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The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation is an independent agency of the United States government to honor Morris K. Udall's lasting impact on the environment, public lands, and natural resources, and his support of the rights and self-governance of American Indians and Alaska Natives. [1]
The Foundation was established by the Congress in 1992 to honor Morris Udall's thirty years of service in the House of Representatives. Congress amended the name in 2009 to include Stewart Udall, in recognition of his public service. The full official name of the Foundation is Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation. The President of the United States appoints its board of trustees with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The purpose and motto of the Foundation is "Scholarship and Excellence in national environmental policy." To support this purpose the Foundation's programs are:
The Foundation awards 50 scholarships of $7,000 and 50 honorable mentions annually [2] [3] [4] on the basis of merit to sophomore and junior-level college students who:
To apply for the Udall Scholarship, undergraduate students must: [2]
In addition to the financial award, scholars also attend a four-day Udall Scholars Orientation in Tucson, Arizona to meet with other Scholars, elected officials, environmental and tribal leaders. Travel from the Scholar's home or school, lodging, and meals are provided by the Foundation. Scholars also benefit from access to a network of environmental, Native American health and tribal policy professionals through the Udall Alumni Association listserv. [4] [2] The Udall Scholarship is a highly competitive award and is regarded by most universities as one of several prestigious scholarships (alongside the Churchill Scholarship, the Fulbright Scholarship, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the Marshall Scholarship, the Mitchell Scholarship, and the Rhodes Scholarship). [5] [3] [6] [7] [8] [4]
According to the Foundation, [9] the Native American Congressional Internship Program provides Native Americans and Alaska Natives with an insider's view of the federal government. The ten-week internship in Washington, D.C., places students in Senate and House offices, committees, Cabinet departments and the White House, where they are able to observe government decision-making processes first-hand.
In 2006, the Foundation expected to award 12 internships on the basis of merit to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who:
The Foundation's activities are supported by two distinct funds in the U.S. Treasury. Educational activities are supported primarily by interest generated by a trust fund established by Congress; the Foundation may also accept private donations for educational activities. The activities of the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, which provides assessment, mediation, facilitation and related services to assist in resolving federal environmental conflicts, are supported by annual appropriations and fees charged for services.
The current leadership team can be found the agency's website. [10]
The Foundation is subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees, which has thirteen members. Eleven of these are voting members. Nine of these are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two considering the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; two after considering the recommendation of the President pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate; and five who have shown leadership and interest in the continued use, enjoyment, education, and exploration of the U.S.' rich and bountiful natural resources, such as presidents of major foundations involved with the environment; or in the improvement of the health status of Native Americans and Alaska Natives and in strengthening tribal self-governance, such as tribal leaders involved in health and public policy development affecting Native American and Alaska Native communities. Of these five, no more than three may be of the same political party. [11]
The current board of trustees of the Udall Foundation as of September 20, 2024: [12]
Position | Name | Party | Appointed by (year of confirmation) | Confirmed | Term expires |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chair | Lisa Johnson-Billy | Republican | Donald Trump (2017), | December 21, 2017 | August 25, 2024 |
Vice chair | Tadd M. Johnson | Democratic | Donald Trump (2017), Joe Biden (2023) | December 21, 2017 | October 6, 2026 |
Secretary | James L. Huffman II | Republican | Barack Obama (2014) | December 16, 2014 | October 6, 2020 |
Member | Heather M. Cahoon | Democratic | Joe Biden (2024) | September 11, 2024 | October 6, 2030 |
Member | Rion J. Ramirez | Democratic | Joe Biden (2023) | December 20, 2023 | May 26, 2025 |
Member | D. Michael Rappoport | Republican | Bill Clinton (1994, 1997), George W. Bush (2006) | February 3, 2022 | October 6, 2008 |
Member | Denis Udall | Democratic | Joe Biden (2022) | May 26, 2022 | April 15, 2029 |
Member | Tess Udall | Democratic | Joe Biden (2022) | May 26, 2022 | October 6, 2028 |
Member | Vacant | ||||
Member | Bryan Newland (ex officio; designee) | Democratic | The Secretary of the Interior | — | — |
Member | Amy Loyd (ex officio; designee) | Democratic | The Secretary of Education | — | — |
Member (non-voting) | Robert C. Robbins (ex officio) | The President of the University of Arizona | June 1, 2017 | — | |
Member (non-voting) | Brenda Mallory (ex officio) | Democratic | Chair of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality | April 14, 2021 | — |
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