ENROLLED 2023 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 43 BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND A RESOLUTION To designate Thursday, May 4, 2023, as FFA Day at the state capitol and to commend the state officers of the Louisiana Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association. WHEREAS, in 1917, the United States Congress passed the National Vocational Education Act, now commonly referred to as the Smith-Hughes Act, to appropriate federal dollars to states for the purpose of finding teachers, supervisors, and directors of agricultural subjects as well as trade, home economics, and industrial subjects in high schools across the United States and has since funded programs created pursuant to the Act; and WHEREAS, in the 1920's, student interest generated by the addition of these classes prompted the first state organization of future farmers, and in 1928, thirty-three students from eighteen states convened to form the FFA, known since 1988 as the National FFA Organization; and WHEREAS, the National FFA Organization prepares and trains students for leadership and professions in the science, business, and technology of agriculture in public schools throughout our nation; and WHEREAS, the mission of the FFA organization is to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education; and WHEREAS, the motto of the FFA organization, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve", gives members words to live by as they experience the opportunities of the organization; and WHEREAS, the National FFA Organization consists of more than seven hundred thirty-five thousand members in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; and WHEREAS, FFA membership in Louisiana continues to be strong and includes over twelve thousand members in two hundred twelve chapters throughout the state; and Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 43 ENROLLED WHEREAS, the members of the Louisiana House of Representatives recognize the importance of agriculture to the economy of this state, as well as the importance of the education and training students in the state receive through agricultural education programs that develop competent and assertive agricultural leadership. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate Thursday, May 4, 2023, as FFA Day at the state capitol. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana also recognizes and commends the 2022-2023 state FFA officers as follows: Colton Conley, president; Rachael Reed, vice president; Annie Heard, vice president; Kayden Smith, vice president; Allie Hubbard, vice president; Sydney Bruchhaus, secretary; Grace Manuel, treasurer; Abbygail Davis, reporter; Lauren Poole, sentinel; and Alaina Lyons, parliamentarian. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the executive secretary of the Louisiana FFA Association. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 2 of 2