Howdy, Aggie Advocates!

As Texas A&M prepares for the start of the 2023-24 academic year, big things are on the horizon.

Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III has been named as the interim president of Texas A&M University. Prior to this appointment, Welsh has served as the dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M since 2016, upon retirement from his role as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

Gen. Welsh served as the keynote speaker for Campus Muster in 2022. While writing this newsletter, I took some time to re-watch his speech. It was a reminder that Texas A&M is more than a place or a collection of buildings; and that the Aggie Network is more than any individual.

Read more on Gen. Welsh at this link, and watch his 2022 Campus Muster speech here. You can also read his recent letter to the Aggie family at this link.

With the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature adjourned, we turn our attention to some important federal legislation in the works. Read on for updates on some bills with great potential to impact Texas A&M. Finally, if you are a current student planning to enter the U.S. military upon graduation — or if you know of one — be sure to read on a scholarship opportunity closing soon.

As always, I thank you for reading and for your willingness to be an advocate for Texas A&M and for Texas Aggies.

In the Aggie Spirit,

Miranda Henderson ’09
Director of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs

National Name, Image and Likeness Legislation

Along with other members of the Southeastern Conference, Texas A&M continues to work on successful passage of federal legislation on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). On June 8, Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork visited U.S. congressional members to discuss this increasingly important issue.

Bjork has expressed appreciation for the recently passed Texas Legislation, stating, "We appreciate [Gov. Abbott] signing the revised NIL bill & appreciate leadership in the Texas House & Senate to make the proper revisions to modernize in this era of allowing our athletes to maximize their potential. Until there are national standards, this is the pathway."

CADETS Act expands opportunities for Texas A&M Maritime Academy

The Changing Age-Determined Eligibility to Student Incentive Payments Act, known as the CADETS Act, passed the U.S. Senate on May 16 with bipartisan support.

Co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (TX), this bill raises the maximum age for students to participate in the Student Incentive Payment Program (SIPP). SIPP funds financial support to cadets who attend one of six state maritime academies, including the Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Galveston, and commit to service after graduation.

Currently, the program excludes cadets over the age of 25. As such, most military veterans are ineligible to receive support.

Enactment of the CADETS Act would expand SIPP eligibility to include any qualified student who satisfy the age requirement for enlistment in the U.S. Navy Reserve by graduation. Cadets can receive up to $32,000 over four years to help offset the cost of tuition, uniforms, books, and living costs in return for their service through this incentive. We thank Sen. Cruz for his support for our Texas students and veterans!

Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act reintroduced

A bipartisan, bicameral bill has been reintroduced in the 118th Congress that could enable Texas A&M University at Galveston to take part in federal efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and research stranded sea turtles. The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2023 would authorize a new $30 million grant program to further these rescue and research efforts.

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research at Texas A&M University at Galveston, established in 2019, facilitates research to promote and restore the sea turtle populations in the Gulf of Mexico.

"The waters off of the Texas Gulf Coast are home to several species of sea turtles which are crucial to the health of our diverse marine ecosystem," said U.S. Senator John Cornyn (TX), a co-sponsor of S.2086 in the Senate. "This legislation will support the rescue and recovery efforts of today while also investing in research to better protect the future of America's sea turtle population."

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program

The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP), a program of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), encourages students to complete a bachelor’s degree and become a member of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard, United States Coast Guard, United States Merchant Marine, or become a commissioned officer in any branch of the armed services of the United States.

Each Texas state senator and Texas state representative may appoint one student from his/her district to receive an initial conditional scholarship award. The Texas governor and lieutenant governor may also each appoint two students.

The scholarship will cover a student's cost of attendance at an institution of higher education for an academic year, up to $15,000. More information is available here.

Elected officials must submit their TASSP appointment nominations to the THECB no later than Aug. 31, 2023. If you or a student you know are interested in applying, be sure to contact your state senator and/or representative as soon as possible. You can find your legislator's contact information through our advocacy center, at AggieNetwork.com/Advocate.

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