Political Science seniors first UHD students in Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program

(HOUSTON, January 4, 2008)  University of Houston-Downtown political science seniors J.P. Cortez and Ralph Weatherspoon will serve as congressional aides in Washington D.C. this semester as part of the Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program.

Cortez and Weatherspoon are the first UHD students to participate in the program.

The late George Thomas "Mickey" Leland was a six term U.S. Rep. from Houston who served as chairman of the House Select Committee on Hunger. He died in a plane crash in Ethiopia during a mission to alleviate hunger.

Leland founded the internship program to provide an opportunity for students to participate in government at its highest level in the nation's capitol. Interns receive a monthly stipend and round-trip airfare, as well as paid housing at Boston University's Washington Center. Upon successful completion of the program, they receive from three to 12 credit hours toward their degrees.

Cortez has campaigned for several candidates in local races and is active in the Harris County Tejano Democrats, a political action group. He will work in the office of Congressman Gene Green, D-Texas.  

"I feel the work I have done as a volunteer, in campaigns and organizations, has prepared me for this experience," said Cortez. "Serving with the congressman that serves my own district is a big honor."

Weatherspoon will return to Washington, D.C., where he served in the U.S. Marine Corps under Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush from 1999 to 2003.

He was on duty during the September 11 attack on the Pentagon.  

"I was young (20) and it was a tough situation," said Weatherspoon. "It made me appreciate things differently - my family and my future. The internship will help me expand my career options and get first-hand experience in government."

Weatherspoon is in the Texas Army National Guard and plans to become a military lawyer. He will be in the office of Congressman Chet Edwards, D-Texas.

Cortez and Witherspoon will learn about the political process first hand and will fulfill Leland's public service legacy.