[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E619]
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--NATHAN LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            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:

       Volunteering through the lens of Congressional Youth 
     Advisory Council has given me an opportunity to view my 
     volunteering for church, community, and mission trips with 
     hope, compassion, and a deeper appreciation of volunteering. 
     With this charge in mind, I volunteered for a local church 
     event during the fall and helped restore and clean a retired 
     veteran's yard. I believe CYAC's charge to serve in our 
     community is a sign of a healthy and caring society. Through 
     an individual's willingness and desire to help others in less 
     fortunate circumstances, volunteering can lead to changed 
     lives and changed communities. Through CYAC's efforts, my 
     involvement in church and Senior Citizen Services has given 
     me a path that displays desire and gratefulness to citizens 
     in need. A simple act of cleaning up for one in need is a 
     solution to an elderly veteran who served our country with 
     honor and with distinction. In addition, volunteering gives 
     us opportunities to form relationships with people we would 
     normally not bond with. Through CYAC's efforts, I learned 
     that a compassionate civil society can care for its citizens, 
     which I believe is a foundation for a great and grateful 
     society.
     --Nathan Lee

                          ____________________