By: McClendon H.R. No. 2805
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Six outstanding students from The University of
Texas at San Antonio make up the 2009 class of the McClendon
Legislative Service Scholars Program, and as the 81st Legislative
Session draws to a close, it is indeed appropriate to recognize
these dedicated interns; and
WHEREAS, Created by Representative Ruth Jones McClendon in
August 2004, the McClendon Legislative Service Scholars Program is
a collaborative initiative with the UTSA Institute for Law and
Public Affairs; coordinated by the institute's director and UTSA
political science professor Richard Gambitta, the program gives
undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to serve as
interns in the Texas House of Representatives during legislative
sessions; selected by a UTSA scholarship committee based on
academic credentials as well as such criteria as good judgment,
independent thinking, and professionalism, the interns are
assigned to work in the offices of members of the house throughout
the session; and
WHEREAS, An intern in the office of Representative Jose
Menendez, Jessica Castilleja has maintained a 4.0 GPA while
studying political science; she has been active in the Student
Leadership Academy and Student Appeals Committee at South Texas
College, the VAMOS 2007 Scholarship Committee, the ACLU, and Phi
Alpha Delta; also a dedicated community volunteer, she has shared
her time with the Mujeres Unidas y Activas clothing drive, the
Community Justice Program at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, and the
Hidalgo County Bar Association; she looks forward to making a
positive difference through a career in the field of public policy;
and;
WHEREAS, A political science major, Caryn Brianna Malone has
received a number of honors during her college career; in addition
to earning a place on the dean's list and honor roll, she is an
Honors College Leadership graduate and a member of the Golden Key
International Honour Society and the UTSA Political Science Honor
Society; she has gained valuable experience through her service as
an Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C., as an intern at the U.S.
Department of Education, and currently as an intern in the office of
Representative Ruth Jones McClendon; a graduate of the rigorous
UTSA Summer Law School Preparation Academy, she plans to serve her
fellow citizens through a career in law and government; and
WHEREAS, Also majoring in political science, Allen D. Match,
Jr., has demonstrated a desire to improve the lives of others,
working to help underprivileged residents of Mexico gain access to
clean water as partner and managing member of Water Security
Mexico; he has also served as a consultant with the UNAM Department
of Economics, a clerk with Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht, and senior zone
leader with Mormon Missionaries in Mexico, and his work as an intern
has been greatly valued in the office of Representative Lois
Kolkhorst; in addition to earning a certificate in legal reasoning,
Mr. Match has completed the UTSA Summer Law School Preparation
Academy and plans to pursue a career in public policy; and
WHEREAS, Nicole Elise Robbins, who is majoring in English
with an emphasis in professional writing, maintains a 4.0 GPA and
has earned membership in a number of national and international
honor societies, including Sigma Kappa Upsilon, Golden Key, Alpha
Chi, and Sigma Tau Delta; she is a recipient of two scholarships
from the Institute for Law and Public Affairs as well as the John S.
Jockusch Endowed Scholarship in the Liberal Arts; admired for her
keen intellect and sharp wit, Ms. Robbins was a welcome addition to
the office of Representative Jim McReynolds; and
WHEREAS, An intern in the office of Representative Roberto
Alonzo, Daniela Santoni has proven herself to be a dedicated
community volunteer; in addition to her service with the Americorps
Rape Crisis Center, she has tutored bilingual children, worked with
Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas, and assisted in relief
efforts following Hurricane Ike, and her generous contributions
foretell a future bright with promise; and
WHEREAS, Frank Carni II is currently a junior in the UTSA
Honors College, where he is studying political science and business
administration; a member of the National Society of Collegiate
Scholars and Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor
Society, he chairs the College Republicans at UTSA and was elected
Texas College Republicans State Secretary in 2008; his work history
includes service as a UTSA supplemental instruction leader and as
an intern with the 2008 Republican National Convention; this
session, he has served in the office of Speaker Joe Straus; and
WHEREAS, These dedicated students have provided vital
support services to the legislature throughout the session while
gaining important firsthand experience in government, and it is a
pleasure to recognize the contributions of these accomplished young
people as well as the role of this exceptional program in preparing
our future generation of leaders; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend the McClendon Legislative Service
Scholars Program on its successful third year and extend to Jessica
Castilleja, Caryn Brianna Malone, Allen D. Match, Jr., Daniela
Santoni, and Frank Carni II sincere best wishes for success in all
their endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the interns as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.