New Headquarters for California FFA

NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR CALIFORNIA FFA -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 05, 2004)

SPEECH OF HON. DEVIN NUNES OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2004

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the Tulare Chapter of the Future Farmers of America, I am proud to announce that the California FFA is in the process of building a permanent $5 million home. This building will be located north of Galt, California, on Highway 99 and will contain housing for state officers, meeting rooms and dormitories. The new FFA headquarters will provide not only needed facilities but also long-term continuity for this important organization. Indeed, many future leaders of California will have their first leadership training experiences at this facility.

Funds for the project are being raised by 59,000 high school students who are studying vocational agriculture. In addition, former alumni and friends of the FFA have already contributed $1.3 million toward the project.

The Future Farmers of America is an organization that contributes support to vocational agriculture students through home projects and leadership training programs. It once was mostly a rural program, for high school students of vocational agriculture. Now, many of the students are from metropolitan areas and have projects designed for a broad spectrum of urban living.

I am very pleased to congratulate the FFA on this important step in preparing for and prosperous future.

END