[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E652-E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: A LEGACY OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            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:

       Michael Lee Todd has been stationed all across the U.S. and 
     the world. During his time in the service he was a Naval 
     Aviator for seven years and then a public affairs officer, or 
     PAO for 17 years. While assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) 
     he was part of the mission to rescue the American hostages 
     being held by Muslim extremists in Tehran, Iran. Later in his 
     career he was the lead public service affairs officer for 
     many high profile cases during Navy history. One of these was 
     a terrible incident where a sailor killed another in cold 
     blood while in Japan for being homosexual. He was also in 
     charge of all public affairs during a terrible accident 
     onboard the battleship USS Iowa, where one of its four 18- 
     inch gun turrets blew up killing dozens of sailors. Later in 
     his career he was with General Anthony Zinni at U.S. Central 
     Command during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Somalia. 
     Mike retired from the Navy in 2000. From this experience I 
     gained a completely new insight into the life of my Uncle 
     Mike. I never really new all the things he did, viewed him as 
     ``Captain Todd'' or how important his service was to the 
     country. It amazes me that he had such an impact on

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     thoughts about the Navy by the American public. It makes me 
     proud and gives me dreams of one day being like him, to serve 
     my country in the tradition of my family and make a 
     difference to the liberty and freedom of America.--Samantha 
     Todd.

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