WHEREAS, The State Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension System was established by Congress and the Department of Agriculture in
1914; and
     WHEREAS, Out of that system grew 4-H Youth Development, an organization dedicated to the education and life skills of America's youth; and
     WHEREAS, The Term "4-H" stands for Head, Heart, Hands and Health: "Head" conveys clearer thinking, "Heart" conveys greater loyalty, "Hands" conveys larger service; and "Health" conveys better living; and
     WHEREAS, Building on its origins as corn clubs for boys and canning clubs for girls, the 4-H Youth Development Program continues to be the largest informal education program for boys and girls. Over 7.5 million youth, ages 5 to 19, from all fifty states and around the world in 83 countries, participate each year and develop knowledge and skills they will need to become competent, caring, productive, and contributing citizens of the world. The 4-H Program is very diverse in the project areas and educational programs it offers young people as well as in the audience it reaches; and
     WHEREAS, 4-H Youth Development, in conjunction with the Cooperative Extension Service, has members in all of Washington's 39 counties; and
     WHEREAS, 4-H Youth Development encourages young people to become involved in their communities in a variety of ways; and in its 2002 Centennial year 4-H Youth Development pledged over 2.6 million hours of community service to Washington residents; and
     WHEREAS, Our country fairs are excellent avenues in which members of 4-H can showcase their talents; and
     WHEREAS, Youth Development has, in recent years, extended its education efforts into urban areas as well as rural areas; and
     WHEREAS, Members have many choices of projects in many different education fields, including social sciences, the arts, animal sciences, family living, environmental stewardship, mechanical sciences, and the study of our natural resources; and
     WHEREAS, This greatly expanded and enhanced education of over 90,000 of our young people in Washington is due to the hard work and dedication of Cooperative Extension Services agents and program assistants from Washington State University, in concert with over 10,000 adult community volunteers; and
     WHEREAS, The House of Representatives are honored that 4-H Youth Development members from all corners of the state are currently visiting the state capitol as part of an education program called "Know Your Government";
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives welcome those delegates, extension agents and program assistants, and adult volunteers to our state capitol; and that we recognize the value of the "Know Your Government" program, as well as all the education programs sponsored over the years by Washington State University's Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development.