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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 121
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever
Act which founded the nationwide Cooperative Extension System.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend the 100
th
anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act which founded the2
nationwide Cooperative Extension System.3
WHEREAS, May 8, 2014, marks the centennial of the signing of the Smith-Lever4
Act (Act of May 8, 1914, Ch. 79, 38 Stat. 372, 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), which established the5
Cooperative Extension System, the nationwide transformational education system operating6
through land-grant universities in partnership with federal, state and local governments; and7
WHEREAS, United States Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia and United States8
Representative A. F. Lever of South Carolina authored the Smith-Lever Act to expand the9
"vocational, agricultural and home demonstration programs in rural America" by bringing10
the research-based knowledge of the land-grant universities to people where they live and11
work; and12
WHEREAS, cooperative extension is a critical component of the three-part13
land-grant university mission which works collaboratively with the Agricultural Experiment14
Station System, and academic programs in 106 colleges and universities, including15
historically black, Native American, and Hispanic-serving institutions to reach traditional16
and underserved audiences in all communities; and17
WHEREAS, the Cooperative Extension System continues to receive federal18 SCR NO. 121
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leadership and support enabled by the Smith-Lever Act and through the U.S. Department of1
Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and2
WHEREAS, cooperative extension's research-based education for farmers and3
ranchers helped establish the United States as a leading agricultural-producing nation in the4
world; and5
WHEREAS, since 1924, when the clover emblem was adopted by the USDA to6
represent 4-H, cooperative extension's nationwide youth development program has reached7
millions of youth and helped prepare them for responsible adulthood; and 8
WHEREAS, cooperative extension prepares people for healthy, productive lives9
through sustained education, such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program,10
breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing expenditures for federal and state assistance11
programs; and12
WHEREAS, cooperative extension provides rapid response to disasters and13
emergencies through the Extension Disaster Education Network by providing real-time alerts14
and resources so extension educators can respond to urgent needs resulting from hurricanes,15
floods, oil spills, fire, drought, pest outbreaks, and infectious diseases affecting humans,16
livestock and crops; and17
WHEREAS, cooperative extension translates science-based research for practical18
application through local and online learning networks where educators are available to19
identify emerging research questions, connect with land-grant university faculty to find20
answers, and encourage application of findings to improve economic and social conditions;21
and22
WHEREAS, cooperative extension engages with rural and urban learners through23
practical, community-based and online approaches, resulting in the acquisition of24
knowledge, skills and motivation to strengthen the profitability of animal and plant25
production systems, protect natural resources, help people make healthful lifestyle choices,26
ensure a safe and abundant food supply, encourage community vitality and grow the next27
generation of leaders; and 28
WHEREAS, many states are celebrating the centennial of the signing of the29
Smith-Lever Act with resolutions and proclamations, and many land-grant institutions also30 SCR NO. 121
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are commemorating the signing of the historic legislation; and1
WHEREAS, the Cooperative Extension Service was established in Louisiana on July2
23, 1914, when Louisiana State University President Thomas D. Boyd approved the3
memorandum of understanding between Louisiana State University Agricultural and4
Mechanical College and the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, now the Louisiana5
State University AgCenter.6
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the7
significance of the Smith-Lever Act to the establishment of Cooperative Extension8
nationwide and encourages the people of the state of Louisiana to observe and celebrate the9
centennial with a focus on launching an innovative and sustainable future for cooperative10
extension.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana honors the12
university faculty and local educators who dedicate their careers to providing trusted13
education to help people, families, youth, businesses and communities solve problems,14
develop skills and build a better future for all Louisianians.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to16
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.17
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Curry Johnson.
DIGEST
Thompson SCR No. 121
Commends the 100
th
anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act which founded the
nationwide Cooperative Extension System.