Contact: Michael Padilla, 277-1816

October 8, 2002 ROSWELL NATIVE INTERNS IN D.C. WITH SENATOR BINGAMAN University of New Mexico student Michael Martinez recently interned for United States Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) in Washington, D.C. Martinez’ main duties as an intern were helping with research related to tax legislation. He entered data and designed charts, which would make their way back to a legislative aide where they would be proofed then sent to the floor of the Senate. He said the best part of the internship was the interaction with lawmakers and great thinkers of our time. “I was also able to witness history,” he said. “While in D.C., I was able to attend the Congressional Trial and vote in the House of Representatives to oust Rep. James Traficant of Ohio.” He said he was also was able to speak with the Traficant on a few occasions. “Few people can ever say that they were put in a headlock by James Traficant, but I can,” Martinez said. He said a highlight of the internship was having the opportunity to meet former Vice President Al Gore. “I not only met him, but was able to ask him a question during his speech. My question was then televised on C-Span,” he said. “I also enjoyed meeting Newt Gingrich. He had very interesting things to say. It was quite the experience meeting two men on different ends of the political spectrum.” Martinez said the internship was challenging and rewarding. But the most difficult part of the internship was vying for selection. “Many bright and qualified students apply each year to be interns, but only a lucky few are chosen,” he said. Martinez said advice that he would give to anyone interested in pursuing such an opportunity is that it’s an internship of a lifetime. “If you go into the internship not knowing a thing about politics, you will care after your time in D.C.,” Martinez said. “If you are very much interested in politics, as I was, then you will only learn more than you ever could in school or on TV. You will see the men and women who help govern our country and world on a daily basis. It is an experience that cannot truly be explained, but experienced.” Martinez said that the internship with Jeff Bingaman was a once in a lifetime experience. “It is not very often that a 19-year-old is able to work in one of the nation’s most powerful offices, but also in one of the most powerful offices in the world,” he said. “Not a bad way for a college kid to spend a summer.” Martinez, a 2001 graduate of Goddard High School, is a sophomore majoring in business and minoring in political science at UNM with a 4.0 GPA. He also works in the UNM Public Affairs Department where he assists with the faculty/staff newspaper, distributes press releases and tracks media coverage. Martinez scored in the top two percent nationally on the PSAT and earned the title National Hispanic Scholar. Martinez’ parents, David and Susan, reside in Roswell. ###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981