Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

D.R. "Billy" Matthews

D. R. "Billy" Matthews was known as “Mr. 4-H” in Florida. he served 10 summers as an assistant 4-H club director and director of the summer camping program. During this time he shared his knowledge, skills and talents with many 4-H’ers. His political career made him a role model, as he helped youth develop real-life skills and gain experience they would need in the real world. During his career he was public education teacher, a principal, and the first director of the J. Wayne Reitz Union and then moved on to become a Florida Congressman from 1953 to 1967. His tenure as a representative and congressman gave him high visibility, but he never forgot his rural roots and his involvement with the Florida 4-H program. He visited the National 4-H Center during National 4-H Conference, sharing his respect and admiration for 4-H with the delegates from around the nation. His long tenure as a U. S. Congressman placed him on many important committees and he earned high respect from President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson.