SENATOR COLLINS CONGRATULATES SCARBOROUGH STUDENT FOR RECEVING GEORGE J. MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP

Washington DC – Senator Susan Collins today congratulated Benjamin Cote of Scarborough, Maine for receiving the George J. Mitchell Scholarship for 2005-2006. Senator Collins has remained a critical supporter of the scholarship, leading a Senate-wide request to fund the program.

"The George J. Mitchell Scholarship is a valuable international fellowship promoting the alliance between the United States and Ireland," said Senator Susan Collins. "This truly is a great honor and Benjamin should be commended for his work."

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship, named for Senator Mitchell's pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process, is administered by the US-Ireland Alliance a non-partisan non-profit organization. The program is supported by the US, Irish and British Governments and provides a year postgraduate study at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Recipients of the prestigious scholarship have demonstrated the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership and community service. Benjamin is one of two recipients from Maine to receive the award since it was established in 1998.

###