[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E636-E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: A LEGACY OF SERVICE

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                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues 
to join me in congratulating the 2009-2010 Congressional Youth Advisory 
Council. This year 45 students from public, private, and home schools 
in grades 9 through 12 made their voices heard and made a difference in 
their communities, their country and their Congress.

[[Page E637]]

These students volunteered their time, effort, and talent to inform me 
about the important issues facing their generation. As young leaders 
within their communities and their schools, these students boldly 
represent the promise and the hope we all have for their very bright 
future.
  President Ronald Reagan said, ``Freedom is never more than one 
generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in 
the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for 
them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling 
our children and our children's children what it was once like in the 
United States where men were free.''
  To ensure that the blessing of freedom is passed from one generation 
to the next, the members of the CYAC spent time interviewing a veteran 
and documenting the experience for the ``Preserving History Project.'' 
Today I'm proud to submit the brief summaries provided so the patriotic 
service of our dedicated veterans and the thoughtful work of the CYAC 
may be preserved for antiquity in the Congressional Record. A copy of 
each submitted student summary follows.
  To each member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, thank you 
for making this year and this group a success. It is not a coincidence 
that this congressional tribute celebrates two generations of service. 
Each of you is trusted with the precious gift of freedom.
  You are the voices of the future and I salute you. God bless you and 
God bless America.
  The summary follows:

       I had known a little about what my dad did while he was 
     deployed, but I had never pressed him for details. I think 
     that is was partially because I assumed that anything that 
     would make a good story would be classified for the next 
     eighty years, but I also think that I was a little bit afraid 
     of what I might hear. However, the stories that he shared 
     were not as horrifying as I expected. I was stunned when he 
     told me that he had never had a casualty in any of his units.
       Our interview session was about as casual as it could be. I 
     went outside to interview him while he was working in the 
     yard. During our interview I learned more about some of the 
     places he had visited in peace, including the U.A.E. (United 
     Arab Emirates) and what was included in that country. At 
     first I was surprised that this was one of his favorite 
     places he has visited, but after he explained what was there 
     it made perfect sense. I was honored that I could speak with 
     my father about his experiences. It inspired me to do my 
     utmost to make sure that I will preserve our military 
     history.--Kai Fujisaka

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