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NEWS FROM
SENATOR TIM JOHNSON,
SENATOR JOHN THUNE,
REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Julianne Fisher, 202-224-1638
Kyle Downey, 202-228-5939
Betsy Hart, 202-226-8555

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

SD Delegation Invites South Dakotans to Apply to U.S. Service Academies
Applications are Due October 31, 2008

Washington, D.C. - Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) announced today that South Dakota young people interested in being nominated to one of the four U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2013 should apply by October 31, 2008.

South Dakota residents between the ages of 17 and 23 may apply to any of the four service academies if they meet eligibility requirements in leadership, physical aptitude, scholarship and character. The four service academies are the Military Academy at West Point, New York; the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

"I am proud to see a strong level of interest from South Dakota's finest young men and women every year," said Johnson. "So many of our young people choose to pursue a role in our nation's defense, and I expect this year will be the same. I am always proud to nominate students to America's service academies."

"The service academies provide excellent educational and leadership opportunities for a select number of young men and women each year. I look forward to the honor of nominating some of South Dakota's best and brightest to be considered for an appointment by the academies," Thune said.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, "For generations, our country's service academies have provided young men and women from South Dakota and across the country a top-notch education and unparalleled opportunity for personal growth. I encourage all interested individuals to apply and look forward to nominating South Dakota's finest for appointments at America's service academies."

Johnson, Thune, and Herseth Sandlin will each compile separate lists and make final recommendations to the academies on the most qualified candidates by January 31, 2009. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications to all three Congressional offices in order to better their chances of receiving a recommendation. The academies will make offers of appointment next spring.

Interested applicants should contact:

Senator Johnson's office at (605) 332-8896 or 800-537-0025; Senator Thune's office at (605) 334-9596 or 866-850-3855; Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin's office at (605) 367-8371 or 866-371-8747.

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