[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3030]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 2015 ACADEMY NOMINEES OF THE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 
                               NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, more school seniors from 
the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for Navy pea 
coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most other 
districts in the country. But this is nothing new--our area has 
repeatedly sent an above average portion of its sons and daughters to 
the nation's military academies for decades.
  This fact should not come as a surprise. The educational excellence 
of area schools is well known and has long been a magnet for families 
looking for the best environment in which to raise their children. Our 
graduates are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social 
studies, but also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and 
other extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing makes 
military academy recruiters sit up and take note--indeed, many 
recruiters know our towns and schools by name.
  Since the 1830's, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking 
with, and nominating these superb young people to our military 
academies. But how did this process evolve? In 1843, when West Point 
was the sole academy, Congress ratified the nominating process and 
became directly involved in the makeup of our military's leadership. 
This was not an act of an imperial Congress bent on controlling every 
aspect of Government. Rather, the procedure still used today was, and 
is, a further check and balance in our democracy. It was originally 
designed to weaken and divide political coloration in the officer 
corps, provide geographical balance to our armed services, and to make 
the officer corps more resilient to unfettered nepotism and handicapped 
European armies.
  In 1854, Representative Gerritt Smith of New York added a new 
component to the academy nomination process--the academy review board. 
This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent 
citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the 
serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I 
am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th 
Congressional District.
  The Academy Review Board is composed of six local citizens who have 
shown exemplary service to New Jersey, to their communities, and to the 
continued excellence of education in our area--and all are veterans. 
Though from diverse backgrounds and professions, they all share a 
common dedication that the best qualified and motivated graduates 
attend our academies. And, as true for most volunteer panels, their 
service goes largely unnoticed.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize these men and women and 
thank them publicly for participating in this important panel. Being on 
the board requires hard work and an objective mind. Members have the 
responsibility of interviewing upwards of 50 outstanding high school 
seniors every year in the academy review process.
  The nomination process follows a general timetable. High school 
seniors mail personal information directly to the Military Academy, the 
Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy 
once they become interested in attending. Information includes academic 
achievement, college entry test scores, and other activities. At this 
time, they also inform my office of their desire to be nominated.
  The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on the data 
supplied, and return the files to my office with their notations. In 
late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the 
applicants over the course of 2 days. They assess a student's 
qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other 
talents that may be hidden on paper.
  This year the board interviewed over 40 applicants. The Board's 
recommendations were then forwarded to the academies by January 31, 
where recruiters reviewed files and notified applicants and my office 
of their final decision on admission.
  As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through 
the academy nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they 
are preparing to make: to defend our country and protect our citizens. 
This holds especially true at a time when our nation is fighting the 
war against terrorism. Whether it is in Afghanistan or other hot spots 
around the world, no doubt we are constantly reminded that wars are 
fought by the young. And, while our military missions are both 
important and dangerous, it is reassuring to know that we continue to 
put America's best and brightest in command.

         Academy Nominees for 2015 11th Congressional District


                           Air Force Academy

       Gina-Marie Arrabito, West Orange, West Orange H.S.; John P. 
     Dennehy, Rockaway, Morris Hills H.S.; Fredrik A. Eriksson, 
     Woodland Park, Passaic Valley Regional H.S.; Joshua J. 
     Fortes, Parsippany, Parsippany H.S.; Christian O. Hedengren, 
     Brookside, St. Peters Preparatory; Leland E. Hemgren, 
     Boonton, Mountain Lakes H.S.; Liam R. Sax, Sparta, Pope John 
     XXIII Regional H.S.


                        Merchant Marine Academy

       Travis Z. Feather, Pine Brook, Bergen Catholic H.S.; Paul 
     T. Femia, Kinnelon, Valley Forge Military Academy; Maria F. 
     Garcia, East Hanover, Hanover Park H.S.; Colleen M. Griffin, 
     Kinnelon, Kinnelon H.S.; Christian A. Marini, Kinnelon, Seton 
     Hall Preparatory; Luke H. Mayer, Morristown, Delbarton 
     School; Christopher J.L. Morgan, West Orange, West Orange 
     H.S.; Kelly A. Smith, Roseland, West Essex H.S.


                             Naval Academy

       Seth M. Abbott, Randolph, Randolph H.S.; Mark G. Brown, 
     Brookside, West Morris Mendham H.S.; James E. Crimmins, 
     Madison, Chaminade H.S., NY; Joshua C. Corbett, Mendham, Gill 
     St. Bernards School; Jacob S. Ferraro, Kinnelon, Kinnelon 
     H.S.; Aaron J. Hanko, Montville, Naval Academy Preparatory 
     School; Warren J. Lee, East Hanover, Oratory Preparatory 
     School; Jay Oh, Madison, Madison H.S.; Austin J. Tighe, 
     Little Falls, Seton Hall Preparatory; Jacob T. Valente, 
     Wayne, Wayne Valley H.S.


                            Military Academy

       Matthew E. Babich, Wayne, Regis H.S. NY, NY; Alexandra R.K. 
     Bruno, Little Falls, Passaic Valley H.S.; Jonathan P. Davis, 
     Chatham, Chatham H.S.; Alexander C. Lagasca, Sparta, Sparta 
     H.S.; John M. Lowe, Parsippany, Gill St. Bernards School; 
     Angela E. Martone, Lincoln Park, Trinity Christian School; 
     Richard R. O'Connor, New Vernon, Miami University; Ivan V. 
     Peters, Boonton, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg; James E. Schoch, 
     Sparta, Sparta H.S.; Austin J.C. Williams, Verona, Verona 
     H.S.

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