Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Hosts Her 7th Annual Dallas Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue

Congresswoman Johnson offered inspirational words to the Dallas youth who attended the summit

Dallas, TX – (Friday, August 16, 2013) –On Thursday, August 15, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted her 7th Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. Students between the ages 13-17 from the Dallas Fort-Worth area were selected to participate in the summit. Congresswoman Johnson began this program to introduce children to diversity and cultural awareness programs that will prepare them to be future leaders and find solutions to the many problems we face as a society.

“Our future begins with you,” said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. “There is nothing that you cannot do if you put your minds to it and stay focused. It’s important that you don’t give up because we are depending on you to lead our country in the future.”

The program began with opening ceremonies where students heard from Dr. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University; Benji Gil, former Major League Baseball Player; and Naveed Patel, Aga Khan Council of the Central US, in addition to remarks from Congresswoman Johnson.

Benji Gil provided valuable professional leadership and encouragement to the students. “People tried to tell me that I could not succeed, but I proved them wrong,” said Gil. “You have to work hard if you are going to get where you want to go, and you can get there if you are willing to pursue it.”

Congresswoman Johnson and the keynote speakers concluded the summit by encouraging the group to continue serving their communities and to engage in dialogue to foster an understanding of cultural differences. To culminate the program, students from the summit will participate in a service project at the Park Manor Health Care & Rehabilitation Center. The youth will assist the Park Manor staff on special projects and tend to the needs of the residents.

View pictures from the event here: https://bit.ly/19nzUek

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  U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a Ranking member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.