Inspire, Winter 1996

InSPire WINTER 1996 0 A News Publication for Cedarville College Alumni A Political Profile Every Cedarville College alumnus can participate in the political arena—asa concerned citizen, asa registered voter, and as a prayer warriorfor our nation. "1 urge...that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be madefor everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peacefuland quiet lives in all godliness and holiness"(I Timothy 2:1,2 NIV). Afew Cedarville College alumni have chosen to pursue careers in government. Enter the political arena with 1988graduate Jill Wyse asshe shares her experience. M y interest in politics began during a family vacation to our nation's capital. Our family had lunch with then Congressman Michael DeWine(R)from Cedarville, Ohio,and I was fascinated by the whole experience.On our way home,at the age of 12,I told my parents that when I grew up,I wanted to move to Washington,D.C. and work for a congressman. While at Cedarville College,I majored in communications with a minor in business. During myjunior year,I participated in an internship program with Congressman DeWine's office in Washington,D.C. After my internship,I stayed in contact with DeWine's office, volunteering my assistance. The week of college graduation,Congressman DeWine's office called me to tell me about a position opening in a United States senator's office. The day ofgraduation,I flew to Washington and had an interview the following day with Senator Bob Kasten(R)of Wisconsin.I started with the senator two days later. Working for Senator Kasten in the U.S. Senate for three years was an educational and exhilarating experience. Senator Kasten was the ranking member on the foreign operations subcommittee of the appropriations committee. As a result,I was able to meet Washington insiders,as well as world-renowned leaders such as Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. One ofthe biggest highlights for me while working in the Senate happened at the U.S.Capitol with Senator Bob Dole. After a meeting in his office,Senator Dole asked if we could waitfor a few minutes for a surprise. Shortly thereafter, Secretary of State James Baker and former President Richard Nixon entered the room,and Senator Dole introduced them to me. In 1990,George V.Voinovich and Michael R.DeWine successfully ran for governor and lieutenant governor ofOhio. Shortly after they took office in 1991,I returned to Ohio to work for Lt. Governor DeWine.I worked in his personal office for eight months,until he asked me to work for him at the State and Local Government Commission.I worked for DeWine at the Commission until he won election to the United States Senate in 1994. After the election,I discussed my career plans with Senator DeWine.I told him that as much as I would like to continue to work for him,I did not desire to move back to Washington,D.C.I made the decision to stay in Ohio to work for one ofthe six statewide Republican officeholders. The 1994 election was a Republican landslide! Every statewide office in Ohio was occupied by a Republican. Governor Voinovich was also successful in his re- election bid. Nancy Hollister,the former mayor of Marietta, was his running mate. I stayed at the State and Local Government Commission to work for Jill Wyse '88 with Elizabeth Dole during a campaign stop in Cedarville. Lt. Governor Hollister and was promoted to deputy director. Working for a public officeholder means doing a lot of behind-the-scenes, after-hours volunteering. Since moving back to Ohio in 1991,I have been involved in many campaigns. I worked on DeWine's 1992 and 1994 Senate campaigns,as well as the 1996 Dole/Kemp presidential campaign.In the spring of 1996,I had the pleasure of staffing Elizabeth Dole on campaign stops at Senator DeWine's home in Cedarville,Ohio and at Mayor Greg Lashutka's home in Columbus. Lev. XXV:X Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.