trips to Switzerland, Portugal, or any other novel, foreign country. I did not discover them in woke ideologies or progressive podcasts, but instead in the simple and inspired environment of home, America. That is what this country means to me. Home is the source of truth. Home is where you can find freedom, and I can say, without any doubt, that there is no place like it. I am proud beyond words to call the United States of America my home, and I ask you today, whatever it is you might be looking for, instead of going to podcasts, conspiracy theories, or the fake news, look first to the sweet and simple truths held in the heart of my home and yours, the United States of America. Katie's words touched me, and I am grateful to note that she is not the exception. She is the example, and the example of what makes Utah and this country so special: hope, respect, appreciation, courage, hard work, big dreams, and love for this country. That is Utah, and I am grateful for the parents who are raising our youth to carry on the torch of liberty and freedom that we have been so blessed with from on high. ____________________

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SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3349-H3350] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SWEET AND SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE THE HEART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Mr. Owens of Utah was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an incredible essay written by a student from Utah's Fourth District to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our country's founding. Last fall, I invited students from across Utah's Fourth Congressional District to participate in an essay contest as part of America 250. They were asked to answer a simple but profound question: What does America mean to me? My office received numerous submissions from young people across the district that were heartfelt and profound. The winning essay I picked came from a senior in my district whose name is Katie. Drawing inspiration from ``The Wizard of Oz,'' Katie reflected on the lesson that took Dorothy an entire journey to learn, that often what we are searching for is right in front of us. Mr. Speaker, I will read Katie's essay into the Record: As a child, I was fascinated with the Warner Bros. film, ``The Wizard of Oz,'' where the main character, Dorothy, was able to travel to a magical land over the rainbow in [[Page H3350]] an attempt to find the truth that she was looking for. In her travels, she was confused by many people and left unsatisfied. In the end, she realized that what she was looking for could only be found in one place: the close, simple, and inspired environment of home. Today, many people confuse the beautiful simple nature of truth found at home as dry and boring ideas that worked in the past, but could never solve the progressive problems posed now in our modern world. They ignore the rich history of our country, discounting our Nation's Founders and great documents of the past as outdated or primitive. They dismiss the simple truths found at the heart of our Nation as old-fashioned and instead seek novel and progressive movements in a far-reaching attempt to find truth. As a member of the rising generation, I have observed many of my peers looking, searching, and struggling to find freedom, opportunity, and purpose in lands across the sea and in ideologies that seem new and exciting. I even, at times, wondered if truth really could be found in the novel and sensational until I realized that this wasn't satisfying my search for truth, that I was looking for a purpose where purpose did not lie. I was seeking for opportunity where I thought it was and freedom, true freedom, in every place, except for where it really was. These values were not found for me in my trips to Switzerland, Portugal, or any other novel, foreign country. I did not discover them in woke ideologies or progressive podcasts, but instead in the simple and inspired environment of home, America. That is what this country means to me. Home is the source of truth. Home is where you can find freedom, and I can say, without any doubt, that there is no place like it. I am proud beyond words to call the United States of America my home, and I ask you today, whatever it is you might be looking for, instead of going to podcasts, conspiracy theories, or the fake news, look first to the sweet and simple truths held in the heart of my home and yours, the United States of America. Katie's words touched me, and I am grateful to note that she is not the exception. She is the example, and the example of what makes Utah and this country so special: hope, respect, appreciation, courage, hard work, big dreams, and love for this country. That is Utah, and I am grateful for the parents who are raising our youth to carry on the torch of liberty and freedom that we have been so blessed with from on high. ____________________