CONGRESSMAN DAVID CAMP
(MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN, DISTRICT #4)
Kimberly T. Sawchuk

A student from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant who also attended Eastern Michigan University and American Intercontinental University in London, England during the of summer 2005,  Kimberly Sawchuk won first place in the Debate Tournament at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2004, first place at Creighton University, third-place at Ohio State University, and was a finalist at the United States Air Force Academy in the winter of 2004 after participating for six years in high-school and college debating teams with which she spoke all across the United States. A member of CMU’s Model United Nations, Kimberly also belonged to the Public Relations Student Society of America, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol, and Campus to Congress where she conducted research on higher education issues with senators, congressmen, and all levels of government officials while attending House and Senate sessions. Kimberly worked at Morgan Allen Moore Public Affairs Consulting in London, England (in the summer of 2005), served as public-relations chair of the Student Government Association; was employed at PR Central as well as Flagstar Bank Corporate Headquarters in Troy, Michigan, did volunteer work as public-relations director of Michigan Disability Sports Alliance, and was PR chair of the Pan-Hellenic Council. In mid April of 2006, Kimberly applied to the Washington Internship Program in hopes of finding a summer position on Capitol Hill. Even though she didn’t allow much time to secure such a prestigious internship, WIP was able to place Kimberly with Congressman David Camp (Republican from Michigan’s forth District) by May for an internship that lasted from June through August. During this time, Kimberly lived at Summit Hills – apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland that are furnished and operated for students by the Washington Internship Program. Kim was given as a roommate an intern from Jamaica, Lisa Andrade, who also had public-relations background and attended Franklin and Marshall University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; WIP placed this student in a paid internship at Women’s Business Network / Public Affairs Group, and the two women shared the apartment with an intern from NAFEO (National Association for Equality in Higher Education) who was placed at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Kimberly worked in the Cannon House Office Building. Below is a list compiled by Kimberly Sawchuk of the work she did in the House of Representatives:


Kimberly Sawchuk (left)

“RESPONSIBILITIES:

I sorted constituent mail, provided correct response within letters signed by the Congressman on issues like gun control, and used a computer program called Internet Quorum (IQ).

BRIEFINGS:
I attended congressional briefings once a week, took notes, and highlighted information that the Congressman Camp might need to see. I heard Newt Gingrich speak along with other famous government leaders.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MARK-UPS:

Representative Camp sat on the Ways and Means Committee so I attended several hearings on different topics ranging from health and information technology to welfare reform. The mark-ups were great because I could see members of Congress revising bills and amending them to their liking.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
I was picked from among four interns to attend a joint session of Congress at which the Iraqi prime minister spoke.

TOURS OF THE CAPITOL:
Every day I led a guided tour of the Capitol to visiting constituents. First I learned about relevant U.S. history in order to present informative talks. I took guests through the old House and Senate buildings, the old Supreme Court, the rotunda within the Capitol, the crypt, and the House gallery. I met many people from the
Congressman's district, which I knew quite well, and constituents were very appreciative of my tours.

CONSTITUENT LETTERS:
Toward the end of the internship, I actually wrote responses to constituent mail. Supervisors reviewed and corrected what I drafted, after which I made all necessary changes before the correspondence was sent out to the public under the Congressman’s name.

MEETINGS:
I attended staff meetings every Monday, and at these sessions we reviewed the Congressman's weekly agenda as well as upcoming legislation.

RESEARCH:
I conducted research on new bills as did congressional staffers. Doing this work taught me a great deal about a wide range of topics, including health.

INTERN LECTURE SERIES:
I attended about three speeches a week presented by the Congressional Intern Program. Some were specifically for Republicans or Democrats, but others were open to everyone. I heard almost all of the Republican talks, many of which were followed by receptions after work. Therefore, I had the opportunity to learn about important issues first-hand from members of Congress. For example, I heard lectures by John McCain, Senate Majority Whip, and Supreme Court Justice Roberts. I still cannot believe how many great talks I heard.”

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