2013 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 13-006 BY SENATOR(S) Todd, Baumgardner, Brophy, Crowder, Grantham, Hodge, Hudak, Jahn, Johnston, Kerr, King, Newell, Renfroe, Roberts, Scheffel, Schwartz, Ulibarri, Aguilar, Balmer, Cadman, Carroll, Giron, Guzman, Harvey, Heath, Hill, Jones, Kefalas, Lambert, Lundberg, Marble, Nicholson, Steadman, Tochtrop, Morse; also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Sonnenberg, May, Ryden, Williams, Buck, Buckner, Conti, Coram, Court, DelGrosso, Dore, Duran, Everett, Exum, Fields, Fischer, Foote, Garcia, Gardner, Gerou, Ginal, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst, Humphrey, Joshi, Kagan, Kraft-Tharp, Labuda, Landgraf, Lawrence, Lebsock, Lee, Levy, McCann, McLachlan, Melton, Mitsch Bush, Moreno, Murray, Navarro, Nordberg, Pabon, Peniston, Pettersen, Primavera, Priola, Rankin, Rosenthal, Saine, Salazar, Schafer, Scott, Singer, Stephens, Swalm, Szabo, Tyler, Vigil, Waller, Wilson, Wright, Young, Ferrandino. CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF JANUARY 28, 2013, AS "COLORADO 4-H DAY". WHEREAS, Succeeding generations of well-educated, concerned, and involved youth are required to ensure that America has a competent and innovative workforce, a cohesive social structure, an effective education system, strong leadership, continued economic prosperity, and healthy communities in the years to come; and WHEREAS, In response to the documented inadequacies among American youth of critical science, technology, engineering, and math skills, 4-H is committed to advancing curricula that help develop skill expertise in science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.) as set forth by the National Science Education Standards under the guidance of dedicated adult volunteers and through experiential learning; and WHEREAS, The Colorado 4-H program is founded on the notion that youth are a vital resource for ensuring a better tomorrow, and assisting youth as they prepare for the future is the 4-H program's central mission; and WHEREAS, The Colorado 4-H program is an integral part of the Colorado State University Extension and is fundamental to the land-grant university mission; and WHEREAS, More than 104,000 Colorado youth, with the guidance of nearly 12,000 adult and youth volunteer leaders, currently contribute to their communities and gain practical experience in such subject areas as workforce preparation and career exploration, leadership and volunteerism, character and ethics, food and nutrition, agriculture and natural resources, conservation, consumer decision-making, veterinary medicine, animal sciences, and public speaking, to name just a few; and WHEREAS, Colorado 4-H provides youth an opportunity to interact with people from other countries and cultures through its international exchange program, which pairs participants from other nations with host families in Colorado and places Colorado 4-H members in homes abroad; and WHEREAS, The 4-H emblem, a green, four-leaf clover with a white "H" on each leaf, represents the characteristics each 4-H participant develops: Head, which involves thinking, making decisions, and learning new things; Heart, which entails caring about other people, accepting responsibility, and developing positive values; Hands, which symbolizes community service and the effort to acquire and perfect new skills; and Health, which involves protecting the well-being of the self and others; and WHEREAS, The "What's Your H?" campaign, which was recently launched at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colorado, focuses on asking Colorado 4-H citizens which "H" (Head, Heart, Hands, or Health) of the core principles of 4-H inspires them to go above and beyond every day; and WHEREAS, In the next year, through these marketing efforts, Colorado 4-H intends to raise awareness about the program and increase the number of members, volunteers, and donations; and WHEREAS, An eight-year longitudinal study of positive youth development recently completed by Tufts University demonstrates that 4-H members are: Less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as drinking, smoking, and drug use; Twice as likely to go to college; Three times more likely to delay sexual activity by grade 12; Twice as more likely to exercise and be physically active; and Three times more likely to contribute in their communities than their non-4-H peers; and WHEREAS, Participation in 4-H in Colorado is open to youth from all economic, social, and cultural backgrounds between the ages of 5 and 19; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein: That the General Assembly: (1) Salutes the Colorado 4-H program in its efforts to prepare Colorado's youth for the future, providing a wealth of opportunities for young people to acquire decision-making, leadership, and communication skills, as well as a host of other life skills, in a hands-on, friendly, learning environment; (2) Commends the Colorado State University Extension for its work in supporting the mission of the Colorado 4-H program; (3) Recognizes the invaluable contribution of the thousands of adult volunteers whose efforts enhance the 4-H experience for Colorado youth; (4) Encourages young people in Colorado to get a head start on life by participating in 4-H activities; and (5) Hereby declares this day, January 28, 2013, "Colorado 4-H Day" in recognition of the 4-H program's efforts on behalf of Colorado's youth. Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to Colorado's 4-H Program Leader and Youth Development Programs Director, Jeff Goodwin of Fort Collins. ____________________________ ____________________________ John P. Morse Mark Ferrandino PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES ____________________________ ____________________________ Cindi Markwell Marilyn Eddins SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES