[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H987-H989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
      CONGRATULATING UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 747) congratulating the United States Military 
Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America's 
Best College for 2009.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 747

       Whereas Forbes magazine has named the United States 
     Military Academy at West Point as America's Best College for 
     2009;
       Whereas U.S. News & World Report has named West Point as 
     the Best Public Liberal Arts College in the United States;
       Whereas U.S. News & World Report has consistently rated 
     West Point's undergraduate engineering program as among the 
     best in the United States;
       Whereas the United States has had a military presence at 
     West Point since the Revolutionary War because of its 
     strategic position overlooking the Hudson River;
       Whereas General George Washington selected Thaddeus 
     Kosciuszko to design West Point's fortifications in 1778;
       Whereas West Point is the oldest continuously occupied 
     military post in America;
       Whereas President Thomas Jefferson established the United 
     States Military Academy at West Point in 1802;
       Whereas West Point has educated many of the United States 
     Army's commissioned officers;
       Whereas West Point instructs 4,400 cadets per year in 
     academics, military tactics, physical fitness, and 
     leadership--all free of tuition;
       Whereas 1,000 cadets graduate each year and are 
     commissioned second lieutenants in the United States Army;
       Whereas 2 Presidents of the United States, 74 Congressional 
     Medal of Honor recipients, 88 Rhodes Scholars, 33 Marshall 
     Scholars, and 28 Truman Scholars have graduated from West 
     Point;
       Whereas, in addition to academics and military training, 
     West Point offers extracurricular activities that include 115 
     athletic and non-sport clubs and the Eisenhower Hall Theatre; 
     and
       Whereas West Point offers a well-rounded, highly regarded 
     education to the next generation of the Nation's leaders: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the United States Military Academy at 
     West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America's 
     Best College for 2009;
       (2) supports West Point's mission ``to educate, train, and 
     inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a 
     commissioned leader of character committed to the values of 
     Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of 
     professional excellence and service to the Nation as an 
     officer in the United States Army''; and
       (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution for appropriate display to 
     the Superintendent of West Point.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Marshall) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today to support House Resolution 747, which was introduced by 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hall), which honors the recent 
accomplishments of the United States Military Academy at West Point for 
being named by Forbes magazine as America's Best College for 2009. I 
would like to thank my friend and colleague from New York (Mr. Hall), 
who is a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, for authoring this 
resolution and bringing it to the House floor.
  The tradition of the West Point Military Academy has always been one 
of great achievement, and I am happy to be here today to recognize 
their excellence. I am particularly pleased to be here because my 
father and grandfather are both West Point graduates, now deceased. I 
should add that both Mr. Hall and myself are members of the Board of 
Visitors at West Point. So as you might imagine, we were pleased by the 
news that West Point had been named America's Best College by Forbes.
  West Point has a tremendous history. Since the establishment of the 
academy at the direction of President Thomas Jefferson in 1802, West 
Point has been educating some of our Nation's best and brightest, who 
have gone on to distinguished service as officers in our United States 
military. West Point's mission is, and I quote, ``To educate, train, 
and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned 
leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country, 
and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the 
Nation as an officer in the United States Army.'' This mission exceeds 
the scholastic aims of most academic institutions, and it reflects 
America's need for military leaders with integrity and a commitment to 
service.
  West Point continues to provide exceptional education that prepares 
officers for their roles as future military leaders year after year. 
While many institutions have long traditions of academic success, few 
match the continued contributions West Point Military Academy graduates 
make year after year to their country. It is no wonder that two 
Presidents of the United States, 74 Congressional Medal of Honor 
recipients, 88 Rhodes Scholars, 33 Marshall Scholars, and 28 Truman 
Scholars have graduated from West Point.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of House Resolution 747, congratulating the 
United States Military Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes 
magazine as America's Best College for 2009. I want to commend 
Representative John Hall of New York for sponsoring this legislation.
  As our history shows us, West Point has a tradition of excellence 
that began with its establishment in 1802. For more than 200 years, our 
Nation in peace and war has been made a better place by the excellence 
of the leaders produced by the Military Academy. This most recent 
recognition of West Point by Forbes magazine is just the latest 
indication that the tradition of excellence continues.
  For those of us whose duty it is in the House to be in close contact 
with Military Academy graduates, this recognition by Forbes magazine 
comes as no surprise. We are reminded frequently of the professional 
excellence and commitment to this Nation that West Point graduates 
consistently demonstrate. Those qualities in and of themselves are 
reason enough that we should remain supportive of this institution that 
has traditionally and consistently inspired young men and women to live 
such lives. I urge all Members to support this worthy resolution.
  Madam Speaker, at this time I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he

[[Page H988]]

may consume to Mr. Hall of New York, who is the author of this 
resolution. He is also a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and 
chairs the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of 
the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He is a great Member of Congress, and 
he is also a great member of the Board of Visitors at West Point.
  Mr. HALL of New York. Thank you, Mr. Marshall, and thank you, Mr. 
Jones, for your kind words of support of my legislation, House 
Resolution 747. Thank you as well to Chairman Skelton and Ranking 
Member McKeon for bringing this legislation through the Armed Services 
Committee to the House floor.
  Madam Speaker, H. Res. 747 recognizes the achievement of the United 
States Military Academy at West Point for being named Forbes magazine's 
best college in 2009. Not best military academy, but best college 
overall. In fact, the headline on the front of that issue of Forbes 
said, ``Why West Point Beats Harvard.'' And I think it is something 
that many of us don't realize, that not only is the academy turning out 
exemplary officers who will serve this country with great creativity 
and loyalty and imagination and energy, but they are turning out well-
rounded students who know about a variety of very important subjects 
that are taught as well or better at that school as at any public or 
private university in the country.
  I have the honor of representing West Point in the 19th Congressional 
District of New York, and the 4,400 cadets who make up the student body 
at the United States Military Academy. I also have the honor, along 
with my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall), of serving 
on the West Point Board of Visitors.
  The Forbes rankings were based on evaluations of students, the 
success of the graduates of the school, and on the average debt 
incurred by graduates. It is a great tribute to the caliber of the 
cadets, the faculty, and the administration of West Point to be ranked 
with and now above the other great institutions of higher learning in 
this country based on these important criteria.
  Graduates of West Point have served their Nation with the highest 
level of skill, honor, and devotion for more than 200 years. More than 
70 West Point grads have received the Medal of Honor for their service 
to our country. Each of the senior commanding generals in Iraq and 
Afghanistan are alumni. And 74 West Point graduates have given their 
lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  West Point's cadets fully embody the academy's motto, ``Duty, Honor, 
Country.'' West Point is a national treasure and a jewel of the Hudson 
Valley, where today's heroes and tomorrow's leaders are trained. I am 
proud of their accomplishments and pleased that they have gotten the 
recognition that they have earned. I am especially proud of my nephew, 
who will be one of the graduates of the class of 2010.
  I ask my colleagues to join us in supporting H. Res. 747.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), a West Point graduate himself.
  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I am honored to come to the floor with my 
good friend, Congressman Jones, and also two members of the Board of 
Visitors, Congressman Hall, who also represents that area, and 
Congressman Marshall, who served honorably in the Vietnam conflict and 
is a great friend. They both serve on the Board of Visitors, which I 
have recently been named on. I look forward to doing the job I guess 
next week, when we meet to continue the job.
  Congressman Marshall did mention the mission of the United States 
Military Academy, which is, ``To educate, train, and inspire the Corps 
of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character 
committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country, and prepared for a 
career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an 
officer of the United States Army.''
  As was noted, I graduated in 1980. I had many of my classmates who 
are major commanders and leaders in the areas of battle today. The 
number one responsibility of the Federal Government is the protection 
of our citizens. We do that by having a standing military. We have 
learned that the importance of having a professional military force is 
critical. Thomas Jefferson learned that and instituted the development 
of the United States Military Academy in 1802. The important thing that 
Thomas Jefferson did that was different, though, was he focused on 
raising the professional military Army out of the regular citizens of 
our country, thus developing this process of which we nominate and we 
accept. So that it is not an elite from the elite, but it is a 
perspective of all Americans.
  Every young man or woman who achieves good grades, are kids of 
character, strong moral conviction, athletically fit and sound can 
compete for this opportunity for an education, which has been noted by 
the magazine article. But they do it for more than just a good 
education, because it is at great risk. Because what they have agreed 
to do is serve their country. And that is not a small decision to make 
in this environment.
  I would like to submit for the Record since the global war on terror, 
since September 11, 2001, a list of those West Pointers who fell in the 
line of duty.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) William E. Bowers...................USMA 1979
Colonel James W. Harrison, Jr., U.S. Army.....................USMA 1981
Lieutenant Colonel Dominic R. Baragona, U.S. Army.............USMA 1982
Colonel Brian D. Allgood, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1982
Colonel Theodore S. Westhusing, U.S. Army.....................USMA 1983
Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. McMahon, U.S. Army..............USMA 1985
Mr. Douglas B. Gurian.........................................USMA 1986
Lieutenant Colonel Paul J. Finken, U.S. Army..................USMA 1989
Lieutenant Colonel James J. Walton, U.S. Army.................USMA 1989
Major Curtis D. Feistner, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1990
Major William F. Hecker III, U.S. Army........................USMA 1991
Major Guy Barattieri, U.S. Army...............................USMA 1992
Major Stephen C. Reich, U.S. Army.............................USMA 1993
Major Jason E. George U.S. Army...............................USMA 1994
Captain Bartt D. Owens, U.S. Army.............................USMA 1994
Captain James F. Adamouski, U.S. Army.........................USMA 1995
Captain John F. Kurth, U.S. Army..............................USMA 1995
Captain Joshua T. Byers, U.S. Army............................USMA 1996
Captain Matthew J. August, U.S. Army..........................USMA 1997
Captain Philip T. Esposito, U.S. Army.........................USMA 1997
Captain Michael J. MacKinnon, U.S. Army.......................USMA 1997
Captain Mark C. Paine, U.S. Army..............................USMA 1997
Captain Eric T. Paliwoda, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1997
Captain Ian P. Weikel, U.S. Army..............................USMA 1997
Captain Nathan S. Dalley, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1998
Captain Stephen W. Frank, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1998
Captain Ralph J. Harting III, U.S. Army.......................USMA 1998
Captain Christopher B. Johnson, U.S. Army.....................USMA 1998
Captain Dennis L. Pintor, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1998
Captain David A. Boris, U.S. Army.............................USMA 1999
Captain Douglas A. Dicenzo, U.S. Army.........................USMA 1999
Captain Brian S. Freeman, U.S. Army...........................USMA 1999
Captain Benedict J. Smith, U.S. Army..........................USMA 1999
Captain Corry P Tyler, U.S. Army..............................USMA 1999
First Lieutenant Leif E. Nott, U.S. Army......................USMA 2000
Captain Benjamin D. Tiffner, U.S. Army........................USMA 2000
First Lieutenant David R. Bernstein, U.S. Army................USMA 2001
Captain John L. Hallett III, U.S. Army........................USMA 2001
Captain Andrew R. Houghton, U.S. Army.........................USMA 2001
Captain Joe F. Lusk II, U.S. Army.............................USMA 2001
Captain Andrew R. Pearson, U.S. Army..........................USMA 2001
First Lieutenant Michael R. Adams, U.S. Army..................USMA 2002
First Lieutenant Todd Bryant, U.S. Army.......................USMA 2002
Captain Brian M. Bunting, U.S. Army...........................USMA 2002
Captain Mark A. Garner, U.S. Army.............................USMA 2002
Captain James M. Gurbisz, U.S. Army...........................USMA 2002
Captain Drew N. Jensen, U.S. Army.............................USMA 2002
First Lieutenant Kevin J. Smith, U.S. Army....................USMA 2002

[[Page H989]]

Captain Torre R. Mallard, U.S. Army...........................USMA 2002
Captain Timothy J. Moshier, U.S. Army.........................USMA 2002
Second Lieutenant Leonard M. Cowherd, U.S. Army...............USMA 2003
First Lieutenant Derek S. Hines, U.S. Army....................USMA 2003
Captain Rhett W. Schiller, U.S. Army..........................USMA 2003
First Lieutenant Laura M. Walker, U.S. Army...................USMA 2003
First Lieutenant Garrison C. Avery, U.S. Army.................USMA 2004
First Lieutenant Benjamin T. Britt, U.S. Army.................USMA 2004
First Lieutenant Amos ``Camden'' R. Bock, U.S. Army...........USMA 2004
Captain Michael A. Cerrone, U.S. Army.........................USMA 2004
Captain John R. Dennison, U.S. Army...........................USMA 2004
Captain David M. Fraser, U.S. Army............................USMA 2004
Captain Paul W. Pena, U.S. Army...............................USMA 2004
First Lieutenant Robert A. Seidel III, U.S. Army..............USMA 2004
Captain Adam P. Snyder, U.S. Army.............................USMA 2004
Captain Daniel P. Whitten, U.S. Army..........................USMA 2004
First Lieutenant Dennis W. Zilinski, U.S. Army................USMA 2004
First Lieutenant Jonathan W. Edds, U.S. Army..................USMA 2005
First Lieutenant Matthew C. Ferrara, U.S. Army................USMA 2005
First Lieutenant Jacob N. Fritz, U.S. Army....................USMA 2005
First Lieutenant Thomas M. Martin, U.S. Army..................USMA 2005
First Lieutenant Phillip I. Neel, U.S. Army...................USMA 2005
Second Lieutenant Emily J. T. Perez, U.S. Army................USMA 2005
First Lieutenant Timothy W. Cunningham........................USMA 2006
First Lieutenant Nick A. Dewhirst, U.S. Army..................USMA 2006
Second Lieutenant Michael R. Girdano, U.S. Army...............USMA 2007
First Lieutenant Daniel B. Hyde, U.S. Army....................USMA 2007
First Lieutenant Tyler E. Parten, U.S. Army..................USMA 2007.

  Notably, there are three from the class of 2007 so far in this 
campaign. So these are real patriots and these are young men and women 
who since the attacks--in fact, if you are at the academy and you go 
out to Lake Frederick and climb up on the hill and get on one of the 
old fire stands, you can see the outlines of New York City. And when I 
was there as a young man, you could see at that time the World Trade 
Center, which is no more.
  West Point still inspires dedication, commitment, and young men and 
women who want to serve their country at a great institution of higher 
learning, being prepared to put their lives on the line in the defense 
of their country.
  So I appreciate this time just to highlight what we do at West Point, 
but also at our other academies, the Naval Academy, the Air Force 
Academy--that is hard for me to say--Coast Guard Academy, Merchant 
Marine Academy. And we want to make sure that all our young men and 
women know that they have a great opportunity to serve their country, 
the best one being at West Point. And I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to make sure that commitment to excellence continues for 
many years to come.
  I thank my colleague for giving me the time.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the words of Mr. Shimkus. I 
appreciate his service. I hope everybody takes those words to heart.
  I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).
  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Marshall for recognizing me for 
this period of time.
  I want to recognize Mr. Hall for his leadership in bringing this 
resolution to the floor and for his service to the congressional 
district which includes West Point, and Mr. Jones on the Republican 
side, who has been a good friend and colleague.
  I have always taken pride in sending good young people to the service 
academies, including West Point. And now I can say that for those who 
are going to West Point that Forbes has selected your institution as 
the finest college in America in 2009. I do believe, though, that these 
young people who go to our service academies are there not only to get 
a great education, they are there for service, and the highest kind of 
public service, because it puts them at great personal risk.
  My first recollection of visiting West Point was at the age of 8. At 
that point I was an immigrant child. I am not sure that I knew English 
completely, but I could read well enough to read the stone, that not 
too large stone there that has a very large phrase on it: ``Duty, 
Honor, Country,'' the words that the United States military has lived 
by, under civilian leadership, for over 200 years. And I want to honor 
that long gray line that I saw in 1962. I just also wonder whether 
those academy graduates from the class of '63 or '64, whether there are 
any left in active service, and perhaps they would be a four-star 
today.

                              {time}  1515

  There is a long line of service. Thank you very much, Mr. Marshall 
and Mr. Hall, for bringing this resolution to us.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I just want to briefly thank Mr. Hall and 
everyone who has spoken today.
  I do not know a bigger thrill for me, as a congressman, when I call a 
young person in my district, whom I have nominated to one of the three 
academies, to tell them to expect a letter of appointment. It is a 
thrill that every time I make the call, every time it is a thrill.
  I want to thank Mr. Hall for this resolution today and also Mr. 
Marshall and those who have spoken.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, earlier this year, the President made an 
announcement concerning troop buildup, the proposed plan where 
Afghanistan is concerned and the plan to increase the presence of 
American soldiers there. He made the announcement in Eisenhower Hall at 
West Point. I was privileged, along with Mr. Hall and a few other 
Members of Congress, to attend that. I was really struck by the fact 
that the Commander in Chief, our President, was talking to thousands of 
young men and women, some of whom, for sure, will wind up being 
injured, protecting our country in Afghanistan.
  I am wearing my infantry tie today. I have my CIB on. I had the 
privilege of having a couple years of service back during the Vietnam 
War. And I say it's a privilege, and I view it that way. People will 
often say to me, Thank you for your service. And sometimes I will 
respond, You don't really need to thank me. I got more out of this than 
I gave.
  I encourage all young Americans to think about attending one of our 
academies. West Point has received its recognition as the best college 
in the United States, but all of the academies give wonderful 
educations, and they give you a wonderful opportunity to serve. It 
almost certainly will wind up being the most extraordinary thing that 
you do during your lifetime should you choose to go through one of the 
academies and then serve in our military. That's certainly the case 
where I am concerned, and I have done a lot of things in my life.
  The most extraordinary time in my life was when I was in service, 
particularly when I was in combat. So I thank the country for having 
given me that opportunity. And if you're a kid and you are thinking 
about college, you ought to think about our service academies. You not 
only get a great education, but you have an opportunity to serve in a 
way that you will not be able to serve in any other capacity in this 
country, and you will really feel good about it if you do it well.
  So I thank Mr. Jones. He is a great member of the Armed Services 
Committee, a great Member of this Congress, and a real supporter of the 
military.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 747.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________