[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5022]
[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--KAI FUJISAKA

                                 ______
                                 

                            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:

       I am very grateful for the chance to work with the Younger 
     Generation Chorus of Plano over the past few months. I am 
     always amazed at how wonderful they sound, especially given 
     their very young age. They have taught me that age does not 
     always dictate ability. Most of these choristers are not even 
     in high school yet and they have performed all over the 
     country. They have also taught me that once a talent has been 
     discovered, it should be developed, though not at the expense 
     of searching for one's other talents. I know that many of the 
     choristers have other extra-curricular activities that occupy 
     them and that they excel in those areas as well. The most 
     memorable moment I had with the choir was the Christmas 
     concert that was held on December 10, 2010. The work of these 
     talented youth was technically astounding and spiritually 
     moving. These students would not only sing the music or even 
     perform the music; they would feel the music and give it life 
     so that the audience could feel it as well. As a performer, 
     that is not always easy to do. For these children to be able 
     to do it so beautifully and consistently is astounding. It 
     was an honor to be part of making it happen
     --Kai Fujisaka.

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