Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Tuesday, October 17, 2006	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

Skelton Says Bill Funds ROTC Early Commissioning Program Scholarships

Lexington, Missouri – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that $3.05 million for Early Commissioning Program (ECP) Scholarships was approved in the Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Appropriations bill.

“I am pleased that the Department of Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2007 includes $3.05 million for Early Commissioning Program Scholarships. As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud that Congress established the Early Commissioning Program Scholarships several years ago. Last year, over 70 graduates from Military Junior Colleges were awarded scholarships under this program. The funding provided in Fiscal Year 2007 will ensure that even more ECP participants are eligible for assistance,” said Skelton.

ECP is a two-year Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) program that allows college students to receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. These commissioned officers graduate with an Associate’s Degree and are required to complete their Bachelor’s Degree at a four-year institution of higher education. ECP students graduate from one of five Military Junior Colleges, which includes Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri.

- 30 -

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.