[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17035]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CHEYENNE RIVER YOUTH PROJECT

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to speak today to recognize 
the Cheyenne River Youth Project in Eagle Butte, SD. This year, the 
Cheyenne River Youth Project is celebrating its 20th anniversary. From 
its beginnings in 1988, it has sought to assist the Lakota youth and 
families on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation by providing them 
with a nurturing environment and a sense of hope about their future. I 
am so proud of this project and the positive impact that it has had on 
those youth.
  Over the years, hundreds of volunteers from around the world have 
crossed the threshold at the Cheyenne River Youth Project and offered 
their time and their hearts to influence the lives of the Lakota youth. 
The project serves youth from as young as 4 years old to young adults 
of 18 years old. As we all know, these are critical years in 
development of young men and women. Combined with traditional customs 
and contemporary programs, the CRYP is a success story for other 
fledgling grassroots youth programs.
  I am so proud to have helped guide Federal resources to help with the 
construction and programming for the project. Julie Garreau, who has 
served as the executive director of the projects, has been a tireless 
advocate and deserves high praise for the love, hard work, and 
dedication she has shown for her community. I would also like to thank 
Olympic Gold Medal winner Billy Mills and his organization, Running 
Strong for American Indian Youth, for his work in his home State and 
across the Nation to help Native youth. His dedication to the Cheyenne 
River Youth is particularly evident in his efforts to assist the 
Cheyenne River Youth Project.
  On more than one occasion, I have had the opportunity to visit the 
Cheyenne River Youth Project, at its facilities in Eagle Butte, at 
``The Main'' and the new Cokata Wiconi Teen Center. I couldn't be 
prouder of the accomplishments of its staff and its many volunteers of 
the past two decades! Congratulations and best wishes for many more 
years of service in the future!

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