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A JOINT MEMORIAL

DECLARING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007, AS "4-H AND FUTURE

FARMERS OF AMERICA DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, 4-H youth development and future farmers of

America programs have been the premier youth leadership

programs in New Mexico for more than eighty years; and

WHEREAS, the 4-H youth development and future farmers of

America programs sponsor chapters and clubs in rural and urban

areas throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, over ninety thousand youths between the ages of

five and twenty-one participate in the 4-H youth development

and future farmers of America programs statewide; and

WHEREAS, 4-H youth development and future farmers of

America 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,

which directly contribute to the successful transition of

young people into productive adults; and

WHEREAS, 4-H youth development and future farmers of

America 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,

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which service, if it were provided by paid staff, would have

cost almost five million dollars ($5,000,000); and

WHEREAS, 4-H youth and future farmers of America

participants 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 Thursday, February 15, 2007, be

declared "4-H and Future Farmers of America Day" at the

legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to New Mexico's 4-H youth development and future

farmers of America organizations.