[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       TRIBUTE TO THE UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

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                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a unique 
international exchange program, one in which the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure has participated since its inception 
11 years ago.
  The Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme (UCWIP) matches a 
dozen of Australia's best university students to Congressional offices 
for 2-month, full-time internships each January and February. The 
program is nonpartisan, bicameral, and focuses on connecting people for 
lasting education and mutual understanding. It is a true exchange that 
regards its participants as young professionals looking to enter the 
working world with a head start of sophistication, personal growth, and 
international sensibilities.
  The Australian interns bring a hunger for knowledge and a passion to 
understand our national legislature from the inside out. They provide 
valuable perspectives on the public policy issues and challenges that 
they face in their own country. They leave with an unfettered knowledge 
of Congress and the individuals who serve the American public.
  I've been a proud host of an astounding quintet of Australia's finest 
student interns: Narelle Hards from Flinders University in Adelaide, 
South Australia, in 2000; Louise Squire from the University of Western 
Australia in Perth in 2004; Lauren Reed from Deakin University, in the 
Melbourne metropolitan area of Victoria, in 2005; Michael Ng from the 
University of Melbourne, in 2007; and this year, Clara Jordan-Baird, of 
the University of Melbourne.
  Each has brought with them knowledge of and passion for 
transportation. I recall vividly, for example, how Lauren Reed briefed 
Committee staff about her home state of Victoria and its compelling 
anti-drunk driving campaign. Narelle, Louise, Lauren, Michael, and 
Clara have each contributed broadly and directly to United States-
Australia relations thanks to their insights, observation, and helping 
hands as our Committee workload demanded.
  I know that many offices on both sides of the aisle have enjoyed 
similar experiences with these young Australians. And I know that the 
Australians have taken home with them a deep sense of reality about the 
United States so often impeded by what Australians refer to as the 
``Tyranny of Distance,'' the physical geographic distance between our 
two great nations. Despite all of today's technological wonders--from 
air travel to Facebook--there is still no substitute for a handshake 
and warm welcome.
  For this program we have to thank a longtime former congressional 
staffer, Eric K. Federing. Eric served as the Committee's 
communications director in the mid-1990s. During his personal travels 
to Australia, Eric discovered what he perceived to be a small, but 
important, gap in Australia-American relationships and he designed this 
program to help fill it.
  Madam Speaker, we should encourage these types of international 
exchanges. The more that we can arrange for the finest students and 
young professionals from around the world to spend some meaningful time 
among us, the better that we will understand them and they will 
understand us.
  Both the U.S. and Australian governments have been supportive of 
UCWIP. Many other statements have appeared in the Congressional Record 
over the years and there have been two speeches in the Australian 
Parliament in recognition of the program. I have been a very proud 
participant and look forward to being one for many years to come.

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