88R33447 CW-D
By: LaMantia S.R. No. 734
R E S O L U T I O N
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 88th Texas 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 by the
Texas Senate.