Uploaded July 2013 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
As a second grader, Jerry O'Donnell was the only student in his class who was politically engaged. He wore a political campaign button during the 1992 presidential election. Today, Jerry O'Donnell is the Press Secretary for Rep. Grace Napolitano of Californias 38th Congressional District of the House of Representatives, that served an indication at an early age of his interest in government. There were other indicators. He remembers going to the election polls with his parents. Jerry was able to vote in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election prior to his high school graduation as he had just turned 18.
Jerry is deeply rooted in the Church of the Brethren and has many connections with the church. He grew up just outside of Philadelphia and has been active in various Church of the Brethren congregations including Royersford and the Green Tree Church of the Brethren. Jerry also graduated from Juniata College of Huntington, PA majoring in Spanish. He initially wanted to teach Spanish.
Following Juniata, Jerry served a year in Brethren Volunteer Service and coordinated several work camps. This experience along with his interest in Spanish led him to the Dominican Republic and work with Irv and Nancy Heishman in Santo Domingo. He coordinated work camps for Brethren groups.
While in the Dominican Republic Jerry felt a calling to learn more about government and the legislative process. He realized while away from the U.S. that he wanted to be part of the process and experience it for himself. This led to the decision to move to Washington D.C. Recently, he has celebrated his third year anniversary on the staff of Rep. Grace Napolitano. Jerry shares his story with Brethren Voices Host, Brent Carlson in the office of Rep. Grace Napolitano.
Brethren Voices for August 2013 will also feature Jerry ODonnell who will discuss the important ways to communicate to your Congress persons. During the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar of March/April 2013 he met with the 50-60 students and advisors who came to Washington D.C. to learn about the government. (Some of these students share their appreciation for Jerrys expertise and willingness to meet with their group in an upcoming edition of Brethren Voices.) Jerry will also share his thoughts about legislation that is being considered in the U.S. Congress.
Check us out . . . . approximately 40 Brethren Voices programs can be viewed at htt;p://WWW.Youtube.com/BrethrenVoices During the past year, over 11,000 views have been made to check out Brethren Voices and what Brethren do as a matter of faith.
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Tags:
Church of the Brethren, House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, Brethren Volunteer Service, Dominican Republic, Government,
Interns in Government, Peace, Juniata College, Service; Legislation, Grace Napolitano, 38th California Congressional District
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More YouTube films from Brethren Voices
youtube.com/BrethrenVoices
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Phone your local public access TV station and ask them to broadcast this film to your local community. Your station can download the film in TV broadcast format from PEGMedia.org . This film is available for any Public Access TV station in the country - and world - to broadcast.
As a second grader, Jerry O'Donnell was the only student in his class who was politically engaged. He wore a political campaign button during the 1992 presidential election. Today, Jerry O'Donnell is the Press Secretary for Rep. Grace Napolitano of Californias 38th Congressional District of the House of Representatives, that served an indication at an early age of his interest in government. There were other indicators. He remembers going to the election polls with his parents. Jerry was able to vote in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election prior to his high school graduation as he had just turned 18.
Jerry is deeply rooted in the Church of the Brethren and has many connections with the church. He grew up just outside of Philadelphia and has been active in various Church of the Brethren congregations including Royersford and the Green Tree Church of the Brethren. Jerry also graduated from Juniata College of Huntington, PA majoring in Spanish. He initially wanted to teach Spanish.
Following Juniata, Jerry served a year in Brethren Volunteer Service and coordinated several work camps. This experience along with his interest in Spanish led him to the Dominican Republic and work with Irv and Nancy Heishman in Santo Domingo. He coordinated work camps for Brethren groups.
While in the Dominican Republic Jerry felt a calling to learn more about government and the legislative process. He realized while away from the U.S. that he wanted to be part of the process and experience it for himself. This led to the decision to move to Washington D.C. Recently, he has celebrated his third year anniversary on the staff of Rep. Grace Napolitano. Jerry shares his story with Brethren Voices Host, Brent Carlson in the office of Rep. Grace Napolitano.
Brethren Voices for August 2013 will also feature Jerry ODonnell who will discuss the important ways to communicate to your Congress persons. During the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar of March/April 2013 he met with the 50-60 students and advisors who came to Washington D.C. to learn about the government. (Some of these students share their appreciation for Jerrys expertise and willingness to meet with their group in an upcoming edition of Brethren Voices.) Jerry will also share his thoughts about legislation that is being considered in the U.S. Congress.
Check us out . . . . approximately 40 Brethren Voices programs can be viewed at htt;p://WWW.Youtube.com/BrethrenVoices During the past year, over 11,000 views have been made to check out Brethren Voices and what Brethren do as a matter of faith.
--
Tags:
Church of the Brethren, House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, Brethren Volunteer Service, Dominican Republic, Government,
Interns in Government, Peace, Juniata College, Service; Legislation, Grace Napolitano, 38th California Congressional District
--
More YouTube films from Brethren Voices
youtube.com/BrethrenVoices
--
Phone your local public access TV station and ask them to broadcast this film to your local community. Your station can download the film in TV broadcast format from PEGMedia.org . This film is available for any Public Access TV station in the country - and world - to broadcast.
