MPB – After one year, biggest success for Harper is internship program
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A Mississippi first term Congressman says his biggest accomplishment so far is personal. Sara Sciammacco has more from Washington.
When Republican Gregg Harper ran for Congress in 2008 he told voters he would be a voice for children with intellectual disabilities. He has a 21-year-old son who has been living with a genetic disorder known as fragile ex. So one year and a few months into his first term, Harper teamed up with the House Administration Committee and George Mason University to start a pilot internship program on Capitol Hill for disabled college students.
HARPER: “It is personal to us because we have a child with special needs and i t is something we campaigned on a couple of years back and we tried to fulfill that commitment.”
The internship program, which began in the spring, will be permanent in the fall. And about 12 House congressional offices will participate. Intern responsibilities include responding to constituent mail and answering phone calls, entering information into office databases, and giving visitors tours of the Capitol.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
8/20/10
