[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 46 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 2010-2011 CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 500 
       HOURS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY--BLAKE BALDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2011

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and 
privilege to inform the Members of the United States House of 
Representatives that the students of the 2010-2011 Congressional Youth 
Advisory Council (CYAC) from the third district of Texas have completed 
a total of 500 community service hours, fulfilling and far-surpassing 
the requirements of their assigned CYAC in the Community service 
project.
  This year 46 students from public, private, and home schools in 
grades 10 through 12 made their voices heard by joining CYAC. As the 
third district's young ambassadors to Congress, these bright high 
school students met with me on a quarterly basis to discuss current 
events and public policy. These impressive young people recognize an 
important truth: the heart of public service is found when giving back 
to the community. CYAC students volunteered their time and talents with 
over 30 organizations including Adopt-A-Highway, Habitat for Humanity, 
Meals on Wheels, Teen Court, and the USO, to name a few. As one student 
shared, ``CYAC in the Community has allowed me to realize my calling to 
serve those in the U.S. Armed Forces.'' I am beyond thrilled that CYAC 
has helped students unleash their full potential and chase their 
dreams.
  President George H.W. Bush once said, ``A volunteer is a person who 
can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. 
Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, 
but as citizens--citizens in the fullest sense: partners in 
civilization.''
  With this statement as a benchmark, I am proud to congratulate the 
members of the 2010-2011 Congressional Youth Advisory Council for 
showing themselves to be outstanding young citizens of this nation. It 
is my privilege to submit summaries of their work to the Congressional 
Record to be preserved for posterity and antiquity. To these young 
public servants, thank you, and keep up the great work! I salute you!
  A copy of each submitted student summary follows:

       I have had a unique opportunity over the course of this 
     past year to serve at the DFW USO each Wednesday morning. 
     This agency prides itself on serving, assisting, and 
     providing morale for military personnel both past and 
     present. I've thoroughly enjoyed this service site helping 
     soldiers navigate through the airport to their respective 
     gates, packaging and sending boxes of magazines for troops 
     overseas, and working in the USO Club. The USO has been a 
     great service site for me because of my love and respect for 
     the United States military. The work I do is very rewarding. 
     Nothing tops the opportunity to interact with the people who 
     keep this nation safe each and every day. Listening to the 
     stories of the soldiers has made me appreciate their 
     sacrifice more than ever before. I look forward to continuing 
     my work with the USO as well as embarking on a new 
     undertaking with the Dallas Honor Flight, an organization 
     that raises money to send World War II veterans to their 
     memorial in Washington, D.C. CYAC in the Community has 
     allowed me to realize my calling to serve those in the US. 
     Armed Forces.
     --Blake Balda

                          ____________________