We, the undersigned, would like to express our strong support for the Roosevelt Scholars Act. This important piece of legislation will better enable the federal government to recruit a new generation of leaders to fill critical positions in federal service. The Roosevelt Scholars program will help to attract top students from our nation's leading universities to solve some of the most difficult challenges facing America and the world today. There are numerous benefits to this proposal: -- Roosevelt Scholars will help government attract mission-critical talent by financing education in key fields. Roughly one-third of the government's top scientists, engineers, physicians, mathematicians, economists and other highly specialized professionals will retire in the next five years. The market for highly-skilled workers continues to tighten, and the federal government must compete with other sectors for the same, limited talent pool. -- Roosevelt Scholars will make government service possible for more Americans. Rising education costs are pricing our most talented and highly-educated citizens out of public service jobs. Tuition assistance is perhaps the most straightforward, proven instrument in the government's recruiting toolbox. -- Roosevelt Scholars will build upon a proven model of excellence from the military. A combined two-fifths of U.S. military officers are products of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and receive federal support for education in exchange for their military service. The Roosevelt Scholars program brings a similar commitment to and investment in our civilian service. -- Roosevelt Scholars will help re-brand government service. Ultimately, the Roosevelt Scholarship and the efforts of the Roosevelt Scholars Foundation will draw greater attention to the importance of federal work and restore prestige to federal service. We believe Roosevelt Scholars is an innovative initiative with exciting potential, and we urge Congress to promptly pass the Roosevelt Scholars Act.

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