Vice President Dick Cheney Speaks to Interns about his First Years in DC

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dick Cheney, Former Vice President of the United States during the 2001 - 2009 George W. Bush administration, spoke to a group of 425 students from nearly 200 universities interning in the nation's capital today. The students, enrolled in The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars program, listened to Cheney share his first experience in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Wisconsin Congressman William A. Steiger and heard personal stories of his early years working with Donald Rumsfeld in the White House as a staff assistant.

Referencing passages from his memoir, 'In My Time', Cheney provided insight into how he built a successful and diversified career in public service and private industry.

"Interning in the nation's capital gives students exposure to differing political ideologies and philosophies," said Mike Smith, president of The Washington Center. "Introducing students to perspectives from both sides of the aisle, from prominent leaders, is at the heart of our efforts to forge informed leaders able to attack society's most serious problems."

The discussion, moderated by Steve Scully, senior producer of C-SPAN included questions and dialogue from the student audience.

The event was part of The Washington Center's Alan K. Simpson-Norman Y. Mineta Leaders Series, which was established in 2011 and named after two highly regarded public officials; former Democratic Congressman Norman Y. Mineta and former Republican Senator Alan K. Simpson. Students from colleges across the United States and the world that participate in The Washington Center's academic internship program have access to the speaker series as part of a larger semester of programming that pairs an internship experience with classroom education for academic credit.

About The Washington Center
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has more than 50,000 alumni who have become leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world. It was established in 1975. For more information visit: www.twc.edu.

SOURCE The Washington Center