[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APSA CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my fellow colleagues in 
celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the American Political Science 
Association's Congressional Fellowship, the first and oldest program of 
its kind on Capitol Hill.
  Since 1953, APSA has allowed rising leaders within government 
agencies, as well as those in fields like medicine, journalism and 
academia to get an inside view of what, when, why and how we do things 
here in the people's House and the other chamber.
  I have had the pleasure of having several fellows since I arrived 
here in Congress, all of whom have distinguished themselves in their 
ability to jump right in and perform as any veteran of my team. They do 
so by checking their egos at the door but not their skills and 
experiences, providing a different perspective on both potential 
legislation and daily procedures.
  Success in any arena depends on participants getting to know the 
language, procedures and customs of important institutions of power. To 
be effective communicators or creators of sound public policy, 
individuals and groups must know how the game is played, even if the 
rules appear to sometimes be rigged. APSA fellows leave their 
assignments with that type of knowledge and view of Congress that is 
built on practical experience and not solely on media or partisan spin.
  Washington does not operate in a vacuum--the things that we do echo 
past these great halls into the homes, schools and office buildings 
that dot this great land. While technology has allowed Americans to 
connect with each other quicker, more often and over greater distances, 
it has not increased the public's understanding of what gets done in 
Washington and the impact that debates on and off the floor have on 
their lives.
  The APSA Congressional Fellowship program is helping to bridge this 
gap in the public consciousness by demystifying the political process. 
Their alumni provide clear evidence that everyone, no matter what their 
profession or expertise, has a role to play in and an opportunity to 
impact, their government.

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