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| Date: | March 1, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Peter D. Winiecki | | Contact Phone: | 651-297-8077 | | Contact Email: | peter.winiecki@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| PEDERSON IS A HOST SENATOR FOR MN WORKS! INTERNSHIP PROGRAM |
(St. Paul) --- Senator John Pederson (R-St. Cloud) will be participating in a unique internship program at the State Capitol this year; an honorary internship program for persons with disabilities. The purpose is to engage the Minnesota Senate in providing disabled persons an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to work in the legislature. In addition, the program seeks to mentor participants for futures in various careers.
The program is an initiative of Senator Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato) and is co-sponsored by MN Works! -- a state wide initiative to assist people with disabilities to obtain meaningful employment. Participants will work one day a week at the State Capitol during the 2011 legislative session. Each intern will be assigned to a participating Senator, where the intern will work on prepared projects, attend Senate hearings of interest and participate in group projects with other interns.
“I’m excited to see how interns will utilize their work experience,” said Senator Pederson. “Having people with disabilities recognized for their contributions to the state’s workforce will communicate the vast capabilities, scope of careers and functions people with disabilities fulfill. I’m proud to let business and industry leaders know about the quality of work that can be provided to their organizations.”
This is the second year of the program which attracted twice as many applications as 2010. Selection is based on past work experience, demonstrated quality of work and a commitment to creating quality opportunities for people with disabilities. The number of interns selected is based on the number of host Senators.
The program will take place February 24 until April 28.
For more information go to the MN Works! Website: www.mnworks4you.org
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State Senator John Pederson was elected to his first term in 2010. Senator Pederson is the Vice Chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee. He encourages and appreciates constituent input and can be reached at (651) 296-6455, by mail at 75 Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Capitol Building, Room
G-24, St. Paul, MN 55155, or via e-mail at sen.john.pederson@senate.mn
