[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
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--SEAN WHITNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 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 mandatory service project, ``CYAC in the 
     Community,'' I had the distinct privilege of serving my 
     community both physically and intellectually. Specifically, 
     I, on behalf of the Frisco Blackbird Squadron of The Civil 
     Air Patrol, was a road guard for Frisco's annual Gary Burns 
     Fun Run as well as a tutor for many of my fellow peers. My 
     intellectual service presented itself in the form of 
     tutoring. During what was, for many, the most stressful time 
     academically of the whole year, I was repeatedly asked to 
     help the stuggling with certain tough concepts. I gladly 
     agreed and spent time that I could have used to study for my 
     tests in order to prepare them. My physical service was given 
     in the name of the entire community in the form of the City 
     of Frisco's 11th Annual Gary Burns Fun Run. By setting up 
     barriers, managing the obstruction-free race route, and 
     controlling the restless spectators, I was able to contribute 
     to Frisco's biggest event and one of the nation's largest 
     ``fun runs.'' Additionally, I learned that the nature of 
     servant leadership necessitates actively looking for needs in 
     the community or in an individual.

     --Sean Whitney

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