Córdova Congressional Internship Program

The Córdova/Fernós Congressional Internship Program is a publicly-funded internship program created in 1993 through legislation authored by then Puerto Rico senator and current Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock and signed into law by Gov. Pedro Rosselló. Administered by a joint committee of the Puerto Rico Legislature and run by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC), the program provides the opportunity every year for 40 college students to experience a semester-long internship in an assigned congressional office of either chamber, in the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, or at Telemundo or Univision. By law, placement preference is given to the offices of Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner, currently Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR), and of congressmen of Puerto Rican heritage, including Reps.José Serrano (D-NY), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY).^[1]

Originally named in honor of former Resident Commissioners Félix Córdova Dávila, who served from 1917 to 1932, and his son, Jorge Luis Córdova-Díaz, who served from 1969 to 1972, the program was renamed as "Córdova/Fernós" to also honor former Resident Commissioner Antonio Fernós Isern. Both Córdovas also served as Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico while Fernós presided Puerto Rico's Constitutional Convention from 1951 to 1952.

By 2010, over 575 students from colleges and universities in Puerto Rico had enjoyed internships under the program, and the Spring 2009 class included a record 24 members.

A private sector committee, recently headed by Univision Puerto Rico president Larry Sands, provides private funds to supplement the $350,000 annual grant provided by the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly.

Under the auspices of TWC, seventeen states have since established similar legislative-funded Congressional internship programs. The Center established in 2008 the McClintock Award to the State Legislator of the Year, honoring Córdova Program founder Kenneth McClintock, who received the first annual award on December 17, 2008, days before the end of his 28-year legislative career, sixteen as a senator, and the beginning of his service as the U.S. territory's Secretary of State.

Córdova/Fernós Joint Committee Chairs

• Kenneth McClintock (1993–2000)
• José Ortiz Dalliot (2001–2004)
• José Garriga Picó (2005)
• Orlando Parga (2005–2008)
• Margarita Nolasco (2009)
• Melinda Romero Donnelly (2009-)

Prominent Córdova/Fernós alumni

• Eduardo Arosemena, Assistant Secretary of State of Puerto Rico (2009-)
• Phillip Arroyo, Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Assistant to the Secretary of State (2009-), State Chair, Puerto Rico Young Democrats
• Mikhail Blancovitch, National Treasurer of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
• Joel Cruzado, Judge, Puerto Rico Court of First Instance (2010-)
• José L. Fernández , The Washington Center Córdova/Fernós Program Coordinator (2010-)
• Javier Llano, Legislative Assistant, Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (2009-)
• Yanira Martínez, Deputy Director, Governor's Federal Affairs Office (2009–2011)
• Marisol Felix Harney, Social Security Administration, Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, Systems Coordinator, 2004–Present
• Joel Montalvo, Executive Assistant to Gov. Aníbal Acevedo Vilá (2005–2008)
• Joceline Negrón, National Secretary of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
• José Luis Notario, Chief Legislative Advisor, Senate of Puerto Rico (2005–2008)
• Max Pérez, Public Safety Advisor to Gov. Fortuño (2010–2011), Assistant State Superintendent of Police (2011-)
• Luis Roberto Rivera, Executive Assistant to Gov. Luis Fortuño (2009–10), Asst. Secretary of Housing, Puerto Rico (2010-)
• Carlos Rodríguez, Legal Counsel to the Governor (2011-)
• Luis Román, Assistant Attorney General of Puerto Rico (2009-)
• Steven Santiago, first Córdova intern (spring 1995]], Auditor, Department of Defense
• Edwin R. Viñas López, Capital City of San Juan Attorney, Office of Mayor Jorge A. Santini Padilla (2008-) and Puerto Rico Labor Relations Board Associate Member (2011-).

References

1. ^ "Cordova Fernos Program TWC". The Washington Center. Retrieved November 24, 2010.

External links

• The Washington Center Home Page
• Córdova Fernós Program In Spanish