President Obama signed the 2010 Defense Authorization Act into law with a provision allowing the CNMI to have two students at a time at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and the Military Academy at West Point.
The provision was added to the bill by U.S. Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, Ind.-MP.
Enactment of the Defense Act means that Sablan will now have five slots to fill at the Service Academies for the term beginning in 2010.
“All the information is available on my Web site (http://sablan.house.gov/services/academy-nominations.shtml) for those interested in applying for a congressional nomination to West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs,” Sablan said.
The deadline to begin the application process is Nov. 25.
“I am so glad that the very first legislative language that I drafted and has become law means an increase in educational opportunities for students from the Northern Marianas,” said Sablan. “I truly believe that only by investing in education for our people will we ensure our economic and social well-being 30 to 50 years into the future.”
Sablan succeeded in having his amendment added to the Defense Authorization bill during its debate in the House Armed Services Committee in June. And the amendment survived throughout the long legislative process that ended today with the President’s signature.
“I certainly want to thank Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, who is a member of the Armed Services Committee, and who co-sponsored my amendment, for her generous support,” said Sablan.
“I also want to thank Committee Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri and all of his staff, who assisted me in this effort.”
Sablan traveled with Skelton earlier this month to the chairman’s hometown of Lexington, Missouri to visit the Wentworth Military Academy there.
Skelton is a Wentworth graduate. The school is interested in enrolling students from the Northern Marianas into its two-year associate of arts degree, which can also earn a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
