[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: A LEGACY OF SERVICE

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                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues 
to join me in congratulating the 2009-2010 Congressional Youth Advisory 
Council. This year 45 students from public, private, and home schools 
in grades 9 through 12 made their voices heard and made a difference in 
their communities, their country and their Congress. These students 
volunteered their time, effort, and talent to inform me about the 
important issues facing their generation. As young leaders within their 
communities and their schools, these students boldly represent the 
promise and the hope we all have for their very bright future.
  President Ronald Reagan said, ``Freedom is never more than one 
generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in 
the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for 
them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling 
our children and our children's children what it was once like in the 
United States where men were free.''
  To ensure that the blessing of freedom is passed from one generation 
to the next, the members of the CYAC spent time interviewing a veteran 
and documenting the experience for the ``Preserving History Project.'' 
Today I'm proud to submit the brief summaries provided so the patriotic 
service of our dedicated veterans and the thoughtful work of the CYAC 
may be preserved for antiquity in the Congressional Record. A copy of 
each submitted student summary follows.
  To each member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, thank you 
for making this year and this group a success. It is not a coincidence 
that this congressional tribute celebrates two generations of service. 
Each of you is trusted with the precious gift of freedom.
  You are the voices of the future and I salute you. God bless you and 
God bless America.
  The summary follows:

       Major Scott Edward Barnett, has accomplished so much in his 
     life. After talking to him, I understand that being in the 
     military is a very rewarding life experience. I have learned 
     so much after interviewing him. After speaking with someone 
     who has seen so many traumatic experiences, the war really 
     does become real to me. I also can really feel the pain of 
     having to be so far away from your loved ones for so long. I 
     can't even imagine having to be newly married, then deployed 
     to a foreign country in danger, away from your new spouse, 
     not being able to contact them every day. Or even having 
     children and not being able to see them grow up. This would 
     be extremely hard to do, and it really takes a special type 
     of person to do that. This assignment has given me a new 
     appreciation of everything that our soldiers do for us. When 
     you are just living your normal daily life, there are 
     soldiers out in danger, fighting to let you keep that freedom 
     that you just take advantage of. I believe that more people 
     should get to know about the war veterans, so that they can 
     appreciate everything soldiers do for us.--Abby Callison

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