[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 81 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SAVE OUR YOUTH INITIATIVE'S CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the member of my Save 
Our Youth Initiative's Congressional Youth Council.
  One of the major challenges facing Brooklyn, and other parts of our 
Nation, is finding ways to open doors of opportunity for youth who 
constitute a disproportionately large share of the unemployed, 
underemployed, and incarcerated. Through the Save Our Youth Initiative, 
I am striving to eliminate this bleak outlook for our youth, and to 
provide the necessary resources so that youth can build successful 
lives. An important vehicle in this effort is my Congressional Youth 
Council.
  Since Spring 1996, the Youth Council's leadership role in the 
community encourages youth to become more active citizens. Through 
organizing community forums such as a Youth Town Hall meeting attended 
by over 200 youth and adults, participating in public hearings and 
other local events, and discussing policy issues with public officials 
such as Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Brooklyn Borough President Howard 
Golden, these youth blossomed into dedicated advocates. Each young 
leader--April Hudson, Irvin Daniels, Felix Ramos, Akilah Holder, Tanya 
Cruz, Latoya Baker, Dunni Owolabi, Jethro Jelldine, Nicole Brathwaite, 
Michelle Warner, Yolanshe, Alexander, Fellanthin King, and Kalonji 
Curwen--is a shining beacon of hope for the future of our community.
  I am tremendously proud of their achievements in both school and the 
community. This month, four of these dedicated youth advocates will 
receive their New York State high school diplomas. They have truly 
shown that Generation X is a generation of excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask my colleagues to join 
me in saluting all of the members of my Congressional Youth Council.

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