[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E625]
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--TESS MICHAELS

                                 ______
                                 

                            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:

       The Red Cross has been an integral part of my life since I 
     founded the school chapter as a freshman and served in the 
     Dallas Red Cross as a Tiffany Circle Intern and the Dallas 
     Red Cross Youth Leadership Council. I hope to inspire my 
     peers to realize that work is its own reward and giving of 
     one's time is the greatest gift. I have seen a strong spirit 
     of volunteerism in the members in installing smoke detectors, 
     organizing fundraisers, and coordinating blood drives. Over 
     200 members are now actively involved, and by inspiring 
     others to volunteer, the impact on the community increases 
     exponentially. Red Cross blood collections in January were 
     the lowest seen in a decade due to the severe winter storms. 
     I wanted to play an active role and organized a large blood 
     drive as a part of my CYAC community project. I also had the 
     privilege of serving as an attorney in the Plano Municipal 
     Teen Court. I defend and prosecute students from different 
     backgrounds and my hope is that students realize the 
     importance of not letting their impulses take over their 
     common sense and deter them from having a bright future 
     ahead.
     --Tess Michaels

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