[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 27, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, for decades the United States has worked 
closely with Australia on issues of great importance to our two 
nations. Australia has stood out among the international community as a 
friend of the United States and remains one of our closest cultural, 
economic and security partners. It is in this spirit that a program was 
launched 10 years ago to further foster those close ties. Since that 
time, the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program has delivered to 
the United States approximately 100 of Australia's best and brightest 
to serve as interns in a variety of Federal agencies and congressional 
offices.
  During my first term in Congress, I was privileged to welcome Anthony 
``A.J.'' Bremmer to my office. Anthony was a welcome addition to my 
congressional staff and he quickly became an integral part of the team. 
When the opportunity arose again this winter to participate in the Uni-
Capitol Washington Internship Program, I immediately agreed to welcome 
another Australian ``ambassador.'' Jehane Sharah, much like A.J., has 
quickly become a valued part of our staff. Jehane has demonstrated a 
maturity and a curiosity beyond her college years. Prior to coming to 
the United States, Jehane worked for two members of the Australian 
parliament. This experience has helped her flourish during her short 
time in Washington. She has attended briefings, assisted constituents, 
and worked with my staff on a variety of research initiatives. Jehane 
also has an extensive background in communications, serving as a senior 
reporter for a newspaper in Canberra. As a result, she has assisted my 
communications director on a number of important projects. Jehane truly 
is an exceptional ambassador for the people of Australia.
  Many of my colleagues have also been privileged to welcome students 
like Jehane to their offices. This year, 12 students from all across 
Australia are serving in offices here in Washington. They were drawn 
from seven Australian universities in four different states and the 
Australian Capital Territory. From my experience, it is clear that this 
program will help foster a new generation of understanding and shared 
experiences between our two countries. One example of this can be seen 
in a recent feature piece written by Jehane for the Sunday Canberra 
Times. The article details her experience at the inauguration of 
President Obama, an event that united not only the people of our 
country, but those around the world as well.
  We in the United States and Australia owe a debt of gratitude to the 
program's founder, Eric Federing. Eric is a former senior House and 
Senate Congressional staffer who has worked tirelessly to bring 
students from Australia to the halls of Washington through his efforts 
at the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program. Madam Speaker, as 
Members of Congress we have a responsibility to our constituents back 
home and an opportunity to reach out to people across the globe. It is 
with that in mind that I would encourage all of my colleagues to open 
their doors to students from around the world so that they can share in 
our great democracy. Similarly, I would encourage American university 
students to travel abroad to learn about other cultures and governments 
and share their knowledge of our country. I ask my colleagues to join 
with me in recognizing the contributions of the Uni-Capitol Internship 
Program and to once more thank Jehane Sharah for her dedication and 
hard work.

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