U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced a bipartisan resolution that established February 20-27, 2021 as National FFA Week to recognize the important role of the FFA in communities across America. U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) led an identical resolution in the House of Representatives that was introduced last Tuesday, February 23rd. The resolutions received broad bipartisan support, with 49 cosponsors in the Senate and 77 in the House of Representatives. Yesterday, the resolution passed the Senate with unanimous support.
In addition to designating National FFA Week, the resolution recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing young leaders and providing educational and career opportunities to students, and celebrates over 50 years of FFA alumni and supporters.
“For communities across Indiana, the FFA plays a critical role in the development of students through agricultural education. The lessons, tools, and resources gained throughout the program equip Indiana’s future leaders with the lifelong skills needed to succeed,” said Senator Young. “I am pleased to have introduced this resolution establishing National FFA Week to support the more than 12,000 FFA members in Indiana.”
“The National FFA Organization and Delaware FFA play critical roles in strengthening our communities and preparing the next generation of leaders to meet the many challenges facing American agriculture,” said Senator Coons. “I am proud to join Senator Young in leading this bipartisan resolution celebrating National FFA Week and recognizing FFA’s alumni and supporters.”
“On behalf of the 760,113 National FFA members across the United States, I’d like to thank US Senators Todd Young and Chris Coons for their support of our organization by their lead authorship of the Senate Resolution commemorating National FFA Week. This year marks a special milestone for National FFA as we celebrate 50 years of the Alumni and Supporters Program. Our organization estimates that there are over 8 million FFA alumni worldwide. As FFA works to grow the next generation of leaders in agriculture through school-based agricultural education, we greatly appreciate the support of Senator Young and his colleagues in the US Senate,” said Doster Harper, National FFA President.
