[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 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. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the 50th anniversary of the American Political Science Association 
(APSA) Congressional Fellowship Program.
  The APSA Congressional Fellowship Program is a nine-month highly 
selective, nonpartisan, legislative working experience where fellows 
gain experience as legislative assistants on personal or committee 
staffs and attend educational seminars and trips to the Canadian 
Parliament and the Maryland State House. The program exposes the inner 
workings of the legislative process to professionals from academia, 
journalism, government agencies, health care and foreign countries and, 
through them, to the broader public. It likewise exposes us as Members 
of Congress to their outside expertise and fresh perspectives on 
important public policy issues.
  I have been honored to host two APSA fellows in my office during the 
course of my three terms in the House of Representatives. Wanda Meyer-
Price, a federal agency fellow from the Central Intelligence Agency, 
served in my office in 2002. Matthew Hicks, a journalism fellow from 
national technology magazine eWEEK, is serving this year. Both acted as 
full members of my staff, advising me on important legislative issues.
  On a personal note, I understand the importance of fellowship 
programs because my exposure to the legislative process began in 1983 
as a fellow in the California Assembly Fellowship Program. Fellowship 
programs like the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program strengthen our 
democracy by fostering a broader and deeper understanding of the 
Congress and its legislative processes.
  Mr. Speaker, let us recognize the APSA Congressional Fellowship 
Program and its 1,800 alumni for their contributions to the legislative 
work on this floor and to furthering vital participation in the 
democratic process.

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