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 Gabriela Hamdieh

2024 Congressman Gene Green Award for Excellence Recipient

Inaugural Recipient

Gabriela Hamdieh worked in the office of U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) as a Leland Fellow in the spring of 2024 and volunteered with area nonprofits focused on food insecurity. She gained valuable experience learning about the complexities of legislation and lawmaking. She developed working relationships with other Capitol Hill staff members to build her professional network and expand her worldview and understanding of the federal government. Hamdieh has extensive ties to the Hobby School. She is pursuing a degree in public policy with a minor in human development and family sciences, along with a certification in nonprofit leadership. She was selected to the inaugural Next Generation Leadership Academy, serves on the school's student advisory committee, and has interned locally through the Civic Houston Internship Program.

Scholarship Recipients