H*4623 Concurrent Resolution, By Wilkins
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE UNITED STATES MILITARY
 ACADEMY AT WEST POINT ON THE OCCASION OF ITS BICENTENNIAL.

   01/31/02  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-1
   02/05/02  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-22

TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT ON THE OCCASION OF ITS BICENTENNIAL.

Whereas, March 16, 2002, marks the bicentennial of the founding of the United States Military Academy at West Point by President Thomas Jefferson; and

Whereas, the site of the United States Military Academy had been strategically important during the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to fortify West Point in 1778; and

Whereas, General Washington selected West Point for his headquarters in 1779, and despite Benedict Arnold's treason, the fortress at West Point was never captured by the British; and

Whereas, following the establishment of the United States Military Academy, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, the "Father of the Military Academy", upgraded academic standards, instilled military discipline, and emphasized honorable conduct, values still treasured at the Academy today; and

Whereas, following their distinguished service in the Mexican War, West Point graduates gained further national recognition during the Civil War, when the highest ranks on both sides were dominated by such prestigious graduates as Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson; and

Whereas, the Academy's high standards of military leadership were further evident during World War I and, especially, World War II, when West Point graduates Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, Omar N. Bradley, George S. Patton, Joseph W. Stilwell, and Jonathan M. Wainwright IV were among an impressive array of Academy graduates who led the Allied victory; and

Whereas, throughout its two centuries of history, the United States Military Academy has expanded its course offerings, increased the strength of the Corps of Cadets, and admitted more minorities and women to reflect changes in American society, but West Point has through two hundred years maintained its commitment to duty, honor, and country, and remains the oldest continuously occupied military post in America. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly, by this resolution, commends and congratulates the United States Military Academy at West Point on the occasion of its bicentennial.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Military Academy at West Point.