Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he and Congressman Gregorio Sablan, the CNMI’s first Congressional Delegate to the U.S. Congress, introduced legislation to increase academy appointments for CNMI and American Samoa from 2 nominations to 3 per service academy.

“I commend Congressman Sablan for his initiative in introducing H.R. 935 of which I am an original cosponsor,” Faleomavaega said.  “In 2003, I introduced an amendment to increase American Samoa’s appointments from 1 to 2 students per academy and now, although our populations do not equal those of Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands who can only appoint 3 students to each service academy, I support the intent of H.R. 935 which would increase the number of students appointed from CNMI and American Samoa from 2 to 3, especially given the tremendous service our men and women provide to the U.S. Armed Forces as a result of their training at these prestigious academies.”

 “If passed by the House and Senate, I am pleased that we may be able to offer more of our students an opportunity to attend our nation’s military academies.  Certainly I believe we will have the full support of the Armed Services Committee which fully supported American Samoa’s efforts in 2003.  And, I have every confidence that Senator Inouye will also help us in the Senate.”

 “Given that this legislation is a tribute to our young men and women who proudly serve, I would like to take this opportunity to salute them, and thank them and their families for all they do for us,” Faleomavaega concluded.