[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2277-2278]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR OF THE UNI-CAPITOL WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, for the past 17 years, the Uni-Capitol 
Washington Internship Program (UCWIP) has granted the opportunity for a 
select group of Australian students from ten partner universities the 
opportunity to intern in a Congressional office from January to March 
each year. Since 1999, over 180 Australian students have had the 
benefit of partaking in these internships, and credit is due to Eric 
Federing, a former senior Senate and House Congressional staffer who 
founded and continues to coordinate the program. The students must 
undertake a rigorous application process to be successful and come from 
a range of backgrounds. The program is a mutual exchange--the students 
use their time in Washington, D.C. to develop their knowledge of 
American politics and have the opportunity to work on a range of issues 
that are of personal interest, while simultaneously sharing experiences 
from their home country with their office.
  This year, our office is lucky to be hosting Emily Denbigh from the 
University of Adelaide. Emily is currently in her 4th year of a 
Bachelor's degree in Law and Arts, pursuing a

[[Page 2278]]

major in Development Studies and a minor in French. She is passionate 
about social justice issues, and has previously undertaken an 
internship in Tanzania with a women's legal rights organization. She is 
interested in pursuing a career in international human rights law or 
environmental law. During her time in Washington, D.C., Emily has 
enjoyed learning about the dynamic American political system and 
California's beautiful 20th district. She has developed her knowledge 
of legal environmental issues, including what the American judicial 
system and legislators can do to combat climate change and promote 
conservation. She has also enjoyed talking to our constituents, who 
take a particular interest in her accent.
  We have enjoyed hearing her accent and all of her wonderful ideas. 
Emily is a hardworking and highly intelligent woman. She is a strong 
writer and researcher and her passion for the environment and social 
justice shows in all the conversations I have had with her and through 
her writing. She has been a great asset to our team and we will be 
sorry to see her leave.
  My staff and I have greatly enjoyed participating in the UCWIP 
program since its inception. I thank Mr. Federing for his hard work and 
dedication in bringing these Australian students to our nation's 
capital and for sending us Emily this session.

                          ____________________