For Immediate Release: April 4, 2007
Senators Charles Wyrick and Ron Justice pose with state 4-H
officers in the Senate lounge
following the presentation of SR 25.
Senate Celebrates 4-H Day at Capitol
The Senate passed Senate Resolution 25 Wednesday
designating April 4, 2007 as "4-H Day" at the Oklahoma
State Capitol. The resolution was authored by Senators Ron Justice
and Charles Wyrick.
"This organization has always been a big part of my life
and has a very special place in my heart," said Justice,
R-Chickasha. "I really appreciate everyone who has come
today to help educate others about the wonderful contributions
that 4-H is making to our local communities and our state as
a whole."
4-H is the largest youth organization in Oklahoma, serving nearly
150,000 youth between the ages of 5 and 19 through the fourfold
development of the "Head, Heart, Hands, and Health"
of every member.
"4-H is a tremendous program that has been bringing young
people together for over 100 years to learn leadership, citizenship
and life skills that will play a vital role in their success
as adults," said Wyrick, D-Fairland.
Oklahoma's 4-H program has around 1,000 youth volunteers and
3,400 adult volunteers.
"The value of our 4-H volunteers' community service here
in Oklahoma is estimated as a nearly $800,000 investment in
the future - a future that we must all share," said Justice.
"These are the kinds of things that we're hoping to open
people's eyes to by having this special day at the Capitol.
People misunderstand the organization thinking it's only about
raising and showing farm animals, but it is so much more than
that."
The organization, part of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension
Service provided by Langston University and Oklahoma State University,
is a program where youth learn together through various kinds
of projects, events and activities.
"4-H Day is an effort to urge Oklahomans to take advantage
of the opportunity to become more aware of this special program
which gives youth the chance to learn together and on their
own as part of the program," said Wyrick. "We also
wanted to give people the opportunity to join us in recognizing
the unique partnership between our country, state and federal
governments along with our Land-Grant University System."
During the presentation of SR 25, an entourage of 4-H members
was welcomed to the Senate floor. The entourage included, among
others, Dr. Robert Whitson, Vice President, Dean and Director
for the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
at Oklahoma State University along with 4-H Northwest Vice-President
Shelby Latta from Gage, Sarah Brockhaus, an Ambassador from
Noble and Matt Taylor, an Ambassador from Ada. These three students
were allowed to address the Senate and spoke on how 4-H has
impacted their lives. Dr. Marvin Burns, the Vice President and
Dean of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Langston
led the Senate's opening prayer.
For more information contact:
Senator Justice's Office: (405) 521-5537
Senator Wyrick's Office: (405) 521-5561
