Isabel was the recipient of my office’s Kevin J. Sutherland (KJS) Washington, D.C. internship this summer. This special honor is dedicated to the memory of Kevin J. Sutherland, a Trumbull, CT native and former intern in my office whose life was tragically cut short in 2015. The KJS stipend funds one exceptional intern from CT-04 to work in my Washington, D.C. office for one summer, and it was a pleasure to award this scholarship to Izzy this year.

Reflections on my Internship with Congressman Jim Himes

By Isabel Kalb

On my first day as an intern in Congressman Jim Himes' office, I walked alongside my intern cohort through the U.S. Capitol as the Congressman escorted us to the gallery of the House of Representatives. After he voted on the House Floor, Rep. Himes sat with us and answered our questions about all things Congress while we watched the remainder of the vote together. I couldn't contain my excitement. That first day felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but over the next three months of my internship, I quickly learned that similar opportunities abounded both in and out of the office. 

Growing up in Fairfield County, I have always known I wanted to give back to the community that raised me. My internship in the Himes office gave me the opportunity to not only learn about the political process up close, but to be part of it. A key intern responsibility is answering phones and speaking with constituents, allowing me to hear about the issues that are top of mind for my neighbors and share them with our representative in Congress. I got to be part of democracy in action. Although I've lived in Connecticut my whole life, interning in my hometown congressman's Washington, D.C. office made me feel even more connected to my state. 

As the summer progressed, I attended congressional hearings about transportation and infrastructure, compiled co-sponsorship memos about agricultural reform, and learned about complex financial regulations. I was thrilled to work on the issues that inspired me to want to work in policy in the first place: immigration reform and education policy. Plus, I became friends with a generous barista in the building who often gave me scones to share with the Himes office!

This summer, Congressman Himes added a new element to his internship program: one-on-one debates with his interns on assigned topics. Over the course of my internship, I got to do this twice; first, speaking with the Congressman about my opinions on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision and the role of the federal government in regulating abortion, and second, speaking with him on the constitutionality of Obama's drone strike against Anwar-al Awlaki. 

I'll never forget the feeling of working on a co-sponsorship recommendation, advising the Congressman to give a bill his support, and then seeing him decide to sign on as a cosponsor. Or the excitement of watching Rep. Himes appear on cable news, speaking out for the people of our district and our country and feeling as though I am part of his team.

My internship taught me so much, but above all, it bolstered my faith in the political process and our American legislative system and democracy. I have never felt surer of my path forward or of my interest in understanding and crafting policy, and I cannot wait to come back to Washington. 

Sincerely,

Izzy

I am always looking for talented young people to come work with me. If you or anyone you know is interested in interning in my office, please find detailed application information on my website: https://himes.house.gov/internships