Wives of State Legislators Tour Texas A&M System Facilities
Ron Peddy, project manager with TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute, explains the training programs the agency offers to emergency responders across the world.
More than 30 wives of Texas legislators toured Texas A&M University System facilities April 3 in College Station. Legislative Ladies Day was held to introduce the wives of Texas House and Senate members to the educational, research and extension programs of The Texas A&M University System.
“I believe the A&M System is the best-kept secret in the nation as far as outstanding schools and programs,” said Daisy White, wife of John D. White, chairman of the A&M System’s Board of Regents. “It’s important we reach across the aisle with the wives of these decision-makers to let them know all that we have here.”
Mrs. White co-hosted the event with Lou Ann McKinney, wife of A&M System Chancellor Michael D. McKinney. The purpose of the visit was to increase awareness of the A&M System among wives of legislators, who make key decisions affecting educational institutions and related agencies in Texas.
“Everyone connected with the Texas Legislature needs to know about the A&M System’s nine universities, seven state agencies, health science center and campus in Qatar,” said Mrs. McKinney. “We wanted to share information with the wives by inviting them to College Station to tour some of our facilities and hear from program leaders about their work and the outstanding services they provide to our state.”
The full-day itinerary included a presentation and tour of Texas A&M University’s renowned College of Veterinary Medicine, the site of ground-breaking research applicable to animals and humans.
Nadine Craddick, wife of House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland), said, “Today I am proud to be a Texan. This was a wonderful eye-opener for me. You have an absolutely fabulous school here, and do a wonderful job in educating our young people. That is what today is all about.”
The group also toured the Brayton Fire Training Field and Disaster City, facilities of the A&M System’s Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The agency annually educates more than 180,000 people, including 45,000 emergency responders who receive training at the College Station facilities.
In addition, the legislators’ wives heard presentations about A&M System agriculture programs, including its extension services in all 254 Texas counties, from Elsa Murano, dean and vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences. Nancy Dickey, vice chancellor for health affairs and president of the A&M System Health Science Center, discussed trends in women’s health care. They also learned how the A&M System works to bring research discoveries to the marketplace from Guy Diedrich, vice chancellor for technology commercialization.
“The new Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine, or TIGM, is a $50 million project here at Texas A&M funded by your husbands, who did a great thing for the state of Texas,” Diedrich said.
TIGM is creating the world’s largest collection of mouse embryonic stem cells to accelerate the pace of medical discoveries and foster the development of the biotechnology industry in Texas. The institute received a $50 million investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund and is expected to generate 5,000 new jobs.
Billie Hopson, wife of Rep. Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville) and president of the Legislative Ladies Club, said, “Most of us knew A&M was a great university, but I don’t think we understood the depth, and the business opportunities that research here can generate—all the ways the A&M System can help our companies in Texas.”
Janna Kay Brimer, wife of Sen. Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) and president of the Senate Ladies Club, said, “It was great today to see the directors’ expertise and enthusiasm for their work. I was so impressed with the training conducted here for those in the front line of disasters. It gives you confidence our state is well-prepared.”
“We no longer want to be a best-kept secret, so today we are tooting our horn,” said Chancellor McKinney. “Ever since 1876, when Texas A&M was established as a land-grant university, we’ve been dedicated to educating Texans and bringing our research innovations to the public. For example, today, on your way back to Austin, you might notice special guardrails along the roads. Those guardrails were designed to reduce the impact in vehicle crashes. They save lives, and they are the inventions of A&M System researchers with our Texas Transportation Institute.”
The group also visited the chancellor’s residence for a luncheon and concluded their visit with a reception at the George Bush Presidential Library, interacting with local community leaders and enjoying a performance from Texas A&M’s Singing Cadets.
