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Tribute to West Point's Service America Program

Date: May 12, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Minors and Children Military Personnel K-12 Education


TRIBUTE TO WEST POINT'S SERVICE AMERICA PROGRAM

HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON OF IDAHO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, recently I had the honor of visiting with the Corps of Cadets, faculty, and staff at the United States Military Academy. I am very grateful to Lieutenant General William Lennox, Jr., Superintendent; Colonel Russell Howard, Social Sciences Department Head; Colonel Robert Gordon III, Director, American Politics Program; and, of course, to the Cadets for having me.

In addition to being able to visit with cadets and their world-class faculty, I had the opportunity to learn of West Point's Service America Program. Serving one's nation can take many forms. I found it especially inspiring that as the West Point cadets, America's sons and daughters, are preparing to defend our freedoms, they have created still another way to serve our great nation.

Under the leadership of Colonel Gordon and many others, since 1997, cadets have been serving young people during the summer months through the Academy's Service America Program in Bremerton and Spokane, Washington; Chicago, Illinois; and Austin, Texas. The cadets have partnered with state and local AmeriCorps programs, America's Promise, the National Civilian Community Corps, and private foundations.

In the past six years, 161 cadets have participated in West Point's Service America Program. The cadets have spent almost 8,000 hours teaching children in the classroom and have tutored or mentored over 1,000 youngsters. Their total community service exceeds 20,000 volunteer hours. Cadets say Service America helps prepare them to become better officers. Cadets are refining their leadership skills through positions of authority in community projects, are working cooperatively with AmeriCorps volunteers in solving problems, and are mentoring young persons from diverse backgrounds and ages.

Mr. Speaker, I commend West Point and the cadets for their selfless service to our country, both on and off the battlefield. I knew that West Point was a national treasure long before I visited there. Now more than ever, I know why.

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