[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 178 (Monday, December 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO YOUNG STAFF MEMBERS AND INTERNS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ON 
    BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 16, 2013

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, one of the major reasons why I believe 
the future of our country is bright and its best days lie ahead is the 
extraordinary quality, talent, commitment, and energy of the young 
people who will in time assume the responsibility of leadership.
  Members of Congress know well, perhaps better than most, how blessed 
our nation is to have in reserve such exceptional young men and women 
who will go on to become leaders in their local communities, states, 
and the nation in the areas of business, education, government, 
philanthropy, the arts and culture, and the military.
  We know this because we see them and benefit from their contributions 
every day. Many of them work for us in our offices as junior staff 
members, congressional fellows, or interns and they do amazing work for 
and on behalf of the constituents we are privileged to represent.
  I rise today to pay tribute to the wonderful young men and women who 
have done this work in my office for my constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe there is no higher calling than the call to 
serve a cause larger than ourselves. That is why I ran for public 
office. I was inspired to serve by President Kennedy who said, ``Ask 
not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your 
country,'' and by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said:

       Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. . . . You 
     only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

  By this measure, there are several other great young men and women 
who served as volunteers this year in my offices. They may toil in 
obscurity but their contributions to the constituents we serve are 
deeply appreciated and I wish to acknowledge them. They are: Carlos 
Fierros, Toulia Nwabunnia, Ziad Saqr, Michal Shinnar, Chike Achebe, 
Morgan Cassell, Deontae Wherry, Kern Kumar, Myron Latney, Mohammad 
Cifci, Hiromi Oka, Marcus Smith, Zahit Akinci, Alezeh Rauf, Elif Duran, 
Omorose Eguakun, Amy Akabue, Ariadna Mujica, Olivia Igbokwe, and Ayanna 
Costley.
  Mr. Speaker, the energy, intelligence, and idealism young people 
bring to their internships in my office and those of my colleagues 
helps keep our democracy vibrant. The insights, skills, and knowledge 
of the governmental process they gain from their experiences will last 
a lifetime and prove invaluable to them as they go about making their 
mark in this world.
  I am grateful that such thoughtful committed young men and women can 
be found working in my office, those of my colleagues, and in every 
community in America. Their good works will keep America great and 
good.

                          ____________________