[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6447]
[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

                        Tuesday, April 27, 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:

       Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon: Serving the Country, Representing 
     a People Serving one's country is undoubtedly one of the most 
     honorable duties of any citizen. Representing one's country 
     in the face of great adversity and threatening challenges 
     requires more than a sense of duty, however. It requires a 
     sense of patriotism. Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, a Colonel in 
     the United States Army from 1984 to 2009, espoused that very 
     attitude when he volunteered his medical physician services 
     as a Pulmonary and Internal Medicine specialist. As the first 
     follower of the Sikh faith to become a battalion commander, 
     Dr. Sekhon served primarily in Operation Desert Storm and 
     Operation Enduring Freedom. His experiences representing his 
     country throughout the years, whether as a consultant or as 
     the head of the Intensive Care Unit on base, led to him being 
     awarded a total of 18 medals of commendation. Following his 
     retirement, Colonel Sekhon continued serving the nation as he 
     ran for the United States Congress, aspiring for political 
     office. As a reminder of the multicultural foundation of our 
     great country, Dr. Sekhon's story rings true to the basic 
     principles of this nation: regardless of race or religion, 
     any citizen may dedicate his or her life to safeguarding the 
     liberties of our shared home.--Jaywin Singh Malhi

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