[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 61 (Monday, April 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E593-E594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress we 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.
  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 that is why today I rise to pay tribute to four 
extraordinary young persons for their service to my constituents in the 
18th Congressional District of Texas and to the American people. They 
are: Aidee Meza, Josh Crook, Katherine Welbeck, and Ayanna Costley.
  I wish to thank Aidee Meza, who graduated with honors from the 
University of Houston, for numerous and substantial contributions, 
including her work on H.R. 4108, ``Breath of Fresh Air Act of 2014,'' 
and the highly successful ``When Women Succeed, America Succeeds'' 
leadership summit held in Houston in March of this year.
  Josh Crook, a student at the University of North Texas, provided 
invaluable assistance to me and my legislative team in the areas of 
national defense and veterans affairs. In doing so, Josh continued his 
record of providing distinguished service to his country first begun 
with his enlistment in the Armed Services as an airman in the U.S. Air 
Force. Josh's experience and understanding of the challenges faced by 
veterans transitioning from active duty to the civilian sector was 
critical to the development of legislation I introduced earlier this 
year, H.R. 4110, ``Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity for Veterans 
Transitioning from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2014,'' also known 
as the ``Heroes Transitioning from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 
2014.''
  Katherine Welbeck came to my office from the University of 
Pennsylvania Law School, from which she will graduate next month and go 
on to a highly successful career in law and public policy. A graduate 
of Princeton University and former teacher in the Teach for America 
Corps, Katherine brought to my office a commitment to educational 
opportunity for all persons, especially girls and young women, and a 
passion for justice and fairness. Because of Katherine's initiative and 
skill, I was able to introduce H.R. 4112, Equal Rights and Access for 
the Women of South Sudan Act,'' legislation requiring that activities 
of the United States in South Sudan relating to governance, 
reconstruction and development, and refugee assistance support human 
rights and promote the active participation of women in government and 
civil society.
  Ayanna Costley is completing her junior year at the Madeira School in 
McLean, Virginia and judging by the work ethic and appetite for 
knowledge she displayed, can look forward to a bright future as she 
begins her college studies next year.
  Mr. Speaker, the energy, intelligence, and idealism these wonderful 
young people brought to my office and those interning in the offices of 
my colleagues help 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.

[[Page E594]]

  Because of persons like them the future of our country is bright and 
its best days lie ahead. I wish them all well.
  Mr. Speaker, 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, good, and forever young.

                          ____________________