[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19114]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to mark the 50th anniversary 
of the American Political Science Association's congressional 
fellowship program. It is the oldest program on Capitol Hill designed 
to place professionals from a variety of backgrounds in Congress for 1 
year. Since its modest beginning in 1953, APSA's congressional 
fellowship program has grown into the established and respected program 
that it is today.
  The intent of the program is to immerse professionals in the 
legislative process of the U.S. Congress. These midcareer professionals 
are chosen by way of a careful selection process, go through a 
congressional orientation program, and participate in biweekly 
education seminars throughout their fellowships. These individuals come 
from academia, journalism, foreign countries, the health care field, 
and Federal Government. Each year, the selected fellows serve on 
congressional staffs and acquire ``hands on'' experience while gaining 
insight into the legislative process, politics, and public service. 
This unique opportunity enhances APSA fellows' knowledge of, and 
scholarship on, Congress and policy-making, which can only help improve 
public understanding of our Government. In turn, our constituents 
benefit by the expertise the fellows bring to Congress. More than 1,800 
individuals have participated in the program since its inception; today 
the average annual class consists of 40 to 45 fellows.
  I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that the Robert Wood 
Johnson Health Policy Fellowship program became affiliated with APSA in 
1974. This prestigious fellowship program, which is funded by the 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is administered by the Institute of 
Medicine, enables midcareer health care professionals to experience the 
intersection of policy and politics first hand. It is an invaluable 
interaction from which we all benefit; my office benefits from the 
expertise these professionals bring to Congress, while the fellows 
return to their professions and their communities with a better 
understanding of the policy process.
  Over the years, I have been pleased to host a number of APSA and RWJ 
fellows who have provided unique insights and capabilities and have 
helped me in making important differences in the lives of Utahns in 
areas such as health care, tax, economic, and natural resource policy. 
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share in this program, and 
I commend APSA for initiating the program 50 years ago. I hope it will 
continue for many years to come.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the American Political Science Association, APSA, 
Congressional Fellowship Program.
  The APSA Fellowship Program is a highly selective, nonpartisan 
legislative working experience that provides fellows with ``hands-on'' 
experience as legislative assistants on personal or committee staff. 
Founded in 1953, the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program helps to 
expand the knowledge and awareness of Congress to professionals from 
academia, journalism, health care, foreign countries, and government 
agencies. It enables fellows to observe and participate in the inner 
workings of Congress and the policymaking process. In doing so, fellows 
gain a greater appreciation for and knowledge of the policymaking 
process. Overall, the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program offers an 
enriching experience for its participants by providing a 3-week 
orientation program, allowing fellows to select their own placements, 
and conducting ongoing seminars throughout the fellowship period.
  I have been fortunate to host four APSA fellows. In 2000, Hanna 
Marter, a Federal fellow from the Central Intelligence Agency joined my 
staff to work on health issues. In 2002, Joyce Iutcovitch, an American 
Sociological Association fellow, worked in my office on education 
issues, and Deborah Wolf, a Federal agency fellow from the Food and 
Drug Administration, worked on health care issues. Currently, Susan 
Dimock, an American Sociological Association fellow, is serving on my 
staff working on health care issues. APSA fellows have contributed to 
my office by applying their expertise and analytical skills to policy 
issues, and have functioned as full members of my staff.
  Let us recognize the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program and its 
1,800 alumni for their contributions to the legislative work of 
Congress and to furthering participation in the democratic process.

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