[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 31 (Friday, March 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of 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,'' brought forth by my esteemed colleague, 
Representative John Hall of New York.
  Forbes Magazine describes the Academy as, ``Marked by an intense work 
ethic and drive to succeed on all fronts.'' This approach to learning 
is the representation of what these great United States was founded on 
and, in the present day, what we make every effort to maintain. The 
belief system of the United States Military Academy doesn't just 
prepare a group of students to become soldiers, but it prepares 
individuals for life and molds them into the moralistic citizens that 
will help reshape and reform the United States as we embark upon a new 
era in history. This academy is a leader in development and engineering 
with the mission to educate, train, and inspire future leaders.
  I have always been an advocate for our troops and it just gives me 
such pride and joy to see that the origins and belief system, upon 
which all our troops are grounded, are on display as being the prime 
elements of success in these pressing times. Texas, as many may know, 
deploys the most soldiers to various parts of the world. So it does my 
heart a great service to know that the U.S. Military Academy at West 
Point equips our soliders with the skills needed to protect and advance 
our nation's interest.

[[Page E318]]

  Madam Speaker, it is commendable that this top ranking school 
stresses among its students the importance of good solid values that 
seem to have lost their luster over time. For example, its policies 
include a curfew of 11:30 p.m. and no alcoholic beverages in the dorms; 
rooms must be meticulously clean; self-pride in students' appearance is 
a must and being a debtor is not an option--the only debt that is owed 
upon graduation is the debt of duty to one's country. It is not 
surprising that this institution is top ranked.
  The United States Military Academy at West Point in the state of New 
York has earned the title of Best College for 2009 because of its 
attention to detail and its great distinction in proficiency, in 
addition to their undisputed service to our nation. I can see no better 
way for this 111th Congress to acknowledge and praise this fine 
institution of ``life learners,'' for its diligent work in producing 
well-rounded citizens, leaders, innovators and protectors than to 
congratulate the institution here on the House floor.

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