Anthony Martinez

Anthony Martinez - Entry 3

July 8, 2009

As a CHCI intern, you will be conducting a community service project on the 2010 Census. Why is this issue important to you and how do you think it impacts the Latino community?

Upon completion of the 2010 Census, the new numbers of Hispanics accounted for is going to be very eye-opening for a number of parties. District boundary lines will need to be redrawn and of course more constituents will need more funding. Business leaders will need to take note when formulating their strategies to account for an increase in their Hispanic markets.

Our personal responsibility in this process is to ensure an accurate count of Hispanics during the conduction of the Census. So, we should be increasing awareness of the impending Census and proper compliance in our Hispanic communities in order to ensure fair representation.

Anthony Martinez - Entry 2

June 29, 2009

What has been the most challenging moment during your first three weeks of the internship?

Well, besides waking up and getting there by nine after late nights up with the interns, I think just trying to turn in consistently good work and not goof up in front of my congressman or the other members of the Democratic Caucus during our weekly meetings is my biggest challenge.

What has been the coolest moment during the first three weeks of your internship?

Most definitely being able to stand in (no sitting down allowed for staff) during the weekly Democratic Caucus meetings where I'm able to listen to Nancy Pelosi, James Clyburn, and Steny Hoyer hear the concerns of other Democratic congresspersons and try and rally everyone to support specific legislation.

What experience has most inspired you thus far and why?

Actually, simply working in my office has been a great source of inspiration in that the staff is made up almost entirely of minorities and the environment is very conducive to the notion that regardless of where you come from or what you look like you can reach great heights if we support one another.

If you had to make up a slogan, ten words or less, that represents your internship experience thus far, what would it be?

Lend volume to the voice of those struggling amongst the noise.

Anthony Martinez - Entry 1

June 17, 2009

Please describe your first week in Washington, D.C.

Our first week has been an experience unlike any other that I've had before. Other programs and trips have come and gone for me, but none have made such a prominent impact in such a short period of time.

This privilege to not only be an intern within the halls of seemingly the center of the world, but to do so with 23 other amazingly bright and talented students, is a gift that I am immensely grateful for.

Scouring about the city and the halls of Congress, taking in so many new sights and sounds, and reveling in the history and weight of it all, has been both enthralling and humbling. To know that so many have come before and that their actions have shaped not only our history, but influenced the decisions to be made now that shape our future, has given me inspiration to make an impact as well.

I can't help but feel that simply the presence of myself and these other young Latino leaders in this city, doing our best to represent our greater Latino community and set a precedent of excellence, is a part of something monumental, the crest of a mighty wave that will soon sweep across not only Washington DC, but the nation.