Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Wednesday, June 28, 2006	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

SKELTON HONORED FOR DEDICATION TO PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION

Washington, DC – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO), the Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, was recently honored by two of the nation’s premier institutions for professional military education.

A new academic chair at the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and a specialized military library at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, will bear Skelton’s name.

Skelton, who is known for his expertise in the area of professional military education, said, “It is absolutely humbling to be recognized by these outstanding schools that educate some of our country’s most promising young leaders. Providing our military with the best equipment and technology is not enough. We must also develop our human resources, so our men and women in uniform have the intellectual tools they need to fight and win our nation’s battles today and in the future.”

During graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 16, the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College announced the creation of the Ike Skelton Distinguished Chair for Counterinsurgency. The person chosen to fill this new position will serve as an advocate for counterinsurgency studies and will assist staff with curriculum development related to counterinsurgency.

On Friday, June 23, the Joint Forces Staff College commemorated its 60^th anniversary with ceremonies that included the dedication of the Ike Skelton Library. The Ike Skelton Library is an extensive, specialized modern military library, focused on joint and coalition operations, military history, operational warfare, and operations other than war.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.