German speaking ability, practical experience in state and federal politics, and a strong interest in international relations—James DeWitt cites all these factors in his successful application for a 2001-2002 Fulbright Scholar Award. With it, he'll travel to Berlin where he will begin his research to "determine how national identity and collective guilt have influenced the attitudes of Germany's future leaders towards the European Union (E.U.).

"My research will focus on the young policymakers in the Bundestag, the German parliament," DeWitt says. "Specifically, I would like to discover how they feel about Germany's role as a leader of the E.U.

"Given their country's history, the questions I'll be asking will carry a lot of baggage. I think my biggest challenge might be getting people to open up and talk - and talk honestly. This is one reason I chose to interview political staffers rather than the politicians themselves. Young Germans also have a unique perspective on this issue. Many see the E.U. as an opportunity to break free from the past."

While in Germany, DeWitt will be enrolled at the Freie Universitaet Berlin. He has enlisted professors at four German universities to act as advisors, including Hans-Gert Poettering, who also happens to be a member of the European Parliament. In 1992-1993, DeWitt was a student of Poettering's when he took part in a study abroad program at the Universitaet Osnabrueck, a Southwestern University partner institution.

Commenting on the task ahead, DeWitt said, "I can't deny that I'm a bit intimidated. It's a huge project, but I think my education will help a great deal. SU Professors O'Neill and Molitorisz provided me with good foundations in political science and German, respectively. That knowledge is still with me, no kidding. I may not be able to remember what I ate for breakfast, but I can sure tell you about the three forms of political power à la Dr. O'Neill."

DeWitt is currently serving his second year as director of the Select Committee on Constitutional Revision in the Texas House of Representatives. He has worked in politics since 1994, including positions in both chambers of the U.S. Congress and the Texas Legislature.

His brother, Harland DeWitt '92, received a Fulbright Bi-National Business Scholarship for study in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1998-1999. The DeWitt brothers are currently working together on an album of original music due for release in Christmas 2001.