[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5788-5789]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MAKES A DIFFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when you think of the leaders 
of the future--what qualities come to mind? Civic activism? Community 
awareness? Personal leadership? Academic excellence? It is a privilege 
to recognize the members of the 2005--2006 Congressional Youth Advisory 
Council because they embody these qualities and more.
  For the last 2 years, the members of the Congressional Youth Advisory 
Council have represented the young people of the Third District well by 
working as ambassadors of the future. Several times a year the members 
of the Youth Council would share a valuable youth perspective on the 
current issues before Congress. This year 42 students from public, 
private, and home schools in grades 10 through 12 made their voices 
heard and made a difference to Congress.
  For the first time, this year there was a philanthropy element to the 
Youth Council. For the community service project, the members of the 
Youth Council reached out to veterans and encouraged them to share 
their stories. Called the ``Preserving History Project,'' each member 
had to interview a veteran. Then the student had to submit a lengthy 
paper detailing the veteran's service and sharing what the student 
learned from that experience. The students submitted a summary of their 
work. Today I'm proud to submit the briefs provided so the hard and 
valuable work of the Youth Council may be preserved for antiquity in 
the Congressional Record.
  Someday, each member will be able to share with children and 
grandchildren--``In high school I served my community and my work will 
always be recognized in the official Congressional Record.''
  A copy of each submitted student summary follows.
  To each member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, thank you 
for your time, effort and sacrifice to help make the Congressional 
Youth Advisory Council a success. You are the voices of the future and 
I salute you. God bless you and God bless America.

       My name is Lauren Huber and I had the great opportunity to 
     interview my grandfather, Second Lieutenant Robert W. Jensen. 
     My grandfather was a bombardier pilot in World War II. He has 
     accomplished a lot in his lifetime and has survived being a 
     prisoner of war, and living on barely anything. He has 
     received many medals for his service in World War II, 
     including: the Oakleaf Medal Cluster, Air Medal, and a Purple 
     Heart. It was a pleasure and an honor to interview my 
     grandfather and listen to what he had to say about his 
     experience as a bombardier in WWII. I have learned a great 
     deal about my grandfather I did not know, such as his 
     strength. I have learned that conditions were horrible during 
     the war and that many innocent people were killed because of 
     WWII. I now have even deeper respect for not only my 
     grandfather, but for all the veterans of every war in the 
     world. I have a deeper gratitude for the soldiers who are 
     currently fighting in Iraq and honor them with all my heart. 
     I am very lucky to have known my grandfather long enough for 
     him to tell his war stories for me, and I will be sure his 
     legacy will live on in me and in the stories that I will tell 
     my children and grandchildren of Robert W. Jensen.--Lauren 
     Huber
       Carl Eugene Beck, my grandfather, is an American veteran 
     who relied on determination and dedication as he proudly 
     served in the Navy during the Korean War. Carl finished the 
     Navy as an aviation mechanic third class. Mr. Beck's 
     experience in the Navy greatly allowed him to mature because, 
     as he states, this was his first time to be independent. The 
     Navy also matured Mr. Beck through discipline and hard work, 
     all that he is thankful to have acquired. Finally, in the 
     work field, the Navy provided Carl with a strong work ethic 
     and an education that Carl states allowed him to keep his 
     job. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Mr. Beck was also able to have 
     financial advantages not only in his education, but also 
     later in life, such as when he bought his first house. 
     Overall, the Navy taught Carl to be self-sufficient and gave 
     him motivation to work hard in college and in life. Although 
     Carl never actually fought, the very fact that he voluntarily 
     joined the military, to me, is something that anyone should 
     be proud of. Even though he came from a poor family, Carol's 
     dedication and determination ultimately led to his successes 
     in the Navy, as well as later in life.--Patrick Dyer
       George William Wallis served during World War II in the 
     96th, 69th, and 3rd Infantry divisions. The Army gave him a 
     battlefield commission in which he became a Second 
     Lieutenant. Wallis was stationed primarily in Germany where 
     his division gradually moved from town to town across Germany 
     until it was the first to reach the Russians. George Wallis 
     received an Air Medal, a European Theatre Ribbon, and two 
     battle stars for his service. In addition to these tangibles, 
     Wallis gained an increased level of maturity and a greater 
     sense of teamwork and responsibility as a direct result of 
     being in our Armed Forces.
       Oftentimes the media, as well as many others, portray the 
     military in a negative light. Because of this, I developed a 
     somewhat faulty image of what life in the military was like. 
     As opposed to hearing horror stories about cruel sergeants, 
     rampant diseases, and lack of food, Wallis told me generally 
     positive accounts of tough but kind sergeants, adequate food, 
     and pretty decent conditions. My discussions with George 
     Wallis helped to change my somewhat myopic view of military 
     life, and it allowed me to gain a greater sense of what it 
     was like to live let alone fight during a war that engulfed 
     the entirety of the world.--Alyssa DeLorenz
       I interviewed Private First Class Leo Serian. Leo Serian 
     was drafted from New York into the Army in 1943 as part of 
     the last company of soldiers to be shipped across to Europe 
     where they advanced farther than any other company in WWII 
     and ultimately liberated the concentration camp, Hers-
     bruck. Although not a Christian during the war, Serian now 
     looks back and believes the Lord held him in His hands during 
     his whole enlistment. This includes many miracles like near 
     misses by machine guns, to safe crossings of minefields, and 
     even his placement in his company. For Serian, his experience 
     in World War II was truly unforgettable, and he now resides 
     in Dallas, Texas. Being devoted to Christ, Serian blended his 
     faith with his war experiences in the poems he wrote, which 
     are included in the essay.--Austin Lutz
       Tony Brigham attended Sunset High School in South Oak Cliff 
     and graduated in 1969. In 1971, at the young age of 20, he 
     sought a future in the military. Before he got drafted for 
     the Vietnam War, he decided to join the Air Force. He was 
     stationed on the island of Okinawa for the majority of his 
     time in the United States Air Force, and he experienced 
     unforgettable moments while over there. He played a leading 
     role in Operation BabyLift, as he coordinated the special 
     flights coming into Hawaii. He is proud of his role helping 
     infants and newborn children escape the perils of Vietnam. As 
     it happened, many of the soldiers formed anti-Vietnam War 
     opinions. Tony Brigham was one of those soldiers who enlisted 
     with one opinion, which soon changed during his time of 
     service. Seven years later, Tony retired from the Air Force. 
     He decided to attend Eastroundsbourg St. Pennsylvania 
     College, Steven F. Austin University, and the University of 
     Texas at Dallas, all on the G.I. Bill. He received two 
     undergraduate degrees, a B.S. in Environmental Science and in 
     Forestry, and one graduate degree in Science Education. He 
     applies all this knowledge in the classroom where he has been 
     teaching for the past 22 years of his life.--Michael McCleary
       I interviewed Chief Warrant Officer Jarvis W. Coburn, U.S. 
     Army (Ret.). He served his country from 1965 through 1969. 
     During his time in uniform, he served in the 176th Aviation 
     Company of I Corps in the Vietnam War. He flew both lift and 
     attack helicopters and received numerous awards and 
     citations, including two Purple Hearts, two Distinguished 
     Flying Crosses, thirty-nine air medals, one Presidential Unit 
     Citation, and one Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Several 
     times he was in life and death situations, and each time he 
     managed to find a way through. He experienced the thrill of 
     fighting alongside the United States Marine Corps and the 
     agony of losing fellow soldiers in horrific battle. He 
     returned to the United States, became a flight instructor and 
     taught the next generation of Army pilots. His work in the 
     private sector with Ross Perot's EDS led to the heroic rescue 
     of two captured American prisoners as recorded in Ken 
     Follett's On Wings of Eagles.
       After interviewing Mr. Coburn, I gained a newfound respect, 
     not only for the man himself, but also for all the soldiers 
     that have served our country. Listening to the stories he 
     shared with me reinforced how important the Armed Forces are 
     to our Nation.--J. Andrew Clark
       For the Preserving History: Veteran's Interview Project, I 
     had the opportunity to interview a veteran of World War II. 
     My grandfather, Michael Pessalano, was the veteran who shared 
     his personal experiences with me. This man accomplished a lot 
     in my eyes. He was a Codman in the United States Navy during 
     World War II. He was awarded three ribbons: the American 
     European Theater and Victory medal, and the American and 
     European medals from serving overseas. Although he didn't see 
     much combat, hearing his stories were still really 
     interesting. Just by serving in the U.S. armed service I

[[Page 5789]]

     believe that you have been able to accomplish a lot. Having 
     the determination, strength, risks taken, and dedication to 
     one's country will vastly benefit anyone who serves. After 
     having the opportunity to interview and hear the personal 
     story of one's experience, I was shown the truth. Many people 
     today, including myself, are clueless on what a soldier's 
     life is really like. From this interview experience, I have 
     learned to have more pride in my country, respect the people 
     who are fighting for me, and we need to preserve the history 
     so others can see the reality to how and who got our country 
     where it is today.--Ashlea Banick
       For this project I interviewed Captain Rick Burges. Captain 
     Burges served in the Marine Corps of the United States of 
     America from 1980 to 1984. He was positioned in artillery at 
     Camp Le Jeune in North Carolina. Although he was never a part 
     of combat or enlisted during a time of declared war, Captain 
     Burges established himself as a Marine Corps hero by 
     selflessly serving and climbing up the ranks for four years. 
     This was an opportunity to open my mind up to the rigors of 
     war and military training. Captain Burges was able to explain 
     how military training is very long, hard, and tedious, but it 
     also provides the greatest sense of satisfaction. But the 
     greatest lesson is that I must always fulfill my dreams, no 
     matter how hard or tiresome it may be, because only then can 
     I live life completely satisfied.--Hansini Sharma
       I interviewed my grandfather, Bentley Byrd Hinman. He 
     served in the United States Army for two years as a Master 
     Sergeant between the years of 1950 and 1952. During that time 
     the United States was involved in the Korean War. My 
     grandfather, however, was far removed from any field of 
     combat. He spent the majority of his service in Germany 
     serving as a superintendent for a collecting station, the 
     place where the wounded were brought after battle. He was not 
     exactly the definition of a war hero; in fact, he never even 
     fought a battle. That fact, however, does nothing to demean 
     the sacrifice he made. When he was drafted for the military 
     in 1950, he was not anxious or excited to go. It was simply 
     something that must be done, so he went. He traveled to 
     Germany for two years performing a thankless job, but he 
     fulfilled his duty and that is all we can ask. I discovered 
     what many men serving our country feel like. Oftentimes, men 
     are not required to enter battle but are simply called. That 
     calling is duty and the men who are strong enough to hear its 
     call and answer are the true heroes.--Jennifer Smart
       I interviewed Captain Andrew George Schneider, formerly of 
     the United States Navy Supply Corps. Mr. Schneider joined the 
     Navy voluntarily during the Korean War. He served first on 
     the USS Elderado as a seaman recruit. Later, he transferred 
     to a Navy destroyer, the USS Watts, where he was a Lieutenant 
     (junior grade). Only in his early twenties, he was a Supply 
     Officer and head of the supply department. After several 
     years of active duty, Andrew joined the reserves where he 
     remained on alert status for 22 years. During that time he 
     worked with classified missile plans and as a government 
     auditor. In 1979, he retired after 29 years of service. I 
     learned a lot about Mr. Schneider through this project. I 
     never knew what he had done in the Navy, and I found his 
     story particularly interesting because Andrew Schneider is my 
     grandfather. He is a true hero!--Kristin Schneider
       Mr. Johnson is dedicated to God, his country and his 
     family. He has lived the story of a POW war hero that had 
     determination to survive. He made his way back to Texas and 
     his family. During the time of Mr. Johnson's captivity, Mrs. 
     Johnson never believed that her husband was dead. Two years 
     after he had been shot down she received evidence to prove 
     that he was still alive. She has said that her main goal was 
     to keep continuity in the children's lives, while her husband 
     was away. Many supporters and friends offered her prayers of 
     hope and wore Mr. Johnson's POW bracelet in his honor. The 
     bracelet told the prisoner of wars' name and rank and date 
     captured. My family was among those who did so, and they all 
     remember the day Mrs. Johnson received the message of her 
     husband being shot down and missing in action and then when 
     she had heard that he was coming home.
       Sam Johnson is a decorated hero. He has earned 2 Silver 
     Hearts, 2 Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 
     the Bronze Star with Valor, the Meritorious Service Medal, 
     and 9 other medals, including 2 Purple Hearts, as written in 
     his book. He now serves his country as a United States 
     Congressman. I am very thankful to have heard his story 
     because it made my understanding of past war history even 
     greater. Although I was not alive at the time, I can 
     empathize and only imagine how horrible Mr. Johnson was 
     treated as a captive prisoner. I gain strength in my Faith 
     through the telling of his life story, and I admire all of 
     his accomplishments.--Amanda Lipscomb
       As part of the ``Preserving History Project'' I completed 
     for Congressman Sam Johnson and the Congressional Youth 
     Advisory Council, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Bud 
     Taylor who served in World War II as a Navy seaman. His 
     exploits in the Pacific theater included the attack on Pearl 
     Harbor, the bombardment Atu in the Aleutian Island chain, and 
     minesweeping at Bikini Atoll and around Japan. Upon being 
     transferred to the Atlantic theater, he was assigned to a 
     convoy escort destroyer and participated in D-Day at 
     Normandy. Mr. Taylor joined the Navy in 1940 as a sailor, 
     rose to Seaman's 2nd Class, Seaman's 1st Class, and 
     eventually his final rank of Gunner's Mate 3rd Class. As a 
     result of this interview with Mr. Taylor, I saw how some of 
     the men in the U.S. Armed Forces in Pearl Harbor fought 
     against the odds to protect our country and the freedoms we 
     enjoy in the U.S. I was confronted with how men gave their 
     lives and Herculean efforts to protect America. My interview 
     with Mr. Taylor opened my eyes to the privilege of serving in 
     the U.S. Armed Forces; that in the time of need, we must all 
     be ready to serve.--Michael Scott
       Private First Class, George C. Powell was a member of the 
     field artillery unit of the 66th Black Panther Division of 
     the United States Army during World War II. Powell was born 
     on November 6, 1924 in McKinney, Texas and was drafted by the 
     U.S. military by the time he was eighteen. Upon completion of 
     his training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Powell was sent to the 
     European Theater of Operations, where his unit was engaged in 
     the campaign on Northern France, where he fought until the 
     end of the war in 1945. As part of the Baker 2 firing battery 
     of the 66th field artillery unit, Powell was involved in 
     several successes and achievements, namely the sinking of a 
     German submarine. As a veteran of World War II Powell was 
     able to serve his country and the United States of America, 
     which is indeed his biggest accomplishment of all.
       From this interview, I have gained so much more respect for 
     the people who serve this country, as they truly understand 
     the value of freedom. I have also come to realize the 
     importance and the gift of living in a country where my 
     rights are protected, and some day I hope to pass this on to 
     others to make them realize the values of such a nation as 
     the United States of America.--Morgan Bailey

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