Rep. Jerry Kleczka (D-Wis.) of the U.S. House of Representatives donated $300,000 to Marquette's Les Aspin Center for Government in Washington, D.C., to fund an internship program at Marquette.
The Aspin Center's director, the Rev. Timothy O'Brien, said the donation would be used to fund the Congressman Jerry Kleczka Internship Program, which O'Brien said would be located on Marquette's campus, possibly in the political science department.
In an e-mail statement, Kleczka said the program would allow students to develop their abilities through experience.
"The extension of the D.C. Aspin program will allow academically talented students, particularly those with financial need, to work in Wisconsin as interns with local- and state-elected officials," the statement said.
Kleczka's statement mentioned he works with the students in his Washington office every day.
"Since the inception of the Les Aspin program, I have hosted many bright and motivated Aspin Center interns in my Washington office," Kleczka's statement said. "This new program will give students the opportunity to gain real-world government experience right in Wisconsin."
Marquette Student Government President Tim Lefeber interned in Kleczka's office this summer.
"I was fortunate. I got to see Jerry quite a bit in the office," Lefeber said. "Once in a while he'd pretend to give you a hard time, but he would always just be joking around. He's a very nice guy."
Lefeber said the donation is a strong statement of Kleczka's belief in the Aspin Center's value.
"I think it's just an unbelievable display of generosity," Lefeber said. "That really says something about his commitment to the center and to education about public service and giving students the experience to work with government officials on all levels."
Aspin Center assistant director Stanley Greschner, who handles financial matters, said the money would specifically go toward internship programming for students at Marquette and scholarships. The center is also looking to bring more minority students into local offices.
The money, O'Brien said, would help students who usually need part-time jobs. Students will be given stipends, making it a paid internship, he said.
Greschner said the money is from Kleczka's campaign, but how far the money would go is not yet known.
O'Brien said Kleczka was awarded the Les Aspin Founder's Award in 1999.
"He's been a very good friend of mine for many, many years and helped get the program started," O'Brien said. "He's probably taken 30 or 40 Marquette interns over the years."
O'Brien said more good leaders are needed in the world of government.
"As a priest and political scientist, I feel strongly that we need to train good people for leadership in both the public and private sector," O'Brien said.
The Aspin Center teaches theology, philosophy and political science, provides internships in governmental organizations and extends beyond the United States into Europe and Africa, O'Brien said. It is named for the late Secretary of Defense and former House representative.
Students can contact the Aspin Center by calling 1-800-544-1789 or visiting www.marquette.edu/aspin.
Kleczka's Communications Coordinator, Pam Mueller, said Kleczka has served the 4th Congressional District in Wisconsin for 20 years and will retire this year.