This letter serves as a recommendation of Justin McElwee for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) program. It describes McElwee as having a strong work ethic and aptitude for problem solving during his internship in State Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes' office. The letter highlights McElwee's composure, thoughtfulness when communicating with others, and eagerness to learn and participate in different areas of the office. The chief of staff believes McElwee is a bright, passionate young man with potential and recommends accepting his application to the CCAI program.

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Office of State Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes | N-1199 House Office Building | P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909
stacyerwinoakes@house.mi.gov | Office: (517) 373-0152 | Toll-Free: (855) 347-8095 | Fax: (517) 373-8738
Monday, January 6, 2014
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)
Attn: Ms. Allison Cappa, Director of Programs
311 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Dear Ms. Cappa:
I serve as chief of staff to State Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes, the minority whip of the Democratic Caucus. Mr.
McElwee interned in our office during the summer of 2013 through Saginaw Valley State University.
This letter serves as our office’s formal recommendation of Mr. Justin McElwee for the Congressional Coalition
on Adoption Institute (CCAI) program. Throughout the course of his internship, we were continually impressed
with Mr. McElwee’s work ethic, genuine interest in learning about the lawmaking process, and assisting us in
serving the residents of our district. We believe he is an exceptional candidate for the CCAI program.
Throughout the time I’ve known Mr. McElwee, he has always demonstrated a strong work ethic, an aptitude
problem solving, and a determination to succeed in all of his endeavors. By nature, a legislative office is a very
unique environment to work in. They exert a great deal of pressure on elected officials and their staff; however,
regardless of the circumstances, Mr. McElwee always carried himself with poise. The composure and thoughtfulness
he exhibited was most evident in the way he communicated with residents, community leaders, and colleagues.
During his internship, Mr. McElwee worked closely with our staff on a wide range of issues and initiatives, which
gave him a very good oversight on the inner workings of a legislative office. Mr. McElwee always demonstrated an
eagerness for learning and participating in different areas of the office.
Mr. McElwee’s aptitude for familiarizing and immersing himself in new experiences, subjects, and issues speaks to
his innate ability to learn new subject and issues with relative ease. For this reason, I believe there is no limit to his
potential.
Most importantly, Mr. McElwee is a very bright and passionate young man who shines when he is given the
opportunity to assist and work with others.
For these reasons, I highly recommend you accept Mr. McElwee’s application for the CCAI program. Please feel
free to contact me if you would like to discuss our recommendation in further depth and Mr. McElwee’s time
interning with our office. He is truly a wonderful and gifted young man with an exceedingly bright future.
Sincerely,
Daniel R. Opsommer, Chief of Staff
Office of State Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes
95th
House District