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