SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 627
WHEREAS, The Texas Senate takes great pleasure in
recognizing the third class of the Senator Gregory Luna
Memorial Legislative Scholars and Fellows Program instituted
through the Senate Hispanic Research Council, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, The program was named in memory of the late
Senator Gregory Luna of San Antonio, who was a tireless advocate
for equal access to education and who believed that a quality
education is the key to a more effective and inclusive
government; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure representing Bexar County,
from 1985 to 1998, Senator Luna was a champion of the people and
strove to dissolve barriers for Texas' less fortunate citizens;
he was always committed to helping underrepresented and
underserved Texans; and
WHEREAS, As a follow-up to Senator Luna's mission,
this unique program was created to provide opportunities for
undergraduate and graduate students from across the state to
serve as full-time legislative assistants in the Texas Senate
and to acquire the training they need to ultimately become
effective leaders; and
WHEREAS, These Scholars and Fellows perform a variety of
legislative tasks, including drafting proposed legislation
and writing floor statements, articles, press releases, and
legislative research summaries; the third class developed the
First Annual Luna Scholars Leadership Institute, which teaches
high-school-age foster students about diversity, college and
career preparation, and leadership among peers; and
WHEREAS, The following four graduate Fellows and six
undergraduate Scholars have demonstrated outstanding dedication
and achievement in Senate offices: Carlos Calderon from Houston,
serving in the office of Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst;
Stephen Cortes from Waco, serving in the office of
Senator Kel Seliger; Jenny Marquez from Houston, serving in
the office of Senator John Whitmire; Alejandro Martinez from
McAllen, serving in the office of Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa;
Nicanor Pesina from Royse City, serving in the office of
Senator Eddie Lucio; Elvira Ramos from Carrollton, serving in
the office of Senator Gonzalo Barrientos; Jamal Rhadbane from
San Antonio, serving in the office of Senator Judith Zaffirini;
Marisol Sanchez from Austin, serving in the office of
Senator Eliot Shapleigh; Vanessa Solesbee from Austin, serving
in the office of Senator Leticia Van de Putte; and Ricardo Zavala
from Austin, serving in the office of Senator Frank Madla; now,
therefore, be it
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby commend these remarkable individuals
for their service this session and extend to them best wishes as
they prepare themselves to become the future leaders of our
state and nation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be presented to
them as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Hinojosa
Barrientos Madla Van de Putte
Ellis Seliger West
Gallegos Shapleigh Whitmire
Lucio Zaffirini
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 19, 2005.
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Secretary of the Senate
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