WASHINGTON, D.C. - Downey resident Daniel Alvarado, a graduate of USC, recently completed an internship on Capitol Hill in the offices of Congress members Albio Sires and Sander Levin.Alvarado, 23, was selected as part of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI), which supports "outstanding young Americans with a strong interest in the U.S. Hispanic community to expand their professional horizons and enhance their understanding of government and business by conducting policy and business-orientated research and related professional activities in Washington, D.C. for an academic semester." As an intern, Alvarado performed a wide variety of tasks, such as drafting letters, conducting legislative research, attending legislative briefings and press conferences, and other office administrative duties. While in Washington, he also completed two graduate courses at the George Washington School of Political Management. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard congratulated Alvarado for being "among the many bright students with leadership potential from our community and state who will hopefully take what they've learned as part of this program and return home more knowledgeable about the process and better prepared to one day serve their communities and make a difference." "As a young Latino leader, I am grateful to the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, Congressman Sires, Congressman Levin and Congresswoman Roybal-Allard for their continued efforts to expand the horizons of Hispanic youth," Alvarado said. "My time on Capitol Hill has left me with an indelible mark of how our government functions and the important role it plays in our lives." Alvarado was recently selected to be one of 75 U.S. students participating in the 2011-12 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. The one-year student exchange begins in July and will include an internship in the office of a German elected official. A May 2010 graduate of USC, Alvarado majored in German, Art History and minored in Gender Studies. He is the son of Jesus and Emma Alvarado, of Downey.

********** Published: April 28, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 2