H.R. No. 19
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Andy Schwartz is retiring as state veterinarian
and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission in
January 2024, drawing to a close an exceptional career with the
agency spanning nearly three and a half decades; and
WHEREAS, Andy Schwartz grew up on his family's farm in
Priddy; he graduated from Tarleton State University with an animal
agriculture degree, and he earned his doctor of veterinary medicine
degree at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences; and
WHEREAS, Early in his career, Dr. Schwartz gained valuable
experience through his work at a mixed animal practice; in May 1990,
he embarked on his tenure with TAHC as a field veterinarian, and he
subsequently was promoted to the titles of region director, state
epidemiologist, and assistant executive director; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, Dr. Schwartz was named state veterinarian
and executive director of TAHC; nationally recognized among
regulatory veterinarians and policy makers, he has helped lead the
effort to control such animal diseases as bovine and swine
brucellosis and pseudorabies in commercial swine while playing a
key role in the development and execution of response plans for a
number of foreign animal diseases; under his direction, Texas has
remained involved with the Scrapie Eradication and the Chronic
Wasting Disease Management Programs, and he has guided multilevel
responses to disease outbreaks; moreover, he helps direct the Texas
Trichomoniasis Program, which improves the health and
marketability of cattle; and
WHEREAS, Retirement will afford Dr. Schwartz the opportunity
to spend more time with his family, which includes his wife, Kathy,
and his children and grandchildren; he also helps his mother care
for her sheep and cattle on the family farm; and
WHEREAS, A longtime leader in his field, Dr. Andy Schwartz
has distinguished himself through his exemplary efforts in behalf
of TAHC and the animal health and agriculture industries, and he may
indeed reflect with pride on a job well done; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Andy
Schwartz on his retirement as state veterinarian and executive
director of the Texas Animal Health Commission and extend to him
sincere appreciation for his many years of outstanding service;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Schwartz as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
González of El Paso
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 19 was adopted by the House on October
23, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House