RECOGNIZING THE ARCHER CENTER

On 2026-04-22, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE ARCHER CENTER" in the Senate. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, foreign policy. It referenced legislation including S1932, S1933.

RECOGNIZING THE ARCHER CENTER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 71 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1932-S1933] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE ARCHER CENTER Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today I rise to honor a program that has helped shape generations of Texans who come to Washington not simply to observe public service, but to participate. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Archer Fellowship Program and the Archer Center in Washington, DC. Founded in 2001 by Congressman Bill Archer and his longtime chief of staff Don Carlson, the Archer Center is ``where Texas meets the world'' and provides talented students from across the University of Texas System the chance to live, learn, and intern in the Nation's Capital. [[Page S1933]] The Archer Center's mission is to educate the next generation of leaders and promote civic engagement, civil discourse, and public service. These foundational principles have united our country for 250 years, and it is essential now more than ever to instill them in our students. Archer Fellows engage in full-time internships aligned with their goals while participating in coursework that connects their daily experiences to the larger policy process, giving students the opportunity to fully grasp the day-to-day realities of working in public policy. Over the past quarter-century, the Archer Center has cultivated a network of more than 2,000 alumni who now serve in a wide range of roles and impact various communities. Many students intern in Texas congressional offices, including my own, and consistently reflect the Archer Center's values of professionalism, curiosity, and respect in their hard work. I am proud to note that a former member of my staff serves as the Archer Center's longtime executive director and has been a driving force behind its success over the past 20 years. Katie Romano served as a communications intern during my 2002 U.S. Senate campaign before joining my Washington, DC, office as constituent relations coordinator in 2003. She then went on to work for Mrs. Laura Bush and the First Family during the 2004 election and contributed to the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee before joining the Archer Center staff in 2006. Her positive contributions to the Archer Center are evident, and I am proud of the impact she continues to have on our fellow Texans. Preparing young people for public service is not a task to be taken for granted. Institutions must be willing to invest in mentorship and create an environment where students learn how to engage in disagreement without losing respect for one another. That is exactly the kind of preparation the Archer Center seeks to provide, and it is why this milestone deserves recognition. So today I want to commend the Archer Center's students, alumni, faculty, and staff, and recognize those who teach, mentor, and support the program. Congratulations to the Archer Center on 25 years of service to Texas and to our country. Thank you for helping students from across the UT System come to Washington to chart a lifetime of service to our Nation and the great State of Texas. ____________________