[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 25369-25370]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING WOMEN MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now 
proceed to consideration of S. Res. 319, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Begich). The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 319) commemorating 40 years of 
     membership of women in the National FFA Organization and 
     celebrating the achievements and contributions of female 
     members of the National FFA organization.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of this 
resolution to commemorate 40 years of membership by women in the 
National FFA Organization and to celebrate the achievements and 
contributions of female FFA members.
  It was 40 years ago, during the 1969 National FFA Convention, that 
delegates voted to allow women to join the FFA.
  Today, 41 percent of all members of the National FFA Organization are 
women, and more than 50 percent of leadership positions in the National 
FFA are held by women.
  In my home State of Nebraska, more than 800 females have received 
their American FFA Degrees, the highest honor that can be awarded to an 
FFA member.
  To be eligible for the American Degree, members must have earned and 
productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural 
experience program where FFA members live out their motto of learning 
by doing.
  American Degree recipients must also make it their mission to 
demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.
  More than 2,400 women in Nebraska have been awarded State FFA Degrees 
for their accomplishments in their local chapters and agricultural 
education classes.
  Nebraska also boasts more than 260 female State Proficiency winners 
and 5 female National Proficiency winners. These students represent the 
best of the best, having achieved the highest level of excellence in 
their chosen fields.
  Ninety women in Nebraska have served as State FFA Officers, with 8 
serving as President. Four Nebraska females have served as National FFA 
Officers. These leaders have invested their time and talents in 
building influential relationships with members and growing the 
Organization.
  The contributions of female members have helped the National FFA 
Organization to become a premier student leadership organization, 
comprised of more than 507,000 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, 
and the Virgin Islands.
  The FFA's mission 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.
  Today I am proud to offer a resolution to recognize the positive 
contributions female members have made to achieve FFA's goals of 
proficient agricultural leadership and advocacy, community citizenship, 
volunteerism, and cooperation.
  I congratulate the National FFA Organization for 40 years of 
membership by women and for its role in developing tomorrow's leaders.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 319) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 319

       Whereas the National FFA Organization is a premier student 
     leadership organization with more than 507,000 members in all 
     50 States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands;
       Whereas the mission of the National FFA Organization is to 
     make a positive difference in the lives of students by 
     developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, 
     and career success through agricultural education;
       Whereas women were first admitted as members of the 
     National FFA Organization in 1969 at the 42nd Annual National 
     FFA Convention;
       Whereas, by 2009, 41 percent of all members of the National 
     FFA Organization were women, and more than 50 percent of 
     leadership positions in the National FFA Organization were 
     held by women; and
       Whereas female members have made positive contributions to 
     the goals of the National FFA Organization, including 
     proficient agricultural leadership and advocacy, community 
     citizenship, volunteerism, and cooperation: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the National FFA 
     Organization for 40 years

[[Page 25370]]

     of membership by women and celebrates the achievements and 
     contributions of female members of the National FFA 
     Organization.

  Mr. DURBIN. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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