[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1562]
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. ROBERT C. SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to 
draw attention to the 50th anniversary of the American Political 
Science Association (APSA) Congressional Fellowship Program.
  The goal of the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program is simple: to 
help participants better understand Congress. It is the oldest such 
program on Capitol Hill, designed to place highly skilled professionals 
from a broad spectrum of backgrounds in congressional offices for nine 
months as legislative aides. Over the years, the highly selective, 
nonpartisan program has grown from its beginnings with six fellows in 
1953 to the current program, which selects between 40 and 45 
professionals who have built impressive records of accomplishment as 
political scientists, journalists, sociologists, domestic and foreign 
policy government specialists, health policy experts and international 
scholars. The relationship between the fellow and the Members of 
Congress is a symbiotic one as Members obtain access to new sources of 
expertise, while fellows obtain first-hand perspectives about life on 
the Hill. There is, after all, no substitute for practical experience 
to understand Congress as a living institution. I wish to place on 
record my support for it.
  I have had the privilege to be associated with two APSA fellows in my 
office during the time I have been serving in the House of 
Representatives. As it turns out both are female journalists from 
foreign countries. Fardah Assegaf from Indonesia worked at the National 
News Agency of Indonesia, and served in my office in 1993. Michelle 
Phipps-Evans from Trinidad and Tobago worked at the Washington Afro 
American Newspapers and is serving this year. Both have been invaluable 
in the levels of writing and researching they have brought to the 
table. Each acted as full members of my staff advising me on various 
issues.
  Other enrichment opportunities continue through the program with the 
Wilson Seminar Series, which augment the legislative experience with 
speakers closely involved in the legislative process. A state-federal 
legislative comparative program at the State House in Annapolis, 
Maryland, and the Canadian Parliamentary Exchange provide further 
education. During the Canadian exchange, fellows provide their northern 
colleagues with a one-week orientation to Congress and receive a 
similar program through the House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada.
  Upon completion of the year on Capitol Hill, which often includes 
experience in both the House and Senate, the fellows return to their 
previous employment where their understanding of the political process 
becomes integrated and disseminated, with a kind of ripple effect among 
their colleagues. This knowledge of the workings of government enhances 
their future participation in the democratic process.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program, 
which has given over 1,800 individuals what can only be called an 
``opportunity of a lifetime.''

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