CSS - Bono/Capps Internship Program

It is my pleasure to introduce you to the California State Society’s Bono-Capps Congressional Internship Program. The California State Society is a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose primary goals are to provide opportunities to unite Californians in our nation’s capital and to foster good-will for the State of California in Washington, DC. Our members include all types of Californians–Members of Congress, Congressional staff, Administration officials, employees of California-based businesses, and others. The California State Society is run and operated by volunteers.

Nineyears ago, when California unexpectedly lost two members of our congressional delegation–Walter Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and Sonny Bono (R-Palm Springs)–to untimely deaths, the State Society conceived of a tribute to these two men. The Bono-Capps Congressional Internship Program is a key element of that tribute.

Under the program, two interns could be selected per school term (a full quarter or semester) to work in the House of Representatives. One intern would work in the office of the California House Republican delegation chair, and the other would work in the office of the California House Democratic delegation chair. Both interns would work on federal issues of interest to the State of California, under the respective direction of the staff directors for the Republican and Democratic delegations. The Bono-Capps Internship Program is offered in the Fall, Winter and Spring terms. The program is not offered in the summer.

The Bono-Capps Internship provides a special opportunity for students who are interested in learning how Capitol Hill operates and specifically how California’s powerful 53-member delegation works on issues of importance to our home state. Bono-Capps interns will be paid a stipend of up to $2,000 to help cover expenses. The program will not arrange for housing or transportation. The internship program is available to students currently enrolled in a California college or university as well as to California residents who are attending college outside of California. Applications for the Winter 2007 term are due Friday, December 15, 2006.

If you are interested, I encourage you to apply! Attached is an application form and some questions we’d like you to answer. If you have any questions about the Bono-Capps program or the application, please contact Jennifer Poulakidas at (202) 478-6053.