[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING NATIONAL 4-H PROGRAM'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2002

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, as the National 4-H 
Progam celebrates its 100th Anniversary, I rise in honor of this, great 
milestone.
  Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, today's 4-H program began 
as a series of clubs for boys and girls in rural America, originally 
aimed at teaching youngsters skills related to agriculture with a 
learning-by-doing approach. While the program has grown in scope to 
encompass a wide array of subject matter, hands-on leaming remains a 
core curriculum of the 4-H.
  In New Jersey, 4-H clubs are administered on a county government 
level through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office. Each club has a 
particular project area that they concentrate on.
  Operating on the same four principals the 4-H was founded on: head, 
heart, hands and health, the organization has provided opportunities 
for thousands of young people in my district, and millions across the 
country, to gain knowledge, skills, and compassion as they grow into 
the men and women that will be our future.
  On the 4-H's centennial birthday I would like to take the opportunity 
to acknowledge three outstanding programs in my district: Morris 
County, Somerset County, and Sussex County programs.
  In Morris County over 400 youth are involved in over 30 clubs which 
focus on over 25 project areas. With a very active alumni base, the 
Morris County 4-H has over 100 volunteers that help to reach the young 
people in the community through club leadership, and event staffing. 
The Morris County 4-H will celebrate the centennial anniversary at the 
32nd Annual Morris County 4-H Fair, which will take place July 26 to 
28, with activities for children and adults alike.
  The Somerset County 4-H is home to over 1,200 children with over 600 
volunteers leading clubs and planning the annual 4-H fair. Focused on 
reaching as many youths as possible, the Somerset 4-H offers a variety 
of school enrichment programs based on science and the environment as 
well as a summer adventure day camp that runs two weeks each summer. 
This year's fair celebrates the centennial of 4-H in America with the 
theme ``One Hundred Years of 4-H--A Thousand Reasons to Celebrate'' and 
will take place August 14 to 16.
  Over 750 youths in 67 clubs make up the Sussex County 4-H Program, 
not to mention the 5,000 youngsters that the organization reaches 
through school enrichment programs and camping trips.
  Every year the program participates in the Sussex County Farm and 
Horse Show, where this year they will celebrate this anniversary on 
August 2 to 4.
  Mr. Speaker, as the 4-H celebrates its 100th birtbday I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring this program which continues to 
exemplify the best of our youth and our nation.

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