[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E692]
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

                       Wednesday, April 28, 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 my grandfather, Ted Falconer, who served for 
     four years, 1948 to 1952, in the Navy as an electrician. He 
     enlisted in September 1948 as a Seaman Recruit. Initially 
     planning on three years of service, the Korean War caused him 
     to serve for four years instead. After basic training he went 
     to Treasure Island for the Navy electrician school. Then he 
     was stationed at the Naval Communication Station on Guam. 
     During this time was when the Korean War broke out and caused 
     him to see a shift in life on Guam. There was more movement 
     of soldiers and material; and he participated in training 
     exercises to practice loading Marines onto naval vessels and 
     practice landings in preparation, for the Incheon Landing. 
     After months of exercises he was shipped back to Hunter's 
     Point in San Francisco to re-commission an old World War II 
     troop transport for active service in the Korean War. After 
     six months his commission ended and he was honorably 
     discharged from the Navy in September 1952 as a 2nd Class 
     Petty Officer. He then went to Texas with his best friend 
     Wayne, who he met in the Navy, and they both attended college 
     at the University of Texas at Austin. There he earned his 
     Bachelor's and Master's Degree. During this time he also met 
     and married Alice Wilkinson, my grandmother, who both have 
     been happily married for fifty-three years.--Eric Womboldt.

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