Press Releases

Vice President Dan Quayle, Admiral Mike Mullen,
former CIA Chief of Staff Jeremy Bash, Secretary
Janet Napolitano and U.S. Congressman
Jimmy Panetta, among Speakers joining
Secretary Leon E. Panetta for
Orientation Course for Panetta Institute's
Congressional Internship Program
Now in its twenty-fifth year, the Panetta Institute's acclaimed Congressional Internship Program
welcomed a new class of students this Sunday for what is considered one of the premier undergraduate
internship programs in the nation. Former Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will again lead the course,
which begins with a two-week period of classes designed to prepare participating students for their fall
semester of work in the Washington offices of the California congressional delegation. The orientation
classes begin Monday, August 14, and are the first part of the thirteen-week hands-on learning experience
for accomplished, civic-minded young people.
Among the many experts speaking to this year's class of students are: Vice President Dan Quayle; former
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen; former President of the University of
California and Governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano; former Chief of Staff to the Director of the CIA and
the Secretary of Defense Jeremy Bash; former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy;
Dan Balz, chief correspondent, The Washington Post; Jason Smith, the U.S. House parliamentarian; U.S.
Representative Jimmy Panetta; California State Senator John Laird; and local mayors Ian Oglesby and
Tyller Williamson.
The semester-long public service experience was created by Secretary Leon Panetta and is sponsored by the
Panetta Institute. Following the two weeks of classes, twenty-five students will travel to Washington, D.C.
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on Saturday, August 26. On the East Coast, they will serve eleven weeks as interns in the United States
House of Representatives, in offices of both Republican and Democratic members.
Students are nominated by university presidents from the California State University campuses, the largest
state university system in the country, along with Dominican University of California and Santa Clara
University.
Each intern is selected based on an exemplary scholastic record as well as interest in politics, policy and
public service. In order to ensure that merit is the determining factor for participation, the Panetta Institute
covers all expenses associated with the program including tuition, airfare, lodging and a fund for living
expenses. The Institute's financial contribution allows students from all socio-economic backgrounds to
participate.
"Our recent student survey found college students were deeply frustrated by the quality of leadership in
Washington, D.C." said Institute Chairman Leon E. Panetta. "There is real concern that we may be loosing
the next generation of voters. Our democracy cannot survive if that is the case. This program gives
interested students from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to learn about our democracy first hand and to
see the greatness of our system of government. At the Panetta Institute we believe that inspiring the next
generation of public servants is the surest way to protect our democracy for the future."
Secretary Panetta will teach on the founding and creation of the American Republic and congressional
leadership and policy making. Additional policy issues to be covered during this orientation include:
national security; foreign policy; education; the impact of the press and media on politics; fiscal policy;
election reform; and the impact of technology on democracy.
Noted experts from the East and West Coast, along with national, state and local elected representatives
speak directly with the interns and provide them with a strong foundation for their work in different
Representative's offices.
Below is a complete list of the speakers and topics in this year's orientation course:
? John Arquilla, Ph.D., distinguished professor emeritus, Defense Analysis Department, Naval
Postgraduate School will speak on cyber security and national security.
? Dan Balz, chief correspondent, The Washington Post and Carla Marinucci, senior writer for Politico
California Playbook will discuss the impact of press and media on politics.
? Sonia Banks, Esq., Panetta Institute professor will lead a series of courses and exercises on forging
consensus.
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? Jeremy Bash, Esq., chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense (2011-2013) and chief of staff to the
Director of the CIA (2009-2011) will speak on intelligence issues and challenges.
? Paulette Cha, Ph.D., research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California will discuss income
inequality at the state and national level.
? The Hon. Ming Chin, former associate justice of the supreme court of California will discuss recent
decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and the rule of the Judiciary branch.
? Ryan Coonerty, 3rd District supervisor, Santa Cruz County will teach on election reform.
? James Copeland, former White House deputy assistant to President Jimmy Carter and Les Francis,
former deputy chief of staff to President Jimmy Carter, will present, "How Congress works: a
realist's view."
? Jim Cunneen, former assemblyman, 24th District, California State Assembly and Fred Keeley,
Mayor of Santa Cruz will present on consensus building in the legislature.
? Dorian Daley, J.D., former executive vice president and general counsel at Oracle will present on
the impact of technology on democracy.
? Sam Farr, former United States representative, 17th/20th District, California, will speak to the
differences between the state and federal governments.
? Hector Flores, M.D., founding member and co-director of the White Memorial Medical Center
Family Residency Program will teach on healthcare.
? Michèle Flournoy, former under secretary of defense for policy will present on global flash points
including Russia and China.
? Niu Gao, senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California will teach on challenges facing
K-12 education in the United States.
? Julia Gelatt, Ph.D., associate director, U.S. Immigration Program, Migration Policy Institute will
present on U.S. immigration policy.
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? Heather Harris, Ph.D., research fellow, Public Policy Institute of California will discuss the criminal
justice system.
? Jeffrey Horwitt, vice president, Hart Research Associates, will cover the Panetta Institute Youth
Civic Engagement Survey.
? Richard Kezirian, Ph.D., Panetta Institute professor will teach history of the U.S. Congress.
? The Hon. John Laird, senator, 17th District, State of California Senate California and former
secretary of California natural resources will discuss climate challenges.
? Stephanie Leonard, director of research, Next 10 will lead the students in an interactive exercise on
the state budget.
? Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget will present on
the nation's fiscal challenges and the budget crisis.
? Joe Minarik, Ph.D., former chief economist of the Office of Management and Budget and senior
vice president and director of research for the Committee for Economic Development, will teach
two courses: one on the economy and the budget of the United States, and the other on trade policy.
? Admiral Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will discuss national security
policy.
? The Hon. Janet Napolitano, former president of the University of California, former secretary of the
Department of Homeland Security and former governor of Arizona will discussion higher
education.
? The Hon. Ian Oglesby, Mayor, City of Seaside will present with The Hon. Tyller Williamson,
Mayor, City of Monterey will present on achieving equality in American democracy.
? The Hon. Jimmy Panetta, United States representative, 19th District, California, will discuss the
appropriations process and the role of the Way and Means Committee.
? Erin Pruitt will join other former Panetta Institute interns Nicholas Stark and Jordan Tachibana for
first-hand perspectives on the Panetta Intern Program.
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? The Hon. Dan Quayle, Forty-Fourth Vice President of the United States will speak on the
presidency and leadership in the Executive Branch.
? The Hon. Mary Russo, former U.S. Representative, 3rd District, Illinois will discuss appropriations.
? Simón Salinas, former 3rd District supervisor, Monterey County and former assemblyman, 28th
District, California State Assembly, will teach on the relationship between state and local
governments.
? Jason Smith, J.D., parliamentarian, United States House of Representatives, will instruct the interns
on parliamentary procedure and the institutions and traditions of the House.
? Jodie Torkelson, former chief of staff, United States Representative Richard Nolan, will guide the
students on what to expect in their office with a review on the role of the congressional office.
? Fernando Torres-Gil, Ph.D., former United States assistant secretary on aging and professor of
social welfare and public policy, University of California, Los Angeles, will teach politics and
challenges of aging and diversity in the 21st century.
While in Washington for the fall semester, the interns also attend regular seminars with key government
leaders in different aspects of policy ranging from national economics to the global environment and
foreign affairs to national service. Each student will receive twenty academic units upon successful
completion of this internship program.
"The Panetta Institute's Congressional Intern Program is considered one of the best in the nation with
good reason," said Sylvia Panetta, Institute Co-Chair and CEO. "We provide these students with the
training they need to succeed and learn in Washington and the financial support we offer ensures this
opportunity is available for qualified and interested students of any income level."
The Panetta Institute for Public Policy was established in 1997 by Leon and Sylvia Panetta, and 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 the Institute's website at
www.panettainstitute.org.
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