[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E639]
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. 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:

       As a 1st rank navel veteran, Mr. Harvey F. Spears has had 
     many awe-inspiring experiences. In particular he was involved 
     in law enforcement and weapons control in his military 
     career, which lasted 20 years. In the Navy, he was the 
     Command Master in Arms (CMAA) and was involved in the Navy 
     Security Guard. He comes from a history of family serving 
     their country through various aspects of the military. He 
     helped found the Veterans Association just before graduating 
     from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas; 
     currently, Mr. Spears is the president of the Veterans 
     Association at UNT, which helps veterans gaining an education 
     at the University of North Texas to fully access all the 
     resources available to them.
       I absolutely enjoyed talking to him and realized that he 
     had been through much that even I could learn from. I was 
     also amazed at how many places he has been to, seeing as I 
     have never been outside the country. Ultimately, I admire his 
     leadership ability to create an organization for veterans as 
     an alumnus of the university and still play a prominent role 
     in his community, even after his retirement from service.--
     Anita Chandrahas

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