[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E653]
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--CALVIN TSAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            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:

       On the weekend of February 18-19th, I volunteered at the 
     carnival at Shepard Elementary School. I spent time setting 
     up the carnival, running the actual activities, and taking 
     down all of the decorations. I had been to many school fairs 
     when I was in elementary school, but I had never seen the 
     behind-the-scenes action. Volunteering and working the 
     carnival taught me to be more appreciative, as 1 learned of 
     the efforts involved in running an event. The carnival 
     benefited the community as children were allowed time to play 
     with their families and enjoy time off school. As we finished 
     up cleaning, I talked with many of the other volunteers and 
     realized that many of them wished the carnival were not over. 
     Many volunteers, including myself, enjoy spending their time 
     helping others and having the satisfaction of bettering 
     others' lives. More than two hundred volunteers were a part 
     of the Shepard School Carnival, and I truly believe the 
     carnival would have been impossible without their help. This 
     experience taught me a valuable lesson in the importance of 
     volunteering in the community, and I will definitely continue 
     to serve my community to the best of my ability.
     --Calvin Tsay

                          ____________________