2025S0286-1 03/28/25

By: Kolkhorst S.R. No. 367

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the students from member institutions of The Texas A&M University System who are providing valuable support to the senate during the 89th Legislative Session as members of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program, the Public Policy Internship Program, the Bush School of Government and Public Service Capstone Scholars Program, and the Tarleton State University internship program; and

WHEREAS, For more than three decades, the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program has sent students from Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to Austin, Washington, D.C., and abroad, where they work on a wide array of issues; their strong background and interest in agriculture and natural resources allow them to offer specialized knowledge to the offices they serve, and over 1,000 students have participated in this program to date; the current Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program interns are Caitlin Castro, Braden Clampit, and Aiden Hunter; and

WHEREAS, The Texas A&M University Public Policy Internship Program, established in 1999, invites students across all Texas A&M University degree programs to create an interdisciplinary environment for comprehensive academic training, research, and policy programming; interns in the nation's capital, in Austin, and abroad serve in a variety of settings that align with their professional goals; some 1,000 students have participated in this program to date; the current Public Policy Internship Program interns are Jonathan Amason, Dastan Bigarli, Jareli Cavazos, Annie Mosis, Georgia Page, Haylee Plumley, David Taravella, Owen Thompson, and Ezra Villarreal; and

WHEREAS, Starting with the 82nd Legislative Session, the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University has sent a select group of graduate students, known as Capstone Scholars, to work in the legislature; these students, most of whom intend to work in government positions when they graduate, bring knowledge, skills, and motivation to their respective offices; their legislative experiences add greatly to their professional development and benefit the state in myriad ways; the current Bush School Capstone interns are Julia Patterson and Kirsten Stewart; and

WHEREAS, Since 2010, Tarleton State University has sent numerous interns to Austin and Washington, D.C., where they work on an array of issues; their strong background and interest in such topics as public policy, history, education, criminal justice, health care, and agriculture equip them to offer specialized knowledge to legislators; the current Tarleton intern is Lacy Malone; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, these programs have helped exceptional students deepen their understanding of legislative processes and general government functionality while developing important professional skills and critical peer networks, and past program participants have gone on to make vital contributions and assume leadership roles in a variety of arenas; these outstanding young people who are serving with the utmost integrity and are giving of their time and talents throughout this legislative session may indeed take pride in their achievements and their selfless service to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby recognize The Texas A&M University System policy interns and commend the current participants for their diligence and commitment to excellence; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the students as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.