[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E254-E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NEW JERSEY'S 11TH DISTRICT--PRIME RECRUITING GROUND FOR ACADEMIES

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 1999

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, more high school seniors 
from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for Navy 
peacoats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than any other 
district in the country. But this is nothing new--our area has 
repeatedly sent an above-average proportion of its sons and daughters 
to the Nation's military academies for decades.
  This shouldn't come as a surprise. The educational excellence of our 
area is well known and has long been a magnet for families looking for 
the best environment in which to raise their children. Our graduates 
are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social studies, but 
also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and other 
extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing makes military 
academy recruiters sit up and take note--indeed, many recruiters know 
our towns and schools by name.
  Since the 1830's, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking 
with, and nominating these superb young people to our military 
academies. But how did this process evolve?
  In 1843, when West Point was the sole academy, Congress ratified the 
nominating process and became directly involved in the makeup of our 
military's leadership. This was not an act of an imperial Congress bent 
on controlling every aspect of the Government. Rather, the procedure 
still used today was, and is, one further check and balance in our 
democracy. It was originally designed to weaken and divide political 
coloration in the officer corps, provide geographical balance to our 
armed services, and to make the officer corps more resilient to 
unfettered nepotism that handicapped European armies.
  In 1854, Representative Gerrit Smith of New York added a new 
component to the academy nomination process--the academy review board. 
This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent 
citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the 
serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I 
am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th 
Congressional District.
  The Academy Review Board is composed of nine local citizens who have 
shown exemplary service to New Jersey, to their communities, and to the 
continued excellence of education in our area--many are veterans. 
Though from diverse backgrounds and professions, they all share a 
common dedication to seeing that the best qualified and motivated 
graduates attend our academies. And, as is true for most volunteer 
panels, their service goes largely unnoticed.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize these men and women and to 
thank them publicly for participating in this important panel. Being on 
this board requires hard work and an objective mind. Members have the 
responsibility of interviewing upwards of 50 outstanding high school 
seniors every year in the academy review process.

[[Page E255]]

  The nomination process follows a general timetable. 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 return the files to my office with their notations. In 
mid-December, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the applicants 
over the course of 2 days. They assess a student's a qualifications and 
analyze character, desire to serve, and other talents that may be 
hidden on paper.
  Last year, the board interviewed over 30 applicants. Nominations 
included 12 to the Naval Academy, 11 to the Military Academy, 5 to the 
Air Force Academy, and 2 to the Merchant Marine Academy--the Coast 
Guard Academy does not use the congressional nomination process. The 
Board then forwards their recommendations to the academies by January 
31, where recruiters review files and notify applicants and my office 
of their final decisions on admission.
  It is both reassuring and rewarding to know that many of our military 
officers hail from our hometowns or close by. When we consider the role 
of these officers in peace or war, we can rest easier knowing that the 
best and brightest are in command. Wherever they are sent, be that 
Bosnia, Somalia, Haiti or Vietnam, many of these officers have academy 
training.
  And while a few people may question the motivations and ambitions of 
some young people, the academy review process shows that the large 
majority of our graduates are just as highly motivated as the 
generation before them. They still seek guidance from loving parents, 
dedicated teachers and schools, and from trusted clergy and rabbis. 
Indeed, every time I visit a school, speak at a college, or meet a 
young academy nominee, I am constantly reminded that we as a nation are 
blessed with fine young men and women.
  Their willingness and desire to serve their country is perhaps the 
most persuasive evidence of all.

   Academy Nominees for 1999--11th Congressional District New Jersey


                               Air Force

       Donald Cardell, Sparta, Sparta High School; Eric Dekelbaum, 
     Basking Ridge, Ridge High School; Corrie Morris, Landing, 
     Roxbury High School; Matthew Steenman, Mendham, St. Charles 
     Prep; Sarah Willson, Rockaway, Morris Catholic High School.


                            Merchant Marines

       Patricia Larkin, Long Valley, West Morris Central High 
     School; Matthew Slootmaker, Lincoln Park, Mountain Lakes High 
     School.


                            Military Academy

       Joseph Barchetto, Rockaway, Morris Knolls High School; 
     Jonathan Cozens, Basking Ridge, Ridge High School; Brandon 
     Devlin, Livingston, Livingston High School; Radford Fagan, 
     Basking Ridge, Ridge High School; Bryan Gallagher, Rockaway, 
     Morris Knolls High School; Janet Howson, Madison, Madison 
     High School; Michael Kay, North Caldwell, Newark Academy; 
     Charles Larsen, Hopatcong, Hopatcong High School; Christopher 
     MacDonald, Sterling, Watchung Hills High School; Peter 
     Steciuk, Convent Station, Oratory Prep; John Jiger, Basking 
     Ridge, Immaculata High School.


                             Naval Academy

       John Ascione, Whippany, Whippany Park High School; Guy 
     Budinsak, Jr., Bridgewater, Bridgewater/Raritan High School; 
     Katherine Comer, Basking Ridge, Academy of Saint Elizabeth; 
     Monica Haba, North Caldwell, West Essex High School; Damien 
     Harder, Sparta, Sparta High School; Thomas Kennedy, Pompton 
     Plains, Pequannock High School; Edana Kleinhans, Long Valley, 
     West Morris Central High School; Thomas Mancinelli, Pompton 
     Plains, Pequannock High School; Erin Marshall, Kinnelon, 
     Kinnelon High School; Christopher McFadden, Chatham, Chatham 
     High School; James Poggio, Long Valley, West Morris Central 
     High School; Brian Ritter, Florham Park, Bayley-Ellard.

     

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