{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-higgins-kennedy-johnson-back-mcneese-university-request-for-naval-rotc-program/", "Cassidy, Higgins, Kennedy, Johnson Back McNeese University Request for Naval ROTC Program", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "LA", "Bill Cassidy", "C001075", "www.cassidy.senate.gov", "cassidy", "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), U.S. Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) expressed strong support for McNeese University\u2019s request to establish a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program.\n\n\u201cWe extend our support for McNeese State University\u2019s application to participate in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (Naval ROTC) program. Assigning a Naval ROTC program to McNeese would expand its academic offerings, enhance student life experiences, and align the University with becoming even more military-friendly for active service members, Veterans, and their families,\u201d wrote the members.\n\n\u201cWith its proximity to the Gulf of America, many of the nation\u2019s top ports, and the burgeoning home of Navy autonomous vessels, McNeese would be an excellent location for future naval officers,\u201d continued the members.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nSecretary Phelan,\n\nWe extend our support for McNeese State University\u2019s application to participate in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (Naval ROTC) program. Assigning a Naval ROTC program to McNeese would expand its academic offerings, enhance student life experiences, and align the University with becoming even more military-friendly for active service members, Veterans, and their families.\n\nWith its proximity to the Gulf of America, many of the nation\u2019s top ports, and the burgeoning home of Navy autonomous vessels, McNeese would be an excellent location for future naval officers. The University maintains highly successful Engineering and Computer Science programs and is experiencing an upward trend in enrollment due to its rigorous academic curriculum and value-based organizations. McNeese State University is already committed to these students and the Navy, identifying campus buildings and facilities for the program.\n\nLouisiana has a storied history in supporting our nation\u2019s defense and providing exemplary servicemen and women. McNeese is prepared to invest in this effort and capitalize on its students\u2019 desire to serve our country. A Naval ROTC program would solidify this pathway.\n\nWe appreciate your attention to this matter and respectfully request your full and fair consideration of McNeese State University for a Naval ROTC program.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-higgins-kennedy-johnson-back-mcneese-university-request-for-naval-rotc-program/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.2056642919778824, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}