2009S1404-2 05/20/09
By: Uresti, Van de PutteCarona S.C.R. No. 76
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas takes pleasure
in recognizing Saint Mary's University on the inaugural year of its
newly created legislative internship program and in commending the
exemplary students who are this year's participants; and
WHEREAS, The Frank Madla, Jr., and Irma Rangel Legislative
Internship Program provides an opportunity for graduate and
undergraduate students who are interested in the legislative
process or who wish to pursue a career in state policy to experience
work in a legislative environment through hands-on participation;
and
WHEREAS, The internship program is named for two of the
university's alumni who worked their way to greatness from modest
beginnings; both the late Honorable Frank Madla, Jr., and the late
Honorable Irma Rangel had a significant impact on San Antonio and
South Texas through their outstanding service in the Texas
Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Senator Madla served for 20 years as a member of the
Texas House of Representatives, where he was an outspoken advocate
for health care and education, and during his 13-year tenure in the
Senate, he was honored repeatedly for his service to the state; his
accolades include Texas Medicine's Best Legislator Award; and
WHEREAS, Representative Rangel was the first Mexican
American woman elected to the Texas Legislature, where she went on
to serve for 26 years; she is noted for her exceptional work as a
proponent of higher education and of equal rights for minorities
and the poor; she was the recipient of multiple honors for her
pioneering service, including induction into the Texas Women's Hall
of Fame in 1994; and
WHEREAS, The internship program is designed to inspire
students to follow in the footsteps of such legends; it gives
participants insight into the legislative process and challenges
them to make a difference in their communities; the admission
standards are high, and the students selected must commit to
working in Austin for at least 40 hours per week while completing
six credit hours of course work; and
WHEREAS, Participants are placed in legislative offices as
staff members with responsibilities and duties ranging from
assistant committee clerk to legislative policy analyst; they must
develop a keen understanding not only of legislative policy, but of
the inherent intricacies of the Texas Legislature as an entity; and
WHEREAS, The undergraduate students chosen as this year's
interns are Andrea Chavez, in the office of Representative David
Leibowitz; Carolina Hernandez and Sarah Linares, in the office of
Representative Joaquin Castro; Mark Reyna, in the office of Senator
Carlos Uresti; and Matthew Reyna, in the office of Senator John
Carona; the graduate students are Ayed Ahbabi, in the office of
Representative Roland Gutierrez; Saad Aldosari, in the office of
Representative Tara Rios Ybarra; and Sherita Simmons, in the office
of Senator Leticia Van de Putte; and
WHEREAS, These interns have received weekly on-site
classroom instruction and have become familiar with the inner
workings of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate while
learning how to research and draft legislation, analyze policy, and
interact with constituents and the press; and
WHEREAS, The program benefits from the assistance and
direction of Professor Arturo Vega, who serves as its on-campus
coordinator, and David C. Courreges, who serves as the on-site
adjunct professor; and
WHEREAS, Saint Mary's University is well known for its
long-standing tradition of instilling in its students the spirit of
public service, and its legislative internship program will be a
valuable asset in preparing its graduates to take on leadership
roles in their communities and in the governmental arena; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commend Saint Mary's University on implementing the Frank
Madla, Jr., and Irma Rangel Legislative Internship Program and
extend congratulations to this year's interns, who have
distinguished themselves in their challenging roles; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared in honor
of this exemplary program.