On the recordJanuary 22, 2019
I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 439, a bipartisan bill to update and modernize the Federal charter of the National FFA Organization. The FFA, formally known as the Future Farmers of America, is a dynamic youth organization that uses agricultural education and leadership training to promote the personal growth and career successes of its members. With chapters in every State of the Union, its members are the country's future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and other professionals across a wide array of career fields. The bill simply updates the FFA's charter to make it more consistent with the modern organization and to provide additional flexibility as it looks toward the future. Among other things, the bill recognizes changes to the organization's name. It modifies the organization's purpose to better reflect trends in education and leadership training. It allows the FFA to publish materials in electronic form rather than in printed form and provides flexibility as to the location of the FFA's headquarters. These are important changes to the existing charter that will help the FFA better carry out its mission for years to come. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 439. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
