Welcome to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence! We, Richa Shah and Tevin Colbert, will be your Co-Chairs for the upcoming 2012 Boston Conference. We are so truly excited to meet all of you, and it is our hope that this committee experience will be as rewarding and exciting as possible. We have every confidence that it will be.
My name is Richa Shah, and I am a sophomore concentrating in Government with a possible secondary in Economics. I live in New Jersey and had an incredible freshman year experience. I am now trying to narrow down my interests within politics and economics. I was a part of a few business organizations on campus as well as cultural clubs and of course, Model Congress. I absolutely love singing, dancing, reading, and eating lots of spicy foods. During last year’s HMC Conference, I was a Junior Staffer on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and had a really great time getting to know the delegates and exploring topics about internet surveillance and air marshall security. I am very excited to be more involved this year as a Senior Staffer!
I, Tevin Colbert, am also a sophomore concentrating in Social Studies with a focus field most likely in human rights. I came into college dead set on Government, and although I have switched my concentration, I still remain firmly set on my ambitions to attend law school. I too had an amazing freshman year, and it is one that I will never forget. I’m originally from a small town in Ohio home to only pizza shops and gas stations (a mall or even a real hospital requires a 30 minute drive!), but I was born for the city. And Boston has been an amazing time! I also live to dance, love to sing, and take naps whenever possible. I’m extremely friendly and outgoing, and it is that which makes me eager to meet you all. Last year, I was a junior staffer for District Court, so this will be a new and exciting experience for me. I’m sure I will learn just as much from you as you will learn from this committee.
The topics we will be discussing this year are very interesting because of their relevance to current debates. During the days of the conference, you will immerse yourselves in matters of national security and its relation to other countries. Specifically we will be discussing targeted killing and drone strikes in Pakistan as well as the issue of military engagement in Libya. Please make sure to prepare yourselves for the conference and read all the materials, as it will only better your experience. Most importantly, get excited to be a part of the best committee in Congress!
Please feel free to contact us at any time before the conference with any questions you have about our topics, the structure of the committee, or its procedures.
Best Regards,