Being a microphone in the U.S. Congress, I've amplified the voices of many influential people. But few moments stand out like the time I carried the words of a unique European figure: Václav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic. Václav Havel was not just any president; his journey to this esteemed position was marked by struggle and resilience. Born in 1936 in Prague, Havel initially made his mark as a playwright, using his works to subtly criticize the oppressive communist regime of Czechoslovakia. By the late 1970s, he became an unmistakable voice of dissent. His involvement in the Charter 77 manifesto, which criticized the government for failing to implement human rights provisions, marked him as a threat. The years that followed were punctuated by multiple imprisonments for Havel. However, these stints behind bars only solidified his resolve. He believed in the power of non-violent resistance, the strength of the human spirit, and the idea that truth and love would ultimately prevail over lies and hatred. Fast forward to the Velvet Revolution in 1989, a peaceful protest that led to the end of 41 years of communist rule in Czechoslovakia. The country looked to a leader who embodied hope and change. Havel, the dissident playwright, became that beacon of hope when he was elected as the president of Czechoslovakia and later, after the country's peaceful split, the Czech Republic. As I, the microphone, felt the gentle touch of Havel in February 1990, the room was thick with anticipation. The audience before him included senators, congressmen, and diplomats, but it was clear that his message transcended boundaries and politics. He began by expressing gratitude for the support the U.S. gave to his country during its fight for freedom. But he also delved deeper, touching on universal human values, the cost of freedom, and the responsibility that comes with it. He emphasized the interconnectedness of all nations, urging for a collective responsibility to protect global values and rights. For many in the room, it was a revelation: here was a leader shaped not by political manoeuvring but by principles, by his writings, by his struggles, and by his unwavering belief in human rights and dignity. His speech ended, but the resonance of his words, magnified by me, lingered. Václav Havel wasn't just speaking for the Czech Republic. He was speaking for humanity, for every individual's right to freedom, truth, and justice. And I was proud to be the instrument that carried that universal message to the world.