Bill Text: VA HJR319 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-02-27 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ319ER) [HJR319 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-HJR319-Enrolled.html
|
WHEREAS, on March 13, 1914, the Virginia General Assembly enacted laws providing for the establishment of Extension work in the Commonwealth in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture; and WHEREAS, May 8, 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which established Cooperative Extension, the nationwide transformational education system operating through land-grant universities in partnership with federal, state, and local governments; and WHEREAS, United States Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia and United States Representative A. F. Lever of South Carolina authored the Smith-Lever Act to expand the "vocational, agricultural, and home demonstration programs in rural America" by bringing the research-based knowledge of the land-grant universities to people where they live and work; and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension is a critical component of the three-part land-grant university mission at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University and works collaboratively with research, particularly the Agricultural Experiment Station System, and academic programs in 106 colleges and universities, including historically black-, Native American-, and Hispanic-serving institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six United States territories, to reach traditional and underserved audiences in all communities; and WHEREAS, the Cooperative Extension system continues to receive federal programmatic leadership and support enabled by the Smith-Lever Act and other legislation through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension's research-based education for farmers and ranchers helped establish the United States as a leading producer of agriculture in the world; and WHEREAS, since 1924, when the USDA adopted the clover emblem to represent 4-H, Cooperative Extension's nationwide youth development program has reached millions of youth and helped prepare them for responsible adulthood; and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension prepares people for healthy, productive lives through sustained education, such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing expenditures for federal and state assistance programs; and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension provides rapid response to disasters and emergencies through the Extension Disaster Education Network and other similar efforts by providing real-time alerts and resources, allowing Extension educators to respond to urgent needs resulting from hurricanes, floods, oil spills, fires, droughts, pest outbreaks, and infectious diseases affecting humans, livestock, and crops; and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension translates science-based research for practical application through local and online learning networks, where educators are uniquely available to identify emerging research questions, connect with land-grant university faculty to find answers, and encourage application of findings to improve economic and social conditions; and WHEREAS, Cooperative Extension engages with rural and urban learners through practical, community-based, and online approaches, resulting in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and motivation to strengthen the profitability of animal and plant production systems, protect natural resources, help people make healthy lifestyle choices, ensure a safe and abundant food supply, encourage community vitality, and develop the next generation of leaders; and WHEREAS, many states are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act with resolutions and proclamations, and many land-grant institutions are also commemorating the signing of the historic legislation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Edwin J. Jones, director of Virginia Cooperative Extension, as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for the importance of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 and the establishment of the Cooperative Extension program. |
