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Press On to the Finish Line

A race is not always won by the swiftest, but by the most determined.

I’ve been a volunteer with Convention of States Texas since February of this year. I jumped in with both feet to learn about the Convention of States Project, the Constitution, and America’s rich history while offering my time and talents to help grow an army of self-governing citizens. It is an honor to be part of this organization as I have a strong sense of duty to my country.

Recently, I was taken aback when asked why I felt the need to volunteer in a passed state (Texas passed its Article V application in 2017). Well, let me share a story with you.

A young boy in England grew up loving to run… and boy, could he run. His name was Derek Redmond. He won awards and medals every year, but his ultimate dream was to win gold in the Olympics. He first broke the British record for the 400 meters in 1985 with a run of 44.82 seconds. In 1986, he was a member of the team that won the 4×400 meter relay gold medal Championships. The following year, he was on the team that won the 4×400 meter relay silver medal at the World Championships. By 1991 he went to the World Championships as a member of the British team, then shocked the athletics world by beating the much-favored American team and claiming the gold medal in the 4×400 meter relay.

Injuries interrupted most of Redmond's career. At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, he pulled out of the opening round of the 400 meter 90 seconds before his heat because of an injury to his Achilles tendon. Before the 1992 Summer Olympics, he had undergone eight operations due to injuries.

By the time of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Redmond was in perfect form, posting the fastest time of the first round, and went on to win his quarter-final. At the semi-final, Redmond started well, but about 250 meters from the finish, his hamstring tore. He hobbled to a halt, and then fell to the ground in excruciating pain. Medics rushed to his aid, but Redmond pushed them away desperately wanting to finish the race. As he hobbled along the track, his father, Jim Redmond, barreled past security and on to the track to get to his son.

Jim Redmond told his son to stop, but Derek refused. “Well then, we’re going to finish this together,” his father said. And finish it they did, slowly, and with the younger man’s anguish becoming visibly greater with every pace.

Jim and Derek completed the lap of the track together, with Derek leaning on his father's shoulder for support. Just before the finish, Jim let go of his son and Derek completed the course on his own. As he crossed the finish line, the crowd of 65,000 spectators rose to give Derek a standing ovation. The story of Derek Redmond has been called one of the purest examples of determination and perseverance in Olympic history.

You may be asking yourself, “now how does this story relate to me as a volunteer with Convention of States? I’m not an Olympian.” Well, I’m glad you asked. As I see it, this story teaches that (1) we should never give up; (2) there are helpers around you; and (3) your efforts matter. A race is not always won by the swiftest, but by the most determined.

These three points encapsulate how the Convention of States Project functions. Volunteers are constantly encouraged to stay the course, given help whenever needed, and appreciated at every level. While the goal of Convention of States is to get enough states passed to call an Article V Convention of States, our mission, which is even more important, is to grow an army of self-governing citizens, who continue to work in each of their respective states to strengthen state legislatures and hold them accountable. If we stop working toward that mission after a state has passed its Article V Application, then we have given up on the race before crossing the finish line.

Patriots, we are in a fight to turn this country around and that fight is for the long haul. It takes grit, determination and perseverance, just like an Olympic athlete. I believe this country is worth all we have to offer. We must never give up. We must persevere. We will cross the finish line!

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Login Required to view?	No
Created:	2021-06-17 21:00 GMT
Updated:	2022-09-16 04:27 GMT
Published:	2021-06-19 07:00 GMT
Converted:	2025-11-11 11:58 GMT
Change Author:	Deborah Efurd
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