[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 46 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
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--NICHOLAS CORTI

                                 ______
                                 

                            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 an aspiring Service Academy cadet, I first joined Civil 
     Air Patrol during the fall of my sophomore year. In the past 
     few months, I have attained a high enough grade and rank that 
     my role in the program has begun to change. Now, every 
     Sunday, I head up to meetings early, and then spend 3 hours 
     teaching cadets the art of drill, the science behind 
     aerospace, and the gritty realities of emergency services. 
     Beyond the basics of our classes, cadets learn discipline and 
     attention to detail through drill. Giving them small amounts 
     of authority as they progress slowly eases them into 
     leadership roles, which builds confidence. As they advance 
     through the program, we instill in them the character to take 
     responsibility for the results of their actions, regardless 
     of the results. In short, we make leaders out of 
     schoolchildren. The experience is rewarding for me as well, 
     because seeing a cadet progress is a strong testament to our 
     work. In addition, training cadets is the best way to hone 
     ones leadership and communication skills, which I believe I 
     have improved through CAP.
     --Nicholas Corti.

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