WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, last week sent an open letter to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy congratulating the graduating Class of 2020. Today marks the commissioning of the largest and most diverse graduating class in the Academy’s history, representing cities in nearly every state in the country.

Click here to watch Wicker’s congratulatory message

Excerpt from letter:

On June 27, 2016, when you reported in as Swabs, you embarked on a journey to become leaders of strength and character, poised to meet emerging national priorities in the homeland and across the globe. Since that day, you have worked harder than you could have anticipated. In the course of nearly 200 weeks, through intense training and rigorous learning, you have been transformed into military men and women ready to accept the challenges that await you as Coast Guard officers. You will soon join an elite group of Americans who can be proud to have graduated from our Nation’s most selective military service academy. Congratulations on such a momentous achievement. 

Since its founding in 1876, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has given itself to molding the future leaders of America's premier multi-mission, maritime military force.  The Academy’s graduates have distinguished themselves on the high seas, along the coasts, and in the air.  Forty years ago, the first women to graduate from any U.S. military academy received their degrees and commissions at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on May 21, 1980. This year will mark the commissioning of the largest graduating class in the Academy’s history. The Class of 2020 is also one of the most diverse in the Academy’s history, representing cities all across America as well as some of our international partners. And of the 258 graduating cadets, 102 of you are women – another Academy record. 

Click here to read the full letter.   

The Commerce Committee exercises jurisdiction over the Coast Guard.