PRESS RELEASE
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29)
Sean Oblack, Communications Director
202-226-8348 direct
202-225-3278 cell
May 21, 2008
202-226-8348

Schiff Announces the Appointment of Local Armenian American Student to
the West Point Military Academy

Christian Kooshian of Altadena to be a member of the class of 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Adam Schiff announced that Christian
Kooshian of Altadena received an appointment to U.S. Military Academy
(West Point) for the class of 2012. Congressman Schiff met with
Christian and his family this past weekend to congratulate him and thank
him for his dedication to our country.

"After reviewing Christian’s application I was very impressed by his
dedication to serve our country," said Schiff. "After meeting him and
his family this past weekend, I am confident he will be among the future
leaders of our country."

Christian’s patriotism and desire to serve in the military stems from
his grandfather’s story of survival in the Armenian Genocide and
subsequent immigration to the U.S. Throughout his high school career at
John Muir, Christian has proven to be a true leader. He was a member of
his high school cross country team, serving as the captain his senior
year. He also played the viola in the John Muir Symphony Orchestra, and
he was a recipient of the 2007 Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Last
summer he attended the Summer Leadership Seminar at West Point.

"I see West Point as the best path for me to both enter the military
service and to become an educated, patriotic citizen of good character,"
Christian wrote in his application essay.

Four of the five service academies require a Congressional nomination.
They are the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, the
Military Academy at West Point, and the Naval Academy. The fifth
service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a
Congressional nomination. All five academies offer young men and women
a free college education at a highly-ranked, nationally-recognized
academic institution, while preparing them for an officer’s commission
in the armed forces.

Students interested in applying to a Service Academy in 2009, should
call Congressman Schiff’s District Office at 626-304-2727 or visit
to obtain an application form. The application
deadline is November 14, 2008.

Congressman Schiff has introduced a "Kids First" agenda of initiatives
to improve education, safety, and health care for our children. He is
the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a
member of the House Appropriations Committee, the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee. He represents
California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities
of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel,
Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and
Temple City.

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