SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 35

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

A JOINT MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 2, 2006 AS "FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA AND 4-H DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.

   WHEREAS, future farmers of America and 4-H youth development programs have been the premier youth leadership programs in New Mexico for more than eighty years; and

     WHEREAS, the future farmers of America and 4-H youth development programs sponsor chapters and clubs in rural and urban areas throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, over ninety thousand youth aged five to twenty-one participate in the future farmers of America and 4-H youth development programs statewide; and

     WHEREAS, future farmers of America and 4-H youth development programs are diverse, emphasizing thirty-five life skills, including leadership, responsible citizenship, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, respecting others and effective communication, that directly contribute to the successful transition of young people into productive adults; and

     WHEREAS, future farmers of America and 4-H youth development programs are involved in partnerships throughout New Mexico with volunteer efforts involving almost six thousand adult volunteers contributing over two hundred sixty-eight thousand hours of volunteer service to the youth of the state, which if the service were provided by paid staff would have cost almost five million dollars ($5,000,000); and

     WHEREAS, future farmers of America and 4-H youth reported that being a part of those organizations gave them greater confidence and positive self-identity; gave them greater control over events in their lives by enabling them to make decisions on their own, set goals and take responsibility for their actions; and gave them pride and a sense of purpose and meaning in life;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 2, 2006 be declared "Future Farmers of America and 4-H Day" at the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to New Mexico's future farmers of America and 4-H organizations.

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