HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2020-4680

HR 4680

ByRepresentatives Wilcox, Barkis, Boehnke, Caldier, Chambers, Chandler, Corry, DeBolt, Dent, Dufault, Dye, Eslick, Gildon, Goehner, Graham, Griffey, Harris, Hoff, Irwin, Jenkin, Klippert, Kraft, Kretz, MacEwen, Maycumber, McCaslin, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Rude, Schmick, Smith, Steele, Stokesbary, Sutherland, Van Werven, Vick, Volz, Walsh, Ybarra, and Young

WHEREAS, The Washington Future Farmers of America (FFA) has approximately twelve thousand student members represented by all nine FFA districts around the entire state; and

WHEREAS, Washington FFA members contribute 4.4 billion dollars nationally generated through their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs, which promote hands-on learning as an extension of the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Washington agriculture contributes 10.6 billion dollars in revenue a year from thirty-nine thousand five hundred farms and ranches, according to the Washington Farm Bureau, and is twelve percent of Washington's total economy; and

WHEREAS, The Washington FFA allows students to develop personally and professionally through a variety of opportunities that appeal to all different learning types, utilizing a three-circle model encompassing classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, and FFA; and

WHEREAS, Each FFA chapter plans events throughout the year, which will better their members and the community around them through a program of activities, which is submitted to the Washington FFA Association at the beginning of each school year; and

WHEREAS, The Washington FFA hosts "Emerge," which is an in-state leadership conference reaching approximately two hundred eighty members statewide; and

WHEREAS, The Washington FFA is home to Julie Smiley who was the first-ever female national officer in 1976 hailing from the Mount Vernon FFA chapter; and

WHEREAS, The Sumner FFA chapter is in the top six for most national winners with fifteen first-place finishers; and

WHEREAS, On average, three thousand members and guests attend the Washington FFA state convention each spring; and

WHEREAS, Individual members and teams of members are recognized for their hard work and success in thirty-two different career and leadership development events each year at the convention; and

WHEREAS, The ninetieth Washington FFA Convention and Expo will be held May 14th through 16th; and

WHEREAS, The Washington FFA began in 1930 and is celebrating its ninetieth year in 2020;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize the Washington FFA's ninetieth year of existence and community service.