Truman

President Barack Obama has just announced the slew of programs that could lose funding in his 2010 budget — including a scholarship program honoring the 33rd president, Missouri favorite son Harry S Truman.

The cut — just $1 million — seems unlikely to impact the scholarship program much, but is an example of the crop of marginal reductions Obama hopes adds up to big savings. (Truman is in prominent company — a fellowship program honoring Christopher Columbus is also slated to lose $1 million.)

The Truman Scholarship is the official federal memorial to the Lamar, Mo. born president. It was first proposed by former Missouri Sen. Stuart Symington, who served in Truman’s administration.

Current board members of the scholarship foundation include Missouri Sen. Kit Bond and U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, whose district includes Truman’s birthplace.

The scholarship is given to college juniors — at least one from each state — seeking a career in public service. Past recipients include Obama’s Homeland Security secretary, Janet Napolitano, and Missouri State Rep. Jake Zimmerman.

According to the budget work book released by the White House today– which details almost $17 billion in cuts — the scholarship foundation has been able to operate off of interest from its endowment, which the White House suggests is ample enough.

If the scholarship wants to go beyond its endowment, the budget book states, “the foundation should seek private donations.”