Thursday, September 17, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
Washington work enlightens
Summer at capitol gives students new political perspective
By Steph Brew
Kansan staff writer
With Washington, D.C., in the headlines every day, the average citizen might wonder what it would be like to live in a city filled with such scandal and controversy.
This summer, through the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. University of Kansas students Aida Garcia and Andreana Albott experienced the world of politics firsthand.
Garcia, Lenexa junior, and Albott, Topeka senior, were among 30 Hispanic-American undergraduates selected to spend two months in Washington working as paid interns for the nation's leaders.
The program gave students a $2,000 stipend, free housing and round-trip transportation to Washington.
Monique Garcia, KU graduate and the program's coordinator, said that it had been a goal of hers to get more students from Kansas involved in the program.
Aida Garcia worked in the office of Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Albott worked for Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas.
Aida Garcia said that because she was not Republican, she was apprehensive about working for Brownback.
"It actually tried my patience a lot of times," she said. "I think that was one of the hardest things I had to deal with."
Despite the political differences, Garcia said her experience was positive.
positive.
"It was all pretty exciting," she said. "I felt pretty lucky to be there."
Aida Garcia said that although she had no major responsibilities, the internship was educational.
"The responsibilities we did have made us learn how the government really works." she said.
Albott said that while working in Green's office, she had the opportunity to write letters to constituents and a "Dear Colleague" letter that congressmen write to introduce new bills.
ington gave her a new perspective on politics.
She said that there was nothing about her job that she really didn't like but that occasionally she felt the impact of her low position.
"Sometimes you felt like an interm of a peon," she said.
"I realized the rules," she said. "There are a lot of differences between women and men."
She said that working in Wash-
Albott said that the division of parties was more evident in Washington than in Kansas.
Both Albott and Aida Garcia said they highly would recommend the program.
Alda Garcia, Lenexa junior, meets Attorney General Janet Reno. Garcia was among 80 Hispanic-American undergraduates selected to spend two months in Washington, D.C., as paid interns. Contributed photo.
"We got to meet all these cabinet members that some of the other interns didn't get to," Garcia said.
She also said that she enjoyed meeting other interns and that by living together the interns learned from one another.
"There were 30 of us from all over the United States," she said. "That in itself was one of the best learning tools I had all summer."
Clinton defends integrity in speech
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Clinton urged the public and Congress today to avoid getting mired in the details of his relationship with Monica Lewinsky and to move beyond the scandal jeopardizing his presidency.
Asked point-blank if he would resign, the president gave no direct answer but said Americans "want to put it behind them and they want to go on — and they want me to go on."
Friends and aides have said that he won't resign.
relations with the former intern. Asked whether he still had the moral authority to lead, the president said firmly. "That is something you have to demonstrate every day."
Clinton also would not respond to questions about whether he committed perjury or whether Lewinsky told the truth when she described her White House visits. Democratic leaders have warned Clinton to drop legal "hairsplitting" in denying sexual
A joint news conference at the State Department with the president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, was dominated by questions
about the Lewinsky affair.
Clinton: Says public wants him to continue as president.
"I think that the right thing for our country and the right thing for all people concerned is not to get mired in all the details here
but for me to focus on what I did, to acknowledge it, to atone for it and then to work on my family, where I still have a lot of work to do — difficult work — and to lead this country," he said.
He said his legal defenses shouldn't obscure the fact that he was sorry for his acts.
the president remained calm throughout the news conference but seemed uncomfortable and a bit impatient with reporters' questions.
Clinton was asked about House Republican plans to release the videotape of his Aug. 17 grand jury testimony, a move White House advisers fear will embarrass Clinton.
"I ... knew the rules were against it but I thought it would happen." Clinton said.
After Havel praised Clinton for helping to "build a new Europe."
the U.S. president insisted that the controversy had not hampered his ability to lead the country and the world.
"I have never stopped leading this country in foreign affairs in this entire year, and I never will," Clinton said. "The issues are too important, and they affect the way Americans live at home."
Ticking off his foreign policy involvements, Clinton said that he had acted to crack down on terrorism, cope with a world economic crisis and handle foreign policy troublespots such as Northern Ireland and the Middle East.
Havel would not speculate about the impact of a Clinton resignation. "I believe this is a matter for the United States and the American people."
He called himself a friend of Clinton.
JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE SHANAH TOVAH- HAPPY NEW YEAR
Erev Rosh HaShanah Sunday, September 20
Student-Led Services 7:30pm Alderson Auditorium Kansas Union Reception to Follow
Conservative Service 7:15pm
Rosh HaShanah
7:15pm
Lawrence Jewish Comm. Cntr.
917 Highland Drive
Reform Service
7:15pLawrence Jewish Comm. Cntr.
917 Highland Drive
Rosh HaShanah
Monday, September 21
9:30am and 7:15 pm
Lawrence Jewish Comm.Cntr.
917 Highland Drive
kosth HaShanah - Day 2
Tuesday, September 22
9:30am
Lawrence Jewish Comm. Cntr.
917 Highland Drive
Tuesday, September 29
7:00pm
KANSAS UNION BALLROOM
Kol Nidre
Yom Kippur
Wednesday, September 30
9:30am
11:00am Yizkor
5:30pm Ne'ilah
Lawrence Jewish Comm. Cntr.
917 Highland Drive
"University Policy"
Community Break-the-Fast to follow.
$4.00 for Students
$8.00 for Others
RSVP required for dinner only
841-7636
If you run into conflicts between religious observances and housing, meals, classes, or exam schedules, the KU Hillel Foundation can help. If you are going to miss class because of a religious obligation(or for any reason, for that matter) it is best to inform the professor or instructor prior to your absence. Classes, tests, and assignments can normally be made up with no problem. For a complete text of the Senate Rules and Regulations regarding religious observance conflicts, call or come by the Hillel Office at 429 Kansas Union.
If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to call the KU hillel Foundation at 864-3948 or 749-JEWS
Red Lyon Tavern A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
928 Mass.
Downtown
944 Mass. 832-8228
GAP is coming
Your Community Blood Center
Community Internship Program
Students on Board
Student Senate
Kansas Blood SERVICES
Invites you to a training session: Thursday, Sept. 17 7:30 p.m.
Alcove A of the Kansas Union
Donors will receive a movie pass for 2 compliments of Hollywood Theaters!
864-4073
Everybody Welcome
$4
Patio Behind Strong Hall Thursday, September 17, 1998 8:00pm - 12:00am
Monday - Thursday September 21, 22, 23 & 24 9 am - 4 pm Allen Fieldhouse
J & J COMMERCIAL
K.U.A.C. Campus Blood Drive
1997-98 Graduates and Alumni
interested in
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- 12-week Training Program • Full Benefits
- 2-yr Base Salary plus Expense Account
- Travel Opportunities • 401(K) Plan are just some of the benefits of joining our company
Sales Territory Manager Positions throughout the U. S.
VISIT OUR BOOTH AT THE FALL CAREER FAIR On-campus interview date - October 15
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.jj-invision.com VIEW OUR BINDER IN YOUR COLLEGE CAREER CTR Ph. 800-241-4586 (317) EMAIL mktq@jj-invision.com
Division of J & J Industries, Inc., privately owned manufacturer of commercial carpet. Established 1957
Seeking person for a paid executive staff position on Senate. Applicants should have knowledge of campus and city government.
INTERESTED?
CONTACT KORB MAXWELL
IMMEDIATELY AT 864-7337
EDUCATING·ADVOCATING PARTICIPATING
Student Senate