[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5019]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 2010-2011 CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 500 
       HOURS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY--LUKE EMIGH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2011

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and 
privilege to inform the Members of the United States House of 
Representatives that the students of the 2010-2011 Congressional Youth 
Advisory Council (CYAC) from the third district of Texas have completed 
a total of 500 community service hours, fulfilling and far-surpassing 
the requirements of their assigned CYAC in the Community service 
project.
  This year 46 students from public, private, and home schools in 
grades 10 through 12 made their voices heard by joining CYAC. As the 
third district's young ambassadors to Congress, these bright high 
school students met with me on a quarterly basis to discuss current 
events and public policy. These impressive young people recognize an 
important truth: the heart of public service is found when giving back 
to the community. CYAC students volunteered their time and talents with 
over 30 organizations including Adopt-A-Highway, Habitat for Humanity, 
Meals on Wheels, Teen Court, and the USO, to name a few. As one student 
shared, ``CYAC in the Community has allowed me to realize my calling to 
serve those in the U.S. Armed Forces.'' I am beyond thrilled that CYAC 
has helped students unleash their full potential and chase their 
dreams.
  President George H.W. Bush once said, ``A volunteer is a person who 
can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. 
Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, 
but as citizens--citizens in the fullest sense: partners in 
civilization.''
  With this statement as a benchmark, I am proud to congratulate the 
members of the 2010-2011 Congressional Youth Advisory Council for 
showing themselves to be outstanding young citizens of this nation. It 
is my privilege to submit summaries of their work to the Congressional 
Record to be preserved for posterity and antiquity. To these young 
public servants, thank you, and keep up the great work! I salute you!
  A copy of each submitted student summary follows:

       As community service this year and in the spirit of CYAC, I 
     volunteered to help a church prepare and serve a Thanksgiving 
     Day meal. I unexpectedly ended up on pie making duty the 
     first day as part of food preparation. I spent five hours 
     making pies that day! Totally out of my usual character, I 
     learned to make quite pretty pie crust edges! I learned a lot 
     from this experience besides how to bake a pie. I enjoyed the 
     camaraderie and the realization that people were enjoying the 
     pies I baked. Day two was also unexpected as I ended up on 
     the food server line serving green beans. I learned there is 
     an art to being a food server and a coordinated effort is 
     needed by all to make the process run smoothly. At the end of 
     the day, it feels good knowing that you have made a 
     difference in so many people's lives, at least for a day. The 
     process of working together with other volunteers is a 
     bonding process from all working cohesively in a wonderful 
     environment for a common cause and opens the door to new 
     friendships and understandings. There is definitely a feeling 
     of contentment after a couple of days like this just knowing 
     that you made a difference to somebody and made their day a 
     little brighter!
     --Luke Emigh.

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