Floor Speech2026-06-02

RECOGNIZING UTAH'S APPOINTEES TO THE SERVICE ACADEMIES

Context

On 2026-06-02, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING UTAH'S APPOINTEES TO THE SERVICE ACADEMIES" in the Senate.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2493-S2494] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING UTAH'S APPOINTEES TO THE SERVICE ACADEMIES Mr. LEE. Mr. President, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize 17 exemplary men and women who are among the best and brightest that Utah has to offer. These individuals have answered the call to service and have received appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy. As a member of Congress, it is my privilege under title 10 of the U.S. Code, to nominate a number of young men and women to these iconic service academies. But receiving a congressional nomination does not guarantee acceptance. To be admitted, each applicant must meet--on his or her own merits--the academies' rigorous standards. I am happy to report that each individual has done this and more. They have demonstrated impressive mental and physical aptitude. Perhaps more importantly, they have shown their high moral character and capacity for leadership, courage, honesty, prudence, and self- discipline. They maintain a steadfast commitment to serve and stand up for our country. I can say without hesitation that you would be hard pressed to find a more accomplished, talented, patriotic group of American citizens anywhere. They will be a credit to our Nation as they begin their journeys in Colorado Springs, Kings Point, West Point, and Annapolis. I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in their academic years and beyond. It is my honor to recognize and congratulate these fine Utahns in the U.S. Senate: Rieder N. Birch will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after graduating from Park City High School. He earned the AP Scholar with Distinction Award for his high number of AP classes and excellent test scores. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Fly Fishing Club, Youth Group Bible Study, and Especially for Athletes where he was an officer. He played lacrosse for the high school team and a local club team. He worked on a local mayoral campaign, coached lacrosse, and was a counselor at Basin Recreation Camp. Sebastian William Bodily accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. A 2025 graduate of Park City High School, Sebastian has successfully spent this year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School. In high school, Sebastian was captain of the football and track & field teams, where he held multiple state and school records. He helped his fellow students in the Hope Squad and was vice president of the Investment Club. He has followed his Marine father's advice in life's challenges to ``adapt and overcome.'' Matthew Jackson Cernyar will join the cadets and his brother at the Air Force Academy. He prepared for the academy by taking a large number of AP and concurrent enrollment classes while maintaining straight A's. At Wasatch High School he served as president of HOSA, and vice president of both Turning Point USA and the Let's go to the Moon Club. He was on the wrestling team, track & field team, and captain of the cross country team. Jack worked with special needs students as a peer tutor and through his church's ministry. Ayaan Garg will be joining his brother at the U.S. Naval Academy. The Providence Hall High School graduate was a member of the Navy Junior ROTC where he served in several leadership positions and earned the NJROTC Student of the Year Award three times. He played on the tennis team and ran on the cross country team. Ayaan was the Service Officer for the National Honor Society, the Health and Ecology Instructor for a Youthlinc humanitarian trip to India, and the Mayor Pro-Temp on the Lehi Youth City Council. Jacob Nicholas Hamblin, a graduate of Corner Canyon High School, will be attending the Air Force Academy. Jacob stayed busy in high school with both academics and sports. He took a number of AP classes while maintaining straight A's. He was captain of the high school swim and mountain bike teams. Both sports prepare him to compete in triathlons where he won the U.S. National Off-Road Championship. Jacob is inspired by his father's service in the Army Reserves and Utah National Guard to always be his best. Mei Li Han will be joining the cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after studying this last year at the University of Utah and interning in my Washington, DC office. She graduated from Park City High School where she was captain of the mountain bike team and president of the National Honor Society. She was a member of the Park City Ski and Snowboard and Ski Mountaineering teams. She also found time to take fourteen AP classes, participate in orchestra, and complete the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Marshall Stephen Huber will be attending the Air Force Academy after graduating from Brighton High School. He was a captain of the track & field team and the football team. He earned the 5A Offensive Lineman of the Year, First Team All- State, and Scholar Athlete of the Year awards in football. Marshall was a member of Especially for Athletes and served on the Leadership Council. In addition to being a leader on the field, he leads his peers as they work together to clean elementary schools, and is an example to his siblings. Isabel Avery Illian, from Cedar City, chose to accept an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Her time at SUCCESS Academy, a charter school tied to Southern Utah University, where she maintained a 4.0 GPA, prepared her well for an academy. She earned team and state honors on the track & field and cross country teams. Izzy plays viola for the Symphonic orchestra and Orchestra of Southern Utah. She achieved a Superior Rating in the State Viola Solo and Ensemble competition. She also volunteered at an elementary school with kindergarten and first grade students. Keira Marie Jones worked hard to prepare for the Naval Academy and is sure to have received good advice from her brother. The gymnastics standout graduated from Springville High School with a 4.0 GPA and a challenging academic courseload. As vice president of the senior class, president of the National Honor Society, and an officer in the Key Club, Keira led numerous service projects and completed over 95 hours of service herself that included repainting park benches, making comfort kits, and working at the local food bank. Ellen Renee Kennedy graduated from Waterford School and has been attending the University of Utah. She has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. An academy graduate inspired her to find meaning and purpose, so she is taking her talents to the Army. She served in student government and volunteered with animal shelters and the Park West Bees. She was captain of the volleyball team and most valuable player on both the high school and club teams. She was the assistant coach of a high school team during college. Caden Roger Kerrigan will follow his grandfathers into the Navy, having accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. From Draper, he graduated from Juan Diego Catholic High School where he took a high number of AP classes, was awarded the AP Scholar Award, and represented his school at Boys State. Caden has been recognized as a natural leader--as captain of the wrestling team, coach for both wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, a sports referee, supervisor at multiple jobs, and older brother to his siblings. Preston Callister Lang will join the midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating from Snow Canyon High School. Preston is a straight-A student who scored a 36 composite on his ACT has prepared himself both academically and physically for the academy. He was captain of the wrestling team and represented Utah three times in the U.S. Marine Corps 16U/ Junior Nationals Freestyle and Greco-Roman National Championships. He helps others by coaching youth wrestling and performing acts of service as a member of his church youth group. [[Page S2494]] Edward Anthony Jonathan Peek will be attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after his graduation from Judge Memorial Catholic High School. AJ was a member of the state champion basketball team that went All-State three times. He also played football and lacrosse. He served as captain of the basketball team and as a counselor at Camp Elim youth camp. AJ enjoys making music by playing piano and writing and recording his own pieces. Gianni Michael Renzetti is on his way to Kings Point, New York to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. From Clinton, Gianni attended Northridge High School. As a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC, he earned the Air Force Sergeants Association Award and the American Veterans Award. He served as Cadet Chief Master Sergeant and Cadet Executive Officer. He was selected to attend the highly competitive AFJROTC Flight Academy where he logged over eighty hours of flight time and earned his private pilot's license. Jacob Garrett Scott will trade the mountains of the Wasatch Front in Midway for the Colorado Front at the Air Force Academy. A graduate of Wasatch High School, Garrett kept a 4.0 GPA with sixteen AP classes and six concurrent enrollment classes. He was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC, president of the Let's go to the Moon Club, the Hive Newsletter, the Milkmen Quartet, and vice president of Interact. He was captain of the cross country team and on the long jump team. He is a co-founder of Sycamore Swing and a host on the Heber Valley Railroad. Berkley Jan Smith, after graduating from Mountain View High School and spending a year at the Georgia Military College as a Falcon Scholar will enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. Berkley has been preparing herself by taking a range of AP, concurrent enrollment, and college classes. She was a leader in the Mountain View Dance Company, a m

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RECOGNIZING UTAH'S APPOINTEES TO THE SERVICE ACADEMIES Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2493-S2494] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING UTAH'S APPOINTEES TO THE SERVICE ACADEMIES Mr. LEE. Mr. President, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize 17 exemplary men and women who are among the best and brightest that Utah has to offer. These individuals have answered the call to service and have received appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy. As a member of Congress, it is my privilege under title 10 of the U.S. Code, to nominate a number of young men and women to these iconic service academies. But receiving a congressional nomination does not guarantee acceptance. To be admitted, each applicant must meet--on his or her own merits--the academies' rigorous standards. I am happy to report that each individual has done this and more. They have demonstrated impressive mental and physical aptitude. Perhaps more importantly, they have shown their high moral character and capacity for leadership, courage, honesty, prudence, and self- discipline. They maintain a steadfast commitment to serve and stand up for our country. I can say without hesitation that you would be hard pressed to find a more accomplished, talented, patriotic group of American citizens anywhere. They will be a credit to our Nation as they begin their journeys in Colorado Springs, Kings Point, West Point, and Annapolis. I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in their academic years and beyond. It is my honor to recognize and congratulate these fine Utahns in the U.S. Senate: Rieder N. Birch will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after graduating from Park City High School. He earned the AP Scholar with Distinction Award for his high number of AP classes and excellent test scores. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Fly Fishing Club, Youth Group Bible Study, and Especially for Athletes where he was an officer. He played lacrosse for the high school team and a local club team. He worked on a local mayoral campaign, coached lacrosse, and was a counselor at Basin Recreation Camp. Sebastian William Bodily accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. A 2025 graduate of Park City High School, Sebastian has successfully spent this year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School. In high school, Sebastian was captain of the football and track & field teams, where he held multiple state and school records. He helped his fellow students in the Hope Squad and was vice president of the Investment Club. He has followed his Marine father's advice in life's challenges to ``adapt and overcome.'' Matthew Jackson Cernyar will join the cadets and his brother at the Air Force Academy. He prepared for the academy by taking a large number of AP and concurrent enrollment classes while maintaining straight A's. At Wasatch High School he served as president of HOSA, and vice president of both Turning Point USA and the Let's go to the Moon Club. He was on the wrestling team, track & field team, and captain of the cross country team. Jack worked with special needs students as a peer tutor and through his church's ministry. Ayaan Garg will be joining his brother at the U.S. Naval Academy. The Providence Hall High School graduate was a member of the Navy Junior ROTC where he served in several leadership positions and earned the NJROTC Student of the Year Award three times. He played on the tennis team and ran on the cross country team. Ayaan was the Service Officer for the National Honor Society, the Health and Ecology Instructor for a Youthlinc humanitarian trip to India, and the Mayor Pro-Temp on the Lehi Youth City Council. Jacob Nicholas Hamblin, a graduate of Corner Canyon High School, will be attending the Air Force Academy. Jacob stayed busy in high school with both academics and sports. He took a number of AP classes while maintaining straight A's. He was captain of the high school swim and mountain bike teams. Both sports prepare him to compete in triathlons where he won the U.S. National Off-Road Championship. Jacob is inspired by his father's service in the Army Reserves and Utah National Guard to always be his best. Mei Li Han will be joining the cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after studying this last year at the University of Utah and interning in my Washington, DC office. She graduated from Park City High School where she was captain of the mountain bike team and president of the National Honor Society. She was a member of the Park City Ski and Snowboard and Ski Mountaineering teams. She also found time to take fourteen AP classes, participate in orchestra, and complete the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Marshall Stephen Huber will be attending the Air Force Academy after graduating from Brighton High School. He was a captain of the track & field team and the football team. He earned the 5A Offensive Lineman of the Year, First Team All- State, and Scholar Athlete of the Year awards in football. Marshall was a member of Especially for Athletes and served on the Leadership Council. In addition to being a leader on the field, he leads his peers as they work together to clean elementary schools, and is an example to his siblings. Isabel Avery Illian, from Cedar City, chose to accept an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Her time at SUCCESS Academy, a charter school tied to Southern Utah University, where she maintained a 4.0 GPA, prepared her well for an academy. She earned team and state honors on the track & field and cross country teams. Izzy plays viola for the Symphonic orchestra and Orchestra of Southern Utah. She achieved a Superior Rating in the State Viola Solo and Ensemble competition. She also volunteered at an elementary school with kindergarten and first grade students. Keira Marie Jones worked hard to prepare for the Naval Academy and is sure to have received good advice from her brother. The gymnastics standout graduated from Springville High School with a 4.0 GPA and a challenging academic courseload. As vice president of the senior class, president of the National Honor Society, and an officer in the Key Club, Keira led numerous service projects and completed over 95 hours of service herself that included repainting park benches, making comfort kits, and working at the local food bank. Ellen Renee Kennedy graduated from Waterford School and has been attending the University of Utah. She has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. An academy graduate inspired her to find meaning and purpose, so she is taking her talents to the Army. She served in student government and volunteered with animal shelters and the Park West Bees. She was captain of the volleyball team and most valuable player on both the high school and club teams. She was the assistant coach of a high school team during college. Caden Roger Kerrigan will follow his grandfathers into the Navy, having accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. From Draper, he graduated from Juan Diego Catholic High School where he took a high number of AP classes, was awarded the AP Scholar Award, and represented his school at Boys State. Caden has been recognized as a natural leader--as captain of the wrestling team, coach for both wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, a sports referee, supervisor at multiple jobs, and older brother to his siblings. Preston Callister Lang will join the midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating from Snow Canyon High School. Preston is a straight-A student who scored a 36 composite on his ACT has prepared himself both academically and physically for the academy. He was captain of the wrestling team and represented Utah three times in the U.S. Marine Corps 16U/ Junior Nationals Freestyle and Greco-Roman National Championships. He helps others by coaching youth wrestling and performing acts of service as a member of his church youth group. [[Page S2494]] Edward Anthony Jonathan Peek will be attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after his graduation from Judge Memorial Catholic High School. AJ was a member of the state champion basketball team that went All-State three times. He also played football and lacrosse. He served as captain of the basketball team and as a counselor at Camp Elim youth camp. AJ enjoys making music by playing piano and writing and recording his own pieces. Gianni Michael Renzetti is on his way to Kings Point, New York to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. From Clinton, Gianni attended Northridge High School. As a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC, he earned the Air Force Sergeants Association Award and the American Veterans Award. He served as Cadet Chief Master Sergeant and Cadet Executive Officer. He was selected to attend the highly competitive AFJROTC Flight Academy where he logged over eighty hours of flight time and earned his private pilot's license. Jacob Garrett Scott will trade the mountains of the Wasatch Front in Midway for the Colorado Front at the Air Force Academy. A graduate of Wasatch High School, Garrett kept a 4.0 GPA with sixteen AP classes and six concurrent enrollment classes. He was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC, president of the Let's go to the Moon Club, the Hive Newsletter, the Milkmen Quartet, and vice president of Interact. He was captain of the cross country team and on the long jump team. He is a co-founder of Sycamore Swing and a host on the Heber Valley Railroad. Berkley Jan Smith, after graduating from Mountain View High School and spending a year at the Georgia Military College as a Falcon Scholar will enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. Berkley has been preparing herself by taking a range of AP, concurrent enrollment, and college classes. She was a leader in the Mountain View Dance Company, a m