K 134: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 15-22, 2025, as FFA Week in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 134 BY: M. of A. Lupardo MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Organization Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to support and promote the historic and significant observance of National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America (FFA), Week in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long- standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Organization Week in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, The National FFA Organization motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve, gives direction and purpose to those students who take an active role in succeeding in agricultural education and leadership; and WHEREAS, The National FFA Organization develops members' potential and helps them to discover their talent through hands-on experiences, giving the tools to achieve real-world success; these members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields; and WHEREAS, New York FFA was founded as a young farmer group in 1926, predating the establishment of the national Future Farmers of America in 1928, and has more than 200 chapters across New York and nearly 13,000 active students involved; and WHEREAS, Nationally, more than 521,000 students have engaged in the development of premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in over 100 years of New York FFA; and WHEREAS, New York FFA supports student excellence through 76 unique competitive events ranging from dairy quality and products to veterinary science, and from welding to environmental systems agriscience research; and WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for the National FFA Organization as a service to state and local agricultural education programs; and WHEREAS, In accomplishing its mission, National FFA Organization has made a positive difference in the lives of students through agricultural education, promoting citizenship, volunteerism, patriotism and cooperation; and WHEREAS, Agricultural education and National FFA Organization ensure a steady supply of young professionals to meet the growing needs in the science, business and technology of agriculture; and WHEREAS, FFA encourages student development of agricultural literacy, college and career readiness, employability skills, workplace safety, and personal financial literacy through individually developed supervised agricultural experiences and 58 award and degree programs; and WHEREAS, Further, FFA members prepare for futures as career, community, and agricultural leaders through leadership conferences, community service, guiding local programs, and connecting with state and national role models and mentors; and WHEREAS, Agricultural education in New York affects and instructs students in all parts of the State, and through their efforts, the officers and members of New York FFA are achieving increased levels of national recognition for themselves, and their schools and communities, as well as New York agriculture; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and applaud the leaders of commerce and industry whose accomplishments contribute to the economic health and prosperity of the communities of the State of New York and to the quality of life of its people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Organization Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.