Students who want to pursue a career in public service should understand how Congress works.  That simple idea led to the creation of Truman Scholars Day on Capitol Hill – a collaborative effort between the Stennis Center and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.  This program, initiated in the summer of 2003, brings together Truman Scholars for a daylong crash course in legislative process, including personal interaction with Senior Stennis Fellows, who are senior level congressional staff with extensive experience on Capitol Hill. 

The Truman Scholarship is the official memorial to our nation’s 33^rd president.  Truman Scholars are college students from every state, selected annually on a competitive basis, who possess exceptional leadership potential and are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service. 

Each summer approximately 60 Truman Scholars come to Washington for internships in federal agencies, nonprofits and professional organizations.  Despite their close proximity to Capitol Hill, many never have an opportunity to visit the U.S. Capitol or a congressional office.  This program bridges that gap. 

Judy Schneider, the leading specialist on the Congress at the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, taught a workshop on legislative process in the historic Russell Senate Caucus Room.  Schneider, who also is a Senior Stennis Fellow, told the Truman Scholars, “Congress is not driven by policy alone.  Politics and procedure are also important.”  She surprised the students when she said, “The purpose of Congress is not to pass laws, but to stop bad laws from getting passed.” 

Don Ritchie, associate historian in the Senate Historical Office, took the Truman Scholars into the gallery of the Old Senate Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol.  Ritchie regaled the students with stories about Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Jefferson Davis and Charles Sumner. 

The Truman Scholars then had the unique opportunity to visit the floors of the both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.  According to one Truman Scholar, “I loved getting to see the desks on the Senate floor.  It gave me a sense of history and reminded me that Senators are human.” 

After meeting Senior Stennis Fellows at lunch, the Truman Scholars went in small groups to visit the congressional offices of the Fellows.  One participant remarked, “The portion of the day that I found most enjoyable and most educational was the opportunity to meet with legislative staff members.  The chief of staff that I met with was very charismatic, very honest, and very direct regarding his opinions of ‘the Hill.’ He provided us with a unique perspective and fresh approach that I had not experienced before.” 

The day concluded with an address by Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee, who challenged the Truman Scholars with his candid assessment of the pros and cons of serving in Congress.  Said one, “It reminded me to explore what I can do in my future to really make changes in the system.” 

Another Truman Scholar summarized the day for many by saying, “I had a fantastic day.  It was exciting to get a private window into the places, people and process that run Congress.”