[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8001]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 2016-2017 GRADUATES OF THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY 
                                COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2017

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my fellow 
colleagues to join me in commending the 2016-2017 Congressional Youth 
Advisory Council. This year, 47 Collin County students from public and 
private schools in grades 9 through 12 made a significant impact in 
their community, their country, and their Congress by participating in 
CYAC. Through the CYAC program, these students volunteered their 
talent, expertise, and time to engage on issues that are important to 
their generation.
  I continue to be inspired by the high-caliber students who partake in 
my CYAC program, and this year was no exception. We had a diverse group 
of students who already participate in a multitude of activities 
including student government, community service, honor societies, 
athletics, fine arts, and language clubs. It was exciting to see them 
apply their experiences and interests to CYAC. They were always excited 
to share their ideas about how to create a lasting and sustainable 
future for our country, and it was encouraging to see their 
determination, knowledge, and willingness to help those around them. 
Throughout the past school year, the students met to discuss issues 
that affect our everyday lives. They then applied their knowledge to 
various homework assignments and group activities.
  Our first meeting focused on Homeland Security--a hot topic of great 
interest for many CYAC students. They heard from special guests 
District Attorney Greg Willis, new Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner, 
and FBI Special Agent in Charge Tom Petrowski. The students learned 
about national security at the local level and how Americans' security 
is a team effort between local, state, and federal leaders. The meeting 
concluded with a tour of the Collin County Detention Center.
  Their second meeting began with the Congressional Veterans 
Commendation Ceremony. At this event, they learned about local 
veterans' inspiring stories and helped honor these veterans' unique 
legacies of service. Following the ceremony, students met with my Chief 
of Staff and Legislative Director for an insider's view on what it's 
like to work in the halls of Congress. The students' first semester 
closed with Captain Sam Brown sharing his testimony of military and 
civilian service. He also encouraged them to tackle obstacles and 
embrace taking on leadership roles.
  The CYAC students kicked off the spring semester with a Mock 
Congress. During this event, students learned firsthand the legislative 
process and how Congress operates. Each student was assigned to a 
committee with jurisdiction over bills that they were able to amend, 
debate, and ultimately vote on. Lastly, the students gave back to their 
hometowns by completing CYAC in the Community--service projects where 
they volunteered their time to community service work. Altogether, our 
CYAC students donated over 185 community service hours to Collin 
County.
  I thank each member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council for 
making this year a success. They are the voices of the future, and I'm 
proud of them for all that they've achieved. God bless them and God 
bless America. I salute them.
  Kayla Adams, Shambhavi Badi, Shree Balaji, Brooklyn Baum, Joshua 
Brock, Reagan Cantrell, Allison Chang, Brandon Chen, Catherine Chen, 
Zachary Clonch, Emily Crone, Matthew Daley, Niruti Dhoble, Austin 
Dwiggins, Sam Fanatico, Nicholas Garcia, Sreeragini Ghantasala, Emma 
Guerra, Luke Harrell, Alice Hou, Timothy Interrante, Austin Katzer, 
Ruxton Kelly, Abby Kistner, Tatiana Laporte, Olivia Larson, Nicholas 
Le.
  I-Jung Lin, David Lorenz, Jonathan Lu, Rahul Naik, Swetha 
Pamidimukkala, Padmashree Pandy, Purvee Patel, Jackson Pierce, David 
Qian, Ben Randoing, Elizabeth Reed, Emiko Rinkliff, Jakob Shackleton, 
Cameron Stapleton, Parker Stevens, Nicolas Teachenor, Sai Vogirala, 
Scott Walker, Emily Ward, Trent Yarbrough.

                          ____________________