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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran today introduced a bill to award Father Emil Kapaun, a Kansas war hero, the Medal of Honor for acts of valor in the Korean War. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Father Kapaun was by all accounts an American hero,” Senator Roberts
said. “Taken prisoner at the Battle of Unsan, Father Kapaun served his soldiers
by escaping to steal food from nearby farms to bring back to starving
prisoners. He cared for sick soldiers, washed them, shared his food with them,
and inspired them with his unfailing faith and acts of generosity until his
death as a prisoner in May 1951. His selfless actions are certainly deserving
of the Medal of Honor.”
“Father Kapaun’s courageous actions in the battlefields of the Korean
War saved countless lives when he ran under enemy fire to rescue wounded
American soldiers. His selfless acts uplifted the spirits of American GIs when
he gave away his food and clothing and cared for the sick who were suffering
alongside him in prison camps. When all else looked hopeless, the Father
rallied men around him to persevere in the midst of their suffering. This good
man distinguished himself by going above and beyond the call of duty and risking
his life for the sake of others. In doing so, he is more than deserving of this
distinguished award,” Senator Moran said.
Father Kapaun was born in Pilsen, Kansas, in 1916. During the Korean
War, then Captain Kapaun served as a chaplain of the 8th Cavalry Regiment of
the First Army Division. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service
Cross for his actions in the Battle of Unsan. In 2009, former Congressman Todd
Tiahrt (R-KS) called for a review of Father Kapaun’s record. Former Secretary
of the Army Peter Geren confirmed that his actions in combat operations and as
a prisoner of war in Korea warrant award of the Medal of Honor.
The bill authorizes and requests the posthumous Medal of Honor. The
Department of Defense must concur with the Senior Army Decorations Board’s
determination and convey approval to the Committees on Armed Services in the
Senate and the House. It must then be approved by both chambers and signed into
law.
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, a former Marine, is a strong advocate for military veterans, and men and women in uniform and their families.
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Moran Named 2010 Wheat Advocate
Jan 20 2011
Students headed to Washington, D. C., will receive $5,000 scholarship
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Jerry Moran
(R-KS) today announced the names of the two students who have been selected as
delegates to the 49th annual United States Senate Youth Program
(USSYP) that will be held March 5 – 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C. Chase
Blasi of Colwich and Yuqi Hou of Lenexa were chosen
from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will
attend the program’s 49th annual Washington Week.
"I congratulate the Kansans selected to
represent our state in the Senate Youth Program," Sen. Roberts said.
"Their hard work and leadership has earned them a rare opportunity to see
our government in operation first-hand."
"I commend the outstanding achievements
of these remarkably talented and engaged young Kansans," Sen. Moran said.
"The United States Senate Youth Program offers delegates the opportunity
to learn about their government and the legislative process, and helps ensure a
generation of well-rounded citizens."
The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution
324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst
Foundations since its inception. The impetus for the program according to the
Congressional Record was "to increase young Americans’ understanding of
the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and
responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the vital
importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people
around the world."
The two Kansas students who have been
selected as delegates to the 49th annual USSYP are:
Chase Blasi of Colwich, who attends Andale High School where he serves as
president of the Andale chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Chase
is an active member of various organizations in his school including serving as
president and founder of Youth Making a Difference, an organization created to
help teenagers get involved and make a difference on issues that matter to
them. After graduation Chase plans to attend Wichita State University and
obtain degrees in business and political science; and
Yuqi Hou of Lenexa, who attends Shawnee Mission West High School where she
serves on the Student Council Executive Board. Yuqi is ranked first out of 456 in
her class. She is very active in many school related organizations and was a
national qualifier for the Lincoln-Douglas debate 2010 and a national qualifier
in Policy Debate 2009.
Chosen as alternates to the 2011 program were
Taylor Gravett, a resident of Weir, who attends Southeast High
School and Alexandrea Feldkamp, a resident of Lincoln, who
attends Lincoln Jr/Sr High School.
Each year this extremely competitive
merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students –
two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense
Education Activity – to Washington, D.C., for an intensive week-long study of
the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall mission of the
program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more
profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment
to public service. In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations
provide each of the 104 student delegates with a $5,000 undergraduate college
scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history
and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are
also provided by The Hearst Foundations, as stipulated in S.Res. 324; no
government funds are utilized.
The chief educational officer in each state
selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s
delegates were designated by Commissioner of Eductation Dr. Diane DeBacker.
While in Washington the student delegates
will attend meetings and briefings with senators and Congressional staff, the
president, a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an
ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media. The
students will also tour many national monuments and several museums.
In addition to remarkable leadership
abilities and a strong commitment to public service, this year’s students rank
academically in the top 1 percent of their states. They continue to excel and
develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service.
Among the many distinguished former program delegates are Sen. Susan Collins of
Maine, the first program delegate elected to the Senate; Congressman Cory
Gardner of Colorado, the first alumnus to be elected to the House; New Jersey
Governor Christopher Christie; former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of
Appeals; and presidential advisors Thomas "Mack" McLarty and Karl
Rove.
The co-chairs of the USSYP 2011 49th
Annual Senate Advisory Committee are Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Sen. John
Cornyn of Texas. The Advisory Committee is made up of Sen. Dianne Feinstein of
California, Sen. Kay R. Hagan of North Carolina, Sen. Bernard Sanders of
Vermont, Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, Sen.
Scott P. Brown of Massachusetts, Sen. James Risch of Idaho and Sen. Roger
Wicker of Mississippi. Each year, the honorary co-chairs of the program are the
Senate Majority and Minority Leaders and the Vice President of the United States.
