[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, more high school seniors 
from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for Navy 
pea coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most 
other districts 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 fact should not 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, a 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 Gerritt 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 six 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 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 
the 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.
  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 my office 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 
late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the 
applicants over the course of 2 days. They assess a student's 
qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other 
talents that may be hidden on paper.
  This year the board interviewed over 50 applicants. Nominations 
included 19 to the Naval Academy, 15 to the Military Academy, 2 to the 
Merchant Marine Academy and 7 to the Air Force Academy--the Coast Guard 
Academy does not use the Congressional nomination process. Congressman 
Frelinghuysen then forwarded the recommendations to the academies by 
January 31, where recruiters reviewed files and notified applicants and 
my office of their final decision on admission.
  As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through 
the academy nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they 
are preparing to make: to defend our country and protect our citizens. 
This holds especially true at a time when our nation is fighting the 
war against terrorism. Whether it be in Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf 
or other hot spots around the world, no doubt we are constantly 
reminded that wars are fought by the young. And, while our military 
missions are both important and dangerous, it is reassuring to know 
that we continue to put America's best and brightest in command.

    Academy Nominees for 2002 11th Congressional District New Jersey


                           Air Force Academy

       Mark C. Domogola, Short Hills, Millburn H.S.; Mark 
     Cavanaugh, Flanders, Mt. Olive H.S.; Michael D. Fitzsimmons, 
     Andover, Lenape Valley H.S., Hannah Minchew, Mountain Lakes, 
     Mountain Lakes H.S.; Andrew J. Moreno, Chester, West Morris 
     Mendham H.S.; Don N. Smith, Sparta, Sparta H.S., Joseph E. 
     Ziega, Sparta, Sparta H.S.


                            Merchant Marine

       Matthew J. Pulitano, Randolph, Morris Catholic H.S. Donald 
     G. Maye, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan H.S.


                            Military Academy

       Lee W. Barnes, Mendham, Rutgers; Duane W. Clark, 
     Bloomingdale, Butler H.S.; Robert Connelly, Brookside, West 
     Morris Mendham H.S.; Phillip A. Durkin, Sparta, Pope John 
     XXIII H.S.; John R. Fiddes, III, Long Valley, Delbarton 
     Andrew D. Filauro, Denville, Morris Knolls H.S.; Allison T. 
     Gaydosh, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan H.S.; Edward 
     Gibbons, Chatham, Chatham H.S.; Timothy Kuppler, Basking 
     Ridge, Ridge H.S.; Jason C. McKay, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-
     Raritan H.S.; Timothy Nagle, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan 
     H.S.; William C. Nordlund, Mendham, St. Georges School; John 
     R. Rashap, Randolph, Randolph H.S.; Todd R. Stawicki, 
     Bridgewater, Rutgers; Paul R. Wistermayer, Denville, 
     Morristown Beard School.


                             Naval Academy

       David S. Bellomo, Whippany, Whippany Park H.S.; Gregory D. 
     Butler, Bloomingdale, Bulter H.S. Joseph L. Caprio, Denville, 
     Morris Knolls H.S.; Shannon E. Clancy, Califon, West Morris 
     Central H.S.; Michael J. Coffey, Succasunna, Roxbury H.S.; 
     Benjamin B. DeWitt, Mendharm, Hill School; Christopher T. 
     Dibble, Somerville, Somerville H.S.; Thomas K. Gallant, West 
     Caldwell, James Caldwell H.S.; Joshua Haba, North Caldwell, 
     West Essex H.S. Bryce C. Holden, Sparta, Sparta H.S.; Richard 
     L. Kilcoyne, III, Essex Fells, West Essex H.S.; Paul S. Kim, 
     Kinnelon, Kinnelon H.S.; Emily A. Laraway, Long Valley, West 
     Morris Central H.S.; Daniel M. Leahey, Morris Plains, 
     Morristown H.S.; Matthew F. Minor, Kinnelon, Kinnelon H.S.; 
     Gregory A. Pappianou, Chester, West Morris Mendham H.S.; Erin 
     C. Reeve, Madison, Madison H.S.; Christopher C. Smith, 
     Succasunna, Roxbury H.S.; Craig G. Wilson, Sparta, Sparta 
     H.S.

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