[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3060-S3061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               2020 SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTEES FROM UTAH

 Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor 14 exemplary 
young Utahns who have answered the call of service to our country.
  Each year, Members of Congress are authorized to nominate a number of 
young men and women fro their district or State to attend our Nation's 
service academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military 
Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
  The men and women whom I nominated on behalf of the State of Utah 
this year are some of the best and brightest in our country.
  Each of these students is of sound mind and body, which will serve 
them well in Colorado Springs, West Point, and Annapolis. But the 
journey on which these young men and women will soon embark demands 
more than strength of mind and strength of body. It demands strength of 
character. It requires qualities of leadership, courage, honesty, 
prudence, and selfdiscipline. It calls for a commitment to service and 
a love of country. And ultimately, it requires a willingness to give 
the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the safety and security of our 
Nation.

[[Page S3061]]

  These students have already displayed the qualities of character and 
the standards of excellence upon which our service academies are built.
  Today, I would like to take a moment to honor and congratulate these 
talented and generous young men and women.
  James Soren Beck has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval 
Academy. He is a graduate of Lone Peak High School, where he was 
captain of the soccer team, a member of the National Honor Society, and 
CEO of his entrepreneur class. James is an Eagle Scout, a member of the 
Teenage Republicans, and has been a volunteer to serve veterans at the 
VA Hospital in Salt Lake City.
  Abigail Renee Belko graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School 
and will soon enter the U.S. Naval Academy. She has made it a priority 
to look for ways to help others and has completed over 100 hours of 
community service. She served as one of the school's student 
ambassadors and as a member of the National Honor Society, captained 
the track team, and played volleyball.
  Carson Shaun Cox, from Milford High School, has accepted an 
appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The school's 
Sterling Scholar in Social Science, Carson also served as a class 
senator and founded the Tech Theatre club. He attended Boys State and 
was a captain of the two-time State champion football team and a member 
of the State champion baseball team.
  Alexander Javier Gustat accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval 
Academy. He is a graduate of Juan Diego Catholic High School, where he 
served as a student ambassador and as a senior class officer. He holds 
a number of records in swimming and was the 4A state champion in the 
100m breaststroke. Alexander was the president of the Pre-Med Club, and 
a member of both the National Honor Society and the Social Justice 
Committee.
  Lily Faith Hawkins will be joining a family history of military 
service when she attends the U.S. Air Force Academy after graduating 
from East High School. She stayed busy as captain of the soccer team, 
where she was named to the All-State Soccer Team; running track; and 
playing rugby. She served as a member of the school's senate and 
participated in the National Honor Society. Lily lead her Youthlinc 
Humanitarian Team to both Thailand and Fiji, where they served local 
communities.
  Logan Keith Landrum accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force 
Academy. He knows the Air Force life well as the son of an Academy 
graduate. Logan graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in 
Fairfax Station, VA, where he was a champion swimmer and captain for 
multiple school and club swim teams. He participated in both Air Force 
JROTC and Army JROTC during his high school years and was a member of 
the JROTC Raiders.
  Isaiah Emmanuel Laureano, a member of the Utah Army National Guard, 
was proud to accept his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point. Isaiah worked hard and endured many challenges, which led 
him to Utah and to the Utah Military Academy, where he graduated as 
senior class president. He was a member of the National Honor Society, 
in addition to the cross country team, ranger team, and State champion 
AFJROTC Drill Team.
  Jessica Lynn Loyd, a graduate of the Academy for Math, Engineering 
and Science, will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. A standout 
athlete and leader, she served as captain of both her school and club 
swim teams. She carried athletes' voices to the Utah Swimming Board and 
U.S. Aquatic Sports Convention as the athlete representative. She is a 
member of the Civil Air Patrol and was an intern with the Salt Lake 
County's Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team.
  Richard Ashton Ottley will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point. A graduate of the Utah Military Academy--Camp Williams 
Campus, where he was JROTC Cadet of the Year, he focused on helping his 
fellow cadets as copresident of the Hope Squad. He volunteered as a 
tutor and served as captain of both the track and field and rugby 
teams. He honored our military veterans by volunteering with both the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wreaths Across America.
  Samantha Jimena Padilla will be continuing on to the U.S. Naval 
Academy after having attended the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory 
School. A 2019 graduate of the Utah Military Academy, Samantha played 
soccer, basketball, ran cross country, and was a Tae Kwon Do 
instructor. She attended Girls State and was a member of the Civil Air 
Patrol, as well as the AFJROTC and U.S. Naval Sea Cadets.
  Matthew Andrew Sedillo will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy 
after graduating in 2019 from Juan Diego Catholic High School and 
attending the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. In high school, he 
was a member of the Student Senate and was a Senior Sancta Terra 
Retreat Leader. He was captain of his high school wrestling team and 
walked onto the USAFA Prep wrestling team.
  Douglas Cutler Smith, II has accepted an appointment to the U.S. 
Military Academy at West Point. As a graduate of Hillcrest High School, 
he challenged himself by taking part in the International Baccalaureate 
Diploma Program. He earned his Eagle Scout Award and served in 
leadership positions with his church youth group and as captain of both 
the baseball and football teams.
  Brayden Dern Whatcott, a Corner Canyon High School graduate, accepted 
his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he is following in 
his father's footsteps. Brayden was a member of the Draper Youth City 
Council and attended Boys State. He founded and served as president of 
the Civics Club; was a member of the National Honor Society; and a 
member of Health Occupation Students of America, HOSA. As captain, he 
led the three-time State champion cross-country mountain biking team.
  Tyler Brandon Wright accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force 
Academy. A graduate of Farmington High School, Tyler served as a 
student ambassador and was a member of the National Honor Society and 
Spanish Club. He is an Eagle Scout who is a leader in his church youth 
council, volunteers as a tutor, and helped build schoolhouses in Peru 
with HEFY. Tyler serves as a member of the Civil Air Patrol and works 
with his family on their ranch.
  It has been my distinct honor to nominate each of these admirable 
young men and women. These Utahns give me great hope for the future of 
our armed services and the future of our Nation.
  To these 14 students and to all their future classmates from around 
the country, I thank you for your commitment to service and commend 
your achievements. While this is but the beginning of your journey, I 
urge you to remember the foundation of your success thus far.
  You would not have arrived at this point without the dedication and 
example of your parents, family, teachers, coaches, and mentors. 
Moreover, you would not have arrived at this point without your own 
sacrifice and hard work.
  Strive to continue on the path of strong moral character, and to keep 
love of country as a guiding principle. Look to the past with gratitude 
and to the future with conviction. If you stay this course, I have no 
doubt that your future holds great things in store.
  I wish you all the best as you embark on this journey.
  Thank you.

                          ____________________