TALLAHASSEE- Hot pink and laser lemon won’t be required colors for cars in Florida, thanks to a bill that bombed in the Florida 4-H Legislature last week. And conducting embryonic stem cell research is illegal. Or at least, hypothetically. A record number of 228 teen 4-H members from 40 Florida counties invaded the statehouse last week to enact the thirtieth 4-H Legislature in the House of Representatives chambers. INSERT NAMES OF LOCAL YOUTH HERE.

Playing out the roles of legislators, lobbyists and even a mini-press corps that cranked out a daily newspaper, the week was full of lively debate on current issues. Topics included homeschooling, animal cloning, tobacco use, the death penalty, the age for carrying a concealed weapon and in-school suspension. Only about one-third of the legislation written by the 4-H members leaves committee and goes onto the house floor for debate. It’s not unlike the real world at the state capitol.

INSERT QUOTE FROM LOCAL YOUTH HERE ABOUT THE IMPACT THE PROGRAM HAD ON HIM/HER.

For the first time, political parties were added to the event, with liberal and conservative party leaders vying to lead votes on the House floor and with 4-H legislators “registering” with a party affiliation. The co-ed hands-on experience in how government works is organized by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The program began in 1972 with 50 youth and the popular program has expanded over the years.

With their snazzy suits and rigid parliamentary decorum, the young legislators turned more than a couple of heads. Lieutenant Governor Frank Brogan gaveled in their opening session. State Rep. Bev Kilmer and UF lobbyist Marian Hoffmann spoke to the group about opportunities available to young people in government.

A youth organizing committee has worked steadily on bills and logistics with UF advisors since September of last year. One of their own, Hunter Williams of Broward County, was speaker of the house. “It’s not easy to pull off a program of this size and complexity, and having youth involvement enhances the program’s depth educationally and makes it stronger,” said Marilyn Norman, state 4-H leader at the University of Florida.

“Partnering with young people to plan programs is very important to 4-H,” said Norman. “We are celebrating this year during 4-H’s centennial, the power of youth, which is the power of young people to make a difference in the world.”

The debate on the floor is not just a lot of hot air. Amid the hubbub, 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, 27, who was involved in the 4-H Legislature program in his teens only a decade ago, is now the youngest member of the 108th U.S. Congress.

Youth attendees were from: Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Escambia, Gulf, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia and Washington counties.