[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5387]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING THE MONTANA FFA ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 89 which was submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 89) congratulating the Montana FFA on 
     its 75th anniversary.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the 
Montana FFA, an organization near and dear to my heart. As a former 
blue jacket myself, I know firsthand how much this organization 
contributes to the development of leadership skills. A number of my 
staff, including my chief of staff, are former Montana FFA officers. I 
couldn't be prouder to introduce today, along with my colleague, 
Senator Baucus, a resolution congratulating the Montana FFA on its 75th 
anniversary.
  With over 2,500 current members from 75 chapters, the Montana FFA 
provides outstanding career and technical education to students across 
the State. Over 40,000 Montanans have participated in FFA programs.
  As this resolution states, the mission of the FFA, a federally 
chartered national organization, is to make a positive difference in 
the lives of students by developing their potential for premier 
leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture 
education. In Montana, that mission is achieved every day. Whether 
focusing on public speaking skills, or developing business expertise, 
or learning about horticulture at the new greenhouse at Park High in 
Livingston, FFA ensures that our students are ready to embrace all the 
opportunities the future holds for them.
  When the national FFA began in 1928, it did so with just 33 members. 
Today, it has blossomed into a powerful force for career education, 
with over 475,000 members. Each year, the halls of Congress are filled 
with the familiar blue-and-gold jackets, as FFA students from across 
the nation come to share their thoughts and concerns with us.
  The contributions of both the Montana FFA and the national FFA are 
numerous, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to honor this great 
organization today. I know this program will continue to flourish and 
offer our youngsters skills in leadership, personal growth, and career 
options in the agricultural community as it has done every day since 
its inception back in Kansas City.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 89) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 89

       Whereas in 2005, the Montana FFA, chartered in 1930, 
     celebrates its 75th anniversary as a premier student 
     development organization where members gain life and 
     leadership skills;
       Whereas more than 40,000 Montanans have been FFA members;
       Whereas Montana FFA alumni provide outstanding leadership 
     to agriculture and agribusiness at the local, State, and 
     Federal levels;
       Whereas the Montana FFA Association is the largest career 
     and technical student organization in the State, with over 
     2,550 members from 75 chapters;
       Whereas the mission of the FFA is to make a positive 
     difference in the lives of students by developing their 
     potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career 
     success through agriculture education;
       Whereas FFA is an integral component of agriculture 
     education in the public school system; and
       Whereas the National FFA Organization is a federally-
     chartered organization:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Montana FFA on its 75th anniversary; 
     and
       (2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit to the 
     Montana FFA an enrolled copy of this resolution for 
     appropriate display.

                          ____________________