[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 46 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
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--NIKI AKHAVEISSY

                                 ______
                                 

                            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:

       As the president of the Frisco High School student council, 
     most of my efforts go toward the Homecoming dance in October. 
     I organized this entire dance and spent hours volunteering my 
     time in order to decorate it and make sure everything is set 
     at the standard of perfection. The theme of the dance this 
     year was ``A Night at the Shore'' and all of the decorations 
     were beach themed. I oversaw the completion of this project 
     from the beginning to the very end, and the final product was 
     extremely satisfying. This project was the fruit of my labor 
     for months, and I spent 5 hours on the day of the dance, 
     Saturday, October 2nd, decorating the banquet hall of the 
     hotel to resemble a serene beach. I also had to fill out 
     numerous proposals in order to get the venue, vendors, and 
     theme approved From there I went to finding a DJ, and 
     recruiting other members to spend their time both before and 
     after the dance to help set up and clean up. This volunteer 
     opportunity really helped me reach out in the community and 
     help significantly raise the level of spirit at my school.
     --Niki Akhaveissy

                          ____________________