ITHACA, N.Y. -- Two Cornell University undergraduate students have been recognized by the New York State Assembly as 2005 New York State Assembly Distinguished Interns, after participating in the university's Capital Semester program in Albany this spring.

Seth Moskowitz '06 and Audrey Welker '06, both policy analysis and management majors in the College of Human Ecology, were among seven Assembly interns honored as distinguished interns out of a class of about 150 from New York state colleges and universities. They were selected on the basis of policy papers they prepared as part of their internships, which were chosen as the "Best Papers" of the Assembly Session Internship Class of 2005.

"Cornell interns have developed a reputation of excellence with the legislators," said Bill Rosen, professor of policy analysis and management, who advised the Cornell students and met with them weekly during the course of their internship for the New York State Government Affairs seminar. "It is very rewarding to see the interns mature in their understanding of the political process and in their ability to succeed in a political/work environment."

The Cornell program combines a full 15-credit semester with a paid internship in a New York state legislator's office in Albany. The interns work directly for a senator or assembly member, helping to draft legislation, conduct research, meet with constituents and lobbyists, write press releases and attend hearings.

Assembly interns are required to write policy papers. Those chosen as "Best Papers" were published in the "Distinguished Intern Report Publication," which is released annually by the State Assembly. Senate interns must draft a bill and participate in a Mock Senate session.

The reports include Moskowitz's "Cleaning up the Cash Cows and Patronage Mills: Reforming the Transparency and Accountability of Public Authorities" and Welker's "Hospital Indigent Care Pool Reform."

Moskowitz said he was drawn to the Capital Semester program because "the interns in the Assembly become an integral part of the office to which they are assigned. In a place like [Washington] D.C., there was a chance that I would have gotten lost in a U.S. senator's large office, and I wouldn't have gotten the same kind of practical, hands-on experience that I did in Albany."

Moskowitz worked for Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-92nd Dist.), chair of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. As a legislative aide and committee clerk, Moskowitz was responsible for a lot of legislative research and policy analysis.

"Over all, it was a great way to find out how government really operates, as opposed to what we read in textbooks or see on the news," he said.

Moskowitz's future plans include law school and graduate school work in policy analysis.

Welker said she chose the Capital Semester program because "it seemed like a great way to spend a semester for someone who either doesn't want to go abroad or can't afford to."

She worked in Assemblyman Alexander "Pete" Grannis' (D-65th Dist.) office. Grannis, who represents Manhattan's Upper East Side, is also chair of the insurance committee. "Given that I am very interested in insurance regulation, it was a great match," Welker said. "I was able to work on a wide array of topics, from the handling of prescription drug samples to auto insurance." She said most of her work revolved around health care and insurance reform, and she was able to work on a few long-term projects directly with Grannis.

Welker was hired to stay on in Grannis' office through the end of the legislative session in June, and she is considering returning to Albany after she graduates from Cornell next year.

The Capital Semester program is open to all Cornell undergraduates who meet the minimum GPA requirement of 2.3. Each year, an average of about a dozen students participate in the program, which is held in the spring. Students receive 15 course credits, reduced tuition and a stipend of $3,500 for their participation in the program.

For more information, contact Rosen at wr14@cornell.edu or (607) 255-2263; or go to Capital Semester Information Online at http://www.human.cornell.edu/student/capitalsem/.