[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING 2016 GRADUATING CLASS OF ELITE YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM

  (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2016 
graduating class of the ELITE Youth Outreach program.
  ELITE is a wonderful program that teaches at-risk youth in our local 
communities in central Illinois on how to gain employment, communicate 
effectively, behave responsibly, and dress appropriately. The program 
was founded by Carl Cannon, a Peoria-born native who served his country 
as a military officer and drill instructor. Now he is dedicated to 
training and inspiring youth to overcome barriers to success, as he did 
himself.
  In 2013, Carl Cannon received the FBI's Director's Community 
Leadership Award. This week, FBI Director James Comey will travel from 
Washington, D.C., to Peoria to address this year's ELITE graduating 
class.
  I would like to commend Carl Cannon and his staff for their 
dedication to these students and recognize the transformative effect 
his program has had on youth in our Peoria area.
  I would also like to thank FBI Director Comey for supporting this 
worthy program with his presence this week in Peoria.
  Finally, I would like to congratulate the students who have completed 
this program. You should feel proud of your accomplishments. You have a 
community and national and local leaders who believe in you, and we 
support you.

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