81R24973 BPG-D
By: Swinford H.R. No. 1699
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Twenty-one Texas A&M University students are
providing valuable support to the 81st Texas Legislature while
gaining experience in public service as members of the Agricultural
and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program and the Public
Policy Internship Program; and
WHEREAS, For almost two decades, the ANRP Internship Program
has sent student interns to Austin and Washington, D.C., where they
work on a wide array of issues; their strong background and interest
in agriculture and natural resources allow them to offer
specialized knowledge to legislators; the program was founded in
response to a request by a member of the United States Congress for
an intern who could assist his office with these matters, and it has
since grown to include numerous congressional offices, as well as
the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and offices on the state level
during legislative years; more than 325 students have participated
in semester-long internships; and
WHEREAS, The Public Policy Internship Program, established
in 1999, works with various colleges and departments to create an
interdisciplinary environment for comprehensive academic training,
research, and policy programming; interns in the nation's capital
and in Austin serve in a variety of settings that align with their
academic and professional goals; and
WHEREAS, Led by TAMU Policy Internship Programs Director
Breanne Svehla, both programs select their highly qualified and
dedicated members through a rigorous application process; in
addition to academic achievement, students must demonstrate their
potential to take full advantage of the opportunities for scholarly
and professional development, as well as the desire to serve our
state and nation; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 Texas A&M University policy interns serving
in Austin are: Jillian Arizpe, Jason Driver, Cameron Eckel, Jacob
Fowler, Nichole Gillen, Billy Hall, Spencer Harris, Melissa Jones,
Dayna Kaspar, Isaiah Logan, Chris McGhee, Nick Mikula, Sarah Novak,
Rusty Smith, Patrick Steck, Kelli Stoffels, Gavin Uttecht, Lauren
Wied, Bryan Wilganoski, Kelsey Wyble, and Shauna Yow; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the ANRP and Public Policy
Internship Programs have helped exceptional students deepen their
understanding of governmental operations while developing
professional skills and networks, and alumni have gone on to make
vital contributions and assume leadership roles in a variety of
arenas; the outstanding young people who are giving of their time
and talents throughout this legislative session can indeed take
pride in their achievements and service to the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Texas A&M University Agricultural
and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program and Public Policy
Internship Program and commend the current participants for their
diligence and commitment; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the ANRP and PPIP interns as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.