WASHINGTON – Texas 4-H member Jared Locklear recently awarded President George W. Bush with the “Partner in 4-H” award as part of the year-long celebration of the national youth development program’s centennial anniversary.
Highest honor. Bush received 4-H’s highest honor in a Roosevelt Room ceremony with USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman, a former 4-H’er, in attendance.
Six 4-H youth participants from Maryland and Washington, D.C., also attended.
As an unexpected bonus, the 4-H delegation was given a tour of the Oval Office by President Bush and met Vice President Dick Cheney.
Over 6.7 million school-aged children are enrolled in 4-H. More than 423,000 adult and youth volunteers nationwide help run the program, which was founded in 1902.
4-H makes impact. “4-H has touched the lives of more than 45 million people during its first 100 years,” said Deputy Administrator Alma Hobbs.
“As one of the oldest youth development programs, 4-H provides a nurturing environment for participants to grow and learn.”
At the White House ceremony, Veneman announced that the USDA’s Rural Development Agency will contribute an additional $1.4 million to the program.
