[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 125 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CORDOVA & FERNOS CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 20, 2013

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Cordova & Fernos 
Congressional Internship Program on its twentieth anniversary.
  The Cordova & Fernos Congressional Internship Program is an 
educational program that was created in 1993 by the Legislative 
Assembly of Puerto Rico to provide outstanding college students on the 
island the opportunity to spend a semester in Washington, DC. By giving 
these college students the opportunity to work as interns in the United 
States Congress, Federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and 
private corporations, and other places, this internship program 
enriches their academic, personal, and professional lives.
  In addition to working, Cordova interns have the opportunity to 
conduct a research project directly related to their studies, attend 
lectures in various embassies, and become acquainted with influential 
policy makers and opinion leaders. Since its founding, the Cordova & 
Fernos Congressional Internship Program has given hundreds of college 
students the opportunity to learn and understand how Washington works. 
Furthermore, Cordova interns have had the opportunity to help others 
learn about Puerto Rico and what it can offer to our Nation and to the 
world. I am proud to have been able to contribute to this program since 
its establishment by hosting interns in my congressional office and in 
other ways
  Mr. Speaker, programs such as this one help young people become 
involved in and learn from our democratic system of government. In 
short, the Cordova & Fernos Congressional Internship Program is 
preparing the next generation of Puerto Rican leaders to play an active 
role in the future of the island and I will continue to support this 
program and its young leaders.