[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5359]
[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--TINA SHARMA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 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:

       ``We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by 
     what we give.'' This quote by Winston Churchill describes me 
     and my life. Since the seventh grade, I have dedicated my 
     time in volunteering for various organizations that bring the 
     community together. As teenagers, there are times when we are 
     all busy with homework or competition, but there is always a 
     time where we have nothing scheduled. It's moments like these 
     where I know that instead of watching television and being a 
     couch potato, I could actually be helping my community. I 
     have volunteered at numerous school events, programs held by 
     the Salvation Army, as well as activities at retirement 
     homes. Throughout my experiences with volunteering for these 
     activities, I have learned how to speak with the different 
     age groups, which has improved my communication skills 
     greatly. I also learned how many teenagers take basic 
     necessities for granted and that we should think of those 
     less fortunate. There is nothing better than the feeling of 
     giving back to the community, not in one way, but in many! 
     There is no better feeling that knowing that I helped the 
     community by dedicating my time.
     --Tina Sharma

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