[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 8, 2007

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, as we listen to our constituents, grapple 
with their needs, speak out, legislate, and otherwise work to improve 
their lives and the life of our Nation, we take great pride in the 
ability of Congress and our system of government to inspire the world 
beyond our borders. But just as important as this inspiration is the 
recognition of what we all can learn from that world, from people who 
want to study, visit or otherwise immerse themselves in this great 
institution as a means towards better understanding the United States.
  For the last 8 years, a unique international exchange has taken place 
here in Congress. Future leaders of Australia have participated in 
what's known as the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program. Through 
this program each year, one dozen of Australia's best and brightest 
university students have been carefully matched to House and Senate 
offices for two-month full-time internships. These internships have 
enabled me and many of my colleagues to share our pride in the American 
republic while at the same time learning more firsthand about the 
Australian commonwealth, its people, its ideas, and our numerous shared 
values.
  It is an understatement to say that Australia and the United States 
are close allies globally or that we merely have such similarities as 
vibrant democracies, free-enterprise economies, and diverse societies. 
We are in many ways close cousins with complex national histories. That 
is what these young Australians get to learn as they are welcomed here, 
and how we profit by their all-too-brief presence among us.
  This year, it has been my pleasure to participate in this program for 
the third time and host Sylvia Gaston from the University of Melbourne.
  Her kindness, can-do spirit, eagerness to learn, and willingness to 
share her views with me and my staff have made her an exceptional 
ambassador for her university and for her country. During her time with 
us, the closeness of the Australian and American peoples is clearly 
evident, just as it is evident that this exchange is not merely an 
academic exercise or even confined to Congress. It is about building 
for tomorrow, about personal and professional growth, and about lasting 
international friendships.
  Sylvia is not alone in this experience in the First Session of the 
110th Congress. Joining her in this very bipartisan effort: Emmanuel 
Rohan in the office of Representative Mike Castle; Charis Tierney in 
the office of Senator Mike Crapo; Nicole Woodmansey in the office of 
Senator Christopher Dodd; Clare Ashby in the office of Representative 
Philip English; Anna Keenan in the office of Representative Sam Farr; 
Nisha Sundaresan in the office of Senator Chuck Hagel; Anu Ambikaipalan 
in the office of Representative Alcee Hastings; Megan Bainbridge in the 
office of Representative Jerrold Nadler; Stuart Broadfoot in the office 
of Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Jennifer Grant in the office of 
Representative Loretta Sanchez; and, Michael Ng at House Transportation 
and Infrastructure Committee (Majority).

  Both the U.S. and Australian Governments have been strong supporters 
of this exchange over the years, and rightly so. Seven Australian 
universities currently participate in the program from 4 of the 6 
Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory. Students are 
put forward from such diverse disciplines as economics, commerce, 
trade, science, law, communications, politics, and of course, American 
studies.
  One of the more noteworthy aspects of the program is that it is an 
entirely pro bono project. Eric Federing, who served as a senior 
staffer in the House and Senate for a dozen years in the 1980s and 
1990s, created the program 8 years ago soon after going to work for the 
auditing firm KPMG. What the effort almost completely lacks in 
bureaucracy, it makes up for in the personal trust, practical purpose 
and contagious enthusiasm that gave life to this highly-personalized 
vision of international exchange, which followed Eric's many travels to 
Australia in the 1990s while still on congressional staff.
  Madam Speaker, many of my colleagues have recognized this effort over 
the years. I did so myself 4 years ago when the annual intern group was 
much smaller and drawn from only a single Australian university. It is 
heartening to see how much this program has grown, thrived, and how 
tribute has been paid not just here but in the Australian Parliament.
  In conclusion, Madam Speaker, there is so much we can learn when we 
connect people, whether here at home or around the world. Technology 
has greatly reduced what the Australians would call the ``Tyranny of 
Distance.'' But only when you meet with and sit down with someone from 
another city, another state, or another country can you fully 
understand and appreciate the world through their eyes and divine where 
common ground can be found and endure.
  My great hope is not only that this program continues, but that 
others will be founded in its spirit and focused towards as many 
peoples and places as possible in our world.

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