[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H5321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXCELLENCE IN MILITARY SERVICE ACT

  (Mr. COBLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Excellence in 
Military Service Act. This legislation would increase the active duty 
service obligation of military service academy graduates from 5 to 8 
years.
  This free and highly competitive college education costs the average 
taxpayer approximately $300,000 per cadet/midshipman.
  As college tuitions continue to escalate, I believe our U.S. military 
academies will become even more attractive to prospective college 
students. In light of this fact, we need to ensure that a free 
education does not become a primary motivation for future applicants. I 
maintain that increasing the active duty service obligation is an 
effective way to accomplish this without jeopardizing the viability of 
these historic institutions.
  I hope my colleagues will join with me in co-sponsoring this 
legislation, and I look forward to working with them to protect the 
U.S. taxpayers' investments and our Nation's future and ensure the 
integrity of one of our Nation's most precious resources.

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