[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1623-E1624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ARMY RESERVE ASSOCIATION'S ENLISTED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, I am honored today to speak on a wonderful 
program that impacts the lives of many great heroes and their families. 
The Army Reserve Association's, ARA United States Army Reserve, USAR 
Enlisted Scholarship Program awards a $500 scholarship to assist 
qualifying enlisted reservists or their dependents attend an 
institution of higher learning.
  Started in 2000 as an initiative of Command Sergeant Major Ray 
Lackey, this program has awarded a total of $225,500 in scholarships. 
Through the generosity of the United Services Automobile Association, 
USAA, the administrative efforts of the ARA, and the support of the 
USAR, these patriots have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. The 
opportunity to further their education not only benefits these heroes, 
but the Army Reserve and the country as a whole.
  I applaud the Army Reserve Association and all those responsible for 
this effort on behalf of our Army Reserve soldiers and their families. 
Additionally, I request that the following two letters regarding this 
program be inserted into the record: a letter from the Army Reserve 
Association and a letter from Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz, Chief 
of the Army Reserve.


                                 The Army Reserve Association,

                                Fort McPherson, GA, March 3, 2009.
     Subject ARA Enlisted Scholarship Program Standards Approval.

     Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz,
     Commanding General,
     U.S. Army Reserve
       Dear Lieutenant General Stultz: This letter requests you 
     approve the standards of the ARA Enlisted Scholarship Program 
     listed below. Request approval of the following standards:
       (1) a member of the USAR not under flag or pending 
     disciplinary action;
       (2) qualified in the MOS of their position of assignment;
       (3) attending or entering an institution of higher learning 
     (2 or 4 year college, vocational school, bible college, etc.) 
     that is regionally or nationally accredited;
       (4) military dependents must be registered In DEERS.
       The applicant's chain of command CSM or SGM will certify 
     that the applicant meets qualification standards (1) through 
     (4), as applicable.
       The ARA Enlisted Scholarships are for enlisted members of 
     the United States Army Reserve and their dependent family 
     members. Each year the ARA offers scholarships to each major 
     command to which USAR members are assigned as designated by 
     the Command Sergeant Major of the USAR. The annual goal of 
     awarding fifty scholarships is predicated on the number of 
     major commands participating and the number of scholarship 
     applicants from each major command, as well as the amount of 
     funds donated by the program cosponsor, the United Services 
     Automobile Association (USAA).
       The Army Reserve Association will create an announcement 
     for the annual scholarship program and will transmit that 
     announcement to the USARC G-1 with a request that the USARC 
     G-1 forward the announcement to each major command. The 
     announcement will include the approved standards and an 
     application form that each command's applicants can use to 
     apply for the scholarships. The calendar year program's 
     closing date for receipt of all applications is 31 December, 
     unless a waiver is granted.
       We request the USARC G-1 to forward the scholarship program 
     announcement to USAR commands with instructions on submitting 
     the applications to the USARC G-1 together with submission 
     dates specified by the USARC G-1, so that applications can be 
     forwarded to the ARA in time for evaluation and award of 
     scholarships.
       The ARA will appoint a selection board with a board 
     president from its existing association membership to select 
     nominations for award of the ARA Enlisted Scholarship Award. 
     Board members will serve in their private-citizen capacity 
     and not in any military role and the board recorder may be a 
     member of the Army Reserve Association. The selection list 
     will be compiled, signed by the ARA enlisted scholarship 
     selection board president and forwarded to the ARA for 
     issuance of individual scholarship awards. The ARA may choose 
     to either present or mail the awards to the Soldier's command 
     or directly to the individual.
       We appreciate your continued support and assistance in 
     implementing this program.
     Sincerely,
     MG Kent Hillhouse (R),
       President, Army Reserve Association.
     COL George M. Lind, (R)
       Director, ARA Field Support Services.
                                 ______
                                 
         Department of the Army, Office of the Chief, Army 
           Reserve, Washington, DC, April 24, 2009.
     Major General Kent Hillhouse, Retired,
     Winfield, Kansas.
       Dear General Hillhouse; This is to acknowledge receipt of 
     your letter of March 3, 2009, requesting approval of the 
     eligibility standards for the Army Reserve Association (ARA) 
     Enlisted Scholarship Program. I approve the following 
     eligibility standards:
       a. an enlisted member of the U.S. Army Reserve not under 
     flag or pending disciplinary action
       b. qualified in the MOS of their position of assignment

[[Page E1624]]

       c. attending or entering an institution of higher learning 
     (2 or 4 year college, vocational school, bible college, etc.) 
     that is regionally or nationally accredited
       d. Military dependents who are registered in DEERS
       The ARA will submit any changes to the eligibility 
     standards to this office for approval before implementation. 
     It is understood that ARA is solely responsible for selection 
     and notification of scholarship awardees.
       The Army Reserve G-1 will make information available to the 
     Army Reserve Major Subordinate Commands regarding the 
     scholarships and forward all applications to ARA for 
     processing as outlined in your letter.
       If you have questions or concerns, please contact Sergeant 
     Major Gary Martz of the Army Reserve G-1, at (404) 464-9011.
           Sincerely,

                                               Jack C. Stultz,

                                               Lieutenant General,
     U.S. Army Chief, Army Reserve.

                          ____________________