[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    KENT STATE UNIVERSITY'S WASHINGTON PROGRAM IN NATIONAL ISSUES: 
                 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN WASHINGTON, DC

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                          HON. TIMOTHY J. RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kent 
State University's Washington Program in National Issues, known as 
WPNI. On May 1, 2003, WPNI will celebrate its 30th Anniversary. This 
anniversary not only marks WPNI's 30th year in Washington, D.C., but 
also symbolizes the impressive achievements of those faculty, staff, 
alumni and students who are and who have been dedicated to the success 
of WPNI. Dr. Carol Cartwright, President of Kent State University, has 
been a very strong supporter of the program and has contributed 
significantly to its continued success.
  WPNI has three primary objectives: (1) to facilitate learning about 
the U.S. political system and its policy issues; (2) to develop an 
understanding of the interrelationship of public issues and structures 
of government; and (3) to encourage individual initiative and provide 
for experiences in internship and research. Dr. Carol Cartwright and 
Dr. Richard Robyn, Director of WPNI, have worked extremely hard to 
ensure that these objectives are met.
  WPNI is a full 15-week academic program offered each Spring semester 
by Kent State University. Since its creation in 1973, WPNI has sent 
more than 600 selected juniors and seniors from various academic 
disciplines to Washington, D.C. to live, work and study. Throughout the 
course of the program, the students are required to participate in an 
academic curriculum and maintain an internship position in government, 
a company or an organization of their choice. The academic and 
professional benefits this program brings to its students are 
extraordinary. At the same time, government entities, companies and 
organizations benefit enormously. I know this first-hand as my 
Washington office had the good fortune to have Sarah Jones from 
Hubbard, Ohio, as a WPNI intern since February 2003. Sarah made an 
invaluable contribution to the day-to-day operation of my office and we 
will miss her greatly.
  I commend Dr. Cartwright and those at Kent State involved in the 
foundation and the continuation of this meaningful program. I also 
congratulate all of the students who have taken part in this wonderful 
experience over the past 30 years. I am certain, that with continued 
support, the Washington Program in National Issues will celebrate many 
more anniversaries to come.

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