[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 6451-6452] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL: A LEGACY OF SERVICE ______ 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: I interviewed John Sadler. Mr. Sadler served in the Navy branch of the armed [[Page 6452]] forces for five years. Mr. Sadler served on submarines for four years of his service and is now a very successful medical physicist. He has lived a very fulfilling and respectable life and is a great role model. Through interviewing Mr. Sadler I have really come to realize the honor that should be given to veterans in our society. They risk their lives for us, fighting to preserve our freedoms, but we so often neglect to even thank them or consider this. There are many people that we know have served in the armed forces and we aren't even aware of this. This is sad as these people should be respected and honored in today's society. These veterans should be given a special place in the society that they have risked their lives to protect, leaving behind loved ones and everything they once knew to preserve this great nation. Without the service of these veterans America would not be the free land that it is today. We should remember each day what these veterans have done for us and thank them for it. These veterans' stories should be preserved as they are a huge part of American history and how this country got to where it is today. I think that this interview has given me a new perspective on veterans and their service.--Troy Pickens ____________________