Congratulations to all for a job well done!
Archive for the ‘Summer 2010’ Category
CBCF Summer 2010 Congressional Interns
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 by lanceCBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Tonya Chissell-Williams
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceTorn between two Loves…
I am torn between Washington D.C. and home! In the last few weeks of this internship, my heart has come to love DC for its culture and its diversity; its history and its aspirations. I have grown to love and respect all of my cohorts in this program and have found life long friends as a result. I have also learned how to sustain network connections that I have made during my time here. It feels so good to have conversations about politics, black issues and the hope of a better world, without the occasional “n- word” or curse words being the main substance of the conversation.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Thurston Hamlette
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceWeek Eight
Alas, the summer has all but come and gone. This internship has afforded me incredible experiences within and outside of the Rayburn Office building. This internship has afforded me the opportunity to gain greater understanding of the legislative processes perpetually in action, the culture of professionalism here on the Hill, and the initiative and perspective needed to navigate these hallowed spaces. In a factory of ideas advocated by both salient and inconspicuous interests, it is not always the loudest voice that is heard, but often the most earnest and persistent.
It is this realization that prompts further consideration of a career here on Capitol Hill after receiving my Juris Doctor from the Howard University School of Law. People who are truly concerned about the interests of the voiceless, or oft ignored– it is necessary to take up that burden, and if necessary sacrifice one’s personal interests for the good of others. This realization has been solidified through multiple heated conversations with fellow interns not only dissatisfied with the current circumstances plaguing the communities of their residence, but general dissatisfaction with policies governing masses of Americans daily.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Pallavi Pal
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceWeek Eight
With sweat dripping down our backs and the blazing, hot sun bearing down on our necks, we stood waiting for the bus to come. We stood by and solemnly endured its arrival. This was one of the tests that we, as the members of the Tri-Caucus, painstakingly suffer as a rite of passage. Every year, for the past 12 years, the Tri-Caucus members, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), hold several receptions, seminars, and activities together for like-minded individuals of different minority races to enjoy each other’s companies. As we stood out in the sun, we patiently waited for the arrival of the bus to take us to Haines Point Park for our annual Tri-Caucus Barbecue.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Melesa Nicole Johnson
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceWhere My Heart Resides
As the Congressional Internship Program comes to a close, it is hard to decipher which moments of this experience have affected me the most. There are countless specific events that I could name. For instance, the leadership forum when Congressman John Lewis spoke transparently about his struggle to congressional office, fellowshipping with interns from the Hispanic Caucus and the Asian-Pacific Islander Caucus via the 13th annual tri-caucus barbeque, or working to diligently serve constituents on a daily basis. However, shining light on these events alone would not do this program justice. I have found that my experience this summer has been a product of the sum of all these things and more.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Lisa Daniels
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceWeek Eight
This past week has once again been amazing. Despite the rising temperatures, I ventured into DC’s Smithsonian museums, went to the CBCF picnic, and some days I stayed in my apartment to spend time with my roommates and fellow interns talking about various issues and debating each other’s bills. This time is bittersweet. Even though I am happy to go home after six months of being away, I don’t want to leave DC. I love waking up with a purpose at seven in the morning, walking to work with the interns, taking the metro, and bursting into random philosophical debate with my neighbors. Nothing I have ever been a part of compares to this experience. 42 brilliant, talented, fabulous college men and women of color all together in one place; It feels like a dream. I don’t want it to end.
Lisa Daniels
Smith College
Office of Rep. Artur Davis (AL-7)
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Kristen C. Smith
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lance“Never forget the journey endured of those whom shoulders you now stand”
Sigh…it’s been a long time coming. This is it; my last blog entry as a 2010 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Congressional Intern. First I would like to thank those who have followed and supported our endeavors throughout this summer. Each day as a congressional intern has been rewarding, even at its most challenging moments, I have grown so much this summer professionally and personally. I have seen and met many people who I believed were inaccessible from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Nominee Elena Kagan, to CBC members including my Senator Roland W. Burris who spoke to CBCF interns at our Tuesday forums.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Jamila Davis
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceWeek Eight
My second to last week on The Hill was much busier than most weeks. While the excitement from the BP Oil Spill has died down, the Wall Street Reform bill has been signed and the unemployment extension has been passed, my office is still very busy. My week started off great when I heard Colin Powell speak to summer congressional interns. I got there super early just to make sure that I would be one of the 200 interns who would get to hear his speech. I really enjoyed his insight and wisdom about our current government and decisions being made. I especially liked his thought about the media and how its role in government has become disgraceful. I agree that the media has too much influence on the American people as well as the leaders of our country. The people that we elected barely get to say two words without being criticized by radio and TV radicals and it’s sickening. Also, the media skews the views and ideas of citizens so much that they believe whatever they hear and blame the government for things that they have no real knowledge about.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Hana Haile-Mariam
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceSo Long & Thank You to Summer 2010
As this experience comes to a close, it’s hard for me to really describe the transformation that I have gone through. I came into this experience ready to leave with the typical expectation of a summer internship – better writing skills, a bit more knowledge on the legislative process and maybe a few networking connects. Yet, what this program had in store for me, was so much more.
I grew up in a predominately white area in Fairfield, Connecticut. Yes, Connecticut. I had the luxury of a great education system. My mom traded in sleep to work three jobs and allow my siblings and me the means to afford a modest house in a great school system, and my dad took on night classes along with a full time job to get his masters in business. Relating to my peers was always a struggle for me. Not only did I not physically look like any of them, but we had completely different life experiences.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Courtney Cochran
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by lanceSomething that Sticks With You
For the majority of interns in this program, DC is the ultimate spider web, one that we both willingly and graciously sacrifice ourselves to. It glistens in the glow of all its power. It’s sticky and sweet, like the rim of a glass of lemonade, and just as enticing. It is everything we ever wanted, imagined, or dreamed of. It moves at a pace we’ve become accustomed to, at a temperature we’ll never quite be able to stand, and captures people with identical hopes and dreams.
The qualities of this city that pull some of us here so strongly are ultimately what will force us back out. For those of us who seek to make our impact out of the spotlight, researching behind a desk, arguing in a court, or piecing together the policies and position papers that keep our nation running, this city offers a new home. For those of us who seek to be recognized on the floor of the house or senate, DC has enchanted us like a summer romance, and stomped on our hearts, sauntering away from a tearful goodbye at an airport security line. In a day or so, she’ll forget us, and move on to her next love. And we’ll always wonder what could have been…+
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Lisa Daniels
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 by lanceThis past week, I made it a point to go out and see DC. Along with my ongoing research and the CBCF internship program, I branched out to the Grace Covenant Sister Circle. With them, I feel empowered and that I can do anything. We went to a Jesus Rock concert in Maryland for one of our sister circle members. Not only did I have a great time, but I found out about some great new Christian groups and artists.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Thurston Hamlette
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 by lanceThis past work week culminated in an informative and useful forum on educational reform. This Youth Summit combined the minds and civic interests of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHSI), and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF).
The program began with a history lecture, reminiscent of the days of grade school, but with extensive emphasis on the intertwining struggle of various groups of color to obtain contemporary rights of citizenship. It was a thoroughly enlightening experience. It re-emphasized the need to develop and nurture political coalitions across color lines in efforts to advance the quality of life of all citizens of this country from the unique perspective of people of color.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Kristen C. Smith
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 by lance“Knowledge Dispels the Ignorant Fumes that Becloud Reason”
-Amy Jacques Garvey
During President Barack Obama’s first two years in office, we have seen the emergence and re-emergence of many hot-button issues. The state of banking and financial systems and institutions in the United States are constantly debated. It is almost impossible to turn on a television without hearing something regarding health care or immigration. Although these issues are of strong importance, there is one issue that does not receive enough attention from the grassroots level up to Obama’s administration. I believe that education reform should be highly prioritized and publicized if it is to be improved. Our nation’s ability to thrive lies in our capability to produce able bodies and minds that can participate in advancing this economy.
CBCF Congressional Internship Blog – Tonya Chissell-Williams
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 by lanceHigh Quality Equal Education for All…
I have come to the distinct conclusion that if one doesn’t know their history, not only are they doomed to repeat it, but individuals may never know who they truly are in life. This sentiment echoed through this week as the CBCF group was engaged in two very vital activities, our weekly leadership forum and the 3rd annual 2010 Tri-Caucus Youth Summit: “Education Reform & Leadership Skills Workshop”.
In our weekly leadership forum, Senator Burris of Illinois and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr, spoke to us about being effective leaders. Their methods of doing this were to show us how they had to be above the crowd despite their obstacles. Senator Burris has been the first “black” man, as he put it, to be elected to statewide office in Illinois, when he was elected to become comptroller. He also was National Bank Examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the U.S. Treasury Department. He is currently the only “black” man in the U.S. senate. Such accomplishments are an inspiration to anyone who dares to dream. Needless to say, that such accomplishments come with a price, a struggle and some doubt however, whatever you dream is worth it!
CBCF Leadership Forum – Sen. Burris & Rep. Jackson, Jr.
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 by lanceToday, Senator Roland W. Burris and Representative Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. spoke with CBCF interns and addressed a variety of topics ranging from the origins of Thanksgiving (see Abraham Lincoln, 1863) to the difficulties of passing legislation. Selected photos are below:
