[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 22, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H964-H967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION'S FEDERAL CHARTER AMENDMENTS ACT
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 439) to amend the charter of the Future Farmers of
America, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 439
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National FFA Organization's
Federal Charter Amendments Act''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION.
Section 70901 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.
Section 70902 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(7) and (8), respectively;
(3) by striking paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7);
(4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (11);
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs
(12) and (13), respectively;
(6) by inserting before paragraph (7), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(1) to be an integral component of instruction in
agricultural education, including instruction relating to
agriculture, food, and natural resources;
``(2) to advance comprehensive agricultural education in
the United States, including in public schools, by supporting
contextual classroom and laboratory instruction and work-
based experiential learning;
``(3) to prepare students for successful entry into
productive careers in fields relating to agriculture, food,
and natural resources, including by connecting students to
relevant postsecondary educational pathways and focusing on
the complete delivery of classroom and laboratory
instruction, work-based experiential learning, and leadership
development;
``(4) to be a resource and support organization that does
not select, control, or supervise State association, local
chapter, or individual member activities;
``(5) to develop educational materials, programs, services,
and events as a service to State and local agricultural
education agencies;
``(6) to seek and promote inclusion and diversity in its
membership, leadership, and staff to reflect the belief of
the FFA in the value of all human beings;'';
(7) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``composed of students and former students
of vocational agriculture in
[[Page H965]]
public schools qualifying for Federal reimbursement under the
Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act (20 U.S.C. 11-15, 16-
28''; and
(B) by inserting ``as such chapters and associations carry
out agricultural education programs that are approved by
States, territories, or possessions'' after ``United
States'';
(8) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``to develop'' and inserting ``to build'';
(B) by striking ``train for useful citizenship, and foster
patriotism, and thereby'' and inserting ``and''; and
(C) by striking ``aggressive rural and'' and inserting
``assertive'';
(9) by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), the following:
``(9) to increase awareness of the global and technological
importance of agriculture, food, and natural resources, and
the way agriculture contributes to our well-being;
``(10) to promote the intelligent choice and establishment
of a career in fields relating to agriculture, food, and
natural resources;'';
(10) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``to procure for and distribute to State''
and inserting ``to make available to State'';
(B) by inserting ``, programs, services,'' before ``and
equipment''; and
(C) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(11) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (5),
by striking ``State boards for vocational'' and inserting
``State boards and officials for career and technical''; and
(12) in paragraph (13), as redesignated by paragraph (5),
by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 70903(a) of title 36, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) by striking ``as provided in the bylaws'' and inserting
``as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA''.
SEC. 5. GOVERNING BODY.
Section 70904 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears;
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the
following:
``(2) The board--
``(A) shall consist of--
``(i) the Secretary of Education, or the Secretary of
Education's designee who has experience in agricultural
education, the FFA, or career and technical education; and
``(ii) other individuals--
``(I) representing the fields of education, agriculture,
food, and natural resources; or
``(II) with experience working closely with the FFA; and
``(B) shall not include any individual who is a current
employee of the National FFA Organization.
``(3) The number of directors, terms of office of the
directors, and the method of selecting the directors, are as
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ``bylaws'' and
inserting ``constitution or bylaws of the FFA''; and
(ii) in the third sentence, by striking ``chairman'' and
inserting ``chair'';
(2) by striking subsection (b); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Officers.--The officers of the FFA, the terms of
officers, and the election of officers, are as provided in
the constitution or bylaws of the FFA, except that such
officers shall include--
``(1) a national advisor;
``(2) an executive secretary; and
``(3) a treasurer.
``(c) Governing Committee.--
``(1) The board may designate a governing committee. The
terms and method of selecting the governing committee members
are as provided in the constitution or bylaws of the FFA,
except that all members of the governing committee shall be
members of the board of directors and at all times the
governing committee shall be comprised of not less than 3
individuals.
``(2) When the board is not in session, the governing
committee has the powers of the board subject to the board's
direction and may authorize the seal of the FFA to be affixed
to all papers that require it.
``(3) The board shall designate to such committee--
``(A) the chair of the board;
``(B) the executive secretary of the board; and
``(C) the treasurer of the board.''.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL STUDENT OFFICERS.
Section 70905 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Composition.--There shall be not less than 6 national
student officers of the FFA, including a student president, 4
student vice presidents (each representing regions as
provided in the constitution or bylaws of the corporation),
and a student secretary.'';
(2) by striking subsection (b);
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(b) and (c), respectively; and
(4) in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by striking ``,
except that'' and all that follows through ``(20 U.S.C. 11-
15, 16-28)''.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
Section 70906 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``corporate'';
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(5) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
``(8) use FFA funds to give prizes, awards, loans, and
grants to deserving members, local FFA chapters, and State
FFA associations to carry out the purposes of the FFA;'';
(6) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
``(9) produce publications, websites, and other media;'';
(7) in paragraph (10)--
(A) by striking ``procure for and distribute to State'' and
inserting ``make available to State''; and
(B) by striking ``Future Farmers of America'' and inserting
``FFA''; and
(8) in paragraph (12), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 8. NAME, SEALS, EMBLEMS, AND BADGES.
Section 70907 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'' each
place the term appears;
(2) by striking ``name'' and inserting ``names'';
(3) by striking `` `Future Farmers of America' '' and
inserting `` `Future Farmers of America' and `National FFA
Organization,' ''; and
(4) by inserting ``education'' before ``membership''.
SEC. 9. RESTRICTIONS.
Section 70908 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation or a
director, officer, or member as such'' and inserting ``FFA or
a director, officer, or member acting on behalf of the FFA'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA'' each place the term appears; and
(4) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by striking
``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
Section 70909 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``SEC. 70909. RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
``(a) In General.--On request of the board of directors,
the FFA may collaborate with Federal agencies, including the
Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture on
matters of mutual interest and benefit.
``(b) Agency Assistance.--Those Federal agencies may make
personnel, services, and facilities available to administer
or assist in the administration of the activities of the FFA.
``(c) Agency Compensation.--Personnel of the Federal
agencies may not receive compensation from the FFA for their
services, except that travel and other legitimate expenses as
defined by the Federal agencies and approved by the board may
be paid.
``(d) Cooperation With State Boards.--The Federal agencies
also may cooperate with State boards and other organizations
for career and technical education to assist in the promotion
of activities of the FFA.''.
SEC. 11. HEADQUARTERS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
Section 70910 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``of the corporation shall be in the District of
Columbia. However, the activities of the corporation are not
confined to the District of Columbia but'' and inserting ``of
the FFA shall be as provided in the constitution or bylaws of
the FFA. The activities of the FFA''.
SEC. 12. RECORDS AND INSPECTION.
Section 70911 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``entitled to vote''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``corporation'' and
inserting ``FFA''.
SEC. 13. SERVICE OF PROCESS.
Section 70912 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``District of Columbia'' and inserting ``In
General'';
(B) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'' each
place the term appears;
(C) by striking ``in the District of Columbia'' before ``to
receive''; and
(D) by striking ``Designation of the agent shall be filed
in the office of the clerk of the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA'' each
place the term appears; and
(B) by inserting ``of the FFA'' after ``association or
chapter''.
SEC. 14. LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OFFICERS OR AGENTS.
Section 70913 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''.
[[Page H966]]
SEC. 15. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS IN DISSOLUTION OR FINAL
LIQUIDATION.
Section 70914 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``corporation'' and inserting ``FFA''; and
(2) by striking ``vocational agriculture'' and inserting
``agricultural education''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).
General Leave
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 439, a bipartisan bill
to update and modernize the Federal charter of the National FFA
Organization.
The FFA, formally known as the Future Farmers of America, is a
dynamic youth organization that uses agricultural education and
leadership training to promote the personal growth and career successes
of its members. With chapters in every State of the Union, its members
are the country's future chemists, veterinarians, government officials,
entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and
other professionals across a wide array of career fields.
The bill simply updates the FFA's charter to make it more consistent
with the modern organization and to provide additional flexibility as
it looks toward the future.
Among other things, the bill recognizes changes to the organization's
name. It modifies the organization's purpose to better reflect trends
in education and leadership training. It allows the FFA to publish
materials in electronic form rather than in printed form and provides
flexibility as to the location of the FFA's headquarters.
These are important changes to the existing charter that will help
the FFA better carry out its mission for years to come. I urge my
colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 439.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization's
Federal Charter Amendments Act.
The Future Farmers of America was founded in 1928 to advance
agricultural education and improve the quality of life of farming
families across the country.
At the first National FFA Convention in Kansas City, there were 33
delegates from 18 States. At the convention in 1929, 33 States were
represented, and FFA had swelled to over 30,000 members nationwide. By
1939, FFA had become so large, it required a national headquarters, so
it purchased part of George Washington's estate in Alexandria,
Virginia, and began construction.
During World War II, more than 138,000 FFA members were serving in
the armed services. In 1949, the FFA introduced its first international
exchange program with the Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.
In 1950, Harry Truman signed a bill to grant the FFA a Federal
charter, directing that a Department of Education staff member be the
national FFA adviser. In 1959, President Truman became the first of a
long line of Presidents to speak at the FFA National Convention.
In 1969, the FFA created the Washington Leadership Conference to help
students become more engaged citizens and to make a difference in their
communities.
Following Hurricane Katrina, the National FFA launched Seeds of Hope
to help rebuild the Gulf Coast agricultural programs. This effort,
combined with the National FFA Foundation, raised over $10 million for
FFA's programs and services.
Since its creation, FFA has grown to include more than 600,000
members across the country. It has built relationships with
agricultural organizations around the world.
Under FFA, students between the ages of 12 and 21 can be enrolled in
a systematic course of instruction in agricultural education.
Beyond the FFA's rich national history, it has held a special place
in my home State of Georgia for decades. Georgia has the third largest
State association, with more than 42,000 members. There are more than
342 chapters and more than 475 agricultural education teachers in the
State.
Georgia's FFA has also expanded its scholarship awards to help
students access these agricultural education programs and reward the
hard work of students. The Georgia FFA Association has worked to
improve career opportunities of its members through partnership
programs with businesses, educators, and legislators.
Today's legislation makes the necessary amendments to the National
FFA Organization's charter to allow for student officer vice
presidents, to reflect the regional diversity of the United States. It
also provides flexibility for national officers to reduce delays caused
by vacant seats on the national board.
These amendments will ensure the FFA's purpose matches the innovative
and hands-on approach that many agriculture educations are implementing
across the country.
I would like to thank Representative James Langevin and
Representative Glenn Thompson for their work on this legislation and
for their support of FFA and agricultural learning.
Mr. Speaker, I would also be remiss if I did not say that FFA is an
organization that, when you see the blue jackets on, especially from my
part of the world, it is something that also teaches young people
leadership and vocal skills. It also is very special to my heart.
Mr. Sutton was the agricultural and FFA adviser in North Hall High
School when my daughter attended. My daughter, as many of you know, has
spina bifida, and many of her recreational activities and others were
limited. She got into agriculture and joined the FFA. She got into
their speaker's program, and she would actually participate in the
extemporaneous speaker's program.
I watched this young lady take an FFA experience; I watched Mr.
Sutton, a man of integrity and character who led the blue jackets in
North Hall High School. When she would go, when they couldn't get
access to a handicap bus, he would actually physically pick her
wheelchair up and take her onto the bus himself.
As a dad and as a Congressman, the blue jackets mean a lot; and when
you see them coming, you know that there is good work being done. I
could not be more proud to stand here today to ask for support for this
legislation, for this charter to be renewed, for when we see
agriculture in our economy, which is the most dominant industry we
have, we know FFA stands behind it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, at this time, it is my privilege
to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for
yielding.
I share the chairman's passion for FFA and in the leadership that
emerges from that experience for our youth. And I know that, being
someone who represents a very rural district, we think of the FFA as a
rural enterprise; but, Mr. Speaker, the largest FFA chapter we have in
Pennsylvania--and we have a lot--it is a robust program in the city of
Philadelphia. This is a program that has tremendous impact in rural
America and has tremendous ability to impact in urban America today.
So I rise in support of H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization's
Federal Charter Amendments Act. I am honored to work with my good
friend, Mr. Langevin, on this piece of legislation.
This bipartisan bill makes updates to allow the national FFA to be a
self-governing organization, while maintaining its long-held
relationship with the U.S. Department of Education.
FFA, formally called the Future Farmers of America, was organized in
[[Page H967]]
1928. Congress recognized the importance of FFA as an integral part of
vocational agriculture, and in 1950 granted it a Federal charter.
This charter provides Federal authority to create an interagency
working agreement that is focused on strengthening FFA and school-based
agriculture education.
However, the role of education in securing a skilled, sustainable
workforce in agriculture is underscored through the required
involvement of the U.S. Department of Education on the National FFA
board of directors.
It is important to note that only about 100 organizations have
charters with Federal agencies. Only six organizations require the
respective government agencies to select one member for their board of
directors. FFA is the only organization that requires a majority of its
board of directors be chosen by its partner government agency.
Mr. Speaker, while we can all appreciate the integrated relationship
between the Department of Education and the FFA, it must be our
prerogative to determine the best path forward for both this Federal
charter and the students it serves.
FFA functions through a network of local chapters that may be
chartered in any public school with an agricultural education program.
Local chapters are run with student leadership. Students are elected
each year by the chapter's members, with the agriculture teacher
serving as adviser for the chapter.
Local chapters then make up State FFA associations, which operate
within the bounds of the National FFA Organization but have the ability
to create other individual leadership arrangements, competitions,
awards, and programs.
In Pennsylvania alone, our State FFA association includes over 12,900
members, 210 agriculture science teachers, and they have raised
$179,000 to support the future of agriculture education and student
leader growth.
It is important to understand this bill will allow the Secretary of
Education to continue to serve on the National FFA board of directors
but would no longer have the Department of Education's employees
constituting the majority of the board.
Additionally, this bill will also shift the organization's purpose
towards providing comprehensive career and technical education to
strengthen the Nation's agriculture workforce.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation brings FFA, a great cornerstone of
rural America--and, quite frankly, having a tremendous impact, today,
on urban America--into the 21st century.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 439, and I would
ask for favorable consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to
acknowledge the leadership and commitment of my colleagues, Jim
Langevin of Rhode Island and Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, for
working together on a bipartisan bill to fashion this bill.
I support H.R. 439 even more after listening to the comments of my
fellow Georgian about his daughter and the assistance and care that
this organization has rendered to her and probably countless others
even in more need of their support.
So, Mr. Speaker, I support organizations such as FFA. I support this
legislation, I ask my colleagues to support it too, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 439,
the ``National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act.''
H.R. 439 updates the charter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA)
to include the Department of Education on its board and governing
committee in line with other Congressionally chartered organizations by
changing the makeup of the board to consist of the Secretary of
Education, or the Secretary of Education's designee who has experience
in agricultural education, the FFA, or career and technical education
and other individuals representing the fields of education,
agriculture, food, and natural resources.
The changes will provide the National FFA Organization more autonomy
while allowing it to collaborate with federal agencies on matters of
mutual interest.
H.R. 439 also shifts the purpose of the FFA toward agriculture career
and technical education, provides for online publications, and allows
its headquarters to be located outside of Washington, D.C.
The shift in purpose of the FFA allows it to become an integral
component of instruction in agricultural education, including
instruction relating to agriculture, food, and natural resources, and
helps prepare students for successful entry into productive careers in
these fields.
This legislation helps to advance comprehensive agricultural
education by supporting contextual classroom and laboratory instruction
and work-based experiential learning.
With the changes promulgated by H.R. 439, the National FFA
organization will be allowed to develop education materials, programs,
services, and events as a service to State and local agricultural
education agencies while being a resource and support organization that
does not select, control, or supervise State association, local
chapter, or individual member activities.
The FFA's mission, which remains the same, is to ``make a positive
difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for
premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through
agricultural education.''
FFA has a strong and positive impact in the state I represent.
The Texas FFA was chartered in 1929, and boasts one of the largest
state memberships with over 123,000 members of which more than a third
are young women.
I am a strong supporter of educational organizations like the FFA.
For instance, each year the Texas FFA conducts career development
events over topics such as agricultural advocacy, food science and
natural resources, entomology, land evaluation, and public relations.
In 2018, the Texas FFA awarded over $2 million in scholarships to
graduating seniors who are ``the most capable and deserving FFA
members'' who will be pursuing a bachelor's degree from a Texas college
or university.
The FFA gives its members the opportunity to discover their
individual talents and values while discovering careers in agriculture
and developing leadership skills.
Agriculture is the nation's largest employer, with more than 23
million jobs.
Updating the FFA's Federal Charter means that the 653,359 FFA members
in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will have a
national organization that is in a better position to offer them the
support and resources they need.
For these reason, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R.
439.
{time} 1615
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 439.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________