85R25141 KID-D
By: Ashby H.R. No. 1654
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Twenty-seven Texas A&M University students are
providing valuable support to the 85th 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 more than two and a half decades, the
Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy 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 United States House of Representatives Committee on
Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture, and
offices on the state level during legislative years; approximately
900 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; some 700 students have
participated in semester-long internships; and
WHEREAS, Led by director Stephanie McMillen, both internship
programs select their highly qualified and dedicated participants
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 2017 Texas A&M University policy interns serving
in Austin are Sarabeth Beauchamp, Chloe Beck, Ethan Boyd, Jordan
Buish, Gregory Cline, Samantha Durand, Alexandra Espinosa, Austin
Halvorson, Julia Hamilton, Dominique Hawkins, Christopher Johnson,
Allison Kesseler, Michael Marucci, Kenneth McIntyre, Lauren
Meents, Devin Miranda Pallares, Matthew Murdoch, Siddhi Patodia,
MiaMarie Pugh, Abigael Romero, Lindsey Schmalriede, Jena
Seidemann, Jordyn Senkirik, Stephen Shuchart, Valentina Tovar,
Taryn Woody, and Cassidy Zgabay; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the Agricultural and Natural
Resources Policy 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 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Texas A&M University Agricultural
and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program and the 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 students as an expression of high regard from the
Texas House of Representatives.