Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the Smith-Lever Act which established the nationwide Cooperative Extension System.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the Smith-Lever Act, which established the nationwide Cooperative Extension System. Whereas May 8, 2014, marks the centennial of the enactment of the Act of May 8, 1914 (commonly referred to as the Smith-Lever Act; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. 7 U.S.C. 3103 Whereas Senator Michael Hoke Smith of Georgia and Representative Asbury Francis Lever of South Carolina authored the Smith-Lever Act ( 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. Whereas section 1 of the Smith-Lever Act ( 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on subjects relating to agriculture, uses of solar energy with respect to agriculture, home economics, and rural energy, and to encourage the application of the same Whereas cooperative extension work is a critical component of the three-part mission of the land-grant colleges and universities to work collaboratively with research institutions, in particular, the State agriculture experiment stations and 106 colleges and universities, including part B institutions (as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 7 U.S.C. 301 7 U.S.C. 3103 Whereas research-based education provided through the Cooperative Extension System to farmers and ranchers helped establish the United States as a leading agricultural-producing nation in the world; Whereas, in 1924, the clover emblem was adopted by the Department of Agriculture to represent the 4–H Clubs through which the nationwide youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System is carried out; Whereas, since 1924, 4–H Clubs have prepared millions of youth for responsible adulthood; Whereas cooperative extension activities prepare individuals for healthy, productive lives via sustained education, such as the nutrition education program established under section 1425 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3175 Whereas educational activities carried out under the Smith-Lever Act ( 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. Whereas cooperative extension activities translate science-based research for practical application through local and online learning networks in which educators are uniquely available to identify emerging research questions, connect with land-grant college or university faculty to find answers, and encourage the application of the findings of such research to improve economic and social conditions; Whereas cooperative extension activities engage with rural and urban learners through practical, community-based, and online approaches resulting in the acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to strengthen the profitability of animal and plant production systems, protect natural resources, help individuals make healthy lifestyle choices, ensure a safe and abundant food supply, encourage community vitality, and grow the next generation of leaders; and Whereas many States are celebrating the centennial of the enactment of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.) with resolutions and proclamations, and many land-grant colleges and universities are also commemorating the enactment of that historic Act: Now, therefore, be it That Congress— (1) recognizes the significance of the Act of May 8, 1914 (commonly referred to as the Smith-Lever Act; 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe and celebrate the centennial with a focus on launching an innovative and sustainable future for the Cooperative Extension System; (3) honors the university faculty and local educators who dedicate careers to providing trusted educational programs to help people, families, youth (4) thanks the volunteers who provide thousands of hours to promote excellence for 4–H Clubs, the Master Gardeners program, the Family and Consumer Sciences (5) encourages continued collaboration and cooperation among Federal, State, and local governments to assure the sustainability of the Cooperative Extension System as the premiere nonformal educational network in the United States; and (6) celebrates millions of youth, adults, families, farmers, ranchers, community leaders, and others who engage in cooperative extension learning opportunities designed to extend knowledge and change lives.

Summary: Recognizes the significance of the Smith-Lever Act which established the Cooperative Extension System. Honors the university faculty and local educators who provide educational programs to help people, families, youth, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Thanks the volunteers who promote excellence for 4-H Clubs, the Master Gardeners program, the Family and Consumer Sciences program, and other Cooperative Extension System programs. Encourages continued collaboration and cooperation among federal, state, and local governments to assure the sustainability of the Cooperative Extension System.