[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6320]
[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

                         Monday, April 26, 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:

       Retired Air Force Major Mark Smith enlisted in the United 
     States Air Force in 1969, at age 19. He spent six years 
     serving as an enlisted serviceman, was honorably discharged, 
     and pursued his education using the GI Bill while working. 
     After completing his Masters Degree in Computer Information 
     Systems, he applied to Officers' Training School (OTS) and 
     reenlisted in the Air Force. Major Smith spent the remainder 
     of his time as an officer working in Tactical Communications 
     Systems and Information Systems Management. Smith's one 
     overseas duty station was as an enlisted airman; he was 
     stationed with the RAF station at Chicksands in England. 
     Later in his career as an officer, he had some temporary duty 
     assignments in Saudi Arabia, Haiti and Panama.
       This interview was the first time I have questioned a 
     veteran about their experiences, and it was fascinating. The 
     Smiths expressed such a high level of enthusiasm and pride 
     about their lives in the United States Air Force that it 
     would have been difficult to come away from the interview 
     with anything but a positive outlook towards a military 
     career.--Katya Sousa

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