March 1 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

The marquee witness at the hearing was Usher, the Grammy-winning pop star. In 2007, Harris attended a campfor teenagers run by Usher’s New Look charity, and it steered him toward a different life.“I call us Generation S for service because we are a generation ready to serve,” said the 30-year-old entertainer,whose full name is Usher Raymond IV. “Together we are ready to change the world.”A-list celebrities are catnip for members of Congress, and Usher got the star treatment. But Harris stole theshow.“When my peers see me, it is a strong testimonial that anyone can achieve dreams, and if I made it, anyone canmake it,” he said.Both audience and lawmakers applauded.Usher appeared content to watch like a proud parent.“All New Look did was give him the opportunity and the tools,” he said. “He did the rest.”Harris grew up in the neighborhood around 27th Street and Quindaro Boulevard. Without offering details, hetold the committee, “I was involved in things that were not positive at all.”Away from the microphone during a break in the hearing, he said, “Most of the people who I used to look up toare either dead or in jail.”Harris never thought about going to college, just his dream of becoming a rapper. At J.C. Harmon High School,his interest in music led him to a young entrepreneurs program.That led to his being selected to attend Usher’s Atlanta camp for 16- and 17-year-olds interested in the businessside of sports and entertainment. He received mentoring and college prep work and worked in the city’scommunity food bank.Back home, Harris organized a voter registration drive in his neighborhood last fall, adding 500 new voters.Now he wants to help develop more community improvement programs.Harris nurtures his dream of becoming a rapper, but he wants wider options. He’s studying business at JohnsonCounty Community College and hopes to get his four-year degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.“I actually make my mom proud now,” he said during the break.To reach David Goldstein, call 202-383-6105 or send e-mail to dgoldstein@mcclatchydc.com.