Texas State Rep. John Zerwas receives AgriLife Extension in the City Award
Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION — Texas State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, has received the 2015 Extension in the City Award from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Zerwas, a physician, serves District 28. He received the award during the AgriLife Extension Conference held Jan. 13 in College Station.
The award honors elected leaders whose support of AgriLife Extension has “significantly contributed to the success of the agency’s growing, vibrant outreach to urban audiences.”
According to the award documentation, Zerwas has been an effective advocate for his district and Fort Bend County for five consecutive terms.
“His expertise in health and higher education has made him a key leader in the Texas Legislature, where he sits on the House Public Health Committee and chairs the House Higher Education Committee,” the nomination stated. “Rep. Zerwas always takes time to meet with his AgriLife Extension agents and to confer about their programming. He has been a staunch supporter of AgriLife Extension education and their mission to take the benefits of applied research to Texas residents.”
“Chairman Zerwas champions increased access to higher education and has been a great supporter of the Texas A&M University System,” said Dr. Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director, College Station. “As a physician for more than 30 years, he brings critical insights to the health and human services arena and was a strong voice for the A&M System’s Healthy South Texas Initiative.”
According to Zerwas’ official biography, he has “earned numerous accolades for his dedication to public service including being twice named one of the ‘Ten Best Legislators’ by Texas Monthly. Among other recognitions, Zerwas has been recognized by the Texas Medical Association as a ‘Friend of Medicine’ and by the Texas Hospital Association as a ‘Texas Hospital Advocate’ for his commitment to health care for Texans.”
Zerwas earned his doctorate in medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in 1980 and started a full-time private practice in 1985.
