[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 216]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, each year congressional offices host 
American college students as interns, to help our future leaders learn 
about public service and see how their Government works firsthand.
  Today, I would like to let you know about a program that gives 
Australian students the opportunity to experience our democratic and 
legislative process. It's called the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship 
Program.
  My office is taking part in it right now, along with others in 
Congress. Twelve of Australia's brightest are here, pursuing knowledge 
and understanding. In so doing, we are all finding new reasons to like 
an old friend.
  The Uni-Capitol was born of the efforts of Eric Federing. Eric worked 
for more than a decade in the House and the Senate as a senior adviser. 
While doing this job, he lectured across Australia on American 
Government, politics, and news media. In an effort to forge ties across 
the Pacific and for the betterment of both societies, Eric put together 
this idea in Washington in 1999.
  The selection process for the students is competitive and 
intellectually rigorous, ensuring the highest quality applicant. All 
participating students are comprehensively matched with a congressional 
office and corresponding position. They come from a wide range of 
academic disciplines and bring as much knowledge and understanding to 
our offices as they take away.
  For the past 7 years, Mr. Federing's students have approached this 
opportunity with vim and vigor. I am pleased to have Douglas Ferguson 
from the University of Canberra working in my office this year. I would 
also like to submit into the Record the names of other Australian 
interns participating in this year's program:
  Andrew Brookes, from Melbourne University, is in Senator Christopher 
Dodd's office. Ryan Conroy, from Deakin University, is in 
Representative Sam Farr's office. Jenna Davey-Burns, from Melbourne 
University, is in Representative Louis Slaughter's office. Sarah 
Dillon, from Deakin University, is in Representative Alcee Hastings's 
office. Jessica Gurevich, from Melbourne University, is in 
Representative Mike Castle's office. Scott Ivey, from the University of 
Western Australia, is in Representative Loretta Sanchez's office. Saul 
Lazar, from Deakin University, is in Senator Chuck Hagel's office. 
Abbie McPhie, from Melbourne University, is in Representative Jerrold 
Nadler's office. Linda Nelson, from the University of Wollongong, is 
with the House Science Committee's majority staff. Marianna O'Gorman, 
from the University of Queensland, is in Delegate Eni Faleomavaega's 
office. Rachel Thomson, from the University of Western Australia, is 
with the Joint Economic Committee's minority staff.
  Australia continues to be one of America's strongest allies. Our 
greatest gift is the friendship born of shared values. I thank the Uni-
Capitol Program and these Australian interns for their hard work, and I 
wish the program continued success.

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