CSU Bakersfield Senior Political Science Major Begins Work in the U.S. House of Representatives

Ezequiel Leon, a senior political science major at California State University, Bakersfield, left for Washington, D.C., this week to begin work in offices of the members of the California delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Leon and 21 other college students from throughout the California State University system and the Santa Clara and Dominican universities are participating in the fourth annual Congressional Internship Program sponsored by the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy based in Monterey. Leon will be working principally in the office of Rep. Cal Dooley, D-Hanford.

Leon participated in an intensive two-week course at the Panetta Institute in Monterey and will spend 10 weeks in Washington receiving training on how to work effectively in a congressional office. All 22 students were selected by presidents from throughout the CSU system and Santa Clara and Dominican universities for their exemplary scholastic achievements, as well as their interest in politics.

Leon will receive 20 academic credits upon successful completion of the internship program. The Panetta Institute pays for the entire program and provides the interns with a stipend during their stay in the nation's capital. Support for the program was received from both the CSU Chancellor's office and the trustees of the Panetta Institute.

Leon and Sylvia Panetta established The Panetta Institute for Public Policy in 1998, which serves as a bipartisan study center to enhance public policy and to attract thoughtful men and women to lives of public service. For more information about the Congressional Internship Program or other Institute-sponsored events, please call the Panetta Institute at (831) 582-4200 or visit www.panettainstitute.org.

CONTACT: Becky Zelinski, 661/664-2138, bzelinski@csub.edu
or Mike Stepanovich, 661/664-2456, mstepanovich@csub.edu