[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E1104]]

           ACADEMY NOMINATIONS FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN THE CNMI

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 1995
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
will provide the U.S. citizens of the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands with the same opportunity to attend the U.S. military 
academies as is enjoyed by the people of Guam and other non-State areas 
of our country.
  This bill authorizes the Northern Marianas Resident Representative, 
the official elected at large to represent the Commonwealth before the 
Federal Government, to nominate candidates to fill one vacancy at each 
of the three military academies.
  Currently, the people of the Northern Marianas face restricted access 
to West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs. As U.S. citizens, they 
are eligible for nomination to the military academies. The Northern 
Marianas, however, is without representation here in Congress. 
Therefore, the normal route to academy appointments--nomination by a 
Member--is barred to these Americans.
  The proposal to rectify this situation has received considerable 
prior study. Extending the authority for nominations was recommended in 
1985 by the Commission on Federal Laws that Congress established to 
determine what Federal statutes should apply to the Northern Marianas.
  There is also precedent for this authority to be grated to elected 
officials who are not Members of Congress. Under present law, the 
Governor of Puerto Rico can make nominations, as could the Governor of 
the Canal Zone before that area was returned to Panama.
  Passage of the bill that I am introducing today will help ensure that 
the youth of the Northern Marianas have equal access to the important 
opportunity our military academies provide for both higher education 
and service to our Nation.


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