Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman welcomed four Albuquerque students to Washington for a five week internship this July to learn about the legislative process and the dynamics of the United States Senate.

Interns assist legislative assistants in key policy areas, give tours of the Capitol building to New Mexican visitors and relay constituents' concerns and requests to the Senator.

"Interns are a valuable addition to our office. It is wonderful to see young people engaged in politics and we want to encourage their interests" said Bingaman.

Lauren Harding, a 2008 graduate of Albuquerque Academy, is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania and is triple majoring in philosophy, politics and economics. She is the daughter of Dr. Michael and Janet Harding.

Harding applied to the internship seeking "first-hand experience of policy-making and knowledge of the political system." She added that the internship greatly added to her future because "the experience solidified my ambitions to work in public service."

Lindsey Frick said she wanted to intern in Bingaman's office due to her long-time interest in politics. A senior at Boston University, Frick is seeking a B.A. and a B.S. in business administration and marketing with a minor in advertising.

"I have a wide array of interests but I feel that internships are the perfect way to find out what you really want to do in the future," Frick said.

Frick added that she felt particularly inspired by the Obama administration and wanted to come to Washington to experience the change. She is a 2006 graduate of Sandia High School and the daughter of Richard and Rebecca Frick.

(From left to right: Van Snow, Lauren Harding, Lindsey Frick, Sen. Bingaman and Nora Lamm)

Nora Lamm said she wanted to intern with Bingaman's Washington office because she enjoyed interning at his Albuquerque office last summer. Lamm is a junior at Middlebury College majoring in Latin American Studies and Geography.

"Though my major focuses on International issues, I wanted to learn more about domestic politics because they are the way in which the world perceives our capability as a nation," Lamm said.

Lamm is a 2007 graduate of Bosque School and is the daughter of Terry and Nancy Lamm.

Van Snow said he applied to the internship because he knew "the Senate was going to be dealing with really important issues this summer and it was the right time to get involved".

Snow, a junior, and a history and philosophy major at the University of New Mexico, added that he "wanted to experience this feeling of opportunity and change that comes along with a new administration". Snow is a 2007 graduate of Albuquerque Academy and is the son of Ed Snow and Kelly Borns.

For more information about internships with Bingaman's Washington and New Mexico offices please visit www.bingaman.senate.gov.