[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING BROOKS BYERS OF FLOWER MOUND

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of our youth 
who show an outstanding capacity for service. In particular, I would 
like to commend the achievements of Brooks Byers of Flower Mound, 
Texas. Mr. Byers is the newest winner of The Congressional Award Gold 
Medal, Congress's only and very prestigious award for youth.
  Earning the Gold Medal requires great commitment and devotion to 
service; each award-winner must spend two or more years completing more 
than 400 hours of community service Mr. Byers's service projects 
included organizing youth tennis camps and gift-wrapping fundraisers to 
raise more than $3,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, tutoring at-
risk children each week and raising money for their after-school 
program through a book drive, and organizing homecoming celebrations 
for soldiers each weekend as part of the Welcome Home a Hero Program.
  Mr. Byers's accomplishments do not end here. The Congressional Award 
Gold Medal also requires participants to complete 200 hours of personal 
development and physical fitness activities, which Brooks fulfilled 
through a junior golf league and his high school's tennis team. For the 
Expedition part of the Gold Medal program, Brooks planned a trip to 
enrich his understanding of ancient European history in Scotland and 
France.
  The Congressional Award Gold Medal recognizes youth who show great 
initiative and an inspiring ability to reach complex, self-imposed 
goals. This experience, what Mr. Byers himself calls 
``transformative'', shows an incredible commitment to excellence and 
the principles of our country's future leaders. It is an honor for me 
to have the opportunity to recognize and represent Mr. Brooks Byers.

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