Office of Rep. Tracey Mann
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., hosted his first Congressional Military Academy Nominations Selection Committee on Nov. 20.
Committee members included Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland.
As a member of Congress for the First District of Kansas, Mann can offer military academy nominations to the five U.S. service academies for students in the district. The interviews took place at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene.
"It was an honor to host my very first military academy selection committee in the boyhood hometown of a five-star U.S. Army General, President Dwight D. Eisenhower," said Mann.
"The students we interviewed reflect the best of Kansas and their aspirations to serve our country are inspiring. I enjoyed getting to know them and learning about their desire to serve in the U.S. military."
Rep. Mann appointed a committee of five Kansans in the First District who have extensive experience in either serving in the U.S. military or working closely with the military.
Among the five person-panel was Mary Eisenhower, the granddaughter of President Eisenhower. The full selection committee included: Kansas State Representative and veteran John Barker, Kansas state Sen. and veteran Rick Billinger of Goodland, Kansas State Rep. and veteran Dr. Bill Clifford, Mary Eisenhower, and Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Military Community Liaison Janet Nichols.
"I'd like to extend a tremendous thank you to the committee for taking time out of their busy schedules and lending their expertise in the selection process. Each one of them brought a unique viewpoint and experience to the table," said Mann.
"It was a special honor to have Mary Eisenhower on the committee. Her longtime support of our state means a great deal to me and so many other Kansans."
Twelve high school students in the district applied for a military academy nomination through Mann's office. The committee participated in interviewing each student alongside Rep. Mann.
In the coming weeks, the committee will notify the students of the selections.
Mann serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.