[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 172 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2095-E2096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ANDY TRUJILLO

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES V. HANSEN

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 1995

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young man 
who turned his life around. Andy Trujillo, who lives in Ogden, UT, led 
the life of a gang member. As he explains it, he came from a background 
of horror and violence.
  Fortunately, Andy became a member of the Weber Basin Job Corps 
Center, where he found the guidance, support, and discipline he needed. 
At the Weber Basin Job Corps Andy was in an environment where he could 
excel, which is exactly what he has done.
  Most recently, Andy was selected as the first place winning entry 
from over 1,000 essays submitted in a national essay writing contest on 
the topic ``How Job Corps Changed My Life.'' I am submitting his essay 
to be printed in the Congressional Record.
  This essay explains Andy's difficult background and what has happened 
since being in a structured, supportive environment. Andy's story 
illustrates the potential of each young person when place in a 
situation with caring adults who believe in the great worth of each 
individual.
  Andy now has his GED and plans to be the first in his family to 
attend college. Andy not only excelled academically but also socially. 
Andy was president of the Recreation Center and Andy is currently 
serving as student body vice president of Weber Basin Job Corps.
  I commend Andy on the changes he has made in his life as demonstrated 
in his well written essay. I also applaud the other hardworking 
students who are committed to making something of themselves and the 
dedicated adults who help these students achieve their goals

    1995 JACS National Essay Contest; How Job Corps Changed My Life

                           (By Andy Trujillo)

       I came from a background of horror and violence. I'm not 
     the typical ``All American'' teenager. I was a slow learner 
     and a troubled youth that had no one but a grandmother to 
     turn to.
       In the big city, I met a lot of people and was always 
     interested in the glamorous life. I was attracted to the 
     high-rolling, fast-paced easy money that came with my 
     acquaintances. I was poorer than most of my friends and had 
     very few possessions, so you could see how easy it was to be 
     persuaded by the temptations of the streets.
       I guess my life wasn't as bad as some others; I at least 
     had a roof over my head and food in my stomach. My house 
     wasn't big enough for the number of people that lived in it, 
     so it was better for me to just stay away. All my life I 
     heard, ``Get out of my way! Get out and do something!'' It 
     was very hard on me. I didn't know what to do with myself 
     half of the time. Getting into trouble seemed to be the only 
     way I could get anybody's attention. Throughout my childhood, 
     I was considered the black sheep and to me, that 

[[Page E 2096]]
     was good. I could do anything I wanted to, when I wanted to do it. 
     Unfortunately, with that freedom came dangers like gangs. 
     Eventually I joined one and became the delinquent in every 
     parents' nightmare.
       My whole life came to a stop when the only person who 
     believed in me, my grandmother, died. After she left me, I 
     had nothing more to live for. I went deeper into the gangs 
     and led the gangster life to the fullest. I left home at the 
     age of 16 and have never gone back. I lived where I could and 
     dropped out of school. My life was going nowhere.
       One day, I called my little brother and we were casually 
     talking about what I was doing with my life when I brought up 
     Job Corps. He told me that Job Corps was an okay place where 
     you could get a diploma, learn a trade and meet a lot of 
     different people. He told me it was free and they would even 
     pay me to go there. In my mind, there was no way that could 
     be true. The screener proved me wrong and I was accepted two 
     months later.
       My first impression of the small center was that there was 
     too much snow, and it was too cold. I met my dorm staff and 
     began my stay at Weber Basin. The trade I took was welding, 
     and I was finally doing well for once. I could see my life 
     changing. I was offered a job in the recreation center and 
     accepted. Shortly afterward, I became the Rec. President. 
     With all of my friends, I had no problems fitting in.
       One of the changes I made was that I didn't have to be mean 
     or rude to people anymore. Most of the people I was around 
     were nice and helpful; I didn't have to get in trouble to be 
     recognized. Then I started noticing that I was doing better 
     in school, and it was actually fun. About my third month in 
     education, I did what I thought I never could: I received my 
     GED! But I'm not going to stop there; I plan to get my 
     diploma and be the first person in my family to attend 
     college.
       Throughout my stay of seven months, I have never been in 
     trouble. In return for this, I have been in Gold for four and 
     a half months and have currently obtained the position of 
     Student Body Vice President of Weber Basin Job Corps. This 
     Center has supported me, and I, in return, have supported it. 
     I can only better myself at Weber Basin and maybe someday I 
     will have the chance to work at a Job Corps Center. I know 
     now that whatever I put my mind to do, I can accomplish. My 
     dreams are becoming my realities

                          ____________________