[Pages H8443-H8445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

THANKING CONGRESS FOR USING D.C. STUDENT INTERNS IN SEPTEMBER

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 21, 1997, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms.
Norton] is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to sincerely thank
Members of the House and Senate for affording the opportunity for 254
high school students to participate as volunteer interns in 175 of your
offices during the first 3 weeks of September when D.C. schools were
closed for roof repairs. I want especially to thank the gentlewoman
from the Virgin Islands, Ms. Donna Christian-Green, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, Mr. Tom Foglietta, and the gentlewoman from California,
Ms. Jane Harman, who not only accepted interns in their office, but who
also have themselves come to the floor to speak of their experience
with our students and to commend the young people. I will include for
the Record their statements and other materials from this experience.
Congress was due back at the same time the schools were due to open
in the District. General Julius Becton and other school officials tried
desperately to find ways to get schools open, but an extraordinarily
rigid and restrictive court ruling made this impossible. Shortly before
we were due back, it became clear to me that all options had been
exhausted. With only a few days to go before September 2, the day
school was to open, my staff and I got to work to recruit Members to
accept interns.

[[Page H8444]]

My first ``Dear Colleague'' produced an immediate response of 20
Representatives and Senators and the numbers mounted quickly with each
``Dear Colleague.'' The Speaker also generously sent his own ``Dear
Colleague.'' Initially using an application process, we had only a
handful of students. I then put aside this process. With the energetic
help of at-large board of education member Tonya Kinlow, we went
straight to the source. We enlisted principals to call some of these
students directly. On September 2, we had so many students that we had
to give each student a number and some had to be called by phone at
home as our own phone calls to Members of the House and Senate produced
more places.
Ultimately, we placed every student within a couple of days. These
students found universal receptivity among Members of the House and
Senate, for which I am very grateful. Throughout the 3-week period, I
was constantly stopped by Members and staff members who heaped praise
on these youngsters. The D.C. students they said were very helpful in
assisting with many significant tasks. They spoke of the energy,
enthusiasm, hard work, and collegiality of the students. Some Members
have already invited students to continue to work in their offices.
Not every Member could accommodate a student for a longer period.
However, I have been encouraged by this experience to establish a
permanent D.C. congressional intern program. The program will be
flexible to meet the needs of Members and to give students what many
regard as a rich, once in a lifetime chance, to work here with us in
the House and in the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, through the brief intern program, Members got to see
District residents in a way that is seldom available. These students
were not the District government or even the District. These were young
people, the young people I feel very fortunate to represent. Because of
your gracious generosity, these D.C. high school students put a new
face on the District of Columbia. They are our best face. I hope you
will keep these bright young faces in mind when the D.C. Congressional
High School Intern Program comes knocking.
Mr. Speaker, I include the following for the Record.
Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, August 20, 1997.

Host A D.C. Student As a Volunteer In Your Office

Dear Colleague: Please join me in hosting a student from
the District of Columbia school system as an intern in your
office for about three weeks from September 2 to September
22. Because funds to fix school roofs became available so
late, school opening has had to be pushed back. Therefore,
hundreds of junior high and high school students are in need
of work opportunities and are willing to volunteer in
congressional offices during this period. I am asking for
your help in keeping these youngsters off the streets and
giving them something to do.
Whether simply ``shadowing'' a staffer or doing tasks in a
congressional office, you would be offering a wonderful
opportunity which District youngsters would appreciate to see
how the legislative process actually works first hand. Given
the incredibly busy nature of our offices, there are probably
a number of tasks on which a young person could assist your
staff. Students would be available to work whatever number of
hours each day you decide.
Please host a student for this three-week period. Please
RSVP to me or Kirra Jarratt in my office at 5-8050 to host a
student or to get more information.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
____

[Release of August 21, 1997]

House and Senate Members Respond to Norton Call to Host a D.C. Student
During Roof Repairs

Washington, D.C.--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-
D.C.) has already received more than 20 calls from the
offices of Members of the House and Senate in response to her
``Dear Colleague'' letter sent yesterday encouraging them to
host a D.C. student while school roofs are being repaired.
Many have said that they would take two students. In her
letter she said: ``Whether simply shadowing a staffer or
doing tasks in a congressional office, you would be offering
a wonderful opportunity, which District youngsters would
appreciate, to see how the legislative process actually works
first hand. Given the incredibly busy nature of our offices,
there are probably a number of tasks on which a young person
could assist your staff.''
____

Memorandum of August 26, 1997

To: Members of the District of Columbia City Council and
Members of the District of Columbia Board of Education

Re: DC Student Volunteers in Congressional Offices

We are recruiting Members of the House and Senate to host
senior high school students to volunteer in congressional
offices from September 2nd to September 22nd while schools
are being repaired. The response has been overwhelming--thus
far 50 members of the House and Senate have agreed to host
one or two students. However, we need help locating students
for this opportunity.
We are working with Board of Education At-Large Member
Tonya Kinlow and School Superintendent General Julius
Becton's office to administer this program. I would
appreciate your forwarding names of interested students you
would like to recommend to Tonya Kinlow at 724-4289 (fax 724-
2040) or Erin Prangley in my office at 225-8050 (fax 225-
3002).
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
____

[Release of Aug. 28, 1997]

Eighty-five Members of the House and Senate Will Host D.C. Students
While School Roofs Are Being Repaired

Washington, DC.--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today
announced that eighty Senators and Members of the House of
Representatives have agreed to host D.C. high school students
in their congressional offices while D.C. schools' roofs
being repaired. Orientation for students is Tuesday,
September 2 at 9:00 a.m. in the Gold Room (2168) of the
Rayburn House Office Building on the corner of South Capitol
Street and Independence Avenue, SE.
Because of the short time frame, D.C. high school students
who wish to participate are asked to report to the
orientation even if they have not yet filled out the
application and will be assigned on a first come, first serve
basis. At the moment, there are plenty of spaces available.
Parents and students should call Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes
Norton's office at (202) 225-8050 or Erin Prangley during the
evening or weekend at (202) 225-5129 for more information.
____

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, August 29, 1997.
Dear Colleague: 90 House and Senate Members will host D.C.
students while school roofs are being repaired from September
2 to September 19.
Have you signed up?
Call Erin Prangley in Congresswoman Norton's office at 5-
8050.
Sincerely yours,
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
____

[Release of Aug. 29, 1997]

Speaker Newt Gingrich Joins Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Calling
for Members of the House and Senate to Host D.C. Students While School
Roofs Are Being Repaired

Washington, DC.--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today
announced that Members of the House and Senate have made
available 110 places for D.C. students who will be out of
class for most of September while new roofs are being put on
D.C. schools. Speaker Newt Gingrich is among the almost 100
members of the House and Senate who have already offered
places and have come forward for D.C. students and more are
expected. In addition to Norton's ``Dear Colleague'' letters
which have served to recruit the Members who have already
volunteered, the Speaker has now sent his own ``Dear
Colleague'' to Member asking them to come on aboard.
D.C. students in or entering senior high school who want to
participate in the program should come to orientation on
Tuesday, September 2nd at 9:00 a.m. in the Gold Room (Room
2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building located on the
corner of South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue, SE.
Students will be accommodated on a first come, first serve
basis. However, an attempt will be made first to accommodate
students who have called Congresswoman Norton's office to
reserve a place if they are on time. Following orientation on
Tuesday, students will be taken to their assigned offices in
the House or Senate.
At the orientation, students will hear from Congresswoman
Norton and from the School Board Member with whom she has
been working, At-Large School Board Member Tonya Kinlow.
Richard Bess, Specialist in American National Government with
the Congressional Research Service (``CRS'') will talk to the
students about the workings of Congress and Mike Fauntroy,
Summer Policy Intern from CRS will tell D.C. students what
they can expect from their internship experience.
Congresswoman Norton said: ``The response from Members of
the House and Senate has been nothing short of overwhelming.
I believe that it will be beneficial to Members of Congress
and their staffs to have contact with D.C. youngsters to get
an appreciation for their energy, intelligence and zest for
learning. Although our students are Washingtonians, most have
little contact with the Congress. I expect that the intern
opportunity will be a valuable educational experience.''
Parents and students should call Congresswoman Eleanor
Holmes Norton's office at (202) 225-8050 or Erin Prangley
during the evening or weekend at (202) 225-5129 for more
information.
Congresswoman Norton also has a program called D.C.
Students at the Capitol (``DCSC'')

[[Page H8445]]

that has had a steady backlog since it began last school
year. Teachers bring D.C. students to tour the Capitol, sit
in on sessions of the House and Senate as well as a hearing
and meet with their congresswoman. Congresswoman Norton's
goal is to have every D.C. youngster visit the Capitol as
part of this program before graduating from high school.
Adult groups also can participate in the program. To make a
reservation for DCSC call 783-5065.
____

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, September 2, 1997.
Dear Colleague: Wanted! 100 more Members of House and
Senate to host D.C. High School Students until September 19th
while D.C. Schools are repaired. These are eager,
intelligent, and energetic young people.
This morning 250 Students arrived and we had places for
only 170. My special thanks to the 100 Members and Senators
who have already volunteered.
For additional information or to volunteer, please call
Erin Prangley at 225-8050.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
____

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, September 2, 1997.
Dear Student: Thank you for volunteering your time to help
in a congressional office. If you take full advantage of this
experience, it should be invaluable to you. We are very
appreciative that so many Members of the House and Senate
have signed up to host D.C. students during this period when
school is not open. Please respond by being on time, doing a
good job and dressing appropriately every day. I am very
proud to represent you in the Congress, and I want my
colleagues in Congress to share my enthusiasm about your
energy, intelligence, and willingness to work hard.
Although you have been assigned to a Member of the House or
Senate, you should feel free to call my office (225-8050) or
come by (Longworth 1424) if we can be of any additional
assistance to you or simply to say hello.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
____

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, September 10, 1997.
Dear Student: Enclosed you will find information on
different events being offered this week as a part of the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative
Conference. We encourage you to attend these optional events.
Please remember to check with your supervisor before
attending any optional programs, as your first responsibility
lies with your congressional office duties.
We have also enclosed a form to be completed by those of
you who are using this opportunity to complete your community
service hours. Please direct any questions regarding this
program to the school board at 724-4289. Finally, if your
packet includes an application, please complete it and return
it to my office at 1424 Longworth or fax it to 225-3002.
Feel free to call my office (225-8050) or come by (1424
Longworth) if we can be of any additional assistance to you
or simply to say hello.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
____

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, September 25, 1997.
Mr. Speaker: I rise today to commend Tatiana Naboa and
Alexander Prince, two young citizens of the District of
Columbia, who voluntarily offered their services to my
office, through my colleague Representative Eleanor Holmes
Norton's Internship Program.
They chose to turn a negative situation into a positive
fulfilling experience for themselves and well as my
Washington staff. They carried out all tasks assigned to them
and was always ready to assist in any way they could.
Tatiana and Alex are products of the much maligned DC
school system. Obviously, there are some things wrong, but
there are a lot of good things happening to our children when
they attend the public schools in the district. From my
experience with Tatiana & Alex, I know my colleagues who
participated in the Internship program, can support me when I
say that the students were respectful, knowledgeable and
inquisitive. This can only come through the school's
reinforcement of values instilled by their families.
As we go about the daily business of instituting laws for
our fellow Americans, we must continue to provide
opportunities for our younger Americans. We must give them a
reason to accept the challenges they will face, make it
meaningful and guide them to become productive members of our
society. Tatiana and Alex are shining examples of what is
possible.
My staff join me in wishing these two outstanding District
of Columbia students continued success in the future.
Donna M. Christian-Green,
Member of Congress.
____

Praise of D.C. High School Students

Ms. Harman. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in praise of two
outstanding young people who have been interning in my office
for two and a half weeks, Christiana Hodge of Eastern High
School and Calvin Wingfield of Banneker High School.
Thanks to the internship program for D.C. high school
students organized by my colleague, Representative Eleanor
Holmes Norton, I have had the pleasure to work with these two
bright and dedicated students whose contribution to my office
has been invaluable.
Mr. Chairman, I have been so impressed by Christiana and
Calvin's willingness to spend three weeks interning on
Capitol Hill--and working hard--while waiting for the school
year and new challenges to begin. It is my hope that this
experience has been as rewarding for them as it has for me.
I know Christiana and Calvin will go far in life, because
of their outstanding qualities. I thank them for their help
over these past weeks, and I thank Eleanor Holmes Norton for
bringing me in contact with them.

____________________