[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING PROFESSOR KENNETH T. PALMER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2000

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Professor Kenneth 
T. Palmer of the Department of Political Science at my alma mater, the 
University of Maine. I was fortunate to study under Professor Palmer, 
and learned many a lesson in politics from him.
  Today, I want to thank him for one of the extra-curricular 
responsibilities he has taken on in addition to his teaching. For 31 
years, Professor Palmer has coordinated the University of Maine's 
Washington Congressional Internship Program, which has been a rich 
source of interns for the Maine Congressional Delegation since 1958.
  Ken Palmer has played a crucial role in the program's success. His 
oversight of the selection has helped to guarantee high quality interns 
who have made important contributions to our offices.
  Approximately 150 University of Maine students have taken part in the 
program since its inception. I have been fortunate to have the 
assistance of 5 able University of Maine interns during my tenure here. 
Two of them have gone on to join my staff, which speaks highly of the 
caliber of students Professor Palmer has selected to participate.
  I am told that many former interns report that the five months they 
spent in Washington constituted the most significant learning 
experience in their undergraduate careers. Graduates of the program 
have distinguished themselves in various careers, especially law, 
business, and public service.
  Recently, Ken Palmer announced that he will be stepping down from his 
post and handing the reins over to another professor. He leaves large 
shoes to fill.
  I am pleased to congratulate Professor Palmer on all that he has 
achieved with the Congressional Internship Program. He has set a fine 
example for other academic institutions to follow.

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