Celebrating Old Friends

Much like last year's 50th anniversary reception in Philadelphia, the recent gathering was a chance to celebrate the old and the new. The Fellows were therefore tickled to learn that one of their own, Fulbright Scholar María Barón of Argentina, had given birth to a daughter around 6 p.m. While nothing can quite top the fellowship romance of Ben and Mavis Reeves, who met and married in the first class (1953–1954), we are nonetheless pleased that baby Violeta arrived under such auspicious circumstances.

The reception featured a variety of guests from each of the fellowship's six decades. At a time when fiscal belt-tightening has caused a significant decline in federal participation, it was especially heart-warming to see old friends from such departments and agencies as the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of the Interior, and the Food and Drug Administration, to name just a few. We were also graced by the presence of such longtime supporters of the program as Ambassador and former House Speaker Thomas Foley and former fellowship Director Walter Beach.

With typical thoughtfulness, the outgoing class took a moment to thank Director Jeff Biggs and Program Associate Sarah Dougherty for their help. David Van Cleve, a Department of State Fellow who worked for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), promised his speech would not last as long as his boss's. Meanwhile, Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow Sue Gallagher, who worked for Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), explained that one of the highlights of the year was finally learning what a “political scientist” was. Humor aside, both shared with the 200 attendees how their perceptions of Congress had changed. Most importantly, they each felt they had achieved a superior understanding during the course of their fellowships.

Good People Are Scarce

For the fellowship staff, the gathering also provided an opportunity to observe how friendships had blossomed over the past year. The same timid newcomers who hugged the walls of last year's reception now laughed and joked with their colleagues. Their spouses and friends no longer served as anchors in a sea of new faces but rather as proud accessories to be introduced to staffers and Members alike. Although the smattering of 2004–2005 Fellows seemed shy by comparison, alumni at next year's reception should expect a similar bonding.

2003-04 Fellows (L-R) Chris Povak, Eli Chaparro and David Van Cleve smile big at the reception.

Journalist Fellow Matt Grimison, who worked for Representative John Mica (RFL), offered the following as adieu: “I had an incredible time during this fellowship and meeting everyone was the highlight. Journalists are used to dealing with people who know a lot more than them, but this group was truly mind-boggling. It was a true pleasure…. Which brings me to the main reason for this email: Not only do I consider each one of you a colleague (maybe even a dear colleague?) and a friend, but you are now a source.” He added, “We can talk off or on the record later.”

This sentiment undoubtedly echoes the Association's goal when it established the fellowship in 1953. Each Fellow who came into contact with Congress and with each other would be transformed. Jeff Biggs concluded the evening's remarks with his traditional toast: “In the words of my Aunt Clara, ‘Good people are scarce.’”

“Fellowship Reflections”: In Their Own Words

Since its founding, the fellowship has traditionally regarded political scientists as its primary source and audience. The academic prominence of nearly 400 alumni in this field speaks to the relevance of the legislative experience. We cannot, however, assume that all Association members are acquainted with the program, particularly its diversity of participants. In addition to political scientists, a contemporary class of Congressional Fellows includes journalists, sociologists, international scholars, federal domestic and foreign policy experts, a Native American Hatfield Fellow, and Robert Wood Johnson health policy professionals.

As a result, we have decided to publish quarterly articles in PS by representatives of each category of Fellow. We hope their contributions will illustrate the eclectic character of today's participants and portray the unique perspectives they bring their colleagues in the program. This series will be called “Fellowship Reflections.”

In addition to appearing in print, these essays will be carried on the fellowship's web site, <www.cfpnet.org>, which allows us to reach a wider audience than the PS readership alone. For former Fellows of the program, these articles will provide a welcome trip down memory lane. For others, namely people interested in applying to the program, these articles will offer a candid glimpse of the fellowship experience.

To start the series, we have asked several members of the 2003–2004 class to submit essays: one political scientist, one journalist, one RWJ Fellow, one senior Fulbright Fellow from Egypt, and one Asia Foundation Fellow from Indonesia. The current issue of PS features Ezzat Youssef, a foreign policy journalist from Cairo's leading daily, Al Ahram. We hope these reflections will offer the first-hand perspective that only a Fellow can convey.

A Web Site in Progress

Visitors to the program's web site, <www.cfpnet.org>, will notice some improvements, thanks to the hard work of fellowship staff. In addition to a streamlined presentation of application procedures, viewers will find expanded information on the program itself, from office assignments and the general fellowship experience, to various enrichment opportunities offered, such as the Orientation, the Wilson Seminar Series, the District Trip, the Annapolis Seminar, and the Canadian Parliamentary Exchange. Current Fellows will find helpful items like the CFP travel policy and the outlined terms and responsibilities of the fellowship, while others will surely find the list of recommended reading of interest.

We are most excited about the creation of an area devoted exclusively to program alumni. Visitors will find a listing of every Fellow by year and by type. Additionally, we are in the process of posting office assignments by Member of Congress. It is an ongoing process and all the data must be entered by hand, so we beg your patience. Nonetheless, we hope to have completed the project by the time of publication.

Finally, as always, the fellowship staff continues to seek updates on the whereabouts and accomplishments of former Fellows. Alumni listservs have already allowed some classes to keep in touch via email. If you suspect your contact information may be out of date, we urge you to visit <http://www.apsanet.org/about/cfp/update.cfm>. This will also allow us to send you periodic updates, as well as invite you to alumni receptions. Alternately, you may send your name, fellowship year, address, phone number, and email addresses to either <cfp@apsanet.org> or to APSA Congressional Fellowship Program, 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036.

The Congressional Fellowship Program continues to benefit from the generosity of MCI, Inc., Congressional Quarterly, Inc., the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the William E. Steiger trust, and the annual contributions of program alumni. As in the past, contributions of $50 or more will land you a mug, and we are pleased to announce a handsome 50th Anniversary mug. To obtain a copy of the fellowship's history, A Congress of Fellows, please contact the staff at <cfp@apsanet.org>.

—Sarah Mi Ra Dougherty