[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E683]
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

                        Tuesday, April 27, 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 John Sadler. Mr. Sadler served in the Navy 
     branch of the armed forces for five years. Mr. Sadler served 
     on submarines for four years of his service and is now a very 
     successful medical physicist. He has lived a very fulfilling 
     and respectable life and is a great role model. Through 
     interviewing Mr. Sadler I have really come to realize the 
     honor that should be given to veterans in our society. They 
     risk their lives for us, fighting to preserve our freedoms, 
     but we so often neglect to even thank them or consider this. 
     There are many people that we know have served in the armed 
     forces and we aren't even aware of this. This is sad as these 
     people should be respected and honored in today's society. 
     These veterans should be given a special place in the society 
     that they have risked their lives to protect, leaving behind 
     loved ones and everything they once knew to preserve this 
     great nation. Without the service of these veterans America 
     would not be the free land that it is today. We should 
     remember each day what these veterans have done for us and 
     thank them for it. These veterans' stories should be 
     preserved as they are a huge part of American history and how 
     this country got to where it is today. I think that this 
     interview has given me a new perspective on veterans and 
     their service.--Troy Pickens

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