Today, Jane and I visited the community garden at Toledo GROWs. Toledo GROWs has an urban agriculture program that is supported by a local private partnership and federal funds. Congresswoman Kaptur worked hard to direct federal funds to this program, so we visited the garden today just to check and see how they’re doing.
Today, individuals from the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center, an organization located in South Toledo, used the garden’s facilities to harvest honey from bees. The hives are located at the Sofia Quintero Center. With help from a local expert in beekeeping, we watched members of the organization extract the honey from the honeycombs into a large container. Most of the honey will go to the organization, and any surplus honey is sold.
Our visit was a good example of showing a connection between the Congresswoman’s work in the district and her work in the House. Ms. Kaptur is a proponent of urban agriculture in general because it gives good, nutritious food to those who may not be able to obtain it in a different way. She is currently in the process of crafting a bill that pertains to urban agriculture. Her support for Toledo GROWs is an example of her work for projects at the local level, whereas her new bill is an example of her work in the House.
Closer to lunchtime, Theresa and I attended a naturalization ceremony at the federal courthouse in Downtown Toledo. The presiding judge was the Honorable Jeffrey J. Helmick, federal judge at the United States District Court for the Western Division of the Northern District of Ohio.
We attended the ceremony as special guests to congratulate the citizenship applicants on becoming citizens of the United States. After a guest speaker and several remarks from the judge, individuals took the oath of citizenship and received their certificates. Many special guests were in attendance, including staff members from both senators’ offices, a staff member from another U.S. congressional representative’s office, and several leaders from community organizations across the court’s jurisdiction. All of us then lined up to shake the hand of each individual, now a citizen of the United States. It is a very joyous event for everyone.
One of the nice things about attending the naturalization ceremony was seeing everyone whom I had met in January 2015 for my independent study of the American judicial system, Perspectives: The American Justice System [link goes here]. It was also interesting attending the naturalization ceremony as a representative of the Congresswoman’s office, as it carries a perspective different from the one I had during my independent study of the American judicial system. While the court swears in the new citizens, many citizens request help from congressional representatives and their offices in regards to completing the paperwork. Paperwork and documentation isn’t always easy, and in addition to tests that applicants must pass, it can even take many years for everything to be approved. This is one reason as to why the work of congressional offices is so important.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
8-25-2016: Community Outreach: NASA and University of Toledo
Today, I went with Jane Ruvolo, a congressional staffer in the Toledo office, to Sandusky, Ohio. We took a private tour of some facilities at the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Plum Brook Station with staff and administration from the University of Toledo.
We had a chance to visit three of the facilities: the Electric Aircraft Testbed, the Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility (B-2), and the Space Power Facility (SPF). We had time to take a brief tour of the latter two facilities and learn what they have to offer.
B-2 houses the world’s largest thermal vacuum propulsion test facility. This is used for simulations for hydrogen powered rockets and other types of rockets.
SPF contains a different thermal vacuum facility that allows users to test rocket engines and launches for structural stability and safety of passengers onboard. Both facilities have tested many rockets of different types.
So why did we visit today? Both NASA and the University of Toledo have facilities located in the Ohio’s ninth congressional district, and these are not only important to Congresswoman Kaptur, but also to her constituents and the continued development and success of the district as a whole. Today, our goal was to learn about the facilities at NASA’s Plum Brook Station so we can be informed about current developments and new research. This is important as a congressional office so we can be aware of what’s going on in our district, and so that we can connect potential federal grant opportunities to NASA and the University of Toledo, in order to support their work, which indirectly benefits our district as a whole by creating investments and jobs.
We also learned that NASA is engaging with educational institutions and private companies in order to increase public relations and awareness. NASA partners with educational institutions (such as high schools and universities), and this helps both because educational institutions want to expand their programs and opportunities available to students, and NASA wants to improve its public relations and brand image. An example of this type of partnership is with the University of Toledo; this was the main reason for the visit today. NASA also partners with private companies because private companies need facilities to conduct tests with large equipment, and NASA would receive payment for use of the facilities. Again, these types of development benefit the district.
In another sense, our visit is also interesting because we get to see where and how constituent tax dollars are being spent. But in regards to actually learning about the details and capabilities of the facilities, it was very difficult to understand what was being discussed! As most of the visitors were from the University of Toledo College of Engineering, they asked many specific questions about advanced, intricate technologies that I don’t know anything about. Nevertheless, the visit was worthwhile, as I got to explore something that I had not previously known about, meet staff and administrators from both the University of Toledo and NASA, and act as a representative of the Congresswoman and her office.
NASA Plum Brook Station Front Building in Sandusky, Ohio
We had a chance to visit three of the facilities: the Electric Aircraft Testbed, the Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility (B-2), and the Space Power Facility (SPF). We had time to take a brief tour of the latter two facilities and learn what they have to offer.
Touring with representatives from the University of Toledo
B-2 houses the world’s largest thermal vacuum propulsion test facility. This is used for simulations for hydrogen powered rockets and other types of rockets.
A look into the chamber at B-2
SPF contains a different thermal vacuum facility that allows users to test rocket engines and launches for structural stability and safety of passengers onboard. Both facilities have tested many rockets of different types.
Thermal Vacuum Facility at SPF
Control Room at SPF
So why did we visit today? Both NASA and the University of Toledo have facilities located in the Ohio’s ninth congressional district, and these are not only important to Congresswoman Kaptur, but also to her constituents and the continued development and success of the district as a whole. Today, our goal was to learn about the facilities at NASA’s Plum Brook Station so we can be informed about current developments and new research. This is important as a congressional office so we can be aware of what’s going on in our district, and so that we can connect potential federal grant opportunities to NASA and the University of Toledo, in order to support their work, which indirectly benefits our district as a whole by creating investments and jobs.
We also learned that NASA is engaging with educational institutions and private companies in order to increase public relations and awareness. NASA partners with educational institutions (such as high schools and universities), and this helps both because educational institutions want to expand their programs and opportunities available to students, and NASA wants to improve its public relations and brand image. An example of this type of partnership is with the University of Toledo; this was the main reason for the visit today. NASA also partners with private companies because private companies need facilities to conduct tests with large equipment, and NASA would receive payment for use of the facilities. Again, these types of development benefit the district.
Me with Dave Stringer, Director of the NASA Plum Brook Station
In another sense, our visit is also interesting because we get to see where and how constituent tax dollars are being spent. But in regards to actually learning about the details and capabilities of the facilities, it was very difficult to understand what was being discussed! As most of the visitors were from the University of Toledo College of Engineering, they asked many specific questions about advanced, intricate technologies that I don’t know anything about. Nevertheless, the visit was worthwhile, as I got to explore something that I had not previously known about, meet staff and administrators from both the University of Toledo and NASA, and act as a representative of the Congresswoman and her office.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
8-24-2016: The First Day
Today was my first day as an intern in Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s district office in Toledo, Ohio. Throughout the day, I had to mentally adjust myself to a new working environment; however, I’m sure I’ll feel comfortable by the end of the internship.
After talking about the office, the role of a United States House Representative, and my own interests with the internship coordinator, Theresa Morris, one of the first tasks I had was to sort messages from constituents.
Most Congress members receive messages from their constituents. Congress members must answer to their constituents; after all, their job is to represent them. Congressional offices receive opinions and ideas from citizens of the district, and members of Congress use what they learn to guide them in how they decide to vote. Constituents may express their opinion through written letters, phone calls, or emails to the office.
However, in order to assist constituents, the office must first know whether or not the individual resides in the congresswoman’s district (in this case, Ohio’s ninth congressional district). The office cannot assist individuals who live outside the district because it would be disrespectful to the other representatives of their own districts. In other words, assisting with casework of an individual who resides outside of the district would come across as overstepping boundaries, barging into another representative’s district. This policy is called congressional courtesy.
My project today was to do some research for Theresa regarding the heroin and opiate addiction epidemic; the problem affects individuals across the ninth district, the office is trying to raise awareness about addiction being a disease, and move away from the mindset that it is a flaw in the addict. I spent a lot of time looking for articles with scientific research on the effect of drugs on the brain, how society views addiction, as well as some solutions to treating this epidemic.
Finally, I spent some time reading a list of news articles selected by one of the staffers. These articles may pertain to current events in the district, interests of the Congresswoman, or even a mention of the Congresswoman herself. All staffers are expected to read all news articles.
I really like this policy of required reading, and here’s why: many constituents have problems caused by current issues, and they turn to the Congresswoman for help. It would be difficult for the Congresswoman and her staffers to help constituents without knowing what else is going on. Additionally, Theresa mentioned that one of the important things about the office was having real people who are in touch with the district, and without knowing what’s going on in the district, it would be very easy to become insincere or lose touch with constituents. Finally, I also think that this required reading is good because some articles may express people’s opinions on certain issues or topics, and the goal for Congresswoman Kaptur and her staffers is to understand its constituents so the Congresswoman can better represent them.
Even though I’m just an intern among the many staff members across the Congresswoman’s multiple offices, I realize that we all represent Marcy Kaptur. Any behavior that is less than courteous, polite, and professional not only reflects badly on the office, but the Congresswoman herself.
Although today was a little slower paced, there are many events and activities planned that will involve interacting with constituents or improving Congresswoman Kaptur's district. I’m very excited for what’s ahead of me!
Me, sitting at my desk in the Toledo office
After talking about the office, the role of a United States House Representative, and my own interests with the internship coordinator, Theresa Morris, one of the first tasks I had was to sort messages from constituents.
Most Congress members receive messages from their constituents. Congress members must answer to their constituents; after all, their job is to represent them. Congressional offices receive opinions and ideas from citizens of the district, and members of Congress use what they learn to guide them in how they decide to vote. Constituents may express their opinion through written letters, phone calls, or emails to the office.
However, in order to assist constituents, the office must first know whether or not the individual resides in the congresswoman’s district (in this case, Ohio’s ninth congressional district). The office cannot assist individuals who live outside the district because it would be disrespectful to the other representatives of their own districts. In other words, assisting with casework of an individual who resides outside of the district would come across as overstepping boundaries, barging into another representative’s district. This policy is called congressional courtesy.
My project today was to do some research for Theresa regarding the heroin and opiate addiction epidemic; the problem affects individuals across the ninth district, the office is trying to raise awareness about addiction being a disease, and move away from the mindset that it is a flaw in the addict. I spent a lot of time looking for articles with scientific research on the effect of drugs on the brain, how society views addiction, as well as some solutions to treating this epidemic.
Finally, I spent some time reading a list of news articles selected by one of the staffers. These articles may pertain to current events in the district, interests of the Congresswoman, or even a mention of the Congresswoman herself. All staffers are expected to read all news articles.
I really like this policy of required reading, and here’s why: many constituents have problems caused by current issues, and they turn to the Congresswoman for help. It would be difficult for the Congresswoman and her staffers to help constituents without knowing what else is going on. Additionally, Theresa mentioned that one of the important things about the office was having real people who are in touch with the district, and without knowing what’s going on in the district, it would be very easy to become insincere or lose touch with constituents. Finally, I also think that this required reading is good because some articles may express people’s opinions on certain issues or topics, and the goal for Congresswoman Kaptur and her staffers is to understand its constituents so the Congresswoman can better represent them.
Even though I’m just an intern among the many staff members across the Congresswoman’s multiple offices, I realize that we all represent Marcy Kaptur. Any behavior that is less than courteous, polite, and professional not only reflects badly on the office, but the Congresswoman herself.
Although today was a little slower paced, there are many events and activities planned that will involve interacting with constituents or improving Congresswoman Kaptur's district. I’m very excited for what’s ahead of me!
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