Media Center :: Press Releases

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, will be given the “Pillar Award” for civic engagement by the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen cannot be present for the award ceremony but she will tape a video message for the participants and her Chief of Staff in Washington, Arthur Estopinan, will receive the award in the Congresswoman’s place. The Washington Center’s Gala 2009 will take place Monday, October 19th at 6:00 PM at the National Building Museum, located at 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC.
 
Since Ileana joined the Congress, she has had the opportunity to have interns from the Washington Center working at her DC office. Many of these interns went on to become successful individuals both personally and professionally.

The “Pillar Award” for Civic Engagement honors “exceptional accomplishment in working with others to improve society and civic life.” This year’s other honorees are Congressman Norm Dicks, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo of South Africa, Governor Fidel Herrera Beltran of Veracruz, Mexico and Governor Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “I am honored to be receiving this award from the Washington Center because they provide an experience for college students that expose them to become engaged in our society and in their communities back home. More than 350 students are interning in Washington, DC this semester through the Washington Center and today nearly 2,000 alumni serve as leaders in their communities throughout the State of Florida. What a great organization this truly is!”