[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING TWO NEWLY NAMED RHODES SCHOLARS FROM KANSAS

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                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that two Rhodes 
Scholars from Kansas were named last week. I include in the Record for 
the House's review a wire story from the Associated Press concerning 
these two exemplary young Kansans, Robert Chamberlain of Topeka, and 
Ben Champion of Olathe, but particularly want to take note of Ben 
Champion, a constituent who interned in my Overland Park and 
Washington, D.C., congressional offices last summer. I also include a 
recent story from The Olathe News concerning Ben.
  Ben Champion, who is hoping to pursue a career in politics and public 
policy, is majoring in chemistry, natural resources and environmental 
sciences at Kansas State University. His goal is to bridge the gap 
between the sciences and the political arena by first specializing in 
the sciences, especially chemistry, and subsequently by working in the 
policy arena to develop and implement sound environmental policy. My 
constituents in Kansas' Third District were fortunate to have him 
serving them in their congressional offices last summer, and I join 
with our staff in congratulating Ben and wishing him well on this 
exciting new challenge.

                  Kansas Student Named Rhodes Scholar

                       (By The Associated Press)

       Two young men from Kansas, one a University of Kansas 
     graduate now in the Army, and the other a senior at Kansas 
     State University, were named Saturday as Rhodes Scholars for 
     2003.
       They area Robert M. Chamberlain of Topeka, who earned a 
     political science degree from Kansas in May, and Ben Champion 
     of Olathe, who is majoring in chemistry, natural resources 
     and environmental sciences at Kansas State.
       The prestigious scholarships provide more than $50,000 for 
     two years of graduate study at Oxford University in England. 
     They were established in 1903 by British philanthropist Cecil 
     Rhodes, and 32 scholarships are awarded every year to 
     students from the United States.
       Chamberlain, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, is a 
     field artillery officer with the 101st Airborne Division at 
     Fort Sill, Okla., until April 2003, when he transfers to Fort 
     Campbell, Ky.
       A finalist for the scholarship a year ago, he is the son of 
     Michael and Judy Chamberlain of Topeka and a graduate of 
     Washburn Rural High School. He plans a public service career 
     in international law.
       Chamberlain said his selection for the scholarship was 
     ``still sinking in.''
       ``It's such an honor to be selected from such an 
     outstanding group of people,'' he said.
       Chamberlain is the 24th University of Kansas student, and 
     the first since 1994, to win a Rhodes scholarship. Kansas 
     State has had seven Rhodes scholars since 1986.
       Champion is a 1998 graduate of Olathe South High School. He 
     is the son of Mike and Paula Champion of Olathe.
                                  ____


                         [From the Olathe News]

                      South Grad Is Rhodes Scholar

                           (By Kevin Selders)

       Ben Champion, a 1998 graduate of Olathe South High School, 
     discovered something Saturday that changed his life.
       Champion, who is graduating Saturday from Kansas State 
     University with a degree in chemistry and environmental 
     science, has been chosen as a Rhodes Scholar. He is one of 
     two recipients from Kansas of the two-year, $50,000 
     scholarship to University of Oxford in England. ``I really 
     don't know what to think about it yet,'' he said. ``It's 
     still sinking in.'' The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest 
     international fellowships, were initiated in 1902 after the 
     death of Cecil Rhodes. They allow students from many 
     countries around the world to attend the University of 
     Oxford.
       American Rhodes Scholars are selected through a 
     decentralized process by which regional selection committees 
     choose 32 scholars each year from among those nominated by 
     selection committees in each state. Applicants from more than 
     300 American colleges and universities have been selected as 
     Rhodes Scholars.
       The other recipient from Kansas, Robert Chamberlain of 
     Topeka, earned a political science degree from the University 
     of Kansas in May, and is now a second lieutenant in the U.S. 
     Army. Scholarships also were awarded to students from other 
     countries, bringing the total number of scholarships awarded 
     this year to about 95.
       Champion, who plans to study renewable energy technologies 
     at Oxford, said he's excited about attending the university, 
     which is known for having the largest chemistry department in 
     the world. ``I'm really looking forward to studying at 
     Oxford,'' he said. ``It's going to be a good fit for me.'' He 
     said that after his time at Oxford, he'd like to conduct 
     research and get into the political process and advise on 
     environmental policy issues.
       Rhodes Scholars are selected for two years of study at 
     Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All 
     educational costs, such as enrollment, tuition, laboratory 
     and other fees, are paid on the scholar's behalf by the 
     Rhodes Trustees.
       Each scholar also receives an allowance adequate to meet 
     necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes 
     Trustees cover the costs of travel to and from Oxford, and 
     upon application, may approve additional grants for research 
     purposes or study-related travel.
       Champion, who also is a drummer and vocalist for a band 
     called The Vetivers, attributed his success to having a 
     supportive family, encouraging professors, a solid education 
     from the Olathe school district and 12 years of experience in 
     the Boy Scouts, which resulted in his achievement of Eagle 
     Scout status. Champion also has won the Udall Scholarship for 
     environmental studies and was a finalist for the Truman 
     Scholarship.
       Champion's father, Mike, credits his son's success to his 
     positive, focused mind-set, his strong work ethic and his 
     ability to adapt to any situation he's in. ``I'm about as 
     excited as a dad can get,'' he said. ``It's one of those 
     things where you pinch yourself to make sure you're awake and 
     not dreaming.''

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