[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 45 (Friday, April 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E659-E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last fall I encouraged high 
school students from the Third Congressional District to join the 
first-ever Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I guessed that perhaps 
10 to 20 students would participate.
  Nearly 150 young people from public, private and home-schools 
applied. An outside, independent panel from the community spent hours 
pouring over the applications with care. Ultimately, the panel hand-
selected 39 students to represent their peers as the voice of the 
future to Congress.
  At our first meeting, I didn't know what to expect so I just opened 
up the floor to questions. It sounded like a meeting of award-winning 
scholars, well-respected leaders, and involved-civic activists. That's 
because they were. The students boasted impressive credentials: honors 
society, student leadership, school athletics, community philanthropy, 
language clubs, and musical backgrounds.
  Members asked about the future of Social Security, the election in 
Iraq, and the status of legislation. They voiced their support for our 
troops and concerns about government spending.
  I'm guessing that I learned more from the CYAC than they did, and I'm 
better for it. I'm eager. to improve on the Council next year and hope 
that the sophomores and juniors will return to contribute. I believe 
the students enjoyed our time together and feel confident creating the 
CYAC was the right thing after one person asked if we could meet every 
week. Clearly these students have things to say about the future of 
this great country and long to be heard.
  It is my hope that someday the Congressional Youth Advisory Council 
will be associated with excellence and one of our highest standards of 
civic pride for young people in North Texas. I commend the students for 
volunteering their time on the Congressional Youth Advisory Council and 
I wish each one continued success in all of their endeavors. Without a 
doubt, every student will continue to play an important role in our 
community for decades to come, and that America and North Texas, will 
continue to benefit from their dedication, smarts, and service.
  You know, a lot of people hope to make a difference sometime in their 
lives. To the members of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, you 
just did. Thank you. I salute you; God Bless You and God Bless America.
  The names of the students follow.

               2005 Congressional Youth Advisory Council


                               sophomores

       Merinda Brooks, Plano, Jasper High School.

[[Page E660]]

       Alyssa DeLorenz, Garland, Williams High School.
       Amanda Lipscomb, McKinney, Dallas Academy.
       Austin Lutz, Dallas, Trinity Christian Academy.
       Michael Scott, Dallas, Plumtree Homeschool Academy.
       Aatman Shah, Dallas, Vines High School.


                                juniors

       Nathaniel Alcorn, Frisco, Centennial High School.
       Mindy Bell, McKinney, McKinney Christian Academy.
       Heather Blizzard, Plano, Centennial High School.
       Brandon Boyd, Allen, Allen High School.
       Christina Elizabeth Buss, Plano, Ursuline Academy of 
     Dallas.
       Elyse Carlisle, Murphy, Plano East Senior High School.
       Albert Chang, Dallas, Plano West Senior High School.
       Andrew Clark, Plano, Plano West Senior High School.
       Joe Dickerson, Frisco, Centennial High School.
       Allison Goldman, Dallas, Plano West Senior High School.
       Douglas Hermann, Allen, Allen High School.
       Jordan Hirsch, Plano, Yavneh Academy of Dallas.
       Katie Laughlin, Plano, Plano Senior High School.
       Alison Lyon, Allen, Plano East Senior High School.
       Natalie Myers, Plano, Plano Senior High School.
       Jeff Nanney, Plano, Plano East Senior High School.
       Joe O'Neill, Plano, Plano Senior High School.
       Adam Rosenfield, Plano, Plano West Senior High School.
       Kristin Schneider, Richardson, Home School.
       Heather Webb, Plano, Plano West Senior High School.
       Katie Willman, Frisco, Centennial High School.
       Anna Zhang, Plano, Plano West Senior High School.


                                seniors

       John Coleman, McKinney, McKinney High School.
       Jenny Davis, Richardson, Canyon Creek Christian Academy.
       Dana K. Hansen, Plano, Canyon Creek Christian Academy.
       Jordan Herskowitz, Plano, Plano West Senior High School.
       Alison Houpt, Rowlett, Naaman Forest High School.
       Ashley E. Mergen, Frisco, Frisco High School.
       Mathew Martinez, McKinney, McKinney High School.
       Parth Shah, Garland, Naaman Forest High School.
       Christina Shams, Sachse, Sachse High School.
       Brittany Whitstone, McKinney, McKinney North High School.
       Elliot Winters, Plano, Frisco High School.

                          ____________________