[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         APSA 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2003

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to congratulate the 
American Political Science Association on the 50th anniversary of its 
congressional fellowship program.
  The APSA Congressional Fellowship Program is a highly selective, non-
partisan program that provides invaluable opportunities for fellows to 
obtain legislative working experience. Since 1953, over 1800 
journalists, federal government professionals, political scientists, 
Robert Wood Fellow health policy fellows, Native American Hatfield 
fellows, and international scholars have participated in this program. 
The congressional fellowship program is beneficial for both 
congressional offices and the fellows. Congressional offices gain from 
the expertise of these professionals, and the congressional fellows 
learn the legislative process on a firsthand basis.
  I can speak from experience about the value of this program. I 
currently have on my staff an outstanding APSA fellow who has made 
great contributions to my office. Margaret Connelly came to my office 
from the USDA Forest Service. Since the beginning of this year, 
Margaret has assisted my Washington and District staff with the 
implementation of my Hometown Values legislative agenda, and she has 
also coordinated a number of high-priority transportation and natural 
resource projects. Margaret has brought to my office her considerable 
talents and professional experience with the Forest Service, and I am 
very pleased that she has gained new skills and valuable experience in 
my office.
  For those of you not familiar with the fellowship program, fellows 
work for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents as members of 
personal staff or committee staff while on the Hill. In addition to 
their office assignments, these congressional fellows attend 
educational seminars throughout the program. A field trip to Annapolis, 
Maryland is included to gain a better understanding concerning state 
government operations. For a comparative dimension, some fellows travel 
to Ottawa, Canada to meet with high-ranking Canadian officials and gain 
insight into the Canadian Parliament. In exchange, Canadian 
Parliamentary interns travel to Washington for a week to gain a better 
perspective on the U.S. Government.
  After these various experiences, fellows return to their previous 
jobs or new jobs, bringing with them new insights and knowledge of the 
legislative process. I hope they will continue to utilize their 
experience on the Hill for the rest of their lives and share this 
knowledge through discussions with friends and coworkers.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to congratulate the 
American Political Science Association for their outstanding 
contributions through their fellowship program. I would encourage my 
colleagues to participate in APSA's superb program which brings 
immeasurable benefits for the House of Representatives and for these 
dedicated professionals.

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