A joint resolution congratulating the United States Military Academy at West Point on its bicentennial anniversary, and commending its outstanding contributions to the Nation.
PL 107-152 (S.J.Res.32), enacted 03/14/2002

PUBLIC LAW 107-152—MAR. 14, 2002 
116 STAT. 77 
Public Law 107-152 
107th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Congratiilating the United States Military Academy at West Point on its bicentennial 
Mar. 14, 2002 
anniversary, and commending its outstanding contributions to the Nation. 
[SJ Res 32] 
Whereas establishing a miUtary academy to teach the technical 
arts of war was a desire of many of our founding fathers, particu-
larly George Washington; 
Whereas Congress passed legislation on March 16, 1802, to establish 
such a military academy to be located at West Point, New York, 
a site that Washington called the key to the continent because 
of its strategic importance during the Revolution; 
Whereas President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation estab-
lishing the United States Military Academy at West Point, an 
institution dedicated to promoting scientific education to benefit 
the Nation and to attracting a diverse array of young citizens 
to the Nation's military leadership; 
Whereas Sylvanus Thayer, who served as Superintendent of the 
Academy from 1817 to 1833, established the foundation of the 
Academy's strong academic program, strict adherence to dis-
cipline, and emphasis on moral and ethical conduct; 
Whereas under Douglas MacArthur's leadership as Superintendent 
from 1919 to 1922, the Academy was modernized to prepare 
its graduates for the challenges of the 20th century; 
Whereas the Academy, the first school in America to teach 
engineering, produced graduates who were responsible for the 
construction of the Nation's first railroad lines and many of 
its early harbor improvements, bridges, roads, and canals; 
Whereas Academy graduates introduced engineering education to 
numerous colleges and universities, and carried out such monu-
mental engineering projects as the construction of the Panama 
Canal project; 
Whereas Academy graduates have also distinguished themselves 
in the leadership of such innovative scientific research and 
development projects as the development of atomic bombs in 
the Manhattan Project during World War II; 
Whereas Academy graduates have served with character and 
distinction in all of America's wars and military actions since 
the War of 1812; 
Whereas 74 Academy graduates have earned the Nation's highest 
military honor, the Medal of Honor; 
Whereas 2 Academy graduates, Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. 
Eisenhower, served both as distinguished general officers and 
as the President of the United States, and many other graduates 
have served in all levels of government; 
116 STAT. 78 
PUBLIC LAW 107-152—MAR. 14, 2002 
Whereas dozens of Academy graduates have been astronauts, 
including the Academy graduate who is the first American to 
walk in space and 2 Academy graduates who walked on the 
moon; 
Whereas hundreds of Academy graduates have utilized their talents 
in the private sector, to provide managerial and technical exper-
tise that is responsible, in part, for nurturing and sustaining 
a system of enterprise that is admired around the world; 
Whereas the Academy has provided an opportunity for men and 
women of all races, religions, and cultures to receive a college 
education and to begin a life of service to the Army and the 
Nation; and 
Whereas the motto of the Academy, "Duty, Honor, Country", 
exemplifies the spirit of this Republic: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress 
congratulates the United States Military Academy on its bicenten-
nial anniversary, recognizes it as an outstanding leadership develop-
ment institution that upholds and promotes the highest virtues 
of American society, and commends all those who have led and 
taught at the Academy for inculcating its 58,000 graduates with 
moral, ethical, and intellectual values and skills that are the founda-
tions for the dedicated service so honorably given by those graduates 
• 
to the Army, the Nation, and friends of freedom and liberty around 
the world for 200 years. 
Approved March 14, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 32: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 148 (2002): 
Feb. 25, considered and passed Senate. 
Mar. 6, considered and passed House.