SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 734
WHEREAS, The first cohort of high school students to
complete the Together for a Better Tomorrow Youth Citizen
Scientist Program was honored during a graduation ceremony on May
20, 2023, in McAllen; and
WHEREAS, Launched in 2022 by Methodist Healthcare
Ministries of South Texas, Inc., and the Texas A&M University
School of Public Health, the Youth Citizen Scientist Program is
part of a two-year study of arsenic and other toxic contaminants
found in drinking water supplies in border colonia communities in
the Rio Grande Valley; the $1.5 million study funded by Methodist
Healthcare Ministries is scheduled for completion in 2024, and
its findings will help to create public policy solutions for
improved water quality and to equip border residents with the
tools they need to safeguard their overall health; and
WHEREAS, Fourteen students from the San Carlos community
in Hidalgo County took part in the program: Jesús Barbosa,
Stephani Barbosa, Evelyn Betancourt, Zugeily Cosino, Govanny
Cruz, Martha J. Garza, Vanessa Ortiz, Darleny Reyes, Eunice
Reyna, Evelyn Rodriguez, Omar Sánchez, Donaldo Sebastián, Aaron
Sierra, and Suzette Valero; the students received 16 hours of
training and hands-on research, and following completion of the
program, they were credited with 10 hours of community service;
in addition, they were presented with a Youth Citizen Scientist
Certificate from Texas A&M Health, a letter of academic
recommendation, and water filtration systems; and
WHEREAS, Participating schools in the Youth Citizen
Scientist Program included Progreso High School, IDEA Edinburg,
PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions, PSJA Southwest
Early College High School, IDEA Pharr, Donna North High School,
and IDEA Alamo; and
WHEREAS, By taking part in the Youth Citizen Scientist
Program, these outstanding young Texans have demonstrated a
commendable interest in protecting the health and well-being of
their fellow citizens, and they indeed merit special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby honor the Rio Grande Valley high school
students who completed the Together for a Better Tomorrow Youth
Citizen Scientist Program and extend to them sincere best wishes
for the future; 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 Senate.
LaMantia
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 29, 2023.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate