Date: June 10, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. --

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Ms. Lilian M. Ofagalilo, a teacher at Nu'uuli Vocational Technical High School has been awarded a graduate fellowship by the James Madison Fellowship Foundation of Washington, D.C. In its seventh year of fellowship competition, the fellowship allows the recipient to finance up to $24,000 for graduate studies leading towards a masters degree in American history. Ms. Ofagalilo is one of 68 national recipients this year. The competition pool from which Ms. Ofagalilo was selected comprised all of the 50 states and insular areas.

The James Madison Fellowships allow for further study of American history to college graduates who aspire to teach American history, American government, and social studies at the secondary school level, as well as to experienced secondary school teachers of the same subjects.

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation was organized by Congress in 1986 and is an independent establishment of the executive branch of the federal government. It means to recognize promising and distinguished teachers, to enhance their knowledge of the fundamentals and development of the American constitutional government, and furthermore, to teach secondary school students accurate material of the United States constitutional heritage.

The fellowship is funded by income from a trust fund in the Treasury of the United States and also by additional private donations, corporate contributions, and foundation grants. The Foundation requires that Ms. Ofagalilo take part in a master's program which will include a concentration of courses on the history and principles of the United States Constitution.

Congratulations to Ms. Lilian M. Ofagalilo of Nu'uuli Vocational Technical High School on her achievement!