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Welcome, students! Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and browse through the South Texas Students section: a page created for students, by students. Here you will find helpful information on pending legislation that might affect you as a student as well as information that might prove useful in your search for financial aid and scholarships. There are also links to fun online games for your enjoyment! I hope your experience is both informative and entertaining.
Sincerely,
Solomon P. Ortiz
Member of Congress
How Congress Works
Pending Legislation
Higher Education
Activities in the District
News
Entertainment
How Congress Works
Here are some of my favorite websites that may help explain how Congress works. You will be able to see what I do on Capitol Hill during any given workday.
www.house.gov – The official website of the United States House of Representatives. From here you can access every Representative’s official website.
www.senate.gov – The official website of the United States Senate. From here you can access every Senator’s official website.
www.atozkidsstuff.com - Offer free lessons and activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and school age. Browse through the eStore for downloadable teaching materials, e-books, themes, e-worksheets, and more. It's easy to order and easy to download.
http://www.school-house-rock.com/AmericaRock.html - This classic series of three-minute educational vignettes combined animation, hip music, and catchy lyrics to tackle lessons in American history, government, and finance.
www.congressforkids.net - Congress for Kids gives you access to interactive, fun-filled experiences designed to help you learn about the foundation of our federal government and how its actions affect you. Congress for Kids is designed for students in grades fourth through high school.
http://kids-voting.org - “Preparing students to become informed, longtime voters.” Provides an insight on today’s hot topics and encourages kids to become involved with government. Designed for students in middle school through high school.
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Pending Legislation
HR2949
College Opportunity for All Act
The act promotes access to higher education for all students through funds provided by Pell Grants and other student aid. It also simplifies the student aid process, consolidates loans, and encourages certain public service employment through student loan forgiveness. The act supports minority-serving institutions and postbaccalaureate opportunities at Hispanic-serving institutions.
HR547
Graduation for All Act
Presents subgrants to local educational agencies with low graduation rates for public secondary school. Subgrants will be used to establish reading and writing programs to improve overall reading and writing performance among middle and high school students. Hiring and inservice training of literacy coaches, counseling for at-risk students, and professional development for educators that advance literacy needs of certain student groups will also receive subgrant funds.
HR761
Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act
The act revises requirements for Hispanic-serving institutions and establishes a program of competitive grants to Hispanic-serving institutions that offer baccalaureate degrees, are junior or community colleges, or are instituitions offering postbaccalaureate certifications.
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Higher Education
I understand the importance and value of an education, and I encourage all of you to strive for higher education beyond secondary school. There are so many ways for you to afford college with federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans. A little effort into searching for the right scholarships and aid will go a long way in your pursuit of higher education. Here are some links that will help you with your search.
Financial Help
Federal Student Aid is a great way to start searching for help to pay for college. You can apply online or download the paper application.
Texans can go through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Boardand find more information regarding grant opportunities and help for getting into college.
One of the most comprehensive sites for scholarship information as well as general college information is FastWeb. Take some time to explore the thousands of scholarship opportunities here.
CollegeforTexans includes more information on getting into college as well as how to pay for your education.
FreeScholarshipGuide also has detailed information regarding scholarships for college. All you have to do is register and start searching.
Just as your high school counselor helps with your approach to higher education, CollegeData is your online college advisor that provides help with finding the college that’s best for you as well as financing for school.
BrokeScholar is another free scholarship search site that allows you to search through thousands of opportunities worth over $2.5 billion.
Campusbooks, Amazon, Half.com, and Bookbyteall have used college books for cheaper prices than regular campus book stores. Use these websites once you get into college and start buying your books.
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Activities in the District
Two of the most visited cities in the 27th District are Corpus Christi and Brownsville. Below you will find a list of activities to take on over the weekend or on your spare time available in both Corpus Christi and Brownsville. Create experiences in these cities that are dually educational and entertaining!
Things to do in Corpus Christi
CorpusChristiLibrary
The Corpus Christi Library is an excellent resource offering a wide variety of information on all topics. Access numerous online databases, periodicals and state archives. Can’t find what you are looking for? Take advantage of the interlibrary loan division, where all sorts of materials may be borrowed from libraries around the country.Visit online at: www.library.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us/
Texas State Aquarium Texas State Aquarium houses a vast array of fish displays that are indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as a few exotic species. The best time to visit, especially during the busy summer season, is during the week. Be sure to check out a number of the special events that are offered throughout the year and several educational programs, including the popular Sea Camp and Sea Squirt Programs.
The Corpus Christi Zoo
The Corpus Christi Zoo is situated on 145 acres, this zoo contains collections of a variety of animals including exotic birds, primates, big cats, hoof stock, reptiles, and waterfowl. For some hands-on activities, visit the children’s petting zoo.Located at: County Road 33, Corpus Christi, TX. 78403
(361) 814-8000
Botanical Gardens
This collection of gardens soothes the soul with walking trails, 2500 varieties of orchids, an idyllic rose garden, desert and tropical flowers, wetlands, forest and many opportunities for bird watching. This site is home to one of the largest public outdoor displays of the Hawaiian lei flower, Plumenia.
Visit online at: www.ccbotanicalgardens.org
Padre Island National Seashore
This 130,434-acre site is the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. Be sure to visit the Bird Island Basin area on the Laguna Madre, one of the nation’s best windsurfing and fishing spots.
Visit online at: www.nps.gov/pais/
Funtrackers Amusement Park
Have a day of fun and excitement with friends and family as you ride the different go-kart tracks and explore one of the many arcade rooms. Cool down by riding the water bumper boats or test your golfing abilities on the 18-hole miniature golfcourse.
Visit online at: www.funtrackers.com
CPL Marine Development Center
The CCA/CPL Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi is the first state operated hatchery and visitor center, and is one of the best-kept secrets in Texas. The hatchery produces juvenile (30 millimeter) red drum and spotted sea trout for releasing into Texas bays for stock enhancement. Be sure to schedule a tour to learn more about hatchery operations.
Visit online at: www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Heritage Park & Multicultural Center
The Cultural Center isoneof theeleven Victorian homes of Heritage Park. It operates in the 100-year-old Galván House, the national award-winning center that provides a variety of cultural programs throughout the year showcasing the artistic and cultural diversity of Corpus Christi and South Texas.
Located at: 1581 North Chaparral, Corpus Christi, TX. 78401-1105 (361) 883-0639
Centennial House
The Historic Centennial House was constructed in the 1840s, making it the oldest standing structure in Corpus Christi. Now totally refurbished and decorated with antique furnishings from multiple periods, the lovely Classic Revival home is open to the public.
Located at: 411 North Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, TX. 78401-2738 (361) 882-8691
Cole Park
Cole Park boasts a beautiful 53-acre lake and twin arcs of white sand, making it the largest protected beach in the county system. There are two picnicking areas and all the amenities necessary to make Nathaniel Cole one of our finest parks.
Located at: 1526 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX. 78404(361) 561-0253
Things to do in Brownsville
Brownsville Public Library
The Brownsville Public Library has over 165,000 books, magazines and periodicals in its collection. The library offers patrons a wide selection of DVD and VHS rentals, access to interlibrary loans, study rooms, and computers with Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.
Visit online at: www.bpl.us
Gladys Porter Zoo
The Gladys Porter Zoo is an oasis nestled in the center of Brownsville, Texas. With 26 acres of lush tropical plants and some 1,300 animals, the Gladys Porter Zoo is known for its successes in breeding endangered species of wildlife. Open every day of the year from 9:00a.m.until 5:00p.m.with extended summerhours.
Visit online at: www.gpz.org
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
This 3,400-acre site is the only unit of the National Park Service with a primary focus on the U.S.-Mexican War, Palo Alto Battlefield interprets the entire conflict between the two nations-including the details of its origins and the broad range of consequences.
Visit online at: www.nps.gov/paal
Sabal Palm Audubon Center & Sanctuary
The Sabal Palm Audubon Center and Sanctuary harbor is one of the most beautiful and critical ecosystems of South Texas and Northern Mexico. School tours, activities, presentations and workshopsare available in both Spanish and in English.Visit online at: www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/sabal
Camille Lightner Playhouse
This community theater provides both children and adults a great variety of performances ranging from musicals to drama presentations during the five to six plays and musicals they present from September through May.
Located at: 1 Dean Porter Park, Brownsville, TX. 78520 (956) 542-8900
The Historic Brownsville Museum
The Historic Brownsville Museum opened in 1986. It houses a variety of exhibits that interpret events from Brownsville's past. These exhibits include data from the earliest military fort in our area, the arrival of French teaching nuns and displays of agricultural and ranching tools.
Located at: 641 East Madison Street, Brownsville, TX. 78520-6071 (956) 548-1313
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Entertainment
Here are the links to some fun online games for students of all ages. I hope you have a good time with this combination of classic and modern games. Enjoy!
1. www.funbrain.com/ : A cool example in how we can learn and have fun at the same time!
2. www.freeonlinegames.com/play/2703.html : Help this little toad cross the road without getting squished!
3. www.tripletsandus.com/80s/
80s_games/galaga.htm : A taste of a classic 80’s game. Shoot as many rival spaceships as you can to get a double cannon!
4. http://donkey-kong.freeonlinegames.com/ : Help Mario rescue his girlfriend Pauline from Donkey Kong who has escaped from the zoo and kidnapped her!
5. http://zelda.freeonlinegames.com/ : Play as Link and solve the mysteries to find the treasures and the three triangles. Always remember to protect yourselves from your enemies!
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