H.R. No. 1744
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The Intercultural Development Research Association
  (IDRA) launched its Education Policy Fellows Program in November
  2020; and
         WHEREAS, IDRA is dedicated to promoting equal educational
  opportunity by strengthening public schools that prepare all
  students to reach their dreams; and
         WHEREAS, students of color make up more than 70 percent of the
  Texas public school population, yet even as the state grows more
  diverse, advocates of color are often not included in formulating
  decisions that impact these children; and
         WHEREAS, the IDRA Education Policy Fellows Program was
  created to prepare advocates of color to join a network of advocates
  committed to improving racial equity in education; and
         WHEREAS, During the 87th Legislative Session, the inaugural
  cohort of IDRA Education Policy Fellows worked with coalitions,
  students, and families to craft a community-centered education
  policy agenda, guided community advocacy sessions, researched and
  crafted education policies, created and led advocacy campaigns, and
  published issue briefs; and
         WHEREAS, The four inaugural policy fellows are Dr. Altheria
  Caldera, Araceli Garcia, Thomas Marshall III, and Christina Muñoz;
  and
         WHEREAS, Dr. Caldera is a scholar, writer and equity activist
  who began her professional career as a middle school English
  teacher; and whose fellowship work focused on expanding access to
  postsecondary education, particularly for students of color, and
  ensuring successful outcomes; and
         WHEREAS, Ms. Garcia, the daughter and granddaughter of
  Mexican immigrants, grew up on the South Side of San Antonio; and
  concentrated on expanding educational opportunities for emergent
  bilingual students and immigrant students; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Marshall holds a bachelor's degree in English
  with a minor in youth development studies from Clemson University;
  and focused on student and family advocacy, including policies to
  ensure digital equity; and
         WHEREAS Ms. Muñoz, a Latina, recently received her master's
  degree in quantitative methods in the Department of Educational
  Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin; and worked to
  promote education policies that ensure an equitable response to
  COVID-19; and
         WHEREAS, The outstanding advocates in the fellowship program
  have gained valuable experience during the 87th Legislative
  Session, and their connection to communities of color helps ensure
  that the students most impacted by education policies are central
  to decision-making; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby honor the Intercultural Development Research
  Association and the inaugural cohort of its Education Policy
  Fellows Program and extend to all those associated with the
  organization sincere best wishes for continued success in their
  important endeavors; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
  for the organization and the fellows as an expression of high regard
  by the Texas House of Representatives.
 
  Allen
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1744 was adopted by the House on May
  29, 2021, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House