[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING SAMANTHA AND ALEXANDER EDWARDS' ACHIEVEMENTS

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2021

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, one of the great honors that 
I have as a United States Congressman is to nominate young adults from 
my District for admission to our Nation's service academies, and during 
my time in Congress I have become acquainted with many fine young 
persons who have sought a nomination to one of the service academies. 
Today, I rise to give recognition to two such young persons who are my 
constituents, Samantha Scott Edwards and Alexander Thompson Edwards, 
from Mercer Island, Washington.
  In 2018, I nominated Samantha to the United States Military Academy 
Class of 2022, and this spring I nominated Samantha's brother Alex to 
the United States Military Academy Class of 2025. This coming academic 
year Samantha will be a senior at West Point, while Alex will be a 
freshman plebe, and both Alex and Samantha will be competing on the 
West Point varsity swim team. While it is not unusual for West Point 
cadets to have relatives who have attended West Point, it is uncommon 
for a brother and sister to attend West Point at the same time, let 
alone compete on the same athletic team.
  Samantha and Alex are incredibly talented in the pool and classroom 
and both have been named as Academic All Americans by USA Swimming.
  Samantha now holds two West Point records in relay events and is in 
the all-time Academy top 10 rankings for her individual times in the 
100 yard and 200 yard freestyle events. For her Senior year at West 
Point, Samantha has been appointed as a Team Academic Mentor, which is 
a recognition of Samantha's own scholarship as well as her ability to 
provide scholastic mentorship to other team members.
  In addition to earning Academic All-American status from USA Swimming 
for his scholastic achievements, Alex served as Captain of his high 
school swim team and received his high school's 2020 ``Excellence in 
Elective Studies in History'' Award. In recognition of his 
accomplishments in the pool, the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches 
Association has twice designated Alex as an All-American swimmer.
  As their Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services 
Committee, I am pleased that Alex and Samantha have each chosen to 
attend West Point to become officers in the United States Army. Given 
their academic achievements, as well as their athletic talents, these 
outstanding young adults could have gone to any number of fine 
universities--that they have chosen to attend West Point and serve our 
Nation's Armed Forces speaks volumes about their character and 
commitment.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Samantha and Alex. I am 
proud they are my constituents, look forward to great things from them, 
and wish them the very best in the future.

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