[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.

                          ____________________