[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1558-E1559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE 
              ASSOCIATION CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 50th 
anniversary of the American Political Science Association (APSA) 
Congressional Fellowship Program. Founded in 1953, the highly 
selective, nonpartisan Congressional Fellowship Program has ushered 
more than 1700 foreign and domestic scholars, journalists and Federal 
employees through legislative assignments on Capitol Hill. The APSA 
Congressional Fellowship Program, which is currently run by Dr. Jeffrey 
Biggs, provides fellows with a hands-on experience in Congress as they 
handle legislative responsibilities both on personal or committee 
staffs.

[[Page E1559]]

  In these positions, the American Political Science Association 
Fellows gain an invaluable inside perspective on the legislative 
process that no textbook can provide. In turn, they contribute 
significantly to the work of a congressional office as they add a new 
perspective and outside, real world expertise to crucial policy issues. 
Over the years, the Congressional Fellowship Program has gained 
prominence among those interested in the ways our unique democracy 
functions.
  I am currently serving my third term in the House of Representatives 
and have already hosted my third APSA Congressional fellow. Ms. Simone 
Stemmler from Germany spent her fellowship year in my office in 1999 
working on a global health initiative.
  After a very successful year, my office was joined by Ms. Jodi 
Lieberman from the Nuclear Regulatory Agency who spearheaded a number 
of key legislative issues in my office, including founding and 
establishing the Bangladeshi Caucus.
  This year, I once again picked a German fellow--political scientist 
Marcus Menzel--who worked together with my staff and me on a number of 
foreign affairs, defense, and trade issues. In addition, he created the 
new role of grants coordinator in my office, working to ensure that 
Federal dollars are returned to worthwhile groups and organizations in 
my district of Queens and the Bronx, New York.
  Representing a multiethnic district and serving on the Committee on 
International Relations, I particularly appreciate the different 
perspectives and opinions that fellows from America's foreign allies 
bring to my office. They learn about our deliberate process and we in 
turn benefit from their unique perspective on global issues.
  The 50th anniversary is often considered the golden anniversary; and 
I can state without hesitation that the APSA Congressional Fellowship 
Program represents the gold standard of fellowship programs.

                          ____________________