Meet our new Congressional Interns!
Elijah Herr: Interning for Senator Ron Wyden
Elijah is a senior majoring in Political Economy with a minor in Public Policy. His main interest lies in discovering how Congress tackles economic issues and he is very excited for this, "amazing opportunity to see how things really play out at the hub of the changing political economy." Elijah's ambition is to work as a public servant to help, "build a country with greater economic and educational opportunity," and this internship will provide him with the tools to pursue his dreams.
Davi Lang: Interning for Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Davi is a senior double majoring in Political Science and American Studies. As an American Studies student the political institution she finds most interesting is Congress. Davi's unique experience as the daughter of a Cambodian immigrant who spent five years under Pol Pot's communist regime, she is especially excited to intern on Capitol Hill where, "laws are made, rights are protected, and people are democratically represented." We are excited to sponsor her as a Congressional Intern and know that she will bring a fresh perspective to any office she serves in, and in turn she will gain a greater appreciation and working understanding of an institution that thus far she has only been able to read about.
Matsui Congressional Internships allow undergraduate students to experience government first hand by working in Congressional offices. The Matsui Congressional Internship is meant to help students defray costs of the University of California Washington Center, and is open only to students already admitted to the University of California Washington Program.
Victor Fazio named as Matsui Lecturer
Former California Congressman Victor H. Fazio will serve as the Matsui Lecturer for the 2009-10 academic year, spending a week in residence at Berkeley and delivering the Matsui Lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the Lipman Room in Barrows Hall.
Fazio's Matsui Lecture will discuss the state of Congress, citing lessons drawn from his own long career and using the current health care debate as a lens through which to examine the institution.
"Congressman Fazio will bring to Berkeley the lessons learned through a unique and varied blend of experiences. He served 20 years in Congress, served in the state Assembly, was a member of local government agencies in Sacramento, and even founded California Journal, a magazine of political journalism," said Ethan Rarick, Matsui Center Director.
"Bob Matsui was a colleague and friend, and I'm pleased to be asked to deliver a lecture in his honor," Fazio said. "Bob was a wonderful public servant, working for the good of his constituents at home and the country as a whole. I hope today's students will be inspired toward a life of public service."
Cal-in-Sac gets 2 former Legislators-in-Residence
Senator Elizabeth Figueroa
Sen. Figueroa, a Democrat who represented part of the east bay for nine years, will co-teach this year's class with Senator Ackerman. Prior to her service in the Senate, Figueroa was the first Latina from Northern California in a century, to be elected to the Assembly. While in office Figueroa was recognized for consistently carrying legislation that demonstrated dedication to her constituents and focused on much of her efforts on health care reform. Figueroa's diversity of experience and knowledge make her an important addition to IGS and the Cal-in-Sacramento program.
Senator Richard Ackerman
Senator Ackerman, a Republican who represented Orange County, has agreed to come on again as a Legislator-in-Residence for 2010. Ackerman brings over 25 years of experience as a public official to the Matsui Center and the IGS community. Fellows in last years class benefitted greatly from Ackerman's personal knowledge of Sacramento, one-on-one advising and the guest lecturers he brought to campus, which included Willie Brown, Susan Kennedy, and Dan Walters.
The Legislator-in-Residence program brings a former legislator to campus each year to teach and to participate in the life of IGS. Past Legislators-in-Residence have included Dion Aroner, Wilma Chan, Patrick Johnston, Johan Klehs, Ted Lempert, and Darrell Steinberg.
