Washington, DC (January 25, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today held a special event in his Edinburg District office for some of this year’s nominees to the United States military service academies. The nominees were selected on the basis of their application materials, which included letters of recommendation, high school transcript, community and extracurricular activities, and SAT and/or ACT scores.
“Each nominee brings a unique attribute to the table, but they all have challenged themselves during school and have contributed to their communities,” said Hinojosa. “I could not be prouder of their accomplishments, and wish them well in the future.”
Each year Members of Congress nominate exemplary young men and women from their respective districts to service academies and, from those recommendations, the service academies make final selections. Some names are submitted to more than one academy, if an applicant selected an alternate school.
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Congressman Hinojosa’s Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:
Good afternoon. I am so pleased that everyone could be here today to help celebrate the academic achievement of these wonderful students.
Since going to Congress, one of my top priorities has been to help improve the quality of education in the 15th District and to increase access to higher education.
Today we have before us students who have worked hard during their high school careers to maintain academic excellence. In addition, they have served in their respective communities, participated in extra-curricular activities, and many of them are fine athletes.
They understand that excellence comes not only from knowledge, but from serving and participating in the world around them.
As a result, they now have an opportunity to attend some of the finest institutions of higher learning in the country – our service academies. They include the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Our military academies graduates are proficient in math, science and engineering. The U.S. is falling behind the rest of the world in graduating workers trained in high technology fields.
Students who excel in math, science and technology have a wide variety of career opportunities.
The military also provides hands-on experience and training on some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world.
No matter whether these students pursue a long-term career in the military or move to the private sector, they will be well-prepared to succeed in this 21st century world.
In addition to academics, the service academies teach leadership skills that can be learned no where else. These skills will stand them in good stead throughout their lives.
These students will also gain the immense pride and satisfaction that comes from serving this great country in uniform.
In closing, I want to thank every parent for the support and encouragement they have given to these fine young men and women.
As a father, I know the challenge of raising children and teaching them to make the right decisions. You have all done a wonderful job, and I know you are justifiably proud of your children’s accomplishments.
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Congressman Hinojosa submitted the following names to the U.S. service academies:
U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York:
Cody Sommer, Yoakum, Yoakum High School
Alexander Herring, McAllen, McAllen High School / Lamar Academy
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland:
Lupita Dodge, Beeville, Refugio High School
David Allen Miller, Harlingen, Marine Military Academy
Daniel Moczygemba, Berclair, Goliad High School
U.S. Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, Colorado:
Matthew Cheesman, Cuero, Cuero High School
Cody Sommer, Yoakum, Yoakum High School
Daniel Moczygemba, Berclair, Goliad High School
Amanda Aguirre, Donna, Donna High School