[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 51 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
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--MITCHELL POWELL

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                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 8, 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 CYAC project, I volunteered at two places around my 
     TAMS community: the TAMS Tournament and Calhoun Middle 
     School. Through my volunteering for TAMS Tournament, I 
     learned a great deal about the level of responsibility and 
     coordination that is required to run a large event. I donated 
     9 hours of time to proctor, run, grade, and guide at the 
     event. I met many new people from across the state, and 
     proudly represented my community. Through my volunteering 
     experience at Calhoun Middle School, I learned a great deal 
     about people who do not live under such fortunate 
     circumstances as I have been blessed with. I got the 
     opportunity to meet and work with children who come from 
     rougher areas, and to help these children grow and provide a 
     good example for their future. I also got to give the 
     teachers at Calhoun a hand in their administrative 
     activities. I learned to appreciate my own economical safety, 
     and the lifestyle that that safety implies. These 
     volunteering experiences have helped me become a more active 
     and aware member of my community. I found them both 
     instructive and thoroughly enjoyable.
     --Mitchell Powell

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