[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
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--REBECCA JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 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:

       For my community service contribution this year I 
     participated in a dance marathon that raised close to five 
     thousand dollars for Habitat for Humanity at Dallas. I was 
     actually the founder of this event and coordinated every 
     detail of the fundraiser. My dance marathon consisted of 
     dancing and activities for a solid twelve hours. The event 
     took place at my high school and included one hundred and 
     eleven determined students. I was very happy with the outcome 
     of this program and so was my beneficiary--Habitat for 
     Humanity. Dance marathon 2011 was an incredible experience 
     and a quite rewarding way to spend a Saturday. Not only did I 
     dance with one hundred of my closest friends; I also met new 
     people, raised awareness about a great cause, and raised 
     money for a deserving neighbor in Dallas. The money we earned 
     will be going to a family that lives in Dallas and the five 
     thousand dollars will be used to most likely buy paint or a 
     new door. It is great to know that I planned such a 
     successful event, and it is even more wonderful to know I 
     have personally impacted and changed a person's life.
     --Rebecca James

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