[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 26 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 1998

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, duty, honor, valor, these are principles 
that will take on a new meaning for many students in the Second 
Congressional District of New Jersey as they seek to attend one of our 
U.S. Service Academies. Every year, high school seniors work diligently 
on essays and applications in their effort to secure a bid to one of 
our nation's military academies. One of the prerequisites to attend a 
U.S. Service Academy is receiving a nomination from the student's 
Representative in Congress, U.S. Senator, or the Vice President. The 
process for this year has been completed, and I was very impressed with 
the caliber of candidates I had the privilege of nominating to the 
academies.
  I would like to recognize all of the students who received 
nominations from my office. The list of nominated students includes: 
Liznelia Alicea of Woodbine, Rebecca Baldwin of Pittsgrove, Brion 
Bennett of Marmora, Andrew Berenato of Ocean City, Christopher Broome 
of Linwood, Charles Bylone of Vineland, John R. Clark III of 
Monroeville, Andrew Clemmensen of Mays Landing, Christy Cohen of Port 
Republic, Steven Datz of Pitman, Dana Andrew Denny of Pilesgrove, 
Geoffrey Dull of Marmora, Caroline Farnoly of Vineland, George Eric 
Fleming of Egg Harbor Township, Tyler Forrest of Linwood, Brian Forster 
of Minotola, Colin Gold of Estell Manor, Heidi Gomeringer of Salem, 
Jennifer Janezic of Cape May, Jill Kozakowski of Ocean City, Matthew 
McCoach of Cape May Court House, George McConnell of Port Norris, Corey 
Meeks of Glassboro, Stacey Miller of Bridgeton, James Nicolosi of 
Pitman, Melanie Peter of Millville, Benjamin Pitts of Monroeville, 
Jonathan Pogranicy of Port Republic, Christopher Poponak of Cape May 
Court House, Melissa Reichenbach of Egg Harbor City, Dylan Rogers of 
Wildwood Crest, Edison C. Rush III of Pennsville, Christopher 
Ryckebusch of Mays Landing, Angelina Schulz of Fortescue, Michael Skey 
of Linwood, Larry Smashey of Monroeville, Joel Sofia of Pitman, Adam 
Sparks of Carneys Point, Juancarlos Villar of Vineland, Robert Ward of 
Cape May Court House, and Joseph Welsh of Northfield.
  To demonstrate the dedication of students who received nominations, 
let me provide a synopsis of the application process. High school 
seniors mail personal information directly to the Military Academy, the 
Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy 
once they become interested in attending. Information includes academic 
achievement, college entry test scores, and other activities. At this 
time, they also inform their Representative of their desire to be 
nominated. The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on 
the data supplied, and furnish my office with their evaluations of each 
student.
  Students are then interviewed by an Academy Screening Board made up 
of local citizens who volunteer their time to conduct interviews for my 
office. Given the caliber of each of this year's applicants, I know the 
Board's job was particularly difficult. I would like to recognize these 
men and women who served on the Academy Screening Board and to thank 
them for giving up their time and for all of their hard work. These 
individuals have contributed to their communities in a variety of ways 
and are characterized by a strong commitment to public service and 
their country.
  The students who have made it through the nomination process are to 
be commended. They have worked hard and their families, schools and 
communities should be proud of their efforts. I wish all of them the 
best of luck in their quest to receive an invitation to one of our 
Country's prestigious academies.

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