[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO THEODORE BLUM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Theodore 
Blum, a resident of Hillsborough, New Jersey, on his recent nomination 
to the National 4-H Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Blum will be one of the inaugural 100 members of the National 4-H 
Hall of Fame, which has been created to commemorate the 100th 
anniversary of this world-renowned service organization.
  Known by many as ``Mr. 4-H,'' Theodore Blum served as Somerset 
County, New Jersey's 4-H agent from 1956 to 1984, the longest anyone 
has held that position since the county program began in the mid-1920s.
  As county agent, Mr. Blum oversaw the construction of a 20,000-
square-foot facility in Bridgewater, New Jersey, which is the largest 
4-H center in the state. He initiated a program that enrolled six 
through eight year olds in a 4-H prep program that inspired similar 
programs throughout New Jersey. Mr. Blum also oversaw the growth of the 
county 4-H Fair to its status now as one of the largest free fairs in 
New Jersey, and tirelessly promoted the 4-H and their activities by 
distributing pamphlets to local newspaper and schools.
  But most importantly, Theodore Blum helped enrollment in Somerset 
County 4-H programs from 500 to 2,500 members, paving the way for 
greater involvement by young people in their community.
  Today I commend Theodore Blum, who recently has turned 75 years old, 
for his leadership and congratulate him on being named as one of the 
first one hundred members of the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

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