Cummings applauds increasing diversity at Coast Guard Academy

The following is the text of a press release issued by U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md.:
 
(WASHINGTON) — Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, was pleased to learn of increasing diversity at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
 
The Coast Guard Academy’s Class of 2014 reported for training on June 28. At that time, 199 male and 90 female cadets were sworn into the class. The gender diversity of the Coast Guard Academy has consistently increased in the past several years. Thus, the Class of 2012 was comprised of only 29 percent female cadets while the Class of 2014 is 31 percent female.

Along with gender diversity, nearly 24 percent of the incoming class are non-Caucasian, including 35 Hispanic Americans, 15 African Americans, and 13 Asian Americans. By comparison, the Class of 2012, which was sworn in 2008, was comprised of only 12 percent of cadets who identified themselves as an ethnic minority.

“Such improved diversity at the Coast Guard Academy is great news,†said Cummings. “I have consistently asked that the Academy work on this matter, and these numbers show they have done exactly that. While the goal of the Coast Guard Academy is and remains to produce the best possible Coast Guardsmen and women to protect our nation, I believe the Coast Guard and indeed our nation are best served by having those men and women be fully representative of the diversity of America. With that in mind, I look forward to seeing even more diverse classes of cadets graduating from the Academy in the coming years.â€

In April, Chairman Cummings convened a hearing regarding civil rights programs and diversity initiatives in the United States Coast Guard. The hearing examined a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concerning changes made by the Coast Guard’s Civil Rights Directorate. The Subcommittee also examined diversity at the Coast Guard Academy.

By Professional Mariner Staff