By: Taylor S.R. No. 14 SENATE RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Nicole Sunstrum is concluding her service as legislative director in the office of State Senator Larry Taylor, drawing to a close an exceptional tenure with the Texas Legislature that has spanned more than 13 years; and WHEREAS, One of Senator Taylor's longest-serving staff members, Ms. Sunstrum has worked for the legislator since he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, and her responsibilities during that period included serving as committee clerk for the House Committee on Elections during the 82nd Legislature in 2011; she then transferred to the senate in 2013, when Senator Taylor was sworn in for his first term in the upper chamber; in the years since, she has held a number of leadership roles, including policy analyst, committee clerk, senior policy advisor, and most recently, legislative director; and WHEREAS, Ms. Sunstrum is stepping down from her position in Senator Taylor's office to focus on her role as executive director for the Gulf Coast Protection District; appointed to the helm of the organization by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2021, she is helping carry forward the district's mission of leveraging funding for flood control and surge protection measures for the state's coastal communities; and WHEREAS, A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in government, Ms. Sunstrum also holds a master's degree in public administration from Texas State University; she previously served as vice president of the Texas Water Foundation Young Professionals Board and as a commissioner with the Austin Urban Renewal Board, and she gives generously of her time and expertise to the Texas Exes Mentorship Program; she is the proud mother of Elodie Scot Poole; and WHEREAS, Nicole Sunstrum has performed her duties as a legislative staff member with tremendous skill, professionalism, and dedication, and she is indeed deserving of special recognition for her fine work; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Nicole Sunstrum for her service in the office of State Senator Larry Taylor and extend to her sincere best wishes for success in her new role; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Sunstrum as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.