[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE MORRIS COUNTY 4-H FAIR

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Morris 
County 4-H Fair, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
  The 4-H organization began at the start of the 20th century with a 
group of individuals who wanted to promote the idea of practical, 
``hands-on'' learning. In a society where young people were beginning 
to gravitate toward city living, this group felt the desire to create 
an organization focused on country life. Ever since, their ideas have 
grown from a need to initiate new agricultural technology and 
techniques on the nation's farms to creating a safe and fun environment 
where any young person can be involved.
  4-H officially came to New Jersey in 1915. The first Morris County 4-
H boys were involved with Corn Clubs. Girls worked in Tomato and 
Canning Clubs. It was World War I that gave them a practical purpose. 
Clubs adopted the slogan ``Feed A Fighter'' by raising livestock and 
growing vegetables to help feed United States soldiers.
  Morris County 4-H, as we know it today, began in the early 1940s 
adopting to ``pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater 
loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, 
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.'' The club began 
with boys and girls participating in a variety of project areas ranging 
from traditional livestock and home economics to wood working, 
conservation and fashion. Today, Morris County 4-H members learn 
leadership, citizenship and life skills through a variety of projects 
related to science to healthy living.
  The annual 4-H Fair has filled the gap left by the disappearance of 
many of the old country fairs. It began as a few tables in the middle 
of Rockaway Town Square Mall, and with borrowed tents and personal 
dedication, evolved into a modern-day country fair with 25,000 
visitors. Today, area residents can see the accomplishments of the 
Morris County 4-H youth first hand as they exhibit their handiwork in 
everything from food and nutrition to model cars and rockets. In a 
world overrun by videogames and television, 4H teaches the youth of our 
community the value of hard work by creating contests and rewards for 
each club. The 4-H Fair provides the outlet for these young people to 
display their projects
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Morris County 4-H Fair as they celebrate 40 years of 
dedicated years of service to the youth of Morris County!

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