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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – When the Florida 4-H Legislature convenes June 29, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings will swear in more than 200 teen members in the 4-H House and Senate who will pass a joint resolution dedicating this year’s 4-H legislative session to the memory of one of its founders, Herbert F. (Herb) Morgan.  This special occasion will mark the first time a joint resolution will be enacted by the 4-H Legislature.

 

In 1973, Morgan and good friend Ruth Milton started the Florida 4-H Legislature program.  Now in its 32^nd year, the program brings youth in direct contact with legislators and lobbyists.  It is the only 4-H program of its kind in the United States. 

 

With both a House and Senate in session, teen legislators, lobbyists and reporters will debate a variety of issues and learn how the government works.  Florida 4-H Legislature will conduct business with an acting governor, lieutenant governor and cabinet.

 

The Morgan family, with the help of former Speaker of the House James Harold Thompson, committed to working with the Florida 4-H Foundation on fundraising campaign, the proceeds of which will support the 4-H Mock Legislature program.

 

“Funds raised through the campaign will perpetuate youth learning in civic engagement, specifically legislative and government processes and the leadership skills to make community decisions regarding public policy,” said Marilyn Lesmeister, state 4-H volunteer development specialist and one of the adults advising the youth-driven event.

 

Following Tuesday’s opening session, 4-H legislators will break into committee meetings before debating the bills that make it past committees on Wednesday and Thursday.  Bills successful in both chambers will be signed or vetoed by Keli Perez of Broward County, the elected “4-H Governor” for the 2004 4-H legislative session.

 

“Serving as Governor will be challenging because it is an incredible responsibility, and exciting because it will be such a great first hand learning experience that I can take with me for the rest for my life,” said 18-year-old Perez.  “4-H is all about learning by doing, and through Legislature I can do just that.”

 

The bills are intentionally controversial and some may be surprised to learn not all the bills relate to agriculture.  While the agriculture committee’s roster of bills includes topics such as preventing cloning, aerial pesticide application, and livestock growth hormones, 4-H legislators and lobbyists will also discuss administering monthly

drug tests in schools, limiting frivolous legal suits, allowing the sale of human organs, methods of execution for death row inmates, the right to choose end of life and more.

 

According to Lesmeister, 4-H Legislature bills are designed to promote debate that simulates real legislative experience.  “The 4-H lobbyists and legislators are not expected to represent their own values or views,” Lesmeister said, “but they practice communication skills, negotiation and critical thinking.”

 

The co-ed hands-on experience in how government works is organized by University of Florida, IFAS 4-H.  A youth organizing committee has worked steadily on bills and logistics with UF advisors since September 2003.  Youth play key roles throughout the event, helping with registration, running meetings, leading charges to kill or support bills and setting up an experimental party system.

 

“Partnering with young people to plan programs is very important to 4-H,” said Marilyn Norman, state 4-H leader at the University of Florida.

 

Throughout the planning, bill writing, and debates, organizers say teens are learning to be engaged citizens.  Norman said many “4-H legislators” take their responsibilities as citizens to vote seriously and some go on to careers in government.  U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam, who participated in the 4-H Legislature program in his teens, now serves as the youngest member of the U.S. Congress.

 

Youth attendees are from: Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, St. Johns, Sumter, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Walton Counties.

 

The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of IFAS and the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  Last year 4-H worked with more than 241,000 youth ages 5-18 in Florida’s 67 counties and on five Seminole Tribes reservations in South Florida.  For more information visit http://www.florida4h.org or contact the county extension office in your area.

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