Rules as a Congressional Intern

Office life as a congressional Intern can be tedious if you let it be.  In my experience offices don’t tend to expect too much out of their interns and it is your job to make them reevaluate that line of thinking.  A few things to expect:
1. Be ready to answer the phones – as an intern you are expected to act as a filter to the more senior members of your member’s staff. Answering phones is something these staffers do not like to do – thus, it is for you to do.
2. Answering phones is not fun – you will be confronted with lunatics, conspiracy theorists, and generally people with no clue how government works. They will yell at you sometimes. Expect call volume and frequency to increase when something important is happening. It is perhaps the worst aspect of this gig in my opinion.
After this, the duties of an intern are subject to your coordinator and your office.
I would highly recommend the following:
1. Work hard – this would seem to go without saying, but after a few days of doing nothing but answering horrible phone calls you might find your work ethic waning. Power through this. Staffers notice who cares and who does not. Staffers also talk to one another. You don’t want to gain the reputation as the “bad intern” in their office. It will get around.
2. Make your interests known – Your intern coordinator should know what you are interested in with regards to policy. Transportation, defense, environmental, whatever it is, try to go to briefings and hearings that pertain to it (this will also get you away from the phones for a while).
3. Work hard – in my opinion people make too much out of the whole “networking” thing on the Hill. Yes, carry business cards with you. Yes, hand them out when you can. Yes, make friends in other offices. All of these are nice touches and great ways to (maybe) be remembered. A better touch and a guaranteed way to be remembered: to be invaluable to the staffers in your office. You should strive to be the name they call when they need something.
4. The BBQ station in the Longworth cafeteria – it’s really good.

-Ryan

Monuments: More Than What You Remember From 8th Grade

I'm going to preface this with the old "my family came to visit me" excuse for posting something so obvious and touristy. 

Though I'm not sure that's entirety necessary. After living in DC for some months people tend to stop noticing things like the Washington Monument, the war memorials on the National Mall, the Capitol (Hill interns, I'm talking to you on that last one). Some people might not even venture "all the way" to the Tidal Basin to see Jefferson, or the other side of the Mall to see Lincoln and the Reflecting Pool. Anyone who grew up in Ohio might just feed you the 8th grade visit story as their reasoning for not wanting to see these sights again. To anyone using or thinking of using that excuse: you don't know what you're missing.

A lot of stuff happens in life between a WAIP experience in DC and 8th grade. Between the simple measure of time (a few years at the very least) and several life events (hopefully), you should be a person more receptive to the messages these monolithic constructions can convey. In my experience I found I didn't really pay a lot of attention during my own 8th grade trip and after a few years of taking political science and public affairs classes that these great works of art were resonating a little more than I thought.

Will this be the case for you? I certainly have no idea. Is it worth a shot? I think so. Whether its walking up the steps to see Lincolns massive frame resting so majestically, or enjoying the scenery while walking the Tidal Basin on the way to see Jefferson (check out the quotations on the panels above the statue when you get there), I can guarantee that it will at least mean more than it did when you were 13.

-Ryan

Football Saturdays in Columbus (Sort of)

Though I'm sure to draw the ire of Dr. Kolson (sorry Dr. K, I had to do it), this post will be about football (sort of). As this semester here in our nation's capitol happened to be the final semester of my senior year, it also happened to be fall semester at The Ohio State University and everyone knows what that means: Football. I unfortunately missed out on the in-person version of the majority of Urban Meyer's second undefeated regular season (one home game against Wisconsin withholding), however, this does not mean I missed out on watching the perfection surrounded by my fellow Buckeyes.
For any future Buckeye who may happen to find themselves in the predicament of waking up on Saturday morning, throwing on their scarlet and grey, and turning on the TV dripping with the anticipation of witnessing their team lay waste to some unknowing foe only to find ESPN or ABC showing the Boston College/ Maryland game - fear not. There is a place you can go where you'll swear you just stepped off High St.
Rhino Bar & Pumphouse (please don't inquire as to what exactly a "pumphouse" is because I'm pretty sure this is the only one in existence) can fill your Ohio State football void. Every Saturday Rhino is packed with fellow Ohioans, tOSU grads and fans of the Buckeyes in general (so much so that I would strongly advise getting there at least a half hour prior to the kick). It is in essence the perfect place for anyone who is feeling a little homesick for Columbus - unless of course home to you doesn't include 25 cent chicken wings (in which case I have no desire to know what your rendition of home would be).
The experience is so authentic that following games Rhino is even complete with the familiar swaying sounds of Carmen Ohio. Feel free to sway as you would back in Columbus future WAIPers.
(Disclaimer: 21 and up)

-Ryan

A Lucky Spin of the Wheel

Early in the semester, I had the opportunity to go to a Washington Redskins game. Although I'm a Browns fan, I will never pass up the opportunity to go to a NFL game, especially when it's handed to me, like it was this time. One day on my lunch break at work, I happened to have stumbled pass a food truck with 2 Redskins cheerleaders standing outside. They asked me if I wanted to win tickets to a Redskins game, and of course I answered with a resounding "yes!" I knew there was a catch, however. In order to have a chance to spin the wheel to win 2 Redskins tickets, I would have to purchase $20 worth of lottery tickets. Being easily persuaded, and having not really considered my realistic shot of winning, I bought the tickets and spun the wheel. To my amazement, the wheel landed on one of the very few spots designating 2 tickets to the Redskins game that weekend! I was so shocked that I won that my hand was trembling when I had to fill out the necessary paperwork. Since I'm not a Redskins fan, I thought I should at least take someone that was, so I ended up taking my colleague Dwight who has lived in the DC area his entire life. Although the Redskins lost and the tickets were nosebleeds (last row of the upper deck), we still had a great time and it was interesting to go to a stadium other than First Energy Stadium in Cleveland. Below is the view from our seats.

-Corey

The National Zoo

I have now visited the National Zoo twice - once with my parents and the other time with my borther and his girlfriend - and I must admit that it's one of my favorite DC attractions. Not only is the zoo metro accessible, but like many other DC tourist spots, it's also free! I must warn, however, that the zoo is very spread out and there's only one exit point, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare for a nice and long uphill walk as you leave the zoo. Nonetheless, the zoo's grounds are kept up nicely and there are a number of awesome exhibits to check out. My favorite was the Africa Trail which winds around and displays animals native to the African continent. On my second visit, the animals were particularly active. The elephant, for example, was being directed to bow down and lift its back leg up - a sight that drew great attention and awe from the crowd. The apes, as always, were also fun to watch -one of the apes was using a tree branch to dig food out of a PVC pipe. The picture below is from the ape exhibit.

-Corey

March On Washington

On August 28th, I had the privilege of waiting in the rain, fighting the crowds, and being at the Lincoln Memorial for the 50th anniversary of March On Washington.  This is the march that culminated with Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech.  In addition to other notable speakers like Jamie Foxx, Oprah Winfrey, and King's surviving relatives, three United States Presidents made remarks on this Occasion.  Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama weighed in on civil rights progress in the last 50 years and their vision for continued progress in the future.  Despite the rain and the wait for security, it was great to be at this celebration during one of my first days in DC.

JP Suffron

9/11 Pentagon Memorial

On September 11, I visited the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that horrific day. The memorial is by far one of the most elegant, yet at the same time, simple tributes I've ever visited. The design of the memorial is interesting - each victim's age and location at the time of the attack are incorporated into the memorial by the unique placement and direction of 184 cantilevered benches, one for each of the victims. Each bench is made of stainless steel and inlaid with granite, with the name of the victim inscribed onto the side and a pool of flowing water underneath the bench. The 184 memorial benches are arranged on age lines according to the year the victim was born. The age lines are denoted by stainless steel strips that cut through the memorial landscape. Each bench is also specifically positioned to distinguish victims who were in the Pentagon from those who were on board Flight 77. If you can see the name of the victim and the Pentagon in the same view, then those were individuals who were in the Pentagon. For those that were on board Flight 77, you see the name and the direction of the plane's approach in the same view. The experience of visiting the memorial becomes moving when you understand these design elements - the very few benches near the entrance represent the young children that died on board Flight 77. The benches become more numerous and clustered as you make your way through the memorial, but then they are spaced further apart as you get closer to the bench of the oldest victim (71), although the spacing isn't nearly as dramatic as it appears at the entrance. The age range of the victims is also represented through the Age Wall. The Age Wall rises from 3 inches (the age of the youngest victim) to 71 inches (the age of the oldest victim). Visiting the memorial on September 11 was an upsetting, yet meaningful experience as many family members of the victims were in attendance. One woman even asked me if I had lost a relative in the tragedy - luckily I was able to answer "no." I would like to visit the memorial at night, as I was told there are reflecting lights that illuminate each of the benches.

-Corey

Kayaking on the Potomac

One of the first weekends we were here, a few of us Glenn Fellows decided to go for a paddle down the Potomac. For only $25 a person, we were able to each rent a single kayak and spend some time exploring DC from the unique perspective of a kayak. Although there was a long line at the docks (the weather was particularly nice that day), the line moved relatively fast and we were out on the water in a matter of no time. We paddled around Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Lincoln Memorial before heading back to the dock in Georgetown. I couldn't believe how many people were out kayaking, boating, and paddleboarding - it was definitely the thing to do on this late summer day. It was also cool to see the airplanes from Reagan flying overhead. Although it may seem like a toursity thing to do, I would recommend anyone visiting DC to spend some time on the Potomac as it will be an afternoon well spent!

-Corey

Congressional Briefings

Part of my job as an intern in the House of Representatives is to spend time attending the many briefings and policy talks that are given every day on the Hill.  These briefings cover every topic imaginable, and are given in all different styles and formats.  Generally I will get asked by a staffer from our office to attend one and then report back with a brief memo highlighting the important details for them or any other staff who might need some quick info on that issue.  Since today is a relatively slow day, I thought I would highlight two of the more interesting talks I have been to thus far.

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to listen to a panel on antibiotic-resistant diseases, highlighted by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Thomas Frieden.  I have a minor in public health, so this topic was already of particular interest to me.  I spent a month in India this past May participating in a global public health study abroad program, and while there wrote a term paper on the effects of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in India.  It was truly a blessing to have the opportunity to hear one of the world's most prestigious public health individuals speak on a topic of such high interest to me.  I won't bore you with all the public health details, but Dr. Frieden did a great job of highlighting the need for further funding and research to fight off drug resistant diseases.  Another interesting thing that I noticed during this talk was how odd it is when members of Congress show up to speak.  They kind of show up randomly throughout the presentation, and then get up and give a broad speech for 5 minutes with information you already learned.  It is all political posturing, but people seem to enjoy it anyway.


The most interesting/famous person I heard speak was Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, at the Newseum.  The Newseum is a fantastic facility all in itself, definitely worth the price of admission (or free if you go with WAIP like I did).  Zuckerberg was there for a conversation with the editor in chief of The Atlantic.  He answered questions about the future of Facebook, his personal life, his political views, immigration, government efficacy, and several other topics.  I really enjoyed his talk and came away feeling much differently than I did when I saw The Social Network.  He was thoughtful with his answers, and gave nothing away about his political beliefs.  However, watching him speak was like watching capitalism in action.  The guy is a force.  He is a tireless worker, and an example of the ingenuity that has always led American business.  My favorite anecdote that he gave came when he was asked about the extremely partisan nature of Congress.  Zuckerberg pointed out that the country is very divided on many issues and that maybe the amount that is getting done right now is what the people really want done.  Granted, he said this before the shutdown, but I think what he said rings true.  He sounded like a mini-James Madison, channeling Federalist No. 10.    This talk was also my first insight into the privileges that come with having a congressional ID.  Tara (the other intern in my office from Leeds University in the UK) and I simply walked up to this closed event and said we were there for our office.  They took us right in and gave us a seat near the front.  Here is a picture she took.

That seems like enough for now.

Tom McGraw

Watching Football

One of the first things I did when I found out I would be spending fall semester in DC was attempt to determine where I could watch the Buckeyes and the Browns on Saturdays and Sundays.  There was no way I could sit out a semester of watching my favorite teams play.  Luckily, both teams have great bars that provide a fantastic watching environment. 

The big Ohio State bar in Washington is Rhino's Bar and Pumphouse in Georgetown.  They also are the official bar for Penn State, the Red Sox, and the Philadelphia Eagles.  We have been there for all the Ohio State games so far except Wisconsin, which almost all of the Glenn Fellows went back to Columbus for.  They have 25 cent wings, which are fantastic, and a huge crowd of Buckeye fans.  I have seen friends from grade school, and even made friends with people who went to the same high school as me, albeit ten years earlier.  The best part of all has been that the Buckeyes have won every game. 

Now the Browns games are a whole different animal.  The Washington, D.C. area Browns Backers are housed at Regional Food and Drink in Chinatown.   The first game of the season there were over 200 people there to watch the Browns play.  It is like someone dropped a slice of Cleveland into the back room of a DC bar.  "Here we go Brownies" chants are heard throughout the game, they have Great Lakes on tap for cheap prices, and when we win, you would think it was the Super Bowl.  Ryan and I have made some good friends there, and last week I even won the halftime trivia contest.  While the food here is not stellar, the atmosphere is great.  The Browns Backers are the largest sports fan club in the world, and when you go to RFD you can see why.

Both environments make for some great Saturdays and Sundays, but I have to give the edge to RFD.  Nothing beats a bunch of crazy Browns fans, no matter where in the world you are.


Tom McGraw

Government Shutdown, Syria Crisis, and More... A Crazy First Month and a Half

So I guess it is finally time for one of us to post about what has been happening in Washington this semester.  Things have been pretty crazy here with the Syria crisis, Navy Yard shooting, government shutdown, and the impending debt ceiling negotiations.  I could lie and say that all of this has kept me so busy that I have not posted here yet, but really I have just been lazy. 

So I am working for Representative Marcy Kaptur's office, a Democrat representing Ohio's 9th district (my home district).  Our district is crazy due to gerrymandering and stretches from Toledo to Cleveland all along the coast of Lake Erie.  In her office, I do a wide variety of tasks.  Answering constituent phone calls is always part of the day, though never so crazy as during the Syria crisis.  I must have spoken with half of the 9th district that week.  I also do research for staffers and attend briefings, doing any sort of work they need me to do to keep the office running.  The environment is great, my coworkers are friendly, and they didn't furlough me during the shutdown. 

About this government shutdown.  I am still working during it, and frankly last week was the busiest week I have had yet.  Our office is in the minority that is still answering constituent calls during the shutdown, so people from other Ohio districts have been calling just to get their voice heard.  It is a very strange situation, and one that does not look like it is going to end soon.  It looks from where I am sitting like the government will stay shutdown until the debt ceiling negotiations on October 17th, but then again I am just an intern so what do I know. 

Unfortunately, this semester has seen two shooting incidents in the district, one that culminated right outside the Congressional, our apartment building.  While the Navy Yard shooting did not affect me when it happened, last week's incident certainly did.  We heard the gunshots from our office in the Rayburn House Office Building, and saw people running in all different directions outside.  We then went into lockdown for about 45 minutes to an hour.   Scary stuff. 

Overall though, its been a great start to the semester here through WAIP, and I will try to get a few more posts up today about some other things we have been up to. 

Tom McGraw

Recruitment Workshop

Working in the Talent Acquisition department, the majority of staff are recruiters, or "talent advisors." I had the opportunity to participate in a recruitment workshop for two days during my internship. In this workshop, topics were covered such as job profiling/sourcing strategy, passive candidate sourcing, and client/candidate relationship skills.

The key to being a talent advisor is working with hiring managers, or clients, to make the best decision about a candidate through providing recruiting expertise.

It's important for recruiters to really be familiar with the business acumen and have a deep understanding of business line priorities and how it works. To do so, it's important to communicate regularly and effectively with hiring managers. In this workshop, I learned the importance of setting up a job-intake meeting, and the questions that a recruiter should ask the hiring managers.

The workshop focused on how to make relationships with clients, which ultimately concludes with a better hire and hiring process. It's crucial for recruiters to develop a sourcing strategy through pitching a compelling employee value proposition. This should answer the question "Why American Red Cross?" and "Why this position?". A sourcing strategy also involves knowing the success factors of the job.

Overall, this workshop provided me with an opportunity to see everything that a recruiter does, other than the obvious. Participating in this workshop was one of my favorite parts of the internship.

Aubrey Houston

Leaving DC is filled with both sad and happy emotions. I am reluctant to leave a city I have just begun to fully explore and appreciate. It's not often that people get to walk to work and pass the Capitol building, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress and that will be sorely missed as I return to Ohio. I will miss walking to the Smithsonian Museums, to finding delicious meals from the food trucks, to being part of a living environment that makes daily changes to the entire nation. The growing heat and humidity I can do without, however. So, although I am sad to depart such a exuberant and exciting city, it will be good to return home to share my experiences and to see how my perspectives have changed as compared to what they were before I came to DC.
-Rachel Gattermeyer

Farewell to the Library of Congress

Farewell to the Library of Congress! What a wonderful internship experience I had this summer. I had very enjoyable and interesting tasks, including cataloging over 1,000 maps of Belgium that dated from the 17th-21st Centuries and reading through French-language periodicals discussing international affairs. Not only did I learn through my work, I also attended many of the free lectures, concerts, and events, which included a talk about the anti-comic campaign in the 1950s and a Eastern European Folk Music concert performed by a group from Ohio. It was a terrific time and I am sad to see it ending.
-Rachel Gattermeyer

DC Night Tour!!

During one of the first few weeks of the internship, my friend Samantha and I (and her guy friend Naraj)...the three of us decided to do a DC night tour. Now, I've been to DC two other times, so I have done many tours by day. But the night tour was something I did not get a chance to do, and I was excited.

We ordered tickets with the Old Time Trolley, which were around $40. Although initially expensive (but it's everything expensive in DC??!!!), it was well worth it.

The evening was absolutely great. The tour guide was very informative and there were many stops along the way where passengers could get out and walk around the monuments for a bit. As we passed the Capitol, I noticed that someone was offering a horse-drawn carriage tour. I would have loved to tour DC that way too! But, that opportunity did not arise.

The trolley tour was great, though. We went to The Lincoln Memorial (at dusk), went by the Capitol and other federal buildings, went by the EPA, saw the Iwo Jima and Korean memorials and also the Vietnam memorial. We also saw the FDR memorial, and the Washington Monument from a distance. We also went by Arlington National Cemetery after dusk, and just the thought of going in there at night was pretty interesting to me. I really wish you could do a night tour of Arlington!

After the tour, Samantha's friend drove us to the Jefferson Memorial and back to the Lincoln Memorial so we could walk around a little bit more.

It was a great night, we had a lot of fun, and the tour was very relaxing and enjoyable. This was definitely $40 well spent and the memories will last a lifetime!

Do a DC night tour if you get the chance!

-Lauren

Taste of Georgetown

On June 1st, my friend Samantha (the first year law student from Alabama) and I took a bus out to Georgetown. The city is very pretty and the waterfront is absolutely gorgeous. On that particular day, Georgetown was having its annual "Taste of Georgetown". You order a set of 5 tickets for $20 and then you walk from vendor to vendor and purchase various samples from the local restaurants and bakeries. These were very legit samples! The strawberry shortcake was delicious! They only have the "Taste of Georgetown" once a year, so if you want to go, you have to wait until next June.

Georgetown was busy the day we went because of the festival, however there are many shops along the street as well. It is a quaint little city and as I stated above, the waterfront was absolutely gorgeous! They also had various waterfront dining places which looked really nice as well.

I wish I had a boat.
Or a yacht....Haha.

Check it out next time you are in town! :)

-Lauren

Paddling Down the Potomac

Spontaneous trips always seem to make the best memories and the day I went kayaking was a prime example of what I mean. One Saturday, while grocery shopping at 10:00 am, Nathan and I were trying to figure out how to spend this beautiful day. He had found a kayaking place right by Georgetown and said it was lots of fun! So an hour later, Me, Eric, Nathan, and my roommate Louise were on the metro. The weather was perfectly sunny and warm and definitely waranted some time in the water.

Once there, we hardly had to wait for our kayaks. I paired up with Eric while Louise and Nathan shared. Needless to say, Eric and I had great rhythm and were cruising around in no time! He even let me give up and lay back while he continued to paddle. Of course, I had to sing "Just Around the Riverbend" from Pocahontas, which other kayakers found funny.

It was just the kind of rejuvenation that I needed after a week of being cooped up in an office all day. Sometimes we forget how perfect nature is and that it really helps to revitalize us physically and emotionally. The day was a perfect day and easily one of my favorite days in DC.

-Lenae Horvath 

Visiting the White House

One of the most exciting times in DC was when my boss informed me that we would be attending a meeting at the White House with one of the President's staffers! Since there are no longer any tours being given due to sequestration, I was even more excited that I might be able to see the inside. The next day we found out that the meeting would be held in the West Wing.

Once we got White House we had to go through intense security that took forever. Finally I was on the other side and the grass was so green! As we walked closer to the White House I noticed a Marine guarding one of the doors. We soon found out the Obama had returned to the White House and therefore we had to move our meeting over the office buildings but still in the White House gates.

Our meeting discussed the President's desire to address mental health parody and what steps he plans to take to help decrease suicide rates. We also met with the First Lady's staffer and the Vice President's staffer. Since they are very busy, the meeting only lasted an hour but the whole experience was one that  really was amazing.

Me pointing to the presidential seal right next to the White House

-Lenae Horvath

THE ZOO!

Ever since I was a little child, I have a passion for animals. I thought for sure I was going to be a veterinarian, funny how things change! Either way I still love animals of all sizes, big and small. Fortunately for me,  DC has a zoo that is free of charge and happens to house my favorite animal, the giant panda! They are so fantastic and cuddly.

When we got to the zoo I was so excited. We were able to see the elephants and even the red panda, before he escaped for a day. The line to go into the panda's house was so long that we decided to wait till the end with hopes that the line would get shorter as the day progressed.

We continued on to see the monkeys and even got to see the chimpanzee swinging above us across the zoo! It was so cool to see how their bodies can move so easily. Then we went and saw the insects, which was gross, and the fish. When we reached the bottom of the hill we were able to see the lions and tigers. They are such majestic creatures and so beautiful.

Finally, we headed back up to the giant panda cage and the line was so short! It was perfect because we only ended up waiting about five minutes. I was so happy to see these pandas in real life. It is so adorable how they sit and waddle around. The cage was full of bamboo and they do nothing but sit and eat, what an awesome life! Visiting the zoo is definitely a day that I will always remember.

-Lenae Horvath

Visiting Arlington

This summer marks my second time visiting DC. The time before this was a memorable but not so enjoyable experience. In 2010 we lost my grandfather, Kalman Horvath, a great man and a great soldier. He served the U.S. Army in WWII and his plane was shot down over Hungary. I do not know much of the story because it was not something he shared with us. Due to his bravery while he was a POW he was able to be buried in Arlington cemetery. It was so great being able to go back after two years to visit his gravesite. While I miss him immensely, it is great knowing that his legacy will forever be remembered in this national cemetery. 

-Lenae Horvath

International Humanitarian Law

Most are aware that international humanitarian law exists and is recognized worldwide. About a month ago, the American Red Cross offered an afternoon class that taught the intricacies of IHL. What I didn't know about this universally recognized law, is how respected it is by all countries.

The international red cross and red crescent (ICRC) plays the role of making countries accountable. ICRC delegates visit prisoners of war and detainees to seek prevent disappearances, summary executions, torture and ill-treatment. They restore contact between dispersed or detained family members and trace missing persons. The ICRC provides food and other basic necessities to civilians. They are respected internationally because they remain impartial and do not report any violations of IHL, but instead tell the country in violation how to improve in order to adhere to IHL. Violators may be brought before an international tribunal, as well. The ICRC is recognized by the red shield, red cross, and red crescent, which helps people identify any red cross movement.

So what are the basic rules of IHL?
-civilians are not to be attacked
-Those protected by the law are entitled to fundamental judicial guarantees. No one may be subjected to physical or mental torture, corporal punishment, or cruel/degrading treatment
-Forbidden to kill or injure an enemy who surrenders
-The lives, dignity, personal rights, and religious convictions of those detained in connection with armed conflict must be protected
-The wounded and sick are to be collected and cared for by the party that has them in power.
-Medical personnel, transports, and materials are to be protected
-The protected emblems (red cross, red shield, red cresecent) must be respected

Besides learning what IHL all entails, more than anything I was inspired by all of the volunteers that serve selflessly internationally. It is humbling that so many people are willing to put their safety aside and help those affected by conflict.




Aubrey Houston

A Memorable Trip to Arlington Cemetery:
By Jennifer Stuhldreher
    The walk to the cemetery from the metro stop seemed long, but it was definitely worth it. The sun was out in full blaze, and I could feel the temperature rising. I put my sunglasses on and continued to walk forward. As soon as I made it to the entrance gates, I found a young boy awaiting our arrival. He smiled at me and handed me a rose, he said that I could place it anywhere that I wanted. As I walked further in I realized that there were a lot of boys and girls in boy-scouts and girl-scout uniforms all over handing out colored roses. I had received a yellow rose, and as I continued my walk up the hill towards the tomb of the unknown soldier I continued to smell the rose I held onto.

           Once I made it farther up the hill, I started investigating. I found older and older gravestones as I continued my climb. One stood out to me in particular. It was an old tomb, from 1908 that had the name Johnson inscribed into it. It was a large tombstone, but very plain. The reason it stood out to me, was because a tree had started to grow below it. This tree, which was rather large now, seemed to have molded around the tombstone. It looked as though its roots were supporting the gravestone. As soon as I realized how much this tombstone had intrigued me, I realized this is where I should place my rose. It didn’t matter who this person was in relation to me, but instead the beauty that I saw from his grave. Therefore, I thought he deserved the rose, and proceeded to place the rose on the base of the tombstone.

Eastern Market:
By Jennifer Stuhldreher
    The fresh aroma of pancakes infiltrate your nose, as you enter into a nosy and busy hall. I walked into the main hall of Eastern market, and first noticed the row of fresh fish and meat counters. As I walked down the hall past all of the fresh meat I saw a long line of people and was instantly greeted by the sweet smell of pancakes. I knew that I had found the famous breakfast spot and instantly began scanning the chalk board menu that was hanging over the station. Once I got up to the front of the line, I ordered some chocolate chip pancakes and breakfast potatoes. As I took the first bite into my food, my cravings were instantly satisfied! The chocolate chips melted in my mouth and left me craving more. Before I knew it, I had devoured my entire plate.
   

Though the breakfast may be the most memorable part of the market, it is not the only thing it has to offer. Outside the main hall there lines rows and rows of white tents that each house different treasures. There are fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing, jewelry, old maps, antiques, and much more. I wandered through the different isles taking in each stand as I went. One tent caught my eye in particular, because this tent had a beautiful necklace, with multiple strands of turquoise beads. I loved this piece, because I thought it was perfect for sun dresses, and work suits. I couldn't resist and got the necklace. I feel my trip to Eastern market turned out as a success, and even left me craving another trip.

Congressmen Wear Sunglasses Inside

On Thursday, July 25, I attended a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, the Courts, and the Internet hearing on copyright reforms. Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC) recently had a hernia operation, so full committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) chaired the committee. I've watched a lot of the IP hearings during my time at Normandy, but this was the first IP hearing I attended in person. I waited an hour to get into the hearing, and there was not an empty seat in the room, when everyone had been seated. It wasn't a particularly colorful hearing. No partisan bombs thrown, as copyright issues don’t tend to cut across the ideological center.

It’s always interesting to watch how members act in the committee room. For example, Rep. Farenthold (R-TX) had no idea where he was supposed to sit and moseyed about until a young staffer politely guided him to his seat. Rep. Judy Chu milled about the room prior to the hearing, greeting several of the Patent and Trademark Office officials she knew—she is clearly very dedicated to her post on House Judiciary—and during the hearing, she demonstrated a remarkable knowledge of the copyright system, even being proactive and anticipating responses from the witnesses.

Full IP subcommittee wearing 3-D shades.

By far, the best moment of the hearing came early, when Mr. William Sherak, the President of Stereo D, LLC, a 3-D imaging firm, was describing his business. During his testimony, he casually remarked, “Now, if everyone would put on their 3-D glasses, I can show you what I mean.” I thought it was simply a rhetorical flourish. Nope. Every member of Congress in the room and some of his or her staff put on a pair of 3-D glasses, the lights in the room dimmed, and they all turned their attention to a large television set with a 3-D film. Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC), always ready with something witty remarked, “The Chairman is responsible for the popcorn.” At the conclusion, Chairman Goodlatte remarked, “Thank you for that, Mr. Sherak, now everyone in the room has a photo of all the members of the subcommittee wearing 3-D glasses, I’m sure we’ll be seeing those pop up soon.” Yes, Congressman, yes, you will.

Rep. Judy Chu being a boss.

Ranking Member Watt to Chairman Goodlatte:
"The Chairman is responsible for the popcorn."

--

Travis Madden

Day of Remembrance

As I have grown older I have continued to gain a greater appreciation for my Jewish heritage and how that makes me unique. So getting the chance to go to the Holocaust Museum was a very exciting yet emotional day for me. I had been once before about 6 years ago and I was curious in going again now that I am older to see how my reaction and emotions would be different this time around.

Walking through the exhibit was a very emotional and touching experience for me. Knowing that I had family who both suffered through the Holocaust and family who fought to beat the Nazis really came over me like a wave of emotions. It gave me a day to reflect on who I was, the history of my family and of the Jewish people and how far I have come personally as a practicing American Jew. The Holocaust Museum is an amazing place and even if you are not Jewish I highly recommend a visit if you can.

Even though the mood of the day was a somber one filled with many emotional feelings, I am glad that I went back and spent the day at the museum because I think it is important, especially as a Jew, to remember events like this and remember all the people who were murdered. It really puts everything in perspective for me and provides me with a greater appreciation of my Jewish heritage and lifestyle and it is one that I believe will continue to grow as a grow as a person.

-Josh

Take me out to the Ballgame

Whenever I am in a city with a baseball team I always make an effort to make it to a game. I have been fortunate to attend baseball games at over 20 different stadiums so I was excited about adding Nationals Park in Washington to my list. When I was younger, I really enjoyed drawing, in particular sports stadiums so I am always interested in the subtle details of stadiums and examining what they did well and what else they could have done from an architectural standpoint.

Matt, Jake, Nathan, Aubrey, Alex, and I made the walk from the apartment to the stadium, passing under the highway and through the newly build, and still under construction stadium neighborhood complete with high rise apartments and office buildings. Despite the game being a last minute decision, we were able to get great seats together, most importantly in the sun so we could work on our tans, or in my case my burn. It was an afternoon game so we had the chance to enjoy some baseball, some sun, and most importantly, some beer (responsibly of course....).

Taking in a baseball game in Washington was yet another fun cultural experience for me and and getting to go with my friends and have a great time made it all the more enjoyable. The Nationals Park was definitely one of the nicer and more beautiful baseball stadiums I have been to and I look forward to coming back for a game soon.

-Josh

Day at the Market

One of the great things about the location of our apartment in the proximity to so many cool cultural events and activities in the Capitol Hill District. The first time I visited Eastern Market it was a new and interesting experience for me. I had not been to a place like it before. I enjoyed walking around and taking in the scenery and the people. We walked through the market where the venders were selling fresh fruits and vegetables and homemade foods such as peanut butter, jam, and salsa. All of it was fantastic!

We then went and had lunch as a small bistro in the market. Sitting outside and watching the people walk by and soaking in the environment was an experience unique to me and one that I found to be very interesting. It amazes me how you can go to a place not far from home and be consumed with an entirely new and exciting culture. It is little places and experiences like going to Eastern Market that have made me love and appreciate living in Washington D.C. for these past three months.

Although I enjoy going to museums and see the monuments and all the historical sites, it is experiences and places like Eastern Market that really make me appreciate a place like Washington. Even though it is not big or overwhelming, it is the subtle aspects of the environment that make me really enjoy the atmosphere and everything about the Eastern Market.

-Josh

Embassy Day

The first weekend we were in Washington, the EU had an open embassy day where they opened the doors to the public and allowed people to get a taste of the various countries culture and lifestyle. Matt, Aaron and I made the trip up to Dupont Circle and embassy row and we made it to a few embassies; Poland, Spain, and Lithuania.

It was a fun experience, I got to explore the culture of my family, Poland, a nation in Spain that I was previously familiar with, and a country in Lithuania in which I was not familiar with. So it offered me a interesting mix of nations to see and learn more about. Going to these embassies shows me for the first how international Washington D.C. is the important role it plays for so many other nations around the world such as the ones I visited.

It was through this experience that I began to really appreciate all the Washington had to offer, not just domestically, but internationally and it was a good eye opening experience for me as I was beginning to acclimate myself to living in Washington D.C.

-Josh

Fireworks on the Lawn

Last summer, I was lucky enough to be in Paris on Bastille Day and watch an amazing fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower. It was a spectacular scene but one that I think would have been much more meaningful if I was French... So after having that experience, I was particularly excited to be in Washington for the 4th of July and get the opportunity to celebrate our nations birthday from our nations capital.

The day of the 4th was a lot of fun with so much going on around the city, but the real event was taking place that night on the national mall. I made sure to arrive early so get the best seat possible to watch the show. So after much anticipation it finally began and and it certainly did not disappoint. Not just the amazing fireworks display with the Washington Monument as the backdrop, but all the people and my fellow Americans taking in the entire experience together is one that I will never forget.

I have had the chance to be apart of some great experiences and events while in Washington this summer but the 4th of July and the fireworks show in particular sticks out to me as it was that moment when I was truly proud to be an American and filled with pride to have the chance to celebrate that moment with my friends and fellow Americans.

-Josh

Potomac, please

Although I do like seeing all of the historical sites in DC, nothing about the city struck me quite like spending time near or on the Potomac river.

Through the wonders of Groupon, I went on a DC harbor cruise one evening and first experienced the refreshing nature of the river. The tour went all the way down to Nationals Park and back.

The next weekend, I rented a bike through Capital BikeShare program and rode up past Georgetown and back. Along this path was the Potomac on one side and there was a long stretch where we could see the memorials on our journey, as well. Watching the people out on the river in their boats and kayaks stirred up some envy in me, so the following weekend a few of us from the program went kayaking on the Potomac. This was my first time kayaking and it was no doubt one of the best things I did during my time here. It was more relaxing than anything and was a chance to get away from all of the schoolwork and internship stress for the time being.

This image was taken during the bike ride along the Potomac.

I am certainly going to miss the calmness of this river and hope I can find something similar to enjoy back in the midwest. Future WAIP students...spend some time on the water!

Aubrey Houston

Tidal Basin Paddle Boating

   One Sunday afternoon, Josh, our friend Alexa, and I all decided to try out paddle boating in the Tidal Basin. I had been around the area a lot as a tourist and had always wanted to try it out as a kid. In the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, it is one of, if not the most, beautiful spot in Washington D.C. The Jefferson Memorial is also my favorite monument, so I may be a bit biased.
  The three of us rented a paddle boat for an hour for $21. It wasn't too bad splitting the charge three ways,  but I am sure the company does okay for itself. After we left the dock, the three of us made our way toward the Jefferson. It turned out that a wedding party was taking pictures on the steps of the Jefferson, so it was a cool experience. Pictured below is the Jefferson, and another similar photo with Josh in the foreground.

   Where this might have not been the most informational experience while in DC, it was good bonding time and a great way to experience the District. We learned that paddling backwards is easier than forwards, Josh and I found out about Alexa's hate for spiders, and we discussed in depth dating programs where one single individual funds their date trip to an exotic weekend trip in a location like Paris or Hawaii. Paddle boating once was good enough for me though and I am confident that I have my fill for a long time.

-Matt Deptola

Oh My....

   We were hungry, yes... very hungry. After hours of walking around Georgetown with the sun beating down on us like we were in the Egyptian desert. We needed energy. Our group needed not only sustenance in the form of food and drink, but needed a boost  in attitude to get us through the rest of our day with high spirits. 

  Georgetown Cupcake was the answer we were looking for.

   Aaron, Josh, Jake and I all ordered multiple cupcakes in multiple amounts. After waiting outside the store for more than twenty minutes simply to get in, we knew we had to make the most of our trip. I ordered the red velvet cupcake, the mint chocolate chip, and the chocolate caramel. After ordering, the employees moved rather quickly and we were given our cupcakes in pink boxes within three minutes. After trying one cupcake outside of the store, I saved the other for home. They were amazing. I gave the other to Travis "Trav-Daddy" Madden who seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.

   Overall, a place every DC visitor must visit.

-Matt Deptola

How I made the best of my internship

My internship this summer was in the Talent Acquisition department at the Red Cross national headquarters where I worked a lot with the large internship program itself. Given  my interest for nonprofits, human relations, and leadership development, I saw an opportunity to combine the three at my internship.

Since I have no desire to go into the public sector, I knew I needed to make WAIP have the hightest return on investment for me personally. I saw an opportunity to create a detailed proposal for implementing a professional development program for interns at the Red Cross. This includes presenting workshops on topics such as communication skills, interviewing skills, networking skills, etc, as well as a mentoring component. Not only would it make an internship at the organization more appealing, but it could help mold potential future leaders of the Red Cross, as well.

Through extensive research, benchmarking, and conversations with internal staff at the Red Cross, I put together a detailed plan of what this program might look like and how it would be implemented. I even took the initiative to speak with Dr. Kolson about using this proposal as the subject of my capstone paper for the semester. I am so thankful that Dr. K understood the reality of exploring topics that are relevant to a student's internship and that the student has a passion for. In addition, the Red Cross appreciated my initiative and engagement in the internship and is considering implementing the program in years to come.

Aubrey Houston

All About Social Seurity

   On July 10, 2013 I attend a seminar titled, "Demystifying Social Security: 2013 Summer Academy". This seminar sponsored by the National Academy of Social Insurance was an all day informational session for interns in the District. Focusing on Social Security basics, panelists from multiple different organizations clarified information most seem to know, then went waist-deep into reform options.

 
   I was fortunate enough to attend this seminar on behalf of my company, The Charles Group. I was tasked with bringing back ideas for reform, so we could use this new information to help our clients create and support reform for Social Security. As the program is projected to run out by 2035, there is much debate on different options. As presented, reform can be split into three separate categories: increasing revenue, cutting benefits, and increasing care. Closing the financing gap was one of the biggest factors considered, and the presenting panelists all gave percentages on how well each alternative would do that.
   In regards to increasing Social Security revenues, two options were presented: lifting the cap on taxable earnings and raising the Social Security tax rate.
   In reducing benefits, three options were presented: means-testing Social Security, replacing the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) with an alternative like chained CPI, or raising the full retirement age.
   In increasing benefits, the following options were debated: increasing COLA, increasing the special minimum benefit for workers in poverty, increase benefits for all beneficiaries, and providing caregiver credits.
   Overall, I thought the seminar was a unique way to learn more about the topic and was useful for our client in attempting to select an alternative reform to support. When the alternatives were finished being presented, our tables were given the chance to come up with our own policy for reform. Our group decided that both cutting benefits and increasing taxes would be necessary, but had trouble agreeing on the best way to do it-- much like Congress I suppose!

-Matt Deptola

Washington DC for the First Time

For most of us, this summer in DC wasn't our first or even our second time in the city. Many of us were here with our 8th grade classes around 7 years ago (or 9ish for some of us old folks). In turn we weren't as super jazzed about seeing the sights when we arrived. My first visit to DC was so long ago now that I forget what it was like to see the White House, Capital Building and Supreme Court for the first time. This past week however I had a chance to relive this feeling through my best friend when he came to visit and see the city for the first time.

The first night of his visit, I insisted that we walk past the Capital Building at night. This has come to be one of my absolute favorite things about the city. Even still, I had not expected his reaction. This friend of mine is one of those cynical people  who often utilizes the word "overrated" in everyday conversation. This being said, he was blown away by the sight of the Capital Building lit up against the night sky and took no hesitation to tell me how impressed he was; aw struck, even. It was such a cool experience for me to watch him experiencing DC for the first time and being so amazed almost everywhere we went.

I thought, maybe, I was spoiled to have seen the Capital at a young age when we are all a little cynical and not easily impressed by the things around us. I was almost jealous of his innocence and ignorance as he discovered all of the cool things in the city.

The excitement continued as we spent his last night in town doing some night-time "monumenting". Our first stop was the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which I have to say I was not so impressed by the first time I visited it, but in the night it was much more majestic (further proving my DC-is-better-at-night theory).

MLK was nice but the best view from this stop was most definitely opposite of it. The Jefferson Monument lit in the distance, reflecting off of the Tidal Basin is breathtaking and, I must admit, much prettier than a man cut out of a slab of mountain rock.

After MLK, we followed the loop to the Franklin Roosevelt Memorial which is my favorite of them all. I'm not sure how many times I've visited the memorial by now but it is always exciting for me; the lack of pictures at this stop serve as evidence to my attentiveness. Our final stop was of course the Jefferson Memorial. By this time we were coated in sweat from the muggy evening and sure we had been bitten by a handful of bugs so we set back for the Congressional. Despite the sweat, bug bites and very tired feet, we were excited about the night of monument visits we had as a capstone to a nice few days visit and first exposure to DC.

-Elena

Smithsonian Saturday

The other weekend I spent time exploring a few of the Smithsonian Museums with friends who were visiting town from Ohio!  The favorite of the group was the American History Museum, where we saw many cool exhibits.

The favorite of the group was the Julia Child kitchen, which was an exact replica of what she had in her home!  What a great way to see history with our own eyes, with the exact replica of what she used.  We also explored the history of food in America exhibit, as well as transportation that has changed!  We made a pitstop in to see the exhibit that shows different decades and the various changes in pop culture and politics throughout time!

My favorite exhibit is the area with the history of the first ladies and the presidents who have served our nation.  In this exhibit, you can explore the China Set selected by each first lady, their gown worn to the inauguration, and sometimes their fancy jewelry.  The history of the presidents goes through what occurred while they were in office, and a background for their presidency.

Aaron Clapper

Policy that hits close to home

Look a couple of rows up from the Speaker's right shoulder and you will see myself with a bunch of college students trying to keep our student loan rates at a reasonable rate.  I was honored to be asked by House Leadership to join the speaker in a press conference on an issue that hits close to home.  I am sure a lot of us in WAIP are like me and cannot pay for college out of our pockets.   This means we need to take out loans.  Most would agree this is a very smart investment.  Unfortunately, doubling the rate of a subsidized loan is an unexpected shock that most college students did not have on their radar.  Most college students also didn't expect the Republican controlled house to pass a bill which kept the rates down and based them off the market.  As a college student, I am used to hearing how Democrats represent the young college students.  However, this was a nice surprise to see the Republican Party standing up for students.  The Senate did not even attempt to bring this bill to the floor, and we may have a long time before they work to bring the rates back down.  Even though the rates of loans doubled, I had the opportunity to be on National TV with House Leadership defending our student loan rates. 

- Jake

Skyline's Hotter, Smarter, Cooler, Better, Cousin

To all you Skyline fans out there,


I regret to inform you that your beloved restaurant doesnt even come close to the food at Ben's Chili Bowl. I went there last week after watching the D.C. episode of Man Vs. Food and was astonished at the quality of the chili dog I ate. Ben's Chili Bowl has been visited by an array of celebrities and that is clearly seen within the restaurant as you look around see all the framed pictures of Ben with them. However, most famous of all, Bill Cosby would routinely make visits to Ben's Chili Bowl. His infamous order of choice was the coveted Half Smoke. I order one when I went and can only say that that chili dog was out of this world, and by far the best chili dog I've had in my life. And yes I have tried Skyline before too and I can confidently say that Skyline has nothing on Ben's Chili Bowl. Again, I apologize to any Skyline lover for inadequacy of Skylines food in comparison to Ben's Chili Bowl.


-Noah

4th of July

Needless to say there are going to be many details of the night that will be left out to accommodate the younger members in the audience. But what better way to celebrate Amurica's birthday than in the nations Capitol?! Simply put, there isn't. While consuming funny tasting liquids was certainly a part of all the madness, that has zero to do with the overall experience. Never in my life have I seen so many people all coming together and celebrating one cause...AMURICA!! The parade and all the comradery that followed was so much fun that only this blog post can explain it! Although my partner in crime wasn't here to watch fireworks with me, being in the mall for them was incredible. Over 500,000 people crowded the lawn to share in the tradition. The only thing that could've made this day and night any better was if the lady in front of me sat down...But all in all this was still the best 4th of July I could have imagined. 

General Dempsey

One of the many (HAHAHA) perks of being a Congressional intern is we get to attend lectures by various political figures. My favorite lecture was that by Gen. Martin Dempsey. This is one very, very powerful man. He walked around the Capitol Auditorium like he owned the place, not once using the microphone that was made available to him. I had the feeling he was more dangerous with his bare hands than his guards were with their guns. Gen. Dempsey was a truly amazing speaker and he talked about many current and important topics but one stood out above all. Someone in the audience asked about his position on Guantanamo Bay and the use of torture. His comments proved to me just how badass this guy is. He said he doesn't condone the use of torture but said it works. WHOA. Just thinking what he has control of and the things he knows, freaks me out and frankly, scares the living daylights out of me.

-Side note, he also has the biggest chest I think I've ever seen. 

Holocaust Museum

I have been to the Holocaust Museum before in high school but believe it or not, I was even more immature back then and wasn't able to really appreciate it like I should. When I went this time around I was with another Jewish friend who had never been. Neither of us are religious but knew this would still be an incredibly emotional experience. As expected, we both were brought to tears many times. My favorite part of the museum was the part that told stories of heroic acts of people throughout Europe to save the lives of innocent Jews. Although I have deeper, religious ties to the Holocaust, it is not only for Jews. This is a part of history that some of the world wants to forget. We can never let that happen. Everyone should go see this museum and know the history and stories behind the Holocaust. Speaking on a very personal level, this experience deepened my doubts of god and religion but strengthened my cultural pride as a Jew.

I know this post got a little serious, I will attempt to lighten the mood in my next one.

-Jarrod Baden

Softball in the mall

I know everyone has been dying to read my blog posts with more anticipation than the next Game of Thrones book. Well here we go! Like everyone else, this summer has been a truly amazing experience and I would like to think I've taken advantage of every opportunity available. One of my favorite parts of the summer has been playing softball with Senator Brown's office. I know Noah already mentioned this and it has probably lost its luster by now...well thanks a lot Noah, go work on your swing pal! But still, playing softball in the mall has been awesome. Playing in between the Capitol and Washington Monument has definitely been the coolest field I have ever played on. When I thought playing in the mall couldn't get better, ohhhhhh was I wrong!! Sherrod Brown actually came to play with us and hangout with us common folk. In between his diving catches and head first slides, it was truly a special experience being able to, for lack of a better term, shoot the shit with a sitting senator.

-Jarrod Baden

Natural Science Museum

The other day I went and visited the Natural Science Museum and was left in awe. I havent been to the museum since 8th grade when I came to D.C. on a class trip. It was amazing to see what had changed since my last time being there. What truly left me in awe was their Human Genome exhibit. To my benefit, I attended a briefing hosted by Genomics on the Human Genome project, which was a federally funded project to map dna sequences and pair. In the briefing they detailed some of the innovations that have been generated due to the project but the museum provided a visual experience that was astounding for me. Yet, another memorable experience in D.C.!


-Noah 

Columbus Partnership Reception

A couple weeks ago my office, The Ohio State University Office of Federal Relations, was in attendance of the Columbus Partnership reception, which was held in an amazing room in the Capitol Building that is designed for receptions of the sort. At the reception both Ohio Senators, Brown and Portman, were in attendance along with Ohio Congressional Delegates such as Tiberi, Stivers,
Turner, Gibbs, and even Speaker Boehner. Not only were Ohio politicians there, but also important Columbus actors like Cameron Mitchell, representatives from Nationwide, the Limited Brand, PNC Bank, AT&T, and Schottensteins.  During the reception they great served drinks and fancy hors d'oeuvers. I was able to network. I ended up meeting a photographer at the even and he was able get a picture of me with Speaker Boehner.This was definitely an experience I'll never forget!


-Noah

Briefings

   The other day I attended a briefing on education reform through the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). The panel member were well renowned in the education field and so were many of the attendees. At the briefing I sat at a round dinner table because the briefing supplied lunch. During the lunch break I was speaking with the person to my right and turned out he was and OSU alum. We continued to talk throughout the rest of the briefing and exchanged business cards and emails days after. It just goes to show, there are buckeyes wherever you go


-Noah Navas

Softball at the Mall

Throughout this summer I been planning for Senator Sherrod Brown's office softball team . It has been a great experience and has allowed me to talk and network with his staff at a less professional event. We play softball once a week on various days, which some have conflicted with WAIP events. Unfortunately one of those times, Sherrod Brown actually came out to play softball with the team and I would have loved to play softball with the senator. 

-Noah

Conclusionary Tale

...I survived the bus ride back from Philadelphia just in time to gather my thoughts and revel in the rest of the summer that was. 

I suppose I forgot to talk about Congress very much at all. I went to one hearing early in the summer concerning liquefied natural gas, and its potential in international trade. The talk was interesting but it was my first and only hearing. Yesterday I went to a talk in the Capitol building hosted by the Embassy of Argentina, and discussing the country's emergence from default in the past ten years. I almost fell asleep, but they had pastries so I guess it was worth the trip. Other than those two events I didn't attend any official business in the Capitol or its connected offices, but I did spend some time walking around the office buildings. I even saw Paul Ryan...and followed him down an escalator.

My last few weeks here was filled with endless joy. Myself, Nathan, Lenae, and Louise went kayaking in Georgetown and enjoyed some amazing sandwiches. There are parts of this city that I will certainly miss. I can't say that I've "falled in love" with Washington, but I will not be surprised if I'm back in the next few years. 

This summer was interesting, and I'm happy I came, but I am also happy that it is over and I can go back and spend time in Ohio. For now I feel more at home there. Perhaps, when Washington is truly ready for me I will be truly ready for it. 

Until then, story over.


Eric D'Angelo

My two day immersion in the public sector

As a part of the Washington Academic Internship Program, every Glenn fellow is assigned an Ohio State alumni mentor who works in D.C. As a result of my interest in the Human Resources field, I was quite excited that Joe, the program coordinator, was able to pair me with an alumni that works in HR at the Maritime Administration, an organization within the Department of Transportation. My mentor, Jack, was very willing to get involved in his first mentoring relationship with an Ohio State student. After having an initial lunch, Jack invited me to come to his office for two full days at the DOT to experience what Human Resources was like from a federal government perspective. After getting permission from my internship supervisor, that's exactly what I did.



For two days in late June, I talked to several people in his department about their different roles at the Maritime Administration. I spoke with a position description specialist for probably two hours, where we discussed everything from her day-to-day duties to her son's girlfriend's dog bowl in Seattle. I also spoke with someone that advises employees on benefits and retirement inquiries. On the second day, I had an opportunity to speak with the Training Coordinator, Robbin. She runs all of the orientations and schedules any in-house trainings for the employees.

I learned a lot about the Maritime Administration organizational structure, too. The average employee is 55 years old in this organization and the majority of the staff are at a grade 13 or higher. In the next four years, 75% of their SES employees will be eligible to retire. As a result, Jack and his team put together a succession plan for the organization to make the org-chart look more "pear" shaped rather than "mushroom" shaped. I was able to sit in on the meeting where Jack's task force pitched their "pear" initiative to all of the SES leaders in the Maritime Administration. It was an interesting and tense meeting, and most leaders seemed resistant to the proposed change. The problem seemed to be that employees continue to get promoted until they reach a high-grade level, and once they leave the organization, the organization replaces them with another high-grade level employee, rather than hiring at a lower grade level. This cycle perpetuates the "mushroom" shaped organization.

I have lunch with Jack again this week and will be interested to hear how their "pear" initiative has panned out in the last month.

Overall, the takeaway I got from my two days at the DOT was that Human Resources in the federal government does not focus so much on employee relations as it hones in on the rules and regulations that bind every action. This visit, while informative, solidified my original notion that I need to work in an environment that welcomes change and innovation.

Aubrey Houston

Jogging

About once a week, I would run from the Congressional to Arlington and back.  It was a great run and I love passing all of the DC landmarks while getting in the best shape of my life.  My favorite monument is the Jefferson Memorial.  The larger than life statue of Jefferson looks across the basin directly to the White House from his American Parthenon.  The beauty of the memorial is not the statue, but the words on the wall.  "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, and are endowed upon their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  After spending three months in Congress, it reminds me the importance of the institution of government.  In the modern age, we have to redefine life, redefine liberty, and redefine the pursuit.  We can now take the lives of unborn infants, we debate everyday on the sacrifice of liberty for safety, and defining the rules of the pursuit have dominated our government since day one.  My run around the great monuments reminds me that words are rarely static and must be redefined with each new age.  As I run to the entrance of Arlington, my mind drifts back to the words circling about Jefferson, "I have sworn upon the alter of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."  My run is not only exausting for my body, but my mind as well.  DC seems to wear out the mind of everyone working to move our country forward.

- Jake