[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2006

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program, an international internship 
program that was highlighted in a Roll Call article last week. I have 
been a proud participant in the program since its inception seven years 
ago.
  The Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program gives Australian 
university students the opportunity to intern in the office of a Member 
of the Congress. Each year, 12 students from all across Australia are 
selected to come to Washington to participate in the administrative and 
legislative processes that underpin the functioning of Congress as a 
democratic institution. Such experiences are invaluable opportunities 
for these students to gain knowledge and a deep understanding of the 
internal workings of the United States Government while bringing their 
own skills and backgrounds to their respective Congressional offices.
  The Uni-Capitol Program selects undergraduates from 7 universities by 
matching the applicants with Members and Senators who share their 
views. The students who are selected come from a variety of academic 
disciplines, but all have an interest in learning about and promoting 
the U.S.-Australia relationship. The Program facilitates this by 
enabling the formation of genuine friendships and the exchange of views 
and ideas between the Australian interns and their respective offices. 
I have often enjoyed the interaction that has occurred between my 
Australian and American interns. This, my colleagues, is how we build 
relationships which will ensure that the U.S. and Australia remain 
friends and allies for years to come.
  My office is currently hosting Sarah Dillon who is completing a 
double degree in law and international studies at Deakin University. 
She has been an exceptional addition to my staff and has provided us 
with an international perspective on constitutional governments, a 
passion for relieving suffering in Darfur, and the culinary delights of 
vegemite.
  Sarah is participating with 11 other very qualified students. Andrew 
Brookes from Melbourne University is in Senator Christopher Dodd's 
office; Ryan Conroy from Deakin University is in Representative Sam 
Farr's office; Jenna Davey-Burns from Melbourne University is in 
Representative Louise Slaughter's office; Douglas Ferguson from the 
University of Canberra is in Senator Debbie Stabenow's office; Jessica 
Gurevich from Melbourne University is in Representative Mike Castle's 
office; Scott Ivey from the University of Western Australia is in 
Representative Loretta Sanchez's office; Saul Lazar from Deakin 
University is in Senator Chuck Hagel's office; Abbie McPhie from 
Melbourne University is in Representative Jerrold Nadler's office; 
Linda Nelson from the University of Wollongong is with the House 
Science Committee's majority staff; Marianna O'Gorman, from the 
University of Queensland is in Delegate Eni Faleomavaega's office; and 
Rachel Thomson from the University of Western Australia is with the 
Joint Economic Committee's minority staff.

  I would also like to commend Eric Federing who founded and continues 
to direct this international internship program. Eric is a former 
senior House and Senate staffer of more than a dozen years, and I 
congratulate him on making his vision a reality. In the process, Eric 
continues to make a great contribution to the mutual understanding and 
appreciation shared by Australians and Americans, myself included.
  I am proud that my office is part of this program, as I believe it 
provides a unique and important bridge between the United States of 
America and Australia. The program has been, and will continue to be, 
an extremely beneficial experience for all involved. I implore my 
colleagues to participate in this worthwhile program in the coming 
years.

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