86R29287 SME-D
By: Raney H.R. No. 1395
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Twenty-three Texas A&M University students are
providing valuable support to the 86th 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 nearly three 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 1,000 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 900 students have
participated in semester-long internships; and
WHEREAS, Led by director Stephanie Webb, 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 2019 Texas A&M University policy interns serving
in Austin are Brandon Alaniz, Julia Awad, Grace Binger, Montana
Cortez, Brittany Frazier, Spencer Krumholz, Koy Kunkel, Alexis
Little, Alejandra Luna, Samantha Mares, Lindsey Moore, Andrea
Nwachukwu, Tyler Roberts, Halee Sanderson, Lauren Savage, Erin
Smith, Maggie Sullivan, Julia Szabuniewicz, Wesley Tanton, Sara
Uddin, Noemi Valiente, Armando Vendrell-Velez, and Ashley Wilde;
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 86th 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.