[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 SPENCER COUNTY FFA DAIRY JUDGING TEAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Spencer 
County FFA Dairy Judging Team for winning the 2008 National FFA Dairy 
Cattle Judging Contest. This team is comprised of four outstanding 
young ladies: Whitney Owen, Cassandra Peterson, Kelli Smitha, and 
Michella White.
  After countless hours spent preparing for the Kentucky FFA Dairy 
Judging Contest, they were awarded top honors at the State competition 
last August. The team then had the privilege of representing the 
Commonwealth at the 2008 National FFA Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in 
Indianapolis, IN, where they were again victorious.
  Founded in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, the group that is 
today known as the National FFA Organization brings together students, 
teachers, and members of the agribusiness community to promote 
agricultural education. In Kentucky, the National FFA Organization has 
over 15,000 members spread across 145 chapters. And over 24,000 
Kentucky middle- and high-school students are enrolled in agricultural 
education programs.
  Agriculture is obviously an important sector of the economy for my 
State, and I am proud of the many young people and adults who work with 
the National FFA Organization in Kentucky to ensure that the Bluegrass 
State remains at the forefront of agricultural education and innovation 
for years to come. Members are always recognizable during their visits 
to our Nation's Capitol by their distinctive blue jackets.
  By securing a first-place finish at the national competition, the 
Spencer County FFA Dairy Judging Team now has the opportunity to 
represent America this summer at the International Dairy Judging 
Contest in Scotland. FFA is known for producing many of our Nation's 
future leaders, and I won't be surprised to see that trend continue 
based on the success Whitney, Cassandra, Kelli, and Michella have 
already achieved. I know my fellow Senators join me in wishing them the 
best of luck in their future endeavors.

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