of the united states military academy at west point, new yorkn westds point is america's oldest militaryt and one of our country's most fabled universities. tonight we will not only get to explore the rich history of west point we'll also get to enjoy the music of the army's oldest band, the west point band is one of america's finest military musical organizations. throughout the next hour we'll hear the musicians on stage, as hear the musicians on stage, as holiday concert.rfor but first, a look at how west point played a crucial role in our nation's independence before it became the prestigious military academy we know today. ♪. >> the academy sits on a plateau overlooking new york's hudson river. location chosen in 1778 by george washington is no accident. he thought west point was the strategic key to its defense byh stopping british advancement during the revolutionary wall. 24 years later with legislatione signed by thomas jefferson, the college was established, dedicated to training professional leaders in warfare. ♪. in 181known as the father of west point, general their served a

. >> lieutenant john david miley was a graduate of the united states military academy atwest point in7 . he was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the fifth artillery regiment with the outbreak of the spanish-american war in 1898 he was assigned an aide-de-camp to major general william shatner, khmer and commander of the expedition to cuba.he was highly trusted and when the general staff fell lieutenant miley was designed to coordinate the attack on san juan hill in his place and would ultimately be the one to give the order that led to the charge of lieutenant colonel theodore roosevelt and the roughriders . a few days later he served as one of the commissioners who negotiated the spanish surrender of santiago july 17. in 1904 miley in san francisco wasnamed in his honor.we know that today as san francisco va medical center . >> as a young man i grew up in south san francisco right next door to the national cemetery so when i became a cub scout we used to go over there in the 50s and decorate the gravesthat were there. when i got out of the service i stepped right back into it

i'm sandra smith coming to you from the grounds of the united states it in academy, west point, new york. it's one of our oldest militaryts at one of america's most fabled universities. the west point band is one of america's finest american musical organizations. we'll hear the musicians on stage as they perform in their annual holiday con certain. but first a look at how west point played a crucial role in our nation's independence before it became the press i juice military academy we know today. [♪] the academy sits on a plateau overlooking new york's hudson river. the location chosen in 1778 by george washington is no accidents. he thought west point was the strategic key to its defense by stopping the british advancements during the revolutionary war. 12 years later the college was established, dedicated to training professional leaders in warfare. in 1817 known as the father of west point. the general boost academic standards. with the country just a few years old at the time. there was an emerging need for engineers. west point catered to that need becoming the first engineering school in the united states. grad

military academies could further compel interest at such academies. do you agree that there is a range of factors to consider in advancing the united states national security interest in the global economic and technological leadership including preparing a workforce that reflects our nation's racial and ethnic diversity. that is a gas or no question. >> i think the number one should promote the diversity from that. .... .... to create diverse and thrive in the global market. >> thank you, mr. chairman. written testimony you mentioned unfair admissions and i'm glad we share that concern for you mentioned there driven by racial equity ideologies. are you aware they are personal? seven and ten at harvard, is that yes or no? i want to follow up, you discussed meritocracy several times, restoring meritocracy and do not destroy meritocracy. would you say that's based on test scores and grades? the dictionary definition means ability and talent rather than social position so many people have tremendous ability and talent and potential and might not have high test scores or grades so counter to what you are saying are somehow exclusive, they claim that black and