TITLE: Recognizing the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program (MLEIP) is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021, and this represents a fine opportunity to pay tribute to the success of this unique initiative; and WHEREAS, Administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), MLEIP is named in memory of U.S. Representative George "Mickey" Leland, in recognition of his dedication to sound environmental stewardship; Congressman Leland died in an airplane crash in 1989 while he was on a mission to Ethiopia as chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Hunger; and WHEREAS, MLEIP was established by John Hall, the founding chair of TCEQ's predecessor agency, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, to provide college students with hands-on experience in science and conservation; more than 500 students, mostly STEM majors, apply to the program each year for the opportunity to gain work experience, expand their knowledge, and fulfill college requirements; participants are assigned to jobs at the TCEQ and other state agencies, as well as city and county governments, nonprofits, and private companies in Texas; and WHEREAS, Over the past three decades, MLEIP has launched the careers of nearly 2,500 interns, including women and people of color as well as economically disadvantaged and first-generation students; former program members now work in leadership positions in science and technology across the nation, and many have sponsored their own Leland interns; and WHEREAS, Through the years, MLEIP has helped create the next generation of leaders by providing exceptional students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the natural world while developing professional skills and networks; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program and extend to all those associated with the initiative sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for MLEIP as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Miles President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 26, 2021.