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Benton fifth-grader ties Independence Day, artwork and chess to idea of freedom during public comment
Summary
Henry Fauber, a fifth-grade student at Benton Intermediate School, addressed a meeting to recite an excerpt from Ronald Reagan, describe his Independence Day–themed artwork and connect chess strategy to protecting freedom.
Henry Fauber, a fifth-grade student at Benton Intermediate School in Benton, Louisiana, addressed the meeting to recite an excerpt from former President Ronald Reagan and describe how his artwork and chess ambitions relate to American freedom. "My fellow Americans, on Monday, America will celebrate her 200 birthday," Fauber recited, and later said the fireworks in his illustration "represent our hearts exploding with pride and passion for freedom, democracy, and the immense honor of being an American."
Fauber told the meeting that his illustration pairs Independence Day fireworks with a personal dream: to become only the second American to hold the world chess championship. He referenced Bobby Fischer, writing that Fischer was the only American to hold the title "from 1972 to 1975," and said he hopes to follow that example. Fauber also quoted conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in support of striving for excellence: "greatness requires the liberty and the drive to make the most of yourself," he said as part of his remarks.
The student linked chess strategy to civic responsibility, saying players must "consider your strategy and plan several moves ahead to be successful" and citing a caution from Reagan that "freedom is never more than 1 generation away from extinction." Fauber noted a statistic he recited about chess complexity: "After the first 4 moves in chess, there are over 318,000,000,000 possible positions to be played," and warned that a single very poor move in chess — a "blunder" — can be ruinous, likening that to the need to avoid careless actions that could harm freedom.
Fauber closed his remarks with a direct appeal to peers and the audience to use their talents. "I encourage you today to use your specific talents, all for the glory of God and the pride of The USA," he said, and thanked the meeting for the opportunity to speak.
The comments came during public comment; no formal action or staff direction followed the speech. The meeting transcript supplied the remarks in full, and this article quotes Fauber's remarks verbatim where indicated.
