COMMENDATION OF THE MILITARY COLLEGES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRAINING CITIZEN-SOLDIERS.

SEC. 1073. COMMENDATION OF THE MILITARY COLLEGES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRAINING CITIZEN-SOLDIERS. (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) The number of essential military colleges (institutions that the Department of Defense has recognized as constituting a special aspect of American higher education) has decreased from 11 institutions in 1914 to only 4 today: Norwich University, founded in 1819; Virginia Military Institute, established in 1839; The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, chartered in 1842; and North Georgia College, which opened in 1873. (2) The hallmark of these institutions has been their dedication to the principle of the citizen-soldier, and in this regard they are joined in spirit and devotion by the Cadet Corps at Texas A & M University and at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. (3) Citizen-soldiers are educated, trained, and inspired to become productive members of society in any calling, but are also prepared to serve their country in a military role during times of war or national peril. (4) These citizen-soldiers have accepted as their duty an obligation to serve their country in every instance of war since the Mexican War, and have without fail or hesitation answered the call to arms—most recently with service in Southwest Asia as part of Operation Desert Storm. (b) Recognition and Commendation.—In light of the findings in subsection (a), the Congress— (1) recognizes and commends military colleges for the unique contributions they have made and continue to make; and (2) urges citizens of the United States to support the concept of the citizen-soldier to which these colleges are dedicated.