[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE MOTIVATING YOUTH TO ACHIEVEMENT 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2005

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments of 
The Motivating Youth to Achievement (My2A) Program and particularly its 
leader, John Ryu. Based in New York City, My2A was created to serve the 
needs of young people of New York who happen to be part of the foster 
care system. Young people in the foster care system routinely face 
challenges as they age and move onto their lives outside of foster 
care. Fortunately people have come together to encourage these young 
people to move confidently forward toward their futures, with access to 
job training, education, and professional employment. Fortunately, for 
these young people and the communities they serve, we have My2A. My2A 
has had tremendous success not only in training and encouraging its 
participants, but in creating well-qualified, thriving employees.
  How does such a success story come about? It was through the shared 
vision of the My2A founder, John Ryu, the Consortium for Worker 
Education (CWE), the Catholic Home Bureau, and the Central Labor 
Council. Working together--each with their unique and critical 
understanding of youth, service, and work--this vision was carried out 
to fruition. The result is the program that we celebrate here today.
  Of course, these results are dependent on the groups and individuals 
that come together to serve My2A, both through its initial development 
and through its continual day-to-day efforts. While John Ryu and his 
partner organizations have been tireless and committed in their 
efforts, there are other individuals that have also been instrumental. 
Some of these include Youth Ambassadors of My2A, Sung Eun Baek and 
Patricia Ji Young Jung, and Kyu Bong Sung, Business Manager of the ACE 
Printing Company. Overall, the Korean and Korean-American communities 
have been particularly supportive of My2A. Of course, this program's 
success is also dependent on the numerous My2A participants who take 
advantage of this wonderful opportunity that is made possible by 
inspirational people like John Ryu and those he works with, protecting 
the strength and goodwill of our community and this nation in countless 
ways.

                          ____________________