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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
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state, 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.