89S20339 KRT-D     By: Bell of Montgomery H.R. No. 32       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Horace Hodge is retiring from the United States   Department of Agriculture in 2025, drawing to a close an exemplary   tenure with the agency spanning more than 48 years; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Hodge developed an early interest in   agriculture and was active in Future Farmers of America throughout   his youth and during his time as a student at Prairie View A&M   University; after earning his bachelor's degree in agriculture   education in 1978, he began his career with the USDA Soil   Conservation Service; and          WHEREAS, In 1989, Mr. Hodge returned to the Prairie View A&M   campus when he joined the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public   Engagement as a liaison in the 1890 Program, an initiative that   seeks to increase the number of students studying agriculture and   related disciplines at historically Black colleges and   universities; among his many responsibilities, he has served as an   advisor for agriculture students, encouraging them to participate   in special learning opportunities in their fields of study; in   recognition of his efforts, he received a 2024 Dean's Award in   Excellence from the PVAMU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural   Resources; and          WHEREAS, Through his leadership, dedication, and commitment   to assisting students, Horace Hodge has advanced the work of the   USDA and greatly benefited the PVAMU community, and he may indeed   reflect with pride on his many achievements as he embarks on the   next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Horace Hodge   on his retirement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and   extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Mr. Hodge as an expression of high regard by the Texas   House of Representatives.