Congressman Gene Green Award for Excellence
The Congressman Gene Green Award for Excellence was started in 2024 from an endowed gift to the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston by former United States Representative Gene Green and his spouse, Helen Green. The award is presented to one member of each biennial Leland Fellows cohort who stands out among their peers. Recipients demonstrate outstanding on-the-job performance during their Washington, D.C. internship, complete a volunteer project and submit a summary of their experience. The $2,500 award recognizes the recipient's notable performance and leadership during their internship.
About the Endowment
The Honorable Gene Green and Helen Green endowed a $100,000 gift to the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston in 2021 to support the Leland Fellows program in Washington, D.C. The Leland Fellows experience is unique because internships on Capitol Hill are typically self-funded and cost-prohibitive for University of Houston students. Leland Fellows are provided with lodging and airfare and earn a stipend for living expenses, making this invaluable experience more accessible.
With their generous gift, UH alumni Gene Green (BBA '71, UH Bates College of Law alumnus) and Helen Green (BS '69) are ensuring their family's dedication to public service endures. Their endowed gift has created The Honorable Gene Green Endowment for Leland Fellows, lifting UH students from various academic backgrounds and preparing the next generation of public service professionals. This act of generosity is a testament to the Greens' commitment to the UH community and their belief in the power of public service.
The Honorable Gene Green served nearly 50 years in public office, representing the Houston area in state and national politics. Green was in the Texas House of Representatives from 1973-1985 and the Texas Senate from 1985-1993 before being elected to the U.S. Congress in 1992. Green left office in January 2019 after representing Texas' 29th Congressional District for 13 terms. Helen Green is a retired high school teacher who taught in the Aldine Independent School District for 26 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Congratulations to Madison Rainwater!
Madison Rainwateris a senior majoring in political science with a minor in public leadership. Her passion for service began as a daycare teacher, shaping her interest in education and health policy. During her first semester on campus, Madison served as a Cougar Involvement Ambassador at the Center for Student Involvement and was inspired by other student leaders to found LUNAR, a student organization promoting literacy among Houston-area children. Later Madison discovered the Hobby School of Public Affairs through the Civic Houston Internship Program, where she interned with the Transportation Advocacy Group, discovering her passion for policy research and organizing events. Subsequently, she was then selected as a 2025-2026 member of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a national network for emerging leaders in public service. Most recently, Madison was selected for the Leland Fellowship, giving her the ability to work firsthand on federal policy as an intern on Capitol Hill for Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. She plans to pursue graduate education to advance policies in public education and child welfare.
Previous Scholarship Recipients
Gabriela Hamdieh, Public Policy
2024