[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E660-E661]
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.

[[Page E661]]

  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.

       For the Preserving History project, I interviewed my World 
     Geography teacher, Coach Baley. Ryan Patrick Baley served in 
     the US. Army as an E4 Specialist in the Infantry. He was 
     gunner for a Bradley crew and also a driver for a first 
     Sergeant. Baley also guarded the DM2 in South Korea. He 
     accomplished his patriotic duty for our country. From this 
     interview, I gained more of an appreciation towards those who 
     serve and risk their lives for our country. This experience 
     allowed me to realize that the soldiers that perform their 
     duty have dedicated so much, so that our nation is ensured 
     protection as well as having the principles we as citizens 
     believe in set forward and fought for. Baley believes that, 
     ``the U.S. military organization is the greatest organization 
     and only two have died for others: Jesus and the soldiers of 
     the U.S.A.'' Hence, there is no other army in the world that 
     resembles the U.S. Army; everyone who serves this patriotic 
     duty deserves a great amount of appreciation from every 
     United States citizen for each individual strength put 
     forward for our country, the United States of America.--Ginu 
     Scaria.

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