South Dakota Native Works in Nations Capitol:

Emilee Gehling J.D. rides a commuter train for 40 minutes into Washington DC to work for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. Although she enjoys her fast paced work environment, this South Dakota native looks forward to the ride back to her Maryland home each evening.

"Because we live in kind of a small town, and actually it's not all developed, there are a few farms around us, so it feels more like home when I'm there," Gehling commented about the home she shares with her husband, Aaron. "You can drive by not exactly prairies, but open fields, and it's nice not to see big buildings everywhere."

Gehling, the daughter of Tim and Debbie Boyle of Dakota Dunes, started working in Washington D.C. in Mid-January after completed her undergraduate studies at Notre Dame with a BA in Political Science in 2005, graduating from the University of Iowa Law School in December 2007 and happily passing the Iowa Bar Exam.

"It was pretty excruciating to prepare for it. But, when it's done, it's done," Gehling commented about the Iowa Bar Exam.

Gehling now spends her days in the nation's capitol using both her law and political science degrees.
"I'll be basically helping to write laws and legislation," Gehling explained of her position as Counsel for the International Narcotics Control Caucus in Washington, D.C.

"I'm working for Senator Grassley who represents Iowa," She explained. Senator Grassley is Co-Chair of the INCC.

Gehling also frequents visits with Delaware Senator Joe Biden's staff.

"Senator Biden is co-chair of the caucus, so I work with his office a lot on drug policy issues," Gehling said.

But, at the end of the day when her work is complete, Gehling is greeted at home by her husband, Aaron, a native of Salix, Iowa. Both Heelan graduates, the couple met on a college summer break in Siouxland. The newlyweds have been married one and a half years.

Aaron, a graduate of the Business program at Iowa State University, is a Manager for Wells Fargo Financial in Maryland.

The couple visits the Midwest as much as possible with their hectic work schedules.