[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
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 Alan Smith, a World War II veteran, and I 
     learned a lot about his life and his experiences during the 
     war as well as the years after. Mr. Smith entered the 
     military as a private and came out as a corporal after 
     approximately 22 months of service. His highlight combat 
     mission was the invasion of Bastogne. After his service, Mr. 
     Smith went to school on the GI Bill and became a Bible major. 
     Following college, Mr. Smith began to work for Beach Aircraft 
     Company which produced tools of various sorts.
       After interviewing Mr. Smith, I have learned several things 
     about World War II from a first-hand account. I also learned 
     the challenges faced by troops while deployed overseas and 
     the mental toll it places on a soldier's mind. And at the end 
     of the interview, Mr. Smith stressed this scripture from the 
     Bible to me: ``And hath made of one blood all nations of men 
     for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath 
     determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of 
     their habitation.'' He lives by this verse and said it could 
     be applicable to many present day situations.--Drew Sneed.

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