[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING AMANDEEP KAUR

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2015

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of 
Amandeep Kaur, an advocate for Underrepresented Student Groups and one 
of my district's 2015 Woman of the year.
  Whereas, on the Twenty-Second Day of September, of the Year Two 
Thousand and Fifteen, Amandeep Kaur was recognized as a 2015 Woman of 
the year.
  Whereas, Dr. Amandeep Kaur is Science Fellow to Chancellor Linda 
Katehi at UC Davis. She is a UC Davis alumna and received her PhD in 
Physics from UC Davis in July 2014. She is a passionate leader and 
advocate for underrepresented student groups at UC Davis. She has 
consistently worked towards empowering underrepresented graduate 
student groups at UC Davis since the academic year 2012-13. She says 
that her true calling is public service and making an impact in the 
lives of people. One of her biggest accomplishments was to advocate for 
creating more fellowships for international PhD students. Her advocacy 
led Provost Ralph Hexter to create post candidacy NRST fellowships in 
the academic year 2013-14 and to implement a new budget model of $2 
million in the academic year 2014-15. This outcome has had a 
significant impact in the competitiveness of UC Davis and has allowed 
for equity for international PhD students at UC Davis. In May 2013, 
Amandeep was nominated by her peers and received an outstanding 
leadership award for her advocacy on behalf of international PhD 
students.
  Whereas, last year, as a Graduate Student Assistant to the Dean and 
Chancellor (GSADC), Amandeep hosted Diversity Dialogues on Graduate 
Education, a series of seven discussions on creating strategies to 
empower women students in Science, Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics (STEM), students of color, international students, 
undocumented students, student veterans, student parents, LGBTQIA 
identified students, and students with visible/invisible disabilities.
  Whereas, currently as a postdoctoral science fellow to Chancellor 
Linda Katehi, she is furthering her advocacy on bridging the gaps for 
women in STEM through her Empowering Women in STEM (EWIS) initiative. 
She also believes that graduate students with the right expertise can 
help policy makers in shaping public policy which has motivated her to 
create Emerging Leaders in Policy and Public Service (ELIPPS) 
initiative at UC Davis. One of her goals through ELIPPS is to inspire 
more students to join public service. She believes in leading by 
example and is a role model for many students at UC Davis.
  Resolved, That I Congressman John Garamendi of California's Third 
Congressional District, do hereby recognize and celebrate the 
accomplishments of Amandeep Kaur.

                          ____________________