A resolution congratulating the United States Military Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America's Best College for 2009.

Whereas Forbes magazine has named the United States Military Academy at West Point as America’s Best College for 2009;

Whereas the United States has had a military presence at West Point since the Revolutionary War because of its strategic position overlooking the Hudson River;

Whereas General George Washington selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko to design West Point’s fortifications in 1778;

Whereas West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States;

Whereas President Thomas Jefferson established the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802;

Whereas West Point has educated many of the United States Army’s commissioned officers;

Whereas West Point instructs 4,400 cadets per year in academics, military tactics, physical fitness, and leadership;

Whereas approximately 1,000 cadets graduate each year and are commissioned in the United States Armed Services;

Whereas 2 Presidents of the United States, 74 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, 88 Rhodes Scholars, 33 Marshall Scholars, and 28 Truman Scholars have graduated from West Point;

Whereas in addition to academics and military training, West Point offers extracurricular activities that include the Eisenhower Hall Theatre and 115 athletic and non-sport clubs; and

Whereas West Point offers a well-rounded, highly regarded education to the next generation of the Nation’s leaders: Now, therefore, be it