[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
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

                         Monday, April 26, 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:

       I interviewed Mr. Kurt DeKuehn, Petty Officer 1st Class, 
     Musician, USN Ret. Mr. DeKuehn enlisted in the Navy at the 
     end of World War II through his entrance into the United 
     States Naval Academy School of Music. He was barely 17 when 
     his parents signed the enlistment papers and he auditioned 
     four separate times on sax for entrance into the school. He 
     gained admittance to the school, and as the war was in full 
     swing, he was immediately put through basic training in 
     preparation for deployment. He was eventually deployed to the 
     battleship Arkansas BB-33 in January 1945 and remained with 
     the ship until its decommissioning a year later. Mr. DeKuehn 
     was later asked back to service as a bandleader for the 
     Admiral Galley Goodwill Tour of Europe. As bandleader, he had 
     the privilege of handpicking his players and auditioning 
     them. The band performed in 27 countries in an 8 piece combo. 
     Mr. DeKuehn thoroughly enjoyed his Navy experience due to his 
     Officer status and the nature of his employment: he was paid 
     to play his instrument (something he has done since he was 
     four years of age), and minimally operate a machine gun on 
     the stern of his ship. The terms of his employment don't 
     sound half bad. He even says that he has nothing against the 
     Navy and had fun in both of his tours of duty.--Jonathan 
     Unger.

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