[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 2 (Thursday, January 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E17]]



IN HONOR OF THE 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ACADEMY NOMINATION COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 24, 2002

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my immense 
gratitude to the academy nominating committee that assists me in 
selecting the best and brightest young people in central, southern and 
eastern Oregon for nominations to our nation's military academies.
  As I'm sure my colleagues would agree, one of the greatest honors I 
have as a Member of Congress is the privilege of nominating outstanding 
young men and women from my district to the United States Military, 
Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies. Not only do these 
prestigious institutions offer the finest education in the world, but 
they also provide an avenue to one of the most honorable forms of 
public service available to our citizens: the opportunity to serve in 
the United States armed forces. Graduates of these institutions serve 
not only as the leaders of our nation's military, but also in high 
positions of civic and social responsibility in later life.
  Mr. Speaker, given the tremendous investment our government makes in 
these young men and women and the faith the nation places in them after 
their graduation, nominating the most qualified candidates to America's 
military academies is an important responsibility. For this reason, in 
the process of selecting nominees I seek the guidance of men and women 
whose patriotism, professionalism, and judgment are beyond reproach. I 
am immensely fortunate to have the assistance of a number of retired 
military officers in my district who personify these virtues.
  In the process of selecting candidates for nomination, I have called 
upon the expertise of the following outstanding retired military 
officers to assist me:
  The Oregon 2nd Congressional District Academy Nomination Committee:
  Major General David S. Trump, USAF (Ret.)
  Colonel Linda Sindt, USAF (Ret.)
  Colonel Thomas G. Foster, USA (Ret.)
  Captain Bud Hart, USN (Ret.)
  Captain Sam Edelstein, USN (Ret.)
  Colonel Norman Smedes, USAF (Ret.)
  Captain Robert J. Trott, USN (Ret.)
  Mr. Speaker, these dedicated individuals have served their fellow 
citizens selflessly in their careers as professional military officers, 
and their service to the nation continues in this new capacity. Drawing 
from their considerable experience, they assist me in selecting 
candidates who understand and appreciate the gravity of the pursuit 
they are undertaking. The members of the nominating committee spend 
countless hours reviewing each candidate's record and conducting 
extensive interviews to enable me to choose the best of the best. They 
are both thorough and demanding in ensuring that the candidates they 
recommend bear the qualities that will be of value to the services they 
hope one day to join.
  At a time when our nation is being tested as it has never been tested 
before, we are more mindful than ever of the need to identify and 
invest in the future leaders of our nation's military, the men and 
women who safeguard the very mantle of freedom under which we rise and 
sleep. I am grateful to have the guidance of these experienced officers 
who have, through their own outstanding military careers, demonstrated 
the qualities we seek in academy nominees. Our country will reap the 
benefits of their service for many years to come.

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